WAYS TO IMPROVE #2
By David J. Riggs
Intro.
A. "Think about people who find themselves in religious ruts. They
discover a number of things about themselves. They will find
that they are getting older but not getting any holier. Time is
their enemy, not their friend. The time they trusted and looked
to is betraying them, for they often said to themselves, 'The
passing of time will help me. I know some good old saints, so
as I get older I'll get holier and better. Time will help me,
purify me and revive me.' They said that the year before last,
but they were not helped any last year. Time betrayed them.
They were not any better last year than they had been the year
before." (From in "Rut, Rot or Revival," by A.W. Tozer in
Christianity Today, Vol. 38, No. 3)
B. It is certainly true that some of us are not getting any better
spiritually as we get older.
1. We need a revival, a renewed zeal, a determination to do
better.
2. Let us recognize the challenges before us.
3. Let us lay out our strategy and follow it faithfully.
C. We continue our study on ways to improve.
I. LET US LEARN TO PRAY MORE.
A. 1 Thess. 5:17-18; Luke 18:1
1. We need to establish good prayer habits.
2. We need to pray at all times and patiently wait on the Lord.
Psalm 27:14; Isa. 40:28-31
3. Through prayer we can continually resort to a place of
strong refuge. Psalm 71:3
B. Knowing how to pray can be more difficult than it might seem.
1. One of Jesus' disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray.
Luke 11:1-4
a. His prayer in verses 2-4 has all the ingredients for an
acceptable prayer: adoration, spiritual requests,
physical requests, prayer for forgiveness, and asking for
help in daily living.
2. Jesus followed with the parable of the persistent friend.
Luke 11:5-8
3. He continued by encouraging us to pray. Luke 11:9-13
4. This was written by a seventeenth century Frenchman by the
name of Francois Fenelon: "Tell God all that is in your
heart, as one unloads one's heart, its pleasures and its
pains, to a dear friend. Tell Him your troubles, that He may
comfort you; tell Him your joys, that He may sober them;
tell Him your longings, that He may purify them; tell Him
your dislikes, that He may help you to conquer them; talk to
Him of your temptations, that He may shield you from them;
show Him the wounds of your heart, that He may heal them;
lay bare your indifference to good, your depraved tastes for
evil, your instability. Tell Him how self-love makes you
unjust to others, how vanity tempts you to be insincere, how
pride disguises you to yourself and to others. If you thus
pour out all your weaknesses, needs, troubles, there will
never be any lack of what to say." (From Strengthening
Your Grip, by Charles Swindoll).
II. LET US CONTINUE TO AVOID THE WORKS OF THE FLESH.
A. The works of the flesh manifest themselves in many ways. Gal.
5:19-21
1. Paul lists 17 works of the flesh and then adds "and such
like."
2. Peter said that fleshly lusts war against the soul. 1 Pet.
2:11
3. The carnal mind is enmity against God and brings forth
death. Rom. 8:6-7,13
B. The Christian keeps the works of the flesh under control by
walking according to the Spirit. Rom. 8:1; Gal. 5:16
1. The Christian crucifies the flesh with its affections and
lusts. Gal. 5:24
2. He uses strong discipline to control the desires of the
flesh. 1 Cor. 9:27
C. What areas do we need to improve in?
1. Perhaps there is some sinful habit that we need to conquer.
a. Are we spending too much time on pleasure, having
fun?
b. Are we guilty of gluttony, smoking, or social drinking?
c. Are we guilty of sinful language?
III. LET US BE A HAPPY PEOPLE REJOICING IN THE LORD EVERY DAY.
A. The Christian finds happiness "in the Lord." Phil. 4:4; Col.
2:6-7
1. When we are rooted and grounded in the Lord, many of the
worldly things will take care of themselves.
2. Even though our earthly life may be full of heartache, pain,
and trouble, we always have reason to rejoice because of our
spiritual blessings. Eph. 1:3
a. According to Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary,
the word "worry" comes from an old English word
which means literally "to choke or strangle."
b. Truthfully, that's what worry does to us. It chokes and
strangles us, leaving us in a miserable, depressed
condition.
c. Worry is a self-imposed curse which can be avoided.
3. Someone has rightly said, "If it's bad enough to worry
about, it's bad enough to pray about." Phil. 4:6-7
4. "Every day of your life is a gift from God. Don't waste it
by being angry with anyone. Don't let it slip away by
feeling sorry for yourself. Be grateful for this precious
gift of life, and spend it by being as happy and as thankful
as you possibly can. Let your mind dwell on the good things
which have happened to you. Let gratitude be your attitude.
Think of your assets, and don't let anyone else spoil your
day for you. Enjoy every day of your life to the fullest.
Realize that you can add to the joy of each day by making
someone else happy." (Author unknown)
IV. LET US IMPROVE OUR FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS.
A. We need more love in our marriage relationships. Eph. 5:33;
Titus 2:4
1. We need to show appreciation for our spouses.
2. This is from a letter to Ann Landers. "Dear Woman: Your
husband became greatly enamored of me because I paid
attention to him, which obviously you haven't done in quite
some time. I mean real attention, complete with
conversation and verbal recognition of his extraordinary
qualities. I made him feel alive and important. He believes
you prefer the company of your sisters, your mother, and
your women friends to him. When you need a man's
viewpoint, you ask your father. I am not going to see your
husband again, lady, because he likes me too much already,
and I am no home wrecker. But I believe you should take a
good, hard look at that wonderful man of yours, and come up
with some evidence of appreciation - before you lose him."
(Letter to Ann Landers, via The Challenge Of Being A Wife,
p. 68-69)
3. Parents need much love for their children.
a. Children are a wonderful gift from God. Psalm 127:3-5
b. We must do our best in the early years because our
children soon grow up and leave home. Eph. 6:4: Prov.
13:24; 22:6
c. Consider the love of the father in the parable of the
prodigal son. Luke 15:17-23
d. In a small town in Spain, a man named Jorge had a bitter
argument with his young son Paco. The next day Jorge
discovered that Paco's bed was empty. He had run away
from home. Overcome with remorse, Jorge searched his
soul and realized that his son was more important to him
than anything else. He wanted to start over. Jorge went
to a well-known store in the center of town and posted a
large sign that read, "Paco, come home. I love you.
Meet me here tomorrow morning." The next morning Jorge
went to the store, where he found no less than seven
young boys named Paco who had also run away from home.
They were all answering the call for love, each hoping it
was his dad inviting him home with open arms. (From "A
3rd Serving of Chicken Soup for the Soul")
V. LET US SEEK TO LEAD A SOUL TO CHRIST.
A. We all have a responsibility in this matter. 2 Tim. 2:2; 1 Pet.
3:15
1. We are the "servants" who are to go out in the highways and
hedges and compel people to come in. Luke 14:23
2. The fields are already white for harvest. John 4:35
3. Let us do our best in leading people to Christ, and let us
pray for more laborers in this great work. Matt. 9:37-38
B. The wise man said - Prov. 11:30.
1. Daniel added - Dan. 12:3.
a. Saving souls is the greatest work that can be done, and
all Christians should give much time and attention to it.
b. No greater or more enduring work can be undertaken.
2. This is entitled "Am I a soldier of the Cross," and was
written in 1724 by Isaac Watts.
Am I a soldier of the Cross, a follower of the Lamb;
And shall I fear to own His cause, or blush to speak His
name?
Must I be carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize, and sailed through
bloody seas?
Are there no foes for me to face? Must I not stem the flood?
Is this dark world a friend of grace, to help me unto God?
Sure I must fight if I would reign. Increase my courage,
Lord;
I'll bear the toil, endure the pain, supported by Thy word.
Concl.
A. Let us recognize the challenges before us.
B. Let us resolve, first, to be devoted, dedicated followers of
Christ.
C. Let us then lay out our strategy and follow it faithfully.
Chart:
Ways To Improve
Increase our spiritual mindedness.
Attend every service.
Store our minds with Scripture.
Promote love among our brethren.
Become better stewards of our money.
Learn to pray more.
Continue to avoid the works of the flesh.
Be a happy people rejoicing in the Lord every day.
Improve our family relationships.
Seek to lead a soul to Christ.