What is the saddest thing in the world?

1
What is the saddest thing in the world?

• People in poverty?
• The diseased?
• Mistreated people?
• Abused children?
• The saddest thing a Christian who falls away
• Hb.312-14

Luke 16
2
I. We have become partakers of...

• 1. Heavenly calling, 31 (114)
• 2. Christ, 314
• of His mind, and of the salvation procured by
  him (Th. 407)
• 3. Holy Spirit, 64-5 (24)
• 4. Chastening, holiness, 128, 10

3
I. We have become partakersII. If we hold fast

• If (emphatic) if indeed, if only
• Calvinists see partakers overlook if
• Consequence if no if, no conditions
• If no conditions, one of two wrongs

Universalism
Partiality
4
If we hold fast

• God has done His part Grace blood
• His people, 13
• Ultimate responsibility for our salvation rests
  on us
• Calvinists see God, grace, and Son,
  overlook we

5
If we hold fast

• You dont have to hold out, hold on, hold up, or
  hold anything J. Falwell
• J. Edwards the sure proof of elec-tion is that
  one holds out to the end
• A. T. Robertson These faltering believers
  (some even apostates) began with loud confidence
  and profession of loyalty. And now?
• Hebrews 36, 14 414 1023

6
I. We have become partakers
II. If we hold fast
III. The beginning of our confidence
7
They began well

• Were devoted to the gospel, 1032-34
• Confidence steadiness of mind, firmness,
  courage, resolutionfirm trust, assurance (Th.
  645)
• 1035, the warning
• 111, the way out

8
I. We have become partakers
II. If we hold fast
III. The beginning of our confidence
IV. Steadfast to the end
9
Past professions mean nothing w/o steadfastness
to the end

• Steadfast unwavering and persistent, abiding

Word 22
Hope 619
Christian 314
10
Warning after warning
Fall away Hb.64-6
Fail of grace Hb.1215
Perdition Hb.1038-39
11
Steadfast to the end

• Finisher brings something to a successful
  conclusion
• At His coming He will complete what His death
  began

Hb.121 Weightrun with endurance
Hb.122 Finisher (perfecter)
12
I. We have become partakers
II. If we hold fast
III. The beginning of our confidence
IV. Steadfast to the end
V. Why Do So Many Fail?
13
1. Neglect, 22-3

• 2. Deceived, 313
• 3. Stubborn, 37-411
• The Christian covets correction
• Pro.98 1512
• 2 Sm.121-14 . . . 1 K.123, 32
• 2 Tim.316

14
Neglect2. Deceived3. Stubborn

• 4. Lazy, 612
• 5. Forget, 1032-35
• 6. Quit, 1036
• 7. Priorities, 1216-17