Back to the Basics

INTRODUCTION

I love baseball! It is probably my favorite sport followed closely by football. I just love to watch, as my grandfather would say, men playing a boys game. It was so fun growing up south of Atlanta and getting to root for the Braves. I cheered them on in 1990 when they battled for the worst record in baseball. They lost almost 100 games that year. My grandmother would say that she never saw a team work so hard to lose a baseball game!

Then, 1991 rolled around. The Braves hit the field, and it seemed that they could not be beaten! They went from worst to first! That was the start of a bit of a baseball dynasty.

There were a few seasons along the way when they would slug it out with the Los Angeles Dodgers. They won some and they lost some.

When I moved to Pasadena in April of 2016, we faced some real culture shock! The cost of living was and is astronomical. There are so many people! There are so many homeless! There are so many liberals! Worst of all, there were so many Dodgers fans!

I had a pastor give me a piece of advice. He said, “Don’t try to turn Californians into Georgians, and be from the place where God calls you.”

As I thought and prayed, it hit me - I need to be a Dodgers fan! The transition has been difficult, but it helps that they are really good!

Through my years of watching baseball, I noticed something. Even the best pitchers practice throwing the ball and the best hitters practice swinging the bat and hitting the ball. That is the same thing little league players do. It does not matter how proficient they get, they still practice the basics.

In the Christian life, we must be intentional in doing the right things and for the right reasons. We must, as Jesus said, “observe to do” as He taught us. We need to get back to the basics.

In , Jesus gives John a message to write to the angel, or the pastor, of the church at Ephesus. Notice what He said.

Revelation 2:1–5 AV 1873

Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: and hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

No matter how long you have been saved, you need to do the first works. If we are going to reach the world with the Gospel, we need to do the same things we did when we first got saved. We need to get back to the basics.

Using an acrostic of Basics, we will look at six areas of the Christian life to which we need to return.

BASICS

It cannot be stressed too much that you and I MUST be faithful to the Word of God. Whether you use a leather bound, paper back, hard back copy or whether you read it on an electronic device, you need to read the Bible every day.

Do not stop there. Don’t just read it; do it! Obey it!

James 1:22–23 AV 1873

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

When you read the Bible and do what It says, you will find that you are more aware of the traps the enemy sets for you. You will find that you are experiencing victory more regularly in your life.

The Bible will not make you sinless, but It will help you to sin less!!!

Psalm 119:9 AV 1873

BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.

BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

Read It!

Obey It!

Study It!

2 Timothy 2:15 AV 1873

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Meditate on It!

Joshua 1:8 AV 1873

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Keeping God’s Word on your mind and heart will help you to remember the principles by which you should live. This will lead to blessings.

Psalm 1:1–6 AV 1873

Blessed is the man That walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; And in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That bringeth forth his fruit in his season; His leaf also shall not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: But are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Memorize It!

Psalm 119:11 AV 1873

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might not sin against thee.

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

tells us that the Bible is a sword to use in our battles with our enemies - the world, the flesh, and the devil. The Greek word for sword used here speaks of a short sword, a little longer than a dagger that is used in hand to hand combat. It was used when fighting the enemy up close.

When our enemies come with temptations, attacking us, we can use our Sword to fight as Jesus did in . Satan brought specific temptations, and Jesus fended him off with specific verses.

In order to know what verses you can use, Read the Bible, Obey the Bible, Study the Bible, Meditate on the Bible, and Memorize the Bible!

Accountability is an area of our lives that is so vital, yet so neglected or rejected. We need our brothers and sisters helping to hold us accountable! We need to allow them entrance into our lives and be honest with them in order for the accountability to work!

We need to care enough for others to provide accountability for them, and we need to recognize that if someone cares enough to check in with us, they are not being nosy busybodies. They CARE!

Another reason people get depressed is hyper self focus. Did you know there is a selfie museum where you can go in and take selfies with all kinds of fun and crazy backgrounds? Instagram and Snapchat is all about telling everybody how awesome you are. So we constantly check to see if anyone has liked our posts. If there are not enough likes, we feel worthless.

There are people who battle depression because of some tragic situation where someone has abused them. Sometimes, there are real physical issues that leads to depression. Sometimes it is a lack of proper nutrition and rest.

Whatever the case, we are called to love one another and restore them. Help them be restored in their joy. Help them see that they are loved and valued by God and their church family.

Galatians 6:1–2 AV 1873

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Sometimes, people need a little encouragement and prodding to make the right choice. In July, we had a big event in the park across the street from where we meet for church. We called it “Worship at the Park.” Clever, I know!

We advertised it on social media and distributed a couple thousand flyers. Some of our members went to the grocery store and invited a young man named Christian to come. On the day of the event, they went back to follow up and encourage him to come that evening.

Christian was not at work, but a young man named Gabe was there. Gabe had seen our posts on social media and had signed up to come. He later said that, while he was planning to come, he had entertained the thought of not coming. The invitation from our members was just the encouragement he needed to solidify his resolve to be there, and to bring a friend with him. Gabe and his friend Faith are now attending our singles Bible study each week and growing in their walk with the Lord!

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 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.

Hebrews 10:24–25 AV 1873

and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 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.

Hours could be spent preaching and teaching on prayer. There is so much to prayer that we can barely hit high points today.

Prayer is a powerful weapon. The Bible says, “Ask, and it shall be given.” The weapons of our warfare are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.

Prayer is our secret weapon! People can keep you from talking to them. They can reject your tract or invitation, but they cannot keep you from praying for them!

Appliances do us no good if they are not plugged in. Often we will do the right things in the Christian life, yet we fail to be very effective because we do not pray as we should. Through prayer we plug in to the power of God.

Someone said, “Satan grinned a wide toothy grin and laughed when he saw me seated with my head hung low. Then I said, “Amen!”

Ephesians 6:18 AV 1873

praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

We need to pray!

Jesus said in , “Pray ye the Lord of the harvest that He will send forth laborers into His harvest.

We need to pour our lives into others. Jesus poured His life into 12 men over the course of about 3 1/2 years. Those 12 went out and changed the world!

Someone has given their time to invest in us. We are called to pay it forward by investing in someone else.

2 Timothy 2:2 AV 1873

And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

We not only invest in others through our time, It we invest in others when we give to the local church and the missions projects of that local church.

I could tell you story after story of lives that have been changed and souls that have been saved, marriages that have been restored because churches, this one included, have invested in our family and, by extension, the lives and homes of those who have been reached. It is one thing to be a part of a church that gives and invests, but what about you? Are you giving and investing?

2 Corinthians 9:7–8 AV 1873

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound towards you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Now,

That brings us to letter “C”

Jesus said, “I will build my church...” He did not tell us to build His church, nor did He say that He would build ours! He said that He would build His church. The church belongs to Jesus Christ, but we have the blessing of being a part of His church as God has placed us in His church!

1 Corinthians 12:18 AV 1873

But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

Romans 12:5 AV 1873

so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another

As a body, we are dependent on the Lord and upon one another as we do the work to which we are called. If any part is not cooperating, the body is hindered.

Are you cooperating or are you contending with your church body?

Jesus loves the church so much that He gave His life for it. I would not want to be guilty of resisting His work through His church!

Finally,

How can we cooperate?

As part of the body, God has specially equipped you to do something within the ministries of your local church. It may not be standing up to sing a special or teach a class. It may be that He has enabled you to encourage someone.

I had a man calling the church phone several times a day for a couple of weeks. It was an especially busy time, so I was not able to rush right over to see him in a mental hospital over an hour away. It bothered me that I had not been able to make the visit.

A couple of weeks ago, I shared with one of our men about this guy calling. I said, “I need to go see him, but I just don’t know when I will have the time!”

This brother replied, “I’ll go see him.” And he did. The following Monday he drove over an hour to get there to make the visit at 7:30am, only to learn that visiting hours were not until 1:30pm!

He stayed in town and worked on various projects until he could go make the visit!

Many of us usually do not serve because it is simply inconvenient! I for one am grateful for the ones who endured the inconvenience of serving to help me be what God wanted. I’m grateful for those who inconvenience themselves to defend our freedoms! I’m grateful for those who inconvenience themselves to serve in our church!

McKenzie and I were talking about it recently and she told me that most of the kids in our children’s class have been homeless, abused, or their dad is in jail. These kids often act out and try the patience of our volunteers, but our volunteers still show up to serve them and to teach them that Jesus loves them. They provide a class for these kids so their parents can sit in church and hear about how they can be a better parent, a better employee, a better Christian. Thank God for those who serve!

God has called every one of us to take the Gospel around the world. God has called us all to make disciples of all nations. For some, that is right here in Raleigh, through the ministries of Beacon Baptist Church. For some, that will mean that you are sent out from Beacon to some place in the Northeast or the Northwest. For some, that may be coming to Southern CA to help us. For others, that may be the Philippines, Botswana, Brazil, South Africa, Japan, or even in another place in North Carolina.

If we are to serve, that means that we go where the Master sends and we do what the Master says. We submit ourselves and obey.

When you do, you find that it is the best life - not because it is easy, but because Jesus is walking with you and taking care of you. Even when difficulty, trials, and pain come your way, His grace sustains you and helps you through.

Galatians 5:13 AV 1873

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

So where do we start? Someone asked Jesus,

Matthew 22:36–40 AV 1873

Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Start by loving God completely and loving others as Jesus loves us. See where that takes you!

(See also , , , & )

CONCLUSION

There is nothing more basic in the Christian life than knowing that you are saved. All of these that we talked about today amount to nothing if you do not know you have a relationship with Jesus.

1 John 5:13 AV 1873

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

May I ask you do you know Jesus is your Savior? I’m not asking if you know He is the Savior. I’m asking, is He yours?

John 1:12 AV 1873

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

There is nothing that Jesus wants for you any more than for you to become a child of God. He loves you so much that He gave Himself to die for your sins.

Romans 5:8 AV 1873

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

His gift of love is extended to you.

Romans 6:23 AV 1873

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 10:9–10 AV 1873

that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:13 AV 1873

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

You have a need. Jesus is the answer. There is nothing more basic and simple than asking. Will you do that today?

If you are saved, would you get back to the basics of the Christian life and see what God will do in and through you?

Back to the Basics

Bible

Accountability

Supplication

Invest

Church

Serve