Topical Sermons - Executable Outlines

Mark A. Copeland
2) Those who worked hard and long, yet made the effort to attend
a) Some worked long hours, coming straight from work
b) Some had additional responsibilities, requiring missing sleep
3) Several drove many miles to come
a) Yet came every night
b) Some driving out of their way to provide transportation
4) Mothers with families whose husbands had to work came anyway
5) Others whose spouses would not come, came anyway, proving themselves worthy
of Christ - cf. Lk 14:26
6) Some endured great pain, but made the effort to be present!
7) Others cleaned the building every night after each service!
b. Such sacrifice was a victory over Satan
1) Who wants us to serve God out of convenience, not conviction
2) Who uses such difficulties to make it inconvenient to serve God - cf. 1 Pe 5:8-9
c. Such sacrifice is further demonstration of God’s working in you! - cf. 1 Pe 5:10
4. Influence for good
a. Souls outside of Christ heard the gospel
1) It may be a while for fruit to show - cf. Jn 4:37
2) But when it does, God will have been at work! - cf. 1 Co 3:6-7
b. Souls in Christ heard edifying sermons
1) Challenging our commitment and service to God
2) Exhorting us to faith and love to Christ
C. I ALSO SAW THE DEVIL AT WORK...
1. Satan is known for trying to undo the work of God - cf. Mt 13:24-26,36-39
2. Satan may have succeeded in the lives of some
a. By raising stumbling blocks in their way
b. By providing excuses for those who chose not to attend
c. By discouraging those who attended through the absence of others
[But now that the meeting is over, we cannot focus our attention on the past (cf. Ph 3:13). So I ask...]
II. WHAT NEXT?
A. REST IS APPROPRIATE...
1. Paul spent some time in between his journeys - cf. Ac 14:28
2. Jesus told His disciples to take a rest - cf. Mk 6:30-31
-- So taking a “breather” (a short respite) is understandable
B. RETIREMENT IS NOT...
1. Our retirement is “out of this world”, for which we must maintain diligence - cf. He 4:1-2,
9-11
2. Yes, we need to persevere - cf. He 10:32-39
3. There is need to be careful, and not become like the church...
a. At Ephesus (forgetful) - Re 2:2-5
b. At Sardis (incomplete) - Re 3:2-3
c. At Laodicea (lukewarm) - Re 3:15-16
C. WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE...
Topical Sermons 157