Preached August, 1999 at Faith Baptist Church
By Pastor Steven E. Mays


"Continued"

Acts 1:14

Acts 2: 37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? (Friend this is what is missing.)
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

This morning I want to deal with the thought of Continuing!

3000 souls got saved, and then THEY continued. Why is that so unusual today?

I spoke with a pastor this week, I asked him to explain to me how a Pastor could Baptize 5000 people in a year (or even in a single day) and do that year after year and his church not grow. He explained to me that the bible taught that most of the folks who make decisions for Christ don't last. Is this what the Bible teaches?

Certainly we've seen some folks come to the church get involved and leave, now this morning I'm not talking about ones' that have moved or left and are Continuing on for the Lord in other churches.. but I know there have been some who've come,

May I say before I preach today, that I want every person to continue on the things of God in this church. I want every person to Grow in the things of God! Yet I know that many will not.

This morning let's look at 3 necessities for continuing..



I. People continue because they are truly Converted

Acts 2: 37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? (Friend this is what is missing.)
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

When I was real little my parents took me to church, but I didn't stay in church.. You know why? I was lost and on my way to Hell! I had no hunger for anything of God!

When I got to High School I had a little religious encounter, my girl friend said I'd get over it in two days and I did.

But that won't happen when you converted!

He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God" (3 John 9-11).

1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

I'll tell you conversion really changes things.. One woman said, "I'm so glad I got religion. I have an uncle I used to hate so much I vowed I'd never go to his funeral. But now, why, I'd be happy to go to it any time."

Somebody well said, "Conversion is going into business with God." Looks to me like an awful lot are out of business..

Conversion makes a new creature out of you..
New Hunger, New Home, New Hope..

You'll be new..

Religion wears off!
Emotions wears off!

Conversion changes you for eternity!



II. People Continue because they have Character

Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

Without going into great lengths.. These folks prayed from the ascension to Pentecost... (7 days) You know why we don't do that? We lack something they had. Character!

You know why some won't be back tonight, it's not because they hate me, or the bible, or because they hate the offering plate to passed in front of them. It's because they don't have any character.

Let's settle this thing once and for all the Christian life is tough. It takes discipline, that's why we fail most of the time, we simply do what we feel like doing, and that means we're lazy,

Honestly, there probably isn't 1 in 10 Christians who believe it's wrong to Witness, or who are against the Church's visitation program.. but' it about the same number, (1 in 10) that actually have the Character to participate.

Mark 4:17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. (If what offends me offends the Devil, I believe I just no tell anyone about it.)

Luke 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. What's it gonna take to get you to quit. You reckon the devil knows that and will go to working from that angle?

What builds Character?

A. Hard work. The worst thing that can ever happen to a kid is to be denied hard work. An awful lot of Christian home Kids will never amount to a hill of beans because they've got parents that will never make them work!

B. Going when you don't feel like it. I thank God for Athletics.. Two a days was a huge source of Character formulation in my life. It also destroyed character! Some of y'all will unwittingly destroy your kids in the years to come by letting them have the easy way out all of the time. They'll be divorced and living off of you all their lives, and it'll be your fault for not making them do what was right when they didn't feel like it! God help us right here! Carnality is living on and by your feelings.. Churches are full of it..

C. Trials and Testing. Some of y'all are going to shoot me for saying this, but the best thing that could happen to some Believers is to experience some hard times..

D. Being around Patterns.. some kids never have any parents who are role models.. You can get the kids out of the projects but can you get the projects out of the kids? Some of you will have kids who'll never be in SS. You know why? Because you/re not! Sad thing is, you'll get it right when they are grown.. but the pattern will already be set..

You know what every Christian has to look to? Our Saviour! Looking unto Jesus the author and Finisher of our Faith!

I'm saved today because my Saviour continued!
I've got fellowship with God because my Saviour continues..

Raise your hand if you want to quit on God today! You didn't get that from following Jesus.. He ain't a quitter!



III. Continuing must be the product of Consecration

2 Corinthians 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

You know a lot of folks stay in church out of nothing but habit.
Some stay because Mom and Dad make them
Some come because of friends and family.

Why are you here today?

What will it take to knock you out?

Some folks follow a man.. as long as that man is their leader, they follow.. Hey, you're serving a man! You quit serving God when you started Serving Man.

We should serve because of Christ! That won't change! You'll keep on following as long as you follow Him!

Listen to what God will do if you are following Him out of consecration!

John 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: (If you ain't gonna live anything, God will get you out of the way! You're what gardeners call a Sucker!... )

Vs. 2 and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Has he done anything for you that is worthy of you consecrating your life to Him? Friend, all He's done for me is save me from a Sinners Hell.

He's just given me Eternal Life!

Through His Shed blood I have peace with God.

Can't that motivate me to consecrate myself to Him?





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