SF822 - THE RIGHT BEGINNING - 1 of 5 THE SECRET TO STEADFAST FAITHFULNESS (Acts 2 38)
Acts 2:38
Introduction
Faithfulness is essential!
Ø It has been well said that “Christian faithfulness is the test of reality.”
Ø If any one thing marked the early church, it was this characteristic of steadfast faithfulness.
Ø After the days of Pentecost we read that the believers…
(Acts 2:42 NKJV) "… continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers."
Faithfulness is missing!
Often in our day, so-called Christians are like hothouse plants. They seem to be all right as long as the conditions are just right, but as soon as the circumstances change they wilt and die.
What we need in the Church are hardy plants that are full of sap under all kinds of conditions; Christians who live for God every day, no matter who comes, or who goes, or what happens!
For this quality of steadfast faithfulness, there must be a right beginning.
This involves:
1A. The Proclamation of the Gospel (2:22-24)
1B. The essential nature to the Gospel
(Romans 10:14, 17 NKJV) "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? …{17} So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
No one can or will be saved without hearing the gospel.
2B. The essential elements of the Gospel
(1 Corinthians 15:3-4 NKJV) "For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, {4} and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,"
His death provided for our forgiveness
(Hebrews 9:22 NKJV) "… without shedding of blood there is no remission."
His resurrection insures our victory
(1 Corinthians 15:54-57 NKJV) "So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." {55} "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" {56} The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. {57} But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
2A. The Conversion of the Sinner
1B. Regeneration is required (36)
We are all sinners.
“whom you crucified”
(Romans 3:23 NKJV) "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"
(Romans 6:23 NKJV) "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
We cannot save ourselves.
(Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV) "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, {9} not of works, lest anyone should boast."
2B. Regeneration is received (37)
(Ephesians 2:1, 4-5 NKJV) "And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins… {4} But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, {5} even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),"
We are made alive to the reality of our sin.
(John 16:8-9 NKJV) "And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: {9} "of sin, because they do not believe in Me;"
We are made alive to the seriousness of sin.
(Isaiah 59:2 NKJV) "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear."
3B. Regeneration is realized (38)
(John 6:44 NKJV) "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day."
A changing of our direction - Repentance
Ø Turn from something: sin and self
(Psalms 34:14 NKJV) "Depart from evil and do good; …."
(Luke 13:3 NKJV) "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."
Ø Turn to someone: trust Christ only
(Acts 4:12 NKJV) "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
A cleansing of our heart – Remission
Ø Baptism is the outward expression of an inward cleansing.
Ø That cleansing only comes through faith in the Savior who shed His blood for the remission of sins.
(1 Peter 2:24 NKJV) "who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed."
A controlling of our will - Possession
This receiving of the Spirit is more than just a quickening to life; it is the handing over of the government of the life to the indwelling sovereignty of the Spirit.
3A. The Confession of Faith
1B. By obedience to the Word of God (41a)
Baptism follows the Lord’s example
(Mark 1:9 NKJV) "It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan."
Baptism fulfills the Lord’s command
(Matthew 28:19-20 NKJV) "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, {20} "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen."
2B. By allegiance to the Church of God (41b-42)
A Biblical Reason: Christ is committed to the church.
“...Christ loved the church, and he gave his life for it.” Ephesians 5:25
A Cultural Reason: It is an antidote for our society.
We live in an age where very few want to be committed to anything...a job...a marriage...our country. This attitude has even produced a generation of “church shoppers & hoppers”. Membership swims against the current of America’s “consumer religion.” It is an unselfish decision. Commitment always builds character.
A Practical Reason: It defines who can be counted on.
Every team must have a roster. Every school must have an enrollment. Every business has a payroll. Every army has an enlistment. Even our country takes a census and requires voter registration. Membership identifies our family.
A Personal Reason: It produces spiritual growth.
The New Testament places a major emphasis on the need for Christians to be accountable to each other for spiritual growth. You cannot be accountable when you are not committed to any specific church family.
Application
So we have seen what is involved in this matter of a right beginning. God’s message has not changed, nor indeed have His methods. Unless you start right you cannot know steadfast faithfulness. God desires reality and sincerity in your response to this challenge.
This morning you have…
Heard the gospel proclaimed
Experienced the conviction of the Holy Spirit
The opportunity to publicly confess your faith.
THE RIGHT BEGINNING
The Secret to Steadfast Faith – Part 1 of 5
Sunday, March 21, 1999 - Acts 2:38
1A. The Proclamation of the ____________ (2:22-24)
1B. The essential ___________________ to the Gospel
Romans 10:14, 17
2B. The essential ______________ of the Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
His death provided for our forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22)
His resurrection insures our victory (1Corinthians 15:54-57)
2A. The Conversion of the ____________________
1B. Regeneration is ___________________ (36)
We are all _____________________.
Romans 3:23
Romans 6:23
We cannot __________________________ ourselves.
Ephesians 2:8-9
2B. Regeneration is received (37)
Ephesians 2:1, 4-5
We are made alive to the ____________ of our sin.
John 16:8-9
We are made alive to the seriousness of sin.
Isaiah 59:2
3B. Regeneration is ____________________ (38)
John 6:44
A changing of our direction - Repentance
Ø Turn from something: sin and self
Psalms 34:14; Luke 13:3
Ø Turn to someone: trust Christ only (Acts 4:12)
A cleansing of our ________________ – Remission
(1 Peter 2:24 NKJV) "who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed."
A controlling of our will – Possession
3A. The Confession of ______________________
1B. By obedience to the ______________ of God (41a)
Baptism follows the Lord’s example (Mark 1:9)
Baptism fulfills the Lord’s command (Matthew 28:19-20)
2B. By allegiance to the ___________ of God (41b-42)
A _________________ Reason: Christ is committed to the church. (Ephesians 5:25)
A Cultural Reason: It is an antidote for our society.
A ___________ Reason: It defines who can be counted on.
A ______________ Reason: It produces spiritual growth.
