IF WE LOOK AT THE PRESENT AND THE PAST, WE FIND THAT CONGREGATIONS HAVE ALWAYS FACED DIFFICULTIES.
1) Some brethren have had to face persecution – 1 Pet. 1:7 (“faith proved by fire).
2) We find congregations that have had to deal with a church split.
3) Other groups have declined to the point where they actually close the doors to the building.
4) The loss of an eldership is far from an ideal situation, but there are worse things in life.
5) Since we are where we are, I want to turn our attention to three things: Prayer, faith and attitude.
a) Eph. 5:20 says “giving thanks always for all things.”
b) 1 Thess. 5:18 says “in everything give thanks.”
6) This congregation still exists and God’s people still have a place to come for fellowship and instruction.
7) This congregation also has the potential to one day again have elders and deacons.
8) 1 Pet. 5:7 – Peter talked about God’s people having “anxiety.”
9) Peter told God’s people to “cast” ALL their anxiety on God because God “cares for them.”
10) Casting anxiety on God is accomplished by prayer. Some congregations are known as praying churches.
11) Jas. 5:16 says the “prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
12) If one righteous person can accomplish much in prayer, think of what an entire congregation can do.
13) If some things look hopeless to us, we need to remember Eph. 3:20.
IN CONJUNCTION WITH PRAYER THERE IS THE NEED FOR FAITH.
a) Rom. 15:13 says God is the “God of hope.”
b) A few verses earlier – Rom. 15:5 – Paul referred to God as “the God of patience and comfort.”
c) When difficult times come we can choose to have faith in God or we can choose some form of disbelief.
2) We need to choose faith. Without faith we cannot please God (Heb. 11:6).
3) When times are easy and good, faith is easy. When times are hard, this is when faith is tested.
a) Sarah (verse 11) was way past the age to conceive, but she had faith in God’s promise.
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c) Moses’ parents had enough faith in God they were not afraid of the king’s commandment (verse 23).
d) Moses had enough face to forsake a cushy life in Egypt (verse 27); his faith took care of his fearing Pharaoh.
e) Verses 33-37 describe some others who had great faith – READ
4) Goshen has come to a time when faith is going to be tested.
5) We can either choose to prevail during this time or we can choose to throw in the towel and fail.
6) God’s choice is faith instead of fear and failure.
WE HOPE THAT EACH ONE CHOOSE FAITH INSTEAD OF FAITHLESSNESS.
1) In addition to making the right choice regarding faith, we need to be mindful of our attitude.
a) 3 Jn. 9-10– READ
b) He was so insistent on his own way that he “cast people out of the church.”
c) We do not know all that was involved with this.
d) 2 Tim. 2:24 says the Lord’s servant must not “strive but be gentle towards all.”
e) 1 Cor. 14:33 – “God is not a God of confusion, but of peace.” 1 Cor. 14:40 “do all things decently and in order.”
2) Think of a congregation that begins a men’s meeting with Mt. 7:12, the so-called “golden rule.”
3) We treat people as we want to be treated. We ensure the love described by Paul in 1 Cor. 13 is practiced.
4) Attitude toward others is absolutely essential for a strong and healthy congregation.
5) We also need to have our own personal attitude headed in the right direction.
6) The denominational world has a “pastor system,” but this is not God’s plan.
a) When a congregation does not have elders, other men are needed to take care of some responsibilities.
b) Our attitude needs to be: “Here is work and I am willing to volunteer to do my best.”
7) 1 Cor. 15:58 says “be always abounding in the work of the Lord.”
8) Not all the Lord’s work is easy or free of hardship.
9) It is work that God wants done and our attitude needs to be: I will pitch in and help. Do not be like Mt. 25:25.