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
They need to go a little further in hatred for their family
They need to go a little further in love for their enemies
They need to go a little further in denying self instead of God
They need to go a little further in hating the world .. instead of God
“The Fellowship of the Unashamed”
TRUTH: YOU CAN NOT GO FURTHER UNTIL YOU HEAR THE SUMMONS
That is what REVIVAL is .... Hearing the call afresh, anew, again.
TRUTH: THERE IS GREAT DANGER IN BEING DISTANT.
Causes you to forget the things you promised PETER
Causes you to fall asleep Disciples
Some of you here have been living outside the gate of SIN
You need to come today and go a little further... into SALVATION
Some of you here today have been waiting outside the gate of MEDIOCRITY
Doing only what was required
You need to go a little further
Into commitment
Lordship
Spirituality
Whatever gate you are waiting by ... COME A LITTLE FURTHER TODAY.
