Consequences Of Not Developing A Christian Character

Consequences of not having a Godly character

1Thessalonians 5:1-11

Bro. David Rogers

Last week we examined the true character of a Christian. This week as I prepared my sermon I thought about the many times I have not exhibit these characteristics. I look at other people who claim to be Christians and see the life that they are displaying. I ask myself how important is it for us to be living that life ordained for us by God. This week I want us to examine the consequences of not having the character of a Christian. The attitude of I am saved and I mostly come to church on Sunday mornings. This just may not cut it. I want us to examine what the bible has to say about the subject. How about the attitude I don’t have time to come to church during the week is this the attitude that God teaches us to have?

With this type of attitude what do we really expect to accomplish? With this attitude do we really hear what the preacher is actually saying and does it have any affect on our lives? Or are they often thinking about the big kick off, taking a nap, or dinner, or a thousand other things that in the long really mean nothing. All of these distractions cause us not to pay attention to the message that God sent to you that morning. This is the reason why they don’t feel that it is important to have a systematic study of God’s word.

In fact how many of us sitting here this morning can claim to have a daily study of God’s word? How many of us can claim that we have study God’s word every day this week? Let’s make it easier for us, how many here today can say we studied God’s word once a week? I would dare to say that a few of us would be able to answer in the affirmative to either of these questions.

How many sitting here this morning feel that it is important to come to church Sunday morning, night, and Wed. nights? Many Christians today are saying I come to church on Sunday morning and that is all that is required. Who requires you to come to church on Sunday? Can you take the Bible and show me where it says we are required to attend church every Sunday morning but the rest are optional. I don’t believe you can. In fact what God calls us to do and for us to do willingly because of our love for Him and our need for His word is to gather for worship and instruction, and comfort.

Others are saying I don’t have time to come to church on Sunday nights or on Wed. night. I got to fix supper, kids to bath, work to do, or what ever excuse we can come up with. Who gave you the ability to do and purchase the things that you have or to do the things that we think that we just have to do. We spend on average 8.5 hours a day at our jobs. Then we come home and we have PTA meetings, club meetings, yard work, housework, the kids have homework or sports to be rushed to. We all seemed to have acquired a religion of business. If we are not going full tilt then we just are not serving our GOD acceptance. How many hours do we spend in front of a T.V. set a day? We spend several hours a day doing nothing but what we want to do. I don’t have any free time you say. I been there I know what I am about to say is the truth. Everything that we think is so important that we can’t take time out of our schedules and worship our God is actually in grand scope of eternity is not important at all. Those who feel pressured because we can only manage 1 hour out of our schedule to go to church and that is all the time we can find. And time to study our bible I don’t have any more free time. But I manage to find the time to watch my favorite shows on t.v. or workout at the gym or whatever I enjoy doing.

How sad it is that we can’t find more time in our life to worship and talk with the One who gave us life. We may accepted His free gift of salvation but we ignore Him now and place Him on the back burner. WE wish that we had more time but there is not enough time now in the day to do what we want to do now.

Many believers don’t see the importance of regular church attendance. Members of the Northend Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Seattle received a special announcement in the mail, listing the many things that would be done for them at church on the following excuse-to-stay-home Sunday. According to the Pastor, cots would be available for those who say Sunday is their only day to sleep. Eye drops would be supplied for those who have red eyes from watching late Saturday night TV shows. There would be steel helmets for those who say the roof would cave in if they ever went to church, blankets for persons who think the church is too cold, fans for those who say it is too hot, scorecards for those wishing to list all the hypocrites present, TV dinners for those who can’t go to church and also cook dinner. Finally, the sanctuary would be decorated with Christmas poinsettias and Easter lilies for those who have never seen the church without them.