No Pleasure In Fools

Then it happens – again. The totally committed become half-committed and the vicious cycle continues. Many have observed that some came and never were committed at all. They were noticed and invited to join in but never connected. Because the uncommitted never connected, no damage was ever done. They just went their way as the team continued on their mission.

It is the half-committed Christian that does far more damage to the “team” than does any uncommitted person will ever do. When the uncommitted try to take prayer out of our ballgames, God shows up and the entire stadium erupts with prayer! Yet when one half-committed Christian drops out of the picture, they take scores of families with them.

The majority here this morning are official members of East Mt. Zion UMC. At some time or another many of you have taken the vows of membership. Many are mistakenly believed that the membership vows are between you and this church. The vows of membership are a covenant agreement between you and God. Out of the seven part list of vows, the most commonly remembered is the question dealing with faithful participation in the ministries of this church; As a member of this congregation, will you faithfully participate in its ministries by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, and your service?

So what is the answer?

Renounce (confess), Repent, Recommit

Proverbs 28:13-14 gives us the starting point. “People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. Blessed are those who fear to do wrong, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.”

We must renounce our sin. It is wrong, according to God’s Word, to make a promise to Him and not follow through (Ecc. 5:4-7). Romans 12:1 tells us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice. If the only thing we have sacrificed is a turkey or ham over the holidays then we cannot expect to receive mercy from God.

1st John 1:9-10 tell us “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

In Matthew 3:2, John the Baptist is quoted as telling those who came to hear the message “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of heaven is near.” I believe that God’s Kingdom is much nearer today than when John the Baptist delivered that particular message.

Psalm 32:5-6 tells us “Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, ‘I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.’ And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.”

The psalmist says “finally.” Is there a sin that you have struggled with in years past? Has it nearly got the best of you? If so, today can be the “finally” for you. It’s your choice dear friend.

When we renounce and repent we can then recommit. One of the greatest restoration stories from the Bible concerns the Apostle Peter. After denying Christ three times, Jesus comes to Peter and offers him reconciliation (John 21:15-23). After acknowledging his love for Jesus publicly, Jesus instructs Peter to tend to the church by feeding, tending the sheep.