The Bottom Line
An evangelistic message about the true meaning of
Christianity
Intro: · Part of sermon outline (Part I) comes from “First Steps to God,” developed by IVCF (InterVarsity Christian Fellowship)
· Story of picking the text (asked Susan what text to use as primary one, since there were so many; she said John 3:16; I thought it was too cliché, but then I hunted for a long time only to conclude that she was right!)
· There is a wide variety of definitions out there of what a Christian is (goes to church; believes certain things; does certain things; part of family, national, or cultural heritage; etc.). So what is the bottom line? What is Christianity?
· It’s important to understand clearly what really makes one a Christian, what’s the “bottom line,” what it’s really all about
· This sermon is for all of us: whether you aren’t a Christian, you aren’t sure, or you know for certain that you are
· Let’s look at four questions and answers pertaining to a Biblical definition of salvation & Christiantiy.
Thesis: It is essential for us to understand what
a Christian is and what salvation is, according to the Bible.
A. God
1. In the beginning, God – God is first (Gen. 1:1)
2. God created us (Gen. 1:27)
3. God loves us – He loves you (John 3:16)
4. God is holy and just (that’s His nature). He therefore must punish evil and expel it from His presence (Rom. 1:18)
5. That doesn’t mean that God is a cosmic meany; throughout the Scripture, He implores people to turn to Him (Is. 1:18; Ezek. 18:32; 2 Pet 3:9)
B. Man
1. God made us for Himself; we are to find our purpose in fellowship with Him (Colossians 1:16)
2. Man rebelled from God and turned away from Him (Is. 53:6) – Look around at the world today and throughout history
3. The result is separation from God (Is. 59:2)
4. The penalty is eternal death (Rom. 6:23)
a. Doesn’t mean nirvana or something good
b. Means separation from God
C. Christ
1. God wanted to do something about it; so He became man in the person of Jesus Christ to restore the broken fellowship between God and man (Col. 1:19-20a)
2. Christ died as a substitute for us by paying the death penalty for our rebellion (Rom. 5:8)
3. Christ died and rose from the dead, conquering death forever (I Cor. 15:3-4)
4. The living Christ gives us a new life, a new relationship with God, now and forever (John 10:10)
D. The Response
1. This new life, this salvation is available to all, but not all have it:
2. You must repent for your rebellion (Matt. 4:17)
3. You must believe Christ died to provide forgiveness and a new life of fellowship with God (John 1:12)
4. You must receive Christ as your Savior and Lord with the intent to obey and follow Him. You do this by praying to Him (Rev. 3:20)
E. The Cost
1. Cost to God: everything (His Son; Jesus’ life-blood) (I Pet. 1:18-19)
2. Cost of salvation for you: nothing – free gift of God (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 6:23)
3. Cost to you in your life: discipleship (Luke 9:23-24)
A. Not:
1. A church-goer
2. A do-gooder
3. Someone who prayed a prayer once upon a time (no signing on the dotted line or “fire insurance”)
B. A follower (disciple) of Jesus Christ
1. The name “Christian” means follower of Christ (so how can some people who claim to be Christians but who don’t believe in or follow Jesus Christ be Christians?)
2. John MacArthur – “The gospel Jesus proclaimed was a call to discipleship, a call to follow Him in submissive obedience, not just a plea to make a decision or pray a prayer. Jesus’ message liberated people from the bondage of their sin while it confronted and condemned hypocrisy. It was an offer of eternal life and forgiveness for repentant sinners, but at the same time it was a rebuke to outwardly religious people whose lives were devoid of true righteousness. It put sinners on notice that they must turn from sin and embrace God’s righteousness. It was in every sense good news, yet it was anything but easy-believism.” (The Gospel According to Jesus, p. 21)
C. Someone who has acknowledged Jesus as Lord and Savior
D. A true worshiper of the true God – in some ways, goes all the way back to the earliest men (no, they weren’t Christians, but they were God-worshipers)
A. Reconciliation with our creator, God (Col. 1:20)
B. Freedom from the bondage of sin (Rom.6:6)
C. A new life in Christ (II Cor. 5:17)
D. Eternal life (John 3:16)
A. Believe (Acts 16:31)
B. Acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9)
Conclusion:
Where do you stand? Invitation
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:27
God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Romans 1:18
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness
Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the LORD,
“Though your sins
are as scarlet,
They will be as
white as snow;
Though they are red
like crimson,
They will be like
wool.
Ezekiel 18:32
“For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord GOD. “Therefore, repent and live.”
II Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
Col. 1:16
For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.
Isaiah 53:6
All of us like sheep have gone astray,
Each of us has
turned to his own way;
But the LORD has
caused the iniquity of us all
To fall on Him.
Isaiah 59:2
But your iniquities have made a separation between you and
your God,
And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Scripture
References, p. 2
Colossians 1:19-20a
For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross;
I Corinthians 15:3-4
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
Matthew 4:17
From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
John 1:12
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,
Revelation 3:20
'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.
I Peter 1:18-19
Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.
Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Luke 9:23-24
And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.”
Romans 6:6
Knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin.
Acts 16:31
Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.
Romans 10:9
If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
The Bottom Line
A message about the true meaning of Christianity
(summary outline)
Introduction
Thesis: It is essential for us to understand what a Christian is and what salvation is, according to the Bible.
A. God
B. Man
C. Christ
D. The response
E. The cost
IV. How can I be saved?
A. Believe (Acts 16:31)
B. Acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9)
Conclusion: Where do you stand?
Sermon © 2004 by Jeffrey Westbrook