TEXT: Matt. 10:32-33

INTRODUCTION:

A.  DENYING JESUS IS SERIOUS WITH AWFUL CONSEQUENCES. 

B.  THERE IS A VARIETY OF WAYS TO DENY JESUS:  intentional and unintentional.

          1.  Atheists deny the evidence (Rom. 1:20;  1 John 1:1-4). 

                   a.  Where do they start?(Eph. 4:15-19)… or

                   b.  God gets in the way.

          2.  Agnostics don’t know – not aware or indifferent.

          3.  Jews & Moslems of today admit Jesus was from God, but distort the gospel story.

          4.  There are some believers who literally won’t confess ( John 12:42-43 ). 

          5.  Also, there are Christians who unintentionally deny Him.

                                                “Am I guilty?”

C.      HOW MIGHT WE DENY CHRIST?

I.      BY TEACHING ERROR. ( 2 Peter 2:1-2 ).

A.  LEADS TO DIVISION WHICH DENIES CHRIST ( Jno.17:20-22).

B.  TO RECEIVE FALSE TEACHERS DENIES CHRIST ( 2 Jno. 9 -11).

D.  WHY MANY TEACH ERROR ( Romans 16:17-18;  1 Tim. 6:3-5;  3 John 3).

E.  Secret of their success  ( 2 Tim.4:1-4).

II.     BY OPPOSING GOOD WORKS.

A.  CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS FOR GOOD WORKS (Eph. 2:10).

B.  REDEEMED FOR THE PURPOSE (Titus 2:14;  3:1).

          1.  James 1:22.  “Doers of the word” implies something to do.

          2.  God’s tools (Phil. 2:12-13;  Rom. 6:12-13).

          3.  God will empower us (Phil. 4:13)

                   a.  Strengthened through his Spirit (Eph. 3:14-17).

                   b.  Through the inspired word (Eph. 6:10-17;  Acts 20:32).

C.  SOME OPPOSE GOOD WORKS BY FAILING TO DO (Rev. 3:1-2).

D.  SOME OPENLY OPPOSE GOOD WORKS BY DISOBEDIENCE (Titus 1:16).

III.    BY BEING INCONSISTENT.

A.  OUR LIVE ARE TO BE WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL (Eph. 4:1;  Phil. 1:27).

B.  THAT MEANS SUBMISSION TO JESUS IN ALL (1 Pet. 3:15;  Col. 3:17).

C.  BEING INCONSISTENT GIVES THE ENEMY A VICTORY (1 Tim. 5:14;  Titus 2:7-8).

D.  CHRISTIAN JEWS WERE SOMETIMES BAD EXAMPLES  ( Rom.2:17-24;  2:1).

IV.  BY COMPROMISE.

A.  WHY DO PEOPLE COMPROMISE?

          1.  To blend in (Rom. 12:2;  Luke 6:26).

          2.  Human glory (John 12:42-43;  Gal. 1:10).

          3.  Fear (Matt. 10:28;  Rom. 8:31).

B.  WHAT ARE WE TO DO?

          1.  Contend for the faith (Jude 3;  2 Tim. 1:13-14).

          2.  Come out! (2 Cor. 6:14 – 7:1).

          3.  Realize our blessing (Matt. 5:14-16).

C.  THE CONSEQUENCE OF COMPROMISE (Matt. 12:30;  Matt. 8:38).

V.    BY OUR SPEECH.

A.      Matt.26:57-75 .  WHAT WAS PETER’S CONVINCING PROOF? 

B.      NAUGHTY LANGUAGE (Eph.4:29;  Col. 4:6;   Jas. 1:26;  Matt.12:36-37).

CONCLUSION:

A.  VERY FEW OF US WOULD OVERTLY DENY JESUS.

B.  DO WE DENY HIM WITHOUT REALIZING IT?