Sermon Series: All
All!
A Sermon Series Idea
Dr. J. Mike Minnnix, Editor
www.pastorlife.com
The diminutive word "All" is very important in the Bible but it can be easily overlooked. When considered seriously, the word is pregnant with meaning. The titles and references below represent ideas for a sermon series on this tiny but critical word.
Most sermon series today are 4 to 8 sermons in length, unless one is considering a subject like the Ten Commandments. Today’s listeners have shorter attention spans and a sermon series of a longer nature tends to loose punch after 8 to 10 weeks. I list numerous references below, not that one would preach a series on all of them, but to offer ideas to inspire those interested in preaching on this pint-sized word.
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All of Me
Mark 12:28ff
The Lord is not interested in simply having a part of me. He calls for us to love Him totally. He desires All my heart, soul, mind and strength. And, beyond that, we are to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Some people compartmentalize life, placing the Lord somewhere among many other facets of life. This has led to a modern form of Christianity that is far from the peculiar people God calls Christians to be. In fact, it is often difficult to tell the average Christian community from the world. This passage can be divided in two parts: Loving God and Loving Others. Loving God properly will, in essence of its nature, will lead us to love others.
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All Things
Romans 8:28
This is a truly amazing verse that calls for extraordinary faith. When we are told that All things work together for good, we are required to center our faith in the love, power and grace of Jesus. One can think of many things which happen to Christians that cannot possible be called good. And, this verse does not say that all things are good. We are told that all things work together for good to those who love God and walk in the calling God has given them. Three important statements are made in this text:
1. A Great Declaration
We know – most people who quote this verse leave out the “we know” part of it. To experience the full meaning of this verse, one must begin with faith. We must “know” that what God tells us here is true. Some things we cannot know, but there are some truths we can know for sure!
We can know where we came from: God created us
We can know how to be saved: Jesus Saves!
We can know where we are going when we die: Only two possibilities.
And, we can know something as Christians about God’s work through all the events of our lives.
2. A Great Design
All things work together for good… God desires to work through all things in your life. We cannot determine from circumstances whether something is totally bad or totally good. Note, the Lord does not say in this verse that all things are good. He states that all things can “work together for good.” Looking at a tapestry from the bottom is not a lovely sight. But, turning it over one can see a beautiful design. Likewise, we cannot determine the beauty of our lives from the bottom side of heaven. Only God sees the finished design. And His design is always lovely in the end!
3. A Great Demand
To them that love God and are the called according to His purpose. To see this promise as a reality, we must follow God’s will through all of life’s experiences and love Him faithfully. To do otherwise, is to stop the flow of blessings promised in this passage.
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All Glory
1 Corinthians 10:23, 33; 1 Corinthians 16:14
All things are lawful, since the Christian doesn’t live under the Law, but all things are not helpful or expedient for the believer. So, how do we know what we can and cannot do? We measure our actions by whether they bring glory to God. All that we do, all that our hands find to do, should bring glory to Him! There is much one can preach on this point.
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All Loss
Philippians 3:8
Paul considered all things as loss in order than he might be all that Christ saved him to be. He desired to know Jesus, and the power of His resurrection, more than any other thing in life. It is truly amazing that when all is lost for Christ, all is actually gained in life here and life hereafter. This verse, and those that make up the entire passage are replete with opportunities for preaching on the dedicated Christian life. Interestingly, we are lost when we hold onto our lives, but we are saved when we die to self and give our lives to Jesus.
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All Peace
Philippians 4:7
The entire world is seeking peace. Paul tells us how to have this peace in Philippians 4:4ff. Paul wrote Philippians while incarcerated in Rome. He was in a most unpleasant circumstance, but he writes instructing believe on how to have a peace that goes beyond All understanding. How can one have the peace Paul is describing?
1. Pray Right
2. Think Right
3. Do Right
The first speaks of our upward life
The second speaks of our inward life
The third speaks of our outward life
When all three of these are where they should be, the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds in Jesus, and the God of peace will be with us.
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All Scripture
2 Timothy 3:16-17
The rejection of absolute truth is a sad part of modern times. Yet, the Bible still stands after all these centuries as the one sure truth in a world of lies and half-truths. God’s Word is true – All of it!
1. It is Divinely Reliable in Authorship
2. It is Fully Profitable in Leadership
3. It is Totally Exceptional in Discipleship
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All Care
1 Peter 5:6-9
1. The Call
Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God
2. The Casting
Lay your burdens upon Him, because He really does care
3. The Commitment
Don’t allow your problems to lose faith, for that is what the devil is looking for in your life. Be steadfast in faith! And, remember, you are not the only one suffering – many who serve Jesus are likely suffering much more than you or I.
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All Should Come To Repentance
2 Peter 3:9-10
1. Why The Lord Has Not Come
The Lord is not slack in bringing the full promise of glory to His children. There is work to be done. People who are lost that need to be saved
2. What The Lord Desires
That all should come to repentance. It is not God’s will that any should perish. He loves each one and desires that you are saved.
3. What The Lord Wants Everyone To Know
One day the opportunity for salvation will come to an end. The day of the Lord is coming, and it will arrive like a thief in the night. Every person who must be aware that the today is the only day assured and today is the day of salvation.
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All Unrighteousness
1 John 1:9
1. The Possibility
“If we confess…” We can confess, but will we? What a grand possibility stands before every soul. The “if” in this passage is like the “all” in this passage – a little word with incredible possibilities.
2. The Promise
“He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins…” Wow! What a promise. Confession involves calling our sins what God calls them. It is not just saying, “I have made some mistakes.” We must come to God with an humble and honest heart and tell God the truth.
3. The Purity
“…and cleanse us of all unrighteousness.” A dying woman called for her preacher. He offered to read some scripture to comfort her. She asked him to read 1 John 1:9. He did so. When he got to “all unrighteousness,” she said, “All, all, all,” with great joy. She died in peace for she was reminded that God cleanses us of all unrighteousness when we truly confess!
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All Things New
Revelation 21:5
This chapter in The Book of Revelation offer the preacher great opportunities to preach on heaven. There is often a complaint among Christians that they don’t hear sermons on hell in these modern days. Well, how many sermons do they hear on heaven? At the end of The Book of Revelation is the last invitation. The Spirit of God is calling people to faith so they can enjoy being in the presence of the Lord in heaven. The Bride (The Church) is calling people as well. Let everyone who hears call on people to come to Jesus so that one day they can live with him!
