Rev. David Holwick ZQ Sermon on the Mount series
First Baptist Church COMMUNION
Ledgewood, New Jersey
December 3, 1989
Matthew 7:21-23
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I. Phony Christians.
Thirty years, ago, a notorious gangster named Mickey Cohen
attended a Christian meeting in Beverly Hills.
The meeting was being led by a young evangelist named
Billy Graham.
Graham was just starting out in evangelism and no one had
really heard of him.
Everyone knew about Mickey Cohen.
Mickey was attracted to what he heard at the meeting.
Afterwards, Billy and some of the others talked to him
about salvation, but he made no commitment at that time.
A while later a Christian friend read Revelation 3:20 to
him - "Behold, I stand at the door...."
The friend then asked Mickey if he wanted this salvation.
He said, "Yes, I do."
The news of his conversion made quite a sensation, and the
ministry of Billy Graham became known across the nation.
There was only one small problem - nothing in Mickey Cohen's
life changed.
When his friend confronted him about it, Mickey complained:
"You didn't tell me I would have to give up my work!"
[Mafia]
"You didn't tell me I would have to give up my friends!"
[gangsters]
Mickey had heard that so-and-so was a Christian athlete, and
so-and-so was a Christian actress, so he thought he could
be a Christian gangster.
#1062
A. We all know people like Mickey Cohen.
1) They love Jesus - while they feel like it, as long as it
offers something.
2) But soon they drift away, leaving a bad taste.
B. Worse - those in church who are bad, but don't leave.
1) Keeps some from joining church.
2) Why are some who claim to be Christians like this?
II. Dangers of "Easy-Believism."
A. Jesus as Savior, but not Lord?
1) Controversy - make it two steps.
2) First grace, then obedience.
a) Possible to have him as Savior, not Lord?
B. Jesus as Savior and Lord.
1) Matthew 7:22-23 supports this view.
a) "Lord, lord" - but rejected.
2) Must believe, and obey.
III. Certainty of salvation.
A. The phonies believe they are saved.
1) They are utterly sincere.
2) They have even done religious miracles.
a) Few have. Any here?
3) They are certain he will let them in.
B. Many modern people think they are saved, but are not.
1) Some in this church?
a) Inadequate view of Jesus, salvation.
b) Inadequate commitment.
2) Lord, lord - but not doing God's will.
IV. Salvation is not easy.
A. Few are saved, according to Jesus.
1) Many who think they are, aren't.
2) Millions will be shocked on Judgment Day.
a) You among them?
B. Salvation by grace, yet costs us our life.
1) Cheap grace.
a) Church membership.
b) Attendance.
c) Believing parents.
d) Moral lifestyle (fairly moral).
2) Easy-forgivism can cheapen salvation.
a) Erosion of morality in our churches.
b) Activity that would have shamed 20 years ago, now
doesn't raise an eyebrow.
3) Opposite danger - salvation by works.
a) Trying hard to earn their way into heaven.
1> But salvation must always be a gift.
2> If it's not, everyone will be lost.
b) Not earn way in, but get kicked out by it?
V. Hypocrites.
A. Everyone loves to hate them.
1) TV evangelists, etc.
B. But most of us share the sin of hypocrites.
1) There may be someone who sees you as a prime example.
a) Do people look down on Jesus because of you?
2) Preaching on hypocrisy makes me cringe.
C. Call upon a perfect savior, but sin in our lives.
1) Let ourselves off hook, but hard on others.
2) Outsiders who condemn hypocrites in church - there's always
room for one more.
VI. How to gain assurance.
A. Understand simplicity of gospel.
B. Make effort to clean out life.
1) Takes time.
2) Is never perfect.
C. Works can't save, but they can confirm our salvation.
Copyright © 2024 by Rev. David Holwick
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