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Intro.

1.  NT speaks of strength in Christ - Phil. 4:13; 2 Cor. 10:3-4; 1 Cor. 16:13.

2.  Excuses for not doing what God has told us to do will not be accepted by Him! (cf. child-parent) - Rom. 2:6; 2 Cor. 5:10.

• "I don’t have the ability, I can’t do this or that."
• "I don’t have much education."
• "What will people think about me if I do that."
• "I don’t have much money, I can’t give."
• "There are just so many things happening in my life I don’t have time to worship,...."
• "I’m too tired."
• "Brother/sister so and so doesn’t love me anymore......"

3.  Lk. 14:18, 21, 24 - Excuses anger God & forfeit heaven!

4.  Question: Can you name one thing that God requires of us that we are unable to do? If so, what?

5.  Are you strong enough to examine, analyze, assess, critique & improve your spiritual strength? (cf. physical strength:  Chart it & increase it)

6.  Some ways to be strong in Christ & overcome excuses for spiritual neglect (sin). - Eph. 6:10

I.  BE INTERESTED IN GOD’S WILL!

A.  The Ethiopian - Acts 8:27-39.

    1.  Traveled great distance to worship (~1000 mi.) - v. 27.

      -(worship services, gospel meetings, class to teach another)

    2.  Used his time to read scripture - v. 28.

      -(Use your time wisely: like reading God’s word, etc. - Eph. 5:18)

    3.  Interested in learning - v. 31, 34.

      -(Break out of the "boredom" mode! - 2 Tim. 2:15)

    4.  Responsive to truth (obeyed it) - v. 36-38 (Jas. 4:17).

    5.  Rejoiced in his salvation - v. 39 (cf. Psa. 51:12-13).

  B.  Cornelius - Acts 10.

    1.  Excelled in character - 10:1-2 (10:22).

    2.  Anxious to hear God’s word & share it - 10:24, 33.

    3.  Obeyed the commands of the gospel - 10:48.

      -Without a primary interest in God’s will, our spiritual life will flounder in confusion and distress. -- Such a one is lost in sin!

II.  HAVE CONVICTIONS BASED ON GOD’S WORD - Rom. 10:17.

  A.  Full Of Faith - Acts 11:24.

    1.  When there is no faith there is no conviction!

    2.  Conviction (synonyms: Confidence, certainty, intensity, fervor, persuasion.

    3.  "I am persuaded: - 2 Tim. 1:12; 1:7; 1 Cor. 16:13 - Conviction causes us to offer our best to God & suffer for His name! ("Set for the defense of the gospel" - Phil. 1:17)

III.  HAVE A DESIRE FOR TRUTH & RIGHTEOUSNESS (1 Pet. 2:2).

  A.  Seek & Apply God’s Word & Will For Your Life - Acts 13:6-7.

    1.  Sergius Paulus "sought" to hear the word of God.

    2.  Otherwise, we offer excuses, grow spiritually weak & die.

    3.  Matt. 5:6 - Hunger & thirst (cf. Psa. 119:131).

IV.  DECIDE NOW TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT!

  A.  Have A Willing Mind - 2 Cor. 8:12.

  B.  Determine To Deny Self & Sacrifice For Jesus - Lk. 9:23.

    1.  Willingness to sacrifice reveals the value we place on Jesus, truth & salvation!) - Heb. 3:7-8; 2 Cor. 6:2

    2.  Don't procrastinate!!

V.  DO THE RIGHT THING NOW! - Josh. 24:15; 1 Kgs. 18:21

  A.  Must Do The Things Which Produce Spiritual Strength - Eph. 6:10-11, 14-18.

    1.  Put on whole armor of God -- Rely on His power! (2 Cor. 10:3-4)

  B.  We Must Do More Than Talk A Good Game - Live It! - Matt. 7:23

Conclusion

1.  We are able to learn our duty to God and to do everything God requires of us - Lk. 6:46.

2.  Get busy learning & doing - Living by faith! - 2 Cor. 5:7

  · Be interested in God & spiritual things

  · Have convictions based on truth

  · Desire truth & righteousness

  · Decide now to obey God!

  · Do God's will now!