How to Avoid Spiritual Failure (2)
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1 / HOW TO AVOID SPIRITUAL FAILURE
Text: “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled” ().
I. Don’t Be Unfriendly
I. Don’t Be Unfriendly
“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly” ().
A. Unfriendly Christians are doomed to defeat. They bring reproach upon themselves and discouragement to others.
A. Unfriendly Christians are doomed to defeat. They bring reproach upon themselves and discouragement to others.
B. Friendliness exhibits God’s love. It exudes warmth, welcome, and understanding.
B. Friendliness exhibits God’s love. It exudes warmth, welcome, and understanding.
C. Friendliness releases God’s power. It creates a desire in others to receive Christ as Savior, too ().
C. Friendliness releases God’s power. It creates a desire in others to receive Christ as Savior, too ().
II. Don’t Be Unforgiving
II. Don’t Be Unforgiving
“If ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” ().
A. If we do not forgive others, God will not forgive us.
A. If we do not forgive others, God will not forgive us.
B. We must forgive others in our heart although they do not ask for or want our forgiveness. There is no room for resentment in the Christian life.
B. We must forgive others in our heart although they do not ask for or want our forgiveness. There is no room for resentment in the Christian life.
C. Forgiveness erases bondage and guilt (). It brings joy, peace, love, and spiritual success.
C. Forgiveness erases bondage and guilt (). It brings joy, peace, love, and spiritual success.
III. Don’t Be Unfaithful
III. Don’t Be Unfaithful
“Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” ().
A. Many Christians are unfaithful to God and His cause. We must surrender all to Him, giving Him first place in our lives.
A. Many Christians are unfaithful to God and His cause. We must surrender all to Him, giving Him first place in our lives.
B. Faithfulness inspires confidence in others. It exhibits the keeping power of God.
B. Faithfulness inspires confidence in others. It exhibits the keeping power of God.
C. The faithful shall receive a “crown of life.”
C. The faithful shall receive a “crown of life.”
IV. Don’t Be Unfruitful
IV. Don’t Be Unfruitful
“He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit” ().
A. Many Christians are unfruitful. They never win others to Christ. Their interest is centered on material things and temporal gain.
A. Many Christians are unfruitful. They never win others to Christ. Their interest is centered on material things and temporal gain.
B. We must be concerned about others. We must help the needy, feed the hungry, and pray for the unsaved. We must care.
B. We must be concerned about others. We must help the needy, feed the hungry, and pray for the unsaved. We must care.
C. Spiritual success means winning the lost to Christ. We must witness to the lost, encouraging them to repent, believe, and accept Him as Savior and Lord ().
C. Spiritual success means winning the lost to Christ. We must witness to the lost, encouraging them to repent, believe, and accept Him as Savior and Lord ().
Russell E. Spray, Soul-Building Sermon Outlines, Sermon Outline Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1977), 5–6.