IF THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE, WHAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE?
Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, Dec. 26, 1999, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia:
IF THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE, WHAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE?
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Romans 3:22; 2 Timothy 4:9-11
Text: 2 Timothy 4:11
2 Timothy 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
Introduction: We are all made of the same basic stuff. All of us are spirit, soul, and body. All of us have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Every man at his best state is altogether vanity. All need to be saved.
However, it is obvious from personal experience as well as from the scripture reading for today’s message, that some people succeed in living victoriously for the Lord Jesus Christ, and some fail. Some converts become outstanding Christians, and some fall by the wayside. Some are like Luke, who stayed with Paul to the end, and some are like Demas, who forsook Paul, having loved this present world. In the scripture for today, Mark was mentioned as a disciple who had left Paul, but later returned and was profitable to him in the ministry.
What IS the difference? Why do some people get saved and make such good progress, while others do not?
I. THE DIFFERENCE IS IN A PERSON’S DELIGHT IN THE WORD OF GOD
Psalms 1:1-2 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
A. The blessed man REVERES it, besides reading it
B. The blessed man is REVIVED by it, as well as listens to it
C. The blessed man REVIEWS and REMEMBERS it, while talking and thinking about it
II. THE DIFFERENCE IS IN A PERSON’S DEDICATION TO THE WAY OF GOD
2 Timothy 2:5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
A. The way of God may not always seem profitable
* You may have to refuse a promotion.
* You may have to refuse to take a transfer.
* You may have to refuse to take a job that would put you in a compromising situation.
B. The way of God may not always seem popular
* The way of the world is nearly always against the way of God.
* Unsaved people will not go God’s way.
* Most Christians in America are going the way of the world.
C. The way of God may not always seem possible
* But … our ways are not HIS ways.
* See Phil. 4:13!
* What looks impossible to us is VERY possible to God!!!
* With God ALL things are possible!
* 5. God specializes in doing the impossible!
+ The creation was impossible.
+ The flood was impossible.
+ The parting of the Red Sea was impossible.
+ The halting of the sun was impossible.
+ The virgin birth of Christ was impossible.
+ The miracles of Jesus were impossible.
+ His bodily resurrection was impossible.
+ But, praise God, He did them ALL, for
+ He specializes in the impossible!!!
III. THE DIFFERENCE IS IN A PERSON’S DESIRE FOR THE WISDOM OF GOD
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
A. We must avoid the way of the heathen
* Jeremiah 10:2a Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen …
* Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
* Proverbs 14:7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
B. We must ask for the wisdom of heaven
* Follow Solomon’s example.
* The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom!
* You get wisdom from God’s word.
* You get wisdom from being around those who HAVE wisdom (Prov. 13:20).
C. We must apply God’s word to our hearts
This is shown by
* Your choice of a church.
* Your faithfulness to the church services.
* Your prayer life.
* The time you spend in God’s word.
* Your attentiveness to the preaching and teaching of this Book!
IV. THE DIFFERENCE IS IN A PERSON’S DEDICATION TO THE WILL OF GOD
Psalms 84:10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
Find and doing the will of God comprise success.
To find the will of God means to:
A. Find the right task
B. Find the right time
C. Find the right territory