Sermon Notes

I. Listen: We must Prioritize Pure Proclamation over Performance.

Jesus tells his disciples in John 6, that “The Words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. “
Romans 10:14 — “How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?”
Challenge: Be careful whose you follow.

Romans 10:15 “How can they hear preach unless they’ve been sent.”
Matthew 13:3 — “A sower went out to sow.”
- No fancy description, no dramatic antics — just a plain, faithful sower sowing seed.
- It wasn’t the sower’s shout, run, or rhyme that grew the crop. It was the in good soil.

Application: Listening isn’t passive; it’s purposeful. Don’t just hear — hunger for truth. His led the salvation on her entire home!

II. Look: We look to Christ and His work on the cross for our Redemption.

Read: Numbers 21:4-9

Israel sinned, God sent serpents — the serpent represents sin (as in Eden).
In Numbers 21:9, the bronze serpent was their sin lifted up.
John 3:14 — “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 — “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us.”
Mark 15:33-34; Matthew 27:45-46 — In those hours of darkness, God poured out holy wrath on His own Son. Darkness for 3 hours. “My God, My God, Why has thou forsaken me?”
Isaiah 53:4 — “Smitten by God.” Isaiah 53:6 — “The LORD laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”
Key Point: The God of Christ and the man of sin (our sin) both met at the cross.
Application: The cross is where your sin was judged, not ignored.

III. Live: We must understand the Victory of the Resurrection and the Promise of Eternal Life.

Read: Matthew 28:5-7; John 10:17-18; 1 Corinthians 15:20-23

Matthew 28:6 — “He is not here, for He has risen, as He said.”
Jesus laid down His life and picked it up again. No one took it from Him (John 10:17-18).

Roman soldiers couldn’t stop it. A sealed stone couldn’t hold it.
1 Corinthians 15:20 — “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”

1 Corinthians 15:21-23 — “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.”
If He lives, we too shall live!
Application: That’s our hope. Eternal life isn’t just someday — it’s secure today because Jesus lives.

From Reputation to Revelation (John 3:1–2)

More than a Pharisee: Nicodemus was a member of the Sanhedrin, Israel’s religious . Though respected and powerful, he worked within a spiritually corrupt system.
Publicly respected, privately searching: He comes to Jesus by night, possibly out of fear or caution—but let’s not rush to judge. Many of us came to Jesus in the dark: the darkness of sin, shame, or despair.
Righteous titles, but wrong understanding: Nicodemus, a Rabbi himself, addresses Jesus as “Rabbi…teacher come from God”. But titles mean little when confronted by truth. What matters most is not being called “pastor,” “prophet,” or “bishop”—but being called a child of God.
Few Areas show the worldly state of the church more than the unending search for .
Here’s a few, Prophet, Prophetess, Apostle, Psalmist, Liturgist. That’s just a few! Where does it end?

“For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” – 1 Samuel 16:7

“…because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.” – John 2:24–25

The Necessity of a New Birth (John 3:3)

Jesus answers an unasked question—because He sees Nicodemus’ .

“Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.’” – John 3:3

This is a non-negotiable reality. Without rebirth, there is no entrance into God’s kingdom. Jesus doesn’t suggest it He declares it.
For Nicodemus, this is shocking. Jews didn’t need to be ; only Gentiles. But Jesus shatters that notion all people must be born again.

“But to all who did receive him…he gave the right to become children of God, who were born…of God.” – John 1:12–13

III. There a Difference between Scripture Knowledge and Spiritual Understanding (John 3:4–6)

Nicodemus is a He is more known than Jesus and comes from a group with a history of hostility.

Nicodemus is confused, but Jesus doesn’t shame him—He teaches him.

“Water” here likely refers to natural birth, as clarified in verse 6:

Some doctrines can be debated—but this one can’t. If we’re wrong about the new birth, we’re wrong about .

IV. True Faith Produces Fruit (John 3:7–10)

Jesus urges Nicodemus: “Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’” – John 3:7

It’s not something to be amazed by—it’s something to be moved by.

“The wind blows where it wishes…so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” – John 3:8

Salvation is a mysterious, sovereign work of the Spirit. You can’t control it, but you can recognize it by its fruit, and it’s the same way with our Spirit. It’s the only evidence we have.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience kindness goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Galatians 5

This is not —it’s compassionate surprise, like a teacher gently questioning a student who has missed something foundational.

Conclusion: Nicodemus came in darkness but left with revelation. He came with titles but left in awe of the Truth.
He came with confusion but left with clarity.

We don’t know if he believed that night—but we know he later defended Jesus (John 7:50) and helped bury Him (John 19:39).

The new birth changes everything. And like Nicodemus, we must all hear the words of Christ: “You must be born again.” – John 3:7

God’s Divine Priority (Luke 12:13-21)

Divine Prompt (Luke 12:22)

God’s Divine Purpose (Luke 12: 23)

God’s Divine Provision (Luke 12:24)
God’s Divine Parameters (Luke 12:25-26)
Divine Preference (Luke 12:27-28)

Divine Problem (Luke 12: 29-30) “Oh you of little Faith”

VIII. God’s Divine Pleasure (Luke 12:32)

Vs 32 “Fear Not little Flock, for it is you Father’s Good Pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

God not only gives us all this promises because we need it, but because he finds pleasure in doing so.

Matt7 “If you children ask for bread would you give a stone? Or fish would you give a snake”

He does not find please is hurting us. He wants to bless us.

What is the Kingdom? The Kingdom is not merely a place, but the reign of God in our hearts and lives. It’s a Kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy, as Paul tells us in Romans “God’s desire is to give us everything we need to live in this Kingdom—everything that pertains to life and godliness”

Peter said, “This is God’s pleasure, His delight.” (2 Peter 1:3)

Psalm 84:11, which tells us that “no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.”

We are given access to the fullness of God’s resources.

Romans 8:32 “He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?” God’s generosity knows no bounds, and His pleasure is to bless us.

The Word says the Lord was “pleased to crush him/Jesus”

VIIII. God’s Divine Pattern (Luke 12:33)

Vs 33 “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail.”

The pattern in Scripture is that you must be willing to be sold out for him.

If you want peace, joy, you surrender all and keep nothing from him, and you will have it.

Jesus If you love mother and father more than me , you are not worthy of me.

What are you holding back from God?

X. God’s Divine Placement (Luke 12:34)

Are you placing your heart in heavenly treasures of earthy one? That is the ultimate principle.

Paul. He had everything—status, wealth, influence—but he counted it all as rubbish compared to the greatness of knowing Christ.
In Philippians 3:7-8, he says: “But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.”

God’s Divine (Luke 12:13-21)

V.13 “Tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me” V. 21 “Fool, tonight you soul is required”

God’s priority is his kingdom (vs31), and anything (treasure 21,34) we put above his priority is foolishness.

Divine Prompt (Luke 12:22)

Do not (vs 22,29) present imperative- Anxious: to , choke, a mind that is strangle with concerns.

We have all we need to live stress-free. (The Word, Holy Spirit, free from sin, fellowship of believers)

God’s Divine Purpose (Luke 12: 23)

Our purpose is about more than If our mind is on His Will and Purpose, we’ll limit our stress.

God’s Divine Provision (Luke 12:24)

God has plan for your life so we should trust in his ability to bring the plan to flourishing.

God’s Divine Parameters (Luke 12:25-26)

hour/cubit: 18 inches from elbow to fingertip. Metaphor: anything that is to determine.

Job4 “Our days and number of months are determined by God & he appoints our limits so that we cannot pass.”

No amount of effort, worry, or planning outside of God’s determination can extend your life.

Explain: 2 Kings20 “Tell Hezekiah, the leader of my people, that I will heal him & add more years to his life.”

“Many of the plans of man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand” Proverbs 19:21

National Library of Medicine: Department of Health: 75% of all are stress related.

Divine Preference (Luke 12:27-28)

God prefers us over all other aspects of! (plants, animals, angels)

We are more than an emotional being. We are created but give the breath of life. (eternal soul)

Gen2 “The Lord formed man from the dust, breath in him the breath of life, & he became a living soul.”

VII. Divine Problem (Luke 12: 29-30)

Jesus lets them, and by extension he is letting us know, that this level of stress is a !

HOW DO WE INCREASE OUR FAITH?

1. Pray and Ask God greater faith.

Mark 9:24 A Father’s son is possessed by an evil spirit the disciple can’t cast out. “Help my unbelieve.”

2. Spend more time reading and studying the Bible.

Romans 10:17 “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word of God.”

3. Spend more time in church with other believers.

Ecclesiastes 4: “Two are better than one, if they fall one will lift the other up”

Acts2 “They grew in faith as they devoted themselves to the teaching, fellowship, & breaking of bread.”

Amazing Love (vs2-3)

Christianity and Discipleship is not about hearing the word, its about living the Word.
Valued: : entimos: to honor with great esteem. Same word Peter used “precious living stone”

The word “servant” here is not doulos (slave) but in verse 7 it is pais (young servant or even a beloved child).

Roman masters typically treated slaves as , not as .

Ex #1- Aristotle “A slave is a living tool” Ex #2- Gaius “A master had the power of life and death over his slave”

Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar “The only difference between a slave, a beast, & a cart is that the slave .”

John wrote “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

2. Amazing Fruit (vs5)

Remember the sermon: Verses 6:45-46 “They hear, and they do good. They hear, and they produce fruit.”

2 Samuel 7:2 “I dwell in a house of cedar, but God/Ark of the Covenant dwells in a tent.”

His love was more than words it was action. He with God’s people.

James said “Just as the body without the spirit is dead, Faith without works in dead”

James 1“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” This is the certainty of .

3. Amazing Theology (vs 6) “Lord” “I am not worthy”

He recognized Jesus as Lord! Master. Kuros<grk> having absolute .

Think about the contrast! (vs4) the Jewish elders said he’s “worthy to have you do this” (vs6) “I am not worthy”

True Disciples understand the of depravity. We are sinful by nature, and only Christ is Worthy.

Paul “We are not sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God”

Ephesians 2“For by grace you have been saved through faith… not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
We are only as spiritual as our !

4. Amazing Faith (7b-10)

There is not other faith in Israel and he is standing with Jewish Elders and Disciples.

This is the Faith. His faith pulled him out of a culture of privilege, racism,

To Thomas “You have believed because you have seen, bless are those who have NOT seen, yet still believe.”

He alludes to Psalm 107:20 – “He sent His word and healed them.”

Contrast this to Mary and Martha (John 11:21,32):

True faith does not demand —it trusts completely in God’s power word.

Genesis 1:3 – “And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.”

Hebrews 1:3 – “He upholds the universe by the word of His power.”

Matthew 8:26 – Jesus rebuked the storm, and it obeyed His voice.

5. Amazing Destruction

Luke 10:15 – “And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades.”

According to John MacArthur: This synagogue in Capernaum was eventually destroyed.

Later the Byzantine Empire build a church over the synagogue, but he town never gained its former status

THE SOLDIERS PARADY (Mark 15:16-20)

A is a form of creative work which uses an existing subject for humor or mockery.
The whole cohort (600 men) gathered against one man, not for justice but to witness his humiliation.
David “The kings and rulers of the earth take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed'”
Any issue in life, politics, family, or entertainment, when we join the as opposed to Christ we are in sin.
Exodus 23:2 “You shall not fall in with the many to do evil.”
It is not for us the join in their laughter, it is for us to join in Jesus in his suffering and even his humiliation.
Paul told Timothy,”Do not be about our Lord but share in suffering for the gospel.
Stage plays need costumes & props to be funny (Matt27: striped him, scepter) purple robe, crown of thorn
(18) The entire comedy was based on one key thought “Hail, King of the Jews”Rev. 19:16 “He is King of Kings”
John 19 “Do not write he is King of the Jews, but he said I am king of the Jews. What I have written, I have written.”

THE SAVIOR’S (Mark 15:20)

Beaten and Struck-Luke 22:63-64 “Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking him as they beat him. They also blindfolded him and kept asking him, ‘Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?'”
Scourged-John 19:1 “Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him.”
Crowned with Thorns- Reed and Thorn : According to Historian Pilo: Ziziphus spina-chrisi: thorns in long
Struck in the Face-John 19:3″They came up to him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ and struck him with their hands.”
Forced to Carry His Cross-John 19:17 – “And he went out, bearing his own cross. Up to 300 pounds.
Nailed to the Cross-Luke 23:33 “And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.”
Isaiah wrote His Beard was pulled from his roots, spit on, slapped pierced.
53: 4-5 “He has born our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. He was pierced for our transgression; he was crushed for our sins, upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace and by his stripes we are healed. The Lord has laid upon him the iniquity of us all.”

THE STRANGERS PROVIDENCE Mark 15:21-22

Simon of Cyrene: synagogue in Cyrene Jews in Jerusalem.
(vs 21) compelled: an-ga-ru-o: To seize by .
Remember: Mark is from Cyrene: Mark started the church in Egypt and the first seminary. Mark is writing to the Church in Rome. This is the first Gospel. You don’t know Simon, but he is the father of Alexander and Rufus. This is a Jew just like the leader who rejected. Cyrene is a Jewish community in Africa. Based on Acts 11. Cyrene has a Christian church, and by Act 13 they have Christian leaders!
How did Africa Jews become Christians? Because they and accepted truth? Thats our history!

Romans 16:13 Paul wrote “Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother who has been a mother to me as well.”

Final Point: Will you continue with the crowd, or will you identify with Christ & gain eternal life? You can’t do both!

Intro: We are at War! Spiritual Battle!

Ephesians 6:12 – “For we do not wrestle against , but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

I. THE POWER OF DEMONS (Mark 5:1-7)

Control vs3-4: controlled his entire life. (location, relationships, naked, self- mutilation, mental)

Canon vs7-8: Demons have good theology. Triune God, Christology, Escotology, pit Gen6 Jude -Lake of Fire Rv20

Rev 20:10 “The devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire where the beast and false prophets are and they will be tormented day and night.”

Capacity vs9: This was many demons and great afflictions! Legion: Roman regiment average

II. The Power of Deity (Mark 5:7-13)

From Mark 4:35- Mark 5, Jesus displays power over extreme element. Nature, Demons, Diseases, Control vs3-4: Demons controlled his entire life. (location, relationships, naked, self- mutilation, mental)

Demon must only operate within what God

Job 1:12“Lord to Satan, Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.”
Paul’s Affliction – 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 “So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming boastful.”
Paul saw that even demonic affliction was used by God for His purpose of keeping Paul . – 1 Peter 5:10

“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”

Application: To defeat Satan, we must place our issues (family, politics, fights, relationships, community) in God’s hand.

III. The Power of Deliverance 14-20

Deliverance will cause you Christ.

Reject: vs 14-18 They were not afraid of him in the tombs, but now they are afraid of his freedom!

Receive vs19-20 “I chose you and appointed you so you might go and bear fruit. “ John 15:16

The Context (vs1-2)

Vs 1 “finished these saying” Jesus is teaching the process of restoring a relationship in church and

Vs 2 “large crowds followed him” Matt 9: b/c they were “harassed & helpless, like a sheep without a shepherd”

The Conflict (vs 3)

1. This is the region John the Baptist was arrested and beheaded. Matthew 14

2. Two Opposing Cultural Views

Rabbi Shammai () Divorce only for adultery, death. Rabbi Hillel () divorce for any reason.

The Conversation (vs4-6) Jesus bypasses their cultural debate, by pointing them BACK. TO. THE. WORD!

Marriage (VS 4-6)

The Partners in Marriage (vs4) The only genders God recognized is male and female.

The Priority in Marriage (vs5) It must supersede all earthy and !

The Permanence in Marriage (vs5-6) cleave KJV prokolayo: To join, glue, or to intertwin. Hold fast to his wife!

The Procreation in Marriage (vs5-6) “…two shall become one, and they shall no longer be two but ONE FLESH!”

Divorce (vs7-9)

Deuteronomy 24: 1-4 They have perverted this verse and used it as a weapon against women. ANY REASON!

Ex: Professor of Theology at Talmud & Rabbinic at the Jewish Theological Seminary

1. If they burn a meal. 2. If they find someone more beautiful. 3. If their wife is !

Rabbi: “A bad wife is like leprosy to her husband. What is the remedy? Let him divorce her & be cured of leprosy”

Another Rabbi: “If a man has a bad wife, it is his religious duty to divorce her”

Singleness (vs8-12)

(Vs10) 11 single men! If the culture is wrong and we can’t divorce for ANY reason! Maybe we should stay single!

What Jesus saying? Married people are not more spiritual, or more blessed, and being single is not a .

Explain: vs Eunuchs are castrated men you live life dedicated to the cause of the king. Remember

Read: 1 Cor 7 – Teaching them about marriage, he stops to say that he wishes they could serve like him.

Application:

If married, strengthen your commitment to each other, and to God.

If divorced, don’t feel condemned. Be forgiven. For others, don’t get married with one foot out the door.

If single, God elevated singleness! You have an opportunity for service in God free of the concern of a partner!

Final Thought: We are all the bride of Christ and have been unfaithful! He has not divorced us. He is!

1. The Sower (vs 3) “A Sower went forth to sow”

Jesus is the ultimate Sower, but by extension include all who preach, teach and the Gospel.
Luke 19 “The son of man came to seek and save those that were lost.” We are so blessed to have God seek us!

2. The Seed(vs 4) “as he sowed, some seeds fell”

The Seed is the Word of God! David said the Word is “Perfect & Pure”. Peter calls it “an incorruptible seed”
Why a seed? Seeds are dry & lifeless. Seeds in the right environment has the power to transform and produce!

3. The Soil

The Pathway or Hard Heart (4 and 19)

Explain: Paths between field get hard! Could be muslim, buddhist, atheist, or a family member who hate church!
Jesus is showing us a ! 1^st Century literature used birds to symbolize Satan and his demons.!

Rocky Soil or Shallow Heart (5-6 and 20)

Explain: layer of throughout the region. No depth= no endurance.
Sun= persecution, hardship. dry up & die in the summer.
These people were committed for a season or two, but when trouble came no evidence of conversion shows up!
The hardships cause them to “Fall away” skandalido: to offend, to .
Paul said, “I can’t talk do you as people because you’re still babies. I have to give you milk.”

Thorny Soil (7 and 22)

Explain: Think weeds. They’re natural to the soil. The Sower is introducing something foreign.
CARES AND CONCERNS: Always worried about all these other things in life & it creates busyness.
Then, the weeds your prayer time, choke out study time.
DECIENTFULNESS OF RICHES: Some preachers and teachers make you think the Gospel promises prosperity.

The Good Soil (8 and 23)

Soil can’t fix soil! The good soil has been prepared by the . The Sower removed the stones & weeds.
This is the one who leans into the Word. They love the Word. They want to understand the heart or will of God!

The AWAERNESSS of False Prophets (vs15) “Beware”

They exist.
Be Aware- Be Alert- Be on guard- Be expecting because do exist!
These are false teachers and preachers that to not belong to or speak for the Lord.
This an in the “” in the Greek which is a command that is continuous and habitual.

The APPROACH of the False Prophet (vs 15) “Who comes to you”

They look will find you.
You do not have to go looking for false prophets.
They belong to the adversary. He slips them among the just as he sows tares among the wheat. Matt 13
You do not have to actively search for them. They slide in your community meetings, DM’s or your algorithm.

The Appearance of FALSE Prophets (vs 15) “in sheep’s clothing”

They look just like other belivers; like other preachers and teachers.
They look like what you want! They have degrees, money, following, status.
They carry the outward appearance of a sheep, but they are actually wolves.
You can’t tell the difference when you spend enough time with real sheep or with the shepard.
They look like Christians and fool you with clothes and mannerism, but they are not His.

The AGENDA of False Prophets (vs 15) “inwardly they are ravenous wolves”

Their Agenda is to separate you and to devouer you.
They will take your money, take the best years of your life with revelations that never come true.
You need , and that only comes through the Holy Spirt ministering to you through God’s Word.

The ASSESSMENT of the False Prophets (vs 16-18 ) “You will recognize them by their fruits”

“Fruits” are a metaphor for character. is moral words and actions and are evident in a person’s life!
Trees don’t produce overnight! It takes time.
EX: baptized and announced his calling all on the same day.
Timothy 3:16 “Not a novice”(ESV) “not a recent convert”. (NIV)

The ACCOUNT of the False Prophets (vs 19-23) “it is cut down and thrown into the fire”

This is judgment. This is hell for those who do not belong to him.
We have people who claim to be Christians who say “hell does not exist.”Paul “If any, even an angel preaches another doctrine contrary to what we have taught, let him be accurse!”
Vs21-23 They say “Lord, Lord, the prophesy, they cast our demons, the have mighty works.” DEPART FROM ME! (23)