Exalting Christ through the Gospel

Introduction:

A.     The Word of God clearly teaches that it is every Christians duty to exalt Christ (Isa 43:7; I Cor 10:31; Eccl 12:13; Mk 12:30).

B.     To feel motivated to exalt the Christ we need to be reminded of 3 truths:

1.      Who we were---alienated sinners as a result of sin (Eph 2:1; Isa 59:1-2; Habakkuk 1:13; Rom 3:23, 6:23, I Jn 3:4)

2.      What God has done:

o       Sent His Son to die for our sins (Jn 3:16, Rom 5:6-8; 2 Cor 8:9; Heb 10:9-10, 2:9, 10:12, 9:22, 14).

o       He has forgiven us our sins by obedience to Christ (Rom 6:17, Ps. 103:9-12; Micah 7:18-19; Col 1:14, I Pet 1:18-19, Matt 26:28, Jn 1:29; 2 Cor 5:21, I Pet 1:21-24, Heb 8:12).

3.      Who we are---God’s Children (Gal 4:4-6; I Jn 3:1; I Cor 12:27; Acts 11:26).

4.      Here are five ways we can exalt Christ through the gospel:

I.  By Knowing God’s Word. 

A.      God has always expected man to know His Will (Jn 8:31-32, 2 Tim 2:15, Acts 17:11, Heb 2:1-3, Prov 15:28, I Pet 3:15, Eph 5:17, I Tim 4:7-8, 15-16).

B.     If the Lord were to come back today and take a poll of how often you study your Bible, many of us would probably be ashamed.

C.     Our spiritual vitality depends upon us knowing God’s word (Ps 119:11-12, 105; Rev 12:11; Jer 10:23; 2 Pet 1:3; Rom 1:16).

II.  By Living According To The Gospel Daily (Lk 9:23).

A.     First, we must deny self (Rom 12:1-2; Gal 2:20; Phil 1:21, 2 Cor 5:14-15; 2 Cor 8:5; I Cor 15:31).

B.     Second, we must follow Christ (I Pet 2:21; I Cor 11:1, Rev 14:4, Acts 4:13; Jn 2:5; Jn 10:27).

C.     Notice 5 of the characteristics of Christian living the Bible outlines as a daily deed:

1.      Daily prayer (I Thes 5:17; Ps 86:3).

2.      Daily evangelism (Acts 5:42).

3.      Daily benevolence (Acts 6:1).

4.      Daily exhortation (Heb 3:12-13).

5.      Daily study (Acts 17:11).

III.  Teach the whole counsel of God

·         Acts 20:27; I Pet 4:11; 2 Tim 4:1-4; Titus 2:1; Jonah 3:2; Jer 1:9 2 Chron 18:3

IV.  Evangelism exalts Christ

·        Matt 28:18-20; Mk 16:15; Col 1:28; I Pet 2:9; Acts 8:4 Acts 5:42; 2 Cor 4:13

V.  When one obeys the gospel, it exalts Christ.

A.     Obedience is a must (Matt 7:21; Lk 6:46; Heb 5:8-9; James 1:22; Rom 6:17; 2 Thes 1:8; Jn 3:36; I Sam 15:22; Acts 5:29)

B.     What must one do to be saved?

1.      Hear the word of God (Rom 10:17).

2.      Believe in that word (Jn 8:24)

3.      Confess Christ (Rom 10:10)

4.      Repent of past sins (Lk 13:3; Joel 2:13; Acts 3:19)

5.      Be immersed (Mk 16:16)

·        Baptism is immersion (Jn 3:23, Mk 1:8-10; Acts 8)

·        Baptism is a must (Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; I Peter 3:21)

·        Baptism puts one into Christ (2 Tim 2:1, 10; Gal 3:27)