Christian Virtues (Part Two)

Audio Notice: We are sorry but the church had microphone difficulties and this sermon was not recorded.

Northwest Bible Church – March 13, 2005 -- Worship Service – Alan Conner
Romans 12:11
Christian Virtues: Part 2

INTRO

A. DILIGENCE - “Do not be lagging behind in diligence.”

1) “Lagging behind” - is the idea of being lazy, falling behind, not keeping up, being slothful, being a sluggard.

Cf. Mt. 25:26.

2) What causes us to lag behind at times?

3) Those who lag behind bring upon themselves many bad consequences:

Prov. 10:26
Prov. 12:24
Prov. 13:4
Prov. 20:4
Prov. 10:4
Prov. 15:19
Prov. 26:16
Prov. 26:13
Prov. 12:27

4) Conversely, the diligent are blessed in many ways:

Prov. 12:24 The hand of the diligent will rule
Prov. 13:4 the soul of the diligent is made fat
Prov. 10:4 the hand of the diligent makes rich.
Prov. 21:5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage.

Believers are to be good examples of diligence IN TWO AREAS:

a) life in general:
b) in our Christian lives. Rom. 12:1

B. FERVENCY - “Fervent in s/Spirit.”

1) Fervent in spirit.

a) Meaning - originally meant to bubble up, used of storm clouds, of fermenting wine, or boiling hot springs. Used in NT “with spirit” as an idiom, literally ‘to boil or burn in the spirit’, ‘to show enthusiasm, to commit oneself completely to.’ Expresses great energy of spirit and involves emotions. Cf. Acts 18:25 – Apollos.

b) Characteristic of a spiritually zealous/fervent Man-

2) Fervent in Spirit. Our fervency comes from the Holy Spirit.

How do we fan the flames of the Spirit in our life? Develop more fervency when we are lagging behind?
1) shovel out the cold ashes with repentance
2) put in new wood by the means of grace
3) fan the flame by prayer.

C. SERVICE - “Serving the Lord”.

1) The Christian life revolves around Jesus Christ.

2) Service involves submission.

3) Serving the Lord should be a way of life.

4) Guidelines for serving the Lord:

a) We are to serve the Lord because of who we are. Rom. 6:17-18, 22.
b) We are to serve the Lord because He served us. Rom. 5:6, 8, 10
c) We are to serve the Lord because we have the Spirit. Rom. 7:6
d) We all are to serve the Lord. Not a spir. gift here. Cf. Rom. 12:7
e) We are to serve the Lord in the fruit of the Spirit. Rom. 14:17-19
f) We are to serve the Lord, in part, by serving one another. Rom. 15:25.

CONCLUSION