“Is it nothing to you…?” 11/12/17 – M.L.R.
Lamentations 1:12 “Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by Lamentations 1:12 “Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger.”
Lamentations 1:12 “Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by Lamentations 1:12 “Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger.”
I. …That There Are Lost Souls All have sinned. Sin Death (Rom. 3:23;6:23; Js. 1:14-15) It’s not nothing to God 1 Tim. 2:4 – God will have all to be saved… 2 Pt. 3:9 – Not willing that any should perish… “You Never Mentioned Him to Me” (S.S. #92) “I want to be a Soul Winner” (S.S. #93)
II. …That the church is not growing? Starts with individual growth (1 Pt. 2:2; 2 Pt. 3:18) The first century – Acts 2:41 – about 3000 souls Acts 2:47 – daily Acts 5:12,14 – multitudes, both men & women Acts 6:7 – multiplied in Jerusalem Acts 11:19-21 – a great number believed and turned unto the Lord Today - ?
II. …That the church is not growing? The problem is not… Persecution Acts 12: 1-5 -- James killed, Peter in prison Acts 12:24 – the word of God grew & multiplied
II. …That the church is not growing? The problem is not… Persecution Practice of Church Discipline Acts 5:1-10 – Ananias and Sapphira lied & died Acts 5:11,14 – great fear multitudes added
II. …That the church is not growing? The problem is… Failure to Sow the Seed Parable of the sower (Luke 8) Paul & Apollos (1 Cor. 3:6) “Is the seed yet in the barn?” (Haggai 2:19)
II. …That the church is not growing? The problem is… Failure to Sow the Seed Failure to Work Acts 6:1-7 – Neglecting widows, got to work the church grew! (:7)
II. …That the church is not growing? The problem is… Failure to Sow the Seed Failure to Work Lack of Peace Acts 9:31 – had peace multiplied
II. …That the church is not growing? The problem is… Failure to Sow the Seed Failure to Work Lack of Peace Filth is Present Acts 19:19 – they burned the books Acts 19:20 – so mightily grew the word of God & prevailed
III. …That there are brethren who have fallen away? Expected to remain faithful 1 Cor. 15:58 Rev. 2:10
III. …That there are brethren who have fallen away? Expected to remain faithful Possible to be lost after baptism Simon – Acts 8 2 Peter 2:20-22
III. …That there are brethren who have fallen away? Expected to remain faithful Possible to be lost after baptism Responsibility to lost sheep Gal. 6:1
III. …That there are brethren who have fallen away? Expected to remain faithful Possible to be lost after baptism Responsibility to lost sheep Three Parables of Lost Things (Luke 15) Lost Sheep (:3-7) Lost Coin (:8-10) Lost Son (:11-32)
IV. …That there is less strong teaching and preaching? Commanded to Teach Mark. 16:15 – preach the gospel to every creature 1 Tim. 4:16 – take heed unto the doctrine save self & others 2 Tim. 2:2 – commit the doctrine to faithful men who will teach others Heb. 5:12-14 – ought to be teachers
IV. …That there is less strong teaching and preaching? Commanded to Teach The preaching/teaching of today is lacking
IV. …That there is less strong teaching and preaching? Commanded to Teach The preaching/teaching of today is lacking The kind of preaching needed today: 2 Tim. 4:1-4 – PREACH THE WORD
IV. …That there is less strong teaching and preaching? Commanded to Teach The preaching/teaching of today is lacking The kind of preaching needed today: 2 Tim. 4:1-4 – PREACH THE WORD 1 Cor. 1:21 – Preaching pleases God and saves souls
V. …That compromise is the rule? We must be uncompromising Like Moses – Ex. 10:24-26 , “Not a hoof” Like Daniel – Dan. 1:8, ‘purposed in his heart’ Like Paul – Gal. 2:3-5, ‘…not for an hour’
V. …That compromise is the rule? We must be uncompromising False Teachers Eph. 5:11 2 Tim. 2:15-18 2 John 10-11
V. …That compromise is the rule? We must uncompromising False Teachers The work of the church Ephesians 4:12
V. …That compromise is the rule? We must uncompromising False Teachers The work of the church The worship of the church
V. …That compromise is the rule? We must uncompromising False Teachers The work of the church The worship of the church Jer. 10:23 - ”It is not in man…to direct his own steps”
Is it nothing to you… 1. That there are lost souls? 2. That the church (in most places) is not growing? 3. That there are brethren who have fallen away? 4. That there is less strong teaching/preaching? 5. That compromise is the rule?