Why is there such a lack of surrender amongst God's people?

I. Apathy

A. Apathy is a lack of feeling; a calmness of mind incapable of being ruffled by pain, pleasure, or passion.

B. Apathy comes from no surrender.

C. Apathy keeps you from feeling the conviction of the Holy Ghost.

II. Self-justification

A. We make excuses for ourselves.

B. We compare ourselves to others instead of measuring up to God.

C. We excuse our sin because it is not as bad as someone else's sin.

III. We have a form of religion without the power of God.

We have become mechanical.

IV. A lack of surrender leads to a hard heart.

*We have to be broken before we can be used.

*The devil steals the seed in that we try to second-guess the preacher. Matthew 13:18

*God does miracles for us on a regular basis, but we blame Him when hard times come.

*Thank God for the miracles and the hard times too.

I. The flesh likes to attack right after a victory. 1 Samuel 15:1-22; 2 Samuel 1:4-14

II. The flesh wants to steal our rewards.

III. The flesh has no fear of God.

IV. The flesh wants to destroy us, but it does not stop there.

V. The flesh wants to destroy God's perfect will. Esther 3:1

Romans 5:8 (commendeth: to show, to exhibit); Ephesians 5:25; Revelation 2:4; Deuteronomy 10:12

How much love do you have for Christ?  If you love Him, you will serve Him.

I. A love for God will change your vision.

II. A love for God will change your desires. - You will want different things.

III. A love for God will change your actions.

*A friend is a priceless treasure.  Proverbs 18:24

Characteristics of a true and godly friendship:

1. Encouraging one another

2. Loving one another at all times - Proverbs 17:17

3. Laying your life down for another - John 15:13

4. Showing kindness in affliction - Job

5. Telling someone when they are wrong

1 Peter 1:10

*Prophecy fulfilled is 20/20.  We have an imperfect knowledge of unfulfilled prophecy. Ezekiel 22:30

Israel committed spiritual fornication against God.

A wife (or the bride of Christ) is to love, obey, and dote on her husband.

We as Christians today are doing the same.

- We love others more than God. James 4:1-4

- We are not ashamed of what we watch on television.

- We are not ashamed of immodest dress.

- We laugh when our children do wrong and do not discipline them.

- We lust after things we would like to have. 1 John 2:15

We cannot serve two masters! What are you living for?

Genesis 9:20-27

In the Old Testament before the Levitical priesthood, the patriarch (the father) of each family was both priest and prophet.

Be careful what you do; what you have sown may be repaed in the next generation or two.

Genesis 10:1; Acts 16:6-9; Matthew 21:33-43

2 Chronicles 7:14; Revelation 3:14-15; 2 Peter 3:9

*A faith that cannot be tested cannot be trusted.

People despise the Word of God because . . .

I. It exposes their sin. John 3:19-20; Acts 7:7

*Sermons should be for enlightenment not enjoyment.

People hate preaching against:

A. Drinking alcoholic beverages

B. Dancing - ballroom, bar, or civic center

C. Gambling

D. Astrology - occult, tattoos

E. Immorality - shacking up, adultery

F. Worldly clothes

G. Long hair on men

H. Bible perversions - NIV, ASV, NKJV

I. Gossip, criticism, complaining

J. Causing division

K. Questionable things

L. Faithfulness, tithing, etc. 2 Timothy 4:2-3

II. It enlightens the saints. John 3:21

A. It is the light of salvation. Acts 16

B. It is the light of separation. Ephesians 5:8

C. It is the light of service. Acts 9:6

III. It exalts the Savior. John 12:32

What is your response to preaching?

1. Accept

2. Attack

3. Ignore

*forgive: to send forth, to lay aside, to omit

Micah 7:19; Psalm 103:12; Isaiah 38:17

There is no sin too great for God to forgive.

I. Acknowledge that you have sinned. - Be specific about it. Psalm 32:5; 51:3

*God knows what you did, but you need to be honest with yourself.

II. Confess to God that you have sinned. 1 John 1:9

God loves us so much because He continually forgives us. Psalm 130:4

III. Turn from your sin. 2 Chronicles 7:14

IV. Believe that God can and will forgive you. Psalm 130:4

V. Forgive others their trespasses. Luke 6:37