GREAT PRINCIPLES

OF CHRISTIANITY

1 Timothy 4:6-10  If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith

and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. 7  But reject profane and

old wives' fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. 8  For bodily exercise profits

a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is

and of that which is to come. 9  This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. 10

 For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God,

who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.

CHRISTIANITYA. Christianity is the one and only true religion

in the world.B. Fulfills the prop hecies of O.T. - Romans 1:1-4

 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God 2  which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3  concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4

 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.

CHRISTIANITYC. Christianity is the one and only true

religion in Monuments a proof of its antiquity. 1. Lord's Day

2. Resurrection

3. Lord's Supper

4. Baptism

5. Time A.D.

I. CHRISTIANITY IS THE GREATEST INVESTMENT IN THIS LIFE AND

FOR ALL ETERNITY

I. INVESTMENTA. An investment in the church is an investment in

eternity - 1 Timothy 4:8  For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.

B. An investment in the soul; in spiritual things - Colossians 3:1-4  If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2  Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3  For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4

 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

II. CHRISTIANITY IS THE

GREATEST INSURANCE TO

BE HAD ON EARTH

II. INSURANCEA. The purpose of insurance – to protect against

catastrophe, calamity. What greater catastrophe than eternity in hell.

B. 2 Peter 1:2-11  Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3  as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4  by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5  But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, >>>

II. INSURANCE6  to knowledge self-control, to self-control

perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7  to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8  For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9  For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10  Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11  for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

II. INSURANCEC. Promises sure - Hebrews 10:23  Let us hold fast the

confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

D. Here, lose my life; have it extended for all eternity - John 12:25  He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

E. My body die but be raised to live for ever and ever - John 5:28-29  Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29  and come forth--those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

F. Every good deed an investment in the future - Matthew 10:42  And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”

III. CHRISTIANITY IS THE

GREATEST INSULATION

AGAINST SIN, CRIME AND EVIL

III. INSULATIONA. "Every man is tempted." - James 1:14-15  But

each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15  Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

B. Not tempted above what can be overcome - 1 Corinthians 10:13  No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

III. INSULATIONC. Faith gives us the victory - 1 John 5:3-5  For

this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 4  For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. 5  Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

D. As the wool on the sheep insulates vs. the winter’s cold, Christianity insulates us against sin; build up resistance.

IV. CHRISTIANITY IS THE GREATEST INDOCTRINATION

AGAINST SIN, ERROR AND

FAILURE.

IV. INDOCTRINATIONA. Word of God does this

1. Acts 20:32  So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

2. Psalm 119:11  Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You!

B. Men are what they are taught to be. 1. Proverbs 23:7  For as he thinks in his heart, so

is he. "Eat and drink!" he says to you, But his heart is not with you.

2. Proverbs 4:23  Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.

IV. INDOCTRINATIONC. We learn how to live life at its best by being

Christians. 1 Peter 3:8-12  Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; 9  not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. 10  For "He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. 11  Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. 12  For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.“

IV. INDOCTRINATIOND. All things work in harmony with the Christian

life and God’s faithful children. - Romans 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

E. Indoctrinates us as to the best life to live in our nation. 1. Proverbs 14:12  There is a way that seems

right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

2. Proverbs 13:15  Good understanding gains favor, But the way of the unfaithful is hard.

IV. INDOCTRINATIONF. Teaches us how to be happiest - 1 Peter 1:6-

9  In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7  that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8  whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9  receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls.

WHAT ABOUT YOU?A. Have you invested your life in

Christianity?

B. Have you insured yourself against hell in Christianity?

C. Have you insulated yourself against sin by Christianity?

D. Have you indoctrinated yourself with Christianity?

HAVE A SECURE WEEK