Sermon: Quotes from My Ministry – Part 7
by Chris Cumming

I am going to begin Part 7 of this sermon the same way I began Parts 1-6.

I encountered a book of quotes from an author of four books.  The quotes were all derived from the text of those four books.  I was intrigued with the concept and felt that it could be applied to my ministry.  Indeed, I have created more text than this author in the last eighteen years in the ministry.  This document will be a log of original quotes from hundreds of sermons and Bible studies.  Where possible, I will include links to any of those sources that are currently posted on the Internet.

I am doing this series of sermons for several reasons:
1] to create a tickler file into sermons you have heard from me.
2] to give you a checklist for your prayers, meditations and self-examinations.
3] to overwhelm you with the sure need for fervency, diligence, zeal and perseverance.

Subject

Quote

Riotous Living
Spiritual Cleansing

Sermon: Rampageous

This is a sermon that describes riotous living and how it can keep one out of the Kingdom of God.  We avoid riotous living spiritually cleansing ourselves.  I say this at the beginning of the sermon:

The purpose of my sermon today is to clarify all things sinful, negative and corrupt, as we continue in our pursuit of holiness and cleansing ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh.

“Cleanse yourself.”

After giving the biblical definitions of “Riotous”, “Revelry” and “Wanton”, I say:

Engaging in riotous living is at the upper end of the scale of severity and intensity.  The person is overtly demonstrating extreme attitudes and negative actions.  There is a total lack of discipline in regard to possessions, finances, eating, drinking, stewardship and moderation.  We are indicating a total breakdown in character.

Later in the sermon, I say:

An important part of your holiness is not just forcing the bad and negative elements out but keeping specific elements in balance.  God is not bringing condemnation to luxuries, including fine food and drink, but allowing those elements taking over our lives.  We must strictly avoid letting those luxuries from leading us into gluttony, drunkenness, greed, over-spending, disobedience, bitterness and/or neglect.”

Next I do readings in Luke 15 which is about the prodigal [wasteful] son and his riotous living.  I then say:

“So we come to the crux of the situation of riotous living; it is a form of idolatry.  Any element that comes between a firstfruit and God is an idol.  Idols and idolatry take our minds off God.”

In this sermon I offer two tables.  The first one gives nineteen clear distinctions between faithful firstfruits and those engaged in riotous living.

The second included table is prefaced by three scripture readings that list negative and sinful elements [Romans 1:28-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 and Galatians 5:19-21].  This second table lists these 42 elements and defines them.

I end the sermon with 5 scriptures admonishing all of us to overcome sin and say:

“The mission is clear; use your holiness to push away sin.
 
“Cleanse yourself.”

Righteousness

Sermon: Rectitude

This sermon has a simple admonition:  Be righteous.

The entire sermon is taken from a 104-page document posted at the Vegas web site titled, “How To’ Instructions in Righteousness.”  This document gives 47 scriptures on the subject of being righteous beginning with Genesis 17:1 where God says to Abraham, “Be thou perfect” and going in biblical order to Revelation 18:4 that says, “Do not partake in the sins of the world.”

As an introduction, I say:

Each of the elements you study here are part of a greater whole.  None stand alone.  As you study the first element, keep in mind that it is just one part and must be added to the next and the next until you see the full model of Righteousness.  Once you begin approaching this "greater whole", remember that Righteousness is a fruit of the Spirit and therefore is infinite. 

You will readily see that every element is connected to all the others.  They dovetail and are all part of a single array. 

The hope here is that as you begin to master each element and put them together in your heart and mind, making them both habit and part of your character, you will find the path approaching Righteousness easier to travel.

Be righteous.

Prayer and Petition to God

Sermon: Rogation

This sermon focuses in on two verses from Philippians 4.

Philippians 4: 6, 19
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Then, as introduction, I say:

“The title I chose for this sermon is the word, "Rogation."  This word means, solemn supplication from the stem word, ‘rogare’, ‘to ask,’ apparently a figurative use and meaning literally "to stretch out the hand."  Words related to Rogation are:

Appeal
Beseeching
Entreaty
Petition
Request, including request for help
Supplication
Worship

There is another word I want you to be familiar with today.  The word is, "Providence."  We often talk about providence in relationship to what God provides for us, especially in light of Philippians 4:6 and "letting your requests be made known unto God."  However, providence means much more than the good things we receive of God.  It means everything we receive of God; good and bad.  By bad, I mean all the elements and events He allows to happen. 

The purpose of this sermon is to: “Surrender to the providence of God.”

I do a full immersion into verse 6 which says:
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 

I give a recap of what we learn in this verse:

Recap from that commentary:
---with every burden there is something to be thankful for.
---think about the times God provided for you before.
---think about previous healings and your life of good health.
---think about all the times He interceded on your behalf.
---think about all the times God protected your children and friends.
---think about all the times you were forgiven sin.
---think about eternal life in the Kingdom of God.

In this sermon I go into a study on the biblical concepts of “Rejoicing”, “Rejoice” and “Joy.”

Leadership

Sermon: Royal

I begin this sermon by talking about all the training and education of Prince Charles of the British Royal Family and then ask you the question, “Wouldn’t it be exciting to have a life like that?” 

I then inform you that you were called to a life just like that.  It is your calling to be trained and educated in co-ruling with Jesus Christ on this earth.  I say:

“The purpose of this sermon is to expose you to royalty and your future position as kings and princes in the Kingdom of God.  It is time to start acting like royalty.


“Be a royal.”

I spend the sermon going through all the scriptures that speak to us acting like royalty and being a part of the ultimate royal family.  At the end of this sermon I give a recap of all those scriptures.  I say:

Let us recap what we have learned about royalty and ruling with Christ:

I made a list of the things that will be part of your royalty:

Your Royalty

1] As a prince, you shall rule in judgment. Isaiah 32:1
2] You are a joint-heir with Christ. Romans 8:17
3] You will be glorified.  Romans 8:17
4] You will be ruler over many things. Matthew 25:21, Matthew 24:47  Luke 12:44

5] You will enter into the joy of the Lord. Matthew 25:21
6] You will prosper.  2 Chronicles 3:21
7] You will know things currently in darkness. 1 Corinthians 4:5
8] You will be accepted by God. 2 Corinthians 5:9

9] God will commend us. 2 Corinthians 10:18
10] You will know praise and honor. 1 Peter 1:7
11] You will inherit the Kingdom of God. Matthew 25:34
12] You will have eternal life. Matthew 25:46

13] You will receive reward.  Matthew 10:40-42
14] You are appointed the Kingdom. Luke 22:28-30
15] You will eat and drink at God's table in the Kingdom. Luke 22:30
16] You will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  Luke 22:30

17] You will receive a crown of life.  Revelation 2:10
18] You will receive power over nations.  Revelation 2:26-28
19] You will sit down with Christ.  Revelation 3:21
20] You will be a son of God. Revelation 21:7

21] You will know pleasures for evermore.  Psalm 16:10-11
22] You will receive honor from the Father.  John 12:26
23] You will receive a place prepared by Christ. John 14:3
24] You will be with Christ.  Philippians 1:23

25] You will reign with Christ. 2 Timothy 2:12
26] Ye will rejoice with joy unspeakable.  1 Peter 1:8

Requirements to royalty:

1] Righteousness. Isaiah 32:1
2] Suffer with Christ. Romans 8:17; 2 Timothy 2:12
3] Faith. Matthew 25:21
4] Do what is good, right and truth. 2 Chronicles 3:20

5] Seek God. 2 Chronicles 3:21
6] Do it with all your heart. 2 Chronicles 3:21
7] Praise God. Romans 2:29
8] Labor.  2 Corinthians 5:9

9] Endure the trial of faith. 1 Peter 1:7
10] You do good works to the brethren. Matthew 25:35-40
11] Receive Christ and righteous men. Matthew 10:40-42
12] Suffer tribulation. Revelation 2:10

13] Overcome sin and keep the works of Christ to the end.  Revelation 2:26-28, Revelation 3:21, Revelation 21:7
14] Walk the path of life. Psalm 16:10-11
15] Serve and follow Christ. John 12:26
16] Believe. 1 Peter 1:8

So, go now and BE a Royal.

Meditation

Sermon: Ruminate – Part 1

I begin this sermon with a definition of the title, “Ruminate.”  I say:

The purpose of today’s sermon is to encourage all of us to contemplate, meditate, ponder, reflect upon and ruminate the Word of God.”

Ruminate means to contemplate, meditate, ponder, mull and/or reflect.

The sermon is an immersion into Proverbs 4:1-27 which begins with the admonition to hear the instruction of a father and attend to know understanding.

The bulk of the sermon is us going through scriptures linked to each verse in Proverbs 4 speaking to meditation, getting knowledge and immersing oneself into the Word and words of God.  The scriptures quoted speak to getting wisdom and understanding and embracing the Godly principles we find.

I give a recap at the end.

Let us now recap what we have learned in this Part 1 of the sermon, Ruminate from Proverbs 4:
 
 --Hear instruction.
 --Get knowledge and understanding of things divine and spiritual.
 --Do not neglect doctrine.
 --receive the Words of God with affection.  Retain and practice them.
 --Get wisdom.  Never go off the path into vain jangling-1 Timothy 1:6.
 
 --Be continually meditating on Wisdom [Christ].  This is especially true as you go through end time events.
 --Never decline from God's way.
 --Wisdom is your guardian and companion and will continue as your protector.
 --Continually get knowledge of Christ.
 --Be willing to give up all things for Christ.
 
 --The definition of spiritual nakedness is "want of righteousness" which is only possible in Christ
 --In the process of Knowledge, Understanding and Wisdom, wisdom is action or the invoking of the knowledge and understanding.
 --Christ is knowledge.  Christ is the understanding.  Christ is the wisdom.
 --Put wisdom in the highest position of your heart, soul and mind.
 --Christ is exalted and we exalt Him even more each time we invoke the Spirit of God.
 
 --The more we ruminate the more we become like Christ.
 --Make haste to keep the commandments and words of God.  You will not stumble.
 --Seize Godly instruction STRONGLY.
 --Keep spiritual reason in clear view.
 --Avoid the ways, beliefs, doctrines and even the company of people contrary to truth and the Salvation Process.
 
 --Constantly contemplate Proverbs 4:18 and shine more and more unto the return of Christ.
 --Commit the words and instructions of God to writing, reading and to sight.
 --Increase your time in meditation.
 --The words of God are the means of spiritual life and bringing you to eternal life.
 --Guard your heart with all diligence.
 
 --Direct all actions to a right end.
 --Learn and follow the examples of the saints gone before you; Christ being the prime example.
 --Ponder the path of your feet.  Be not easily moved to right or left.
 --Do not take even one step toward a known evil.
 --Ruminate the Word of God.
 
 So go now and ruminate!!

 

Meditation

Sermon: Ruminate – Part 2

In part 1 of this sermon, the key verses were found in Proverbs 4:1-27.  In Part 2, the key verses are Philippians 4:1-8.  Verse 8 is the admonition to firstfruits to think or ruminate on many subject areas.  I list them:

The verse can be broken down in to ten phrases as follows;

1] Finally, brethren
2] whatsoever things are true
3] whatsoever things are honest
4] whatsoever things are just
5] whatsoever things are pure
6] whatsoever things are lovely
7] whatsoever things are of good report
8] if there be any virtue
9] if there be any praise
10] think on these things

The balance of the sermon is an immersion into each of these ten phrases.

Hope

Sermon:  Sanguineous [sang-gwin-ee-uh s] 


This is a sermon about Hope.  I open this sermon with this:

In recent weeks, I was contacted by a member wanting to discuss the subject of Hope.  She stated to me that she wanted to discuss Hope in a very specific context.  She acknowledged that she understood the biblical concept in the overall and that the hope of every firstfruit is the return of Christ, salvation and eternal life in the Kingdom of God.  What she is seeking, however, is Daily Hope or hope for the firstfruit who is living day-to-day in a very negative and degenerating world.

In the latter part of Acts 14:22 we read, “that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”  With a reality like this, how do we go about having daily hope?

The purpose of my sermon today will be to encourage all of us to manifest hope each and every day.  

Manifest Hope

One of the definitions of Sanguineous is “having a tendency to expect a favorable outcome.”

In our in-depth study of 1 Timothy, we speak to the subject of hope many times.  In fact, the very first verse of the book says, “Jesus Christ is our hope.”

In this sermon I go through the Hope Scriptures and make comments about each one.

For Psalm 16:7-9 which speaks to us resting in hope, I say:

“Have daily contact with God and His instruction and you will have gladness, joy and rest in hope.  You will be constantly in hope.”

For Psalm 31:24 shows the link between hope and courage.  I then say:

“Have your Hope in God and you will have courage and strength.”

Psalm 33:22 talks about hope, God and mercy.  My comment was:

There is a direct link between daily hope and the abundant elements we receive from God.  This hope is absolute confidence that the abundance of God will come according to His infinite wisdom and perfect will.”

Psalm 39 speaks to our having hope in God.  I then say:

“You and I live in this world and we go through each day surrounded by the elements of this world.  We do not put our hopes in these.  All true help comes from God and we put all our hope in Him.  Indeed, we expect all good things from Him and our daily confidence is that they will be there.  This confidence makes you Sanguine… ‘dwelling on hopeful aspects’ and ‘expecting a favorable outcome.’

“All this adds to what we learned in the sermons, ‘Assiduity’ [
putting all things in the hands of God] and ‘Verity’ [seeing the invisible God].  If you are doing your assiduity prayers in the morning, then you are counting on and expecting God to intervene in each and every part of your life during each and every day.  Surely, if you are seeing these multiple interventions and the continual providence from God, you ARE seeing the invisible God.  Where else could your hope possibly be?  The assiduity and verity are feeding your hopes.  They are establishing them.  The elements of the world, including all trials, tribulations, concerns and sorrow diminish.  Now there is no way you could put your hope in them AND there is no way you could allow them to get you down.”

Psalm 119:81 speaks to our fainting for salvation and having our hope in God’s Word.

I follow saying:

“Our physical bodies, emotions and minds fainteth [long for] ‘thy salvation’ which is referring to both kinds of salvation.  We long for eternal salvation and the Kingdom and we long for salvation from the struggle of this day and each day in which we struggle.

“When facing another day on this earth, we get through it by dwelling on the Word of God which if full of promises, oaths, providence and confirmations from God.  We know that God is faithful and will intercede into each aspect of our lives.  Notice four more scriptures from Psalm 119 which speak to Hope coming from the Word of God.”

Tomorrow is a new day for you.  Manifest Hope 


This ends Part 7 of this multiple-part sermon.  There will be more.

Keep reading and thinking about the quotes.

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