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THE EASY THING IS NOT ALWAYS THE RIGHT THING---2 Tim. 4:1-10; Key Vs. 7 Introduction: In the last verse of our scripture reading, Paul mentioned that Demas had forsaken him, having loved this present world. Demas had done the easy thing, Paul had done the hard thing, and Paul wanted Timothy to do the RIGHT thing, even if it was hard to do.
I. IT IS EASIER TO STOP SERVING GOD THAN TO KEEP ON GOING FOR THE LORD 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. Paul finished his course; Demas quit. Paul did the hard thing, but Demas did the easy thing. A. WHEN YOU ARE TIRED---ISAIAH 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. B. WHEN YOU ARE TROUBLED 1. By Financial Problems 2. By Family Problems 3. By Fellowship Problems Between You And Another Christian C. WHEN YOU ARE TRIUMPHANT 1. Some people get distracted after they succeed at doing something and they quit.
DON'T QUIT--When things go wrong as they sometimes will, When the road you're crossing seems all uphill,When the funds are low and the debts are high, And you try to smile but you have to sigh,When cares are pressing you down a bit, Rest if you must but don't you quit. Life is strange with its twists and turns, As every one of us sometimes learns, And many a failure turns about, When he might have won had he stuck it out; Don't give up, though the pace seems slow, You may succeed with your next blow. Success is failure turned inside out, The silver tint of the clouds of doubt, And you never can tell how close you are, It may be near when it seems so far; So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit; It's when things seem worse, that you must not quit.
II. IT IS EASIER TO SMASH SOMETHING THAN IT IS TO BUILD SOMETHING--Galatians 1:23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. Paul was a church BUSTER before he got saved, and then he became a church BUILDER.
A. It is easier to destroy your HEALTH than to build it
B. It is easier to destroy your HOME than to build it---Proverbs 14:1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. 1. A Fit Of Temper 2. A Falling Into Temptation C. It is easier to destroy your HOLINESS than to build it
DON'T BE IN THE DEMOLITION CREW; BE IN THE CONSTRUCTION CREW!
III. IT’S EASIER TO SEEK THINGS FOR YOURSELF THAN FOR OTHERS--Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. A. IT TAKES MORE LABOR 1. It's work to budget your income and control your spending so that you are able to tithe, give offerings, pay your bills, and help other people. 2. It takes time. 3. It takes restraint in spending. B. IT TAKES MORE LISTENING---If we listen, we can find out the needs of people. C. IT TAKES MORE LOOKING---What need can I meet in someone's life today? D. IT TAKES MORE LOVE---"Lord, give me a bigger heart." It's HARDER, but it's more blessed! Acts 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. IV. IT IS EASIER TO SPEAK THAN IT IS TO LISTEN---James 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: We need to LISTEN MORE: A. TO OUR LORD I have three things to say about this: 1. READ YOUR BIBLE! 2. READ YOUR BIBLE! 3. READ YOUR BIBLE! B. TO THE LOST 1. Not Their Counsel 2. Not Their Criticisms Of God And The Things Of God 3. But To Their Cry For Help C. TO THE LORD'S PEOPLE D. TO OUR LOVED ONES E. TO OUR LITTLE ONES
V. IT IS EASIER TO SIT DOWN THAN IT IS TO STAND UP Peter sat down when he should have stood up: Luke 22:55 And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. A. AND BE IDENTIFIED---Peter sat down to keep from being identified as one of the Lord's disciples. B. AND BE INVOLVED 1. In the work - who will volunteer? 2. In the war - David stood up to fight Goliath. Everyone else LET him.
Don't do the easy thing; do the RIGHT thing -- even if it is hard to do!
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. |