Quote from Forum Archives on May 27, 2004, 2:17 pm

Posted by: henkf <henkf@...>

                       FROM AN OPEN BOOK TO AN OPEN LIFE

 

I.   Introduction

 

     A.  It's important to be APPROVED of God.

 

         1. (II Tim. 2:15) We must "study" to do this
            (I Th 4:11) Like we "study" to be quiet...
            --We must by diligent, careful effort seek this goal

 

         2.  By such careful study, diligence, care, we learn how to be
             approved of God

 

     B.  We want to look at some things God approves in hopes of learning
         better how to be approved of Him.

 

II.  Some things God approved in converting a lost soul...

 

     A.  (Acts 8:26-40) Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

 

         1.  This is a simple story--one preacher, one hearer, one Bible

 

         2.  It followed as a natural simple conclusion that the hearer would
             want to be immersed in water following the discussion.

 

         3.  This has happened many, many times to preachers then
             and since then, and still happens now.

 

     B.  There was an OPEN BOOK.

 

         1.  The RIGHT book! (Acts 8:28) The BIBLE

 

         2.  Some preachers and "clergy" CLOSE  the Bible...
             a)  Catholics discouraged the reading of the Bible by common
                 people
             b)  Many preach so little from the Bible that it is effectively
                 CLOSED in their pulpits
             c)  Some discourage their members from studying the Bible much
                 by using emotional appeals to keep them from considering
                 different ideas that would challenge them to think & study

 

         3.  Others open everything BUT the Bible...
             a)  Their sermons are studied essays on politics or current events
             b)  They may echo the thoughts of philosophers, theologians,
                 scientists, classic authors, other scholarly men,etc.
             c)  For spiritual wisdom, we need the BIBLE (I Cor. 1:20-29)

 

         4.  To prepare for conversion, many today open OTHER THINGS
             a)  Their family's traditions
             b)  Their opinions and prejudices
             c)  The word of some preacher
             d)  Their own doubts, fears, foolish ideas

 

         5.  We need to OPEN WIDE the right book and STUDY DILIGENTLY THERE

 

     C.  An Open Heart

 

         1.  He could have found a good excuse not to listen and obey.
             a)  (Acts 8:27-8) He was already religious
             b)  (Acts 8:27) He was of a higher social class than his teacher
             c)  He didn't know this man who came to teach him
             d)  This man taught him something different from what he had
                 always believed and heard.
             e)  He was good enough already in religion because he was so
                 sincere and devout (Acts 8:28) Reading the scriptures AFTER
                 he had been to worship--Some find worship alone too taxing!

 

         2.  Instead he received the word of God eagerly and with careful
             reverent consideration
             a)  Desiring to be taught (Acts 8:31)
             b)  Not afraid to be involved in religious discussion (Acts 8:30)
             c)  Asking questions and seeking answers (Acts 8:34)
             d)  Ready to obey after he had heard (Acts 8:36)
             e)  Like Thessalonica (I Th 2:13) Rec. as word of God, not men

 

         3.  He could have been satisfied with the religion he had...
             a)  But if he had he would have never been saved in Christ
             b)  If he had he could have never had the forgiveness of sins
                 which became a cause for rejoicing for him
             c)  If he were satisfied with what suited him or the Jews, he
                 would surely have lost out on the Hope of Heaven!

 

         4. An open heart is very important to a successful conversion
             a)  (Acts 16:14-15) Lydia's heart was opened by the Lord when
                 Paul preached and she heard it.
                 --would her heart have been opened if Paul hadn't preached?
                 --if a heart was opened without the word, how could one be
                   saved anyway, since saving faith comes by hearing
                   (Rom 10:17)
             b)  We need to be looking for open hearts today
             c)  We need to HAVE hearts open to the Truth of God always.

 

     D.  An Open Mouth...

 

         1.  (Acts 8:35) Phillip opened his mouth and preached Jesus

 

         2.  Without such a worker many souls who might have heard the truth
             and been saved will remain lost.

 

         3.  God sends us to the lost--He doesn't send anyone FOR US nor does
             HE go in our place, or before we go.  Conversion is by a
              miracle of the Holy Spirit through the preaching of the Word of
             God (II Tim 2:1-2) The word goes from one to another by teaching

 

         4.  The Devil will do many things to effectively SHUT OUR MOUTH!

 

             a)  Get us involved in something so that we are too busy
                 (Matt 6:24-5) We have to make the choice--God or mammon
             b)  Make us believe it is only the work of preachers
                 (Acts 8:4) The apostles remained in Jerus.  Others went
             c)  Make us ashamed of the message by what others say and do
                 (II Tim 1:8-9) Don't be ashamed of a prisoner for Christ
             d)  Lead us off into sin so that we are too ashamed of ourselves
                 to turn around and to then teach others.(I Cor. 9:27)castaway
             e)  Make the way hard, so we grow cynical and discouraged
                 (Gal 6:9) Must not grow weary in well-doing

 

         5.  We need to be an effective OPEN MOUTH

 

     E.  An Open Pool...

 

         1.  (Acts 8:36) They saw water...

 

         2.  Many things about the water were not specified...
             a)  Salt water or fresh (some have been bap. in the ocean)
             b)  Large pool or small--nothing is said about its size
             c)  Indoors or outdoors
             d)  Hot water or cold

 

         3.  It WAS...
             a)  Enough water for them BOTH to go down INTO (Acts 8:38)
             b)  Enough water for them BOTH to come up out of (Acts 8:39)
             c)  Enough water to fulfil BAPTISM--an IMMERSION

 

         4.  Salvation has not been promised outside that pool!
             a)  If we BELIEVE, we will believe Him enough to OBEY HIM
                 (Heb 5:8-9), (Mk. 16:15-16) Believe AND be Baptized
             b)  (Acts 10:48) Baptism was COMMANDED by the auth. of Christ
             c)  Can we be saved while still in willing disobedience?
             d)  (I Pet 3:21) it saves us (Acts 22:16) Wash away sins

 

     F.  An Open Life...

 

         1.  Open to praise God and rejoice (Acts 8:39)

 

         2.  Open to further study (I Pet 2:1-2) Desire milk, grow

 

         3.  Open to correction when needed (Heb 12:5-7,11-13)

 

         4.  Open to love of the brethren (I Pet 1:22)

 

         5.  Open to God in prayer (I Th 5:16-17)

 

         6.  Open to the purpose of continuing faithful so that one can
             receive the blessing of the hope of Heaven (Heb 10:35-9)

 

III. Conclusion

 

     A.  These things needed to be open for this man to obey the Gospel of
         Christ , be forgiven of His past sins, and have occasion to rejoice

 

     B.  Have you been obedient to God in this way, following this pattern?

 

     C.  If not, why not be OPEN to the word of God now, and OBEY TODAY

 

     D.  Why not make preparation so you can rejoice right now?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.....

  ************************************  Weekly messages of hope and comfort for those who want to learn more about Jesus and His glorious plan for our lives.  To find out more about our ministry go to : worldoutreach.ca/sotn.htm  visit our "Ultimate Bible Quiz Site"  folsom.sk.ca/k4j/BQuiz/Quiz.html  *************************************                                                                              --  To unsubscribe, send ANY message to: [email protected]