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A Christian’s
Aspirations
Introduction:
what do you aspire to? What is your ambition in life? What do you
want to accomplish? The Holy Spirit instructs Christians to focus
their ambitions on a certain direction, 1 very different than the
world's.
Text:
1 Thessalonians 4: 11-12
Body:
1.
Aspire to live quietly.
·
Not running Heather or thither
but stay at home and mind their own business, 2nd Thessalonians 3:
11-12. Not causing division or disruption. Peaceful-free from
hostility and conflict towards others. Not trying to cause problems.
Describes a Christian woman, 1 Peter 3:4. Try to get along with
people as best you can. Do your best not to stir the pot.
·
We should try not to go out of
our way to draw attention to ourselves. We should not desire people
to look at us and all that we are doing. We should not make a
display of ourselves. Matthew 23: 5-7.
·
Leading a quiet life also means
not allowing the world to distract us from our Christian service.
Recall the following account of the Sower and the seed, Luke 8: 14.
These three are obstacles to being fruitful spurts of Christ. 2
Timothy 2: 4
2.
Mind your own business
·
this would include not meddling
in the affairs of others. Being a busy body is evidence of a
disorderly life, 2nd Thessalonians 3: 11. An undisciplined life. We
are not to be nosey, wanting to know everything happening in other
people's lives. Many people love to hear all the latest gossip. What
is happening with Mr. X or Missus? Why? Proverbs 26: 17. The dog
will probably bite you. Don't invade people's privacy.
·
Advice- do not interfere in
other people's lives. Let them open up to you if they want. Do not
pry. If someone is not ready to share, do not pressure them. Be
there for them, but do not dig or pry.
3.
Work with your own hands
·
God expects those who can work
to do so, 2nd Thessalonians 3: 10-11. Not willing to work karma,
being idle and doing nothing gets many people in trouble. And idle
mind is the devil's playground, Proverbs 19: 15.
·
Christians are meant to work, we
have responsibilities while we are on earth. We must not ignore
them, 1 Timothy 5:8. Doing nothing is bad in God's eyes.
·
We are to be diligent in our
work, Colossians 3: 23, also Ecclesiastes 9: 10.
4.
Walk properly
·
we are to behave properly toward
outsiders- those outside the body of Christ. Set a proper Christian
example, 1 Peter 2: 12. Hopefully, our walk might lead others to
become followers of Christ. We are to be light bearers to the world,
Philippians 2: 15. Our light should penetrate the spiritual
darkness in the world. Also, sinful behavior may cause unbelievers
to speak against God, Romans 2: 24. We do not want our improper
behavior to cause others to speak against the gospel or the church.
Our proper walk includes not being in need. We should not be lazier
others need to support us. We should never take advantage of the
kindness and generosity of others. We need to do our best to care
for ourselves, Ecclesiastes 11:6.
Conclusion:
The Holy Spirit, in our text, reveals what a Christian's aspirations
and ambitions should be. Aspire to live quietly, mind your own
business, work with your own hands, and walk properly toward
outsiders.
Prepared by Bobby Stafford
The church of Christ at Granby, MO
Located at
516 East Pine St.
P.O. Box 664
Granby, Mo. 64844
(417) 472-7109
For more lessons and Sermons please visit
https://granbychurchofchrist.org/
https://granbychurchofchrist.com/ |
