OceanSide church of Christ

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Six Great Things

Wayne Rodgers

Introduction:

The Bible is often referred to as the “good book.”  In reality it is the best book known to man.  We find it in the Origin, Purpose, and Destiny of mankind.  The Bible reveals to us the very mind of God.

-         1 Cor. 2:6,7 “Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory.”

Upon examining the contents of the Bible, the student will find some very monumental events.  Such as:

-         Creation of the world

-         Including man – Gen. 1,2

-         Universal flood – Gen. 6-9

-         Tower of BabelGen. 11

-         Exodus from Egyptian bondage – Ex. 1-12

-         Crossing the Red Sea – Ex. 14,15

-         The Old Testament Law given to Moses at the hand of God – Ex. 19,20

-         God’s conversation with the patriarch Job – Job 38-42

-         The inspired preaching of the prophets –

-         The Virgin Birth of Christ – Isa. 7:14 / Matt. 1:18-25

-         The many miracles by Jesus in his ministry –

-         The Trials

-         The Cross

-         The Resurrection

-         The preaching and miracles of the apostles – John 20:30-31; Heb. 2:1-4

 

Yes, the Bible reveals many great things.  We will discuss six great things found in the Bible that are of great importance to us today:

 

Lead Statement: In the scriptures, we find…

 

I.                  The Great Invitation (Mt. 11:28ff)

a.     A Great Invitation demands a great Inviter – Jesus Christ fits the bill.

b.     The Greatest invitation given of all is to COME

                                                             i.      Jesus simply wishes for us to yield unto him.

                                                           ii.      Deny ourselves and become his disciples.

c.      Jesus spoke a parable concerning this awesome invitation in Lk. 14:15ff

d.     There are hard choices to be made, some persecution may arise b/c of our choices to follow Jesus, but the gathering will be worth it all – Rev. 22:17 “…And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely.”

e.      This is what Jesus offers for us to come – the water of life

f.       The invitation is open for all – for “whosoever will” – Jn. 7:17 “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine…”

II.               The Great Confession (Acts 8:37)

a.     To identify with Christ is to deny the world – that is what makes this confession so great! – Identifying with Christ!

                                                             i.      Denying the world means accepting and doing God’s will even as Jesus gave example – Mt. 26:39 “And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will but as thou wilt.”

                                                           ii.      Deny the world means expecting opposition and resisting temptation – James 4:4-8

                                                        iii.      Denying the world means winning the battle over the struggle between life and death -  2 Tim. 2:11-13; Rev. 12:11 “And they overcame him by the blood of the lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

b.     Saving faith is that which puts full confidence in Jesus as Christ, and is then willing to verbally acknowledge such with obedience – Rom. 10:9-10

III.           The Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15,16; Lk. 24:47 “…that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”

a.     The compassion of Christ, along with the challenge we face is what makes this commission  so great – Mark 16:15-16

b.     Most people will undoubtedly remain lost – Mt. 7:21ff

c.      Yet, the gospel must still be made known, for, God wants all to be saved and come unto the knowledge of him and the cross that affords the opportunity to be saved – Titus 1:1-2

d.     The challenge is set before each Christian – “teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I command you.”

IV.           The Great Salvation (Heb. 2:1-4)

a.     The prophets of old “searched diligently” concerning the salvation of God. But it was only made known through the coming of Jesus Christ.

                                                             i.      2 Tim. 1:9-10 read

                                                           ii.      Gal. 4:4 “But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of woman, made under the law.”

b.     Salvation is the Theme of the Whole Bible!

c.      The Redemption of Mankind!

V.               The Great Responsibility (Lk. 9:23,62)

a.     Daily Service & Sacrifice - Rom. 12:1-2

b.     The cross represents death (Luke 9:23), but in particular death to self in order to follow Christ.

c.      Daily living for Christ – Gal. 2:20

VI.           The Great Reward (2 Tim. 4:6-8)

a.     A Crown – Rev. 2:10b

b.     Heaven itself!  It’s glories shared with the faithful of all the earth and span of time.

c.      Rev. 21-22…the glory of Heaven is given in vivid picture and detail, but the true glory of Heaven is THE PRESENCE OF GOD!