What More Do I Lack?

Matthew 19:16-22

What More Do I Lack?: What More Christians Need

I. Introduction
-Ill. Put together a puzzle.
1. Only one piece missing.
2. How annoying!
-I may describe you this morning.
-The yearning in your heart.
1. ...for something more.
2. ...for completion.
-I wish to speak to Christians who are discontent.
1. Those who do not wish to play at religion.
2. Those who are tired of doing all the right things, but not making progress.
-Maybe you will identify with the young man in our Scripture this morning.

II. Scripture

III. Plague of Christianity
-There is among Christians today a discontentment.
-This discontent is not only with the way our world is going and is operating, but also w/ Christianity itself.
-Talk to people from different churches.
1. They are unsatisfied with life in general, they are distracted, restless, inconsistent, bored, shallow, naive about spiritual things.
2. And all this wells up deep w/in their soul.
-Sinners come into churches looking for something to fill the void of their life and we tell them about forgiveness (not adoption or regeneration) just about forgiveness.
1. So sinners "get that" and walk away w/out the void in their life filled.
2. Yet in all of our "religiousness" we cannot escape the nagging spiritual instinct that there is something more!
-"More than forgiveness?"
1. "Isn’t that all we have to have?"
2. Yes, but it is not all we should have.
-Point: But at the same time that we desire something more than what we have, we also bring with that a pessimism.
1. There is a cynicism that we cannot ever have what our souls ache for inside.
2. So we come to church hoping the preacher will give some key to a deeper spirituality.
3. Some key to the pressing & urgent need of our souls.

IV. Some Kind of Desire
-Our initial experience has worn off. Some of us are years & years removed from being born-again.
1. The fire that burned in our hearts has all but turned to heaps of ashes.
2. The passion (not emotional excitement) has dwindled to church attendance and spiritual chores.
-Can I stir the ashes looking for an ember of that is still glowing hot, holding on.
-I’m not talking about a rousing sermon to flare your emotions (that may occur).
1. I’m not talking about a pep talk before the big game.
2. I’m talking about that thing in your life, that you know, as a Christian you are missing, but you cannot quite put your finger on.

V. People Are Seeking More
-All of Christianity is seeking what you are seeking.
-If you are seeking, it is to you that I am speaking this AM.
-Go to a Christian book store and look at the best selling shelf.
1. Publishers sell only what will make money.
2. Ppl are seeking.
-Here are some of the titles and quotes from the jackets & backs of the books.
1. Mike Yaconelli, Messy Spirituality: "This book has been written for the silent majority of us who have been convinced that we just can’t do Christianity right."
2. Rick Warren, Purpose-Driven Life: "Make sure you’re not missing the point of your life. Read this book. The purpose-driven life will guide you to greatness."
3. Bruce Wilkerson, The Dream Giver: "Let Bruce Wilkerson show you how to rise above the ordinary, conquer your fears, overcome your obstacles that keep you from living your big dream."
4. Beth Moore, Believing Jesus: "Come, experience a fresh explosion of faith. God meant for His children to succeed. Are our Christian lives successful? Are they achieving and experiencing what Scripture said they would?"
5. John Ortberg, The Life You’ve Always Wanted "What does true spirituality really look like? What keeps you from such a life? What can you do to pursue it? If you’re tired of the status quo – if you suspect that there’s more to Christianity than what you’ve experienced – John Ortberg points you to a road of transformation and spiritual vigor that anyone can take."
6. John Eldredge, Waking the Dead: "Here are four streams through which we can discover the abundant life" (John Eldredge Waking the Dead)
-The irony is, that while these authors all promise something more, they fail to deliver.
-Most, although a good read, are enmeshed in "good advice" rather than fulfilling your spiritual yearning.
-They do not believe that this side of heaven you can be restored into the divine image of God.
1. Colossians 3:10 "and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator."
2. Instead they do reconstructive surgery.
-They speak of trying to imitate Jesus; but do we believe that Jesus the Christ can be fully formed in you?
1. Galatians 4:19 "my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!"
2. Christians/Preachers today say the most you can hope for is being a "God-chaser," but do we believe that you can actually partake in the divine nature of God and escape the corruption that is in the world?
3. 2 Peter 1:4 "y which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire."
4. They say you can only try to be holy, but can we actually share in God’s holiness?
5. Hebrews 12:10 "For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness."

VI. Holiness & Skepticism
-Allow me to put words to your desire this morning: holiness.
1. Yes, your cynicism just bubbled to the surface.
2. You would think in such a world as we live that the message of heart and life holiness would be popular!
3. But alas even the church has abandoned it today!
-Not only do we not believe in God’s ability to cleanse our hearts of sinfulness, but we also don’t believe in miracles, healings, prophetic words (preaching), or anything that demands more than the normal.
-The church has trouble believing in the miraculous work of God.
1. Transformational work of God.
2. Reformational work defined by the world.
-Point: We have adopted the world’s philosophy of therapy.
-Everybody just needs a little "Jesus" therapy.
1. We don’t believe that anybody ever gets over anything today!
2. Not sin, not addictive behaviors, not their hurtful past, not their homosexual tendency... nothing!
3. Nobody is cured.
-Some people go to their "counselors" for years never realizing any measurable or real healing or wholeness.
1. I’m not against seeing a counselor.
2. I’m against not seeing The Counselor!

VII. Christianity Begins with...
-Let’s not be too skeptical since the skeptics seem to be right.
-Christianity has become more of a title than a way of life.
1. I think every politician running for anything was a Christian!?
-So when this young man asks Jesus how to obtain eternal life (more than Heaven), Jesus says: you know the law... keep it.
-Christianity begins with obedience to Christ.
-And while that is where it begins, it certainly does not end there.
-Some of you here this morning have got that part of it down, but you , like the young man still have a hole in the middle of your faith.
1. It’s not that you don’t love Jesus, or don’t want to live for Him, or want to be a sinner.
2. It’s that there is something that is incomplete.
3. It’s why so many ppl sit through church and "feel" like there is something more.
-And it is terrifying for a preacher to preach holiness, b/c it seems so unlikely that you could be holy.
-So many Christians who are struggling & fighting for something they do not feel they can obtain.
VIII. Are You Lacking?
-Is it God’s design for you to be lacking in your spiritual life?
-Does "making it to Heaven" suddenly make you spiritually pure and mature?
-Maybe God has the proverbial carrot on the stick in front of us.
-"You can try, but you will never succeed."
-Ill. If I asked you to raise your hand this morning if you are right where you need to be, could you raise it?
1. Maybe some infected w/ spiritual pride.
2. Maybe some w/ spiritual ignorance.
3. Maybe some could say yes.
-But do you know what we will do?
1. We will walk right out of here sad.
2. Just like this young man.
3. We never confront the problem.

IX. Do you Want to be Perfect?
-The young man says I have kept all the law from my youth.
1. "What more do I lack?"
2. There it is, the discontent.
-v. 21 "Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.""
1. Perfect?
2. No way.
-I’m not here to define biblical perfection this morning, but maybe it’s a perfect love of God.
-Jesus "demands" of the young man are not a prescription for us but a principle for us.
-Point: Jesus will ask for the most valuable thing in your life.
-If you deny Him, you will go away sad.
1. You will carry your discontent into eternity.
2. The nagging instinct that something is missing may be able to be dismissed, but you will never escape it.

X. Conclusion
-I wonder if you would go away sorrowful today?
-I wonder if you would accept the words of Jesus.
-I wonder if you are sensitive to the moving of the Holy Spirit this morning & see what you may lack.
-Like the young man, ask "what more do I lack?"
-But unlike the young man, do not go away sad.

Response

A Baby Dedication

1 Samuel 1: 21-28

A Baby Dedicated: Hannah's Baby

I. Introduction
-Mae Maloo "Children seldom misquote you. They more often repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said."
-I like the openness of children.
1. They don't mince words.
2. They are not influenced by societies norms... yet.
-Babies and children have value.
1. Not value as the sarcastic one who said 6 children vs. $6 million.
2. Millionaire wants more, but parent is content.
-Their value has to do not only with God's price tag, but with the potentiality.
-Babies can best be described as gifts from God.
-And Hannah would certainly describe her son that way.

II. Scripture

III. Background
-Hannah's prayer for a child.
1. She was barren.
2. Eli, the priest, said she would have a child.
3. She had made a vow to give her child to the Lord.
-This was no ordinary baby dedication.
1. This was a Nazarite vow (like Samson)
2. This was giving the child to the temple to be raised.
3. Do not do this!
-So while we may not give our child to be raised at the church, we can learn from this baby dedication.
-There is a great deal of significance and importance tied up in the verses we read.
-Maybe you've heard the truth of Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."
1. I'd have to question that at first glance from my experience.
2. But it doesn't say they will be saved, just that they can't depart from it (forget it).

IV. Full-Time Raising-Up
-Hannah told her husband in v. 22 "As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him, so that he may appear in the presence of the Lord and dwell there forever."
1. This is not just about geographical location.
2. This is about spiritual life!
-Let me ask you parent: Is that your desire?
1. Every parent should have a priority of leading their child to the Lord.
2. Not...
a. getting a good job
b. being the most popular
c. being the best dressed
d. being the smartest.
e. making the most money
f. staying out of trouble.
3. Know the transforming power of Christ!
-If that's your desire, let me also tell you it is a full-time occupation!
1. No partial raising up.
2. No part- time raising up.
3. It is no casual hobby.
-It is giving priority to the up-bringing of a new life!
-If your child gets one hour of spiritual instruction a week... they will probably be lost.
-Parents must take the initiative to train up their children every moment of the day.
-To instill in their children, holy characteristics.
-When did you last talk to your children about their walk w/ the Lord?
1. "They're born-again!"
2. Have you found out if they're growing?
3. We don't like to address their spirituality b/c we come face to face w/ ours!
-Family devotions are essential
1. Talk about spiritual matters.
2. Talk about God's law
3. Deut. 6:4-9 "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. [5]You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. [6]And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. [7]You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. [8]You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. [9]You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."
4. Talk about sex, modesty, money, lying, slander, etc.
-Ill. National spelling bee in Washington
1. 4th round w/ Rosalie Elliot, an 11 year old from S. Carolina.
2. She was asked to spell ‘avowal'
3. Judges couldn't tell whether she used an ‘a' or an ‘e' for the letter before the ‘l'
4. They listened to the tape over and over.
5. Finally they asked her (even though she had heard all the whispers of what the right answer was).
6. Her response was immediate... "I misspelled it."
7. She received a standing ovation from the crowd.
-We are born with knowledge of the unholy.
1. We know how to lie, cheat, be jealous, and self-centered.
2. But honesty, humility, patience, and joy we must learn.
3. And our schools don't teach them!

V. Against All Instincts
-Not only is it a full-time job, but at times it goes against everything you believe.
1. It may be contrary to instinct.
2. Doing right sometimes feels wrong.
-Too many parents want to bail their children out of every bad situation.
-You cannot and should not protect your children from all the consequences of their bad decisions.
1. They must learn that poor decisions have consequences.
2. They must learn that there are natural rewards to decisions made according to God's Word.
-Financial
1. If they blow their allowance, don't reward them by buying whatever they want.
2. (Kids never ‘want' the necessary or essential things in life.)
3. If you buy everything your child wants you will destroy their ability to handle money when they are adults.
-Too many parents believe their child can do no evil.
1. It's always the teacher's fault they make low grades.
2. A mean employer.
3. An unfair policeman.
4. Wake up and smell the coffee!
5. Your child can do wrong!
6. Don't destroy your child's life by protecting them from the consequences of their sin.
-Parenthood involves risks!
1. It will cost you something.
2. Financially and emotionally
-Will you choose to do what's best for your child long-term?
-Tough love is tough on child and on parent!
1. But it must be done!
2. One of the most important things you give your children is discipline.
-Ever heard "spare the rod, spoil the child"?
1. That's not in the Bible.
2. Proverbs 13:24 "Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him."
3. Proverbs 23:13-14 "Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. [14]If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol [Hell]."
-Look at v. 23 "Elkanah her husband said to her, ‘Do what seems best to you; wait until you have weaned him; only, may the Lord establish His word.'"
-Is that what you want?

VI. Stewards of the Babies
-Hannah had prayed for a baby and God gave her a child.
1. Because Hannah was barren, she recognized that a baby was a gift from God!
2. Little Samuel was given to her by God.
-see vv. 27-28
-Instead of ‘lent' or ‘give' the idea is more of "returned."
-Hannah understood that children are gifts from God.
-They have been given to us by God with an expectation.
-An expectation that we will raise up our child in the way of the Lord.

VII. Conclusion
-Those of you with young children this morning have a responsibility.
1. He has given you a life.
2. You need to return it to Him.
-Maybe you have older children... return them to Him.
-Will you take on the job of raising up your child in the way of the Lord?
1. A full time job? (Even when they're grown.)
2. A job that goes against instincts?
3. A job that might cost you something?
-Let us be a people that dedicate our children like Hannah dedicated Samuel.
-Only when they are given back to the Lord can their full potential be realized.

Response (Altar time to pray for your children.)