Things That Accompany Salvation (Series Introduction “Attitude”)

Things That Accompany Salvation (Series Introduction “Attitude”)

Text: Hebrews 6:1–9 (AV)

The passage I am about to read to you this morning was written to Jews who had turned from the animal sacrifices of the Jewish worship system and had turned to this new Gospel of Jesus Christ. This passage of Scripture deal with three things: 1). The peril of not progressing. (Hebrews 6:1-8)

1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this will we do, if God permit.

2). The warning against Apostasy. (Hebrews 5:11-6:12)

4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. 3). The warning against regressing. (Hebrews 6:1-12)

Hebrews 6:9 (AV)

9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

* I am introducing a new series of sermons this morning that take is starting point form Hebrews 6:9 which points out to us that there are certain things that accompany, or go along with salvation.

* In other words there certain “characteristics” that will be found in people who are truly saved.

* If God permits me, In the next few months, I am going to take my time and attempt to go through the Bible and preach on the things the Bible says should be found in everybody that has truly been saved.

* I am going to take a “shotgun” approach to the Word of God, which will take us all over the Bible before we are through.

* Each little pellet will take us to a particular little truth that is supposed to be found in the life of a person who has truly been “born again.”

Series Summary: 1). The goal of this series of messages is to remind the church that there are some things that accompany salvation. In other words, there is a way that God intends for Christians to think and act. 2 The Word of God first changes our mind. This is why we need to be “re-minded” by the Word of God what we should be like. This is what this series of messaged is intended to do.

3). Once our mind, (attitude), has been “transformed” by the Word of God, then our actions will match up with what God intends for a Christian to look like.

Romans 12:2 (AV)

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

* Attitude will now be the key word in this study. The word of God has much to say about our Attitude. As a child of God, your attitude will determine your behavior. If you have the “attitude” God intends for a saved person to have, you will automatically behave like a saved person.

* Proverbs 23:7 tells us that as am man thinketh in his heart so is he. I other words, our attitude determines our behavior.

—John Cowper Powys said:

“ What we steadily, consciously, habitually think we are, that we tend to become.”

* The next key word in this study will be the world “Character.”

Character is what you are really made of. A person’s character speaks of the quality of person they are.

* God has ordained that the troubles and trials in this live build “quality”, or character in us as individuals.

* In other words, to make us what Christ would have us to be, god must first make us strong.

Character:

Life is a grindstone; whether it grinds you down or polishes you up depends on what you’re made of.

—Jacob M. Braude

What is “character”

1. The combination of traits and qualities that distinguish the “nature”, (natural behavior), of an individual. “The metal we are made of”

2. One of these distinguishing qualities is called a characteristic.

3. In general, “Character” mean a person of integrity. * For our purpose this morning, when we talk about the word “character “ we will be talking about what a person is supposed to behave like after they get saved.

* Character is a word that has almost ceased to be used in our culture today.

* We used to say about a person of good moral qualities such as honesty, courage, dependability, loyalty, diligence, punctuality, responsibility, self-control, determination ect., that they were a person of “Character”, meaning “good” character.

* Building character is the primary job of a parent. The most valuable gift you could ever give your children is to teach them to become men and women of character.

* Building character used to be considered one of the most important goals of our schools in this country. It used to be considered very important that as a society we teach our children that they should become men and women of “Character.”

* These are still the qualities that an employer looks for when he needs to hire someone. A person of little or bad character will hurt and cause damage to an employer’s reputation.

* Reputation and character are very similar, but with this difference: * Character is the person you are on the inside .Character is how God sees you. Character is not affected by what people think. False accusations and slanders by other people do not affect our personal character. * Reputation on the other hand, is what others think about you. It is possible to a person of good “reputation”, but be a person of bad character. You reputation is affected by false accusations and slander.

* Jesus was constantly subjected to accusations and slander by so called “religious” people while He walked this earth. * Jesus was accused of casting out demons by the power of Satan. He was accused of being a person of questionable character because he ate with “publicans and sinners” such as Zacheous and Mary Magdalene, the former prostitute.

* Jesus, despite all of the outside influences, remained a man of flawless character. On one occasion in the Bible god the father spoke from heaven about the character of Jesus:

Matthew 17:4–5 (AV)

4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

* In summary, our attitude determines what kind of character we have.

* As Christians, we are little portraits of Christ. If our lives are illustrations, or pictures of Christ, in order to portray Christ accurately, our “character” must be just like Christ’s character.

Illustration: The example of training and caring for horses.

* This is why Debbie and I believe that when it comes to dealing with young people, horses provide the perfect teaching tool to build character in their lives.

* For the young person, a horse is like a living object lesson of how God created us for His own service.

* Young people have a natural love for horses. This causes them to want to feed and care for the horses. This also causes them to want to spend time with the horses. * By using you peoples natural love for horses, it is easy to illustrate that God also loves them and desires to feed and care for them as well. * Through training and caring for houses, the young person learns that, At first, the horse by nature resists training, but eventually the horse comes to understand that the training is out of love and for their own good. This changes their attitude toward all forma of authority; parents, teachers, church leaders, police, the law ect.

* Thru caring for and training a horse young people learn the horse was created for the service of man, but he has a nature that must first be overcome. That’s why we have to break and train horses.

* The young person learns that they were created for God’s purpose, but they have a nature that must be tamed. Their will must be changed to match what God’s will is, before they can be what their creator desires them to be.

* The young person learns that being stubborn and “stiff-necked” toward their efforts to teach the horse how to act will only cause the horse to have to be disciplined. If the discipline does not work, the horse is set aside and profitable for nothing.

* I can’t think of a better way to teach character to you people, so it this is such a great way to teach young people, why not invest in this method wholeheartedly? This is what we are attempting to do with our lives. We believe this is God’s method he has chosen for us to minister to youth.

Introduction to the Series “Things that Accompany Salvation”

1). The Bible tells us that when we come to Christ “All things have become new.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 (AV)

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

* What is this new supposed to look like? How can I know if I have really been changed?

James 1:21–25 (AV)

23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

* When a man or woman looks into the Word of God, God reveals to

them to them what they really are. We see ourselves as “ugly sinners”, Jesus used the term “Whited Sepulchers”,

Matthew 23:25–28 (AV)

25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. 26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. 27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

“filthy rags”,

Isaiah 64:6 (AV)

6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

unlovely, unprofitable,

Isaiah 1:18 (AV)

18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

wicked to the core.

Genesis 6:5–6 (AV)

5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

* That’s how we used to look- but what should we see when we look into the mirror of God’s Word now? What is a Christian Supposed to be like? What image should we see now?

* The Word of God tells us that after all things have been made new!

* Now, we should look it to the mirror of Christ instead of who we used to be!

Romans 8:29 (AV)

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

2). We are commanded to have the mind of Christ. When we have attitude that Christ has, we will begin to look just like Him.

*. To have the mind of Christ is to have the same attitude that Christ had. Philippians 2:5 (AV)

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

* This is what the Bible calls “being conformed to the image of Christ.”

Romans 12:2 (AV)

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,

* (In other words- “Let the Word of God change your attitude!)”

that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

* What did Christ look like to the world? What are we supposed to be a reflection of? * Christ came to bring light to a world drowning in darkness.

John 1:1–14 (AV)

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

*The mission that God sent His only son on was to be the light of the world! * The mission that God had given to Jesus, has been passed on to those who have believed on his name. Now it’s their job to bear the light of the truth of god.

* The Christian is called to be “salt and light” in a world of darkness.

Matthew 5:13–16 (AV)

13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

John 17:17–18 (AV)

17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

Mark 16:15–16 (AV)

15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

3). The only tool we have to use to convince that world that we are have the truth, is the tool of “a changed life.” This changed life cannot take place until the Word of God changes our “attitude.”

Illustration of Phillip Keller and the Potter’s wheel:

* Phillip Keller lived in Pakistan as a boy.

* He was reading in Jeremiah 18:2 and he came across a verse that said, "Ariy shopse, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words."

* He was curious so he went the pottery shop to see how the pottery was made.

* He asked the old potter to show him every step in the creation of a clay vessel.

* He led the way to a small dark closed shed at the back of his shop, and when he opened its rickety door a repulsive overpowering stench of decaying matter engulfed him.

* Kneeling down beside the black nauseating hole, the potter reached down into the darkness and his finger's felt around the lumpy clay and withdrew a fragment of material exactly suited to his task.

* With tremendous impact the first verses of Psalm 40 came to Phillip’s heart, "He brought me up out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay." As carefully as the potter had selected the clay so God had selected me.

* The potter placed the clay on the wheel and the wheel began to spin.

* There was a pot of water by the wheel, and as the potter began to form the clay he constantly had to dip his hands in the water to keep them wet. The water allowed the potter to form the clay without it sticking to his hands.

* A beautifull goblet began to take shape between the potters hands, and the water was the medium through which the potter’s will was transmitted to the clay.- Like our Heavenly father does with His children, the potter’s will was actually being done in earth through the water.

* This is a beautiful illustration of how God molds and conforms our attitudes to His will using the Water of the Word of God. * As the potter worked with the clay he felt a spot of resistance as the material turned on the wheel. This turned out to be a piece of rock. After removing another piece of material, the goblet he was making was too scared to use, so he crushed the goblet and made it into another vessel.

* Phillip was once more reminded of Jeremiah 18:4–6 (AV)

4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. 5 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.

4). When we adopt the attitudes, (the mind of Christ), that God intends for us to have, then those who don’t know the Lord will be drawn to the Lord.

* Jesus said in John, 3 that like Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, “If I be lifted up I will draw all men to me.”

* This puts in my mind what happens when I leave the porch light on in the summertime. All the bugs in Roan count come to the light!

* When Blue Springs Baptist Church shines our light in our community it should draw every bug in Roane, or Leonor, or McMinn counties to the light! * Jesus put same principle into plain everyday English at the last supper with His disciples, just before he was arrested on that awful night.

John 13:34–35 (AV)

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

* Later the apostle Peter wrote to all of the churches in and around Asia exhorting them to draw men to Christ by the way they lived. Listen to Peter’s instructions to the wives in the church that had husbands at home who were not believers:

1 Peter 3:1–2 (AV)

1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. * Peter again, speaking to the whole church, explains that shining our light, or being the salt of the earth, or being the image of Christ involves living honestly and doing good works. 1 Peter 2:9–12 (AV)

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

* What we know directly affects how we act. We Christians claim to know the “truth.”

* The only way the world will be convinced that we really know the “truth” is if the “truth” fundamentally and fanatically changes our attitude.

* There are many areas of our attitude that are addressed in the Word of God. In this series of sermons we will attempt to look at the following areas of the Christian attitude from the Word of God:

I. Changing your Attitude involves understanding who you are.

A. Sinners sins because that is who they are.

John 8:31–36 (AV)

31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Romans 6:17–19 (AV)

17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

B. Saints live right, because of who they are.

1 John 3:2–3 (AV)

2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Illustration: The queen’s daughter

II. Who you are is not determined by what do, but by your birth.

A. You were born into the family of the Devil.

John 8:41–47 (AV)

41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. 42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? 47 He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

B. You have experienced a death.

Romans 6:6–8 (AV)

6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

C. You have experienced a “re-birth”

1 John 3:4–9 (AV)

4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

C. You have a new family, father, brothers and sisters.

Matthew 12:46–50 (AV)

46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. 47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. 48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? 49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

C. You are not an alcoholic; you are a child of God that has been lied to by the devil, and only think you are an alcoholic.

-Thief, liar, adulterer, homosexual, pedophile, hothead, abuser, pessimist, financial failure, looser…

III. To have a right attitude; you must see yourself the way God sees you.

A. Paul addressed the worst of churches as “Saints.”

1 Corinthians 1:1–2 (AV)

1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

* They were the worst church in world!

* They had divisions and wemon fighting each other in the church!

* They had church members suing one another in court!

* They had incest going on in the church!

* They had men who visited prostitutes in the church!

* They were having drunken feasts in the church!

* Those who had means were flaunting them and neglecting the more poor members of the church!

* The apostle Paul, knowing all of this addressed the church in a the letters of I and II Corinthians calling them saints.

B. God does not dwell in the past.

C. God sees the finished work.

Jude 24–25 (AV)

24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 5:25–27 (AV)

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Attitudes that Affect Individual Character

I. The attitude of Self-Discipline. (Study, work, body, sin)

II. The attitude of Self-denial. (Entitlement, relationships)

III. The attitude of Soberness. (Addictions, attractions, laziness) IV. The attitude of Diligence.

V. The attitude of Responsibility. (Family, duty, finances) VI. The attitude of Faithfulness

VII. The attitude of Endurance. (Quitters and whiners)

VIII. The attitude of Work. (Laziness, loyalty, genuineness)

IX. The attitude of Wisdom. (Education, common sense, Godly wisdom, discernment)

X. The attitude of Possibility.

Attitudes that Affect our Relationship with God.

I. The attitude of the Fear. (Of God, of Man, of circumstances)

II. The attitude of Obedience. (To God, to parents, to employers, to government, to church leaders)

III. The attitude of Holiness. (Separation, sin, set apart for service)

IV. The attitude of Hunger. (For God, for God’s will, for souls)

V. The attitude of Faith. (Salvation, Assurance, provision, future)

VI. The attitude of Growth. (Within, in the church, giving)

VII. The attitude of Gratitude. (To God, parents, church leaders)

VIII. The attitude of a Pilgrim.

IX. The attitude of Contentment.

X. The attitude of a Soldier. (Endure hardness, will to fight, fear aside)

XI. The attitude of Rest. (waiting on God, Eternal Security, for strength)

Attitudes That Affect our Relationship With the Church

I. The attitude of Submission.

II. The attitude of Forgiveness.

III. The attitude of Unity.

IV. The attitude of Humility/Meekness.

V. The attitude of Poverty.

VI. The attitude of a Peacemaker.

Attitudes that Affect those outside the Church

I. The attitude of Integrity. (With God, with ourselves, with others)

II. The attitude of Witness. (Winning souls, living clean)

III. The attitude of Hope. (In trouble, other see in us, fallen down)

IV. The attitude of Joy. (In sorrow, reaping, indicator of relationship)

V. The attitude of Love. (Tinkling cymbal, unfeigned, for the brethren)

VI. The attitude of Compassion. (Pulling them out of the fire)

Outline Summary

Text:

Introduction:

I.

II.

III.

IV.

V.

VI.

VII.

Conclusion: