ILAGAN BAPTIST CHURCH SERMON OUTLINES
The Heart-breaking Fruits Of Spiritual Leniency
Text: I Samuel 2:22-36 IBCSWS June 17, 2007
Preacher: Pastor Jose B. Cabajar
Spiritual leniency is a deceitful and dangerous position of an undisciplined and easygoing believer. It is a sad result of man’s liberal-mindedness. Leniency will not only keep a believer away from God’s perfect will, but will also lead him to lawlessness and ineffectiveness.
God extremely dislikes believers who allow leniency to creep into their homes. In I Samuel 3:11-13, it is written, And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. (KJV)
The heart-breaking fruits of spiritual leniency are yet to be realized by many believers. We thank God because His Word has been well-preserved for us to read, study and apply in our daily walk. Knowing the sad consequences of spiritual leniency will surely move us to be more cautious in our spiritual life and to be more reliant on the Word of God.
Real Christians must guard their homes from liberal position because by embracing such risky stand, they are building a connecting-bridge to the ways of the world. Compromise with the world keeps believers from loving the Word and living by its principles. We must bear in mind that Biblical and fundamental standpoint is still the best and safest position where we could stay unspotted from the ways of the world.
As we study how Eli’s home suffered the tragic consequences of spiritual leniency, we will surely learn a lot of needful things from his spiritual blunders in life. God does not want our homes to be destroyed through our own negligence and that is simply the reason why He wants us to live by His Word so we may avoid the heart-breaking fruits of spiritual leniency.
(I) Leads Others To Sin
I Samuel 2:23-24
-God’s people
It is so sad that even professing believers are becoming the devil’s instruments to lead other believers to sin. In I Samuel 2:23-24, it is written, And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people. Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD'S people to transgress. (KJV)
True Christians must surrender their lives completely to the Lord and serve Him faithfully in sincerity and in truth before the adversary manipulates them to become advertisers of sin to others.
In Romans 12:1-2, it is written, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (KJV) These verses are very popular to Christians, but its application and wonderful results are yet to be seen in the lives of many. Letting these verses mold our lives is also letting others see Christ in us.
(II) Lack Of Respect
I Samuel 2:25
-To Parents
-To God
Sometimes parents are wondering why their children lack respect and the needed fear of God in their lives. Unknowingly, the problem is spiritual leniency, and it is sad to say that many parents today don’t even perceive its dangerous presence in their own homes. In I Samuel 2:25, it is written, If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the LORD would slay them. (KJV) Without fear of God, people become foolish and disrespectful. May fear of God be found in us at all times.
In Ephesians 6:1-3, the Bible says, Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. (KJV) What an amazing secret for our children to claim and live by so they may enjoy long life and the best of this present life.
(III) Early Death
I Samuel 2:25-34
-Powerlessness
-Absence of old man
-Tragic death
The account in I Samuel 2:25-34 shows us the dreadful consequences of Eli’s leniency. Powerlessness, absence of old man and tragic death were the unpleasant things that came to destroy and wipe out his well-favored house. May we carefully examine our ways in our homes and ministries so we could see and put off destructive ways from our lives before it’s too late.
(IV) Loss Of Opportunity
I Samuel 2:35-36
-Privilege to serve God
-Opportunity to prosper
-Opportunity to have godly descendants
Many professing Christians have been led to spiritual deterioration unaware because of spiritual leniency. They suffered tragic losses in their homes and even in their ministries because they believe that embracing liberalism will offer them more opportunities to prosper in their chosen career.
In the case of Eli, leniency led his house to despise the ways of truth. As sad a result, his privilege to continually walk before God with his house came to an end. In I Samuel 2:30, it is written, Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. (KJV)
God wants our homes to be blessed and He gives us the privilege to serve Him faithfully so we may prosper in all areas of life. He also helps us to create and project the true image of Christianity through unquestionable testimony. We believe that our spiritual investments which include prayers, love of the Scriptures, deep involvement in Church activities and sharing our substance to support the furtherance of the Gospel, could help preserve our good name which is associated with the righteousness of the Lord. As a consequence, our descendants will surely be benefited in the future.
The house of Eli is a relevant warning to us today. May we not welcome spiritual leniency in our lives because it will surely rob our privilege to serve the Living God. It will also distort the true image of believers in Christ. We should not let the devil destroy our good name and the future of our children.
Don’t be a victim of spiritual leniency. Be prayerful and watchful lest worldliness creeps in little by little into our home and ministry then eats up our opportunity to serve God in sincerity and in truth. Bear in mind that someday we will give account before God for all the things we do and say today.
Be faithful and trust the Lord always. Through the eyes of faith, we will see better things and we are confident that our faith in Christ will surely lead us to more spiritual victories for the glory of God.
ILAGAN BAPTIST CHURCH
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