DON’T BE ASHAMED WHEN YOU GO HOME
(A Homecoming Sermon)
By Michael D. O’Neal
Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church
Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Luke 15:11-19; 1 John 2:28
Text: 1 John 2:28
1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
Introduction: Welcome to Homecoming! Our church started 19 years ago, and today we rejoice in God’s goodness toward us over these years.
Everyone should have:
A Christian home
A Church home
A Celestial home
Our most important homecoming is yet future, in heaven.
The Prodigal Son was ashamed when he headed home. He knew he would be ashamed, because of the mess that he had made. He was prepared to say so:
Luke 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
Luke 15:19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
I want to talk to you this morning on how to avoid that. This morning’s message is titled
DON’T BE ASHAMED WHEN YOU GO HOME
Now let me say from the beginning that the way to avoid being ashamed is to practice the two words that Bob Jones, Sr. emphasized in his revival ministry many years ago: DO RIGHT. I’ll add another word for the purpose of this message: NOW.
Do right NOW and you won’t be ashamed LATER.
Do right NOW and you won’t be ashamed when you get to heaven!
I. DO RIGHT NOW ABOUT
SPEAKING UP FOR CHRIST
AND YOU WON’T BE ASHAMED
WHEN YOU GET HOME
One of the best ways to keep from being ashamed when you get to Heaven about what you did on earth is to not be ashamed of heaven now while you are on the earth.
Romans 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
A. Remember your heavenly family
B. Remember your heavenly Father
C. Remember your heavenly forgiveness
II. DO RIGHT NOW ABOUT SIN
AND YOU WON’T BE ASHAMED
WHEN YOU GET HOME
Romans 6:21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
Ezra 9:6 And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.
A. Plan to do right
B. Put yourself in the right crowd
C. Prefer the Father’s house
to the far country
III. DO RIGHT NOW ABOUT
THE SCRIPTURES
AND YOU WON’T BE ASHAMED
WHEN YOU GET HOME
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Proverbs 13:18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.
Psalms 119:6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
A. Read and study the Bible
B. Respond submissively to the Bible
IV. DO RIGHT NOW ABOUT
STEWARDSHIP
AND YOU WON’T BE ASHAMED
WHEN YOU GET HOME
2 Corinthians 9:4 Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.
Luke 15:13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
A. Be content
B. Be consistent
V. DO RIGHT NOW ABOUT
SOUL-WINNING
AND YOU WON’T BE ASHAMED
WHEN YOU GET HOME
1 Corinthians 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Psalms 119:46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
A. Bear the seed
B. Bring in the sheaves
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VI. DO RIGHT NOW ABOUT
SERVING THE LORD
AND YOU WON’T BE ASHAMED
WHEN YOU GET HOME
Proverbs 10:5 He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.
A. Don’t be lazy
B. Don’t be lustful for
other things
VII. DO RIGHT NOW ABOUT
STAYING FAITHFUL
AND YOU WON’T BE ASHAMED
WHEN YOU GET HOME
2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Our text:
1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
A. Don’t run off
B. Don’t retreat
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Michael D. O’Neal (Proverbs 11:30), Pastor, |