Wanted: Sacrificial Christians

Wanted: Sacrificial Christians

Part 6 – the Demise of a Congregation

2003008

Subject: demise of a congregation; commitment

Introduction:

A. Rev. 3:1-6 – church at Sardis. “The Dead Church.”

1. Had a name that alive – but dead.

2. Perhaps pews were full. Maybe there was some activity going on within the congregation. (Giving pretense?)

3. But…still a problem – told to wake up!

B. This is a congregation where sacrifice was non-existent.

1. Most likely – they had become complacent.

2. One of the greatest dangers a Christian faces!

a) Goes along thinking everything OK – but not!

b) This can be a debilitating & damaging attitude.

C. Complacency: a feeling of quiet pleasure or security – offer unaware of some potential danger, defect, or the like – self satisfaction with an existing situation, condition, etc.

1. We cannot be complacent about our mission – or that of the church!

2. But yet…some fall prey to this danger!

3. Sacrificial living for Christ is becoming less common these days & as a result – Christians are dying spiritually.

a) Too many have a lack of willingness to live & die for Him!

b) Mt. 10:37-39

c) How is our devotion to Christ?

I. Jesus set the example for us!

A. Remember, we are His disciples – that means we need to like Him – Lk. 6:40

1. Rom. 12:1-2 – Paul told Christians to….

2. This is not a new commandment.

3. This was the focus of Jesus’ life; His teachings; His agonizing death on the cross.

B. John 3:16

C. Rom. 5:6-8 – consider the sacrifice made on our behalf.

1. Would you be willing to die for an enemy? Someone whose actions are repulsive? He bore our sin on our behalf.

2. “161” – hymn – “Hallelujah: What a Savior”

D. Because of His sacrifice – He expects us to be willing to be willing to sacrifice! Mt. 16:24

II. Spiritual Sacrifice was common among first century Christians.

A. They sacrificed their jobs.

1. Mk. 1:16-20

2. How many Christians let career get in the way of spiritual service today?

a) Prohibits us from associating with Christians?

b) Gets in way of personal bible study at home?

c) Most importantly – keeps us away from worshipping our God?

B. They sacrificed physical possessions.

1. Acts 2:45; 4:36-37

2. Nothing so important to some as what they own.

a) Remember – all that given to us given from God! We are stewards of what is His!

b) We do not have anything that hasn’t been given to us. 1 Tim. 6:17-19.

3. Do we have this attitude?

C. They sacrificed money.

1. Acts 11:29; 1 Cor. 16:1-3

2. If a bro/sis/congregation had a need – it was met!

3. Not the denominational concept – more $$$ = more blessings!

4. We must give out of a sincere love for God! A sincere love for brethren! A sincere desire to further the gospel.

D. They sacrificed former religious training.

1. Phil. 3:4-7

2. Some today not willing to give up religious practice because they believe it all their life.

3. Appreciate humility of those who turn out of denominationalism to serve God!

4. What if Paul had same idea as many who refuse to renounce their belief even when clearly understanding Bible truth on subject…

E. They were willing to sacrifice their lives…

1. Stephan – Acts 7:58-60

2. James – Acts 12:1-2

3. countless others – Acts 22:4; 26:9-11

F. Their willingness to sacrifice everything brought glory to Christ & converts in the church!

1. Acts 17:6 – this is why they turned the world upside down preaching & teaching the gospel.

2. Truly – they followed the example of Jesus! They knew fully what it meant to take up our cross & follow Him.

III. We must not become useless to the Lord!

A. Rev. 3:2 – their deeds were not complete.

1. Deeds not completed until we die!

B. Are we complacent w/our knowledge of His word?

1. Anything we cannot learn about the Scripture?

2. our attitude should parallel 2 Tim. 2:15; Psalm 1

3. How hungry are we for better understanding of His word?

4. Hunger demonstrated by our willingness to take opportunity of BS opportunities!

a) HS class; Sun AM BS; Wed BS; attention during sermon?

b) Do we need improvement here?

4. This will often involve sacrifice to do this.

C. We must not become complacent about evangelism.

1. 2 Pet. 3:9 – God is longsuffering – desire all to be saved.

2. What are we doing to get word out?

3. Consider Paul’s attitude – Rom. 10:11, 14-15. Are we getting the message out?

D. We must not become complacent about worship; prayer; praise.

1. Heb. 13:15

2. 1 Tim. 2:1-4

3. 1 Thess. 5:17 – pray w/o ceasing.

E. If we determine we’ve studied enough; converted enough; and worshipped, prayed, and praised enough – we’re saying our obligation to God is paid in full.

1. May it never be!

2. Eph. 2:4-8

Conclusion:

A. Future of Lord’s church depends on devoted, unselfish; self-sacrificing Christians who are willing to live and give their lives in service to Christ!

1. Men/women need a savior & are depending on us to show them the way!

2. How can we be complacent about their souls?

B. Let us renew our commitment to Christ!

C. Let us recapture our willingness to sacrifice anything and everything in service to Him!

1. Let’s turn the world upside down for this is our spiritual service of worship.

2. Didn’t Jesus sacrifice everything for us?

D. Not a Christian? Don’t let sacrifice of Christ be in vain!

1. Obey the gospel today!

E. I N V I T A T I O N



Wanted: Sacrificial Christians Part 6 – the Demise of a Congregation 2003008 Subject: demise of a congregation; commitment Introduction: A. Rev. 3:1-6 – church at Sardis. “The Dead Church.” 1. Had a name that alive – but dead. 2. Perhaps pews were full. Maybe there was some activity going on within the congregation. (Giving pretense?) 3. But…still a problem – told to wake up! B. This is a congregation where sacrifice was non-existent. 1. Most likely – they had become complacent. 2. One of the greatest dangers a Christian faces! a) Goes along thinking everything OK – but not! b) This can be a debilitating & damaging attitude. C. Complacency: a feeling of quiet pleasure or security – offer unaware of some potential danger, defect, or the like – self satisfaction with an existing situation, condition, etc. 1. We cannot be complacent about our mission – or that of the church! 2. But yet…some fall prey to this danger! 3. Sacrificial living for Christ is becoming less common these days & as a result – Christians are dying spiritually. a) Too many have a lack of willingness to live & die for Him! b) Mt. 10:37-39 c) How is our devotion to Christ? I. Jesus set the example for us! A. Remember, we are His disciples – that means we need to like Him – Lk. 6:40 1. Rom. 12:1-2 – Paul told Christians to…. 2. This is not a new commandment. 3. This was the focus of Jesus’ life; His teachings; His agonizing death on the cross. B. John 3:16 C. Rom. 5:6-8 – consider the sacrifice made on our behalf. 1. Would you be willing to die for an enemy? Someone whose actions are repulsive? He bore our sin on our behalf. 2. “161” – hymn – “Hallelujah: What a Savior” D. Because of His sacrifice – He expects us to be willing to be willing to sacrifice! Mt. 16:24 II. Spiritual Sacrifice was common among first century Christians. A. They sacrificed their jobs. 1. Mk. 1:16-20 2. How many Christians let career get in the way of spiritual service today? a) Prohibits us from associating with Christians? b) Gets in way of personal bible study at home? c) Most importantly – keeps us away from worshipping our God? B. They sacrificed physical possessions. 1. Acts 2:45; 4:36-37 2. Nothing so important to some as what they own. a) Remember – all that given to us given from God! We are stewards of what is His! b) We do not have anything that hasn’t been given to us. 1 Tim. 6:17-19. 3. Do we have this attitude? C. They sacrificed money. 1. Acts 11:29; 1 Cor. 16:1-3 2. If a bro/sis/congregation had a need – it was met! 3. Not the denominational concept – more $$$ = more blessings! 4. We must give out of a sincere love for God! A sincere love for brethren! A sincere desire to further the gospel. D. They sacrificed former religious training. 1. Phil. 3:4-7 2. Some today not willing to give up religious practice because they believe it all their life. 3. Appreciate humility of those who turn out of denominationalism to serve God! 4. What if Paul had same idea as many who refuse to renounce their belief even when clearly understanding Bible truth on subject… E. They were willing to sacrifice their lives… 1. Stephan – Acts 7:58-60 2. James – Acts 12:1-2 3. countless others – Acts 22:4; 26:9-11 F. Their willingness to sacrifice everything brought glory to Christ & converts in the church! 1. Acts 17:6 – this is why they turned the world upside down preaching & teaching the gospel. 2. Truly – they followed the example of Jesus! They knew fully what it meant to take up our cross & follow Him. III. We must not become useless to the Lord! A. Rev. 3:2 – their deeds were not complete. 1. Deeds not completed until we die! B. Are we complacent w/our knowledge of His word? 1. Anything we cannot learn about the Scripture? 2. our attitude should parallel 2 Tim. 2:15; Psalm 1 3. How hungry are we for better understanding of His word? 4. Hunger demonstrated by our willingness to take opportunity of BS opportunities! a) HS class; Sun AM BS; Wed BS; attention during sermon? b) Do we need improvement here? 4. This will often involve sacrifice to do this. C. We must not become complacent about evangelism. 1. 2 Pet. 3:9 – God is longsuffering – desire all to be saved. 2. What are we doing to get word out? 3. Consider Paul’s attitude – Rom. 10:11, 14-15. Are we getting the message out? D. We must not become complacent about worship; prayer; praise. 1. Heb. 13:15 2. 1 Tim. 2:1-4 3. 1 Thess. 5:17 – pray w/o ceasing. E. If we determine we’ve studied enough; converted enough; and worshipped, prayed, and praised enough – we’re saying our obligation to God is paid in full. 1. May it never be! 2. Eph. 2:4-8 Conclusion: A. Future of Lord’s church depends on devoted, unselfish; self-sacrificing Christians who are willing to live and give their lives in service to Christ! 1. Men/women need a savior & are depending on us to show them the way! 2. How can we be complacent about their souls? B. Let us renew our commitment to Christ! C. Let us recapture our willingness to sacrifice anything and everything in service to Him! 1. Let’s turn the world upside down for this is our spiritual service of worship. 2. Didn’t Jesus sacrifice everything for us? D. Not a Christian? Don’t let sacrifice of Christ be in vain! 1. Obey the gospel today! E. I N V I T A T I O N