HOW TO KNOW YOU ARE LOST

     To the saved, this helps with our assurance of salvation. Born again believers know in whom they have believed.

     To the lost, this helps them to realize their lost condition and get saved.

I.                  YOU HAVE NO HUNGER FOR THE WORD OF GOD.

A.  A lost person has no desire to read the bible.

1.                Matthew 5:6  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

2.                1 Peter 1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

3.                Luke 4:4  And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

On the table side by side;

                        A Holy Bible and the TV Guide,

                        One is well worn but cherished with pride,

                        (Not the Bible, but the TV Guide).

                         One is used daily to help folks decide,

                         No! It isn't the Bible; it's the TV Guide.

                         As pages are turned, what shall they see?

                        Oh, what does matter, turn on the TV.

                         So they open the book in which they confide

                         (No, not the Bible, it's the TV Guide).

                        The Word of God is seldom read,

                        Maybe a verse ere they fall into bed.

Exhausted and sleepy and tired as can be,

Not from reading the Bible, but watching TV.

So, then back to the table, side by side,

Is the Holy Bible and the TV Guide.

No time for prayer, no time for the Word;

The plan for salvation is seldom heard.

Forgiveness of sin so full and free

Is found in the Bible, not on TV!!

II.              YOU CANNOT UNDERSTAND GOD’S WORD IF YOU DID READ IT.

A.  A lost person could read the entire Bible through and not know what it is saying.

B.  Lost people many times have said how they can’t understand the Bible. Too many Thee’s and Thou’s.

1.                1 Corinthians 2:14  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

III.          YOU SIN AND GET AWAY WITH IT.

A.  A child of God sins, every body sins. The difference – the child of God can’t get away with sin.

1.                Heb. 12.6,7

2.                Numbers 32:23  But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.

3.                1 John 2.4, 3.8

IV.           YOU LOVE THE WORLD MORE THAN GOD.

A.  This world has nothing good to give.

B.  World means the system, the things in the world, it philosophy.

1.                John 17.9,14,15,16,17.

2.                1 John 2.15

3.                James 4:4  Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

V.               YOU DO NOT LIKE TO BE AROUND GOD’S PEOPLE.

A.  A lost person would rather be around those that are like them.

B.  Birds of a feather flock together.

1.                1 John 3.14

VI.           YOU DON’T LIKE THE PREACHING OF GOD’S WORD.

A.  The preaching is foolish to a lost person.

1.                1 Cor. 1.17-19, 21-

B.  When Paul preached Christ, he was in danger. Lost people did not like the message.

VII.       YOU ARE NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO CHRIST’S RETURN.

A.  A saved person is ALWAYS looking for Christ to return.

B.  A lost person does not understand that Jesus could come back in the clouds, with the shout of the archangel, and the trump of God.

1.                1 Thes. 1.9,10

2.                1 John 3.2,3

3.                2 Tim. 4.8

VIII.   THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN YOUR LIFE.

A.  A lost person may try new gimmicks, New Years resolutions, programs, etc. But nothing can change your life like Jesus can.

1.                2 Cor. 5.17