Excuses that can get people to hell!
A. Depend on your fathers’ good deeds! Matt.3:5-12
1. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 3:5
2. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 3:6
3. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing,
he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 3:7
4. Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. Do not think you can say to yourselves: We have Abraham as our father. I
tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 3:8-9
5. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. 3:10
6. I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 3:11
7. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor,
gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire. 3:12
***Filled your minds with New Testament’s teaching and do what it says!
B. You cannot depend on your fathers good deeds! Ezekiel 18:1-4
1. The word of the Lord came to me:
2. What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel-->
The fathers eat sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge? 18:2
3. As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel. 18:4
For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son-- both alike belong to me.
The soul who sins is the one who will die.
C. Depend on lots of personal good deeds already done! Ezekiel 33:12
Therefore, son of man, say to your countrymen:
The righteousness of the righteous man will not save him when he disobeys,
and the wickedness of the wicked man will not cause him to fall when he turns from it.
The righteous man, if he sins, will not be allowed to live because of his former righteousness.
D. Compare oneself to one who had done worse! Gal.6:4-10
1. Each one should test his own actions.
Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else,
For every man shall bear his own burden. 6:4-5
2. Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teach in all good things. Gal.6:6
3. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, shall he also reap. Gal.6:7
4. For he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption;
but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. Gal.6:8
5. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Gal.6:9
6. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men,
especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Gal.6:10
E. Peter wanted to know what would happen to John! John 21:1-22
1. The 3rd time Jesus said to Peter: Do you love me? 21:17
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the 3rd time! He said: Lord, you know that I love you?
Jesus said: feed my sheep. 21:17
2. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted,
but when you are old you will stretch out your hands,
and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go. 21:18
3. Peter turned and saw John following them, he asked Jesus: What about him? 21:20-21
4. Jesus answered: If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?
You must follow me.
Conclusion: Each of us is to strife to increase these virtues in life! 2 Peter 1:5-11
1. Faith, knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness, brotherly love, love for all others. 2 Peter 1:5-7
2. Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure:
for if ye do these things, ye shall never stumble:
for thus shall be richly supplied unto you the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:10-11
May the Lord bless you and keep you always! Preach this on June 2, 2013.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKO9ut8tQ0U