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Principles
of Services
Commitment
A certain dog had always
boasted of his ability as a runner. Then one day a rabbit that he was chasing
got away. This brought a lot of ridicule from the other dogs because of his
previous boasting. His explanation: “You must remember that the rabbit was
running for his life
while I was only running for my dinner.” ── Michael P.
Green《Illustrations for Biblical
Preaching》
Commitment
On August 11
1978
Double
Eagle II
a large helium balloon
and her crew of three eased into an almost
windless sky above the potato fields of Maine. Their destination was
Following Christ is the
wisest choice a man can make
but it does not come cheap. Just as for these
balloonists many important things had to be abandoned because they weighed them
down
so for the believer.
P.S. The balloonists’
mission was accomplished. ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Commitment
For many days an old farmer
had been plowing with an ox and a mule together and working them pretty hard.
The ox said to the mule
“Let’s play sick today and rest a little while.” But
the old mule said
“No
we need to get the work done
for the season is short.”
But the ox played sick
and
the farmer brought him fresh hay and corn and made him comfortable. When the
mule came in from plowing
the ox asked how he made out. “We didn’t get as much
done
but we made it all right
” answered the mule. Then the ox asked
“What
did the old man say about me?” “Nothing
” said the mule.
The next day the ox
thinking he had a good thing going
played sick again. When the mule came in
again very tired
the ox asked
“How did it go?” The mule said
“All right
I
guess
but we didn’t get much done.” Then the ox also asked
“What did the old
man say about me?” “Nothing to me
” was the reply
“but he did stop and have a
long talk with the butcher.” ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Commitment
John Audubon
the
well-known naturalist and artist
practiced great self-mastery in order to
learn more about birds. Counting his physical comforts as nothing
he would
rise at midnight night after night and go into the swamps to study certain
nighthawks. He would crouch motionless in the dark and fog
hoping to discover
just one more additional fact about a single species.
During one summer
Audubon
repeatedly visited the bayous near New Orleans to observe a shy water bird. He
would stand almost to his neck in the stagnant waters
scarcely breathing
while poisonous water-moccasin snakes swam past his face. It was not
comfortable or pleasant
but he beamed with enthusiasm and is reported to have
said
“But what of that? I have the picture of the birds.” He endured all these
things just for a picture of a bird!
If a man could be so
disciplined for a temporal and physical reward
how much more committed should
the child of God be for the imperishable prize before him? ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical
Preaching》
Commitment
Many men of the world have
understood the necessity for commitment if they are to accomplish great things.
For example
when Spanish explorer Cortez landed at Vera Cruz in 1519 to begin
his conquest of
As part of our commitment
as Christ’s disciples
we must purposefully destroy all avenues of retreat. We
must resolve that whatever price is required for being his follower
we will
pay it. ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations
for Biblical Preaching》
Commitment
In the 1976 Summer
Olympics
Shun Fujimoto competed in the team gymnastics competition for Japan.
In a quest for the gold medal
Fujimoto suffered a broken right knee in the
floor exercise. But his injury did not stop him
for during the next week he
competed in his strongest event
the rings. His routine was excellent
but he
astounded everyone by squarely dismounting with a triple somersault twist on a
broken right kneel. When asked concerning his feat
he said
“Yes
the pain
shot through me like a knife. It brought tears to my eyes. But now I have a
gold medal and the pain is gone.” ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical
Preaching》
Commitment
Henry Thoreau
that rugged
New England individualist of the nineteenth century
once went to jail rather
than pay his poll tax to a state that supported slavery. Thoreau’s good friend
Ralph Waldo Emerson hurred to visit him in jail and
peering through the bars
exclaimed: “Why
Henry
what are you doing in there?”
The uncowed Thoreau
replied
“Nay
Ralph
the question is
what are you doing out there?” ──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations
for Biblical Preaching》
Commitment
The story is told that when
James Calvert went out as a missionary to the cannibals of the Fiji Islands
the Captain of the ship that had carried him there sought to turn him back by
saying
“You will lose your life and the lives of those with you if you go
among such savages.” Calvert’s reply well demonstrates the cost of commitment:
“We died before we came here.” ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical
Preaching》
Commitment
A mission society is
reported to have written to David Livingstone: “Have you found a good road to
where you are? If so
we want to send other men to join you.” Livingstone
replied: “If you have men who will come only if they know there is a good road
I don’t want them. I want men who will come if there is no road at all.” ──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations
for Biblical Preaching》
Commitment
Robert Chapman of
Barnstaple
a great friend of the late George Muller of Bristol
was once
asked
“Would you not advise young Christians to do something for the Lord?”
“No
” was the reply
“I should advise them to do everything for the Lord.” ──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations
for Biblical Preaching》
Communist
Commitment
”If you ask me what is the
distinguishing mark of the Communist
what is it that Communists most
outstandingly have in common
I would not say
as some might expect
their
ability to hate…
I would say beyond any shadow of doubt it is their idealism
their zeal
dedication
devotion to their cause and willingness to
sacrifice.”—Douglas Hyde
former head of the Communist Party of Great Britain
before his conversion to Catholicism. ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical
Preaching》
Cost
of Commitment
A hen and a pig approached
a church and read the advertised sermon topic: “What can we do to help the
poor?” Immediately the hen suggested they feed them bacon and eggs. The pig
thought for a moment and said
“There is only one thing wrong with feeding
bacon and eggs to the poor. For you it requires only a contribution
but for me
it requires total commitment!” ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical
Preaching》
Cost
of Commitment
And elderly Christian man
in Communist-controlled Budapest remarked when asked about the effects of
persecution and discrimination on the lives of Christians: “it is like the
deep
fast-flowing Danube River. The banks of the river were artificially
narrowed throughout the city of
Believers under
restrictions and persecution have limited freedom and few political options
but their narrowed lives have found great depth by going deeper in Christ. ──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations
for Biblical Preaching》
HOW
TO SERVE.
“ Serve Him in sincerity
and truth” (Joshua 24:14). Sincerity and truth are the weights that keep the
soul in balance.
Sincerity is
the ring of the coin which tells out its genuineness; the straight line of
rectitude
and the test of fidelity.
The term
rendered “ sincerity” is translated “ perfect” in Gen.17:1; “ without blemish”
in Lev.1:3; “ full” in Lev.25:30; “ upright” in Psalm 37:18; “ undefiled” in
Psalm 119:
Sincerity of purpose (Col.3:24).
Perfectness of walk (1. Thess.1:9).
Unblemishedness of life (Acts 26:7).
Thoroughness ( Romans 12:1).
Uprightness of heart (Romans 12:2).
Undefiled conduct (Luke 1:74).
Soundness of motive (Romans 7:6).
Wholeness of being (Hebrews 12:28).
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
"ATTITUDES NEEDED IN CONGREGATIONAL WORK"
INTRODUCTION
1. As Christians work together in a local congregation
the right attitudes are necessary... a. All the talent in the world cannot make up for wrong attitudes b. With the right attitudes
our efforts in service to the Lord are enhanced and live up to their full potential 2. In what areas should we be concerned about our attitudes? a. Our attitude toward God b. Our attitude toward ourselves as individuals c. Our attitude toward our brethren d. Our attitude toward the work we do together as a church -- In a least these four areas
we must be sure to maintain the proper attitudes [And what are the proper attitudes? Let's begin with our...] I. ATTITUDES TOWARD GOD
A. LOVE... 1. We must have the right kind of love toward God 2. Jesus defined that kind of love in Mt 22:37 -- Do we love the Lord with all our heart
soul
and mind? B. FAITH AND TRUST... 1. Faith is a strong conviction and trust in things one does not see - He 11:1 2. Without faith
it is impossible to please God - He 11:6 -- Do we have the kind of faith which pleases God? If not
cf. Ro 10:17 C. THANKFULNESS... 1. Every Christian should have "the attitude of gratitude" - cf. Co 3:17; Ep 5:20 2. God's righteous indignation is toward those who have become unthankful - cf. Ro 1:18-21 -- An attitude of thankfulness for the blessings we have will help allay the bitterness that often destroys the spirit in any congregation [If our relationship with God is right
it increases the likelihoodthat our relationship with others will be smooth as well (Pro 16:7).What also helps are the proper...] II. ATTITUDES TOWARD OUR SELVES
A. HUMILITY... 1. A humble estimation of one's self is very important - Ro 12:3
16
2. Humility includes a willingness to serve
even to do "menial" tasks - Jn 13:6-17 3. "Show me a man who cannot bother to do little things and I'll show you a man who cannot be trusted to do big things." (Lawrence D. Bell -- Are we humble enough to serve your fellow brother? B. TEACHABILITY... 1. To be teachable is to be wise - Pro 15:31
32 2. Teachability includes: a. An eagerness to learn and grow b. The ability to learn from correction
to profit from advice and criticism 3. The old as well as the young need a teachable attitude: "Education is too good to limit to the young." (Elton Trueblood) -- How teachable are we
when it comes to opportunities to study God's word? C. HONESTY TOWARD OUR MISTAKES... 1. This includes a willingness to admit our mistakes - Ja 5:16 2. And a willingness to correct them -- Everyone makes a mistakes; a congregation that functions well and grows is one filled with people who learn from their mistakes! [The attitudes of humility
teachability
and honesty will certainlyprepare us to be useful to the Lord. They will also have a bearing onour relationship with others in the congregation. Let's now focus ourattention on...] III. ATTITUDES TOWARD OUR BRETHREN
A. LOVE... 1. Jesus taught us the necessity of loving our brethren - Jn 13:34-35
2. We have been born again that we might love one another fervently - 1 Pe 1:22-23 -- If we truly love one another
how can we not work together? B. COOPERATION... 1. This involves a willingness to work together
as God intended - 1 Co 12:21 2. We need to be able not only to work
but to work together! 3. "It marks a big step in a man's development when he comes to realize that other men can be called on to help him do a better job than he can do alone." (Andrew Carnegie) -- Where there is cooperation
a good way of doing things will be more productive than a better way of doing things where cooperation does not exist! C. APPRECIATION FOR OTHERS AND THEIR WORK... 1. We need to appreciate what others are doing - e.g.
1 Co 1:14;1 Th 5:12 13
2. True appreciation for others will eliminate destructive criticism
gossip
divisiveness -- Expressing appreciation is like grease on the gears of a machine...it makes others do their work much better! D. SUBMISSIVENESS... 1. We are to submit to one another - Ep 5:21 2. And we are to submit to those in positions of leadership (e.g.
elders) - He 13:17 -- Too many chiefs
not enough Indians...that is a common problem in many organizations! E. PEACEABLENESS... 1. Peace among brethren is something that we should purse - Ro 14:19
2. It is part of walking worthy of our calling - Ep 4:1-3 -- The true children of God are those who are peacemakers
and sow their deeds of righteousness in the atmosphere of peace - cf. Mt 5:9; Ja 3:17-18 F. HOSPITALITY... 1. Christians are to be hospitable - Ro 12:13 2. This includes both hospitality to strangers and to brethren - cf. He 13:2; 1 Pe 4:9 -- A factor in the rapid spread of the church in the first century was the hospitality extended by the Christians - cf. 3 Jn 5-8 G. WARMTH
FRIENDLINESS
OPENNESS... 1. We see this expressed by those in the church at Jerusalem - Ac 2:44-47 2. It continued with the saints in Antioch H. GENTLENESS
MEEKNESS... 1. Especially necessary in dealing with the spiritual weak - Ga6:1
2. But also in dealing with those who oppose us - 2 Ti 2:24-26 I. FORGIVENESS
FORBEARANCE
PATIENCE
LONGSUFFERING... 1. All of these attitudes overlap
and are very important - Ep 4:2 32
2. They help smooth out the bumps and obstacles that Satan will put in our way in his effort to destroy the local church [Finally
let's survey some of the necessary...] IV. ATTITUDES TOWARD OUR WORK
A. GRATITUDE FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF OUR WORK... 1. Paul certainly possessed this attitude - 1 Ti 1:12; 1 Co 15:9 10
2. Do we appreciate what an honor it is to offer service in kingdom of our Lord? B. ENTHUSIASM
EAGERNESS... 1. Remember
God loves a cheerful giver - 2 Co 9:7 2. Nothing is so easy but that it becomes difficult if done with reluctance 3. Nothing is so hard that it cannot be made easier with enthusiasm C. INDUSTRIOUSNESS
DILIGENCE
ENERGY... 1. Like those in Nehemiah's day
we need a "mind to work" - Neh4:6
2. If we are to serve men "heartily"
how much more the Lord - Co3:23
3. Some people are like blisters...they never show up until the work is almost done 4. The slothful person is just as harmful as the destructive person - Pro 18:9 D. INITIATIVE... 1. Initiative has been defined as the willingness to do what is right without having to be prodded 2. We should not have to be reminded constantly of our responsibilities - cf. 1 Ti 4:14; 2 Tim 1:6 3. When you see something that needs to be done
don't criticize
energize! (i.e.
do it yourself!) E. POSITIVENESS... 1. We are to do things without murmuring and grumbling - Ph 2:14 2. The chronic complainer and the negative thinker are obstructions to the work of a congregation F. PERSISTENCE... 1. We must have the attitude of Christ
not just to do
but to finish the work of God - Jn 4:34 2. We need "finishative" as well as "initiative" - cf. He 6:12 3. Then we can say with Paul: "I have fought the good fight
Ihave finished the race I have kept the faith." - 2 Ti 4:7
CONCLUSION
1. Ideal attitudes make for ideal working conditions among the members of a local church... a. Attitude improvement can be compared to the woodcutter sharpening his ax - Ecc 10:10 b. If we want the work of the congregation to go smooth
hone our attitudes! 2. Certainly the attitudes described this lesson will help the cause of Christ in any congregation... a. They will improve our relation with God
ourselves
our brethren
and our work b. They will make us "useful to the Master
prepared for every goodwork" - 2 Ti 2:21
Are we developing the right kind of attitudes that prepare us for thework of the Lord? Note: The main idea and several thoughts from this lesson were taken
from a lesson by Gary Henry. The URL for his web site containing manyexcellent articles and sermon outlines is: http://www.brasstacks.org
－－《Executable
Outlines》