Topical Sermons - Executable Outlines

Mark A. Copeland
b. But Re 3:20 is an invitation to wayward Christians, not alien sinners - Re 3:22
c. Failure to note the context leads to a perversion of the gospel!
2. E.g., “You can receive Christ right now through prayer”
a. “Then receive Him into your life by a simple act of faith. In prayer you can tell God that
you know you are a sinner, and that you are sorry for your sins. Tell him that you want
to turn from your old way of living, and you invite Jesus Christ to come into your life to
be your Lord and Savior.” - Billy Graham (Writes On Religion)
b. People are often told to pray, “Lord Jesus, I need you. I open the door of my life and
receive you as my Savior and Lord. Thank you for forgiving my sins. Take control of
the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.”
3. While this sounds innocent, is saying “the sinner’s prayer” how we are to receive Jesus into
our lives?
a. The Bible nowhere mentions “the sinner’s prayer”
b. Those who are taught to pray for forgiveness are already Christians
1) E.g., Simon - Ac 8:13,22
2) E.g., those to whom John writes - 1 Jn 1:6-10
c. Again, Re 3:20 (often used to support the idea of receiving Christ through prayer) was
an invitation to erring Christians
4. To receive Christ so that we come to know Him, one must keep certain commandments!
a. As expressed by Jesus - cf. Jn 14:21,23
b. As written by John - cf. 1 Jn 2:3-6
[The gospel message becomes perverted at the point when a person desires to receive Christ and is told
to simply say “the sinner’s prayer.” Jesus and His apostles never taught that. What did they teach...?]
II. THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST
A. IT INCLUDES THE BASIC CONTENT OF “THE FOUR SPIRITUAL LAWS”...
1. Law One - God loves you, and has a wonderful plan for your life - Jn 3:16; 10:10
2. Law Two - Man is sinful and separated from God. As such he cannot know and
experience God’s love and plan for his life - Ro 3:23; 6:23
3. Law Three - Jesus Christ is God’s only provision for man’s sin. Through Him you can
know and experience God’s love and plan for your life - Ro 5:6-9; Jn 14:6
4. Law Four - We must individually receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Then we can
know and experience God’s love and plan for our lives - Jn 1:12; Ep 2:8-9
-- This is a fine presentation of the gospel thus far
B. YET NOTE WHAT JESUS HIMSELF TAUGHT...
1. We must do the will of His Father in heaven - Mt 7:21-23
2. We must do what He Himself has said - Lk 6:46; cf. Mt 28:20
3. Certainly we believe that He is the Christ, the Son of God - Jn 8:24
4. We must also repent of our sins - Lk 13:3; cf. 24:46-47
5. We must be willing to confess Him before others - Mt 10:32-33
6. We must be baptized to be saved - Mk 16:15-16; cf. Mt 28:19-20; Jn 3:5
7. We must keep His commandments to receive Him and the Father - Jn 14:21,23
-- Jesus therefore taught that obedience is necessary, as expressed in faith,
repentance, confession and baptism!
C. NOTE ALSO WHAT HIS APOSTLES TAUGHT...
Topical Sermons 269