2.  The Bible contains many sad words.  But Solomon said sadness can make us better people: Eccl. 7:3  So many important and profitable lessons can be learned from sad words. 2

4.  It declared Jesus as God’s son: Rom. 1:4; Matt. 16:18; Acts 2:47; Eph. 5:23; 1 Cor. 15:13-19  Through it we are promised judgment and called to repentance: Acts 17:30-31  Through it we are justified: Rom. 4:23-25; 6:6-7  Provides baptism its power: 1 Pet. 3:21; Col. 2:12  Serves as the basis for our hope: 1 Pet. 1:3  Acts 17:32: It is sad when people make light of the resurrection of Christ. 4

5.  Jeremiah 6:16: The Jews refused to obey God’s instructions (Jer. 6:10).  Validity of our claim to be God’s people requires us to walk in the “light” of His word (Psa. 119:105). 5

6.  “walk[ing] in newness of life”: Rom. 6:4  “walk in the light”: 1 Jn. 1:7  “walk by faith, not by sight”: 2 Cor. 5:7; Col. 3:17; 1 Pet. 4:11; Gal. 1:6-9  “walk worthy of [our] vocation”: Eph. 4:1; Phil. 1:27; 3:17-21  “walk in love”: Eph. 5:1-2  “walk honestly”: 1 Thess. 4:11-12  walk “in sanctification and honor”: 1 Thess. 4:3-5 6

7.  Allure of riches: 1 Tim. 6:10; Lk. 8:14; 12:16- 21  Allure of fleshly desires: 1 Cor. 10:6-11; 9:24- 27  False doctrine: Gal. 1:6-9; 1 Jn. 4:1, 6  Own “wisdom”: Rom. 12:3  Spiritual laziness: Heb. 5:12  2 Tim. 2:17-18: Many who obey the truth err or fall away from it. Why? 7

8.  Pressure of political correctness: 2 Tim. 2:17- 18  Depart from the faith: 1 Tim. 4:1-3; 2 Tim. 4:3-4; Jer. 6:10, 16  Deny the faith: 1 Tim. 5:8  Cast off their faith: 1 Tim. 5:12; Rev. 2:4-5  1 Tim. 1:19-20: Turn their faith from a blessing into a disaster! Why? 8

9.  The ready went in.  The others made a start, but didn’t enter in because they didn’t remain ready  The majority will find the door shut! Lk. 13:23-30  Matt. 25:10: Think about when the door of the ark was shut! Gen. 7:16; Matt. 25:1-13 9

10.  Those failing to use their talents: Matt. 25:30  The unbenevolent: Matt. 25:41  Those unwilling to enter the “narrow gate”: Lk. 13:23-30  The “bloodthirsty”: Psa. 139:19; Prov. 6:17; 2 Kgs. 24:3-4  Those who are “workers of iniquity”: Psa. 6:8; Matt. 7:21-23; 2 Thess. 1:7-9  Matt. 25:41; 7:21-23: Many will hear those chilling, terrifying words! 10

11.  Acts 24:25: Many react the same when hearing the gospel preached!  How sad that so many get so close to the truth, yet are so far away! Acts 24:22, 24-25  Did Felix ever have another chance to obey?  We never know when our last opportunity will pass: Jas. 4:14; Jer. 15:6; Rom. 1:28; 2 Cor. 6:2 11

12.  Acts 26:28: Many react the same when hearing the gospel preached!  These words are the basis of a famous hymn: Almost Persuaded  Agrippa believed (Acts 26:27), yet failed to obey: Jn. 12:42  Almost is but to fail! And it happens every day! 2 Thess. 1:7-9 12

13.  Don’t EVER let any of these sad words be applicable to you!  If any of these words are applicable you can change by obeying NOW! 2 Cor. 6:2  “’Almost’ cannot avail; ‘Almost’ is but to fail; Sad, sad that bitter wail—’Almost,’ but lost!” 13