Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.
WHAT GUESTS SHOULD FIND AT CHURCH (AND IN YOUR OWN HOME)
By Michael D. O’Neal
Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church
Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: 2 Ki. 20:12-15
Text: 2 Kings 20:15
2 Kings 20:15 And he said, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All the things that are in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them.
Introduction: Hezekiah was one of the great kings of Judah. The Bible
says of him:
2 Kings 18:5-6 He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him. 6 For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses.
His biggest error in heart and life was found in his treatment toward his visitors from Babylon. His problem was no so much in his actions but in his attitude.
2 Chronicles 32:25 But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.
God hates pride, period, in all places and in all cases.
God sent Isaiah the prophet to confront the king and asked him the question, “What have they seen in thine house?”
This is one of the great questions of the Bible. I want to consider the question today in light of two houses that should concern the believer: the house of the Lord (the church, where God’s people assemble) and the house in which you and your family live. The message is titled:
WHAT GUESTS SHOULD FIND AT CHURCH (AND IN YOUR OWN HOME)
We will consider from a positive viewpoint, what guests SHOULD find at
church and in your house:
I. HOSPITALITY
1 Peter 4:9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
Hebrews 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some
have entertained angels unawares.
A. Guests should have our affection
B. Guests should get our attention
1. A hearty welcome
2. Helpful instructions
3. A good seat
II. HOLINESS
Psalms 93:5 Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever.
A. Holiness should be portrayed
B. Holiness should be preached
C. Holiness should be practiced
One of the great mistakes of our time is the trend in churches to lower their standards in order to appeal to the world, rather than to raise their standards in order to have the approval of heaven!
III. HAPPINESS
Proverbs 17:1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.
Psalms 100:1-2 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. 2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
A. Because of free salvation
1. We have heard the JOYFUL sound – Jesus saves!
B. Because of the fruit of the Spirit
1. Gal. 5:22
IV. HARMONY – ORDER
1 Corinthians 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
A. An order of spirit
B. An order of submission
1. Nearly ALL church strife is over authority
2. Much of home strife is over authority
3. God’s rule of order for both houses is in the Bible!
V. HYMNS
Isaiah 38:20 The LORD was ready to save me: therefore we will sing my songs to the stringed instruments all the days of our life in the house of the LORD.
Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
A. Hymns show God’s goodness to the lost
1. Psalms 126:2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.
B. Hymns send unclean spirits away
1. 1 Sam. 16:23
Churches are becoming havens for unclean spirits because the music has been taken over by rock and country-western music with Christian wording!
VI. HEAVEN
Hebrews 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
We have a heavenly calling, we have tasted of the heavenly gift (Heb.6:4), we desire a heavenly country (Heb. 11:16), the heavenly Jerusalem (Heb. 12:22), and we’re sitting together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:6), so there is no reason that guests should not find in our church and in our homes, HEAVENLY things, such as:
A. The way to heaven
B. The word from heaven
1. The center person of our church is the Lord!
2. The center activity of our church is hearing and doing the Lord’s word!
VII. HIM
Psalms 27:4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
A. His salvation
B. His smile
C. His soon return
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Michael D. O’Neal (Proverbs 11:30), Pastor, |