B. A. --- INCOMPETENT ---SLIP SHOD FAITH?
VS --- GET THE JOB DONE FAITH....
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
This is a two part lesson.
B.A. means Bad Attitude.
TEXT:
Philemon 1:6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
1 Cor. 16:9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.
I. DO WE ABUSE FAITH? RARELY!
WE DO NOT PRACTICE ABUSE, BUT WE MIGHT BE LAX, SLACK, SLIP SHOD, CARELESS REGARDING OUR FAITH!
A. SLIP SHOD:
ONE WHO IS HABITUALLY NEGLIGENT
Wearing loose shoes or slippers
Down at the heel
Lack of strictness, precision
SHABBY
CARELESS, SLOVENLY
Untidy, Lazy
B. INCOMPETENT:
Not legally qualified
Inadequate to or unusable for a particular purpose
Lacking in qualities needed for effective action
Unable to function properly
Possess insufficient ability
C. EFFECTUAL:
Produce the desired effect
Getting the job done with the minimum of wasted effort
D. INEFFICIENT:
Not producing what is intended or desired
Wasteful use of time and energy
E. AN INCOMPETENT TEACHER HURTS KIDS.
Once I knew a school system that had many negative reports on students coming from a first grade teacher. They could not recognize nor make their letters when they were in the second grade.
Were the students all dumb? What was wrong?
The Principal starting observing the class, the papers taped on the wall out side the class room looked like a professional had written them.
After some observation, it was learned that the teacher would not allow her students to have a pencil. She went around individually to each student and with perfect penmanship she would write the lesson for them.
This caused the students to be lazy and far behind when they advanced to the next class.
The students absolutely loved their dear teacher, her class was easy.
The school system had a terrible problem. They threatened to bring charges against this teacher.
She decided to go to a different school system to teach. SHE DIDN’T GET IT.
She could prove her students’ work was superior to the other class’s work?
II. SELDOM DO WE PLAN TO FAIL,
BUT WE FAIL TO PLAN, AND THUS WE FAIL.
Habakkuk 2:2 And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
A. WE MUST QUIT PLANNING THE FUTURE BY LOOKING AT THE PAST!
B. An evil plan will always backfire. An evil plan will bring harm to the planner.
C. Bad plans make no allowance for modification.
D. A good plan will learn from others bad plans.
III. B.A.? B.A.?
TODAY WE LAUGH AT BAD ATTITUDES ---
THERE IS A SPIRIT OF GRADUALNESS THAT WE SLOWLY, AIMLESSLY, DRIFT INTO DANGEROUS HABITS AND BAD ATTITUDES.
A. PAUL HAD WARNED THE CAPTAIN OF THE SHIP!
B. 14 DARK NIGHTS HAD PASSED TOSSING THE LITTLE SHIP,
ALL HOPE WAS LOST...
Acts 27:28 And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.
C. WE NEED TO HEED THE WARNING AND CORRECT THE PROBLEMS WITH FAITH.
IV. WE NEED MORE THAN WISHBONES, WE NEED BACKBONES.
HAVE YOU EVER IDENTIFIED FAITH KILLERS?
A. A few years ago, there was a tree in Colorado that was over 500 years old.
Many people traveled to see this 500+ year old tree.
B. It was a seedling when Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue.
The tree was 1/2 grown when the pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock.
C. The tree had survived 500 years of storms.
The tree had been hit by lightning 14x’s...
D. Age did not kill it ...
Forest fires did not kill it ....
E. A LITTLE ARMY OF BEETLES DESTROYED THE LIFE IN THIS
HISTORIC TREE.
F. Little things , little foxes kill.
V. SLIP SHOD FAITH ---
FAITH THAT LINGERS WILL BE SELF CENTERED AND IT WILL ALWAYS BE COSTLY!
TO KNOW THE WORD OF GOD AND THE PLAN OF GOD AND NOT RESPECT IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS LACK OF FAITH.
A. Not many Old Testament women come forth in the New Testament.
B. There is one very sad story recalled in THREE WORDS.
Luke 17:32 Remember Lot’s wife.
C. LOT’S WIFE, NAME UNKNOWN, DID NOT HAVE FAITH TO BELIEVE.
Genesis 19:16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.
17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.
E. HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED WHY DID SHE LOOK BACK?
WHY WAS SHE WILLFULLY DISOBEDIET?
F. WHAT WAS HER LOVE BACK THERE THAT MADE HER LOOK BACK?
Genesis 19:26 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
G. WHAT A TERRIBLE TESTIMONY?
VI. SLIP SHOD FAITH WILL NOT WAIT... OUT OF THE LACK OF SINCERE BELIEF COMES GREAT PROBLEMS... WE WILL UNDERTAKE IT BY A MAN’S MEANS AND NOT WAIT AND DEPEND ON GOD’S PLAN.
BATTLE OF THE FLESH VS THE BATTLE OF THE SPIRIT.
INCOMPETANT FAITH ATTEMTS TO ANTICIPATE AND TELL GOD WHAT HIS WORD REALLY MEANS?
A. GOD HAS A PROMISE, MAN CAN MAKE THE PROMISE A PROBLEM?
Genesis 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
B. SARAI DOES NOT BELIEVE THE WORD NOR THE PROMISE AND UNDERMINES GOD’S WORK. BLAME GOD?
Genesis 16:2 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.
C. IS YOUR FAITH SO GOOD YOU CAN TAKE OVER FOR GOD?
Genesis 18:9 And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent. 10 And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was
behind him.
11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.
12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?
13 And the Lord said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?
D. THE LACK OF FAITH WORKS IN DENIAL, AND IS NOT EASILY CORRECTED.
Genesis 18:15 Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.
E. A MEDDLING WOMAN CREATES HER OWN PROBLEMS?
HAVE YOU EVER CREATED YOUR OWN PROBLEMS?
HAGAR AND ISHMAEL BECOME A THORN AND THE MAN-FLESH ANSWER BECOMES A THREAT TO THE GOD-SPIRITUAL ANSWER
Genesis 21:9 And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking.
F. THE SEED OF ISHMAEL IS TO THIS DAY A THREAT TO THE SEED OF ISSAC.
G. FAITH WILL STAND THE TEST OF TIME.
THERE IS AN ANSWER:
Isaiah 40:30 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
VI. DO YOU WANT CHEESE WITH YOUR WHINE?
SLIP SHOD FAITH SEES THE DUST BLOWING UP BEHIND US AND RECOGNIZES THE PROBLEMS AND DOES NOT TRUST THE LEADERSHIP OF THE MEN OF GOD AND THE WORK OF GOD.
A. WHY DID YOU BRING US OUT HERE? WEREN’T THERE ENOUGH GRAVES IN EGYPT?
Exodus 14:10 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord. 11 And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou
dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?
B. WHEN GOD’S PEOPLE FEEL TRAPPED AND DOOMED THEY FEAR AND WHINE.
C. WHERE IS OUR TRUST AND CONFIDENCE?
D. YES, THERE WAS A DUST CLOUD!
BUT THERE WAS A PILLAR OF FIRE BY NIGHT AND A CLOUD OF GLORY BY DAY!
D. HAVE FAITH.
Exodus 14:14 The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
VII. SLIP SHOD FAITH SAYS ALOT OF WORDS OF GOOD INTENTIONS, BUT TAKES LITTLE ACTION.
A BIG FIRE AND A LITTLE LIGHT AND A LITTLE HEAT?
A. MANY PEOPLE SAY THEY HAVE FAITH, THEY CAN ARGUE AND DEBATE WITH WORDS, BUT THEIR WORDS WILL NOT BEAR RECORD.
Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
B. HEAR AND NOT DO?
James 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
C. THERE IS A DIRECT COORELATION BETWEEN WORDS AND FAITH?
Matthew 12:34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
VIII. INCOMPETANT -- SLIP SHOD FAITH WILL PRODUCE UNCHANGED LIFES. SAME OLD SAME OLD TRAPS
Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
A. If you look like the world, act like the world, smell like the world, YOU PROBABLY ARE THE WORLD?
B. NO ROOTS NO FRUITS?
C. LITTLE ROOTS, LITTLE FRUITS?
Matthew 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
Matthew 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
IX. INCOMPETANT, SLIP SHOD FAITH HAS A QUITTER’S HEART!
A. A MIGHTY OAK IS JUST A NUT THAT STOOD IT’S GROUND!
B. A quitter has impulsive desires and wants to test God, and not test me?
Galatians 5:7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Matthew 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
C. Faith’s actions must grow, increase not just maintain.
D. PETER WALKED ON THE WATER BUT WHEN HE FELT THE WINDS
AND THE WAVES HE TOOK HIS EYES OFF JESUS.
X. SLIP SHOD FAITH, PARTIAL FAITH CALLS FOR PRAYER MEETINGS BUT DOES NOT HEAR THE ANSWER KNOCK AT THE DOOR.
FAITH IS NOT SURPRISED BY GOD’S ANSWERS:
A. PETER IS IN JAIL, PETER HAS MESSAGES TO PREACH, AND GOD’S WORK TO DO, AND HE IS LIMITED IN BONDAGE.
B. THE CHURCH BELIEVES IN PRAYER, BUT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE FAITH’S RELEASE.
Acts 12:12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. 13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.
14 And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. 15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.
16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.
C. WHEN GOD HEARS YOUR PRAYERS --- UNLOCK THE DOOR!
D. DON’T BE SURPRISED WHEN THE ANSWER IS STANDING AT YOUR DOOR!
XI. INCOMPETANT FAITH REFUSES TO TASTE, I CAN TELL BY WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE WHAT IT TASTES LIKE? I CAN TRUST PEOPLE? IT IS EASIER TO PLACE CONFIDENCE IN MAN?
Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
A. WE SEARCH FOR HEROS OF THE FAITH?
MEN OF GOD --- MEN --- OF GOD!
B. WHERE IS OUR TRUST?
Psalm 118:8 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
C. FEAR CORRUPTS FAITH!
Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.
D. WHERE IS MY MIND? FIXED TRUST?
Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
XII. SLIP SHOD FAITH CAN NOT SEE THIS EXPERIENCE, THIS TEST, THIS TRIAL IS BUT AN OPPORTUNIITY... LAUNCH OUT INTO THE DEEP!
A. GOD USES YOUR EXPERIENCES TO LAUNCH FAITH.
B. WHAT WE KNOW OF GOD IS PATIAL AND INCOMPLETE.
BUT WE CAN TRUST GOD’S PLAN, LAUNCH OUT INTO THE DEEP.
DON’T DO FOOLISHLY.
2 Chron. 16:9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.
Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
C. YOU AND GOD ARE A MAJORITY.
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost
which is given unto us.
D. TAKE THE WORD I CAN’T OUT OF YOUR VOCABULARY!
YOU CAN IF YOU WANT TO...
Philip. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
James 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
CONCLUSION:
LET THE CHURCH ARISE TO A HEALTHY, ACTIVE, GROWING, THRIVING FAITH.
GOD KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING --- TRUST HIM.
His servant,
Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
Would you help me? Pass this lesson on to another.
