THE GOSPEL: AN EXCLUSIVE MESSAGE

Introduction: In an age of inclusion, where everyone seems to be seeking inclusion into everything under the sun, is there anything or any group that must and still remains exclusive?

A. The Boy scouts aren't.

1. Gay scout leaders

2. Girls

3. Atheists

B. Churches

1. Homosexual clergy and parishioners

2. Woman preachers

3. The sexually immoral

C. To restrict is viewed as legalistic and unloving.

I. The Gospel is not inclusive (Luke 13:23-24).

A. Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way and few find it (Matt. 7:14).

1. Not everyone who says Lord, Lord will enter (Matt. 7:21)

2. Unless one is born of water and Spirit will not enter (John 3:5)

3. Shall nothing unrighteous enter (1 Cor. 6:9).

4. Nothing that defiles shall enter in (Rev. 21:27).

B. It is for those who have ears to hear (Matt. 13:9).

1. Must have a good and honest heart (Luke 8:15).

2. Must have a noble-minded attitude (Acts 17:11).

C. Must recognize sin in their lives (Luke 19:10, 1 Tim. 1:15)

1. The sick need a physician (Matt. 9:12).

2. Jesus did not come for the righteous (Matt. 9:13).

3. Blessed are the poor in spirit (Matt. 5:3).

II. How does the Gospel exclude?

A. There is only one way (John 14:6).

1. Excludes Buddha

2. Excludes Mohammed

3. Excludes Joseph Smith

4. Excludes Mary

B. There is only one name (Acts 4:12)

1. Must call on his name (Acts 2:21)

2. Must be baptized in his name (Acts 2:38, 8:16, 10:48, 19:5, 22:16)

3. Must be washed, sanctified and justified in his name (1 Cor. 6:1 1)

4. Must do all in the name of Jesus (Col. 3:17)

C. There is no other gospel (Gal. 1:6-8)

D. There is only one church (Eph. 4:4, 1:22-23)

E. There is only one faith (Eph. 4:5, Jude 3)

F. There is only one baptism (Eph. 4:5)

1. Not sprinkling, pouring

2. Not infant

3. Not Holy Spirit

4. Not baptism by proxy

5. Not denominational

6. Not John's (Acts 19)

G. There is only one calling (Eph. 4:4)

1. Belief in the message (Heb. 11:6)

2. Obedience to the Gospel (Heb. 5:9,Thes. 1:8, 1 Peter 4:17)

3. (Belief is equated with obedience - Rom. 10:16)

4. Pure heart Heb. 10:22.

5. The call is two-fold and involves God's invitation with man's response

III. What must a person do to be saved?

A. Hear (Rom. 10:14, Heb. 2:1)

B. Believe (John 8:24, Heb. 11:6)

C. Repent (Luke 13:3, Acts 2:38, 3:19)

D. Confess (Matt. 10:32-33, Rom. 10:9-10)

E. Be baptized (Mark 16:16, Acts 10:48, 1 Peter 3:21)

F. Endure to the end (Matt. 10:22)

G. Be faithful unto death (Rev.2:10)