Sermon for May 8, 2011 - This weeks Sermon is in Two Parts

Matthew 6:9-13 - After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

This week’s Sermon is Two Parts - What Must I Do To Be Saved? - Acts 16:30-33 and Keeping The Commandments Of God - 1 Corinthians 7:19

PART ONE – WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED? - ACTS 16:30-33 - And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

INTRODUCTION:

1. In Acts 16:30-33 we find a familiar passage:

a. In which Paul is confronted by the Philippian jailor

b. Who asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

2. This is a most important question:

a. Salvation from sin is our greatest need - cf. Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

b. The answer must be according to the Word of God

3. The answer given is often limited to what is mentioned in Acts 16:31 - And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

a. Without consideration of all that is said in the context

b. Without noting what is taught elsewhere in the Scriptures

[If one asks “What Must I Do To Be Saved?”, how should we reply? Shall we limit our response to the words of verse 31 (above)? Well, consider first of all...]

I. WHAT IS NOT MENTIONED:

A. THE NEED TO REPENT OF SINS:

1. Nothing is said about the need to repent

2. Yet Jesus wanted repentance to be preached in His name - Luke 24:46-47 - And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

3. And so the apostles often preached the need to repent of sins

a. As did Peter in his first two sermons - Acts 2:37-38 - Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. - Acts 3:19 - Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

b. As did Paul in his sermon in Athens - Acts 17:30-31 - And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

-- Shall we conclude that repentance is not necessary because it is not mentioned in the conversion of the Philippian jailor?

B. THE NEED TO CONFESS CHRIST:

1. Nothing is said about the need to confess

2. Yet Jesus taught of the necessity of confessing Him before others - Matthew 10:32-33 - Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

3. And so the apostles often mentioned the importance of confessing Christ:

a. Confessing with the mouth the Lord Jesus leads to salvation - Romans 10:9-10 - That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

b. Confessing that Jesus is the Son of God leads to abiding in God - 1 John 4:15 - Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

-- Shall we conclude that confession is not necessary because it is not mentioned in the conversion of the Philippian jailor?

[We would be mishandling the Scriptures to suggest that simply because repentance and confession are not mentioned in Acts 16:31 that they are not necessary to salvation. But now let’s consider...]

II. WHAT IS MENTIONED:

A. BELIEVING ON THE LORD:

1. We are told of the need to believe on the Lord - Acts 16:31 - And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

2. This is consistent with what Jesus Himself taught:

a. Believing in the Son is key to having eternal life - John 3:36 - He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

b. Unless we believe in Him, we will die in our sins - John 8:24 - I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

3. And so the apostles often proclaimed the importance of faith in Jesus:

a. That one might have life in His name - John 20:30-31 - And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

b. That believing with the heart leads to righteousness - Romans 10:9-10 - That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

-- Without question faith is imperative to salvation, because of what the Bible says about it

B. BAPTISM IMMEDIATELY:

1. We notice that the jailor and his family were baptized immediately - Acts 16:33 - And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

2. This is similar to what we read elsewhere in several cases of conversion:

a. 3000 were baptized on the day of Pentecost - Acts 2:41 - Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

b. The Ethiopian eunuch was baptized as soon as he saw water - Acts 8:35-38 - Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

c. Paul was encouraged not to delay - Acts 22:16 - And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

3. Why were they baptized immediately, even when it was after midnight?

a. Peter said it was for the remission of sins - Acts 2:38 - Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

b. Paul was told it was to wash away sins - Acts 22:16 - And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

c. Paul later wrote that it was a cutting away of the body of sins - Colossians 2:11-13 - In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

d. Peter later wrote that it saves us through the resurrection of Christ - 1 Peter 3:21 - The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

-- When one sees what is revealed about baptism in the New Testament, we can understand why it was received as soon as possible by those who heard the gospel

CONCLUSION:

1. Why does Paul only mention faith in answer to the question in verse 31...?

a. Because the answer takes into one’s spiritual state or condition

b. For the jailor, he first needed to be told to believe in Jesus

c. For the 3000 on Pentecost, they already believed by the time they asked their question, so faith is not even mentioned (but implied nonetheless!)

2. What answer should we give to those who ask “What must I do to be saved?”:

a. Our answer depends upon what the state the person is in:

1) If they have yet to believe in Jesus, then the need to believe in Him - Acts 16:30 - And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

2) If they believe in Jesus, then the need to repent, confess, and be baptized for the remission of their sins - Acts 2:38 - Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. - Acts 22:16 - And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. - Romans 10:9-10 - That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. - Galatians 3:26-27 - For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

b. Our answer should entail all found in the Word of the Lord:

1) Paul proceeded to speak the word of the Lord to the jailor and his family - Acts 16:32 - And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

2) Such evidently included the need to be baptized immediately - Acts 16:33 - And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

A proper answer to “What must I do to be saved?” will take into consideration both the spiritual state of the inquirer and all that that the Word of God reveals on the subject. Have you responded to what the Bible teaches regarding salvation in Christ...?

PART TWO - KEEPING THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD - 1 CORINTHIANS 7:19 - Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

INTRODUCTION:

1. The idea of “commandment-keeping” is not a popular one among many people today...

a. Some equate it with what they call “legalism”

b. Others look at keeping any kind of commandment as an unpleasant task

1) Perhaps a carry-over from childhood?

2) Where they feel like they were constantly being “commanded” to do things?

2. Yet keeping the commandments of God should not be looked upon by Christians in this way...

“Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.” (1 Corinthians 7:19) – This is what matters.

[In this lesson, I want us to consider some things about keeping the commandments of God, which I hope will change any adverse feelings we may have towards doing so...]

I. WHAT IS THE PROPER ATTITUDE TOWARD COMMANDMENT-KEEPING?

A. IT SHOULD NOT BE ONE OF “LEGALISM”:

1. Legalism is that idea that one earns or merits salvation by their obedience

2. Such an attitude would be wrong on the part of Christians - Titus 3:3-7 - For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

3. Unfortunately, many react to legalism by going to the extreme of saying keeping commandments is not important

4. Yet Paul, whom none could accuse of being a legalist, penned the words of our text!

[Here is a different perspective, based on two verses that start out like our text, but end differently...]

B. THINK OF IT AS “FAITH WORKING THROUGH LOVE”:

1. Compare - 1 Corinthians 7:19 - Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. - with - Galatians 5:6 - For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

2. Cannot keeping the commandments of God be an expression of “faith working love”?

a. By keeping the commandments I demonstrate my faith - James 2:14-18 - What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

b. By keeping the commandments I show my love:

1) To Jesus - John 14:15 - If ye love me, keep my commandments. - John 15:14 - Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

2) To God - 1 John 5:3 - For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

3) To the children of God - 1 John 5:2 - By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

3. Thought of in this way, keeping the commandments of God is very important!

C. THINK OF IT AS PRODUCING “A NEW CREATION”:

1. Compare - 1 Corinthians 7:19 - Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. - with - Galatians 6:15 - For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

2. Cannot keeping the commandments be thought of as helping to produce a “new creation”?

a. Becoming a new creation is a blessing we enjoy by being in Christ - 2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

b. But to enjoy this blessing involves keeping certain commandments...

1) For example, baptism to receive Christ - cf. Galatians 3:27 - For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

2) Also, putting off and putting on qualities to become like Christ - cf. Colossians 3:5-17 - Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

3. Again, when we think of keeping the commandments of God as necessary to become a new creation in Christ, then it becomes very important!

[This I believe is the proper attitude toward “commandment-keeping”...

w A demonstration of our faith and love!

w Part of the process by which we can become a new creation in Christ!

But is “commandment-keeping” hard, laborious? Is it something unpleasant...?]

II. IS “COMMANDMENT-KEEPING” A DIFFICULT TASK?

A. NOT ACCORDING TO THOSE WHO HAVE DONE IT LONGEST...!

1. Like the apostle John - 1 John 5:3 - For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

2. I strongly suspect that if you were to ask some of our elderly saints, that they would concur with both John and the psalmist - Psalms 119:129-136 - Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them. The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments. Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes. Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.

B. THE HARDEST PART IS DECIDING TO DO IT...!

1. Laboring over whether to make a decision is often harder than carrying it out

2. For example, keeping commandments given by parents to children

a. E.g., to clean the room, take out the garbage

b. The hardest part is making the decision to do it willingly

c. Once that is done, the “chore” really isn’t one!

3. The same is true with keeping the commandments of God (e.g., baptism)

C. IT IS MADE EASY FOR US WITH THE HELP OF GOD AND CHRIST...!

1. God will protect and provide as we try to keep His commandments - 1 Corinthians 10:13 - There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

a. Protect you from what you are unable to overcome

b. Provide you with ways of escape for that which you do face

2. Yes, we are not alone as we try to keep the commandments of God - Philippians 2:12-13 - Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. - Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

3. Even if forsaken by all others in times of greatest need, God is still there! - 2 Timothy 4:16-18 - At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

CONCLUSION:

1. But such blessings, and such assurance of faith, comes only to those who like Paul live as though “keeping the commandments of God is what matters”!

2. How important is keeping the commandments of God...?

a. It is essential to receiving mercy from God - Psalms 103:15-18 - As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. - Matthew 7:21-23 - Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

b. It is essential to receiving the love and the abiding presence of God - John 14:21 - He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. - John 14:23 - Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

c. It is essential to having our prayers answered - 1 John 3:22 - And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

Dear friends and brethren, are you keeping the commandments of God?

Prayer: Mark 16:16 - He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned - Ephesians 6:23 - Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. - Lord I truly thank You for giving the opportunity to present these words to my brethrens. I pray that You will keep them in Your blessings and accept them into Your heart - this I pray in the name of Thy Son, Jesus, the Messiah, Your only begotten son which You sent to save mankind from themselves. Amen

This sermon is in the Public Domain - Free for all to use with the only requirement: That it never be used for profit.