If you missed Bro. Mikes sermon on Mark 6:7 you can download the audio here, or if you have a broadband internet connection you can stream it from its archive.org page.
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Thursday, November 29, 2007
1 Kings 13:20
Monday, November 26, 2007
In the path of those who have gone before
I Thessalonians 2: 13-20
INTRODUCTION:
Paul was grateful for those in Thessalonica who had received the gospel message. He was grateful because these believers understood that the Bible was different from others books or magazines. They understood that the Bible is the Word of God. Now, it is true that God used man to bring His word to us. II Peter 1: 21 says that, "holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." Notice that these men spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. As they were moved by the Holy Spirit carries the idea of inspiration. As they were moved by the Holy Spirit, they spoke God's Word. They spoke what God wanted them to speak. The result is a trustworthy Book that is in effect, the Word of God.
Also notice, that as Paul shared with the Thessalonians the gospel message, they received it. When we receive His Word, it will effectually work in our life. God's Word, hidden in our heart, will keep us from sin. God's Word will also bring about spiritual growth and maturity. It will also produce fruit in us and through us. What a believer's attitude is toward the Word will determine how he or she grows spiritually.
Having received the Word, the Thessalonians became imitators of the churches of Judea. The church of Judea, through it's missionaries, had passed on the faith to Thessalonica. Our faith today has been passed down to us by generations of Godly believers. And, if Christianity is to survive, it must be passed from us to a new generation of believers who will then pass it on to their kids. In this passage, we also note that the churches of Judea and the church in Thessalonica not only had a common faith, but they also faced a common trial-- persecution.
DOWN THROUGH THE YEARS, CHRISTIANITY HAS BEEN A PERSECUTED FAITH
We see such persecution in the life of Jesus Himself. John tells us that Jesus, "came unto His own and His own received Him not." Notice how Jesus was persecuted. For one things, Jesus was lied about. Jesus' detractors said that He refused to pay taxes. They also said that Jesus was going to physically destroy the temple. They also tried to discredit Jesus by saying that He was a winebibber and a glutton. Jesus often had to deal with the lies that others said about Him. As a matter of fact, Jesus eventually faced a trial before Pilate on trumpted up charges and lies. Jesus was also threatened with death. And, these threats were real. His critics did want to kill Him and they eventually succeeded. But, before Jesus was crucified, He was beaten and flogged. As Isaiah relates, that beaten left Him disfigured to the point that one couldn't tell that He was Jesus. Jesus was then nailed to a cross to die a painful and horrifying death. Jesus was persecuted because of Who He was, the perfect, holy and righteous Son of God. With that in mind, it is interesting to notice what Jesus told His disciples at the Last Supper. John 15: 20 says, "A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you."
Persecution has taken place in the church since Jesus. That was a fact in Thessalonica as Paul shares in v. 14: "For you have suffered the same things from your countrymen." Down through the centuries, believers have been intimidated with threats of violence. Notice what happened in Acts 3: 17. Notice the strategy of the enemies of the church. "But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in His name." Even though we may not see threats of violence today, we do often see verbal abuse and ridicule for standing up for Christ. Down through the centuries, believers have also faced physical abuse for their faith. Believers were commonly beaten in Biblical times. Believers were also put to death for standing up for Christ. Even today, believers are being physically abused and put to death in some ares of the world. This is seen in Muslim countries and in places like North Korea.
That brings us to the question, why would believers die for their faith? Believers are willing to die for their faith because they know that death is a conquered enemy. We see how that Jesus endured death only to rise again. We know that if we share Jesus' persecutions, we shall all share in Jesus' triumphs. And that means we shall also experience a resurrection from the dead. Why fear death when we shall overcome it. Believers are willing to die for their faith because we know that death is simply a portal that leads to heaven. As Stephen was being stoned to death, he saw heaven opened and Jesus standing to receive Him home. Why fear something that leads to home? Believers are also willing to die for their faith because martyrs are promised special reward. Notice Matthew 5: 12: "Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." Notice what Jesus says. Great is the reward for those who endure persecution. And be prepare to endure because the Christian faith is a persecuted faith.
NOTICE THE PERSECUTORS
The goal of the persecutor is to keep others from coming to Christ v. 16. Satan know that as long as the gospel is being presented to the lost, people will be saved. Satan know the power of the gospel, whether we do or not. He knows that if we sow, we will reap. So, to keep people from hearing about Jesus, he will use all means at his disposal to silence the messengers of God. Satan will use religion to silence the messengers of Christ. The people who brought Jesus to Pilate and demanded that Pilate crucify Jesus were religious people. The early persecution of the church came from people who claimed to be doing God a favor by persecuting the church. Even today, much of the persecution that the church sees is from other religious bodies, such as those of the Islamic faith. Satan will also use government to persecute the church and silence it's witness. The Roman government was a source of such persecution for over three centuries. It was state persecution that caused the Pilgrims to leave England and come to America seeking religious liberty. Satan can even put his people in a Godly church to get the church sidetracked from her main mission. Satan doesn't want people hearing the gospel and being saved and he will use whatever means he can to stop those who are witnessing for Jesus.
That is why Paul gives us the description of the persecutors that he does in n this passage. One, Paul says that those who persecute God's people do not please God. Here is Satanic deceit at it's very best. Many people who persecute God's people think they are doing God a favor. When God spoke to Paul on the Damascus Road, God made it very clear to Paul that to persecute God's people is to attack God Himself. God wants us to deal with the enemies of the gospel but not with physical force. God's method of winning our enemies is through prayer, love and presenting them to a Savior who will love and forgive them. The persecution of God's people is not pleasing to God. The persecutors of God's people are also hostile to all men. By keeping people from hearing about Jesus, these men were hostile to all. By keeping them from hearing about Jesus, they are helping them to go to hell. There can be no one more hostile to another than the one who causes us to go to hell. The persecutors of the gospel are also recipients of God's wrath. One who keeps another from being saved will face a greater wrath than the one who just commits a sin of the flesh. That wrath will one day fall.
CONCLUSION:
God's people have been persecuted down through the ages. But, that persecution has strengthened, rather than weakened, His church. Just remember, Jesus has promised that the gates of hell will not prevail against His church.
INTRODUCTION:
Paul was grateful for those in Thessalonica who had received the gospel message. He was grateful because these believers understood that the Bible was different from others books or magazines. They understood that the Bible is the Word of God. Now, it is true that God used man to bring His word to us. II Peter 1: 21 says that, "holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." Notice that these men spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. As they were moved by the Holy Spirit carries the idea of inspiration. As they were moved by the Holy Spirit, they spoke God's Word. They spoke what God wanted them to speak. The result is a trustworthy Book that is in effect, the Word of God.
Also notice, that as Paul shared with the Thessalonians the gospel message, they received it. When we receive His Word, it will effectually work in our life. God's Word, hidden in our heart, will keep us from sin. God's Word will also bring about spiritual growth and maturity. It will also produce fruit in us and through us. What a believer's attitude is toward the Word will determine how he or she grows spiritually.
Having received the Word, the Thessalonians became imitators of the churches of Judea. The church of Judea, through it's missionaries, had passed on the faith to Thessalonica. Our faith today has been passed down to us by generations of Godly believers. And, if Christianity is to survive, it must be passed from us to a new generation of believers who will then pass it on to their kids. In this passage, we also note that the churches of Judea and the church in Thessalonica not only had a common faith, but they also faced a common trial-- persecution.
DOWN THROUGH THE YEARS, CHRISTIANITY HAS BEEN A PERSECUTED FAITH
We see such persecution in the life of Jesus Himself. John tells us that Jesus, "came unto His own and His own received Him not." Notice how Jesus was persecuted. For one things, Jesus was lied about. Jesus' detractors said that He refused to pay taxes. They also said that Jesus was going to physically destroy the temple. They also tried to discredit Jesus by saying that He was a winebibber and a glutton. Jesus often had to deal with the lies that others said about Him. As a matter of fact, Jesus eventually faced a trial before Pilate on trumpted up charges and lies. Jesus was also threatened with death. And, these threats were real. His critics did want to kill Him and they eventually succeeded. But, before Jesus was crucified, He was beaten and flogged. As Isaiah relates, that beaten left Him disfigured to the point that one couldn't tell that He was Jesus. Jesus was then nailed to a cross to die a painful and horrifying death. Jesus was persecuted because of Who He was, the perfect, holy and righteous Son of God. With that in mind, it is interesting to notice what Jesus told His disciples at the Last Supper. John 15: 20 says, "A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you."
Persecution has taken place in the church since Jesus. That was a fact in Thessalonica as Paul shares in v. 14: "For you have suffered the same things from your countrymen." Down through the centuries, believers have been intimidated with threats of violence. Notice what happened in Acts 3: 17. Notice the strategy of the enemies of the church. "But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in His name." Even though we may not see threats of violence today, we do often see verbal abuse and ridicule for standing up for Christ. Down through the centuries, believers have also faced physical abuse for their faith. Believers were commonly beaten in Biblical times. Believers were also put to death for standing up for Christ. Even today, believers are being physically abused and put to death in some ares of the world. This is seen in Muslim countries and in places like North Korea.
That brings us to the question, why would believers die for their faith? Believers are willing to die for their faith because they know that death is a conquered enemy. We see how that Jesus endured death only to rise again. We know that if we share Jesus' persecutions, we shall all share in Jesus' triumphs. And that means we shall also experience a resurrection from the dead. Why fear death when we shall overcome it. Believers are willing to die for their faith because we know that death is simply a portal that leads to heaven. As Stephen was being stoned to death, he saw heaven opened and Jesus standing to receive Him home. Why fear something that leads to home? Believers are also willing to die for their faith because martyrs are promised special reward. Notice Matthew 5: 12: "Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." Notice what Jesus says. Great is the reward for those who endure persecution. And be prepare to endure because the Christian faith is a persecuted faith.
NOTICE THE PERSECUTORS
The goal of the persecutor is to keep others from coming to Christ v. 16. Satan know that as long as the gospel is being presented to the lost, people will be saved. Satan know the power of the gospel, whether we do or not. He knows that if we sow, we will reap. So, to keep people from hearing about Jesus, he will use all means at his disposal to silence the messengers of God. Satan will use religion to silence the messengers of Christ. The people who brought Jesus to Pilate and demanded that Pilate crucify Jesus were religious people. The early persecution of the church came from people who claimed to be doing God a favor by persecuting the church. Even today, much of the persecution that the church sees is from other religious bodies, such as those of the Islamic faith. Satan will also use government to persecute the church and silence it's witness. The Roman government was a source of such persecution for over three centuries. It was state persecution that caused the Pilgrims to leave England and come to America seeking religious liberty. Satan can even put his people in a Godly church to get the church sidetracked from her main mission. Satan doesn't want people hearing the gospel and being saved and he will use whatever means he can to stop those who are witnessing for Jesus.
That is why Paul gives us the description of the persecutors that he does in n this passage. One, Paul says that those who persecute God's people do not please God. Here is Satanic deceit at it's very best. Many people who persecute God's people think they are doing God a favor. When God spoke to Paul on the Damascus Road, God made it very clear to Paul that to persecute God's people is to attack God Himself. God wants us to deal with the enemies of the gospel but not with physical force. God's method of winning our enemies is through prayer, love and presenting them to a Savior who will love and forgive them. The persecution of God's people is not pleasing to God. The persecutors of God's people are also hostile to all men. By keeping people from hearing about Jesus, these men were hostile to all. By keeping them from hearing about Jesus, they are helping them to go to hell. There can be no one more hostile to another than the one who causes us to go to hell. The persecutors of the gospel are also recipients of God's wrath. One who keeps another from being saved will face a greater wrath than the one who just commits a sin of the flesh. That wrath will one day fall.
CONCLUSION:
God's people have been persecuted down through the ages. But, that persecution has strengthened, rather than weakened, His church. Just remember, Jesus has promised that the gates of hell will not prevail against His church.
MIKE HONZELL, PASTOR
COLLEGE AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH
LEVELLAND, TEXAS
COLLEGE AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH
LEVELLAND, TEXAS
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Luke 23:33
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Mark 6:1-6
Isaiah 66:1-4
What Made Paul Effective
I Thessalonians 2: 2-7
INTRODUCTION:
Paul was a very effective missionary and pastor. Just look at what he did in Thessalonica. In just a few weeks, Paul had won enough people to Christ that a church was established. Paul established this church without the benefit of our modern church planting methods. For instance, Paul planted this church without the benefit of modern media. He didn't have radio or television to advertise on. Paul also did not have a prime piece of property or a building that would impress people. Also, keep in mind that Paul was preaching in a city that had never heard the gospel. We have all the benefits that Paul did not have and yet it takes us years to establish a church. Paul did it in just a few weeks. Paul also had this church established doctrinally before he left. In just a few weeks, he had taught them the major doctrines of the faith and had them established. This is amazing when you consider that many people today go to church for years and are still Biblically illiterate. Paul was an effective missionary, preacher and pastor.
This points out the need today for effective teachers and personal workers. Leadership is still the key to any effective organization, including the church. No church will ever be any stronger than those who lead it. So, let us notice what made Paul so effective and then see if we can put these principles into action in our lives.
PAUL WAS EFFECTIVE BECAUSE HE REFUSED TO GIVE UP V. 2
Paul had some moments that would have caused most people to quit serving Christ. In verse 2, Paul reminded the Thessalonians about one of those moments. Paul suffered and was spitefully treated at Philippi. I know that Paul saw some good things take place at Philippi. Lydia and her household was saved and a demon possessed girl was delivered. But those successes were greeted by Paul's being beaten and then put in prison. Even when Paul was later released, there was no apology. That would have been enough for most of us to quit and go home. As a matter of fact, it doesn't take much to cause most of us to give up. Many quit the church when they get their feelings hurt over not getting their way over some petty issue. Some quit the church because they were not recognized for what they were doing. Paul would have marveled over such pettiness.
Notice why Paul didn't quit in the face of such abuse. Paul didn't quit because he knew what the consequences were if he did. If Paul quit, there would be no one to share the gospel with the lost. They would die without Christ and their blood would be on his hands. This reveals a lesson to us. God has put us on this earth at this time and in this place to reach people that only we can reach. If we are not faithful to that calling, the people God put us on this earth to reach will suffer. Don't quit. People are depending on us. Paul didn't quit because Jesus didn't quit. Jesus suffered far more abuse and injustice than we will ever suffer. Yet, He endured it all and gave us an example to follow. The victory goes to the one who remains faithful, even though at times, we may want to give up. To be effective, we must refuse to quit.
PAUL WAS EFFECTIVE BECAUSE OF THE WAY HE DEALT WITH PEOPLE
Paul was honest and open with people in how he shared the Word v. 3-6. Paul never tried to trick people or use flattery to move people. Paul also never used his position to advance himself materially-- cloak of covetousness. Paul spoke with a desire to please God, who tries the heart. God knows our motive and pleasing Him is all that matters. Whether a personal worker who shares the gospel or a preacher who stands before a congregation, our job is to just faithfully share what God has given us in His Word. We don't get to invent the message. Our message is found in the Bible. hat is why Paul tells us to study the Word in II Timothy 2: 15. As we share, our job is to trust the Holy Spirit for any results we might see. And if, because of our sharing Christ, we suffer, we are called upon to do that joyfully. Christian work is not about us-- it is about Him.
Paul was also gentle in his dealings with people v. 7. A mean spirited believer is a contradiction in terms. Paul said in Philippians 4: 5, "Let your gentleness be known unto all men." One of the fruits of the spirit is gentleness or meekness. God expects His people to be kind and gentle. I know that we often have to oppose and even rebuke people. But, we don't have to be harsh or brutal when doing so. We don't have to make personal issues out of what we do. We should also hurt when we have to reprove another believer. People will listen and even accept what you tell them if they know you love them. The disciples listen when Jesus rebuked them and even accepted it, all because they knew He loved them. Effective Christian workers are gentle people. They are gentle with people because they know spiritual growth takes time. Many people in our churches are not yet spiritually mature people. For them to become that, they need a teacher or pastor who will be patient and gentle with them while they grow.
CONCLUSION:
As we are patient, refuse to quit and then deal with people openly and honestly, God will bless. Paul was an effective worker for Christ and we can be too.
INTRODUCTION:
Paul was a very effective missionary and pastor. Just look at what he did in Thessalonica. In just a few weeks, Paul had won enough people to Christ that a church was established. Paul established this church without the benefit of our modern church planting methods. For instance, Paul planted this church without the benefit of modern media. He didn't have radio or television to advertise on. Paul also did not have a prime piece of property or a building that would impress people. Also, keep in mind that Paul was preaching in a city that had never heard the gospel. We have all the benefits that Paul did not have and yet it takes us years to establish a church. Paul did it in just a few weeks. Paul also had this church established doctrinally before he left. In just a few weeks, he had taught them the major doctrines of the faith and had them established. This is amazing when you consider that many people today go to church for years and are still Biblically illiterate. Paul was an effective missionary, preacher and pastor.
This points out the need today for effective teachers and personal workers. Leadership is still the key to any effective organization, including the church. No church will ever be any stronger than those who lead it. So, let us notice what made Paul so effective and then see if we can put these principles into action in our lives.
PAUL WAS EFFECTIVE BECAUSE HE REFUSED TO GIVE UP V. 2
Paul had some moments that would have caused most people to quit serving Christ. In verse 2, Paul reminded the Thessalonians about one of those moments. Paul suffered and was spitefully treated at Philippi. I know that Paul saw some good things take place at Philippi. Lydia and her household was saved and a demon possessed girl was delivered. But those successes were greeted by Paul's being beaten and then put in prison. Even when Paul was later released, there was no apology. That would have been enough for most of us to quit and go home. As a matter of fact, it doesn't take much to cause most of us to give up. Many quit the church when they get their feelings hurt over not getting their way over some petty issue. Some quit the church because they were not recognized for what they were doing. Paul would have marveled over such pettiness.
Notice why Paul didn't quit in the face of such abuse. Paul didn't quit because he knew what the consequences were if he did. If Paul quit, there would be no one to share the gospel with the lost. They would die without Christ and their blood would be on his hands. This reveals a lesson to us. God has put us on this earth at this time and in this place to reach people that only we can reach. If we are not faithful to that calling, the people God put us on this earth to reach will suffer. Don't quit. People are depending on us. Paul didn't quit because Jesus didn't quit. Jesus suffered far more abuse and injustice than we will ever suffer. Yet, He endured it all and gave us an example to follow. The victory goes to the one who remains faithful, even though at times, we may want to give up. To be effective, we must refuse to quit.
PAUL WAS EFFECTIVE BECAUSE OF THE WAY HE DEALT WITH PEOPLE
Paul was honest and open with people in how he shared the Word v. 3-6. Paul never tried to trick people or use flattery to move people. Paul also never used his position to advance himself materially-- cloak of covetousness. Paul spoke with a desire to please God, who tries the heart. God knows our motive and pleasing Him is all that matters. Whether a personal worker who shares the gospel or a preacher who stands before a congregation, our job is to just faithfully share what God has given us in His Word. We don't get to invent the message. Our message is found in the Bible. hat is why Paul tells us to study the Word in II Timothy 2: 15. As we share, our job is to trust the Holy Spirit for any results we might see. And if, because of our sharing Christ, we suffer, we are called upon to do that joyfully. Christian work is not about us-- it is about Him.
Paul was also gentle in his dealings with people v. 7. A mean spirited believer is a contradiction in terms. Paul said in Philippians 4: 5, "Let your gentleness be known unto all men." One of the fruits of the spirit is gentleness or meekness. God expects His people to be kind and gentle. I know that we often have to oppose and even rebuke people. But, we don't have to be harsh or brutal when doing so. We don't have to make personal issues out of what we do. We should also hurt when we have to reprove another believer. People will listen and even accept what you tell them if they know you love them. The disciples listen when Jesus rebuked them and even accepted it, all because they knew He loved them. Effective Christian workers are gentle people. They are gentle with people because they know spiritual growth takes time. Many people in our churches are not yet spiritually mature people. For them to become that, they need a teacher or pastor who will be patient and gentle with them while they grow.
CONCLUSION:
As we are patient, refuse to quit and then deal with people openly and honestly, God will bless. Paul was an effective worker for Christ and we can be too.
MIKE HONZELL, PASTOR
COLLEGE AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH
LEVELLAND, TEXAS
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Not in vain
I Thessalonians 2: 1
INTRODUCTION:
Paul didn't have an easy time in Thessalonica. I realize that when we say this that Paul did see a goodly number of people saved there. Acts 17: 12 says, "Therefore many of them believed; also of honorable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few." It was from this group of converts that Paul established the church at Thessalonica. Today, when we see someone receive Jesus as Savior, we ought to rejoice. Some people faithfully serve God and never see great numbers of people saved. Noah preached for 120 years and didn't see anyone saved except for his immediate family. Jeremiah preached for over 50 years and faced rejection. The nation didn't turn to Christ but instead experienced judgment. Even though Paul saw people saved and a church constituted as a result, he still saw hardship at Thessalonica. For one thing, his ministry caused a public riot which led to his being run out of town. And, Paul was not in Thessalonica long before this happened. Today, we are not hurting the devil and his work enough to get him disturbed.
In spite of the hardships, Paul says here that his ministry was not in vain-- Paul hadn't wasted his time. None of us, no matter what field we are in, want to feel like we are wasting our time or our effort. Time is to valuable to waste it on a non-productive project that could be more useful doing something else. Even when we fail, and we do fail, we want to think that that failure was not a wasted effort. We like to think that we can learn from that failure to the point we can be productive in the future. Since we don't like to think that we are wasting time or effort in serving God, let us notice:
LET US NOTICE WHY TIME SPENT SERVING GOD IS NEVER WASTED TIME
Time spent serving God is never wasted time because God takes notice of what we are doing. So many times what we do may not be appreciated or even noticed by others. The attitude that others take towards what we do may make us feel like that what we are doing is unimportant. Many may develop the attitude that since no one cares or even notices what I am doing, then I am just wasting my time. In such a time, we meed to remember, God knows what we are doing. One of the principles of Christian service is that what is done in secret will be rewarded openly. This is plainly stated in Matthew 6 when it comes to our charitable giving, prayer and fasting. Hebrews 6: 10 also states: "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward His name. Our time spent serving God is never wasted because God notices what we are doing.
Time spent serving God is never wasted because God has a way of using that service even if we never see what He does. Sometimes what we do is the foundation others build on with the result that they see the results we wanted to see. Paul said that he planted and Apollos watered and then God gave the increase. Even though Paul didn't see the immediate results from his work, Apollos would have seen results if Paul hadn't planted. Even though others may be the ones who see the results from a work we started, our labor was not in vain. God did give an increase.
God may also use someone we influenced in a way that multiplies what we have done. Andrew led Peter to Jesus, but it was Peter who was greatly used. Andrew's service was not wasted, it was multiplied through Peter. Many a person who has been greatly used of God was won or influenced by someone we have never heard of. Yet, the one we never heard of didn't waste his time. God multiplied the results of his labor through the one we have heard of. I know we may never know the number of people we have influenced to serve God. This is why we can never afford to give up. God can be using us even when we don't realize it.
Time spent serving God is never wasted because of God's definition of success. We sometimes get to the point of thinking we are wasting our time because we have adopted the world's definition of success. In church work, the world measures success in terms of how many people are coming to Sunday School and Church. In church work, we measure success by how much money we are taking in. Success is also measured by what our buildings look like. Although it is good to have people coming to church to meet in a nice building, and although it is good for a church to be financially sound, these are not necessarily the criteria for what God would call success. God's criteria for success is in how faithful we have been. This is why Noah can be included in Hebrews 11 as a success for God even though he only saw 7 people saved in 120 years. This is why Jeremiah is a great man of God even though he was rejected by his people. I Corinthians 4: 2 gives us the standard for success, "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful." If we are faithful in what God has called us to do, then we are successful. And that means we are not wasting our time.
HOW TO SERVE GOD ENTHUSIASTICALLY
We are to serve God enthusiastically by just serving God. We are to do what we do to please Him and not be shackled by what others think. Our service to Him should be motivated by (1) gratitude for what He has done for us, (2) The promise of reward (3) Knowing that He sees what we do and is well pleased. Knowing that our service to Him is not in vain should cause us to serve enthusiastically.
We are to serve God enthusiastically knowing that in doing so He will cause us to grow spiritually. here will always be results in our own lives as we serve Him. As we serve God faithfully, God will give us greater challenges. David went from facing a bear and a lion to a giant. As we are faithful, God will develop the spiritual maturity in us to be used in even a greater way. he anticipation of what He is going to do should fill us with an enthusiasm for serving God.
As we serve Him faithfully, God will develop our character. Jesus turned unstable peter into a rock. John, a son of thunder, became an apostle of love. And looking back, we can see how we have either grown or become bitter toward life. As God builds character in us, we can serve with enthusiasm.
CONCLUSION:
We are never wasting our time serving God. Eternity will reveal the value of that service. let's just walk in the fullness of the Holy spirit and leave the results up to God.
INTRODUCTION:
Paul didn't have an easy time in Thessalonica. I realize that when we say this that Paul did see a goodly number of people saved there. Acts 17: 12 says, "Therefore many of them believed; also of honorable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few." It was from this group of converts that Paul established the church at Thessalonica. Today, when we see someone receive Jesus as Savior, we ought to rejoice. Some people faithfully serve God and never see great numbers of people saved. Noah preached for 120 years and didn't see anyone saved except for his immediate family. Jeremiah preached for over 50 years and faced rejection. The nation didn't turn to Christ but instead experienced judgment. Even though Paul saw people saved and a church constituted as a result, he still saw hardship at Thessalonica. For one thing, his ministry caused a public riot which led to his being run out of town. And, Paul was not in Thessalonica long before this happened. Today, we are not hurting the devil and his work enough to get him disturbed.
In spite of the hardships, Paul says here that his ministry was not in vain-- Paul hadn't wasted his time. None of us, no matter what field we are in, want to feel like we are wasting our time or our effort. Time is to valuable to waste it on a non-productive project that could be more useful doing something else. Even when we fail, and we do fail, we want to think that that failure was not a wasted effort. We like to think that we can learn from that failure to the point we can be productive in the future. Since we don't like to think that we are wasting time or effort in serving God, let us notice:
LET US NOTICE WHY TIME SPENT SERVING GOD IS NEVER WASTED TIME
Time spent serving God is never wasted time because God takes notice of what we are doing. So many times what we do may not be appreciated or even noticed by others. The attitude that others take towards what we do may make us feel like that what we are doing is unimportant. Many may develop the attitude that since no one cares or even notices what I am doing, then I am just wasting my time. In such a time, we meed to remember, God knows what we are doing. One of the principles of Christian service is that what is done in secret will be rewarded openly. This is plainly stated in Matthew 6 when it comes to our charitable giving, prayer and fasting. Hebrews 6: 10 also states: "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward His name. Our time spent serving God is never wasted because God notices what we are doing.
Time spent serving God is never wasted because God has a way of using that service even if we never see what He does. Sometimes what we do is the foundation others build on with the result that they see the results we wanted to see. Paul said that he planted and Apollos watered and then God gave the increase. Even though Paul didn't see the immediate results from his work, Apollos would have seen results if Paul hadn't planted. Even though others may be the ones who see the results from a work we started, our labor was not in vain. God did give an increase.
God may also use someone we influenced in a way that multiplies what we have done. Andrew led Peter to Jesus, but it was Peter who was greatly used. Andrew's service was not wasted, it was multiplied through Peter. Many a person who has been greatly used of God was won or influenced by someone we have never heard of. Yet, the one we never heard of didn't waste his time. God multiplied the results of his labor through the one we have heard of. I know we may never know the number of people we have influenced to serve God. This is why we can never afford to give up. God can be using us even when we don't realize it.
Time spent serving God is never wasted because of God's definition of success. We sometimes get to the point of thinking we are wasting our time because we have adopted the world's definition of success. In church work, the world measures success in terms of how many people are coming to Sunday School and Church. In church work, we measure success by how much money we are taking in. Success is also measured by what our buildings look like. Although it is good to have people coming to church to meet in a nice building, and although it is good for a church to be financially sound, these are not necessarily the criteria for what God would call success. God's criteria for success is in how faithful we have been. This is why Noah can be included in Hebrews 11 as a success for God even though he only saw 7 people saved in 120 years. This is why Jeremiah is a great man of God even though he was rejected by his people. I Corinthians 4: 2 gives us the standard for success, "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful." If we are faithful in what God has called us to do, then we are successful. And that means we are not wasting our time.
HOW TO SERVE GOD ENTHUSIASTICALLY
We are to serve God enthusiastically by just serving God. We are to do what we do to please Him and not be shackled by what others think. Our service to Him should be motivated by (1) gratitude for what He has done for us, (2) The promise of reward (3) Knowing that He sees what we do and is well pleased. Knowing that our service to Him is not in vain should cause us to serve enthusiastically.
We are to serve God enthusiastically knowing that in doing so He will cause us to grow spiritually. here will always be results in our own lives as we serve Him. As we serve God faithfully, God will give us greater challenges. David went from facing a bear and a lion to a giant. As we are faithful, God will develop the spiritual maturity in us to be used in even a greater way. he anticipation of what He is going to do should fill us with an enthusiasm for serving God.
As we serve Him faithfully, God will develop our character. Jesus turned unstable peter into a rock. John, a son of thunder, became an apostle of love. And looking back, we can see how we have either grown or become bitter toward life. As God builds character in us, we can serve with enthusiasm.
CONCLUSION:
We are never wasting our time serving God. Eternity will reveal the value of that service. let's just walk in the fullness of the Holy spirit and leave the results up to God.
MIKE HONZELL, PASTOR
COLLEGE AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH
LEVELLAND, TEXAS
Monday, November 5, 2007
Dealing with stress
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Audio From October 28th 2007
If you missed Bro. Mikes sermon from last Sunday on reaching the end of the race you can download it here.
Or if you want to here his sermon on prayer you can download it here.
as always all files are 64kbps .mp3 files, and if you have a broadband internet connection you can listen to them on there Archive.org page.
Or if you want to here his sermon on prayer you can download it here.
as always all files are 64kbps .mp3 files, and if you have a broadband internet connection you can listen to them on there Archive.org page.
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