June 23, 2024
GRAND PARKWAY BAPTIST CHURCH
Neil McClendon, Lead Pastor
Acts 18:1-17
How To Ward Off Spiritual Discouragement
1. Good friends, v. 1-5
2. Good message, v. 5-8
“All of Scripture builds to the climax of God’s revelation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Christ-centered preaching doesn’t search to find Jesus in every text; it exposits where texts stand in relation to Jesus and where they find fulfillment in him.”
-Walt Nilsson
3. Good doctrine, v. 9-11
Election is God’s choice of individuals to receive salvation before they have done anything good or bad. It is not a choice that is based on, or in light of, certain deeds or choices that we make but is based solely on God’s sovereign grace.
Two important thoughts about the doctrine of election…
a) It is not divine keep away
b) We don’t know who the elect are so the Gospel is for everyone
How can I know if I am one of the elect?
1) A changed life
“We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.”
Thessalonians 1:2-5
2) A changing life
“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement (add to) your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
2 Peter 1:5-11
“Although self-examination be a duty of great use and importance, and by no means to be neglected; yet it is not the principal means, by which the saints do get satisfaction of their good estate. Assurance is not to be obtained so much by self-examination, as by action.”
-Jonathan Edwards, Religious Affections
4. Good help, v. 12-17
Mental worship…
1. How often do you find comfort in biblical doctrine?
2. How does the life of Jesus help you make sense of your life?
3. Are you spiritually nearsighted or farsighted?
4. Does the way you live confirm your faith or confuse it?
5. When is the last time you were helped spiritually and who helped you?