INTRODUCTION:
A. They had a name for being alive, but their hearts had stopped beating (Rev. 3:1-6).
B. We need spiritual, self-examination for, without it, deception is inevitable.
C. “Keep!”
I. “KEEP WHAT?”
A. “Keep it” (1 Cor. 15;1-2; 1 Th. 2:13).
B. Isn’t that interesting?
1. Preach the word (2 Tim. 4:2-3).
2. The word produces life (Lk. 8:11; Jas. 1:18; 1 Pet. 2:22-23).
3. Spiritual life continues in the word (Jn. 15:7; 8:31; Hb. 4:12; 1 Th. 2:13; 1 Pet. 2:2; Rev. 3:3).
II. “KEEP HOW?”
A. Keep means to “retain in custody, guard…then, to keep or observe.”
B. Keep means to safeguard the gospel by living in out in our daily lives (Jude 3;
1 Pet. 3:15).
C. Congregations can lose their spiritual life in different ways and circumstances.
1. Galatia (Gal. 1:6; 5:4)
2. Corinth (1 Cor. 3:1-3; 1 Cor. 1:10; 15:1-2)
3. Jewish Christians (Hb. 12:4; 10:32-34, 35-36; 2:1, 3)
III. “KEEP WHY?”
A. Jesus has the right to issue commandments (Mt. 28:18; Lk. 6:46).
B. Why should we keep God’s commandments?
1. To enter life (Lk. 19:17; Jn. 8:51; 2 Tim. 4:7-8)
2. To show love for the Lord (Jn. 14:15, 21; 1 Jn. 5:3; Jn. 14:31)
3. To authenticate our discipleship (1 Jn. 2:3-5; 3:24; Jn. 13:34-35; 1 Jn. 5:2)
CONCLUSION:
A. We must keep it.
1. What? What we have received and heard–the gospel.
2. How? By putting the gospel into practice in our daily lives.
3. Why? Because we love Him.
B. One more question: “Keep When?” (1 Jn. 1:7; 2:6; 2 Cor. 6:2).
C. Jesus is the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him (Hb. 5:9).