The Least Little Thing

Pastor Cory Herthel

Midland SDA Church

November 12, 2016

Key Texts: Luke 16:10-11; James 1:12-18, 2:4; Hebrews 10:26-27; Deuteronomy 5:32-33; Titus 2:6-8

SOP Reference: Review & Herald; December 22, 1910

Introduction: Story about 4^th Grade teacher, Mrs. Frances and her viewpoint of “excuses.”  We have all, at one time or another…and perhaps often times now, look to excuse various behaviors we exhibit, habits we wish to coddle that may not always be the most refined or appealing, and priorities that we’ve misaligned…[lead into the concept of cherishing sinful choices and the attempt to lessen the sinfulness by justifying them based on one reason or another – discounting misdemeanors as inconsequential or irrelevant]

I. Entrusted to be Faithful (Luke 16:10-11; James 1:12-18)

  A. Called to Exhibit Faithfulness (Luke 16)

    1. God holds His followers accountable to faithfulness

      a. Faithfulness = integrity, honesty, and trustworthiness

      b. Faithfulness to seemingly small details are building blocks to faithfulness in the greater

    2. Eternal Life Hinges on Faithfulness (James 1)

  B. Don’t Waiver on Position (Deuteronomy 5:32-33)

    1. Note: “Be Careful”

    2. Live the life, walk the walk…don’t just talk the talk

II. Examples to Others (Titus 2:6-8; James 2:4; Hebrews 10:26)

  A. Best Sermon Preached (Titus 2)

    1. What about those who aren’t living up to “the standard” around me?

      a. Only example is Christ – Died for our sins…no other person did this for us

      b. Scripture is final authority with regard to the way we ought to live as Christians

      c. Integrity & Faithfulness mitigates the effect of an opponent to our faith

    2. To know calls to action (James 2:4)

  B. Every Choice Has Eternal Impact on Others

    1. Jesus warned against leading others astray (Matthew 5:19 – teaching others to break commandments)

    2. Choosing to sin (willful disobedience) eliminates Christ’s sacrifice covering us

      a. This is dangerous for the committer and those looking upon his actions

      b. Set a proper example that others will not go astray through you à Lead into SOP Quote

SOP: In the day of judgment, when everyone will be rewarded according to his works, many of the lost will charge their neighbors with neglect, saying, you knew the truth regarding the requirements of the Bible, but you did not stop to think that close beside your own door there were souls who were in error, and who needed to be given instruction.

The judgment will reveal sins of omission as well as sins of commission. When Seventh-day Adventists know that the world is perishing in ignorance of Bible truth, why do they not go forth to hunt and fish for souls? If they do not do this, how will they be able to answer the question that in the great day of reckoning will be put to them by the lost, “Why did you not give to us the warning regarding God’s requirements?”

Closing: We have no time to waste on empty excuses.  In an era of “gray-areas” we have solid black and white written in the words of Scripture.  There is a message and a standard and a set of principles that have been given to us and are to be given to the world FOR THIS TIME!  If ever there was a time to be faithful in all things…that time is NOW!  People are watching, angels are watching, the Lord is watching.  Parents, your children are watching.  Workers, your employers and colleagues are watching.  Church members, our guests and your non-Christian family and friends are watching!  Do your part and be faithful for the sake of Christ…EVEN in the least little things!