The Signs of a Lazy Church

Working Against Each Other:

There were two men riding a tandem bicycle, or you may say, “a bicycle built for two” up a steep hill. After much effort, they finally made it to top of the hill.

The front rider said, “That was a tough ride.” to which the second rider replied, “Sure was, if I hadn’t kept the brake on we might have slipped backwards.”

Pastor’s and congregations sometime are like these two men who a riding a bicycle made for two.

The pastor being the front rider and the church congregation being the rear rider.

And they are simply working against each other, trying to reach the same goal.

One going forward and the other putting on the breaks.

This morning; “We are starting a new era, a new ministry at Friendship Baptist, with the launching of the Friendship Baptist Virtual Church on Facebook today.”

And this sermon is about Friendship Baptist, it’s pastor, it’s members, it’s ministries and it’s mission, and about our responsibilities as members.

I’m going to be talking about several things this morning.

Some of you might not be happy with what I say, or even agree with me. But it’s all Biblical, and needs to be said, and called out.

Five Reasons for the New Testament Baptist Church.

The Signs of a Lazy Church.

How We Can Get Back On Track.

Tithes and Offerings

Service Times

Our Ministries

How you can serve God through one of our ministries.

Matthew 28:18–20 KJV 1900

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

2 Corinthians 5:10 KJV 1900

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Matthew 28:18-20

2 Corinthians 5:10

This is know as the Great Commission!

I. Five Reasons For The Local New Testament Baptist Church.

Evangelism:

The Great Commission.

Matthew 28:18–20 KJV 1900

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Matthew 28:

We cannot ignore the responsibility of the church to reach the lost.

Acts 1:8 KJV 1900

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

We claim to be a Gospel Preaching Church!

We need to be getting the Word Out!

We need to be Supporting Our Church!

Prayerfully

Financially

Ministerially

Faithfully

We need to be Supporting Missions

We can’t support the Missionaries, if we can’t financially support our own church.

ally support our own church.

We are not doing the job of a Local New Testament Baptist Church.

Discipleship & Learning:

The apostles were set aside as teachers in the early church, because they had walked with Jesus.

Jesus command them to make disciples.

God still calls out and equips people to teach others about Jesus Christ.

God commands us to make disciples.

The problem is;

Lack of perticipaction

Lack of Intrest

It’s hard on a person to study and only have one or two people show up.

WE need faithfulness to be able to make disciples for God!

Fellowship:

I’m not talking about fellowship dinners after church.

God did not design the church life to be a lone, Solitary Venture.

He wants us to;

Encourage one another.

Enjoy one another

Build wholesome relationships with your fellow members and Christians.

We develop a stronger bond & love for one another when we have fellowship.

And are willing to demonstrate that love in a deeper & sacrificial manner.

When we have fellowship with each other we grow closer to God, and each other.

Ministry:

Linked to fellowship with each other that grows is our ministries.

The early church considered nothing their own, and shared with one another as they had need.

Out of love for others.

We are to minister to the temporal needs of the lost people in effort to share the gospel.

Those around us (Near & Far) that are without Jesus Christ.

This is why we offer different Ministries in the church.

Wednesday Night Bible Study

To further educate you on the Bible and its Doctrines.

Band of Brothers Men’s Bible Study Group.

To minister the needs of our men.

To educate men to their responsibilities; to God, to their families, to the church, and to the community.

Crowning Jewels Women’s Bible Study Group.

The purpose is the same as the men’s.

Joy Ministry (Just Older Youth) our 50 and over ministry.

To share God’s plan to senior citizens

To educate the senior citizens on current events, services, & any special needs.

To fellowship with other senior citizens.

Discipleship or Sunday School

Educate others about the Bible

Children’s Worship

Educate our children about God, His Son Jesus Christ, and His Word the Bible.

How to behave in church.

Worship Service.

Preach the gospel

Using God’s Word to get us back on track.

Win Souls

The Friendship Baptist Virtual Church.

Facebook, Social Media Minisrty

Sharing the Gospel to the World

Sharing our Church Services to the World.

Making Disciples

Increasing our Membership

Special-Fellowships

Saturday Night Jubilee

Field Trips

Movie Nights

Church Christmas Party

Pray in the New Years

Sunday Fellowship Dinners

These are some with our Ministry’s we offer.

We are failing because;

Lack of Participation

Lack of Intrest

2 Corinthians 5:10 KJV 1900

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

2 Corinthians

Worship:

Hebrews 10:25 KJV 1900

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

The early church met regularly for the purpose of worshipping & remembering death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and all the things that God has done for them.

In other words the gathered to remind themselves why they existed.

The more we learn of God and His love, the more we want to express our gratitude.

Praise Him for His provision

Declare our love towards Him

We desire to gather with others to declare our adoration and praise to God.

Prayer:

I gave you reasons for the Local New Testament Baptist Church.

All these reasons has to be bathed in prayer.

A church; its membership, ministries, evangelistic work, its fellowships, its discipleship, & its worship services can not grow and prosper without prayer.

Prayer is the lifeline of the New Testament Baptist Church.

I don’t care much for John Hagee, but he did make a statement I do agree on.

“A prayer-less church is a powerless Church”

There is much truth in that characterization of a non-praying church.

A. Now you understand what the purpose of the Local New Testament Baptist Church. Lets look at;

II. The Signs of a Lazy Church.

Revelation 3:14–20 KJV 1900

14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Revelation 3:14–16 KJV 1900

14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Revelation 3

The Bible warns of the deadliness of laziness.

As one man put it, “The lazy brain is the devil’s workshop.”

Our lazy days are Satan’s busy day.

He loves a sitting target - a sitting duck.

Laziness is a deadly sin.

When it comes to laziness Americans are possible the worlds leader.

We are known as the land of the long weekend, of strikes, sickness, and false claims.

Where even early retirement has become an idol because anything is better than working, even nothing.

Your work matters to God!

There is Great Value in Honest, Hard Work.

“Laziness is a landmine that can destroy a person and anyone around that person.”

God speaks to us clearly from His word, but those who do not read His word or trust in God can clearly learn from His creation, in nature.

The procrastinator and lazy person in order to become wise is told to learn from the examples of the “Ant”

Ants are industrious workers whose diligence provides for the present and prepares for the future.

This diligences and industry of the ants needs no supervision to tell it what to do or to see that it is done.

Laziness keeps one from fulfilling their physical and spiritual responsibilities and realizing the potential of their earthly and eternal future.

The church of our Lord Jesus Christ has been lulled in by the world.

It has fallen asleep at the wheel!

It has become complacent and content!

Christians have become Lukewarm!

My question today is, “How Long Will We Sleep?”

We have become:

Drowsey

Fatigue

Fatigue

Preoccupated

Distracted

We have lost all thought and respect for the things of God.

We give nothing but excuses, on why we can not serve God, like He should be.

And worse we try and justify it, just to give us a clear conscience for not serving God.

We are full of procrastination and excuses.

Church Family, Why does one wait?

Why does one wait until it is too late?

The answer is pretty simple to me! “ It all boils over due to the excuses we give.”

Let’s explore excuses, and see why people wait and put off the Lord.

We have the first and famous;

Not now, but later

Just give me awhile to think about it.

Do you know that Procrastination is the most powerful tool of Satan.

Every time we offer up excuses to the Lord, Satan gets a kick out of it, and gains a point!

It is Satan’s goal to use his power upon us in the area’s of excuse making.

Here are just a Few:

6 y/o - “I am to young to know God!”

14 y/o - “I am to busy with school to think about God, besides that everyone makes fun of me if I go to Church!”

19 y/o - “I am busy at college and way to smart to think about Jesus, Who did you say, He was?”

34 y/o - “I am to tied up with my children right now! Ball games, soccer, work. Just to tired for Jesus right now, and besides that you are all a bunch of Hypocrites!”

45 y/o - “I am to tired worked all week, and I have a race to go to this weekend, and a football game next week!”

50 y/o - “I am to worried other things right now! Retirement and grandkids!”

62 y/o - “God, Well I don’t know what you want from me, but tell Him I’m just to tired for all that religious stuff!”

80 y/o - “I did not need Him the past 80 years, why do I need Him Now?”

I have heard hundreds of excuses for people not going to church, or serving in some capacity, or support the church financially.

A lot of them were from some of you!

You don’t have to give me an excuse, you don’t even owe me an explanation for not coming to church, or serving in the church.

That’s between you and God.

I much rather you say, “I don’t want to do that, or I just don’t want to come!”

Again that between you and God, but your not going to be able to give Him an excuse.

2 Corinthians 5:10 KJV 1900

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

I can make this statement, and a lot of you will not like it.

2 Corinthians

“I thank God we don’t have to work for Our Salvation, and we live under the Grace of God, because if you had to Work for your Salvation, a lot of us would be going to Hell.

Simply because we are lazy!

We are Lukewarm!

We are Lukewarm!

I don’t want Jesus to say, “Friendship Baptist Church of Sheridan Arkansas. I can find anything good of you. You are Lukewarm and you make me want to throw-up.

I don’t want Jesus to say, that we are cold.

I want Jesus to say, Friendship Baptist Church of Sheridan Arkansas. There are many thing you have done well.

You are on Fire for me, Winning Souls, Starting Ministries, and sharing the Gospel.”

Well Done!

This is what I want for our church.

Right now as a church we, are no even close.

We are Lukewarm.

The church at Laodicea, had fallen as low as a church can go, and still be called a church.

They had feelings one way or the other about anything.

Have you ever seen someone who actions or lack of action, just absolutely made you sick, that just disgusted you?

Well that’s Jesus right here!

What Jesus is saying in is “There is nothing worse, more disgusting to Him then a:

Half-hearted

Lukewarm

Casual

Mediocre Christian.

“You can’t be a part-time Christian and have full-time benefits!”

How would you describe yourself this morning.

Cold

Hot?

Lukewarm?

Look in this mirror this morning.

Can you honestly tell me your serving God like you should?

I want you to take a Long Hard Look this morning.

Here are some signs of a Lukewarm Christian.

If you give more money to your hobby than your Heavenly Father.

If you give more time to a sport, than your Savior.

If you sign up or volunteer to do something for the church and you don’t show up.

If you prepare more for a Saturday picnic, then you do for your Sunday School Class.

If you think your Bible is something you carry to church, instead of reading it, if you even carry it.

If you haven’t witnessed to anyone, or invite someone to church in the last few days, weeks, months, or even years.

If you think you can give God your second best, because it isn’t your real job.

If you won’t show up for Sunday School because it’s to early for you.

If you think Coming to Church “Once in awhile” will make you Spiritually Healthy.

If you answer yes to any of these, then you are a Lukewarm Christian, and your helping to turn this church into a Lukewarm Church.

CHURCH FAMILY! WE NEED A WAKE-UP CALL, AND WE NEED TO GET RIGHT WITH GOD, SO WE CAN SEE OUR CHURCH GROW!

Romans 13:11–14 KJV 1900

11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

III. How To Get Back On Track.

How do we do this?

It’s real simple and first things, first.

When we start the invitation, you walk down this isle, kneel at this altar, and rededicate your Life to Jesus Christ and His Service.

I’m not saying to go preach, or become a missionary to the Congo.

I saying, tell Jesus, that He is going to be first in your life.

Tell Jesus Christ your Savior, who died on the Cross of Calvary, who was raised again in victory of your sins.

Thank You, for what you have done, and I’m going to serve you and not the things of this world.

After you get right with Him, Start participating in the church.

Going to every service.

Volunteering to help in the church

Get on a Visitation Team, and start inviting and witnessing to people.

Stop making excuse for not serving.

Get on board and stop putting the breaks on.

IV. Tithes and Offering and Our Church Budget.

Friendship Baptist Church operates by the giving of Tithes, Offerings, Gifts, and Donations.

I don’t preach a lot on this matter, but it is time to explain how the church works.

We have to have The giving of Tithes, Offerings, Gifts, and Donations to pay:

Rent

Utilities

Copier

Phone and Internet

Necessary Ministry Fees

Supplies

Friendship Baptist Church is unique because we have no paid positions, every dime we receive go to pay the operation cost of the church.

A. Our Budget is probably the lowest then any other Baptist Church.

Rent $550.00

Electricity $160.00

Phone and Internet $135.00

Copier $155.00

Ministry $50.00

Misc and Supplies $150.00

Total Budget is $1,200.00

Our problem is we are not reaching it, I’m asking that everyone will start participate in giving, to help support our ministries.

But, I want and that’s what God wants is a cheerful giver, If you are only doing it because you think I’ll be mad, or I’m making you, or I’m Guilting you into giving. DON’T because you want get a blessing out of your giving.

2 Corinthians 9:7 KJV 1900

7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7

If you can’t do it because you are a cheerful giver, then keep it. God will provide for this church.

If you can’t do it because you are a cheerful giver, then keep it. God will provide for this church.

He has for almost 3 years now.

V. Service Times

No matter how hard I try, there is noway for me to schedule times to suit everyone.

Discipleship: 10:00am

Children’s Worship 11:00am

Worship Service 11:00am

All Special Sunday Services 10:30am

Wednesday Night Bible Study 6:30pm

Band of Brothers and Crowning Jewels Saturday’s 10:30am

Joy Tuesday’s 10:30am

All Saturday Night Fellowships 6:30pm

VI. Our Ministries

Wednesday Night Bible Study

Sunday Discipleship

Sunday Children’s Worship

Sunday Morning Worship

Friendship Baptist Virtual Church Service on Facebook

Joy

Saturday Night Jubilee

Saturday Movie Nights

Field Trips Planned

I have other I wish to start but, can’t right now.

VII. You can help with all these Ministries.

You just have to volunteer.