Disclaimer: Source material for this sermon has been gleaned from many different sources. I have attempted to acknowledge these sources whenever possible.
DEMONSTRATE THE REALITY
MATTHEW 25:31-36
INTRODUCTION: In this passage of Scripture there is a contrast between two classes of professing Christians. There are those who talk the talk but do not walk the walk. The others are those genuine believers who demonstrate the reality of their faith in action. They not only believe what is right but they demonstrate the reality by the life they lead.
I. It is not a question of “Theology” but “Knee”ology – Prayer
A. As Baptists our theology is solid. We believe that God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. We believe and teach that God loved us so much and wanted to have an eternal relationship with us that He sent His Son to die for us. We believe that He has given us His precious Holy Spirit to dwell within us until we are at home with Him. We believe that God wants us to pray. We believe that God hears and answers prayer.
B. I Timothy 2:8 “I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”
C. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”
D. We say we believe in prayer. We say that prayer is our highest priority and privilege. Then why when confronted with pressing circumstances do we seek to find solutions and then pray about the matter? Why do we call the doctor before we pray? Why do we spend more time in complaining and crying to others instead of communicating with God?
E. “You can do more than pray, after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed.” – John Bunyon
F. If we believe that we can pray anywhere anytime then why when others have needs, burdens, and cares they share us why do we wait for them to ask us to pray? When was the last time that someone shared a burden with you and you stopped right there and prayed for them whether over the phone or in person?
G. If a disagreement or problem rises between two believers why do we compound the matter by talking to others about the squabble rather than going to the Lord with the issue?
H. Two Christian men "fell out." One heard that the other was talking against him and he went to him and said: "Will you be kind enough to tell me my faults to my face that I may profit by your Christian candor and try to get rid of them?" "Yes, sir," replied the other; "I will do it." They went aside, and the former said: "Before you commence telling what you think wrong in me, will you please bow down with me and let us pray over it, that my eyes may be opened to see my faults as you will tell them? You lead in the prayer." It was done, and when the prayer was over the man who had sought the interview said: "Now proceed with what you have to complain of in me." But the other replied, "After praying over it, it looks so little that it is not worth talking about. The truth is, I feel now that in going around talking against you, I have been serving the devil myself and have need that you pray for me and forgive me the wrong I have done you." – Christian Index
I. James 5:16 “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
J. "...Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons -- but they are helpless against our prayers." – Sidlow Baxter
II. It is not a question of Concepts but Conduct – Purity
A. When it comes to morality, we as Christians and as Baptists doctrinally take the moral high ground.
B. As believers we affirm God’s plan for marriage and sexual intimacy – one man, and one woman, for life. Homosexuality is not a "valid alternative lifestyle." The Bible condemns it as sin. It is not, however, unforgivable sin. The same redemption available to all sinners is available to homosexuals. They, too, may become new creations in Christ. We further Procreation is a gift from God, a precious trust reserved for marriage. At the moment of conception, we believe a new being enters the universe, a human being, a being created in God’s image. This human being deserves our protection, whatever the circumstances of conception. Therefore, we believe that abortion is wrong.
C. We believe that God’s Word teaches that as believers we are to live according to God’s principles and to not conform ourselves to the world.
D. Romans 12:1 - 2 1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
E. 1 Peter 1:14 – 16 “as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
F. George Barna wrote “We rarely find substantial differences" between the moral behavior of Christians and non-Christians. - Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
G. Barna released the results of their poll about divorce on 1999-DEC-21. 1 They had interviewed 3,854 adults from the 48 contiguous states. The margin of error is within 2 percentage points. The survey found: 11% of the adult population is currently divorced. 25% of adults have had at least one divorce during their lifetime. Divorce rates among conservative Christians were significantly higher than for other faith groups, and for Atheists and Agnostics. - © 2000 to 2005 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
H. Addressing a national seminar of Southern Baptist leaders, George Gallup said, “We find there is very little difference in ethical behavior between churchgoers and those who are not active religiously...The levels of lying, cheating, and stealing are remarkable similar in both groups – Erwin Lutzer, Pastor to Pastor
I. Luke 6:46 And why call you me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
J. Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
K. A holy life will make the deepest impression. Lighthouses blow no horns, they just shine. – D.L. Moody.
L. Are we changing our culture or is our culture changing us? Are we living such transparent lives that people will see no inconsistency between what we say and what we do?
III. It is not a question of our Missiology but Implementation – Compassion
A. Missiology is that branch of theology that studies in a systematic way the evangelizing activity of the Church. Missiology is an interdisciplinary subject that makes use of all the findings of the other branches of theology in order to discern better and reflect more about the proper mission of the Church.
B. We know what the mission of the church is.
C. Matthew 28:18 - 20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
D. We have designed programs and methods to carry out the job of kingdom building, of reaching the lost, of building community within the body of Christ. We have developed technology and techniques which stagger the imagination. But all the plans, programs, and techniques do not matter unless we implement them.
E. People will not listen to words that are not reinforced by practical demonstration.
F. 1 John 3:17 - 18 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
G. If we are to reach the world we must Care - Dare - Share - Prayer
1. Care: show concern for the person, and concern for your life before him.
2. Dare: it takes courage to witness—courage if the person is a stranger to you, and even more if the person is a close friend or relative.
3. Share: If you want to make a lasting impression, share yourself with the person. Get involved in his interests, get your shoulder under his burden, be genuinely glad when he has a success.
4. Prayer: Don’t discount the effectiveness of prayer in the preparation of people’s hearts for the Good News. – Adapted from S. Briscoe, Getting Into God, pp. 92-2
