PURITY OF THE CHURCH I. TEXTUAL THOUGHTS 1. Ephesians 1:7-14- God
purposed our purity through the gospel. 2. Acts 15: 8-9- Purity
results from faith in Jesus. 3. Titus 3:3-8- Purity is
God's gift according to His mercy. 4. Philippians 4:8-9- Pure
minds think good thoughts. 5. 2 Peter 1:3-9- God's Spirit
has revealed what is needed. II. MAIN THEME: Purity is God's gift to His people who are called out of the world
by the gospel and made pure in Jesus Christ.
Since we are made pure by the blood of Christ, we need to practice
godliness in our thoughts and actions. 1. Purity is God's gift to His
people. a. Not based
on a righteousness of our own, Titus 3:3-8, Romans 5:6-8. b. God planned
our purity through faith in Jesus, Eph 1:7-14, Mark 16:15-16. 2. Purity comes from our
relationship to God in Jesus Christ. a. By our
faith in the gospel, Acts 15:8-9, Romans I:16. b. By
obedience to the truth, 1 Peter 1:22-25. c. By baptism
into Christ, Gal 3:26-27, Ephesians5:25-27. 3. Jesus supplies what is
needed for our purity. a. He is our
savior, Titus 2:11-15, 2 Peter 1:1-4. b. His word
keeps us pure as we trust Him, Acts 20:32, John 15:3, 1 John 1:7. 4. Purity of life comes from a
converted heart. a. That thinks
about the value of purity, Mat 5:8, 2 Cor 7:1, 1 Pet 1:13-16. b. That thinks
pure thoughts, Philippians 4:8-9, Ephesians 4:1-2. c. That
remembers the source of the purifying power, 2 Peter 1:3-9. 5. We have an active role in
preserving purity in our lives. a. By adding
the Christian virtues, 2 Pet 1:3-11, Galatians 5:22-26, 6:6-10. b. By
confessing our sins and prayer, 1 John 1:5-10, James 5:13-16. c. By being
humble before God, James 4:7-10, Romans 12:1-3. III. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS 1. Remember that God makes us
pure, and trust Him to help us remain pure, Philippians 1:6, 2:13, Ephesians 2:10. 2. Remember that we do not
have the power to make ourselves pure, Titus 3:3-8, Galatians 5:16-26. 3. Avoid the things that
hinder purity such as useless discussions, 1 Timothy 4:7-12; binding traditions of men, Colossians2:8-10, 20-23; being
yoked with unbelievers,2 Corinthians 6:14-18. 4. Practice pure religion by
helping the helpless, James 1:26-27; Acts 4:32. 5. We need to meditate on
God's word, and think about Jesus often, Philip 4:8-9. IV.
MEMORY VERSE- I PETER 1:22. |