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Sermon
Outlines
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BIBLE READING PUBLICATION

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SERMON OUTLINES

Using Discovery with Your Congregation

SUs Discovery Bible reading guide follows a carefully prepared reading schedule that will take people in your
congregation through representative portions of every Bible book in five years, reading 10-20 verses per day.
That means that if your congregation uses Discovery over any five year period, theyll cover the entire Bible in
depth.
Of course, using Discovery for a five year cycle has distinct advantages for your congregation, but the reading
schedule (and sermon outlines) are set up so that both congregations and individual readers can start (or stop)
at any time and use it at any and all times of the year. Readings always take note of major days on the Christian calendar such as Christmas, Easter and Pentecost.
Studies have shown that reading and studying the Bible in a community setting such as a church or small group
greatly aids and motivates people in establishing a pattern of reading and living by Gods Word. The Discovery
Extra Sermon Outlines which follow are part of an integrated package which also includes the Discovery daily
readings and commentary and the weekend Discovery Extra group discussion questions. This package offers
a church-wide program in which your people can read the same Bible passages, discuss and share about them
in small groups and hear sermons based on these passages, too. Its a great way to get your entire church engaged together and growing in Gods Word.

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SERMON OUTLINES

Using the Discovery Extra Sermon Outlines

The Discovery Extra Sermon Outlines are just thatoutlines. They give you a basic structure on which to build
your sermon. Theyre developed from carefully chosen passages taken from the prior weeks readings in
Discovery.
The outlines are intentionally brief. Why? Because the most important component is what you add, that is, your
own insights, stories and applications. Thats what will make your sermon come alive for your people. Each of
The Discovery Extra Sermon Outlines uses the following structure:
Title: The sermon title is meant to indicate the theme of the outline and grab your peoples
attention, too. Of course, you should feel free to establish your own title if you wish.
Text: This is a passage or passages from the prior weeks reading in Discovery chosen as
the basis for the sermon.
Key Thought: This is a statement for you, the pastor. It summarizes the main idea on which the
outline is built.
Sermon Outline: This is a brief set of key points you can use to create your sermon.
Again, the most important part of the outline is what you will add. Feel free to
customize the outlines by cutting and pasting them into your sermon document.
You can do this by using the text tool in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Challenge: This is a statement intended for your congregation. It attempts to summarize a
key application point in a memorable way.

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SERMON OUTLINE #1

About Turn
Text:
Key Thought:
Sermon Outline:

Acts 26:1b18
Every person who has turned to God has a story of redemption, and those stories are
meant to be a source of light to others.
1. Background.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Challenge:

a. Paul was being held by Festus and awaiting trial before Caesar
b. King Agrippa was a Roman ruler who was sympathetic to Judaism
Taking every opportunity.
a. Though standing trial, Pauls focus is the gospel (2,6,8)
b. Paul begins by finding a point of connection with his audience (3)
Being real
a. Paul connects with the questions and doubts of others (9)
b. He openly speaks about his own shortcomings (10-11)
Good news
a. In Jesus interaction with Paul, the first step is Paul owning his sin (14-15)
b. When Paul yields (evidence from him addressing Jesus as Lord), Jesus
speaks destiny and hope (16)
c. Pauls testimony includes the specific elements of the gospel (18)
Questions and challenges for us
a. Do you understand your responsibility to share the gospel?
b. Share your story of redemption!

Jesus is the only hope to turn people from darkness to light.

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SERMON OUTLINE #2

One for All

Text:
Key Thought:
Sermon Outline:

Acts 27:2744
There is a blessing that is only found when we move in unity under Gods direction..
1. Background.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Challenge:

a. Paul had warned them not to sail and they did

b. In spite of not listening to his warning, God spoke to Paul in a dream, saying
that, for his sake, the ship would be saved
Listening for divine direction
a. Paul was given directives as he listened to God
b. It required faith on the part of the hearers to follow
c. Because they listened and responded, lives were saved
It takes faith
a. Following Gods directives through Paul took faith
b. This passage shows responsiveness and subsequent blessing
It required the sailors and soldiers to rely on God and not their own wisdom
a. The sailors were going to try to save themselves
b. The soldiers were going to follow their human wisdom
c. Both choose to follow what God directed
Questions and challenges for us
a. Do we expect God to speak into specific situations?
b. Are we willing to do what doesnt make sense to us if we believe its Gods
directive?

God is speaking and directing. We need to learn to listen.

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SERMON OUTLINE #3

Just Watch Out

Text:
Key Thought:
Sermon Outline:

Ezekiel 3:1627
We stand accountable to God to speak all that he has called us to speak.
1. Background.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Challenge:

a. At the time of Ezekiels ministry, many had already been taken into captivity
b. Ezekiel was called to prophesy to a hard hearted nation
The accountability of the watchmen
a. God called Ezekiel to speak warning
b. Ezekiel was accountable for his obedience not the response of his hearers
The accountability of the hearers
a. If the hearers reject the message, they stand accountable
b. If the hearers turn, they will be blessed
c. But they must hear the message, which is the responsibility of the watchman
Perseverance in the message
a. Ezekiel was going to suffer for the message
b. Nonetheless, he was called to persist
Questions and challenges for us
a. Do we understand that we will answer if we do not speak the message we have
been given?
b. Remain faithful regardless of the response

We are not to carry how others respond to us, but walk faithful to the God who has
called us.

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SERMON OUTLINE #4

Raising the Dead

Text:
Key Thought:
Sermon Outline:

Challenge:

Ezekiel 37:114
God is able to bring life where there is death.
1. Background.
a. Israel had suffered siege, capture and exile
b. Jerusalem had been destroyed and the temple leveled
2. Devastation
a. The picture of a valley full of corpses would have been seen as a cursed place
b. Ezekiel and the people would relate to this great destruction
3. Only God
a. Ezekiel is overwhelmed at the great many dead (2)
b. When God asks if there is hope even here, Ezekiel says that God alone knows
4. The Word that brings life
a. God tells Ezekiel to speak
b. The God inspired word bring life
5. Questions and challenges for us
a. Do we see the devastation that breaks the heart of God?
b. Be prepared to be the one to hear Gods call and speak the words of life

The God who called Jesus from the grave is still speaking life.

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SERMON OUTLINE #5

With Unveiled Faces

Text:
Key Thought:
Sermon Outline:

2 Corinthians 3:718
There is a glory in the righteousness of the law, but one that we have no hope of attaining.
1. Background.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Challenge:

a. When Moses came from the mountain where hed received the ten
commandments, his skin was radiating (Ex 34:29)
b. The people were afraid and Moses covered his face with a veil
The glory of the law
a. Gods righteousness is reflected in the law
b. Yet the law only shows us that we can never hope to stand before God on our merits
The glory of grace
a. In Christ, the law has been satisfied
i. Jesus fulfilled the whole law
ii. Jesus suffered the just penalty we deserved for breaking the law
b. By faith in Christ, his righteousness is imputed to us (legally credited to us)
Only grace transforms
a. Moses reflected the glory for a time, but it faded
b. As we gaze on Christ, we are changed into his likeness
Questions and challenges for us
a. We have been called to something glorious. Let us fix our attention on its
wonder and so be changed
b. Are we boldly professing the message of hope?

As we set our face on the Lord of grace, we will be changed into his likeness.

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SERMON OUTLINE #6

Multiply by Faith
Text:
Key Thought:
Sermon Outline:

2 Kings 4:17
When we look to God, he will meet our needs.
1. Background.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Challenge:

a. In the proceeding chapter, Elisha was used to deliver royalty

b. Here Elisha is ministering to the poor, but godly
The widows predicament
a. The woman is the widow of a godly man who served under Elisha
b. She is left in poverty and debt, and has no resource to pay
c. She comes to Elisha for help
What do you have?
a. Elisha begins by asking her what she has, which is oil
b. Elisha tells her to make preparation to receive Gods provision
God works as she cooperates
a. Elisha had told her to collect many bottles and choose how many
b. She followed Gods directive, through Elisha, and a miracle happened
Questions and challenges for us
a. Do we expect God to intervene or do we work things out on our own?
b. When we look to God, we have a part to play in actively moving on our faith
through obedience

God works as we step out in obedient faith.

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SERMON OUTLINE #7

A Godless People
Text:
Key Thought:
Sermon Outline:

2 Kings 17:2441
The god of the age encourages compromise and polluted worship.
1. Background.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Challenge:

a. Israel was taken captive by Assyria

b. Years later, Judah would also be led into captivity by Babylon
Dispersed
a. The Israelites were taken out of their land
b. They were intermingled with the peoples
Diluted worship
a. God was not completely dismissed, but sought to be used
b. Worship of God was intermingled with worship of idols
Form not devotion
a. The people went through the motions of worship
b. They had not yielded their hearts to the King
Questions and challenges for us
a. Are we intermingling our worship of God with the ways of the culture?
b. Is our worship a full yielding of ourselves or the motions of religious exercise?

There is only one way to worship God; his way not ours.

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SERMON OUTLINE #8

A Beautiful Confidence
Text:
Key Thought:
Sermon Outline:

Challenge:

2 Kings 19:119
When things are at their worst, we have a God on whom to call.
1. Background.
a. Assyria had taken Israel into captivity
b. Now Assyria was threatening Judah
2. Hezekiahs response
a. Hezekiah took on an attitude of humility
b. He went to the temple to pray
c. He called on the prophet of God
3. The kings taunt
a. The king mocked Hezekiahs faith (10)
b. He told him to be reasonable about his coming defeat
4. Hezekiahs faith
a. Hezekiah believed the prophets words, not the enemys
b. Hezekiah acknowledged that his situation was impossible for him (17)
c. He trusted God was greater (19)
5. Questions and challenges for us
a. Do we evaluate our situations through a natural reason?
b. Do we trust that God is able to deliver when it is humanly impossible?

We must choose to listen either to natural reason or the voice of faith.

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SERMON OUTLINE #9

God of Grace
Text:

Luke 7:110

Key Thought:

People value us for what we do; God desires for us to come with faith as dependent
children.

Sermon Outline:

1. Background.
a. Israel was occupied territory under Roman rule
b. Centurions were foreign troops maintaining that rule
2. The perspective of the elders
a. This centurion was sympathetic to the Jewish nation and religion
b. Some Jewish elders commended the centurion on the merit of his deeds
3. The perspective of the centurion
a. The centurion saw himself as unworthy and was seeking unmerited grace
b. He believed that Jesus was Lord and nature itself would follow his command
4. The perspective of Jesus
a. Jesus responded to the man not because of what he did, but because his faith
b. Jesus commended the centurions faith above anyone in Israel
5. Questions and challenges for us
a. Do we value people for what they can do for us?
b. Are we as confident in Gods ability to move for us as the centurion was?

Challenge:

Faith, confident expectation, positions us to experience the miraculous.

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SERMON OUTLINE #10

God of Love
Text:
Key Thought:
Sermon Outline:

Luke 7:3650
We cannot earn Gods love, but we can respond from a grateful heart.
1. Background.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Challenge:

a. The Jewish culture was one of merit

b. The Pharisee understood himself to be one who had earned Gods favor
Simon
a. Simon invited Jesus into his home as an equal
b. He was evaluating Jesus and judging that he was not what he claimed (39)
The sinful woman
a. This woman bowed down before Jesus
b. She poured out what was of great value
c. She expressed lavish love
Debt forgiven
a. Jesus showed that both came as debtors before God
b. Yet it was the woman who knew it and she loved because of it
Questions and challenges for us
a. Do we approach God on the basis of merit or knowing we are forgiving?
b. Are there those we look at as less than ourselves before God?

The realization of how great Gods forgiveness is will lead us to greater affection
toward God.

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SERMON OUTLINE #11

Unlimited Resources
Text:
Key Thought:
Sermon Outline:

Luke 9:1017
We will know when to rest and when to run if our eyes are fixed on Jesus.
1. Background.
a. In the previous section, Jesus had sent the disciples out to minister
b. They were returning after preaching and healing in many towns
2. Which needs to meet?
a. Jesus took the disciples aside for a time of rest
b. The crowds followed and Jesus welcomed them
3. The disciples thinking
a. The disciples said to send them away
b. They saw their own limitation (13b)
4. Jesus thinking
a. Jesus saw the little they had to offer plus God as enough
b. In Jesus hands, their offering fed all with much left over
5. Questions and challenges for us
a. Do we set aside time for rest, yet ultimately still make that available to God?
b. Are we willing to offer God what we have?

Challenge:

In Gods hands, what we have to offer is enough.

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SERMON OUTLINE #12

Idling in Gods Presence

Text:
Key Thought:
Sermon Outline:

Luke 10:3842
Jesus is looking for a devoted heart before a diligent hand.
1. Background.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Challenge:

a. In the previous readings we read of active service

b. Jesus had also just told a story of righteousness in action
Martha
a. Martha had a desire to serve Jesus
b. She also complained that Mary wasnt along side helping
Mary
a. Mary positioned herself at the Lords feet
b. Her focus was not on her service, but on Jesus
Jesus
a. Jesus told Martha that she was not seeking first things first
b. He valued Marys choice as the one thing needed
Questions and challenges for us
a. Do we put work for the Lord before learning his heart?
b. What is the priority of our life?

The thing God seeks above all is the heart that seeks him.

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SERMON OUTLINE #13

Gods Decree
Text:
Key Thought:
Sermon Outline:

Lamentations 2:122
The God who is merciful is also just.
1. Background.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Challenge:

a. Jeremiah had spent his ministry calling for repentance

b. The people had rejected him and were exiled
The Lord has done it
a. Jeremiah speaks of the Lord doing what he decreed
b. He laments over the disaster God brought
The people have done it
a. God had told them their choice would lead to its outcome (Deut 30:19)
b. The people had turned and God was true to his word
God is the only hope
a. Jeremiah tells the people to cry out to God (18-19)
b. They have known justice; their hope is for mercy
Questions and challenges for us
a. Do we blame God for what we or others have brought on?
b. Are we ready to confess our sins and look to God for mercy?

Mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13).

Get Your Copy of DISCOVERY

Discovery is the quarterly Bible Reading Guide that takes you
through all the books of the Bible in a five year cycle reading
approximately 10-20 verses per day. It includes life-related
explanations of each passage, prayers, applications and more.
To get your copy, contact your church or Scripture Union:
1-800-621-LAMP (5267), www.scriptureunionresources.org.
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