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www.more-free-online-sermons.comB. The positive statement involves looking to encourage others (2:3b, 4b)Look at the end of verse 3, “But in lowliness of mind let each esteem others betterthan himself.”Look at the end of verse 4, “Let each of you look out for the interest of others.”How do we encourage others?It involves humility.It involves esteeming others.It involves looking out for the interests of others.In many ways, these three practices are foreign to the human mind.The old adage, “It is hard to be humble when you are perfect in every way.”It is hard to esteem others because they may get the credit instead of us.It is hard to look out for the interest of others when there is so much happening in mylife.And yet, it is possible to be humble. It is possible to esteem others. It is possible tolook out for the interest of others. Jesus makes it possible.May God give us a desire to know Jesus so that we can look beyond ourselves, so thatwe can look to encourage others!God‟s love makes it possible.The fellowship of the Holy Spirit makes it possible.Compassion and mercy makes it possible. Copyright 2010 by Reverend D. Blackburn BA GDM13

www.more-free-online-sermons.com“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for the brethren to dwell together in unity”(Psalm 133:1).We can dwell together in harmony by having a unity of focus, a unity of thought and aunity of purpose.Others, Lord, yes, others.Let this my motto be;Help me to live for others,That I might live like Thee!It all begins with Jesus. Jesus makes the difference.Will you allow Jesus to make a difference in your life? Copyright 2010 by Reverend D. Blackburn BA GDM14

www.more-free-online-sermons.comSharing Christ with Great Enthusiasm(Romans 1:1-7)While D.L. Moody was attending a convention in Indianapolis on mass evangelism, heasked his song leader Ira Sankey to meet him at 6 o‟clock one evening at a certainstreet corner.When Sankey arrived, Mr. Moody asked him to stand on a box and sing.Once a crowd had gathered, Moody spoke briefly and then invited the people tofollow him to the nearby convention hall.Soon the auditorium was filled with spiritually hungry people and the great evangelistpreached the gospel to them.Then the convention delegates began to arrive.Moody stopped preaching and said, “Now we must close, as the brethren of theconvention wish to come and discuss the topic, „How to reach the masses?‟”Moody graphically illustrated the difference between talking about doing somethingand going out and doing it.When I read this, I thought, yes, we do talk a great deal about sharing Christ, but dowe actually share Christ with great enthusiasm.D. L. Moody was a person who shared Christ with great enthusiasm.Furthermore, the apostles were men who shared Christ with great enthusiasm.In many ways, times have not changed. Copyright 2010 by Reverend D. Blackburn BA GDM15

www.more-free-online-sermons.comWe still talk much about sharing Christ with the lost, but are we actually doing it as achurch and as individuals?Of course, I realize, as you realize, it is never easy sharing Christ.In fact, statistics tell us that this is one area in which we all struggle.Nevertheless, the Bible still encourages us to go into all the world and preach thegospel to every creature.In that sense, we need all the encouragement we can get so that we will share Christin our part of the world.This passage that we are going to look at this morning, I believe, will encourage us toshare Christ with great enthusiasm.Therefore, I want to look at three ways for sharing Christ with great enthusiasm.However, I do not preach this message to guilt trip anyone, but I do hope that Godwill challenge us in this area.The first way for sharing Christ with great enthusiasm involves 1. Having the right heart (1:1)You might say our heart response to Christ has a profound effect on our witness forChrist.Take Paul for example! His heart response to Christ exemplified his witness for Christ.What was Paul‟s heart response to Christ? Copyright 2010 by Reverend D. Blackburn BA GDM16

www.more-free-online-sermons.comA. Paul knew he belonged to Christ (1:1a)There is no doubt in Paul‟s mind that he belonged to Christ.In fact, the word servant expresses Paul‟s commitment to Christ.As one writer said, “He gave himself whole heartedly in love to Christ who saved himfrom sin and death.”Paul knew he belonged to Christ and this exemplified his witness for Christ.Our heart response to Christ will have a profound effect on our witness for Christ!How we see ourselves in relation to Christ will affect our witness.B. Paul knew he was sent by Christ (1:1b)Again, there is no doubt in Paul‟s mind that he was sent by Christ to witness forChrist.In fact, the word apostle means, “one who is sent by authority with a commission.”For Christ Himself said to Paul, “Rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared toyou for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things whichyou have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you, I will deliver you fromthe Jewish people, as well as from the gentiles, to whom I now send you” (Acts26:16-17).Paul knew he was sent by Christ and this exemplified his witness for Christ. Copyright 2010 by Reverend D. Blackburn BA GDM17

www.more-free-online-sermons.comOur heart response to Christ‟s call upon our lives will have a profound effect on ourwitness for Christ how we understand our call in relation to Christ will affect ourwitness also.C. Paul knew he was set apart for the gospel (1:1c)Again, there is doubt in Paul‟s mind that he was set apart for the gospel of God.As one writer said, “Paul knew his assignment and he did not stray from it.”In spite of all the difficult circumstances, Paul never lost his enthusiasm to shareChrist because he knew who he belonged to, he knew who sent him, and he knew hisassignment.His heart response to Christ kept him focused in both good and bad times.The second way for sharing Christ with great enthusiasm involves 2. Having the right goal (1:2-4)Paul‟s goal in life was to make Christ known through the preaching of the gospel.Why was Paul so focused? Why was Paul so enthusiastic about making Christ knownthrough the preaching of the gospel?A. The gospel of God is good news (1:1c)In fact, the word gospel itself means good news or glad tidings.And Paul wanted people to hear this good news he wanted people to understand thenature of this good news. Copyright 2010 by Reverend D. Blackburn BA GDM18

www.more-free-online-sermons.comB. The gospel of God is good news about Jesus Christ (1:3-4)Paul wanted people to hear what Jesus Christ had done for them.Paul wanted people to hear the message that Jesus died for their sins, and the he wasburied and that he rose from the grave on the third day to bring new life.This good news was promised in the OT (Isa 7:14, Deut 18:15, Hab 2:4) but it wasrealized in the NT.In other words, it was fully realized in Jesus Christ.Jesus Christ is good news. He is the one who enables us to stand in the presence ofGod. He has opened the door of heaven.Paul lived and ultimately died to make Christ known through the preaching of thegospel.What a noble goal!What a worthy precedent to follow!The third way for sharing Christ with great enthusiasm involves 3. Having the right challenge (1:5-7)A. For Paul, the challenge was to bring people to the faith (1:5)I like the way the Good News Bible presents this verse. It says, “Through Him (Christ)God gave me (Paul) the privilege of being an apostle for the sake of Christ, in order tolead people of all nations to believe and obey.” Copyright 2010 by Reverend D. Blackburn BA GDM19

www.more-free-online-sermons.comThis challenge was always before Paul he not only wanted to share Christ but also hewanted to lead people to Christ.As one writer said, “The message of the gospel is to call people to the obedience offaith, which is here used as a synonym for salvation.”B. For us, the challenge is the same to bring people to the faith (1:6)Jesus Himself said, “Go therefore and make disciples ”What was Jesus‟ emphasis here was it simply to share the gospel or was it more thanthat?The emphasis was to lead people to Christ and teach them to observe all things thatI have commanded you.Conclusion:Sharing Christ with great passion and enthusiasm involves Having the right heartHaving the right goalHaving the right challenge Copyright 2010 by Reverend D. Blackburn BA GDM20

www.more-free-online-sermons.comPutting God First in all Things(Genesis 22:1-19)1. What happens when your stability in life is shattered?I mean, what happens when an incident comes into your life (it may not be yourdoing) and that incident totally turns your life upside down? What do we do? To whomdo we go? How do we react when our stability in life is shattered?Tom & Cheryl were high school sweethearts. Their love for one another eventually ledto marriage. After they were married, Tom started training as a Top Gun pilot in theNavy. During that time, they had two wonderful children--Jennifer and Tommy Jr.After twelve years in the Navy, Tom decided it was time to do something else. So hebecame an airline pilot for American Airlines. Their life together was wonderful andcomplete. Jennifer said, “Tom was a great husband and father.” Every day he wouldsit at the kitchen table, reading his Bible and praying. Tom would play catch withTommy Jr. for hours in the back yard. Every day the two of them would play pingpong after dinner. Both Tom and Jennifer enjoyed talking about anything andeverything. It seemed that their marriage was made in heaven. However, all of thatwould change by one single event. Cheryl McGuinness‟ life was turned upside whenshe discovered that her husband of 18 years would not be coming home again. TomMcGuinness was the co-pilot of American Airlines Flight 11, the first plane to smashinto the World Trade Centre.What do you do when your stability in life is shattered like that? How do you reactwhen your life is totally turned upside down? This was the real thing for Cheryl andher two children. Her stability was totally shattered by her husband‟s death. Whatwould she do? How would she react? Copyright 2010 by Reverend D. Blackburn BA GDM21

www.more-free-online-sermons.comHaddon Robinson had been in the ministry for many years. Eventually, he becamepresident of Denver Seminary. In some ways, this was the pinnacle of his career. Atime when he and his wife (Bonnie) could reflect on God‟s goodness to them!However, an event in his life would change his ministry forever. The seminary washit with three lawsuits; and in one of those lawsuit, he was named because of hisposition as president. But that was only the beginning because the seminary‟sinsurance policy did not personally cover him for any liability. So, if the seminary wasfound to be at fault, he would consequently lose everything. He was near retirement,and he and his wife could lose everything because the seminary failed to cover himfor liability.How do you react to that? What do you do when your stability in life is shattered?Haddon & Bonnie faced this incident most probably asking the same questions.What would they do? How would they react? Bob was doing what God wanted him todo. He was confident that he and Diane were inside the perfect will of God. Bob hadgiven up a ministry in Mobile, Alabama, sold a lucrative business and sacrificed a life‟sworth of security to move to Chattanooga, Tennessee, and go on staff at PreceptMinistries. There, they would be helping others understand how to study the Word ofGod. Their two sons were growing into fine, godly men. Bob & Diane had done whatGod had told them to do.Life was good. And then, without any warning, their eldest son was killed in a roadaccident.What do you do in this situation? How do you react when life is totally turned upsidedown? Bob and Diane could never have imagined life without their eldest son. Andyet, he was gone. What would they do? What would they do? Copyright 2010 by Reverend D. Blackburn BA GDM22

www.more-free-online-sermons.comYou know, it isn‟t an easy question to answer. What do you do when an incidentcomes into your life and shatters your stability? (It may not be your doing) How do youreact to those situations? What advice would you give to someone going through adifficult time or situation? It may be a broken relationship or a difficult decision inlife. What happens when your stability in life is shattered?2. Abraham’s stability in life was shattered by one request (22:1-2).A request made by God Himself. A request that would be his greatest challenge!Look at verses 1 & 2, “Now it came to pass after these things that God testedAbraham, and said to him, „Abraham!‟ And he said, „Here I am.‟” And He said, “Takenow your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, andoffer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”What a request! Do you think Abraham‟s stability in life was shattered?Put yourself in Abraham‟s shoes just for a moment. Twice his wife had been rippedaway from his grasp. His nephew had separated from him. He had engaged in warfareto rescue Lot when he was taken hostage, risking his own life in the process. Faminehad driven him out of Canaan, the land God had promised him. After many years ofbeing childless, he gets a son, Ishmael.But because of family tensions, he is forced to send that precious boy away into thedesert. All he had left now was Isaac. But at least he had Isaac and God‟s promisethat through Isaac, Abraham‟s family would become a source of blessing for the entireworld.Now, in the twilight of life, it seems he had the opportunity of a few years of peaceand quiet. Finally, he would be able to relax and enjoy life with his son (Isaac). Butthat would not be the case. Copyright 2010 by Reverend D. Blackburn BA GDM23

www.more-free-online-sermons.comIn fact, no sooner was he resting when God hit him with the greatest challenge of hislife.“Abraham, I want you to take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love. I wantyou to take him to the land of Moriah, and I want you to offer him there as a burntoffering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”I guarantee you, that request shattered Abraham‟s stability in life. It would haveturned his life upside down.3. And yet, Abraham obeyed immediately the request (22:3-8).He obeyed immediately with no questions asked.that‟s amazing! That‟s trulyamazing!Look at verses 3 & 4, “So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey,and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood forthe burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. Thenon the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off.”We see here in these verses that Abraham obeyed immediately, but he had three dayson the road to think about it. I know the Bible doesn‟t reveal any particular thoughtsof Abraham, but I am sure his mind was very active over those three days.Abraham may have thought, “God, what are you doing or what am I doing? Lord, yougave us Isaac, and now you want to take his life. Lord, you promised to make of Isaaca great nation. What will happen to all your promises if you make me do this thing?And what about Sarah? Why, this will literally bring her down to the grave with grief!”Whether Abraham actually thought such things or not Scripture does not say. All weare told is that he obeyed God, with no questions asked. Copyright 2010 by Reverend D. Blackburn BA GDM24

www.more-free-online-sermons.comIn fact, the Scriptures go on to say that “Abraham took the wood of the burnt offeringand laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the twoof them went together” to worship God.Now, while they were walking, “Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, „Myfather!‟ And he said, „Here I am, my son.‟ And he said, „Look, the fire and the wood,but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?‟ And Abraham said, „My son, God willprovide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.‟” And the two of them continuedwalking together.“And the two of them went together.” How significant are those words! Abraham, inlight of Isaac‟s question, continued to obey God‟s request with full intention of doingwhat God had commanded. If there was ever a time to turn back, if there was ever atime to make an excuse, it was now. It was now. He could have easily said to Isaac,“Look, you‟re right. There is no sacrifice. Let‟s go back.” But he didn‟t turn back, hedidn‟t make an excuse (let‟s face it, he could have many excuses); instead, hecontinued walking with Isaac to the place of worship.In many ways, Abraham had resolved in his heart to obey God‟s request regardless ofrepercussions.4. In fact, Abraham put God first in his life even before his son, Isaac (22:9-10)Look at verses 9 & 10, “Then they came to the place of which God had told him.And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaachis son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. And Abraham stretched out his handand took the knife to slay his son.” Copyright 2010 by Reverend D. Blackburn BA GDM25

www.more-free-online-sermons.comYou know, the crux of God‟s testing of Abraham is right here in these verses. WouldAbraham put God first in his life? Would anything or anyone come between Abrahamand God? Would God mean more to Abraham than even Isaac his son?If there was ever a test that demonstrated one‟s loyalty, this was the test. Putyourself in the sit

In Acts 16, it tells us that Paul shared the gospel with a group of women (16:13). Lydia heard the gospel and she became a Christian. Lydia was Paul‟s first convert in Philippi. Later a slave girl who was demon possessed