Step 6: Living Faithfully

Introduction

A. Five Step Plan of Salvation

B. Now I’m baptized, is that it?

1. Some see baptism as the end.

2. Go home and wait for heaven.

3. No change in life, return to former ways (REF. 2 Pet. 2: 22)

C. Is there more than just being baptized?

1. People go to church, should I?

2. Should I behave differently?

D. If Baptism is the end…

I. …Continued steadfastly

A. Apostles on Pentecost—Acts 2: 42

1. “Continued”—to go on or keep on without interruption.

2. “ Steadfastly”—firm in purpose, unwavering

a. Hungered and thirst for righteousness—Matt. 5: 6

b. Didn’t want to go home

i. Sold property, goods—Acts 4: 35, 37

ii. Goods redistributed—vs. 35b

3. Can’t continue steadfastly is you’re sitting at home

B. Paul to Corinthians—1 Cor. 15: 58

1. “Unmovable”

a. Refusing to give in to any doctrine—Eph. 4: 14

b. Test the spirits—1 Jn. 4: 1, 6

2. “Always abounding in the work…”

a. Can’t do the work if you don’t know what the work is.

b. Can’t be unmovable if you don’t practice discipline.

II. Diligence—

1. Definition—SPOUDAZO meaning: Haste, Zeal, hasten to do a thing, to exert oneself.

2. Bible Examples--

a. 2 Tim. 2: 15, give diligence to study

i. Not just reading book

ii. Study, compare to other scriptures

iii. Make application to daily life

b. Heb. 4: 9-11, give diligence to enter into rest

i. Strive to go to Heaven

ii. Don’t sit back and wait for it to arrive.

c. Heb. 6: 9-12, give diligence to the end.

i. You may live for the next 40-60 years

ii. Pace yourself, don’t wear out your zeal early.

3. Daniel’s example—Dan. 6: 7-11

a. Knew of decree

b. Went home and prayed anyway

c. Diligent in his routine regardless of decree

d. Vs. 13-16, Thrown in Lion’s den

III. Endurance

1. Definition of Endure—HUPOMENO, to abide under, to bear up courageously (under suffering)

2. Bible examples

a. Afflictions and Persecutions—1 Cor. 4: 11-13; 2 Thess. 1: 4

b. Temptation—1 Cor. 10: 13

c. For the brethren—2 Tim. 2: 10-13

d. Warning—2 Tim. 4: 3

3. Faithful unto Death—Rev. 2: 10

IV. Baptism is the beginning

A. The Virtues—2 Pet. 1: 5-10

1. Strive to achieve each of these virtues

2. Not necessarily in order given

B. Encourage others—Heb. 10: 24-25

1. You can’t edify brethren from home

2. They can’t edify you if you’re not there.

C. Teach others—

1. Paul to Timothy—1 Tim. 1: 18

2. Timothy to others—2 Tim. 2: 2

3. Share the gospel—Prov. 23: 23; Jn. 8: 28-30

a. talk to classmates

b. Co-workers

c. Family

d. Neighbors

e. friends

4. Treasures in Heaven—Matt. 6: 19-20

a. All worldly possessions left behind, burnt up (2 Pet. 3: 10)

b. Jesus said—Matt. 16: 26

“For what shall a man be profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and forfeit his life? or what shall a man give in exchange for his life?”

c. Rich Young Ruler—Matt. 19: 16-22

i. All he had will be given to someone else when gone.

ii. Wasted youth on the here and now.

D. The Second Coming—1 Thess. 4: 16-18

Conclusion

Instead of saying, “Now that I’m baptized, I’ll wait for Heaven” say, “Now that I’m baptized, what comes next? I’m ready to work!”