Untitled Sermon (3)

test of faith 8 and 9

INTRODUCTION:

OUTLINE:

POINT 1——THE SPIRIT:

In 1 John chapter 4 verse 13 we find the eighth test of faith. This test is that we have received the Holy Spirit.

1 John 4:13 “hereby we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.”

We know that we reside in him and he in us because of his spirit. Jesus spoke about this in

John 14:23 “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my word: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”

What a marvelous thing the christian life is. Did you know that out of all the religions in the world Christianity is the only one where the God of the religion comes and lives inside of you! How on earth could you have the living God. The Holy God residing in you and there be no evidence at all?

You walk in darkness, you confess no sins, you don’t obey the truth you have recieved, you hate your brother, you love the world, and you practice sin and yet claim that the Holy God of the bible dwells inside of you!?!

It just simply can not be. If You truly are residing in Christ and him in you then there would be evidence that such a miraculous thing had happened.

So then what are these evidences?

First is: The spirit bears witness

Romans 8:16 “The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God:”

Again we see something contrary to simply reciting a prayer of scheme of theology. But actual literal relationship between the Holy Spirit of God and our spirit.

When I was still blind to the truth but confessing to have it. This verse and this idea that there really is a literal communion between The Holy Spirit and my spirit confused me. For me I knew no such thing. When I prayed this wasn’t a reality for me. If only someone cared enough about the word of God, to have exercised church discipline, and sought me out when I stopped going to church. And took me through the scriptures. What sins could have been prevented. As James says

James 5:19–20 “My brethren, if any among you err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he who converteth a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins.”

However the true christian would know something of the spirit testifying.

Second evidence:

The fruit of the spirit would be noticeable in your life.

we see what the fruits of the spirit are in galatians

Galatians 5:22–23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control; against such there is no law.”

If you are not truly in Christ and he in you then you can not have true Joy. You may have happiness but not true joy. In a world full of conflict -Conflict in the home, in the marriage, in the schools, in the government, only true peace can be found for your soul in The Christ. The christian can examine themselves and see this. Christ is the Good shepherd.—— The Lord is my shepherd He maketh me lie down in green pastures, He leadeth me nest to the still waters, He restores my soul.

Only when a truly repentant sinner sees the Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, and Long suffering of the Savior can they ever truely possess these traits with true sincere humility. In a world that teaches everyone to be boastful and consume it is the work of the spirit that shows humility and self control.

POINT 2:DISCIPLINE

Hebrews 12:5–8 “and ye have forgotten the exhortation which reasoneth with you as with sons, My son, regard not lightly the chastening of the Lord, Nor faint when thou art reproved of him; For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, And scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. It is for chastening that ye endure; God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father chasteneth not? But if ye are without chastening, whereof all have been made partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.”

Those who are true children of God are disciplined by God. If there is no chastening then you are not a child of God. Paul refers here to Esau. This is the brother of Jacob. The bible says that God said in the womb God had decided to Love Jacob and hate Esau. And how is this seen? He allowed Esau to live how he wanted. But a chastened Jacob. Because A father who loves his children will discipline them because he loves them

POINT 3: Salvation is a person

Not one of these tests of faith question the professing believer—”Have you asked Jesus into your heart?” or “At one point in your life did you pray a prayer? well did you mean it?”

Why is this? Isn’t prayer a vital part of the christian walk?

CONCLUSION: