Eliminating the “Left Overs”

Eliminating the “Left Overs”

2003050

Topic: 1117

Introduction:

A. Heb. 10:19-23 (focus on 10:23)

1. Live in day when trend toward “continual change” rather than constant loyalty.

2. Society enjoys keeping its options open rather than making binding commitments.

3. Reluctance to make binding commitments is also seen in religion.

4. There are many “religious” people – but little commitment above the minimums.

B. Little commitment & minimal service have a strong grip on the church that is hampering church growth & prosperity.

1. Don’t bother my life w/anything above/beyond Sunday worship & occasional Wed PM.

2. Whether we wish to admit it or not – we are squeezing spiritual service out of our lives.

a) each person must make self examination – 2 Cor. 13:5; 1 Cor. 9:27

C. Gospel requires commitment of the highest order – Lk. 9:57-62

1. We must count the cost; arrange priorities in proper order.

2. Really no choice in this – if we wish to get to heaven.

3. Each one must come to Jesus – knowing that sacrifices must be made.

4. Beware of devil’s deception: reward comes w/o sacrifice.

D. Some “compartmentalize” everything.

1. God in little compartment & only pull Him out as necessary.

2. Some go through life giving God leftovers & little crumbs of service.

3. Greatest need for some Christians is to awake; arise; and strengthen the things that remain & increase service to the King.

I. Eliminating the Left-overs:

A. Poor attendance.

1. Work; hobbies; sports; wreak havoc on our attendance.

2. Where does “going to church” rank on your priority list? Heb. 10:25

3. When we willfully forsake – disrespect to God is shown!

B. poor time management – Eph. 5:15-17

1. FACT: we always find time for what we want to do.

a) How much time is spent strengthening our spiritual life?

2. Are we using the opportunities God give us?

C. Poor giving – God’s portion should come first.

1. 2 Cor. 9:6-7 – give bountifully; as we purpose in heart; cheerfully.

2. 1 Cor. 16:1-2 – suggests regular giving.

3. How much has our materialism & worldliness sapped our giving habits?

D. Those in leadership capacities w/in the congregation must be aware of their responsibility!

1. Heb. 10:23 – abundance in work & diligence are expected!

a) One places himself on record as to his willingness to serve.

b) Others w/in congregation look to those in leadership role:

c) Teacher/preacher; elder/deacon must set the example!

2. When one fails to follow through w/these responsibilities – it is disheartening to the entire body!

3. Leadership requires ACTION – not mere PROFESSION.

II. These are merely symptoms of a much greater problem:

A. Learned something that you didn’t know or never heard of yet?

B. Giving God leftovers – symptoms of a much greater problem.

1. A poor relationship w/God.

2. a lessened amount of love for Jesus

3. a low appreciation of our salvation

4. A weak desire to go to heaven.

C. There is a correlation between our relationship w/God & the quality of our service.

D. How?

III. Congregations that do not want leftover service must help individuals build better relationships w/Jesus.

A. Must change our attitude.

1. Do I serve God because I want to? Or…because I feel that I have to?

2. Rom. 6:17 – Romans obeyed from the heart. So must we!

a) God doesn’t want mind-numbed robots serving Him.

b) We have a choice! Sin/devil OR God/Jesus

c) 2 Tim. 2:11-13 – God will not force us to serve Him!

B. I believe we will serve God when we realize how much we need Him.

1. Americans = independent. I can handle this myself; I’m my own man.

2. We need Him to forgive us of our sins – Eph. 2:8-10

3. We need Him to share our burdens – Mt. 11:28-30 – JESUS will give us rest!

4. We need Him because the devil is real – seeks to destroy us – 1 Pet. 5:8-9

5. We’re not a bunch of independents running around – trying to handle Christianity on our own. Must develop a relationship w/God!

C. We will want to serve God when we realize the vileness of our sin.

1. How many treat sin seriously?

2. Gloss it over: I’m not really THAT bad….

3. What does God think of sin?

a) Psa. 5:4-6; Pro. 3:32; 11:20

b) Pictured as pollution to the soul – Isa. 1:18; 44:22; Psa. 51:7; Rev. 7:14

c) It is repulsive in the eyes of God.

d) Sin must become something repulsive to us!

1) Psa. 26:5; 101:3-4; 119:104; Pro. 29:27

D. We will want to serve God when we fully appreciate Jesus’ sacrifice.

1. John 3:16; Rom. 5:8-10; 1 John 4:10

2. Eph. 1:6-8 – note: he lavished on us.

3. Just how much do we appreciate Jesus’ sacrifice? How much are we willing to demonstrate our appreciation?

4. He died to set us free!

E. We will want to serve God when we take time to learn about Him.

1. God gives us opportunity to know Him through His word.

2. Are we taking advantage of all opportunities this church offers to get to know Him better?

3. 2 Tim. 2:15

Conclusion:

A. Let us make a commitment to change our attitude for the better.

1. Realize our utter dependence upon God.

2. Realize sin is pollution to the soul.

3. Better appreciate His sacrifice on our behalf.

B. Will you today make a personal promise to:

1. No longer give God the leftovers?

2. Faithfully attend every service possible?

3. Give cheerfully & abundantly?

4. Not complain when people ask for volunteering time to the work of the church?

C. The better relationship w/God – the better our service will be!

D. How is your relationship w/God? Need improvement?

1. No Christian? No relationship. Get one started today!

E. Heb. 10:23 - Already Christian but giving God leftovers: Quit! Stop! Halt!

F. Renew your relationship today!

G. I N V I T A T I O N



Eliminating the “Left Overs” 2003050 Topic: 1117 Introduction: A. Heb. 10:19-23 (focus on 10:23) 1. Live in day when trend toward “continual change” rather than constant loyalty. 2. Society enjoys keeping its options open rather than making binding commitments. 3. Reluctance to make binding commitments is also seen in religion. 4. There are many “religious” people – but little commitment above the minimums. B. Little commitment & minimal service have a strong grip on the church that is hampering church growth & prosperity. 1. Don’t bother my life w/anything above/beyond Sunday worship & occasional Wed PM. 2. Whether we wish to admit it or not – we are squeezing spiritual service out of our lives. a) each person must make self examination – 2 Cor. 13:5; 1 Cor. 9:27 C. Gospel requires commitment of the highest order – Lk. 9:57-62 1. We must count the cost; arrange priorities in proper order. 2. Really no choice in this – if we wish to get to heaven. 3. Each one must come to Jesus – knowing that sacrifices must be made. 4. Beware of devil’s deception: reward comes w/o sacrifice. D. Some “compartmentalize” everything. 1. God in little compartment & only pull Him out as necessary. 2. Some go through life giving God leftovers & little crumbs of service. 3. Greatest need for some Christians is to awake; arise; and strengthen the things that remain & increase service to the King. I. Eliminating the Left-overs: A. Poor attendance. 1. Work; hobbies; sports; wreak havoc on our attendance. 2. Where does “going to church” rank on your priority list? Heb. 10:25 3. When we willfully forsake – disrespect to God is shown! B. poor time management – Eph. 5:15-17 1. FACT: we always find time for what we want to do. a) How much time is spent strengthening our spiritual life? 2. Are we using the opportunities God give us? C. Poor giving – God’s portion should come first. 1. 2 Cor. 9:6-7 – give bountifully; as we purpose in heart; cheerfully. 2. 1 Cor. 16:1-2 – suggests regular giving. 3. How much has our materialism & worldliness sapped our giving habits? D. Those in leadership capacities w/in the congregation must be aware of their responsibility! 1. Heb. 10:23 – abundance in work & diligence *are expected!* a) One places himself on record as to his willingness to serve. b) Others w/in congregation look to those in leadership role: c) Teacher/preacher; elder/deacon must *set the example!* 2. When one fails to follow through w/these responsibilities – it is disheartening to the entire body! 3. Leadership requires ACTION – not mere PROFESSION. II. These are merely symptoms of a much greater problem: A. Learned something that you didn’t know or never heard of yet? B. Giving God leftovers – symptoms of a much greater problem. 1. A poor relationship w/God. 2. a lessened amount of love for Jesus 3. a low appreciation of our salvation 4. A weak desire to go to heaven. C. There is a correlation between our relationship w/God & the quality of our service. D. How? III. Congregations that do not want leftover service must help individuals build better relationships w/Jesus. A. Must change our attitude. 1. Do I serve God because I want to? Or…because I feel that I have to? 2. Rom. 6:17 – Romans obeyed from the heart. So must we! a) God doesn’t want mind-numbed robots serving Him. b) We have a choice! Sin/devil OR God/Jesus c) 2 Tim. 2:11-13 – God will not force us to serve Him! B. I believe we will serve God when we realize how much we need Him. 1. Americans = independent. I can handle this myself; I’m my own man. 2. We need Him to forgive us of our sins – Eph. 2:8-10 3. We need Him to share our burdens – Mt. 11:28-30 – JESUS will give us rest! 4. We need Him because the devil is real – seeks to destroy us – 1 Pet. 5:8-9 5. We’re not a bunch of independents running around – trying to handle Christianity on our own. Must develop a relationship w/God! C. We will want to serve God when we realize the vileness of our sin. 1. How many treat sin seriously? 2. Gloss it over: I’m not really THAT bad…. 3. What does God think of sin? a) Psa. 5:4-6; Pro. 3:32; 11:20 b) Pictured as pollution to the soul – Isa. 1:18; 44:22; Psa. 51:7; Rev. 7:14 c) It is repulsive in the eyes of God. d) Sin must become something repulsive to us! 1) Psa. 26:5; 101:3-4; 119:104; Pro. 29:27 D. We will want to serve God when we fully appreciate Jesus’ sacrifice. 1. John 3:16; Rom. 5:8-10; 1 John 4:10 2. Eph. 1:6-8 – note: he lavished on us. 3. Just how much do we appreciate Jesus’ sacrifice? How much are we willing to demonstrate our appreciation? 4. He died to set us free! E. We will want to serve God when we take time to learn about Him. 1. God gives us opportunity to know Him through His word. 2. Are we taking advantage of all opportunities this church offers to get to know Him better? 3. 2 Tim. 2:15 Conclusion: A. Let us make a commitment to change our attitude for the better. 1. Realize our utter dependence upon God. 2. Realize sin is pollution to the soul. 3. Better appreciate His sacrifice on our behalf. B. Will you today make a personal promise to: 1. No longer give God the leftovers? 2. Faithfully attend every service possible? 3. Give cheerfully & abundantly? 4. Not complain when people ask for volunteering time to the work of the church? C. The better relationship w/God – the better our service will be! D. How is your relationship w/God? Need improvement? 1. No Christian? No relationship. Get one started today! E. Heb. 10:23 - Already Christian but giving God leftovers: Quit! Stop! Halt! F. Renew your relationship today! G. I N V I T A T I O N