The Value Of Christian Ideals

I Kings 8:18 - 18“But the Lord said to my father David,

‘Whereas it was in your heart to build a temple for My

name, you did well that it was in your heart.

Let us take a look at what Webster has to say about ideals:

“Existing as an idea, model, or archetype; or as a perfect

model; exactly as one would desire; of a perfect kind.”

A. In the more common vernacular.....”The way

things ought to be.”

1. Christian ideals should not be determined by

our opinions or other men’s rules.....but by the

direction and measurement of the Word of

God.

B. We, as Christians, should have a good grasp of

Christian ideals and allow those ideals to guide our

walk.

1. Christian ideals are the “nuts-and-bolts” of

what the scriptures teach us.

Christian ideals are more than goals.

A. They should certainly be involved in our goals.

1. These ideals should be the guiding factor....

the basis, if you will, of the formation of our

goals.

a. Anyone can have goals.....the cab driver

can have goals......the farmer can have

goals........even the bank robber can have

goals.

1.) A Christian’s goals MUST BE

DETERMINED BY CHRISTIAN

IDEALS.

Christian ideals will produce Christian attributes.

Hear a man, by the name of Bob Logan, on “vision” which

is directly related to Christian ideals:

Vision: the capacity to create a compelling picture of the

desired state of affairs that inspires people to respond; that

which is desirable, which could be, should be; that which is

attainable. A godly vision is right for the times, right for the

church, and right for the people. A godly vision promotes

faith rather than fear. A godly vision motivates people to

action. A godly vision requires risk-taking. A godly vision

glorifies God, not people.

I. Christian ideals will motivate the Christian to action.

A. Nobody who declares himself a Christian can

sit idle when he understands the urgency of the

work that needs to be done.

1. Those who have not formed the proper

Christian ideals don’t see the need or the

urgency of working steadfastly in the

Kingdom.

a. They are easily satisfied with little, for

they do not see the picture that God’s

Word paints of the desperate state of

mankind.

Let me illustrate urgency to you with a little story:

Just before giving a lavish party at his estate, a tycoon

had his swimming pool filled with poisonous snakes. He

called the guests together and announced, "To anyone

brave enough to swim across this pool, I will give the

choice of a thousand acres of my oil fields, 10,000 head

of cattle, or my daughter’s hand in marriage." No

sooner were his words spoken than a young man

plunged in, swam across the pool and climbed

out--unscathed but breathless.

"Congratulations!" the tycoon greeted him. "Do you

want my oil fields?"

"No!" gasped the guest.

"The 10,000 head of cattle?"

"No!" the young man shouted.

"Well, how about my daughter’s--" "No!"

"You must want something," said the puzzled host.

"I just want to know the name of the guy who pushed

me in!"

B. Some may know this need, but because they have

not formed any ideals (Bible based goals)....the

lost stay lost.....the ignorant remain ignorant.

1. This is a sin of omission and is as grave a

sin, in the sight of God, as murder.

a. Indeed, it is related to murder.

1.) When one knows that another

fellow human being is headed for

eternal torments and can.....with

this knowledge......withhold the

very solution to this person’s

horrible fate.......God considers this

a despicable sin.

James 4:17 - 17Therefore, to him who knows to do good

and does not do it, to him it is sin.

II. Christian ideals will determine what we teach others

and just what we allow to be taught, as faithful doctrine.

A. The ideal of the Bible is truth.

1. This is truth, in every sense of the word.

a. As Christians, we cannot deceive....in

any way.....for any reason.

1.) We understand that the ends do

not justify the means.

a.) We must sow the pure seed....

anything less will not

produce the plant that God

wants planted.

I Thess. 2:3-6 - 3For our exhortation did not come from

error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. 4But as we have

been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel,

even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests

our hearts. 5For neither at any time did we use flattering

words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is

witness. 6Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you

or from others, when we might have made demands as

apostles of Christ.

Matt. 15:13 - 13But He answered and said, “Every plant

which My heavenly Father has not planted will be