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Church of Christ
Sermons and Lessons for 2012 |
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Bobby Stafford |
A Godly Mother
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Audio) |
|
Mothers |
May 13, 2012 |
Sunday AM Sermon |
Revive Us Again – Part 1
Introduction:
Scene:
The temple of God was lying in ruins, but people were living well in
their own houses. God’s work was being neglected so Haggai, the
prophet, delivered a message to them. He rebuked them, then told
them to consider their ways, get up and rebuild God’s house. Read
Haggai 1:12-14.
Result: A revival took place! Is it also possible that the
Lord’s church needs one as well?
Text:
Revelation 3:14-19
Theme:
To see if we need reviving as did the Laodiceans.
Body:
I.
Examples of Those Needing a Revival
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From the
Bible
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Church at Ephesus (Revelation
2:1-5) They
no longer loved the Lord as they did at the first.
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Church at Sardis (Revelation
3:1-3) Strengthen
(build up) things that remain
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God’s people during the days of Jeremiah (Jeremiah
2:1-2)
They
had left the initial fervent love they had had for Jehovah.
Their love needed reviving.
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From the
present day [A Wendell Winkler quote]
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Ho-hum, unconcerned attitude
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Straddler, lukewarm, live a little for the Lord and a little
for the world Read:
Luke 14:33
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Spends little time in prayer, Bible study, and
self-examination (Psalms
1:2)
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Stays away from the assembly of the church even when he
could come (Hebrews
10:25)
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Gives little support to the work of the church (Luke
6:38)
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Avoids talking with others about spiritual matters
(Mark
16:15)
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Wants worship services over as quickly as possible, groans
if one responds to the invitation (Luke
15:7)
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Has
time for other things, but no time to teach classes, visit
the sick, attend gospel meetings
Those with
these characteristics need a revival desperately!
II.
What Causes People to Need Reviving?
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Self-satisfied
This was a major problem in the Laodicean church. (Revelation
3:17)
“On the plains of hesitation, lie the blackened bones of
countless millions, who, at the dawn of victory, sat down to
rest, and resting, died.” Unknown
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Discouragement
This was why the prophet, Elijah’s spirit needed reviving. (I
Kings 19:4, 14, 18)
We must remember
Romans 8:31.
“. . . If God is for us, who can be against us?”
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Greed
So much time and energy is spent pursuing acquisitions of more
and more possessions that many are too tired to do the work of
the Lord. “ . . . One’s life does not consist in the abundance
of the things he possesses.” (Luke
12:15)
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Uninspired Preaching
Notice I did not say “uninspiring” but “uninspired.” The
congregation must be fed a good strong diet of the Word. If
preaching is weak, the church will be weak. (I
Corinthians 2:1-5)
Preaching should not be the philosophy of men; self-help; pop
psychology. Just as a cool drink of water refreshes us on a hot
day, so does drinking from God’s water renew our soul.
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A Lack
of Faith
As the Lord said to Peter as he began to sink into the sea, “O
you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Often we have the
spirit of the ten spies who came back from Canaan saying, “We
can’t. We are like grasshoppers compared to them.” Let us
follow the advice given in
Hebrews 10:35-38.
“How to Bring About Revival”
Conclusion:
Does your
soul need reviving? Have you become self-satisfied or maybe
discouraged? Heed the admonition in
Revelation 3:19.
“ . . . Therefore be zealous and repent.” Or if you
have never obeyed our Lord in baptism, why won’t you now?
Bobby
Stafford
August 12,
2012
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