HEAR THE GOSPEL – ROMANS 10:17 BELIEVE JESUS IS THE CHRIST – JOHN 8:24 REPENT OF SIN – ACTS 2:38 BE BAPTIZED – MARK 16:16 BE FAITHFUL – 1 CORINTHIANS 15:58 CONFESS OUR FAITH – ACTS 8:37

The Eternal Security of The Believer Impossibility of Apostasy

“For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning” 2 Peter 2: “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20 “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” - 1 Cor. 10:12

“and he went on his way rejoicing.” Acts 8:39 The Ethiopian eunuch had obeyed the gospel He had joy in salvation. What must we do to stay saved, to have the peace and joy and happiness that comes only from salvation ?

Realize we are in a BATTLE “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 Opponent - Arch-enemy

Realize we are in a BATTLE Job God asked “Where have you been?” Satan answered: “From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.” Peter “Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.” Luke 22:31

Realize we are in a BATTLE 2 Cor. 10:3- 4 “we do not war after the flesh” It is a battle for our souls Eph. 6:10-11 “put on the whole armour of God” “stand against the wiles of the devil”

A Victory Plan Rev. 12:11 “And they overcame him [the devil] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” We are on the winning Side !

Study the Bible Matt.5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You” Ps. 119:101 Jeremiah 20:9 God’s Word was in his heart like a burning fire 2 Timothy 2: Pet. 3:15

This book will keep you from sin Sin will keep you from this book.

Associate with Christians "My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not" Prov. 1:10 "Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall” Prov. 4:14-16

Prayer The greatest thing in our fight against the devil is the power of prayer. “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:16 “Pray without ceasing” 1 Thess. 5:17 “Men always ought to pray, and not lose heart.” Lk.18:1

Attend Worship “provoke unto love and good works” Heb. 10:24 Sign of spiritual sickness = missing worship Those who always place worship as a high priority in their lives tend to grow in Christ ! If a person wants to stay faithful, he should not willfully absent himself from worship.

Stay Busy In The Church The discouraged are often not busy John 9:4 “must work the works of Him who sent Me” Rev. 14:13 “rest from their labors, and their works follow them” 1 Cor 15:58 “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

2 Peter 1:10 “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:” Christian Graces “add to faith” Virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, love Fall = stumble, fail, to err, sin, offend “to strike one’s foot against an object and fall”

Realize we are in a battle for our soul Know there is a victory plan… Studying the Bible Associating with Christians Prayer Attend Worship Stay Busy in the Church “Well done, good and faithful servant;” Matt. 25:23

Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga Sunday Morning January 6, 2013