From Profession to Perfection
Introduction
A. The Christian Life Begins with New Birth
1. "My little children" (v. 1)
2. We are born again through faith in Christ (John 3:1-16)
B. God Wants Us to Be Confident of Our Salvation
1. Know is found forty times in this epistle
2. The joy of knowing we are the children of God
C. Three Words for the Family: Profession, Progression, and Perfection
A. Profession
1. "He that saith he abideth in him"
2. We downplay the importance of profession
a. "I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day"
b. Quiet faith preferred by many to zealous witnessing
3. We are to give testimony to our faith
a. Believe and confess (Rom. 10:9)
b. Baptism as a means of public witness
c. Church attendance shows our priorities
4. We are to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8)
B. Progression
1. "Ought himself also so to walk"
a. Believers are people on the move
b. Our walk should confirm our talk
2. Abiding in Christ should show in our walk
3. Parents are pleased when a child starts walking
4. How shall we walk?
a. Walk honestly (Rom. 13:13)
b. Walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16)
c. Walk in love (Eph. 5:2)
d. Walk circumspectly (Eph. 5: 15)
e. Walk in faith (Col. 2:6)
f. Walk in wisdom, redeeming the time (Col. 4:5)
5. How are you progressing in the Christian life?
C. Perfection
1. "Even as he walked"
2. We have a great example to follow
3. We are not perfect, but Jesus is (1 Peter 2:21-25
a. Others fail, Jesus doesn’t
b. Focus on Jesus, not faults of others
4. In looking to Jesus, we can be victorious (Heb. 12:2)
5. When we meet Jesus we will be like Him (1 John 3:2)
Conclusion
A. Three Commitments to Make a Difference in Our Walk
1. I will not look at the faults of others
2. I will look for evidences of Christ likeness in others
3. I will keep looking to my perfect Savior
B. Let’s Make These Life-Changing Commitments Today
