Sermon notes: What does the Bible say about envy – How do I overcome it?

This sermon was re-written on 23rd February 2011

what does the Bible say about envy

Introduction

Most committed Christians unconsciously harbor envy in their hearts. It’s very common, seldom confessed, yet heavy enough to condemn our souls.

Socrates said, “Envy is the daughter of pride, the author of murder and revenge, the begetter of secret sedition, the perpetual tormenter of virtue. Envy is the filthy slime of the soul; a venom, a poison, a quicksilver, which consumeth the flesh and drieth up the bones.”

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Yohan Perera 19 June 2008 Sermon notes Envy, overcome 1 Comment

Sermon: Why God wants to prune us? John 15:1-8; 16

Image by: marianne perdomo

Text: John 15:1-8; 16

Introduction

He prunes every branch that bears fruit so that it will bear more fruit.

The Greek word for prune is kathairo. The English word "catharsis" means to prune or clean. Jesus is talking about cutting back of the branches for future growth. This is a common practice among vine growers (and Tea planters in Sri Lanka).

Four types of "Branches" (believers)

No fruit (Vs. 2)
Fruit (vs. 2)
More fruit (Vs. 2)
Much fruit (Vs. 5)

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Yohan Perera 12 June 2008 Sermon notes John 15, Sermon 3 Comments

A more creative sermon on the Lord’s prayer Luke 11:1-4

A more creative sermon on the Lords prayer

Image by: babasteve

Introduction

In the early days Jesus' disciples didn't view their master's sudden disappearance as a big problem . But by the time went on they were very bothered, and began to be inquisitive of what's happening? May be they secretly followed Jesus Christ to the garden of Gethsemane, to find out what is He doing? They saw Jesus gone down in knees and having a quiet conversation with His heavenly father. This caught their interest so much they wanted to do the same. Then they asked Jesus to teach them how to pray.

The pattern for prayer Jesus gave them here has six principals. It occurred to me that one way to remember them is to think of the six letters in the name of the author of prayer, C-H-R-I-S-T. This is my sermon for you today. Click here to read the rest of, A more creative sermon on the Lord’s prayer Luke 11:1-4

Yohan Perera 5 June 2008 Sermon notes Sermon, the Lord's prayer No Comments

Sermon notes: Joseph – preparing for leadership

Revised on 19th November 2011

Reference: Genesis chapters 37-41

Introduction

“Hero from Zero.” That is how the media might have introduced Joseph, had he lived in Europe in the twenty first century A.D. rather than in Egypt in the seventieth century B.C. Joseph’s journey into the second top leadership position in then Egypt sounds like a leap he made with hardly any intermediate steps, almost overnight. The Bible says it wasn’t so. The author of Genesis tells us Joseph instead walked through a divine yet painful process of preparation for leadership. In my sermon today we will take a detailed look at this process and learn three important phases every potential leader must pass through when preparing for leadership.

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Yohan Perera 29 May 2008 Sermon notes Joseph, leadership 5 Comments

Sermon: Actions speak louder than words: 1 Timothy 4:11-16

actions speak louder than words

Introduction

The apostle Paul wrote this epistle to his faithful assistant pastor in the church of Ephesus, in a time where false teachings and doctrines were sweeping over the land. In the first couple of verses he admonishes Timothy to teach and train the believers in the right doctrine and to protect their faith from the influence of false teachers. However Timothy had a challenge. He had to practice some principals in his own life so that others will listen to him and thereby he can defend the church from heretics more effectively.

How was he supposed to do that?

Text: 1 Timothy 4:11-16

1. In speech and life, 1 Timothy 4:11-12

The minister’s life should be a living sermon

Many believe that Timothy was a shy and timid person. Definitely confronting false teachers was not his cup of tea. But in verse 11 Paul tells his protégé to command and teach everything mentioned from verses 1 Timothy 4:1-10. Now when Paul uses the word “command” he is actually referring to the authority Timothy has received in Christ, to teach and preach the word of God and train the brethren in the word of God. So that they will be safe from false teachers. Click here to read the rest of, Sermon: Actions speak louder than words: 1 Timothy 4:11-16

Yohan Perera 28 May 2008 Sermon notes 1 Timothy 4:11-16, Expository sermon No Comments