Preached by  Mike Hess Sunday morning 05/30/2010.

Rescuing Others from Death

James 5:19-20

Introduction:

Josh Harris – “We are Here to Love the Church”

1. Don’t love the church because of what it does for you.  Because sooner or later it won’t do enough.

2. Don’t love the church because of a leader.  Because human leaders are fallible and will let you down.

3. Don’t love the church because of a program or a building or activities because all those things get old.

4. Don’t love the church because of a certain group of friends because friendships change and people move.

I. The Wandering (James 5:19a)

Two types of apostasy in Scripture:
 1. Doctrinal
 2. Moral

“Alexander, the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.   Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message.” 2 Timothy 4:14-15

II. The Blessing of Restoration(James 5:19b-20)

“For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and  pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.  But  when the goodness and loving kindness of God  our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of  works done by us in righteousness, but according to his mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.” Titus 3:3-5

“Blessed is the one who transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” Psalm 32:1

“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of  reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting  their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.” 2 Corinthians 5:18-20

Closing Thoughts:

1. We as a church must love God enough and people enough to warn them and confront them when in sin and to give them the hope that is found in the Gospel – forgiveness and reconciliation.

2. There is joy in Heaven when one sinner repents (Luke 15:7, 10), there should also be joy with us when people come to repentance.

Back to Sermon List

Download Sermon - right click; choose "Save Target As..."

To listen to sermon left click play icon on player