Sermon Tone Analysis

| Sermon Series (Lake Hills church of Christ) |

| *Shane Robinson 7~/2008* |

| *The Costs of Life* |

 

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Table of Contents

The Costs of Life – Pt.1.

3

Conviction is costly.

3

The Costs of Life – Pt. 2. 5

Unity is costly.

5

The Costs of Life – Pt. 3. 8

Salvation is costly.

8

The Costs of Life – Pt. 4. 11

Knowledge is Costly.

11

 

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!! The Costs of Life – Pt.1

!! Conviction is costly

*Introduction:*

1.                   Earlier last week I paid $4.05 for a gallon of 89 octane gasoline.

a.

To look on the bright side, it does not take as long to pump 20 dollars worth into your vehicle, and you can easily do the math (5 gallons = $20).

b.

To look at the reality of the situation, the nation’s economy is hurting because of the high gas prices.

2.                   We live in a world where prices are increasing in every area of life

a.

As a result, many people are being more frugal with their money.

b.

Or, on the other side of the coin, many people are wanting something for nothing.

3.                   We could spend all day discussing money, the economy, things of a physical~/material nature, but we are not here to primarily discuss these issues.

4.                   In our lesson today we want to focus on the costs of life primarily in a spiritual way.

a.                   Everything of value comes with a cost.

b.                  Jesus said, “What shall it profit a man if he should gain the whole world and loose his own soul, and what shall a man give in exchange for his soul”?

(3x in NT; Mt.16:26; Mk.8:36; Lk.9:25)

c.

So we conclude that the spiritual nature of man is much more valuable than the physical.

d.

We understand this in some way or we would not be here today.

*I.

**BEING CONVICTED CAN BE COSTLY*

 

A.

Three Hebrew boys paid the price for being convicted (Dan.3).

1.                  Their conviction led them to reject the king's commandment to bow down to the image (Dan.

3:14).

2.                  It took conviction to face the fiery furnace, yet this act of faithfulness was rewarded by God (Dan.

3:16-17).

B.

Stephen paid the price for standing firm on his convictions (Acts 7).

1.                  Stephen had an opportunity to lie in order to save his life (Acts 6:8-7:1).

2.                  Stephen did not hold back the truth although he was in danger (Acts 7:51ff).

C.

God does not always rescue His people from danger while they live on the earth, but will save them in the afterlife (Rev.2:10).

*II.

**COMPROMISING IS MUCH MORE COSTLY*

 

A.

Compromise: to give or accept less than what was originally wanted.

1.                  E.g.

selling our car~/home for less than we wanted.

2.                  The Bible is full of examples of people who compromised Gods law and were punished (Cain, Lot’s wife, Moses, Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Anninas and Saphira).

Let’s notice just a few examples.

B.                 Pilate (Matt.27;

Mk.15; Lk.23; Jn.18)

1.                  Pilate knew Jesus was innocent yet he was too weak to do the right thing (Matt.27:11-26).

2.                  Pilate wanted to keep the peace, so he gave in to the people (Mk.15:8-15).

3.                  No doubt this decision cost him his conscience, and as far as we know, it cost him his soul.

C.

The 10 virgins (Matt.25:1-13)

1.

The 5 foolish virgins compromised what they thought would be enough (Matt.25:3).

2.                  The 5 foolish virgins took the advice of the other virgins and left.

As a result gave up their opportunity to meet the bridegroom (Matt.25:8-10).

3.

Even though the 5 foolish virgins pleaded, the outcome did not change (Matt.25:11-13).

D.

Agrippa (Acts 26:24-32)

1.                  Agrippa knew the truth (Acts 26:27), but compromised it by not obeying the gospel (Acts 26:28).

2.                  Agrippa was almost persuaded, almost but lost.

a.

How many people do we know who are just a couple of steps away from becoming a Christian, but for whatever reason do not make the final step of being baptized?

b.

How many people do we know that a just a couple of steps away from confessing their sins and asking for the prayers of the church so they may be restored and for whatever reason walk out those doors and go about the life in an unsaved condition?

3.                  As my grandfather used to say, “there is no such thing as a half a Christian.”

a.

I.e.

you are either saved or you are not, there is no in-between.

b.

People are not going to be able to just barely make it into heaven.

*Conclusion:  [*What did we learn today?]

1.

We learned that conviction can be costly.

a.

If we are faithful, God will save us either here (as he did the three Hebrew boys)...

b.

Or in the hereafter (as he did with Stephen).

2.                   We learned that compromising the truth is much more costly.

a.

Not making the right decision can haunt us for the rest of our lives (Pilate).

b.

If we go off what we think is acceptable to God and not upon what He has told us through His word then we will be disappointed in the Day of Judgment (5virgins).

c.

If we compromise putting off getting right with God now, we may not have another chance (as with Agrippa).

3.                   Why do you wait dear brother, oh why do you tarry so long.

Your savior is waiting to give you, a place in His sanctified throng.

a.

Why do you wait dear brother, the harvest is passing away.

The Savior is longing to bless you.

There’s danger and death in delay.

b.

Why not, why not, why not come to him now.