Johnston S Jabs
E.A. Johnston challenges believers to steadfastly cleave to God, avoid temptation, and cultivate genuine faith to stand confidently before Christ at the judgment seat.
In this compelling sermon, E.A. Johnston exhorts believers to avoid the pitfalls of temptation and sin by steadfastly cleaving to God. He emphasizes the importance of authentic prayer, consistent spiritual growth, and investing in eternal rewards over earthly pursuits. Johnston also challenges preachers to boldly proclaim the full gospel message of ruin and redemption, urging the church to hunger for revival and genuine faith.
Full Transcript
Stay off the tight rope of temptation, and you won't fall into sin. I believe the three most regrettable sins a believer will face at the judgment seat of Christ will be the sin of unbelief, the sin of a divided heart, and the sin of omission. If you're cleaving to God, then you're not clinging to sin.
The man who fashions his prayers for the ears of men will never reach the ears of God. The preacher who is unwilling to go out on a limb for God won't have a leg to stand on at the judgment. If you have an elevator Christianity of an inconsistent up-and-down walk with God, then try taking the stairs and start climbing.
Have you put more time in your investment portfolio or in your eternity portfolio? One must first have an appetite for God to have a hunger for revival. Is your faith as big as God or is your God as small as your faith? But the preacher who won't preach ruin, redemption, repentance, and regeneration is like a little child trying to put out a burning skyscraper with a water pistol.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Danger of Temptation and Sin
- Avoid the tightrope of temptation to prevent falling into sin
- Recognize the three most regrettable sins: unbelief, divided heart, omission
- Cleave to God to avoid clinging to sin
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II. Authentic Prayer and Commitment
- Prayers fashioned for men do not reach God
- Preachers must be willing to take risks for God
- Avoid inconsistent 'elevator Christianity' by climbing steady spiritual stairs
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III. Investing in Eternal Rewards
- Prioritize your eternity portfolio over earthly investments
- Develop an appetite for God to hunger for revival
- Faith must be as big as God, not God as small as faith
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IV. The Urgency of Preaching the Gospel
- Preach ruin, redemption, repentance, and regeneration
- Avoid ineffective preaching like a child with a water pistol
- Understand the gravity of spiritual responsibility
Key Quotes
“Stay off the tight rope of temptation, and you won't fall into sin.” — E.A. Johnston
“The man who fashions his prayers for the ears of men will never reach the ears of God.” — E.A. Johnston
“If you have an elevator Christianity of an inconsistent up-and-down walk with God, then try taking the stairs and start climbing.” — E.A. Johnston
Application Points
- Commit to sincere and authentic prayer that seeks God's approval rather than man's.
- Avoid spiritual inconsistency by pursuing steady growth in your relationship with God.
- Prioritize investing time and energy into your eternal relationship with God over worldly concerns.