HoHum:
Much debate about guns. Most never pull the trigger. Many people have this philosophy, “Ready, aim, aim, aim.” They aim to do this or they aim to do that, but never do.
WBTU:
Last week we talked about the #1 sin among Americans according to a George Barna survey in 2011. It’s anxiety and worry. What is the #2? Again it’s not pornography, overeating, or greed. It’s procrastination. Worry and procrastination almost tied for #1.
Procrastination concerning what? Top 5 things people procrastinate over: 1) Exercising 2) Cleaning out closets, drawers, and other cluttered spaces 3) Losing weight 4) Household cleaning 5) Preparing a will or other estate planning
I don’t think the people in this survey are talking about any of these earthly things. They are thinking of spiritual matters. How many people have we met that say that they need to get their relationship with God right, they need to be saved, but never get around to it? How many people have we met who say that they need to find a church home and go to church regularly, but they never get around to it? Many in my experience.
The problem here is that many people have little motivation to get spiritual things in order. The apathy caused by the flesh prevents many from ever making the effort in seeking God. When I say the flesh or the sinful nature, I am talking about all aspects of our humanity that are controlled by sinful desires and passions. Most people live to gratify the cravings of their sinful nature and follow its desires and thoughts (Ephesians 2:3). Their minds and senses have been dulled so that they do not seek Jesus Christ even when they know that it is in their best interest. Need to pray that “they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil” (2 Timothy 2:26).
Danger of delay is great. I want to talk to those who are delaying or procrastinating about spiritual matters whether it be about finding a church or about their own salvation.
Thesis: Let’s talk about various objections, excuses to people’s delay in spiritual matters and answer each one.
For instances:
“I Will Later, but not now. Let me wait awhile.”
Procrastination is one of Satan’s greatest weapons. There is plenty of time. I want to sow my wild oats for a while and then get things right with God. “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them”--” Ecclesiastes 12:1, NIV.
Much too often, death comes unexpectedly, and then it is too late to think about God. “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,” Hebrews 9:27, NIV.
Would we delay in taking appropriate action if we knew... There was a bomb in our house that could explode at any moment? We had a terminal illness if left untreated?
We have a great concern for the body but not for the soul. How long is eternity?
“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28, NIV.
Don’t delay; a soul is at stake!
“I Don’t Know Enough Yet”
A desire to learn more is commendable. There is a lot more that I would like to know! I have not arrived. Going to school to learn more even now! Take in all that we can from people who know more than us!
However, being a Christian involves a growth process. Notice that a lot of the teaching takes place after we become disciples, Christians. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. ” Matthew 28:19, 20, NIV.
One can become a Christian with very little knowledge. How much does one need to know?
From the book of Acts we see that many became Christians after just one lesson; how many lessons or sermons have we heard?
When the Ethiopian eunuch wanted to be baptized after just one lesson, it was “faith” that was necessary, not “extensive knowledge”. “Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they travelled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.” Acts 8:35-38, NIV. But what do we need to know?
Need to know that we are lost in our sins. Christ offered himself on the cross for our sins. We can receive the benefits of His death through:
1. Belief in Jesus and the gospel. “Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,” 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, NIV.
2. Repent of our sins. “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,” Acts 3:19, NIV.
3. Confess our faith in Christ: “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” Romans 10:9, 10, NIV.
4. Be baptized: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38, NIV.
At this we know enough to be saved and to begin the Christian life!
“I Want to wait until I am sure I can live the Christian life” or “I’m not good enough yet, I want to improve my life”
This implies a misunderstanding of the Christian life. Some believe they are expected to act like mature Christians right away. They look at those who have been Christians for years. They know they cannot act like that immediately, so they assume they must change themselves completely before becoming a Christian.
Many forget that being a Christian is a growth process. We start off as “babes in Christ”, often still worldly in our behavior. “Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly--mere infants in Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:1, NIV.
Need to keep putting off the “old man” and keep putting on the “new man.” “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24, NIV. I thought we did that in our baptism? Not fully, must be daily cooperation on our part
Must understand that no one can live the Christian life without Christ. If we wait until we can live the Christian life to become a Christian, we will be waiting forever!
It is only through Christ that we receive the strength to overcome the struggles of the flesh. “For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live,” Romans 8:13, NIV.
To delay in receiving Christ until one’s life is in order is to put the cart before the horse. We need Christ and his strength in order to truly repent and change. “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13, NIV.
“There are hypocrites in the church”
There are hypocrites everywhere. Do hypocrites in the stadium prevent us from enjoying a good sports game? Let’s be honest, aren’t we all hypocrites at one time or another?
The sin of hypocrisy is no excuse. Which is worse, to spend a few years in a church with some hypocrites? or to spend eternity in hell with all the hypocrites?
Need to remember that Jesus did not refuse to worship in the synagogues though many of the religious leaders were hypocrites. If we let the hypocrite come between us and God, we let the hypocrite become bigger than God! Then we can’t see God for the hypocrite!
“I Want to wait for my spouse or parents or friends”
This concern is commendable but will we help them by waiting? They may be waiting for us to obey first? Our delay can only hinder others.
Our example of obedience can be a powerful influence for good. “Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.” 1 Peter 3:1, 2, NIV.
When we stand before the Lord, it will be as an individual. Not be in family, church, or friend circles but we will have to answer for ourselves. “So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.” Romans 14:12, NIV.
As much as we may love them, don’t let them determine our eternity. ““Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;” Matthew 10:37, NIV.
Many other objections and excuses out there, but may we hear these words of Ananias to Paul: “And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’” Acts 22:16, NIV.
