February 2010
Feb 7 AM
"THE GOSPEL OF MARK"
Jesus Blesses Little Children (10:13-16)
INTRODUCTION
1. Jesus had just finished His teachings on the sanctity of marriage...
a. As an institution ordained of God
b. As a bond that should not be broken
2. When parents brought their little children...
a. To be touched by Him - Mk 10:13
b. To lay His hands on them and pray - cf. Mt 19:13
I. THE NARRATIVE
A. PARENTS BRING THEIR INFANTS...
1. The verb tense suggest the parents' persistence ("kept on
bringing") - Mk 10:13
2. Mark uses a word (paidia) that can mean children up to twelve,
while Luke uses a word (brephos) that indicates infants - Lk 18:15
3. Mark later says Jesus "took them up in His arms", suggestive of
infants - Mk 10:15
The parents desperately wanted Jesus to touch and pray for
their babies
B. DISCIPLES REBUKE THE PARENTS...
1. The disciples rebuke those who were bringing the children - Mk 10:13
2. Perhaps they believed Jesus too important to be disturbed, the
infants too insignificant
The disciples again show mistaken zeal, as we are all wont to
do
C. JESUS REBUKES HIS DISCPLES...
1. When Jesus saw what His disciples were doing, He was indignant
- Mk 10:14
2. The infants were to be allowed, "for of such is the kingdom of
God" - ibid.
3. In fact, one must receive the kingdom "as a little child" to
enter it - Mk 10:15
Jesus was angry with His disciples, but He used the opportunity
to teach them
D. JESUS BLESSES THE INFANTS...
1. He first took them up into His arms, laid His hands on them
- Mk 10:16
2. He then blessed them, likely in the form of praying for them
- cf. Mt 19:13
While busy in His ministry, Jesus took time to pray for these
babies
II. THE APPLICATION
A. BASED ON EISEGESIS...
1. Some use this passage to support infant baptism
a. Though the earliest mention of infant baptism is around 200
A.D.
b. It began only after the doctrine of original sin developed,
that infants are born in sin
c. The practice increased as baptism became viewed as a sign or
seal of the covenant God has with His people, akin to
circumcision - cf. Gen 17:10-12
d. This connection is further assumed from Paul's mention of
baptism as a spiritual circumcision - cf. Col 2:11-12
e. Yet both here and in Colossians, it is reading into the text
(eisegesis) what is not there
2. Contrary to Biblical evidence regarding baptism and the new
covenant
a. There is no real evidence of infant baptism in the
scriptures
b. The guilt of sin is not inherited - Eze 18:20
c. Baptism requires faith and repentance, of which infants are
incapable - Mk 16:16; Ac 8:37; 2:38
d. In the new covenant, no one has to be taught to know the
Lord; unlike the old covenant where infants had to be taught
to know the Lord (infant baptism would make that distinction
of the new covenant meaningless) - cf. He 8:6-13
e. Paul's comparison of baptism to circumcision pertains to the
act of cutting away, not of being a seal or sign of the
covenant - Col 2:11-12
Reading cherished views into the Scriptures is tempting, but is
it rightly handling the Word of God? - cf. 2Ti 2:15
B. BASED ON EXEGESIS...
1. Receiving the kingdom
a. Jesus used the children to teach qualities necessary to
enter the kingdom of God
b. Childlike virtues like trustful simplicity, unassuming
humility - cf. Psa 131:1-2
c. To receive the kingdom, we must be poor in spirit, meek
- cf. Mt 5:3,5; Mt 18:3-4
2. Receiving the children
a. Jesus demonstrates His love for children, willingness to
take time for them
b. His disciples should show similar concern for little
children
c. Are we willing to make time for children? Be good role
models? - cf. Mt 18:6,10
3. Praying for the children
a. All children need our prayers, just as the parents requested
for their infants
b. Even though infants may not be in a state of sin, their time
will come soon enough
c. Especially in this day and age, where children are bombarded
with so much evil
Others may read into the scriptures, let's to read out of them
what the Lord intended
CONCLUSION
1. Have we taken to heart the lessons Jesus intended for His
disciples...?
a. To receive the kingdom of God with a childlike trust and humility?
b. To show an appreciation and love for little children?
c. To pray for them and their parents?
2. May we as disciples of Christ never be too busy...
a. To take time for the littlest of children
b. To learn from them as to how we should be in the kingdom of God
c. To pray for them, to encourage them in both word and deed
"...for of such is the kingdom of God." - Mk 10:14
Feb 14 AM
"THE ART OF CONFESSING OUR SINS"
Psalms 51:1-19
INTRODUCTION
1. Do you remember the joy and the relief you experienced when you were
baptized?
a. Knowing that your sins had been washed away by the blood of
Christ?
b. Knowing that you then stood before God holy and without blame?
-- Wouldn't it be great to experience that same joy and relief, time
and again?
2. There is no reason why you cannot!
a. Even though you may have sinned terribly after your baptism
b. For God has made provision whereby we can enjoy the continual
cleansing of the blood of Christ!
3. Not by being baptized again and again...
a. But by confessing our sins to God - cf. 1Jn 1:9
b. For God who is faithful and just has promised to forgive our
sins!
Just as we were raised from the grave of baptism cleansed by the
blood of Jesus, so we can rise from our prayers knowing that we
have been cleansed from all unrighteousness!
4. The key is to confess our sins...
a. But how does one do that effectively?
b. Are there some things to keep in mind as we confess our sins?
5. In Psalms 51, we have what David wrote after he was guilty of
adultery with Bathsheba...
a. He provides an example of how one should confess their sins to
God
b. He provides what I like to call "The Art Of Confessing Our Sins"
I. APPEAL TO GOD'S MERCY AND LOVE (1-2)
A. NOTE THE BASIS OF DAVID'S PLEA FOR FORGIVENESS...
1. "according to Your lovingkindness"
2. "according to the multitude of Your tender mercies"
David sought forgiveness based upon God's lovingkindness and
tender mercies
B. THE PARDON WE SEEK SHOULD HAVE AS ITS BASIS...
1. Not in the merit or worthiness of man
2. But in the goodness and grace of God!
C. AS WE SEEK "WASHING" AND "CLEANSING" FROM OUR SINS...
1. Don't base our appeal on our past accomplishments
a. E.g., how much we have done for the Lord
b. E.g., how long we have been a member of His church
2. But upon the goodness and mercy of God!
a. Appeal to His mercy and grace!
b. Knowing that He is slow to anger and abounding in mercy!
- cf. Ps 103:8-10
Remember the parable of the Pharisee and the publican!
- Lk 18:9-14
II. ACKNOWLEDGE OUR SINS TO GOD (3-4)
A. NOTE HOW DAVID ACKNOWLEDGED HIS SIN...
1. He did not try to hide it: "my sin is ever before me"
2. He admitted that it was a sin against God Himself: "Against
You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in your
sight"
a. While it is true he had sinned against Bathsheba, Uriah,
his own wife...
b. ...David knew that it was ultimately against God Himself!
3. He accepted the condemnation of God against him
a. That God was both "just" and blameless" in judging him
b. As God did when He sent Nathan to condemn him
B. AS WE CONFESS OUR SINS...
1. Appreciate that this is key to receiving God's grace - cf.
1Jn 1:9
2. Acknowledge the sin; while we may at times simply confess to
be sinners, it never hurts to actually mention the sin for
which we seek forgiveness
3. Understand that all sin is ultimately a sin against God
Himself!
4. Don't fault God (His Word or His messengers) when we are
exposed and condemned for our sins!
III. UNDERSTAND WHERE WE ARE AND WHERE GOD WANTS US (5-6)
A. UNTIL FORGIVEN, ONE IS DEEP IN SIN...
1. Using hyperbole so common in poetic language, David describes
the depravity in which he finds himself
2. He is not trying to escape responsibility by saying he was
born that way; only that he knows he is utterly sinful
B. BUT GOD DESIRES MUCH MORE...
1. David knew that God wanted:
a. "truth in the inward parts"
b. "wisdom in the hidden parts"
Again, figurative hyperbole illustrating that truth and
wisdom are to be as pervasive as sin had been!
2. David knew that God desired to provide more than just
forgiveness, He also desires:
a. Total restoration, with understanding and wisdom on our
part
b. That we be equipped for faithful service
IV. PRAY FOR RENEWAL AND RESTORATION (7-12)
A. DAVID DESIRED MORE THAN JUST FORGIVENESS OF SIN...
1. He does pray for forgiveness, using figurative language in
asking God...
a. To purge him with hyssop - Ps 51:7
b. To wash him whiter than snow - Ps 51:7
c. To hide His face from his sins - Ps 51:9
d. To blot out all his iniquities - Ps 51:9
2. But he also sought for more; he desired...
a. Joy and gladness - Ps 51:8
b. A new heart, and renewal of a steadfast spirit - Ps 51:10
c. Continuation of God's presence and Spirit - Ps 51:11
As summarized in verse 12: "Restore to me the joy of Your
salvation, and uphold me with Your generous Spirit."
B. AS WE CONFESS OUR SINS...
1. We should look to God for more than just forgiveness!
2. We should also ask for:
a. A complete renewal and total restoration!
b. A return to "the joy of salvation" (that joy experienced
when we first obeyed the gospel! - e.g., Ac 8:35-39)
V. RESOLVE TO OFFER GRATEFUL SERVICE (13-17)
A. DAVID RESOLVES...
1. To teach other sinners and transgressors - Ps 51:13
2. To praise God for His righteousness in delivering him from sin
- Ps 51:14-15
a. Knowing that God delights in something more than animal
sacrifices - Ps 51:16
b. A broken spirit and contrite heart is what really pleases
God - Ps 51:17; cf. Isa 66:1-2; 57:15
B. SUCH RESOLUTION IS IN KEEPING WITH TRUE REPENTANCE...
1. For God desires more than just forgiveness, but total
restoration - cf. Ps 51:6
2. And zealous service is indicative of true repentance, as
taught in 2Co 7:10-11
C. AS WE CONFESS OUR SINS...
1. We should look beyond obtaining forgiveness for past sin
2. We should look beyond obtaining present joy and gladness of
heart
We should be making commitments regarding future service!
VI. PRAY FOR GOD'S PURPOSES (18-19)
A. DAVID OFFERED A PRAYER REGARDING GOD'S PURPOSES...
1. That God would fulfill His purpose for Zion - Ps 51:18
2. That God would be pleased with Israel's sacrifices - Ps 51:19
Thus his confession of sin ends with a desire for that which
pleases God
B. AS WE CONFESS OUR SINS...
1. We should not be selfish, praying for only our needs
2. What about God's desires? His purposes?
As Jesus taught us in "The Lord's Prayer", it is important to
pray for God's will as well as our own
CONCLUSION
1. I hope I have not made the practice of confessing sins sound
complicated...
a. Certainly there are occasions where a simple "I have sinned..."
may suffice
b. As illustrated in the prayer of the tax collector - Lk 18:13-14
2. Yet if we desire to be less self-centered in confessing our sins, we
can follow David's example:
a. Appeal to God's mercy and lovingkindness
b. Acknowledge our sins to God
c. Understand where we are and where God wants us
d. Pray for renewal and restoration
e. Resolve to offer grateful service
f. Pray for God's purposes
3. By praying as David did, we are to sure to experience two things:
a. Forgiveness itself
b. The joy of forgiveness
As David expressed in Ps 32:1-5, written after receiving
forgiveness for his sins
The Christian who confesses his sins is the truly happy individual
for they have the
assurance of salvation (cf. 1Jn 1:9).
Have you confessed your sins to God today?
Feb 14 PM
"THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW"
The Value Of A Soul (16:26)
INTRODUCTION
1. After telling His disciples and others nearby the cost of being His
disciple, Jesus asked...
"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and
loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his
soul?" - Mk 8:36-37
2. In these words of Jesus we are reminded of the value of the soul...
a. It is the most valuable possession one has
b. All the wealth and power one might gain is not worth the price of
one's soul!
3. It is a lesson we do well to remember, and so in this study we shall
examine three questions...
a. Does the Bible teach that man has a soul?
b. Why is one's soul so valuable?
c. What will one give in exchange for his or her soul?
I. DOES MAN HAVE A SOUL?
A. SOME TEACH OTHERWISE...
1. Such as members of the Watchtower Society (i.e., "Jehovah's
Witnesses")
2. Who say man "is" a soul, not "has" a soul
3. The controversy revolves around the multi-faceted use of the
words for "soul"
a. The Hebrew is "nephesh", and at times it may refer to:
1) Animal life - Gen 1:20-21 ("living")
2) The person - Num 31:19 ("killed any person")
3) The body - Num 6:6 ("a dead body")
4) Something distinguished from the body - Isa 10:18 ("soul
and body")
5) Breath - Job 41:21 (referring to Leviathan)
b. The Greek word is "psuche", and at times it may refer to:
1) The person - 1Pe 3:20 ("eight souls saved by water")
2) Life itself - Jn 13:38 ("lay down your life")
3) Something distinguished from the spirit - He 4:12 ("soul
and spirit")
4) Something distinguished from the body - 1Th 5:23
("spirit and soul and body")
5) That which exists after the body is dissolved - Mt 10:28
("kill the body but not the soul")
Those who deny that man "has" a soul fail to consider that
words may have many different meanings and applications
B. THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT MAN EXISTS AFTER DEATH...
1. In the teaching of Jesus
a. Man is both body and soul, and the soul can survive murder
by a fellow man - cf. Mt 10:28
b. The story of Lazarus and the rich man - cf. Lk 16:22-23
1) Some say this is only a parable
2) Even if it is (which is highly unlikely), parables were
"true to life" stories, not fantasy!
c. His promise to the thief on the cross - Lk 23:42-43
2. In the teaching of Paul
a. There is "the inner man" that can renewed, even while "the
outer man" decays - 2Co 4:16-18
b. One can be with the Lord, while absent from the body - 2 Co 5:6-8
c. There is a part of man that can be "out of the body" - 2 Co 12:3
d. One can be dead, yet still be with Christ - Php 1:23
e. Reference is made to the "spirits of just men" - He 12:
22-23
3. The teaching of Peter
a. He wrote of those who are "dead, but live in the spirit"
- 1Pe 4:6
b. He described the body as a tabernacle to be put off...if
the body is a tabernacle (dwelling place), what dwells in
it? - 2Pe 1:13-14
c. The unjust are under punishment, just like some angels
- 2Pe 2:4,9-10
4. John, in the Revelation given to him, saw "souls of those
slain", and they were capable of crying out with loud voices,
and being comforted - Re 6:9-11
There is also much material in the OT
II. WHY IS THE SOUL OF MAN SO VALUABLE?
A. IT IS MADE IN GOD'S IMAGE...
1. Man was created in the image of God - Gen 1:26-27
a. Yet God does not have a physical body like ours - Jn 4:24;
Lk 24:39
b. Therefore it must be our soul, or spirit, that is in God's
image
2. This is what enable us to comprehend abstract concepts as:
a. Life, death, eternity
b. Things of beauty
c. A moral sense of ought, right and wrong, good and evil
Making us more than just animal creatures - cf. Ps 8:3-8
B. IT IS THAT PART OVER WHICH WE HAVE MUCH CONTROL...
1. The body is mostly the result of genetics
a. We might be able to change a little through exercise,
plastic surgery, etc.
b. But we cannot stop the eventual aging and dying process
2. The soul, however, is different...
a. Despite one's genetics, there is much that can be changed
b. By cooperating with God, we can change attitudes,
dispositions, character - Ro 12:1-2; Ga 5:21-22; Col 3:12-15
C. IT DOES NOT CEASE TO EXIST AT DEATH...
1. The body dies, and soon returns back to the dust
a. The soul, or spirit, returns back to God - Ec 12:7
b. Awaiting the resurrection of the body - cf. 1Co 15:35-58
2. After which comes the Judgment - He 9:27; 2Co 5:10
a. The soul, in its resurrected body, will bear the brunt of
that Judgment
b. Either eternal life, honor, glory, and immortality - Ro 2:7
c. Or indignation, wrath, tribulation, and anguish - Ro 2:8-9
Which is why we need to evaluate all things (possessions,
decisions, actions) from an eternal perspective, from the
soul's viewpoint - Mt 10:28; 16:26
D. THE COST REQUIRED TO REDEEM IT...
1. What price was required to redeem our souls from the wrath of
God's judgment?
2. Nothing less than the blood of the Son of God! - 1Pe 1:18-19
Even if we cannot fully comprehend why Jesus had to die, we
should able to see that the souls of men must be extremely
valuable if His death was necessary
III. WHAT WILL ONE GIVE IN EXCHANGE FOR HIS SOUL?
A. WHAT IT MEANS TO EXCHANGE SOMETHING FOR YOUR SOUL...
1. The word "exchange" pictures a business transaction in which
one is bartering for something else
2. "Barter" means "to trade or exchange one commodity for
another"
Thus it means to trade your soul for something else
B. THINGS FOR WHICH PEOPLE TRADE THEIR SOULS...
1. For some people, it is earthly riches and fame
a. In their quest for riches, they neglect their service to
God - 1Ti 6:10
b. Yet they have traded their souls for that which is
corruptible and can be stolen - Mt 6:19-21
2. For others, it is the "passing pleasures of sin"
a. Like the young man tempted by the harlot - Pr 5:1-14
1) In a moment's passion, lives are destroyed (AIDS,
unwanted pregnancies)
2) Marriages and families are ruined
b. Young people like Joseph, Moses, and Daniel should inspire
us to make the right choices - cf. Gen 39:7-9; He 11:24-25;
Dan 1:8
3. Then others allow their souls to be sold for some convenient
false doctrine
a. Of which we need to beware - Col 2:8,18
b. For the devil is a master at this - 2Co 11:13-15
c. Through our own lack of Bible study, we can lose the most
valuable thing we have! - cf. Hos 4:6
4. Finally, many will trade their souls through simple laziness!
a. They will not use the opportunities the Lord has given them
- cf. Mt 25:24-30
b. They fail to apply the diligence necessary to grow
spiritually - cf. 2Pe 1:5-11
CONCLUSION
1. How valuable is your soul...?
a. Think of what the rich man in Hades would tell you - cf. Lk 16:
22-24
b. Think of what the souls of the redeemed would say to you - cf.
Re 7:13-17
c. Think of what God has done to save your soul! - Jn 3:16
2. It matters not what else you do in this life, if you do not save
your own soul, you have been a complete failure...
a. You might gather about you great riches and fame, and leave
thousands of friends to mourn your departing, but if you have not
saved your soul, you have been a miserable failure!
b. On the other hand, you may die in a charity home for the poor,
and be buried in a potter's field without a single friend to
mourn, but if you saved your soul, your life was a marvelous
success!
3. You can't afford to lose your soul, for if you lose it, you lose
all...
a. To the faithful will be given the place of eternal rest
1) There will be no pain, sickness, or death there
2) It is the inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that
fades not away
3) It is that city built by the living God
b. On the other hand, there is the place of eternal punishment
1) It is where the wicked will be tormented day and night forever
2) It is where you will bemoan your great foolishness for having
sold your soul for such petty things!
4. Dear friends and brethren, you don't have to lose your soul...
a. Humbly submit yourself to the will of God
b. Let His Word guide you, and let no man beguile you of your reward
c. Overcome temptations, and suffer for His cause with rejoicing
If you do these things, you will save your soul, and heaven will
be yours, because God who cannot lie, has promised it!
Feb 21 AM
"GIVE ME THE BIBLE"
he Problem Of Biblical Illiteracy
INTRODUCTION
1. A growing problem is one of biblical illiteracy...
a. Not just by those in the world
b. Also in the church
Americans revere the Bible - but, by and large, they don't read
it. And because they don't read it, they have become a nation of
biblical illiterates." - George Gallup and Jim Castelli
2. How bad is it? Consider these results from various surveys...
a. Fewer than half of all adults can name the four gospels
b. Many professing Christians cannot identify more than two or three
of the disciples
c. 60 percent of Americans can't name even five of the Ten
Commandments
d. 82 percent of Americans believe "God helps those who help
themselves" is a Bible verse
e. 12 percent of adults believe that Joan of Arc was Noah's wife
f. A survey of graduating high school seniors revealed that over 50
percent thought that Sodom and Gomorrah were husband and wife
g. A considerable number of respondents to one poll indicated that
the Sermon on the Mount was preached by Billy Graham
"Increasingly, America is biblically illiterate." - George Barna
I. THE POISON OF BIBLICAL ILLITERACY
A. ITS EFFECT ON INDIVIDUALS...
1. God's people have always been destroyed by lack of knowledge
- Hos 4:1,6
2. Where there is lack of God's Word, the people faint - cf. Am 8:11-13
a. In ignorance they make the wrong choices
b. When they stumble, they do not know where to turn
3. Without a knowledge of God's Word, a person has...
a. No real direction or guidance in life - Psa 119:105
b. No true joy or peace in life - Psa 119:111,165
How many lives are being destroyed, how many people are
stumbling through life, because they do not have the light of
God's Word guiding them?
B. ITS EFFECT ON CHURCHES...
1. Churches languish for lack of teachers; teachers are few for
lack of knowledge - He 5:12
2. Churches are led astray by false teachers and false doctrine,
for how can the ignorant know what is false? - cf. 2Pe 2:1-3
How many churches are "dying on the vine", or into wholesale
apostasy because their members cannot discern between truth and
error?
C. ITS EFFECT ON COMMUNITIES...
1. Our standards of morality are skewed, where good is evil and
evil is good - cf. Isa 5:20
a. We slaughter the innocent (abortion), sparing the guilty (no
capital punishment)
b. We reward the wicked (movie stars, entertainers), depriving
the good (teachers, etc.)
c. Divorce is made easy, adultery looked upon lightly,
fornication "an affair, a relationship", homosexuality an
alternative lifestyle
2. The effect of such things destroy our families and communities
a. Evil (pornography, promiscuity) is allowed to spread in the
name of "freedom", ripping families apart
b. Children are deprived the kind of parenting that is their
God-given right
c. Leading to juvenile delinquency and greater evils
Consider how the moral fabric of our nation and others in the
world is becoming unraveled when "everyone does what is right
in his own eyes" - cf. Judg 21:25
II. THE ANTIDOTE TO BIBLICAL ILLITERACY
A. DAILY DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READING IN PRIVATE...
1. The truly blessed person feeds upon the Word of God daily - Psa 1:1-3; 119:97-98
2. A systematic practice of prayerful Bible reading as part of a
daily devotional...
a. Will bring a person closer to God
b. Will gradually increase one's understanding of the Word of
God
c. Will offer strength, comfort and hope that only the
Scriptures provide
Are you willing to do your part, everyday, in stamping out
Biblical illiteracy?
B. FREQUENT IN-DEPTH BIBLE STUDY WITH OTHERS...
1. The faithful Christian realizes the value of mutual edification
- He 3:12-14; 10:24-25
2. Churches often provide the opportunity for Christians to study
together
a. In their Bible classes on the Lord's day, during the week,
and in their homes
b. Where they can benefit from the knowledge of other Bible
students
Are you willing to participate in such activities to stamp out
Biblical illiteracy?
C. PARENTS ACCEPTING THEIR GOD-GIVEN RESPONSIBILITY...
1. God gave the responsibility of spiritual training to the
parents - cf. Deu 6:6-7; Ep 6:4
2. Church may provide assistance with their children's classes,
and yet...
a. Parents should not abdicate their responsibility to the
church
b. Parents should be very much involved in the teaching
programs of any church
Are you willing to accept your parental duties to stamp out
Biblical illiteracy?
D. PREACHERS FULFILLING THEIR DUTY TO THE WORD...
1. Preachers are to give heed to the Word, and to preach the Word
- 1Ti 4:16; 2Ti 4:1-5
2. We should expect preachers to be "men of the Book"
a. Preaching and teaching the Word of God, providing exposition
of the Scriptures
b. Not entertaining us with "pop theology" and "pop psychology"
Are you willing to require that preachers proclaim the Word to
stamp out Biblical Illiteracy?
Feb 21 PM
"AFTER BAPTISM, WHAT THEN?"
INTRODUCTION
1. Wonderful blessings come to those who respond to the gospel of
Christ in baptism...
a. They receive remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit
- Ac 2:38-39
b. They experience a washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy
Spirit - Tit 3:5-7
2. Indeed, by God's grace they are "saved"...
a. Saved from their past sins - cf. Mk 16:16
b. With sins washed away by the blood of Jesus - Ac 22:16; Ep 1:7
c. Becoming heirs according to hope of eternal life - Tit 3:7
3. Yet in another sense, they are still to be "saved"...
a. They must make their call and election sure - 2Pe 1:10
b. They must be careful to save themselves - cf. 1Ti 4:16
c. They must remain faithful to receive the crown of life - Re 2:10
I. THINGS TO REMEMBER
A. YOU ARE A NEW CREATURE...
1. By virtue of being in Christ - 2Co 5:17
2. Having been raised with Christ to walk in newness of life - Ro 6:3-4
God has given you new potential for living!
B. YOU ARE A BABE IN CHRIST...
1. We begin our new life as "babes in Christ" - 1Co 3:1
2. We start with spiritual "milk" - 1Co 3:2
God allows you time to grow! - cf. He 5:12-14
C. YOU ARE IN A CRITICAL PERIOD...
1. As a babe, you can be easily "tossed about" - cf. Ep 4:14
2. Satan often strikes hardest at the beginning of our service
- e.g., Mt 4:1-11
Satan would love to see you fail! - cf. 1Pe 5:8
D. YOU FACE THE POSSIBILITY OF FALLING...
1. If you allow yourself to hardened by the deceit of sin - He 3:12-14
2. Especially when you think you are strong - 1Co 10:12
God can be trusted to help us through temptations - cf. 1Co 10:13; 1Jn 2:1-2
E. YOU ARE TO BE A GOOD EXAMPLE...
1. An example of those who believe - 1Ti 4:12
2. An example in both deed and word - Tit 2:7
Others should be able to look to you as to how to live for
Christ - cf. Php 3:17
II. THINGS TO DO
A. PUT GOD FIRST...
1. Love Him with all your being - Mt 22:37
2. Seek first His kingdom and righteousness - Mt 6:33
This will ensure that you do all that is necessary to remain
faithful!
B. STUDY THE WORD OF GOD...
1. Long for the Word, like an infant longs for milk - 1Pe 2:2
2. Emulate the Bereans in their attitude - Ac 17:11
Receive the Word with meekness, and it will save you! - cf. Jm 1:21
C. BE FERVENT IN PRAYER...
1. Jesus has made it possible to approach God's throne - He 4:14-16
2. Wonderful blessings come through prayer - Php 4:6-7
Be devoted to prayer, with an attitude of thanksgiving - cf. Col 4:2
D. BE DILIGENT IN ASSEMBLING...
1. We are not to forsake our assembling together - He 10:24-25
2. It is a time for fellowship, prayer, and on the first day of
the week, the Lord's Supper - Ac 2:42; 20:7; 1Co 11:23-26
Neglecting the assemblies is a symptom of spiritual stagnation!
E. HELP SAVE OTHERS...
1. The Lord wants His disciples to make more disciples - Mt 28:19-20
2. Those diligent in saving others are more likely to save
themselves - cf. 1Co 9:19-27
Lose your enthusiasm for saving souls, and you may lose your
own!
CONCLUSION
1. While not meant to be exhaustive, these are just a few...
a. Things to remember
b. Things to do
That may be helpful for someone recently baptized
2. But not just for new Christians; for any Christian...
a. Who has left their "first love" - Re 2:4
b. For they should "repent and do the first works" - Re 2:5
These are some of the "first works" that one needs to do
Are you in need of doing the "first works"...? Perhaps you even need to
obey the "first steps" of the gospel of Christ... - cf. Mk 16:16; Ac 2:38; 22:16
