Do We Treat our Service to God Like a Hobby?

1. Do We Treat our Service to God Like a Hobby?

2. INTRODUCTION… • 1. The Church is in dire straits! • a. False Teaching is Rampant • b. Liberalism & Worldliness is creeping in • c. Numbers of Christians are Weak to say the least

3. INTRODUCTION… • 1. The Church is in dire straits! • a. False Teaching is Rampant • b. Liberalism & Worldliness is creeping in • c. Numbers of Christians are Weak to say the least • 2. The purity and focus of the Church is not a shadow of what it has been in the past.

4. INTRODUCTION… • 1. The Church is in dire straits! • a. False Teaching is Rampant • b. Liberalism & Worldliness is creeping in • c. Numbers of Christians are Weak to say the least • 2. The purity and focus of the Church is not a shadow of what it has been in the past. • 3. Why is this the case? • a. Is the World gotten worse? • b. Has Satan gotten Stronger? • c. Do we have it harder now?

5. INTRODUCTION… • 1. The Church is in dire straits! • a. False Teaching is Rampant • b. Liberalism & Worldliness is creeping in • c. Numbers of Christians are Weak to say the least • 2. The purity and focus of the Church is not a shadow of what it has been in the past. • 3. Why is this the case? • a. Is the World gotten worse?NO- Hebrews 11 • b. Has Satan gotten Stronger?NO - James 4:7 • c. Do we have it harder now?NO - 1 Cor 10:13

6. INTRODUCTION… • 4. The fault rests on the church! • a. There has been Weak Leadership! • b. There has been Weak Preaching & Teaching • c. This makes for WEAK MEMBERS!

7. INTRODUCTION… • 4. The fault rests on the church! • a. There has been Weak Leadership! • b. There has been Weak Preaching & Teaching • c. This makes for WEAK MEMBERS! • 5. Many members today look at service to God as nothing more than a HOBBY!! • a. There is little dedication, devotion or effort • b. It is as if they are just going through the motions! • c. THEY ARE HOBBY CHRISTIANS!!

8. INTRODUCTION… • 4. The fault rests on the church! • a. There has been Weak Leadership! • b. There has been Weak Preaching & Teaching • c. This makes for WEAK MEMBERS! • 5. Many members today look at service to God as nothing more than a HOBBY!! • a. There is little dedication, devotion or effort • b. It is as if they are just going through the motions! • c. THEY ARE HOBBY CHRISTIANS!! • 6. Let’s make sure we do not make this mistake!

9. I. Defining a Hobby

10. I. Defining a Hobby • A. Secular Definitions… • 1. Webster’s - a pursuit outside one’s regular occupation engaged in especially for relaxation • 2. Am. Heritage - an activity or interest pursued outside one’s regular occupation and engaged in primarily for pleasure.

11. I. Defining a Hobby • A. Secular Definitions… • 1. Webster’s - a pursuit outside one’s regular occupation engaged in especially for relaxation • 2. Am. Heritage - an activity or interest pursued outside one’s regular occupation and engaged in primarily for pleasure. • B. Synonyms - pastime, diversion, sideline

12. I. Defining a Hobby • A. Secular Definitions… • 1. Webster’s - a pursuit outside one’s regular occupation engaged in especially for relaxation • 2. Am. Heritage - an activity or interest pursued outside one’s regular occupation and engaged in primarily for pleasure. • B. Synonyms - pastime, diversion, sideline • C. A Hobby is… a pastime activity that is outside one’s principal business or activity • D. Surely…no one should be a HOBBY CHRISTIAN!

13. II. Are We a “Hobby Christian”?

14. II. Are We a “Hobby Christian”? • A. If We only Serve God in our SPARE TIME! • 1. Do Hobbies if nothing more important to do! • a. Hobbies are put aside for more important activities • b. This is a function of priorities

15. II. Are We a “Hobby Christian”? • A. If We only Serve God in our SPARE TIME! • 1. Do Hobbies if nothing more important to do! • a. Hobbies are put aside for more important activities • b. This is a function of priorities • 2. Many only Serve the Lord If they have Spare Time • a. BUT…We are really busy!!

16. Here are the things We are Busy Doing… a. No Sunday Bible Study……………. Worked real late, I slept in b. ATTENDED Sunday Morning……. Made time for That!

17. Here are the things We are Busy Doing… a. No Sunday Bible Study……………. Worked real late, I slept in b. ATTENDED Sunday Morning……. Made time for That! c. No Sunday Evening Worship …… Got real Busy at home d. No Wednesday Bible Study……… Real Tired from Work

18. Here are the things We are Busy Doing… a. No Sunday Bible Study……………. Worked real late, I slept in b. ATTENDED Sunday Morning……. Made time for That! c. No Sunday Evening Worship …… Got real Busy at home d. No Wednesday Bible Study……… Real Tired from Work e. No Bible Lesson…………………….. Up late watching Movie f. No Bible Reading…………………… Playing video Games g. No Calls to Sick……………………… Had to clean the house h. No Teaching children…………….. Took them to Ball practice i. No Calls on Prospects……………. Had to change oil in the car j. No Calls to Encourage…………….. Needed to put in flowerbed k. Can’t make it to church on time… Needed some extra sleep!

19. II. Are We a “Hobby Christian”? • A. If We only Serve God in our SPARE TIME! • 1. Do Hobbies if nothing more important to do! • a. Hobbies are put aside for more important activities • b. This is a function of priorities • 2. Many only Serve the Lord If they have Spare Time • a. BUT…We are really busy!! • b. Backward PRIORITIES! Serve in their Spare, SPARE time

20. II. Are We a “Hobby Christian”? • A. If We only Serve God in our SPARE TIME! • 1. Do Hobbies if nothing more important to do! • a. Hobbies are put aside for more important activities • b. This is a function of priorities • 2. Many only Serve the Lord If they have Spare Time • a. BUT…We are really busy!! • b. Backward PRIORITIES! Serve in their Spare, SPARE time • 3. The Lord’s Work MUST BE OUR PRIORITY!! • OT - God required the FIRST Born & FIRST Produce • Matthew 6:33 - “Seek first the Kingdom of God…” • Mark 12:30 - Love God..Heart, Soul, Mind & Strength • 4. Only Serving the Lord in our Spare Time??

21. II. Are We a “Hobby Christian”? • B. If we only Give God our SPARE MONEY! • 1. One uses extra money to put into their Hobby.

22. II. Are We a “Hobby Christian”? • B. If we only Give God our SPARE MONEY! • 1. One uses extra money to put into their Hobby. • 2. Many only Give IF there is SPARE MONEY! • a. If there is anything left over, they will Give it! • b. Funny how little is left over, after they have bought all they want!

23. II. Are We a “Hobby Christian”? • B. If we only Give God our SPARE MONEY! • 1. One uses extra money to put into their Hobby. • 2. Many only Give IF there is SPARE MONEY! • a. If there is anything left over, they will Give it! • b. Funny how little is left over, after they have bought all they want! • 3. We MUST take our Giving Seriously! • a. As we have been Prospered -1 Cor 16:2 • b. As we have Purposed in our Heart -2 Cor 9:7 • c. Cheerful Giver -2 Cor 9:7 • 4. Only Giving to the Lord what’s left over??

24. II. Are We a “Hobby Christian”? • C. If we serve God when we’re INTERESTED! • 1. Many times our interest in our Hobbies changes • a. Sometimes we get real interested, and work on it • b. Other times we loose interest, and let it sit for awhile

25. II. Are We a “Hobby Christian”? • C. If we serve God when we’re INTERESTED! • 1. Many times our interest in our Hobbies changes • a. Sometimes we get real interested, and work on it • b. Other times we loose interest, and let it sit for awhile • 2. Many only serve the Lord if their in the Mood!! • a. Some get really fired up and work hard for a time. • b. But…then they cool down and sit for awhile!

26. II. Are We a “Hobby Christian”? • C. If we serve God when we’re INTERESTED! • 1. Many times our interest in our Hobbies changes • a. Sometimes we get real interested, and work on it • b. Other times we loose interest, and let it sit for awhile • 2. Many only serve the Lord if their in the Mood!! • a. Some get really fired up and work hard for a time. • b. But…then they cool down and sit for awhile! • 3. We Must stay INTERESTED in Spiritual things! • John 4 - Jesus in Samaria… Tired & Hungry • 2 Timothy 4:7 - “finished the course” • Romans 10:11 - “fervent in spirit serving the Lord” • 4. Only Serving the Lord when were in the Mood??

27. II. Are We a “Hobby Christian”? • D. If our service to God has NO URGENCY • 1. Some like the Relaxing Pace of Piddling! • a. Work on it a little, then put it down • b. No Rush, No Big Deal, No Hurry!

28. II. Are We a “Hobby Christian”? • D. If our service to God has NO URGENCY • 1. Some like the Relaxing Pace of Piddling! • a. Work on it a little, then put it down • b. No Rush, No Big Deal, No Hurry! • 2. Many have NO Urgency about Service to the Lord! • a. Work that NEEDS to be done is laid aside • b. Bible studies, discipline, Building Maintenance

29. II. Are We a “Hobby Christian”? • D. If our service to God has NO URGENCY • 1. Some like the Relaxing Pace of Piddling! • a. Work on it a little, then put it down • b. No Rush, No Big Deal, No Hurry! • 2. Many have NO Urgency about Service to the Lord! • a. Work that NEEDS to be done is laid aside • b. Bible studies, discipline, Building Maintenance • 3. We must be URGENT & DILIGENT in the Work • John 4:35, John 9:4, • 7 NT Commands to be Diligent - Hasten, earnestness • 4. Are we lacking a Since of Urgency in the Work??

30. II. Are We a “Hobby Christian”? • E. If we have no desire for PERFECTION! • 1. Hobbies have little pressure for Perfection • a. They are done for pleasure & we are not experts • b. We can accept some flaws & errors

31. II. Are We a “Hobby Christian”? • E. If we have no desire for PERFECTION! • 1. Hobbies have little pressure for Perfection • a. They are done for pleasure & we are not experts • b. We can accept some flaws & errors • 2. Many serve the Lord with NO desire for Perfection • a. While we are not perfect, we should TRY to Grow! • b. Many have no Desire to grow in scripture or in talents!

32. II. Are We a “Hobby Christian”? • E. If we have no desire for PERFECTION! • 1. Hobbies have little pressure for Perfection • a. They are done for pleasure & we are not experts • b. We can accept some flaws & errors • 2. Many serve the Lord with NO desire for Perfection • a. While we are not perfect, we should TRY to Grow! • b. Many have no Desire to grow in scripture or in talents! • 3. WE MUST ALL BE GROWING towards Perfection!! • Matt 5:48, James 1:4 - Be Perfect! • 1 Peter 2:2, 2 Peter 3:18 - Be Growing • Matt 25:30 - 1 talent man cast into outer darkness! • 4. Are we Satisfied with less than Spiritual Perfection?

33. II. Are We a “Hobby Christian”? • F. If we serve God only if it is PLEASURABLE! • 1. Hobbies are to be Relaxing and FUN • a. This is to Help one unwind and settle down • b. THIS IS TO MAKE US FEEL GOOD!!

34. II. Are We a “Hobby Christian”? • F. If we serve God only if it is PLEASURABLE! • 1. Hobbies are to be Relaxing and FUN • a. This is to Help one unwind and settle down • b. THIS IS TO MAKE US FEEL GOOD!! • 2. Many only Serve God if it makes them Feel Good! • a. No Stepping on their toes.. Or others, No Conflict! • b. It is all about them, and making them Feel Good!

35. II. Are We a “Hobby Christian”? • F. If we serve God only if it is PLEASURABLE! • 1. Hobbies are to be Relaxing and FUN • a. This is to Help one unwind and settle down • b. THIS IS TO MAKE US FEEL GOOD!! • 2. Many only Serve God if it makes them Feel Good! • a. No Stepping on their toes.. Or others, No Conflict! • b. It is all about them, and making them Feel Good! • 3. Service to the LORD is TOUGH!! • 1 Cor 9:27 - We have to discipline ourselves • 2 Tim 3:12, 4:7 - Persecution & Fighting! • 4. We are only going to serve God if it Feels Good?

36. CONCLUSION… • 1. The Church is in dire straits! • a. Yes, the world has a part to play… • b. But the Reason for this is because too many are HOBBY Christians!!

37. CONCLUSION… • 1. The Church is in dire straits! • a. Yes, the world has a part to play… • b. But the Reason for this is because too many are HOBBY Christians!! • 2. We May be a HOBBY CHRISTIAN if we... • a. Only Serving the Lord in our Spare Time!! • b. Only Giving to the Lord what’s left over!! • c. Only Serving the Lord when were in the Mood!! • d. Lacking a Since of Urgency in the Work!! • e. Are we Satisfied with less than Spiritual Perfection! • f. We only going to serve God if it Feels Good!!

38. CONCLUSION… • 3. The Church needs Dedicated people • a. Serving the Lord FIRST! • b. Giving to the Lord FIRST! • c. Serving the Lord with All Fervor • d. Serving the Lord with Great Diligence • e. Striving to Grow in the Lord to Perfection • f. Willing to Serve no matter the environment! • 4. Which kind of People are we??