Too Busy Running

INTRODUCTION.

A.        Ideally, every Christian should be busy running for the Lord.

B.        Complete service to God should be the aim of every Christian. The word of God was given so that we would know how to serve God completely. (II Timothy 3:16,17)

C.        While it is nice to think that every Christian is serving God completely, the fact remains that many Christians are slack in their service to God.

D.        As Christians, we must be striving to serve God in such a way that we are to run to obtain the incorruptible crown. (I Corinthians 9:24-27)

E.        In our efforts of running through life, we must make certain that we are not running in the wrong direction or wrong manner.

F.        Let us take a few minutes to consider some directions that we must avoid.

I.         RUNNING FROM THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES TO GOD.

            A.        A good example would be that of Jonah.

                        1.         Jonah, the son of Amattai, was told by the Lord to go and cry out against Nineveh. (Jonah 1:2)

                        2.         Jonah ran from his responsibility. (Jonah 1:3)

                        3.         Jonah angered the Lord and ended up in the belly of a fish. (Jonah 1:14-17)

            B.        Jonah was too busy running from his responsibilities. It took being swallowed by a great fish to get Jonah to fulfill his responsibilities to God.

            C.        To those Christians who are running from their responsibilities, the question must be asked, “What will it take to get you to fulfill your responsibilities to God?”

            D.        Christ taught the necessity of fulfilling one's own responsibilities. (Matthew 25:14-30)

            E.        If we are going to be prepared for the Lord's return, then we must fulfill our responsibilities. (Luke 12:42-48)

            F.        If we know we should be doing something in our service to God and we do it not, then we sin. (James 4:17)

II.       RUNNING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.

            A.        Some people run in the direction of false doctrines.

                        1.         There are those who worship God in vain because they are teaching the commandments of men. (Matthew 15:7-9)

                        2.         The people who are running in the direction of false doctrine will cry, “Lord, Lord,” but will not be accepted. (Matthew 7:21-23)

                        3.         They must realize that there is only one way and one truth. Jesus Christ is that way and truth. (John 14:4-6; Ephesians 4:4-6)

            B.        Some people will run in the direction of opinions.

                        1.         Running after opinions have caused many divisions in many local congregations. Some examples would be the “One Cup” brethren, the “No Classrooms” brethren, the “no located preacher” brethren, our institutional brethren, etc.

                        2.         Our opinions will not stand up when held up to God’s word. (I Corinthians 1:23-27; Isaiah 55:8-9)

            C.        Some people will run in the direction of their families.

                        1.         There are those people who will do WHATEVER their family does. Whichever way the father wants to go, the family will go.

                        2.         As Christians we must understand and remember that Christ came to divide families. (Matthew 10:34-37) We are to love God and Christ more than we love our family members.

                        3.         Consider the following question: “If your family is proven to be in error, will you go along with the practices of your family, or will you change, leaving your family behind if necessary?”

III.      RUNNING WITHOUT A GOAL.

            A.        Running without a goal is caused by an attitude of indifference.

            B.        These are the people who are “tossed to and fro, carried about by every wind of doctrine.” This will happen without proper study of God's word and proper love for God. (Ephesians 4:13-14)

                        1.         Many people are tossed to and fro by “great speakers.” We must be careful so as not to be lead astray. (II Peter 2:17-19)

                        2.         There are those Christians who are tossed to and fro by the pressures of the world.

                        3.         Some are tossed to and fro by their friends.

                        4.         Others are tossed to and fro by their family.

            C.        We must not be like a fool who wanders from here to there. (Proverbs 27:8)

CONCLUSION.

A.        If we are too busy running in any direction other than what is taught in God's word, we will never reach the goal of eternal life in Heaven.

B.        Let us all give serious thought to the words of Paul in I Corinthians 9:24-27.

C.        Remember: If we are busy running for Christ, the we will not have the time to run in any other direction.

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Too Busy Running - November 17, 2002 - File #: 2514 - Worldliness

by John M. Duvall -- Lawton, OK