Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
INTRODUCTION
1. When Samuel was sent to anoint the new king of Israel, he learned
that God's measure of a person was different than man's - 1 Sa 16:
6-7
2. The same is true today...God's measure of a Christian is often
different than that applied by many people
3. In this lesson...
a. I want to review the measure often used by brethren to evaluate
one another
b. And then consider what is God's measure, which ought to be ours
as well
[We begin with...]
I. THE MEASURE OFTEN USED BY BRETHREN
A. WE OFTEN MEASURE CHRISTIANS BY...
1. Their ATTENDANCE at the services of the church
a. If they attend ALL of the services, then they must be
"faithful brethren"
b. If they attend SOME of the services, they must be "weak
brethren"
2. Their PARTICIPATION in church-related activities
a. If they participate in ALL of the activities...
1) Such as Bible classes
2) Or Evangelism classes, Visitation programs, etc.
-- Then they truly must be "strong brethren"
b. But if for ANY reason they do not participate in all that
the church offers, their "commitment" is certainly suspect!
3. Their LEADERSHIP abilities
a. MEN are considered strong Christians if they...
1) Lead singing, prayers, help serve the Lord's Supper
2) Teach classes, preach sermons
b. WOMEN are considered strong Christians if they...
1) Teach children's classes, women's classes
2) Prepare communion, clean the building
B. THE PROBLEM WITH THIS MEASURE...
1. It tends to measure the OUTSIDE of man
a. People can do all these things, and still be spiritually
destitute on the INSIDE (I have known some like this)
b. "Hypocrites" can exist very comfortably with such a
measure!
c. Brethren can remain in "spiritual immaturity" if this is
the only measure given to them
2. It tends to neglect the multi-faceted nature of the body of
Christ
a. Especially if emphasis is on the PUBLIC functions of the
church
b. And if emphasis is placed on one function over another
(e.g., teaching over service) - cf. Ro 12:3-8
Christ
-- Activity which we may never SEE, but the Lord knows!
CONCLUSION
1. The purpose in discussing the true measure of a Christian...
a. Has NOT been so we can go around and judge others
b. But to suggest caution in how we measure others!
c. And to make sure that we are properly measuring our own selves!
2. The statement of the Lord to Samuel still applies today:
"Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature,
because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees;
for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at
the heart." (1 Sa 16:7)
Let's be sure the "measure" by which we examine ourselves is the same
one used by the Lord!