The Christians Obligations to Himself

1998047

I. Introduction.

A. Final lesson in this series. We have spent the five previous lesson discussing obligations that we as Christians have around us as well as to Jesus Christ.

1. Now wish to focus upon self.

2. Obligations that we have to our selves are such that no one can fulfill them for us.

a. can’t expect parents/brethren/whoever to do them for me.

b. Can’t expect preacher/elders to do them for me.

3. Must be willing to work in order to meet these obligations.

B. Remember: obligation defined as: a binding power or vow upon which a penalty is attached upon failure of due performance.

C. Life is busy. Our lives full of activities which are necessary to make living and enjoy life. However: let us not neglect the important obligation that we have to ourselves to make it to heaven.

D. How tragic to stand at the judgment gate and fall short of the prize. I have an obligation to myself to live in such a way that I will get to heaven.

E. If you haven’t started following these obligations to yourself, tonight is a good time to start.

II. I owe it to myself to be educated in the way of righteousness.

A. Mt. 28:18-20 – a well known passage of scripture.

1. Notice as one reads that a major issue presented is GROWTH!

a. v. 19 – what are those who have been baptized in need of doing? Being taught.

b. Not over when one has been immersed in waters of baptism! No free ticket to heaven! Your Christian life is just beginning after baptism.

2. 2 Tim. 2:2 – others have the responsibility to help us! Profited greatly from the instruction of others around me. HOWEVER….

3. The greatest responsibility falls in my lap to study/grow more.

a. true in secular study….

b. True in spiritual study… One must come to the realization that it is necessary to grow. The key to this is attitude.

B. Notice 1 Pet. 1:22-2:3.

1. Must desire the milk of the word. Feed upon the word of God through Bible study. Doing so causes growth!

2. A taste of good food creates a desire for more. Mexican food; Alpine Inn… Eat both as often as can.

a. how much do we desire spiritual food?

b. Soul cannot survive w/o spiritual food.

3. As no time can we quit eating and be as healthy as we ought to be!

C. While desire spiritual food, let us always seek to obtain God’s truth.

1. Contrary to the predominant religious world position that Biblical truth is elusive, it isn’t. Truth can be determined from God’s word!

2. Almost ALL want to truth and will freely admit to desiring such.

a. few however, put forth the efforts which are required to see/obtain truth.

b. Want someone else to do their studying for them.

3. Education requires more than just listening or reading.

a. it necessitates a thorough STUDY.

b. 2 Tim. 2:15 – diligence involved. Time involved. Means we’ll have to sacrifice some of our earthly pursuits perhaps.

c. We learn best when we apply what we learn to our lives – because it then becomes REAL!

d. Is your life devoted to spiritual things?

D. Are you educated in the way of righteousness?

III. I owe it to myself to withstand worldly pressures.

A. We have talked about the importance of being educated in righteousness. Being educated in this way serves a twofold purpose.

1. The Christian should know what is right and what he needs to be doing.

2. The Christian should know that anything which stands in opposition to right MUST BE AVOIDED in our activities.

B. we are at war against Satan. His sole purpose is to keep my soul out of heaven. He wants to take as many as he possibly can to hellfire. I owe it to myself to make sure that I don’t wind up there.

1. Satan get his followers 3 ways:

a. by keeping alien sinner from responding in obedience to the will of God.

b. By getting members of the Lord’s body to go back to the world

c. By rendering members of the church useless.

2. How can a member of the Lord’s body be rendered useless by the devil? BY filling up his life with worldliness. We are to be separate from the world!

a. Col. 3:1-2 – set your mind on things above – not on things on the earth. If I do this – I can begin to escape the worldly pressures.

b. The ONLY way to keep from being a disciple of Satan is to learn God’s will and then do it!

1. Isa. 55:6-7 – God’s will teaches us to come out/be separate from the world!

2. What are you seeking? God? Priorities in order?

3. Sad: many of us know that we need to get away from worldliness.

a. we know that God expects more of us.

b. But – we never get around to changing for the better.

c. Knowledge w/o application is both foolish and useless!

d. Lack of knowledge or it’s misapplication will render us useless for Christ.

C. Terrible thought to be thought of as useless!

IV. I owe it to myself to lay hold of eternal life.

A. Notice 1 Tim. 6:11-14. Paul writing to encourage young Timothy.

B. Church is a called out body of eternal souls.

1. Each Christian has an eternal soul. That soul will live on and on forever.

2. The church is the PREPARING GROUND for those who have been called out to go to heaven.

3. We cannot have heaven if we don’t prepare!

a. back to 1 Tim. 6:12 – lay hold on eternal life….

b. It’s there for the taking…

c. Christ promised it to us – if we’ll do our part!

d. Amos 5:12 – Prepare to meet your God! ARE YOU PREPARED?

C. Getting prepared is an individual responsibility. No one can do this for you.

1. How to prepare? By adhering to God’s word.

2. Phil. 2:12 – It is EACH persons responsibility to work out their salvation – YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING!

3. Preparing for one of two destinations: Heaven/Hell. Which one are you preparing for right now?

a. is your soul headed toward eternal destruction?

D. Eternal life is not an automatic possession of every church member!

1. 1 Tim. 6:12 – must lay hold of it….

2. Phil. 2:12 – must work it out on our own.

E. To lay hold of eternal life one must follow through on the following requirements:

1. effort – anything valuable in this world requires effort on our part to obtain. Heaven is no different. Requires great effort on our part!

2. Stamina/determination – we must possess the ability to get up and keep going after having been knocked down.

a. Christianity not an easy road to climb all of the time.

b. Satan will constantly attack.

3. love on our part to do so. – we must love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind. This will serve as a primary motivation for us to keep going.

V. Conclusion.

A. This concludes our lesson tonight. How are you doing in meeting the obligations to yourself?

1. If you fail to meet these obligations – you will regret it throughout all eternity.

2. Don’t place yourself in such a position.

3. Doing God’s will is the most important job that we have upon the face of the earth.

B. The obligations that belong to the Christian are many and varied. ALL of them are of such a nature that we CAN fulfill them.

1. You can do it.

2. Once we begin meeting these obligations we can take pleasure in accomplishing that which the Lord has given us to do.

C. As said earlier: we are preparing for eternity.

1. are you ready to lay hold of eternal life?

2. Are you living your life in a way that is pleasing to God?

3. If not, why not?

D. I N V I T A T I O N



The Christians Obligations to Himself 1998047 I. Introduction. A. Final lesson in this series. We have spent the five previous lesson discussing obligations that we as Christians have around us as well as to Jesus Christ. 1. Now wish to focus upon self. 2. Obligations that we have to our selves are such that no one can fulfill them for us. a. can’t expect parents/brethren/whoever to do them for me. b. Can’t expect preacher/elders to do them for me. 3. Must be willing to work in order to meet these obligations. B. Remember: obligation defined as: a binding power or vow upon which a penalty is attached upon failure of due performance. C. Life is busy. Our lives full of activities which are necessary to make living and enjoy life. However: let us not neglect the important obligation that we have to ourselves to make it to heaven. D. How tragic to stand at the judgment gate and fall short of the prize. I have an obligation to myself to live in such a way that I will get to heaven. E. If you haven’t started following these obligations to yourself, tonight is a good time to start. II. I owe it to myself to be educated in the way of righteousness. A. Mt. 28:18-20 – a well known passage of scripture. 1. Notice as one reads that a major issue presented is GROWTH! a. v. 19 – what are those who have been baptized in need of doing? Being taught. b. Not over when one has been immersed in waters of baptism! No free ticket to heaven! Your Christian life is just beginning after baptism. 2. 2 Tim. 2:2 – others have the responsibility to help us! Profited greatly from the instruction of others around me. HOWEVER…. 3. The greatest responsibility falls in my lap to study/grow more. a. true in secular study…. b. True in spiritual study… One must come to the realization that it is necessary to grow. The key to this is attitude. B. Notice 1 Pet. 1:22-2:3. 1. Must desire the milk of the word. Feed upon the word of God through Bible study. Doing so causes growth! 2. A taste of good food creates a desire for more. Mexican food; Alpine Inn… Eat both as often as can. a. how much do we desire spiritual food? b. Soul cannot survive w/o spiritual food. 3. As no time can we quit eating and be as healthy as we ought to be! C. While desire spiritual food, let us always seek to obtain God’s truth. 1. Contrary to the predominant religious world position that Biblical truth is elusive, it isn’t. Truth can be determined from God’s word! 2. Almost ALL want to truth and will freely admit to desiring such. a. few however, put forth the efforts which are required to see/obtain truth. b. Want someone else to do their studying for them. 3. Education requires more than just listening or reading. a. it necessitates a thorough STUDY. b. 2 Tim. 2:15 – diligence involved. Time involved. Means we’ll have to sacrifice some of our earthly pursuits perhaps. c. We learn best when we apply what we learn to our lives – because it then becomes REAL! d. Is your life devoted to spiritual things? D. Are you educated in the way of righteousness? III. I owe it to myself to withstand worldly pressures. A. We have talked about the importance of being educated in righteousness. Being educated in this way serves a twofold purpose. 1. The Christian should know what is right and what he needs to be doing. 2. The Christian should know that anything which stands in opposition to right MUST BE AVOIDED in our activities. B. we are at war against Satan. His sole purpose is to keep my soul out of heaven. He wants to take as many as he possibly can to hellfire. I owe it to myself to make sure that I don’t wind up there. 1. Satan get his followers 3 ways: a. by keeping alien sinner from responding in obedience to the will of God. b. By getting members of the Lord’s body to go back to the world c. By rendering members of the church useless. 2. How can a member of the Lord’s body be rendered useless by the devil? BY filling up his life with worldliness. We are to be separate from the world! a. Col. 3:1-2 – set your mind on things above – not on things on the earth. If I do this – I can begin to escape the worldly pressures. b. The ONLY way to keep from being a disciple of Satan is to learn God’s will and then do it! 1. Isa. 55:6-7 – God’s will teaches us to come out/be separate from the world! 2. What are you seeking? God? Priorities in order? 3. Sad: many of us know that we need to get away from worldliness. a. we know that God expects more of us. b. But – we never get around to changing for the better. c. Knowledge w/o application is both foolish and useless! d. Lack of knowledge or it’s misapplication will render us useless for Christ. C. Terrible thought to be thought of as useless! IV. I owe it to myself to lay hold of eternal life. A. Notice 1 Tim. 6:11-14. Paul writing to encourage young Timothy. B. Church is a called out body of eternal souls. 1. Each Christian has an eternal soul. That soul will live on and on forever. 2. The church is the PREPARING GROUND for those who have been called out to go to heaven. 3. We cannot have heaven if we don’t prepare! a. back to 1 Tim. 6:12 – lay hold on eternal life…. b. It’s there for the taking… c. Christ promised it to us – if we’ll do our part! d. Amos 5:12 – Prepare to meet your God! ARE YOU PREPARED? C. Getting prepared is an individual responsibility. No one can do this for you. 1. How to prepare? By adhering to God’s word. 2. Phil. 2:12 – It is EACH persons responsibility to work out their salvation – YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING! 3. Preparing for one of two destinations: Heaven/Hell. Which one are you preparing for right now? a. is your soul headed toward eternal destruction? D. Eternal life is not an automatic possession of every church member! 1. 1 Tim. 6:12 – must lay hold of it…. 2. Phil. 2:12 – must work it out on our own. E. To lay hold of eternal life one must follow through on the following requirements: 1. effort – anything valuable in this world requires effort on our part to obtain. Heaven is no different. Requires great effort on our part! 2. Stamina/determination – we must possess the ability to get up and keep going after having been knocked down. a. Christianity not an easy road to climb all of the time. b. Satan will constantly attack. 3. love on our part to do so. – we must love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind. This will serve as a primary motivation for us to keep going. V. Conclusion. A. This concludes our lesson tonight. How are you doing in meeting the obligations to yourself? 1. If you fail to meet these obligations – you will regret it throughout all eternity. 2. Don’t place yourself in such a position. 3. Doing God’s will is the most important job that we have upon the face of the earth. B. The obligations that belong to the Christian are many and varied. ALL of them are of such a nature that we CAN fulfill them. 1. You can do it. 2. Once we begin meeting these obligations we can take pleasure in accomplishing that which the Lord has given us to do. C. As said earlier: we are preparing for eternity. 1. are you ready to lay hold of eternal life? 2. Are you living your life in a way that is pleasing to God? 3. If not, why not? D. I N V I T A T I O N