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Topical Sermons - Executable Outlines

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INTRODUCTION<br />

Follow-up: Factors Affecting Follow-up<br />

Mark A. Copeland<br />

1. In a study on “Follow-up: Definition & Importance”, personal follow-up was part of an overall<br />

effort to ground new believers in Christ...<br />

b. Seeking to encourage engagement in this area of service in the Lord’s work<br />

a. For there is great joy when we engage in such work - 3 Jn 4<br />

2. There are several factors that will affect any effort in personal follow-up...<br />

a. Understanding these factors will help one know more about what is involved in such efforts<br />

b. It may also help us understand why so few people ever engage in it<br />

[For example, one factor affecting personal follow-up is...]<br />

I. OUR OWN RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD<br />

A. FOLLOW-UP INVOLVES THE IDEA OF “LIFE TRANSFERENCE”...<br />

1. Life transference - the transferring of things in your life to the life of the new Christian<br />

2. In other words, the sharing of a lifestyle with the new believer<br />

3. Such as Paul did with the Thessalonians - 1 Th 2:8<br />

B. OUR WALK WITH THE LORD MUST BE WORTHY OF IMITATION...<br />

1. Otherwise, the new believer is not likely to take us seriously<br />

2. Consider the example of Paul<br />

a. In his conduct with the Thessalonians - 1 Th 2:10<br />

b. So he write as he did to the Philippians - Ph 4:9<br />

3. We should not view Paul as an exception; all mature Christians are to worthy of imitation<br />

- cf. Ph 3:17<br />

C. THIS MAY EXPLAIN WHY MANY ARE NOT INVOLVED IN FOLLOW-UP...<br />

1. Perhaps knowing they are not good role models or mentors for “life transference”<br />

2. If such is the case with us...<br />

a. Then we better get busy growing spiritually<br />

b. If we are not able to help save others, we will unlikely save ourselves! - cf. 1 Ti 4:16<br />

[Another factor affecting personal follow-up is...]<br />

II. OUR WILLINGNESS TO MAKE A COMMITMENT<br />

A. PERSONAL FOLLOW-UP IS TIME-CONSUMING...<br />

1. The needs of a new believer are often similar to that of a baby (feeding, bonding, protecting)<br />

2. When life’s busy schedule presses down, priorities will have to be made<br />

3. Only the truly committed person will spend the time necessary to follow-up<br />

4. Paul illustrates the kind of commitment needed - Ac 20:20,31; 1 Th 2:9-12<br />

B. THIS MAY EXPLAIN WHY SO FEW ENGAGE IN FOLLOW-UP...<br />

1. Commitment is a difficult concept for many people<br />

<strong>Topical</strong> <strong>Sermons</strong> 130

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