Sermon Starters

Men Who Glorify God

Galatians 1:11-24

Editor’s Note: In this series, Joe is building expositional sermons using the key word study method and referencing the KeyWord Study Bible © from AMG Publishers. Greek terms are marked with their corresponding number from Strong’s dictionary.

Intro.: The false teachers at Galatia had their opinions about Paul, like many still do today. Our text makes it indelibly clear that he was not concerned with the applause or accolades of men (Gal. 1:10).

Proposition: Galatians 1:11 begins the autobiographical section of the letter. Note three facts concerning the life and ministry of the Apostle Paul which will lead us to understand the elements of a God-glorifying life.

I. His Message Came by Divine Revelation (vv. 11-14)

    A. Not according to the will of man (v. 12).

    B. Not according to the worship of man (v.13).

    C. Not according to the work of man (v. 14).

KeyWord: “revelation” (apo¨kalupsis [602], “to reveal, revelation, uncovering, disclosure”). In this case, Jesus is both the Revealed and the Revealer (cf. Acts 9:1-9). Paul’s message did not originate in man’s mind, heart, or imagination. It leaves no door open for self-righteousness, and cannot be neatly fitted into a life—it causes radical change (cf. Matt. 16:17, John 1:13, 6:44-45).

II. His Mission Came by Divine Ordination (vv. 15-20)

    A. According to the pleasure of God— “But when God . . . was pleased” (v.15, cf. Eph. 1:5.

    B. According to the plan of God—“Who had set me apart from my mother’s womb” (v. 15, cf. Jer. 1:5).

    C. According to the power of God—“called me through His grace” (v. 15).

    D. According to the preaching of God—“that I might preach Him among the Gentiles” (v. 16).

KeyWord: “preach” (e¨uagge¨lizo\ [2097], “to announce good news, to declare, to bring, to show, to preach the Gospel”). The verb is used to describe the actions of the Christians who were “scattered abroad and went about preaching the Word” after the martyrdom of Stephen” (Acts 8:4).

III. His Ministry Centered on Gospel Proclamation (vv. 22-23).

    A. Formerly Saul, the persecutor.

    B. Now Paul, the preacher of the faith.

Application: “And they were glorifying God because of me” (v. 24).

KeyWord: “glorifying” (do¨xazo\ [1392], “to esteem glorious, to glorify, to honor, to magnify”).

Conc.: The question Paul asked in 1:10 is now clearly answered here—his life was about pleasing God, not pleasing man. His life serves to show three essential elements of a God-glorifying life: 1) the message you believe, 2) the life you lead, 3) the Gospel you proclaim.

Joe Fauth

Obedience and Trust Bring Blessing

Proverbs 2, 3, and 4

I. A Protected Path (Ch. 2)

    A. Delight in the Lord (2:1-8).

    B. Deliverance by the Lord (2:9-22).

           1. From the wicked man (2:9-15).

           2. From the immoral woman (2:16-22).

II. A Pleasant Path (Ch. 3)

    A. Love for the Word (3:1-4).

    B. Trust in the Lord (3:5-8).

    C. Giving (3:9-10).

    D. Correction (3:11-12).

     E. The Value of Wisdom (3:13-20).

     F. Peace (3:21-26).

    G. Relationships (3:27-35).

III. A Proper Path (Ch. 4)

    A. A happy life (4:1-19).

           1. Kowing the Word (4:1-9).

           2. Trusting God’s providence (4:10-19).

    B. A Healthy Life (4:20-22).

    C. A Holy Life (4:23-27).

Dennis Hollandsworth

The Call to Discipleship

Luke 5:1-11

Intro.: Have you ever wondered why the fishermen dropped everything to follow Jesus? Luke gives us the reasons. Note the three thrilling truths contained in Christ’s call to discipleship.

 I. “Put out a Little Way from the Land” (v. 3)

    A. Thrust out from the crowds on land (v.1).

           1. Jesus practiced this (Matt. 14:13, 23; 17:1, etc.).

           2. It is good to get away from people, be still, and focus on God.

    B. Thrust out from the land of security.

           1. Land represents safety and security.

           2. Comfort is often a deterrent to developing vibrant faith.

    C. Thrust out from the land of the ordinary.

II. “Put out into the Deep Water” (v. 4)

    A. Launch into the depths of God’s Word.

           1. 1 Cor. 2:10; Rom. 11:33.

           2. Don’t be a shallow/surface student of Scripture.

    B. Launch into the depths of God’s love (Eph. 3:17-19).

    C. Launch into the depths of experiencing God’s divine nature.

           1. Phil. 3:10; 2 Pet. 1:4.

           2. What mysteries await (Psalm 107:24)?

III. “Let down Your Nets for a Catch” (v. 4).

    A. At Christ’s command.

           1. John 2:5; 15:14; Matt. 28:18.

           2. Do we really respect His authority?

    B. In genuine faith (v. 5).

    C. Expecting a miraculous outcome (v. 6).

           1. Phil. 1:19-20.

           2. Earnest expectation.

Victor Knowles

The Philippian Jailer

Acts 16:25-36

Intro.: When Paul & Silas were imprisoned in Philippi for the sake of the Gospel, The Lord freed them through a massive earthquake. The jailer, alarmed that the prisoners could escape, attempts to take his own life, but Paul intervened, and God changed the jailer forever.

I. The Jailer Convicted (Acts 16:27-30)

    A. He was shaken—the earthquake caused a “soul-quake” in his heart.

           1. Anguish (v. 27).

           2. Nervous actions (v. 29).

    B. He earnestly desired salvation (v. 30).

    C. Conviction of sin always precedes forgiveness of sin (Rom 7:13).

II. The Jailer Converted (Acts 16:31-33)

    A. He heard the message of Truth (vv. 31-32).

    B. He believed God (v. 33).

           1. Believed on Him as Jesus—to be saved through Him (Matt. 1:21).

           2. Believed on Him as Christ—to be sanctified in Him (1 Cor. 1:2).

           3. Believed on Him as Lord—to be directed by Him (John 13).

III. The Jailer Consecrated (Acts 16:33-36).

    A. He evidenced his conversion.

           1. In caring for the messenger (v. 33-34).

           2. In baptism (v. 33).

           3. In rejoicing (v. 34).

    B. He righted past wrongs (vv. 33, 36).

Conc.: The jailer’s story mirrors the story of each person’s salvation.

adapted from F.E. Marsh
1,000 Bible Study Outlines

Stormy Seas

Matthew 8:23-27

I. “…Men of Little Faith” (v. 26)

    A. Strange context for questioning faith.

           1. Fear.

           2. Desperation.

    B. What is “faith” in this context?

           1. Abandon to the will, prerogatives, timetable, and priorities of God

           2. Childlike contentment and confidence that God will take care of the situation.

           3. The “fabric” of what goes on between God and me.

           4. The underlying assumptions of what it means to belong to God.

    C. What “faith” is not?

           1. Assent or acknowledgement.

           2. Any action on our part.

II. Why am I worried?

    A. He is resting in God’s plan and protection.

    B. Because we are focused on ourselves, we think He does not hear us.

    C. We see the storm, but He sees the Father’s sovereign care.

    D. He addresses the object of their fears, in spite of their lack of faith.

           1. He cares for us.

           2. He responds to earnest prayer.

III. “Be Still and Know that I Am God” (Psalm 46:10).

    A. “Hush, be still” (Mark 4:39).

    B. “What kind of man is this?” (v. 27).

Hymn: “Be Still My Soul”

Bob Gerow

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