August 26, 2007
| 2 Tim. 2:25 SELF-IMPOSED PRISONS TOP-01-07 SUBJECT: Topical Sermons. TITLE: Self-Imposed Prisons. PROPOSITION: To look at some self-imposed prisons. OBJECTIVE: So we can see how to avoid them. INTRODUCTION: 1. Read the text. 2. Regarding the text. (1) Man is going to be a servant to someone. A. He will either be a servant to God (Tit. 1:1). B. He will be a servant of Satan (2 Cor. 11:13). (2) Man has sold himself into sin and has become the servant of sin (Rom. 6:16; Isa. 59:1,2). A. Jesus came to bring freedom from sin (Jno. 8:32). B. However, we must choose who we will serve (Josh. 24:15). (3) We want to look at some sins where unto man has imposed himself. 3. Reference To S.T.P.O. DISCUSSION: IN OUR STUDY, LET US NOTICE— I. THE SELF-IMPOSED PRISON OF SELF SATISFACTION. 1. When we become satisfied with our lives, we cease to grow. (1) This was the problem with the Laodiceans (Rev. 3:17). (2) This was the problem with those whom Jesus compared to the branches (Jno. 15:-16). 2. When we cease to grow, we cease to study. (1) Bible study is not an option, it is a command (2 Tim. 2:15; Col. 4:16). (2) The more we study the Bible, the less likely we are to walk away from it. A. The Bible is how God communicates with man (Psa. 119:11). B. The word is how God strengthens us (Col. 1:11). C. The word is how God reconciles us (2 Cor. 5:19). (3) If we stay faithful in Bible study, we will stay faithful in prayer and because of that we will stay faithful to God. 3. Those who are satisfied with their lives will not stay faithful because they will cease to study, then cease to pray and then they will stray from God. II. THE SELF-IMPOSED PRISON OF APATHY. 1. Though kin to the first self-imposed prison, it is a different issue altogether. (1) Apathy is defined as: “1. lack of emotion. 2. lack of interest; listless condition; unconcern; indifference” (Webster’s New World Dictionary, Second College Edition, p.63). (2) When we become unconcerned for the lost we are apathetic (Ezk. 33:18,19). 2. Jesus was concerned for the lost (Mt. 9:36). (1) We often become uninterested in the souls of the lost (Rev. 3:13-16). (2) People are going to be lost in the day of judgment if we don’t do something to stop it (2 Thess. 1:7-9). III. THE SELF-IMPOSED PRISON OF WORTHLESSNESS. 1. Many times we get to thinking of ourselves as worthless as far as the church goes. (1) Some think that because they are not the preacher, an elder or deacon that they are not worth anything to the church (1 Cor. 12:10-12). (2) One part of the body cannot say that he is not any good (1 Cor. 12:14-24). 2. We need to realize our worth to God. (1) God gave us his treasure (the word) to preach to the world (2 Cor. 4:7). (2) How shall people hear without a preacher (Rom. 10:15). 3. We are worth something to God. (1) How many people have not carried out their talents because of a feeling of worthlessness? (2) The one talent man (Mt. 25:14-30). (3) Jesus did not die for worthless people (Jno. 3:16). CONCLUSION: SUMMARY: We have seen— 1. The self-imposed prison of self-satisfaction. 2. The self-imposed prison of apathy. 3. The self-imposed prison of worthlessness. APPEAL: Let us break free of our self-imposed prisons and continue to do the work of the Lord. |
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Sermon Outline
Belle church of Christ
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