What Are You Doing?

Rev. Wayne A. Lawson, M.Min

Senior Pastor

First Baptist Church

Ardmore, OK 73402

(Preached Sunday June 26, 2005)

website: http://firstbaptistok.org/

e-mail: pastor@firstbaptistok.org

Scripture: Genesis 5:27 "And all the days of Methuselah were nine

hundred sixty and nine years: and he died."

Title: What Are You Doing?

I spent last week in Shreveport, Louisiana taking courses in pursuit

of this next degree. The conference center where we were located

actually played host to several different conferences. During one

of my breaks I sat in the lobby and listened to various

conversations from individuals who were attending different business

conferences. There were many people there talking about their jobs –

corporations – status – positions. I was asked by one particular

group - as to what conference I was attending and what did I do for

a living. They were somewhat surprised that I was with a group for

the week and we were studying the Bible. After learning about one

another’s backgrounds they were also surprised when I mentioned that

I also held a Masters Degree in Management in addition to various

Religious Degrees. One individual replied, that his particular

company was in pursuit of MBA’s and managers with graduate degrees.

He went on to ask me – why I was wasting my time. Let me say that I

appreciate the question that was posed. I simply responded to these

individuals that I am able to see something that many people are

unable to see. I venture to say there are some this morning, right

here in the sanctuary that feel just as those business men/women.

Wonder why I spend the time running here and there in pursuit of

Bible learning. My brothers and sisters, I see something that most

are not able to see - "I see the Kingdom of God," it is in clear

view. Because of what I am able to see in the spiritual realm, I

can’t help but to do what I do in preparing the household of faith.

I in turn inquired if I could ask this group a question. They all

thought that it was fair since they asked of me and I was courteous

enough to respond. Do you know that you can learn so much about

people by watching and listening? The longer you listen you can

tell where they will spend eternity. You can tell what their God is

by what they are doing with their lives. And then I simply asked

them – what are you living for or better yet – What Are You Doing?

Have you realized that when you search the scriptures that God does

not commend mankind in the final hour for what they have achieved in

this life. God is not impressed with our status – degrees –

employment history - titles. Those who found favor with God did not

find favor because of their position in life.

• Enoch– Walked with God

• David – Man after God’s own Heart

• Abraham – Had Faith

• Moses – Ascended to Nebo’s peak with God at his side

• John – He whom Jesus Loved

• Job – was Upright

• Daniel – was Faithful to God

• Elijah was Courageous

• Joshua – One who with his family served the Lord

• Noah – found Grace in the Eyes of the Lord

Those who are able to get the attention of God are those who are

able to see what others can not. Achieving in life is good and it

is healthy but it is not the most important thing. It is always a

sad commentary to me when we eulogize those that have spent Six

Decades or better on this earth and you look around the sanctuary

and can’t hardly fill the pews – I can’t help but to wonder this

morning – what are you doing. Look at this text with me once again –

GENESIS 5:27 "AND ALL THE DAYS OF METHUSELAH WERE NINE HUNDRED

SIXTY AND NINE YEARS AND HE DIED." Using all that we know about

Methuselah, let’s take a moment and talk about his earthly

achievements. Not concerned right now about those things that

please God. Let’s find what he achieved to please man.

• We have no information as to where he was residing at the

time of his death

• We can not say he was the president or director of a certain

civic club, or that he ever belonged to any club

• There are no records that he carried any such memberships

• Can we say Mr. Methuselah was a good member of a certain

church?

• No, we have no record of him ever being a member of any

church.

• Did Mr. Methuselah work on his job for 900 years prior to