Sermon Theme
It is something we all do in life one way or another Whether it is getting on the bathroom scales and excusing the increase in weight on a faulty device OR explaining, politely of course, there must be something wrong with the policeman’s radar gun when pulled over for speeding.
Denial can have serious consequences e.g. when you have chest pain and don’t seek help Yet there is a form of denial which is more deadly than the worst forms we see on a worldly level There are those in this world who would deny they are not Christians Who strongly believe they are Christian bound for heaven yet the opposite is true “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:21–23, NIV84)
Today we want to see what a life of denial is then contrast it with a life of witness concerning Christ Importance = while we follow Jesus there can be aspects of a life of denial that cling to us
Sermon outline
- IDENTIFYING CHARACTER OF THE NON CHRISTIAN
- IDENTIFYING CHARACTER OF THE CHRISTIAN
- CHRIST’S PROMISE
Readings reproduced on this page:
The Holy Bible: New International Version. 1996, 1984. Grand Rapids: Zondervan
Sermon Outline
Readings
Matthew 5:1–16 (NIV84)
1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him,
2and he began to teach them, saying:
3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
13“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
14“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Text
Matthew 10:32–39 (NIV84)
32“Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.
33But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.
34“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
35For I have come to turn “ ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
36a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’
37“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;
38and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
