First Naples Podcast

June 27, 2020 - Dr. Jon Akin - A Study of Jesus' Parables

Weekend Sermon Notes
The Storyteller - A Study of Jesus' Parables
 
The Rich Man & Lazarus
Luke 16:19-31 (ESV)
 
1. Will you love God or money?
2. Will you end up in eternal torment or paradise?
3. Will you listen to God’s Word or need further proof?
 
Luke 16:19-31 ESV
“There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”

June 21, 2020 - Dr. Jon Akin - A Study of Jesus' Parables

Weekend Sermon Notes
The Storyteller - A Study of Jesus' Parables
Luke 16:1-13 (ESV)
 
Jesus’ crazy gift frees us to be a crazy gift to the world
 
1. Jesus’ crazy gift to us
Colossians 2:14-15 (ESV)
 
2. We are freed to be a crazy gift to the world
 
Luke 16:1-13 ESV
He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’ And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’ So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings. “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
 
Colossians 2:14-15 ESV
by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

June 14, 2020 - Dr. Jon Akin - A Study of Jesus' Parables

Weekend Sermon Notes
The Storyteller - A Study of Jesus' Parables
 
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 (ESV)
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
 
There are 2 ways to be lost:
unrighteous rule-breaking &
self-righteous rule-keeping.
 
There is 1 way to be found:
the Father’s Love.
 
1)You can be lost in unrighteous rule-breaking & found by the Father’s love
 
2) You can be lost in self-righteous rule-keeping & found by the Father’s love
 
Luke 15:11-32 ESV
And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”
 

June 7, 2020 - Dr. Jon Akin - A Study of Jesus' Parables

Weekend Sermon Notes
The Storyteller - A Study of Jesus' Parables
 
Luke 10:25-37 (ESV)
Stop asking WHO. Start asking HOW.
 
Luke 10:25-37 ESV
And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

May 24, 2020 - Dr. Jon Akin - Proverbs

Weekend Sermon Notes
Proverbs --- Fool-Proofing Your Family
 
1. Teach your children the WHY as well as the WHAT
 
Proverbs 3:1-10 (ESV)
Proverbs 11:24
Proverbs 25:21-22
Proverbs 27:2
 
2. Teach your children the WHO

May 31, 2020 - Dr. Jon Akin - A Study of Jesus' Parables

Weekend Sermon Notes
The Storyteller - A Study of Jesus' Parables
 
Parables don’t make a point; they have an impact
 
1. Parables reveal the open and the closed
Matthew 13:10-17
 
2. Parables reveal the surprising nature of the kingdom
Matthew 13:18-23
 
3. Parables reveal that it’s all about Jesus
 
So what?
1. Press-in to Jesus and His Word with fresh eyes
2. Be part of the advance of the kingdom
3. Believe in Jesus

May 17, 2020 - Dr. Jon Akin - Proverbs

Weekend Sermon Notes
Proverbs --- Fool-Proofing Your Family
 
1. Diagnose the cause (your heart) rather than the symptom (your communication)
Proverbs 4:23-24
Proverbs 20:9
 
2. Season your communication with gentleness, love, and the willingness to let offenses go
Proverbs 15:1
Proverbs 16:21
Proverbs 17:9
Proverbs 10:12

May 10, 2020 - Dr. Jon Akin - Proverbs 22:6 ESV

Weekend Sermon Notes
Text: Proverbs 22:6 ESV
 
If you let your kids have their way, they’ll expect to always get their way and struggle in life.
 
English Translations: Train up a child in the “way he should go” or “the right way”
English Translations add words not in the Hebrew: Train up a child in the “way he should go” or “the right way”
Hebrew: Train up a child in his way
 
Option 1: Train a child in accordance with his nature
Proverbs 20:9 (ESV)
Waltke: the six other references to the youth characterize his way as foolish (1:4; 7:7; 22:15; 23:13; 29:15; etc.)
 
Option 2: Sarcastic – If you let your kids have their way, they’ll expect to always get their way and struggle in life
Proverbs 22:15 (ESV)
Proverbs 29:15 (ESV)
 
Houston Police Dept on “How to Raise a Delinquent”
Begin with infancy to give the child everything he wants. In this way he will grow to believe the world owes him a living.
When he picks up bad words, laugh at him. This will make him think he's cute.
Never give him any spiritual training. Wait until he is 21 and then let him "decide for himself."
Avoid use of the word "wrong". It may develop a guilt complex. This will condition him to believe later, when he is arrested for stealing a car, that society is against him and he is being persecuted.
Pick up everything he leaves lying around - books, shoes, clothes. Do everything for him so that he will be expecting it.
Give a child all the spending money he wants. Never let him earn his own. Why should he have things as tough as you had them?
Satisfy his every craving for food, drink, and comfort. See that every sensual desire is gratified. Denial may lead to harmful frustration.
Take his side against neighbors, teachers, policemen. They are all prejudiced against your child.
Prepare for a life of grief. You will be likely to have it.
 
Proverbs 23:13-14
 
1) Secure a confession,
2) Assure of unconditional love,
3) Acknowledge your sin and need of Jesus
 
Proverbs 22:6 ESV
6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
 
Proverbs 20:9 ESV
9 Who can say, “I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin”?
 
Proverbs 29:15 ESV
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
 
Proverbs 23:13-14 ESV
13Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. 14If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol.
 

May 3, 2020 - Dr. Jon Akin - Proverbs 5:1-7 (ESV)

Weekend Sermon Notes
Title: How to Have a Happy Marriage
 
1. Be aware of how unfaithfulness starts: communication & attraction
Proverbs 5:1-7
Proverbs 6:25
 
2. Be warned of the consequences of unfaithfulness: temporary & eternal
Proverbs 5:8-14
Proverbs 5:21-23
 
3. Embrace the gospel: horizontal & vertical
Proverbs 5:15-20
 
Proverbs 5:1-7 ESV
My son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding, that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge. For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol; she does not ponder the path of life; her ways wander, and she does not know it. And now, O sons, listen to me, and do not depart from the words of my mouth.
 
Proverbs 6:25 ESV
Do not desire her beauty in your heart, and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes
 
Proverbs 5:8-14 ESV
Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house, lest you give your honor to others and your years to the merciless, lest strangers take their fill of your strength, and your labors go to the house of a foreigner, and at the end of your life you groan, when your flesh and body are consumed, and you say, “How I hated discipline, and my heart despised reproof! I did not listen to the voice of my teachers or incline my ear to my instructors. I am at the brink of utter ruin in the assembled congregation.”
 
Proverbs 5:21-23 ESV
For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and he ponders all his paths. The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is held fast in the cords of his sin. He dies for lack of discipline, and because of his great folly he is led astray.
 
Proverbs 5:15-20 ESV
Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well. Should your springs be scattered abroad, streams of water in the streets? Let them be for yourself alone, and not for strangers with you. Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love. Why should you be intoxicated, my son, with a forbidden woman and embrace the bosom of an adulteress?

April 26, 2020 - Dr. Jon Akin - Proverbs 15:16-17 (ESV)

Weekend Sermon Notes
Title: How to Have a Happy Home
 
Give your kids 3 things:
 
1. What they really want
Proverbs 15:16-17 (ESV)
Proverbs 17:1 (ESV)
 
2. What they really need
Proverbs 20:7 (CSB)
 
3. What will really last
Proverbs 10:1 (ESV)
 
Proverbs 15:16-17 ESV
Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it.
 
Proverbs 17:1 ESV
Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.
 
Proverbs 20:7 CSB
A righteous person acts with integrity; his children who come after him will be happy.
 
Proverbs 10:1 ESV
The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.

April 19, 2020 - Dr. Jon Akin - Proverbs 9:1-18 (ESV)

Weekend Sermon Notes
Title: Happily Ever After
Text: Proverbs 9:1-18
Proverbs 9:1-18 ESV
Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks sense she says, “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight.” Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it. The woman Folly is loud; she is seductive and knows nothing. She sits at the door of her house; she takes a seat on the highest places of the town, calling to those who pass by, who are going straight on their way, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” And to him who lacks sense she says, “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.” But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
Proverbs 30:2-6 ESV
Surely I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the understanding of a man. I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One. Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son’s name? Surely you know! Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.
 

April 12, 2020 - Dr. Jon Akin - Matthew 8:1-4, 14-17 (ESV)

Weekend Sermon Notes
Title: You don’t have to social distance from Jesus
Text: Matthew 8:1-4, 14-17 (ESV)
 
Matthew 8:1-4 ESV
When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.”
 
Matthew 8:14-17 ESV
And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”

April 6, 2020 - Dr. Jon Akin - Psalm 73 (ESV)

Weekend Sermon Notes
Title: Songs of Hope - What Do You Do When Christianity Doesn’t Seem To Work?
Text: Psalm 73(ESV)
 
What do you do when Christianity doesn’t seem to work?
 
1. Take an eternal perspective
2. Run to God rather than away from Him
3. Remind yourself of the Good News
 
Psalms 73:1-5 ESV
Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek. They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind.
Psalms 73:10-20 ESV
Therefore his people turn back to them, and find no fault in them. And they say, "How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?" Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches. All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence. For all the day long I have been stricken and rebuked every morning. If I had said, "I will speak thus," I would have betrayed the generation of your children. But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end. Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin. How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors! Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when you rouse you
Psalms 73:23-28 ESV
Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.
 

March 29, 2020 - Dr. Jon Akin - Psalm 24 (ESV)

Weekend Sermon Notes
Title: Songs of Hope
Text: Psalm 24 (ESV)
 
You have access to worship God and receive blessing from Him through Jesus
1. Access to do what? Worship
A. Public Worship
B. Private Worship
2. Access for what? Blessing
 
Psalms 24:1-10 ESV
1 The earth is the Lord's and the fullness there of, the world and those who dwell therein, 2 for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. 3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?And who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. 5 He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah 7 Lift up your heads, O gates!And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 8 Who is this King of glory?The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle! 9 Lift up your heads, O gates!And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 10 Who is this King of glory?The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah

March 22, 2020 - Dr. Jon Akin - Psalm 23 (ESV)

Weekend Sermon Notes
Title: Songs of Hope
Text: Psalm 23 (ESV)
 
Don’t be afraid because...
1. The Warrior-Shepherd is with you
2. The Warrior-Shepherd will defeat your enemies
3. The Warrior-Shepherd will bring you safely home
 
Psalms 23:1-6 ESV
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul.He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.