Sermon Tone Analysis

1) Why do we reject that people are saved by faith alone?

Sinner's Prayer - Recognizing the NeedThe "Sinner's Prayer" is a term that describes the words spoken by a person when he or she has recognized their sin and their need for a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

It goes something like this: 

“Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you.

I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you.

Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again.

I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer.

I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward.

Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life.

In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.”

Because the Bible plainly states that faith alone doesn't save a person.

(, , )

Supposed Bible verses support it: ; ; , ;Some examples: http://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/prayers/the-sinners-prayer-4-examples.html

It is false evangelismThe same website above had a survey question near the end asking, "Did you become a follower of Jesus today?

Click YES or NO"For the less honest, makes it easy to "convert" a large crowd at the same time.

Sinner's prayer ignores what the Bible plainly says elsewhere (consider Lesson 6)The Bible doesn't contradict itself—It is intended to be taken as a whole body of teaching.Places baptism AFTER forgiveness—a place the Bible never puts baptism!

No New Testament example of conversion by prayer.Even Paul wasn't forgiven of his sins on the road to Damascus, nor after fasting three days and nights (cf.

9:9, 11).Paul was baptized for the forgiveness of his sins (; )

Prayer for forgiveness is reserved for those who have already been baptized, and have entered the covenant relationship with Christ.Consider -10This isn't a passage about becoming a Christian—it is written to those who are ALREADY Christians, and what they are supposed to do if they sin.

So what does it mean to "call on the name of the Lord?"—Whoever "calls on the name of the Lord" will be saved...—Yet, the people there ask, "What shall we do?"—Peter didn't answer, "Well, I've already told you!

Call on the name of the Lord!"

He told them to repent and be baptizedActs 22:16—Ananias told Paul the same thing; Note the phrase here, "calling on the name of the Lord"Calling on the name of the Lord is repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins.

Long term, it often leads to insecurity about a person's salvation.[look

up story from book, "Stop asking Jesus into your heart"]Baptism itself provides (as a side effect) a point in time which a person can look back to and know that they were saved/forgiven/added to the church.

Works of obedience (as a result of faith) are a part of God's plan.

(; ; )

Works don't save by themselves; But neither does faith!

Saved by grace through faith, which leads to works that demonstrate that faith.

*Note: Baptism is NOT a work.

2) Why do we believe works are a part of a person's salvation?

The Bible connects grace, faith, and works together.

This subject isn't actually as confusing as many would make it to be.

What's difficult is "unlearning" the error that is popularly taught.

The truth actually makes more sense!

Write down the following passages:

, ,

Works themselves don't cause salvation.

(Though this is what we are often accused of believing)

Consider

Grace is accepted through faith.

No faith, no salvation.

Salvation is not a result of works.

Works are a result of faith.

(Look at things in reverse)

No faith, no works—no works, no faith—no faith, no grace.

3) Why do we reject the "sinner's prayer?"

Similar to this: "Asking Jesus into your heart," "Accepting Christ"

Often find this being used in movies, like the climactic scene of God's Not Dead.

Sometimes see it at funeral services—there's a sort of "altar call" where everyone bows their heads, then whoever "got saved" raises their hand.

(Sometimes deceit involved on the part of the preacher in these situations—Delbert's story).

From Website "www.allaboutgod.com"

Sinner's Prayer - Recognizing the Need

The "Sinner's Prayer" is a term that describes the words spoken by a person when he or she has recognized their sin and their need for a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

It goes something like this:

“Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you.

I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you.

Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again.

I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer.

I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward.

Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life.

In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.”

Supposed Bible verses support it: ; ; , ;

Some examples: http://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/prayers/the-sinners-prayer-4-examples.html

It is false evangelism.

The same website above had a survey question near the end asking, "Did you become a follower of Jesus today?

Click YES or NO"

For the less honest, makes it easy to "convert" a large crowd at the same time.

1) Sinner's prayer ignores what the Bible plainly says elsewhere.

The Bible doesn't contradict itself—It is intended to be taken as a whole body of teaching.

Places baptism AFTER forgiveness—a place the Bible never puts baptism!

2) There are no New Testament examples of conversion by prayer.

Even Paul wasn't forgiven of his sins on the road to Damascus, nor after fasting three days and nights (cf.

9:9, 11).

Paul was baptized for the forgiveness of his sins (; )

3) Prayer for forgiveness is reserved for those who have already been baptized, and have entered the covenant relationship with Christ.

Consider

This isn't a passage about becoming a Christian—it is written to those who are ALREADY Christians, and what they are supposed to do if they sin.

4) Long term, it often leads to insecurity about a person's salvation.

[look up story from book, "Stop asking Jesus into your heart"]

Baptism itself provides (as a side effect) a point in time which a person can look back to and know that they were saved/forgiven/added to the church.

So what does it mean to "call on the name of the Lord?"

—Whoever "calls on the name of the Lord" will be saved...

—Yet, the people there ask, "What shall we do?"

—Peter didn't answer, "Well, I've already told you!

Call on the name of the Lord!"

He told them to repent and be baptized

—Ananias told Paul the same thing; Note the phrase here, "calling on the name of the Lord"

Calling on the name of the Lord includes not just confession, but repentance and baptism.

[look up story from book, "Stop asking Jesus into your heart"]

Baptism itself provides (as a side effect) a point in time which a person can look back to and know that they were saved/forgiven/added to the church.