Don't Look Back: Lingering in Destruction
Genesis 19:1-8, 11-29
I. Introduction
-The difficulty of the Christian life is the allurement w/ things of this world.
1. Call it distractions.
2. Call it temptations.
-A Worldly Allurement
1. insidious infection
2. Plague in the church today
-A cancerous growth w/ only one solution- cleansing of the Holy Spirit.
-Resist temptation
1. It will come.
2. It destroys.
-No victory w/out resistance.
-Learn from others, like Lot...
II. Scripture
III. Sodom
-Infamous city (w/ Gomorrah)
-A city wiped out of existence
-Root of our word: sodomite
1. Known for it's perverse sexual sin
2. known for it's intense wickedness
-Query: Why was Lot able to settle in Sodom?
IV. Our World
-Our world will be destroyed too.
-God's grace & mercy move/transition to His truth & judgement.
-Don't think God will ignore sin forever.
-There will be a day of judgement.
-This world is headed for destruction... don't be on that train!
-No one wants to, but some may find themselves on that path...
V. Appeasement
-It begins with a policy of appeasement.
-Ill. Lot's appeasement...
1. Men of Sodom surround house.
2. Lot offers daughters instead of rape of male visitors.
3. Appease sodomites & God!?
-A mixed morality
1. The world might accept some of God's morality.
2. As Christians we are to accept all of God's morality.
-You cannot be a Christian & practice appeasement.
1. Jesus says: You cannot serve two masters.
2. Elijah: "Choose this day whom you will serve."
-The church embraces God's Word... it is the standard for truth, morality, and living!
1. We accept nothing less.
2. We cannot choose a partial obedience.
VI. Lingering
-v. 16 "But he lingered."
-Too many Christians are lingering in destructive ways.
-God has provided a way out.
1. ...a way of redemption.
2. ...a way of salvation.
3. And all out of his mercy!
-Take God's way!
-Ill. Eve & Serpent
1. Her defeat came not when she bit into the fruit.
2. Defeat came when she debated w/ the devil.
-The angels grabbed Lot's hand and ran them out of the city.
-Problem of Lot wanting Zoar
1. Lot didn't want to leave!
2. There was still a love of Sodom in his heart!
-Zoar means ‘little' in Hebrew.
1. It's the little things that destroy us.
2. The little habits that the world encourages.
3. The little things we say, do, or think.
-Song of Solomon 2:15 "Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom."
VII. Our Defeat
-Too many Christians lead defeated lives today, not b/c they are murderers or rapists.
1. But b/c their hearts are still in love w/ this present age.
2. Their affections are tied up in the temporary.
-What is so valuable in this world that you are willing to pay w/ your soul?
-What worldly possession, attitude, or action has merit enough to equate to eternity?
-Some of you think b/c the preacher doesn't know about your sin that God doesn't know.
-Don't take my ignorance to be blindness on God's part.
1. He does know!
2. God is aware of your lingering in Sodom.
3. He is aware of your appeasement.
VIII. Abraham & Lot
-Lot's uncle was Abraham
-There are some similarities between the two.
-But they are not the same!
-Note the difference...
-The promise, possibility, & lingering.
-Lot never had a direct encounter w/ God.
1. The blessings he enjoyed were only b/c of his association w/ Abraham.
-Many in the church today enjoy the blessings of being a part of a Spirit filled church... but have never known it personally.
IX. Looking Back
-v. 26
-Jesus said: "No man who puts His hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God."
-Revelation 2:4 "But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first."
-Sodom is calling.
1. You have left Sodom.
2. But there is something that still entices you about that place.
-And now you find yourself looking back.
-Ill. Ppl go to the altar.
1. First thing they do is tell God what they won't give him.
2. Get up and declare they've given everything to God, but...
-We expect a great revival & movement of the Holy Spirit w/out being fully committed to Him.
1. God won't work miracles in your life if you are lingering in Sodom.
2. You won't know all He could do if you are abiding in little sins.
3. You'll never see what God has in store for you if you are looking back!
X. Conclusion
-"Run and never look back."
1. Don't stop. Don't hesitate.
2. Don't look back!
-Make a decision today that your life is wholly dependant upon God's will.
-Commit all to Him.
-Resolve to bring all of your life under His Lordship.
-Determine to correct anything in your life that does not promote the Holiness of God to dwell in your richly!
-Will you make up your mind to serve Christ with all this morning?
Response: "I Am Resolved"
Showing posts with label spiritual growth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spiritual growth. Show all posts
Monday, September 7, 2009
Monday, March 2, 2009
A Raging Trickle
Ezekiel 47:1-12
A Raging Trickle: Let the Water Flow
I. Introduction
-These two questions seem unrelated...
1. What kind of impact is God capable of in our world today?
2. What in the world is there to be thankful for?
-May I argue that they are connected.
-Today we have given God thanks for His impact in the life of Eula Lobb and the life of our church.
-Most of our T-giving tends to be self-centered.
1. Very little thanks is offered to God.
2. Mainly to the cook and the football coach, if your team wins.
-Ill. Instilling thanksgiving into my son
1. Bed time prayer...
2. "Thank you for Mommy, Hannah, Cat...."
3. "What about me?"
4. "And me?
II. Scripture
III. Background
-Chapter 1 is all about the fact that God’s glory/presence is what is really relevant... & now this!
-The last chapter (48) ends with "And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The Lord is there."
-I want to start at the end of this river and work my way back.
IV. Where the Water Ends Up
-It goes all the way to the Dead Sea.
-Dead Sea
1. aka- Salt Sea
2. Tributaries in bring salt water, but no way for the minerals to leave.
3. Dead- b/c no fish or life can live in such a high salt concentration.
4. The only value during this time was the salt deposits.
-But when the water from the temple hit the Dead Sea... it came alive.
1. Living creatures swarm
2. Dead water is made alive.
3. Salt water is made fresh.
4. In fact it becomes a place where fishermen can earn a living!
-v. 9b "everything will live where the river goes."
-I believe that everywhere God’s presence is, there is life & healing!
1. The dead become alive!
2. The enslaved become free!
3. The wounded become whole!
4. The lost are found.
5. The salty death is made fresh!
V. The Banks of the River
-But even on the way God is at work.
-Before the water even got to the Dead Sea it says...
1. v. 9 "And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live...so everything will live where the river goes."
2. v. 12 "And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, b/c the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing."
-I think what we need is this river to run through our lives!
-Ill. Living in Eastern KY.
1. Hills & Hollers
2. A real fast, hard rain = a "gully washer"
3. The rain would land on the hill top and run down into the holler/gully and wash out leaves, dirt, debris, etc.
-We need a gully washer!
-Some of you need God in your...
1. ...marriage, family.
2. ...finances, workplace.
3. ...private place/behind closed doors
4. We’ll try everything but what brings real healing.
-The trees on the side of the river produce fruit every month!
-The leaves of the trees bring healing!
-Some have given God lip- service, when what He wants is your life.
-You can sit in a church on T-giving Sunday and say "thanks."
1. But some of you are thinking about your 401K (don’t you believe that God will take care of you?)
2. Some are thinking about your project at work.
3. Worrying about your grade at school.
4. Whether everyone will like the casserole you brought.
-Some of you won’t be in church next Sunday b/c...
1. ...you’ll be doing something "more important."
2. ..."on vacation"; working on a school assignment;
3. ..."tired" b/c you’re so busy;
4. ...etc.
-But look where this stream starts!
VI. The Door of the Temple
-It starts in the temple!
1. In the house of God.
2. In the sanctuary.
-Point: All healing starts with God.
1. All life begins in Christ!
2. All revival is introduced by the Holy Spirit!
-As short as our time is together, this could be (& is meant to be) the most important hour of your week!
1. Your feet should get wet!
2. The raging river should begin with a trickle right here!
-Someone said: "We need to remember that all renewal in the church or in the world flows by God’s grace from God’s presence and is not something we generate or control."
-Note: The river had no tributaries.. God doesn’t need anything else... So what are we waiting for?
1. No additives needed.
2. No need to add anything!
-It starts as a trickle in the temple and ends by bringing life to the Dead Sea!
VII. The Temple is Only the Beginning
-What happens "in church" is only the beginning!
-The water didn’t stay in the temple!
1. It flows out ward!
2. We are conduits & conductors of it!
-One commentator said it this way: "The imagery tries to state that the appearance of God in His sanctuary in the midst of His ppl does not create a self contained ‘holy place.’ All the preparation of the sacred place... is meant in the last resort to serve God’s intention to allow life & healing to flow out from there into the land. This life & this healing are to be effective precisely where unnatural disease & hostility [death & violence] are most obviously operative."
-The true Spirit of God cannot be contained here!
1. This may be where He starts His work... but it isn’t where it ends!
2. It leaves here with you!
-vv. 2b-5
-It just gets deeper from here.
1. Your walk with God can get deeper & fuller.
2. Broader and more intimate.
3. Richer and more divine!
-Ill. "He got in over His head."
1. Maybe this is one time that is a good thing.
2. Maybe too many are too timid to dive into the holiness of God!
-Point: Maybe sin doesn’t ‘snowball’ rather revival & renewal (from God’s glory) does!
1. In a thankless world...
2. In a world it may be hard to give thanks in...
3. Maybe God still holds His throne!
-Maybe I can truly be thankful!
-I am thankful for...
1. ...material blessings (house to live in, vehicles, bed, couches, food to eat, (but more than that))
2. ...a beautiful, talented, intelligent, Christian wife.
3. ...two healthy, perfect children.
4. ...a church family that truly cares for their pastor.
5. ...perfect health!
6. ...parents who love & pray for me, in-laws who love & pray for me (best in-laws a person could have)
7. ...two brothers who desire to serve the Lord, a grandfather who is a man of God.
8. ...a background/foundation in the church.
9. ...the opportunity to serve my Lord & Savior.
10. ...the ability to do this (take a breath)
11. ...the gift of speech to be able to say: "Hallelujah! Praise be to God!"
12. ...the agent of grace which is the Holy Spirit convicted me in a church service & I responded in obedience w/ repentance and was saved.
13. ...the fact that He has delivered [me] from the domain of darkness and transferred [me] to the kingdom of his beloved Son. (Col. 1:13)
14. ...the joy, peace, and hope that wells up in my soul from Christ!
15. ...for the river of healing & cleansing that has washed over my heart, soul, & mind and created something new.
-What are you thankful for?
-This trickle has become a raging river.
1. And it’s bringing healing!
2. And it’s bringing life!
3. And it’s bringing wholeness!
4. It is the living God to who we give thanks this morning.
VIII. Conclusion
-Revelation 22:1-2 "Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb [2] through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations."
-My feet are wet!
-What about yours?
-He is worthy of our praise!
-Let’s give Him thanks this morning!
Response
A Raging Trickle: Let the Water Flow
I. Introduction
-These two questions seem unrelated...
1. What kind of impact is God capable of in our world today?
2. What in the world is there to be thankful for?
-May I argue that they are connected.
-Today we have given God thanks for His impact in the life of Eula Lobb and the life of our church.
-Most of our T-giving tends to be self-centered.
1. Very little thanks is offered to God.
2. Mainly to the cook and the football coach, if your team wins.
-Ill. Instilling thanksgiving into my son
1. Bed time prayer...
2. "Thank you for Mommy, Hannah, Cat...."
3. "What about me?"
4. "And me?
II. Scripture
III. Background
-Chapter 1 is all about the fact that God’s glory/presence is what is really relevant... & now this!
-The last chapter (48) ends with "And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The Lord is there."
-I want to start at the end of this river and work my way back.
IV. Where the Water Ends Up
-It goes all the way to the Dead Sea.
-Dead Sea
1. aka- Salt Sea
2. Tributaries in bring salt water, but no way for the minerals to leave.
3. Dead- b/c no fish or life can live in such a high salt concentration.
4. The only value during this time was the salt deposits.
-But when the water from the temple hit the Dead Sea... it came alive.
1. Living creatures swarm
2. Dead water is made alive.
3. Salt water is made fresh.
4. In fact it becomes a place where fishermen can earn a living!
-v. 9b "everything will live where the river goes."
-I believe that everywhere God’s presence is, there is life & healing!
1. The dead become alive!
2. The enslaved become free!
3. The wounded become whole!
4. The lost are found.
5. The salty death is made fresh!
V. The Banks of the River
-But even on the way God is at work.
-Before the water even got to the Dead Sea it says...
1. v. 9 "And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live...so everything will live where the river goes."
2. v. 12 "And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, b/c the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing."
-I think what we need is this river to run through our lives!
-Ill. Living in Eastern KY.
1. Hills & Hollers
2. A real fast, hard rain = a "gully washer"
3. The rain would land on the hill top and run down into the holler/gully and wash out leaves, dirt, debris, etc.
-We need a gully washer!
-Some of you need God in your...
1. ...marriage, family.
2. ...finances, workplace.
3. ...private place/behind closed doors
4. We’ll try everything but what brings real healing.
-The trees on the side of the river produce fruit every month!
-The leaves of the trees bring healing!
-Some have given God lip- service, when what He wants is your life.
-You can sit in a church on T-giving Sunday and say "thanks."
1. But some of you are thinking about your 401K (don’t you believe that God will take care of you?)
2. Some are thinking about your project at work.
3. Worrying about your grade at school.
4. Whether everyone will like the casserole you brought.
-Some of you won’t be in church next Sunday b/c...
1. ...you’ll be doing something "more important."
2. ..."on vacation"; working on a school assignment;
3. ..."tired" b/c you’re so busy;
4. ...etc.
-But look where this stream starts!
VI. The Door of the Temple
-It starts in the temple!
1. In the house of God.
2. In the sanctuary.
-Point: All healing starts with God.
1. All life begins in Christ!
2. All revival is introduced by the Holy Spirit!
-As short as our time is together, this could be (& is meant to be) the most important hour of your week!
1. Your feet should get wet!
2. The raging river should begin with a trickle right here!
-Someone said: "We need to remember that all renewal in the church or in the world flows by God’s grace from God’s presence and is not something we generate or control."
-Note: The river had no tributaries.. God doesn’t need anything else... So what are we waiting for?
1. No additives needed.
2. No need to add anything!
-It starts as a trickle in the temple and ends by bringing life to the Dead Sea!
VII. The Temple is Only the Beginning
-What happens "in church" is only the beginning!
-The water didn’t stay in the temple!
1. It flows out ward!
2. We are conduits & conductors of it!
-One commentator said it this way: "The imagery tries to state that the appearance of God in His sanctuary in the midst of His ppl does not create a self contained ‘holy place.’ All the preparation of the sacred place... is meant in the last resort to serve God’s intention to allow life & healing to flow out from there into the land. This life & this healing are to be effective precisely where unnatural disease & hostility [death & violence] are most obviously operative."
-The true Spirit of God cannot be contained here!
1. This may be where He starts His work... but it isn’t where it ends!
2. It leaves here with you!
-vv. 2b-5
-It just gets deeper from here.
1. Your walk with God can get deeper & fuller.
2. Broader and more intimate.
3. Richer and more divine!
-Ill. "He got in over His head."
1. Maybe this is one time that is a good thing.
2. Maybe too many are too timid to dive into the holiness of God!
-Point: Maybe sin doesn’t ‘snowball’ rather revival & renewal (from God’s glory) does!
1. In a thankless world...
2. In a world it may be hard to give thanks in...
3. Maybe God still holds His throne!
-Maybe I can truly be thankful!
-I am thankful for...
1. ...material blessings (house to live in, vehicles, bed, couches, food to eat, (but more than that))
2. ...a beautiful, talented, intelligent, Christian wife.
3. ...two healthy, perfect children.
4. ...a church family that truly cares for their pastor.
5. ...perfect health!
6. ...parents who love & pray for me, in-laws who love & pray for me (best in-laws a person could have)
7. ...two brothers who desire to serve the Lord, a grandfather who is a man of God.
8. ...a background/foundation in the church.
9. ...the opportunity to serve my Lord & Savior.
10. ...the ability to do this (take a breath)
11. ...the gift of speech to be able to say: "Hallelujah! Praise be to God!"
12. ...the agent of grace which is the Holy Spirit convicted me in a church service & I responded in obedience w/ repentance and was saved.
13. ...the fact that He has delivered [me] from the domain of darkness and transferred [me] to the kingdom of his beloved Son. (Col. 1:13)
14. ...the joy, peace, and hope that wells up in my soul from Christ!
15. ...for the river of healing & cleansing that has washed over my heart, soul, & mind and created something new.
-What are you thankful for?
-This trickle has become a raging river.
1. And it’s bringing healing!
2. And it’s bringing life!
3. And it’s bringing wholeness!
4. It is the living God to who we give thanks this morning.
VIII. Conclusion
-Revelation 22:1-2 "Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb [2] through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations."
-My feet are wet!
-What about yours?
-He is worthy of our praise!
-Let’s give Him thanks this morning!
Response
Saturday, August 16, 2008
A Real Church Service #2
1 Peter 1:25b- 2:3
A Real Church Service 2: Spiritual Growth
I. Introduction
- Ill. Aesop's Fables: The Hunter & the Woodman
1. A hunter was searching for the tracks of a Lion.
2. He asked the a man felling oaks in the forest if he had seen any tracks or the lion's lair.
3. "I'll take you to the lion." said the woodsman.
4. Hunter turned pale & said: "No, thank you. I did not ask for that; it is only the tracks and lair that I am in search of, not the lion."
5. Are you looking for signs that Jesus is here or for where his Spirit abides?
6. Or are you looking for Him?
- What makes a good church service?
- We base our answer on some of the wrong things.
1. It shouldn't matter whether you like the teacher, preacher, song leader, etc.
2. What matters is the object of our Worship.
- But now let's answer that question on your side of the fence.
1. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit.
2. What is your obligation toward a good church service.
II. Scripture
III. Christianity is About Growing
- Our faith is about growing [relationship].
- The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 is about making disciples
1. Disciples = pupils
2. Not just converts or professions.
- He did not commission us to enlarge our finances or our numbers or our programs.
1. Make disciples!
2. Students of the Word who are growing!
IV. Born to Grow (Stage 1)
- In order to grow spiritually you must be born-again!
- 2:3 "...if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good!"
1. Repent of sin & believe in Christ.
2. Spiritual growth w/out spiritual birth is impossible.
- If you're not growing...
1. ...something is wrong!
2. ...you might be dead!
- Those born-again will have a longing to grow.
1. It is in the DNA of a believer
2. v. 2:2 Cultivated Desire
- Long for what?
1. pure milk of the word
2. pure= nothing but milk
3. beware false teachers/ preachers
4. Pure milk sometimes doesn't taste as good as a coke, but it's better for you.
- 2 Timothy 4:3 "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions."
- The biggest enemy of the church today is not the world, but that which poses as the church!
- Long for...
1. Milk of the Word- Bible. Biblical preaching, biblical songs, biblical discussion, biblical thinking, etc.
2. Sunday School, Wednesday Bible Study, Sunday PM, all focused on God's Word!
- Query: Are you 'lactose' intolerant?
V. Stage 2: Lay Aside Acts of Sin!
- After being Born-Again and God giving you a longing for growth, you will begin conforming more and more of your actions to those of Christ.
- This is where Christians get the cart before the horse.
1. We can't clean them up to get them saved.
2. We are to get them saved so they will get cleaned up!
- As a new Christian you will begin aligning your actions with those of Christ!
- Put aside/ quit sinful acts.
1. alcoholic, get sober & be filled with the Spirit.
2. living together, separate.
3. cheating in business, restitution.
4. lying, tell the truth.
5. abusive, bring healing
6. profane language, holy language.
- Growing involves putting off sinful acts.
1. If you don't, you won't grow
2. If you don't, it will kill you.
VI. Stage 3: Lay Aside Attitudes
- Usually God will deal with your blatant sinful acts and then begin to work on your attitudes.
- Conforming your attitudes to Christ.
- We end growth with outward actions.
1. Those are what people can see.
2. But we don't like to deal with our attitudes.
- At that point we become big babies who don't do bad things, but do have bad attitudes.
- We don't want to grow.
- Hebrews 5:12-13 "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, [13] for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness , since he is a child."
- Some of us have been Christians long enough that you should be in a position of leadership; involved in a ministry.
1. SS teacher, board members,
2. small group leader, etc.
- Ephesians 4:13-14 "Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, [14]so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes."
- Growing will involve taking on the attitudes of Christ.
1. Love, humility, perseverance
2. Putting off envy, pride, greed, malice, hate, etc.
- Ultimately it means you will begin to care more about others than yourself.
VII. Spiritual Leadership
- There are some things in the church that require growth before you can do them.
- If you are a new Christian, we are not going to put you on the board!
1. ...make you a SS teacher.
2. ...make you the preacher.
3. ...put you in charge of a ministry.
- Ill. Simon the Magician
1. Acts 8
2. New Christian, saw the apostles lay hands on believers so that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
3. He wanted to buy that power.
4. He didn't want to grow.
- Johann von Goethe "Everybody wants to be somebody; nobody wants to grow."
- With leadership & authority comes the responsibility to grow.
- Paul tells Timothy about leadership/overseer:
1. 1 Timothy 3:6 "He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil."
2. 1 Timothy 5: 22 "Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure."
- If new to the church the same applies.
1. If left the church & come back same applies.
2. If unfaithful to the church this applies to you.
VIII. What is Spiritual Growth?
- It's not a flash in the pan or a shooting star!
- C. S. Lewis "Mere change is not growth. Growth is the synthesis of change and continuity, and where there is no continuity there is no growth."
- I've seen lots of stuff happen on Sunday and then you wonder what happens the rest of the week!?
1. Or you never see that person again!
2. You're not growing if you're not consistent.
- Old timers use to say: "It's not how high you jump on Sunday, but how straight you walk on Monday."
- Ill. Aesop's Fables: The Tortoise & the Hare
1. A hare challenged a tortoise to a race.
2. The hare took off in the beginning but got a lead so that he could take a nap.
3. The tortoise never stopped, but slowly continued along the path.
4. The tortoise won, b/c he was consistent!
5. Slow but steady wins the race.
6. God is not impressed by all-stars as much as He is consistency.
- Spiritual Growth is not just change.
1. Ellen Glasgow "All change is not growth; all movement is not forward."
- Spiritual growth means you won't be at the same place you were 10 years ago or even one year.
1. Robert N. Coons "If the shoe fits, you're not allowing for growth."
2. Are you stunted in your growth?
3. Are you a spiritual midget?
- Spiritual Growth means you still have more to learn.
1. ...in communicating w/ God.
2. ...in using your spiritual gifts
3. ...in spiritual disciplines.
4. ...in love for God & others.
5. "I'm not a finished product!"
- Spiritual growth means different ppl are at different places.
1. If you are a Christian we have expectations of you!
2. Different for different ppl!
- No matter where you are in your spiritual walk: there is still room to grow.
IX. Conclusion
- Ill. Family driving from Ft. Lauderdale to Tampa, FL.
1. As far as the eye could see: Orange trees!
2. They stopped at a little place in the middle of the orchards for breakfast.
3. Father orderd OJ w/ his eggs.
4. "I'm sorry," the waitress said. "I can't bring you orange juice. Our machine is broken."
5. Leroy Eims said: "They were surrounded by millions of oranges, and I knew they had oranges in the kitchen--orange slices garnished our plates. What was the problem? No juice? Hardly. We were surrounded by thousands of gallons of juice. The problem was they had become dependent on a machine to get it."
- Are you growing? I'm not asking whether...
1. ...our church is growing... I know it is.
2. ...your parents, kids, siblings are growing.
3. I'm asking: Are you growing spiritually?
- Ill. We had company & my wife told me to stop using my 'preacher voice.'
1. Can I cease to be the preacher for a second and just be your pastor.
2. It's time to grow!
3. The oranges are all over the place!
- Don't look for evidence that Jesus has been here; look to Him.
- Discipleship is not optional, it is what God has called us to be.
A Real Church Service 2: Spiritual Growth
I. Introduction
- Ill. Aesop's Fables: The Hunter & the Woodman
1. A hunter was searching for the tracks of a Lion.
2. He asked the a man felling oaks in the forest if he had seen any tracks or the lion's lair.
3. "I'll take you to the lion." said the woodsman.
4. Hunter turned pale & said: "No, thank you. I did not ask for that; it is only the tracks and lair that I am in search of, not the lion."
5. Are you looking for signs that Jesus is here or for where his Spirit abides?
6. Or are you looking for Him?
- What makes a good church service?
- We base our answer on some of the wrong things.
1. It shouldn't matter whether you like the teacher, preacher, song leader, etc.
2. What matters is the object of our Worship.
- But now let's answer that question on your side of the fence.
1. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit.
2. What is your obligation toward a good church service.
II. Scripture
III. Christianity is About Growing
- Our faith is about growing [relationship].
- The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 is about making disciples
1. Disciples = pupils
2. Not just converts or professions.
- He did not commission us to enlarge our finances or our numbers or our programs.
1. Make disciples!
2. Students of the Word who are growing!
IV. Born to Grow (Stage 1)
- In order to grow spiritually you must be born-again!
- 2:3 "...if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good!"
1. Repent of sin & believe in Christ.
2. Spiritual growth w/out spiritual birth is impossible.
- If you're not growing...
1. ...something is wrong!
2. ...you might be dead!
- Those born-again will have a longing to grow.
1. It is in the DNA of a believer
2. v. 2:2 Cultivated Desire
- Long for what?
1. pure milk of the word
2. pure= nothing but milk
3. beware false teachers/ preachers
4. Pure milk sometimes doesn't taste as good as a coke, but it's better for you.
- 2 Timothy 4:3 "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions."
- The biggest enemy of the church today is not the world, but that which poses as the church!
- Long for...
1. Milk of the Word- Bible. Biblical preaching, biblical songs, biblical discussion, biblical thinking, etc.
2. Sunday School, Wednesday Bible Study, Sunday PM, all focused on God's Word!
- Query: Are you 'lactose' intolerant?
V. Stage 2: Lay Aside Acts of Sin!
- After being Born-Again and God giving you a longing for growth, you will begin conforming more and more of your actions to those of Christ.
- This is where Christians get the cart before the horse.
1. We can't clean them up to get them saved.
2. We are to get them saved so they will get cleaned up!
- As a new Christian you will begin aligning your actions with those of Christ!
- Put aside/ quit sinful acts.
1. alcoholic, get sober & be filled with the Spirit.
2. living together, separate.
3. cheating in business, restitution.
4. lying, tell the truth.
5. abusive, bring healing
6. profane language, holy language.
- Growing involves putting off sinful acts.
1. If you don't, you won't grow
2. If you don't, it will kill you.
VI. Stage 3: Lay Aside Attitudes
- Usually God will deal with your blatant sinful acts and then begin to work on your attitudes.
- Conforming your attitudes to Christ.
- We end growth with outward actions.
1. Those are what people can see.
2. But we don't like to deal with our attitudes.
- At that point we become big babies who don't do bad things, but do have bad attitudes.
- We don't want to grow.
- Hebrews 5:12-13 "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, [13] for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness , since he is a child."
- Some of us have been Christians long enough that you should be in a position of leadership; involved in a ministry.
1. SS teacher, board members,
2. small group leader, etc.
- Ephesians 4:13-14 "Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, [14]so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes."
- Growing will involve taking on the attitudes of Christ.
1. Love, humility, perseverance
2. Putting off envy, pride, greed, malice, hate, etc.
- Ultimately it means you will begin to care more about others than yourself.
VII. Spiritual Leadership
- There are some things in the church that require growth before you can do them.
- If you are a new Christian, we are not going to put you on the board!
1. ...make you a SS teacher.
2. ...make you the preacher.
3. ...put you in charge of a ministry.
- Ill. Simon the Magician
1. Acts 8
2. New Christian, saw the apostles lay hands on believers so that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
3. He wanted to buy that power.
4. He didn't want to grow.
- Johann von Goethe "Everybody wants to be somebody; nobody wants to grow."
- With leadership & authority comes the responsibility to grow.
- Paul tells Timothy about leadership/overseer:
1. 1 Timothy 3:6 "He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil."
2. 1 Timothy 5: 22 "Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure."
- If new to the church the same applies.
1. If left the church & come back same applies.
2. If unfaithful to the church this applies to you.
VIII. What is Spiritual Growth?
- It's not a flash in the pan or a shooting star!
- C. S. Lewis "Mere change is not growth. Growth is the synthesis of change and continuity, and where there is no continuity there is no growth."
- I've seen lots of stuff happen on Sunday and then you wonder what happens the rest of the week!?
1. Or you never see that person again!
2. You're not growing if you're not consistent.
- Old timers use to say: "It's not how high you jump on Sunday, but how straight you walk on Monday."
- Ill. Aesop's Fables: The Tortoise & the Hare
1. A hare challenged a tortoise to a race.
2. The hare took off in the beginning but got a lead so that he could take a nap.
3. The tortoise never stopped, but slowly continued along the path.
4. The tortoise won, b/c he was consistent!
5. Slow but steady wins the race.
6. God is not impressed by all-stars as much as He is consistency.
- Spiritual Growth is not just change.
1. Ellen Glasgow "All change is not growth; all movement is not forward."
- Spiritual growth means you won't be at the same place you were 10 years ago or even one year.
1. Robert N. Coons "If the shoe fits, you're not allowing for growth."
2. Are you stunted in your growth?
3. Are you a spiritual midget?
- Spiritual Growth means you still have more to learn.
1. ...in communicating w/ God.
2. ...in using your spiritual gifts
3. ...in spiritual disciplines.
4. ...in love for God & others.
5. "I'm not a finished product!"
- Spiritual growth means different ppl are at different places.
1. If you are a Christian we have expectations of you!
2. Different for different ppl!
- No matter where you are in your spiritual walk: there is still room to grow.
IX. Conclusion
- Ill. Family driving from Ft. Lauderdale to Tampa, FL.
1. As far as the eye could see: Orange trees!
2. They stopped at a little place in the middle of the orchards for breakfast.
3. Father orderd OJ w/ his eggs.
4. "I'm sorry," the waitress said. "I can't bring you orange juice. Our machine is broken."
5. Leroy Eims said: "They were surrounded by millions of oranges, and I knew they had oranges in the kitchen--orange slices garnished our plates. What was the problem? No juice? Hardly. We were surrounded by thousands of gallons of juice. The problem was they had become dependent on a machine to get it."
- Are you growing? I'm not asking whether...
1. ...our church is growing... I know it is.
2. ...your parents, kids, siblings are growing.
3. I'm asking: Are you growing spiritually?
- Ill. We had company & my wife told me to stop using my 'preacher voice.'
1. Can I cease to be the preacher for a second and just be your pastor.
2. It's time to grow!
3. The oranges are all over the place!
- Don't look for evidence that Jesus has been here; look to Him.
- Discipleship is not optional, it is what God has called us to be.
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