Doin' What You Know Is Right

Intro:

Some people whether they admit it or not have a very clear understanding of what is right.

1. What they actually struggle with is whether or not they should actually do the right thing or not.

a. Driving the speed limit when no police officer is around, giving back the “extra” change a cashier might give us, etc...

B. Sometimes the results of doing the right thing is painful.

1. John the Baptist knew the right thing in regards to King Herod’s marriage. Matt. 14:1-5, 9-12.

a. He spoke the truth and it cost him his life.

2. Stephen faced the same situation in Acts 7:51-60.

a. Stephen’s teaching the truth cost him his all - his own life.

C. Like I mentioned before, often our struggle is not in knowing what is right.

1. Our struggle is in doing it! What hinders us?

I. MOST KNOW THE RIGHT THING TO DO, THEY JUST DON’T DO IT.

A. Strategy vs. implementation.

1. What happens is most people find it easier to talk about doin’ the right thing than to act on it.

a. James 2:14-17, Luke 6:46, Matt. 7:21-23, 28:32.

B. When it comes to pleasing God, sayin’ isn’t the same as doin’. Matt. 15:7-9, Mark 7:5-7.

1. Lip service to God will not work!

2. Sometimes Christians stumble into this way of thinking!

3. we do not want to make the error of talking about the right thing instead of acting on it also.

II. SOME DON’T HONESTLY COUNT THE POTENTIAL COST OF OBEDIENCE.

A. Counting the cost can have two ways of affecting us.

1. We count the cost consider the “rewards” far greater and we do the right thing.

2. We count the cost and then we fail to do the right thing because we understand there is risk involved.

a. It may cost us either our friends, family, job, scorn or all of the above.

B. Jesus never hid the cost. Matt. 5:10-12, Luke 14:25-35.

1. The apostles never hid the costs. 1 Cor. 4:11-13, 2 Cor. 4:8-10, James 1:1-3.

C. The cost of discipleship can hinder Christian and non-Christians alike.

1. But it is a cost we must be willing to pay!

III. SOME HAVE THE ATTITUDE “IT’S NOT MY JOB.”

A. Many people know what the right thing to do is, but they would rather someone else do it.

1. Some seem almost eager for other people to do the right thing.

2. When it comes to the Lord’s work it may be true some of it is not your responsibility.

a.The elders and deacons have their work to do.

b. The preacher has his also.

3. But most often those who cry “That’s not my job” are just trying to shift their personal

responsibility to someone else.

B. But there are some things you can do and NO ONE ELSE can do them for you.

1. These things are CLEARLY your WORK!

a. Repenting of a particular sin. Acts 8:22.

ie. They are your sins - own up to them and repent.

b. Obeying the gospel. Acts 2:38.

c. PERSONAL spiritual growth. Matt. 5:6, 2 Peter 3:18, 2 Tim. 2:15.

d. Treating other people right. Doing right to others. Matt. 7:12, Rom. 12:19-22, Eph. 4:32.

e. Confronting a brother in sin. Matt. 18:15-17, Gal. 6:1-2.

ie. Can you imagine the effect on a wayward brother to learn that all the brethren love them

and want them to correct their lives and turn back to God?

IV. WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARE READY TO ACTUALLY DO THE RIGHT

THING.

A. Pray about what you intend to do. This is important for Christians. Eph. 6:19-20, Col. 4:3,

James 1:5.

B. Seize your opportunities to do the right thing NOW! Eph. 5:15-16.

C. Be prepared for the conflict. Matt. 18:15-17, Gal. 6:1-2.

1. The devil will use every chance he can get to stop you form doing the right thing! 1 Peter 5:7-9.

2. We are at war! Eph. 6:12-13, 1 Tim. 6:11-12.

CONCLUSION:

Today resolve to do the right thing in obeying the gospel.

1.Resolve to repent and making your life right with God today!

2. If you are out of duty or step with God as a Christian - then do what is right to reconcile back to Him.

B. Are you ready to do what is right?