KJV Sermon Outlines

THE MEASURE OF A STRONG CHRISTIAN

Text: 1 Sa 16:6-7 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD’S anointed is before him. 7But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

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 -
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

What, then, ought to be the measure of a strong Christian?]

II. THE MEASURE OF A STRONG CHRISTIAN

A. IS FOUND IN SCRIPTURES SUCH AS...
1. Ga 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
a. Here are qualities of man who is truly SPIRITUAL
b. This is evidence that is truly led by the Spirit of God
c. Now one who is truly "spiritual" will certainly be involved
in various "activities" of the church - e.g., Ga 6:1-2 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness;
d. But this measure requires that the "inner man" be changed
first!
2. Col 3:12-17 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

a. Again, this measure begins with the "inner man"
b. But it carries over to our relationship with one another in
such activities as Bible study and singing
2. The statement of the Lord to Samuel still applies today:

"But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on 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!

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