2. “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” 1 Tim. 4:12 NKJV Christian

3. defense 1 Pet.3:15 NKJV “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;” 1 Pet.3:15 NKJV defense = answer BBE “...be ready at any time when you are questioned about the hope which is in you...” BBE

5. Rom. 13:7 “fear to whom fear” ~ dread of punishment 2 Tim. 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” ~ Cowardice and timidity ~ “SPIRIT OF TIMIDITY”

6. Believers because of Fear  Obeys out of necessity  Obeys grudgingly  Never puts the kingdom first  Will not deny himself  Fears dies out after a time

7. Holy Fear  Eccl. 12:13 “Fear God, and keep his commandments”  Reverence, respect for God’s authority  Acts 13:16 “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen:” [ Love ]

8. Love not fear is proper motive  1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”  Fear is absent in love  Fear has torment – worry

9. Believers because of Love  Obey him with love  Put the kingdom first  Deny himself  Make sacrifices for Christ Fear grows smaller while Love increases

12. Fad Fad – a practice followed for a time with exaggerated zeal ~ Clothing, hair styles ~ Sometimes in religion Rom. 10:2 “zeal without knowledge” John 16:2 “yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.”

13. Conviction Conviction – a strong persuasion Paul Paul had conviction 2 Tim.1:12 “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” Persuade Persuade = A bringing about a change of mind by the influence of reason or moral considerations

14. CONVICTION ~Like Abraham ~Like Paul Love Christ Nothing could Move Him Rom. 8:35-39 2 Cor. 11:23-28FAD Not fully persuaded Left 1 st love Anything can move them Hardships Worldly

17. Simulate, counterfeit, imitation, impostor, worthless imitation passed off as genuine Not sincere Obey to please others Obey for gain Matthew 23 Play acting Pretense

18.  Sneak around to do wrong  Never get involved  Foolishness to them One who is faking their belief will... A hypocrite does not intend To be what he pretends to be

19. Phil. 1:10 “that you may be sincere” ~ Tested as genuine ~ Pure ~ No double mindedness ~ No deceit

20. A sincere Christian is always what he professes to be !  Motives are pure  Conduct is not hypocritical Eph. 6:24 “...love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.” “with a love incorruptible” ASV

23. Doubt Uncertainty, distrust lack of confidence The believer who has doubts will  Believe part of the truth  Disregards those commands they feel are not necessary  He is the judge  Be careless with their morals  Does not believe God will punish

24. Faith Trust in God, believing He will save if we obey Heb. 11:6 Peter had little faith - Matt. 14:31 Faith became weak Fear turned it into doubt It takes real faith to serve And follow God

27. “Try your own selves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. ” 2 Cor. 13:5 ASV

28. Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga. 30809 706-855-1249evanscoc@bellsouth.netwww.evansgachurchofchrist.org Sunday Evening June 22, 2008