Peter Barnes | Matthew 10:34-37
SERMON NOTES
NOT PEACE BUT A SWORD
Micah 7:1-20; Matthew 10:34-37
– a startling ‘do not think’ passage (see Matt.3:9; 5:17)
1. Christ came to divide humanity.
– 10:34; this is the Prince of Peace! (Isa.9:6; see Matt.5:9)
– Luke 12:51; Spurgeon: ‘In the act …
Rev. Dr. Peter Barnes
I think it was Harold Wilson who first commented that a week was a long time in politics. Given the present decrepit state of Australian politics – and for that matter, Western politics in general – even a day can seem too long. The stories change …
Peter Barnes | Romans 12:3-5
SERMON NOTES
EVALUATING OUR GIFTS
(Romans 12:3-5)
– Christians have gifts not prizes they have earned.
1. Assess your gifts with humility.
– 12:3; this is the age of self-esteem. But the problem is really pride (see Rom.11:18)
– Eph.4:7; John 3:30; Hendriksen: ‘Don’t fancy …
Peter Barnes | Matthew 10:32-33
SERMON NOTES
CONFESSING OR DENYING CHRIST
Daniel 6; Matthew 10:32-33
– Romans 12:1 looks back to God’s mercies; Matthew 10:32-33 looks ahead to His judgment – two Christian motives.
1. We must confess Christ on earth.
– ‘confess’ is probably better than ‘acknowledge’
– Acts …
Peter Barnes | Romans 12:2
SERMON NOTES
TRANSFORMED BY THE WORD
(Romans 12:2)
Verses 1-2 actually constitute one sentence – read Rom.12:1-2. Martyn Lloyd-Jones cites someone who wrote that ‘Jesus demanded not a reformation of behaviour, but a transformation of character.’
1. We are not to be conformed to this …
Peter Barnes | Matthew 10:27-31
SERMON NOTES
ONE FEAR OVERCOMES ANOTHER
Psalm 94; Matthew 10:27-31
– do not fear persecutors (10:26, 28, 31)
1. Be bold before the world.
– 10:27; Jer.1:8; Acts 4:29
2. Fear the God who judges all.
– 10:28; emphatic in Luke 12:5
– Prov.29:25; Spurgeon: …
Peter Barnes | Romans 12:1
SERMON NOTES
A LIVING SACRIFICE
(Romans 12:1)
– Romans 12-16 deal more with the Christian life, based on Christian doctrine
1. Ethics flows from doctrine.
– 12:1; like Eph.4:1
– the alternative is to appeal to self-interest or platitudes
2. God’s mercies are to affect …
Peter Barnes | Matthew 10:17-26
SERMON NOTES
RESPONDING TO PERSECUTION
2 Kings 6:8-23; Matthew 10:17-26
– opposition from Jews, Gentiles, family, and everyone
1. Do not be anxious because the Spirit will help you.
– 10:19-20; see Acts 4:7-12 for Peter
– About the year 165 Justin Martyr was brought …
Peter Barnes | Psalm 15
SERMON NOTES
WHO DWELLS WITH GOD?
(Psalm 15)
– like Ps.24:3-6; Isa.33:14-17; this is also taught in the New Testament (Heb.12:14; Tit.1:16)
1. Our goal is to dwell with God.
– 15:1; God speaks of dwelling with His people (Lev.26:11-12; Ezek.37:27; Rev.21:3)
– Charles Spurgeon: …
Peter Barnes | Matthew 10:17-26
SERMON NOTES
UNDERSTANDING PERSECUTION
Psalm 35; Matthew 10:17-26
1. Christians will be opposed by Jews, Gentiles and even family
– 10:17-18, 21-22a; do not suffer for the wrong reasons (1 Pet.4:15-16)
– the Jews (10:17; John 16:2; 2 Cor.11:24); the Gentiles (10:18; Acts 17:7-8); family …
