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Text: Hebrews 9:15-17; 10:9-10 Introduction:
I. Definition of Testament: An act by which a person determines the
disposition of his property after his death; now, usually a will.
II. Example of leaving $100,000 in a last will and testament and set some
conditions that the beneficiaries must met before inheriting the money.
Yet, while he is living, he is free to do what ever he wants to with
the money. However, once he dies, the terms of his last will and
testament goes into effect.
III. Hebrews 10:9-10Body:
I. Some examples while Christ was living.
A. Man sick with Palsy. Mark 2:1-12 (2-5, 10)
1. When were his sins forgiven? (When Jesus saw their faith.)
2. Whose faith (the four men who lowered him).
3. If we use this as an example of salvation for us today, then we are
saved through the faith of others.
4. Are we saved through the faith of others?
a. Revelation 20:12
b. Matthew 7:21
B. Rich Young Ruler. Mark 10:17-22.
1. What was he told to do. (keep the commandments)
2. Then what was he told to do?
a. Sell all that he had.
b. Give the process to the poor.
c. Follow Jesus.
3. Are we to do this today?
a. No, Christ's last will and testament had not gone into effect at
this time.
b. Also, the young man's problem was that he cared more for his
riches than following God.
C. The thief on the cross. Luke 23:39-43
1. People say that since the thief was not baptized, so we do not have
to be baptized today?
2. First, they need to prove that he was not baptized.
a. Matthew 3:5-6; Luke 3:7
b. John 4:1 (the thief knew something about Jesus while on the
cross)
c. This was admitted in a couple of debates that my father had.
3. Remember that while Jesus was still living, his will had not gone
into effect and He could forgive the sins of those whom he wished
to.II. The conditions that are set forth-in Jesus' will.
A. Hear.
1. One must first hear the conditions in order to know how to meet
them.
2. Romans 10:17.
B. Belief or Faith. Acts 16:30-31; Mark 16:16
1. What kind of belief or faith?
a. Most people who say "Faith only". Just believe in Jesus Christ
- John 3:16; the Thief on the Cross.
b. James says that the demons believe and tremble, James 2:19, yet
we see in Matthew 25:41 that they will spend eternity in a lake
of fire.
c. James states that we are not saved by faith alone - James 2:24.
2. A faith that saves is one that leads us to meet the rest of the
conditions.
C. Repent. Acts 17:30-31; 2:38
1. Definition: to change one's mind or purpose,…involving a change
for the better. Vine's Vol. 3 p. 280
2. After hearing and believing the gospel, one realizes that he is a
sinner, been serving the Devil, and decides that he is going to
stop serving the Devil and start serving Jesus Christ.
3. This results in a change of his ways.
D. Confess. Romans 10:10; Acts 8:36-37.
1. Romans 10:10 (What are we to confess?)
2. Acts 8:36-37.
E. Baptism.
1. Mark 16:16
a. "and" is a conjunction, which joins two or more words or phrases
of equal importance.
b. "Believe" is just like a prerequisite in college.
2. Acts 2:38
a. "and" - a conjunction.
b. "Repent" is a prerequisite.
c. "for" - just as a person takes aspirin for the relief of a
headache, one repents and is baptized for the remission (or
relief) of sin.
(1)Compare the word "for" in Matthew 26:28 (same word).
3. Acts 22:16.
4. 1 Peter 3:20-21.
a. Just as Noah and his family was saved by the water from the
destruction of the flood.
b. We today are saved from the destruction of sin by the waters of
baptism.
c. "Filth of the flesh" refers to the dirt that collects on your
body.
d. "Answer of a good conscience toward God" Answer carries the
idea of appeal - an example would be Acts 2:36.
5. Romans 6:3-4.
a. "into Christ"
(1) placed into Christ.
(2) all spiritual blessings are in Christ - Ephesians 1:3.
b. "into his death"
c. "buried with Him"
F. Be faithful. Revelation 2:10; Matthew 10:22; 1 Corinthians 15:58;
2 Timothy 4:7,8; 1 John 1:7-9.Conclusion: Have you obeyed the terms of Christ's last will and testament? You don't have a better opportunity to start than right now as we stand and sing.
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