Sermon Outline

The following sermon outline based on the five classic points of Calvinism was chosen for this sample sermon because it outlines some of our beliefs and is a good example of the Westminster standard used by our pastor, whereby every point is proof-texted from the Scriptures:

THE FACTS OF LIFE

Birds Bees TULIPS

If you don't know the facts of life you can get into trouble. Lets discuss the most important ones--TULIPS. The term TULIP is a memory device which explains God's good news for unhappy people.

The situation is worse than you dreamed.

Total Depravity is the testimony that all people are sinners. The Apostle Paul said, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). King David had an even stronger testimony, "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one" (Psalm 14:1-3).

The problems you face are no worse than those other people face and your failures to be perfect are just the way people are.

Don't worry about your inadequacy because God's love is unconditional.

Unconditional Election is the testimony that your condition doesn't matter because God does the saving you cannot do. Dead men don't have much to offer God so it is very encouraging to learn that "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1). Salvation is by God's grace alone, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8,9).

In fact Jesus said to the first disciples, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you" (John 15:16).

God saves His people totally.

Limited Atonement states that while the Bible does not teach that God saves everyone, God does entirely save those He sets out to save. On the night of the betrayal, Jesus said to His Father, "I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. (John 17:9,10)

Some people say the bridge from sin to heaven is wide enough for everyone but that it goes only half way and then one must take a flying leap of blind faith. When did taking a flying leap make things better. The bridge is narrow but it goes all the way with Jesus.

The advice the Apostle gave husbands about loving their wives reminds us of Jesus' personal love for us, "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave himself for it (Ephesians 5:25).

No one is able to stop God from what He wants to do.

Irresistible Grace is the reminder that God is God and we aren't. With your record of failure to manage life, what makes you think you can win a fight against God. It wasn't your idea to be born in the first place and you couldn't stop it. In the same way, you are born again into the kingdom of God. Jesus said, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." (John 3:6,7)

The Christian faith works in sinners like us because God is the higher power in our lives, "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13). Remember "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" (Titus 3:5).

Paul said, "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1). Until you were born again you were dead and dead people can't fight back.

God will finish what he starts.

Perseverance of the Saints is the reminder that nothing can stop God, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:28,29)

It was the voice of Jesus Himself which called us, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and
no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand" (John 10:27-29).

Do not say God will fail to save you if He has called you and given you new life. "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good" (Numbers 23:19)?