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How to be Saved / Become a Christian (Hear, Believe, Confess, Repent, Be baptized)
Jno. 6:45; 8:24; Acts 2:38;
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Topical Sermons Power Point Show
Scripture Reading: Matthew 7:21-25
Christianity is Exclusive
Intro.
1. The gospel is for all – don’t suggest otherwise (1 Tim. 2:3-4).
2. Truth is not self-defined, it is revealed in the word of God.
3. Denominations object to one way of truth: “you think you’re the only ones going to heaven” (“only Christians”). Matt. 7:21 (7:14); Eph. 4:3-6
-Seen in ecumenical attitude & actions, 2 Jno. 9-11.
of many differing moral & doctrinal beliefs &/or practices – all of which do not & cannot agree with the NT.)
4. Is it God’s will that we agree to disagree on revealed truth? No! (Jno. 8:31-32; 17:20-21; Eph. 3:3-4; 5:17)
5. It is not arrogant to understand, appreciate & advocate the exclusive nature of the gospel & of N.T. Christianity! In fact, it is essential!
-Christianity is exclusive, because…
I. JESUS IS EXCLUSIVE.
A. The Only Begotten, Jno. 1:14; 3:16.
1. Unique, one of a kind – monogenes, “only one of its kind, unique, single of its kind, only,” A&G; Thayer, 417.
-Heb. 11:17: Isaac exclusively child of promise (11:18) – So also, Jesus is exclusive in position, preeminence, authority (Col. 1:18)
2. Likewise, Jesus is unique:
a. God’s anointed (Christ, Messiah) - (Psa. 2:6-7).
-Can we believe differently, or must there be agreement?
b. God and man, Col. 2:9 (Jno. 1:1, 14). Agree to disagree?
B. Jesus is the Exclusive: {Matt. 16:16}
1. Savior of men, Jno. 14:6; Acts 4:12. Agree to disagree?
2. Sacrifice for sin, Heb. 10:12. Agree to disagree?
3. Authority to follow, Matt. 28:18; Col. 3:17. Agree to disagree?
-2 Cor. 11:4: There is not another Jesus! (Only foundation, 1 Cor. 3:11)
II. HIS TRUTH IS EXCLUSIVE, Jno. 14:6.
A. Jesus, by His Word Alone, Gives Men Spiritual Nourishment, Jno. 6:33, 35, 48-51, 56-57, 63, 67-68.
B. His Word Excludes the Words of Men in Spiritual Matters, Jno. 12:48; 1 Pet. 4:11 (Gal. 1:11-12; 1 Ths. 2:3-4, 13).
1. 2 Cor. 11:4: Hold against different gospel; Agree to disagree?
2. Gal. 1:6-9: Different gospel condemns; Agree to disagree?
C. The Truth of the Gospel Excludes:
1. Sin & immorality, Jno. 17:17. Agree to disagree?
2. Error/false doctrine, 2 Jno. 1-2, 4, 7-9 (1 Jno. 4:1, 6). A to D?
3. Human wisdom/philosophy - Col. 2:8 (1 Cor. 1:22-23). A to D?
4. Human traditions, Matt. 15:3-9. Agree to disagree?
-1 Peter 4:11: Speak as oracles of God!
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III. CHRIST’S CHURCH IS EXCLUSIVE, Matt. 16:18.
A. Entrance is Exclusive, Acts 2:37-38, 41, 47 (5:13-14). A to D?
B. Its Head is Exclusive, Eph. 1:21-23 (5:23). A to D?
C. Its Work is Exclusive (Jno. 18:36). A to D?
D. Its Worship is Exclusive - Jno. 4:24 (“must”). A to D?
E. Its Organization is Exclusive, Acts 14:23. A to D?
-No boards, councils, conferences; No denominations of the body, sponsoring churches…
-1 Tim. 3:15: The churches of men are not the church of Christ!
IV. HEAVEN IS EXCLUSIVE, Matt. 7:21 (14); (Lk. 13:23-24).
A. No Uncleanness / Defilement, Rev. 21:27 (only certain ones).
-Sinners do not gain entrance! Rev. 21:8; Gal. 5:21 A to D?
B. No Pain & Death, Rev. 21:4.
C. Only those Enrolled, Heb. 12:22-23 (Book of Life, Rev. 20:15).
1. The church of Christ, Eph. 5:23 (1:22-23).
2. “Just” (righteous) men, Heb. 12:23.
-Phil. 3:20: Is your citizenship in heaven?
V. FELLOWSHIP IS EXCLUSIVE, 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1; 2 Jno. 9-11.
-Eph. 5:11: Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness!
Conclusion
1. Christianity is exclusive because Christ, His truth, His church, heaven & our fellowship are exclusive.
2. Without Christ, His truth & His church we will not be saved, we will not have fellowship with God now, & we will not have the reward of heaven that is promised to Christians!