A Wide Door for
Effective Service:
Let God’s Spirit "Move In"
Author: Dr. Neal Gray
Passage: 1 Corinthians 2:12-3:3, KJV
Purpose: We must be "spiritual" men and women before we can be an effective part of God’s plan. Every Christian is "saved;" but only a grown-up Christian works effectively in God’s kingdom.
INTRODUCTION
Opening
With this message, I am beginning a 5-part sermon series titled, "A Wide Door for Effective Service." The key passage for this series is:
"I will tarry...until Pentecost; for a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries." (1 Corinthians 16:9)
The emphasis for the series is this: EACH CHRISTIAN MEMBER OF THIS CHURCH IS, IN FACT, A MINISTER. And the time has come for you to find a suitable-- and enjoyable--service in your church. In fact, the time has now come for you to lovingly contribute--in ways more than you have practiced until now. The Church of Jesus Christ needs YOU. And as a Christian person, YOU NEED TO BE IN THE SERVICE OF THE LORD. Amen? Of course, amen.
==> Don’t worry, the truths I will present over the next several Sundays will help you see that providing a service to Christ’s Church is the easy and enjoyable thing for you to do. Great satisfaction comes from serving God.
Scripture
Our Scripture for today is found in 1 Corinthians chapters 2 and 3.
2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.
3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? (1 Corinthians 2:12-3:3)
WHAT MAKES A GREAT CONGREGATION?
Introduction
If somebody came to you today and asked you what you felt THE MOST IMPORTANT STATISTIC the church could give to demonstrate the vitality and the health of that church, what would you say to them?
Does Membership Indicate a Great Church?
Probably most of us would answer that the membership of the church gives the best clue as to her healthiness. We’d say, "Well, our church has so many members."
==> But, MEMBERSHIP IS NOT THE GREATEST WAY to really gauge the greatness of a congregation! In fact, some churches may have 500 members, but only 200 of them come to church. When you look closer, another 200 of those members may be dead--some of them physically!
The Best Indicator of a Great Church
No, membership isn’t the way to tell the greatness of the church. I will tell you how to gauge the greatness of a church: BY THE PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE A WEEKLY MINISTRY IN THAT CHURCH.
Just one year ago (February 18, 2001) when I came to our church, I took notice of how many people in the church had a weekly ministry. I looked at who was doing the work of the church that has to be done for us to even function as a church.
I can tell you that I found what I expected to find. About 20% of the people who attended our church were doing about 80% of the work. Now folks, that means that not too many people had a "ministry" that they did each week!
Today, that number has increased. There are more people who "do something" each week to contribute the greatness and vitality of this church!
==> I’ll say it again: the GREATNESS OF A CHURCH IS BASED ON HER PEOPLE FINDING OUT WHAT THEIR GIFTS ARE, AND USING THEM FOR THE GLORY OF GOD. That’s what makes a great church!
Find Out How to Use Your Spiritual Gifts
I want to talk to you for the next five weeks, about finding out how to be a spiritual man, or a spiritual woman; and then using your spiritual gifts that God has given you. We’ll explore together ways you can use your gifts.
That’s why the sermon series is titled, "A Wide Door for Effective Service." There are many ways that you can be in effective service in Christ’s Church; and at the same time, you can be more fulfilled by doing the thing that you enjoy, but doing it for God and His people.
The messages of the series are all designed to help you in this way. They are:
* Let God’s Spirit "Move In"
* Let the Pastor "Move Over"
* Let the Church "Move Up"
* Let the Laity "Move Out"
* Let Jesus "Open the Door"
==> And, when all that happens, we will be well on our way to having a great congregation! Okay, let’s talk about spiritual gifts.
SPIRITUAL GIFTS
Introduction
A well-known pastor, John MacArthur, says this about churches:
"No local congregation will be what it could be, what Jesus prayed that it should be, nor what the Holy Spirit empowered it to be, until it understands spiritual gifts."
Its a tremendous quote, but I’d like to add one further thought to that: it’s not simply that the church understands spiritual gifts, but THAT THE CHURCH PEOPLE USE THEIR SPIRITUAL GIFTS FOR GOD’S GLORY!
You see, it’s more than me knowing that God has given me gifts; it’s when I use those gifts for the glory of God, and you use your gifts for the glory of God, that we become a great church. Every one of YOU OUGHT TO KNOW WHAT YOUR GIFTS ARE, and use them in Christ’s Church.
Filled with the Spirit of God
Of course, it’s more than simply knowing that you have one or more spiritual gifts. It’s more than desiring to use your gift for Christ’s Church and for His glory.
Before you can use your spiritual gifts in God’s kingdom, YOU FIRST HAVE TO BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT OF GOD to be empowered to utilize that gift that God has for us.
THREE CLASSES OF MEN AND WOMEN
Introduction
Paul, in 1 Corinthians chapters 2 and 3 talks about three classes of people:
* He talks about the natural man, or the unbeliever
* He talks about the spiritual person, and then,
* He talks about the carnal person.
We’re going to talk about these three classes this morning. And when we do you’ll be able to look at these three classes of people and be able to ask yourself, "Where do I fit?"
Are You Walking Like Mere Men?
I suppose that the whole trouble in the Church of Jesus Christ today is found in the answer to the question that Paul asks at the end of 3:3, namely...are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
In other words, the Apostle Paul is amazed. And why he is amazed is that he says, "As I look at the Church, I DON’T SEE A DIFFERENCE; I don’t see a spiritual power, I don’t see an anointing, I don’t see anything different. Are we not walking like just mere people?"
In other words, what’s the difference? HOW ARE WE DIFFERENT, those of us who are hear in this service, from those who don’t come to church? Are we just living like mere men, is there a difference in our lives spiritually?
The Church Has a Credibility Problem
You see, the Church is facing a credibility problem. We’re facing a credibility problem because IN MOST CONGREGATIONS, THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE!!!
I heard a story once about a fellow in a large congregation who had suffered a heart attack during the sermon; and the ushers called for an ambulance. The paramedics came in, all the while the pastor continues, droning on with his message, totally oblivious to what was happening.
One of the ushers heard the paramedics talking on their way out, "Gee, we had to pick up six people before we found the one who had the heart attack!" (Now, that may not be a true story!)
JOKE: You know, a lot of churches are like decaffeinated coffee: (pause) they look like the real thing, but they just can’t keep you awake!
==> Walking like mere men. Is this what Jesus had intended? Hmmm?
Some Startling Statistics
In one of my classes the professor gave some statistics about mainline churches. You might want to write them down, just to remind you of the pathetic condition of the Church.
In America 3500-4000 churches close each year; that’s 10 closings each day! In 1900, there were 27 churches for every 10,000 people. In 1985, there were 12 churches for every 10.000 people. The average size of all churches in America is only 75 people, and 85% of those churches have plateaued or are declining.
Even worse, I think, is that in the congregations in the United States...
* 50% of the members are not certain of their salvation
* 60% of the members seldom attend church
* 70% give 1% or less of their income to the church
* 80% have no ministry within the church
* 80% do not attend Sunday School or a small group study, and,
* 90% have not been discipled or trained.
Things Haven’t Changed in 2,000 Years
You say, "WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?" I can tell you what the problem is; it is as the Apostle Paul said, "You are walking like mere men." Today, the church is just like the church at Corinth, and things haven’t changed in 2,000 years. "You are carnal, and you live like unsaved persons."
We Christians are living beneath our privileges. Jesus said in John:
"I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)
Now I ask you, "Are you living in front of the comma in Jesus’ statement; i.e. are you simply living a hum-drum ordinary life?"
OR...
"Are you living after the comma; i.e., ARE YOU REALLY LIVING LIFE ABUNDANTLY?" Which side of the comma are you living on?
THREE GROUPS OF PEOPLE
Introduction
Now, let’s get to what Paul says about these three groups of people.
Natural Man
When Paul tells us about "the natural man," (v. 2:14), he means the unbeliever. The natural man or woman has NO APPRECIATION FOR SPIRITUAL THINGS. It is simply beyond them to accept the things of God.
Why is this so? In the beginning with the disobedience of Adam and Eve, mankind’s spirit fell down. It LOST FELLOWSHIP AND RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
I heard a poem, which sums up the attitude and actions of the natural man:
Into this world to eat and to sleep,
To know no reason why he was born except,
To consume the corn, devour the cattle, flock and fish,
And leave behind an empty dish.
That’s the natural man. No appreciation for spiritual things. Living a routine life of basic existence; with no appreciation for higher things. IT JUST DOESN’T MAKE SENSE to him or to her!
Spiritual Man
The second class of people is the spiritual man. In verse 2:15-16 Paul gives us a couple of characteristics. Look at it to see those characteristics:
1. The spiritual person is CAPABLE OF DISCERNMENT: he or she understands what God is doing, the things of God. "We have the mind of Christ."
Where does the spiritual person get their discernment? In the Bible I see four areas:
* He goes to God in prayer to ask for wisdom, (cf. James 1:15)
* He goes to the Word, (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16)
* He goes to the wise men, (cf. Proverbs 1:5)
* He goes to the Holy Spirit, the Helper, (cf. John 14:26)
2. He is a cause for amazement. The natural man is amazed at the high road and the standard of living that the spiritual man takes!
I have three questions for you to ask yourself:
* "Do others express a desire for God when they are around me?"
* "Do I sense spiritual power at times that is greater than my own?"
* "Do I walk a ’higher road’ than the world?"
The answers you have to these questions will tell you if you are in this group of people, i.e., a spiritual man or spiritual woman.
==> Is there something about your life that is attractive and amazing, such that the natural man wants to be around you to find out more about the special characteristic of your life? Is your life so spiritually potent that some natural men stay away from you because of your holiness?
Or, DO THEY EVEN KNOW THAT YOU KNOW GOD? Are you "walking like mere men," or are you walking on a higher spiritual plane. In this world, even this world, do you have real joy? Do you have the joy of Christ?
==> We’re to be light and salt in this world, Christians!
Carnal Man
Lastly, Paul talks about the carnal person in 3:1-3. Look what he says about them, [read the verses out loud].
==> I’m going to give you a BIBLICAL DEFINITION OF A CARNAL PERSON: he or she allows the attitudes and appetites of the flesh to be controlled by human nature rather than controlled by the Spirit of God.
A carnal Christian is the person who takes one step forward and THEN TWO STEPS BACK. Instead of becoming victors over sin, they become victims of it.
"Are we not walking as mere men?" Do you understand? A mere man is controlled not by the Holy Spirit, but by his or her own selfish desires!
==> Let me give you the major characteristic of a carnal Christian--immaturity. Look at verse 3:1. Paul tells them they are "babes in Christ."
Now folks, there’s nothing wrong with being a baby. I love babies; even with all of the undesirable things babies do! But, if a twelve-year-old still isn’t potty-trained, there’s something wrong!
There’s lots of excitement in the maternity ward; excitement over that baby growing and doing something good in the world, giving love in the world. But that mother wouldn’t be nearly as excited over that baby if she knew he would be a baby for the next 20 years.
There’s NOTHING WRONG with being a baby. There’s EVERYTHING WRONG with being a baby all of your life. And Paul looked at the church at Corinth and he said, "I’m amazed, you’re still babies!"
I saw a definition of a baby: a digestion apparatus--with a loud noise at one end and no responsibility at the other. That is what a carnal Christian is like: makes lots of noise, but accepts very little responsibility.
There are two things a carnal Christian does:
1. Never gives in, because he is selfish. If you don’t like the way things are going, you take your ball and go home.
You pout, you criticize, you gossip.
Carnal Christians look at themselves, and if they don’t get what they want in any area, they cause jealousy and strife.
2. And, it seems that a carnal Christian never grows up. They prefer to stay on baby food, rejecting the real food of the Word.
Look later at Hebrews 5:12-14 to see what the Hebrew writer says about a carnal Christian. In short, he says, "You should grow up!"
==> Hey, Paul recognizes that WE ARE GOING TO BE BABIES IN CHRIST AT THE BEGINNING of our Christian life. But he says, "Some of you have been around for a long time, and you’re still as spiritually undeveloped as a baby."
You will never be able to eat solid spiritual food and understand the deeper things of God until you...
1. GIVE IN,
2. GROW UP, and,
3. ASK GOD THE HOLY GHOST TO MOVE DEEP INTO YOUR LIFE.
CONCLUSION
Don’t Shoot Blanks
Before I give you an invitation to make today of renewed commitment to allow God’s Spirit to move in, listen as I tell you of a true story of a soldier who was in Pearl Harbor.
On the night before they were attacked by the Japanese Imperial Fleet, he and about twelve of his buddies went to a Bible study. They sat around the room, and the leader asked these Christians to quote their very favorite Scripture from memory, the Scripture that meant the most to them in their lives.
And this guy who had gone to church all of his life began to freeze. He couldn’t remember one Scripture.
They started, fortunately for him, on the other side of the room. As they were coming closer to him, reciting their favorite verses, he panicked. And then all of a sudden he remembered John 3:16. "Ah, that’s the one I’ll quote." And then the guy right before him quoted--you guessed it--John 3:16! When they came to him, he looked up and said, "I’m sorry, I just don’t know any verses."
He went home that evening, spiritually whipped. He thought, "Here I am. I’ve grown up in church, and I can’t even remember a Scripture verse. I’m still a baby."
Little did he know that on the next day the sirens would be raised high, and he would go to his battle station. He said, "I looked over head and there was smoke all over the harbor, and those Japanese planes were flying all over us."
He continued, "I grabbed my gun, but all we had in there was fake ammunition. But in panic, I grabbed my gun and fired into the air at the planes. I was firing blanks for 15 minutes. And while I was there God spoke to me. God said to me, ’That’s exactly how your life is; your life is full of blanks. No power, no effectiveness, no light, no salt, just blanks. And there’s a real enemy all around you bombing you and shooting you. No power.’"
The soldier said, "On the deck of the ship, I looked at God and I said, ’If You will let me live through this, I’ll get out of this baby carnal Christian stage, and I’m going to grow up, and become Holy Spirit-filled so that I will no longer fire blanks in my life.’"
Four Steps to Becoming a Spirit-Filled Christian
Let me wrap it up this message with four steps to becoming a Spirit-filled Christian. If you sense right now the powerful need to allow God’s Spirit to move into your life, then the altar is open.
Here are the steps:
1. Realize your need. Christian, don’t be a spiritual child all of your life. (1 Corinthians 13:11)
2. Repent of your ways. This is Jesus’ instruction. (Revelation 2:5)
3. Release your rights. You are a precious child of God, so look to Him and offer Him your very self. (Romans 12:1-2)
4. Receive God’s power through the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ words: "You will receive power, after the Holy Ghost is come upon you," (Acts 1:8)
Prayer
I’m praying as you are coming; you will leave here today a spiritual man, and spiritual woman, if you: realize your need, repent of your ways, release your rights, and receive God’s Holy Spirit.
Lord Jesus, help us all to grow up. As many as will today, allow us to give over full control to You. As many as will say today, "Lord Jesus, I am ready to grow up, to let the Holy Spirit of God move in. Lord, lead the way."
I hope that today you have made that decision to grow up in the Christian life.
Credits
Adapted from a Dr. John C. Maxwell sermon.
AMEN.
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| Copyright 2002
| Practical Holiness Ministry (r)
| "BRINGING PRACTICAL IDEAS TO
| THE CHRISTIAN LIFE." (tm)
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| You may reprint or publish or hopefully preach
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| (see Mark 8:36).
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| Dr. Neal Gray is the Senior Pastor of the
| Baltimore Parkville Church of the Nazarene.
| 8510 Fowler Ave -- Baltimore, Maryland 21234
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| LEARNING. MENTORING. SERVING. (tm)
| 2 Pet. 3:18 - 2 Tim. 2:2 - Matt. 20:26-28
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| Used with God’s blessed permission.
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