ARE YOU IN?
Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, July 25, 1999, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia:
ARE YOU IN?
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Genesis 7:1-4
Text: Genesis 7:1
Introduction: The invitation in Noah’s day was simple – “Come into the ark.” I love that. In many ways, the ark was similar to the way Jesus saves people today. Jesus invites people to COME unto Him:
Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
You know, people today do not like absolutes, but in Noah’s day, there were only two possibilities: you were either IN the ark or you were OUT. I believe it is that way today. We are either IN or OUT. I’m convinced that one of the reasons SOME people like to attend large churches is so that they can hide in the crowd, come and go as they please, and try to “straddle the fence.” That is, no one will notice that they are not really committed. They want to be THOUGHT of as being IN, when in reality, they are OUT.
This morning I want to know,
ARE YOU IN?
I. ARE YOU IN THE BOOK OF LIFE?
Philippians 4:3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
Revelation 20:11-15 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
A. The scene will be extraterrestrial
B. The Savior will be examining
C. Sins will be exposed
D. Sinners will be expelled
E. The saints will escape
II. ARE YOU IN THE BATTLE?
2 Samuel 11:1 And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
A. There is a call for volunteers
* To enlist in God’s army.
* To engage God’s adversary – Satan – 1 Pet. 5:8
B. There is a call for the valiant
* Gideon’s band was reduced to the valiant 300.
* It takes courage!
* There will be wounds and casualties.
C. There is a call for victory!
* We are winners!
* We are overcomers!
* We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us!
* God causes us to ALWAYS triumph in Christ!
“A call for loyal soldiers comes to one and all, Soldiers for the
conflict; will you heed the call? Will you answer quickly, with a ready
cheer? Will you be enlisted as a volunteer?”
III. ARE YOU IN THE BUSINESS OF GOD?
1 Corinthians 16:15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints)
A. Your business is belonging to a God-honoring church
B. Your business is bearing the gospel of Christ
C. Your business is baptizing genuine converts
D. Your business is bring generous contributions
E. Your business is building God’s congregation
Are you IN or OUT?
Fence straddling is the most awkward position in the world! But there are some areas in which there is no fence straddling. In Noah’s day, you were either IN or OUT.
And today,
You are either in or out of the book of life;
You are either in or out of the battle; and
You are either in or out of the business of God.