A TESTIMONY THAT PLEASES GOD
9/20/09 Hebrews 11:5
A. CLEAR TESTIMONY
1. Salvation Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
a. Singularity of salvation
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men,
b. Plurality of salvation we
c. Necessity of salvation must be saved.
d. Certainty of salvation
1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God.
2. Sanctification
a. Growing manifestation of Christ-likeness
b. More like Jesus every day
c. Awareness of Sin that leads to repentance
Galatians 2:20-21 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
B. COMMITTED TESTIMONY
1. To His Christ
Philippians 3:8-10 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
2. To His Church
a. Christian w/o Church – Life w/o Breath
b. Love Jesus you will love what He loves
Ephesians 5:25 … Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
3. To Family
a. Fulfilling the Roles as God Set them Out
1. Men – Love Your Wife & Lead!!!
2. Women – Submit & let them lead!!
3. Children –
Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
Prov. 22:15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
C. CHALLENGING TESTIMONY
1. Religious But Lost
a. Jesus had more trouble from this bunch
1) Challenged His Authority
2) Challenged His Authenticity
3) Crucified Him
b. Hypocrites – 17 xs in NT – all by Jesus!
Matthew 7:21-23 Not every one that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
2. Lost But Unconcerned
a. Day of Salvation not your choice but God’s!
2 Corinthians 6: 2 For he says, I have heard you in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored (helped) you: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
b. There comes a day When HS will not move you
a. He will leave you alone; no pressure; no call;
b. Destiny has been set & hell will be your eternity!!
3. Saved But Apathetic
John 4:35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
Matthew 9:36-38 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.
D. CALLING TESTIMONY – Challenge w/o Invitation?
1. To The Lost
a. Recognize its not to late- our your sins too great
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Psalms 86:15 But you, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
1 Timothy 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
b. Repent of Your Sins
c. Receive His Payment & thus His Forgiveness
2. To The Backslidden
2 Chronicles 7:14 – still holds true
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
3. To The Committed – Lets get Busy!!
John 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night comes, when no man can work.
Old Hymn – Work for the Night is Coming!!
Work, for the night is coming,
Work through the morning hours;
Work while the dew is sparkling,
Work ’mid springing flowers;
Work when the day grows brighter,
Work in the glowing sun;
Work, for the night is coming,
When man’s work is done.
Work, for the night is coming,
Work through the sunny noon;
Fill brightest hours with labor,
Rest comes sure and soon.
Give every flying minute,
Something to keep in store;
Work, for the night is coming,
When man works no more.
Work, for the night is coming,
Under the sunset skies;
While their bright tints are glowing,
Work, for daylight flies.
Work till the last beam fadeth,
Fadeth to shine no more;
Work, while the night is darkening,
When man’s work is o’er.
CLEAR TESTIMONY
COMMITTED TESTIMONY
CHALLENGING TESTIMONY
CALLING TESTIMONY
