|
    
  
A LITTLE EXTRA EFFORT
We chose this as the first 'Sermon Of The Week'
in hopes that it will set the theme for all our lives in
the year ahead. However faithful we may have been in
days past, we can all put out--
A LITTLE EXTRA EFFORT
Phil 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have
apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those
things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those
things which are before,
Phil 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of
the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Phil 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect,
be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise
minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Introduction: Paul expresses his desire to put
forth that extra effort needed to win the prize. Those
who are crowned as champions in any endeavor have all
put forth more than ordinary effort.
I. The extra effort of reaching out in the
Lord's service.
A. It takes self discipline.
1 Cor 9:25 And every man that striveth for the
mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to
obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
1 Cor 9:26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so
fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
1 Cor 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into
subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached
to others, I myself should be a castaway.
B. It takes consecrated determination
1 Cor 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing
among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
C. It is easy to quit
1. Israel said, "It is
wearisome
"Mal 1:13 Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is
it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts;
and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and
the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept
this of your hand? saith the LORD.
2. Peter decided it was easier to switch
sides than stand on at least two occasions
Mat 26:69 Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a
damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus
of Galilee.
Mat 26:70 But he denied before them all, saying, I
know not what thou sayest.
Mat 26:71 And when he was gone out into the porch,
another maid saw him, and said unto them that were
there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.
Mat 26:72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not
know the man.
Mat 26:73 And after a while came unto him they that
stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of
them; for thy speech betrayeth thee.
Mat 26:74 Then began he to curse and to swear,
saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock
crew.
3. Demas decided money was more important
2 Tim 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved
this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica;
Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
4. Some determine that the battle is too tough
for them
John 6:60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they
had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can
hear it?
John 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went
back, and walked no more with him
Every man who hides in a foxhole or runs
during a battle makes it harder on those who stand and
fight.
II Some who did put forth that extra effort
A. Samson - He waited until the very end of his
life but when he put forth the extra effort he slew more
of the enemy than he had in all his life. Think of the
powerhouse he might have been, had he not waited.!
Judg 16:28 And Samson called unto the LORD, and
said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and
strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that
I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two
eyes.
Judg 16:29 And Samson took hold of the two middle
pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was
borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the
other with his left.
Judg 16:30 And Samson said, Let me die with the
Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might;
and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the
people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at
his death were more than they which he slew in
his life.
B. Esther - She made an extra effort even though
she placed her life and personal privileges on the line.
Result: She saved her people, Israel. (See Book
of Esther)
C. David's three strong men -
2 Sam 23:8 These be the names of the mighty men whom
David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief
among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he
lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at
one time.
2 Sam 23:9 And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo
the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David,
when they defied the Philistines that were there
gathered together to battle, and the men of
Israel were gone away:
2 Sam 23:10 He arose, and smote the Philistines
until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the
sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day;
and the people returned after him only to spoil.
2 Sam 23:11 And after him was Shammah the son of
Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered
together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full
of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines.2
Sam 23:12 But he stood in the midst of the ground, and
defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD
wrought a great victory.
D. The extra effort of prayer
Luke 18:2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which
feared not God, neither regarded man:
Luke 18:3 And there was a widow in that city; and
she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
Luke 18:4 And he would not for a while: but
afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God,
nor regard man;
Luke 18:5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I
will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary
me.
Luke 18:6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust
judge saith.
Luke 18:7 And shall not God avenge his own elect,
which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long
with them?
Luke 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them
speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall
he find faith on the earth?
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and
pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The
effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth
much.
E. The extra effort of giving
Rom 15:26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and
Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor
saints which are at Jerusalem.
1 Cor 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the
saints, as I have given order to the churches of
Galatia, even so do ye.
1 Cor 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every
one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered
him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
This was a 'special' offering over and above
their regular tithes (tenths)
III The rewards of extra effort
A. We are blessed with gladness and favour with
all people
Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord
in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house,
did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of
heart,
Acts 2:47a Praising God, and having favour with all
the people........
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,
peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is
no law.
Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for
in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
2 Tim 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have
finished my course, I have kept the faith:
2 Tim 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown
of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge,
shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto
all them also that love his appearing.
Churches grow as souls are saved
Acts 2:47b And the Lord added to the church daily such
as should be saved. |
|
