Sermons and Outlines

Matt. 9:1-2

THREE CHEERS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

Intro: The Word of God makes it plain that God's people are to be a happy people, Phil.4:4; 1Thes. 5:16; Rom. 4:7-8. Unfortunately, this is seldom the case. Most Christians look like they have been sucking persimmons. God also tells us that we are to be a praising people, Heb.13:15; Psa.47:1; Psa 135 1-3. He is worthy and it brings Him near to us, Psa. 22:3. Yet, God is rarely praised in His own house. It seems to me that a lot of Christians seem to let the cares of this world or the inventions of their own minds keep them from having the joy God says they can have. You see, I firmly believe that happiness is a choice that the individual makes. Because every born again believer possesses joy, Gal 5:22. Tonight, I want to share with you the THREE CHEERS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. Three times in the gospels where Jesus told people to be of Good Cheer. These cheers belong to you and me tonight. Let's look at them and try to understand that it is OK and it is essential that we be happy and filled with the praise of the Lord.

I. Matt. 9:2 THE CHEER OF SALVATION (Ill. PIM)

A. No Sin - (Rev. 1:5; 1Jn 1:7; Psa. 103:12; Mic 7:19; Isa.38:17; Jer. 50:20.)

B. No Judgment - (Rom. 8:1; Rom.8:33-39) (Ill. John 5:24)

C. No Hell - (Rom.5:9; Dan 12:2; John 5:28-29)

I. The Cheer Of Salvation

II. John 16:33 THE CHEER OF SUCCESS (Ill. PIM)

A. Victory Over Sin - (I Cor. 10:13) (Rom. 6:14) (Ill. Sin has been, is being and will be overcome!)

B. Victory Over A System - (1John 4:4) - We do not have to be like this world - 2Cor. 6:17

C. Victory Over Satan - James 4:7; 1Pet.5:8-9; Eph.6:11-12

D. Victory Over Self - (Here is my greatest enemy - ME!) (Ill. Gal. 5:22-23) (Gal. 5:16) (Ill. All we have to fight within ourselves - We all have personal battles - Jesus is greater than them all!)

I. The Cheer Of Salvation

II. The Cheer Of Success

III. Mark. 6:50 THE CHEER OF SUPPLY (Ill. PIM)

A. Courage - Heb.13:5 - (Ill. It is I - The I AM) Heb.13:6

B. Comfort - Rom.8:28; Job 23:10 - God is aware and working in your valley - Phil. 4:6.

C. Completeness - Phil 4:19 - Jesus can and will supply every need that we have - (Ill. the context!) - Ill. He doesn't operate on our timetable though!

D. Ill. A final command - "Be not afraid" Stop fearing and never fear again - Rom.14:23; Heb. 11:6.

 

Note: PIM refers to "Present, Imperative".  This means that when Jesus said, "Be of good cheer", it wasn't an option!  He was saying you cheer up now and don't you ever cheer down again!