Doing and Teaching Go Together
The sermon emphasizes the importance of living what we teach and being accountable before God, using all resources to spread the Gospel and prioritize Him in our lives.
Theodore Epp emphasizes the critical connection between teaching and living out God's principles, urging believers to reflect on whether their actions align with their teachings. He challenges the congregation to examine their honesty in financial matters and the use of their time, stressing that all aspects of life should honor God. Epp reminds us that our responsibilities extend beyond mere financial contributions; we must prioritize God in every area of our lives. He encourages a heart of openness to God's scrutiny, echoing David's plea for self-examination. Ultimately, Epp warns of the seriousness of our accountability before God regarding our efforts in spreading the Gospel.
Text
Romans 2:17-29
We need to ask ourselves if our lives are good illustrations of what we teach.
We teach that people should not steal, but do we steal? We may never rob banks, but are we guilty of withholding money that rightfully belongs to others? Are we totally honest in preparing our income tax returns?
And stealing involves more than just money--it can also involve time. Are we stealing God's time by doing things with our schedules and energies that God never intended?
Are we placing God first in our lives, not only concerning our finances but also concerning our time? Or do we give God only the finances and the time that are left over?
We should never think that once we have given some money and time to the Lord that the rest is ours to do with as we please. All that we have belongs to God, so He should be taken into consideration in everything we do.
Each of us needs to come to God with an open heart and ask Him to do what David asked of Him: "Search me, 0 God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Ps. 139:23,24).
God has given believers the responsibility of spreading the Gospel to all the world, and we need to use all at our disposal to accomplish this task. How serious it will be if, when we stand before the Lord, we must admit that we did far less than we could have.
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8).
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Living What We Teach
- The Responsibility of Spreading the Gospel
- Illustrating God's Word in Our Lives
- Honesty in Finances
- Honesty in Time Management
- Using All Resources to Accomplish the Task
- Accountability Before God
Key Quotes
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” — Theodore Epp
“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” — Theodore Epp
Application Points
- Make sure your actions align with your teachings and prioritize God in your life.
- Use all resources at your disposal to accomplish the task of spreading the Gospel.
- Be accountable before God for your actions and seek to overcome your sinful nature.