In this article, I provide 3 sermon topic outlines to preach people silly at the National Baptist Convention or to take back to your home church.
Alright, let’s talk about the National Baptist Convention—it’s a powerhouse of faith, fellowship, and down home, with a twist of modernity. Founded 145 years ago, in 1880 in Montgomery, Alabama.
It’s founders, a group of black preachers, came together to unite Black Baptist churches across the U.S., aiming to amplify their collective voice and tackle the messy challenges of the post-Reconstruction era.
Its purpose was to spread the Gospel, empower communities, and keep the flame of justice burning bright through education, missions, and social outreach. That is the sanitized version but historically, our churches became necessary because of slavery and afterward, the utter failure of reconstruction.
Although my anointing is to remind black pastors of their obligations to Christ through exhortation, and these relationships are often contentious, I love the truly called, anointed, and sent.
However, it is the excellency of the negro preacher that whoops sermons putting me under the pew! As among my favorite closers, Dr. Franz Whitfield (Waterloo, Iowa), says with while accentuating the words; “I know He’s alright, I know He’s alright!” I love me some Brother Vice President (Iowa State Convention).
Here are three sermon outlines that any preacher, as well as those at the National Baptist Convention can use as is, add their own personal anointing to, and preach folk under the pew.
However, we also offer hundreds of professionally prepared, theologically sound, and atmosphere shifting outlines at our store below.
Sermon Outline #1: A Faithful Servant (Gen. 39:1-13)
In our text tonight, we find an encouragement to remain ‘faithful’, even when captive in circumstances beyond your control.
If there is one area we can all use a bit more encouragement in, it is in the area of faithfulness
There are, in addition to the theme scripture of encouragement, many examples of a faithful servant throughout the biblical text
None, of course, more faithful than Jesus Christ – a servant FAITHFUL unto the death!
Note:
This is not to suggest Jesus Christ, the fullness of the Godhead, required “saving faith” as do we.
Thought:
We must understand that ‘favor’ is found in ‘faithfulness’
Besides Jesus, one of the greatest biblical examples of the ‘faithful servant’ and the ‘favor’ found in faithfulness is the life of Joseph
>>Big Idea<Concerning our level of faithfulness, there is but one standard; “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” (Revelations 2: 10)
(In context) this was an encouragement to the Church @ Smyrna however – the standard for the Church here at Crystal Cathedral – the standard is the SAME!
As an example of a faithful servant – Joseph soldiered on despite his status as a ‘prisoner in a foreign land’:
Potipher’s wife accused Joseph of trying to force himself on her and he wound up in prison (Genesis 39: 14) | Joseph’s faithfulness to his master (refusing to lay down with his wife) landed him in prison (Genesis 39: 20) | Joseph’s faithfulness even in prison wound up giving him a position of authority in PRISON! (Genesis 39: 23) |
Don’t miss that it is faithfulness to the task the Lord assigns to your hand, especially when it is holding you captive, that centers you in the midst of demonic attack.
Did you notice that:
Potiphar put Joseph in charge of his house because “he saw the LORD was with him.” (Genesis 39: 3) | The keeper of the prison also saw everything Joseph did prospered because “The LORD was with him.” (Genesis 39: 23) | Joseph came before Pharoah to interpret a dream - Pharoah said ‘The spirit of the LORD is with him’ (Genesis 41: 38) |
Thought:
In each one of these instances, decision makers saw that the LORD was with Joseph and this was directly due to faithfulness and the LORD prospered Joseph (and their concerns) right before their eyes!
Joseph (even in his captivity) wasn’t the only one blessed but others whom he was sent to serve prospered as well
Point #1
A ‘faithful’ servant accepts that struggle is the price of favor
Let’s read Hebrews 11: 1-8: Each of these people is commended for their obedient faith.
Question:
In these few examples, did anyone, besides me, notice that in the flesh, they were instructed to do something which, at the time, made little sense but had an eternal outcome which blessed others?
I am not saying trust God’s amazing providence ‘WHEN’ it makes sense but trust HIM ESPECIALLY when it doesn’t make sense!
Examples of that struggle:
"And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3: 11) | Elijah & the widow @ Zarephath – give me all you have left of that bread & oil. (1st Kings 17: 7-16) | Peter hammered in sermons for ‘sinking’ in the water but at least he got out of the boat! (Matthew 14: 25-31) |
Point #2
A ‘faithful’ servant endures through the struggle of remaining faithful
The Bible tells us that Jesus was, in all ways, tempted as we YET…without sin (Hebrews 4: 15)
>>>It is written<<< (Jesus): “Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” (Luke 22: 42-44)
Faithful, in Jesus’s eternalness, is representative of remaining obedient to purpose and, again, not indicative of “substance of things hoped for, evidence of things unseen” (Heb. 11:1).
If He is God (John 1:1-3), and is the Alpha and Omega (Rev. 1:8), and I the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14), what hasn’t He seen?
Note: I wrote a twenty-even (27) page theological Biblicist position paper on whether it is even possible for Jesus to Have Faith.
Point #3
A ‘faithful’ servant understands it is never where they’ve been but where HE is taking them!
I love the testimony of ‘Amos’ when he testified about EXACTLY who chooses HIS servants:
>>>It is written<<< “Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdsman, and a gatherer of sycamore fruit: And the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.” (Amos 7: 14-15)
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Sermon Outline #2: “When the Battle Seems Unwinnable (Exodus 14: 10-14 & John 18:1-11)
In the story of The Children of Israel, they were fresh out of bondage and at the Red Sea.
(i) Pharaoh was charging down on them and they were ‘seemingly’ defenseless
(Truly, the battle seemed UNWINNABLE)
In the story of Jesus, he asked a question: “Shall I not drink of the cup?”
To His disciples, it seems as if they were SURROUNDED and in a losing situation.
Peter thought he could win the battle by cutting off someone’s ear
(Truly, the battle seemed UNWINNABLE)
Where these two texts meet:
The nexus of these portions of scripture (among many more) is simply that no matter how UNWINNABLE the battle seems, the victory is already given – all you need to do is “walk in it.”
Question:
I cannot locate one biblical figure, who did great things in the Name of God, which did not experience pain as a pre-requisite to victory.
We are quick to say, “no cross-no crown” yet it is interesting that we want the “crown of righteousness” without first experiencing Jesus’s “crown of thorns” (1 Tim. 4:8, Jam. 1:12, John 19:2).
The issue becomes we, as Believers, don’t know how to recognize what God Ordained victory looks like.
Jesus ended up on The Cross and died the death of a common criminal – weren’t some desiring that HE save himself? Yet – out of DEATH came LIFE EVERLASTING! (Matt. 27:35-44, John 3:1-18).
It seemed that, after his hair was cut, Samson was THROUGH! The Philistines said their false god (little ‘g’) had delivered Samson into their hands, but Samson PRAYED to the LORD (Judges 16).
One of the world’s finest armies (Egypt) was charging down on a people who had NOWHERE to run – where NO WAY existed; (Red Sea) God made a way.
>>Big Idea<< Did you notice in both reference biblical text today, the key to winning the battle was Moses and Jesus followed God’s Will to a point of SEEMINGLY being backed into a corner?
Don’t worry about your corner experience. God is ‘omni-present’ – so that means HE is on every conceivable side of the battle meaning, in the final analysis, the Lord has you 360 degrees of covered!
Examples of God-level coverage:
The LORD told Gideon (Judges 7): “And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.” That number was whittled down to a mere 300!
Not only that; before they ever went into battle against a larger army, God said “Get thee down to the Midianite camp because I have GIVEN THEM into your hands” (Judg. 7:9).
(i) Zechariah 4:6 – “Not by POWER nor by MIGHT but by my spirit sayeth the LORD.
The world teaches us that there is ‘wisdom’ in taking the path of least resistance when The Word of God says “I don’t want you to run-away or walk AROUND the Red Sea, rather, WALK RIGHT THROUGH THE MIDST OF A STORMY SEA.”
>>Big Idea<< The only unwinnable battle is the one the Saints do not how up for.
Point #1
Conquering in God’s name isn’t as much a product of acting, but rather SURRENDER
More simply; show up to the battle front, and surrender to a God ordained outcome.
Right before Jesus was seized, the scripture says he prayed; “Abba, Father; take this cup from me.” (Mark 14)
When the Children of Israel showed up at the Red Sea and Pharaoh came a charging, isn’t it written, (Exodus 14: 13-14)
>>>It is Written<<<“I beseech ye brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies as a living sacrifice, HOLY and acceptable to God which is your RESONABLE service” (Romans 12).
Point #2
Winning is allowing God to ‘sets us apart’ and not allowing Satan to ‘set us up’
Example #1
The story of Jesus in the wilderness = (Set-apart)
(i) Went there for prayer and fasting before HIS Earthly mission but Satan showed up trying to set Jesus up “All of this will I give thee if thou will but fall down and worship me”
>>Big Idea<< There exit a difference between being ‘exalted’ by the Lord and ‘promoted’ by Satan.
(i) God’s exaltation keeps us obedience while Satan’s promotion always distracts obedience.
Example #2
Judas (Matthew 27: 3-5) repented himself’, threw the 30 pieces of silver down and went and HANGED himself. (Set-up)
Thought:
Jesus died for you (and the whole world) so you don’t need to die for yourself.
Point #3
You can’t WIN if you don’t first STAND!
Did you notice that The Children of Israel as well as Jesus’ disciples acted in a manner which presented FEAR?
Children of Israel (complained) while one of Jesus’ Disciples resisted through violence.
Did you notice that both groups of people seemed in a place where DEFEAT was almost guaranteed?
Moses and Jesus were the only ones in the MIDST of many who held onto a ‘victorious’ mindset.
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Sermon #3: Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are (Genesis 3: 1-12 & Psalms 51: 1-12)
When we review our Genesis text today, we find Adam attempting to hide from God because of SHAME & GUILT
Despite what the learned preachers and theologian believe, Adam was not making an excuse when God questioned him rather Adam told God exactly what occurred – that is called a “fact pattern” and not an excuse.
Thought:
These same preachers and theologians told you and I three wise men visited Baby Jesus in the manger and gave Him three gift.
However, although wise men presented Jesus with three gifts, the Bible never say there were three wise men much less they visited Him in the manger (Matt. 2:1-12, Luke 2:1-20).
When we review our Psalms text – we find King David doing the exact opposite.
While Adam tried to cover his shame – David confessed his SIN before the Lord.
Many of the issues we struggle with are a direct result of hiding from the presence of God.
(i) “My mind tells me that if I can stay hidden then perhaps I can ‘fake it until I make it.”
Remember the story of the two men heading down to the temple (Luke 18:9-14).
(i) The religious person was the fraud and the man who said “I am a HOT MESS” was viewed more favorably in the eyes of God.
>>Big Idea<< One cannot not both walk in the power of God yet deny His power as the same moment.
Thought:
A once great prophet of the Lord God, when describing why King David was blessed and King Saul was cursed put it like this, “Saul lied, and David cried” (1 Sam. 15, Psa. 51).
>>Big Idea<< We must strive not to be Good Christians rather obedient Christians (1 Sam. 15:22-23, Mark 10:18).
Mind-set of an obedient Believer:
An obedient Christian understands they are not always ‘good’ and thank Jesus for the opportunity to repent (Acts 3:19). | An obedient Christian understands that ‘all my good works are as filthy rags in God’s eyesight’ (Isa. 64:6). | An obedient Christian understands that it isn’t good people who go to Heaven rather ‘saved’ people. |
An obedient Christian understands ‘it is by grace that we are saved and not of good works lest any should boast’ (Eph. 2:8-9). | An obedient Christian that although ‘good works’ can be seen by others; FAITH is based on the ‘unseen’ (Heb. 11:1). | An obedient Christian stays true to God even when they aren’t feeling ‘so good & churchy’ |
Why do we try to HIDE because when it is written:
(i) “Come unto me all ye that are burden and heavy laden..” (Matthew 11:28)
(i) “Casting all your cares upon HIM because He cares for you..” (1st Peter 5:7)
But at the most critical, life changing moments…we HIDE our spiritual nakedness from God as opposed to submitting it for healing.
Point #1
Hiding from God’s correction is hiding from His glory
By the time we become adults, we’ve become so accustomed to ‘acting’
Certain of those within the Body will take on a posture of “Ah – Ah – Ah; you naughty little Christian you”!
>>Big Idea<< The only difference between a ‘faithful’ witness and an ‘unfaithful’ witness IS REPENTANCE!
(i) Psalms is many things but chief among them is it serves as the blueprint for living a Holy life through repentance.
Point #2
When we are transparent, relationships are either healed or pruned
My conversation with a family member:
I asked her to come and hear a Word from the Lord. She said, “From you? Why come to church – you used to be the biggest drunk in town.”
(i) My response was full transparency, “I have done much wore than that. I have also (uh huh, uh huh, uh huh)”.
Jesus said, “A Prophet is not without honor – except in HIS own country” (Mark 6:4)
>>Big Idea<< When you come out of hiding from being real, and remove the spiritual makeup, part of the weight being lifted is baggage from those who are not headed in the same direction as you are anyway.
Story of Luggage Handlers:
Airport Skycaps are men who worked in airports and carried the physical luggage of other from the curb to their flight check-in point or further (for a great tip). Some people had so much luggage that you could see the Skycaps struggling to keep up!
Question:
Are you struggling to get to where the Lord desires because you are weighed down with the spiritual baggage?
(i) Both another's baggage and yours belongs at the foot of the cross.
Point #3
There is a difference in being transparent to the Lord and transparency with Him
Because God knows all and sees all; there is nothing I can hide from Him therefore –(i) I am an open book which is transparent to Him.
However – when I am ‘Transparent with Him’ – I acknowledge that I am as messed up as I appear to be
Before Adam confessed – God asked, “Did you eat of the tree”? HE KNOWS!
>>Big Idea<< It is time to ‘come on out of the bushes’ Saints
As an old Deacon used to pray, “There are those who throw a rock and hide their hands.”
By the mercies of God – I am not asking you to ‘stop throwing rocks’ – yet anyway; but at least have the courage to keep your hand exposed and say “Yeah; I did it and here is why.”
Folk can talk about the men who brought the adulterous women to Jesus and was ready to stone her all day long – but at least they said “Here is why we want to throw these rocks at her” (John 8:1-11).
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The key to being instant in season and out of season is always being prepared with Holy Ghost sermon material such as this One Year of Sermon Series well after you have headed back to your assignment (home church) to lead God's people.
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