TITLE:
4 Stages of Life
TEXT:
2 Peter 3:17-18
17You
therefore, beloved, since you know
this
beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led
away with the error of the wicked;
18but
grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To Him
be
the glory both now and forever. Amen.
PROPOSITION:
We must be cautious that our life does not get in a rut.
QUESTION:
How?
KEY
WORD:
Lessons
SCRIPTURE READING:
Same
INTRODUCTION:
4 Stages of Life - Spiritual Growth
Responsive to evangelism
Faithful in attendance and morality
Content with a few points of obedience
Fallen away not concerned about souls
The challenge for us is to remain in the first stage
Here are some of the lessons to learn
Do you love the lost?
What are you doing to reach, invite, teach, encourage, the lost?
Not to the left or right
Conservative
Make rules stricter than God did
Bind rules that God did not make
Liberal
Make rules looser than God did
Ignore the commands of God as not essential
Some do not want the church to grow
Many are content with AS IS
When new members are added we are stretched
Tell them you are glad they came
ARE YOU REALLY GLAD THEY CAME?
Get their name, where from, why in this area
Singing, prayers, announcements, sermon
All services Sunday PM, Wednesday night, Sunday School
Pick up paper in the restroom, hallway. Keep things neat.
Desire to be present.
Have a school spirit pride in who we are
Speak of what this church is doing with pride (not arrogance)
Conclusion:
Many congregations and individuals have grown weary, in a rut and want to get out of it. Others, where things seem to be going great will one-day face the problem of being bogged down.
Robert Coleman, What we may fail to comprehend is that the fruits of revival can endure only as long as the conditions for revival are maintained.
OTHER SETS OF FOUR STAGES
4 stages of life
Believe in Santa Claus
Dont believe in Santa Claus
ARE Santa Claus
Look like Santa Claus
4 Generations
Founders zeal for a cause, pay a high cost
Definers children of founders, less cost
Establishment crystallize, no cost
Degeneration It was not worth all that it cost
Human body
Youth zeal, vitality, energy
Adult content with present status
Mature decline in vigor and health
Death
Nations
Discovery and growth
Expansion and cultivation
Leisure and luxury
Deterioration and destruction
Early Church
Aggressive in outreach Acts 2:47
Settled in Hebrews 6:1-3
Dying Revelation 2:2-5 (left 1st love)
Dead Revelation 3:1
Restoration Movement
Aggressive proclamation of the gospel
Institutionalism become a means to an end
Pre-occupied with holding what we have
Deterioration congregations fade away