I HAVE GOOD INTENTIONS
January 5, 2003 AM
Sermon Outline
Lk 14:28-33
INTRO: I like to think that most Christian people are people of integrity and good will. The little text I read poses some interesting thoughts and suggests some needed and practical lessons. For example, we assume the integrity of the characters suggested there. And we also could infer that the tower builder and king had very good intentions. But one of the great lessons here is that integrity, good will, good intentions are not enough to get towers built and battles won! Lets talk about good intentions.
I. GOOD INTENTIONS AREA GOOD BEGINNING PLACE
A. Things usually do not just happen!
1. the international space station is not a happening
2. Solomons temple was not a happening
3. before there were either, there were good intentions
B. Consider ...
1. Dan 1:8 - great results began with great intentions
2. 2 Cor 9:7 - does our giving become great giving because of good intentions? or is our giving a happening?
3. Ps 17:3 - how does one keep his mouth from words which would be transgression? good intentions!
C. What good intentions are in your heart?
1. to share the gospel with others?
2. to spend more time in study of the word?
3. to miss no classes, assemblies?
II. GOOD INTENTIONS MUST BE ACTED ON
A. Here is difference between failing and accomplishing
1. so many good intentions have languished as intentions
2. the classic new years resolution problem
3. but taking action on good intentions is demanding - there is always a price to pay from intention to action
B. Note: Isa 46:11
1. 2 Cor 8:10-12 perform the doing of it
2. have you intended to be baptized into Christ?
3. have you intended to be more other oriented?
III. GOOD INTENTIONS DO NOT JUSTIFY WRONG BEHAVIOR
A. The end does not justify the means ...
1. if the means to the end, are evil, sinful, harmful (think of Satans temptations of Jesus)
2. building the tower (a good thing) would become a tragic intention if the money to build was stolen!
3. from intention to accomplishment must be compatible with righteousness, holiness
B. A case study? 1 Chron 13:1-3,7,9-12 ...15:12-15
1. there is no doubt of good intentions, noble
2. but things were being done in violation of Gods clear specifications ... noble intentions could not make wrong into right ... a hard lesson, but a necessary one
3. Mt 7:21-23 I do not doubt the sincerity and good intentions at v.22 ... but something in the process was in violation!
IV. GOOD INTENTIONS CAN BRING UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES
A. This is also a hard lesson to learn ...
1. Have you ever done something with best of intentions and been rebuffed, rejected, burned?
2. ill: John & Vi Foster ...
3. we are not always able to control outcomes!
B. So, Ex 2:11-14
1. I know Moses intentions were good - but resulted in his flight into Midian!
2. do we stop acting on good intentions? no, we cannot
3. we must act in kindness, in love, in holiness, in consistency with truth ... but we must continue to have and to act upon good intentions!
CLOSE: Do you have good intentions on which you need to take action today?
Cecil A. Hutson
05 January 2003