High Hopes
I will be honest when I first saw this advertisement on Southern Baptists and Calvinsim I didn't know what to think. But as I read further this could be a good thing for the SBC. I was impressed that Southeastern Seminary and the Founders ministry are putting the two day conference on.
Click here for the advertisement
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TRUTH OR FICTION
The Plan Of Salvation
(Explained and Verified by Scripture)
Introduction: The most important considerations in life are eternal. Who will you trust? What about after death? Where will your eternal home be? How will you fare at your judgment before God?
1. Recognize the fact that you are a sinner.
A. There is none good. Psalm 14:3; 3:1-3; Romans 3:12
B. Adam’s sin passed upon all men. Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22; 1 John 1:8-10
C. Every unbeliever is a sinner by nature. Ephesians 2:3-5
2. Realize that you cannot save yourself.
A. Your righteousness is not enough. Isaiah 64:6
B. You can not do enough work to merit salvation. Romans 4:2-3; Galatians 2:8-9; 16; 2 Timothy 1:9;
Titus 3:5
C. Man at his best is in a wretched state before God. Rom 7:24
3. Understand the truth that God loves you.
A. God loves the sinner though he is the enemy of God. James 4:4; Romans 5:10
B. God loves the sinner even though he is a sinner. Romans 5:8
C. God loved the sinner enough to allow His only begotten Son to die for him. John 3:16-18
4. Accept the fact that Jesus came from heaven to become the Savior of all who would believe, including you.
A. Jesus was with the Father before man was created. Genesis 1:26-27; Isaiah 45:12;
John 1:1-3;
B. The Father knew His Son would come to earth before man was created. Ephesians 1:3-7;
1 Peter 1:18-20
C. Jesus came to earth to become the Savior of sinners. Matthew 1:21-23
5. Accept the fact that Jesus died on the cross for you personally.
A. Jesus died for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:1-2
B. Jesus died for the sins of “whosoever will come unto Him.” Matthew 10:32-33
C. Jesus died for you personally and individually. Revelation 22:17
6. Believe that Jesus was actually buried.
A. His burial was prophesied in the Old Testament. Isaiah 53:3-11
B. His burial was a New Testament reality. Mark 15:42-46
C. His burial was overcome with the resurrection. Romans 6:4-5
7. Acknowledge through faith that God raised Jesus from the dead.
A. God the Father is said to have raised Jesus from the dead. Acts 13:30
B. The Holy Spirit is said to have raised Jesus from the dead. Romans 8:11
C. Many infallible witnesses verify the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. 1 Corinthians 15:1-8
8. Make repentance unto God for having sinned against His holiness, confess Jesus as your personal Savior and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead.
A. In order to be saved, one must repent of sin. Acts 20:20-21
B. In order to be saved, one must confess Jesus as Savior, Lord and Master. Romans 10:9; Philippians 2:11; 1 John 4:15
C. In order to be saved, one must believe in their heart that God raised Jesus from the dead.
Romans 10:10-13
9. Accept the promise of God to save you once you have repented, confessed and believed.
A. God the Father has promised salvation through Christ. Titus 1:1-3
B. Jesus Christ has promised salvation to all coming to Him. John 6:37-40
C. The Holy Spirit testifies of salvation which is through Jesus Christ. John 15:26
10. Pray, acknowledging your sin before God, confessing Jesus Christ as personal Savior, committing your soul to the keeping of the Lord and turning from your sin.
Reading a prepared prayer is not what God wants. Just talk to God like you would talk to a friend. He will hear you and He will forgive you. Salvation comes by grace through faith. God provides the grace and gives you faith. Use that faith to depend upon God, surrendering totally unto the Lord.
Luke 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as [his] eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
11. Once you have received Jesus Christ as personal Savior, follow the Lord in scriptural baptism and unite with the church in order that you may learn of the Lord, grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord, develop and grow spiritually, become a servant unto the Lord and go out to win others to Jesus Christ giving glory to God.
A. Follow the Lord in baptism. Matthew 28:19
B. Unite with a local New Testament Old Line Baptist church. Matthew 5:14-16
C. Grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord. 2 Peter 3:18
D. Develop and grow spiritually. Ephesians 4:11-15
E. Become a servant unto the Lord. Psalm 100:2; Colossians 3:23-24
F. Go out and win others to Jesus. Acts 1:8; Proverbs 11:30
Conclusion:
A. Look up to Jesus the author and finisher of your faith.
B. Look within for compassion upon the multitudes.
C. Look around for opportunity to serve the Lord and others.
D. Look forward to outreach that others may be brought into the Lord’s fold.
E. Look to Jesus that you do not lose sight of your goal and purpose.
F. Look back and learn from your mistakes.
G. Look out that you not be hindered in your service to your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
WHY WE SHOULD NEVER NEED A REVIVAL--BUT DO!
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TEN REASONS WHY THE BIBLE MUST BE THE WORD OF GOD
James 1:22
Introduction: When we say "The Word of God." We mean that. Not that it contains God's Word.
I. IT IS REASONABLE.
A. God at first spoke with man.
B. Man sinned and separated himself.
C. But man still needs a guide.
1. God loves man.
2. God is all wise.
3. Therefore the Bible is provided as a guide.
II. ITS AMAZING COMPOSITION (HOW IT CAME).
A. Library of 66 books, 40 writers, and 15 centuries. The writers were from all walks of life. They were merchants, laborers, priests, farmers, kings, shepherds, fishermen, a doctor, and generals. All of various and different upbringing and education.
B. Conditions of writing. IN wilderness, dungeon, exile, prison, palace, etc.
C. Various times of writing. War and peace, good and bad, 1500 years.
D. With many various approaches, 66 books.
E. YET, IT IS A BOOK WITH NO CONTRADICTIONS.
F. An orchestra, many instruments, various parts, etc., has harmony. WHY? The Bible is harmonious because of Him who designed and created it.
III. ITS UNIQUE COMPLETENESS.
A. It dares to speak of subjects other books fear.
1. The beginning of things. Authoritative.
2. Of God, angels, and Satan.
B. Superior teachings concerning man.
1. Psychology of man -- his soul.
2 ins of man.
3. The highest of ethics and morality.
4. A sure guide to salvation and good life.
C. Great literature and prophecies.
D. The only book illuminating the gospel and story- of man's redemption.
E. What other book is so complete and thorough?
IV. ITS UNPARALLELED TEACHINGS.
A. Five principles in philosophy and religion.
1. Pleasure.
2. Self-control and fatalism.
3. Subordination of lower impulses.
4. Practical - socialism.
5. Love -- the basic principle told of in the Bible.
B. What other book can claim anything like the 23rd Psalm, Sermon on the Mount, and Model Prayer?
C. What other book relies so on the integrity of its writers?
D. The teachings of God are here.
E. Only book which shows sin as sin.
F. The only book telling man how to be saved and what to do thereafter.
V. ITS PERENNIAL APPEAL.
A. It defies all laws of literature.
1. All books die.
2. Ancient books do not interest modem people.
3. Jew does not interest the gentile - Talmud.
4. The law of the best seller. (Temporary)
B. Yet the Bible is still loved and bought. .
C. It is the model for poets, novelists, painters, and musicians.
D. All races love it.
VI. ITS SCIENTIFIC ACCURACY.
A. The Bible is not a textbook on science.
1. The Bible and true science agree.
2. With God as it's author it must be precisely and unconditionally correct.
B. Not the agreement.
1. The earth is round, Isaiah 40:22.
2. Earth has no foundation, Job 26:7.
3. Cycle of water, Ecclesiastes 1:7.
4. The blood:
a. Is the life, Leviticus 17:11.
b. All bloods same, Acts 17:26.
5. No day or night at poles, Job 26:10.
VII ITS MIRACULOUS PRESERVATION.
A. Has been fought in every century.
1. Emperor Diacletian gave part of his life to destroy it. Had a medal cast saying Christianity was dead.
2. Voltaire said it would go out of existence.
B. Let us notice it's preservation.
1. Exclusion of books from the canon.
2. Jewish captivity.
3. Dark ages Chained in churches, no printing, etc.
4. Opposition of evolution, atheists, and doubters.
Note: Suppose there was a man who had lived on this earth for nearly 1900 years. Suppose this man had oftentimes been thrown into the sea and yet could not be drowned. Suppose that he had frequently been cast before wild beasts who were utterly unable to devour him. Picture him many times being made to drink deadly poisons which never did him any harm.
Add to that, that he had often been bound in chains and locked in prison dungeons yet had always been able to throw off his chains and escape from his captivity. Suppose that he had repeatedly been hanged till his enemies thought him to be dead, yet when his body was cut down he walked away as if nothing had happened. Hundreds of times he had been burned at the stake till there seemed nothing left of him yet as soon as the fires went out, he would leap up from the ashes as well and as vigorous as. ever before.
Such a man would be a super human, a miracle of miracles, the wonder of the ages. Yet that is exactly how we should regard the Bible. It is never destroyed. THE WORD OF LWING GOD.
VIII. ITS TRANSFORMING POWER.
A. Changes lives as nothing else does.
1. All types of people have been changed.
2. How many have read Shakespeare or history book and changed?
B. Universal power over all.
C. Light and advancement follow it everywhere.
D. Men will die for it.
IX. ITS CHRIST-FULLNESS.
A. One man book. It is His book.
B. The conception of Christ rises above anything man might create.
C. He is the central theme of Bible prophecy.
D. Only book which tells of a perfect man who died and who rose again.
E. Speaks of Him in types: Adam, Isaac, Joseph, the Ark, manna, water from rock, brazen serpent, and Passover Lamb.
F. Many Bible names for Christ; 400 various titles.
1. Son of God - Son of man.
2. Bread of life - Water of life.
3. Lamb of God - The good Shepherd.
4. Lily of the Valley - Rose of Sharon.
5. Rock of Ages - Chief Comer Stone.
G. He proves it as it proves Him.
X. THE FULFILLED PROPHECY.
A. Of the Jews.
1. Their captivity, Deuteronomy 28:49,61,62.
2. Their dispersion, Deuteronomy 28:64.
3. Their regathering, Hosea 3:5; Ezekiel 37:11,12,21.
B. Of Modem inventions.
1. Airplanes, Isaiah 60:8.
2. Submarines, Psalms 107:23,24.
C. Or cities and nations.
1. Tyre, Ezekiel 26:4,5,12,14.
a. Nebuchadnezzar destroyed it, but not completely.
b. Alexander in order to take new Tyre swept the city clean to make a causeway.
2. Ashkelon, Zephaniah 2:4; Zechariah 9:5.
a. Prophecy written at least 500 years B.C.
b. Now a desolation.
3. Babylon, Isaiah 13:19,20.
a. Written at time of her greatness.
b. Destroyed.
c. Never be inhabited.
d. Arab will not pitch his tent there.
D. Or Christ.
1. Born of a virgin, Isaiah 7:14.
2. Born in Bethlehem, Micah 5:2.
3. Slaying of children, Jeremiah 31:5; Matthew 2:18.
4. Betrayed by friend for 30 pieces of silver, Zechariah 11:12,13; Psalms 41.
5. Rejected by people, Isaiah 53:2,3,6.
6. Died with thieves-buried with rich, Isaiah 53:9,12.
7. Body pierced, Zechariah 12:10.
8. No bones broken, Psalms 34:20.
9. Cast lots for garments, Psalms 22:18.
10. Dying words, Psalms 22:1;31:5.
2 Corinthians 2:14
Introduction: Since we are servants for God we should always have high goals and purposes.
I. WE SHOULD NEVER NEED A REVIVAL!
A. Because of appreciation for what Christ has done for us, Psalms 107:2.
1. Redeemed us out of the hand of the enemy.
2. Found the lost one.
3. Watered the thirsty and fed the hungry.
4. Satisfied
5. Delivered from death, Psalms 116:8.
B. Because of the abiding presence of Christ.
1. With disciples on road to Emmaus
2. Followed Paul on his journeys, Acts 26:16.
3. Matthew 28:20.
4. Hebrews 13:5, "...will never leave thee nor forsake thee."
C. Because of the assurance of God's power.
1. Samson.
2. Deborah.
3. Gideon, Judges 6:14,16.
4. Pentecost, Acts 1:8.
5. Effectual working, Ephesians 3:7.
6. Zechariah 4:6.
D. Because we have a perfect guidebook.
1. Perfectly inspired.
2. Perfect image, II Corinthians 3:18; Romans 8:29.
3. Perfect instructions.
E. Because of the indwelling leadership and power of the Holy Spirit.
1. He works in many ways as our Comforter, John 14:16.
a. Empowers and entreats.
b. Encourages.
c. Consoles (comforts).
d. Advocate.
e. Aids.
f. Leads.
g. Empowers.
2. With Him there, we should never need reviving.
II. WHY WE DO NEED REVIVAL.
A. The flesh is weak in Godly matters, Romans 8:7; 7:22,23.
B. To continue in well doing, Titus 3:8; Galatians 6:9.
C. Lost people need special reminders.
D. Our list of failures needs to be corrected.
1. We forsake our duty with little thought, no conscience, and no regrets.
2. Sermons become common place.
a. We hear without hearing; meaningless, pointless; impersonal; a task to listen to.
b. Say we enjoyed it and live on as if nothing had ever been said.
c. We do get cold.
3. Pray without praying; teach without teaching; preach without preaching; give without giving. PARADOXES OF UNSURRENDERED CHURCH MEMBERS.
4. Preachers not preach as should; prayers do not pray as they should; payers do not pay as they should; personal workers do not witness as should; members do not attend as they should.
5. So we need revival.
E. To strengthen and rebuild fellowship in church.
F. To make our Christian faith practical.
G. To enlist backslidden church members.
1. Like wandering sheep.
a. Lack food.
b. Lack protection.
c. Lack association and fellowship.
H. To have joy every day for every task.
I. There are yet victories to be won, Joshua 13:1.
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