MUST MATTERS Must Matters 2 Introduction There are

“MUST” MATTERS

"Must" Matters 2 Introduction • There are small words that have much force and meaning • The Bible uses such words • Example - The words “If” and “Then” • John 8: 31 “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed” • 1 Corinthians 15: 13, 14, 16; 2 Corinthians 5: 14 • Example - The word “except” • Luke 13: 5 - “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall likewise perish” • Amos 3: 3; Matthew 5: 20; Acts 27: 31; Matthew 19: 9 • When something is a “must” the stated condition MUST be satisfied

"Must" Matters 3 The word “MUST” defined by Vine • “Must” - dei - an impersonal verb, signifying “it is necessary” or “one must, ” “one ought, ” is found most frequently in the Gospels, Acts and the Apocalypse, and is used (a) of a necessity lying in the nature of the case…(b) of necessity brought about by circumstances, e. g. , Matt. 26: 35… (c) of necessity as to what is required that something may be brought about, e. g. , Luke 12: 12, “ought; ” (d) of a necessity of law, duty, equity, e. g. , Matt. 18: 33…“shouldest; ” (e) of necessity arising from the determinate will and counsel of God, e. g. Matt. 17: 10, …especially regarding the salvation of men through the death, resurrection and ascension of Christ, See BEHOVE…MEET, NEEDFUL, OUGHT, SHOULD.

"Must" Matters 4 The word “MUST” defined by Webster • 1 a: be commanded or requested to <you must stop> b: be urged to: ought by all means to <you must read that book> • 2 a: be compelled by physical necessity to <one must eat to live>: be required by immediate or future need or purpose to <we must hurry to catch the bus> • 3 b: be required by law, custom, or moral conscience…<we must obey the rules> • Merriam-Webster online

5 "Must" Matters Christ MUST Suffer and be Raised WH Y? • “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day” - Matthew 16: 21 • It was necessary that Christ do His Father’s will - John 6: 38 • Prayed the cup would pass, if His Father willed - Matthew 26: 39 • Betrayed by Judas - Matthew 26: 14 -16, 24 • His disciples forsook Him - Matthew 26: 56, 70 -74 • Questioned by Pilate - John 18: 36 -38 • Falsely tried - Matthew 26: 59 -60 • Pilate knew His innocence, but allowed His crucifixion - Matthew 27: 18 -26 • He was ridiculed and crucified - Matthew 27: 26 -50 • He was buried in a borrowed tomb - 27: 57 -60 • He rose third day - Matthew 28: 1 -5 • That the scriptures be fulfilled - Luke 24: 44

6 "Must" Matters WH Y? The New Birth is a MUST • “Ye must be born again” - John 3: 7 • “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” - John 3: 5 • The Spiritual birth occurs when one obeys the gospel • “Born again” by obedience to the word of God • 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” • In order to enter the Kingdom, one MUST be “born again” • “Sirs, what MUST I do to be saved? ” - Acts 16: 25 -33

"Must" Matters 7 Baptism in water is a MUST WH Y? • Saul (Paul) was told by Jesus - “Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do” - Acts 9: 6 • Baptism is the most hated command of God! • Most reject the necessity of Baptism! • Paul was confronted by Jesus while persecuting Christians • Acts 9: 1 -22 - “Must” matters were pronounced! • Saul (Paul) told by Ananias - “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” - Acts 22: 16 • To “wash away” thy sins! • 1 Peter 3: 21 - “…the answer of a good conscience toward God”

"Must" Matters 8 MUST Worship God in Spirit & Truth WH Y? • Jesus said, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” - John 4: 24 • “in Spirit” - with a sincere heart • “in truth” - according to God’s word (truth) - John 17: 17 • Must Worship God as He directs • Man is not the standard - Isaiah 55: 8 -9; Proverbs 14: 12 • God rejects vain worship - Matthew 15: 8 -9; 7: 21 -23 • Because the Father seeks “true worshipers” to worship Him - John 4: 23

9 "Must" Matters WH Y? MUSTS for Elders and Deacons • Qualifications for elders & deacons are a MUST • 1 Timothy 3 • VS. 3 - “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, ” • VS. 7 - “Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil” • VS. 8 - “Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre” • VS. 11 - “Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things” • Titus 1 • VS. 7 - “For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre” • Elders watch for your souls and deacons serve • Hebrews 13: 17; Acts 6: 1 -7; 1 Peter 5: 1 -4

10 "Must" Matters WH Y? All MUST be Judged by Christ • “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” - 2 Corinthians 5: 10 • The judgment will be… • Certain and righteous - Acts 17: 30 -31 • Begin at the house of God - 1 Peter 4: 17 -19 • According to Christ’s words - John 12: 48 -50 • Judge our works - Ecclesiastes 12: 13 -14 • Reward the righteous and punish the evil as He has promised - 2 Thessalonians 1: 7 -9

"Must" Matters 11 “MUST” Matters • The suffering and resurrection of Christ was a MUST • The new birth is a MUST • Baptism in water is a MUST • Worshiping God as God desires is a MUST • Elders and Deacons MUST meet the divine standard • Your appointment at the final Judgment will be a MUST

"Must" Matters 12 Final Thought Salvation is found only in Christ! • John 14: 6 • “This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” - Acts 4: 11 -12