Sermon Notes
26 November 2006
Morning Worship
AND BE YE THANKFUL
Colossians 3:14,15
14
And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
15
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are
called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Introduction:
a. Thanksgiving is one of our greatest holidays.
b. As Christians we can be thankful everyday!
I. How are we to express our thanks?
A. Thanksgiving:
1.
John 6:11
11
And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to
the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of
the fishes as much as they would.
6
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
3. Also consider many of the songs we sing (O Thou Fount Of Every Blessing,
etc.)
B. Thanks living
33
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these
things shall be added unto you.
II. Benefits of being thankful:
A. Giving thanks causes us to realize how much we are blessed -
II
Corinthians 1:1-5
1
Paul, an
apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto
the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all
Achaia:
2
Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus
Christ.
3
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
mercies, and the God of all comfort;
4
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort
them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are
comforted of God.
5
For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also
aboundeth by Christ.
15
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are
called in one body; and be ye thankful.
B. Giving thanks causes us to realize we are dependent upon God:
1.
Philippians 4:19
19
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by
Christ Jesus.
2.
James 1:16,17
16
Do not err, my beloved brethren.
17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from
the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of
turning.
C. Giving thanks causes us to realize our responsibilities concerning what
we have
17
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor
trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all
things to enjoy;
18
That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute,
willing to communicate;
19
Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to
come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
D. Giving thanks ought to cause us to become content rather than covetous:
1. Philippians 4:11
11
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state
I am, therewith to be content.
2. Hebrews 13:5
5
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such
things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake
thee.
Deut
31:6,8
Joshua 1:5
III. Things for which we ought to be thankful:
A. For people:
1. civil authorities
1
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2
For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and
peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
2. Our spiritual family
15
Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love
unto all the saints,
16
Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
3. Our families, friends, those who taught us the gospel, etc.
B. Physical blessings:
1. God’s creation
Psalm 75:12
2. Our food, clothing, etc
C. Spiritual blessings:
1. Redemption through Christ’s blood and forgiveness of sins.
7
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of his grace;
2. An inheritance
11
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according
to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own
will:
3. Hope of heaven
19
If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most
miserable.
Conclusion:
a. We ought to develop a heart of thankfulness for all God has done for us
b. realize the end
9
Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
THE
DECLARATION OF SALVATION
Romans 10:11
11
For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Isa
28:16
24
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on
him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into
condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
26
And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward
the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is
desert.
27
And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great
authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all
her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
28
Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
29
Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
30
And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and
said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
31
And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired
Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
32
The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to
the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his
mouth: Isa 53:7
33
In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his
generation? for his life is taken from the earth. Isa 53:8
34
And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the
prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
35
Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached
unto him Jesus.
36
And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the
eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37
And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he
answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38
And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into
the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
39
And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught
away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way
rejoicing.
40
But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the
cities, till he came to Caesarea.
Introduction:
a. The Bible declares that every soul should publicly confess Christ as Lord
and Savior
b. Let us notice the Scriptural pattern for declaring this salvation
I. CONFESSION OF FAITH DECLARE SALVATION:
A. There Should Be A Verbal Confession:
1. The Bible teaching is clear
9
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe
in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth
confession is made unto salvation.
11
For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Isa
28:16
2. The Bible examples are clear
37
And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he
answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
B. There Should Be A Public Confession:
1. Jesus taught public confession
32
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also
before my Father which is in heaven.
33
But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my
Father which is in heaven.
2. Jesus warned against failing to publicly confess
38
Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this
adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be
ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
II. SCRIPTURAL BAPTISM Declares the point of SALVATION:
A. Baptism Declares Certain Truths:
1. It is an example of Christ's death, burial and resurrection
2. It is our death to sin, burial of the old life, and resurrection to walk
in newness of life
1
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2
God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were
baptized into his death?
4
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ
was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also
should walk in newness of life.
5
For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall
be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin
might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
B. Baptism Declares That Moment when one gets into Christ
27
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
1. Acts 2:36-41
36
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the
same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
37
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto
Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the
name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the
gift of the Holy Ghost.
39
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar
off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.
40
And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves
from this untoward generation.
41
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day
there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
2. Acts 8:36-38
36
And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the
eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37
And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he
answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38
And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into
the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
3. Acts 16:30-34
30
And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,
and thy house.
32
And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his
house.
33
And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and
was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
34
And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and
rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
15
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to
every creature.
16
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not
shall be damned.
III. CHURCH MEMBERSHIP is declared at the point OF SALVATION:
A. All Saved are added to the Church
41
Then
they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there
were added unto them about three thousand souls.
42
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and
in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43
And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the
apostles.
44
And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45
And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every
man had need.
46
And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread
from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of
heart,
47
Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to
the church daily such as should be saved.
B. The Lord Loves The Church:
1. The church brings glory to Jesus Christ
21
Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world
without end. Amen.
2. The Lord loves his church in a very tender and intimate way
22
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the
church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24
Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their
own husbands in every thing.
25
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave
himself for it;
26
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27
That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or
wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
28
So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his
wife loveth himself.
29
For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it,
even as the Lord the church:
30
For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
31
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined
unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
Gen
2:24
Matt
19:5
Mark
10:7
1
Cor 6:16
32
This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
33
Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as
himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
3. The great price He paid
28
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which
the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he
hath purchased with his own blood.
C. Our Light Is To Shine In The Church:
1. We are commanded to let our light shine.
16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and
glorify your Father which is in heaven.
16
No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth
it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in
may see the light.
2. The Church is the candlestick upon which that light is to shine
20
The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the
seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven
churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven
churches.
IV. GOOD WORKS DECLARE SALVATION:
A. By Godly Living
18
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith
without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
8
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is
the gift of God:
9
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which
God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
8
This
is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly,
that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good
works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
9
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings
about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
10
A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
11
Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of
himself.
12
When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto
me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.
13
Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing
be wanting unto them.
14
And let our's also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that
they be not unfruitful.
B. By giving the reason for our hope and the plan of salvation
28
Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom;
that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
29
Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in
me mightily.
15
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to
every creature.
16
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not
shall be damned.
15
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an
answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with
meekness and fear:
Isa
8:13
C. By Faithfulness to the Services of the Church
24
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some
is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day
approaching.
7
And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to
break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and
continued his speech until midnight.
1
Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the
churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
2
Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as
God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
d. by being faithful until the end
10
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall
cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have
tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a
crown of life.
1
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.
Conclusion:
A. have you obeyed the gospel?
B. are you living for the lord?
C. are you living in such a way that at the end of this life you will
receive the end of your faith?
9
Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
