Joy In Serving
Matthew 25:21, Timothy 2 4:7-8 Jesus said it was more blessed to give than to receive. He came to seek and to save. He came to serve rather than be served. Jesus expects service from his church and he so commanded. I: The Shame of Idleness: 1. Ten percent of church members do 90% of the actual church work. 2. To some the Church is a place to sit comfortable in a pleasant atmosphere a few minutes a week. 3. An army with 90% casualty, would run up to the white flag. 4. The church is in a warfare for the eternal souls of men and about 90% of the army has deserted. 5. A church of 500 members, 156 of these are not resident, of the 344 left, 25% are inactive, leaving 258 to do the work, and 86 of these are content to do nothing. 6. So long as a single member is...
Joy in Belongings
Acts 20:28, Isaiah 52: Isaiah 52: “How beautiful upon the mountain are the feet of Him that bringeth good tidings that publish peace; that bringeth good tidings of good that publish salvation, that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!” I: An Exalted Opinion Necessary. 1. Americans are great joiners. 2. Different reasons for joining: a. Privileges it affords. b. Opportunities of service. c. Social contacts. d. The prestige it gives. e. The sheer joy of serving with that group. 3. One must appreciate the privileges of church membership to hold an exalted opinion of the church. 4. Ignorance of the Church character causes one to treat Her membership lightly. 5. To know the true character of the church, it will thrill our hearts and demand our loyalty. You...
Church
Ephesians 2:1-10, 5:25-27, Romans 5:1-9, & 6:1-16 Ecclesia translated “Church” occurs three times in Matthew, 23 times in Acts, 62 times in Paul’s letters, twice in Hebrews, once in James, three times in the third Epistle of John, and 20 times in Revelations. Jesus did not coin this word, it was in common use before he used it. Ecclesia occurs 114 times in New Testament. Only twice does it refer to the redeemed of all time. I: Jesus Never Built Anything After He Left the Carpenter Shop, but His Church. 1. Christ is the designer. He designed it for his kingdom purpose. 2. He is the architect. He tells us what kind of material to build with. 3. He is the builder. He fits every piece. 4. He is the foundation. The strong refused by Israel. 5. He...
Man Is A Standard
Corinthians 1 6:15-20, Ephesians 4:1-7, & Psalms 24:1-2 Man may strut across the pages of history like a peacock, & die like a buzzard. Man may put up his posted ‘keep out’ signs, but cold and lifeless hands hold nothing. No man can say his life is his own and he can do as he pleases with it. I: No Man Is Self-Made. 1. God made man. 2. Every breath belongs to God. 3. Every drop of blood is His. 4. When man thinks of himself as owner of time and things, he loses the touch of eternity on his mind and soul. 5. Man is a steward and that cannot be changed. II: God Has Attached Responsibility to Man’s Stewardship. 1. “The Earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof,” Psalms 24:1. 2. “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh...
The Church Body
Corinthians 1 12:1-27 Distinction had the Corinthian Church. I: Organization: 1. God’s first laws of the Universe is order. 2. Man accomplishes more by organization. 3. The Corinthians failed to see that the church was not a hit and miss organization. 4. The church had many functional parts, but one director. 5. The organization and placing of parts was the work of the Holy Spirit. 6. The correct function of every member was necessary for profitable existence. Every member contributing to the welfare of the church. II: Corporation: 1. Paul used the human body to illustrate. a. The body has many members. b. The body can operate without some members, but it will be handicapped. (Adel Blaylock, Homer Callahand) 2. No room for self-depreciation, Verses 15-16. ...