Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning and evening, June 23, 2002, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.
I DOUBT THAT SOME OF YOU YOUNG PEOPLE ARE TRULY SAVED
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: 1 Timothy 4:1-12
Text: 1 Timothy 4:12
1 Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Introduction: This is the first service of our summer YOUTH REVIVAL! We are praying for a stirring among our young people, that they might see their need to believe, love, and obey our Lord! I thank God for young people who know the Lord Jesus Christ! I thank God for the fact that our youngsters have had souls down the aisle the last two weeks that they had led to Christ in homes! Hallelujah!
However, the truth is, I don’t believe that some of you young people who claim to be saved ARE saved. That’s right. I doubt seriously that you are saved.
The purpose of this message is not to get you to doubt your salvation. Our gospel ministry is not one of doubt, but of MUCH, Holy Ghost ASSURANCE. However, since I can’t see your heart, my only assurance of YOUR salvation is the life I see you live. I’m asking you Christian young people today to help me not to doubt YOUR salvation.
A person is NOT saved by the way he LIVES. He is saved by grace through faith in Christ and His finished work on the cross. However, a person DOES convince OTHER people that he is saved by the way he lives. For instance,
I. IF YOUR CONVERSATION HASN’T CHANGED I DOUBT THAT YOU ARE TRULY SAVED
Romans 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
A. Saved people should have purity in their talk
B. Saved people should have praise in their talk
II. IF YOUR CLOTHES HAVEN’T CHANGED I DOUBT THAT YOU ARE TRULY SAVED
Mark 5:15 And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
A. Appearance should represent your gender
B. Appearance should represent your godliness
III. IF YOUR COUNTENANCE HASN’T CHANGED I DOUBT THAT YOU ARE TRULY SAVED
Genesis 31:2 And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.
Laban LOOKED different to Jacob. Why? It was because he had a change of HEART!
A. You should have a glad countenance
B. You should have a genuine countenance
IV. IF YOUR CROWD HASN’T CHANGED I DOUBT THAT YOU ARE TRULY SAVED
Proverbs 13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
If your salvation doesn’t take you to CHURCH, I’m not convinced it will take you to HEAVEN!
A. You should be baptized
B. You should belong to a local church
C. You should break loose from companionship with the wicked
V. IF YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS HAVEN’T CHANGED I DOUBT THAT YOU ARE TRULY SAVED
2 Corinthians 8:7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.
A. You should work to give
- Most people work only to get
B. You should willingly give
VI. IF YOUR “CLOSET” HASN’T CHANGED I DOUBT THAT YOU ARE TRULY SAVED
1 Samuel 3:10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
1 Samuel 2:18 But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.
A. Private supplication and prayer
B. Private study in the Bible
VII. IF YOUR CHARACTER HASN’T CHANGED I DOUBT THAT YOU ARE TRULY SAVED
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Your character is connected with