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THE COST OF CONVENIENCE

Introduction

We live in a world built on convenience.

            1.         We have convenience stores in most moderately populated areas.

            2.         We have fast food restaurants.

            3.         We have those “magic money machines” (ATM’s).

            4.         We have the internet.

            5.         We have stores like Wal-Mart that have all kinds of stores within the stores.

(Grocery store, bank, optometrist, portrait studio, sandwich shop, deli, bakery, pharmacy, photo lab, auto services, tax preparation, etc.)

            6.         We have appliances that make our lives convenient–Microwaves, dishwashers.

            7.         We have automobiles–(sometimes 2 or more per family).

            8.         We have jet airplanes able to span the ocean in a matter of hours.

Most folks have a tendency to put off that which is not convenient. (Procrastination)

            1.         Doctors appointments.

            2.         Car maintenance.

            3.         Tax preparation.

We usually pay a price for convenience.

            1.         Through higher prices – Convenience stores.

            2.         Through poorer health – Fast food.

            3.         Through risks involved – The internet and theft identity.

In the fast pace world in which we live, it is also easy to push the things of God aside when they are not convenient. And when we do, we find that we most always pay a price for that desire of convenience. READ LUKE 9:57-62

This morning I want us to look at the cost of convenience as it relates to THE CHRISTIAN.

I.         THERE IS A COST WHEN WE CAN’T FIND A CONVENIENT TIME TO ATTEND CHURCH FAITHFULLY.

Hebrews 10:25–“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” What Does It Cost Us?:

            A.        It Costs Us In Spiritual Maturity.

Ephesians 4:11-12–“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”

            B.        It Costs Us In Testimony.

                        Romans 14:7–“For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.”

                        1.         It Costs Us In Testimony Before The Lost.

                        2.         It Costs Us In Testimony Before The Saved.

                        3.         It Costs Us Testimony Before Family Members. 

II.       THERE IS A COST WHEN WE CAN’T FIND A CONVENIENT TIME TO READ AND STUDY OUR BIBLE OUTSIDE OF CHURCH. 

2 Timothy 2:15–“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Luke writes of the Bereans in Acts 17:11–“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” What Does It Cost Us?:

            A.        It Costs Us In Spiritual Maturity.

1 Peter 2:2–“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”

2 Peter 3:18–“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”

            B.        It Costs Us In Christian Purity.

Ephesians 5:25-27–“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”

We are familiar with Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible. It is a Psalm about the importance of the Word of God. We would all do well to read it, memorize it, and meditate on it occasionally. Listen to some of what it says:

Psalms 119:9–“9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.”

Psalms 119:11–“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

            C.        It Costs Us In Godly Living. 

                        Psalms 119:105–“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

            D.        It Costs Us In Blessings Unclaimed.

                        1.         Promises.

2 Corinthians 1:20–“For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.”

We sing “Standing On The Promises,” but how many do we really stand on?

                        2.         Comfort. (Romans 15:4 speaks of the “comfort of the Scriptures.”

                        3.         Encouragement.

                        4.         Power of God. (It is the sword of the Spirit!)

Hebrews 4:12–“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

THERE IS A COST WHEN WE CAN’T FIND A CONVENIENT TIME TO ATTEND CHURCH FAITHFULLY, READ AND STUDY OUR BIBLE OUTSIDE OF CHURCH. . .

III.      THERE IS A COST WHEN WE CAN’T FIND A CONVENIENT TIME TO PRAY.

James 5:16–“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

            What Does It Cost Us?:

            A.        It Costs Us In Health. (Philippians 4:6-9)

                        Physical Health, Emotional Health, and Spiritual Health.

Luke 18:1–“And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;”

            B.        It Costs Us In Blessings.

Matthew 7:7-8–“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”

            C.        It Costs Us In Spiritual Maturity And Fellowship With God.

                        1.         Because We Become Unthankful.

1 Thessalonians 5:18–“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

                        2.         Because We Fail In Our Praise Of God.

Psalms 34:1–“I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

Psalms 66:8–“O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard:”

                        3          Because We Walk In the Flesh Rather Than In The Spirit.

Matthew 26:41–“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

                        4.         Because We Fail To Confess Our Sin.

1 John 1:9–“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

IV.      THERE IS A COST WHEN WE CAN’T FIND A CONVENIENT TIME TO GIVE TO THE LORD.

1 Corinthians 4:1-2--“Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” What do I mean by giving?:

            A.        The Giving Of Our Time. (Service)

Colossians 4:5–“Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.”

Paul spoke of the Churches of Macedonia in 2 Corinthians 8:5–“And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.”

Romans 12:1-2–“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

                        1.         Sometimes It Costs The Lives Of Precious Souls For Eternity.

                                    Because we don’t witness for the Lord like we should. 

                        2.         Sometimes It Costs The Maturing Of Other Believers.

Because we don’t get involved in ministry to others like we could.

                        3.         Sometimes It Costs Us Spiritual Maturity.

When we see God work through us, it helps us to grow. When we are not involved in the ministry, it stunts our growth.

            B.        The Giving Of Our Talent. (1 Corinthians 12:4-11)

1 Corinthians 6:19-20–“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”

            C.        The Giving Of Our Treasure.

1 Corinthians 16:2–“Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.”

2 Corinthians 9:6–“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”

V.        THERE IS A COST WHEN WE CAN’T FIND A CONVENIENT TIME TO FORGIVE.

Matthew 6:14-15–“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Ephesians 4:30-32–“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”

What Does It Cost Us?

            A.        It Costs Us Physically And Emotionally.

                        Medical doctors tell us that bitterness is like poison to our bodies.

            B.        It Costs Us Spiritually.

                        1.         It Costs Us Forgiveness.

                        2.         It Costs Us Fellowship.

                        3.         It Costs Us Joy.

                        4.         It Costs Us In Spiritual Maturity.

(Forgiveness is a part of becoming like Christ.)

Conclusion

How is your Christian life? Are you a Christian? If not, understand there is also a cost to putting off the matter of your salvation that we will deal with next week, Lord willing. But, don’t wait till then to see what I’m going to say. Come to Christ today!

Dear Christian, can you remember a time when the power of God moved in your heart and life in a great way? But now its not convenient to do those things that brought the power of God.

Can you remember a time when you use to have sorrow and genuine repentance over sin in your life, but now its not convenient to do that? Maybe some time in the future, but not right now.

Can you remember a time when you had close fellowship with fellow believers, but now its just not convenient? You know you need to do it, but its just not convenient in the times we live in.

Can you remember a time when you would help a new believer in Christ by taking him under your wing? You know they need it and somebody needs to do it, but you’re thinking “let somebody else do it.”

Can you remember a time when you had a positive impact on a young boy or girl for Christ? But now you just don’t have the time.

Can you remember a time when you once had genuine concern for the lost?

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NOTICE:   THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!