OceanSide church of Christ

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WHAT WE’VE GOT TO DO

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   Right before a big game, sports commentators will interview the coaches of the oppos-ing teams.  One of the questions that is asked is:  “Coach, what do you have to do to win today?”  The coach does not hesitate.  Immediately he responds with a list of things that the team must accomplish to win the game.

 

B.   Every congregation of the Lord’s people should see itself as attempting to accomplish a mission.  In order to fulfill the task, there are some things that the church must do, and must do well.

 

C.   We have entitled this lesson:  “What We’ve Got to Do.”  In this lesson, we want to look at some things that each of us needs to do in order for OceanSide to flourish as a congregation.

 

I.          WE MUST GET FOCUSED

 

A.   Focus involves a central point of attention and activity.

 

B.   Proverbs 4:25-27

 

Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.  Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.  Turn not to the right hand or to the left:  remove thy foot from evil.

 

C.   What is the central point of attention and activity for OceanSide?

1.     This needs to be determined.

2.    This needs to be communicated.

3.     This needs to be where our energies go.

 

D.   NOTE:  We cannot get off focus.

1.     Many things are calling for our attention.

2.    Satan will seek to get us off our task.

 

II.        WE MUST HAVE DEEP FAITH

 

A.   Our focus has now been determined.  It should be based upon the will of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

B.   We must have the faith that we, with the help of God, can accomplish the task (Matt. 17:19-20).

 

Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?  And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief:  for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove:  and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

 

C.   Bible characters of days gone-by have had to accomplish monumental tasks.  Hebrews 11 reveals that it was faith that caused them to prevail.

1.      Noah (Heb. 11:7)

 

By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became the heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

 

2.    Israel crossed the Red Sea (Heb. 11:29)

 

By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land:  which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

 

3.     Israel overthrew Jericho (Heb. 11:30)

 

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were compassed about seven days.

 

D.   Faith is the key.  If this is what God want me to do, and if this is the way God wants it to be done, God will assist us if we obey (I John 5:4).

 

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world:  and this is the victory that overcom-eth the world, even our faith.

 

III.      WE MUST BE ENTHUSIASTIC

 

A.   Have you ever seen a championship game where one team was totally devastat-ed?  After the game some of the commentators might say:  “Well, the losing team just never showed up.”

1.     Physically they were there.

2.    Mentally, they were not there.

3.     They went through the motions with no energy, no excitement, and no enthusiasm.

 

B.   The Bible exhorts us to be enthusiastic about our labors.

1.     Colossians 3:23

 

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.

 

2.    Romans 12:11

 

Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.

 

3.     Revelation 3:15-16

 

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot:  I would thou wert cold or hot.  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.

 

C.   There are ten thousand things that can throw cold water on our excitement of living the Christian life.

1.     Often these things involve the mundane, finite matters of this world.

2.    If we stay focused on Jesus, the truth, freedom from sins, and the hope of heaven, excitement will only build within us.

3.     Hebrews 12:2

 

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down on the right hand of the throne of God.

 

IV.       WE MUST ALL BE A PART

 

A.   When we became Christians, the Lord added us to His spiritual body, the church (I Cor. 12:13).

 

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

 

B.   As a member of the body, I must be a part (Eph. 4:16).

 

From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

 

1.     Note that Paul refers to “every joint” and “every part.”

2.    The body does not need “part-time” members.  It does not need “sometime” members.  They body needs all the members to function effectively all the time.

 

C.   NOTE:  No other member of the body can force your participation.  You must make the commitment to be a part.  You must decide to be a vital, functioning member of the body.

 

V.        WE MUST BE EXAMPLES

 

A.   An example is a pattern or form that others can follow.

 

B.   I Timothy 4:12

 

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversa-tion, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

 

C.   We need to be examples for at least three groups of people:  our youth, our fellow believers, and those in the world.

1.     If we are a good example, we can lead men to Christ (Matt. 5:16).

 

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

 

2.    If our example is not good, we cause others to blaspheme the name of God (Rom. 2:21-24).

 

Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself?  Thou that preaches that a man should not steal, dost thou steal?  Thou that sayest that a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery?  Thou that abhorest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?  Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonorest thou God?  For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you.

 

VI.       WE MUST BE LIBERAL GIVERS

 

A.   The Bible is not shy about the subject of giving (Luke 6:38).

 

Give, and it shall be given you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over shall men give into your bosom.  For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

 

B.   The Bible sets forth numerous examples of liberal givers:  the poor widow, the Macedonians, the Philippians, and God Himself.

 

C.   Giving is a very unique subject in the church.  One of the interesting things about giving is how people perceive it.

1.     Some see it as an optional matter.

2.    Some view it as a necessary evil.

3.     Some seem to think that it is a form of robbery.

4.    Some seem to believe that the funds are used in a fraudulent way.

5.    Some think the church could survive on a lot less.

 

D.   Giving is commanded and giving is a necessity.

1.     The church must operate in the world in order to have an impact on the world.

2.    The medium of exchange in the world is money.

3.     Thus, it is essential for us to give (II Cor. 9:7).

 

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of neces-sity:  for God loveth a cheerful giver.

 

VII.     WE MUST LOVE PEOPLE

 

A.   Christianity is all about people.

1.     Jesus commanded us to preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15).

2.    God’s desire is for all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth (I Tim. 2:4).

B.   We can approach people through duty alone, but they will know that we are not being genuine with them.  In fact, that will often repel them.

 

C.   I Corinthians 13:1-3

 

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and have all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

 

D.   Love does not always involve warm feelings toward another.  Love is a resolu-tion of the mind that always seeks the best interest of another person.  NOTE:  The person that is being loved knows whether or not you have their best inter-est in mind.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   If someone were to come to me and ask:  “Preacher, what does OceanSide need to do to be successful?”  I would answer:

1.     We must be focused.

2.    We must have faith.

3.     We must have enthusiasm.

4.    We must all play a part.

5.    We must be examples to others.

6.    We must be liberal givers.

7.    We must genuinely love people.

 

B.   There are other things that could be added to this list.  These, however, would get us a long way down the roach to success if practiced consistently by all the team.