Introduction:

A. This lesson is a lesson that requires us to examine ourselves (II Corinthians 13:5).

1. We are to use the word of God to examine ourselves (James 1:23-25).
2. The word of the Lord will cut through our hearts and show our intentions (Hebrews 4:12).

B. Our self-examination may show us that we are not truly following the Lord and we may decide to pretend.  Be sure that others may not know, but the Lord knows you are pretending:

1. I Samuel 16:7 
2. Psalms 69:5 
3. Jeremiah 23:24 

I. Counting the Costs

A. Christians must count the cost of being a disciple of the Lord: Luke 14:25-33 

1. We cannot be like the young rich man (Matthew 19:16-24). 
2. Christians should seek those things above (Colossians 3:1).
3. Christians must not love the things of the world (I John 2:15-17). 

a. Christians are to come out and be separate (II Corinthians 6:17). 
b. Christians are supposed to be transformed from, not conformed to the world as we learn to think differently (Romans 12:2). 

B. True followers of the Lord do the things He says (Luke 6:46).
C. Those truly dedicated have the feeling like Paul (Galatians 2:20).

1. The truly dedicated will work (I Corinthians 15:58). 

A. Those who think they have done enough, but have never verified such, and will find out when it is too late (Matthew 7:21-23).

1. God knows who those who are His children (II Timothy 2:19). 

a. Even the demons knew who those who were and were not the true children of God [even though they used the name Jesus they were not the genuine] (Acts 19:12-16).

2. God has given us His word so we can learn how to obey Him:

a. Deuteronomy 8:3 
b. James 1:21 
c. But you have to study it to know it (John 5:39 and II Timothy 2:15).

3. Those who obey are the saved (Romans 2:13).

B. The self-deceived will pay an eternal price (Matthew 7:23).

1. God will take vengeance on the disobedient (II Thessalonians 1:7-9).
2. Hell is:

a. A lake of fire (Revelation 21:8).
b. Eternal (Matthew 25:46). 
c. A place of destruction (Matthew 10:28). 
d. Worse than loosing body parts (Matthew 5:29-30).
e. Dark & loud (Matthew 8:12). 

3. Those who do not respect the judgment of our Lord need to read Hebrews 12:28-29!

III. If You Are Truly Dedicated to the Lord You Will Find Yourself Doing All of The Following and Much More…

A. True followers of Christ will be found together (Acts 2:44-46).

1. Recognizing the importance of assembling together (Hebrews 10:23-25).
2. Showing their love for the brethren (John 13:34-35).
3. Willing to give all for each other (Acts 4:32-37).

a. This was the attitude of Christ (II Corinthians 8:9). 

B. When you read the Bible and the warnings contained therein, will you move with fear to save yourself and others (Hebrews 11:7)?
C. When you worship, partake in the work of the church, etc., will you seek a book, chapter, and verse for those things (Colossians 3:17 and I Peter 4:11)?
D. Truly dedicated Christians will not fall away because of persecution, but will expect persecution and become stronger from it:

1. Matthew 5:10-12 
2. II Timothy 3:12 
3. James 1:2-3 

E. Truly dedicated Christians will understand why they do not have much in common with those in the world:

1. John 15:18-19 
2. Luke 6:26 

F. Truly dedicated Christians will have a frequent prayer life (I Thessalonians 5:17).

1. We must be willing to go to God in prayer in bad times (Matthew 26:36-45, Acts 16:16-34, and James 5:13).
2.  We must be willing to go to God in prayer to thank Him in good times (Ephesians 5:20). 

A. Our faithfulness is shown by our works (James 2:14-26).
B. Unfaithfulness is shown by the results of ones works (Matthew 7:15-20).
C. Our works, whether good or bad, will be brought into the Judgment (II Corinthians 5:10).

1. Will your works provide a testimony of your faith?
2. Will your works earn you the words “depart, I know ye not”?
3. Will you repent to change the fruits you are producing?
4. Can you say the words "I Surrender All"?

2003 by Brian A. Yeager may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.