It is hard to put into words what we saw God do in our midst this past Sunday. It was just one of those sacred times when God settles down among us as we are in a spirit of obedience to Him. I thank God for the testimonies in the 11am worship service of what God is doing in your lives. I praise Him for displaying His power in our lives and in our church. I once heard the phrase that "A church alive is worth the drive." I believe that...and it is obvious, even in the middle of Summer, that many of you do as well!
Here's a brief recap of our messages from Sunday:
Sunday AM
Series: "Deeper" (#1)
Subject; Assurance of Salvation
Sermon: "Oh Yes I Know!
Scripture: 1st John 5.6-13
INTRODUCTION
1. We are beginning a series on Sunday nights entitled, "Deeper." In this series, we are going to reveal the building blocks of our faith...how to go and grow Deeper in our walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. How to grow closer to God and walk in a greater obedience to Him on a daily basis. "Deeper!"
2. If you want to go Deeper in your walk and in your faith, you have to begin with the foundation: the assurance of your salvation. You will live in defeat if you wake each day wondering whether you are "saved" or "lost."
3. Based on Scripture, we can know beyond the shadow of a doubt that we are a child of God. You should never have a "Hope So" salvation when the Bible teaches that you can have a "Know So" salvation.
$$ Statement: You will never go Deeper with God if you do not have this foundational truth settled in your life.
*John outlines for us in our text the truth of salvation:
I. SALVATION IS BASED UPON HIS WORK (6)
A. Notice the Sacrifice (6)
1. He Speaks of the Water
2. He Speaks of the Blood
B. Notice the Symbol (6)
"blood"- salvation, conversion, judicial cleansing
"water"- sanctification, continuous cleansing, practical cleansing
*The blood of Jesus saves me. The water of the Word cleanses me!
II. SALVATION IS AFFIRMED BY HIS WITNESS (9-12)
*His witness (Holy Spirit) in me confirms my salvation.
*God sent Christ to accomplish our salvation, but He sent Holy Spirit to empower us to flesh out our salvation.
**The witness of the Holy Spirit is indispensable if we are going to be saved and have the assurance of our salvation.
A. This Witness is Reliable (8)
B. This Witness Reveals (9-10)
C. This Witness Plays a Role (11-12)
REMEMBER: The Holy Spirit will always point us to Jesus Christ...
"Any parade that emphasizes the Holy Spirit over the Lord Jesus Christ is in direct contradiction to the Word of God." Dr. Akin
- The witness (testimony) of the Holy Spirit is found in v.12!
III. SALVATION IS EVIDENCED IN MY LIFE IN ACCORDANCE TO GOD'S WORD (13)
A. Our Basis for Assurance- the Word of God!
- Not remembrance
- Not feelings
*The truth of the Word of God is our basis for the assurance of our salvation
B. The Behavior of Our Assurance
1) Joy!
2) Service!
Dwight L. Moody: "I have never known a Christian who was any good in the work of Christ who did not have the assurance of his salvation."
CONCLUSION
Dr. Adrian Rogers suggests that John gives us 3 tests to reveal how salvation should show up in our behavior:
1. The Commandment Test (1st John 2. 3-6)
2. The Companion Test (1st John 3.14)
3. The Commitment Test (1st John 5.10,13)- are you trusting Jesus right now- Him alone- as Savior and Lord of your life?
**Is there any evidence in your life today that you are the offspring of the living God?
Sunday PM
Series: "The Church Ablaze" (#2)
Subject: The Early Church in Acts
Sermon: "The Portrait of a Great Church"
Scripture: Acts 2.41-47
INTRODUCTION
$$ Statement: The ultimate aim of evangelism is not only to produce converts, but also to produce disciples.
- Converts become disciples when they are involved in the kind of church Luke describes in 2.41-47. The Acts 2 church is A Portrait of a Great Church.
"The verses between 41-47 describe what happens when God breaks loose in a group of ordinary men and women!" Harbour
- Notice the core values of a great church. A great church is:
I. ROOTED IN THE WORD OF GOD (42)
*Converts become disciples thru the study of God's Word.
II. SERIOUS ABOUT THE WORSHIP OF GOD (42, 46, 47)
A. Worship that is Active (Vibrant) (42, 46-47)
"Worship is a verb." -Babbie Mason
B. Worship that Uplifts (43)
C. Worship that Attracts (47)
*Converts become disciples thru Biblical worship.
III. COMMITTED TO FELLOWSHIP AMONG THE PEOPLE OF GOD (42, 44, 46)
PRINCIPLE: God never intended the Christian to go it alone. *Converts become disciples thru fellowship with other Christians in the setting of the local church.
IV. EXPERIENCES THE POWER OF GOD BY PRAYER (42-43)
A. Devotion to Prayer (42)
William Barclay: "They (early church) always spoke to God before they spoke with man; they always went into God before they went out to the world; they could meet the problems of life because they had first met with God."
B. Displays of Power (43)
fear, awe, wonders, signs
- Maybe we don't see awe and wonder in the church today because we don't labor in prayer.
*Converts become disciples thru the disciplined practice of prayer.
V. SACRIFICES IN ORDER TO MINISTER TO OTHERS (44-45)
- Their caring and sharing caused the culture around them to stand up and take notice.
- This church was more interested in giving than receiving. ministering than being ministered to.
*Converts become disciples thru serving and other ministry.
CONCLUSION
- I am attracted to the Acts church. I want BRV to follow her example. They made such an impact because they came together from all regions and ethnicities and shared a common faith in Jesus Christ.
*What does a great church look like?
1) The Word of God is Foundational
2) Biblical Worship is Transformational
3) Commitment to One Another is Non-negotiable
4) Prayer is a Priority
5) Ministry is Carried Out
*Who are we BRV?
*Who do we want to become?
BENEDICTION: Remember during the highs and lows of this week that: "Anything short of Hell is grace." -Bill Stafford
Until Next Time,
Bro. Pastor
Eph. 3.20
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