Surviving the Pandemic as a Congregation--Part 2
Surviving the Pandemic as a Congregation • Sermon • Submitted
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INTRODUCTION:
1. Everything that is going on around us in the world today affects the Church.
A. The covid-19 virus.
B. The economy being shut down.
C. People staying home.
D. Internet Church service— no matter your opinion whether it is right or wrong it is still affecting the Lord’s church.
E. Wearing mask.
F. The riots going on.
G. Racism.
1. We have no control over what is going on in the world around us but we can control how it will affects the Church.
2. Last week we started a new sermon series—Surviving the Pandemic as a Congregation.
A. If we desire to survive as a congregation we must be proactive as individual Christians.
1. We defined proactive as—creating or controlling a situation rather than just responding to it.
2. We then pointed out three problems that the individual christian needs to be proactive in their response to.
A. Problem number one—apathy
B. Problem number two—Very little of the Lord’s work is being accomplished.
C. Problem number three—Spiritually lazy Christians.
3. Last week we then looked at problem number one—apathy and its affects on the church.
A. It causes Christians to show little interest in the Scriptures.
B. It causes Christians to show little to no enthusiasm for worship.
C. It causes Christians to show little to no enthusiasm for church organized functions or programs.
D. It causes Christians to show little to no enthusiasm for the work of the Lord in the community.
4. This week, we are going to discuss problem number two—Very little of the Lord’s work is being accomplished.
A. Solution—Work like we are proud to be a follower of Christ and take responsibility for the work.
5. We need to remember the over all solution to the problem is—We need to be proactive in the resolution of the problem.
A. The Concise Oxford English Dictionary defines proactive as—creating or controlling a situation rather than just responding to it.
Body:
1. Problem—very little of the Lord’s work is being accomplished.
A. So, the question that needs to be answered first is—what is the Lord’s work?
1. Working in the field.
35 Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! 36 And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. 37 For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ 38 I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.”
A. Evangelism
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
B. Visitation of the sick.
C. Visitation of those in prison.
D. Benevolence—Taking care of the poor and needy.
34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
E. Seeing to the needs of orphans and widows.
27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
F. Taking care especially of the needs of the household of God.
10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
A. Christians of the first century went the extra mile to take care of one another’s needs on two separate occasions.
1. The day of Pentecost.
44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
2. Just prior to the Story of Ananias and Sapphira.
32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. 36 And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, 37 having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
B. These Christians really understood what the phrase “especially to those who are of the household of faith” means.
1. The account of Ananias and Sapphira demonstrates that it is not absolutely necessary to sell everything but if the need came to it would we?
2. Working in the kingdom of the Lord.
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
A. The kingdom of our Lord is the Church.
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
1. Restoring those who have walked away from the kingdom of our Lord.
1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
2. Taking care of widows that are widows indeed.
9 Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, 10 well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.
3. Taking care of the worship of the Church.
2. Every Christian needs to abound in this work.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
A. Faith without works is dead.
17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
1. The great heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 put their faith to work because they understood that without faith they could not please God and with out work their faith was dead.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
A. Diligently seeking him is abounding in the work of the Lord.
Conclusion:
1. The solution to this problem is showing God your faith by your works.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
A. James point here is that it is impossible to show your faith without your works.
B. Ultimately the solution is—to work like we are proud to be a follower of Christ and take responsibility for the work.
1. If you cannot show your faith by your works their is not enough of the Lord’s work being accomplished in your life.