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Mark A. Copeland[Noah certainly was an unusual man, but perhaps we see well why only he and his family “found gracein the eyes of the Lord.” What about ourselves? Is there a need for us to “find grace in the eyes of theLord” today? Yes.!]II. WHY WE NEED TO FIND GRACE IN THE EYES OF THE LORDA. NOT BECAUSE WE FACE THE THREAT OF A WORLDWIDE FLOOD.1. After Noah and his family were saved from the flood, God promised He would never againdestroy the world in such a manner - Gen 9:8-112. The rainbow is a constant reminder of God’s promise - Gen 9:12-17B. BUT BECAUSE WE FACE THE PROMISE OF THE END OF THE WORLD.!1. Peter reminds us that just as the world was once destroyed by water, so it shall bedestroyed by fire when Jesus returns! - 2 Pe 3:3-132. In view of this promise, Peter calls upon us to “be diligent to be found by Him in peace,without spot and blameless” - 2 Pe 3:14a. Just as Noah “found grace in the eyes of the Lord”.b. So we need to “found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless”3. Is this not simply another way of saying that we, like Noah, need to find grace in the eyes ofthe Lord?[Indeed, it is! When the end of the world comes, we had better be in a condition where we too findgrace in the eyes of the Lord! Otherwise, we will be like those left outside of the ark when the floodscame! Using Noah as an example, then, consider.]III. HOW WE CAN FIND GRACE IN THE EYES OF THE LORDA. WE MUST BE “JUST” IN HIS SIGHT.1. Fortunately, the good news of the gospel is that God sent Christ in order to make us “just”(righteous, forgiven) in His sight! - Ro 5:8-92. This blessing is available to all who demonstrate true faith in Jesus - Ro 3:24-263. Being justified, we can have peace with God (concerning which Peter wrote) - Ro 5:1; cf.2 Pe 3:14B. WE MUST BE “PERFECT” IN OUR GENERATION.1. That is, to be complete, mature, to be everything God desires of us2. Again, the good news of the gospel of Christ is that God has provided the necessaryelements for us to be “perfect”!a. The blood of Christ, to cleanse us of our sins - 1 Jn 1:7-9b. The Word of God, to guide us to completion - 2 Ti 3:16-17c. The strength of the Spirit, to help us in our struggles - Ep 3:16; Ro 8:13d. The providence of God, who will work with us and lead us to victory! - 2 Th 3:3; 1 Pe5:10C. WE MUST “WALK WITH GOD”.1. Of course, this would mean that we can “no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk.”- cf. Ep 4:17-202. Rather, it requires that we be “followers of God as dear children” (Ep 5:1), and that we.a. “Walk in love” - Ep 5:2Textual Sermons8

Mark A. Copelandb. “Walk as children of light”, exposing the sins of darkness - Ep 5:8-11c. “Walk as wise”, with an understanding of what the Lord’s will is - Ep 5:15-17D. WE MUST “DO ALL THAT THE LORD HAS COMMANDED”.1. Observing not just “some” things, but “all” things - cf. Mt 28:202. For in so doing, we demonstrate our faith to be “a living faith” - cf. Ja 2:17,24,26E. WE MUST BE “PREACHERS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS”.1. It is God’s will that we “proclaim the praises of Him”, which would include Hisrighteousness - cf. 1 Pe 2:92. This can be done most vividly by example, in living transformed lives - cf. Ro 12:1-2CONCLUSION1. God does not want anyone to perish in the great conflagration that is yet to come, but He doesrequire all to come to repentance - 2 Pe 3:9; Ac 17:30-312. And when we turn from sin and turn to God, what do we find? The same thing Noah and his familyfound: “Grace in the eyes of the Lord”!3. Speaking of the salvation of Noah should remind us of the comparison Peter makes betweenNoah’s salvation and our own; i.e., the part baptism serves in our salvation - 1 Pe 3:20-21a. Just as God used the element of water to save Noah from a wicked world.b. .so in His grace does God utilize water in our salvation through the blood of Jesus!If you have not done so, why not find favor in God’s sight by being baptized for the remission of yoursins (Ac 2:38; 22:16)? Then, as we look forward to the coming of the Lord in which He will usher in“the new heavens and new earth”, give special heed to the words of Peter:“Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him inpeace, without spot and blameless.” - 2 Pe 3:14Textual Sermons9

Mark A. CopelandThe Choice Of LotGenesis 13:10-12INTRODUCTION1. The examples of men and women as recorded in the Bible can provide valuable lessons.a. From Abraham we can learn the value of faith in Godb. From Joseph we see the workings of God’s providential carec. From Job we learn the importance of patience and faith under trial2. From Lot, the nephew of Abraham, we can also glean valuable lessons in.a. The art of decision makingb. The importance of making proper choices[We will first take an overall look at the life of Lot, and then focus upon a decision he made and how itaffected his life.]I. LOT’S CHOICEA. IN THE BOOK OF GENESIS, LOT IS INTRODUCED TO US AS.1. The nephew of Abraham who sojourned with him - Gen 12:15; 13:12. A man who like his uncle became quite wealthy - Gen 13:2-5a. Because of the combined wealth of Abraham and Lot, they were forced to separate- Gen 13:6-9b. Given the opportunity to choose where he could go.1) Lot made a choice, which on the surface was a good one - Gen 13:10-122) As good as it may have seemed, it resulted in much sorrow and hardship for Lot!B. AS A RESULT OF HIS CHOICE, LOT SUFFERED.1. War - Gen 14:112. Kidnapping - Gen 14:123. Oppression and torment by the citizens of Sodom - 2 Pe 2:7-8; cf. Gen 19:1-114. Loss of all his material wealth - Gen 19:15-16, 24-255. The death of his wife - Gen 19:17, 266. The shame of incest with his daughters - Gen 19:30-36-- All these things happened despite the fact that Lot was a righteous person - cf. 2 Pe 2:7-8[The example of Lot should impress us with the importance of making the proper choices in our lives.In view of what happened to Lot, we will now consider:w Some of the choices we make that greatly affect our livesw Some suggestions on how to make the right decisionsw What to do when we realize that we have made the wrong onesConsider, then.]II. OUR CHOICESTextual Sermons10

Mark A. CopelandA. WHAT CHOICES DO WE MAKE THAT GREATLY AFFECT OUR LIVES.?1. Choosing to follow Jesusa. The one that will affect your life more than any other!b. It will determine your place in eternityc. It will have a bearing on every other choice you make; for as a follower of Christ youwill be concerned with doing His will, not your own2. Choosing your careera. The choice you make can have a lasting effect upon your marriage, family, and yourservice to Godb. Even from a worldly viewpoint, your choice is important, for the job market can changedrastically3. Choosing your matea. The decision made will to a great extent determine your degree of happiness in this lifeb. It will have a permanent bearing on your children and their emotional well-being!1) You may think you can simply divorce a person who turns out to be a bad choice2) But once you have children, there is no way to reverse the choice you made as towho is the mother or father of your children!4. Choosing your friendsa. Having close friends can be a wonderful blessing - Pro 17:17b. But the wrong friends can be a curse for the righteous - Pro 12:26; 1 Co 15:335. Choosing where you will livea. It was in this choice that Lot made his mistakeb. It might just be there are some modern-day “Sodoms” and “Gomorrahs”!B. HOW CAN WE MORE LIKELY MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE.?1. Ask God for wisdom - Ja 1:5-82. Seek advice from others - Pro 11:14; 12:15a. Discuss your alternatives with older, mature Christiansb. Consult the wisdom found in the Bible (especially in a book like Proverbs)3. Whatever you do, do it for the Lord’s sake - cf. Psa 37:5-6,23-26; Ja 4:15C. WHAT SHOULD WE DO WHEN WE REALIZE OUR CHOICE WAS WRONG.?1. Do what Lot did.a. Heed the word of God (as in fleeing Sodom and Gomorrah)b. Do what is right without reservation (remember Lot’s wife!)2. Do what Peter did after he denied Christ.a. Repent, if there is sin involved in the choice madeb. Resolve to serve the Lord3. Do what Paul did after persecuting the church.a. Accept the forgiveness Jesus providesb. Determine to live for the Lord the rest of your life to the best of your ability4. The wrong thing to do is to continue in the choice because of pride or some other reason!(although there are some choices we must live with.)CONCLUSION1. The example of Lot should serve.a. To teach us that making the proper decision is very importantTextual Sermons11

Mark A. Copelandb. To warn us not to make our choices lightly2. Remember Lot the next time you are faced with an important decision.a. Seek to make that decision based upon the will of the Lord and not your ownb. Your eternal destiny (and that of those you love) might rest upon your choice!Have you made the most important decision you will ever face? The decision to follow Jesus as yourLord and Savior? If not, why not today? - cf. Mt 28:19-20; Ac 2:38Textual Sermons12

Mark A. CopelandThe Faith Of AbrahamGenesis 15:6INTRODUCTION1. One of the greatest men in history has to be the patriarch Abraham.a. Three religions look to him as their spiritual progenitor (Judaism, Christianity, Islam)b. Christians view him as “the father of all them that believe” - Ro 4:112. What is most noteworthy about Abraham was his faith.a. Paul made reference to his faith time and again - Ro 4:3,9,11,16-22; Ga 3:7-9b. James used his example to illustrate saving faith - Ja 2:21-233. Both Paul and James make reference to the following OT statement about Abraham’s faith:“And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” (Gen15:6; cf. Ro 4:3; Ja 2:23)[What was it about Abraham’s faith that so pleased God? Do we have the same kind of faith? Let’stake a closer look at “The Faith Of Abraham”.]I. ABRAHAM’S FAITH WAS BASED ON REVELATIONA. GOD REVEALED HIMSELF TO ABRAHAM.1. In Ur of the Chaldees - Ac 7:2-4; Gen 15:72. At Haran of Mesopotamia - Gen 12:1-43. At Shechem in Canaan - Gen 12:6-74. After Lot moved to Sodom - Gen 13:14-175. And many times more - cf. Gen 15:1-17; 17:1-27; 18:1-33; 22:1-19-- By revealing Himself to Abraham, God provided Abraham ample evidence for himto place his faith and trust in GodB. OUR FAITH MUST BE BASED UPON REVELATION.1. Not that God reveals Himself to us as He did to Abraham2. But faith comes through the Word of God - cf. Ro 10:17a. It contains evidence that we might believe - Jn 20:30-31b. The more we read, the more God is revealed to us, especially in the person of HisSon Jesus Christ!-- If we desire to have “The Faith Of Abraham”, we must be receptive to God’srevelation of Himself through His Word![Next, it important to note that.]II. ABRAHAM’S FAITH WAS AN OBEDIENT FAITHA. BY FAITH, ABRAHAM OBEYED GOD.1. He left his country - He 11:8Textual Sermons13

Mark A. Copeland2. He sojourned in a foreign land - He 11:9-103. He offered his son Isaac - He 11:17; cf. Ja 2:21-24-- Abraham’s faith was not a dead faith (cf. Ja 2:20,26), but a dynamic faithexpressing itself in obedience!B. BY FAITH, WE MUST OBEY GOD.1. For the gospel calls for “obedience to the faith” - cf. Ro 1:5; 16:25-262. We must “obey from the heart” the doctrine of Christ - cf. Ro 6:173. Woe to those who do not “obey the gospel” - cf. 2 Th 1:7-9; 1 Pe 4:17-- If we desire to have “The Faith Of Abraham”, we must have a faith that “worksthrough love” (cf. Ga 5:6)[While works are an essential element of a saving faith, it is crucial to note that it is the faith behind theworks that pleases God (and not the works per se)! Therefore we point out that.]III. ABRAHAM’S FAITH WAS A TRUSTING FAITHA. ABRAHAM TRUSTED IN GOD, NOT HIS WORKS.1. Return to our text, and note what is said - cf. Gen 15:6a. Abraham believed in the Lordb. “It” (his faith) was reckoned or considered for righteousnessc. It was Abraham’s faith in God that greatly pleased God2. Paul stresses this point in his epistle to the Romans - cf. Ro 4:1-3a. Abraham was not justified because of his worksb. Abraham was justified (declared blameless) because of his faith!-- Though he had a faith that works, he did not trust in his works; rather in God whojustifies the ungodly (cf. Ro 4:5-8)B. WE MUST TRUST IN JESUS, NOT OUR WORKS.1. As noted before, we must obey God which involves certain “works”a. Such as faith, which is a “work” - cf. Jn 6:28,29b. Even baptism, which is more a work of God than a work of man - Co 2:12-132. But when all is done, we must not put our trust in our obediencea. As though we somehow earned our salvationb. For Christ taught us to realize we are still unworthy - cf. Lk 17:10-- It is the faith or trust in Jesus prompting us to obey that pleases God, not somemeritorious value of the work done to receive God’s grace![So “The Faith Of Abraham” was an obedient faith that placed its trust in God who justifies theungodly. To be “the sons of Abraham”, we must have the same kind of faith. Finally, observe that.]IV. ABRAHAM’S FAITH WAS A GROWING FAITHA. ABRAHAM GREW IN FAITH.1. There were times when his faith was weaka. He had Sarah his wife tell a half-truth to save his life - Gen 12:11-20; 20:1-18b. He questioned God when he and Sarah did not have children - Gen 15:2-3c. He showed weak faith in the case of Hagar - Gen 16:1-4d. He offered an alternative to God when he thought it would be impossible for heTextual Sermons14

Mark A. Copelandand Sarah to have children - Gen 17:17-182. But God was patient with Abraham, and his faith grewa. He had faith, even against hope, and was able to conceive - Ro 4:18-22b. He had faith that God could raise Isaac from the dead, and so was willing to offerhim as commanded - He 11:17-19-- “The Faith Of Abraham” was not a static faith, but an ever-growing faith that camethrough being “a friend of God” (cf. Ja 2:23)B. WE MUST GROW IN FAITH.1. Just as the apostles of Christ did.a. From men with little faith and easily afraid - Mt 8:25-26; 14:31b. To men of great boldness - Ac 4:132. Like the Thessalonians - 2 Th 1:3a. Their faith was growing exceedinglyb. Our faith needs to grow likewise-- Our faith will grow, if we are willing to “walk in the steps of the faith which ourfather Abraham had” (cf. Ro 4:12)CONCLUSION1. We have seen that “The Faith Of Abraham” was.a. Based upon revelationb. An obedient faithc. A trusting faithd. A growing faith2. Why do we need this same kind of faith.?a. Because “those who are of faith are the sons of Abraham” - Ga 3:7b. Because “those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham” - Ga 3:9Indeed, those who have “The Faith Of Abraham” are truly the recipients of the promise made toAbraham:“In your seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed Myvoice.” (Gen 18:18)Are we walking in the steps of the faith of Abraham, obeying the Word of God given today through thegospel of Christ, even as he obeyed the word given to him?Textual Sermons15

Mark A. CopelandThe Bad Bargain Of EsauGenesis 25:29-34INTRODUCTION1. One of the saddest figures in the Bible is that of Esau.a. Firstborn son of Isaac and Rebekah, twin brother of Jacob - cf. Gen 25:21-26b. Loved by his father Isaac, a skillful hunter - Gen 25:27-282. Esau was a man who had his good side.a. He show kindness to his brother who had deceived him - cf. Gen 33:1-16b. He helped bury his father Isaac - Gen 35:293. Yet on two occasions he was manipulated by his brother Jacob.a. The first when Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of pottage - Gen 25:29-34b. The second when Jacob stole the blessing designed for Esau - Gen 27:1-41[In this study, we shall focus our attention on the first occasion, and lessons we might glean from thisunfortunate circumstance in Esau’s life.]I. ESAU SOLD HIS BIRTHRIGHTA. ESAU’S BIRTHRIGHT.1. The physical advantages of the birthrighta. Contained a double portion of the father’s inheritance - Deu 21:171) The amount would have been very great2) For what he eventually received was also great - cf. Gen 36:6-7b. Offered rule and authority over other members of the family - cf. Gen 27:292. The spiritual advantages of this particular birthrighta. Patriarch and priest of the house on the death of his father (Barnes, Clarke)b. Chief of the chosen family, and heir of the promised blessing (Barnes)c. Able to invoke Abraham’s blessing, regarding the promise - cf. Gen 28:4; 12:1-3-- Such were the issues at stake when Jacob and Esau bartered over the birthrightB. ESAU’S BAD BARGAIN.1. Esau chose the sensual over the spirituala. He gave into the cravings of his hunger - Gen 25:29-34b. He valued the red pottage more highly than his birthrightc. For this reason he was called “a profane person” - He 12:162. Esau chose the present over the futurea. He tossed away future rewards for present gratificationb. The pottage may have assuaged his hunger for the day, but what of the morrow?c. This too made him a “profane” person-- For temporary, physical pleasures Esau sold his birthright; what a bad bargain![Certainly we would not think of making the same kind of bargain, would we? Perhaps not with aninheritance we might receive from our parents; but what of our spiritual inheritance.?]Textual Sermons16

Mark A. CopelandII. ARE WE SELLING OUR BIRTHRIGHT?A. OUR BIRTHRIGHT AS CHRISTIANS.1. We are heirs according to the promise made to Abraham - Ga 3:292. We are joint-heirs with Christ - Ro 8:16-17a. We are heirs according to the hope of eternal life - Ti 3:7b. We are heirs of the kingdom which He has promised - Ja 2:5; cf. 2 Pe 1:113. In Him, all things are ours - 1 Co 3:21-23; cf. Re 21:74. An inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, unfading, reserved in heaven - 1 Pe 1:4-- What a wonderful birthright, and not just limited to the hereafter! - cf. Mk 10:28-30B. ARE WE MAKING A BAD BARGAIN.?1. How might we sell our birthright?a. Succumbing to the passing pleasures of sin - cf. He 11:24-26b. Lusting for things of the world - cf. 1 Jn 2:15; Ja 4:4c. Walking after the flesh rather than after the Spirit - cf. Ga 5:16-262. How might we hold on to our birthright?a. Pursue peace and holiness - cf. He 12:14b. Be careful not to fall short of God’s grace - cf. He 12:15c. Exercise discipline and godliness - cf. 1 Co 9:24-27; 1 Ti 4:7-8CONCLUSION1. Esau made the mistake of.a. Depreciating the value of his inheritanceb. Succumbing to the desires of the flesh2. We can make a similar mistake.a. Not appreciating the value of our inheritance in Christ!b. Giving in to the allure of immediate gratification of the flesh!If we are not careful, the time will come when it is too late; no matter how many tears we may shed, itwill be too late to change God’s mind (cf. He 12:17). That is why we need to heed such warnings asthat one given by the apostle Paul:“We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace ofGod in vain. For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day ofsalvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the dayof salvation.” (2 Co 6:1-2)Are you in danger of selling your birthright as a Christian?Textual Sermons17

Mark A. CopelandThe Forgotten Vow Of JacobGenesis 35:1-7INTRODUCTION1. We begin our study today with a reading of Gen 35:1-7.a. Where we find God telling Jacob to go to Bethelb. In which he is to build an altar2. Why did God command this?a. Nearly thirty years earlie

Miscellaneous Sermon Outlines This material is from ExecutableOutlines.com, a web site containing sermon outlines and Bible studies by Mark A. Copeland. Visit the web site to browse or download additional material for church or personal use. The outlines were developed