So, How Are You Treating Your Vehicle?
First I want to read Romans 12 and see how God wants us to use our bodies for Him.
Romans 12 1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 4For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness. 9Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. 14Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Next I want to read from Ephesians 6 and see how Paul compared our service and battle for the Lord to real warfare.
Ephesians 6:10-18 10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
INTRO
: Do you remember you first car? Do you remember how special it was to you? How you cleaned, washed, waxed, drove places just to get under the wheel? Wasn't it special? Well today, I want to think about how special our vehicles for the Lord are. I am talking about your bodies; You. How special is your salvation today? Are you treating it like you did when you first were saved? Are you using your vehicle for the Lord, or letting it slowly fall into disrepair?Just as the Lord compared things in life, and Paul did in Ephesians 6, I want us to look and compare our "vehicles" for the Lord…
When we look at cars and such, we can see…
Many try to protect their vehicles - most of us do to a degree
Insure them- before it leaves the lot -
How can we "insure" our "vehicle"? Salvation through Christ
Undercoat them - Loins girt with Truth
Clean them - baptism
Wax them - Breastplate of righteousness
Garage them - Church attendance
Maintain them (change oil, check air, filters, etc. - seek the Holy Spirit's help, worship, plan to serve Him better
Just plain "Baby them" so their vehicles are better
But on the other side…
Many simply neglect their vehicles
Seldom clean - shows up
Seldom wax - people can see the difference
Clutter the insides - sinful issues
Clutter the trunk - baggage that weights them down
Seldom fix it right - Harry's Truck and the bailing wire
Do little to enhance the value of their vehicle
Many want to show off their vehicles - this rings of works, not grace
Flaunt them - self-glory
Special plates - for special attention
Loud pipes, special horns, loud speakers - big mouths, braggarts
Leave black marks on the ground - Hey, look what I did!
Fancy ground effects, wheels, and lights - Hey look at me
Dress them up with paint, trim, pinstripes, with fancy accessories
Won't use them for fear of a scratch or ding - are you afraid of failure?
Try to out do their friends - are you trying to do for you or the Lord?
One thing we need to understand, even though it may not be right…
Many drive their vehicles in different ways
Only on Sundays - are you a Sunday driver only
Like the "little old lady in Pasadena" - are you just occasionally driving for the Lord?
Many let their vehicles do a lot of idling - are you wasting your life
Many haul a lot of useful things (like a truck) Are you letting God use you?
Some even add side boards to increase abilities - requires extra work
Some even pull trailers to do even more - NOT ME WE MIGHT SAY!
Some will darken their windows to prevent others seeing what they are doing - Aren't you glad everyone does not see everything? - HE DOES!
Some like to drive off-road - places not really meant to be - eventually cost and they need a "Tow Truck" to get them out.
Some drive recklessly and break the law - sinful living, poor example and dangerous to those around us
Some drive alone - help no one get anyplace
Some live in their vehicles
Some fight wars in theirs - Are you driving a Hummer?
Many have "flats" along the way - failures in life - fixable
Many bend a few fenders - face problems and need help fixing them
Some blow their engines - and lose the power they need
Some lose their lights and their sense of direction
Some demolish their vehicles - lose what should be valuable to them
Some have no vehicles - it is sad when people never turn to the Lord!
Many make good use of their vehicles (for the Master)
Some are Studebakers, Chevys, Fords, Cadillacs, Mercedes, etc - We are not all the same, but we are all fit for His use!
They do their best to serve or drive for the Lord
They take care of their vehicles - I mean this physically not spiritually
They take care of their vehicles - SPIRITUALLY
They try to help others on the way, to know the way, and walk in the way.
Many truly treasure their vehicles
They know God has given them a great gift - do you?
They know it is what He wants for them - have you answered His call
They are determined to use their vehicle well -
How are you using your vehicle for Him?
They are determined to help others use their vehicles for the Lord too
Are you trying to help others serve the Lord?
DO YOU KNOW THE LORD? ARE YOU SERVING HIM? ARE YOU USING YOUR "VEHICLE" FOR HIM?
Gary Marcum - New Beginnings Church - 073105am