Going On A Little Further

Going on… A little further.

Matthew 26:36-45

This morning I want to speak to you about something very important… going deeper in your spiritual life.

As always our example is Jesus.

He went a little further than the old law required.

"You have heard it said, but I say..."

The requirements for son-ship/discipleship which He set are very tough

HATE family LOVE enemy DENY self HATE world

Jesus always went a little further in his

obedience

love

Sacrifice

If you want to be one of those who would know him best… love him more… serve him more and fellowship with him nearer....

Then you must also go A LITTLE FURTHER.

You must go BEYOND THE GATE OF SIN.

The rest of the world was left behind, outside the garden

They cared nothing for Jesus

his sufferings

his needs

his words

to be closer to him

That is still true today for the rest of the world.

They are lost in sin

selfishness

worldliness

possessions

popularity

Hedonism

They can not come closer....they are separated by sin

can not love him more

can not obey him better

can not know him better

If they would know him, love him, serve him, they must go a little further beyond the gate of sin.

HOW?

1. Acknowledge

that they are a sinner

they are separated from God by sin deserving of eternal punishment love self more than God

2. Believe Discussion with Jehovah’s Witness

Jesus is God in the Flesh come to earth

Incarnation

Jesus was born of a virgin to come to earth

lived a sinless life and is the perfect sacrifice

Jesus died on the cross to pay for their sin

Because he died, they can be forgiven

Jesus was dead three days

God raised Him to life on the third day

Jesus is now at the right hand of God

That because he lives, they will too

3. Confess

Their sinfulness

their need for forgiveness

their belief in Jesus Christ

4. Accept Jesus as Lord and Master of their new life

5. Commit their selves to obedience to God’s revealed will

But that is not the only gate we must pass.

We must go BEYOND THE GATE OF MEDIOCRITY.

That night 11 went beyond the first gate...where they left the world

But only 3 went on a little further.

In the church of Jesus Christ, even among his followers, many do not go as far as others.

8 disciples went part of the way.... a little less than 80%

I dare say that same percentage holds true today.

80% stayed behind, content to go just so far, and no more only what was required

Most Christians live by the requirement...no more, maybe less

They are satisfied to meet the minimum requirements.

For them, the question is

not "What would love have me do"

not "What is the best I can do"

not "How much can I do for Him."

But...."What must I do."

"What does the bible require." "What is the least I have to do."

Nobody wants to admit they are living this way, but the truth is....most of you are.

at work

at school

at home

and sadly In your relationship to Jesus.

We must go beyond mediocrity to what is required, the least we can get by with.

WE MUST GO ON A LITTLE FURTHER

A LITTLE FURTHER IN SPIRITUALITY.

There are too many good Christians in churches who know only a little about real, genuine spirituality of life.

People often join the church with no thought of ever taking part in more than half the church is doing.

These Christians, who are accustomed to doing only so much need to go on a little further.

A LITTLE FURTHER IN PRAYING

They need to move on to praying more for God’s Spirit to fill them, to use them, to direct them.

They need to pray for God to move them beyond just what is necessary to what is possible.

A LITTLE FURTHER IN GOD’S WILL

They need to pray more and more for God to reveal to them His will for their lives.

Young people would avoid many dreadful mistakes if they seek to know and do His will.

Much of the sickness and most of the unhappiness in life comes from living outside of the will of God.

The spiritual person is the one who is DAILY seeking to KNOW and FOLLOW the will of God.

A LITTLE FURTHER IN HOLINESS

They need to go on in holiness.... seeking to live their life thouroughly right with God.

Holiness is Christlikeness...Godliness

We all have much further to go in this area

They must go a little further in REPENTENCE.

A change of actions/direction

They must go a little further in CONVERSION.

A change of mind/attitude/thinking

The same mind that was in Christ Jesus