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WINNERS
NEVER QUIT & QUITTERS NEVER WIN Introduction: The only one that receives the crown is the one that stays in the race. Believers who quit serving Jesus won’t lose their salvation, but they will lose their reward. (Illus: I can’t quit because of the crowd I run with; the crown I run for; but most of all because of Christ and His love for me!) What are some things that cause Christians to quit serving Jesus?
A. Beware Of Hypocrisy (v.1) Hypocrisy is like leaven (a type of sin) in 4 ways: · It penetrates and works unseen, but works none the less. · It spreads slowly and continues until the whole is affected. · It puffs up and makes things seem larger than they are. · It sours and changes the very nature. B. Exposing Of Hypocrites (vv.2-3) Being
aware of hypocrisy is especially important in believers. Our words and
deeds are exposed and will come to light (Lk.8:17). (Illus. So you’ve
been disillusioned – I know someone that will never let you down –
JESUS – why don’t you get your eyes off… and on Jesus; clean up your
own closet and get on with serving the Lord and don’t have a quitter’s
mentality). II. BECAUSE OF FEAR
(VV.4-10) A. What We Should Not Fear · Do not fear man, but God alone (vv.4-5) · Do not fear the lack of necessities: God cares (vv.6-7) o
God’s o God’s Knowledge – God knows every little happening (sparrows & hairs). o God’s Power – God is able to control the events in the lives of believers. o God’s Love – Nothing can separate us from the love of Jesus! B. What We Should Fear · The spirit of disloyalty, of denying Christ (vv.8-9) o The basis of judgment is man’s attitude toward Jesus. The man who fully confesses (lives for) Jesus before men, shall be confessed (given life) before the angles of God. o The opposite is true of the man who denies. · The unpardonable sin (v.10) – note 2 key points: o If a person blasphemes the Lord and really wants forgiveness, he can ask and God will forgive him if he repents. o Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost is not forgiven. This sin is more than just saying words, but is setting one’s mind and heart and life against the ministry of the Spirit. The words spoken against the Spirit come from a heart that is set against the Spirit and His witness of Jesus as Savior. Fear is of the devil – Faith is from God. Fear and faith cannot occupy the same heart! Stop listening to the voice of hell (defeat & discouragement) and start listening to the voice of heaven – all things are possible with God! III. BECAUSE OF INADEQUACY
(VV.11-12) A. It’s Not Ability But Availability · So and so may sing or preach or teach or whatever better than me, but they quit! · It doesn’t matter how much talent or education or ability you have if you’re a quitter you’ll never win the crown! B. The Holy Spirit Empowers The Believer · Education is important, but you don’t need ability – you need the power of the Holy Ghost. · (Illus: Derek Redmond 400 meters in 1992 Olympics Barcelona Spain…he knew he wasn’t going to win, but he was determined to finish). Don’t be limited by what you look at as a limitation, but understand that with God there are no limitations except you’re lack of trust and belief. The only thing that will limit you is a quit mentality! Conclusion: There is someone out there that needs your ministry and if you quit it could mean the difference between heaven and hell for them.
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