CLOSING THE BACK DOOR – 2

1. I read that in July of this year a man robbed a TSC store.

2. After robbing this business, he jumped into his van and sped away.

3. A police car that was in the area gave chase and the robber crashed his van.

4. In hopes of not getting caught, this thief decided to run.

5. He didn’t get very far.

6. His fake leg fell off and he was practically powerless to continue fleeing.

7. This man found that he needed a body part that he did not have.

8. In the physical realm we see the need for every part of the body.

9. Such is also the case in the church.

WHEN WE HAVE CHURCH MEMBERS WHO ARE WEAK, DYING, OR DROPPING OUT, THESE ARE PARTS OF THE BODY THAT WE NEED.

A. Several years ago a famous preacher was asked to comment on church attendance.

B. Someone wanted him to explain why he believed it was important to worship with others.

C. The minister went over to the fireplace and took out a burning coal.

D. He set the hot coal aside and it gradually lost its glow and heat.

E. A similar thing is true for those who are members of the church.

F. We need to be concerned about Chstns who are, or are in danger of being cut off from the body.

2. In the book of Hebrews we find that some Christians were doing this very thing.

3. In Heb. 10 the author spoke of some who were failing to assemble.

4. There were brethren who found the Christian way to be too difficult.

5. Thus, in verse 23 of Heb. 10 the writer said, “let us hold fast our confession of hope.”

6. He noted in verse 24 that Christians should “provoke” one another to love and good works.

7. In verse 25 he added this – READ.

A. Some had gotten out of the habit of coming together.

B. There were Christians who were dead or dying.

C. This was a problem.

D. He continued with some warnings – verses 27, 29, 31 – READ.

8. In verse 36 the write spoke of having “patience.”

9. In verse 39 he said that Christians are not to “shrink back.”

10. The problems described in this chapter are still with us.

11. Several of us have met Christians who have left the faith or seemed close to that point.

12. At least a few of us have heard statements like these:

A. “I do not need the church. I still have a relationship with God. I pray.

B. “I am still on the way to heaven. I still believe in God.”

13. Last week we paid some attention to what makes a Christian active or inactive.

14. Some observations were made about commitment.

15. This morning I want to take things a step further.

16. IT IS MY INTENTION TO SHOW HOW ACTIVE AND INACTIVE CHURCH MEMBERS VIEW EACH OTHER.

A. One requirement for effective communication is mutual understanding.

B. If I do not speak someone else’s language, I cannot communicate with them.

C. When we work with Christians who are struggling, there are usually 2 different viewpoints.

D. If we are not aware of these, we will have some difficulties.

17. I have not devised the information that is going to be presented.

18. This comes from a book that someone wrote on church drop outs.

19. What this man wrote is consistent with the types of things that I and others have experienced.

20. This author speaks of church dropouts or dying Christians from two different angels.

21. He uses some space to look at things from the standpoint of the active church member.

A. That is, how does the active church member usually view the person who is inactive or is dying?

B. The man who did the research is specific and blunt.

C. While what he said is not usually openly stated by others, it is true.

D. This man says that active members may view the less dedicated as dropouts/delinquent Christians.

E. Active members might think of inactive or dying members as do-nothings, inactive, and even lazy.

F. Other descriptions in his work include “excuse makers and complainers.”

22. This author does not stop with stating how active members look at those who are inactive.

23. He adds that when active members work with inactive members, they experience some emotions.

A. When active members cannot help stimulate those who are inactive, they feel frustration.

B. Those who are dedicated Christians feel concern over the inactivity of their brethren.

C. There is often pity, and sympathy for the complaints that dying members have.

D. In some cases active members are puzzled.

E. Active members think they have tried to help in every conceivable way, but nothing works.

F. Suspicion can be in the minds of those who are active.

G. There are also cases where active members are hostile to those who are inactive.

24. This is part of the picture.

25. Since we have seen one side of the coin, let’s look at the other.

A. What goes through the mind of a Christian who is dying or dead?

B. One of the first things in their minds is the word hypocrite.

C. This is how many inactive members view active members of the church.

D. They see imperfections and flaws in others and say, “I do not want any part of that.”

E. “I have seen how he/she/they live and behave.”

F. “I am as good or better without attending services.”

G. If an active member goes to see someone who is fading, this is one of the things they may hear.

H. Those who are inactive may also say or believe that dedicated Christians are “do-gooders.”

I. It may be believed that dedicated Christians are putting on a show.

26. Those who are inactive or dead often see busy Christians as nosy, fussy, and nitpickers.

27. Some would even say that dedicated Christians are bossy.

28. Committed Christians may be viewed as judgmental, high and mighty, and guilty of meddling.

A. Just like active members, those who are inactive have feelings and emotions.

B. Those who are not active often feel condemned.

C. They may feel forgotten, left out, lonely, rejected, and abandoned.

D. If you have ever visited some of these people, you may have seen them angry.

E. Feelings of failure and apathy are also common in the minds of the inactive.

29. SINCE THERE ARE SOME MAJOR DIFFERENCES IN THE WAY THAT INACTIVE AND ACTIVE MEMBERS THINK AND SEE EACH OTHER, WHAT CAN BE DONE? HOW CAN DEDICATED CHRISTIANS HELP THOSE WHO ARE NOT COMMITTED?

30. In Rom. 12:15 Paul said we are to “rejoice with them that rejoice” and weep with those who weep.

31. We need to understand some things about people.

32. When it comes to helping Christians who are dead or dying, we need to know some things.

A. We need to know how many of them view us.

B. Consider what I described.

C. If a weak Christian thinks that we are hypocrites, nosy do-gooders who are judges and meddlers,

D. How effective are we going to be in helping them?

E. We are going to find many times when our best efforts will not work.

F. Before we set foot on their doorstep we will have a strike or two against us.

33. What strategy is best in trying to help those who are dead or dying?

34. The answer is found in scripture.

35. God’s word is our best tool.

36. Rom. 10:17 says that faith comes by hearing God’s word.

A. What will help those who are spiritually weak and sick?

B. The answer is scripture.

37. If people want to charge us with hypocrisy, fussiness, and other things, God’s word is still our guide.

38. If people have objections, we can invite them to air them in view of the Bible.

39. If those who are dying believe that we are in error, we should encourage them to show us.

40. If we are an active Christians we will want to correct defects and deficiencies in our lives.

41. We must also remember that the sword of correction cuts both ways.

42. While we are correcting our deficiencies, what about those who are weak and or dead?

43. They too have a responsibility.

44. In Ps. 119:10-11 there is a statement about seeking God with one’s whole heart.

A. When we see someone who is weak and sick we do not need to say terrible things to them.

B. We can simply ask a question based upon passages like this Old Testament psalm.

C. God wants His people to seek Him with all their being.

D. Is the one we are visiting doing this or are they not?

45. The Bible says that God’s word is powerful.

46. It works in those who believe (1 Thess. 2:13).

47. It will work in the hearts of the spiritually sick and dying unless they have hardened their heart.

A. This may be why the Hebrew writer said what he did in Heb. 3.

B. Earlier some comments were made about Heb. 10.

C. Listen to some of the things this writer said in Heb. 3.

D. I will start with verses 7 & 8 – READ.

E. In verses 12-13 additional information is given – READ.

48. Those who get spiritually sick and die do so because their heart loses its softness.

49. The mind that was once soft and pliable becomes calloused.

50. If the word of God cannot prick the heart, nothing can.

51. Nothing that we say or do for a sick or dying Christian can work any better than scripture.

A. The way to avoid spiritual diseases and death is God’s word.

B. Continued reading and study of scripture helps us stay strong and right.

C. When we try to help those who are headed away from God, or have left the church,

D. We must remember how they may view us.

E. They may see us as a meddler or judgmental.

F. If we are guided by God’s word and use this to stimulate their heart, these charges are false.

52. People who are sick need medicine.

53. In the spiritual realm, a big part of God’s medicine is found in His word.

54. This needs to be the tool that we use to strengthen the weak and challenge the dead.

55. Which category are we in—are we one of the strong or one of the weak?

56. Do we need help to become a strong Christian?

57. Are we a Christian that God looks at and says, “This is someone who pleases me?”

58. Are we seeking God with our whole being?