Rom. 6:11 - dead unto sin - alive unto GodEph. 2:1 - made alive - were dead in sinJohn 3:5 - Born again of water and spirit

Can die spiritually - 1 Tim. 1:19-20 “shipwreck of their faith”Sardis - Rev. 3:1 “reputation of being alive but you are dead”1 Tim. 5:6 “…lives in pleasure is dead while she lives…”

Leaves it marks - Postmortem examination = cause of deathThree benefits of an autopsy:

1. What caused death2. Damage done to body3. What can be learned to prevent death

1. What caused the death2. Damage done to the soul3. How to avoid the same fate

“without understanding” Romans 1:31

Matt. 13:13-15 - parable

Matt. 13:19 Devil snatches

2 Tim.3:7 “ever learning”

Reading 1 Tim.4:13

Pray - James 1:5

Matt. 5:6 - hunger & thirst

Open eyes and ears

Acute verbosity

Eccl. 3:7 “a time to keep silence, and a time to speak”

Prov.10:19 “In the multitude of words that wanteth not sin”

Eccl. 5:2 “Be not rash with thy mouth”

Jas.1:19 “swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath”

Busybodies - 2 Thes.3:11

Becomes a talebearer

Prov. 20:19 “He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets…”

Be busy doing good

1 Tim. 5:13-14Not idlehousehold

Symptoms of Gossip

Looking back grudges sins good world

Phil. 3:13 “forgetting those things which are behind”

Paul’s example:

“I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” Philippians 3:14

Two causes: Fail to bear burdens

Phil.2:4Gal. 6:2

Fail to take up crossLuke 9:23Mark 8:34-35

Hard work

1 Tim. 4:8 “…but godliness is profitable unto all things,…”

Patting self on back

“think too highly ofhimself” Rom. 12:3

Luke 18:11-14 Pharisee

Humble himself

“God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” Jas.4:6

Not stedfast ~ but moveable

1 Cor. 15:58

Want to be in the numberBut not willing to work

Ephesians 6:10 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”

Gospel armor - Ephesians 6:11-17

Had not been bentin prayer

Ceased to pray instead of

“Pray without ceasing” 1 Thes. 5:17

Bow to God while it would help

Romans 14:11 “…every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.”

Dragging their feet

Unaccustomed to swift action

Abused by disuse

Romans 10:15 “How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace,

and bring glad tidings of good things.”

Use feet for what they were intended !

Not stable

Eph. 4:14 “carried aboutwith every wind of doctrine”

“A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” James 1:8

Caused by a lack of faith.

“Increase our faith” Luke 17:5

Romans 10:17 “faith comes by hearing”

Told Sardis: Rev. 3:3 Remember Hold fast Repent

“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.” 3 John 2 ESV

Sermon by Arthur Pigman

Evans Church of Christ

515 Gibbs Road

Evans, Ga. 30809

706-855-1249

evanscoc@bellsouth.netevanscoc@bellsouth.net

www.evansgachurchofchrist.orgwww.evansgachurchofchrist.org

Sunday Morning October 23, 2011