"Have I done enough?"

"Have I done enough?"

February 1, 2009

Introduction

“Have I done enough?” These were the words of a Christian woman lying on her death bed in the hospital. She was so distressed about dying that the hospital called her preacher. The preacher came, and expressed her concern to him. She was dying, but she was concerned to know if she had done enough to get to heaven. This is a preacher story, but I believe it to be a true story because I heard it from the preacher who was called to the hospital. So this morning, we want discuss the question, “Have I done enough?”

Body

I. The first answer to the question is “No!”

What do we have to present to God?

1. Isaiah says our righteousness is as filthy rags.

(Isa 64:6 NKJV) But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.

2. Paul says we have no works to claim as worthy of our salvation.

(Titus 3:4-5 NKJV) But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, {5} not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

3. Paul says the same thing as he writes to the church at Ephesus.

(Eph 2:8-9 NKJV) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, {9} not of works, lest anyone should boast.

If we could do enough to be saved, the Law would have told us what to do.

1. The law could only point in the right direction, and make us feel guilty.

(Rom 3:19-20 NKJV) Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. {20} Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

2. There was not a sufficient sacrifice that man could offer.

(Heb 10:1 NKJV) For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect.

But what does the law have to do with us?

1. The law was a code: A set of rules which must be followed.

2. Part of the law was a set of requirements which must be met.

a. We can fall into the mind set of making up the rules that we must follow.

b. Paul expressed concerned over some who were making up rules.

(Gal 4:9-11 NKJV) But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? {10} You observe days and months and seasons and years. {11} I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.

II. How do we have enough?

How to have enough is the good news.

(Rom 1:16 NKJV) For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

We are saved by the grace of God.

(Eph 2:8-9 NKJV) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, {9} not of works, lest anyone should boast.

We are saved by the sacrifice of Christ.

(Heb 10:19-23 NKJV) Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, {20} by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, {21} and having a High Priest over the house of God, {22} let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. {23} Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

III. Catholicism was heavy on works.

Martin Luther rebelled, but went too far.

1. Luther added the word “only” which is not justified.

2. We must not live by the “faith only” rule.

(Eph 2:8-10 NKJV) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, {9} not of works, lest anyone should boast. {10} For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

We must not become the legalists who leave us with the question, “Have I done enough?”

1. We need the assurance of faith that Paul had.

(2 Tim 1:12 NKJV) For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

2. We need to hear his challenge: “Hang on.”

(2 Tim 1:13 NKJV) Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

Conclusion

I. Have you done enough? – No!

II. Have you had the blood of Christ applied to you life?

III. Have you held fast the confession of your faith?

(Heb 10:22-23 NKJV) let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. {23} Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful

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