Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, April 14, 2002, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.
DO YOU KNOW HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING?
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 9:16-24
Text: 2 Kings 9:20
2 Kings 9:20 And the watchman told, saying, He came even unto them, and cometh not again: and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he driveth furiously.
Introduction: Jehu is one of my favorite characters of the Bible. He wasn’t perfect, and he tolerated some things he should not have. It cost him and the kingdom. Yet, he also did some wonderful things. I’ve often thought that if there were a Baptist preacher in the Old Testament, and I say that knowing that the only Baptist in the Bible was John, the last of the Old Testament prophets, and knowing that the New Testament didn’t begin until the crucifixion of Christ, it would be Jehu. You see, not only did he stand for the Lord, and demonstrated ZEAL for the Lord, but our text says of him, “he driveth furiously”!! Most Baptist preachers I know drive like that.
Nearly 20 years ago I was driving down Mock Road. I had just met with a pulpit committee at Bible Baptist Church. I was thinking about what was said, what was not said, and what should have been said, when I suddenly noticed a flashing blue light in my rear view mirror. After pulling me over, the lady police officer asked, “Do you know how fast you were going?” Honestly, I didn’t have a clue. I had not been paying attention. I was lost in thought. I was traveling around 55 MPH in a 35 MPH zone in the rain.
Tonight I want to ask you, “Do you know how fast you are going?” Each of us is traveling through life. Many people don’t understand WHERE they are going, but that is another sermon. I want to talk to you tonight about the speed of the journey as we conduct ourselves.
I. THERE IS A TIME TO START
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. In salvation
- 2 Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation)
B. In service
C. In soul-winning
II. THERE IS A TIME TO STOP
Many people don’t want to stop. (Illustration: Difference between stopping and slowing down)
We need to stop some things.
Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
A. We need to stop living for ourselves
B. We need to stop licking our wounds
C. We need to stop looking at other runners in the Christian life
- Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
- Don’t look at the quitters!
III. WE NEED TO SLOW DOWN SOME THINGS
Proverbs 19:2 Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
A. We need to slow down our words
- In praying
- On the phone
- In public
- Proverbs 15:28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
B. We need to slow down our wrath
- Proverbs 14:29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
C. We need to slow down our wickedness
- One of the things God hates is:
- Proverbs 6:18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
D. We need to slow down our work
-
- Do it RIGHT!
- Do it WELL!
- At the judgment seat of Christ our walk will be tried as to what SORT it is. That is, it will be tried for QUALITY, not QUANTITY.
- Most mistakes students make at school on math problems are made because they get in a hurry.
E. We need to slow down our walk
- Proverbs 19:2 Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
- Especially when you’re thinking about changing course.
IV. WE NEED TO SPEED UP SOME THINGS
James 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
Some people are dangerous on public roads because they drive to slowly!
Some Christians are so slow that you can barely tell they’re moving!
A. We need to speed up our listening
- Above verse
B. We need to speed up our learning
- Hebrews 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
- Read your Bibles!
- LEARN sound doctrine!
- Take notes! Attend every service!
- Attend the Bible Institute!
C. We need to speed up our leading people to the Savior
- Matthew 9:37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
- Ecclesiastes 11:4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.