A RECOMMENDATION

INTRO:

1. Sometimes we receive requests for recommendations.

2. Sometimes we can give them, sometimes we cannot.

3. However, at this point, I want to unreservedly recommend someone to you.

4. But, of course, there are some that would not even recommend Him.

5. In fact, some have despised Him.

A. In a prophetic statement, it was said that he would be "despised and rejected of men." Isa. 53:3.

B. In fact, some have said to Him, "Thou has a devil." Jno. 7:20.

C. And again they have said, "He hath a devil, and is mad." Jno. 10:20.

6. Isn't it strange that people would have such an attitude toward Christ?

A. Especially, since He came to seek and to save the lost, Lk. 19:10, and He also went about doing good and serving humanity, Acts 10:38.

I. I WANT TO RECOMMEND THE LIFE AND CHARACTER OF CHRIST.

A. He alone has lived the perfect life.

1. We are told that He was "in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." Heb 4:15.

B. Peter, who knew Him intimately, said of Him that he "did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth." 1 Pet. 2:22.

C. Abraham, Moses, David, Elijah, and Peter himself, were great in the service of the Lord.

1. But no such statement could be made of them.

a. For as noble as they were in many respects, not a one of them was perfect.

D. The attitude that Christ had toward God would lead Him to faithful obedience.

1. Even when He faced the horrible death of the cross, and He knew that it was His Father's will that he should be "the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world," Jno. 1:29, yet He said, "not my will, but thine be done." Lk. 22:43.

E. On more than one occasion, God said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Matt. 3:17; 17:5.

1. So, it is the will of God that we should look to this noble character as our perfect example. Phil. 2:5; 1 Pet. 2:21.

II. I WANT TO RECOMMEND THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST.

A. All authority belongs to Him -- "in heaven and on earth." Matt. 28:;18.

B. The apostle Paul tells us of the authority of Christ. Eph. 1:20-23; Phil. 2:;9-11.

C. There are many authorities in the world.

1. Civil governments, parents, religious authorities, such as -- the pope, councils, conventions, conferences, synods, etc.

2. When we accept completely the authority of Christ our relationship with all other authorities will fall into place. Rom. 13:1-7.

a. Some we will accept and obey -- others we will of necessity have to reject. Acts 5:28,29; 4:17-20.

III. I WANT TO RECOMMEND THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST.

A. First of all, it is the power of God unto salvation. Rom. 1:16,17.

B. All men stand in need of salvation from sin. Rom. 3:23.

C. This gospel was made possible by the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. 1 Cor. 15:1-4.

D. It contains great facts and truths to believe, great commands to obey, and great promises to be enjoyed.

E. When one obeys this gospel, he not only will have the remission of sins, Acts 2:38, but he will be led to a higher and nobler way of life.

1. For every requirement that God makes of us is for our total good -- for our physical, moral, and spiritual good always. Deut. 6:24,25.

IV. I WANT TO RECOMMEND THE NAME OF CHRIST.

A. Today there are many names worn in religion.

1. Some of the are outrageous - others are even silly.

2. Many of these cannot even be found in the word of God.

3. But the name of Christ can be freely and unreservedly recommended because, Acts 4:12 tells us so.

B. The name of Christ is pre-eminent, for God has "given hm a name which is above every name:..." Phil. 2:9-11.

C. It is the name in which repentance and remission of sins should be preached throughout the whole world. Lk. 24:47.

D. It is the name in which we are to be baptized for the remission of sins. Acts 2:38.

E. In fact, it is the name in which all things are to be done religiously. Col. 3:17.

F. Human names, in matters religious, are divisive and condemn. Matt. 15:7-14.

1. When the Corinthians identified themselves with human names, Paul said that they were carnal.

2. They could not be spoken to as "unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as babes in Christ", 1 Cor. 1:10-12; 3:1-4.

V. I WANT TO RECOMMEND THE CHURCH OF CHRIST.

A. Today, we hear people refer to "my church" or "your church" or "Doctor So and So's church."

B. But the only one that can be truly recommended is the one belonging to Christ.

1. It is the one that was in the eternal purpose of God. Isa. 2:2-4; Eph. 3:8-12.

2. It is the one Christ promised to build. Matt. 16:18.

3. It is the one Christ died for. Eph. 5:25.

4. It is the one He purchased with His own blood. Acts 20:28.

5. It is His body. Eph. 1:22,23; Col. 1:18,24; Eph. 4:4.

6. It is the one of which He is the Savior and Head. Eph. 5:23; 1:22,23.

7. It is His Kingdom. Col. 1:2,13; Matt. 16:18,19.

8. It is the one that He will deliver back to His Father when the end comes. 1 Cor. 15:24.

CONCLUSION:

1. So, without any reservation, we can recommend to you the Christ.

2. If you will respect His authority, obey His gospel, wear His name, be a faithful member of His church, you will enjoy an abundant life here and hereafter.

By Jim Sasser

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