Hold on Tight
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 15 viewsNotes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.
Aaron spoke of Christians renouncing their faith
1. A Christian singer writes an attack on the faith
o A Christian singer writes an attack on the faith
2. A preacher no longer believes
Christian singers like Marty Sampson and Josh Harris write on social media renouncing faith
A Christian singer writes an attack on the faith
This is a soapbox moment so here I go … How many preachers fall? Many. No one talks about it. How many miracles happen. Not many. No one talks about it. Why is the Bible full of contradictions? No one talks about it. How can God be love yet send four billion people to a place, all ‘coz they don’t believe? No one talks about it. Christians can be the most judgmental people on the planet—they can also be some of the most beautiful and loving people. But it’s not for me.
This is a soapbox moment so here I go … How many preachers fall? Many. No one talks about it. How many miracles happen. Not many. No one talks about it. Why is the Bible full of contradictions? No one talks about it. How can God be love yet send four billion people to a place, all ‘coz they don’t believe? No one talks about it. Christians can be the most judgmental people on the planet—they can also be some of the most beautiful and loving people. But it’s not for me.
Some Christians like John Cooper (Skillet) continue to stand firm in their faith
II. While some Christians continue to stand firm in their faith
o A preacher no longer believes
Before we go on, consider that the statements are not true:
Preachers falling that no one talks about - of course they do - ever heard of Judas?
III. So, if God is real, why are so many Christians turning away from their faith?
While some Christians continue to stand firm in their faith
· While some Christians continue to stand firm in their faith
Miracles not happening - of course they do - and people always talk about the so called lack of them
Miracles are uncommon - that’s why they call them miracles
Bible full of contradictions: Which ones?
The bible is the story of a contradiction - but it is not contradicted
How can a loving God send people to hell? How could He not?
Consider the absurdity of people’s position
how many peoiple on facebook writing “free so and so” yet carry weapons to protect themselves from people just like so and so?
A holy and loving God must judge sin - righteously
So, if God is real, why are so many Christians turning away from their faith?
· So, if God is real, why are so many Christians turning away from their faith?
So, if God is real, why are so many Christians turning away from their faith?
1. If these people really had a relationship with Jesus in the first place, why would they ever turn away?
If these people really had a relationship with Jesus in the first place, why would they ever turn away?
o If these people really had a relationship with Jesus in the first place, why would they ever turn away?
If these people really had a relationship with Jesus in the first place, why would they ever turn away?
2. And what about the ones who have not? Is it just a matter of time?
And what about the ones who have not? Is it just a matter of time?
And what about the ones who have not? Is it just a matter of time?
IV. First, let no one blame God when he is tempted ()
o And what about the ones who have not? Is it just a matter of time?
First, let no one blame God when he is tempted ()
1. God does not tempt people, but everyone gets tempted
· First, let no one blame God when he is tempted (James 1)
First, let no one blame God when he is tempted ()
13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.
13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.
13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.
God does not tempt people, but everyone gets tempted
2. When they are drawn away by their own lust – from Cain, to Joseph’s brothers, to Judas, to you – everyone has a sin nature within them – a defect
o God does not tempt people, but everyone gets tempted
God does not tempt people, but everyone gets tempted
When they are drawn away by their own lust – from Cain, to Joseph’s brothers, to Judas, to you – everyone has a sin nature within them – a defect
When they are drawn away by their own lust – from Cain, to Joseph’s brothers, to Judas, to you – everyone has a sin nature within them – a defect
a. When we give into this lust, it conceives sin
o When they are drawn away by their own lust – from Cain, to Joseph’s brothers, to Judas, to you – everyone has a sin nature within them – a defect
When we give into this lust, it conceives sin
b. Sin, when it is finished brings death –
When we give into this lust, it conceives sin
§ When we give into this lust, it conceives sin
Sin, when it is finished brings death –
Sin, when it is finished brings death –
V. No one ever “reasoned” themselves into atheism.
§ Sin, when it is finished brings death –
No one ever “reasoned” themselves into atheism.
· No one ever “reasoned” themselves into atheism.
No one ever “reasoned” themselves into atheism.
1. There is more than enough evidence for faith in God
There is more than enough evidence for faith in God
There is more than enough evidence for faith in God
2. It takes far more faith to come to any other conclusion –
o There is more than enough evidence for faith in God
It takes far more faith to come to any other conclusion –
a. Concerning God, eternity, origins, or you.
o It takes far more faith to come to any other conclusion –
It takes far more faith to come to any other conclusion –
Concerning God, eternity, origins, or you.
VI. But people are drawn away by their own desires (or emotions)
§ Concerning God, eternity, origins, or you.
Concerning God, eternity, origins, or you.
But people are drawn away by their own desires (or emotions)
· But people are drawn away by their own desires (or emotions)
But people are drawn away by their own desires (or emotions)
1. Story of Brandon –
ut people are drawn away by their own desires (or emotions)
Story of Brandon –
o Story of Brandon –
Story of Brandon –
a. Had “reasoned” concerning God and came up believing
Had “reasoned” concerning God and came up believing
§ Had “reasoned” concerning God and came up believing
b. Had witnessed the personal presence of God
Had “reasoned” concerning God and came up believing
Had witnessed the personal presence of God
Had witnessed the personal presence of God
§ Had witnessed the personal presence of God
c. Witnessed the power of God to bless his life and affect his family
Witnessed the power of God to bless his life and affect his family
d. Had an amazing testimony of God’s awesome power and love
Witnessed the power of God to bless his life and affect his family
§ Witnessed the power of God to bless his life and affect his family
Had an amazing testimony of God’s awesome power and love
§ Had an amazing testimony of God’s awesome power and love
2. But, something happened…
Had an amazing testimony of God’s awesome power and love
But, something happened…
a. He renounced his faith
But, something happened…
o But, something happened…
He renounced his faith, Became addicted to weed, Family went back to former state
b. Became addicted to weed
§ He renounced his faith
He renounced his faith
§ Became addicted to weed
Became addicted to weed
c. Family went back to former state
Now claims to be an atheist
§ Family went back to former state
Family went back to former state
d. Now claims to be an atheist
§ Now claims to be an atheist
e. I don’t know what happened to change his story, but God didn’t change
Now claims to be an atheist
I don’t know what happened to change his story, but God didn’t change
§ I don’t know what happened to change his story, but God didn’t change
I don’t know what happened to change his story, but God didn’t change
3. People, when they have decided, become “willingly ignorant”
People, when they have decided, become “willingly ignorant”
o People, when they have decided, become “willingly ignorant”
a. Hear the truth, and on purpose decide not to understand.
People, when they have decided, become “willingly ignorant”
Hear the truth, and on purpose decide not to understand.
§ Hear the truth, and on purpose decide not to understand.
4. Perhaps it’s the enticement of sin
Hear the truth, and on purpose decide not to understand.
Perhaps it’s the enticement of sin
Perhaps it’s the enticement of sin
o Perhaps it’s the enticement of sin
5. Maybe the pressure of peers
Maybe the pressure of peers
Maybe the pressure of peers
6. Maybe the lure of money or possessions
o Maybe the pressure of peers
Maybe the lure of money or possessions
o Maybe the lure of money or possessions
Maybe the lure of money or possessions
7. Maybe the anger over someone lost
Maybe the anger over someone lost
o Maybe the anger over someone lost
8. Maybe they are angry over God’s righteous judgment –
Maybe the anger over someone lost
Maybe they are angry over God’s righteous judgment –
a. Like Carlton Pearson
o Maybe they are angry over God’s righteous judgment –
Maybe they are angry over God’s righteous judgment –
Like Carlton Pearson
§ Like Carlton Pearson
b. Or unwilling to accept that “good” people who do not accept Christ are lost
Like Carlton Pearson
Or unwilling to accept that “good” people who do not accept Christ are lost
§ Or unwilling to accept that “good” people who do not accept Christ are lost
VII. But none of these things change the righteous standard of God
Or unwilling to accept that “good” people who do not accept Christ are lost
But none of these things change the righteous standard of God
· But none of these things change the righteous standard of God
1. None of these things alter the preponderance of the evidence
But none of these things change the righteous standard of God
None of these things alter the preponderance of the evidence
None of these things alter the preponderance of the evidence
2. None of these things can erase the “many infallible proofs” of Jesus Christ, his death on the cross, His burial, His resurrection, and His promise.
o None of these things alter the preponderance of the evidence
None of these things can erase the “many infallible proofs” of Jesus Christ, his death on the cross, His burial, His resurrection, and His promise.
o None of these things can erase the “many infallible proofs” of Jesus Christ, his death on the cross, His burial, His resurrection, and His promise.
VIII. In fact, all of these things only further prove the infallibility of the Word of God
None of these things can erase the “many infallible proofs” of Jesus Christ, his death on the cross, His burial, His resurrection, and His promise.
In fact, all of these things only further prove the infallibility of the Word of God
In fact, all of these things only further prove the infallibility of the Word of God
· In fact, all of these things only further prove the infallibility of the Word of God
1. He told us before
He told us before
He told us before
o He told us before
2. The book of Daniel describes the turning away of even what seem to be strong Christians
The book of Daniel describes the turning away of even what seem to be strong Christians
3. Paul wrote that there would be a great “falling away” from the faith
o The book of Daniel describes the turning away of even what seem to be strong Christians
The book of Daniel describes the turning away of even what seem to be strong Christians
32 With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.
33 “Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered. 34 When they fall, they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere will join them. 35 Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.
33 “Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered. 34 When they fall, they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere will join them. 35 Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.
dan11.33-25
Paul wrote that there would be a great “falling away” from the faith
Paul wrote that there would be a great “falling away” from the faith
o Paul wrote that there would be a great “falling away” from the faith
4. In fact, He mentioned that as a sign of the return of Jesus, and said that the day can’t come until then
In fact, He mentioned that as a sign of the return of Jesus, and said that the day can’t come until then
5. Saw it as leading toward the anti-Christ being revealed.
o In fact, He mentioned that as a sign of the return of Jesus, and said that the day can’t come until then
In fact, He mentioned that as a sign of the return of Jesus, and said that the day can’t come until then
3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
2thes2.
Paul Saw it as leading toward the anti-Christ being revealed.
Saw it as leading toward the anti-Christ being revealed.
6. We are witnesses of these things
o Saw it as leading toward the anti-Christ being revealed.
We are witnesses of these things!
We are witnesses of these things
o We are witnesses of these things
IX. There is no better time to be alive as a Christian in the history of the world than now.
There is no better time to be alive as a Christian in the history of the world than now.
There is no better time to be alive as a Christian in the history of the world than now.
· There is no better time to be alive as a Christian in the history of the world than now.
1. Imagine being “found faithful”
Imagine being “found faithful”
o Imagine being “found faithful”
Imagine being “found faithful”
2. “Blessed is the one who is found doing …”
42 And the Lord said,
Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. 45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; 46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
42 And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.
“Blessed is the one who is found doing …”
“Blessed is the one who is found doing …”
o “Blessed is the one who is found doing …”
X. But there is temptation, deceit, and a broad road of followers
But there is temptation, deceit, and a broad road of followers
· But there is temptation, deceit, and a broad road of followers
1. Which road will your take?
But there is temptation, deceit, and a broad road of followers
Which road will your take?
Which road will your take?
2. Seeing all these things, what kind of person ought you to be?
o Which road will your take?
Which road will your take?
Seeing all these things, what kind of person ought you to be?
Seeing all these things, what kind of person ought you to be?
o Seeing all these things, what kind of person ought you to be?