Off Limits to God Sermon Series Planner

Theological Foundation for the Series:

The proposed series title, “Off Limits to God”, confronts the pervasive human tendency toward functional idolatry, wherein believers compartmentalize their lives, reserving certain domains from Christ's sovereign lordship. This theme aligns with the biblical doctrine of God's absolute sovereignty and the believer's total submission, as articulated in Scripture. The Lord declares in Jeremiah 10:23 (ESV): > “I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.”

Similarly, Proverbs 3:5–6 (NKJV) commands: > “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

The New Testament reinforces this in Romans 12:1–2 (NASB): > “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Such texts underscore that no sphere of life is exempt from divine authority, echoing the Reformation emphasis on solus Christus and the total lordship of Christ, as expounded by theologians like John Calvin in his Institutes of the Christian Religion (Book III, Chapter 7) and modern evangelical scholars such as John MacArthur in The Gospel According to Jesus.

Similarly, Proverbs 3:5–6 (NKJV) commands: > “Trust in the LORDwith all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In allyour ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

The New Testament reinforces this in Romans 12:1–2 (NASB): >“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present yourbodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is yourspiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world,but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you mayprove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable andperfect.”

Such texts underscore that no sphere of life is exempt from divineauthority, echoing the Reformation emphasis on solus Christus and thetotal lordship of Christ, as expounded by theologians like John Calvin inhis Institutes of the Christian Religion (Book III, Chapter 7) and modern evangelical scholars such as John MacArthur in The Gospel Accordingto Jesus.

Proposed Series Structure (6 Weeks)

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To extend the series to approximately 6 weeks—allowing flexibility for3–4 if needed—I suggest retaining your three core topics and addingthree biblically grounded ones: our relationships, our bodies andhabits, and our plans and future. This structure ensurescomprehensive coverage of life's major domains, prioritizing exegesisof key passages on surrender and stewardship. Each week includes aprimary text, secondary supports, and a sermonic focus.

Week 1: Our Family (Raising Our Children)

Primary Text: Ephesians 6:1–4 (ESV) – Parental authority as derived from God's order, prohibiting provocation while mandating nurture “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

Secondary Texts: Deuteronomy 6:6–7; Psalm 127:3–5.

Focus: Families as covenantal units under God's rule; eisegesis ofcultural autonomy rejected in favor of theonomic child-rearing (cf.Jay Adams, Competent to Counsel).

Week 2: Our Jobs and Careers// Who’s the Boss

Primary Text: Colossians 3:23–24 (NKJV) – “And whatever you do,do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.”

Secondary Texts: Ecclesiastes 9:10; 1 Corinthians 10:31.

Focus: Vocational calling as divine stewardship, countering self-advancement with gospel-centered diligence (cf. R.C. Sproul, TheHoliness of God).

Week 3: Our Finances

Primary Text: Matthew 6:19–24 (ESV) – Warning against earthlytreasure and mammon's mastery: “No one can serve two masters...You cannot serve God and money.”

Secondary Texts: Malachi 3:8–10; 1 Timothy 6:17–19.

Focus: Tithing and generosity as acts of lordship, refutingprosperity theology with Christ's kingdom ethic.

Week 4: Our Relationships

Primary Text: 2 Corinthians 6:14–18 (NASB) – “Do not be boundtogether with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousnessand lawlessness...?”

Secondary Texts: Proverbs 13:20; Amos 3:3.

Focus: Unequal yoking in marriage, friendships, and dating asrebellion against God's holiness.

Week 5: Our Bodies and Habits

Primary Text: 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (ESV) – “Or do you not knowthat your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you... You arenot your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God inyour body.”

Secondary Texts: Romans 12:1; Galatians 5:16–24.

Focus: Sexuality, health, and addictions submitted to sanctification(cf. John Owen, Mortification of Sin).

Week 6: Our Plans and Future

Primary Text: James 4:13–17 (NKJV) – Rebuke of presumptuousplanning: “...you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to suchand such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make aprofit’; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow.”

Secondary Texts: Proverbs 16:9; Proverbs 19:21.

Focus: Sovereignty over providence, calling for daily dependence.

Implementation Recommendations

Expository Method: Begin each sermon with verse-by-verseexegesis, employing Greek/Hebrew insights where relevant (e.g.,oikodespotēs in Matt 6:24 for “master”; paideia in Eph 6:4 for“nurture”).

Scholarly Resources: Consult D.A. Carson's Exegetical Fallacies forhermeneutical rigor; Matthew Henry's Commentary on the WholeBible for pastoral depth; and Warren Wiersbe's Be Series forstructural models.

Call to Response: Conclude with Luke 14:26–33 on the cost ofdiscipleship, urging hearers to surrender “off-limits” areas.

This outline upholds Scripture's sufficiency, fostering transformationthrough renewed minds under Christ's unchallenged rule.