IF I COULD…
(Matthew 23:37-39)
Introduction: Spiritual song—If I could…
A. Today—If I could—There are many things I would change, Many things I would do, if I could.
I. I Would Have Everyone Given The Opportunity To Hear The Gospel At Least Once (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15,16; II Peter 3:9).
II. I Would Have All Who Hear To Obey (John 6; Acts 2). Many heard who did not obey.
A. 3000 on Pentecost (Acts 2) did obey the Lord.
B. Acts 8:26-40—Ethiopian Eunuch heard the gospel once and obeyed.
C. Acts 16:25-34—Philippian Jailor heard the gospel once and obeyed as did all of his household.
III. I Would Have All Who Hear And Obey To Remain Faithful—(Rev 2:10; I Cor. 15:58).
A. Gospel is the power to change our lives—Saul of Tarsus to Paul the Apostle (Rom. 1:16).
1. It transforms us into useful vessels (Rom. 12:1,2).
B. I would have every Christian to walk in the light continually (I John 1:7).
C. Be a shining light to the world—(Matt. 5:16).
D. Continue to Grow Spiritually—(II Peter 3:18).
E. Be happy as a Christian—(Phil 4:4; I Thes. 5:16).
F. Learn to forgive and to accept forgiveness—(Matt. 6:12).
IV. I Would Have Every Member Of This Congregation To Be:
A. Faithful in Attendance—(Heb. 10:25).
B. Be a living example of Christ—(I Cor. 11:1; I Tim. 4:12).
C. Give to the Lord as we are prospered (I Cor. 16:1,2).
D. Share the Good News of Christ and His church to others. If each member of this congregation converted one soul a year for 5 years, the number becomes astonishing. We have about 400 members so the number would become 12,800 members.
E. Show the non-member that we are truly interested in them and their salvation. We want them to be saved eternally!
Conclusion: The facts are that I can not obey the gospel for anyone except myself—If I could, I surely would… But each one of us must stand before God and give an account of the deeds done in our body (II Cor. 5:10; Rev. 20:11-15).
A. Make sure your life is right with God—No one else can do it for you, even though they might have this desire.
Robert L. Brown
Great Oaks Church of Christ