Saved by Sincerity Alone?

Saved by Sincerity Alone?

2000045

Subject: salvation

Introduction:

A. A common attitude and belief of some is that simply being religiously right is all that it takes to please God.

1. What do the Scriptures say?

B. When one reads the NT, one learns it takes more than sincerity alone to please God.

C. We realize that we must be sincere in our obedience to God….but being just sincere is not enough!

I. Before Saul became a Christian - he was religiously sincere - but he was sincerely wrong.

A. Acts 23:1 - even though he a Pharisee and a persecutor of the church - he did all that w/a good conscience.

B. Acts 9:6 - Jesus appeared to Saul and told him to go into Damascus.

1. Saul obeyed the commandment. Prayed/fasted for three days.

2. Ananias came to him and said he was told by the Lord to go where Saul was and tell him some things.

C. Acts 22:16 - when he got there - he told Saul……

D. He obeyed - his sins were forgiven - just as our sins can be forgiven if we have not obeyed the gospel.

II. Cornelius was more than a religiously sincere person. (Acts 10:1-2)

A. Acts 10:17-23 - sent for Peter who was a Joppa - so he could find out what he needed to do to be saved.

1. 10:48 - Peter preached to them Jesus Christ and instructed them to be baptized.

B. Being sincere in addition to giving alms and fearing God (10:1-2) did not save Cornelius - nor will it save people today!

III. We must strive to enter in.

A. Lk. 13:23 - Note the question asked of the Lord.

1. Note the answer given by Christ in 13:24. Should peak our interest.

2. Not many will enter!

B. Mt. 7:13-14 - way to heaven will be difficult.

1. two ways to go in - strait/narrow gate - or wide/broad gate.

2. Getting to heaven takes DAILY effort/DAILY sacrifice.

C. Mt. 7:21 - need to understand that not just any service to God will be accepted by him. Need to do the will of the Father.

IV. Build your spiritual house on Christ - Mt. 7:24-27

A. wise man: house founded on the rock and not destroyed.

B. Foolish man: built on sand - it fell - great was it's fall.

V. There are many false teachers.

A. Mt. 7:15 - Jesus warns His disciples:

1. there are many who will follow after false teaching for many different reasons.

B. Mt. 15:14 - note what Jesus says:

C. How can one know a false teacher?

1. By comparing what the Bible says w/their teaching!

2. Eph. 4:14 - Bible = the authority of the saved!

3. 1 Thess. 5:21 - they should be able to prove all things and hold fast to what is good.

4. 2 Tim. 2:15 - this comes by studying God's word.

Conclusion:

A. God has revealed His will for us through Scripture - 2 Tim. 3:16-17

B. We must obey Christ's commands (Heb. 5:8-9) to be freed from sin.

C. Are you obeying God's will or only attempted to get by on just your sincerity?

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



Saved by Sincerity Alone? 2000045 Subject: salvation Introduction: A. A common attitude and belief of some is that simply being religiously right is all that it takes to please God. 1. What do the Scriptures say? B. When one reads the NT, one learns it takes more than sincerity alone to please God. C. We realize that we must be sincere in our obedience to God….but being just sincere is not enough! I. Before Saul became a Christian - he was religiously sincere - but he was sincerely wrong. A. Acts 23:1 - even though he a Pharisee and a persecutor of the church - he did all that w/a good conscience. B. Acts 9:6 - Jesus appeared to Saul and told him to go into Damascus. 1. Saul obeyed the commandment. Prayed/fasted for three days. 2. Ananias came to him and said he was told by the Lord to go where Saul was and tell him some things. C. Acts 22:16 - when he got there - he told Saul…… D. He obeyed - his sins were forgiven - just as our sins can be forgiven if we have not obeyed the gospel. II. Cornelius was more than a religiously sincere person. (Acts 10:1-2) A. Acts 10:17-23 - sent for Peter who was a Joppa - so he could find out what he needed to do to be saved. 1. 10:48 - Peter preached to them Jesus Christ and instructed them to be baptized. B. Being sincere in addition to giving alms and fearing God (10:1-2) did not save Cornelius - nor will it save people today! III. We must strive to enter in. A. Lk. 13:23 - Note the question asked of the Lord. 1. Note the answer given by Christ in 13:24. Should peak our interest. 2. Not many will enter! B. Mt. 7:13-14 - way to heaven will be difficult. 1. two ways to go in - strait/narrow gate - or wide/broad gate. 2. Getting to heaven takes DAILY effort/DAILY sacrifice. C. Mt. 7:21 - need to understand that not just any service to God will be accepted by him. Need to do the will of the Father. IV. Build your spiritual house on Christ - Mt. 7:24-27 A. wise man: house founded on the rock and not destroyed. B. Foolish man: built on sand - it fell - great was it's fall. V. There are many false teachers. A. Mt. 7:15 - Jesus warns His disciples: 1. there are many who will follow after false teaching for many different reasons. B. Mt. 15:14 - note what Jesus says: C. How can one know a false teacher? 1. By comparing what the Bible says w/their teaching! 2. Eph. 4:14 - Bible = the authority of the saved! 3. 1 Thess. 5:21 - they should be able to prove all things and hold fast to what is good. 4. 2 Tim. 2:15 - this comes by studying God's word. Conclusion: A. God has revealed His will for us through Scripture - 2 Tim. 3:16-17 B. We must obey Christ's commands (Heb. 5:8-9) to be freed from sin. C. Are you obeying God's will or only attempted to get by on just your sincerity? D. I N V I T A T I O N