THE TENT’S MISTAKE (WHEN YOU GET INTO THE WRONG TENT)
Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, Feb. 28, 1999, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia:
THE TENT’S MISTAKE
(WHEN YOU GET INTO THE WRONG TENT)
By Michael D. O’Neal……Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church……Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Psalms 120:1-7
Text: Psalms 120:5
Psalms 120:5 Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!
Introduction: Tonight we continue in our series of messages on the local church, making comparisons from tents, since God met with people in the Old Testament in a tent and the great church planter of all time was a tent-maker.
EVERY Christian ought to be a church member. However, being a church member is not enough. Every child of God should be a member of a PARTICULAR local church, the one assembly that is God’s perfect will for that individual. God has a church for you to join. He has a particular pastor for you to follow.
Many Christians are in the wrong denomination (that is, they aren’t Bible-believing, fundamental, independent Baptists). Many Christians are in the right group, but are in the wrong local church. Why does that happen?
PEOPLE GET INTO THE WRONG LOCAL CHURCH THROUGH:
I. THE COVETING OF A POSITION
1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
A. A position of profit
* This is true of many pastors, hirelings.
* This is especially true of businessmen who attend large churches for the prospect of making money off of church members.
B. A position of prominence
* This happens a lot in small churches. A person joins it because he expects to become a “big wig” fast.
C. A position of power
* This can happen to someone who has been a pastor, assistant pastor, deacon, or other officer somewhere previously.
D. A position of persuasion
* I have known people stay in bad denominations and bad churches because they thought they could have a great opportunity to influence them for Christ and His truth.
PEOPLE GET INTO THE WRONG LOCAL CHURCH THROUGH:
II. THE COMPROMISE OF A PRINCIPLE
James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
A. About the scriptures
B. About standards
C. About soul-winning
D. About service
PEOPLE GET INTO THE WRONG LOCAL CHURCH THROUGH:
III. THE CONVENIENCE OF THE PERSON
1 Corinthians 16:12 As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.
Reminding us of the sad case of Felix:
Acts 24:25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
A. Convenience of time
B. Convenience of travel
C. Convenience of a task
A man was asked why he drove so far and passed up so many churches to attend the church to which he had been faithful for so many years. He answered by asking, “You fish regularly. When you go fishing, do you always go to the very first fish pond and do your fishing there? You eat out regularly. Do you always go to the nearest restaurant and do your dining there?”
PEOPLE GET INTO THE WRONG LOCAL CHURCH THROUGH:
IV. THE CALL OF PLEASURE
2 Timothy 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
A. Happy format
* Clapping — “Let’s all give Jesus a hand!”
* “Something GOOD is going to happen to you!”
B. Happy feelings
* “I love to go to that church because I FEEL GOOD there!”
* “I just don’t feel good at that church.”
* Feelings should not determine where you attend church.
C. Happy family
* Few men rule their homes these days. They go to a church because their wife wants to attend there. If they have children, she wants to go there because the children like it there. If the kids ever get tired of the church, the family will pull out.
Are you in the right church? If not, get in it today!