Sunday's Sermon Notes

We continued to week two of our series Practical Atheist. Here are the notes if you missed them.

PRACTICAL ATHEIST: SOMEONE WHO BELIEVES IN GOD, BUT LIVES AS IF HE DOESN’T EXIST.

SERMON #2 I BELIEVE IN GOD BUT DON’T WANT TO GO OVERBOARD

WE MUST MOVE PAST CULTURAL CHRISTIANITY

The Lord said: Because these people approach Me with their mouths to honor Me with lip-service--yet their hearts are far from Me, and their worship consists of man-made rules learned by rote-- Isa 29:13

THE RIGHT REPONSE TO GOD IS TO GIVE UP EVERYTHING TO HIM

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure, buried in a field, that a man found and reburied. Then in his joy he goes and sells everything he has and buys that field. (45) "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. (46) When he found one priceless pearl, he went and sold everything he had, and bought it. Mat 13:44-46

LUKEWARM CHRISTIANS MAKE JESUS WANT TO VOMIT AND RUIN A GOOD MANURE PILE

Every one of you who does not say good-bye to everything cannot be My disciple.(34)"Now, salt is good, but if salt should lose its taste, how will it be made salty? (35) It isn't fit for the soil or for the manure pile; they throw it out. Anyone who has ears to hear should listen!" Luk 14:33-35

A LUKEWARM CHRISTIAN MAY OR MAY NOT EVEN BE A CHRISTIAN

Examine yourselves to see if your faith is really genuine. Test yourselves. If you cannot tell that Jesus Christ is among you, it means you have failed the test. 2Co 13:5

1) Crave acceptance from people more than acceptance from God.
2) Rarely share their faith in Christ.
3) Do whatever it takes to alleviate their guilt.
4) Think more about life on earth than eternity in heaven.
5) Gauge their morality by comparing to others.
6) Want to be saved from the penalty of sin without changing their lives.
7) Only turn to God when they are in a bind.
8) Give whenever it doesn’t hinder their standard of living.
9) Are not much different from the rest of the world.
10) Want the benefits of what Christ did without conforming to who He is.

11) Don’t know they are lukewarm

¹⁷ You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked… ²⁰ Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. Rev. 3:17, 20

Questions For Later Reflection

1) Have you lost the joy of your salvation? Why or why not?

2) Review the 10 qualities of lukewarm Christians. What is the biggest one (if any) that applies to you?

3) What are you going to do about your answer to question 2?

4) Are you sure if you were to die your would spend eternity in heaven with God?