Sermons

For a paperback book in outline form which addresses over 150 difficult verses that Arminians use against Sovereign Grace, check out: Problem Texts for Sovereign Grace: Rooting Arminianism Out of Every Verse. VII. Temporal Salvation 1. The Bible makes a distinction between things that are temporal and things that are eternal (2Co 4:18). A. Temporal - 1. Lasting or existing only for a time; passing, temporary. Now ra...

For a master copy of the outline and for more resources on the modern Bible perversions, click here: Bible Versions I. “...stand still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God” (1Sa 9:27). II. Some basic facts about the Bible. 1. The Bible is inspired by God; it is the word of God, not man. (2Ti 3:16; 2Pe 1:21; 2Sa 23:2) 2. The Bible is infallible. (Psa 12:6; Psa 19:7; Pro 30:5) 3. God regards His word above His...

For a paperback book in outline form which addresses over 150 difficult verses that Arminians use against Sovereign Grace, check out: Problem Texts for Sovereign Grace: Rooting Arminianism Out of Every Verse. VI. Salvation by Grace (Eternal Salvation) 1. Given that men by nature under sin are spiritually dead, unrighteous, and filthy and cannot seek, understand, please, nor believe in God; if man will be reconciled t...

For a paperback book in outline form which addresses over 150 difficult verses that Arminians use against Sovereign Grace, check out: Problem Texts for Sovereign Grace: Rooting Arminianism Out of Every Verse. V. The Wages of Sin is Death 1. As was before proved, men inherited a sinful nature from Adam (Rom 5:12; Eph 2:3). A. We not only inherited a sinful nature, but we have all sinned ourselves (Rom 5:12; Rom 3:23)...

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For a paperback book in outline form which addresses over 150 difficult verses that Arminians use against Sovereign Grace, check out: Problem Texts for Sovereign Grace: Rooting Arminianism Out of Every Verse. iii. They don't seek after God (Rom 3:11). a. The wicked will not seek after God, nor do they think about God (Psa 10:4). 1) They do not seek God because they do not mind the things of the Spirit, but rather the...

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For a paperback book in outline form which addresses over 150 difficult verses that Arminians use against Sovereign Grace, check out: Problem Texts for Sovereign Grace: Rooting Arminianism Out of Every Verse. IV. The Nature of Man (Total Depravity) 1. When Adam and Eve were created by God, they were created very good (Gen 1:27,31). A. They were created in God's very own image. B. They were pure and had no concept of...

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3. The rules of Bible interpretation. A. There are no contradictions in the Bible. i. When prophets prophesied, they had to do it according to the proportion of faith (Rom 12:6). a. According adv. - According to. a. In a manner agreeing with, consistent with, or answering to; agreeably to. b. Proportion - 1. A portion or part in its relation to the whole; a comparative part, a share; sometimes simply, a portion, division, part. c. In other words, the prophecy given by a prophet which was a portion or ...

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I. Bible Interpretation (hermeneutics) 1. The origin of sound Bible interpretation. A. Man is supposed to live by every word of God (Mat 4:4). i. It is by God's word that we get understanding (Psa 119:104). ii. The Bible is a light and a lamp to show us the way (Psa 119:105; Pro 6:23). B. Therefore it would make sense that the Bible would tell us how to interpret itself, which it does. 2. Some prerequisites for understanding the Bible. A. The Bible can be understood; it is not some dark book shrouded...

When Do We Resist Evil and Defend Ourselves? I. When should we not resist evil? 1. It is acceptable with God when we suffer for doing well (1Pe 2:20). 2. We are called to suffer for righteousness as Christ did, whose example we are to follow (1Pe 2:21). 3. Jesus did not resist the government when they came to arrest Him (Joh 18:1-9). A. They came for him with weapons (Joh 18:3). B. Jesus had easy access to a weapon with which to defend Himself (Luk 22:38; Joh 18:10). C. Jesus could have de...

5. The means of the preservation of the scriptures. A. Some say that God only inspired His word in the original autographs. B. The original autographs no longer exist, therefore either 1) God lied when he said His words would be preserved forever, or 2) He preserved them in copies and/or translations. C. God is well able to, and has, preserved His scriptures in copies. i. Moses and the stone tablets. a. God gave Moses the "original autographs" which He personally wrote (Exo 31:18). b. Moses destroyed ...

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II. God's Word 1. Throughout time, God has spoken to men by various and different means (Heb 1:1). A. Sundry - Having an existence, position, or status apart; separate, distinct. B. Divers - Different or not alike in character or quality; not of the same kind. 2. God spoke by the prophets in the Old Testament times (Heb 1:1). A. The law that God gave by the prophets was spoken by means of angels (Heb 2:2). i. The law of Moses was ordained by angels (Gal 3:19). ii. Ordain - v. I. To put in order, a...

Basic Bible Doctrine I. The Existence and Nature of God 1. The Bible declares that there is only one God (Isa 44:6-8; 1Co 8:6). 2. Even without the revelation of God, man can reason from the creation and know that there is an eternal and omnipotent God who created all things. A. The visible things that are seen prove the existence of the invisible God who is not seen (Rom 1:20). B. The heavens declare the glory of God (Psa 19:1). C. The heavens declare His righteousness (Psa 50:6; Psa 97:6). D. The...

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The Kingdom of Heaven IS the Kingdom of God I. By simply comparing spiritual things with spiritual (1Co 2:13), it is irrefutable that the "kingdom of heaven" spoken of in Matthew is synonymous with the "kingdom of God" spoken of in Mark and Luke. (see attached spreadsheet) II. The kingdom of heaven/God came and was a present reality at the first coming of Christ. 1. Jesus said the kingdom of heaven / kingdom of God was "at hand" (Mat 4:17; Mar 1:14-15). A. At hand - a. Within easy reach; near; close ...

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6. The LORD then gives Joshua the prescription for a prosperous and successful journey (Jos 1:8). A. Joshua was to meditate in the book of the law. i. Meditate - v. 1. trans. To muse over or reflect upon; to consider, study, ponder. b. To fix one's attention upon; to observe with interest or intentness. ii. Muse v. - 1. a. To be absorbed in thought; to meditate continuously in silence; to ponder. iii. Consider v. - 1. To view or contemplate attentively, to survey, examine, inspect, scrutinize. iv. Stu...

VI. Strategy #3: Divide and conquer; using your enemies' weakness against them. 1. Paul was brought before the council and once again tried to reason with them (Act 23:1). A. He declared to them that he had lived in good conscience all his life. a. Paul stated this fact more than once in his defense and in his letter to Timothy (Act 24:16; 2Ti 1:3). b. Paul also impressed upon Timothy, the young preacher whom he had trained and ordained, the importance of maintaining a good conscience (1Ti 1:5,19). c. ...

Sorrow I. Sorrow is painful. 1. Sorrow n.- 1. a. Distress of mind caused by loss, suffering, disappointment, etc.; grief, deep sadness or regret; also, that which causes grief or melancholy; affliction, trouble. 2. Sorrow v.- 1. intr. To feel sorrow or sadness; to regret or grieve; also, to exhibit signs of grief, to mourn. 3. Mourn v. - 1. To feel sorrow, grief, or regret (often with added notion of expressing one's grief); to sorrow, grieve, lament. II. Sorrow was the result of sin and was multipli...

Divide and Conquer (Act 23:6-10) I. This study should teach us: 1. to be wise unto the way this world works, but not to be of it. 2. how to use strategy when dealing with enemies. 3. how to use our opponents weakness against them. 4. how to use the mechanisms of this world to save us from the wicked intentions of the men of this world. II. As Christians we should be wise unto that which is good, but simple concerning evil (Rom 16:19). 1. This doesn't mean that we should be ignorant of how the worl...

III. The Lord's charge unto Joshua. 1. After the death of Moses, the LORD gave Joshua a charge to lead Israel into the promised land (Jos 1:1-2). A. We are also heading to the promised land that God has waiting for us (1Pe 1:4; Joh 14:1-3). B. We are looking for that same city and country that Abraham was (Heb 11:10,16; Heb 13:14). 2. God promised Joshua that he would be with him and not let his enemies stand before him as he did for Moses (Jos 1:5 c/w Deu 7:24). A. God stands by his ministers in the N...

The Beginning of a Journey I. The story of Joshua leading Israel into the promised land is instructive for us as we begin our journey together. 1. The things that are recorded in the Old Testament were written for our learning and admonition. A. They were written for our learning and comfort (Strengthening; encouragement, incitement; aid, succour, support, countenance.), and to give us hope (Rom 15:4). B. They were also written as examples to us for our admonition (The action of admonishing; authorit...

Pastor Mott gave a brief history of the Minneapolis Church and a short exhortation to the church as he resigned as pastor....

Pastor Ben Mott preached a sermon to the church on how to relate to their new pastor, Chad Wagner....

Ordination By The Laying On Of Hands I. ordain: To appoint, decree, destine, order. To appoint (a person, etc.) to a charge, duty, or office. II. The ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ is perpetuated by one elder/bishop/pastor/minister/steward instructing qualified able men and ordaining them. 2TI 2:2 c/w TIT 1:5-9. A. The office of N.T. ministry began with Jesus Christ ordaining the apostles (MAR 3:14) who were also elders (1PE 5:1) as well as seventy others. LUK 10:1. B. The N.T. shows the apostles ...

Limbus Patrum I. What is "Limbus Patrum"? A. "In the New Testament, Christ refers by various names and figures to the place or state which Catholic tradition has agreed to call the limbus patrum. In Matthew 8:11, it is spoken of under the figure of a banquet "with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of Heaven" (cf. Luke 8:29; 14:15), and in Matthew 25:10 under the figure of a marriage feast to which the prudent virgins are admitted, while in the parable of Lazarus and Dives it is called "Abraham's...

Thoughts on Ordination I. How do you know you're called to the ministry? 1. The standard answers: A. I just feel God calling me. B. God told me. C. I have always wanted to be a preacher. D. My mom/dad/grandma told me that they knew from the time I was a boy that I was going to be a preacher. 2. A desire to be a pastor is a good thing (1Ti 3:1), but the desire alone is not sufficient to make a man called of God. A. There are many who desire to be teachers of the law who know not what they are talki...

Finding Contentment Being Single I. Marriage: God's design for most people. 1. When God created Adam, God Himself said that it was not good that man should be alone and he made him a companion (Gen 2:18). A. From the beginning of time, it was God's design that men and women would marry and be fruitful and multiply (Gen 2:24 c/w Gen 1:28). B. Jesus affirmed this principle (Mar 10:6-8). C. The institution of marriage was a picture of the mystery of Christ and the church (Eph 5:31-32). D. Marriage, al...

To learn more about dealing with life's difficulties, click here: Dealing With Problems VII. The Biblical way to deal with an offence which is private in nature between two brethren and which is not an excludable offence is to follow Jesus' instruction in Mat 18:15-17. This could also apply to a church member who was offended by the pastor. Note: If the offence was an excludable offence (ex.: a brother suspects another brother of committing adulte...

To learn more about dealing with life's difficulties, click here: Dealing With Problems Dealing With Problems in the Church I. Problems will come. 1. Offences will come, but don't be the person by whom they come (Mat 18:7). 2. Heresies must come to manifest they who are approved (1Co 11:19). 3. Pastors will offend church members (Jam 3:1-2). 4. Trouble is common to all men (Job 14:1). 5. It is a given that problems will come, but what is imp...

For a paperback book in outline form which addresses over 150 difficult verses that Arminians use against Sovereign Grace, check out: Problem Texts for Sovereign Grace: Rooting Arminianism Out of Every Verse. 4. Those whom God chose before the foundation of the world were chosen in Christ (Eph 1:4) and were given to Christ to give eternal life to (Joh 6:37-39; Joh 10:27-29; Joh 17:2). A. God did not give all of mankin...

For a paperback book in outline form which addresses over 150 difficult verses that Arminians use against Sovereign Grace, check out: Problem Texts for Sovereign Grace: Rooting Arminianism Out of Every Verse. Sovereign Grace Sovereign - n. 1. One who has supremacy or rank above, or authority over, others; a superior; a ruler, governor, lord, or master (of persons, etc.). Freq. applied to the Deity in relation to cre...

Happiness - The quality or condition of being happy. Happy - adj. Having a feeling of great pleasure or content of mind, arising from satisfaction with one's circumstances or condition; also in weakened sense: Glad, pleased. Joy - 1. a. A vivid emotion of pleasure arising from a sense of well-being or satisfaction; the feeling or state of being highly pleased or delighted; exultation of spirit; gladness, delight. I. Happiness is a good thing and as Christians it is something we ought to experience....

Adultery and Church Membership I. The covenant of marriage. 1. Marriage is a covenant (Mal 2:14). 2. Covenant - 1. A mutual agreement between two or more persons to do or refrain from doing certain acts; a compact, contract, bargain; sometimes, the undertaking, pledge, or promise of one of the parties. 3. The covenant of marriage is different from any other covenant that men can establish. a. It is life-long (Rom 7:2). b. It is made between husband and wife, but it is enforced by God and His law (Ro...

VI. "Sin...slew me" and "I died" -- What was this death? 1. Sin had been laying dormant in Paul, deceiving him (Rom 7:11). A. Deceive - v. 1. trans. To ensnare; to take unawares by craft or guile; to overcome, overreach, or get the better of by trickery; to beguile or betray into mischief or sin; to mislead. B. Sin had deceived Paul by making him think he was alive and righteous. C. Like the people of Laish who dwelt carelessly, quiet and secure, because there was no magistrate in the land to put them t...

Alive Without the Law (Rom 7:9) I. The purpose of this study is to provide a proper Biblical understanding of Rom 7:7-13 and to answer the following questions: 1. Was Paul referring to being spiritually alive (in possession of eternal life) when he said that he was "alive without the law once"? 2. Was Paul referring to living in sinless innocence prior to the law coming to him when he wrote "without the law sin was dead"? 3. Did Paul die spiritually when the commandment came and sin revived and slew h...

"The Husband of One Wife" (1Ti 3:2; Tit 1:6) I. One of the qualifications a man must meet to be ordained and hold the office of a pastor/bishop/elder/overseer is that he must be "the husband of one wife" (1Ti 3:2; Tit 1:6). A. Does this mean that a pastor must be married? B. Does this mean that a pastor cannot be a widower? C. Does this mean that a pastor who is a widower cannot remarry? D. Does this mean that a pastor cannot be divorced? E. Does this mean that a pastor that is divorced cannot remar...

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight I. Questions. 1. Have you ever doubted the claims or existence of God or Jesus Christ? 2. Have you ever been in a trial or affliction and began to question your faith - things you once knew to be true? 3. Have you ever wondered if great men of faith have ever had the same struggles with doubt or unbelief as you? 4. Have you ever thought it would be nice to have God do a miraculous sign to prove His existence or His truth? 5. Have you ever wished that you could have b...

Partaking of the Divine Nature (2 Peter 1:1-11) I. This study should accomplish the following: 1. Learn how to know Jesus more intimately. 2. Learn what it means to partake of the divine nature and how to do it. 3. Learn how to gain the assurance of eternal life. II. The importance of the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ. 1. Grace and peace are multiplied unto us through the knowledge of Jesus Christ (2Pe 1:2). A. Knowing God brings us peace (Job 22:21). B. The knowledge of God comes through d...

For a paperback book in outline form which addresses over 150 difficult verses that Arminians use against Sovereign Grace, check out: Problem Texts for Sovereign Grace: Rooting Arminianism Out of Every Verse. VII. An objection: Was Jesus speaking to hell-bound reprobates in parables to prevent them from changing their ways, since even hell-bound reprobates can change their ways and be spared temporal destruction? For...

For a paperback book in outline form which addresses over 150 difficult verses that Arminians use against Sovereign Grace, check out: Problem Texts for Sovereign Grace: Rooting Arminianism Out of Every Verse. The Hidden Gospel “And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 12 That seeing they may see, an...

For a paperback book in outline form which addresses over 150 difficult verses that Arminians use against Sovereign Grace, check out: Problem Texts for Sovereign Grace: Rooting Arminianism Out of Every Verse. Chad preaches an extemporaneous sermon on the twofold nature of justification: 1) how Jesus Christ justified His people in the sense of making them righteous by His knowledge, faith, blood, and grace, and 2) how b...

Flattering Titles “Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man. 22) For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.” (Job 32:21-22) I. The reason for this study. 1. Flattery is condemned in the scripture (Pro 26:28; Pro 29:5) 2. It is clear from Job 32:21-22 that it is wrong to give someone a flattering title. 3. Some have concluded from this that it is wrong to call a pastor "Pastor So-and-so" because to ...

Offending the Little Ones (Mat 18:1-14) I. This study should be both convicting and edifying. The following should be accomplished: 1. Understand what is meant by “offending” and “despising” little children. 2. Learn how to not offend and despise little children. 3. Learn how Mat 18:8-9 fits with the rest of Mat 18:1-14. II. The reason for Jesus’ discourse. 1. The disciples asked who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Mat 18:1). A. They had been reasoning among themselves about who sho...

This sermon was preached by Pastor Wagner in the Cincinnati Church in 2008 five years before he was ordained. The outline is attached at the bottom of the page. Christians and Muslims do NOT Worship the Same God “Well, first of all, I believe in an Almighty God, and I believe that all the world, whether they be Muslim, Christian, or any other religion, prays to the same God. That's what I believe. I believe that Islam is a great religion that preaches peace.” –President George W...

This sermon was preached by Pastor Wagner in the Cincinnati Church in 2008 five years before he was ordained. The outline is attached at the bottom of the page. Effective Evangelism I. The mandate to evangelize. 1. Because of the lack of understanding of the “great commission”, and poor doctrine, many Christians carry an unnecessary burden that requires them to witness to every person they meet in order to give them a chance at eternal life. A. It is by God’s grace alone t...