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Hobby Christians

Hobby Christians. Text: Mark 12:30 Date: January 18, 2005 Preacher: David Pike. Problem Definition. Current Situation: The Church is in dire straits!. False Teaching is rampant and Liberalism and Worldliness are creeping in resulting increasing numbers of Weak Christians.

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Hobby Christians

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  1. Hobby Christians Text: Mark 12:30 Date: January 18, 2005 Preacher: David Pike

  2. Problem Definition Current Situation: The Church is in dire straits! False Teaching is rampant and Liberalism and Worldliness are creeping in resulting increasing numbers of Weak Christians. How did this situation occur? • Has the world got worse? No – Hb. 11 • Has the Satan become stronger? No – Jm. 4:7 • Do we have a tougher times? No – I Co. 10:13 The purity and focus of the Church is not a shadow of what it has been in the past.

  3. Root Cause Root Cause: The fault rests upon the Church. Weak Leadership + Weak Preaching/Teaching = Weak Members Weak memberslack devotion, dedication, courage, and effort. Many go through the motions and lack worshipping in“spirit and in truth.” (Jh. 4:24). Many Christians look at service to God as a Hobby. They are “Hobby Christians.” Let’s not make the same mistakes.

  4. Defining A “Hobby” Christian Webster’s -a pursuit outside one’s regular occupation engaged in especially for relaxation. American Heritage- an activity or interest pursued outside one’s regular occupation and engaged in primarily for pleasure. Synonyms –pastime, diversion, or sideline. No one should be a Hobby Christian! A hobby is a pastime activity that is outside of one’s principal business or activity. You know you are a Hobby Christian, if we…

  5. Serve God In Our Spare Time We do hobbies, if there is nothing more important to do! –Hobbies are put aside for more important activities. This is a function of prioritization. Christians may only serve the Lord if they have Spare Time.– Many will say they are really busy. The Lord’s work must be our full-time priority! –“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. This is the first commandment.” (Mk. 12:30) We must love our Lord with ALL of our being!

  6. Things We Are Busy Doing In Our Spare Time

  7. Serve God In Our Spare Time The Lord’s work must be our priority! We must put first things first. –“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Mt. 6:33) “…if anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” (Lk. 9:23) Are we serving the Lord only in our Spare Time?

  8. Give God Our Spare Money We use extra money to spend on hobbies. Christians may give only if they have Spare Money.– If money is left-over, they may give it. It is funny what is left-over after buying all they want. We must take our giving seriously! –“…Let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper…so let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” (I Co. 16:2; II Co. 9:7) Are we giving to the Lord only what is left-over?

  9. Serve God When We’re Interested Our interest level in hobbies changes – Sometimes we get real interested and work on it, but other times we loose interest, and let it sit for a while. Christians may serve the Lord only if they are in the Mood.– Some may get fired up and work hard for a time, but they may cool down and let it sit. We must stay interested in spiritual things! –Jesus said, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work…He said, It is finished! And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” (Jh. 4:34; 19:30)

  10. Serve God When We’re Interested We must stay interested in spiritual things! – “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (II Tm. 4:7) “…you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot…because you are lukewarm…I will spew you out of My mouth.” (Rev. 3:15-16) “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Ga. 6:9) Are we serving the Lord only when in the mood?

  11. Serve God With No Sense of Urgency Hobbies provide a relaxing pace – We may piddle. Work on it a little, then put it down. We are in no rush, or hurry, and think it is no big deal. Christians may not have a sense of urgency about service to the Lord.– Work needing to get done is laid aside (I.e. Bible studies, discipline, visiting) We must be urgent and diligent in the work! – “…Behold I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!… the night is coming when no one can work.” (Jh. 4:35; 9:4) Are we lacking a sense of urgency in the work?

  12. Have No Desire For Perfection Hobbies have little pressure for perfection – We do hobbies for pleasure. We are not experts. We accept flaws and errors. Christians may serve the Lord with no desire for perfection.– We are not perfect. Many don’t try to grow in knowledge and application. We must be urgent and diligent in the work! – “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Mt. 5:48) “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (Jm. 1:4)

  13. Have No Desire For Perfection We must be urgent and diligent in the work! – “as newborn babes, desire the milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.” (I Pt. 2:2) “but grow in the grace an knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ….” (II Pt. 3:18) “And cast the unprofitable servant into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Mt. 25:30) Are we satisfied with less than spiritual perfection?

  14. Serve God Only For Pleasurable Hobbies are relaxing and fun – Hobbies help us to unwind and settle down. This makes us feel good. Christians may serve the Lord only if it makes them feel good.– We avoid opposition and conflict. It is all about me and making me feel good. Our service to the Lord is tough! – “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest when I preached to others, I myself should be disqualified…all who desire to live godly will suffer persecution…I have fought the good fight….” (I Co. 9:27; II Tm. 3:12; 4:7) Are we serving the Lord only if it feels good?

  15. Final Thoughts Which kind of Christian are we?

  16. Dedicate Your Life To Jesus We must make one of three decisions now! Do Nothing “…I was afraid, and hid your talent…You wicked and lazy servant…And cast the unprofitable servant into outer darkness.” (Mt.25:25-30) Be Dedicated “if anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me…he that believes and is baptized will be saved.” (Mt.16:24; Mk.16:16) Re-Dedicate “Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.” (Ac. 8:22)

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