THE WISDOM OF THE WORD
February 28, 1999 PM
Sermon Outline
DO MORE THAN YOU HAVE TO!
Mt 5:38-42
INTRO: Somewhere in the past fifty years or so there has developed a concept of minimum standards. Perhaps minimum standards have developed to protect us from danger, sloppy workmanship and such. What has happened, though, is that many people relate only to the minimum standard. They do no more than is absolutely required. So, it is not unusual to find people satisfied and contented with less than the best from themselves. Scripture advises, Do more than you have to.
I. WHO ARE WE?
A. Christians - the bride of Christ
1. we wear His name - and say we believe it makes a difference that we are Christians
2. fact: what we do will invariably reflect on Him
B. We think of moral and spiritual correctness
1. and well we should - important
2. but what about an attitude which will only do what must be done? how does that reflect?
II. SOME TEXTS TO CONSIDER
A. Mt 5:38-42 Go the extra mile
1. even people unfamiliar with Bible use this saying
2. what does it mean? do more than is required
3. yes, the text had some specific points of concern with things going on politically and religiously
4. but the principle inherent in the text is do more than you have to
5. reason: thats the way kingdom citizens behave!
B. Eccl 9:10 Give it all youve got
1. with but limited time it does not make sense to do things in a mediocre way
2. a thing worth doing is worth doing well
3. and shouldnt that be the manner of a Christian?
4. how can we give less than the best and do only what we must and believe that wont reflect on the Lord?
5. is it not really cheating?
C. Col 3:22-24 Its service to the Lord
1. over time, this passage has become a motto which I use to remind myself of how to do everything
2. the spirit and manner of the things we do have eternal ramifications
3. yes, it is done in an earthly arena
4. but it is always reflecting into heavenly concerns
5. work to rules - minimum standards ... is that our relationship to the Lord? hardly
III. A VIVID ILLUSTRATION
A. 1 Chron 22:7-10 David desired to build the temple
1. as I read various accounts, it seemed to me this was a passionate desire
2. to honor God in this way was a hearts desire
3. but God forbade his doing so
4. now what? sit, and stew - be angry - do minimums?
B. 1 Chron 22:5, 14-19 He did all he could to prepare
1. no one would have blamed him for saying, Well, the temple is none of my business
2. but going the extra mile was Davids way
3. the rule of his life ... service rendered to God
4. indeed, that should, must be the rule of one who wears Christs name
CLOSE: I have found that it is often in the extra mile that the greatest pleasure is found. Another reminder is this: Mt 5:43-48. Christians go the extra mile because it is the manner of Christ, of God!
Cecil A. Hutson
28 February 1999