Another Sermon Outline by Brian A. Yeager
The Doctrine of Continual Cleansing
I. Introduction: Calvinism truly influences “brethren” (I Timothy 1:3-7). – (See
quotes and end of outline).
    A. Men love to search for the easy ways (Numbers 32:1-14).
    1. They want to do one or a few things (Matthew 7:21-23; 19:16).
    2. They want God to be partially blind (Isaiah 29:15-16).
    3. They say “we all sin” abusing Romans 3:23.
    B. Should you just “not worry” about falling (II Peter 1:10-12)?
    1. We must take heed [to beware] lest we depart (Hebrews 3:12).
    2. We cannot be careless, but careful in doing good (Titus 3:8; cf.
    Ephesians 4:1 and I Corinthians 9:24-27).
    3. We are to always be prepared to be judged (Matthew 24:42-51).

II. Body: Answering the points of this doctrine (II Timothy 3:8-9).
    A. Examining the proof text of this doctrine (I John 1:7).
    1. Seeing the points in context disprove the doctrine (I John 1:3-2:6).
    a. Stumbling or walking in darkness means you’re lost; outside of
    the light, opposite to God (I John 1:6; cf. Isaiah 5:20, Acts 26:18,
    John 12:35, Romans 13:12-14, I Thessalonians 5:2-4, and I Peter
    2:9).
    b. Forgiveness of sins is conditional, thus when we do sin we
    have to correct it (I John 1:9; cf. Proverbs 4:26-27, Jeremiah 36:3
    and Revelation 2:5).
    c. Though denied by proponents, we are to be Christ-like [“as he
    is in the light”] (I John 1:7; 2:4-6; cf. Matthew 5:48, Ephesians 5:1-
    11, I Thessalonians 1:5-6, and I Peter 1:13-16; 2:21).
    2. You can’t be partially right with God (Matthew 16:13-23, Luke 11:23, I
    Timothy 5:21, James 2:10, and Revelation 3:14-22).
    B. Is ignorance an excuse (Acts 17:30)?
    1. Ignorance prevents salvation (Romans 10:1-3).
    2. God’s clear on this (Acts 3:17-19, Ephesians 4:17-18, and I Timothy
    1:12-16).
    C. Consider where a few points of consistency with this error leads…
    1. Knowledge is bondage rather than freedom (John 8:32).  
    2. Some overtaken in faults do not need restoration (Galatians 6:1).
    3. Those crucifying Christ were okay (Luke 23:34; cf. Acts 2:36-38).
    4. We can continue in sin through grace (Romans 6:1-2).
    5. We can teach error if ignorant (II Peter 3:16-18; cf. II John 9).

III. Conclusion:
    A. All the good you do means nothing when you sin (Ezekiel 33:13).
    B. Simply put, when you sin you change households (I John 3:8).
    C. We have to do more than bank on ignorance as an excuse (Luke 13:3; 5).

Continual Cleansing Quotes:

Robert Waters: “John assures us that "if we walk in the light... the blood of Jesus ...
cleanseth us from all sin." The word "walk" has to do with manner of life. One is
either walking in the light or walking in darkness. Even though the faithful Christian
sins from time to time his manner of life doesn't change—he isn't necessarily, by
that sin, made to walk in darkness…  I Jn. 1:7 tells us that those who "walk in the
light" are cleansed of "all sin"….   We should and can avoid any sin that we are
"tempted" to commit, (1 Cor. 10:13), but brethren, we commit sins without there
being a temptation at all. That is, we commit sin ignorantly and especially
inadvertently. Thus, for even the faithful Christian to have confidence and security
there is ever present the need to be continuously cleansed by the blood of Christ”
(http://www.totalhealth.bz/The_Security_of_the_Believer.pdf).


E.M. Zerr’s Commentary on I John 1:7: “... Hence if a man is a worker in the Lord's
vineyard and his life as a whole is one of obedience to the law of Christ, he does
not need to worry about the mistakes he might make which he does not realize, for
the blood of Christ will take care of it and wash them away...”




© 2007 This material may not be used for sale or other means to have financial gain.  Use this as a
tool for your own studies if such is helpful!   Preachers are welcome to this work, but please do not
use my work so that you can be lazy and not do your own studies.  – Brian A. Yeager