Fear God - 2/14/10am

Sodom’s Example
Genesis 19:1-26 -The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah
Jude 5-15 -These are an example, the Lord comes to execute judgment

Fear the Lord
Proverbs 1:7 -Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom
Proverbs 9:10 -Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom
Proverbs 15:33 -Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom
Psalm 36:1-12 -The sins of those who do not fear God, God’s loving kindness for those who know Him

Fear and Obedience
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 -Fear God and keep His commandments
II Chronicles 19:4-7 -Fear the Lord, be careful of what you do
Philippians 2:12-13 -Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling

Judgment
Matthew 25:31-46 -Judgment
Hebrews 10:23-31 -Vengeance is mine, it is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God
II Corinthians 5:10-11 -We will all be judged, therefore knowing the fear of the Lord we persuade men
Matthew 10:28 -Fear the one who can destroy body and soul
II Thessalonians 1:5-10 -Those who do not know God or obey will be punished
Revelation 21:8 -The second death
Galatians 5:19-21 -Works of the flesh
Mark 9:42-48 -Where the worm and fire do not die

Casting Lots - 1/17/10pm

Proverbs 16:33 -Casting lots, the decision is God’s

In the Old Testament
It seems that exactly what form casting lots took in the Old Testament is unclear. Evidently, some small objects, such as pebbles, were marked in some way and then thrown in some way as to differentiate the two. The idea was to remove the human element and choices and depend solely on the Lord.
Leviticus 16:7-10 -The sin offering and the scapegoat
Joshua 18:3-10 -The dividing of the promised land by lot
Jonah 1:1-16 -Jonah is chosen by lot as the cause of the storm
Psalm 22:14-18 -They cast lots for my clothing

In the New Testament
In the New Testament we are shown that not only those who followed the Lord cast lots in order to turn the decision over to the Lord, but it was also used by pagans to determine according to “fate,” “luck,” or the perceived will of other “gods.” It seems to have taken the form of small pieces of wood or stone that were marked, placed in a bag, and the thrown out. The first one out of the bag was what was chosen.
John 19:23-25 -Soldiers cast lots for Jesus’ clothing
Acts 1:15-26 -Lots are cast, Matthias is chosen to replace Judas

Submission to God
The casting of lots was done in submission to God. Whatever the Lord decided, the one casting lots had determined to do, no matter the outcome. We should have this same humility and attitude of obedience to the Lord in every aspect of our lives.
James 4:1-17 -Submit yourselves to the Lord
Hebrews 12:7-11 -Submit to the Father
Isaiah 53:1-12 -The submission and humility of the Christ
Philippians 2:5-8 -Be like Christ in humble submission to the Father

Faith is the Victory 0 12/6/09am

I John 5:1-5 -This is the victory that has overcome the world

The Example of Noah
In Noah we see an example of one who lived by faith, and so was victorious and overcame the world. Because of his faith and his obedient adherence to that faith, he and his family alone were saved from destruction.
II Peter 2:4-5 -Noah, a preacher of righteousness
I Peter 3:18-20 -Christ preached through Noah
Genesis 6:1-8 -The wicked world to be destroyed, but Noah found favor with God
Genesis 6:9-22 -Noah receives directions to build the ark and obeys
Genesis 7:1-16 -Noah, his family, and the animals get on the ark
Genesis 7:17-24 -All creatures were destroyed save those on the ark
Genesis 8:1-5 -The ark comes to rest on Ararat
Genesis 8:6-19 -The earth is dried, and Noah, his family, and the animals leave the ark
Hebrews 11:7 -Noah, by faith, did these things

The Reward for Overcoming
Revelation 21:1-8 -He who overcomes shall inherit all things

Demonic Faith - 10/4/09am

James 2:19 -Even the demons believe that there is one God

Demons Believe in Christ

Matthew 8:28-33 -Jesus is recognized as the Son of God by demons
Mark 1:32-34 -The demons knew who Jesus was
Luke 4:31-37 -Jesus is called the Holy One of God by a demon

Demons Believe and Submit to Christ’s Authority

Matthew 8:16-17 -Jesus casts out demons
Matthew 5:13-19 -Apostles given authority to cast out demons
Luke 11:14-26 -Jesus was using the authority of God, which the demons heeded because it was stronger

Faith that is in Common with Demonic Faith

James 2:14-26 -Faith without works is dead

Profitless Faith (v 16)
Matthew 25:14-30 -The unprofitable servant

Dead Faith (v 17)
Romans 6:1-22 -Must be dead to sin, alive to God

Unseen Faith (v 18)
Matthew 7:15-20 -By their fruits you shall know them

Unperfected Faith (v 22)
Hebrews 5:12-6:3 -Go on to perfection

Unjustifiable Faith (v 24)
Galatians 2:6-17 -A faith in Christ that justifies

The Holy Spirit - 9/20/09pm

This sermon will hardly be all-inclusive or exhaustive on speaking of the Holy Spirit. Nor do I claim to perfectly understand Him and His work. But the Holy Spirit is a subject worth studying, so let us consult the scriptures!

The Holy Spirit is a Person of God
The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force that emanates from God. The Holy Spirit is one of the three Persons of Deity.
Acts 5:1-11 -Holy Spirit and God are used interchangeably
Matthew 3:13-17 -The Son, the Father, and the Holy Spirit
Matthew 28:18-20 -Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit and the Bible
The scriptures are give to us by the Holy Spirit, working through men. The Bible is not a book of stories that men came up with, but given by God.
John 14:25-26 -The comforter, the Holy Spirit, will teach the apostles
I Peter 1:10-12 -The Gospel was taught by those who preached by the Holy Spirit
II Peter 1:19-21 -All prophecy came from the Holy Spirit
II Timothy 3:16-17 -All scripture is God-breathed

The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit
Much confusion exists when speaking on the subject of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. That the Holy Spirit dwells in the Christian is simple Biblical truth. The means by which He does so is sometimes more difficult to understand. To this purpose, it becomes useful to see consider the indwelling of the Father and the Son.
Ephesians 3:14-19 -Christ dwells in the Christian’s heart by faith
John 14:19-24 -The indwelling of the Son and Father through faithful obedience
Galatians 3:1-14 -The Spirit dwells in us by faith
Romans 10:17 -Faith comes by hearing the word of God
Acts 5:26-32 -The Holy Spirit given to those who obey
Galatians 3:26-4:7 -The Spirit dwells in those who are sons (those who have been baptized)
What we see then is that the Holy Spirit dwells in us by faith, through the word of God. It is not a personal literal indwelling anymore than the indwelling of the Father and of the Son. It is also worth noting that everything that the Holy Spirit does for us is also stated as the word of God doing for us, showing the means by which the Holy Spirit has chosen to operate.

(The Power Point chart showing the verses correlating the Holy Spirit to the Bible are available upon request)

The Holy Spirit and Salvation
The Holy Spirit is involved in our salvation. Not by a miraculous event, but in our faithful obedience to the will of Christ, we are washed by the Spirit of God.
I Corinthians 6:9-11 -Washed, sanctified, and justified by the name of Christ and by the Spirit of God
Titus 3:1-8 -Salvation by Christ and the Holy Spirit
Matthew 28:18-20 -Be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

Church Growth - 7/12/09am

Individual Growth
Before we focus on the growth of the church as a collective, let us spend time considering the growth that each Christian must have.
II Peter 3:17-18 -Grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord
II Peter 1:5-11 -Add to your faith...
Luke 17:5-10 -Increase our faith
Luke 2:51-52 -Christ grew

Luke 22:31-34 -Strengthen the brethren
Hebrews 10:24-25 -Do not forsake assembling yourselves together
I Corinthians 14:20-25 -If someone comes into the assembly

Numerical Growth
It is important for the church to grow in number. Not so that we can have more impressive numbers or more money, but rather so that as many can be saved as possible.
Acts 2:46-47 -The church grows
Acts 4:1-4 -The church grows
Acts 11:22-24 -The church is strengthened and grows
Acts 12:24 -The word of God grows
Acts 19:20 -The word of the Lord grows
I Timothy 2:1-7 -The Lord desires all men to be saved

I Corinthians 9:19-23 -Become all things to all men to save some
I Corinthians 3:1-9 -Men teach, God gives the increase

Spiritual Growth
It is vitally important that everyone grows spiritually. As we grow as individuals, we can strengthen others. And as we all grow together, and as we grow in number, the church will grow spiritually as a collective.
Ephesians 4:11-16 -Different roles for the edification of the body
Acts 14:21-26 -The souls of the church are strengthened
Colossians 2:16-19 -The church grows with the increase from God

Revelation 3:1-6 -Sardis, the dead church

"There is no God" - 6/21/09pm

Psalm 53: 1 -The fool says in his heart, there is no God, and so sin
Psalm 14:1 -The fool says in his heart, there is no God, and so sin
The psalmist begins both of these psalms by detailing a group of people: those who say that there is no God. And in this foolishness, disregarding the Lord, they choose to sin.
Psalm 19:1-3 -Creation tells of the glory of God
Romans 1:18-23 -Creation teaches of the divine nature
I Corinthians 1:17-25 -The wisdom of the gospel


Psalm 53:2-3 -The Lord looks for someone seeking Him, and finds none
Psalm 14:2-3 -The Lord looks for someone seeking Him, and finds none
These verses consider that the Lord is unable to find people seeking Him. This is not to say that no one was serving the Lord, but only that it was a small minority.
Genesis 18:16-33 -The Lord cannot find 10 faithful men in Sodom
Hebrews 11:6 -The Lord rewards those who seek Him


Psalm 53:4 -Don’t evil doers see God’s judgments?
Psalm 14:4 -Don’t evil doers see God’s judgments?
Those who have turned from God, even to the point of denying Him, do not see His judgments and works. Much like the Israelites in the time of Moses, they choose to ignore the great things that God has done, and the warnings that god has given.
Numbers 14:1-9 -The Israelites, ignoring God’s actions, rebel against Him


Psalm 53:5 -An unnecessary fear
Psalm 14:5 -And unnecessary fear
The unrighteous often have a fear of things in their life. Going beyond concern and crossing into fear, there is great worry about the things in this life. There is also often a fear of death. Someone following the Lord does not have these fears, trusting in the Lord.
I John 4:7-5:2 -Perfect love casts out fear

Psalm 14:6 -Evildoers compared with those who find refuge in God
In this verse, those who do not follow the Lord are compared with those who do. The unbeliever does not listen to the believer, scorning the word of God. The believer, in turn, finds refuge in the Lord.
Acts 7:51-60 -Steven is not heeded, finds refuge in the Lord


Psalm 53:6 -Prayer that the Lord will save His people
Psalm 14:7 -Prayer that the Lord will save His people
David calls to the Lord to save His people at the end of this psalm. We too should have such a focus: of seeking the Lord’s approval and of trusting in the Lord’s salvation. That is, of finding refuge in the Lord.
Matthew 1:18-23 -Jesus, who will save the people from their sins
I Peter 1:3-9 -The salvation of your souls

Go - 4/19/09am

Genesis 12:1-9 -Abraham told to go to a strange land, and he goes

• Abraham had the faith to do as God commanded, even without full details or understanding.
• Abraham’s faithful obedience was immediate, not “after a while.”
• Abraham’s faithful obedience had effects that lasted for thousands of years.

Genesis 19:12-31 -Lot told to go out of Sodom and to the mountains, wants a compromise

• Lot wanted to compromise with God, to go to Zoar instead of the mountains.
• He is permitted to do as he wills.
• In the end, he does as he was told to: he goes to the mountains. However, he is in worse shape than he would have been if he obeyed when the Lord commanded.

Exodus 3:1-14 -Moses told to go to Egypt, makes excuses

• Moses was given a difficult instruction.
• Moses offered excuses to try to avoid doing what was difficult.
• In the end, Moses obeyed, and consider the consequences.

Jonah 1:1-16 -Jonah told to go to Nineveh, tries to flee

• Jonah is given a task which seems onerous to him.
• Instead of offering obedience or attempts at compromise or excuse, he directly disobeys.
• He is punished for his disobedience, yet is given a chance to repent. Doing so, much good is accomplished by following the Lord’s command.

Acts 9:1-19 -Saul/Paul told to go to Damascus, Ananias told to go to Saul, both do as instructed

• Saul is given instructions to go to Damascus, which he obeys.
• Ananias is told to go to the street named Straight, and find Saul.
• Because of their obedience, a soul is saved. And that leads to many more saved souls in the future.

Matthew 28:18-20 -Apostles are told to go do all the world, teaching and baptizing

• Just as these others were told to go, so are we commanded.
• We must not offer excuses, attempt compromises, or disobey. Rather, we must obey in faith, that souls might saved.
• This command is no less imperative than that given to Abraham, Lot, Moses, Jonah, Saul, or Ananias.

John 14:1-6 -Christ goes to the Father, preparing a place for the faithful

• Christ has gone to prepare a place for those who faithfully obey.
• If we truly follow Him, we too will go and join Him for eternity.

Faith, Love, and Works - Bonus Sermon!

-Somehow I neglected posting this one back at the beginning. So here it is.-

Often we try to combat the false doctrine of “Faith Only” by saying, “No! You have to do works too!” While this is certainly a true statement, the way we usually handle it allows everyone involved to use their precomposed responses and answers and defenses for their respective doctrine, and sadly, opportunities are lost this way. Perhaps it behooves us to consider it from a different perspective, yet still well within the confines of scripture. Perhaps if we come at it from a slightly different scriptural perspective, we can get past the immediate responses, and be more effective, as well as enhancing our understanding of God’s will and word.

Matthew 22:34-40 -First of all, Love God
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 -Fear and obey

Is Solomon, using God’s wisdom and inspired to write this book, contradicting Jesus? Obviously not. Perhaps they write of two different things, and the most important thing for us to do is not the same as the whole of man? I don’t think so. I think they are saying the same thing, yet in different words. Love is fear (I think we can correctly define this as reverential faith) and obedience (actually doing the works God wants us to do).

The Greek (although I do not claim to be a Greek scholar whatsoever) of what we’re looking at bears this out nicely, I think.

Faith = pistis = a firm persuasion or trust
Works = ergon = work, employment, or a task
Love = agapao = an active love of service, sacrifice, and working for the good of another

So, essentially:

pistis + ergon = agapao

Let us recognize that love, faith, and works are all necessary for us:
I Corinthians 16:22 -If no love, then be anathema
Hebrews 11:6 -No faith, then no pleasing God
Hebrews 5:9 -Salvation is for those who obey

Let us consider the close relationship between these three things.

Works and Love
John 14:15 -If you love Christ, obey Him
I John 2:15-17 -Love not the world (ie, love God) and do His will
I John 4:7-12 -Love requires action, even on God’s side of things
I John 5:3 -Love is keeping His commandments
II John 6 -Love is walking in obedience

Faith and Love
I Corinthians 13:13 -Love is greater than faith
I Peter 1:8 -See and love what we do not yet see
II Thessalonians 2:10-12 -No faith, then no love
John 8:42-47 -They have no love for Christ, so they lack faith
John 5:36-47 -They lack faith in Christ, so they have no love for God

Faith and Works
John 6:29 -Faith is a work
Mark 16:16 -Faith is coupled with obedient action for salvation
Acts 2:38 -Inherent (in their question) faith must be acted on for salvation
James 2:14-26 -Living faith requires works
Romans 10:17 -The word leads to faith
II Timothy 3:16-17 -The word leads to and prepares for works
Hebrews 11:6 -Faith is coupled with active seeking
Hebrews 3:16-19 -Unbelief is equated with wrong actions and sin

And of course, we recognize that works/obedience is not the action of earning your way into heaven, but simply fulfilling what we were designed to do. It’s nothing exception, just fulfilling a basic function. Just as people do not earn raises and promotions through the minimum, so doing works does not earn heaven.
Ephesians 2:8-10 -We are made for good works
I Corinthians 9:17 -Simply fulfilling a charge
Hebrews 13:20-21 -Equipped by God to do His will

These three things are inseparable. Faith and works are both necessary for love. If you properly love someone, do you not seek out things to DO to please them? And can you love someone you have no faith or trust in, or do now know? Of course not! We understand this in our physical, mortal lives. How can we not understand and apply this to our spiritual life and relationship with God?

And of course, as in all things, there is an opposite side. What if you do not live obediently? What if you lack faith? What if you do not love God?

Philippians 3:18-19 -Enemies of Christ have their mind (ie love) on earthly things
II Timothy 3:1-5 -Lovers of self (not God) are disobedient
Titus 1:16 -Those who do not know God (and thus, no faith) are disobedient
Revelation 21:8 -Outside are the unbelieving, idolaters (who love something more than God), and those who practice evil (are disobedient)

So the question we have to ask ourselves is, quite simply, do we love God? We have looked at what it is to love God. Do you put your faith in Him? That’s more than just believing that He is, but rather putting your trust and confidence in Him. Are you obedient to His will? Are you willing to do the simple things He requires? Are you willing to not do the things He says not to do? Do you love Jesus? Will you not now put your faith in Him and obey?

O Ye of Little Faith - 1/18/09am

Hebrews 11:1 -Faith is

Luke 12:22-30 -Will he not clothe you?
The disciples’ lack of faith resulted in worry and concern. If our faith is not what it should be, then we too will be overcome with worry and concern for the things that God can provide.

Matthew 8:24-27 -Jesus calms the storm
Once again, we see a lack of faith resulting in concern. Moreover, we see a lack of faith in the ability of God to carry out His plan and to protect His Son.

Matthew 14:22-36 -Peter tries to walk on water
Even when Peter cried out to the Lord, he was rebuked for his little faith. I daresay he showed more faith than most of us do! Nonetheless, he doubted the power of Christ. If our faith is not what it should be, we too will doubt the ability of the Lord to do as He said.

Matthew 16:1-12 -Beware the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees
The lack of faith of the disciples’ resulted in not understanding what Christ said. We must put our trust in the Lord, or we will misunderstand. We will not take heed of what is said, and we will fall.

Matthew 17:14-20 -The disciples fail to cast out a demon
The disciples’ faith was insufficient to do the will of God. If we are lacking in our faith, we too will fail to do what the Lord requires of us.

Luke 7:1-10 -The centurion’s great faith
We see here what having great faith is: look at the centurion’s complete conviction regarding the power and authority of the Lord. And we see the result is that the Lord hears him, and grants him a blessing.

Matthew 15:21-31 -The Canaanite woman’s great faith
Once again, we see that great faith is an absolute conviction: in this case that even the smallest part of Christ’s power would be enough to make her daughter whole.

Luke 17:5 -Increase our faith
Acts 16:1-5 -Churches increased in faith and grew in number
II Corinthians 10:12-16 -As your faith is increased
II Thessalonians 1:1-5 -Your faith grows exceedingly
We must strive to grow in faith. We cannot remain stagnant and of little faith. We must move beyond being of “little faith” and increase to “great faith.”

Creating & Maintianing Faith - 12/14/08am

While we often discuss what faith is and what the role of faith is in salvation and daily life, we will take some time to look at a different aspect of faith: how scripture creates faith in a person, and how scripture maintains that faith.

Creating Faith
What does the Bible provide us with, that we might come to believe?
John 20:30-31 -Written that we might believe
Romans 10:17 -Faith comes by hearing
Romans 16:25-27 -Prophecies provided to build faith

What Faith is Created?
For that matter, what is our initial belief supposed to be? How much must we know in order to have faith and obey?
I John 5:1-5 -Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God
I Corinthians 15:12-28 -The resurrection
Acts 2:14-41 -Pentecost - “simplicity” of initial faith
Matthew 16:13-16 -The good confession
Acts 8:26-40 -What the Ethiopian believed
-Jesus, the Christ, is the Son of God
-Obedience is necessary (Hebrews 5:9)

Maintaining Faith
How much of the Bible was written to maintain faith in the faithful?
Romans 1:1-7
I Corinthians 1:1-3
II Corinthians 1:1-3
Galatians 1:1-5
Ephesians 1:1-2
Philippians 1:1-2
Colossians 1:1-2
I Thessalonians 1:1
II Thessalonians 1:1-2
I Timothy 1:1-2
II Timothy 1:1-2
Titus 1:1-4
Philemon 1-3
Hebrews 3:1
James 1:1
I Peter 1:1-2
II Peter 1:1-2
II John 1:1-3
III John 1
Jude 1-2
Revelation 1:4-6

Acts 2:42-47 -The disciples after Pentecost

God's Full Plan of Salvation -7/6/08am

We are often faced with the plan of salvation. We attempt to teach it to those in the world, we teach it to each other, and it is brought up at least once each service. Many denominations have an abbreviated view of salvation. Most say that one simply needs to believe. Some say that all is necessary is a sprinkling of water. I have talked to some who say that if you believe you will go somewhere when you die, then you will go there – in other words, that you create your own heaven (I guess that means that if your heaven is Toledo, Ohio, then you go to Toledo when you die). Here are the “5 steps of salvation,” as they are often called.

1. Hear
Romans 10:14-17
Proverbs 28:9
Isaiah 55:3
Acts 11:14

2. Believe
Romans 5:1
Hebrews 11:6
John 3:16; 8:24
Acts 16:31

3. Repent
Luke 13:3
2 Corinthians 7:10
Acts 2:38; 3:19; 11:18; 17:30

4. Confess
Mt 10:32-33
Luke 9:26
Rom 10:9-10
Acts 8:36-37

5. Baptism
1 Peter 3:21
Mk 16:16
Acts 2:38


Sometimes an adventurous person will throw in a sixth step – “continued obedience” or “remain faithful.”
Remain Faithful
Matthew 10:22
Revelation 14:12

A while back, my dad taught a class on salvation and condemnation. He was given some material to use in teaching, and he discovered an interesting thing. Nowhere in the material was the word “grace” to be found!

While I understand that this serves for initial conversion, I think that we are leaving a few things out. Perhaps we often forget that our life as a Christian is not a checklist. Here’s a list I’ve compiled of things that the Bible says are for salvation. This is by no means complete. I’m sure I missed things in my search.

God Has Provided

Father Isa 12:2; Tit 3:4-5; Rom 6:23; 8:33; 1 Ti 4:10; Eph 3:8-11
Son Mt 1:21; 1 Ti 1:15; Heb 5:8-9; Lk 19:10
Holy Spirit 1 Cor 6:11; Jn 14:26; 16:7-13; Eph 6:17
Grace Acts 15:11; Rom 3:24; Eph 2:8-9; Tit 2:11-12
Love Jn 3:16; 1 Jn 4:7
Mercy Tit 3:5
Hope Rom 8:24; Tit 1:2
Life of Christ Rom 5:10
Cross 1 Cor 1:18; Gal 6:14
Blood 1 Jn 1:7; Rom 5:8-9; Eph 1:7,13-14; Heb 9:22; 1 Pe 1:18-19; Mt 26:28
Name of Christ Jn 20:30-31; Acts 4:10-12; 10:43
Bible (Gospel) Rom 1:16-17; Jas 1:21; 1 Cor 15:1-4; 1 Pe 1:23
Preachers/Messengers 1 Cor 1:21; Mk 16:15; 2 Th 2:14
Truth John 8:32; 2 Thess 2:10

Man Must Respond

Hear (Words) Rom 10:14-17; Prov 28:9; Isa 55:3; Acts 11:14
Faith (Believe) Rom 5:1; Heb 11:6; Jn 3:16; 8:24; Acts 16:31
Repent Lk 13:3; 2 Cor 7:10; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 11:18; 17:30
Confess Mt 10:32-33; Lk 9:26; Rom 10:9-10; Acts 8:36-37
Baptism 1 Pe 3:21; Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38
Works Jas 2:24; 1 Jn 3:24; Jn 6:28-29
Obedience Heb 5:8-9
Endurance Mt 10:22; Rev 2:10
Ourselves Acts 2:40

Implied

Fear Ps 111:10; Prov 1:7; Prov 9:10
Eagerness/Diligence 2 Ti 2:15; 2 Pet. 1:10
Study Ezra 7:10; Jn 5:36-39

Basic Salvation - 4/6/08pm

To give credit to where credit is due, my brother in law originally developed this as a Wed. night invitation, and then let me take it and flesh it out a bit more into a "full length" sermon, but it is really his. I just like it enough to steal it.

Basic Salvation

Why should I become a Christian?

Because it is man’s basic purpose…
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 -Fear God and keep His commandments
Matthew 22:34-40 -Love the Lord your God
It is our calling…
I Peter 5:10 -Called us unto his eternal glory
Because of heaven…
I Peter 1:3-5 -Incorruptible inheritance in heaven
I John 2:24 -Promise of eternal life
Because God wants it…
II Peter 3:9 -God wants all to repent, not perish
Because of God’s love…
John 3:16 -For God so loved…
Mark 15:15-39 -The crucifixion

How do I become a Christian?

God has done His part:
Grace…
Ephesians 2:4-10 -Saved by God’s grace
The Church…
Ephesians 5:25 -Christ gave Himself for the church
Instructions…
II Timothy 3:16-17 -All scripture

Now we have to do our part:
Trust His grace…
Ephesians 1:7, 13-14 -In Him you trusted
Join His church…
Acts 2:38, 41, 47 -The baptized were saved, added to the church
Obey His instructions…
Matthew 28:18-20 -Obey all things Christ has commanded

Who is the Invitation for?

All Men
Romans 3:21-23 -All have fallen short and need salvation
Romans 5:18 -All are condemned, all can be justified

When should you heed the invitation?
Before you die…
James 4:13-14 -Life is a vapor
II Corinthians 4:16-18 -Our outward man is dying
Before the Lord comes…
II Peter 3:10-13 -We don’t know when it will be

What if I should lose my salvation?
It IS possible to forfeit your salvation…
Galatians 5:4 -Fallen from grace
Hebrews 6:4-6 -Those who fall away
It is possible to repent and receive salvation after you lose it…
II Corinthians 7:9-10 -Paul commends Corinth for doing so
I John 1:9 -God promises to forgive our sins
To maintain our saved status…
II Timothy 4:6-8 -Fought the good fight, finished the race
Galatians 6:9 -Read the harvest if we do not give up