Saved wk 6

My Salvation is Secure    Part B   

Ephesians 1:13-14

THEME:   That the follower of Christ may know our Salvation is Secure!

Three Questions of Importance:

1.      How is a Person Saved?

a.     In Christ

b.     Through hearing

c.     By belief

2.     How do you know if you have been saved?

a.     God has marked you

b.     God has sealed you

6 Evidences of the Holy Spirit

1.      The fruit of the Spirit is giving off evidence in your life.  {Galatians 5:22-23}

2.     The gifts of the Spirit will be evidenced. 
{1 Corinthians 12}

3.     The Holy Spirit brings the Conviction of Sin. 
{John 16:8}

4.     The Holy Spirit will guide us into God’s truth and His word matter to you. 
{John 16:13}

5.     The Holy Spirit will lead us in life’s decisions.
{Romans 8:14}

6.     The Holy Spirit will comfort us in times of Trouble.

 {John 14:16}

3.     Can a person loose his or her salvation?   

^ESV Ephesians 1:13-14  In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.   {emphasis by pastor}

Saved wk5

My Salvation is Secure

Ephesians 1:13-14

THEME:   That the follower of Christ may know our Salvation is Secure!

Three Questions of Importance:

1.  How is a Person Saved?

A.      In Christ

B.      Through hearing

Statement of Truth:

There is a big difference in hearing the words and embracing the message

Question:  What do people do with the message?

1.      Some people romanticize the message

2.     Some people resist the message

3.     Some people reject the message

4.     Some people rebel against the message

C.      By belief

Question:  Is your faith saving faith?  

1.      A faith that saves means a turning from

2.     A faith that saves means a turning to

3.     Saving faith is total commitment

To be continued...

Saved wk 4

Assurance of My Salvation   

John 8:30-31

Statement of Truth:

The greater the potential loss the greater the need for assurance becomes.

Questions to Consider:

“Can a person really loose his soul?”

Answer:

              What is the Soul?

Answer: The soul is the immaterial part of you

Statements of Truth:

             Every person’s soul needs to be saved

              The assurance of being saved is the most important thing in your life

            Assurance for your salvation is possible

              Many people believe in Jesus, {at least they profess, “I believe in Jesus”}  But  everyone who      
                   makes that profession is not saved

           Belief that is partial, belief that is merely intellectual, and belief that is superficial is never 
                  authentic.

5 False Assurances

         1.      I prayed the sinners prayer

         2.     My parents are saved

         3.     I work for the Lord

         4.     I go to church

         5.     I am a good person

Are You Saved {Part III}

Are You Saved    {Part C}

John 8:31

Great Question:  ARE YOU {really} SAVED?

I.               MANY PEOPLE BELIEVE IN JESUS

Statement of Truth:

If my faith has not changed me it has not saved me

II.              GENUINE DISCIPLES ABIDE IN JESUS

Evidence Number 1:  Abide in the Words of Jesus

Evidence number 2:   Growth in my walk with Jesus

III.            GENUINE DISCIPLES FIND TRUE FREEDOM

A.    Free from the POWER of sin

B.     Free from the PAIN of sin

IV.  FALSE DISCIPLES DO NOT RECOGNIZE BONDAGE

Bondage Check Up:             {questions to ask yourself}

1.            Do you have a secret sin that is increasing its control in your life?

2.           Do you have the capacity to hold on to an offense?

3.          Do you have a reflex reaction toward reminder about sin in your life?

4.          Do you find overt discussions about spiritual intensities aggravating?

5.          Do you battle a critical spirit toward people who appear devoted to Christ?

V.              FALSE DISCIPLES DO NOT REMAIN IN CHRIST

What is Fruit?

I've been preaching a series on fruit.  Emphasizing the need to have and produce fruit.

Keep in mind biblically speaking the answer is not phrased in the plural.   We are not talking about the fruits of the Spirit.   We are talking about the fruit of the Spirit.     

If you go into a supermarket,  and walk down the produce aisle,  you can select broccoli,  and lettuce,  cucumbers.   You might want a  tomato,  and a squash.    However, you might not want a pepper,  kumquat,  or  brussels sprouts. 

The point is this: you can select what fruit you want to put in your buggy.   In God’s economy, the fruit is just that all one big gift.   You don’t get to choose which ones you grow.    

If you are developing Christian character than you will be developing Christian fruit.

The goal of our Christian life is Christ likeness,  and if that is true then the traits we develop reflect HIS character.   In Galatians chapter 5 versus 22 and 23 Paul describes the fruit of the Spirit in nine terms. 

Peter encourages the development of seven characteristics of the fruit of God.  {See 2 Peter 1:5-8}

Two of these terms are common in both list:   love and self-control

The other characteristics that are mentioned  are joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, virtue, knowledge, endurance, godliness, and brotherly love.

 Peter is bold when he tells us that if these qualities are yours,  and if these qualities are increasing,  if they are growing,  then they will keep you from being ineffective.   In fact Peter says that they will keep you from being unfruitful  in your Christian life.  

If we lack the roots we will never expect to grow  on fruit,  and if we fail to grow fruit than we are nearsighted, blind, and have forgotten that we have been cleansed from sin.

Peter says be careful then that you are diligent,  and he gives us an amazing promise:  If we practice these qualities we will not fail.

Paul on the other hand contrast the fruit of the Spirit to the workings of the flesh.

The works of the flesh lead to destruction.  we become one with the devil.  However, the fruit of the Spirit leads us to be one with Christ!

If you want to change your conduct than change your character.   Right character will produce right conduct.   Who you are and who you become will cause you to act in certain ways.

Today,  I want to bring you to a point of decision.   

I want to ask you is there evidence of fruit in your life?   If not, you need to seriously back up and ask why.   Have you received the word of God’s Kingdom?   Are you seeking to grow roots in the word of God, the kingdom of God?    Those are decisions only you can answer.