The Test of Stewardship (Part 3)

SERMON                  GM14-034

SERIES:              Christian Living in a World of Chaos & Contradiction

SETTING:          North Kelso Baptist Church

SERVICE:          Sunday AM

SUBTITLE:        The Test of Stewardship        (Part 3)

SCRIPTURE:     1 John 4:17-19

SUBJ:                  Perfect love

SUMMARY:       Perfect love produces confidence

SCHEME:           that Christians stop fearing the judgment of God

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Our theme is:  Perfect loves produces confidence

This is a good reminder for us all that God has implanted his character or nature within us which produces confidence about the Day of Judgment.

 Proposition:  Genuine believers as recipients of fellowship and Sonship are charged with a stewardship that when faithfully discharged demonstrates a true relationship with God.

Interrogatory Sentence:  How do genuine Christians faithfully discharge their stewardship duties?

Transitional Sentence: This passage supplies us with three (3) principles to be good stewards. 

CHRISTIAN LIVING IN A WORLD OF CHAOS

The Christian Life is Viewed as Stewardship

The Test of Stewardship

1 John 4:17-19 * (Part 3)

INTRODUCTION

A.   The Paralyzing Effect of Fear

Louis Pasteur was reported to have had such an irrational fear of dirt and infection that he refused to shake hands.

President and Mrs. Benjamin Harrison were so intimidated by the newfangled electricity installed in the White House they were afraid to touch the light switches. If there were no servants around to turn off the lights when the Harrisons went to bed they slept with them on.

                       

B.    The Problem for Believers

This is like some Christians. Some believers are paralyzed with fear that they might be not genuine believers. They look to historical events or emotional feelings for evidence of their redemption rather than being confidently assured furnished by the fruit produced by God in their lives.

In verses 17-19 we see that perfect or matured love will produce the assurance needed by every believer that they are truly in Christ.


REVIEW

3A  The Christian Life Viewed as Stewardship (4:7-5:12)

        1B  Genuine believers love the people of God (4:7-5:5)

               1C  The Foundation of love  (4:7-12)
               2C  The Fruit of love  (4:3-16)
                     
                      1D  The Treasure of the Holy Spirit (13)
                      2D  The Testimony of the Human Apostles (14)
                      3D  The Truth of the Heavenly Fellowship (15-16)

TRUTH FOR TODAY

              3C  The Force of love  (4:17-19)

                     1D  Mature love resides in the believer  (17)

                           1E  The Reality of love in the believer
                           2E  The Results of love in the beliver

                    2D  Mature love refuses to fear (18)

                           1E  The Positive Statement
                           2E  The Practical Statement

                    3D  Mature love responds to God's love (19)