What Will Your Answer Be?

INTRODUCTION.

A.        The Lord is calling people!

1.         Mark 2:17 - “When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” (NKJV)

2.         Acts 2:39 - “For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” (NKJV)

3.         I Thessalonians 4:7 - “For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.” (NKJV)

4.         II Peter 1:10 - “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;” (NKJV)

5.         II Thesslonians 2:13-14 - “But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, 14 to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (NKJV)

B.        Sadly, many people do not recognize the Lord’s call. As II Thesslonians 2:14 stated, we are called by the gospel of Jesus Christ. In order to hear the Lord’s call, people must study His word.

C.        For those present who have heard the Lord’s call through the Word, but have not yet obeyed, this lesson is for you.

D.        For those present who, having once turned to the Lord, have now strayed away, this lesson is for you.

E.        For everyone else, this lesson is intended to remind you to never fail to listen to the Lord.

F.        What Will Your Answer Be?

I.         THERE WERE SOME WHO SAID NO.

            A.        The Rich Young Ruler Walked Away. (Matthew 19:16-22)

            B.        Some of the Rulers Who Believed Jesus Departed. (John 12:23-43)

            C.        Many of Jesus’ Disciples Departed. (John 6:60-66)

II.       THERE WERE SOME WHO SAID YES.

            A.        The Apostles Followed Jesus. (John 1:35-51)

            B.        Sergius Paulus Believed. (Acts 13:6-12)

            C.        Great Multitudes in Thessalonica and Berea Believed. (Acts 17:1-4, 10-12)

III.      WHAT WILL YOUR ANSWER BE?

            A.        At this very moment, God is calling you. What will your answer be?

                        1.         Will you answer Jesus’ call to believe ? (John 3:16)

                        2.         Will you answer Jesus’ call to believe and be baptized? (Mark 16:16)

                        3.         Will you answer Peter’s call to repent and be baptized? (Acts 2:38)

                        4.         Will you answer Paul’s call to believe and confess that belief? (Romans 10:9-10)

                        5.         Now is the time to answer yes. Now is the time to believe. Now is the time to obey.

            B.        If you are a Christian, now is the time to answer John’s call to confess your sins before God and ask Him to forgive. (I John 1:8 - 2:2)

CONCLUSION.

A.        Why are you waiting?

B.        As the song goes:

Someday you’ll stand at the bar on high,

Someday your record you’ll see;

Someday you’ll answer the question of life,

What will your answer be?

Sadly you’ll stand, if you’re unprepared,

Trembling, you’ll fall on your knee;

Facing the sentence of life or of death,

What will that sentence be?

Now is the time to prepare, my friend,

Make your soul spotless and free;

Washed in the blood of the Crucified One,

He will your answer be.

(What Will Your Answer Be? Tillit S. Teddlie, Sacred Selections)

C.        Now is the time to respond to the Gospel’s call to salvation. Come forward as we stand and sing.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

What Will Your Answer Be? - January 12, 2003 - File #: 2042 - First Principles

by John M. Duvall -- Lawton, OK