======================================================================== WRITINGS OF JIM ERWIN by Jim Erwin ======================================================================== A collection of theological writings, sermons, and essays by Jim Erwin, compiled for study and devotional reading. Chapters: 39 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ TABLE OF CONTENTS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1. 01.01.00. Advent Devotional 2. 01.01.01. FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT 3. 01.01.02. FIRST MONDAY OF ADVENT 4. 01.01.03. FIRST TUESDAY OF ADVENT 5. 01.01.04. FIRST WEDNESDAY OF ADVENT 6. 01.01.05. FIRST THURSDAY OF ADVENT 7. 01.01.06. FIRST FRIDAY OF ADVENT 8. 01.01.07. FIRST SATURDAY OF ADVENT 9. 01.02.01. SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT 10. 01.02.02. SECOND MONDAY OF ADVENT 11. 01.02.03. SECOND TUESDAY OF ADVENT 12. 01.02.04. SECOND WEDNESDAY OF ADVENT 13. 01.02.05. SECOND THURSDAY OF ADVENT 14. 01.02.06. SECOND FRIDAY OF ADVENT 15. 01.02.07. SECOND SATURDAY OF ADVENT 16. 01.03.01. THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT 17. 01.03.02. THIRD MONDAY OF ADVENT 18. 01.03.03. THIRD TUESDAY OF ADVENT 19. 01.03.04. THIRD WEDNESDAY OF ADVENT 20. 01.03.05. THIRD THURSDAY OF ADVENT 21. 01.03.06. THIRD FRIDAY OF ADVENT 22. 01.03.07. THIRD SATURDAY OF ADVENT 23. 01.04.01. FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT 24. 01.04.02. FOURTH MONDAY OF ADVENT 25. 01.04.03. FOURTH TUESDAY OF ADVENT 26. 01.04.04. FOURTH WEDNESDAY OF ADVENT 27. 01.04.05. FOURTH THURSDAY OF ADVENT 28. 01.04.06. FOURTH FRIDAY OF ADVENT 29. 01.04.07. Christmas Day 30. 02.01. Sermon Prep (Observe) 31. 02.02. Sermon Prep (Interpret) 32. 02.03. Sermon Prep (Apply) 33. 02.04. Sermon Prep (Ways to Apply Scripture) 34. 02.05. Sermon Prep (Application Identification) 35. 02.06. Sermon Prep (Application Window) 36. 02.07. List of Action Verbs 37. 02.08. Categories for Outlining the Sermon 38. 02.09. Sermon Prep (Internet Sites) 39. 02.10. Sermon Illustrations (Internet Sites) ======================================================================== CHAPTER 1: 01.01.00. ADVENT DEVOTIONAL ======================================================================== CELEBRATING ADVENT IN GERMANY Celebrating Advent is a fairly recent Christmas tradition of German origin. Advent is Latin for “coming towards”. The Latin, “ad”, means “towards” whereas “ven/vent” is core of the Latin verb “veno”, meaning “come”. Advent refers to the days approaching the coming of Christ to earth. More specifically, in the German tradition, it refers to the 24 days immediately preceding Christmas day, from December first. One of the most widely celebrated advent traditions is having an advent calendar. The Advent calendar finds its origins in the 19th Century from the protestant area of Germany. Protestant Christian families made a chalk line for every day in December until Christmas Eve. Before long, commercial entrepreneurs started replacing the ephemeral chalk lines with printed calendars. The first known Advent calendar is for the advent of 1851. Soon, other devices helped Germans and German immigrants to America celebrate the advent. Towards the end of the nineteenth century, the Adventclock or the Adventcandle - a candle for 24 days until Christmas - were found in many homes. The first printed calendar was made by Gerhard Land (1881-1974) who was a Swabian parishioner from Maulbronn in Germany. When he was a child his mother made him an Advent Calendar with 24 “Wibbele” (little candies). Later Lang was a participator of the printing office Reichhold & Lang where he published miniature colored pictures which could be affixed on a cardboard at every day in December. This was the first printed Advent calendar, although without windows to open, published in 1908. The celebration of advent and the associated Advent Calendar caught on like wildfire in the early decades of this century. However, despite the great success of Lang’s Advent calendar, he had to close his company in the 1930s due to World War II. The same war ended this German practices in many homes and certainly stopped the increase of this tradition. The first printed versions of the calendar after the war were printed by Richard Sellmer in 1946. Advent calendars continue to be printed to this day. GERMANS, MARTIN LUTHER AND THE CHRISTMAS TREE According to legend, Martin Luther invented the modern concept of the Christmas tree while walking through the woods one Christmas Eve. He allegedly observed the starlit sky sparkling through the branches of fir trees and this sighting moved him to chop down the tree, take it home and erect it. He then adorned it with candles to share his vision with his children. However, written evidence confirms that the Christmas tree was in German Alsace around 1521. It was clearly established in early 17th century Strasbourg, Germany. Strasbourg’s families decorated their Christmas trees with colored paper roses, apples, wafers, spangle-gold and sweets. The first public display of a Christmas tree, decorated with bright read apples, occurred in Strasbourg. During the 19th century, glass artists in Lauscha, Germany created ornaments in front of the lamp, using claylike molds to create the first glass ornaments…blown glass interpretations of the fruits and nuts that traditionally ornamented Christmas trees. THE NUTCRACKER In the toy making center of Sonneberg in the Thuringian Forest there was mention in 1735 on “nut-biters”. These nut-biters were described as sturdy, energetic forms with large heads. In a carnival parade in 1783, students from Freisingen, Germany presented large models of Berchtesgaden wares, including a nut-biter in the form of a little man whose mouth and stomach were one and the same. CELEBRATING ADVENT AS A FAMILY The Christmas season is one of joyful anticipation for many, but especially to those who truly understand its meaning and its significance as the birth of our Savior, the Son of God, Jesus Christ. What better time to focus on the Christ child: why He came, who He is, and what He did for us. It is our prayer that you approach this season with a plan of how to enjoy it as a family, keep the right focus and make memories as a family. There is no better or special place to be during Christmas than in Germany where many of our traditions for celebrating originated. In addition to the daily devotions we have included some other suggestions that you can use to make this a meaningful and joyful family celebration. These ideas emphasize love, the family, and giving of ourselves during the Christmas season. At the back of this booklet are stories of how some of the Christmas traditions we celebrate started in Germany. FAMILY ADVENT DEVOTIONS Within this book there are daily devotions for each day beginning the first Sunday of Advent. All you need is this booklet, a Bible, the family, and a little time. With our busy schedules, this is harder than it sounds. It takes a firm commitment for the parents to make it happen, but well worth the investment. Each of the members of the family can be involved by allowing them to read the passages or the devotion or answer questions after the reading is done. An Advent Wreath or Calendar can help add color, involvement of children, and tradition to your devotions, but they aren’t necessary. ADVENT CALENDARS Get an advent calendar for the children in the family. Typically they are brightly covered with a manger or other Christmas scene and have a little “window” for each day of December until Christmas. You can use this in conjunction with family devotions or as an individual thing for the children. You can buy them in German bookstores, but most have a secular scene and emphasis. You can buy Christian ones over the internet or in German or American Christian bookstores. HAVE A FAMILY ADVENT WREATH Buy an Advent wreath. You can get them at German flower shops or department stores, or the town markets or Weihnachtsmarkts. Traditionally they are made of evergreen branches in the shape of a wreath that you use as a centerpiece for your table. There are places for four candles spaced equidistance around the wreath. One candle is lit on each of the four Sundays prior to Christmas. A fifth large candle is placed in the middle of the wreath. This is the Christ Candle that is lit on Christmas day. The meanings of the candles are listed below with an appropriate Bible passage to read. We do this at church as a body, but it is very meaningful and fun to do this at home with the devotional reading. 1st Candle: The Prophet’s Candle - Isaiah 9:2-6 2nd Candle: Bethlehem Candle - Matthew 2:4-6 3rd Candle: The Angels’ and Shepherds’ Candle - Luke 2:8-20 4th Candle: The Wise Men’s Candle - Matthew 2:1-12 5th Candle: The Christ Candle - Luke 2:1-7 LEARN SOME GERMAN CHRISTMAS SONGS/GO CAROLING Some of our favorite Christmas hymns have Germanic origins. Silent Night is a good example. Learn some of these old favorites and some new ones and get with friends and family and carol in your neighborhood. HAVE SOMEONE OVER TO YOUR HOME FOR CHRISTMAS DINNER Invite a single person/soldier/airman or family of a deployed service member to have Christmas dinner at your house. GO TO WEIHNACHTSMARKTS WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY Get a group from your Sunday School or other Church friends to go to some of the many beautiful Christmas markets throughout Germany. Take the kids and spend the afternoon and evening shopping and eating and fellowshipping together. READ THE CHRISTMAS STORY TOGETHER AS A FAMILY ON CHRISTMAS Before you open presents on Christmas morning, take time to read the Christmas story as a family and then pray together. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 2: 01.01.01. FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT ======================================================================== FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT Read Genesis 1:1-5 And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. Advent. The celebration of the coming of light into a sin-darkened world begins today. The most obvious beginning point to consider in Scripture is the very first word found in God’s Word. These words remind us that God intends for His creation to live in the light of His presence, not the gloom of darkness. Think about the light. It appears at the voice of our creator. If you listen to His voice you will sense His light. He sees even today that the light is good, and more than anything else, He desires to walk with you... in His light! Will you prepare your heart for Christmas this year by celebrating Advent in a personal way? Will you make the effort, painful as it may be, to separate dark habits from the light that has been given to you? Confess the dark secrets, give up dark habits, crucify dark desires, and let the light of Christ come shining into the emptiness that has been created. Pray for personal renewal as the season of Advent begins today. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 3: 01.01.02. FIRST MONDAY OF ADVENT ======================================================================== FIRST MONDAY OF ADVENT Read Genesis 1:26-31 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness... God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. Christmas is a season of many things but one thing is certain, Christmas is a time for gift giving. Many traditions and stories emerge but don’t let Madison Avenue fool you, gift giving originated with God. Look at what He has given us. First there is life. Not just any life, but life created in His very image. Then there is position or authority. He gives us everything we could possibly need, for He not only is creator but provider as well. He creates us with a purpose in mind and blesses us with responsibility. Since we are created in His image, it is natural for us to be generous and giving too. Why not look for some way you can let the "family resemblance" of being in His image be seen to others. As you pray today, take a moment and thank your gracious, gift-giving, Heavenly Father for the way He has showered your life with gifts far too numerous to count. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 4: 01.01.03. FIRST TUESDAY OF ADVENT ======================================================================== FIRST TUESDAY OF ADVENT Read Genesis 3:9-13 But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?" Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" God is the great investigator. His questions reach into our hearts in a deep way, especially when we have decided to listen to the many voices of darkness. It is significant to note that His questions are seasoned with grace, not anger. God the Creator becomes the seeker, seeking that which He loves, that which is important to Him. Listen again: "Where are you?" Not in anger, but in grace He asks "what have you done?" If you see the compassion in these two questions then you have seen the character of the Redeemer. Every time we stumble, every time we let things get out of His control, He’s there. He comes with questions simply because He desires to re-open the lines of communication. God is gracious. As you pray today, personalize the words to "Amazing Grace! How Sweet the Sound" making them your very own. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 5: 01.01.04. FIRST WEDNESDAY OF ADVENT ======================================================================== FIRST WEDNESDAY OF ADVENT Read Genesis 3:14-15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel. Advent intentionally brings us to this passage, for it is the promise of God fulfilled in Jesus that has brought light into our darkness. This promise has made victors off those under the curse! We light candles to remind us of each promise. Advent would be a meaningless exercise and a candle lighting farce were it not for the promises of God. Those who held to this Old Testament promise anticipated the birth of the one who would crush the serpents head once and for all. With the promises given to us and the personal knowledge of Jesus, the anticipation grows in our hearts that one day, He is going to come again! Spend time praying today about the impact your life has on those closest to you. Would others know that you are investing time into the lives of our loved ones, spouses, children, or parents? Lord, save us from offering prayers such as this one: God, the best was taken first by other demands. I’ve got a small stable you can have. Is that good enough? I’ll try to make room for you tomorrow. You understand, don’t you? Let me know if you need anything, okay? Okay. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 6: 01.01.05. FIRST THURSDAY OF ADVENT ======================================================================== FIRST THURSDAY OF ADVENT Read Job 19:25 I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. God’s people have always been completely satisfied with hope. Job never lit an Advent wreath, but because of a spirit that was sensitive to the purposes of God, he remained ever true in difficult circumstance having claimed his hope. Where is your hope today? Is it in a promotion or a year-end bonus? Is it leading you into a relationship that will in no way honor God? Is it for a material object such as a car, a new house, a boat, new clothes, any one of a number of things that will lose their sparkle in a few years? Here’s Hope: Jesus cares for you! Examine your hopes today. Have you given too much attention and energy to the objects of hope that eventually will leave you dissatisfied and wishing for something more? Advent is a reminder that God’s plan still is the only one that brings joy Ask God to show you someone today who would benefit by hearing a word of hope. Dare to be the witness to that person today! ======================================================================== CHAPTER 7: 01.01.06. FIRST FRIDAY OF ADVENT ======================================================================== FIRST FRIDAY OF ADVENT Read Psalms 23:1-6 The Lord is my shepherd. Why do you suppose God revealed the birth of His Son to the shepherds first? Had it been up to us, we might have been inclined to send the announcement to the president of the Pharisees, the editor of the Jerusalem News, or perhaps the "movers and shakers" of Palestine. Maybe God selected the shepherds because they were the ones who most resembled his caring nature. Read the Psalm again paying attention to the way God cares for you. God cares for us when no one else does. He knows our weaknesses, He provides for our well-being, He protects us from danger. If Christ’s first coming were today is your heart such that God would select you to be the first to hear the good news? Are you so close in your resemblance to him that He’d risk letting you in on the greatest news of all? Read this great passage again as a part of your prayer today. Pray each line of this Psalm back to God acknowledging His care for you. Finally, make a commitment to Him in response to His shepherdly care for you. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 8: 01.01.07. FIRST SATURDAY OF ADVENT ======================================================================== FIRST SATURDAY OF ADVENT Read Isaiah 9:6-7 And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. We celebrate the season of Advent because God has entered human history in the form of a man. Never before and never since has humanity had a greater hope than in Jesus Christ. When you are confused, discouraged, or brokenhearted, He is the Wonderful Counselor. When your circumstances seem impossible, when failure appears to be inevitable, and when it looks as though your world is caving in, He is the Mighty God. When loneliness creeps in or it seems no one cares, He is the Everlasting Father. He is the one who passes on to you an inheritance making you a part of a royal family. When the stress of hectic schedules and demands upon your time take their toll, when the family scene is anything but "heaven on earth" remember, He is the Prince of Peace. Begin your prayer by thanking God for being sufficient for everything you will face today. Commit yourself to living in that sufficiency as a praise offering right now. Be sensitive today to the Word of God. Listen for His voice, look for His hand upon your life. Tune out the garbage. You’ll be in for a real adventure. In today’s prayer time, take three minutes to do nothing more than listen with your heart to the voice of God. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 9: 01.02.01. SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT ======================================================================== SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT Read Isaiah 61:1-3 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. This was the text for one of Jesus’ first sermons. (It almost cost him his life.) His entire ministry can be seen as an investment in human need. What can be said about your personal ministry? How many needs will be met as a result of your willingness to be faithful to His empowering leadership? God’s will for us is to be "encouraged people" on a mission of encouragement, for if you know Christ personally, the Spirit of the sovereign LORD is upon you too! Pray today for your pastor. Ask God to give him strength to preach faithfully. In addition to this, pray for the encouragement of his soul, mind and body. Ask God to show you one way that you can minister to your pastor during this season of Advent. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 10: 01.02.02. SECOND MONDAY OF ADVENT ======================================================================== SECOND MONDAY OF ADVENT Read Jeremiah 31:31-34 "The time is coming," declares the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel. The Old Testament is a road sign pointing toward Jesus Christ. It points to God’s promises for you and me. Here is just one of them which God has already fulfilled in the birth and life of Jesus. Wouldn’t it be a great world if we kept our promises the same way God does? Is your word still good? If you say you’re going to do something, can you be depended on to completely fulfill your promise? What about your promises to God? Are there any that need to be rededicated today? Advent holds great meaning to those who keep their word. Advent is about promises fulfilled. Advent reminds us that He who promised is faithful. He promised to send His son and He did. He promised to send Him again, and He will. Pray today about the promises you’ve made to others, and the promises you’ve made to God. Ask for the strength to keep them both and then look for ways to do that. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 11: 01.02.03. SECOND TUESDAY OF ADVENT ======================================================================== SECOND TUESDAY OF ADVENT Read Joel 2:28-29 I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Here’s yet another promise kept by God. He keeps His promises to us because He is faithful and true. As you experience this time of remembering God’s promises, allow His Spirit to search your heart. Be faithful to deal with everything that the Holy Spirit brings to the light. Following times of confession, we often emerge from our prayer closets with a stronger conviction that God can be counted on to work out His plan for our lives. Pray for your church today in a very special way. Remember those who serve in leadership positions of your church. Remember the ministries of your church and the people those ministries are seeking to reach. Ask God to allow your church to be sensitive to His already poured out Spirit. Pray for spiritual renewal! Spend time in your private worship today by asking God to show you how to become more sensitive to the work of the Holy Spirit in your life. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 12: 01.02.04. SECOND WEDNESDAY OF ADVENT ======================================================================== SECOND WEDNESDAY OF ADVENT Micah 5:2-5 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel. Here is one more evidence that God keeps His word perfectly. It is a promise, actually a prophecy concerning the birthplace of our Lord. Christ was not born by fluke or chance, it was no accident. Instead, God carefully crafted and masterminded the entire event, even down to the place of Jesus’ birth. Find encouragement today because God keeps His promises. He is absolutely true to His plan. He performs in ways that we do not always understand, but the end result is always according to His plan. If you have any reservations about what God is doing in your life, admit that in a time of prayer. Recommit yourself today to be sensitive to His leading. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 13: 01.02.05. SECOND THURSDAY OF ADVENT ======================================================================== SECOND THURSDAY OF ADVENT Read Matthew 1:16-17 ...and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ. Take a moment to observe the beauty of the crafted, master planned work of God as recorded in the first 17 verses of this chapter. King James has a tendency to lose us in all the "begats" but they are included for a reason. The generations all experienced hardships, certainly times when to throw in the towel seemed better than life itself. But God had a plan. He still does. Advent reminds us that the plan continues and includes each of us to a full measure according to God’s will. If you have said no to God in recent days, or if your spiritual indicators point to a stubbornness in your relationship toward His unfolding plan for your life, pause and settle the issue with Him today. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 14: 01.02.06. SECOND FRIDAY OF ADVENT ======================================================================== SECOND FRIDAY OF ADVENT Read Matthew 1:18-21 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Ever played "what if?" What if something had not happened the way it did? What if I had been there? What if it had happened today? First of all, notice Joseph tried to intervene and take care of the situation quietly and discretely. What if he had succeeded? It would only have taken a matter of time and Mary would have become the object of scorn and ridicule, perhaps even stoned for suspicion of adultery. What if Joseph had been insensitive to the dream dismissing it as coincidence. What if he had said "God, are you sure? I’ll believe you if you give me a sign." What if all of this took place today? Mary would have been a pregnant, unmarried, young teenager. Someone inevitably would suggest that she have an abortion. No one would believe her story. Regardless, anything other than what we find recorded in Scripture surrounding the birth of Christ would have been man’s attempt to make things more convenient with no place for the miraculous fingerprint of God. Advent brings us to the remembrance of commitments, not convenience. Each candle, successively lit, brings light into the dark corners of our lives. Keep the flame burning brightly today. Trust God to use you as a small instrument in the incredible outworking of His magnificent plan. Pray for a lost neighbor or coworker today. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 15: 01.02.07. SECOND SATURDAY OF ADVENT ======================================================================== SECOND SATURDAY OF ADVENT Read Matthew 1:22-23 "And they will call him Immanuel"-which means, "God with us." Dr. Ferris Jordan was a Baptist seminary professor. He was diagnosed with cancer, a diagnosis which not only alarmed his family, but shocked the seminary campus as well. Prayers were said as students and faculty members interceded on his behalf prior to his cancer treatments. Just before the Christmas Holiday break, Dr. Jordan stood in the Seminary Chapel to address the entire student body during chapel service. With grace and dignity this man of God, somewhat weakened by the disease which had touched his life, stood and proclaimed that the name, Immanuel, God with us, had taken on a deeper meaning to him during those difficult days. It’s great to know that the Lord is present with us in such times, but remember, He’s there in the good times too. Advent celebrates the birth long ago, the presence today, and the anticipated second coming of our Savior. If you really need to sense Immanuel in an area of your life, pray now, trusting that God is with you. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 16: 01.03.01. THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT ======================================================================== THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT Read Matthew 1:24-25 He did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him. Without obedience, there would have been a very different ending to the story of Christmas. Joseph did what he was told. Plenty of room for question, but instead, he simply offered obedience. No wonder God selected Joseph to be the earthly role model for a father to Jesus. What a tender heart he must have had. If obedience replaced pride, fear, and laziness, God could change our entire world. What could be the effect of total obedience in your world, your sphere of influence? Would apologies be said? Would stewardship increase? Would your neighbor or coworker be won to the Lord? Ask God for the grace you need to be obedient even under difficult circumstances. Make a list of the things that His Spirit brings to your attention, then get busy practicing obedience. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 17: 01.03.02. THIRD MONDAY OF ADVENT ======================================================================== THIRD MONDAY OF ADVENT Read Matthew 2:1-2 ... We have come to worship Him. Why do you worship the Lord? Make a list and place on it all of the reasons you find to worship Jesus. Your answers may include: He healed the sick. He fed the five thousand. He walked on water. He died for my sin. He rose from the grave. Not one of those reasons mattered to the Magi. They worshiped the King, not the things the King had done, after all, He was only a baby, perhaps a small child by this time. They were lead by a star, which is a reflection of light much like the moon. The light was Jesus. In some homes, 24 candles are kept, one for each night from December 1 through Christmas Eve. One candle is lit for a while on December 1, then a new candle is added each day for the 24 day period. However, for those homes using the candles, it was far more common to have four candles for the four weeks before Christmas Eve, two the next week and so on. The candles were often placed on a wreath upon the dining room table. The practice of advent is celebrated primarily in the German-speaking areas of Europe and in the protestant German areas of the United States. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 18: 01.03.03. THIRD TUESDAY OF ADVENT ======================================================================== THIRD TUESDAY OF ADVENT Read Matthew 2:3-8 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed... He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him." Two biblical principles emerge from this passage: · You will never experience real worship based on someone else’s search. ·You cannot fool God by going through the motions of worship with a wrong heart. With Advent upon us, and Christmas just around the corner, do you sense a tendency to be like Herod in your worship patterns? Here’s a simple solution if the answer is "yes," and some preventative maintenance if not. Be personal with God. Get to know Him. Stay in constant contact with Him. Examine your motives for service and attendance at your church. Confess those that are wrong. Quit playing spiritual games. Herod was probably smiling and backslapping with the Magi, but in his heart he was angry, bitter and fearful. In short, he was a hypocrite, someone acting a part or speaking the scripted lines of another. Finally, set aside your dark agenda for that which leads to the light. Give up a bad habit, get rid of resentment, restore an unreconciled relationship. As you pray today, ask God to put a new desire in the hearts of those in your church to really worship Him. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 19: 01.03.04. THIRD WEDNESDAY OF ADVENT ======================================================================== THIRD WEDNESDAY OF ADVENT Read Matthew 2:9-10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. Do you ever get sidetracked from time to time? Interruptions come our way so often, we learn to expect them. Opposition comes once in a while, and we learn to ignore it. Sometimes the temptation to change our focus seems like the right thing to do. The Magi heard the king, but then they went on THEIR way. What an example to us. The most important man in the entire area gives them an offer and entices them in secret to change their focus. It could have happened, but thank the Lord it didn’t! What was the result? Rejoicing! If in your pilgrimage toward Christmas this year you discover the temptation to listen to the voices of compromise, don’t. Set your mind on the things above. Chart your course by the light of the King of Kings. Settle for nothing less. Confess the times when you have allowed distractions to prevent you from truly worshiping God this year. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 20: 01.03.05. THIRD THURSDAY OF ADVENT ======================================================================== THIRD THURSDAY OF ADVENT Read Matthew 2:11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. Advent reminds us that God is the giver of every good and perfect gift. God loved and gave! It has also been suggested that the tradition of giving presents at Christmas finds its root in the example of the Magi in this verse. Maybe it does. Unfortunately, we have shifted the gift giving to each other rather than to the One whom we worship. You have the privilege of being a gift giver all year long. At Christmas, this privilege is underscored. Gifts to foreign missions enable the gospel to spread. Gifts to the Crisis Pregnancy Center enable the message of hope to be given to those who may be experiencing what seems like a hopeless dilemma. Gifts to the poor may provide opportunities for spiritual needs to be met as physical needs are addressed. Worship is giving. As you celebrate advent this year, do so with a gift fit for a King. We call our thanks to God "worship" when in reality, it is only a portion of worship. While considering the season, try worshiping the Savior, not just the things the Savior has done. Advent is a time for adoration. Write a prayer today completing this sentence: "Jesus, I love you because..." Try to leave out your thanks for the things He has done for you, and worship Him because of who He is. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 21: 01.03.06. THIRD FRIDAY OF ADVENT ======================================================================== THIRD FRIDAY OF ADVENT Read Matthew 2:12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. My favorite observation concerning the Magi is this: after worshiping Jesus, they returned another way. Real worship accomplishes this. To worship is to become vulnerable to the sovereignty of another. Real worship effects personal change. You cannot have a real encounter with the King of Kings and return to your old patterns of hostility, materialism, resentment, cowardice, fear, laziness, pettiness, or hardheartedness. Jesus will change all of that. You will see Him, fall down in worship, and return a changed individual. The old path you’ve grown used to will no longer satisfy. Is there a need to change the route of your life today? Come and worship. Come and be changed. Pray, asking God for clear insight regarding the spiritual compass of your life. Check the direction you are heading. Make any course corrections deemed necessary by the Spirit. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 22: 01.03.07. THIRD SATURDAY OF ADVENT ======================================================================== THIRD SATURDAY OF ADVENT Read Matthew 2:13-15 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. Joseph must have had an extremely sensitive heart to be used in the way he was during the time of Jesus’ life, especially during these days when Jesus was such a little, vulnerable, baby boy. Joseph’s mind must have been clear and clean, for God spoke to him in dreams. Would you ask God to do a miracle in cleansing the hearts and minds of His people? Media influences such as television, movies, the music we listen to and the magazines we often read have so polluted our thought patterns that the discerning ability of God’s people has been disastrously affected. We search for God’s will in everyday matters; yet, we often get confused because of a value system that is ungodly. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 23: 01.04.01. FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT ======================================================================== FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT Read Matthew 2:16-18 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem. God has a plan, but He isn’t the only one in the planning business. Herod was being used in a diabolical plot to end the life of Jesus before it had much of a chance to begin. You see the fruit of a wicked heart in Herod’s life, a heart unwilling to personally search for the Lord. Pray that in the personal planning of your daily schedule, there will be time set aside to personally get in on the search for God’s personal reality in your life. If you are reading this near the end of the day, ask yourself this question: Where was God in my day today? If you are beginning your day with this devotion, determine to find where God is working and find fulfillment in His plans. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 24: 01.04.02. FOURTH MONDAY OF ADVENT ======================================================================== FOURTH MONDAY OF ADVENT Read Matthew 2:19-21 Herod died. Kings and kingdoms will all pass away, but there’s something about the name of Jesus. In God’s scheme of things, He provided a way of escape for His son on more than one occasion. This was because God’s plan was greater than man’s, and greater than Satan’s. His plan for your life is greater than anything else too. At times, we do not understand what God is doing. We question the difficulties we face wondering why things don’t always go our way. I’m sure that Joseph wondered at the logic of closing down his carpenter’s shop in his hometown to pack everything up and head for Egypt. Yet it was a part of God’s plan. Pray today for someone you know who is going through a time of uncertainty. Ask God to show you a way that you can minister. Pray for the Christmas Offering for Foreign Missions. If you have not given yet, consider doing so this week. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 25: 01.04.03. FOURTH TUESDAY OF ADVENT ======================================================================== FOURTH TUESDAY OF ADVENT Read Luke 1:26-30 Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. If God broke into human history once again as He did at the birth of Jesus, would He find us "favorable?" Mary’s testimony, recorded for the world to see, is phenomenal. What made her favorable to God? We might imagine several character traits such as devotion, purity or dependability Maybe God found Mary’s prayer life to be favorable. We really don’t know. A better question might be "Does God find favor with me?’ You have been chosen to accomplish something significant in the Kingdom. Live your life in such a way that when God gets ready to do a special work in and through you, you will not have to make emergency preparations, forsake sin, mend your ways, nor rebuild your reputation in order to be used. Pray about the unfavorable characteristics in your heart today. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 26: 01.04.04. FOURTH WEDNESDAY OF ADVENT ======================================================================== FOURTH WEDNESDAY OF ADVENT Read Luke 1:34-35 How will this be? Sometimes, the challenges we face in life feel impossible. Regardless of what some say, this is true even when we are walking close to the Lord and in the light we celebrate at a time like Advent. Difficult circumstances do not mean that we are walking in darkness. Often they give testimony to the reality of our faith. Trusting God allows us to faithfully accept the challenges that come our way. We may not understand what God is leading us to do, but we can learn to accept His answers. His grace is sufficient. Our God is a seasoned helper (Psalms 46:1-11). When you pray today, allow God to show you where you need to step out in faith in the coming year. Trust Him with the circumstances of life, knowing that He sees before us, watches over us, and comes behind us. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 27: 01.04.05. FOURTH THURSDAY OF ADVENT ======================================================================== FOURTH THURSDAY OF ADVENT Read Luke 1:38; Luke 1:46-50 I am the Lord’s servant… Once Mary had the assurance and the promise that nothing was impossible with God, she willingly risked reputation, probably even her life, and accepted the challenge of being the human instrument needed to cradle within her the Son of God. Mary had the capacity of servanthood. Read Mary’s musical response once again. Think about the commitment required for Mary to risk glorifying God at this point in her life The world does not come by this understanding of servanthood naturally. It is a characteristic of those in the family of faith. How can you bring glory to God today in the form of a servant? Proddings from the Holy Spirit often enable us to become servants of the Most High. How has God’s Spirit been moving or prodding you? Reflect upon what you have experienced during this season of Advent. Use a lighted candle and sing a chorus or hymn that expresses your love for the Lord. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 28: 01.04.06. FOURTH FRIDAY OF ADVENT ======================================================================== FOURTH FRIDAY OF ADVENT Read Luke 2:1-7 She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was not room for them in the inn. When God looks into our lives, all of the business of our days, rushing to shops, fighting traffic, meeting deadlines, hurrying off to parties, cooking, baking, wrapping, making, mailing. Does he find any room at all to be born, fresh and new? When God looks at our homes, is there a place prepared for him? Is there room reserved on the schedule where time is given in prayer? Have we given to Him an opportunity to use us by anticipating the fulfillment of His promises by the faith we exhibit in everyday circumstances? Pray that God will give you quiet moments to make room for Him in your Christmas Celebration. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 29: 01.04.07. CHRISTMAS DAY ======================================================================== CHRISTMAS DAY Read Luke 2:8-20 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. There is something about this story which never grows old. God chose the shepherds to hear the gospel proclamation first. He sent the angelic choir in all of its majesty and splendor, to herald the good news. He provided a way for Joseph and Mary to get the child to the exact place where Old Testament prophecy could become reality. God allowed the animals in the manger to witness the miracle of miracles. Shepherds and animals. Simple and sometimes a bit smelly, but they alone witness the magnificent. When is the last time you witnessed a miracle? When is the last time your dropped everything, your schedule, your busy agenda, your business concerns, even your religious traditions, so that you could witness first-hand something God was doing? God may have chosen shepherds because they were the only ones being still on the night Jesus was born. Maybe you need to be still and wait upon God too. Pray for those who still have not heard the good news of the birth of Jesus Christ ======================================================================== CHAPTER 30: 02.01. SERMON PREP (OBSERVE) ======================================================================== Keep on being doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. James 1:22 ISV OBSERVE“What do I see?” Write all of the observations down. Ask these questions. 1. Who is writing or speaking and to whom? 2. What is the passage about? 3. What are the commands? 4. What are the promises or cause/effect relationships? 5. What are the repeated words or ideas? 6. What problems are the recipients facing? 7. Where does this take place? 8. When does this take place? 9. Why does the speaker or author say/write what s/he does? 10. What do I learn about God? 11. What do I learn about Jesus? 12. What do I learn about the Holy Spirit? 13. What do I learn about me (or humanity)? Write down additional observations. Include contrasts, comparisons, lists, etc. ======================================================================== CHAPTER 31: 02.02. SERMON PREP (INTERPRET) ======================================================================== And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" Acts 2:12 ESV INTERPRET“What does it mean?” What is the “BIG IDEA” of the passage - your theme? Summarize the theme into smaller points. Write these points our in the form of an outline. Take your main theme and break it into sub-points. These sub-points form the principles. Questions to answer which help interpret the text: 1. What are the meanings of the words? 2. What does the immediate context suggest (preceding and succeeding verses)? 3. What does the broader context suggest (chapter and book)? 4. What does other cross references suggest? 5.What is the cultural meaning? (What did it mean to those to whom it was originally addressed?) 6.What do commentaries suggest? ======================================================================== CHAPTER 32: 02.03. SERMON PREP (APPLY) ======================================================================== All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for: 2 Timothy 3:16 APPLY“What do I do?” TEACHING: What did I learn? REPROOF: Where do I fall short? Why do I fall? CORRECTION: What will I do about it? TRAINING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS: How can I make this principle a consistent part of my life? Questions I must ask when I go through the text for application: 1. What do I need to believe as a result of this text? 2. What do I not need to believe as a result of this text? 3. What do I need to do as a result of this text? 4. What do I not need to do as a result of this text? ======================================================================== CHAPTER 33: 02.04. SERMON PREP (WAYS TO APPLY SCRIPTURE) ======================================================================== WAYS TO APPLY SCRIPTURE Is there a sin to confess? Is there a promise to claim? Is there an attitude to change? Is there a command to obey? Is there an example to follow? Is there a prayer to pray? Is there an error to avoid? Is there a truth to believe? Is there something to praise God for? ======================================================================== CHAPTER 34: 02.05. SERMON PREP (APPLICATION IDENTIFICATION) ======================================================================== Identify the action Identify how I can apply this action in my life ======================================================================== CHAPTER 35: 02.06. SERMON PREP (APPLICATION WINDOW) ======================================================================== PEOPLE’S NEED/PROBLEM THEN NOW ME GOD’S ACTION/SOLUTION THEN NOW ME PEOPLE’S RESPONSE/OBEDIENCE THEN NOW ME ======================================================================== CHAPTER 36: 02.07. LIST OF ACTION VERBS ======================================================================== Note: Below you will find a list of over 2300 action verbs that are used to enhance your points within a sermon. This follows the James 1:22 principle of being a doer of the word. The “do’s” and “don’ts” apply to the usage of the word to make the point. For example: The positive use of the verb makes your point read like this-“Attain peace through Christ.” The negative use of the verb makes the point read like this-“Don’t abuse God’s grace for your life.” Therefore, use the words as you see fit to best help you communicate God’s Word for life change. Action Verbs- things to do or not do A Abandon Abolish Absolve Absorb Abstain Abuse Accelerate Accentuate Accept Access Accommodate Accomplish Accumulate Achieve Acknowledge Acquaint Acquire Act Activate Adapt Add Address Adjust Administer Admire Admit Adopt Adore Adorn Advance Advertise Advise Advocate Affect Affirm Afford Aggravate Agitate Agree Aid Aim Alienate Align Alleviate Allow Alter Alternate Amass Amaze Ambush Amend Amplify Amuse Analyze Anesthetize Animate Announce Annul Anoint Answer Antagonize Anticipate Apologize Appeal Appear Appease Applaud Apply Appoint Appraise Appreciate Approach Appropriate Approve Argue Arm Arouse Arrange Arrest Ask Aspire Assault Assemble Assert Assess Assign Assimilate Assist Associate Assume Atone Attach Attack Attain Attempt Attend Attest Attract Audit Augment Authorize Avail Avenge Avert Avoid Awake Award B Back Backslide Badger Balance Ban Banish Baptize Bare Bargain Barricade Base Bathe Be Bear Beat Beautify Beg Begin Begrudge Behave Behold Believe Belittle Belong Bemoan Bend Benefit Bestow Betray Beware Bias Bicker Bid Bind Blame Blend Bless Blind Block Bloom Blossom Blot Blur Board Boast Bombard Book Boost Bore Borrow Bother Bow Boycott Brace Brag Brake Break Breathe Bribe Bridge Bridle Brighten Bring Broadcast Broaden Browbeat Browse Buck Budge Build Bully Burden Bury Buttonhole Buy By-pass C Cajole (Don’t) Calculate Call Calm Camouflage(Don’t) Cancel Canvass Capitalize on Capitulate Captivate Capture Care for Caress Carry Carve Cast Catch Cause Caution Celebrate Cement Censor Center Centralize Certify Chafe Chain Challenge Champion Change Channel Characterize Charge Charm Chart Charter Chase Chastise Cheapen Cheat Check Cheer Cherish Chisel Choose Choke Chop Chuck Circle Circulate Circumvent Clarify Classify Clean Clear Cleave Climb Cling Close Clothe Coax Coerce Collaborate Collect Combat Come Comfort Command Commemorate Commence Commend Commission Commit Communicate Compare Compel Compensate Compete Compile Complain Complete Complicate Compliment Compose Comprehend Compress Compromise Compute Conceal Concede Conceive Concentrate Concern Conclude Condemn Condense Condone Conduct Confer Confess Confide Confine Confirm Conform Confuse Congratulate Congregate Connect Conquer Consecrate Consent Conserve Consider Console Consolidate Conspire Constitute Constrict Construct Consult Contain Contemplate Contend Continue Contract Contradict Contribute Control Convene Converge Converse Convert Convey Convict Convince Co-operate Co-ordinate Copy Correct Corrupt Counsel Count Counter Counteract Counterbalance Count on Cover Covet Cower Crack Crave Create Criticize Cross Crowd Crown Crucify Cruise Crumble Crush Cry Cultivate Curb Cure Curse Curtail Cut D Damage Dampen Dare Date Deaden Deal Debase Debate Deceive Decide Declare Decline Decorate Decrease Dedicate Deduct Deepen Defame Default Defeat Defend Defer Defy Defile Define Defraud Defy Degrade Deify Delay Delegate Deliberate Delight Delineate Deliver Demand Demean Demolish Demonstrate Demote Deny Denounce Depart Depend Deplete Deplore Deposit Depreciate Depress Deprive Deepen Descend Describe Desecrate Desert Design Designate Desire Despair Despise Destroy Detach Detail Detect Deter Determine Detest Devastate Develop Deviate Devise Devote Devour Die Differ Differentiate Diffuse Digest Dig Dignify Dim Diminish Direct Disable Disagree Disappear Disappoint Disband Disburse Discard Discern Discharge Discipline Disclaim Disconnect Discontinue Discount Discourage Discover Discredit Discriminate Discuss Disdain Disengage Disguise Dishearten Dishonor Dislike Dismiss Disorganize Disown Disparage Dispel Disperse Display Dispose Disprove Dispute Disqualify Disregard Disrespect Disseminate Dissipate Dissolve Distill Distinguish Distort Distract Distribute Distrust Disturb Diversify Divide Dive Divulge Do Dodge Dominate Donate Double Doubt Downgrade Draft Drag Dress Drift Drill Drink Drive Drop Duck Dull Dump Duplicate E Earn Ease Eat Ebb Echo Economize Edify Edit Educate Effect Eject Elapse Elect Electrify Elevate Elicit Eliminate Emanate Emancipate Embark Embarrass Embellish Embitter Embody Embrace Embroil Emerge Emit Emphasize Employ Empower Emulate Enable Enact Enamor Enchant Enclose Encounter Encourage Encumber End Endanger Endorse Endow Endure Energize Enforce Engage Engender Engrave Enhance Enjoy Enlarge Enlighten Enliven Ennoble Enroll Enslave Ensnare Ensue Entail Entangle Enter Entertain Entitle Entreat Entrust Entwine Enumerate Envision Envy Epitomize Equal Equate Equip Eradicate Erase Erect Erode Err Erupt Escape Escort Establish Esteem Estimate Estrange Evacuate Evade Evaluate Even Eventuate Evict Evoke Exact Exaggerate Examine Exasperate Excavate Exceed Excel Excerpt Exchange Excite Exclaim Exclude Excuse Execute Exemplify Exempt Exhale Exhaust Exhibit Exhilarate Exhort Exile Exist Expand Expect Expedite Expel Expire Explain Explode Exploit Explore Export Expose Expound Express Extend Exterminate Extinguish Extract Exude Exult Eye F Fabricate Face Facilitate Fade Fail Faint Fake Fall Falsify Falter Familiarize Famish Fan Fancy Fantasy Fare Farm Fascinate Fashion Fast Father Fathom Fatigue Fatten Favor Fawn Fear Feast Feather Feature Federate Feed Feel Feign Felicitate Fence Ferment Fertilize Fester Fetch Fetter Fight Figure Filch File Fill Find Finger Finish Fire Firm Fish Fix Flag Flake Flare Flash Flatten Flaunt Flavor Flee Fleece Flex Flinch Fling Flip Flirt Flock Flood Flourish Flow Flower Fluctuate Flurry Flush Fluster Flutter Fly Focus Foil Fold Follow Fool Foment Forbear Forbid Force Forecast Foresee Forestall Forewarn Forge Forget Forgive Forgo Form Formalize Formulate Forsake Fortify Forward Foster Found Fracture Frame Free Freeze Frequent Fret Frighten Fritter Front Frown Frustrate Fuel Fulfill Fume Fumigate Function Furnish Fuse Fuss G Gain Galvanize Gamble Gather Gauge Gaze Generate Germinate Gesture Get Give Glamorize Glance Glare Gleam Glide Glimmer Glimpse Glisten Glitter Gloat Gloom Glorify Gloss Glow Go Goad Gossip Govern Grace Grade Graduate Graft Grant Grapple Grasp Gratify Graze Greet Grieve Grill Grind Grip Groom Grope Ground Group Grovel Grow Grudge Grumble Guarantee Guard Guess Guide H Hail Hallow Halt Hamper Hand Handle Hang Happen Harass Harbor Harden Harken Harm Harmonize Harvest Hasten Hatch Hate Haul Have Hazard Head Heal Hear Hearten Heat Heave Hedge Heed Heighten Help Hem Herald Hesitate Hide Hinder Hint Hire Hit Hoard Hobble Hold Hollow Hone Honor Hook Hop House Hover Huddle Huff Hug Humble Humiliate Humor Hunger Hunt Hurry Hurt Hush Hustle I Identify Idle Idolize Ignite Ignore Illuminate Illustrate Imagine Imbibe Imbue Imitate Immerse Immigrate Immortalize Immunize Impair Impart Impassion Impeach Impede Impel Impend Imperil Impersonate Implement Implore Imply Import Impound Impoverish Impregnate Impress Imprint Imprison Improve Improvise Inactivate Inaugurate Incapacitate Incarcerate Incase Inch Incinerate Incite Incline Include Inconvenience Incorporate Increase Incriminate Incubate Incur Indebt Indemnify Indent Index Indicate Indict Involve Indoctrinate Induce Induct Indulge Infer Infest Infiltrate Inflame Inflate Influence Inform Infringe Infuriate Infuse Inhabit Inhale Inherit Inhibit Initial Initiate Inject Injure Inoculate Inquire Inscribe Insert Insinuate Insist Inspect Inspire Install Instigate Institute Instruct Insulate Insult Intend Intensify Inter Intercede Interchange Interest Interfere Interject Interpose Interpret Interrogate Interrupt Intersect Intertwine Interval Intervene Interview Intimate Intimidate Intone Intoxicate Intrigue Introduce Intrude Inundate Inure Invade Invalidate Invade Invalidate Invent Invert Invest Investigate Invigorate Invite Invoke Involve Irk Iron Irritate Isolate Issue Itch Itemize J Jell Jerk Jest Jog Join Joke Jolt Journey Judge Juggle Jump Justify K Keep Kick Kid Kill Kindle Kiss Kneel Knit Knock Know L Labor Lag Lament Laminate Lampoon Lance Land Languish Lap Lapse Lash Last Laud Laugh Launch Launder Lavish Litigate Lay Laze Lead League Leak Lean Leap Learn Lease Leash Leave Lecture Legalize Legislate Lend Lengthen Lessen Let Letter Level Levy Libel Liberate Lie Lift Light Lighten Like Liken Limit Limp Line Linger Link Liquefy List Listen Litigate Litter Live Load Loaf Loan Loathe Localize Locate Lodge Loft Long Look Loom Loop Loose Loosen Loot Lose Lounge Love Lug Lunge Lurch Lurk Lynch M Madden Magnify Mail Maim Maintain Make Malign Man Manage Maneuver Mangle Manifest Manipulate Manufacture Map Mar March Mark Market Maroon Marry Marvel Mask Mass Master Match Mate Materialize Matter Mature Maul Mean Meander Measure Meddle Mediate Meditate Meet Mellow Melt Memorize Menace Mend Mention Merge Merit Mess Mimic Mince Mind Mine Mingle Minimize Minister Mirror Misbehave Miscalculate Miscall Miscarry Misconstrue Misfire Misinform Mislay Mislead Misplace Misquote Misrepresent Miss Misstate Mistreat Mistrust Misunderstand Misuse Mitigate Mix Moan Mob Mobilize Mock Moderate Modify Moisten Mold Mollify Mope Moralize Mortgage Move Motivate Motor Mottle Mount Mourn Mouth Move Muddle Muddy Multiply Mumble Murder Murmur Mute Mutter Muzzle Mystify N Nab Nag Name Nap Narrate Narrow Naturalize Navigate Neaten Necessitate Need Needle Negate Neglect Negotiate Nestle Net Neutralize Nibble Nick Nip Nod Nominate Nonplus Notch Note Notice Notify Nourish Nudge Nullify Numb Nurse Nurture O Obey Object Obligate Oblige Obliterate Obscure Observe Obstruct Obtain Occupy Occur Offend Offer Offset Omit Open Operate Oppose Oppress Ordain Order Organize Originate Ostracize Oust Outdo Outfit Outlast Outlaw Outline Outlive Outrun Overburden Overcome Overdo Overestimate Overflow Overhaul Overlap Overlie Overpower Overrate Override Overrun Oversee Overshadow Overstate Overtake Overthrow Overturn Overuse Overwhelm Overwork Owe Own P Pace Pacify Pack Pad Paddle Page Pain Paint Pair Pamper Panic Parachute Parade Parallel Paralyze Paraphrase Pardon Pare Park Parody Parrot Parry Part Partake Participate Pass Pasture Pat Patch Patrol Patronize Patter Pause Pay Peal Peddle Peek Peel Penalize Pen Penetrate People Perceive Perch Perfect Perforate Perform Perish Perjure Permeate Permit Perpetuate Perplex Persecute Persevere Persist Personify Persuade Perturb Peruse Pervade Pervert Pester Petition Photograph Phrase Pick Picture Pierce Pigeonhole Pile Pilot Pinch Pitch Pity Placate Place Plague Plan Plant Plaster Plate Play Plead Please Pleasure Pledge Plot Plow Pluck Plumb Plunge Ply Point Poise Poison Poke Police Polish Poll Pollute Ponder Popularize Populate Portray Pose Possess Postpone Posture Pound Pore Pout Powder Practice Praise Prance Pray Preach Precede Preclude Predestine Predetermine Predict Predispose Prefer Prejudge Prejudice Premeditate Prepare Present Preserve Press Presume Pretend Prevail Prevent Print Privilege Prize Proceed Proclaim Proceed Proclaim Procrastinate Prod Produce Profane Proffer Profit Profiteer Progress Prohibit Project Prolong Promise Promote Prompt Pronounce Prove Prop Propel Prophesy Propitiate Propose Propound Proscribe Prosecute Proselytize Prosper Prostitute Prostrate Protect Protest Protrude Prove Provide Provision Provoke Prune Pry Publish Publicize Publish Pull Pulse Pump Punch Punctuate Puncture Punish Purchase Purge Purify Purpose Pursue Purvey Push Put Puzzle Q Quack Quake Qualify Quarrel Quarry Quell Query Question Quibble Quicken Quiet Quit Quiver Quiz Quote R Race Radiate Rage Raid Raise Rake Rally Ram Ramble Range Rank Ransom Rant Rate Ratify Rave Reach React Read Ready Realize Reappear Reason Reassure Rebel Rebound Rebuild Rebuke Recall Recant Recast Recede Receive Reciprocate Recite Reckon Reclaim Recline Recognize Recoil Recollect Recommence Recommend Recompense Reconcile Recondition Reconstruct Record Recount Recover Rectify Recuperate Recur Redeem Reduce Refine Reflect Reform Refrain Refresh Refund Refurbish Refuse Refute Regain Regard Regenerate Register Regress Regret Regulate Rehabilitate Rehash Rehearse Reign Reimburse Reinvigorate Reiterate Reject Rejoice Rejuvenate Relapse Relate Relax Release Relent Relieve Relinquish Relish Remark Remedy Remember Remind Reminisce Remit Remodel Remove Rend Render Renew Renounce Renovate Reorganize Repair Repay Repeal Repeat Repel Repent Rephrase Replace Report Repose Represent Repress Reprieve Reprimand Reproach Reproduce Reprove Repudiate Repulse Request Require Rescue Research Resemble Resent Reserve Reshape Resign Resist Resolve Resound Respect Respond Rest Restate Restore Restrain Restrict Result Resume Resurrect Resuscitate Retain Retaliate Retard Retire Retort Retract Retreat Retrieve Return Reveal Reverberate Revere Reverse Revert Revile Revise Revive Revoke Revolt Revolve Reword Rib Rid Ride Ridicule Rip Ripen Rise Risk Roam Rob Rock Roll Romanticize Root Rotate Roughen Ruin Rule Run Rust S Sanctify Sacrifice Sadden Safeguard Sag Sail Saint Sell Spit Salt Salute Sample Sanctify Sanction Sap Sate Satiate Satirize Satisfy Saturate Saunter Save Savor Say Scale Scan Scare Scatter Schedule School Scintillate Scold Score Scorn Scour Scrap Scrape Scratch Scrawl Scream Screen Scrimp Scrub Scruple Scrutinize Sculpture Scurry Scuttle Seal Seam Search Season Seat Secede Seclude Second Secure Seduce See Seek Seem Seep Seesaw Segregate Seize Select Sell Send Sense Sensitize Separate Serve Set Settle Sever Sew Shackle Shade Shadow Shake Shame Shape Share Sharpen Shatter Shave Shed Shell Shelve Shepherd Shift Shine Ship Shock Shoot Shop Shore Shorten Shoulder Shove Show Shower Shred Shrill Shrink Shrivel Shudder Shun Shut Shutter Shy away Side-step Siege Sift Sigh Sight Sign Signal Sign Signify Silence Simmer Simper Simplify Simulate Sin Sing Sink Sip Sit Situate Size Skim Skimp Skin Skip Skirmish Skirt Slacken Slander Slant Slay Sleek Sleep Slide Slight Slip Slow Smash Smear Smile Smooth Smother Snake Snap Snare Snatch Sneak Sneer Snicker Sniff Snoop Snooze Snub Soak Soar Sob Soften Soil Solicit Solve Soothe Sorrow Sort Sound Sour Sow Space Span Spare Speak Specify Speculate Speed Spell Spend Spice Spite Split Spoil Sponsor Spot Spout Spray Spread Spring Sprinkle Sprint Sprout Spruce Spur Spurn Squander Square Squash Squeeze Squirm Stab Stabilize Stack Stagger Stagnate Stain Stalk Stall Stamp Stampede Stand Standardize Stare Start Starve State Station Stay Steady Steal Steam Steep Steer Step Stew Stick Stiffen Stifle Stigmatize Still Stimulate Stipulate Stir Stitch Stock Stoop Stop Store Straddle Straighten Strain Strand Strangle Strip Strap Stray Stream Strengthen Stress Stretch Strike Strip Strive Struggle Strut Study Stuff Stumble Stun Subdue Subject Subjugate Sublimate Submerge Submit Subscribe Subside Subsist Substantiate Substitute Subtract Succeed Succumb Suffer Suffocate Suggest Suit Sum up Summarize Supersede Supervise Supply Support Suppose Suppress Surpass Surprise Surrender Surround Survey Survive Suspect Suspend Sustain Swallow Swap Sway Sweat Sweep Swerve Swim Swing Switch Swivel Symbolize Sympathize Systematize T Table Tackle Tag Take Talk Tame Tap Taper Tarnish Tarry Taste Taunt Tax Teach Tear Team Teeter Tell Temper Tempt Tend Tenderize Term Terminate Test Testify Thank Thaw Think Thin Threaten Thrill Thrive Throttle Throw Thrust Tie Tighten Tilt Time Tip Tiptoe Tire Toil Tolerate Top Topple Torment Torture Toss Total Touch Toughen Tour Tow Tower Toy Trace Track Trade Trail Train Trample Tranquilize Transact Transcend Transcribe Transfer Transfix Transform Transgress Translate Transmit Transplant Transport Travel Tread Treasure Treat Trek Tremble Trend Trespass Trick Trim Trip Trouble Trust Try Tug Tune Turn Tutor Tweak Twist Type Typify U Unbend Unblock Unbolt Unchain Unclog Uncoil Uncover Underestimate Undergo Underline Undermine Underrate Underscore Understand Undertake Undervalue Undo Unearth Unfold Unify Unite Unlatch Unleash Unload Unlock Unloose Unmask Unpack Unplug Unravel Untangle Untie Untwist Unveil Unwind Upgrade Uphold Uplift Uproot Upset Upturn Urge Use Usher Utilize Utter V Vacate Vaccinate Vacillate Validate Value Vanish Vary Vault Veer Vegetate Veil Venerate Vent Ventilate Venture Verify Victimize View Vindicate Violate Visit Visualize Vitalize Vocalize Void Volunteer Vote Vow W Wade Wag Wage Wager Wail Wait Waken Walk Wall Wallow Wander Want War Warm Warn Warp Wash Waste Watch Water Wave Waver Weaken Wear Weave Wed Weep Weigh Welcome Weld Well Wench Wet Whet Whine (Don’t) Whip Whisper Whitewash (Don’t) Widen Will Wilt (Don’t) Win Wipe Wish Withdraw Withhold Withstand Witness Wonder Work Worry (Don’t) Worsen (Don’t) Worship Wound (Don’t) Wreck (Don’t) Write Wrong (Don’t) X x-ray Y Yank Yearn Yell Yield Yoke Z Zero in ======================================================================== CHAPTER 37: 02.08. CATEGORIES FOR OUTLINING THE SERMON ======================================================================== Categories for Outlining the Sermon Note: Finding creative categories to outline your sermon can be difficult. Below are over 240 categories to help you outline your sermon. Some examples of how to use the categories are the following: The 5 Choices of Every Person, The 7 Essentials to becoming a person of faith, The 10 Clues your marriage might be in trouble, 5 Evils every person should avoid, and 5 ways to Reduce conflict in relationships. Abuses Accusations Acts Advantages Affirmations Agreements Aims Alternatives Ambitions Ambushes Angles Answers Approaches Areas Arguments Aspects Aspirations Assertions Assumptions Assurances Attitudes Attributes Bargains Barriers Basics Beliefs Benefits Blessings Blunders Boundaries Catastrophes Causes Certainties Challenges Chances Changes Characteristics Choices Clues Classes Commands Commitments Comparisons Conditions Conflicts Consequences Contrasts Corrections Criteria Criticisms Customs Dangers Deals Decisions Defenses Deficiencies Definitions Degrees Demands Designs Desires Details Differences Directives Disadvantages Disasters Disciplines Discoveries Distinctions Dreams Duties Elements Encouragement Errors Essentials Evidences Evils Examples Exhortations Expectations Experiences Explanations Expressions Facets Factors Facts Failures Faults Fears Features Flaws Forces Forms Formulas Functions Fundamentals Gifts Goals Groups Guidelines Guarantees Habits Handicaps Hazards Hopes Hungers Hurts Ideas Ideals Imperatives Implications Impressions Improvements Impulses Incentives Indications Indictments Ingredients Injuries Insights Instances Instructions Interpretations Invitations Issues Jobs Joys Judgements Keys Kinds Laws Labels Legends Lessons Levels Liabilities Limits Links Losses Marks Masks Messages Methods Mistakes Misunderstandings Models Morals Motives Mysteries Myths Needs Obligations Observations Obstacles Opinions Options Outlets Paradoxes Parallels Parts Paths Patterns Perspectives Phases Pieces Plans Points Policies Positions Possibilities Presents Principles Problems Procedures Promises Properties Proposals Purposes Puzzles Qualities Quarrels Questions Reasons Regrets Remedies Reminders Replies Requirements Responses Results Rewards Risks Roles Routines Rules Schemes Secrets Sides Signs Signals Sins Situations Solutions Sources Stages Standards Statements Steps Strategies Strengths Struggles Substitutes Successes Suggestions Supports Symbols Tactics Targets Tasks Techniques Temptations Tests Theories Thieves Thoughts Threats Tickets Tips Tools Tracks Traps Treasures Trials Tricks Triumphs Truths Types Uses Values Victories Views Viewpoints Violations Virtues Walls Warnings Wars Ways Weaknesses ======================================================================== CHAPTER 38: 02.09. SERMON PREP (INTERNET SITES) ======================================================================== List of Internet sits that can help in sermon preparation: http://www.newsday.com/ap/topnews/index.htm http://www.opinion-pages.org/application.htm http://www.pastors.com/portal/ http://www.pastors.com/portal/ http://www.gospelcom.net/rbc/10rsn.home/ http://nt.excite.com/?UID=EE7F138E34F51862 http://www.purposedriven.com/ http://www.zondervan.com/newslink.htm http://www.saddleback.com/ http://www.5clicks.com/ http://www.abcnews.com/ http://management.about.com/smallbusiness/management/index.htm http://about.com/ http://www.gospelcom.net/actsi/ http://babel.altavista.com/translate.dyn http://www.bpnews.net/ http://www.billygraham.org/ http://www.blanchardtraining.com/ http://www.christianitytoday.com/ http://www.christiananswers.net/ http://www.ccel.org/ http://www.christianity.net/christianhistory/current/ http://www.christianitytoday.com/parenting/ http://www.cbmw.org/ http://www.onelook.com/browse.shtml http://www.navpress.com/dj.asp http://dogpile.com/ http://elmertowns.com/ http://encarta.msn.com/reference/ http://www.ideafisher.com/ http://www.gospelcom.net/navsoft/ http://www.infosearch.com/index1.html http://www.marriagebuilders.com/ http://www.christianitytoday.com/marriage/ http://meaningatwork.com/ http://www.apuritansmind.com/MainPage.htm http://purposedriven.com/ http://www.sccu.edu/faculty/R_Harris/ http://rex.skyline.net/ http://botspot.com/search/ http://www.search.com/ http://www.smallgroups.com/ http://www.time.com/time/ http://www.refdesk.com/ http://www.pastors.com/pcom/sermons/search.asp ======================================================================== CHAPTER 39: 02.10. SERMON ILLUSTRATIONS (INTERNET SITES) ======================================================================== Here is a list of websites with good sermon illustrations, mostly in a database format. PAY-SITES: 3. Movie Ministry http://www.movieministry.com/ 4. The Preacher’s Illustration Service http://www.voicings.com/illus.htm 1. Preaching Today http://www.preachingtoday.com/ 2. PreachingNow http://www.preaching.com/ 5. Pulpit Helps http://www.pulpithelps.com/ 2. Sermon Central http://sermoncentral.com/ and http://www.sermoncentralpro.com/ FREE-SITES: 1. OZ Sermon Illustrations http://www.ozsermonillustrations.com/ 5. PreachingNow (Archive site) http://www.preaching.com/newsletter/archive.html 3. Reader’s Digest http://www.rd.com/ 2. Sermonillustrations.com http://www.sermonillustrations.com/ 4. The Sermon Illustrator http://www.sermonillustrator.org/ 3. Tan’s Encyclopedia of Illustrations http://www.tanbible.com/tol_ill/tol_ill_0Menu.htm ======================================================================== Source: https://sermonindex.net/books/writings-of-jim-erwin/ ========================================================================