I. The lesson that I want to study with you is entitled The Christian Life.
II. I have broken this broad subject down into four main points:
1) Discussion about the Spiritual Heart...the necessity of
having a good heart...prerequisite to becoming a Christian.
2) When one becomes a Christian he is a soldier of Christ.
3) The Possibility of Apostasy, or falling away.
4) The Challenge of the Christian life.
A. The Christian life is a way of life -it is the best way of
life - the happiest, the most fulfilling.
1. Christians just seem to have a more positive outlook on
life, while people of the world tend to have a more negative outlook.
a. It's called negativism.
b. You know as well as I do that every time you go to a big city and
ask directions, they will say that you go down to a certain number
of RED lights.
i. They never stop to think that that light is GREEN
as often as it is RED.It's negativism!
c. A farmer said, "All of my hogs died except 5".
1) He only had six to begin with.
2) Christians are not this way; or at least they shouldn't be. In
general they are not.
2. It doesn't take much of a man to live the Christian life, but it takes all
there is of him.
a. He has to have his heart in it, and he has to have a good heart.
b. There is a lot to the heart and that's why I want to spend some
time here...
3. Anyone with a good heart searches for truth.
a. The Christian Life is one that should be filled with a love for truth.
b. Our love for truth is greatly measured by our attitude toward error.
B. The soldier of Christ fights for what is right.
1. The fight against sin;
2. The fight against error;
3. The soldier of Christ battles within himself to be like Christ in every
aspect, never quitting, never letting up; enduring until the end.
C. We must endure until the end because when a Christian gives up, before
the end, he falls.
1. A Christian can't be dormant like some plants.
2. We are either growing spiritually or we are dying.
Key Idea
I'm not attempting to cover the 4 main points that I mentioned, because each
one could be a sermon by itself.
But my main purpose is to talk about things that pertain to the Christian Life - things
that we hope will cause you to want to live it (if you are not), and also to mention
some things that will help strengthen us...or keep us from falling.
Body
I. It is of a necessity that every Christian, or Christian to be, have a good
heart, for this is a prerequisite to learning truth, finding happiness,
wisdom, and in the end, being accepted into heaven.
A. The heart that I speak of is not the physical heart, but the spiritual.
B. A study of what the Bible say concerning the activities and functions of
the heart will give us a better understanding 1of the heart.
C. The 4 major functions of the heart are:
Intellect, Emotions, Will, and Conscience.
1. The INTELLECT Webster defines as: "The ability to reason or
understand.”
a. All of our intellectual activities are ascribed in the Bible to the HEART.
1) The heart thinks:
a) "Wherefore think ye evil in your heart?" (Matt. 9:4)
b) "Out of the heart come forth evil thoughts" (Matt. 15:19)
2) The heart understands:
i. "The heart of the rash shall understand knowledge" (Isa. 32:4).
3) The heart knows:
i. "The heart knoweth its own bitterness" (Prov. 14:10)
4) The heart reasons:
i. "But there were certain scribes sitting there, and reasoning in
their hearts" (Mk. 2:6).
b. Thinking, understanding, knowledge, and reasoning are intellectual
activities ascribed in the Bible to the heart.
2. From the Bible we learn also that the heart is the seat of our EMOTIONS.
a. We love with the heart.
i. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart" (Matt. 22:37).
b. We despise with the heart.
i. "She despised him in her heart" (2 Sam. 6:16)
c. It is the seat of gladness and sorrow.
i. "A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance; but by sorrow of
the heart the spirit is broken" (Prov. 15:13)
d. The heart rejoices.
i. "Our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his
holy name" (Psa. 33:21).
3. The third function is the WILL.
a. Voluntary action of any kind is a result of the will.
1) We Purpose with the heart.
i. "Let each man give as he has purposed in his heart" (2 Cor. 9:7).
2) Repent with the heart.
a) Repentance is a change of mind, or purpose.
b) Paul speaks of an impenitent heart as one not willing to change
its purpose with reference to sin and righteousness. (Rom. 2:4-5) "Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance
and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against
the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God."
3) We obey from the heart.
"But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the
heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin,
ye became the servants of righteousness" (Rom. 6:17-18)
b. The will is the function that most of us have the most problems with.
1) If we could just have a strong enough will to do right!
2) Fellow said, "I want to want to quit, but I don't want to quit".
4. The fourth function of the heart is the CONSCIENCE.
a. Definition: "An awareness of right and wrong with a compulsion to
do right".
b. I suppose that less is known about the conscience than any of the
functions of the heart.
1) The word is used in the N.T. 29 times.
2) It is certainly an important function of the heart.(Heb. 10:22;
I Pet. 3:21).
D. Faith that leads to salvation is a belief in Jesus Christ with "all the heart", which
includes the INTELLECT, the EMOTIONS, the WILL and the CONSCIENCE.
1. As Christians we began the new life when we obeyed with all the heart, the
doctrine of Christ revealed in the Scriptures. (If didn't just went down
sinner and came up a wet one).
2. People say the Christian life is hard - but so is the way of the world.
a. Our endeavor to live the Christian life could even be harder than the way of
the world if we are not diligent to get our heart right and to keep it that way.
b. If our heart isn't right we really aren't any better off than the one who has
not professed Christ.
c. Someone asks, "If one's heart isn't right is there anything that can be done
about it?".
1) One's heart can change from good to bad and bad to good.
2) If my heart isn't good I can change it by prayer and meditation.
i. In fact prayer and meditation is a great help to accomplish any goal.
II. Christians are referred to as soldiers - men and women who stand for the highest
ideals, cleanest life, and purest motives.
A. They are opposed to and fight against all that is evil or bad (sinful).
1. They seek to overcome evil with good - that is overcome evil by doing good.
2. They stand for what is right in every phase or aspect of life.
3. If it come down to it, they are ready to give their life for the cause for
which they stand.
B. It is because men have rebelled against the righteous law of Jehovah, men have
become sinners.
1. Sin is a reproach to any individual or nation.
"Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people" (Prov. 14:34)
2. Some have said that it seems that everything that is good is either sinful
or fattening, we know that isn't so.
3. God is all wise and all knowing, and he knows what is best for us.
a. John tells us His commandments are not grevious or burdensome.
(1 John. 5:3). "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his
commandments are not grievous."
b. Actually, according to the next verse, keeping his commandments is
the way that we can overcome the world. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh
the world, [even] our faith (Verse 4)
c. There is not one thing that God has commanded us to do, or to not
do, that is not for our own good.
1) I challenge you to think of something and then to prove it.
2) You just can't think of a command in the N.T. that doesn't have a useful purpose.
3) If parents would teach their children to LOVE and to RESPECT
the word of the Lord, the children would be spared a great many
of the hardships of the world.
a) And throughout life they would have peace of mind.
b) The peace of mind would result from the fact that they would:
(1) Know where they came from;
(2) What their purpose here on earth is:
(3) And they would also know where they were
going when die.
c) Yes, we can know if we are going to go to
heaven. “These things have I written unto you that you may know that ye have eternal
life..." (John 5:13)
i. But before we can know this we have to be
acquainted with the scriptures and know
that our walk of life is in accordance...
4. We may think that we have a sinful habit that we just
can't get rid of, but we can and we better.
a. I'm not saying that we have to be perfect, but I'm
sure we have to keeping trying to be.
b. One can't have the security of the believer and
live the life of a sinner.
i. If anyone lives such a life and feels secure in
it, he is deceiving himself.
5. Perhaps you have heard the story of the 5 pseudo
Christian men who were setting at a table and playing cards.
a. They began one by one to tell their worst habits.
1) The first said: "This gambling is my worst habit..."
2) The second said: "My problem is chasing after
wild woman".
3) "Mine is drinking alcohol...."
4) "Bad language"
5) "Gossip, and frankly I can't wait to get out of
here and tell all of this.
b. This is a rather humorous incident, but sin is
nothing to be taken lightly.
1) Practicing sin is detrimental to our well being.
2) More important, it will condemn our soul.
6. The Bible doesn't have to say, "Thou shall not...".
a. If the scriptures teach against something and you
do it, you commit sin.
b. This thing could turned around regarding things
the scriptures tell us to do...
c. We are warned by professionals, in the area of
health, to not ever start using things that are
physically addictive.
1) Once you start something...don't expect that it
is going to be easy to quit.
2) But, if it is sinful, you can and you better because.....
III. Contrary to many peoples belief, a saved person can fall
from the grace of God.
A. I don't know how the scriptures could be any plainer in
regard to anything.
1. The problem is people have had a lot of help to
misunderstand it.
2. Anyone who so much as reads the scriptures that pertain
to this matter (if they have a good heart) is going to
have to admit serious problems with...
a. Paul gave this command to Christians: "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (I Cor. 10:12)
1) Fall from what? From a saved state to a lost.
2) No one is exempt from this danger, not even ones who
feel the most secure.
3) Even Paul himself recognized the possibility
that he could fall. (I Cor. 9:27) "But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection:
lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself
should be a castaway."
b. Gal. 5:4 is an example where some did fall from grace.
"Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you
are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.”
B. When we look at the matter of the possibility of apostasy
from a historical standpoint, we find that people have gone
from one extreme to another.
1. One extreme is the belief that one must be sinlessly
perfect to be in grace, the other is that once one
has become a child of God it doesn't matter how much
he sins, he will be saved eternally in the end.
2. Any time there are two extreme views you can pretty
well be assured that the truth is going to be in the middle.
3. Certainly we can fall from grace if we seek after the pleasures
of the world and do not endeavor to serve the Lord faithfully.
a. But I don't have a lot of confidence in those who
would destroy our hope by trying to force on me
the idea that I can live perfectly, and that I must be
without sin when I die to go to heaven.
b. These brethren, in their effort to convince the
brotherhood that we can be sinlessly perfect, are
now teaching that Jesus was "just a man" while on earth.
1) They say Jesus was just a man - he lived sinlessly,
therefore we can.
2) 1 John 1:7 gives the answer to the controversial matter.
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have
fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus
Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
C. Let's talk about some things that may contribute to a Christian
falling away.
1. Evil Companionships - "Be not deceived: evil companionships corrupt good morals" (1Cor 15:33)
a. It stands to reason that if we are constantly
around people that think nothing about saying
things that God doesn't want us to say and doing
things He ..., then some of these things are going
to have a tendency to rub off on us.
b. So we need to avoid evil companionships.
1) Not mean avoid being around evil people.
2) Means avoid being a companion to them.
2. Idleness in the church - All Christians should be
busy doing things, because work strengthens us and
stimulates our interest.
3. Worldliness - This led Demas to forsake Paul and the
Lord's work (2 Tim. 4:10).
a. "For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this
present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica;"
b. No man can serve two masters....
4. Sometimes people just quit:
a. They say they just were not getting anything out of
it any more.
b. It's like a bank - you can't get anything out until you
first put something in.
D. Let's talk about some things which fortify or strengthen
Christians so that they will not fall.
1. Try to avoid evil - We are commanded to: "Abstain from
every form (or appearance) of evil” (1 Thes. 5:22).
a. It appears that many professed Christians not do
not make an effort to avoid it, they actually invite it.
b. We (especially young people) can get ourselves in situations
that can be a great temptation.
1) If we could just have the wisdom to foresee
such matters, and the will to take heed to our conscience.
2) A lot fewer sins would be committed if we could
keep ourselves away from the temptation.
c. Do you know how to avoid telling a lie?
1) Never do anything that you would be tempted to
try to cover up with a lie if you were suspected.
2) Under ordinary circumstances most of us wouldn't
tell a lie.
a) But if we see that we can probably keep
ourselves out of trouble by doing so...
b) You see how one sin leads to another...more.
2. We need to have a consciousness that we can fall just
the same as anyone else.
a. Paul said: (1 Cor. 9:27) "But I keep under my body, and
bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I
have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”
b. When one thinks that he is to the point that he
doesn't have to do as Paul did, trouble is brewing.
1) We have got to be conscious or aware of the
possibility that we can fall.
2) By keeping this in mind and by praying and
meditating daily, we have a strong fortification.
3) If we find ourselves falling, the only way we
are going to be strengthened is by prayer and meditation.
i. This is the remedy - to reject the doctors
remedy is to reject the doctor.
3. We need to have an understanding of the progressiveness of sin.
a. Some think that they will sin just a little, but
not permit it to go very far, or to get out of hand.
1) But sin is progressive - little things lead to bigger things.
2) The old saying: "One thing leads to another".
b. Example of departure from the faith (first Psa.):
1) First - "Walk in the counsel of the wicked:
2) Second - stand in the way of sinners;
3) Third - sit in the seat of scoffers".
c. The progressiveness of sin can be illustrated by
looking at Peter's life - things that transpired
before he denied the Lord (Matt. 26).
1) Peter followed the Lord afar off;
2) He denied the Lord and lied;
3) He denied with an oath;
4) He cursed and swore.
d. II Tim. 4:3-4 gives us the steps of how brethren
depart from sound doctrine. "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;
but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves
teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away
[their]ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
1) "Will not endure sound doctrine" - an attitude problem.
2) "Heap to themselves teachers" - they will not let anyone
teach unless they will teach only the things that they
believe, or want taught.
3) “Turn away their ears from the truth" - will not have it.
4) "Turn aside unto fables" - completely left the faith.
a) When brethren deviate from sound doctrine
just a little, before they know it things get out of control.
b) No stopping place.
c) Some try to stop it but are seldom successful.
4. To memorize scripture and quote appropriate passages
during moments of trial or temptation will help keep us
from falling.
a. Jesus left this example for us by quoting scripture each time
he was tempted by the Devil as recorded in Matt. ch. 4.
b. A good one to use often is James 4:7: "Resist the devil and he will flee from you."
5. The control of thoughts...
a. Many of the sins that we commit are first
committed in thought.
b. Therefore, we should give heed to Prov. 4:23:
"Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."
c. Christ said: "For out of the heart come forth evil
thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false
witness, railings: These things defile a man" (Matt. 15:19-20).
1) But if we control our thoughts these things will never happen.
2) But how can we?By being so busy thinking good
thoughts and putting them into practice that
there is either time nor room for sinful thoughts.
a) The weakest Christians are the ones that
spend the least amount of time involved in
prayer, studying the word, and service...(vice versa)
b) "Idle mind is the devil's workshop"
3) The more time we spend thinking good thoughts the better.
a) Periodically we need to find a quiet place and just have
a serious talk with ourselves concerning the serious
things in life.
b) Such things as: the certainty of death; am I really trying
to make the most of my life....; Am I ready to die?
4) The value of good thoughts are immeasurable in
strengthening the soul.
6. Faithful attendance at worship services and studying
of the Bible strengthens ...
a. It is here that we receive reproof, rebuke and
exhortation which helps to hold us in line.
1) And it is here that we get a lot of strength and
encouragement to make it through another week.
2) If you miss one half the services only going to get
one half benefit ..... Someone might ask is that
enough. Is it? Good question!
b. The importance of studying the Bible cannot be
overlooked or overemphasized.
7. The last fortification for the Christian that I want
to mention is the addition of the Christian Graces.
a. 2 Pet. 1:5-10 - And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your
faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge
temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness
charity.For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you
that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of
our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind,
and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged
from his old sins.Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence
to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things,
ye shall never fall;
b. We are assured that if we do these things....
IV. The Christian Life Is A Challenge.
A. It is a challenge to be satisfied with oneself, yet dissatisfied with
what we are - to always strive to better ourselves.
B. It is a challenge to know as much as we should know,
without acting like a know-it-all.
1. Nobody likes a know-it-all.
2. If there is a Bible question don't be afraid to say, "I don't know",
but do say that you will try to get the answer.
C. It is a challenge to choose our words carefully.
1. A good carpenter, when wanting to do accurate work,
measures twice and cuts once.
*** 2. A barber had just become a Christian and was full of zeal.
a. While strapping his razor he looked down at his
customer and asked him, "Are you ready to die?".
b. We need to be careful about what we say and do.
D. Challenge to help others, both physically and spiritually.
1. When it comes to the physical realm we can all help
others, that's easy.
a. If, for example, I forget to put my collar down...
b. But when it comes to a spiritual problem, how many
are willing to try and help.
c. How many have the courage to point out a sin to someone.
1) Gal. 6:1 - "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in
a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in
the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also
be tempted.”
2) This the faithful should do in as tactful a manner as
we know.
E. ...Challenge to teach the gospel to the lost.
1. After we have studied and learned something to teach,
we should take every opportunity.
2. But remember, if we don't think and use wisdom in
what we say, we may scare (or drive) people away from
the gospel rather than to it.
F. Finally, the challenge ... is to do the very best we can
to live a faithful Christian life.
1. This is a challenge, but we don't know what is the best
we could do.
2. The terms that the scriptures use along this line are:
be diligent, press on, fight the good fight, etc.
Conclusion:
I. The greatest blessings that man can have in this life,
and all spiritual blessings, are for those who live the
Christian life.
A. It is something that all should desire.
B. If you are living it your life is like a book and
there are a lot of people that know you that are
enjoying reading it.
1. Some may not be enjoying it because they can't see
past their nose and all concerned with is temporal pleasure.
2. But all who know a faithful Christian are
influenced in some way.
II. Those of us who have become unfaithful
soldiers need to get back into service, and
into battle for the Lord.
III. Perhaps there are some present who are not a Christian
and would like to become one today.
A. You can be simply by doing what people at Jerusalem
were told to do on the day the Lord's Church was established.
B. Wouldn't you like to begin the Christian life today?
This sermon was gleaned from many sources, starting with a sermon by John Clark at Florida Colledge in 1976.