Rev. David Holwick O "Why I Believe" series
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
April 22, 1990
Romans 12:9-18
|
I. High goal for Christians - Commitment.
A. Nature of zeal. Rom 12:11
1) Fanatics. (Iran)
a) Non-believers may view us this way.
b) Those in church may view us this way!
George Gallop did a poll on the church in America.
He concluded that only 10% of church members have enough
dedication to make a real difference in the world.
#1049
2) The need for zeal.
a) Church is dying in Europe and America.
b) Only growing in troubled places like Eastern Europe.
c) Will Ledgewood Baptist exist 50 years from now?
1> We will need more than 10% working!
B. Proper zeal.
1) Spiritual fervor...in serving the Lord. Rom 12:11
a) A genuine love for God will result in service.
b) And genuine service will always be marked by love.
2) But in order to serve, you must be prepared.
II. Devotion to Christians.
(focus on people, not buildings or programs)
A. Sincere love. Rom 12:9
1) Hate evil, cling to good.
(moral focus, more than gushy feeling)
2) Honor each other. Rom 12:10
a) Don't push yourself to the front.
B. Hospitality. Rom 12:13
1) The way we greet people in church makes a huge difference.
2) Extend your concern outside these walls.
a) Many are lonely - invite them over.
b) Go to them.
(one member has organized meals for a sick shut-in)
C. Harmony. Rom 12:16,18
1) Get along with others. We must work at it.
a) Emphasis on peace-making. Rom 12:18
b) No room for getting even. Rom 12:17
2) Ten average people who get along are better than 5 workaholics
who always bicker.
III. Devotion to Lord's work. (Fervor)
A. The need for strong faith.
Be joyful in hope,
Patient in affliction,
Faithful in prayer. Rom 12:12
1) Build a strong faith and you will be able to endure trouble.
2) Talk with [a Christian woman noted for her faith].
a) Thought her faith was strong.
b) Then lost a baby, and almost her faith.
c) Now she sees how immature she was.
B. How to build strong faith.
1) Bible reading.
a) Get to know God. (Don't read like a dictionary)
The late Sam Shoemaker stated,
"To be a Christian means to give as much of myself
as I can to as much of Jesus Christ as I know."
#831
2) Daily Prayer. Rom 12:12
a) Make it a habit.
b) A set time and place can help.
C. How to show a strong faith.
1) Church involvement.
British evangelist Gypsy Smith described 4 classes of
Christians:
1. Ankle-deep.
Come to church once a week, period.
2. Up to their knees.
Sunday School, church, evening service.
Pews kept warm.
3. Up to their waists. (Loins)
Morally strong for Christ.
4. Up to their necks.
Small minority.
They live to serve Christ.
Their lives are above reproach.
They are "doers."
#575
2) Tithing.
a) Most Christians hate to hear about giving.
1> Makes us feel guilty.
2> Cardinal sin of TV preachers.
b) But our giving is important to God.
It shows how much we value him.
Researchers John and Sylvia Ronsvalle (Lilly Foundation)
examined giving habits from 1968 to 1985.
Available after-tax income (and inflation) increased 31%.
The percentage of income given per member to the churches
studied actually decreased 8.5 percent.
Sylvia says, "What we found essentially is that people are
placing a higher value on their lifestyles than their church."
They have more money, but are spending more on themselves and
less on the work of God.
#387
3) Tithing is affirmed throughout Bible.
a) Commanded by Moses. Deut 14:22
b) Commanded by Jesus. Matt 23:23
4) It doesn't make you a Christian.
a) But if you are a genuine Christian, you will choose to
do it.
IV. Go the extra mile ... do things in church.
At the turn of the century the greatest American evangelist
was named Billy Sunday.
He once challenged people like this:
If Jesus taught a Sunday school class today would He
put as little heart in it as you do?
Would He go to prayer meeting as little as you do?
Would He sing and testify as little as you do?
Would He do as little witnessing as you do?
Would He spend as little on the church and as much on
himself as you do?
Would He pray as little and do as little to get answers
to prayer as you do?
Am I a follower or a faker - a follower or a fingerboard
pointing to the world, the flesh and the devil?
The first step in following Christ is to decide to do it.
It must be a deliberate decision...
#318
Copyright © 2024 by Rev. David Holwick
Created with the Freeware Edition of HelpNDoc: Easily create PDF Help documents