SIDELINE CHRISTIANS
1/20/08
TEXT: JAMES 1:
VS. 22--25
INTRODUCTION: I WAS WATCHING A FOOTBALL GAME RECENTLY, AND I COULD NOT HELP BUT NOTICE THAT THOSE WHO WERE “IN” THE GAME (11 ACTIVE PLAYERS ON EACH SIDE), WERE CARRYING THE LOAD FOR THE TEAM.
THEY WERE IN THE TRENCHES, THE THICK OF THE BATTLE SO TO SPEAK.
OTHERS WERE ON THE SIDELINES; SOME STANDING, SOME WARMING UP, SOME SITTING ON THE BENCH, YET ALL EAGERLY ANTICIPATING A CHANCE TO “GET INTO THE GAME, BE A PART OF THE TEAM’S SUCCESS.
I THOUGHT TO MYSELF: “THIS IS THE WAY THAT THE FAMILY OF GOD SHOULD BE.”
EVERY CHURCH MEMBER IS “IN THE GAME”
EVERY CHURCH MEMBER CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE SUCCESS OF THE CHURCH MINISTRY TO CARRY OUT THE CAUSE OF CHRIST, AND SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE THE LORD AND DO HIS PART TO HELP WIN THE BATTLE AGAINST SATAN AND SIN.
I. SIDELINE CHRISTIANS: SHOULD BE EAGERLY AWAITING THE CHANCE TO SERVE. ROMANS 12:1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship.
(A) EVERYONE CANNOT PREACH, TEACH SING, BE A CHURCH LEADER. ETC. BUT EVERYONE CAN SERVE.
1. EVERYONE IS CAPABLE OF PRAYING. *
2. EVERYONE IS CAPABLE OF WITNESSING*
3. EVERYONE IS CAPABLE OF WORSHIPPING*
4. EVERYONE IS CAPABLE OF “PITCHING IN” TO HELP OUT WITH A NEEDED CAUSE.*
(B) GOD ONLY REQUIRES “YOUR” BEST NOT “THE” BEST
WE ARE NOT TO BE COMPARED TO OTHERS, NOR ARE WE IN COMPETITION WITH OTHERS. SERVICE TO GOD IS ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS AND GOD’S ONLY REQUIREMENT IS TO DO YOUR BEST FOR HIM.
(C) GOD NEVER PROMISED TO MAKE YOU A FAMOUS CHRISTIAN BUT HE DID PROMISE TO MAKE YOU A FURNISHED CHRISTIAN2 2Tim 3:16-17
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
1. GOD HAS FURNISHED THE WORD OF GOD AS A SPIRITUAL AMMUNITION ON THE BATTLEFIELD FOR THE LORD.
2. HIS WORD IS LIKE A TOOL CHEST, IT CONTAINS EVERYTHING NEEDED TO FURNISH US FOR HIS WORK
3. GOD HAS GIVEN EVERY CHILD OF GOD ACCESS TO HIS WORD, ACCESS TO HIS WILL, ACCESS TO HIS WISDOM AND ACCESS TO THE WORKING POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
(D). GOD HAS FURNISHED US WITH ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING NEEDED TO DO HIS WILL AND ACCOMPLISH THE MISSION THAT HE HAS LEFT US TO CARRY OUT:
1. TO WITNESS OF HIS SAVING GRACE.
2. TO WIN SOULS FOR JESUS.
3. TO BE A LIGHTHOUSE FOR JESUS.
4. TO BE A HELP TO YOUR FELLOW CHRISTIAN.
YOU MAY BE ON THE SIDELINE, BUT GOD IS PREPARING YOU.*
(A) ON GOD’S TEAM, THERE ARE NO UNIMPORTANT PLAYERS.
Col 1:10
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God
1. SCRIPTURE DECLARES THAT GOD IS WILLING TO LEAVE THE 99 SHEEP AND SEARCH FOR THE ONE LOST.
2. HE CARES FOR YOUR SOUL, YOU ARE EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO GOD AS ANYONE.1 Peter 5:7
Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you .
(B) HOW IMPORTANT ARE YOU TO GOD?
1. HE LEFT THE RICHES AND GLORY OF HEAVEN, CAME DOWN TO THIS WORLD, AS GOD THE SON, TOOK ON A BODY OF FLESH AND SUFFERED ON THE CROSS OF CALVARY, BECAME SIN FOR US, TOOK OUR SINS ON HIS OWN BODY, SHED HIS BLOOD THAT WE MIGHT BELIEVE UPON HIS FINISHED WORK AND BE SAVED.
2. LET ME ASK YOU TODAY: DO YOU KNOW ANYONE THAT WOULD DO THAT FOR YOU?
Rom 5:8,9
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners , Christ died for us.
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
III. SIDELINE CHRISTIANS NEED TO BE READY TO STEP UP AND CARRY THE LOAD.
(A) READY TO SERVE AT HIS CALL. DOING HIS WILL FOR YOUR LIFE.
1. NEVER HAS THE CHURCH NEEDED LABORERS IN THE FIELD AS WE DO TODAY. (WHILE COUNTLESS NUMBERS DIE LOST EACH DAY.)
2. NEVER HAS THE CHURCH NEEDED TO BE A LIGHT HOUSE FOR JESUS MORE THAN TODAY.(THE WORLD OFFERS EVERYTHING PLEASING TO THE FLESH BUT SUPPLIES NOTHING FOR THE SOUL, THAT WILL LIVE ON IN ETERNITY EITHER IN HEAVEN OR HELL.
3. NEVER HAS THERE BEEN A GREATER OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE CHRIST THAN TODAY.
(B)READY TO FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH.
1. THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE TO THE CHURCH AND TO THE CHRISTIAN TODAY CAN BE SUMMED UP IN TWO FAMILIAR WORDS: “ I CAN’T”
2. WHO TOLD YOU THAT YOU CAN’T? I BELIEVE IT WAS THE DEVIL.
Phil 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.
3. LET ME NOW ASK THAT QUESTION AGAIN: WHO TOLD YOU THAT YOU CAN’T?
IV. SIDELINE CHRISTIANS NEED TO BE RESPONSIVE TO GOD’S CALL. 1 SAMUEL 17 STORY OF DAVID & GOLIATH.
(A) GOD NEEDED SOMEONE TO STEP UP TO THE CALL.
1. SAUL’S MEN (INCLUDING DAVID’S OLDER BROTHERS) WERE FILLED WITH FEAR (THAT GIANT WAS 10 FEET Tall)
2. DAVID’S COURAGE WAS “IN THE LORD”
WHILE ALL THE SIDELINE CHRISTIANS WERE HUDDLED IN FEAR, DAVID PUT ON THE “WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD” AND DEFEATED THE GIANT.
3. THE WORLD TODAY IS FULL OF GOLIATHS BUT VERY FEW DAVIDS.
(B) DAVID REFUSED TO BE A SIDELINE CHRISTIAN.
1. HE ASKED: “IS THERE NOT A CAUSE?”
2. THERE REMAINS A CAUSE TODAY, THE CAUSE OF CHRIST.
CONCLUSION: SIDELINE CHRISTIANS, LET ME ASK YOU TODAY: “ARE YOU READY TO GET OFF THE SIDELINES AND INTO THE GAME?”
GOD NEEDS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US TODAY AT WORK FOR HIM.
THERE IS MUCH TO BE DONE IN THESE LAST DAYS.
