Being Willing to Accommodate
By: M. Allen
FILING
INFORMATION:
2000028
Subject:
attitude; first principles
Preached Originally: 05/07/00 – Rapid City, SD
Introduction:
A. One of the greatest needs of our time is for Christians to have a greater interest in the salvation of others.
1. Discussed this need earlier this week w/a brother. Mentioned that he often misunderstood by brethren in his efforts to exhort/encourage brethren.
2.
Not only do we
need to be interested in the souls of our brethren – but that of the world
as well.
a) how concerned are YOU about the soul of your employer? Your neighbor? Your dentist? The person that checks you out at Wal-Mart?
b)
What kind of
priorities does this congregation have to reach the lost?
c)
What kind of
priorities does this congregation have to exhort it’s own toward better
service?
3.
to be effective
– we must act upon our desires!
B. In 1 Cor. 9:19-23 Paul discusses his willingness to accommodate.
1.
he was willing to
adapt to customs & peculiarities of others in order to help. He did something!
2.
We need to learn
from this.
3.
American society
today goes totally against this. Especially when it comes to religion
a) get caught up in ourselves – concentrating on our feelings, wants, desires.
b)
Do this to extent
that we forget others.
c)
Add to that mixture
that others don’t want YOU involved in THEIR lives.
1)
both brethren
& those in world have this problem.
2)
Oh for those
w/open hearts! Of for those who
are humble & willing to do anything necessary to go home to heaven.
C. Would you describe yourself as being willing to accommodate? Would you describe yourself as someone who interested in the souls of others? Are you willing to go out of your way to serve God – and others?
D.
Evaluate your
life! Where do you stand before
God? Let’s think about these things
as we go through today’s lesson.
I. How was Paul willing to Accommodate?
A. 9:20 – Paul was willing to accommodate the Jews.
1.
while many Jews
had obeyed the gospel – many still observed & felt obligated to
practice some of the customs/traditions associated w/Judaism and Jewish
culture.
a) Acts 21:26 – Paul acted as if he under same obligations & purified himself in the temple.
b)
Did he have to do
this? Certainly not. Under NO obligation religiously.
c)
But did it for
the sake of the Jews so that he might win their soul.
2.
Acts 16:3 –
for sake of unconverted Jews Paul circumcised Timothy.
3.
Was this a
requirement of Christianity? No. Again – he did
what necessary to have chance to win soul of Jews around him.
B. 9:21 – Paul was willing to accommodate the Gentiles.
1.
Just exactly how
he did this we don’t know.
2.
Some
speculate: To them he might have
appeared as if he weren’t a Jew – discussing with them the great
principles of eternal law.
3.
But what ever he
did – he did whatever possible (w/in the law of Christ) to win their soul.
C. 9:22 – He was willing to accommodate a weak bro/sis.
1.
Weak in this
context: those who conscientiously
scrupulous – even in respect to lawful things.
2.
Good example of
this – willing to give up eating meat for their sake. Have to do this? Certainly not.
3.
See 1 Cor. 8:13
D.
9:22b – why
did he do this?
1.
I have become
all things to all men – that I by some means may save some.
2.
Notice His desire
for the soul of others.
a) if only more Christians today had this attitude!
b)
Do we – the
members at Southside – have this attitude? Do you?
c)
Are YOU willing
to go out of your way? Get out of
YOUR comfort zone?
4.
Notice Paul’s
primary concern – his primary interest!
5.
We have much to
learn!
II. What is here for us?
A. If you are especially interested in someone – aren’t you willing to accommodate? Aren’t you willing to go out of your way?
1.
Aren’t you
willing to accommodate in the realm of amusement & entertainment?
a)
Rush Limbaugh;
George Strait; Alan Jackson
b)
Know of some who
have tolerated my listening to C/W to have something to talk about. Why? They cared about me. They wanted to be my friend.
c)
Know of some who
have certain hobbies – love to talk about them – invite me to take
part in. Not really that
interested myself – but do it b/c I want to be a part of their life.
d)
Men – tolerate
shopping w/wives. Women tolerate
fishing/golfing w/husbands.
2.
Aren’t you
willing to go w/them – when they especially want to go?
B. Aren’t you willing to accommodate, in like manner, events of local interest, in speech, in dress, in etiquette, etc?
1.
Certainly!
2.
Do this w/a
precious few – usually those closest to us. Why not for those outside our normal comfort zone.
3.
Why not w/those
whose souls are in jeopardy?
C. We MUST be willing to accommodate w/those whose souls are in question.
III. But there are some initiations here as
well.
A. The line of distinction between accommodation & hypocrisy is sometimes very fine.
1.
Don’t be a
hypocrite.
2.
Remember –
what one can accommodate – another may not be able to do.
3.
Make sure that
you watch yourself & don’t contradict yourself.
B. Must not adapt in anyway that would be sinful.
1.
Friend likes
going to bar – drinking – does that mean you should accommodate
yourself to that? Gambling,
adultery, etc??? Certainly not.
2.
1 Cor. 8:4-6
– while Paul could respect the weak conscience of one who had formerly
been an idol worshipper – and not to eat – not for one moment was
he soft on the subject of idolatry.
3.
While
accommodating – we can’t compromise the gospel! We can’t go along w/anything that would be sinful.
4.
Ex. You could – in & under some
circumstances – attend the religious service of your friend in order to
teach him.
a) but could you pray w/him & sing along w/the instrumental music?
b)
Could you condone
the erroneous practices of denominationalism?
C. In being willing to accommodate – we must not do anything where we hold back the truth.
1. Acts 20:27 – declare the whole counsel of God – tactfully.
2. Can be tempted to hold back. Some want preacher not to preach on certain things. Some don’t talk about certain things b/c it stir up trouble.
3. Remember – it’s the truth that saves! Must impart it humbly to others!
IV. What should be our motives in accommodating others?
A. 9:22 – to save others!
1. That is the aim of Christianity! Looking for others to show them the way to Christ.
2. Mt. 28:18-20; Mt. 11:28-30; Jhn. 14:1-4. Heaven is our ultimate goal. Don’t you want everyone you come into contact to be there?
3. Perhaps we often forget just how terrible hell will be. Remember the RM & Lazarus? Lk. 16:19-31 – esp. 37-31.
a) Does not only apply to worldly but brethren as well. Are you looking out for your brethren?
b) Brethren – how do you react when a bro/sis comes to you to help you correct some wrong?
4. Are you actively accommodating others? Are YOU working to promote the gospel here? It’s not just the preachers job!
B. 9:23 – to save ourselves!
1. Our personal salvation depends on our saving who we can.
a) See also 1 Tim. 4:16
b) Note Timothy’s responsibility.
2. Ask yourself: could MY soul be in jeopardy b/c of MY inaction?
3. Ask yourself: could someone else’s soul be in jeopardy b/c of MY inaction?
4. You never mentioned Him to me.
C. Plug for gospel meeting/conference on the family. Small group next week to get together – can YOU help? Can YOU give just a little time?
D. Get involved! Get out of your comfort zone!
1. Get involved in the lives of your brethren here
2. Who do YOU really know? Do YOU know of a bro/sis that struggling spiritually? Help them! Don’t carp at them. Don’t complain. Help them!
Conclusion:
A. One of the greatest needs of our time is for Christians to have a greater interest in the salvation of others.
B. When we are really interested – we will be more than willing to accommodate.
C. Do you need to obey the gospel?
1. Do so today! Get your life right – then get involved by helping others.
D. I N V I T A T I O N