Doing the Right Thing

By: M. Allen - parts originally by G. Scott

 

FILING INFORMATION:

98029

Subject: attitude; devotion to God

Preached Originally: 06/07/98 - Rapid City, SD

 

I.  Introduction.

A.    The majority of us gathered here today want to do the right thing all the time.  When a case comes up before us and we have to make a decision either for good or bad, typically we choose the one for good.

1.    Example of someone doing the right thing - even though it was hard to do…

2.    Admitting that they had done some sort of wrong and while admitting it knowing they would face some sort of consequences.

B.    If I were to ask everyone gathered here today, do you want to do what is right? I am sure that all of you would say yes.

1.    However, when the going gets tough and we are faced with an actual real life situation are we prepared to do what it takes to do the right thing?

2.    I've been there - in a given situation I've said, I'd do the right thing, but…

a.    the circumstances are different - surely God will understand.

b.    Everyone else is doing it - what good will it do for me to do right?

c.     No one will ever know.

d.    If I do this, then I'm going to suffer.

3.    Many times when faced with these circumstances, many of us want to back out and compromise on doing what is right.

C.   Let us all use the lesson today to renew the commitment we have made to Christ to do right all of the time.  Are you ready to do the right thing?

 

II.  Do right even when everybody's doing it.

A.    1 Pet. 3:20 - Noah & family were the only ones doing right.  8 souls doing right and respecting the Lord.

1.    Gen. 6:1-3, 5-8 - refer to actual Genesis account.

2.    At times we feel alone in doing right.

a.    feel as if we are the only ones left pleasing & serving God.  Get depressed.

b.    Look here - out of all on earth, only Noah found grace.

3.    Certainly Noah didn't care what the rest of the world thought of him.

a.    some quick to throw up the excuse - everyone else doing it - what good will it do for me to stand up?

b.    What if Noah had this attitude?  Would we be here today?

B.    World says:  "Safety in Numbers."  Television ad: if 20,000 drs/nurses recommend Crest - then it must be OK.

1.    world says:  religion = nonsense.  Don't waste your time.

2.    World says: homosexuality OK - those who are against it are homophobes.

3.    World says: abortion/immorality/indecency OK.  Those who stand up for decency idiots.

C.   Dan 3 - Shadrach, Meshac, Abendego

1.    how many there that day that even cared about God?

a.    1 -2 - 3 - that would be Shadrach, Meshac, Abendego.

b.    Easy thing:  deny God, fall down to Nebuchazzar and live.

c.     Would not have been that big of a deal to do so - guards who heated the fire wouldn't have been killed…

2.    instead they go against wishes of everyone else and do the right thing - serve God.  Even though this endangered their life.

D.   The Bible warns us place after place after place not to follow the majority.

1.    Ex. 23:2 - been a commandment of God from the beginning.

2.    In most cases - the majority not going to go along with God's standards.

3.    The majority isn't going to make it to heaven - Mt. 7:13-14

 

III.  Do right even when one can gain materially from sin.

A.    sometimes to do that which is right means that we are going to have to give up on some material things in the world.  Makes it hard to do - especially for some people.  Think of some in scriptures who did right even though they had to give up much.

1.    Heb. 11:24-26 - Moses.

2.    Had it all.  Potential to become next Pharaoh.  Important/major world leader at the time.

a.    wealth; power; women.

b.    Anything at his fingertips; exactly when he wanted it.

3.    to live with slaves.

a.    those who had nothing - regarded as trash in society.

b.    Those who were persecuted; suffered affliction.

c.     Heb. Writer - de did this looking forward to a reward.

B.    Some in the NT couldn't give up wealth & serve God as He expects.

1.    Mt. 19:22 - rich young ruler.

a.    came to Jesus thinking he was doing right.  Perhaps he wanted to be assured that he was doing right.

b.    Told what he needed to do and he wasn't ready for such.

c.     Don't know if he ever responded to Christ or not.

2.    2 Tim. 4:10 - Demas

a.    had priorities focused solely upon the physical.

b.    Don't know if he ever made decision to return to Christ.

C.   Some in NT gave up much for Christ.

1.    Acts 19:19-20 - at Ephesus - look at what they gave up to do the right thing!

2.    Looking at spiritual; not physical.  Could have rationalized:  How an I going to make a living?

 

IV.  Do right even when no one will know.

A.    Who hasn't befallen to the temptation of no one will know about it  There is a story in the OT of a person who fought this temptation and won!

1.    Gen. 39:7-20 - that of Joseph & Potiphar's wife.

a.    v. 6 - Potiphar placed Joseph in a position where Joseph had full access to the home.

b.    Wife lusted after Joseph - v. 6 - wanted to commit fornication.  Likely no one would have ever known.  Perhaps she was very beautiful.

2.    resisted temptation and got thrown in jail.

B.    Some in Bible who could not resist temptation.

1.    Achan - Joshua 7.

a.    Achan believed no one would ever find out about his taking some of the wealth of Jericho.

b.    Israel defeated by Ai.  Josh. 7:5-6

c.     Achan confronted by Joshua in 7:20-21.

2.    Penalty:  7:24-26

C.   There is a sentence in Num. 32:23 given to Israel by Moses via inspiration of God.

1.    Num. 32:23 - our sins will find us out.

2.    Gal. 6:7-8 - we will reap what we sow.  There will be consequences for our sin.

a.    don't let the devil tell you otherwise.

b.    Be careful not to fall into this trap.

 

V.  Do right even when it means persecution.

A.    Daniel - facing the lion's den.

1.    Dan. 6:7-24

a.    v. 10 - knew order was in place.  Didn't change routine at all.  Prayed as normal.

b.    Wasn't ashamed to serve God.  Had faith enough that God would take care of him.

2.    v. 18-23 - Daniel delivered from lion's mouth.  He was going to serve God no matter what.

3.    Do we have the strength/faith of Daniel?

B.    Paul

1.    gave up a life of respect by prominent people, money, etc. for a life of:

a.    1 Cor. 6:4-10

b.    Acts 14:19-20

c.     2 Tim. 1:12 - notice the statement of faith made in this verse.

2.    through all of the many trials notice Paul trusted that God would take care of Him.

C.   Those who live for Christ will suffer persecution!

1.    2 Tim. 3:12

2.    Mt. 5:10-12

3.    1 Pet. 3:13-17

a.    are we prepared to do this?

b.    Compromising Christians will compromised themselves out of heaven.

 

VI.  Conclusion.

A.    Let us be prepared to always do the right thing!

1.    Let us never compromise!

2.    We have tests laid before us along the way through our lives.  Have you been flunking tests to do right?

3.    Have you though more of yourself than of pleasing God?

B.    Make the commitment today to do right.

1.    do the right thing by becoming a child of God.

2.    Do the right thing by getting your life right in the sight of God.

C.  I N V I T A T I O N