Four Things To Ask Yourself Before You Leave Church

Four Things to Ask Yourself Before You Leave Church

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth

and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty,

but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

12 You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you,

and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,

and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign,

that will endure forever.” Isaiah 55:8-13

Intro: Today we are going to look at “Four Things to Ask Yourself Before You Leave Church.”

1. Do I Believe the Promise in Isaiah 55:8-13?

There is one thing my dad was good at modeling for me and my siblings growing up.

To my knowledge he always told the truth.

He was known in the community as a man of his word.

In fact he was so trustworthy this his handshake was a contract.

How many of you have told a lie this week?

Now before you answer you might should think about where you are.

You are in church.

You are in the Lord’s house.

The ninth commandment is Thou shalt not lie.

Probably at some point everyone has told a lie.

Remember as a kid when we thought someone was lying we would say “Liar Liar Paints on Fire.”

Paints on Fire is a euphemism, it means the same as “you are going to get a spanking” for telling a lie.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Titus 1:2 God does not lie, he keeps what he promised before the beginning of time.” Blversion.

Did you hear what Paul said about God.

He said from before the beginning of time. God has never lied.

God can not lie.

No one has ever caught God not keeping His word.

It is outside of God’s nature to lie.

When God says something He keeps his promises.

When God speaks through his prophets he keeps his word.

You can count on what you find in the bible to be the truth

And God will fulfill his promises.

You can stand on the promises of God.

So when Isaiah 55 says, “when God’s Word goes out from God’s mouth it will not return empty.”

It means that God will accomplish what God desires

And achieve the purpose for which his word is sent.

Nothing can thwart God’s plan

I can’t mess up bad enough to ruin or prevent what God sets out to accomplish in me.

You will go out in joy and led forth in peace.

Mountains and Hills will burst into song

Trees and fields will clap their hands

(Verse 13)

God’s Word promises that if we are faithful to declare it,

it will NOT return without producing a harvest.

Sometimes we DO get to see immediate results,

but most of the time God will take His Word and work it into the hearts and minds of the hearers over time.

Trust God and His Word—a harvest IS coming!

“Second Thing to Ask Yourself Before You Leave Church.”

2. Am I Leading or Inviting Others to Jesus?

Marin Luther was born 1483 – 18 February 1546

He was a German professor of theology, composer, priest, monk

and a influential figure in the Protestant Reformation.

Luther came to reject several teachings and practices of the Roman Catholic Church.

One of which resulted in the affirmation of the priesthood of all believers.

At the core of our theology is the conviction that ALL BAPTIZED CHRISTIANS ARE MINISTERs.

As our many gifts are united in one spirit,

let us put them to use in ministry.

We should seek to lead or invite other people to Christ —period!

If worship is just for what we get out of it,

we can take what we want, come when it’s convenient, leave as we like.

But is Worship is for our Saviour who loves us and we love this Saviour back

Then worship is the work of the people in praise and thanksgiving to God.

Your presence and participation makes all the difference.

The question is not so much “How did the preacher do?”

But did you do a good job creating a climate where the presence and power of God can be experienced.