Sermon by Missionary Samaroo Sookraj
Text: Phil 4;13. Wednesday, April 24, 2002
Sub: Personal Commitment
Intro: 1) the apostle was directed by a vision, to go and preach the Gospel; and which was succeeded, to the conversion of Lydia, and the jailer, and their families; which laid the foundation of a Gospel church in this place, to whom this epistle is written;
2) he was a prisoner at Rome .
3) the design of this letter was,
a. To express his love and affection to them;
b. To give them an account of his bonds, and the usefulness of them, and how he was supported under them;
c. To encourage them under all the afflictions and persecutions, they endured for the sake of Christ;
d. To excite them to love, unity, and peace, among themselves;
e. To caution them against false teachers, judaizing Christians, that were for joining Moses and Christ, law and Gospel, works and grace together, in the business of salvation;
f. To exhort them to a holy life and conversation, and
g. To return them thanks for their kind present.
4) Four of these here mentioned, I will encourage you in, but before you can be encouraged, you must recognize ...
5) J F Kennedy said, "ask not what your country can do for, but ask " Substitute "country" with "church".
1. THE NECESSITY THAT IS LAID UPON ME. Paul says "I".
A. There must be acceptance of personal responsibility.
i) What is my part in the functioning of this church?
ii) Am I an asset or am I contributing to the slow disintegration of its moral and spiritual convictions.
iii) Do I contribute to the church's stand upon the precepts of God, or do I allow my personal likes or dislikes to influence my convictions?
iv) Am I despising our church? Whether intentionally or unintentionally?
You may say how am I despising the church, but
a. when you fail to prepare for the service, you do.
b. when you fail to attend its services you do
c. when you fail to support to its financial needs you do
d. when you fail to contribute to the spiritual upliftment you do.
e. when you stand by in complacency and allow the principles of the Word of God to be openly desecrated, you do.
B. There is a necessity for every member to accept their responsibilities as a member
11. MY ABILITY TO DO. Paul says "Can do all things"
A. "All" does not mean "all" but as to pertaining his ministerial responsibility.
B. In this case it is our responsibilities as members. What are your Christian responsibilities?
a. Faithful church attendance. "Now to "forsake" such assembling, signifies a great infrequency in attending with the saints, a rambling from place to place, and takes in an entire apostasy. "Gill on Heb 10:25. Matt 18:20 says
b. Studying the Word. 2 Tim 2:15. "Showing all fidelity and uprightness" Gill
c. Witnessing. Matt 28: 19,20.
d. Standing for the Truth. Jude 3. Not only internally but openly.
e. Contributing to the financial stability of the church through tithes and offerings.
C. Now you may say can I do these things?
111. ONLY THROUGH CHRIST JESUS. "Who strengtheneth me." Strength to perform duty and to bear sufferings is in Christ, and which he communicates to his people; he strengthens them with strength in their souls, internally, as the word here used signifies; by virtue of which they can do whatever he enjoins them or calls them to, though without him they can do nothing. Gill
A. To bear sufferings. We have been suffering for so long Look around you
B. To do duty. We are not being asked to do duty but commanded to. E.g. a soldier.
C. He will strengthen us. Robertson in his Word Picture says from the Greek "endunamoo" Causative verb to empower, to pour power into one.
1V. WILL I DO?
A. Would I be willing to do whatever it takes to fulfill my Christian responsibilities?
B. Should I look for strength from others or should I seek help from Christ?
C. Do I have faith that He can strengthen me?
D. Will I now act seeing that He has and is continuing to strengthen me?
CONCL: Please fulfill your Christian responsibilities as members of this church.
