... be parents in the service who are neglecting to bring their children for baptism. 3. Some in church today may have been baptized but not confirmed. These need to be reminded that an adult response is necessary when one is baptized as an infant. 4. There are misunderstandings and ignorance concerning baptism, such as, baptism as christening, baptism as the dedication of the child, the modes of applying water in baptism, and the responsibilities and qualifications of sponsors in infant baptism.
Isaiah 9:1-7, 1 Corinthians 1:10-17, Matthew 4:12-17, Matthew 4:18-22
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John R. Brokhoff
... visitor, counselor, or teacher. Not only is preaching primary to Paul, but the cross in his preaching is foremost. PREACHING POSSIBILITIES Three Lessons: Isaiah 9:1-4; 1 Corinthians 1:10-18; Matthew 4:12-23 1. Publish Glad Tidings! Need: In this season of Epiphany we are concerned with the spread of the gospel to the ends of the earth. This can happen only if the Good News is shared with all people. Why should we do this? Why not let the non-Christian peoples be content in the religion they now have? We do ...
Matthew 5:43-48, Matthew 5:33-37, 1 Corinthians 3:1-23, Leviticus 19:1-37
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John R. Brokhoff
... human being, does he expect him to be perfect? There are some who answer the question negatively. If he does not, then God must expect us to be sinful. If we are not to be perfect, what does this say about sin? Is it normal and not something to be concerned about? If we are not to be perfect, what is the point of justification and the cross? This text seems to say that God does expect us to be like him: holy, merciful, perfect. Outline: God expects all of us to be perfect. a. Perfect in holiness and love. b ...
Isaiah 49:8-26, Matthew 6:25-34, 1 Corinthians 4:1-21
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John R. Brokhoff
... of having one's priorities in proper order. In verse 24, God is to come first over mammon, and he only is to be served. Next, life is more important than food, drink, and clothing (v. 25). Trust should have priority over worry (v. 33). Today is of greater concern than tomorrow (v. 34). Old Testament: Isaiah 49:8-18 1. Sing for joy (v. 13). A Christian should be the happiest person in the world. A Christian is one who is ever singing for joy so great that the joy is not limited to people. Both heaven and ...
... with God - 2 Peter 1:16-21 The Transfiguration was Jesus' experience with God, not the first nor the last, but it was an experience so intense that the glory of God transfigured him into the brightness of the sun. Lesson 2 gives the testimony of the disciples concerning the reality of that experience. Moses has a similar experience with God on Mount Sinai, but it was related to the Law, not the gospel of the Son. The Prayer of the Day asks that we may see the glory of the King in his beauty. Psalm 2 ...
Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:1-26, John 4:27-38, John 4:39-42
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John R. Brokhoff
... free to be our true selves, to love and to live. In this passage, we see Jesus as the Liberator. Acceptance of him by faith would bring us liberation. Outline: Consider the liberating power of Jesus. a. Liberation from sexism - v. 9. b. Liberation from physical concerns - v. 14. c. Liberation from ignorance - vv. 25-26. 2. Life Without Life (4:5-15). Need: Americans know how to extend but do not know how to enhance life. We have more life and less Life. According to the National Center for Health Statistics ...
... is in the believer. Thus, God is in us only when we are possessed by the Spirit. 3. Desolation. Jesus prepared his disciples for his departure by assuring them he would not run off and leave them at the mercy of the world. It was a justifiable concern, for when Jesus left, they would be leaderless, without guidance and encouragement. What can twelve do in a hostile world? Jesus promises to come in a little while in the person of the Spirit. It indicates that a Christian never has to walk alone in this world ...
John 17:1-11, Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-19; 5:6-11, Psalm 68
Sermon Aid
John R. Brokhoff
... World Gospel - Christians in the world are prayed for - John 17:1-11 Lesson 1 - Christians in the world pray for the Spirit - Acts 1:6-14 Lesson 2 - Christians in the world share Christ's sufferings - 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 The Lessons are concerned with the situation before the ascension (Gospel), at the time of the ascension (Lesson 1), and after the ascension (Lesson 2). In the Gospel, Jesus prays for those he is about to leave. Their need of this prayer is proved by their suffering at the hands of the ...
Genesis 6:1-8:22, Deuteronomy 11:1-32, Matthew 7:15-23, Matthew 7:24-29, Romans 3:21-31
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John R. Brokhoff
... rock of Christ rather than on sand. This passage concludes the Sermon on the Mount, the greatest collection of Jesus' teachings. The question may have come to Jesus' mind: Will the people obey their teachers or will they resume their old way of life? It becomes a concern of obedience. He who hears and obeys is like a man who builds his house on rock. Then the storms of life will not wash him away. The results of obedience are stability and security. Outline: Two men in a storm. a. The foolish man - built on ...
Genesis 18:1-15, Romans 5:1-8, Matthew 9:35 – 10:8 (9-23), Matthew 9:35-38, 10:1-42, Romans 5:1-11
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John R. Brokhoff
... a matter of pure grace - God's love for deprived people. Grace comes in the form of a promise, and every divine promise is fulfilled. Old Testament: Exodus 19:2-8a 1. Whose Are You? (19:4-5). Need: We are living at a time when many are concerned about self-understanding, self-identity, and self-acceptance. Often it is self-directed and self-centered. A human being cannot truly and fully know who he is until he knows whose he is. He is known in relationship to his source and ownership. A Christian knows who ...
Matthew 10:1-42, Romans 6:1-14, Romans 5:12-21, Jeremiah 20:7-18, Genesis 21:8-21
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John R. Brokhoff
... people like Polycarp, Joan of Arc, and William Tyndale. The one who is lord of both body and soul is God alone. Then, it would be better to fear only God. 3. A caring God (vv. 29-31). Does an infinite being of all power and glory have time and concern for the world, even for the least on earth? It seems that to say he does is incomprehensible. Jesus teaches that at the heart of the universe and at the base of our existence is a God who knows and cares about the least of his creation such as sparrows ...
... ? 10:35-37 Need: Who should come first - family or Christ? Apparently, this is a valid problem or Jesus would not have discussed it with his men. It was a problem for Abraham when he was ordered to sacrifice Isaac. Ministers today face the question - should family concerns take precedence over one's ministry? Here is the real test of our Christianity. Normally the ones we love the most and the ones most precious to us are the members of our immediate family. Do they mean more to us than Christ? That is the ...
Genesis 28:10-22, Romans 8:1-17, Romans 8:18-27, Matthew 13:24-30, Matthew 13:36-43
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John R. Brokhoff
... , And Creature (8:18-23). Need: In this passage we have the cosmic dimension of redemption. The creature and creation are both in need of redemption. Until that is accomplished, both wait and groan for redemption. This sermon is relevant to today's concern for environment. It is an opportunity to give a theological perspective to the problem and to our relation to creation. Outline: In this passage we see - a. The Creator of creation and creature. b. The creature and creation in need of redemption - vv ...
Exodus 13:17--14:31, Romans 14:1--15:13, Matthew 18:21-35
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John R. Brokhoff
... are restless. Man was made by God to live with and for God. In God, man finds his meaning and fulfillment. Outline: No person is totally independent. a. He needs other people. b. He needs God. 2. Whose We Are (14:8-9). Need: In a day when we are concerned about who we are, we need to find the answer in whose we are. Paul, in the text, tells us whose we are - "we are the Lord's." We belong to God through Christ. We are adopted children of God, members of God's kingdom. Each Christian can say, "I ...
Exodus 17:1-7, Ezekiel 18:1-32, Philippians 2:1-11, Philippians 2:12-18, Matthew 21:23-27, Matthew 21:28-32
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John R. Brokhoff
... of church unity? Paul urges his people to have the mind of Christ. His mind was one of humility demonstrated in his taking the form of a servant and dying on a cross. Humility is expressed by considering others better than yourself and being concerned more about others than yourself. Arrogance and pride divide and cause trouble while humility draws together into a unity. PREACHING POSSIBILITIES Gospel: Matthew 21:28-32 1. What Kind Of Sinner Are You (21:28-32). Need: The Bible testifies to the fact that ...
Exodus 20:1-21, Isaiah 5:1-7, Philippians 3:1-11, Philippians 3:12-4:1, Matthew 21:33-46
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John R. Brokhoff
... of righteousness. Because of their rejection of Christ, the Jews lost, but the Gentiles gained the kingdom. THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS Gospel: Matthew 21:33-43 1. Householder (v. 33). In this parable God is the householder (owner). It is his vineyard. His care and concern are shown by his planting the vineyard, setting a hedge around it, digging a wine press, and erecting a tower. Then he turns the vineyard over to his people. The vineyard is God's people. He has planted and equipped it. Then he leaves ...
Exodus 32:1-33:6, Isaiah 25:1-12, Philippians 4:2-9, Philippians 4:10-20, Matthew 22:1-14
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John R. Brokhoff
... Right will prevail. There is hope for tomorrow. It is a final day of life, love, and victory. 2. People (v. 6). God is going to bring all peoples to his eschatological feast. God is not limited to Israel. He is the God of the nations. All people are his concern and delight. Here is a beautiful picture of God's ending history with a feast for all peoples - in fellowship and peace with each other and with God. 3. Salvation (v. 9). The world's history ends in salvation, for God is at work. To be saved is to be ...
Matthew 22:15-22, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Isaiah 44:24--45:25, Exodus 33:12-23
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John R. Brokhoff
... (v. 14). Yahweh promises to give Moses rest. It is a great promise for anyone. For Moses the "rest" could mean that eventually Israel would cease the wilderness wandering and settle down in the Promised Land. It could also mean "rest" from the labor and concern of leading a stiff-necked, grumbling, cantankerous people. For us "rest" can mean comfort in the knowledge that God is with us and will lead us to the Promised Land of heavenly rest. 2. Distinct (v. 16). What makes a person or a people distinctive ...
Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16, Matthew 22:34-40, Matthew 22:41-46, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
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John R. Brokhoff
... Oh, That The Lord Would Guide My Ways" THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS Gospel: Matthew 22:34-46 (C, E); Matthew 22:34-40 (RC) 1. Test (v. 35). This is the fourth time when Jesus is put to the test by his enemies. He had just silenced the Sadducees by his answer concerning the resurrection. On the one hand, we deplore the malice in the religious leaders to try to trap him so that they would have a reason to bring him to trial and death. On the other hand, we have no fear that Jesus cannot pass the severest tests any ...
... running through the fax machines and telephone lines and mailboxes of Washington that one wonders if the finite human ego can survive it all. As Christians we have always tended to frown on the word "power," and have focused instead on Jesus' special concern for the powerless. And yet, my friends, power, which comes from the Latin word posse, means simply "to be able." It is the birthright and need of every human being to be powerful, to be able, to experience both significance and influence. And power ...
... out how to witness to Jesus Christ in the midst of all this cultural chaos. 1967 was also the year I turned eighteen and graduated from high school. Though vaguely aware of all the political and global tumult swirling around me, I was much more concerned about my prom dress, my SAT scores, and the looming adventure of attending college 3,500 miles from home. But, even as self-absorbed as I was, I do remember the Confession of 1967 (C67), the first contemporary statement of faith crafted by the Presbyterian ...
... , God has destroyed death forever." When all was said David then told Turk about his car problem. Quickly the rugged "biker" siphoned some gas from another vehicle, gave David directions, and sent him on his way. When he arrived home, his wife, who was obviously concerned about her husband's late return, told him that he needed to get to bed and rest, but he told her, "I need to rewrite my sermon." The next day, David did not talk about "New Being" or estrangement from authentic selfhood; he simply told ...
... these are weighted words that require background study to fully comprehend their meaning. Now let's consider the laying on of hands, the touching, that is a very real portion of the elder's healing ministry. A touch makes a connection between two people. It shows concern - a nurse holding a frightened child's hand during a procedure, a grandchild kissing his grandpa as he recovers in bed. It's a way of saying, "I'm here. I care." Research is discovering that a touch does so much more than transmit good will ...
... important. Many times an athlete's helmet is tailor-made just for him. Such helmets can cost as much as a thousand dollars. The cost is worth it, however, because the well-fitting uniform insures the player's maximum safety and performance. God is likewise concerned with your safety and performance. He wants you to achieve your maximum capability as a person. This is why he offers you a yoke that is a perfect fit. He knows that if you work the right job, marry the right person, make the right salary ...
... pray that. But when we say it, do we mean, "God, keep America number one" the way some Jews of the first century looked for the restoration of the Davidic empire? Do we want America to be blessed without any corresponding sacrifice on our part, or without having any concern about being a blessing to others? If we do have that attitude, what does a crucified Messiah have to do with our hope? Do we get it? When we hear about the cross, do we say, "Was that really necessary?" That was the reaction of a lot of ...