Where are We?

Originally by M. Cornwell

 

FILING INFORMATION:

2000034

Subject: first principles

Preached Originally: 06/11/00 – Rapid City, SD

 

Introduction:

A.        Socrates was a man in Athens who walked the streets asking questions, challenging men & women to THINK.

1.    His method of asking questions is called the Socratic Method of teaching.

B.        Jesus often used that method to challenge men to THINK, reason, and find answer to His duty.

1.    Mt. 16:26; Lk. 6:46

C.       In Gen. 3:8 – God asked Adam where are you?  This not for God’s information (because God knew where Adam was) but to challenge Adam to REASON and REALIZE his position and what had brought him there.

D.       Man needs to know where he is – so we ask this question – “Where are We?”

 

I.  2 Tim. 3:16-17 – One Can Know Where He/She Is.

A.    Self improvement can only come from self-knowledge – Lk. 15:17

1.    The prodigal son – came to himself!

2.    Our destiny is determined by where we are – Rev. 14:13. 

3.    TODAY, TOMORROW, at our DEATH.

B.    Consequently we are asking where we are – with reference to:

 

II.  The plan of God.

A.    Are we in hiding?  As Adam – Gen. 3:9

1.    He knew he had done wrong – and was trying to lose himself by being busy doing something else.

B.    Have we violated God’s law by sin? 1 Jhn. 3:4

1.    Rom. 3:23; 6:23 – are we trying to forget it?

2.    We can’t hide!  We MUST face up to our responsibility!  Psa. 50:21

3.    God knows – we can’t escape the consequences – Prov. 15:3

C.   Jonah 1:1-3 – Jonah fled from God.  Told to go to Ninevah – instead went to Tarshish.  Was to cry out to the people.

1.    God had commanded him to go & proclaim to people pending destruction and way of escape.

2.    Jonah did not do what God commanded:

a)    so he tried to run away.

D.   There are those today who have learned what the God of heaven demands…

1.    They do not want to offend friends – or family – so they run!

2.    man must obey to gospel to obey the Lord – asking for forgiveness is not enough!  Jhn. 8:21-24

3.    Mt. 10:32-33 – confess.  We are to confess Christ before men!  He will confess before His Father in heaven!

4.    Lk. 13:3 – repent

5.    Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3-4 – be baptized in water to have sins forgiven.

E.    God has told us of his plan – in this book – the NT today!

1.    We can’t run away – we may try – and even think we have succeeded – but we will be found out!

F.    Do we understand what the Lord taught in becoming a child of God?

1.    Mt. 7:13-14 – do we understand the Lord’s will & how to apply it?

 

III.  Phil. 2:5 – Do we have the mind he demands?

A.    Jhn. 8:29 – Jesus did his father’s will – came to earth.

1.     He always told the truth – even when man did not like it – Jhn. 8:31-34

B.    Mt. 19:16-22 – Are we sad in our disobedience like the young ruler? 

1.     He came to Jesus – seemingly sincere wanting to know what was required of Him.

2.     However – when told he did not want to pay the price – so he declined.

a)    sadly – he departed in disobedience & was lost as far as we know.

C.   There are many who do the same today!

1.     When they find that the Lord requires them to reject former teachings & understandings….

2.     in order to be a member of the Lord’s church

3.     making claims to justify their personal belief – they go away unsaved!

D.   Unfortunately – some may look for and find someone who will tickle their ears.  (2 Tim. 4:3)

 

IV.  What About Our Relationship with Christ?

A.    In the body of Christ we are to magnify Christ – Paul did.

1.     1 Cor. 12:13 – We have been baptized into ONE BODY.

2.     Phil. 3:8-10 – Paul counted all that he had lost to know Christ.

3.     Phil. 1:20 – Paul says that magnifying Christ was in life or death.

B.    Many today have not seen the difference between denominations and the body of Christ.

1.    These same people think that we are one in the same.

2.    The body of Christ was established at Pentecost.

a)    Acts 20:28-30; 1 Tim. 4:1-6 – then came the apostasy as foretold.

3.    Do not confuse denominationalism with the body of Christ.

a)    You may be in one or the other – but you are not in both at the same time.

4.    Where are you today?  You can know for certain.

C.   Is this local church named in the Bible…

1.    In name origination, worship, work, doctrine & practice?

2.    Everyone of us needs to find out where we are  - if not centered around Christ.

D.  I N V I T A T I O N