Successful Living in Christ

Successful Living Series

2002017

Subject: successful living

Introduction:

A. All men desire success.

1. many measure success by different standards/levels – but we’re all looking for it.

2. know people who successful. Achieved greatly in this life physically & spiritually.

3. Characterized by being driven. Fall – get back up – persevered.

4. Characterized by seeking out good/practical advice.

5. Stayed the course – even when most would have turned back.

B. We need to desire success in our spiritual life.

1. All want to go to heaven. Willing to do whatever it takes? Change where necessary? Keep going at all costs?

2. Christ like living is possible! You can do it! You can become a positive influence for Christ!

C. If we’ll make the commitment to follow though & apply self – not only will we be better – but those around us will profit as well!

D. Should excite us! Hope you’re inspired to take your Christianity to the next level after being here today!

I. Success begins by starting the life.

A. Before one can become successful Christian – he must obey the gospel!

1. Acts 16:30 – man’s greatest question.

2. Notice – question implies action on our part.

a) not based on feeling; conscience (conscience misleads – Acts 23:1)

3. Acts 2:36-40 – what must we do?

4. Acts 9:6 – Paul inquired what to do…

B. We have to make conscious decision to follow Christ.

1. Just as those did in Acts 2. Hearts pricked through preaching of God’s word! His word was instrument used to bring men to salvation!

2. Rom. 1:16 – gospel = power of God for salvation! Found in God’s word!

C. This is a personal decision! What must I do?

1. must make up mind for self.

a) don’t rely on religion of parents…

b) don’t rely on religion of preacher!

2. 1 Jhn. 4:1 – test the spirits to see whether of God…

D. What must I do? What Jesus says!

1. Jesus is right! Js. 4:12 – only Lawgiver!

a) Mt. 17:5 – This is my beloved Son – HEAR HIM!

b) Heb. 1:1-2 – God speaks to us through His Son!

2. Believe – He = Son of God!

3. Repent – Lk. 13:3 – change from sinful life- motivated by godly sorrow.

4. confess – Acts 8:38-40 – let it be known you’re a Christian!

5. be baptized for remission of sin!

E. Lord saves on His terms – This gets us on the way – but…we need to…grow up in Christ.

II. Success will come through staying the way!

A. Psa. 57:7 – heart fixed (ASV) steadfast (NASV)

1. know many Christians who have started the life – but have trouble staying the way! Struggle to get Christian life going; wrestle w/sin; downtrodden w/worry…

2. How can we overcome this?

B. Our Christianity must be built on an unmovable; unwavering foundation!

1. Col. 1:22-23 – those reconciled w/Christ have become holy; blameless; beyond reproach!

a) if you continue in the faith…firmly established…

b) how can I firmly establish myself?

III. Spiritual Success in Acts 2:42

A. Remarkable picture of Christianity here. Christians growing spiritually & numerically!

B. 2:42 – they devoted themselves to doctrine!

1. successful Christian life will be built on Jesus’ doctrine! 1 Cor. 3:9-11

2. Acts 2:42 – continued in apostles doctrine – what apostles had they got from Jesus – Jhn. 17:8

a) of course – this contained in NT. Must devote self to learning what it is.

b) Do so point to where I become settled; resolved; and confident.

c) We need/must know what we believe & why – and not move away from it!

d) 1 Cor. 16:13

3. Only ONE doctrine, i.e., Christ’s. This is pure doctrine.

a) DOCTRINE of Christ: Acts 2:42; 1 Tim. 4:6; Titus 2:10

b) DOCTRINES of men: Mt. 15:9; 1 Tim. 1:3; 1 Tim. 4:1

c) Great contrast between these in Scriptures!

C. Acts 2:42 – devoted themselves to fellowship.

1. fellowship = joint participation. A sharing together.

a) fellowship should be contingent w/one’s walking with God.

b) If one in fellowship w/God – I should have fellowship w/him.

2. 1 Jhn. 1:7 – fellowship w/God as to whether one in the light. (LIGHT HERE + TRUTH) Any man walking in truth has fellowship w/God.

3. Person quits walking in truth – need to quit having fellowship w/him – per Eph. 5:11

4. NT Christians fellowship exhibited in Acts 2:44-47; 4:23 – jointly participated in helping the needy.

5. we have fellowship when we come together to worship. We jointly participate.

a) wonderful to worship together!

b) We JP in our evangelistic efforts

c) In doing so we become closer together as a family of believers glorifying the Lord.

6. Brethren: we need to be around each other. Need YOU to participate in classes; worship; singings; potlucks; get togethers!

a) how can we grow closer together if we’re here 1 hour of wk?

b) Togetherness essential element to Christianity.

D. Acts 2:42 – breaking of bread.

1. Here = LS. Also known as Lord’s table; communion; breaking of bread

a) done of FD of wk. To commemorate Jesus’ suffering on cross.

b) A memorial; a proclamation

2. All members need to assemble to partake of LS.

a) be here out of our love/devotion to God!

b) Know of some who think nothing of missing services- for no reason at all.

E. Acts 2:42 – prayer

1. early church was a praying church. Had prayer meetings.

a) 1 Thess 5:17; Col. 4:2; Js. 5:16

2. Weldon Warnock: How often we deprive ourselves of spiritual and physical blessings because of a lack of prayer!

3. some of the things God does are contingent on our asking!

IV. To be successful one must be steadfast in the Lord’s work.

A. 1 Cor. 15:58

1. abound in spiritual activities! Labor not in vain!

2. become firm/solid/fixed/immovable. Spiritual exercise will make this happen!

B. All brethren to work! Each has his own niche!

1. Active; engaged! Must be about our Father’s business.

2. too many sleepers; to many shirkers.

C. Gospel is powerful!

1. Jesus started w/12 men. 3000; 5000; multitudes; 20,000 in Jerusalem alone – after 30 years – to every creature under heaven!

2. Have same power at our fingertips!

a) get gospel to RC

b) not impossible – if we abound; work constantly!

4. God not satisfied w/minimum’s status quo.

Conclusion:

A. We’re one day closer to eternity.

1. Where are you on the journey to heaven?

2. Gotten started yet?

3. Staying w/it?

B. Fellow Christians – we’ve come too far to turn back now…

1. Don’t give up! Gal. 6:9-10

2. All present trials will be worth it in the end!

C. I N V I T A T I O N



Successful Living in Christ Successful Living Series 2002017 Subject: successful living Introduction: A. All men desire success. 1. many measure success by different standards/levels – but we’re all looking for it. 2. know people who successful. Achieved greatly in this life physically & spiritually. 3. Characterized by being driven. Fall – get back up – persevered. 4. Characterized by seeking out good/practical advice. 5. Stayed the course – even when most would have turned back. B. We need to desire success in our spiritual life. 1. All want to go to heaven. Willing to do whatever it takes? Change where necessary? Keep going at all costs? 2. Christ like living is possible! You can do it! You can become a positive influence for Christ! C. If we’ll make the commitment to follow though & apply self – not only will we be better – but those around us will profit as well! D. Should excite us! Hope you’re inspired to take your Christianity to the next level after being here today! I. Success begins by starting the life. A. Before one can become successful Christian – he must obey the gospel! 1. Acts 16:30 – man’s greatest question. 2. Notice – question implies action on our part. a) not based on feeling; conscience (conscience misleads – Acts 23:1) 3. Acts 2:36-40 – what must we do? 4. Acts 9:6 – Paul inquired what to do… B. We have to make conscious decision to follow Christ. 1. Just as those did in Acts 2. Hearts pricked through preaching of God’s word! His word was instrument used to bring men to salvation! 2. Rom. 1:16 – gospel = power of God for salvation! Found in God’s word! C. This is a personal decision! What must I do? 1. must make up mind for self. a) don’t rely on religion of parents… b) don’t rely on religion of preacher! 2. 1 Jhn. 4:1 – test the spirits to see whether of God… D. What must I do? What Jesus says! 1. Jesus is right! Js. 4:12 – only Lawgiver! a) Mt. 17:5 – This is my beloved Son – HEAR HIM! b) Heb. 1:1-2 – God speaks to us through His Son! 2. Believe – He = Son of God! 3. Repent – Lk. 13:3 – change from sinful life- motivated by godly sorrow. 4. confess – Acts 8:38-40 – let it be known you’re a Christian! 5. be baptized for remission of sin! E. Lord saves on His terms – This gets us on the way – but…we need to…grow up in Christ. II. Success will come through staying the way! A. Psa. 57:7 – heart fixed (ASV) steadfast (NASV) 1. know many Christians who have started the life – but have trouble staying the way! Struggle to get Christian life going; wrestle w/sin; downtrodden w/worry… 2. How can we overcome this? B. Our Christianity must be built on an unmovable; unwavering foundation! 1. Col. 1:22-23 – those reconciled w/Christ have become holy; blameless; beyond reproach! a) if you continue in the faith…firmly established… b) how can I firmly establish myself? III. Spiritual Success in Acts 2:42 A. Remarkable picture of Christianity here. Christians growing spiritually & numerically! B. 2:42 – they devoted themselves to doctrine! 1. successful Christian life will be built on Jesus’ doctrine! 1 Cor. 3:9-11 2. Acts 2:42 – continued in apostles doctrine – what apostles had they got from Jesus – Jhn. 17:8 a) of course – this contained in NT. Must devote self to learning what it is. b) Do so point to where I become settled; resolved; and confident. c) We need/must know what we believe & why – and not move away from it! d) 1 Cor. 16:13 3. Only ONE doctrine, i.e., Christ’s. This is pure doctrine. a) DOCTRINE of Christ: Acts 2:42; 1 Tim. 4:6; Titus 2:10 b) DOCTRINES of men: Mt. 15:9; 1 Tim. 1:3; 1 Tim. 4:1 c) Great contrast between these in Scriptures! C. Acts 2:42 – devoted themselves to fellowship. 1. fellowship = joint participation. A sharing together. a) fellowship should be contingent w/one’s walking with God. b) If one in fellowship w/God – I should have fellowship w/him. 2. 1 Jhn. 1:7 – fellowship w/God as to whether one in the light. (LIGHT HERE + TRUTH) Any man walking in truth has fellowship w/God. 3. Person quits walking in truth – need to quit having fellowship w/him – per Eph. 5:11 4. NT Christians fellowship exhibited in Acts 2:44-47; 4:23 – jointly participated in helping the needy. 5. we have fellowship when we come together to worship. We jointly participate. a) wonderful to worship together! b) We JP in our evangelistic efforts c) In doing so we become closer together as a family of believers glorifying the Lord. 6. Brethren: we need to be around each other. Need YOU to participate in classes; worship; singings; potlucks; get togethers! a) how can we grow closer together if we’re here 1 hour of wk? b) Togetherness essential element to Christianity. D. Acts 2:42 – breaking of bread. 1. Here = LS. Also known as Lord’s table; communion; breaking of bread a) done of FD of wk. To commemorate Jesus’ suffering on cross. b) A memorial; a proclamation 2. All members need to assemble to partake of LS. a) be here out of our love/devotion to God! b) Know of some who think nothing of missing services- for no reason at all. E. Acts 2:42 – prayer 1. early church was a praying church. Had prayer meetings. a) 1 Thess 5:17; Col. 4:2; Js. 5:16 2. Weldon Warnock: How often we deprive ourselves of spiritual and physical blessings because of a lack of prayer! 3. some of the things God does are contingent on our asking! IV. To be successful one must be steadfast in the Lord’s work. A. 1 Cor. 15:58 1. abound in spiritual activities! Labor not in vain! 2. become firm/solid/fixed/immovable. Spiritual exercise will make this happen! B. All brethren to work! Each has his own niche! 1. Active; engaged! Must be about our Father’s business. 2. too many sleepers; to many shirkers. C. Gospel is powerful! 1. Jesus started w/12 men. 3000; 5000; multitudes; 20,000 in Jerusalem alone – after 30 years – to every creature under heaven! 2. Have same power at our fingertips! a) get gospel to RC b) not impossible – if we abound; work constantly! 4. God not satisfied w/minimum’s status quo. Conclusion: A. We’re one day closer to eternity. 1. Where are you on the journey to heaven? 2. Gotten started yet? 3. Staying w/it? B. Fellow Christians – we’ve come too far to turn back now… 1. Don’t give up! Gal. 6:9-10 2. All present trials will be worth it in the end! C. I N V I T A T I O N