OBTAINING A GOOD REPORT
Hebrews 11:39-40
How precious to see the “True Blue” people of the Lord in this day and time. There are so many that have taken the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and abused His Holy Name. Many have turned back and walk no more with the Saints. Others have tarnished His Holy Name with an unlikely life.
Beloved, I believe we ought to strive to “Obtain a Good Report” in certain areas that the world may know that we have been with Jesus.
We should obtain a good report:
1. With Christ 2. With Church
3. With Community 4. With Conscience
5. With Calvary
Beloved until we “Obtain a Good Report” in these areas we cannot get the job done for the Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s share together for a little while some of the ways I believe we should go about Obtaining a Good Report.
I. A DISCOVERY OF SIN
Romans 3:10
As it is written, there is none righteous, no not one.
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
A. Now, until man becomes aware of the fact of sin in their life, there can be no repentance.
There can be no Good Report with the Lord until repentance os sin has taken place in one’s heart.
B. Remember the words of Jesus to Nicodemus, when he came by night?
Those words are still operative with the Lord.
“Except ye be born again”
II. A DELIVERANCE FROM THE PRACTICE OF SIN
1 John 3:8
He that committeth sin is of the devil, for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
A. Beloved, after a person is saved, they cease to continually practice sin.
B. One reason why so many Christians are powerless is that they have unconfessed sin in their life.
C. I suppose the Lord would Bless more than we could contain, if we would really get things right in our hearts.
III. A DELIGHT IN THE WORD OF GOD
1 Peter 1:23
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.
A. The Psalmist said one time concerning The Precious Word of God…
Psa. 119:72
The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
B. I have never seen a great Christian that did not delight in God’s Word.
C. You don’t have to beg God’s people to come to God’s house to hear His Word. No sir, they Delight therein.
IV. A DISTINCT LOVE FOR THE BRETHREN
1 John 3:14
We know that we have passed death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
A. Of all the various groups, there are none as precious, and as deeply felt as the fellowship and love that God’s people have for each other.
B. Thank God for those Saints who, worship with us, Pray with us, and even weep with us when need be. Beloved that’s the kind of people we are to love in this old world.
V. A DEFINITE CALMNESS OF THE HEART
1 John 3:20
For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
A. Unless one has peace within, they cannot be pleasing to the Lord. They can’t be the witness, nor the Christian that God would them to be.
B. One thing the Child of God has that the world does not is PEACE WITHIN.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. NIV
VI. A DIMINISHING LOVE FOR THE WORLD
1 John 2:15
Love not the world, neither the thngs of the world. If any amn love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
A. To love the world and the things of the world, is but a very clear proof that such a person’s life has never been changed.
Matthew 6:33
Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.
B. The fancies & fashions of this world are not what the child of God is interested in.
C. Certainly we are to be interested in the soul of mankind.
VII. A DEPORTMENT THAT IS UNQUESTIONED
Deportment is our conduct. Kids get marks in the early grades on conduct.
1 John 2:6
He that saith he abideth in Him ougth himself also so walk, even as He walked..
A. The walk of the Christian is under close scrutiny, and the least thing can turn the lost away from the Lord even further.
B. Satan delights in accusing the Brethren. When there is a little story, he can blow it up to be as big as a mountain.
C. The best thing is just don’t give him anything to blow up. Live clean, and dedicated unto the Lord, and God will bless you for it.
The Church Covenant says that we are be “Exemplary in our deportment”.
CONCLUSION
Whatever your age this evening, you need a good report with God. Do you have a good report with Him today? Do you love the world and its stuff? Do you love the Word of God and the brethren?
INVITATION
Tonight, you can get a Good Report with God by giving your heart to Him in unconditional surrender.
“Here I am God, all that I am or ever hope to be, all that I have or ever hope to have, is yours to do with as you see fit.”
Unsaved friends:
Romans 10:9-10
That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. NIV
Saved friends:
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. NIV
