Brethren, We Have An Obligation

Temple Baptist Church - 4-22-2018

Romans 8:12-14

Introduction:

A.  Along with our great salvation comes a great responsibility.  Over the past few weeks, we have been studying our relationship to God.  As children of God, we have obligations.  With so many professing Christians, salvation is something that does not affect their daily lives. 

Matthew 15:8  This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

B.  Christ is our life!

Colossians 3:3-4  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.  (4)  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.  (We not only have life in Christ, He is our life!)

b.  We have an obligation to the Lord:

1.  To walk worthy of the Lord.  Colossians 1:9-10  For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;  (10)  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

2.  We have an obligation to Serve.  Romans 6:22  But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

C.  We have an obligation to the Lost.  Matthew 10:8  Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. (God has been gracious to save us and we need to be gracious to the unsaved.)

1.  We are obligated to the Masses.  Matthew 9:37-38  Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;  (38)  Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

2.  We are obligated to the Message - Romans 10:14-15   How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

1.  We have an obligation to See.  John 4:35  Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

a.  An Imperative Look – “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest”

b.  A Compassionate Look – “for they are white already to harvest”

c.  An Urgent Look – “white already”

2.  We have an obligation to Shine – Matthew 5:13-16 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

a.  A Solitary Light – “ye are the light of the world”

b.  A Guiding Light – “see your good works”

c.  A Glorifying Light – “glorify your Father”

3.  We have an obligation to Share.  Romans 1:14-18  I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.  So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Ezekiel 33:8-9  When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.  Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.