Sermon Outline: The Ten Problem-Solving Devices of the Christian Life

Introduction

Purpose of the Moment of Silence:

Time to prepare for the intake of God's Word by restoring fellowship with God through confession of sin.

Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 2:14 – "The natural man cannot understand the things of God, for they are foolishness to him."

Exegetical Note: Only the believer filled with the Spirit can understand spiritual truth.

I. Rebound: Recovery of Fellowship with God

A. The Necessity of Confession

Scripture Reference: 1 John 1:9

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Exegetical Note:

"Faithful" – God always forgives.

"Just" – Christ paid the penalty.

Confession is naming, citing, or agreeing with God about sin; not about feelings or remorse.

B. Restoration of Fellowship

Indwelling vs. Filling of the Spirit

Indwelling: Permanent for every believer at salvation (Father, Son, Holy Spirit).

Filling: Can be lost through sin; restored by confession.

Illustration: Like a health meter in a video game—sin depletes, confession restores.

C. Carnality and Spirituality

Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 3:1-3

Paul addresses carnal Christians—saved but out of fellowship.

Exegetical Note:

Carnality is living under the control of the sin nature, not the Spirit.

II. Filling of the Spirit

A. The Power System of the Christian Life

Scripture Reference: Ephesians 5:18

"Be filled with the Spirit."

Exegetical Note:

Filling is the operational power for perceiving, metabolizing, and applying Bible doctrine.

B. Sin Nature: Good and Bad

Scripture Reference: Romans 7:18-25

The struggle between the sin nature and the new spiritual species.

Exegetical Note:

Human good (done outside God's power) is still sin.

III. The Faith-Rest Drill

A. Three Stages of Faith-Rest

1. Claiming Promises

Scripture Reference: Romans 8:28

"God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him..."

Exegetical Note:

Conditional promise—applies to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.

Other Promises: Hebrews 13:5 ("I will never leave you nor forsake you"), 1 John 4:4 ("Greater is He that is in you..."), Romans 8:31 ("If God is for us, who can be against us?").

2. Doctrinal Rationale

Scripture Reference: Various attributes of God (sovereignty, omnipotence, omnipresence).

Exegetical Note:

Rationalizing based on doctrine—God is in control, knows all, is present in all circumstances.

3. Doctrinal Conclusions

Scripture Reference: Philippians 4:11-12

Paul learned the secret of contentment in all circumstances.

Exegetical Note:

Faith leads to rest; conclusions based on God's character and promises.

B. Example: Abraham and Isaac

Scripture Reference: Genesis 22; Hebrews 11:17-19

God’s omnipresence and provision—Jehovah Jireh.

Exegetical Note:

God is outside of time; He is already present in future problems and their solutions.

IV. Grace Orientation

A. Definition and Application

Scripture Reference: Ephesians 2:8-9

"By grace you have been saved..."

Exegetical Note:

Grace is undeserved favor; not based on merit or behavior.

B. Grace Toward Self and Others

Scripture Reference: Matthew 22:37-39

Love God, love your neighbor as yourself.

Exegetical Note:

Grace orientation includes treating oneself with grace, not just others.

V. Doctrinal Orientation

A. Importance of Bible Doctrine

Scripture Reference: 2 Timothy 2:15

"Study to show yourself approved unto God..."

Exegetical Note:

Doctrine protects from false teaching and emotional decision-making.

VI. Personal Sense of Destiny

A. Entering the Plan of God

Scripture Reference: Hebrews 12:1-2

"Let us run with endurance the race set before us, looking unto Jesus..."

Exegetical Note:

"Looking only unto Jesus" (emphatic in Greek).

Jesus as the pioneer and perfecter of faith; our model for executing God’s plan.

B. Motivation and Endurance

Scripture Reference: Ephesians 1:3-6 (Union with Christ, new spiritual species).

Exegetical Note:

Personal sense of destiny transforms attitude toward problems; every day counts.

VII. Personal Love for God the Father

A. Motivation for Service

Scripture Reference: 1 John 4:19

"We love because He first loved us."

Exegetical Note:

Personal love removes legalistic motivation and spiritual laziness.

VIII. Impersonal Love for All Mankind

A. Virtue Love (Agape)

Scripture Reference: Matthew 5:44

"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

Exegetical Note:

Impersonal love is based on the virtue of the subject, not the merit of the object.

IX. Sharing the Happiness of God

A. Source of True Happiness

Scripture Reference: John 15:11

"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you..."

Scripture Reference: Proverbs 3:13

"Happy is the person who finds wisdom..."

Scripture Reference: Philippians 4:4

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice."

Scripture Reference: Psalm 128:1

"Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways."

Exegetical Note:

Happiness is a command; depends on perception and application of Bible doctrine, not circumstances.

X. Occupation with the Lord Jesus Christ

A. Focus and Perspective

Scripture Reference: 1 Peter 1:8

"Though you have not seen Him, you love Him..."

Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 2:16

"We have the mind of Christ."

Exegetical Note:

Personal love for Christ grows through knowledge of Him (Bible doctrine).

Occupation with Christ solves distraction and loss of perspective.

XI. Application and Closing

A. The Christian Life: Perception, Metabolization, Application

Scripture Reference: Proverbs 3:5-6

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

Exegetical Note:

Acknowledging God is living in His Word; blessings are conditioned on growth and capacity.

B. Final Exhortation

Choose to believe and apply God’s Word.

God’s blessings are in escrow, awaiting capacity and growth.

XII. Closing Prayer

Thanksgiving for God’s Word and problem-solving devices.

Petition for strength, guidance, and blessing for all present.

Chronological Scripture References Used

1. 1 Corinthians 2:14

2. 1 John 1:9

3. 1 Corinthians 3:1-3

4. Ephesians 5:18

5. Romans 7:18-25

6. Romans 8:28

7. Hebrews 13:5

8. 1 John 4:4

9. Romans 8:31

10. Philippians 4:11-12

11. Genesis 22

12. Hebrews 11:17-19

13. Ephesians 2:8-9

14. Matthew 22:37-39

15. 2 Timothy 2:15

16. Hebrews 12:1-2

17. Ephesians 1:3-6

18. 1 John 4:19

19. Matthew 5:44

20. John 15:11

21. Proverbs 3:13

22. Philippians 4:4

23. Psalm 128:1

24. 1 Peter 1:8

25. 1 Corinthians 2:16

26. Proverbs 3:5-6

Key Exegetical Notes

1 John 1:9: Confession is agreeing with God, not feeling remorse.

Hebrews 12:2: "Looking only unto Jesus" (Greek emphasis).

Matthew 5:44: "Love your enemies" is agape (impersonal, virtue love).

John 15:11: Joy is dependent on response to doctrine.

Proverbs 3:13: Wisdom = Bible doctrine.

Philippians 4:4: Happiness is a command.

1 Corinthians 2:16: "Mind of Christ" = Bible doctrine internalized.

Summary of Problem-Solving Devices

1. Rebound/Recovery: Confession restores fellowship and spiritual power.

2. Filling of the Spirit: Operational power for Christian living.

3. Faith-Rest Drill: Claim promises, rationalize with doctrine, reach doctrinal conclusions.

4. Grace Orientation: Align with God’s policy of grace toward self and others.

5. Doctrinal Orientation: Protects from false teaching and emotional decisions.

6. Personal Sense of Destiny: Motivation and endurance in God’s plan.

7. Personal Love for God: True motivation for service.

8. Impersonal Love for All Mankind: Virtue love, unconditional.

9. Sharing the Happiness of God: Joy independent of circumstances.

10. Occupation with Christ: Focus and perspective through knowing Him.

Closing

The Christian life is lived by perceiving, metabolizing, and applying Bible doctrine under the filling of the Spirit.

God’s plan and blessings await those who choose to believe and apply His Word.