A Simple Reminder Series

2. Matt 7:21, Luke 8:13, John 8:31, James 2:14

3. Illustration: see quote from John Piper below,

4. I know that you have heard me preach this before, but it is a serious part of how we (and Jesus, Paul, John, and James) see salvation. Know that genuine faith perseveres over time and verifies itself with fruit. And so examine yourselves and see if you have believed in vain to no effect, no change. I have heard of pastors, deacons, SS teachers, and many church members realizing that they have believed in vain, then being gloriously saved once they overcome pride enough to be honest with God and their brothers.

A. Closing illustration: maybe “Don’t Hope, Decide”

B. Recap

C. Invitation to commitment

Additional Notes

• “if, over the next ten or twenty years, John Piper begins to cool off spiritually and lose interest in spiritual things and become more fascinated with making money and writing Christless books; and I buy the lie that a new wife would be exhilarating and that the children can fend for themselves and that the church of Christ is a drag and that the incarnation is a myth and that there is one life to live so let us eat drink and be merry—if that happens, then know that the truth is this: John Piper was mightily deceived in the first fifty years of his life. His faith was an alien vestige of his father's joy. His fidelity to his wife was a temporary passion and compliance with social pressure; his fatherhood the outworking of natural instincts. His preaching was driven by the love of words and crowds. His writing was a love affair with fame. And his praying was the deepest delusion of all—an attempt to get God to supply the resources of his vanity.” –John Piper

• I believe I got this story from Bob George…

Mac was a hard driving, though businessman in his 70’s.

He had been a church member for many years.

But one Wednesday night as he heard the associate share his testimony, he realized that he had never personally trusted Jesus Christ as his Savior.

Though he had been involved in a lot of religious activity, he never really had a clear idea of what it meant to be a Christian.

After spending a few days pondering and asking the associate questions, Mac made up his mind.

At the Sunday night service of their church, he decided to come forward to make a public profession of his faith in Christ.

The associate was down front serving as a counselor, and was deeply moved by the sight of this tough old businessman coming forward to receive Christ in childlike faith.

They were both in tears as they stood before the pastor.

“This is tremendous!” the pastor exclaimed.

He told the associate, “This man is one of the most brilliant businessmen in our city! He’s wealthy, he’s talented, and we need to put him to work! I want you to see that Mac is totally involved in what you are doing. We want to take full advantage of what he can do.”

The associate said he will never forget Mac, his eyes full of tears, speaking with a sincere, trembling voice: “Pastor, I don’t need a job. I need the Lord.”