The Christians Obligations
to the Alien Sinner
By M. Allen
FILING INFORMATION:
98045
SUBJECT: obligations of
Christians
Preached
Originally: 08/30/98 - Rapid City, SD
I. Introduction.
A.
Continue w/series on the
different obligations of Christians. This is the fourth installment of six lessons. Hope you are enjoying the series. Over the last few weeks we have discussed:
1.
Obligations to the Local
Congregation
2.
Obligations to Jesus Christ
3.
Obligations to Fellow
Christians
B.
Today's lesson not only
intended for those of us who are Christians. But for the one who is not a Christian. You especially…need to know that if you
die in your present condition you soul will be eternally lost.
C.
What is a Christian?
1.
someone who has been
translated into the kingdom of Christ.
a.
Col. 1:12-14
b.
Someone who has been brought
out of control of the devil and into the realm of Jesus Christ.
2.
Acts 2:47someone who has
been added to the Lord's body - called the church of Christ in the NT.
3.
A follower of Christ - one
who is given/dedicated to the task of obeying the commandments of Jesus Christ. This is demonstrated by the fact that:
a.
Rom. 12:1-2 - one is
transformed from the world to that of Jesus Christ.
b.
Eph. 4:22-24 - put off the old
man with his former conduct.
D.
With these things having been
said, we see some of the differences between the Christian and the alien
sinner.
1.
Although both non Christian
and Christian are alike in that they both have a soul, flesh, blood, and
emotional feeling, etc.
2.
They are different in the
fact that they have a different relationship with Almighty God.
a.
The Christian has heard,
believed, & obeyed God's Laws.
b.
The alien sinner may have
heard, but has yet to obey!
3.
Fellow Christians: since we have obeyed the gospel our
obligation/responsibilities are not over. <some feel that as long as they obey the gospel they are OK and their
worries are over>
4.
When we became a Christian,
our responsibilities increase! Must try to get others to hear/obey the gospel.
E.
Wish to discuss two main
points concerning responsibilities to those outside Christ.
1.
failure to fulfill these
responsibilities places one's soul in danger.
2.
Responsibilities/obligations
to be taken seriously!
II. Why is the Christian Obligated to Teach
the Alien Sinner?
A.
A Christian is a living part
of the Body of Christ. Rom. 6:11,
13
1.
Characteristic of physical
life: All living things on earth
have power of reproduction. From smallest
microscopic organism to largest elephant …to mankind.
2.
Only natural that…should be
a characteristic of spiritual man.
3.
Jhn. 15:1-2, 4-6 - made
mandatory by Jesus Christ!
a.
not optional.
b.
Are any of us in danger
because of our neglecting to produce fruit?
4.
Must fulfill our
obligation in order to be
pleasing!
B.
Christians should be
concerned about the souls of men!
1.
all men have soul. Concern for my soul & it's
condition after death prompted me to obey because I understood the consequences
if I didn't obey!
2.
Do I have enough love for
someone else's soul to teach them the way of Christ?
3.
Mt. 7:12 the law of Christ
demands that I do so!
4.
How much to do you
love? How much to do you attempt
to teach others?
C.
We must present the will of the
Lord!
1.
Rom 1:15-16 - Paul did
this! He faithful performed his
duty in this area.
2.
Must make the alien sinner
understand that:
a.
1 Pet. 1:18-19 - Christ
alone died for my sin.
b.
Jhn. 8:24 - w/o belief in
Christ I will find my soul in hellfire.
c.
Forgiveness comes ONLY
through Christ!
3.
Mt. 28:19-20; Mk. 16:15-16 -
obligation expected of ALL who are children of God!
III. Christians under Obligation to Teach the
Gospel of the NT.
A.
Last week: Mt. 28:18 - ALL authority given to
Christ by God
1.
Js. 1:25 - Christ given man the perfect law of liberty!
2.
2 Pet. 1:3 - ALL things
pertaining to life & godliness been given to man - through the Scriptures.
3.
THEREFORE: obligated to teach God's word and only
God's word.
B.
Gal. 1:11-12 - gospel they
heard not according to God. What
power in that? This is the gospel
we need to preach.
1.
Man taints gospel of Christ, turning into his own, but
adding/subtracting various things.
2.
1:8-9 - those who teach something different to be accursed. GK - anathema. Paul repeats
this thought in v. 9.
3.
Notice also 2 Jhn. 9…
4.
Only the Lord's doctrine will produce the Lord's people!
C.
Lk. 8:11 - the seed is the
word of God. The Word of God found
ONLY in the Bible.
1.
seed must be planted in the
proper soil & in the proper way.
a.
patience; humbleness;
diligence; determination.
b.
Sense of urgency to the
matter. Delay??? Could cause some to be lost!
2.
1 Cor .1:21 - Christians
obligated to get the word out!
a.
method has been determined how to do this. Teaching/preaching one of the most effective ways!
b.
V. 23-24 - what to preach? The gospel of Christ! This
is the message. This is how we
convert true Christians.
3.
Rom 10:13-17 - sheds more
light on the responsibility that Christians have:
a.
notice esp. v. 14-17
b.
in order to be saved…must
hear the message first!
c.
Are you/we doing our part in
getting the message out?
D.
Alien sinner MUST do the
following things….
1.
hear the message
preached. Mt .17:5; Jhn. 6:44-45 -
AGAIN - Christian's responsibility to get the message out!
2.
Believe the message
preached/taught - Heb. 11:6; Jhn. 8:24
3.
Repent of his sins - Acts
3:19; 17:30 - means a turning away from the old life of sin…
4.
Confess that Jesus is the
Son of God - Mt. 10:32-33; Rom. 10:10
5.
Be baptized for the remission
of sins. Acts 2:30; 22:16; Rom.
6:3-5
E.
This is the bible plan of
salvation. Leave anyone of these
out & you are not saved!
IV. Christians are Obligated to Live by
What They Teach.
A.
Spent great deal of time
lately on influences. Especially
in this series.
1.
Influence poor? Actions/words/exhortations NOT accepted
by world.
2.
How can we expect someone to
believe what we say when we do not live according to it?
3.
Could this by why so many
Christians today neglect their obligation to the alien sinner?
a.
if so, not fulfilling obligation to Jesus, the local congregation, and
fellow Christians. Soul in danger
anyway.
4.
Influence one our most
valuable possessions.
B.
Lives must be filled with
good works.
1.
Gal. 6:9-10 - do good to ALL men!
2.
Mt. 5:47 - do go not only to
friends but to ALL!
a.
easy to do good to those
whom we love/like.
b.
Another thing to do good to
someone who has hurt us/betrayed/persecuted us.
c.
This is the way of Christ.
3.
Mt. 5:44 - demonstrate by
our care/concern for the soul.
V. Conclusion.
A.
Only link between God &
His word and someone outside Christ IS YOU AND ME!
B.
Song: The
World's Bible…
1.
Christ has no hands but our hands; to do His word today. He has no feet but our feet to lead men
in His way. He has no tongue but
our tongues to tell men how He died, he has no help but our help, to bring them
to His side.
2.
We are the only Bible the careless world will read. We are the sinners gospel We are the scoffers creed. We are the Lord's last message given in
word and deed what if the type is crooked, what is the print is blurred?
3.
What if our hands are busy with other things than His? What if our feet are walking where sins
allurement is? What if our tongues
are speaking of the things His life would spurn, how can we hope to help Him
and welcome His return?
C.
The only opportunity that
many will have to be saved is when you
and I tell them of God's plan for mankind!
D.
Alien sinner: Jesus Christ died for you!
1.
You can have forgiveness of
sins through Him
2.
You can have eternal life
some day
3.
You don't have to spend
eternity in hell.
4.
Christ is the way. He is your hope!
5.
Respond in obedience to His will
today!
E. I N V I T A T I O N