[Biblemat] S> Living On The Edge
ZekeFlores1 at cs.com
ZekeFlores1 at cs.com
Tue Sep 4 10:18:50 CDT 2007
Brethren,
Here's a lesson I hope you can use.
Zeke Flores
Kiber Street church of Christ
Angleton, TX
www.angletonchristians.com
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Living On The Edge
Prov 6:27
Intro: What does it mean to you to "live on the edge?"
A. A dangerous job like firefighter, policeman, stuntman?
B. A risky hobby like extreme sports?
C. Living on the edge might mean different things to different
people but it comes down to a willingness to risk it all
in order to satisfy a desire or get a thrill. It is the
concept of playing with fire, living against the odds.
D. Do you live on the edge?
I. Christians Living On The Edge
A. I don't mean being a firefighter or skiing off a mountain,
but do you get dangerously close to sin?
1. We do this by becoming more and more comfortable
with questionable behavior.
2. Aerosmith song "Livin' On The Edge"
a. "There's something wrong with the world today,
don't know what it is;
Something wrong with our eyes.
We're seeing things in a different way and
God know it ain't His;
It surely comes as no surprise.
We're livin' on the edge."
b. How immoral are things in our society that even
a rock band as decadent as Aerosmith notices?
3. No doubt values are changing and Christians are being
swept up in the changes. Consider:
4. What used to be called: Is now called:
modesty old-fashioned
indecent adult
irresponsible living free
chastity being hung up
perversion alternate lifestyle
self indulgence self fulfillment
B. The principle is referred to in Rom 1:32
1. Maybe you don't actually perform such blatant sin
but do you look longingly at it or at those who do it?
C. Consider these examples. We believe
1. We are against nudity, immodest or suggestive clothes
a. But do we flirt with the boundaries of immodesty?
2. We know the dangers of alcohol and drug use
a. But do we think it's OK to have a cold beer every
now & then just to be sociable?
3. We know murder is wrong, would never kill...
a. But do we think, "I can't stand that person...
wish he were dead!"
4. Gambling is wrong, would never go to casino.
a. But do we buy lottery tickets with our gas?
D. You get the point!
1. The Bible teaches that those who play around sin
are just as guilty as those who as those who actually
do it.
a. Rom 2:1-2
2. Since a Christian is freed from it, why go back?
a. Rom 6:20-22
II. The Danger Of Living On The Edge
A. Though everyone wants to say, "It will never happen
to me," eventually you'll get burned.
1. Prov 6:27-28, James 3:5
2. Friends and relatives are a consistent source of grief
for the Christian. We want good relationships with
the unsaved around us, but how far do we go?
a. 1 Cor 15:33
b. If a cube of lead is placed on a cube of gold, the
two metals slowly but inevitably begin to
penetrate each other. In the same manner we
tend to imbibe the spirit, to share the opinions,
to partake of the qualities of our intimate
associates.
Though we may believe that our gold will enrich
their lead, the opposite is far more likely to
prove true--their lead will debase our gold.
B. It keeps you from growing and pleasing God.
1. Rom 8:6-8
a. Once I saw a big bird, maybe an eagle, in a zoo
chained to a bolt in a rock in a cage. There was the
king of birds, meant to soar in the skies, chained to
earth. That is the life of multitudes of believers.
Are you allowing the cares of the world, are you
allowing the flesh to chain you down, so that you
cannot rise?
C. Shame always follows because you know better.
1. Prov 5:1-4, 8-14
2. Unfortunately, some get better and better at dealing
with their guilt and shame so that it hardly even
bothers them anymore!
III. Determining NOT To Live On The Edge
A. It will be a constant struggle.
1. Rom 7:18-23
2. There will always be the allure of fleshly pleasures
that beckon, call to you.
B. Realize those things are against you.
1. 1 Pet 2:11, 1 John 2:16
2. The devil is the "god of this world" & he'll use every
appeal this world has to offer to trip you up! He hates
you and has declared war on your salvation!
C. Make a determination every day to live right.
1. Gal 5:16, Eph 5:15-16, Rom 13:14
2. It takes a daily commitment. Long range goals are
great, but it's the every day steps that make them
a reality.
a. Read, read, read your Bible!
b. Pray every day all day!
c. Worship more!
d. Hang out with brethren more!
e. Make a decision every day that will change your
actions.
Conc: While living on the edge might be fun in sports,
it can play havoc with the soul. Equally as dangerous
is living on the edge of Christianity. Immerse yourself
FULLY in God's will!
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