How to be confident of your salvation and a glorious entrance into Heaven

1. January 13, 2010

2. Blaine Bowman & HIS Goodtime Band Gospel Baptist Tabernacle 781 Salem Road, Rossville, GA Friday Night, February 19 at 7:00 Turn West on Salem Road at Stone Creek Elementary. Cross Wilson Road and continue on Salem Road. One-half mile on left. Gospel Baptist Tabernacle 781 Salem Road, Rossville, GA Friday Night, February 19 at 7:00 Turn West on Salem Road at Stone Creek Elementary. Cross Wilson Road and continue on Salem Road. One-half mile on left.

3. 2 Peter 1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. These things = these seven spiritual qualities Virtue, Knowledge, Temperance, Patience, Godliness, Brotherly Kindness, Charity

4. If these things be in you Every son or daughter of God does possess these qualities because God's Holy Spirit is in us. These are Divine qualities. If you are saved from sin and from hell, These qualities are in you . You possess them.

5. If these things be in you and abound (increase) NIV: "If you possess these qualities in increasing measure" Every Christian must be growing in virtue , Growing in knowledge of our Lord, Growing in temperance (discipline and control) Growing in patience (cheerful endurance) Growing in godliness Growing in brotherly kindness (tender affection) Growing in charity ( agape ) 1 Cor 13 love

6. "They make you" It is these divine qualities that make us what God intends for us to be. The qualities that people value aren't listed: looks, intelligence, daring, cool, wealth, charisma. The qualities that make us more like our Lord are the qualities we must keep growing in.

7. "that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the Knowledge of our Lord, Jesus Christ." So many people complain that their life is empty, boring, unproductive. The world is searching for purpose and meaning . Make every effort to grow in these qualities -- Every day and in every way. Your life will become interesting , and you will be productive and useful in the Kingdom of God.

8. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. There is no standing still in our spiritual lives. We are either moving up or moving down. We are either drawing nigh to God, Or falling away .

9. If we are not growing in these spiritual qualities of God's Divine Nature , We will soon be outwardly no different from any unsaved person . Joy and peace will be forgotten concepts. We will live as if we have forgotten that we were ever saved from sin .

10. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: The longer we walk carelessl y, not making the effort to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord, The less confidence we will have of our own salvation. The more mature we become as a son or daughter of the Most High God, The less likely we are to stumble and fall.

11. 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Acts 7

12. We can enter into Heaven with a glorious welcome. Or we can enter in " Yet so as by fire " with no rewards, no crowns, no rousing welcome. 1 Cor 3: 15 I want to live my life on earth with faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brother kindness, and the love of God in action, And then be welcomed into Heaven with open arms .