Central Baptist Church Center, Texas

Deception is a possibility. 2 Corinthians 4:3 Is Christ in you or on you? 2 Thessalonians 2:9; Proverbs 4:19; 2 Corinthians 5:17 - a new creature 1. The first proof of salvation is forsaking. - Old things are passed away. You have to turn from your sin. Moses forsook Egypt. 2. There is a turning to - followship. John 10:27; 1 Thessalonians 1:9 The Thessalonians turned from idols to God. A drawing to the precahing John 3:19-21; Acts 8:4 3. Fruit Galatians 5:22-23; John 15:2, 15-16 4. Faith Hebrews 11:1; Ephesians 2:8; James 2:17-18 5. Fellowship 6. Friendship

1 Peter 5:8 - Satan is our adversary. Ecclesiastes 8:8 - There is no discharge from this war. 1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 2:3 - Endure hardness. 2 Corinthians 10:2-3 Ephesians 6:17-18 In battle, the enemy won't lower the bar. Don't lower the standard; bring the men up to the standard. Psalm 78:9, 41 - Don't limit God by fleeing the battle. 2 Corinthians 6:14; Matthew 28:11 Only one yoke can be worn at a time. A yoke was not created for play. 2 Timothy 2:4; John 8:29 1. We must make a clean break with the world. 2. We must be men of might. Philippians 4:13; Ephesians 6:10 Our strength is in submission, not independence. 3. We must be skillful with our weapons. A. God's Word B. Prayer Matthew 18:18-19; 1 John 5:14 We must not be intimidated by the enemy. Courage - bold as lion, not fearless Esther Job Judges 8:20 swift: responding quickly, moving with velocity Acts 2:42 We must be on solid ground to stand firm.

1. To prove is to put to the test - Faith - Obedience Our responsibility is to please God. 2. To prove is to illustrate the correctness of something. - A good testimony People don't just need to hear God's Word; they need to see the evidence. 3. To prove is to put forth indisputable evidence.  

John 3:36; Acts 4:12 Rejecting the facts doesn't change anything. Genesis 6:3 Neglect is to brush something aside. Acts 24:25 A convenient time will never come.  Some let others turn them aside.  Hebrews 3:7-8 "Escape" denotes urgency. One day it will be too late. People did not believe Noah until it came to pass. "Salvation" denotes urgency. Someone saving your physical life is not the same as Jesus saving you for eternity. 2 Corinthians 6:2 - "NOW" We have no promise of tomorrow!  Proverbs 27:1; Isaiah 1:18

The composition of life - We start out with strength. The coming of sorrow - Sorrow comes to all. Some are soon cut off. James 4:13-14 2 Timothy 3:15; Proverbs 3:20 Everyone has peer pressure; we can choose from whom the pressure comes. Sources of wisdom: 1. In print 2. In prayer 3. In being separated from the wrong crowd Number our days. Apply our hearts to wisdom. Don't waste your years. Eph. 5:15-16 - "redeeming the time" Wallowing over past failures or reveling in past victories only wastes the present. Luke 5:10 - "henceforth" - from this point forward Romans 6:6 - unto - pointed toward "as long as I live" - Job 27:6 2 Timothy 4:6-7 Paul was faithful to the fight. Paul was faithful to the faith. Paul was faithful to the finish. Psalm 104:33 - Keep singing praises; don't become bitter. Psalm 22:3 Judah means "praise." Judah always led into battle. Acts 16:25 - Paul and Silas praised God. Give your all in the last days; don't give up!

I. Accept II. Adapt III. Advance

Examples of those who gave not their life to the death: *John Bunyan *Patrick Henry *Those who stood during Communism *Those who stand to Islam *James Calvert We need "no road" missionaries.  Be willing to go regardless of the conditions. A tree falls in the direction it is leaning.  Which direction are you headed? Acts 1:8 - If sacrifice doesn't hurt, it isn't sacrifice! How can we get to the point of loving not our life to the death? 1. By faith in the Word of God - Take up your cross and follow Christ. Die to self daily. 2. By fearing the warnings of the Word of God - Hebrews 11  

Acts 1:8 Hannah had a barren womb. - She was broken. 1 Samuel 1:7; She wept bitterly. Jeremiah 9:1 Many have lost their burden for sinners. Our churches are barren but not broken. Revelation 4:11 Sarah was barren, but millions would come from her. 2 Chronicles 16:9; 1 Peter 3:12 "Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God." - William Carey I. Expect great things from God. We are the limiting power. What do you expect? What is your vision? Jeremiah 33:3; 29:12; Deuteronomy 4:7; Isaiah 65:24; John 14:15 Pray believing! Psalm 2:8 - Are you asking God for the heathen? Make a list of your expectations. How big is your God? II. Attempt great things for God. - "stretch out, enlarge..." Romans 12:2 attempt: to essay, to try

1. Jesus was influenced by the grace of God as a twelve year old boy. 2. Jesus had a sincere interest in the things of God. 3. Jesus was passionate about His Heavenly Father's business. 4. Jesus was in submission to His earthly parents.

I. Jacob's beloved child A. Joseph was a delight to his father. B. Joseph was despised by his brothers. C. Joseph was a dreamer. II. Joseph's beloved coat Things are not always as they appear to be. A. A statement of despair B. A statement of deceit C. A statement of defeat Jacob began operating according to His senses and not by the Spirit. Jacob refused to be comforted. Walking by sight leads to disillusionment, defeat, discouragement, despair, and death. What dreams has God given you? How much have you invested in your Joseph? III. Jehovah's blessed care A. The providence of God B. The promise of God fulfilled Genesis 45:25

God loves lost sinners. God loves saved sinners more. God loves the Father more. I. There are things the blessed man abstains from. A. Ungodly counsel B. Standing in the way of sinners Psalm 32:8 C. The seat of the scornful - those who act in defiance Matthew 12:31-32 II. There is something the blessed man adheres to - the law of the Lord. Joshua 1:8 III. There are some things the blessed man acquires. A. The water - The Word of God The biggest trees are by the river bank. B. Green leaves - Faithfulness C. Fruit D. Prosperity

Philippians 3:14; Psalm 142:4; 2 Timothy 4:7 Your attitude determines your altitude. Luke 14:16-24 - What weights are keeping you from serving? Proverbs 23:7 1. We get a bad attitude about the track we are on. - Don't complain about where God has you. 2. We get a bad attitude toward the trainer. 3. We get a bad attitude toward the daily tasks. 4. We get a bad attitude toward the timing. Don't jump the gun! Don't get ahead of God. Taking your eyes off of Jesus ends in tragedy: 1. Lot 2. Samson 3. Achan 4. Demas Peter fell when he took his eyes off of Jesus, but he looked back to Jesus. I. Look to Jesus for salvation. Acts 4:10 II. Look to Jesus for security. John 10:27 III. Look to Jesus for submission to authority. IV. Look to Jesus for strength. Philippians 4:13 V. Look to Jesus for your supply. Philippians 4:19 VI. Look to Jesus for the Second Coming. Acts 1:11

disciple: a learner, a follower Three qualifications of New Testament disciples: I. Identification with Jesus - Matthew 14:15: 8:11 A. Jesus was the teacher; the followers were the pupils. B. The followers submitted to His authority. C. They followed His steps. II. Instructions by Jesus - John 1:1 A. Revolutionary concepts John 14:1-3 B. Radical conditions Matthew 8:18-20 Die to self; put Jesus first. Matthew 16:24; Luke 14:25 C. Revealing circumstances - irritated, incensed III. Involvement for Jesus Be in His plan. Do you answer when God calls? A. It requires prayer. Matthew 9:37 B. It requires propegation of the gospel. We must get it out. Matthew 28:19 C. It requires portrayal of love. John 13:35 D. It requires producing fruit. John 15:5; 10:27; Luke 4:46

Joshua 1:8 Don't be a cafeteria Christian, choosing to do only what you want to do. Psalm 1:1 I. Faith in God Deuteronomy 11:1; Hebrews 11:6 God is bigger than our problems; why don't we trust Him? Deuteronomy 11:11 II. Family in service for God Joshua 24:15 The whole family needs to be involved. III. Fellowship IV. Financial responsibility to God and the local church Be honest. Deuteronomy 12:5 Where you spend your money is where you are spending your life. V. Forsake those opposed to God and His work. Deuteronomy 12:2 There are some places where you should not be. Psalm 1:1 - Don't seek counsel from the ungodly.

1. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee. 2. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart. 3. Be not wise in thine own eyes; fear the Lord. 4. Honor the Lord with thy substance. 5. Despise not the chastening of the Lord. 6. Happy is the man that findeth wisdom. 7. Have confidence in God. 8. Don't withhold good. 9. Devise not evil against thy neighbor. 10. Envy not the oppressor.

Do we even realize that we need to look for the King? Philippians 3:10 Jesus is the only thing worth searching for, living for, etc. God can be found!