Hidden Sin - Part 3
The sermon emphasizes the importance of humility and sacrifice in the church, contrasting it with the modern way of operating that focuses on expensive equipment and programs.
This sermon emphasizes the true cost of gaining a member in the church, contrasting it with the concept of salvation through Jesus Christ, which is freely given without cost or pride. It challenges the modern approach of church growth strategies that focus on material investments rather than spiritual transformation. The speaker highlights the sacrificial giving of ordinary people for the work of Jesus, contrasting it with the superficial displays of wealth and status. The message calls for genuine repentance, humility, and a focus on spiritual renewal rather than external displays of wealth or status.
Full Transcript
To gain a member, what does it cost? Say, we had to put a new carpet, we had to repaint our walls, to attract a new family. We had to renew our pews. And the whole process cost us, per head, so many thousands.
But the Bible tells me that you are purchased without cost and without pride. The precious blood of Jesus was paid for your salvation. But, this is the modern way of operation.
They call it church growth and all kinds of fancy names. They don't call it the church's graveyard. But, when God instituted this law, there was some thought behind it, that we should not glory in these things.
See, take any average person. You bring him into a hall like this. He looks around.
Oh, there is some expensive equipment here. A lot of money should be coming from somewhere. And its source must be because God lives in America.
Listen friends, such simple people sacrifice in America. People like ordinary people like you. There are no rich people here.
Many rich men in the world give their money for philanthropy and kind of scientific research and so on. Who are the people who give? For Jesus. Oh, I am so sad to tell you.
Some of them are such poor pensioners. I have preached to them in England. And I have seen people sacrificing.
And after all, where I labored in certain parts of England, when they invited me to come and pray and teach the people and the preachers to pray, they said, in this industrial heart of England, not even one person ever entered a church. The second biggest city in England, Birmingham. For a whole month, I had prayer meetings there.
And Englishmen would repent and return things. Tears of repentance. Immediately they would go put things right in their families.
How many of you went to a jeweler last Christmas? You said, Oh, come, let us adore him. He was born in a manger. He left all for me.
And you went with jeweler. Let me tell you. If there is one such woman or man here, please pack up and leave.
I do not want showmanship here. How sad. You know, I see people putting... I said to somebody recently, What? You pierce the ears of your baby? Crude, wicked mothers.
You send them anywhere in the world. Their wicked nature does not leave them. Their heathen hearts do not leave them.
I heard of a bridegroom. It seems he said, I am a very poor man. I am an engineer.
I would not have given him a degree. I do not know how he got it. He said to his mother-in-law to be, Oh, I am such a poor boy.
And the mother-in-law, At most,
Sermon Outline
- I. The Cost of Membership
- A. The modern way of operation: church growth and expensive equipment
- B. The biblical perspective: purchased without cost and without pride
- II. The Problem of Pride
- A. The danger of glorying in material possessions
- B. The importance of humility and sacrifice
- III. The Example of Sacrificial Giving
- A. Ordinary people sacrificing for Jesus
- B. The contrast with rich people who give for philanthropy and scientific research
Key Quotes
“You are purchased without cost and without pride. The precious blood of Jesus was paid for your salvation.” — Joshua Daniel
“If there is one such woman or man here, please pack up and leave. I do not want showmanship here.” — Joshua Daniel
“Their wicked nature does not leave them. Their heathen hearts do not leave them.” — Joshua Daniel
Application Points
- We should prioritize humility and sacrifice in our giving and living, rather than glorying in material possessions.
- Ordinary people can make a big impact for Jesus by sacrificing and giving sacrificially.
- We should be careful not to confuse giving for philanthropy with giving for Jesus, as they have different motivations and outcomes.