Christianity, The Religion Of Choice
Gtcotr/ss011104
Key Scriptures: Matthew 7:13-14 (KJV)
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
According to Barna Research Group, www.barna.org
We ended 2003 as follows:
According to the most recent surveys:
Of all adults in the United States
99% believe that they will not go to hell when they die
84% say they are Christian
80% claim they have prayed to God
50% accept the bible as being true
40% report they attend church
38% have confessed their sins and accepted Jesus as savior
4% say they allow the bible to influence their daily decisions
Millions of Americans are spiritually satisfied but are totally confused about Christianity, the religion of choice. Somehow, like Eve in the Garden of Eden, this generation has been deceived.
Have you found Matthew, Chapter 7
15 ¶ Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
I. Matthew 7:1 "Judge not, that you be not judged.
* Romans 2:1 ¶ Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.
* 1 Thessalonians 5:12 “Know them which labor among you …”
* We are not called to be judges, but fruit inspectors.
A. You will know others … you cannot even help it, you will -
1. By their fruit
* Either The Fruit of the Spirit
Galatians 5
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
2. Or The
* Works of the flesh
Galatians 5
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,
20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
* Not, “won’t go to heaven” … just won’t live in the kingdom of God
> What is the kingdom of God? It’s not just more stuff:
* Romans 14:17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
B. Not the person who has one time fallen, but those who practice carnality will not enjoy being right with God, & you will know them …
II. Don’t Be Too Quick To Examine Others; They Will Know You Too!
John 13:35 "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
We cannot fool others anymore than they - Others will know us
By seeing our love in action
III. Like The Philippian Jailer of Acts 16:30
* “What must I do to be saved?”
* What must I do to be a reflection of God.”
A. The First Thing Is Conversion
* An instantaneous miracle
* It comes from being born again
* John 3:7 You must be born again
* When you get born again, you get a fresh life to fill up and furnish with Godly thoughts and deeds
* 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
* Getting Saved is a matter of choice
B. The Next Thing Is Transformation
* A miraculous in progress
* Romans 12:2 Transformed by renewing the mind
* Philippians 2:12 Work out your own salvation …
Matthew 13:33 Another parable He spoke to them: "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened."
Hid - mingled or mixed in
Leaven here represents the Holy Spirit
3 Measures - Spirit, Soul & Body
A woman works yeast in the dough until it works out, until the whole lump of dough is saturated with the yeast.
* Transformation & Renovation is a process
* Transformation takes working out what has been worked within. Transformation takes a lifetime of choices.
Christianity is the religion of choice
Salvation requires a choice while transformation requires a lifetime of choices.
It’s a narrow way, loving when you are not loved back, forgiving even when you see no change in the other person, serving others while others are only serving themselves … It’s a narrow way - be one of the few that finds it!
DISCIPLESHIP --- VISITOR FELLOWSHIP!
