Back To The Basics
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
I preached last Sunday evening on the thought of “The False Security of Luxury” from Amos 6. This was a message concerning apathy and complacency. I kept thinking about that message throughout the week and Nicole and I were talking this week about some things going on in churches, and ideas and things we can do here, and I have COVID, and we have all these things we want to do and we just can’t; we’re doing good just to come to church in a sense; and, anyway, we were just going back and forth with our thoughts, and she mentioned something that I picked up, she said, “I think people just need to focus on keeping the main thing the main thing, and get back to the basics.” Now, we weren’t talking about the sense of apathy that abounds in the church today, but the thought kept coming back to my mind in light of last Sunday evening’s message, and I thought, how do we fight the apathy? By getting back to the basics…People need to get back to the basics…
Now if you don’t know what I’m talking about with apathy, or if you missed last Sunday evening’s message, I’m talking about the disturbing trend seen too often in many churches where people:
Attend services, but it appears that they are only "going through the motions"
Their singing, their praying, their Bible Study, their zeal, seems dull.
But the text says that Christ “…come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
Abundantly means “over and above, more than is necessary, beyond measure, supreme.”
Nothing about what I just described sounds like an abundant life does it?
CERTAINLY GOD DESIRES MORE FOR HIS CHILDREN!
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
So, what’s the problem? Let’s go to the Word:
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.
Let me put the way Jesus does in that passage...We need to get "Back To The Basics!"
Today, we’re going to look at what to do to get “Back To The Basics”
Energize Faith
Energize Faith
A. Defining "FAITH"
A. Defining "FAITH"
1. A Scriptural definition of faith is found in…
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
B. IMPORTANCE OF "FAITH"
B. IMPORTANCE OF "FAITH"
1. Faith in God is essential to pleasing Him
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
2. Faith in Jesus is essential to finding forgiveness and eternal life
I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
3. Without faith, the only thing you can have is doubt and fear
But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
C. ENERGIZING YOUR "FAITH"
C. ENERGIZING YOUR "FAITH"
The Word of God is designed to produce faith
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Through diligent reading of the Bible, we can "energize" our faith!
And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
Fortify Hope
Fortify Hope
A. DEFINING "HOPE"
A. DEFINING "HOPE"
VINE'S says that hope involves "the happy anticipation of good"
It’s NOT wishful thinking, or an insecure "I hope so"
But as VINE'S describes it further, it is "a confident expectation"
A common definition of hope is "desire plus expectation"
B. IMPORTANCE OF "HOPE"...
B. IMPORTANCE OF "HOPE"...
Hope is necessary for our motivation to become pure.
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Hope is necessary to increase opportunities to evangelize.
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
C. FORTIFYING YOUR "HOPE"
C. FORTIFYING YOUR "HOPE"
The Word of God was written to produce hope.
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Through its revelation of God's dealings with man in the past, we know God keeps His promises
This encourages us to expect Him to deliver on His promises for the future
Peter encourages us to...
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
Where do read of the "grace" that is to come when Christ is revealed? In the Scriptures, of course!
Nothing "fortifies" our hope better than those wonderful passages that reveal the eternal destiny of the saints!
Activate Love
Activate Love
A. DEFINING "LOVE"
A. DEFINING "LOVE"
The Bible gives the best definition of love
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
A simple definition that is easy to remember: "active goodwill"
B. IMPORTANCE OF "LOVE"
B. IMPORTANCE OF "LOVE"
Expressing love gives us "assurance" of our salvation
We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
Expressing love assures us that God will answer our prayers
And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
Expressing love reassures us that we abide in God, and He in us
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
C. ACTIVATING YOUR "LOVE"
C. ACTIVATING YOUR "LOVE"
Like the Thessalonians, we can be taught by God how to love
But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
Jesus taught us how to love by His sacrificial life
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
God taught us how to love by giving His Son as a propitiation for sins
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
Through careful meditation upon what the Bible reveals about God's love for us, we can "activate" our love for others!
Enhance Joy
Enhance Joy
A. DEFINING "JOY"
A. DEFINING "JOY"
The Greek word is CHARA, and is closely related to the word CHARIS - Ya’ll might recognize that word; there’s a Christian bookstore on Main St. by that name - If you didn’t know, now you know, that’s the Greek work for Grace...
CHARIS (grace) is "undeserved favor" which in turn gives joy, pleasure, delight
CHARA (joy), then, is the response we have to undeserved favor
I like to think of joy as the "delightful response" to the grace we receive from God
B. IMPORTANCE OF "JOY"
B. IMPORTANCE OF "JOY"
Joy is an essential element of what constitutes the Kingdom of God
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Joy lightens the burden of trials in this life
But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
It is often the loss of joy that is most evident in the lives of many Christians!
C. ENHANCING YOUR "JOY"
C. ENHANCING YOUR "JOY"
Jesus gave us words whereby our joy might be full
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
Once again we see the value of daily Bible study
Just as the Bible can...
Energize faith
Fortify hope
Activate love
...it can "enhance" joy!
Jesus also stressed the importance of PRAYER in regards to joy...
Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
Answered prayer certainly excites the Christian, and increases joy!
So to the practice of daily Bible study, a key to getting "Back To The Basics!" is the habit of regular prayer
[There is one more "basic" I would like to point out...
Enjoy Peace
Enjoy Peace
A. DEFINING "PEACE"
A. DEFINING "PEACE"
VINE'S describes peace as "harmonious relations"
It is used to describe such harmony between...
Men
Nations
God and man
One's own self
A lack of peace often contributes to the "spiritual stagnation” that afflict many Christians
B. IMPORTANCE OF "PEACE"
B. IMPORTANCE OF "PEACE"
Another crucial element constituting the Kingdom of God - I’ve already mentioned that it goes along with Joy.
Peace with brethren contributes to receiving peace from peace from God
Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
And having peace with God has a positive effect in our lives...
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
C. ENJOYING YOUR "PEACE"
C. ENJOYING YOUR "PEACE"
Peace with God begins with justification found only in Christ
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
It continues in response to fervent prayer
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Just as prayer can "enhance" joy
So can prayer help us to "enjoy" the peace that passes all understanding!
Speaking of joy and peace…I want to remind ya’ll of something…This year, while lives have been put on hold, plans have cancelled, things have changed, and nothing feels the same - I want to remind you:
Joy is not cancelled
Peace still remains
God's goodness kindness
His grace isn't running low
And He has not changed
His power is still abundant
His mercies are still new
God's plans have not been cancelled
He's still in control
And everything that matters still remains
Conclusion
Conclusion
Faith, hope, love, joy, peace: simple words, yet so essential to the "abundant life" Jesus has to offer those who come to Him
Why are they often in short supply in the lives of many Christians?
Because they neglect two fundamental tools God provides for them
These tools? The Word of God and prayer!
Friends, whenever you find yourself in a spiritual "slump", let these two avenues of communication with God be the key to:
Energize faith!
Fortify hope!
Activate love!
Enhance joy!
Enjoy peace!
Restoring the basic elements of the abundant life found only in Christ is not a mystery:
Receive the Word of God!
Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
Continue earnestly in prayer!
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
It's just that simple!