“ Know Your Weapon ” This sermon is part 2 of Jerry’s series on the Word of God. Scriptures covered are: Psalm 119:11, Galatians 5:13, Galatians 5:19–21, Romans 14:17, 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18, 2 Timothy 3:16–17, Ephesians 5:18–19, John 1:1, Psalm 33:6, Psalm 107:19–20, Psalm 147:15–19, Romans 9:17, John 14:16–17, Hebrews 4:12, Romans 10:17, Romans 1:16–17, etc.
Reading the Word of God every day and committing It to memory, helps us to be ready for the disappointments of life. It also helps us to help others who are experiencing the same disappointments. Being reminded each day of the truth in God’s Word helps to combat Satan’s lies. It’s encouraging and offers peace. All the knowledge we have about God comes from the Bible; we need to read It every single day, as there is a spiritual battle that never stops raging around us. The Word is our weapon of protection. We need to know It like the back of our hand and hide It in our hearts, so it is always at the ready. The W of God is Jesus, God‘s precepts, and God‘s power. We don’t ever not need it.
“ Word! ” Dodson’s sermon is a needed refresher on the importance and richness of revisiting God’s Word on a daily basis. Cited Scriptures are:
Ephesians 6:17, Psalm 119:11, Galatians 5:13 & 16-17 & 19-21, Romans 14:17 & 22–24, 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18, 2 Timothy 3:16–17, Ephesians 5:18–19, John 1:1, John 1:14, Ephesians 6:17, Psalm 33:6, Psalm 107:19–20, Psalm 147:15–19, Romans 9:17, Matthew 4, John 14:16-17, Hebrews 14:12, Romans 1:16–17, etc.
Studying God’s word helps us:
to battle temptation and not sin against Him, to use our freedom to choose spiritual good, to have assurance that our sins have been forgiven (so that our accuser cannot gain a foothold in our lives), to help others, to grieve like those with a hope, to gain wisdom, to glorify God, to know God, to deepen our appreciation for God, etc.
Can’t wait for Part II!
“ Book ‘em ” In this sermon, Jerry warns of the mishandling of God’s Word by some preachers who rob people of the gospel. He says there are two major pulpit crimes: 1. Turning the Bible into therapy and 2. Turning the Bible into a book about you and your life, instead of what it really is: THE BOOK ABOUT JESUS. As is typical for Dodson, a great deal of the sermon deals with election, which was important to Jerry, because it gives 100% of the glory God. Some scriptures covered are:
Matthew 22:36–40, John 14:15, Luke 10:25–28, Jeremiah 17:9, 8:7–8, Romans 5:18–19, Psalm 51:5, Luke 10:25–28, Hebrews 9:27, 1 Corinthians 15:22, Ephesians 1:3-4, 7, and 11–14, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Matthew 13:11, Matthew 11:25 & 27, Matthew 25:31-46, John 10, Romans 9:18–19, John 5:39–40, Luke 24:25–27, John 8:39–40, John 8:56, Ephesians 2:8–9, etc.
Preaching that soothes but does not highlight our desperate need for Jesus, Who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life is a massive pulpit crime. Be vigilant and don’t let it happen to you.
“ Prayer for the Elect ” This is another great sermon that focuses on Biblical teachings about election. There are so many wonderful Scriptures explored here that all give God 100% of the glory for our salvation. Some Verses covered are:
Luke 23:34, Matthew 21:9, John 18, 2:23, Romans 1:18–20, Acts 17:30:, Romans 1:21 & 28, 1 Peter 1:13–15, Ephesians 4:17–19, Ephesians 2:1-5, Genesis 19:29, Ephesians 2:8-9, Ephesians 1:17- 18, John 13:14–27, John 15:16, John 17:6–9, 12, & 20-21John 6:37, Isaiah 53:11–12, Romans 9, Genesis 15, Revelation 7:9, etc.
Thank you, Jesus, praying for Your people then and now! You Are Everything!
“ Promise & Response ” In this sermon, Jerry highlights verses such as Ephesians 3:7–13, 2: 7–10, Romans 2:4–5, Colossians 2:2, 2 Corinthians 4:17–18, Romans 11:33–36, etc. We have grace in Christ. That grace brings responsibility. Every day we have the opportunity to choose, by the power of God, to minister to others, and to be trophies of grace who make God known to others through our actions. May we progress towards full, free, immediate, and joyful obedience, which expresses love in our relationship with God, and is also seen in the eyes of not only men but also unseen beings who, the Bible says, are watching us. We can be encouraged by Paul who regarded his terrible sufferings as light and momentary afflictions—such was his faith. We should also remember that eternity past determined eternity future, and, like Paul, not get bogged down by our past sins…because we have the full assurance of Christ, and all the riches that are Him. Amen.
“ Jesus, Light of the World ” In this sermon Jerry covers Scripture such as Luke:16-18; 11:33-36, Matthew 5:16, John 8, Ephesians 5:8-9, Phil. 1:6, Luke 8:17-18, John 6:66-69, Matthew 16:13-17, Amos 3:2, Matthew 5:3-6, Romans 9:1-4, Matthew 21, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 2 Corinthians 4:6. Christ is the Light of the world and we are like satellites charged with reflecting His glory. Listen to Jerry’s sermon for more about this. Good stuff as usual!
“ God’s Sovereignty is God’s Glory ” In this sermon, Jerry points to scriptures such as: Ephesians 2, Romans 5:18–19, Matthew 27:3–4, Acts 2:36–38 and 41, Romans 9:10–13, Romans 9:14–18, Exodus 9:15–16, Genesis 15, Exodus 4:21, Romans 1:18–21, Exodus 9:27–28 and 34, Daniel 4:35, Romans 9: 18-24, Ephesians 1:11–12, 1 Thessalonians 5:9, 1 Peter 2:7–8, and Jude 4 to illustrate God’s sovereignty in all things including our salvation. God does not take innocent creatures, make them wicked, and then condemn them. The Bible says we are all by nature children of wrath. As such, we deserve justice. ALL deserve hell. That any (the elect) receive mercy is the gift of God. No one receives injustice. God chooses to save some. He could have saved none. He has the right to do whatever He wants with all that He has made. He is the potter, and we are the clay. He suffered terribly so those He chose will have eternal life and fellowship with Him. That mercy is 100% Him. GLORY! Our sin is 100% us. He is good; His love endures forever.
“ Incredibly Powerful ” This is one of my favorite sermons of Jerry’s that is jam packed with Bible Scriptures and needs to be heard again and again. He highlights the awe-inspiring, peace-inducing promises of God as he focuses on the 3rd piece of Christian armor: our shoes, the Gospel of peace. And we can have this peace because of God’s promises. Focus on them when the devil starts making you question your “save-ability.” The Bible promises God holds His children in His hand and we will not be taken out of it. Nothing can separate us from His love. Be bold in claiming His promises in the great name of Jesus and delight in His peace that reassures and comforts you!
“ This is the reminder you need. ” If you ever find yourself believing the lie that maybe some bad thing you’ve done has separated you from the love of God forever, Jerry’s sermon is a great reminder that all your sins have been dealt with once for all time; your debt is paid. IT IS FINISHED. Jerry leads us through such verses as 2 Corinthians 1:20, Romans 3:23, Romans 8:7-8, Ephesians 2:8-10, Romans 8:29, John 19:30, and Romans 8:1. Jerry’s conviction when he repeats “It is finished,” is incredibly encouraging; you will never not need to hear this sermon.
“ Lord of Lords, Feast of Feasts! ” Some of Jerry’s favorite verses appear, & they are a real treat:
John 6:37 “All that the Father gives to Me, will come to Me, and he who comes to Me I will never cast out.“
John 6:40 “And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I shall lose none of all these He has given Me, but raise them up at the last day.“
Eph. 1:4-“…He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will…”
Specifically, this is a sermon about communion.
Blood is required for forgiveness of sins (because that’s justice, & God is just). Hebrews 9:22
Old Testament animal sacrifices could only provide temporary relief. (Hebrews 10:1-4)
Jesus can pardon thoroughly & forever. (1 Peter 3:18)
Jesus is the Bread of eternal life. (John 6:35)
Those who partake of Christ, the New Covenant, will hunger and thirst no more. (Matt. 26:26-28; John 6:25-27)
“ The Dirt on Soils ” In this sermon Jerry preaches on Matthew 13:1–9 and 8–23, (the 4 soils). In a nutshell, there are (1) those who hear the Word, but don’t care. There are also (2) those who hear the Word and get happy, “Hallmarky” feelings from It, but when life gets tough they forget God said it would, and they reject Him. A third type of person (3) hears the Word & seems to grow really well but gets distracted by all the cool things the world has to offer. Because that’s where her heart really is, she doesn’t really produce a lot for the kingdom. Finally, there’s a type of person that hears God’s Word, receives It with repentance & belief, weathers life’s terrible storms by standing on the firm foundation of Christ, and produces a lot for the kingdom of God. In typical P. Doddy style, Jerry covers a lot of ground here, & some of my favorite reminders of his appear: “The non-elect get justice, the elect get mercy, and no one gets injustice.” “The Father elects, the Son redeems, and the Holy Spirit regenerates.” “God mercies whom He shall mercy, and He compassions whom He shall compassion. (Romans 9:14) Another great sermon by a truly outstanding man of God.
“ Talk Talk ” A few quick points from Jerry’s sermon:
1. After you die you will still speak through anything you’ve written.
2. You will still speak through the lives of the children you’ve raised.
3. You will speak through others you nurtured and helped to grow in Christ.
4. You will still speak in those who witnessed you living a godly life.
Think about the life you are living for how it speaks now and for what it will say after you’re gone.
“ Relationship+Rules=Freedom ” In a nutshell, Jerry says there are 3 reasons to love God’s law:
1. It demonstrates God’s character.
2. It defines our guilt. (Pain alerts us to the fact that we have a problem that requires a Solution.)
3. It helps us to understand the depth of God’s grace. (Believers are cleansed from ALL unrighteousness.)
Scriptures covered are: Psalm 119:33-40, Romans 13:1, Psalm 19;7-9, Romans 7:7, Romans 1:18, Psalm 73:1-17, Exodus 31:18, Eph. 2:10, & Phil. 1:16.
We are not kept by good works. They are a part of our sanctification. We are justified by Christ alone. Rules without relationship results in rebellion. We are the prodigal son and God is our Father embracing us in spite of our sin because of Jesus’ perfect, preceptive, & penal obedience. Because of Jesus we are allowed to go free. Because of the relationship the rules are a source of freedom. And oh, how we love God’s law!
“ Aha! Moment ” In his sermon Jerry discusses 2 issues: sprinkling versus immersion & infant baptism. Matt. 13:16 seems 2 be an ex. of immersion. In the baptism of the disciples by the Holy Spirit (Acts 2), the disciples aren’t immersed in fire but simply have a tongue of flame resting above their heads. Acts 18:38-39 says Philip and the Ethiopian went into the water & came up out of the water, which neither speaks 2 sprinkling or immersing. (Obviously, Philip wasn’t baptizing himself along with the Ethiopian.) So Presbyterians recognize both sprinkling & immersion baptism. Re: infant baptism, in true Dodson style, this sermon is jam-packed & there aren’t enough characters allowed here 2 adequately discuss the whole thing. Briefly, circumcision was a sign of the covenant between God & Abraham & belonged 2 him & his 8-day-old descendants & foreign servants (Gen. 17:9-14), those with no testimony of their own. In Col. 2:11-12 & Romans 6:4 Paul seems 2 be talking about baptism as the sign of the new covenant & how it relates 2 circumcision. It’s not salvific (Romans 4:10). Through faith in Christ Jesus we are Abraham’s descendants (Galatians 3:29). In Matt. 28:19-20 Jesus says 2 go & baptize (the baptism of which Paul speaks). New covenant, new sign. Give this sermon a listen! I’m convinced!
“ A Place for Us ” In this sermon Jerry talks about death and how it has been overcome by Christ. As Jerry speaks I think often of his death and am comforted by his own reminder that we close our eyes here and open them in heaven. I am grateful that “there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1
I think of my own brush with death and of those brothers and sisters in the church who are currently grappling with terminal illnesses. I ponder the reminder that we are all going to die and am relieved that Jesus has gone ahead of us in preparation for us. His resurrection is our resurrection. Were it not so He would have told us. John 14:2
“ The Gospel says, “DONE.” ” In this wonderful sermon Jerry teaches on the story of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37) and reminds us that godly love has no boundaries. When the expert asked Jesus to identify who the expert’s neighbor was, Jesus confirmed that a neighbor is one who shows mercy. But instead of focusing solely on who the expert’s neighbor was, Jesus commanded the expert to BE a neighbor. Jerry was quick to remind us that the act of loving others is not what makes us disciples, but the absence of loving others shows that we are not. The story of the good Samaritan begins with a question. The expert in Luke 10 asked how he could be saved. The answer was to love the Lord his God with all his heart, soul, strength, and mind and to love his neighbor as himself. This fulfills all that the law commands. Sadly, it is not possible for us to love God and man this perfectly. Gladly, the last Adam, Jesus Christ, has fulfilled this command on behalf of believers. The law says, “DO.” The gospel says, “DONE.” Our Ultimate Neighbor is Jesus. He offers His rich mercy to others. Now go and do likewise.
“ About Faith ” What is a faith that pleases God? Dodson refers to Hebrews 11, “The Hall of Faith” & many other Scriptures, particularly Genesis 47:27-31. Jerry uses Scripture to show us that a faith that pleases God claims His promises, puts trust in His Word, worships, and is certain of Jesus Christ as our Savior. Faith that pleases God is obedient (not to earn salvation, but to enjoy it). Dodson refers us to Mark 9 (verse 24) if we lack faith, and ends the sermon with “A faith that pleases God gives us the strength for today, trust for tomorrow, the certainty of eternity, & allows us to live with joy and to die with anticipation.”
“ 2 Wills ” Many people who are not Presbyterians wonder about our view of the will of God. Since we believe in the sovereignty of God unto election, which is an unacceptable concept to many, it is perceived sometimes that we view ourselves as God’s puppets with no personal exercise of will. It is not this. It is our understanding of the wills of God. We believe in God‘s will of decree (ex.; Acts 2:23, Eph. 1:7-11, John 10:27-29, Phil. 1:6, Rom. 8:31-39) & God‘s will of precept (ex.: 10 Commandments, Matt. 7:21). God‘s will of decree allows no interference; it will be done. God‘s will of precept allows us to know what He would have us do & is actually open to our interference. We can make bad choices. Even so, He is working everything together for the good of those who love Him & are called according to His purpose. God’s will of decree isn’t always ours to know, but His will of precept is. In addition to the wills of God, in this fascinating sermon Jerry Dodson explains federal headship, comparing the 1st Adam to the last, & skillfully explains the reason for the fall, sin, & suffering. This is one of many brilliant sermons written & delivered as only Jerry could. I am so thankful for the time we had with him on this earth & look forward to seeing him again in heaven.
“ Great Sermon! ” This sermon covers the meaning of John 3:1–8. Jerry stresses that rebirth is a God thing that cannot be ginned up by man. The Father elects, the Son redeems, the Holy Spirit regenerates. Jerry explains beautifully how election is not an unfair concept by any means. God owes us wrath and that is all. The wages of sin is death and all fall short of the glory of God, but the GIFT of God is salvation through Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:23) God is both just and the Justifier. That any are saved is far more than any person is ever owed. God is SO good!
4/28/2024 12:44 PM
