THE SCHOOL OF HARD "NOTS"
TITUS 3:3-8 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
Intro: You may have heard of people coming through the school of hard Knocks, but as I look through the word of God, I find some “NOT’s” that are hard for some people to swallow.
I. Sin…Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
Some have a hard time with the fact that they are a sinner.
II. Salvation The 2nd hard "NOT" is found in Titus 3:5
“Not by works of Righteousness are we saved”
Now its hard for some people to learn that good works DO NOT SAVE THEM. Not baptism and Not church membership. Folks say that’s hard for me to believe that GOD will save somebody by just repenting. This word Repentance is fallen on hard times. I’ve been run off from churches for preaching repentance. If just believing will get you to heaven, James says that even the devils believe and tremble. Do you believe the devil is going to heaven?
III. Self……………. The Second hard "NOT" is found in 2 Corinthians 3:5
“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves”
Paul is saying "I am not self confident" but his confidence was in GOD, his sufficiency is in GOD not in Paul. Not, that’s a hard not, for some to think that they can live the Christian life in their own strength and this is what Paul is saying you cannot do it your own self. If you can CHRIST died in vain. Hey that shouldn’t be hard to understand. Phillipians3:3 "have no confidence in the flesh"
IV. Service "Not" is in Ephesians 6:6
“Not with eyeservice”
It’s a hard not to try to please men instead of GOD. Ask Pilate about pleasing men or GO
V. Sanctuary. ……….. The Fourth hard "Not" is found in Hebrews 10:25
“Not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together”
Its hard for some not to think of watching TD Jakes, Joyce Meyer or their radio pastor. Ha, ha, ha! They are just as good as assembling together at GOD’S house.
VI. Stewardship………………….The Fifth hard "Not" is in Philippians 4:17
“Not that I desire a gift”
Its a hard "not" for a Baptist to think when the preacher mentions a gift, they say "yeah he’s begging again." Look, Paul said I am not desiring a gift but fruit, that what you do give, will be added to your account in glory.
Read Luke 6:38
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
VII. Separation
Be Not conformed to this world…
Touch NOT the unclean thing
These are some hard NOT’s, for some people to get over, but they can’t be untied
