Spiritual Danger

Introduction:

Check-ups are preformed on cars, houses, and people.  They want to see how they are doing.  Then they can make adjustments if needed.  A far greater need is for a spiritual check-up.  (II Corinthians 13:5)  “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.  Test yourselves.  Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? – unless indeed you are disqualified.” NKJV  Many are in the process of dying spiritually.  (Jude 23)  “but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.” NKJV  There are those who are dangerously close to fiery destruction which awaits them.  God’s Word points out symptoms or danger signs of dying spiritually.  Just as a medical doctor asks us about our symptoms to diagnose our physical problems, the Bible lists warning signs for us to look out for.  This is so serious that it should make us nervous.

Body:  Brother Turner lists Seven “Danger Signs” to look out for.

1.  Story of the Cross No Longer Moves You

A.  Some believe it’s foolishness.  (I Corinthians 1:18)  “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” NKJV

B.  It should continue to motivate us as it did at first.  (Acts 2:36-38)  “ ‘Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.’  Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?’  Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’ ” NKJV  The Lord’s Supper helps us remember it.

C.  Are you bored when Calvary is preached?  Eyes tear up when you hear of the crucified Saviour?  If this doesn’t move you, something’s seriously wrong!

2.  Have You Left Your First Love?

A.  We obey Him and His Word because we love Him.  John 14:15  “If you love Me, keep My commands.”

B.  The church at Ephesus had left its first love.  (Revelation 2:4-5)  “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.  Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place – unless you repent.” NKJV  Initial zeal and commitment now gone.  Are you now just serving out of habit, routine, or ritual?  Your heart wasn’t in it.  Why do you worship and obey God?  Be honest!  Are you as zealous as you once were?  Are you in the process of leaving your first love?  May we not fool ourselves.

3.  Do Church Services Bore You?

A.  Do you constantly look at your watch?  You just can’t wait for dismissal prayer?  “I just don’t get anything out of services anymore.”  Are you like the Jews who just couldn’t wait for Sabbath to be over so they could get back to doing what they really liked?

B.  Some blame it on the preacher.  “He’s just not very interesting.”  Remember he is supposed to be a spokesman of God – when the Word is read, it is God speaking.  Some of us can’t sit for thirty minutes in a building without complaining; yet we can watch a sporting event for hours on end.  Something is very wrong!  Be careful.  Don’t forget Matthew 6:33!  “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” NKJV

4.  You Have No Interest in Saving Souls.

A.  Have you stopped teaching the gospel?  Are you ashamed of it? 

B.  Do you think it’s just the job of the preacher and elders?  Let someone else do it.  Do you not tell friends and family the Good News?  The Great Commission is for all.  (Mark 16:15-16)  “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.  He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” NKJV

C.  Christ came to seek and save the lost.  (Luke 19:10)  “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” NKJV  We need to be like Him.  Don’t forget James 5:19-20. “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.”  NKJV  “It is a danger sign if you are not interested in saving souls.”

5.  Do Things of the World Satisfy You?

A.  Parable of the Sower  (Luke 8:14)  “Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.” NKJV  Things of the world can lead us away from God.  (James 1:14-16)  “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.  Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.  Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.” NKJV

B.  The world was too great an attraction for Demas.  (II Timothy 4:10)  “For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world. . .” NKJV

C.  Where do you find satisfaction?  Christ or world?

6.  Are You Fooling Yourself?

A.  The most deadly disease is the one you can’t detect.  We can fall into the trap of thinking all is well.  (Matthew 7:22-23)  “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?  And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” NKJV

B.  Do you think God is “too loving” to punish your “little sins?”  (Ezekiel 18:4)  “Behold, all souls are Mine; The soul of the father As well as the soul the son is Mine; The soul who sins shall die.” NKJV

C.  James describes a man who hears the Word and assumes all is well.  But he doesn’t allow the Word to sink deeply into his heart and stay there. 

(James 1:22-24)  “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.” NKJV

 7.  Failing to Do What You Know You Should Do  (James 4:17)  “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” NKJV  Remember Ezekiel 18:4. “Behold, all souls are Mine; The soul of the father As well as the soul of the son is Mine; The soul who sins shall die.” NKJV  Many know they need to respond, but don’t.  Many know they need to confess wrongs, but don’t.  Many know they need to teach the lost, but don’t.  Many know they need to give more, but don’t.  Many know they need to get involved, but don’t.  Danger signs!

Conclusion:

Many are on the road to spiritual death.  They need to be restored and revived.  (Psalm 85:4-7)  “Restore us, O God of our salvation, And cause Your anger toward us to cease.  Will You be angry with us forever?  Will You prolong Your anger to all generations?  Will You not revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You?  Show us Your mercy, Lord, And grant us Your salvation.” NKJV

Invitation:

Be honest.  Examine yourself.

 Sermon information from J. J. Turner

 Bobby Stafford

March 6, 2016