I. Tears
Luke 16:23-24, "And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried ... "
Mat 8:12, "But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
Illustration:
Uncle John Vassar, "one of the greatest soul-winners of his century." was going from door to door distributing tracts and speaking with people as opportunity came. An Irish woman heard of this strange man who was entering the houses of the town without introduction, and said, "If he comes to my door he shall not be kindly treated." The next day, with no knowledge of the threat, he rang her bell. When she recognized him she slammed the door in his face. Nothing daunted, he sat upon the doorstep and sang (and perhaps wept):
"But drops of grief can ne'er repay
The debt of love I owe;
Here, Lord I give myself away;
'Tis all that I can do."
A few weeks later this woman was saved and as she gave account of her salvation to the church she could barely say between her sobs, "Twas those drops of grief. They burned themselves into my heart."
A. Moving ahead in every endeavor with tears of sacrifice, grief, and joy.
Note: If you never do anything for the Lord which people might revile you for or you do not put your heart into your effort you will never be grieved.
Psa 126:5-6, "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."
Acts 20:31, "Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years Iceased not to warn every one night and day with tears."
B. Doing the right thing in love even in times of conflict and trouble.
2 Cor 2:4, "For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you."
Theme: 3 Things in Hell that you Should Find in Every Baptist Church:
I. Tears
II. Prayer
Luke 16:27, "Then he said, I pray ... "
Illustration:
George Mueller, the prince of intercessors prayer for more than half a century for a group of five personal friends. The first was saved after 5 years. Two came to Christ after 10 years of prayer. After 25 years the fourth man came to know the Lord. The fifth he prayed for up until the time of his death, and two months after he died this last one got saved.
A. Personal Prayer offered up by each Christian in the church is vital.
Acts 2:42, "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine andfellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."
B. Corporate Prayer in our Church is vital to our existence for it brings upon us:
1. The power of God
Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
2. The presence and blessing of God
Acts 12:12, "And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying."
Theme: 3 Things in Hell that you Should Find in Every Baptist Church:
I. Tears
II. Prayer
III. Concern for the Lost
Luke 16:28, "For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment."
Illustration:
Great men of faith and mission in the past had one thing in common that made them successful in God's eyes. It was a heart that was broken for lost souls. A heart that would pay any price to see souls saved.
George Whitefield, the famous English evangelist said, "O, Lord give me souls, or take my soul!"
David Brainerd, missionary to the North American Indians, said, "Lord, to Thee I dedicate myself. O accept me and let me be Thine forever. Lord, I desire nothing else, I desire nothing more."
John Hunt, a missionary to the Fiji Islands, a prayer upon his dying bed: "Lord, save Fiji, save Fiji, save these people, O Lord; have mercy upon Fiji; save Fiji!"
Jim Elliot wrote in his diary, "God, I pray Thee, light these idle sticks of my life, that I may burn for Thee. Consume my life, my God for it is Thine. I seek not a long life but a full one, like You Lord Jesus.""
The Church that does the following things will be a powerful and influential Church in the community and in the World.
A. Captures the reality of Hell
B. Realize that their life is not theirs to live but God's to control.
C. Places their heart within the framework of the Church that Jesus loved died for.
Theme: 3 Things in Hell that you Should Find in Every Baptist Church:
I. Tears
II. Prayer
III. Concern for the Lost
When was the last time you wept over your sinfulness, or grieved over the lost loved ones in your family? Why aren't you ever in prayer meeting with the Church? What is your excuse for not trying to win people to Christ?
Invitation:
Let every head be bowed and every eye closed. If you cannot point to a time and place where you remember trusting Christ as Saviour and praying for God save you from your sin, I want to talk to you this morning. With your head bowed, listen to me. Would you like to know 100% sure that when you died you will go to heaven? No one looking around but me and God would you raise your hand if you would like to know that and I will pray privately for you.
Christian, people in Hell today are crying and praying for you to go to their lost loved ones and tell them. Where are your tears Christian? Where is your prayers? Where is your heart? Today, you know the decision that God would have you to make today. Maybe you have never been baptized, obey God today and be baptized. Maybe you need a church home, a family of believer you can call your own, a pastor you trust, if you are not a member of a church you don't have any of those. You may need to rededicate your life to Christ, be involved, do something for God. Won't you come and share it with me today and let us pray. You come.
Send comments to Shelton
Cole
Published 10/31/95