Sermon notes: Who are you today?

Who are you?
In the bible as well as in our own lives we see many examples of people who change greatly in sometimes very little time, some for better. Some for worse.
To the church kids, "I'm in church" "I attend youth group" "I already know a lot about the bible" "I'm not doing blank", I could never be at odds with God, I'm me! We (I was one) as "church kids can sometimes get so far off track from Gods will that we actually think there's no way "I" could be wrong, there's no way "I" could be out of Gods will. It is the proud arrogant "nice church kid" who will fall away by 20 years old every time.

Proverbs 16:18    "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."
Just when you start thinking your something special around the church house remember it was the religious leaders of the day, the church kids, the nice guys, those were the ones who hated Jesus Christ.
1st Timothy 5:15    "For some are already turned aside after Satan."

1. Phygellus and Hermogenes- 2nd Timothy 1:13-15
Fallen away, and are not making an effort to return, (many don't even realize they have fallen) sure your still here because it's how you grew up or it's fun or all your friends are here, but you no longer care about God, or His word, or His will. You have fallen, you have turned aside.
2nd Timothy 3:2-5 How do I avoid all this? 2nd Timothy 1:13

2. Eli the prophet- 1st Samuel 2:12-17, 22-25, 3:11-18
had sinful sons, rebuked them, they didn't listen, and he gave up, God even sent him a message and instead of begging God for another chance, he was content being out of Gods plan, Samuel took his place, and Eli and his sons died, having never done anything more for God.
Do not let your best years of service for God ever lie behind you.

3. Felix- Acts 24:22-27
A convenient season that never happens, after this meeting we never read of Felix meeting with Paul, or believing in Christ, it is assumed that he put off the decision till death, when it was too late.

I have a sticker at home that reads "those who plan to seek God at the 11th hour die at 10:30" while it's meant as a joke, it really is a sad truth, I know and have met many who because of social, political, or family pressure, or just love of sin, will not come to Christ, they know of Him, but they refuse to surrender to Him.
Knowing of Christ will only make you a better informed dead man when your hour comes, there is a real Hell (Luke 16) and there are no do overs. If Felix in his life on earth never repented then everyday from his death till today he has been and will always be burning in Hell.

4. Lazarus- John 11
Dead in the grave to living again, fellowshiping with, and being identified with Jesus.
Meeting Jesus Christ-(from death to life)

Colossians  2:13-14    "And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14    Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;"

Ephesians 2:4-9    "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5    Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6    And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7    That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8    For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9    Not of works, lest any man should boast."

Have you ever done this? Have you been made alive? Lazarus story doesn't end with his resurrection, John 12:9-11, people professing to be saved but never doing a thing for God, do more harm that the most ardent Atheist ever could.
If you're a Christian who desires to change your life in order to better serve God,
Proverbs 16:3  "Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established." Make everything you do, be for His honor and His glory, not your own, not vanity, and He will guide you with His word.

God will show you the way, if you commit yourself to Him.
For the sinner who has never asked Jesus Christ to save him, the way is either turn or burn.
For the Christian the paths may vary, but none involve unrighteous living.