Intro: Honor vets by reading print out -Past week Bro. Outlaw brought some wonderful messages to stir our hearts and revive us for the work of God. But did we have a revival. Have we been brought to foot of Christ where Christ is first seen in every situation. We can tell by looking at three points of our life.
Text: 2 Timothy 2:1-5; 4:7,8a Intro: Paul is writing under inspiration of H.S. last letter. -Giving some counsel to his son on the faith. He definitely wants him to know there is a battle. His tone in vs.7 (fight to the finish). -Here he wants to challenge Timothy to keep some things in mind as he leaves this world. We will look at just three of these things. With three things in mind, lets answer the question DID WE HAVE REVIVAL?
1) Our direction: (The right direction)Illus: In Numbers just before crossing the river tribe of Rueben and Gad wanted to stop. This land is good enough for them. They know the battle will continue and before they go any further they wish to just be content with what is already obtained. Rueben and Gad wanted to stop. But Moses said it was wrong just to think of themselves, the must continue on to help the family. A lot can be said of Christians who come to know the peace of God through salvation and are content with heavenly inheritance. However I just want to say when we are right with God our direction will manifest of closeness.
Illus: Peter’s heart was to travel with His Lord. *His desire showed his dedication and his dedication showed his direction. Even though Peter couldn’t go; he showed his desire to go and not stay. **If we are content where we are spiritually then we are not right with God.**a) Look at Peter: John 13:37
-He wanted to follow Jesus. Even though the Lord said he couldn’t.
**How can we live with ourselves if we are not in the battle for the Lord. Pressing on until we finish the race.
Unfortunately for some they never step on the course. People stop after thinking they are saved.
-This morning, are you headed in the right direction?
-Next, we can tell we have had revival when we are doing our duty in the battle:
2) What is our duty ?
-The Bible tells us that every Christian is going to be in a battle. The devil is our adversary (1 Peter 5:8).
He hates God. Everything God loves; the devil hates. Hence the warfare, the struggles, the battle.
a) We will be in a spiritual battle: Eph.5
-It will be a daily battle
-It will be a never ending battle
-It will be a battle only you can fight
b) We will be in a spiritual battle for our brothers. -Mentioned earlier Rueben and Gad. They had to help their brothers enter the promised land. Paul all his life helped his brothers find Jesus and the way to the Promised Land (Heaven) . He even said in Romans 9: 3 “ I wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh.”
Illus: just found pottery (oldest on record) with Goliaths name on it.c) Need to do spiritual battle for our Lord. -contend for the truth: I Timothy 4: 1 “Spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirit and doctrines of devils, speaking lies in hypocrisy..”
Lastly:
3) What’s our desire this morning?
Illus: -What does the battle for ten commandments in Alabama have to do with us?a) In Numbers Moses said to the tribe of Rueben and Gad when they wanted to stay out of the battle: “be sure your sin will ______ you out” What is the sin Moses is talking about? -The sin of idleness: By staying where they were Rueben and his brother were saying they din’t care about their brothers. We don’t care about our brothers is we don’t Preach and teach sound doctrine: Look at 2 Tim. 4:2-4 We know some people believing a lie. They are losing the battle. Satan is winning in their life and they desperately need us to care. To teach them the truth of the Gospel.
REAL REVIVAL WILL LEAD US TO OUR BROTHERS AID
b) Sin of ignoring the Great commission. Jesus tells every believer to go into the world and teach the Gospel. When people don’t go they aren’t people of their Word. How many people in this room said “Lord I want you to come into my heart and forgive me of my sins, be my Savior and Lord.”
How many of us sing “Where He leads I will follow.” -Let me say this: when you became a Christian, Jesus became your Chief Shepherd. He said :” My sheep hear my voice and follow me” -Listen this is important: Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost.
*If you are not seeking to lead others to the promised land, by way of the Savior; you are not following the Saviors voice. The great commission. You are AWOL soldier. Paul said “ I have fought a good fight (battle); finished my course (direction) and kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown (desire to keep faith and obtain crown). **What is your desire today? Do you have a burden for lost souls? -If you do then maybe there was a revival.
Close: Glad to say that Rueben and Gad went on to war with the brethren. The campaigned in the middle, southern and Northern promised land. Everywhere they went God gave them the victory. -Can you imagine how happy they were to see their entire family in the promised land. They shared stories of victories for the rest of their life, because when they heard Moses they -Can you imagine Paul when he got to Heaven and saw all of the souls won to the Lord because he was faithful. A soldier to the end,-Paul finished the course..because he focused on the other side where the finish line is for every believer. -If God called you home today would one soul be there because you were in the battle?
What about Great Bridge Free Will Baptist Church? Did we have revival? Where are we going?
-What is our direction?
-Christian are you content with what God has done for you? SO much that you don’t make time for God’s family?
-Are you so focused on your desires you have forgotten Christ?
-Is there a battle in your life?
-we’ll not have revival until we are serious soldiers for the souls of men and women. That’s why Christ died.