Zion Cornerstone

What is Our Problem?

Preached by Elder David Meengs on August 31, 2014

Text: Matthew 7:3-5 • Download this sermon outline (PDF)

1. We Need God’s World view!

  1. We are not sinners because we sin. We sin because we are all sinners. We are all born that way – Romans 5:12, Gen 2:17; Gen 3:7, Gen 3:21. Romans 3:10.
  2. We need the Bible to see and to correct our problems. 2 Peter 1:20-21
  3. God’s Word transforms us 2 Timothy 3:16-17jeremiah17_9
    1. Teaching
    2. Rebuking
    3. Correcting
    4. Training in righteousness
  4. Matthew 7:3-5 and the example of a 45-year-old lady who was extremely bitter.
    1. Jeremiah 17:9-10
    2. Proverbs 21:9
    3. Proverbs 21:19
  5. We are not who we are because of the circumstances we face! We are who we are because of the choices we make. Life is 10 percent what happens to you, 90% how we respond.

2. We Need God’s Ten Commandments!

  1. What must be the order of our love?
  2. Matthew 22:37-40 – And J. O. Y.
  3. Luke 9:23 – Teaches us to deny self, including: Absalom is a good example.
    1. “Deny” self-love; Where in the Bible are we told to love self? The Bible says in the last times people will be lovers of self, 2 Timothy 3:1-2.
    2. “Deny” self assertiveness; The truth is, “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it” The Bible teaches us to lift up God’s name and build up others.
    3. “Deny” self-confidence; “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths,” Proverbs 3:5-6.
    4. “Deny” self esteem, What do we deserve according to Romans 6:23? “the wages of sin is death.” Apart from Christ we have no value. Our worth is in Him and in living for Him. Absalom lived for more self-esteem. A whole nation adored him and could never get enough. He scorned his covenant upbringing and got hung by his beautiful hair!
    5. “Deny” self righteousness; Romans 3:10-12 – “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” The Pharisees
    6. “Deny” self exaltation. “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted,” Matthew 23:12. Herod Acts 12:21-23 worms
  4. Does anyone have problems because they hate themselves? Ephesians 5:29

3. We Need to Overcome Problems!

  1. We have problems in our heart – Matthew 15:18-19
  2. We have problems with our thoughts, words and actions – Galatians 5:19-2
  3. We have problems with how we feel or with our emotions. Cain was a prodigal son. See how God counseled him in Genesis 4:6-7
  4. Biblically helping someone move from concentrating on how they feel to the more important condition of their heart
    1. Counseling a 40 year old lady with a “tension” problem. She has been a church member her whole life and is married.
    2. Counseling a 20 year old college student with a lust problem
    3. Going over the Gospel, to help people understand.
      1. Genesis 3:7
      2. Genesis 3:21
      3. Leviticus 17:11
      4. Isaiah 64:6
    4. Counseling a 60 year old man and head of many Christian organizations

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