THE LIVING WORD TRANSCRIPT<br> <br>

PROGRAM AIR DATE – 8-30-15

<br> <br>

LESSON TITLE:  “NEGLECT!”<br> <br>



WELCOME<br> <br>

      HOW WONDERFUL IT IS TO KNOW GOD AND TO HAVE THE HEALTH, STRENGTH, AND WILL-POWER TO GIVE THIS TIME TO HIM ON THIS LORD’S DAY MORNING.  THANK YOU FOR PUTTING GOD FIRST TODAY AND CHOOSING TO COMMIT THIS TIME OF OFFERING TO HIS SERVICE.   <br> <br>

      TODAY, WE WILL AGAIN BE UPLIFTED THROUGH OUR COMMITMENT TO SERVING GOD AS COMMANDED, AS WE APPROACH HIS ALMIGHTY THRONE.  HOW ENJOYABLE IT WILL BE TO WORSHIP OUR GOD THROUGH PRAYER, SONG AND THE STUDY OF HIS MATCHLESS WORD.  WON’T YOU DO YOUR PART THIS MORNING TO SEE THAT OUR WORSHIP TOGETHER IS ACCEPTABLE SO THAT OUR GLORIOUS CREATOR MAY BE GLORIFIED? NOW, AS WE BEGIN OUR OFFERING TO GOD, WILL YOU BOW WITH ME IN PRAYER! <br> <br>

      PRAYER:  OUR GOD AND FATHER IN HEAVEN, WE THANK YOU. FOR YOU ARE A GREAT, AND MIGHTY, AND WONDROUS GOD. AND FATHER, WE KNOW THAT ALL GOOD THINGS COME FROM YOU.  NOT ONLY PHYSICAL IN THIS LIFE BUT ALSO THAT WE HAVE ALL SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS THROUGH YOUR GREAT GIFTS. AND FATHER, WE ASK THIS DAY THAT YOU WILL HELP US TO DO OUR VERY BEST TO IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH WORSHIP AND PRAISE YOUR HOLY NAME. BUT FATHER, HELP US TO EVERYDAY LIVE IN SUCH A WAY THAT WE GIVE YOU GLORY AND HONOR. AND FATHER, PLEASE BLESS US EACH AND EVERY DAY OF LIFE, BUT ULTIMATELY GIVE US THAT GREATEST PROMISE OF HEAVEN SOMEDAY WHEN WE HAVE BEEN FOUND FAITHFUL IN THE END. THAT THROUGH YOUR GRACE, LOVE, AND MERCY WE MIGHT HAVE WHAT YOU HAVE PROMISED TO THOSE WHO TRULY LOVE YOU. THESE THINGS WE PRAY THROUGH JESUS NAME, AMEN. <br> <br>

  	WELL, IT’S TIME TO JOIN IN OUR SONGS OF PRAISE.  THE FIRST SONG OF THE MORNING FOCUSES OUR MINDS ON THE WONDROUS GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST.  THE FACT IS THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST IS FOR ALL OF MANKIND.  WONT YOU JOIN IN WITH THE CONGREGATION AT THIS TIME AS WE SING TOGETHER, “THE GOSPEL IS FOR ALL.”

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS<br> <br>

      THINK FOR A MOMENT ABOUT ALL THE SONGS WE SING ABOUT JESUS.  HOW WONDERFUL IT IS TO PRAISE GOD BY FOCUSING ON HIS SON, WHO WAS WILLING TO GIVE HIS VERY LIFE FOR YOU AND FOR ME.  FURTHERMORE, HOW IMPORTANT IT IS THAT WE UNDERSTAND JUST WHO HE IS AND WHY HE IS WORTHY TO BE FOLLOWED!  I LOVE THE FAMILIAR VERSE WHICH IS FOUND IN JOHN 3:16.  WE ALL KNOW THE TRUTH WHICH JESUS HIMSELF PROCLAIMED THERE, IT READS, “FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.”  PRAISE GOD!  IT IS THROUGH THIS JESUS THAT WE HAVE THE VERY OPPORTUNITY FOR ETERNAL LIFE! <br> <br> 

      BUT LOOK AROUND THE RELIGIOUS WORLD TODAY.  MANY REJECT JESUS AS THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON AND OTHERS GO EVEN FURTHER, REJECTING THE FACT THAT HE WAS A FAITHFUL FOLLOWER OF GOD AT ALL.  HOW SAD, TO REALIZE THAT THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND RELIGIONS WHICH REJECT NOT ONLY JESUS, BUT AS WELL THEY REJECT HIS TRUE SIGNIFICANCE AND THAT HE BEARS ANY IMPORTANCE AT ALL.  WITH THIS IS MIND, WE MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER WHAT THE INSPIRED WRITER LUKE RECORDS PETER AS SAYING IN ACTS 4:10-12, THERE WE READ, “LET IT BE KNOWN TO YOU ALL, AND TO ALL THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, THAT BY THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH, WHOM YOU CRUCIFIED, WHOM GOD RAISED FROM THE DEAD, BY HIM THIS MAN STANDS HERE BEFORE YOU WHOLE.  THIS IS THE 'STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED BY YOU BUILDERS, WHICH HAS BECOME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE.’ NOR IS THERE SALVATION IN ANY OTHER, FOR THERE IS NO OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN AMONG MEN BY WHICH WE MUST BE SAVED.”  HERE WE LEARN JUST HOW IMPORTANT JESUS NAME IS IN OUR DAY.  PETER GOES SO FAR AS TO CONFIRM THAT “SALVATION” IS ONLY FOUND IN AND THROUGH JESUS PRECIOUS NAME!  IF YOU, I, OR ANYONE ELSE HAS A DESIRE TO BE SAVED AND TO HAVE ETERNAL LIFE THERE IS ONLY ONE “WAY” TO FIND IT.  AGAIN, SALVATION IS ONLY FOUND IN THE PERFECT, PRECIOUS AND HOLY NAME OF JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD! <br> <br>

      TODAY WE WILL BE CONTINUE OUR IMPORTANT SERIES ENTITLED, “BUT THEY ALL BEGAN TO MAKE EXCUSES.”  OUR SPECIFIC LESSON OF THE DAY IS, “NEGLECT.”  SO PLEASE STAY WITH US AND AFTER OUR NEXT SONG TOGETHER, I WILL BE LEADING US IN THE MAIN THOUGHTS OF THE DAY.   BUT FOR NOW LET’S JOIN TOGETHER IN OUR SECOND SONG OF THE MORNING.  THE NAME OF THIS HYMN, “THE GREAT PHYSICIAN.”

<br> <br>

LESSON<br> <br>

BY RAY SULLINS<br> <br>

      “THEREFORE, TO HIM WHO KNOWS TO DO GOOD AND DOES NOT DO IT, TO HIM IT IS SIN.” THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT JAMES DEALS WITH IN JAMES CHAPTER 4 IN VERSE 17. AND IT FITS WELL WITHIN OUR DISCUSSION OVER THE PAST MANY WAYS CONCERNING THE FACT THAT SOMETIMES WE'RE SO WILLING TO MAKE EXCUSES RATHER THAN SIMPLY DO WHAT OUR GOD COMMANDS. WE ALL GET CAUGHT UP IN MAKING EXCUSES BECAUSE WE REALLY DON'T BELIEVE ENOUGH OR THAT WE'RE NOT WILLING TO SHOW OUR BELIEF BY OBEYING THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD. SOMETIMES WE GET CAUGHT UP BY MAKING EXCUSES BECAUSE WE'RE APATHETIC AND WE HAVE AN ATTITUDE THAT REALLY IS NO CARE. SOMETIMES WE GET CAUGHT UP IN MAKING EXCUSES BECAUSE WE ARE LAZY AND WE ARE FRANKLY JUST NOT WILLING TO GET OFF THE COUCH AND DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO OR WHAT GOD REQUIRES - TO FOLLOW HIS COMMANDMENTS. <br> <br>

      BUT TODAY WE WANT TO CONTINUE THAT DISCUSSION BY ADDING TO THOSE THREE IDEAS AND SAYING YOU KNOW, THERE ARE THOSE WHO KNOW TO DO RIGHT, WHO KNOW TO DO GOOD, WHO KNOW WHAT GOD REQUIRES BUT YET THEY DON'T DO IT. DO WE UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN WE KNOW WHAT WE SHOULD DO AND WE DON'T DO IT...IT'S SIN? DO WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE WORD THAT REALLY DESCRIBES THAT PROBLEM TODAY THAT WE WILL DISCUSS IS NEGLECT? AND THAT SOMETIMES, ALTHOUGH WE KNOW WHAT WE SHOULD DO, WE DON'T DO IT? AND THEREFORE WE COMMIT SIN IN THE EYES OF GOD. <br> <br>

      OVER IN THE BOOK OF HEBREWS AND CHAPTER 2:3, THERE'S A POWERFUL STATEMENT MADE HERE BY THE HEBREW WRITER THAT ASKS THIS QUESTION, “HOW SHALL WE ESCAPE IF WE NEGLECT SO GREAT A SALVATION,” IF WE WHAT? IF WE NEGLECT....IF WE NEGLECT THE SALVATION THAT IS OFFERED! IF WE NEGLECT THE WILL OF GOD, IF WE NEGLECT AS HE GOES ON TO SAY THOSE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN SPOKEN BY THE LORD. IF WE CHOOSE TO NEGLECT WHAT WE KNOW, ARE WE NOT IN SIN? IF WE READ THE WORD OF GOD AND WE FIND OUT WHAT GOD WANTS BUT YET WE NEGLECT THAT, IS THAT NOT SIN? LET'S MAKE THAT APPLICATION. IF WE KNOW THAT THE BIBLE SAYS THAT WE ARE TO DO GOOD TO OTHERS, THAT WE ARE TO TREAT OTHERS AS WE WOULD WANT TO BE TREATED - BUT YET, WE KNOW THE BIBLE SAYS THAT AND WE DON'T DO GOOD TO OTHERS...WE DON'T TREAT OTHERS IN A GOOD WAY OR KIND WAY - IS THAT SIN? CERTAINLY IT IS. WE HAVE NEGLECTED THE SALVATION, THE PRINCIPLES, THE THINGS LAID OUT BY GOD - TO KNOW NOT ONLY WHAT HE WOULD HAVE US TO DO - BUT TO LOVE HIM ENOUGH TO OBEY THOSE COMMANDMENTS. <br> <br>

      NEGLECT - THE SIN OF NEGLECT. AND YOU KNOW UNFORTUNATELY THE SIN OF NEGLECT IS SEEN THROUGHOUT THE BIBLE; THOSE WHO KNEW THE WILL OF GOD AND YET NEGLECTED THE WILL OF GOD. SOMETIMES THAT CAME IN THE OUTRIGHT FORM OF NOT DOING WHAT GOD SAID. IN OTHER WORDS, THEY MIGHT'VE BEEN COMMANDED TO WORSHIP AND YET THEY DIDN'T WORSHIP AT ALL. THEY WEREN'T WILLING TO EVEN GO THROUGH THE MOTIONS. THAT NEGLECT MIGHT SOMETIMES COME IN THE FACT THAT, YOU KNOW WELL - NAHAB AND ABIHU. WE NEED FIRE AND THE FIRE'S GONE OUT AND SO WE NEED TO COME UP WITH IT. AND THEY USED STRANGE FIRE, THEY HADN'T DONE WHAT GOD SAID AND SO THEY'RE GONNA KINDA MANIPULATE IT TO FIT THEIR OWN NEEDS, THEIR OWN TIME, THEIR OWN LAZINESS LIKE WE TALKED ABOUT LAST WEEK. AND THEN THEY HAD AND USED A STRANGE FIRE WHICH WAS UNACCEPTABLE TO GOD. YOU SEE THEIR NEGLECT? SO NEGLECT ISN'T ONLY JUST NOT DOING WHAT GOD SAYS BUT MAYBE NEGLECTING CERTAIN PARTS WE DON'T LIKE OR PICKING AND CHOOSING WHAT SEEMS GOOD TO US. <br> <br>

      LET'S SEE A FEW EXAMPLES THAT EVEN WE FIND THROUGHOUT THE NEW TESTAMENT, SPECIFICALLY BEGINNING THERE IN THE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS. LOOK WITH ME FIRST OF ALL TO THE STORY THAT IS FOUND THERE OF THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS IN LUKE 16. AND YOU REMEMBER WITH ME THERE WHERE WE FIND THAT THE RICH MAN HAD FARED SUMPTUOUSLY OR HAD GREAT WEALTH ON THIS EARTH. AND LAZARUS WAS A POOR BEGGAR WHO HAD NOTHING BUT MAYBE THE CRUMBS AND WOULD HAVE DESIRED THE CRUMBS FROM THE RICH MAN'S TABLE. BUT DO YOU REMEMBER THERE WHAT IT WAS, AS WE LOOK TO THE RICH MAN, THAT IT SAYS THAT HE WAS NOT WILLING TO DO WHAT? IT SAYS HE WASN’T WILLING TO EVEN HELP THE POOR OR EVEN CARE FOR THEM. HE NEGLECTED ONE OF THE SIMPLEST COMMANDMENTS OF GOD; BENEVOLENCE. HE NEGLECTED IT AND YET HE HAD PLENTY TO HELP OTHERS WITH. HE COULD HAVE GIVEN LAZARUS A MEAL EVERY DAY AND HE NEVER WOULD HAVE MISSED IT BECAUSE HE WAS SO WEALTHY. YOU SEE THE SIN OF NEGLECT. NOT THAT HE DIDN'T HAVE THE ABILITY, IT'S THAT HE WAS UNWILLING.  HE WAS SO GREEDY OR SO SELFISH THAT HE WAS NOT WILLING TO EVEN FOLLOW ANY OF THE COMMANDS OF GOD, NOT EVEN JUST A LITTLE BIT. HE DIDN'T EVEN WANT HIM TO HAVE THOSE CRUMBS OFF THE TABLE. DIDN'T EVEN WANT THAT! HE WAS SELFISH EVEN WITH THAT, THAT THE DOGS WOULD HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR. WELL, YOU SEE AGAIN THE IDEA IS CLEAR - THAT THEY NEGLECTED WHAT WAS RIGHT, IN AND ACCORDING TO THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD. <br> <br>

      OVER IN THE BOOK OF MATTHEW IN CHAPTER 19 THERE IS A STORY OF WHAT WE OFTEN CALL THE RICH YOUNG RULER, AND YOU MIGHT NOTICE WITH ME AS JESUS TALKS WITH THE RICH YOUNG RULER THE DISCUSSION IS CLEAR AS THE RICH YOUNG RULER KIND OF CONFIRMS THE FACT THAT HE HAD DONE ALL THESE THINGS FROM MY YOUTH - AND I'VE BEEN COMMITTED AND I'VE BEEN FOCUSED AND I HAVE LIVED IN SUCH A WAY AS TO KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD. IN FACT, LOOK WHAT VERSE 20 SAYS IN MATTHEW 19, “THE YOUNG MAN SAID TO HIM,” AFTER JESUS HAD MENTIONED THE LIST OF EVEN SOME OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS AND THOSE THINGS REQUIRED LIKE  THOU SHALL NOT MURDER, THOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, THOU SHALL NOT STEAL, THOU SHALL NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS.  NOTICE WHAT IT IS THE YOUNG MAN SAID TO HIM, “ALL THESE THINGS I'VE KEPT FROM MY YOUTH. WHAT DO I STILL LACK?” YOU SEE, HE FELT LIKE WELL - I'VE DONE EVERYTHING THAT GOD HAS ASKED OF ME. I'VE GONE THROUGH THE MOTIONS. I'VE ACCOMPLISHED THOSE TASKS. <br> <br>

      BUT NOTICE WHAT JESUS SAYS TO HIM IN VERSE 21. HE SAYS, “IF YOU WANT TO BE PERFECT, GO, SELL WHAT YOU HAVE AND GIVE TO THE POOR, AND YOU WILL HAVE TREASURE IN HEAVEN; AND COME, FOLLOW ME.” YOU KNOW WHAT THIS YOUNG MAN HAD DONE? WHAT THIS YOUNG WEALTHY MAN HAD DONE? NOTHING IN RELATIONSHIP TO BENEVOLENCE. HE WAS NOT WILLING TO HELP OTHERS AND IN FACT, THE SADDEST PART OF THIS STORY LIKE THAT OF THE RULER WE TALKED ABOUT EARLY OR THE WEALTHY MAN - THE RICH MAN, THE SADDEST PART OF THIS STORY IS NOT THAT HE HAD DONE WRONG BUT THAT HE CHOSE TO CONTINUE DOING WRONG. JESUS SAID: HERE'S WHAT YOU LACK. GO AND SELL WHAT YOU HAVE AND GIVE IT TO THE POOR. HE COULD'VE DONE THAT AND THEN BEEN RIGHT IN THE EYES OF GOD. BUT WHAT DOES HE DO? WELL, VERSE 22 SAYS, “HE WENT AWAY SORROWFUL.” HE WENT AWAY SAD BECAUSE HE WAS NOT WILLING. HE WAS WILLING MORE TO NEGLECT A COMMANDMENT OF JESUS, A COMMANDMENT OF GOD. <br> <br>

      YOU KNOW, SOME PEOPLE MISUNDERSTAND. BENEVOLENCE WAS A CLEAR REQUIREMENT OF THE OLD LAW. SURE THE TEN COMMANDMENTS WERE REQUIRED BUT TO HELP YOUR FELLOW MAN, TO HELP YOUR NEIGHBOR, TO DO GOOD TO THOSE AROUND YOU WAS EQUALLY REQUIRED AS A PART OF THE COMMANDMENTS TOWARD OUR FELLOW MAN WITHIN THOSE TEN COMMANDMENTS THAT ARE LATER AFFIRMED THROUGHOUT THE PENTATEUCH. THIS YOUNG MAN KNEW THAT BENEVOLENCE WAS REQUIRED. THIS YOUNG MAN KNEW THAT HE NEEDED TO DO MORE BUT HE WAS NOT WILLING TO DO MORE. AND SO WHAT DID HE DO? WELL, HE SAYS HERE'S THE THINGS I WANT TO DO THAT GOD SAYS AND MAYBE IF I DO ENOUGH OF THESE THINGS THAT I LIKE AND I WANT TO DO IT'LL COVER UP THE THINGS I'M NOT GONNA DO - THAT I'M GONNA NEGLECT BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO DO THOSE THINGS. OR GOD'S ASKING ME TO DO SOMETHING THAT IS REALLY NOT ACCORDING TO WHAT I FEEL OR DESIRE. <br> <br>

      YOU SEE BRETHREN, THAT'S THE PROBLEM. DO YOU SEE FRIENDS THAT WHEN WE CHOOSE TO NEGLECT ANY OF GOD'S COMMANDMENTS, ANY OF THOSE REQUIREMENTS OF GOD, OR WHEN WE CHOOSE TO MAYBE SOMEHOW COVER-UP WHAT WE'RE LACKING IN BY JUST DOING MORE OF WHAT WE WANT TO DO, WHAT KIND OF ATTITUDE IS THAT? WHAT KIND OF SPIRIT? WHAT KIND OF GODLINESS? IS THAT WHAT CHRIST WANTS? DOES GOD NEED TO BE MANIPULATED BY US? ARE WE ABLE TO MANIPULATE GOD SUCCESSFULLY? AND SAY BUT GOD, LOOK AT ALL....THAT REMINDS ME OF WHAT WAS SAID IN MATTHEW 7. DO YOU REMEMBER THOSE WHO WERE SAYING, “LORD, LORD,” WHO IN THAT DAY MIGHT SAY BUT LORD - WE CAST OUT DEMONS IN YOUR NAME AND WE DID MANY WONDROUS WORKS. AND WHAT DOES IT SAY JESUS WILL SAY TO THEM? DEPART FROM ME YOU WHO WORK INIQUITY OR LAWLESSNESS. I NEVER KNEW YOU. WHY? WHY? IF YOU LOOK IN THAT TEXT IT SAYS THEY DID NOT DO THE WILL OF THE FATHER. WERE THEY DOING SOME? YES. WE WERE CASTING OUT DEMONS. WE WERE DOING...THEY WERE DOING SOME GOOD DEEDS IN THE NAME OF GOD. BUT WHAT WAS THEIR PROBLEM? THE SIN OF NEGLECT. THEY CHOSE, THEY CHOSE IN THEIR MINDS AND HEARTS TO NEGLECT THE THINGS THAT DID NOT FIT INTO THEIR DESIRES AND WANTS. AND THEREFORE, BY PICKING AND CHOOSING, THEY MISSED THE MARK. <br> <br>

      ISN'T THAT WHAT ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA DIS AS WELL IN ACTS CHAPTER 5 AFTER THE CHURCH WAS ESTABLISHED? DO YOU REMEMBER THE STORY THERE HOW THAT ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA HAD A PIECE OF GROUND THAT PETER ACTUALLY TELLS THEM WAS IT NOT YOURS? DID YOU NOT HAVE CONTROL OF IT? AND THEY COULD'VE SOLD AND SAID WELL, WE'RE GIVING HALF OF THE PROCEEDS TO THE CHURCH TO HELP WITH THE NEED. BUT WHAT THEY DID IS THEY BROUGHT IT AND THEY WERE LYING THAT THEY ONLY RECEIVED THIS AMOUNT WHEN REALLY THEY HAD RECEIVED MUCH MORE AND THEY WERE KEEPING SOME BACK. WELL, YOU SEE THEY WERE WANTING TO FOLLOW THE COMMANDS BUT THEY WANTED TO FOLLOW THE COMMAND BASED ON WHAT FIT INTO THEIR DESIRES AND THEIR SCHEDULE AND ACCORDING TO THEIR BENEFIT. THEY WANTED TO MANIPULATE THAT A LITTLE BIT AND THEREFORE THEY NEGLECTED TO BE HONEST AND TRUTHFUL AND FORTHRIGHT. AND THEY EVEN, WHEN QUESTIONED, COULD'VE SAID YES - YOU'RE RIGHT. WE ACTUALLY RECEIVED THIS AMOUNT, A THOUSAND INSTEAD OF THE 800 THAT WE ARE GIVING TO YOU. THEY COULD'VE STRAIGHTENED THAT OUT, THEY COULD'VE CORRECTED IT. BUT WHAT THEY DID IS THEY NEGLECTED TO BE WHAT GOD WANTS THEM TO BE! THEY NEGLECTED IT BY REJECTING THE COMMAND AS A WHOLE, THE REQUIREMENT AS A WHOLE, AND DOING WHAT IT WAS THAT GOD WOULD REQUIRE THEN.<br> <br>  

      WHEN YOU THINK NOW OF TODAY ARE THERE THOSE IN THE RELIGIOUS WORLD WITHIN THE LORD'S CHURCH WHO NEGLECT THINGS THAT THEY SHOULD BE DOING IN A CERTAIN WAY? CERTAINLY THERE IS. WHAT ABOUT IN THE REALM OF WORSHIP? ARE THERE THOSE WHO NEGLECT CERTAIN THINGS IN WORSHIP? CERTAINLY THERE ARE. WE KNOW THAT THEY'RE CLEARLY GIVEN TO US BY COMMAND AND EXAMPLE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT - FIVE SPECIFIC ACTS THAT WERE PRACTICED BY THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH. THOSE INCLUDED SINGING, PRAYING, PREACHING, AS WELL AS GIVING AND THEN PARTAKING OF THE LORD'S SUPPER. EACH AND EVERY FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK THESE THINGS WERE DONE. AND THE SAME PRECEDENTS THAT CHALLENGE US TO SING AND PREACH AND TO GIVE ARE THE SAME THINGS THAT SHOW THAT THEY PARTOOK OF THE LORD'S SUPPER ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK. <br> <br>

      BUT WHAT DO PEOPLE DO TODAY? THEY NEGLECT ONE. THEY SAY WELL, YOU KNOW WE ONLY HAVE TO TAKE THE LORD'S SUPPER EVERY FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK. NO, THEY SAY WELL, ONCE A MONTH - ONCE A YEAR. WELL, THE BIBLE USES THE SAME TEACHING CONCERNING GIVING ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK - LAY BY HIM IN STORE - 1 CORINTHIANS 16. YOU KNOW WHAT I'VE ALWAYS FOUND INTERESTING ABOUT SO MANY DENOMINATIONS THAT DO NOT PARTAKE OF THE LORD'S SUPPER EVERY FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK AS COMMANDED IN ACTS 20:7 BY EXAMPLE? IS THAT THEY WILL TAKE A COLLECTION EVERY FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK, WON'T THEY? AND THEY'RE GONNA USE THE SAME CONCEPTS AND PRESENCE....OH, BUT PAUL COMMANDED THAT ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK THEY NEED TO GIVE EVERY FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK. SO YOU ALL KEEP GIVING BECAUSE WE'VE GOT THINGS TO BUY AND TO DO AROUND HERE. BUT BOY, WHEN IT COMES TO THE LORD'S SUPPER AND SPIRITUAL THINGS WHICH ARE AFFIRMED BY THE SAME TYPE OF BIBLICAL COMMAND OF EXAMPLE, THEY DO NOT DO THOSE THINGS ON A WEEKLY BASIS. DOES THE CONGREGATION THAT YOU'RE A PART OF NEGLECT PARTAKING THE LORD'S SUPPER EACH AND EVERY FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK? YOU MIGHT NEED TO ASK YOURSELF THAT QUESTION, YOU MIGHT NEED TO LOOK INTO THE PAGES OF GOD'S WORD AND FIND OUT WHAT IS GIVEN THERE IN HIS WILL. <br> <br>

      WHAT ABOUT CHURCHES THAT NEGLECT THEIR DUTY TO BE STRONG IN THE LORD THAT REALLY NEED TO BE NOT ONLY SPIRITUALLY STRONG BUT GROWING AND CORRECTING MAYBE AN ERROR THAT THEY HAVE TAUGHT? DO WE ALWAYS MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE LIKE THE BEREANS - SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURE DAILY? WHAT ABOUT CONGREGATIONS THAT NEGLECT TO HELP WITH THE NEEDS OF THOSE IN THE CONGREGATION AS WELL AS THE NEEDS OF THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY? IS THERE A BENEVOLENCE PROGRAM TO WHERE YOU HELP WITH FOOD AND THE NECESSITIES, MAYBE CLOTHING THAT INDIVIDUALS MIGHT NEED IN YOUR COMMUNITY? YOU SEE, THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS AS A CONGREGATION OR THE CHURCH ITSELF THAT WE CAN NEGLECT IF WE DON'T FOLLOW THE COMMANDS AND PRECEDENTS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT.<br> <br>

       BUT AS AN INDIVIDUAL WE HAVE THAT SAME PROBLEM. WE CAN AGAIN IN OUR ATTENDENCE GET VERY LAZY, AND BE NEGLECTFUL IN GIVING GOD THE VERY BEST, OR WE MIGHT SAY IN PUTTING GOD FIRST. WE CAN BE NEGLECTFUL IN MAYBE HAVING THAT CHRISTIAN SPIRIT OR IN TRYING TO TEACH OTHERS ABOUT CHRIST. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU HAD A BIBLE STUDY WITH SOMEONE? WHEN THE LAST TIME YOU TOLD SOMEBODY ABOUT JESUS? WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU INVITED SOMEBODY TO GO TO CHURCH WITH YOU? ARE YOU NEGLECTING THE EVANGELISTIC NEED THAT YOU HAVE TO BE THE TYPE OF CHRISTIAN THAT GOD WANTS YOU TO BE? <br> <br>

      YOU SEE, THIS SIN OF NEGLECT CAN GO INTO SO MANY AREAS. IT'S REALLY AMAZING TO SEE THAT THE BIBLE IS CLEAR IN THE FACT THAT IT EXPECTS US TO BE THOSE WHO DO NOT NEGLECT THE TEACHINGS OF GOD. BUT RATHER THOSE WHO STUDY AND ARE DILIGENT TO KNOW THAT WORD AND TO DO WHAT? TO COMMIT IT TO OUR HEARTS. AND THEN TO LOVE GOD ENOUGH TO DO WHAT HE HAS ASKED. NOT AGAIN THE WAY THAT WE WANT OR THE WAY THAT WE FEEL OR DESIRE. NOT IN THE WAY THAT FEELS GOOD TO ME OR THE WAY THAT OUR GROUP OR THE RELIGION THAT I'M A PART OF WANTS OR FEELS GOOD TO THEM OR THAT FITS INTO THEIR MOLD. BUT WHAT GOD COMMANDS, WHAT GOD SAYS. <br> <br>

      WE CANNOT NEGLECT GOD, FOR IT IS ALONE IN GOD THAT WE HAVE THE PATH, THAT WE HAVE THE PATTERN, THAT WE HAVE THE BLUEPRINT, THAT WE HAVE THE MEASURING ROD - THE SCRIPTURE ITSELF THAT TEACHES US WHAT GOD REQUIRES. WHY NOT JUST DO IT? WHO WOULD EVER WANT TO FIND THEMSELVES LIKE THAT RICH MAN OR THAT RICH YOUNG RULER WHO WERE SO CAUGHT UP IN THEMSELVES AND THEIR OWN DESIRES THAT THEY WERE WILLING TO ONLY PICK AND CHOOSE WHAT THEY WOULD DO FOR GOD. AND YET THEY STILL NEGLECTED SIMPLE COMMANDMENTS THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF. AGAIN, AS YOU AND I FEAR, SO MANY ARE GUILTY OF THIS EVERYDAY.<br> <br>

       SO WHY NOT MAKE THE COMMITMENT, EVEN THIS MORNING, THAT YOU'LL NO LONGER NEGLECT THE THINGS OF GOD. BUT THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE MORE DILIGENT, YOU'RE GOING TO BE MORE COMMITTEE, YOU'RE GOING TO STUDY MORE, YOU'RE GOING TO GIVE MORE TIME, YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE MORE EFFORT, YOU'RE GOING TO PUT GOD FIRST IN THOSE PRIORITIES, AND YOU'RE GOING TO SHOW HIM THE LOVE THAT HE DESERVES BECAUSE HE IS OUR SAVIOR AND HE DID DIE FOR US. AND YOU'RE DO THAT BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO BEGIN TO APPLY ALL OF THOSE THINGS THAT YOU ARE LEARNING AND GROWING IN / IN YOUR DAILY LIFE. AND WHEN YOU FIND THINGS THAT YOU HAVE NEGLECTED YOU'RE GOING TO CORRECT THOSE THINGS. AND YOU'RE GONNA TRY NOT TO NEGLECT ANY LONGER THOSE THINGS THAT ARE NOT ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD. AND THEN YOU'RE GOING TO BE SEEN AS FAITHFUL - YOU'RE GOING TO BE SEEN AS SOMEONE WHO IS COMMITT TO GOD, WHO LOVES GOD, WHO IS OBEDIENT TO GOD. NOT ONLY FOR YOURSELF, NOT ONLY FOR GOD, BUT FOR THOSE WHO SEE YOUR FAITH. NO LONGER EXCUSES; LIKE NEGLECT AS TO WHY YOU'RE NOT GOING TO DO SOMETHING OR WHY YOU WON'T DO SOMETHING BUT LIVING A LIFE OF FAITHFULNESS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE THE REWARD, THAT OTHERS MIGHT KNOW CHRIST AND BE FAITHFUL AS WELL, AND THAT IN THE END WE MIGHT ALL RECEIVE THAT WONDROUS PROMISE OF GOD, A MANSION IN HEAVEN.<br> <br>



CLOSING COMMENTS<br> <br>

      WHAT A BLESSING IT HAS BEEN TO JOIN TOGETHER IN THE THINGS OF GOD THIS MORNING.  THANK YOU FOR DOING YOUR PART IN MAKING ALL THESE THINGS TO BE ACCORDING TO HIS WILL.  AS ALWAYS, WE INVITE YOU BACK EVERY LORD’S DAY MORNING AT 7:30, AS WE COMMIT OURSELVES TO THIS OFFERING FOR GOD! <br> <br> 

      BUT FOR NOW, LET ME ASK IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ABOUT TODAY’S LESSON?  MAYBE, YOU WOULD LIKE A FREE TRANSCRIPT OR A CASSETTE TAPE OF THIS PROGRAM?  POSSIBLY, WE COULD ASSIST YOU WITH FREE BIBLE MATERIALS OR CORRESPONDENCE COURSES?  NO MATTER WHAT YOUR NEED IS, PLEASE CONTACT US AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS:  <br> <br>

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      MAY WE NEVER BE GUILTY OF NEGLECTING TO DO GOD’S WILL OR TO ACCOMPLISH THOSE THINGS WHICH HE HAS COMMANDED THROUGH HIS WORD.  CERTAINLY GOD IS WORTH OUR VERY BEST, THEREFORE MAY WE GIVE HIM WHAT HE DESERVES!<br> <br>