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June 3, 2007 MEL

Mt. 26:28                                        JUST AS I AM                         SAL-10-07

SUBJECT: Salvation.
TITLE: Just As I Am.
PROPOSITION: To see just where we are in relation to Christ.
OBJECTIVE: So we can right any wrongs.

INTRODUCTION:
1. Read the text.
2. Regarding the text.
(1) Christ came down to this earth and lived a perfect life and died for our sins.
        A. He died for us so that we could have salvation from our sins (Rom. 5:
6,8,9).
        B. He died for us so that we could have hope of eternal life (1 Thess. 5:8).
(2) God’s grace toward us gave us the opportunity to return to him once we have
sinned.
        A. We are going to be a servant of either righteousness or unrighteousness
(Rom. 6:13).
        B. We are saved because God extended grace towards us and sent us his son
(Eph. 2:8,9; Jno. 3:16).
(3) Now it is up to us to decide what to do with that grace that has been extended
toward us.
3. Reference To S.T.P.O.

DISCUSSION: JUST AS I AM—
I. WITHOUT ONE PLEA.
1. We have nothing to bargain with.
        (1) We have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Isa. 59:1,2).
        (2) The wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23).
        (3) We cannot buy our way to heaven (Rom. 5:15,16).
2. Our only plea is the blood of Jesus Christ; the Son of God.
        (1) Jesus Christ is the mediator between man and God (1 Tim. 2:5).
        (2) As the mediator he is the mediator of the New Covenant (Heb. 12:24).
        (3) He became the mediator by shedding his blood upon the cross (Heb. 9:12).
3. Christ bids us to come to him.
        (1) God doesn’t want any to be lost (2 Pet. 3:9).
        (2) Christ’s invitation (Mt. 11:28-30).
        (3) The great commission was given to bring all men to Christ (Mt. 28:19,20).

II. AND WAITING NOT.
1. Too many people wait to put their lives right with God.
        (1) Felix sought a more convenient season (Acts 24:25).
        (2) Agrippa        was almost persuaded, but wasn’t (Acts 26:27,28).
        (3) Some on Mar’s Hill said that they would hear Paul again, but there is no
record of them ever doing so (Acts 17:32).
2. We cannot wait to rid our souls of even one dark blot.
        (1) We don’t know when Christ will return (Mt. 24:36).
        (2) We don’t know how long we will live (Heb. 9:27).
        (3) We could go beyond the point of no return (1 Tim. 4:2).
3. Christ’s blood can cleanse each spot.
        (1) It was impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sin (Heb.
10:1-4).
        (2) There is no sin too great for the blood of Christ if we will come to him in
belief, repentance, confession and baptism.
        (3) If we live in the light the blood of Christ will cleanse us from all sin (1
Jno. 1:7).

III. CHRIST WILL RECEIVE.
1. Christ will do the following—
        (1) Welcome us (Mt. 11:28-30).
        (2) Pardon us (1 Cor. 6:9-11).
        (3) Cleanse us (1 Jno. 1:7).
        (4) Relieve us (1 Tim. 1:13,15).
2. Because his promise we believe.
        (1) Jesus Christ is God (Col. 2:9).
        (2) As God he cannot lie (Tit. 1:2).

CONCLUSION:
SUMMARY: Just as I am—
        1. Without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me, and that thou bidd’st
me come to thee.
        2. And waiting not, to rid my soul of one dark blot, to thee whose blood can
cleanse each spot.
        3. Thou wilt receive, wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse relieve. Because thy
promise I believe—
APPEAL: O, Lamb of God, I come. I come.

Tit. 1:4           NEGATIVE QUALIFICATIONS OF ELDERS               ELD-07-07

SUBJECT: Eldership.
TITLE: Negative Qualifications of Elders (Part 3).
PROPOSITION: To look at the negative qualifications given to Titus.
OBJECTIVE: So we will know what those qualifications are.

INTRODUCTION:
1. Read the text.
2. Regarding the text.
(1) We have begun to look at the negative qualifications of elders. We have thus
far seen that—
        A. Elders are not to be given to wine.
        B. Elders are not to be strikers.
        C. Elders are not to be greedy of filthy lucre.
        D. Elders are not to be brawlers.
        E. Elders are not to be covetous.
        F. Elders are not to be novices.
(2) Now let us look at the negative qualifications that are found in Titus.
(3) Once we have seen these we will have seen all of the qualifications of elders
and then we can see if we have qualified men to serve.
3. Reference To S.T.P.O.

DISCUSSION: ELDERS ARE NOT—
I. TO HAVE UNRULY CHILDREN.
1. The elder’s family plays a very important role in his life.
        (1) The wife must be faithful so she can do the following—
                A. She needs to be an example to all believers (1 Tim. 4:12).
                B. She needs to be able to teach younger women (Tit.2:2-4).
                C. She must be faithful in all things as the Deacon’s wives must (1 Tim.
3:11).
        (2) The children must also be faithful.
                A. Those who are at the age of accountability must be Christians (Tit. 1:
6).
                B. They must also be a shining example of believers (1 Tim. 4:12).
                C. They must be obedient to their parents (Eph. 6:1).
2. They cannot be unruly or accused of riot.
        (1) Children who are unruly will destroy their father’s reputation.
        (2) If he cannot control his own house how can he take care of the church (1
Tim. 3:5).
        (3) Even children who have left their parent’s home, but live in the same
community can do detrimental damage to an elder’s reputation.
                A. As long as the elder did his best to raise the child right he won’t be
held responsible by God, in the day of judgment, if the child departs later in life
(Ezk. 33:18,19).
                B. However, that child can ruin his/her father’s reputation in the
community by living a sinful life.
                C. Children whose fathers are being considered for the eldership should
have enough respect for their father to live right or at least move away so his
reputation won’t be sullied.

II. TO BE SELF-WILLED.
1. The words “self-willed” come from  and means “one who pleases
himself, willful; obstinate; arrogant and stubborn” (The Analytical Lexicon to the
Greek New Testament, p.106).
2. An elder is a shepherd of the flock (1 Pet. 5:1; Acts 20:28).
3. As a shepherd he must have the best interest of the sheep at heart (Jno. 10:11-
13).
4. Someone who is arrogant cannot be an elder because an arrogant man won’t be
patient (1 Tim. 3:3).
5. He cannot be stubborn because as the shepherd he must consider what it best
for the flock even above his own desires (1 Pet. 5:2,3).

III. TO BE THOSE WHO ARE AFRAID TO CONFRONT FALSE TEACHERS.
1. False teachers are to be marked and avoided (Rom. 16:17,18).
2. False teachers are not to be fellowshipped (2 Jno. 9-11).
3. Elders are to make sure that the church does not fellowship false teachers (Eph.
5:11).
4. Elders must take the lead and stand up against any and all false teachers (Tit. 1:
9).

CONCLUSION:
SUMMARY: Elders are not—
        1. To have unruly children.
        2. To be self-willed.
        3. To be afraid to confront false teachers.
APPEAL: Let us look for these qualities as we seek out men to serve as elders.
.

"Sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth" (Jno 17:17)
bellecofc@centurytel.net

Sermon Outline

Belle church of Christ