The Genuine Article
Oct 14, 2007 Morning Service
Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK
Rick Boyne
Message Point: If you are born again, your life will show it.
Focus Passage: I John 3:13-15
Introduction:
Nothing can be so troubling to your soul than to be uncertain about your salvation. God provides in His Word three strong evidences of salvation. Happy indeed is the person who manifests these three evidences in their life.
Supplemental Passage:
I. Evidence of a changed life:
a. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." II Corinthians 5:17.
II. Evidence of a love-filled heart:
a. A love that forgives: "And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." Eph. 4:32
b. A love that uplifts (encourages and blesses): "…exhorting one another…" Hebrews 10:25.
c. A love that reaches
i. Up in intercessory prayer
ii. Down to the point of need
iii. Out in compassionate concern
III. Evidence of the witness of the Holy Spirit:
a. "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs---heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together." Romans 8:14,16-17
b. Fruits of the Spirit.
Invitation: