ATTITUDES TOWARD CONGREGATIONAL SUCCESS

  1. INTRODUCTION: [ATTITUDE = YOUR FEELINGS]

    1. MEN CAN’T SEND YOU TO JAIL FOR A SORDID, SNOBBISH ATTITUDE, BUT THE LORD CAN SEND YOU TO HELL FOR IT.

    2. INDIFFERENCE TOWARD THE CHURCH, THE WORSHIP, THE SERMON, OR INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS, MAY NOT PROVOKE ANY CIVIC UPHEAVALS IN THE COMMUNITY, BUT IT CAN PUT YOU ON THE LEFT HAND AT THE LAST DAY; THEN SEND YOU TO ETERNAL DESTRUCTION.

    3. COURTEOUS, HELPFUL, COOPERATIVE, SINCERE ATTITUDES WILL BE A TONIC TO ANY SERVICE OF THE LORD AND TO THE CHURCH. THE ACTIONS OF OTHERS ARE NO MORE ESSENTIAL THAN THE REACTIONS OF YOURSELF. (See Matthew 7:12).

  2. DISCUSSION:

    1. ATTITUDE TOWARD UNITY:
      1. The Bible says:
        1. Dwell together in unity. (Psalms 133:1).
        2. Christ prayed for unity. (John 17:20-23).
        3. Paul said, "Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
           (Ephesians 4:1-3).
      2. Do you strive for peace or disturbance?
      3. Do you manifest unity or discord?
      4. Do you let God’s Word command or do you man’s word demand? (Read Galatians 1:9-10).

    2. ATTITUDE TOWARD WORK:
      1. We are to prove our work and bear our own burdens (Galatians 6:4-5; Philippians 2:12).
      2. Reward will be according to one’s work (Revelation 22:12; Romans 14:12).
      3. God does not forget work and love (Hebrews 6:9-12; Revelation 14:13).
      4. Why were Scriptures given = unto every good work. (II Timothy. 3:l6-17).
      5. The Lord saves men to serve Him:
        1. Unless we are doing something for the cause here, we are not accomplishing the cause for which we were redeemed.
        2. We might be precise in worship, flawless in its forms, but lacking in power.
        3. Worship is snot an outward ritual, it is an inward devotion that expresses itself according to God’s commandments -- never fail in rendering true service to God.

    3. ATTITUDE TOWARDS ATTENDANCE:
      1. Worship services and Bible studies are for the purpose of our fulfilling the commands of God to:
        1. Sing (Ephesians 5:19).
        2. Pray (I Corinthians 14:15).
        3. Teach (Acts 20:7).
        4. Partake of the Lord’s Supper (I Corinthians 10:16).
        5. Give (I Corinthians 16:2).
        6. Be furnished unto all good works (II Timothy. 3:l6-17).
        7. Be able to "Speak the things which become sound doctrine" (Titus 2:1).
      2. When we fail to attend we say these things are not important, and place more importance on that which we are attending, than being in attendance with Christ at thee called assembly (Hebrews 10:23-26; Matthew 18:19-20).

    4. ATTITUDE CONCERNING GIVING:
      1. Give as prospered (I Corinthians 16:2).
      2. Every first day of the week (I Corinthians 16:2).
      3. When you say you can’t, then it follows the church can’t, for you are the church.

  3. CONCLUSION:

    1. READ POEM I WROTE: "THE THINKING CHRISTIAN".

    2. EXTEND THE INVITATION.

 

THE THINKING CHRISTIAN

Why is it we often hear this cry,

"The church where I worship is about to die?"

This brings great saddness to my heart,

Knowing in judgment to hell many will depart.

Why is it so many shirk their responsibility,

Causing the Church to loose it’s stability?

Too often, I suppose, our thoughts are on worldliness,

Instead of God and works of righteousness.

Why is it many members give up in despair,

And refrain from study and prayer?

They’ve fallen in love with the world and it’s vice,

And by their actions others entice.

Why is it many the assembly forsake,

And the Lord’s Supper fail to partake?

They’ve stopped trying the Lord to please,

And instead the devil do appease.

Why is it so many will be cast into hell,

And in anguish and tears be found to dwell?

They’ve refused to accept the Lord’s way,

And in place of His laws theirs obey.

JHB

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