Topical Sermons - Executable Outlines

Mark A. Copeland
F. HOSPITALITY...
1. Christians are to be hospitable - Ro 12:13
2. This includes both hospitality to strangers and to brethren - cf. He 13:2; 1 Pe 4:9
-- A factor in the rapid spread of the church in the first century was the hospitality extend
G. WARMTH, FRIENDLINESS, OPENNESS...
1. We see this expressed by those in the church at Jerusalem - Ac 2:44-47
2. It continued with the saints in Antioch - Ac 11:27-30
H. GENTLENESS, MEEKNESS...
1. Especially necessary in dealing with the spiritual weak - Ga 6:1
2. But also in dealing with those who oppose us - 2 Ti 2:24-26
I. FORGIVENESS, FORBEARANCE, PATIENCE, LONGSUFFERING...
1. All of these attitudes overlap, and are very important - Ep 4:2,32
2. They help smooth out the bumps and obstacles that Satan will put in our way in his effort to
destroy the local church
[Finally, let’s survey some of the necessary...]
IV. ATTITUDES TOWARD OUR WORK
A. GRATITUDE FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF OUR WORK...
1. Paul certainly possessed this attitude - 1 Ti 1:12; 1 Co 15:9,10
2. Do we appreciate what an honor it is to offer service in kingdom of our Lord?
B. ENTHUSIASM, EAGERNESS...
1. Remember, God loves a cheerful giver - 2 Co 9:7
2. Nothing is so easy but that it becomes difficult if done with reluctance
3. Nothing is so hard that it cannot be made easier with enthusiasm
C. INDUSTRIOUSNESS, DILIGENCE, ENERGY...
1. Like those in Nehemiah’s day, we need a “mind to work” - Neh 4:6
2. If we are to serve men “heartily”, how much more the Lord - Co 3:23
3. Some people are like blisters...they never show up until the work is almost done
4. The slothful person is just as harmful as the destructive person - Pro 18:9
D. INITIATIVE...
1. Initiative has been defined as willingness to do what is right without having to be prodded
2. We should not have to be reminded constantly of our responsibilities - cf. 1 Ti 4:14; 2 Tim
1:6
3. When you see something that needs to be done, don’t criticize, energize! (i.e., do it
yourself!)
E. POSITIVENESS...
1. We are to do things without murmuring and grumbling - Ph 2:14
2. The chronic complainer and the negative thinker are obstructions to the work of a
congregation
Topical Sermons 35