<%@LANGUAGE="JAVASCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%> Untitled Document • Qualified
• Are You?

• Introduction
• In so much of our world, one must be qualified before they are allowed to do many things.
• To carry a gun, you must be qualified.
• This is done by going to the classes, and passing the tests.
• To practice surgery, you must be qualified by your education and passing the board.
• To practice law, you must be qualified by education and passing the bar exam.

• Introduction
• The finalists in a race have to qualify in order to be in the final race.
• They have heats to determine the participants in the race.
• No runner gets to the final race unless they qualify.
• Drivers in NASCAR and other racing events have to qualify in order to participate.

• Introduction
• In order to win the publishers clearing house grand prize, you must qualify by entering over and over again.
• Before you can sit in the lifeguard chair, you must be qualified.
• Before you operate any machinery, you must be qualified (and sometimes certified).
• Now, let’s apply this thinking to spiritual matters.

• Qualified
• We know that the bible lists the qualifications of elders and deacons in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.
• Before they can serve, they must meet the qualifications of the office to the agreement of the members.
• Even elders wives are listed in the qualifications in 1 Timothy 3.

• Qualified
• We know from 1 timothy 5:9-10 that certain widows must be qualified to receive benevolence from the church.
• Not less than 60 years old
• Wife of one man
• reputation for good works
• Brought up children
• Shown hospitality to strangers
• Washed the saints feet
• Assisted those in distress
• Devoted herself to every good work.

• Qualified
• The poor must be qualified to receive benevolence from the church.
• Only saints are provided for by Biblical example.
• Acts 2:44-45; 4:32, 34
• Romans 15:25-27

• Qualified
• The apostles had to be qualified and they were.
• Acts 1:21-22
Having been a witness of the resurrection, and a companion of Jesus, were the requirements when Judas was replaced as apostle.
• 1st John 1:1-3
One apostle’s letter was prefaced with the declaration that he and others had seen, heard, and even touched Christ, making them witnesses.
• John 15:27
Christ specifically selected and sent out the apostles to bear witness of Him because they had accompanied Him throughout His ministry. Not just anyone can claim to “testify” of Jesus.
• Acts 26:16-18
When Paul became an apostle by Christ’s special appointment; he was made a witness of the resurrection, having seen Christ.

• Qualified
• Jesus is qualified to save us.
• John 5:39
The Scriptures testify of the Messiah, proving Jesus of Nazareth the qualified Savior.
• Isaiah 9:6-7; John 1:1, 14, 18; Hebrews 1:3
Prophecy declared the Messiah to be God. Jesus is God who became flesh. He is the express image of God’s person.
• Genesis 3:15; Galatians 4:4; Romans 5:19; Hebrews 2:17
The earliest promise of the Savior identified Him as the offspring of a woman – that is a human. A man introduced the race to unrighteousness, and another Man introduced the race to righteousness. He had to be human to identify and sympathize with us in or temptations.

• Qualified
• Genesis 22:18; 26:4; 28:14; 49:10; 2nd Samuel 7:16; Matthew 1:1-17
Over the centuries, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, and David were each assured the Christ would descend from them. The genealogy of Jesus presents Him as the fulfillment of that legacy.
• Psalm 110:4; Genesis 14:18-20; Hebrews 6:19-7:28
The Coming One would be priest according to the order of Melchizedek, not Aaron. Jesus, being from Judah’s tribe, not Levi’s, could not be priest under the Law of Moses, but He is High Priest.
• Isaiah 53; Romans 5:6-8
The Savior would deliver His people by dying for us. Jesus did that.
• Psalm 16:10; Mark 16:6; 1st Corinthians 15:14
The Savior would not remain dead, however. He arose!

• Qualified
• Preachers (and teachers) whether in the church or privately must be qualified to present the truth.
• 1st Corinthians 9:27
It is possible for those who preach to become disqualified.
• 2nd Timothy 2:2
The qualifications are simple and plain: faithful and able.
• Hebrews 5:12
Sometimes, it just takes time to become capable, but time might be wasted.
• James 3:1
Those who teach must accept accountability for those they teach.

• Qualified
• Christians must be qualified before they can be saved.
• 2nd Corinthians 13:5
It is entirely possible to disqualify oneself from salvation.
• Titus 1:15-16
We take warning of those already disqualified.
• Colossians 1:12
We can and we must be qualified by God to partake of the inheritance that awaits us.
• Matthew 7:21-23
Many who think themselves saved aren’t.

• Qualified
• John 6:45
Those who learn may come to Christ.
• John 1:12
Those who believe have the right to become God’s children.
• Romans 10:10
Those who confess Christ do so toward salvation.
• 2nd Corinthians 7:10
Those who repent of sin do so toward salvation.
• 1st Peter 3:21
Baptism now saves us.

• Conclusion
• Even after meeting the qualifications there remains follow up training.
• Some professions need to be recertified or qualified every few years.
• Training and instruction are provided for even the most talented and professional people.
• Once we become a Christian, we are always supposed to test ourselves to see if we are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5)
• Are you qualified to wear the name “Christian”?

By Carey Scott from an outline by Bryan Dockens

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