Turning to Christ

What is Essential to Spiritual Progress?

2003024

Topic # 1209

Introduction:

A.    1 Tim. 6:12-14

1.    6:14 – keep commandments w/o stain or reproach.

2.    Impossible?  Could be to one not fully committed to Christ.

3.    There is a high standard of living associated w/Christianity.

B.    We succeed w/help of God.  What do we pursue in life?

1.    man of God will pursue…1 Tim. 6:11-12a

2.    Ask:  Where are my priorities?  What is near & dear to me?  Is Christianity “real” to me?  Have I allowed Jesus to change my life for the better?

3.    Jesus wants to change your life!  God wants nothing but your success!  He has provided us w/the tools to change our character!

C.   In the midst of this, we find self in great battle.  A war over the possession of our soul.

1.    Devil constantly looking to weaken our spiritual life.  Some so weak they = unstable.  Lk. 8:13

2.    See also Lk. 8:14

D.   Sad truth:  some never complete process of discipleship.

1.    It is a process!  2 Pet. 1:8-10 – look back to 5-7.

2.    Problem that some outwardly appear to have obeyed – but have not really been converted to Christ.

3.    This is why we need to learn what is involved in turning to Christ from the world.

E.    What is essential to our spiritual progress?

 

I.  We must make a clean break w/the world.

A.  Why so many Christians “crash & burn?”  Divided affections.

1.    Too many try to have “cake & eat it too.” 

2.    Progress always consists in taking one or another of two alternatives; abandoning the attempt to combine them. (Albert Schweitzer)

a)    Christianity is an either/or commitment!  Rom. 6:11-16

b)    Who am I serving?  Who is my master?  Where is my loyalty?

B.    Making a clear break expressed in 2 Cor. 6:14-18

1.        There is a difference between Christian & non- Christian.  Different value systems; different goals in life; different hopes. 

2.        The Christian should recognize what is truly important in life!

3.        Note 6:17 – come out & be separate.

4.        When we put this into practice, it will be seen in various aspects of life.

C.   There are lines the Christian must NOT cross!

1.        Clear & unmistakable lines have been drawn concerning our behavior.  It is to be:

a)    Titus 2:3 – reverent

b)    Js. 3:13 – good

c)    1 Pet. 2:12 – excellent

d)    1 Pet. 3:2 – respectful

e)    There are some things I cannot do if I am to fulfill responsibilities toward good behavior.

2.        Clear & distinct lines have been drawn as far as:

a)    who we associate with – 1 Cor. 15:33

b)    the places we should not go – 1 Pet. 4:3-4

c)    What we say, think, and how we deal w/people.

3.        Consider Js. 1:21; 4:7-8

a)    These verses are all about personal repentance & determination to avoid ALL sin & error!

D.   There is no middle ground!

1.        Mt. 6:24; 33; 22:37

2.        Should be no room left in my heart, soul, or mind to love the world.

 

II. We must work to grow toward spiritual maturity!

A.     One reason people do not progress spiritually is because they refuse to grow up.

1.    30, 40, & 50 year old “kids.”

2.    We must grow into maturity & take responsibility for self!

3.    1 Cor. 13:11 – called to put away childish things!

B.     We must get busy working for the Lord!

1.    Husbands:  YOU set the example in your homes!  1 Tim. 4:12

a)    Be the kind of person you want your kids to grow into.

b)    Get busy seeing to the needs of your wife!

1)    Love her; respect her; encourage her.

c)    get busy raising your kids – Eph. 6:4

2.    Wives:  get busy setting an example for your husband; family.

a)    1 Pet. 3:1-2

b)    Get busy fulfilling your god-given role!

3.    Children:  get busy setting example for your peers!  It is possible to live for Christ in younger years!

 

III. This involves courage.

A.    Courage = fortitude in face of danger or difficulty.

1.     It is an indicator of our faith!  Am I willing to take a real risk based on my trust in what God can do?

2.     No real risk?  Would faith be a real virtue?

B.    Lk. 14:26-33 - there is a cost that MUST be counted!

1.     Success?  Total commitment to Jesus is necessary!

2.     we must have faith & courage to deal w/consequences of following Christ – whatever the consequences may be:

a)    loss of so-called friends

b)    rejection by co-workers

c)    Whatever…it may be.

4.    Faith & courage do not mean absence of danger – they mean facing that danger w/fortitude.

C.    Courage comes out of character.

1.    What kind of person am I?  Do I have any “root” in myself? Do I have what it takes to deal w/difficulty?

2.    Rev. 21:8 – what is the fate of the cowardly?

3.    Courage that comes from character is a matter of choice on our part.

 

IV. We must become committed to the conversion process!

A.    Salvation requires more than a “whim” or a “passing moment.”

1.    More than wishful thinking.

2.    You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself one. (James Anthony Froude)

B.    Commitment involves a conscious decision to act.

1.    But…there is more:  the making of a “bona fide pledge or promise” to do what we’ve decided.

2.    Commitment is where we sign our name to the contract.

3.    2 Cor. 8:10-11

C.   This involves our committing self to God – 2 Tim. 1:12.

1.    Look to Jesus.  100% commitment to God & His purpose – 1 Pet. 2:23

2.    We must be committed as well – despite suffering – 1 Pet. 4:19

D.   This takes decisiveness on our part.  Js 1:6-8 – no doubts!

1.    4:8 – no room for double-mindedness!

2.    We cannot indefinitely “think about” what we are going to do – we’ve got to make a commitment to actually do it.

 

Conclusion:

A.      Ask:  Am I willing to openly acknowledge my faith?  Have I placed myself on public record as having made a commitment to Jesus?

1.    We are to confess our faith – Rom. 10:9-10; 1 Tim. 6:12-13

2.    We are to confess our sins – Js. 5:16

3.    We are to confess the truth – Eph. 4:15

B.      In doing so – we will imitate Jesus! 

1.    The person who does not continually confess his faith is not likely to keep it.

a)    I must confess truth in deed as well as word.

b)    I must confess truth publicly as well as privately.

c)    I must bear witness to truth in EVERY situation & verbalize my commitment to live for Christ.

d)    Am I maintaining my confession/  Heb. 10:23

2.    God calls on us to make a commitment to truth.

a)    Doing so will ensure spiritual progress.

b)    Are you making spiritual progress?

c)    Remember…we get out of Christianity what we put into it.

d)    2 Cor. 9:6

e)    The standard set in 1 Tim. 6:14 is not unattainable!  Let’s get busy!

C.     Get started today by obeying the gospel!

D.     Renew your commitment today!

E.      I N V I T A T I O N