Sermon Central
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Mere Men
Contributed by Terry Bailey on Feb 25, 2001 (message contributor)
Summary: To be more than MERE!
Mere Men
(The #1 Reason Revival has been Barred from Butte)
Not:
1. The strength of the enemy
2. The Statue on the Hill
3. Not the Tough Reputation
4. Not the desire for sin over the Blood
But, men of God remaining worldly-mere infants in Christ!
1 Cor 3:1-4
3:1Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly-mere infants in Christ. 2I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? 4For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not mere men?
NIV
Mere meaning measly, simple or plain.
Quarreling is rooted in gossip, backbiting, and breaking the rules. It results in answering this question…Which is worst, people saying things about you that you didn’t do or people saying things to you they don’t do? In other words which is worst deception or desertion?
Share Word from the Lord that came several years ago.
Christian men, in general, are not faster than a speeding bullet. (Philip was)
More powerful than a locomotive. (Peter was, his shadow healed people)
Able to leap tall building in a single bound. (The rapture)
But mature Christian men are able to get along together without jealousy, quarreling, gossiping (minding someone else’s business, i.e. sowing discord), backbiting and the individual need to recognized, (i.e., predictable).
Mere men (worldly Christians) and unbelievers are really difficult to tell apart.
Here is a sure fire way to identify the spiritually mature:
1. They know jealousy and quarreling affects ministry. (Concern for the Title)
2. They know jealousy and quarreling affects relationships. (Concern for the reputation of Christ)
3. They know jealousy and quarreling affects the morality of their children. (Concern for their own children, as well as, others).
We are not called to be an example for our children only, but for all children!
Altar Call…To be more than Mere!