Expecting the Impossible
A. WARNING AGAINST DECEPTION – APPEARANCES vs. FRUIT BORN.
B. PEOPLE OFTEN EXPECT IMPOSSIBLE FRUIT.
A. SALVATION WITHOUT FAITH AND REPENTANCE ( Heb. 11:6; Acts 17:30 ).
B. REMISSION OF SINS WITHOUT BAPTISM.
1. God must be obeyed ( 2 Thess. 1:7-9 ).
2. Baptism is a command of the gospel ( Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38 ).
C. SECURITY IN JUDGMENT WITHOUT DOING HIS WILL ( Matt. 7:21, 24-27 ).
A. GROWTH WITHOUT DILIGENCE.
1. Who’s fault if we don’t grow? God’s? The Word’s? Our audience?
2. It is our fault. The difference between then and now is us.
3. The power is still in God’s word to save ( Rom. 1:16-17 ).
4. But it must be taught ( Rom. 10:13ff. ).
B DILIGENCE WITHOUT LOVE AND CONVICTION.
1. Paul’s example ( Rom. 10:1 ).
2. 2 Cor. 4:13.
C. PURITY WITHOUT DISCIPLINE.
1. Includes teaching and training ( Eph. 4:11-12, 16 ).
2. Includes guidance through their example ( 1 Pet. 5:3 ).
3. Includes correction ( 2 Tim. 4:2; 1 Cor. 5:6-7 ).
A. HAPPINESS WITHOUT HOLINESS ( Psa. 1:1-3 ).
1. Separation a condition of being God’s child ( 2 Cor. 6:17-18 ).
2. Necessary to see God ( Heb. 12:14 ).
3. Achieved by renewing the mind ( Rom. 12:2 ).
B. LOVE WITHOUT CHASTENING ( Heb. 12:6, 10 ).
C. BLESSING WITHOUT SACRIFICE ( Rom. 12:1 ).
1. A reasonable sacrifice ( Gal. 2:20 ).
2. A pre-requisite to service ( 2 Cor. 8:5 ).
D. A CHANGE IN LIFE WITHOUT A CHANGE OF HEART.
1. What we do is a product of what we are ( Luke 6:43-45 ).
2. Not only the old man’s doings are to be put away ( Col. 3:9 ).
3. John 3:3-5. Being born again is a renewal of the inward man – the character.
A. IT IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU TO BE LOST!
B. IT IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU TO BE SAVED!
