Camdenton Mo 2/15/97 PM
PART TWO
INTRODUCTION
A. Last week began a lesson on Things that accompany salvation. We covered
1. Love - God is love, we are to love.
2. Work - As a christian our responsibility is to work or be a servant for Christ.
3. Worship - Activity that any Christian should be glad to participate in.
4. Understanding - As Christ understood our needs and died for us, we are to understand one another and strive to help each other in our needs.
B. Now let us continue our study and see some other things that accompany salvation
I. Peace
A. Christ is our Prince of Peace. He came to bring about peace.
1. (Isa 9:6 KJV) "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
B. He brought about peace between Jew and Gentile and God and man. This peace is made possible through the cross.
1. (Eph 2:13-18 KJV) "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. {14} For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; {15} Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; {16} And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: {17} And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. {18} For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father."
C. Peace among men is possible through His teaching;
1. (Mat 7:12 KJV) "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets."
2. (Eph 4:3 KJV) "Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
D. Real source of peace of mind is found in obedience to God. (Psalms 23)
II. Sacrifice
A. Founded in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, Christianity requires sacrifice on the part of its followers.
1. We are to take up our crosses and follow Him.
a. (Mat 16:24 KJV) "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."
2. We are to present our bodies as living sacrifices.
a. (Rom 12:1-2 KJV) "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. {2} And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
b. (2 Cor 8:5 KJV) "And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God." (Talking about the churches of Macedonia).
3. We are even to give liberally of our finances.
a. (2 Cor 9:7 KJV) "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."
b. (2 Cor 8:1-5 KJV) "Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; {2} How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. {3} For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; {4} Praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. {5} And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God."
III. Joy
A. (Isa 35:10 KJV) "And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away."
B. A fruit of the Spirit; (Gal 5:22 KJV) "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,"
C. (1 Pet 1:8 KJV) "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:"
D. The service of Jesus true pleasure affords,
In Him there is joy without allay
Tis heaven to trust Him and rest on His words,
It pays to serve Jesus each day.
CONCLUSION
A. All of us as Christians receive blessings uncounted from God.
B. Those outside of Christ still do not benefit from those blessings.
C. Won't you obey Christ today?
D. Then let each of us be obediant by producing those things in our lives which accompany salvation.