A Y2K Plan For Gilead Baptist Church Sermon #1
Heb. 10:22-25
A Y2K PLAN FOR THE FATHER'S HOUSE
Intro: Now that many of the Y2K doom prophets have been proven wrong
and the fears related to Y2K have begun to fade from our minds, it is a good
time for us to begin to look to the future. For years, we were told that we
needed a plan for dealing with Y2K related emergencies. Well, 2,000 has
come, the millennium has rolled over and life still goes on! While I don't
think there is much of a problem with Y2K, I do know that we need a plan for
dealing with this year here at Gilead Baptist Church. Therefore, I am going
to take the next few Sunday mornings and preach a series around the
theme of A Y2K Plan For Gilead Baptist Church. The focus of these
sermons will be those areas of church life and ministry that I feel we need
to concentrate on as we go farther into the new year.
This morning, I believe that we need a plan for The Father's House. We
need to rethink our priorities as they relate to the church. With that in mind,
I would like for you to join me as we look into thee verses and talk about a
Y2K Plan For The Father's House.
I. V. 22 THIS PLAN SHOULD INCLUDE FAITH
A. Faith Regarding Our Salvation - You need to be sure that you are
saved! (Ill. The plan of salvation! Rom. 10:9-10; 13; Acts 16:31)
Salvation is not about accepting a plan, it is about placing your faith
in a man! Are you sure that you are saved!
B. Faith Regarding Our Situation - We are to draw near to God! (Ill.
James 4:8) (Ill. many have been slipping farther and farther away
from the Lord. This needs to be stopped and made right today!)
C. Faith Regarding Our Separation - (Ill. "True heart" - This speaks of
sincerity in our walk with the Lord. Are you sincere about this thing?
If so, it will be seen in 2 areas of your life.)
1. A Clean Heart - This is salvation plus a consistently clean life. It
is having your sins confessed and dealt with before the Lord! It is
being in a place where there is assurance and confidence within
that all is well between you and the Father, 1 John 1:9; 1 John
3:20.
2. Clean Hands - This is a consistently clean walk! This is what is
meant by walking in the light, 1 John 1:7. This is living a life that
is centered in the Word of God, Psa. 119:105.
(Ill. When these things are in place, then our experience in the
Father's House will be much improved! Because, it is only when these
things are in place in your life and mine that we can approach God in
the assurance that He will hear us and help us, Psa. 66:18; Pro. 15:8;
28:9. On the other hand, when there is sin in our lives and an
unclean attitude about us, it closes up Heaven and hinders the work
of the church!)
I. This Plan Should Include Faith
II. V. 23, 25a THIS PLAN SHOULD INCLUDE FAITHFULNESS
A. V. 23 Faithfulness Regarding Our Walk - This has already been
touched on, but it is so vitally important that God's children live like
they are God's children! When the Bible tells us to hold fast "the
profession of our faith", it is telling that we need to live like what we
say we are! How, by taking heed that we avoid certain actions and
attitudes as we pass through this world.
1. The believer is not to listen to the voices of the world and
materialism and turn away from the Lord - 2 Pet. 3:17; 1 John
2:15.
2. The believer is not to doubt the great truths of the Gospel!
3. The believer is not to listen to the voices of doubt and false
doctrine, Eph. 4:14.
4. The believer is not to allow trials, circumstances or temptations
shake his faith in Christ, 1 Cor. 15:58.
(Ill. How is this kind of resolve possible? How is it possible to walk in
faith day by day? Because of the greatness of the One Who made
the promises to us in the beginning! All the promises of the Christian
life hinge on the power of the promise Maker. God made the
promises and God will see to it that they are kept, Rom. 4:21!)
B. V. 25a Faithfulness Regarding Our Worship - In this verse we are
told that there is a great need to be faithful to the gathering of the
saints at the House of God. Let's face the fact this morning that
church is viewed as optional by many. It should not be this way!
There ought to be an excitement about going out to the House of
God, Psa. 122:1. This is an area where Gilead Baptist could greatly
improve in the coming year!
(Ill. At least be honest about not coming to church. Instead of making
up excuses, just learn to tell the truth and say, "I wasn't here because
I didn't want to be here!" Personally, I miss each one when they are
out, but you are the one who misses when you are out. It is
impossible to continue to grow in the Lord while you miss worship in
His House!)
(Ill. When a pastor called on a wayward church member, he found
him sitting by a fireplace. He asked about his absence from services,
and the parishioner replied, "I think I can worship as well alone as at
church." After reflecting a moment, the pastor took the fireplace
tongs, lifted a live coal from the fire, and set it down at the side of the
grate. As they watched, its color turned to gray and the heat slowly
died. The church member got the point. After a pause, he said, "I'll
be in church Sunday.")
I. This Plan Should Include Faith
II. This Plan Should Include Faithfulness
III. V. 24 THIS PLAN SHOULD INCLUDE FAMILY
(Ill. In this context, we are referring to the family of saints that make up the
body of Christ!)
A. We Are To Consider Our Family - One of the greatest blessings in
being a part of a local New Testament congregation is the sense of
family that one finds among the saints of God. The word "consider"
means, "It means to give attention to; to fix our attention upon; to give
continuous care; to watch over." This is how we are supposed to
care one for another. Unfortunately, many are neglecting this
essential biblical mandate and the church is suffering as a result.
According to the Bible, we are to love one another, John 13:34-35,
care for one another, Gal. 6:2 and look after one another, Phil. 4:2.
Sadly, many in our day only have eyes for those in their own homes.
We need to consider the family of God!
B. We Are To Challenge Our Family - By the way we conduct our
lives, we should be a living challenge to those around us. Our lives
should provoke them to a deeper service and devotion to God!
1. To Deeper Love - Love is infectious! The more we love, the more
others around us are challenged to love. Love should be the
trademark of our relationship one with another. Not just any love,
but godly, Christ-centered love that manifests itself in holiness
and genuine godliness, 1 Cor. 13:1-8.
2. To Dedicated Labor - Let's face it, there are some people in the
church who will never give, never be faithful and never do a
single thing for the church, or for God as long as they live.
However, there are some with a sincere desire to be a blessing
in the church. As others work, they are challenged to do more for
God. I really believe that just as love is infectious, so also is
work! When we are busy for the Lord, others are encouraged to
work also. May I remind you that God saved no one to sit back
and do nothing! (Ill. Eph. 2:10; James 2:18)
(Ill. What a difference we would see in our church in this New Year
if every saved person in this room decided, this morning, that they
were tired of sitting on the fence, that they were tired of watching
others do all the work, that they were tired of not being involved, and
they made a serious commitment to the Lord that they were going to
serve Him, no holds barred this year! God, let it be! It would
revolutionize this church, it would revolutionize this community, it
would revolutionize those around you and it would revolutionize your
life! Let's join Jesus as He ministers in this world!)
I. This Plan Should Include Faith
II. This Plan Should Include Faithfulness
III. This Plan Should Include Family
IV. V. 25b THIS PLAN SHOULD INCLUDE THE FUTURE
A. We Are To Plan To Expand - We are encouraged to "exhort" one
another. That is, we are to be in the business of encouraging one
another so that we will be motivated to go out and do the work of the
Lord. We need to be on the move for the Lord Jesus Christ. If the
truth were told this morning, there are some of you who did not share
the Gospel with a single person this past year. Allow me to "exhort"
you! Get out there Brother and tell someone about Jesus!
(Ill. This verse tells us that we are to assemble ourselves together
and that this is to be going on "so much the more." The idea is one
of expansion! Let us never become like so many churches that are
afraid to grow and afraid to reach out and afraid to change. We need
to be in the market to expand this family and increase this work. If
we do not, we will grow stale and lifeless! God help us to look to the
future!)
B. We Are To Plan To Exit - This verse refers to the return of the Lord
Jesus in the rapture. We need to be ready to go, because He is
coming, 1 Thes. 4:16-17; 1 Cor. 15:51-52. Until He does, there are
two attitudes that need to occupy the church!
1. We Must Work For The Master - He may come today, but He
might not come in your lifetime. Therefore, we do not have the
time to sit down and quit, our duty is to get involved in the work of
the Lord and make our lives count for God. (Ill. 1 Cor. 3:9-15.
We can either build a mansion or a shack. Which will it be for
you?)
2. We Must Watch For The Master - While Jesus may not come for
a while, He could come at any instant. Therefore, we must work
with like He will never return and at the same time live like He will
return at any moment. He's coming, we just don't know when,
Matt. 24:44; 1 John 3:3.
Conc: Don't misunderstand me, I think Gilead Baptist Church is a great
church! Yet, I look around and I see areas where there is plenty of room
for improvement. I tell you about it in the hope that you will listen to the
Lord and will see that your life can be brought closer to that ideal life that
the Lord wants you to live. As we as individuals get closer to the Lord, our
church will naturally improve. God help us to implement this Y2K plan for
the Father's House. I leave you with two questions: Is everything in your life
exactly like God would have it to be this morning? Can you honestly say
that you treat the church in a manner that pleases the Lord?
