Sunday, January 29, 2017 - AWOL Christian
Pastor Roger C. Marcos
January 29, 2017
Will You be found Working When the Lord’s Return? In truth today, there are a lot of Christians who are AWOL. They have been saved but they refuse to serve the Lord with faithfulness. They are afflicted with what the Bible terms “divers diseases”.
AWOL- absent from one's post but without intent to desert." the men have gone AWOL.
Away from military duties without permission, but without the intention of deserting.
AWOL - Absent With Out Leave.
But, not the meaning for my message today. My Question Is Are You With? Either way are you in my Side or Not. Two road leads to two destination eternal life or eternal death.
Jesus said, in Matthew 12:30 “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.”- What Happens to AWOL Christians; The consequences of not being fully committed to Christ
AWOL- Absent With Out LOVE!-- Matthew 24:12 Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.
Comments by a Gospel Preacher!
“Usually, a person’s problem is not attendance. It is a symptom of a larger, deeper problem. Most often, folks simply lack true faith and real conviction about the Lord, the judgment to come, and eternity. They become so hardened in the ways of the world and have such worldly mind-sets, though they may not lead immoral lives, that the word is choked out of their heart.
And the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful’ Mark 4:19
Forsaking the Assembling Is. 52 Sunday’s In A Year.
“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves, as the manner of some is; but entreating one another: and so much the more, as you are observing the day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:23-25
Only a Symptom of a Deeper Problem! A Heart Problem.
Serving God With-out A Perfect Heart.
2 Chronicles 25:2, “And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect (LOYAL) heart.
What an amazing Scripture, and a needful truth to be applied to every Christian's life! Amaziah became king over Jerusalem at age 25 and reigned for 29 years.
2 Chronicles 25:1. The Bible says that Amaziah served the Lord; but he did so selectively, not with a perfect heart. That is a very interesting Scripture passage indeed
Although Amaziah obeyed the Lord in most matters (evidenced by 2nd Chronicles 25:2-13), unfortunately he did not obey God in all areas. We learn in verse 14 that Amaziah worshipped the false gods of the Edomites...
2nd Chronicles 25:14, “Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense unto them.”
The life of Amaziah can be likened to many Christians today who are resolved in their mind and heart to serve God, but only half-heartedly so. Many Christians are worshippers of Hollywood celebrities and materialism. Others are choked by the cares, riches and pleasures of this world (Luke 8:14). The Bible plainly tells us that God does not like fence-straddlers. In fact, God says that lukewarm believers make Him vomit.
HEART PROBLEM:
“Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart” Ps. 119:2
“I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments” (Ps. 119:7).
“Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed” (Ps. 119:80).
“I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes always, even unto the end” (Ps. 119:112).
Those Who Forsake The Assembling DO NOT. (Hebrews 10:21-39)
Have boldness to enter in the holiest - vs. 19
Draw near to God with a true heart - vs. 22
Hold fast the confession of faith - vs. 23
Consider & provoke others to love & good works - vs. 24
Exhort to consider the day drawing near - vs. 25
Heed the warning of willful sin - vs. 26
Respect the Spirit of grace & blood of Christ - vs. 29
Fear the vengeance & judgment of the Lord - vs. 30
Remember their former state - vs. 32-33
Have compassion for the sufferings of others - vs. 34
Have confidence in the eternal reward - vs. 34-35
Have a saving faith - vs. 38
Please the Lord through steadfastness - vs. 38-39
The Heart of the Matter.
Mans: Priority Of Love
1st -God
2nd- Neighbor
3rd - Self
Matt. 22:37-40
Jesus on “If ye love me.”
If ye love me, keep my commandments” Jn. 14:15
“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him” Jn. 14:21
1 John 2:3-5 “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.”
Scriptural Reasons for Attending All Possible Assemblies of The Saints!
Reason #1 - I am Commanded to Assemble with the Saints!
“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Heb. 10:25)
If I do not attend, this commandment is broken!
Reason #2 - I am commanded to break bread on the first day of the week!
This means EVERY first day of EVERY week!
Acts 20:7; 2:42
If I do not attend, this commandment is broken!
Question!
Brethren, how can we afford to stay away from any service of the church, or neglect a special meeting and other services of the church?
Let us begin now, if we have not already, to be sure we attend every service possible and thereby encourage others to do the same!
“...but be thou an example of the believers.”
1 Tim. 4:12