Introduction: Does Your Life Need A "Spiritual Facelift?"
Thesis: A person must realize the need to get life in order and take the steps to see it become reality.
Introduction:
Remodeling is never an easy task. I have had the pleasure to "remodel" the only home I ever owned. It was a chore - a great undertaking! I also had the privilege of being there when the South Fork Baptist Church had to do some much needed repairs to their structure. Remodeling involves some major steps along the way! These steps can be very challenging especially when things are let go for a period of time. What did we have to consider when undertaking this monumental task?
THE PROBLEM HAD TO BE RECOGNIZED AS A SITUATION THAT NEEDED OUR UTMOST ATTENTION.
A PLAN OF ACTION HAD TO BE LAID OUT IN ORDER FOR US TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED.
WE HAD TO ENLIST SOMEONE TO COME AND HELP WITH THE PROBLEM.
***Letting things go too long can have adverse affects, causing greater problems in the long run.
***Preventive maintenance is the key to avoiding many problems.
The old structure had been "let go" and over the 75 plus years of its existence it began to take on that appearance - that of something that had been neglected.
We began to look closely at the problem. We found that measures had not been taken to assure the structure would stand against the elements of wear and tear.
Time had been a factor. It had play havoc on the building. There were many things that had come into the
equation.
After observation, we realized that the problem needed to be handled, and not next year but now!
Much wrestling and contemplation went on in our minds. Do we fix it or just ride it out and see if it falls down around us?
Soon we decided we had better take the necessary steps to keep that from happening! What's next?
We did what was right. We enlisted the services of a local man, who was a carpenter, to come in and tell us what we should do. We realized that he was the man who could help us get the building back in shape.
In a few days, the building began to take on the appearance of newness. The old ugly deteriorated building was now beginning to look a whole lot better.
Maybe I am bragging a little too much on the carpenter's work. If it had not been for his expertise in taking care of our problem, we would have still had a problem with our structure. And who knows, it might have fell down by now!
APPLICATION OF THIS STORY:
As I look back to the problem that we had, I began to think of the old surface materials that had to be removed. Many things had to be replaced because of the "wear and tear" upon its life span. I am reminded of the newness that can come about simply by taking a little time in changing some things.
We realized we had a problem, we took action to get it fixed, and called upon someone to do the job of helping us repair the broken-down condition of the life of this structure.
WHAT IS THE SPIRITUAL IMPLICATION OF THIS STORY?
Our bodies represents a structure made by God, the Creator. This body in which we live, gets like many old
buildings, in that, it gets to a point of needing a "spiritual facelift."
This morning, your life may be in need of a "spiritual facelift." Your life may be lived right now in a state of rebellion. You may be living a life in what is known as a state of backsliding.
You may simply just need to have your life changed, and become a "new creature" in Christ. You may need to be "born again!"
WHAT MUST YOU DO TO FIX UP THE OLD STRUCTURE?
RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM
The problem is a sin problem. Romans 3:23 says that "...all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God..." THIS IS MAN'S GREATEST FAILURE! It is not a problem of wealth, health, prestige, success, but simply F-A-I-L-U-R-E. The failure to measure up to God's standard of living for mankind.
THE PROBLEM IS THAT OF EXPERIENCING A HEART PROBLEM.
Jeremiah 17:9 says of the heart of man - "...the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked..."
Satan is going to do all he can to convince you that your life is okay! "Desperately wicked" is better translated as "incurably sick." Man's condition in life is "terminal." It is only with a touch from the Master Physician that can make one well. The Bible says in Matthew 9:12 - "But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
There is no cure for man's sin except for the intervention of the Master Physician - Jesus Christ!
Mark 7:21-23 tells how the heart of man will cause him problems that man cannot fix in and of himself. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
Do you find that you have a heart problem? If so, then what do you do?
TAKE ACTION TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.
Man must be willing to make the necessary steps of action in changing his course in life.
Galatians 6:7 says, "Be not deceived: God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
It's like my parents said, "You make your bed, you have to lie in it!" What goes around comes around!
God is willing to help you make the change. Are you willing for Him to help you? God holds the future, but your future is in your hands.
If we had not taken action to correct our problem, there was a good chance that our structure might have continued to "rot and decay" right under our noses.
Does your life show signs of "rot and decay?" In order to take action, you will have to allow the word of God to penetrate deep into your heart as if it were the scapel of the surgeon cutting away the callousness of your old sinful heart.
***Hebrews 4:12 says, For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Are you willing to allow the Word of God to bring about the much need action within your life? If you are then:
CALL ON THE CARPENTER.
Not just any ole carpenter, but the MASTER CARPENTER - JESUS!
Just as our carpenter had to get to the root of our problem with our structure, so must Jesus in your life.
The Master Carpenter does not do His work with hammer and nails, even though He fell victim to the very tools that He had learned to use in His father's carpenter shop. It was with "two pieces of wood and three rusty nails" that He would give of His life in order that your life could have new meaning.
Jesus, the Master Carpenter, can take "anything that's wrong in your life and make it right!" I don't care what you are struggling with, He'll replace it with His presence.
Bad relationships, health, financial, anger, lust, drugs, whatever. He'll turn your life of sin and rebellion into a life of service and commitment to Him.
I want to ask you a very personal question if I may. "Does your life need a "spiritual facelift?"
This message is the sole property of Curtis G. Brock. You are free to take this message and adapt it for your personal use. Please be sure to give credit to the author when using. May God richly bless you and your ministry.
