Learning Something From Nothing 

Introduction:
This morning, we are going to attempt to learn something from "nothing." Every week preachers preach about something. Some preachers preach upon love and the grace of Christ. Others may preach on the perils of denominationalism. However, in our lesson today ,we are going to attempt to learn that we all can greatly profit by knowing about "nothing." How does "nothing" greatly affect our lives?

 
I.  God created the world from nothing.
               A.  Gen. 1:1-2 - in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
                               1.  This account is contrary to modern evolution theories.
                               2.  Gen. 1:3-10; 12; Psa. 33:8-9 - if God said it - we need to believe it.
                               3.  Who is man to guess?
II.  We can do nothing without Christ.
               A.  Jhn. 15:1-6 - for without Me you can do nothing.
                               1.  Living a good moral life simply isn't good enough.
                               2.  Heaven is a reward - not a right!
               B.  M - C = 0.  Morality minus Christ = nothing.  Jhn. 15:4 proves this point.
                               1.  Mt. 1:21; Jhn. 14:6 - there is no way to heaven without Christ!
                               2.  Come to Christ by obedience.   
III.  Belief minus Baptism equals nothing.
               A.  Mark 16:16 compares with simple math - 1 + 1 = 2.
                               1.  Some teach that upon belief one is saved.  Baptism optional.  B = (S + B) 
                               2.  Where's the Scripture for such?
               B.  Acts 8:35-38 - what if the Eunuch had not been baptized?
                               1.  Belief nothing without baptism.
                               2.  Mt. 7:22 - how sad for some when they realize it is too late.
IV.  Repentance minus Baptism equals nothing.
               A.  Acts 2:37-38 - repentance + baptism = remission of sins.
               B.  (R + B = S) just as  (1 + 1 = 2) therefore (R - B = 0) just as (1 - 1 = 0)
               C.  Acts 22:16 - when were the sins of Paul washed away?
V.  Religious Acts minus love equals nothing.
               A.  1 Cor. 13:1-3 - what are the motives behind the religious acts we do?
               B.  Mt. 22:37-38 - love is the core of our Christian lives.
                               1.  Jhn. 3:16; Phil. 2:7-8 - no greater love than Jesus Christ.
                               2.  We are to follow in this example!
               C.  Lack of love cause of many problems in the church today!
                               1.  Heb. 13:1 - let brotherly love continue.
                               2.  Don't waste time, effort, energy doing things without love.
VI.  Christians can become good for nothing.
               A.  Mt. 5:13 - Salt a metaphor for Christians.  Have you lost your savor?
               B.  Rev. 3:1-3 - dead Christians and dead congregations.  Make sure you haven't lost savor!
 
We can learn much from "nothing."