Some Things We've Lost We Need To Regain

SOME THINGS WE'VE LOST WE NEED TO REGAIN IN THE NEW YEAR

2 John 8 & Luke 15:1-10

INTRODUCTION:

Our Scriptures say that we need to be alert lest we lose that which we have gained in our efforts and work for the Lord. It also tells us what we should do if we have lost something. Look for it till we find it.

I believe there are some things we have lost that we need to regain, that we need to get back into our lives.

I. OUR MAIN PURPOSE IN LIVING

Created for fellowship with Him

A. TO LIVE FOR GOD.

1. To Love Him

Deut. 6:5

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Mark 12:30:

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

2. To Serve Him

Deut. 10:12

And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

We tend to satisfy self and if it feels good do it.

B. HOW?

Matt. 4:4

But he answered and said, it is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

1 Cor. 13:11

Finally, brethren, farewell, Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

Titus 2:11-13

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for the blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.

Phil. 1:21

For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.

II. OUR CONCERN & LOVE FOR ONE FOR ANOTHER

A. WE HAVE "CLICKS" THAT EXCLUDE SOME.

1 John 1:7

But if we walk in the light, as He is in the Light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.

B. WE HATE SOME.

1 John 2:9-11

He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

C. WE ARE TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER

1 John 3:11, 14, 16

For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

John 13:34-35

A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, IF ye have love one to another. KJV

D. WE ARE TO HELP MEET THE NEEDS OF OTHERS.

1 John 3:17

But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

III. OUR RESPONSIBILITY FOR BEING FAITHFUL

A. WE'RE REQUIRED TO BE FAITHFUL.

1 Cor. 4:2

Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

B. WE NO LONGER TELL THE TRUTH.

Psa. 5:9

For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.

C. WE MAKE EXCUSES.

1. Like the 3 men invited to come to the Supper of the Master.

a. I bought land and must go see it.

b. I bought oxen and must go prove them.

c. I married a wife and therefore I cannot go.

2. We can do what we want to do, when we want to do it!

3. Shut the tube off and obey God! O me, AMEN!

D. FAITHFUL IN LITTLE, ALSO IN MUCH.

Luke 16:10

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.