Nearsighted Christianity

2002019

Topic # 1742 (apostasy)

Introduction:

A. Eyesight poor. Nearsighted.

B. Vision important in our spiritual life. Seen throughout the NT.

1. warnings against developing spiritual blindness.

a) Mt. 15:14; Mt. 23:19-16 – concerning Pharisees and religious leaders. They had closed their hearts to the truth.

2. 2 Pet. 1:5-11 – Christian who fails to grow is spiritually blind…or shortsighted.

3. Rev. 3;17 – Laodiceans were spiritually blind.

C. To be most effective spiritually – not only must I see – but I need to see clearly. We must develop the ability to see ahead.

D. Forethought, planning, goals, looking ahead should all become characteristics of our lives.

1. must develop kind of faith to follow through. Need to put feet to pavement & move forward.

2. Work on moving from where we now to where we want to go.

3. 2 Cor. 4:17-5:7 - step out in faith… why? It’s God’s mission.

I. Nearsightedness can lead one into sin.

A. Joshua 7:22-26 - Achan

1. looked only at present & what was in it for him.

a) saw opportunity for riches; wealth; all of it’s promises for no work at all.

b) Temptation of good life for nothing has moved many a man to steal!

2. Israel brought to ruin for this deed:

a) 7:1, 3-4 – imagine what this must have been like for nation who just routed Jericho.

b) 7:25-26 – stoned…w/all his family.

B. Acts 5 - Ananias/Sapphira.

1. Saw others bringing gifts – did likewise. See 4:34-37.

a) they lied – misrepresented their final gain. Lie to HS.

2. 5:5; 10 – they died before the Lord.

a) in plotting and executing their sinful plan – they did not take eternity into consideration.

C. How conscious are we concerning our eternal destiny?

1. do we realize that decisions – even the smallest – could affect where we wind up after this life?

2. World says – live it up! Have fun! Seek pleasure! Live for NOW!

a) rich man – Lk. 12:19; 1 Peter 4:3-4

b) some mortgage their future – physically & spiritually to engage in these things. Disease/jail/sickness/death

D. Young people especially susceptible to this problem.

1. Lk. 15:11-32 – prodigal son. Did he foresee consequences to his actions? Could he have ever imagined?

2. How many have messed up lives –and have to live w/consequences for rest of life?

E. The Christian must develop vision to see past the present & look to the future!

1. done through self discipline & self denial. Must learn to say NO!

2. Mt. 16:26

3. Rom. 8:18

4. We are in Christianity for the long term! Eternal bliss!

II. Nearsightedness will cause us to lose our focus on spiritual growth.

A. God wants you to grow. He’s looking for opportunities to strengthen you spiritually!

B. Christian grows through self examination & putting off old man of sin.

1. not always pleasant; easy.

a) Eph. 4:22 – lay aside old self.

1) 4:26 – anger

2) 4:28 – covetousness

3) 4:29 – corrupt speech

4) 4:31 – bitterness/wrath/clamor/slander/malice

b) Eph. 4:24 – put on new self – renewed in spirit of mind.

1) characterized by 4:28 – sharing w/those who have need.

2) 4:29 – speaking to give grace to those who hear

3) 4:32 – put on kindness; tenderheartedness; forgiveness.

2. Friends, job, all kinds of factors can inhibit our spiritual growth!

3. 2 Peter 1:5-11 – Peter lays out our priorities.

a) to attack this will all diligence! Nothing more important!

b) 1:9 – lack of spiritual growth leads to spiritual blindness or shortsightedness.

4. must develop a vision where I can see myself

a) Col. 2:6-7 – rooted; built up; established in the faith

b) YOU can do it! Today’s successful Christian was yesterday’s person mired with sin and guilt.

5. need to develop the vision to be like Jesus – Lk. 6:40

III. Nearsightedness can destroy potential leaders in the church.

A. Hear of men who desire office of deacon/elder/etc.

1. or desire to be effective bible class teacher

2. or desire to step out w/a positive influence.

3. great! Need more to do this & congregation must provide atmosphere that causes people to WANT to do this!

B. But…time is NOW to get started in preparing yourself for this role!

1. yes…young Christians – time now to start!

2. begin thinking about what kind of Christian you want to be when reach age 40-50-60

3. many – want to be elder – but wait till 30-40 to get life in order – kids adrift; problem.

C. Some…20 years in future seems so far off! Put off making improvements in life.

D. Heb. 6:1- move on to maturity!

IV. Nearsightedness can limit a congregation’s growth & progress.

A. Congregations must have a vision. Need to know where they are going.

1. Plans for the next few years are being set into motion. Why?

2. w/o vision – congregations find themselves going nowhere fast.

a) last thing we need is to have no goals; no planning; no intentions; no vision; satisfied w/status quo.

3. A sense of direction is important. Where are we headed?

a) Prov 29:18

4. Visions can challenge Christians to move forward in their work. Help us do more than we think possible! Eph. 3:20

a) setting direction falls the elders.

b) They have responsibility to lead the way in identifying clear cut goals on how this church is going to accomplish it’s task.

c) Once the plan is rolled out, we need brethren who will be willing to step up! Let’s go!

B. Compliment congregation. Much has been accomplished during 2005.

Conclusion:

A. How’s your spiritual vision?

1. is it clouded by sin? Guilt?

2. is it clouded by cares of this life? Worry? Causing a lack of spiritual growth?

3. it is limited by a “sight only” approach?

B. God can help you get going & quit wandering around aimlessly.

1. obey gospel.

2. I call on every Christian to evaluate their spiritual life & deepen the commitment to serve God & get involved in His work.

C. I N V I T A T I O N



Nearsighted Christianity 2002019 Topic # 1742 (apostasy) Introduction: A. Eyesight poor. Nearsighted. B. Vision important in our spiritual life. Seen throughout the NT. 1. warnings against developing spiritual blindness. a) Mt. 15:14; Mt. 23:19-16 – concerning Pharisees and religious leaders. They had closed their hearts to the truth. 2. 2 Pet. 1:5-11 – Christian who fails to grow is spiritually blind…or shortsighted. 3. Rev. 3;17 – Laodiceans were spiritually blind. C. To be most effective spiritually – not only must I see – but I need to see clearly. We must develop the ability to see ahead. D. Forethought, planning, goals, looking ahead should all become characteristics of our lives. 1. must develop kind of faith to follow through. Need to put feet to pavement & move forward. 2. Work on moving from where we now to where we want to go. 3. 2 Cor. 4:17-5:7 - step out in faith… why? It’s God’s mission. I. Nearsightedness can lead one into sin. A. Joshua 7:22-26 - Achan 1. looked only at present & what was in it for him. a) saw opportunity for riches; wealth; all of it’s promises for no work at all. b) Temptation of good life for nothing has moved many a man to steal! 2. Israel brought to ruin for this deed: a) 7:1, 3-4 – imagine what this must have been like for nation who just routed Jericho. b) 7:25-26 – stoned…w/all his family. B. Acts 5 - Ananias/Sapphira. 1. Saw others bringing gifts – did likewise. See 4:34-37. a) they lied – misrepresented their final gain. Lie to HS. 2. 5:5; 10 – they died before the Lord. a) in plotting and executing their sinful plan – they did not take eternity into consideration. C. How conscious are we concerning our eternal destiny? 1. do we realize that decisions – even the smallest – could affect where we wind up after this life? 2. World says – live it up! Have fun! Seek pleasure! Live for NOW! a) rich man – Lk. 12:19; 1 Peter 4:3-4 b) some mortgage their future – physically & spiritually to engage in these things. Disease/jail/sickness/death D. Young people especially susceptible to this problem. 1. Lk. 15:11-32 – prodigal son. Did he foresee consequences to his actions? Could he have ever imagined? 2. How many have messed up lives –and have to live w/consequences for rest of life? E. The Christian must develop vision to see past the present & look to the future! 1. done through self discipline & self denial. Must learn to say NO! 2. Mt. 16:26 3. Rom. 8:18 4. We are in Christianity for the long term! Eternal bliss! II. Nearsightedness will cause us to lose our focus on spiritual growth. A. God wants you to grow. He’s looking for opportunities to strengthen you spiritually! B. Christian grows through self examination & putting off old man of sin. 1. not always pleasant; easy. a) Eph. 4:22 – lay aside old self. 1) 4:26 – anger 2) 4:28 – covetousness 3) 4:29 – corrupt speech 4) 4:31 – bitterness/wrath/clamor/slander/malice b) Eph. 4:24 – put on new self – renewed in spirit of mind. 1) characterized by 4:28 – sharing w/those who have need. 2) 4:29 – speaking to give grace to those who hear 3) 4:32 – put on kindness; tenderheartedness; forgiveness. 2. Friends, job, all kinds of factors can inhibit our spiritual growth! 3. 2 Peter 1:5-11 – Peter lays out our priorities. a) to attack this will all diligence! Nothing more important! b) 1:9 – lack of spiritual growth leads to spiritual blindness or shortsightedness. 4. must develop a vision where I can see myself a) Col. 2:6-7 – rooted; built up; established in the faith b) YOU can do it! Today’s successful Christian was yesterday’s person mired with sin and guilt. 5. need to develop the vision to be like Jesus – Lk. 6:40 III. Nearsightedness can destroy potential leaders in the church. A. Hear of men who desire office of deacon/elder/etc. 1. or desire to be effective bible class teacher 2. or desire to step out w/a positive influence. 3. great! Need more to do this & congregation must provide atmosphere that causes people to WANT to do this! B. But…time is NOW to get started in preparing yourself for this role! 1. yes…young Christians – time now to start! 2. begin thinking about what kind of Christian you want to be when reach age 40-50-60 3. many – want to be elder – but wait till 30-40 to get life in order – kids adrift; problem. C. Some…20 years in future seems so far off! Put off making improvements in life. D. Heb. 6:1- move on to maturity! IV. Nearsightedness can limit a congregation’s growth & progress. A. Congregations must have a vision. Need to know where they are going. 1. Plans for the next few years are being set into motion. Why? 2. w/o vision – congregations find themselves going nowhere fast. a) last thing we need is to have no goals; no planning; no intentions; no vision; satisfied w/status quo. 3. A sense of direction is important. Where are we headed? a) Prov 29:18 4. Visions can challenge Christians to move forward in their work. Help us do more than we think possible! Eph. 3:20 a) setting direction falls the elders. b) They have responsibility to lead the way in identifying clear cut goals on how this church is going to accomplish it’s task. c) Once the plan is rolled out, we need brethren who will be willing to step up! Let’s go! B. Compliment congregation. Much has been accomplished during 2005. Conclusion: A. How’s your spiritual vision? 1. is it clouded by sin? Guilt? 2. is it clouded by cares of this life? Worry? Causing a lack of spiritual growth? 3. it is limited by a “sight only” approach? B. God can help you get going & quit wandering around aimlessly. 1. obey gospel. 2. I call on every Christian to evaluate their spiritual life & deepen the commitment to serve God & get involved in His work. C. I N V I T A T I O N