Get Back On Track

Proposition: Good works can not take the place of a heartfelt relationship With Christ.

Introduction: Faith without works is dead. So is works without love

1 Corinthians 13:3

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Jonah was a bigot (he never enjoyed the blessing of God)

I. “I know”

    A. What does it mean to ‘know’?

1. To be aware of (cognizant)

2. To posses information about (know of)

3. To be acquainted with (familiar)

4. To have experience

    B. How does Christ know us? Intimately

Psalm 139.

1  O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. 2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. 3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.  4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. 5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. 12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.  

    C. What Christ Knows.

1. Thy works (occupation)

2. Thy labor (troubles)

3. Thy patience (endurance)

4. And has borne (held up or supported)

II. “I have some what against thee”

    A. We get off track when we loose focus of the main point (Jesus)

    B. Jesus must be the object of your love. (Example of Peter)

        1. Get back on where you left off

John 21:15-17

15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Conclusion: He is a God of the second chance:

            Before                        (after)

    Abraham was a liar (he believed God)

    Moses was a murderer (he chose God)

    David was an adulterer (he loved God)

        Paul persecuted the Church (he was not ashamed of God)

Philippians 3:13-14

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.