“Deeply Superficial”

 

FILING INFORMATION:

2002005

Subject: attitude

Preached Originally: 2/3/02 – Rapid City, SD

 

Introduction:

A.    Seems that society frowns upon making serious commitments.

1.    Modern people wary of getting into anything they can’t easily get out of .

2.    We like to keep our options open.

a)     maybe we afraid of getting hurt – or “we don’t want to over commit & get in over our heads.”

b)     Or…we find ourselves so busy that we simply do not have time to devote ourselves fully to one thing.

B.    Gary Henry: one of the disadvantages of a complex, fast-paced society like ours is that we get entangled in so many different concerns that there’s little time or inclination to be deeply involved in any of them.  We don’t delve deeply; we dabble. 

C.   We often suffer from a surplus of activity & a shortage of commitment.  This might lead us to be like the person who described himself as “deeply superficial.”

D.   Perhaps this why we get so little out of what we do.

1.    Hear this a lot today.  “There’s nothing in it for me.”  “I don’t get anything out of it.”

2.    There’s an old truth we need to realize – “You get out of things what you put into them.”

3.    In all of life’s endeavors – commitment & joy are partners!

E.    When we stand back from the work & relationships that ought be dear and near to us – we forfeit the fulfillment that is available to us!

F.    So then, we must “dig in”.  We must get truly involved!  We need to be willing to risk the vulnerability of being genuinely committed!

1.    if we will do this, we will find out that life is a storehouse of satisfaction!

2.    In the time we have together today – we’ll examine 3 examples that bear this out!

 

I.  When it comes to Marriage – you get out what you put in!

A.    So many have sour marriages anymore!

1.    Often b/c evident to everyone.  Seen in body language; attitude; words. 

2.    Ramifications are far reaching – not only on marriage partners; but children as well!

3.    Can get so bad – one’s entire influence can be damaged!

B.    We must spend time nurturing our marriages!

1.    involves work; and a good dose of humility!

2.    Not willing to work at it will cause us to spend lifetime in prideful stubbornness – refusing to live up to our responsibilities & roles.

3.    You can’t just dabble with or “play at” your marriage & expect success!

4.    Happiness in marriage will ONLY result when each partner does his part & quits waiting on/griping about the shortcomings of his spouse!

C.   Marriage partners are to love one another w/a sacrificial love.

1.    Husbands – love your wife – expecting nothing in return!

a)     1 Pet. 3:7 – love her in an understanding way!  Be aware of the needs of your life.  It’s not all about you!

b)     Work at meeting her needs; be her companion; and work to make her happy!

c)      Work at being the leader in your home.  YOU set the overall direction the family heads! 

d)     Eph. 5:25; 28-29; 33

e)     Doing so will create joy & add a sense of purpose to your life!

2.     Wives – love your husband – and expect nothing in return.

a)    realize he is the leader of your home & get behind him & support him!

b)    Back him up & support what is right in his life!  Encourage him to correct what is wrong.

c)    1 Pet. 3:1-6 – do your best to be an example to him!

3.    IN short, a successful marriage will be one where both husband/wife are living for Jesus & living FOR EACH OTHER!

a)    successful marriage will happen when both partners realize selfishness is a dead-end road!

b)    1 Pet. 3:7 – successful marriage is one where hus/wife work together to get home to heaven. Joint heirs of the grace of life.

D.   Marriage is not an “open” disposable relationship.  Marriage will NEVER fulfill the expectation of those who dabble w/it.

1.    Don’t’ be superficial in your marriage.  Remember, you get out of it what you put in it!

 

II.  When working with the local congregation:  you get out what you put in!

A.    Some attend only the services that are convenient!

1.    they participate only in the work that suits them.

2.    they criticize what everyone at that church is doing….always talking about “they.”

B.    Some – being part of the church means reaching for goals of “self-actualization.”  For example:

1.    if this church does not full my

2.    expectations; wants; and/or preferences then I must move to another place that meets my emotional needs.

3.    so, some move around – never making a commitment to get involved in local church!

4.    no wonder some never experience real joy that comes from membership in local church!

C.   When are we most fulfilled?

1.    when our needs are met – or when we meet the needs of God’s church on earth?

2.    We most fulfilled when we empty ourselves & fill up our lives w/serving others!  Look to Jesus – Mt. 20:26-28

3.    Note Paul’s words – Rom. 12:1

a)    spiritual service or reasonable service is NOT being served (having your needs met) but serving (meeting the needs of others!)

b)    We need to be part of a congregation – not for what it can do for us – but what we can do for it!

D.   Encourage members here to make commitment to our work.  Get involved!  Volunteer!

1.    Aside:  Need to cultivate this kind of atmosphere.  Not much more discouraging than someone volunteer his ideas/work & then to have them shot down or criticized.

2.    This is wrong & should not be tolerated w/in a congregation!

E.    Remember, we’ll receive little benefit from what God meant to be a rewarding relationship if we refuse to make a commitment to it.

F.    You get out what you put in!

 

III.  With our relationship with Jesus – you get out what you put in!

A.    Do we find ourselves

1.    praying irregularly?  Studying haphazardly?  Reducing our religion to nothing more than intellectual debate?

2.    do we limit ourselves to routine, formal expressions of worship & praise?

B.    Friends/brethren – we are to love God from the heart!  Mt. 22:37

C.   We must have courage to pursue God w/a risk it all commitment!

1.    Jer. 29:13 - You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

2.    Neh. 8:10 - Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

D.   Yes … it dangerous to care deeply about important matters!  We put ourselves in position to be:

1.    inconvenienced; disappointed; frustrated; hurt

2.    Gary Henry: if we take easy way out; and avoid serious commitments in life we doom ourselves to an impoverished existence!

3.    2 Cor. 9:6-7 – does not always apply to monetary giving!

E.    We must care & care deeply about God!

1.    commit yourself passionately to the worship of God!

2.    involve yourself tirelessly in the work of God!

3.    Be willing to risk it all for the glory of God!  Paul did!  See 2 Tim. 1:12.

F.    When it comes to your relationship to Jesus – you get out what you put in!

 

Conclusion:

A.    Dabblers accomplish very little.

B.    Dwight Moody:  Give me a person who says “This one thing I do” and not “these 50 things I dabble in.”

C.   GMC:  Do one thing & do it well!

1.    trying to do too much often keeps us from doing our best at anything!

2.    Don’t be “deeply superficial.”

D.   Approach the priorities in your life with passion!

1.    work at making your marriage the greatest man has ever seen!

2.    work at developing your relationship w/the local congregation

3.    work at making the most out of your relationship w/God!

E.    Stronger the commitment – greater your joy & satisfaction.

F.    Do you need to make a commitment to God?

1.    would you like to be free from your burden of sin?  There’s power in the blood!

2.    Obey the gospel today!

G. I N V I T A T I O N