Sermon Outlines . Volume 04 | Issue 12

Seven Non-Negotiables

by Dennis Rainey

Seek God – Not Sin
Amos 5:4, 6, 14
Amos 5:4 says it plainly: “For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel, ‘seek me that you may live.’” True life is not found in the pleasures or pursuits of this world, but in God alone.

Fear God – Not Men
Prov. 19:23; Matt. 10:28
People here on earth can physically, even emotionally, hurt us – but they cannot touch our souls. Rather, Jesus teaches in Matthew 10:28, fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Love God – Not the World
1 John 2:15-17; Matt. 22:37
When Jesus told us to love God with all our heart, soul and mind (Matt. 22:37), He called this the great and foremost commandment (v.38). Nothing and no one should be more important to us than our Lord. After all, the world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever (1 John 2:17). What an incredible promise!

Serve God – Not Self
Isaiah 6:8; Joshua 24:14-15
God has called each of us into His service. But how do we answer His call? “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” (Isaiah 6:8). Our own responses to God should be just as eager and passionate as Isaiah’s.

Believe God – Not the Deceiver
John 8:44, 7:37-38
At any given moment on any given day, we are given a choice: to believe the lies of the enemy of our souls – or to believe God’s truth. Following the liar (Satan) and the father of lies (8:44) will lead to death…but out of Jesus flows rivers of living water that nourish our soul and quench our thirst. Instead of deceit, confusion and despair, you can have salvation, truth and hope!

Obey God – Not Your Appetites
1 Cor. 9:24-27
Do you know someone who’s run a marathon? Training begins months in advance and requires discipline, perseverance and courage. Yet tens of thousands of runners run these races to earn their prize – a cherished medal waiting for them at the finish line. First Corinthians calls this a perishable prize. We can earn an imperishable prize by running our own spiritual race in such a way that we may win (v.24) – with discipline, perseverance, and courage.

Worship God – Not Comfort
Job 13:14-16; Hab. 3:17-19
When I look at Job’s life, I think, how much worse could things get? But Job never stopped believing in God and praising Him for His goodness. “Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.” (Hab. 3:17-18).

© Heartcry! Issue 28. Spring 2004