WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT
Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning and evening, January 31, 1999, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia:
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT
By Michael D. O’Neal……Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church…….Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Acts 20:17-32
Text: Acts 20:32
Acts 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
Introduction: Last Sunday morning I preached on “Why We are Here” — Our PURPOSE. Gospel Light Baptist Church Exists Solely to Exalt the Savior as we Evangelize the Sinner and Edify the Saint.
Today I want you to consider with me, “What Makes Us Different” — Our PECULIARITY. The Lord has His churches in this town, and each one has its own atmosphere. I think that one of the main things that identifies OUR church is our position on God’s word — the KING JAMES BIBLE.
What makes Christians different from the world is JESUS CHRIST.
What makes this church different from many other churches is THE WORD OF GOD, which I shall refer to affectionately in this message as “THE BOOK.”
I. WE HAVE FOUND THE BOOK
2 Kings 22:8 And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.
A. We have found the PECULIAR Book
* WE are peculiar because this BOOK is peculiar! There is none like it!
B. We have found the PURE Book
* Ps. 12:6 “The words of the LORD are pure words …”
* Prov. 30:5 “Every word of God is pure …”
C. We have found the POWERFUL Book
* Heb. 4:12
II. WE ARE FOUNDED UPON THE BOOK
Matthew 7:24-25 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
A. It saves us
* It told us about Jesus Christ and His gospel
B. It speaks to us
C. It steers us – Ps. 119:105
III. WE ARE BOUND BY THE BOOK
1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
A. We all recognize it
* We know where it is located — it is the King James Bible
B. We all revere it
* God has magnified it above all His name – Ps. 138:2
* We glorify it – 2 Thess. 3:1
* We receive it as the word of GOD, not the word of man – 1 Thess. 2:13
C. We rejoice in it
* As we would in treasure – Ps. 119:162
IV. WE GATHER AROUND THE BOOK
Nehemiah 8:3 And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.
A. For indoctrination – in what to believe
B. For instruction – in what to do
C. For inspiration – to DO what we BELIEVE
V. WE ARE GROUNDED IN THE BOOK
Colossians 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
2 Peter 1:12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.
A. By regular digestion of the word of God
B. By rightly dividing the word of God – 2 Tim. 2:15
C. By responsive dedication to the word of God – Jn. 7:17
VI. WE ARE SOUNDING FORTH THE BOOK
1 Thessalonians 1:8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.
A. In the services of church
B. In the streets of our city – Acts 20:20
* Publicly
* House to house
C. In strange countries
* Through the support of missionaries
* Through our site on the Internet
VII. WE GET WOUND UP ABOUT THE BOOK!
Nehemiah 8:12 And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.
I know people who will shout, clap their hands, and wave their “hankies” at a gospel “sing,” but sit like wooden Indians when the word of God is being preached!
We get excited about the Bible:
A. Because of its meaning
B. Because of its might
C. Because of its majesty!