Return to list of sermons M - S



TITLE: Only Ones?
TEXT: Ephesians 4:1-6
PROPOSITION: The religion of Jesus is exclusive.
QUESTION: Which?
KEY WORD: Conclusions
SCRIPTURE READING: Same

INTRODUCTION:

  1. When one teaches a specific doctrine – Others will cry, "Exclusive"
  2. "You think you are the only ones to be saved, going to heaven"
  3. "You think everybody else is lost." "Narrow-minded!"

It Ain’t My Job

  1. Jesus is the righteous judge. 1 Timothy 4:1; John 12:48
  2. I do not know your heart, intentions, faith, or desire.
  3. Even if I saw the external actions – What was the heart?
  4. Not my job to – develop doctrine, write rules, establish requirements

Law of Excluded Opposites

  1. Dark is the absence of light – If A then NOT B
  2. Valley vs. hill; Good vs. Evil; Cold vs. Hot; Day vs. Night; On vs. Off
  3. IF – My conclusions are right – others will be wrong.
  4. IF – My conclusions are wrong – others could be right.
  5. NOTE: All of us could be wrong. We can not all be right.

Evangelistic Desire

  1. We want others to know what we have learned.
  2. News – Weather – Sports – School activities
  3. REALIZE – There are many rumors, lies, gossips in our world.
  4. We could be misinformed. (Jacob about the death of Joseph)

Danger – Many misunderstand Assurance as Arrogance

  1. NOTE: Some do cross the line – Self-righteous, "Holier-than-thou"
  2. Luke 18:9 – "who trusted in themselves that they were righteous"
  3. BUT: Many are sincere, believe they have learned what is right.
  4. This is "Blessed Assurance", Hope, Faith,
  5. 2 Timothy 4:6-8 Fought good fight, Kept the faith, Finished the course

Common Agreement Must be Found

  1. Accept the Bible – Inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
  2. Believe in Jesus – Son of God, Savior, Death – Burial – Resurrection
  3. Need to Study – learn, grow, increase in knowledge (2 Peter 3:16; 2 Timothy 2:15)
  4. We must obey Jesus – Lord, Ruler, Master (Hebrews 5:8-9, Matthew 7:21)

Conclusion:

  1. We can agree – You believe the Bible, don’t you?
  2. When you do what the Bible commands, you will be saved? Agree?
  3. Great! Now our task – study together, learn together, grow in knowledge together

Return to list of sermons M - S