OceanSide church of Christ

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Doing Good Business

Carlos Dawson

 

1 Peter 4:10-12 King James Version (KJV)

10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles [scriptures] [speaking the utterances]  of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen

 

I.                     All the business of others is not your business: You must have the right standing; the proper motivation/purpose; and the right heart

 

Acts 8:18-21 King James Version (KJV)

18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

 

II.                   Make sure to take care of your business, not the business of others.

 

1 Thessalonians 4:10-12 King James Version (KJV)

 

10 And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; 11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

 

III.                 Meddling into the affairs of others is sinful.

 

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 King James Version (KJV)

 

10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

 

1 Timothy 5:12-14 King James Version (KJV)

 

12 Having damnation, because they [younger widows] have cast off their first faith. 13 And withal they [younger widows] learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. 14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

 

 

IV.                Probing into the business of others have detrimental consequences.

 

1 Peter 4:14-15 King James Version (KJV)

 

14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.

 

V.                  Meddling can conflict with the proper expression of love and destroy the fellowship of the church.

 

Galatians 5:14-16 King James Version (KJV)

 

14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. 16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

 

VI.                God’s word gives us the proper standard in this area of concern.

 

Philippians 1:26-27 King James Version (KJV)

 

26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again. 27 Only let your conversation [behavior] be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

 

VII.               Christ gives us the example of whose business we should be tending.

 

Luke 2:48-50 King James Version (KJV)

48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

 

Question: Whose business are you minding tonight? If it’s God’s, then you’re projecting your efforts in the right place. If it’s your brother or sister’s, then it’s in the wrong place.  And if that’s the case, you can correct that tonight through repentance.

Perhaps you’re visiting with us for the first time, and you realize that you’re lost. God has made a way back to him through Jesus, the savior of the world.  He has given us a plan of salvation, or a blueprint, if you will, to KNOW how to be saved from our sins. According to the New Testament, EVERYONE who is in proper relationship with God has done, and must do the following things:

  1. You must hear the gospel – the good news of salvation from sin through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus: Romans 10:17 -- So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
  2. You must believe the gospel -- Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
  3. You must repent of your sins: Acts 30-31  And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained;
  4. You must confess that Jesus Christ is the son of God -- Acts 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
  5. You must be baptized for the remission of your sins -- Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.