Introduction The word “must” is the strongest word in the English language. A “must” is absolutely necessary; it is unavoidable. A “must” is a way to express a command. A “must” is not an option; it is required. The word “must” (dei ) is used 91 times in the New Testament (NKJV).

The Lord’s Must List John 3:5-7

New birth Jesus said: “Ye must be born again” : Jn. 3:7 It’s a spiritual birth: “born of water and of the spirit” : Jn. 3:4-6 Whether “Spirit” or “spirit” makes no real difference: Jn. 16:8; Eph. 4:22-24 Accomplished when we obey the truth: 1 Pet. 1:23 Second birth a necessity to “enter the kingdom of God” : Jn. 3:5 The Lord's Must List

Worship Channels of worship Lord’s Supper: 1 Cor. 11:23-29; Acts 20:7 Remember the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well? Jn. 4:24 Channels of worship Lord’s Supper: 1 Cor. 11:23-29; Acts 20:7 Giving: 1 Cor. 16:1-2 Singing: Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16 Preaching/teaching: Acts 2:42; 20:7 Prayer: Acts 2:42; 1 Tim. 2:8 Two vital elements to acceptable worship: Spirit: Isa. 29:13; Mal. 1:10, 13; Psa. 72:18-19; Rev. 4:8-11 Truth: Jn. 17:17 Many believe there is no worship pattern in the New Testament: Heb. 8:5 Such a belief puts us in terrible company! Lev. 10:1-2 The Lord's Must List

Baptism Many teach and believe baptism is optional. What does Paul say about being saved “through faith in Christ Jesus” ? Gal. 3:26-27 Baptism is not optional; it’s a “must” : Acts 9:6; 22:16 Baptism is not a “work” in the way they claim: Col. 2:12; Acts 2:38, 47; Gal. 2:29 Who does the Lord say “will be saved” ? Mk. 16:15-16 The Lord's Must List

Elders & deacons The qualifications of elders and deacons are “musts” : 1 Tim. 3; Titus 1 God has ordained it so for very goods reasons: Heb. 13:17; Acts 20:28-31 When something is a “must” there are no exceptions or options. Men who serve “must” possess these qualities and characteristics from day one! The Lord's Must List

Jesus’ suffering Did you know it was required that Jesus “suffer” ? It was a “must” : Mk. 8:31-32 Think of all the suffering He endured: Garden: Mk. 15:6-15 Carry: Mk. 15:21 Barabbas: Mk. 15:6ff Cross: Mk. 15:25 Scourging: Mk. 15:15 Mocking: Mk. 15:29ff Mocking: Mk. 15:16ff Apostasy: Heb. 6:6 He did it for YOU! He did it for ME! The Lord's Must List

Preach the gospel Recall what Jesus said: “the gospel must…be preached” : Mk. 13:10 Why? Rom. 1:16-17 What was Paul’s “MO” in the book of Acts? He used God’s only ‘drawing card’; the gospel: Jn. 6:44-45; 2 Thess. 2:13-14; Lk. 8:11-15; 1 Pet. 1:23 Whatever inducements are used to draw men to God are the very same ones needed to “keep” them. The Lord's Must List

Salvation Remember the song “Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places”? Same is true when it comes to salvation, “Looking for Salvation in All the Wrong Places”! Jer. 10:23; Prov. 14:12; Eccl. 5:10, 15 Do you want salvation? You “must” come to Jesus! Acts 4:12 The religion of Jesus Christ is very exclusive; it excludes everything but Jesus! Jn. 14:6 The Lord's Must List

Tribulation Many expect Jesus to wave a magic wand and all their troubles disappear: Acts 14:22; 2 Tim. 3:12 Jesus never promised us a “rose garden,” but He does promise: Light burden: Matt. 11:28-30 IF we keep proper perspective: 2 Cor. 4:17-18 IF we rely on Him: Phil. 4:13; Matt. 5:4; 6:33 We must “keep our eyes on the prize”: Heb. 12:1-2; 1 Pet. 1:3-5 It really won’t be very long! 2 Thess. 1:3-10 The Lord's Must List

Support the weak Luke gives us some words of Jesus not recorded in the gospels: Acts 20:35 When was the last time you helped “support the weak” ? Eph. 4:28 Why do so many fail in this arena? Heb. 13:16 I urge you to actively look for opportunities to help: Jas. 4:17 You will never regret helping someone! Acts 20:35; Matt. 25:31-46 The Lord's Must List

Salvation The most important question ever asked: Acts 16:30 Sinner’s Prayer? Acts 9:11 (v. 6); 22:16 ‘faith only’? Eph. 2:8; Acts 16:31 “grace” alone? Eph. 2:8 Consider Noah: Gen. 6:8; 1 Pet. 3:20; Heb. 11:7 Salvation is found where God’s grace and our faith intersect: Eph. 2:8-10; Titus 2:11-12; Phil. 2:12; Jn. 14:15; 1 Jn. 2:3-5; Gal. 5:6 When could it be said the jailor “had come to believe in God” ? Acts 16:33-34; Heb. 5:9 The Lord's Must List

Put on incorruption We need to contemplate what our future holds: 1 Cor. 15:53-54 Spend a few moments each day thinking about it: Jas. 4:14; Phil. 3:20-21; Rom. 8:17; 1 Jn. 3:2; 1 Cor 15:43-44, 53; Rev. 21:4 “sown in dishonor…raised in glory” “sown in weakness…raised in power” “sown a natural body…raised a spiritual body” “mortal must put on immortality” “no more tears…death…sorrow…crying…pain” “former things….have passed away” It’s worth hanging in there for just a little longer! 2 Cor. 4:17-18; Heb. 10:35-39 The Lord's Must List

Giving of our means Did you know giving on the first day of the week is a “must” ? 1 Cor. 16:1-2 The Lord tells us exactly how much to give: 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9 “as he may prosper” “as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation” “bountifully” “as he purposes in his heart” “not grudgingly…not of necessity” “cheerful giver” Even the “poor widow…threw in two mites” : Mk. 12:41-44; Acts 20:35 The Lord's Must List

Forgiving others Paul tells us forgiving others is a “must” : Col. 3:13 We must live by the ‘golden rule,’ our Lord certainly did: Matt. 7:12; 1 Pet. 2:21-23; Matt. 18:21-35; Col. 3:13 Our “righteousness” must excel: Matt. 5:43-48 Withholding forgiveness leads us into very dan-gerous territory: Col. 3:8; Jas. 1:20; Prov. 19:11; Rom. 12:19 The Lord's Must List

Give earnest heed Since “God…has in these last days spoken to us by His Son” “we must give the more earnest heed…lest we drift away” : Heb. 2:1-4 “Drifti[ing]” is a constant danger for all of us: 1 Cor. 10:12 The devil is an “equal opportunity” tempter: 1 Pet. 5:8-9; Jas. 4:7 Just because the devil flees, doesn’t mean he won’t come back: Matt. 4:11; Lk. 4:13 The Lord's Must List

Faith Carefully consider what the Hebrew writer says of faith: “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Heb. 11:6 Jesus says basically the same thing: Jn. 8:24 Two aspects of our faith: Heb. 11:6 We “must believe that He is” : Psa. 19:1-3; 33:6-7; Rom. 1:20-21 We “must believe…He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” : Jas. 2:24, 26; 1 Jn. 2:3-5; Jn. 14:15; Gal. 2:20 Food for thought: Lk. 18:8 The Lord's Must List

Love our brother Carefully consider what John tells us about loving our brother: “And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.” 1 Jn. 4:21 Our love for one another as Christians is an important mark of distinction: Jn. 13:34-35 See: Philippians 2:1-8 Whose “interests” come first in your life? Matt. 20:28; 22:39 The Lord's Must List

Put off this tent Peter addresses this in his second epistle: “knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me.” 2 Pet. 1:14 He was speaking of his own death: Eccl. 7:2; 9:5 We will all, sooner or later, have our ‘turn’ at the funeral home: Psa. 90:9-10, 12; Heb. 9:27 “Death is a friend of ours; and he that is not ready to entertain him is not at home.” —Sir Francis Bacon The Lord's Must List

Judgment We have two very sobering and unavoidable appointments: Heb. 9:27; 2 Cor. 5:10 The fact of the Day of Judgment had a huge impact on Paul’s thinking: “Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men…” : 2 Cor. 5:11 Does the fact you’ll give an account strike “terror” in your heart? Acts 17:30-31 Did you know everyone will know your “secret things” ? Eccl. 12:13-14 Sobering! The Lord's Must List

Conclusion I hope this study of the Lord’s “must” list gives you a better understanding of the Scriptures. Are you heeding the Lord’s “musts” ? New birth Salvation Worship Incorruption Baptism Giving Elders & deacons Forgiving Suffering Give earnest heed Preach gospel Faith Source of salvation Love our brother Tribulations Put off this tent Support the weak Judgment