(Mat 5:38-41) "And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain."
Israel, during the time of Christ, was under Roman rule.
They were their oppressors, and were hated by the Jews.
One of the most hated of Roman laws:
The one that would allow a soldier to force a person to carry his possessions one mile!
Jesus tells them, to carry their bags an EXTRA mile.
The first mile was done grudgingly and reluctantly.
> But Jesus says, go TWO miles!
He is not talking about letting people walk all over you; But He is trying to convey the attitude of a Christian.
Anybody can grudge and complain about their situation...
But, a Christian can use it towards God’s glory!
Consider what a Roman soldier might think if...
A man tells him, he wants to carry his stuff another mile? It will floor him!
Such is the Christian walk today.
We are not merely to live the Christian life; We are to go the extra mile!
Second Mile Christianity
I. The First Mile is Your Duty!
A. We have done that which is our DUTY (Luke 17:7-10).
1. Jesus told of a servant who had worked all day in the field.
> He had spent the entire day, from sunup to sundown working in the field.
2. After a long grueling day the servant heads for home.
> Dirt is caked all over his face and clothes.
> His entire body aches.
> All he can think of is a hot bath, supper and bed.
3. His master, on the other hand, is at home; rested, refreshed, and comfortable.
> He has perhaps had a very calm, uneventful day.
> When the servant walks in his master says to him:
> "Before you sit down to eat, wash up and make my dinner, and after I am full, you can make yourself something" (v. 8).
4. The servant does not get angry.
> He does not complain.
> His master has commanded him, and he must obey.
> After he has fed his master, he does NOT EVEN EXPECT TO BE THANKED.
> He has done that which is his DUTY.
B. (2 Cor 5:14-15) If He died for us, we ought to live for Him.
1. If we REALLY believe the Bible...
> If we really believe that we were destined to a devil’s hell...
> That we deserve to spend eternity in the torments of the damned...
2. If we REALLY believe that Jesus came to this earth to die on the cross, and pay for our sins...
> If we believe that because of the sacrifice of Christ we have been delivered from hellfire...
3. If we REALLY believe these things...
> "Then they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again."
4. If you don’t believe these things then you are doomed to the eternal fires of hell.
> Your either in or out! A Saint, or an Ain’t
C. [Romans 12:1] "Your reasonable service!"
1. "I beseech you therefore Brethren, by the mercies of God..."
> ...that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."
2. In light of the facts of the gospel...
> In light of the fact that Jesus died for us to save us from hell and give us eternal life...
> IT IS ONLY REASONABLE THAT WE WOULD WANT TO SERVE GOD!
3. If God compels you to carry His cross one mile, it is your DUTY to do so.
> It is your reasonable service.
> In fact, we are to say to ourselves:
> "We are unprofitable servants; We have done that which is our DUTY!"
II. The meaning of duty!
A. Webster’s 1828 dictionary.
1. That which a person owes to another;
> That by which a person is bound, by any natural, moral legal, or spiritual obligation, to pay, do or perform.
2. Notice the words "Owe," and "Bound."
> Duty obligates us to a Person or Task.
> Duty binds us; creates an attachment.
B. An example of duty.
1. A soldier on guard.
> He holds the lives of those who sleep peacefully under his watch, in his hands.
> The enemy cannot attack without warning as long as he stands guard.
> He must remain alert, and never forget that it is his duty to keep watch.
2. At first, he is excited.
> He is a soldier for the greatest army in the world.
> He carries a powerful weapon in his hands.
> He considers the importance of his job; the lives that depend on him...
> And, he holds his position proudly.
3. But, after many days his job becomes routine.
> He no longer considers it such a great honor.
> He loses sight of the great responsibility given to him.
> He no longer cares that lives depend on him.
> His job becomes boring!
4. But, even though he is no longer excited...
> Though it brings him no great glory.
> Though his position is now just weary work...
> IT IS STILL HIS DUTY!!!
> And, the lives of those under his care remain his responsibility.
5. Serving God will lose its excitement...
> We too soon become weary in well doing.
> The flashing lights of the world become far more exciting than the everyday efforts of walking with God...
> But, whether its FUN or not...
> Whether we like it or not...
> IT IS STILL OUR DUTY!
Dr. West: "What difference does it make whether I like it or not?"
6. We OWE a debt to our Savior.
> It’s a debt of LOVE!
> It’s a debt of CHOICE!
> It’s a debt of DESIRE TO PLEASE HIM!
> AND ITS OUR DUTY!
III. But, That’s Just the First Mile.
A. Regular Church Attendance is the FIRST MILE.
1. We are commanded to "Forsake not the assembling of ourselves together..."
> God says to miss church is to FORSAKE HIS COMMAND to assemble for worship.
2. God commands us to "withdraw thy foot from doing thy pleasure on MY HOLY DAY!"
> Or in other words, we are to do GOD’S pleasure on His day!
3. Some don’t even go the FIRST mile!
> Some miss church for any reason: and some make up reasons!
> If you job keeps you away from church too often, God out to take it away from you!
> Some don’t even go the first mile!
4. But, even if you did, you haven’t done anything extra...
> You have simply done that which is your duty!
B. Tithing is the FIRST MILE.
1. God commands us to "bring the full tithe into the storehouse..."
2. The tithe makes us all equal, no matter what our economic status.
> 10 Percent is 10 percent, no matter how much money you make.
3. Some have NEVER gone the First Mile when it comes to tithing.
> "Will a man rob God?"
> God says you’re a thief!
4. "God loveth a cheerful giver" is not talking about the tithe.
> "The tithe IS THE LORDS..."
> Tithing is the First Mile!
C. Reading the Bible through once a year is the FIRST MILE.
1. Reading and studying the Bible is the DUTY of every Christian.
> It is not just a good idea, it’s a command of God.
2. Every time I read it, I see something new.
> It is an amazing book.
> It never ceases to encourage me and help me.
3. But, even if wasn’t exciting and amazing, it is still OUR DUTY to read the Bible.
> Some are not even doing that much.
> Some are not even going the FIRST MILE.
D. Telling others about Jesus and inviting them to church is just the FIRST MILE!
1. Every born-again believer should want his friends and family to be saved.
> If we really believe that those who do not receive Christ will burn for ever in the lake of fire...
> If we really believe in eternal salvation for the saved, and eternal damnation for the lost...
> If we really believe in a hell with fire and torments...
> HOW COULD WE NOT TELL OUR LOVED ONES ABOUT CHRIST’S DELIVERANCE?
2. I want all my family to know what I know.
> If I had the cure for Cancer, and I had a loved one with Cancer, what kind of person would I be to withhold that information?
> If I have the answer, not merely for a physical need, which lasts but a lifetime...
> But the answer for a Spiritual need that lasts forever...
> How Can I forbear to tell everyone I know?
3. Charlie Peace was a condemned criminal.
> On the morning that he was to be executed for his crimes, the prison chaplain, walked beside him, sleepily reading some Bible verses...
> The criminal touched the preacher and asked what he was reading.
> "The Consolations of Religion," was the reply.
> Charlie Peace was shocked at the way the chaplain monotonously read about hell.
> > Could a man read about the condemnation of hell to a man under the very shadow of the scaffold in a dry, sleepy, unconcerned tone?
> Could this preacher believe the words that there is an eternal fire that never consumes its victims, and yet slide over the phrase with out a tremor?
> Is a man human at all who can say with no tears, "You will be eternally dying and yet never know the relief that death brings"?
> All this was too much for Charlie Peace.
> "Sir" addressing the preacher, "if I believed what you and the church of God say that you believe, even if England were covered with broken glass from coast to coast, I would walk over it, if need be, on hands and knees and think it worth while living, just to save one soul from an eternal hell like that!"
4. Is it possible that a man could be so cruel as to actually believe in hell and yet refuse to warn fellow human beings?
> If we really believed in a burning hell, could we be so complacent?
> Could we actually let our family members go to such a place, if we really believe it exists?
5. Recently, a local TV station interviewed a man that rescued a sleeping family from a burning house.
> He was riding by the house, saw the raging fire and at the danger of his own life, ran inside the flaming house, screaming and yelling for the family to wake up and get out!
> The newscaster asked him, "How does it feel to be a hero?"
> His reply was simply, "I’m no hero; I just did what any decent human being would have done."."
6. Would a decent Christian let a family burn in the eternal fires of hell, and not warn them?
> Warning friends and family about hell is JUST THE FIRST MILE.
> IT IS OUR DUTY!
ITS YOUR DUTY TO ATTEND CHURCH REGULARLY!
ITS YOUR DUTY TO GIVE 10% TO GODS WORK!
ITS YOUR DUTY TO READ YOUR BIBLE THROUGH!
ITS YOUR DUTY TO TELL PEOPLE ABOUT JESUS!
These things are the FIRST MILE!
These things our simply OUR DUTY!
IV. Walking the Second Mile.
A. Attending Church is the FIRST MILE.
1. Sitting here warming a pew is your reasonable service.
> "You have done that which is your duty..."
2. It is not until you are an integral part of the service that you begin the second mile.
> Not until you use your voice to encourage someone to Christ...
> Its not until you are part of the teaching, praying, or singing!
> To be used of God, to teach, to sing, to pray!
> To be used of God, to show someone the way...
> Within my heart is a burning fire!
> To be used of God, is my desire!
3. You can at least encourage the preacher by shouting Amen!
> Amen, simply means, I agree!
> When you shout Amen, you tell everyone that hears, "I agree!"
* Someone has been spreading the rumor that some people who shout Amen, in this church, don’t live what the preacher was preaching when they shouted Amen!
> May I say, that no one lives up to what this Book commands.
> All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. We are altogether become unprofitable...
> If the person who started that rumor lived up to what I preach, she wouldn’t be sowing discord in the church.
4. Shouting Amen, simply means "I agree!"
> You can agree something is the truth, even if you don’t practice it!
> If we wait until we are perfect to agree with the Bible, we might as well hang it up!
5. Attending church is just the FIRST MILE.
> Getting involved in the Music, SS classes, and Shouting Praise to God is the Second Mile!
B. Defending your church is the Second Mile (Jude 1:3-4).
1. Contend - Stand up and fight for the faith!
> Boxing - contender!
2. Creeps - Crept in unaware.
> Didn’t SUSPECT him - unaware.
> Didn’t EXPECT him - crept!
3. Why don’t you decide to defend your church?
> Quit kowtowing to the devil’s crowd, and stand-up, stand-up for Jesus!
4. If you have got something to say about this church, come tell me!
> Pansy, milk-toast, soft-backed, wimps, complain to my wife...
> If you have a complaint about how something is done, come tell me!
C. Giving above your Tithe is the Second Mile!
1. The first 10% goes to the local church.
> But, 10% is the starting point!
> My wife and I give our tithe...
> We give toward the payment of the note on our new building...
> And, we give STRONGLY to missions!
2. The Tithe is just the First Mile.
> You haven’t even begun to really give to God’s work until you start the SECOND MILE!
> MANY are not even tithing!
3. The problem is you don’t TRUST God!
> You don’t really believe God can take care of you.
> You are still living on the ragged edge financially, because you WILL NOT FOLLOW GOD in matters of money!
D. Reading your Bible is the FIRST MILE.
1. Until you get into some DEEP Bible Study, You are still a First Mile Only Christian.
> MOST don’t even read their Bible as it is.
> Some aren’t even serving God the First Mile.
2. Some need to get a Bible Correspondence course and Really Learn the Bible.
> Why should God send you into Christian service if you will not prepare yourself?
> Study to show thyself approved unto God. A workman that needeth not to be ashamed!
V. Second Mile Men Needed (Ezek. 22:24-31).
A. Are there any REAL Christian men left? (v. 30).
1. "Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men." [Psa. 12:1]
"The good man is perished out of the earth: and there is none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net." [Micah 7:2]
2. The Ethiopian eunuch told Philip, who asked:
Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, HOW CAN I, EXCEPT SOME MAN SHOULD GUIDE ME?" [Acts 8:27-31]
3. "I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul." [Psa. 142:4]
> Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water:
> whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.
> And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him,
> Wilt thou be made whole?
> The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me."
> SIR, I HAVE NO MAN! [Jn 5:1-7]
4. God says, "And I sought for a man...none!"
> Can this be true? Are we so very degenerated, and wretched that God cannot find one among us?
> Is there not ONE who is willing to sacrifice a little sleep?
> Is there not ONE who is willing to forsake a little pleasure?
> Is there not ONE who is willing to miss the late show? etc.
5. Are there any Christians that care that we have no effect on this godless world?
> Has the church, become as savouless salt, to be trampled upon, by the feet of men?
> Is there not one man that is willing to stand in the gap?
B. FIVE Reasons Men Won’t Stand (W-I-M-P-S).
1. They have no WILLINGNESS.
WILLINGNESS TO GET INVOLVED.
> You must be willing to get involved.
> No one can make you serve God.
"And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom, even EVERY ONE WHOSE HEART STIRRED HIM UP to come unto the work to do it..."
"So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: FOR THE PEOPLE HAD A MIND TO WORK..."
WILLINGNESS TO SPEND TIME.
> We are all so very busy with work, family, and so many other things.
> We make time for the things we want to do.
> But, since we are stretched so thin, something has to be left out - THE THINGS OF GOD!
No Willingness!
2. They are INDIFFERENT.
> Many sit in church as board and indifferent as a gate post!
> They would get more excited about a scratch on their car than a soul getting saved from hell.
> The church is full of half-mile Christians; Not even First Mile Christians...
> Very few Second Mile Christians;
> And most of us don’t even care!
They have No Willingness!
They are INDIFFERENT...
3. They have relinquished their MANLINESS.
> (Jer.50:35-37) "their men have become as women."
> (Numb. 32:6-7) "Shall your brethren go to war, and ye sit here?"
> Are there no men left, to stand and fight with me?
Get up, and get your harps down off the willow...
Farmer get your feet behind the plow...
Soldier get your armor out, and polish up that sword
IF THERE EVER WAS A TIME TO FIGHT, ITS NOW!
> Some men have relinquished their manliness for a couch potato life
They have no Willingness!
They are INDIFFERENT...
They have relinquished their MANLINESS.
4. Too much PAMPERING is required.
> In 2002, Donavan McNabb broke his ankle in the third play of the game... But stayed in and threw a career-best four touchdown passes to lead the Eagles past the Cardinals 38-14.
> This sports star played the entire games with a broken ankle?
After being named the outstanding college football player in America in 1920 by the great football writer Grantland Rice, Gipp contracted strept throat while helping the Irish defeat Illinois at Northwestern late in his senior season. It seems that Gipp insisted on playing even through the strept was turning into pneumonia and his fever raged above 102 degrees. Even with illness overcoming him, Gipp’s instincts on the field continued to amaze fans and foes alike. His passing, once again, saved his team from defeat -- in fact, the last pass of his career -- of his life on the football field -- was a dramatic 55-yard completion that shattered all existing Notre Dame distance records.
> One for the Gipper!
> Why don’t you show yourself a man every now and then.
> Every once in a while, do right even it is "SO HARD!"
> 80% of the work force in AMERICA, doesn’t feel good.
> Don’t call in sick, crawl in sick.
> Quit pampering yourself all the time.
> Quit being such a sissy.
> We have no men, because there too much pampering is required.
> God said, "I sought for a man among them... but I found none..
They have no Willingness!
They are INDIFFERENT...
They have relinquished their MANLINESS.
Too much PAMPERING is required.
5. SACRIFICE is refused.
> "If any man will follow me, let him deny himself..."
> Men today refuse to make any sacrifice.
> We have today, a Christianity of convenience.
> God said, "I sought for a man among them... but I found none..."
We Need Some Men That Will Stand in the Gap, and Go The Second Mile!
Most are barely Half-Mile Christians; Some will go the First Mile... Where are the Second Mile Men?
