The Christians Obligations to the Alien Sinner
1998045
I. Introduction.
A. Continue w/series on the different obligations of Christians. This is the fourth installment of six lessons. Hope you are enjoying the series. Over the last few weeks we have discussed:
1. Obligations to the Local Congregation
2. Obligations to Jesus Christ
3. Obligations to Fellow Christians
B. Today's lesson not only intended for those of us who are Christians. But for the one who is not a Christian. You especially…need to know that if you die in your present condition you soul will be eternally lost.
C. What is a Christian?
1. someone who has been translated into the kingdom of Christ.
a. Col. 1:12-14
b. Someone who has been brought out of control of the devil and into the realm of Jesus Christ.
2. Acts 2:47someone who has been added to the Lord's body - called the church of Christ in the NT.
3. A follower of Christ - one who is given/dedicated to the task of obeying the commandments of Jesus Christ. This is demonstrated by the fact that:
a. Rom. 12:1-2 - one is transformed from the world to that of Jesus Christ.
b. Eph. 4:22-24 - put off the old man with his former conduct.
D. With these things having been said, we see some of the differences between the Christian and the alien sinner.
1. Although both non Christian and Christian are alike in that they both have a soul, flesh, blood, and emotional feeling, etc.
2. They are different in the fact that they have a different relationship with Almighty God.
a. The Christian has heard, believed, & obeyed God's Laws.
b. The alien sinner may have heard, but has yet to obey!
3. Fellow Christians: since we have obeyed the gospel our obligation/responsibilities are not over. <some feel that as long as they obey the gospel they are OK and their worries are over>
4. When we became a Christian, our responsibilities increase! Must try to get others to hear/obey the gospel.
E. Wish to discuss two main points concerning responsibilities to those outside Christ.
1. failure to fulfill these responsibilities places one's soul in danger.
2. Responsibilities/obligations to be taken seriously!
II. Why is the Christian Obligated to Teach the Alien Sinner?
A. A Christian is a living part of the Body of Christ. Rom. 6:11, 13
1. Characteristic of physical life: All living things on earth have power of reproduction. From smallest microscopic organism to largest elephant …to mankind.
2. Only natural that…should be a characteristic of spiritual man.
3. Jhn. 15:1-2, 4-6 - made mandatory by Jesus Christ!
a. not optional.
b. Are any of us in danger because of our neglecting to produce fruit?
4. Must fulfill our obligation in order to be pleasing!
B. Christians should be concerned about the souls of men!
1. all men have soul. Concern for my soul & it's condition after death prompted me to obey because I understood the consequences if I didn't obey!
2. Do I have enough love for someone else's soul to teach them the way of Christ?
3. Mt. 7:12 the law of Christ demands that I do so!
4. How much to do you love? How much to do you attempt to teach others?
C. We must present the will of the Lord!
1. Rom 1:15-16 - Paul did this! He faithful performed his duty in this area.
2. Must make the alien sinner understand that:
a. 1 Pet. 1:18-19 - Christ alone died for my sin.
b. Jhn. 8:24 - w/o belief in Christ I will find my soul in hellfire.
c. Forgiveness comes ONLY through Christ!
3. Mt. 28:19-20; Mk. 16:15-16 - obligation expected of ALL who are children of God!
III. Christians under Obligation to Teach the Gospel of the NT.
A. Last week: Mt. 28:18 - ALL authority given to Christ by God
1. Js. 1:25 - Christ given man the perfect law of liberty!
2. 2 Pet. 1:3 - ALL things pertaining to life & godliness been given to man - through the Scriptures.
3. THEREFORE: obligated to teach God's word and only God's word.
B. Gal. 1:11-12 - gospel they heard not according to God. What power in that? This is the gospel we need to preach.
1. Man taints gospel of Christ, turning into his own, but adding/subtracting various things.
2. 1:8-9 - those who teach something different to be accursed. GK - anathema. Paul repeats this thought in v. 9.
3. Notice also 2 Jhn. 9…
4. Only the Lord's doctrine will produce the Lord's people!
C. Lk. 8:11 - the seed is the word of God. The Word of God found ONLY in the Bible.
1. seed must be planted in the proper soil & in the proper way.
a. patience; humbleness; diligence; determination.
b. Sense of urgency to the matter. Delay??? Could cause some to be lost!
2. 1 Cor .1:21 - Christians obligated to get the word out!
a. method has been determined how to do this. Teaching/preaching one of the most effective ways!
b. V. 23-24 - what to preach? The gospel of Christ! This is the message. This is how we convert true Christians.
3. Rom 10:13-17 - sheds more light on the responsibility that Christians have:
a. notice esp. v. 14-17
b. in order to be saved…must hear the message first!
c. Are you/we doing our part in getting the message out?
D. Alien sinner MUST do the following things….
1. hear the message preached. Mt .17:5; Jhn. 6:44-45 - AGAIN - Christian's responsibility to get the message out!
2. Believe the message preached/taught - Heb. 11:6; Jhn. 8:24
3. Repent of his sins - Acts 3:19; 17:30 - means a turning away from the old life of sin…
4. Confess that Jesus is the Son of God - Mt. 10:32-33; Rom. 10:10
5. Be baptized for the remission of sins. Acts 2:30; 22:16; Rom. 6:3-5
E. This is the bible plan of salvation. Leave anyone of these out & you are not saved!
IV. Christians are Obligated to Live by What They Teach.
A. Spent great deal of time lately on influences. Especially in this series.
1. Influence poor? Actions/words/exhortations NOT accepted by world.
2. How can we expect someone to believe what we say when we do not live according to it?
3. Could this by why so many Christians today neglect their obligation to the alien sinner?
a. if so, not fulfilling obligation to Jesus, the local congregation, and fellow Christians. Soul in danger anyway.
4. Influence one our most valuable possessions.
B. Lives must be filled with good works.
1. Gal. 6:9-10 - do good to ALL men!
2. Mt. 5:47 - do go not only to friends but to ALL!
a. easy to do good to those whom we love/like.
b. Another thing to do good to someone who has hurt us/betrayed/persecuted us.
c. This is the way of Christ.
3. Mt. 5:44 - demonstrate by our care/concern for the soul.
V. Conclusion.
A. Only link between God & His word and someone outside Christ IS YOU AND ME!
B. Song: The World's Bible…
1. Christ has no hands but our hands; to do His word today. He has no feet but our feet to lead men in His way. He has no tongue but our tongues to tell men how He died, he has no help but our help, to bring them to His side.
2. We are the only Bible the careless world will read. We are the sinners gospel We are the scoffers creed. We are the Lord's last message given in word and deed what if the type is crooked, what is the print is blurred?
3. What if our hands are busy with other things than His? What if our feet are walking where sins allurement is? What if our tongues are speaking of the things His life would spurn, how can we hope to help Him and welcome His return?
C. The only opportunity that many will have to be saved is when you and I tell them of God's plan for mankind!
D. Alien sinner: Jesus Christ died for you!
1. You can have forgiveness of sins through Him
2. You can have eternal life some day
3. You don't have to spend eternity in hell.
4. Christ is the way. He is your hope!
5. Respond in obedience to His will today!
E. I N V I T A T I O N
