The Kind of Religion We Need Today (4)
Notes
Transcript
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The Kind of Religion We Need Today
“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this … to keep himself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27).
I. Personal Religion
I. Personal Religion
“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).
A. Many in today’s world profess religion but have never experienced a spiritual and personal encounter with Jesus Christ.
A. Many in today’s world profess religion but have never experienced a spiritual and personal encounter with Jesus Christ.
B. We must be “born again” through repentance and faith. When God forgives our sins, He receives us into the family of God (Luke 13:3–5).
B. We must be “born again” through repentance and faith. When God forgives our sins, He receives us into the family of God (Luke 13:3–5).
II. Purifying Religion
II. Purifying Religion
“… the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).
A. Many Christians have never totally committed their lives to Jesus Christ. They falter because they persist in having their own way.
A. Many Christians have never totally committed their lives to Jesus Christ. They falter because they persist in having their own way.
B. We must surrender our will unreservedly to God’s will. Doing so brings cleansing and the presence of the Holy Spirit (1 Thess. 5:23).
B. We must surrender our will unreservedly to God’s will. Doing so brings cleansing and the presence of the Holy Spirit (1 Thess. 5:23).
III. Positive Religion
III. Positive Religion
“We know that we have passed from death unto life …” (1 John 3:14).
A. There is a lack of sureness in today’s religion. Many are vague and uncertain about their spiritual state. They declare, “I guess so,” or “I hope so.”
A. There is a lack of sureness in today’s religion. Many are vague and uncertain about their spiritual state. They declare, “I guess so,” or “I hope so.”
B. We can be positive, for we “know [in whom we] have believed.” No argument can refute the “I know,” or “I have” response (2 Tim. 1:12).
B. We can be positive, for we “know [in whom we] have believed.” No argument can refute the “I know,” or “I have” response (2 Tim. 1:12).
IV. Powerful Religion
IV. Powerful Religion
“Who are kept by the power of God through faith …” (1 Peter 1:5).
A. Much modern religion makes no claims concerning its power to save, sanctify, and sustain. It is a powerless religion.
A. Much modern religion makes no claims concerning its power to save, sanctify, and sustain. It is a powerless religion.
B. The need is for a religion with power—God’s power. He is able to forgive sins, cleanse hearts, heal the sick, and “keep that which [we] have committed unto him …” (2 Tim. 1:12).
B. The need is for a religion with power—God’s power. He is able to forgive sins, cleanse hearts, heal the sick, and “keep that which [we] have committed unto him …” (2 Tim. 1:12).
V. Productive Religion
V. Productive Religion
“… I have chosen you … that ye should go and bring forth fruit …” (John 15:16).
A. Many Christians fail to work diligently for God. Some are unconcerned; some are neglectful. Others are spiritually lazy.
A. Many Christians fail to work diligently for God. Some are unconcerned; some are neglectful. Others are spiritually lazy.
B. We must be about the Master’s business. Jesus is coming soon. We should pray for the needs of others, assist the less fortunate, and share Christ with the unsaved (Acts 1:8).
B. We must be about the Master’s business. Jesus is coming soon. We should pray for the needs of others, assist the less fortunate, and share Christ with the unsaved (Acts 1:8).
Russell E. Spray, Easy-to-Use Sermon Outlines, Sermon Outline Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1978), 48–49.