Introduction:
         "To die is gain" - doesn't make sense to us.
         Many people look upon death as the end. Look in a casket and see a body whose life will never come back, no matter how much you want it to. The line has been crossed. It is the end, and we have a hard time dealing with that.
         And when we are faced with the possibility of our own death, we are afraid. We don't know what happens next. It is a mystery to all of us, and we naturally fear the unknown. Many run from death.
But Paul welcomed it. He saw it as gain. How? The world sees death as a tragedy. The only way death can be gain is if a person hated their life so much that they wanted to die. Paul had a rough life, but he wasn't looking to be put out of his misery.
         The Bible prepares us for death by showing us what death is all about. The Bible tells us that we will die, what death really is, why we die, and the attitude we should have towards our death.
If we fail to grasp the Bible's teaching on death we will be tossed about by fear and doubt. But if we understand as Paul did, then we will be able to see death as gain.

What is the proper Christian view of death?

I. Death is Separation
1 Thess. 5:23 - the Bible says that man is a triune being. Consisting of body, soul and spirit.
James 2:26 - physical death occurs when the spirit leaves the body.
But physical death is not the end of our existence.
- Eccl. 12:7 - the body decays, but the spirit returns to God.
- Matt. 22:31-32 - Abraham, Isaac and Jacob continued to exist.

II. Death is the Result of Sin
Why do people die? Sometimes God is blamed when a person has died. We need to make sure we put the blame where it belongs.
Gen. 2:16-17 - when man sinned, death entered the world.
Rom. 5:12-14 - death spread to all men, even to those who don't transgress in the likeness of Adam (innocent babies) all die.
Death is a common experience of the human race because we live in a fallen world. Sin was let in, and death is one of the consequences of sin.

III. Death is a Time To Mourn
Eccl. 3:4 - there is a time to mourn.
There are numerous references to the mourning of loved ones, friends and important people in the Bible.
Gen. 50:3 - all Egypt mourned the death of Jacob for 70 days.
Deut. 34:8 - Children of Israel mourned the death of Moses for 30 days.
Acts 8:2 - the church mourned the death of Stephen.
John 11:32-36 - Jesus mourned with the sisters of Lazarus. He was so moved by their grief and sorrow that he shed tears with them. Real men do cry.

Death is a sad occasion. Shedding tears is natural. Not a time to bottle up, deny reality, act like it didn't happen. Life goes on. Mourning is a part of moving on.

IV. Death is Sleep
John 11:11-14 - Jesus referred to the death of Lazarus as sleep.
Referring to death as sleep was common in classic Greek literature. There are numerous references to death as sleep in the Old Testament. It is a figure that Paul used in a comforting way in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
Death is looked upon as sleep for a reason.
        1. It is a peaceful rest - Rev. 14:13. We have all been so tired that we would give anything for a little sleep. That restful sleep awaits us at the end of this hard life.
        2. It is only temporary. Death is not permanent. The dead will awaken during the resurrection - Psalm 17:15.

V. Death is a Departure
Luke 9:31 - Moses and Elijah spoke to Jesus about His death. This was no surprise to Jesus. He knew He was going to die, and how He was going to die.
The text says they spoke of "His decease" (lit. departure). From the Greek word for Exodus - an exit, a way out. Jesus saw His death simply as a departure.
Phil. 1:23 - This will help us to understand Paul's statement about his own death being gain. He understood that death was not the end of his existence, but simply a departure from this world into a better one. John 14:1-3
Death is man's journey from this world into eternity. Like stepping from one room into another - death is the door. The closing of one chapter and the beginning of another.
How is death gain? It is the way we escape this land of sin and sorrow, much like the children of Israel escaped Egyptian bondage.

VI. Death is Going Home
John 14:28 - Jesus viewed His death as the way to return to the Father.
Phil. 3:21 - our citizenship is in heaven. We are strangers and pilgrims on this earth, our home is in heaven.
"Can't go home again." But we need that sense of belonging somewhere.
Rev. 22:1-5 - everything comes full circle in heaven. Everything that was lost because of sin is regained. We are again in the presence of God and the Tree of Life. The very place we were created to be.

Conclusion:
Paul was able to say what he did about death because of what he said about his life - "For to me, to live is Christ."
The only way death can be gain for us is if we live for Christ. Otherwise, death is the greatest loss we will even know.
If a person dies and goes to heaven, this world will be the only hell they will ever know. But if a person dies and goes to hell, this world will be the only heaven they will ever know.
It is important that we realize why Paul was able to say that death was gain. If we live for Christ, then our death is gain. If we don't, then we are among those who have no hope.

         Abortion: "expulsion of a fetus from the womb before it is sufficiently developed to survive; a miscarriage."
         When a pregnant woman miscarries, her body has spontaneously aborted the unborn baby. This is an unfortunate and heartbreaking ordeal. But, the kind of abortion that I want to consider is the one caused by a doctor.
        Since the legalization of abortion by Roe vs. Wade in 1973, there have been over 30 million abortions in the US. One in every four pregnancies ends in an abortion. This has caused more deaths than the casualties of all the US wars combined.
        Abortion is a very sensitive issue. The Bible does not say, "Thou shalt not have an abortion." But principles set forth in the Bible about life and when life begins show us that abortion is clearly wrong. As Christians, our views, motives and actions must be guided by the Bible, not by emotions or by popular opinion.

I. The Value of Human Life
        A. Life is a sacred and holy thing. Life belongs in God's domain.
        Genesis 2:7 - man does not have the power or ability to create life. That power belongs to God alone. The original story of Frankenstein was about a doctor who wanted to play God by creating life.
        Life is not ours to destroy. It is not within man to choose when life begins or ends - not even his own.

        B. God's view on murder - Gen. 9:5-6; Ex. 20:13; Prov. 6:16-17
        The result of an abortion is the end of a life. If a child is left alone to develop in a mother's womb, it will be born. Abortion interrupts this process and kills a child.
        Abortion is wrong because of what the Bible says about the sacredness of life and murder.

II. When Life Begins
        A great part of the abortion debate is focused around the question of when life begins.
        Some say it is when a baby breathes. Some say after six months of development.
        The Bible teaches what honest medical science supports - that life begins at conception. Psalm 139:13-16

        How does the Bible refer to the unborn?
        Genesis 25:22-24 - children
        Matt. 1:18 - with child
        Luke 2:12, 1:41, 44 - babe

        If life begins at conception, then abortion is the termination of a human life, not just a pregnancy.

III. Old Testament Precedent
        Exodus 21:22-25 - two men fighting, a pregnant woman is hit and this causes her to give birth prematurely. If the baby survives the father will impose a punishment. But if any harm is done to the mother or baby, the same must be done to the man.
        If the same rule was in force today, you couldn't find a doctor who would do an abortion.

IV. An Abomination to God

Molech was a god of the Ammorites - Leviticus 20:2-5.
We know it was sinful for the Israelites to worship other gods. But what made this sin worse is the way they worshipped Molech. Deut. 12:29-31 - they sacrificed their children to Molech by throwing them into a fire. God says that this practice is an abomination, something that He could not even imagine coming up with - Jeremiah 7:30-31.
Abomination - "abhor, loathe, detest; to turn oneself from a stench."
Imagine a smell so bad that it turns your stomach and makes you sick. This is what abortion does to God.
We become disgusted and upset when we hear of children being abused and neglected. Babies shaken, left in parked car, deserted in dumpsters.
Why don't we have the same indignation about the killing of the unborn?

V. Without Natural Affection
        Romans 1:31 - unloving, without natural affection, heartless. Comes from a word meaning "without family love."
        Mothers naturally protect their young. Mother bear robbed of her cubs, cat will fight animals much larger than herself for her kittens.
        Is there any better example of "without natural affection" than a mother who would allow her unborn child to be murdered right in her own body?
        Abortion is the height of selfishness. Pro Choice advocates are so adamant because they see an unwanted pregnancy as a shackle. They think more of themselves than the life they are blessed to bring into the world.

VI. Facts About Abortion
        The following facts about abortion show it for the evil that it is.

        1. The mind numbing numbers.
        - Over one and a half million abortions done every year (1,600,000).
        - 4,000 every day.
        - One every 22 seconds. 

2. Abortion is legal any time during the pregnancy. As long as the baby is still in the womb, the mother can choose to end the pregnancy with an abortion.

3. Fathers and Grandparents.
        - A pregnant woman can have an abortion without the consent of the baby's father.
        - A pregnant teenager can have an abortion without the knowledge or consent of her own parents. 45% of minors obtaining abortions do so without parental knowledge.

4. Painful to the Baby.
        Abortion is "sold" as a quick and painless procedure. It is not painless to the unborn baby who is being killed.
        Different methods are used. Some kill the baby with a burning saline solution, some remove the baby piece by piece with a vacuum.
        Partial birth abortion - all but the head is removed. The skull is opened and the brain is suctioned out - killing the baby. Then the baby is fully removed from the mother.

5. Birth Control.
        - 95% of all abortions are done for the purpose of birth control.
        "What about rape, incest and danger to the health of the mother?"
        - no more than 7% are done for the mother's health.
        - no more than 1% involve cases of rape or incest.
        Approximately 1,470,000 abortions are performed each year for the purpose of social, economical or personal reasons.

6. Child Abuse.
        Child abuse has risen over 600% since 1973. Why? Abortion has destroyed the respect for human life. Why would a person who would kill their unborn child have any qualms about abusing the ones who were lucky enough to get out of the womb?

7. Side Effects to the Mother.
        - 9% risk of sterility
        - 14% risk of spontaneous miscarriages in future pregnancies.

Post Abortion Syndrome
        - Relentless guilt of realizing she has killed her unborn child.
        - Anxiety
        - Psychological "numbing." Doesn't respond the life anymore.
        - Depression and thoughts of suicide.
        - Anniversary syndrome. Increased symptoms around the anniversary of
        the actual abortion or the expected due date of the baby.
        - Re-experiencing the abortion. Flashbacks will come during situations
        that resemble some aspects of the abortion. Sound of a vacuum
        cleaner, a gynecological examination. Nightmares about babies.
        - Preoccupation with becoming pregnant again. Replace aborted baby.
        - Survival guilt. Attempt to atone for selfish choice.
        - Development of eating disorders.
        - Drug and alcohol abuse.

Conclusion:
        Abortion is having a great impact upon our society. You can't kill as many people as we have and not "reap" the consequences (Proverbs 14:34).
        As Christians, we must stand for the truth and influence as many people as we can.

HOW CAN TEENAGE CHRISTIANS REMAIN
FAITHFUL UNTIL DEATH?
by Heath Rogers

Introduction:
         Eccl. 12:1 - the Bible admonishes us to obey God in our youth. It is exciting to see young teenagers commit themselves to Christ. Doing so allows them to form the right kind of habits early. And the Lord will receive the efforts of their full life.
         It is not easy being a Christian. People can and do fall away. And teenagers have their whole life before them. Herein lies the challenge: Now that you have obeyed God in your youth, how can you remain faithful until death?
I believe much of that depends on the choices that are made. The teenage years are an exciting time of life, a time when many choices are made that will have a great impact on their lives.
      What are some things young Christians can do to help them remain faithful until death?

I. Marry A Strong Christian
         Marriage is the second most important decision you will make. It has large bearing on your decision to serve God and go to heaven. The decision of if/who you marry will have great impact on your life.
         2 Cor. 6:14-16 - the Bible advises against marrying a non-Christian. Why? Nothing in common spiritually. 1 Peter 3:7 - Christian husband and wife are heirs together of the grace of life. An unbelieving or unfaithful spouse can not provide that companionship and spiritual help that is needed.
         You will not be able to share your spiritual convictions, struggles, hopes, victories or blessings with the most important person in the world to you.
         Unequally yoked - two animals yoked together who do not belong teamed up with each other. One will drag the other down. The unbeliever will drag down the Christian.
         "I love them and I will win them to Christ." I hope so - if they don't win you! 1 Kings 11:1-4

         If you decide you are only going to marry a Christian, then you have limited yourself in who you are going to date and where you are going to look for them. Need to be around other young Christians.
         Christian life is hard enough married to a Christian. We all need a little help along the way. Marry a person who can help you go to heaven.

II. Choose the Right Career
         God wants man to work. Man was placed in the garden to take care of it (Genesis 2:15; 2 Thess. 3:10).
What do you want to do? Important decision. This is the time of life when you need to be thinking about that. What do you like to do? What are you good at? Can you make a living doing it? What kind of training will you need (college, tech, other)?
         Another important consideration - how will it affect your spiritual life?
         Some jobs have certain obligations, responsibilities and put you in contact with people who will challenge you to compromise your faith and convictions.
         - Some careers are sinful (alcohol, tobacco, gambling, etc).
         - Some careers place you in compromising positions (actor, entertainer, politician, entertaining clients, etc). 2 Cor. 6:14
         - Some careers will keep you from assembling with the saints (pro athlete, retail sales, etc)
         - Some careers will keep you away from family and local church for extended periods of time (military, trucking, contract work, etc).

         Whatever it is that you choose to do, just ask, "Can I do this and still serve God the way I should?" Jobs have pulled people away from Christ.

         III. Get Involved in the Work of the Church
         Early and Often.
         There is more to church membership than just sitting on a pew and putting your money in the plate. Church membership requires you to develop and use your talents in the work. To get involved.

         Teenagers are not the next generation of the church. They shouldn't be told to sit and wait their turn. They are a part of the current generation of the church. They have talents and youthful enthusiasm that should be used. They need to be encouraged to get involved in worship, teaching Bible Classes, helping with the building and grounds, evangelistic efforts, visiting, etc.

Becoming involved early and often will do two things:
         1. Give you a sense of responsibility. Wherever you go from here you will feel the need to be involved. You will be in the habit of serving a local church. You will be a great asset to whatever church you attend.
         Romans 16:1-2 - many of today's teenagers are tomorrow's Phoebes in waiting.

         2. You will have experience. You will have both the skills and experience and the energy of youth. Great combination.

         Habits are formed early, and are hard to break. One who is involved in the work of the church is less likely to fall away. They are at the heart of a congregation, not outside looking in.

         IV. Set Spiritual Goals
         How do you picture your life 10, 20, 30+ years from now? Where will you live, car, job, married?, children?, etc?
         How do you picture your spiritual life 10, 20, 30+ years from now?
         - Do you want to be an elder/deacon (or wife)? There are qualifications that must be met (1 Tim. 3, Titus 1). Decisions you make now will impact that decision.
         - Get in the habit of daily Bible reading and study now.
         - 2 Tim. 2:22 - Avoid the pitfalls of youth. Drugs, alcohol, sex. Exposure to these things can cause you problems the rest of your life.

         Focus on heaven. But have other spiritual goals you can work toward.
Elder, deacon, Bible Class teacher, develop class material, develop Christian Web Site, work with teenagers, song leader, good parent, etc.

         Anything worth doing does not happen by accident. Becoming good spouse, parent, elder, etc., doesn't just happen. Neither does going to heaven. Set goals and work towards them.

         Conclusion:
         2 Tim. 4:7-8 - as Paul reached the end of his life, he summed up his efforts. Although his life as a Christian was extremely hard, he had stayed in the fight, finished the race and remained faithful through every hardship.
It was only after a life of faithful service that he would receive a crown of righteousness.
         The Christian walk is not easy. Remaining faithful to the end will not happen by accident. Much depends on the choices we make. We can make things harder on ourselves with the wrong choices - or easier with the right ones.

Introduction:
          Many of David's psalms are meditations. David is thinking about who God is and who he is in relationship to God. Also, many of the psalms contain a cry for God to deliver David from his enemies. We know that, like any godly leader, David was opposed in many different areas of his life. Psalm 55 is similar to these, with one exception: David is seeking deliverance from the hand of a treacherous friend (vs. 12-14).

          It is impossible to give an exact date and occasion for the writing of this psalm. Some suggest that it is later in David's life, perhaps during the rebellion of his son Absalom. David speaks of living in the city, enjoying fellowship in the house of God and escaping to the wilderness. We can also see the treachery of Judas in betraying the Lord Jesus.

          Although we may have trouble identifying the exact time of the writing of this psalm, we have no trouble identifying with it. We have all been mistreated and hurt by others. Strangers, enemies and sometimes even family will turn on us at times. But that doesn't compare to the pain of being hurt by a friend.
          The reason: we choose our friends. We open ourselves to them in trust. We let our guard down and make ourselves vulnerable. We allow our friends access into parts of our heart that no one else is allowed in. When this is violated, it causes us pain that is unmatched.
          Friends are necessary. The Bible tells us that it is good to have friends: Eccl. 4:9-12 Proverbs 17:17. But we must remember that our friends are human. And there will be times when, either intentionally or unintentionally, they will let us down. Any time we are hurt we stand at a crossroads. What do we do? This psalm offers some suggestions.

I. Things We Can't Do

1. We can't run and hide - Psalm 55:6-8
          David's wish was a vain one. He faced trouble all his life.

          2 Timothy 1:7 - God gives us the strength to face the challenges of life. He will never allow us to face something stronger than we can handle, thus He expects us to overcome them, not to run away from them.
          The dove that Noah released couldn't find rest until it returned to the ark. Same is true for us. If we never muster the strength to face our trials we will always run from them.
          Drug and alcohol addicts, suicide - often are people who refuse to face the problems of life.

2. We can't allow ourselves to become bitter - Hebrews 12:15
          Any time we are sinned against or wronged in some way there is the temptation to become bitter. If anger is not taken care of properly, it takes root and become bitterness, ready to spring up and cause its trouble.
          The trouble caused by bitterness is that it seeks to share its pain with everyone else around it. Rom. 3:14 - often expressed in our words. There are some people that we try to avoid because we know they are going to talk about things that happened a long time ago.
           But the real danger is that bitterness destroys the person it takes root in. The Greek word for bitterness is PIKRIA. Reminds me of "pickle." A pickle is a shriveled up and sour cucumber. This is what bitterness does to people.

3. We can't seek our own vengeance.
          David says some harsh things in this psalm concerning the fate he desires for his enemies, but he never takes sword in hand to try to make it happen. He leaves that to the Lord.
          Rom. 12:17-21 - we are forbidden to seek our own vengeance. That belongs to God. It also violates the Golden Rule.
          People who are set on vengeance are miserable people. What would you expect from a person who's goal it is to destroy another person?!

II. Things We Must Do

1. Go to them and restore the friendship - Matthew 18:15
          The Lord has given us the remedy for restoring friendships - going to them and talking about it. The sooner this happens, the less chance there is for bitterness to set in.
          When we do this, try to remember:
A. Talk calmly - Prov. 15:1. You are trying to make it better, not worse.
B. Try to understand their point of view. Is it possible that they did this unintentionally?
C. Forgive and forget. If you work it out, and have "regained" your friend, then you must forgive them and move on - never to bring it up again. To do so will destroy this friendship and it will then be your fault!

2. Go to God in prayer - Psalm 55:16-19
          David may not be able to escape his trouble, but he knows where to go to find strength. Phil. 4:6-7 - we are not to worry about things. We go to God in prayer and let him know. We must allow His peace to guard our heart and mind.
          What makes prayer work for David is that he knows that he is never alone. He cries out to God because he knows that "God will hear" (v. 19). Do we have the same faith?
          Like the song "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" says, prayer is a solace, a place of refuge and rest offered to us - if we will go there. How many Christians deprive themselves of the strength and comfort that David found in prayer?

3. Cast our burden on the Lord - Psalm 55:22-23
         We have to do something with it. We can talk to others, but we can't give it to them. They can't do anything with it. It is best to give it to God.
          1 Peter 5:6-7 - God is big enough to take care of any problem we have. He asks us to cast it upon Him.

Conclusion:
          It is unfortunate that things like this happen. Those who hurt us will have to answer for it. But we also have to make a choice concerning how we are going to handle it. Are we going to handle it the right way or the wrong way? We will have to answer for how we react to it!

          B. Eph. 5:25-27 - Jesus died to cleanse the church, it is up to us to keep her that way. Church discipline is the effort to keep the church pure.

          C. When we mention church discipline, some immediately think about marking and withdrawing. This is only a part of it, the last resort.
Discipline actually has to do with training - training disciples to walk after Christ. It includes teaching, admonishing, warning, correcting, and when that fails - withdrawing.

          D. Marking and withdrawing from unfaithful or disorderly members is not a popular thing to do. It is neglected because no one wants to do it. It is emotionally painful to confront an erring brother, not knowing how he will react, how those close to him will react. Unless it has happened, one can only imagine the pain it causes when a family member is withdrawn from.
          One might ask the question, "Why go through with it? It is so hard, and doesn't seem to work anyway. Why Do We Practice Church Discipline?

I. We Are Commanded To - 2 Thess. 3:6
It is not an option. We are commanded to do it by the authority of Christ.
          A. Marking and withdrawing is something the church is commanded to do collectively - 1 Cor. 5:4-5.
          B. It is also something that we are to do as individuals: Gal. 6:1 Titus 3:9-11 James 5:19-20
If individual members will not cooperate, the collective action is useless.
          C. Some protest by saying, "It doesn't work." If God's way will not work, no way will work. The fact that it is commanded is all the reason we need.

II. Keeps the Church Pure - 1 Cor. 5:6-7
          Where there is no penalty for breaking the law, there is no respect for the law or the lawgiver.
If members are allowed to sin without correction, the influence of their disobedient, rebellious behavior will spread throughout the church like leaven.
          Romans 16:17-18 - those who threaten to disturb the church are to be identified and avoided.

III. Sends the Right Message
          Some may object that withdrawing fellowship defeats the purpose of the church. We should be inviting people to come, not kicking them out. Is this the message we want to send?
          >No one is kicked out of the church. Those who walk disorderly and refuse to repent are bringing this action upon themselves.
          A. Church discipline is sending the right message to the church. It tells the members that God's word and authority must be respected. Acts 5:11 - great fear came upon the church.
         B. It also sends the right message to the unbelieving world. The Lord's church is not a place where anything goes. Acts 5:12-14 -what kind of people are going to be attracted to a church where the members get away with anything?

IV. Saves the Erring Brother
God has a second law of pardon for the erring Christian. Withdraw is the last resort effort to bring an erring brother to repentance.
          1 Cor. 5:5 - That his spirit may be saved.
          2 Thess. 3:14 - do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.
          Something has changed. Can't go on enjoying social interaction like nothing has happened. The change is to affect them, make them ashamed.
          This is why it is important that every member cooperate. If not, the effect of the discipline is not felt. No shame, no repentance.

          How is this done?
          What does "do not keep company" mean? 2 Thess. 3:14; 1 Cor. 5:9-13
          "To mix up together, to associate with, be intimate with one."
          The Greek term used to refer to mixing various ingredients in a prescription and to different weeds growing up among grain. In the passive, it refers to human intermingling.
          Christians are to disassociate themselves from brethren who are walking disorderly.
          "Have no interchange of hospitality which would imply brotherly recognition." Christians are not to mix or associate with brethren who are in open rebellion against the teachings of Christ. We are not to treat them in a way that would encourage their disobedience to Christ.
          Matthew 18:17 - the Jews had absolutely nothing to do with the heathens and tax collectors. They were cut off from them socially.

V. Additional Considerations

A. How is church discipline to be carried out? With what kind of attitude?
          Gal. 6:1 - a spirit of gentleness. A harsh, unrealistic approach will drive them away, not bring them back.
          2 Thess. 3:15 - don't treat them as an enemy, but admonish them as a beloved brother.
          1 Tim. 5:20-21 - without partiality.

B. What happens when they repent?
          2 Cor. 2:6-9 - forgive, comfort and reaffirm our love for them. They are not second class citizens, no hoops to jump through, no waiting period to test the genuineness of their repentance.

Conclusion:
          Church discipline, marking and withdrawing from rebellious and unfaithful members, is not a pleasant thing to do. Many Christians and churches minimize its importance, shy away from it or simply refuse to do it.
          Church discipline is not about kicking people out of the church. It is about maintaining the purity of the church, sending the right message to members and unbelievers and bringing erring brethren to repentance and the salvation of their souls.

        When we talk about restoring New Testament Christianity, we often focus upon the pattern. But isn't there more to Christianity than just knowing and following the correct pattern?
        I want us to consider some of the attitudes that were characteristic of New Testament Christians. Are we really committed to restoring NT Christianity?

I. Zeal
        Titus 2:11-14 - Christians, those who have been redeemed, are to be zealous for good works. zealous - "ardently devoted to a purpose, fervent, enthusiastic."
        The Christians in the New Testament were fervent and enthusiastic about their faith - Acts 2:42
Acts 5:42, 8:4 - the gospel spread because these Christians were preaching it with zeal. These Christians did not sit around like bumps on a log. They were excited about their work. Can we say the same thing?
        Rom. 10:1-3 - of course zeal alone is not enough. Zeal without knowledge of God's will is dangerous. Many in error are devoted to spreading that error, and are very successful.
        When was the last time we were enthusiastic about being a Christian, devoted to the work of the church? If we lack the same zeal and enthusiasm they had, can we really say that we have restored New Testament Christianity?

II. Joy
        Christians are to be people of joy. Philippians 4:4 - we are to rejoice always, because in the Lord we have much to rejoice about.
        Christians in the New Testament didn't mope and complain. And many of them were persecuted for their faith. Paul wrote this from prison.

Christians are to rejoice in the work of the gospel:
        1. Receiving the word - Acts 8:39, 16:34
        2. When others receive the word - Acts 11:18, 23
        3. Even in persecution - Acts 5:41, Matt. 5:10-12
        They rejoiced because their persecution was a sign that they were
doing what was right, and that God would reward them.

        If we don't have the joy that these Christians had, can we really say that we have restored New Testament Christianity?

III. Boldness
        Acts 4:13, 29-31 - the book of Acts is a book of courage in the face of incredible opposition. The apostles were opposed by the Jewish counsel, James was killed by Herod, Peter was imprisoned. Paul was persecuted all across the Mediterranean world. But they never quit.
        2 Tim. 1:16-18 - put his life in danger to find Paul.
        Rom. 16:3-4 - risked their lives to help Paul in his work.

        How much opposition are we willing to face before we pack it in? We don't know because many of us have never faced it. Are we willing to take a stand for the truth, defend and promote it at all costs? If we aren't, can we really say that we have restored New Testament Christianity?

IV. Trust
        Faith is belief and trust. It is one thing to believe in God, but our faith is often put to the test when we have to trust in God.
        2 Cor. 1:8-10 - Paul had to learn to trust in God. By the end of his life he could say - 2 Tim. 1:12. Can we?
        The Christians in the New Testament didn't worry. They trusted in God to provide for them, guide them and deliver them.
        Christians today are given to worry. Just have trouble "letting go and letting God."
        Despite what the Lord says - Matt. 6:31-33.
        Worry is a thief, robbing us of our time, mental energy, sleep and health.
        Instead, we are to seek first God's kingdom, and His righteousness.
        If we are not able to trust in God to deliver us, can we really say that we have restored New Testament Christianity?

V. Togetherness
        The Christians in the New Testament felt a sense of community. They spent time together. Acts 2:44-47, 4:32, 12:12.
        These Christians weren't satisfied with meeting a few hours a week. They were together often, sometimes on a daily basis. Not out of a sense of duty, but because they wanted to. They shared something special in common. They were of one heart and one soul.
        One sign of a congregation's strength is how much time they spend together outside of the assembly. The church is not to sponsor these social events, but individual Christians are to spend time together. That is after the New Testament pattern.
        If we are not spending this time together, developing the relationships that will bind us and sustain us as a congregation, can we really say that we have restored New Testament Christianity?

Conclusion:
        Restoration is an honorable and scriptural goal. Are we sure we are devoted to restoring New Testament Christianity? All of it? Attitude is just as important as faith and practice.

Introduction:

        1 Peter 2:11-12 - Christians are pilgrims and strangers in the world. Our conduct is to be honorable, we are to abstain from lustful things that the rest of the world accepts and enjoys.

        This will cause us to be different in their eyes - 1 Peter 4:2-4. The world sees it strange that we don’t join them in these kinds of activities, including dancing.

        Seeing what is wrong with dancing may be difficult for some. The Bible does not say "Thou shalt not dance." For some, this fact alone may authorize it. This is complicated by the fact that dancing is sometimes mentioned in a positive light in the Bible.

        We must make sure we understand what kind of dancing was approved in the Bible, and what kind wasn’t!

1. Dances of Religious Devotion.

Dancing that was an expression of religious enthusiasm and praise to God.

Exodus 15:20 - Miriam led all the women in a dance to celebrate their deliverance from Egypt.

2 Sam. 6:14 - King David danced before the ark as it was finally brought into Jerusalem.

Matt. 11:16-17 - Jesus used the illustration if children dancing as they played with each other.

This kind of dancing was not like the popular dancing of our day. It was done for the purpose of celebrating or innocent playing.

No mention of people of the opposite sex dancing with each other, no sexual overtones.

2. Dances of Sinful Merrymaking.

Such dances were suggestive and lewd.

Exodus 32:19-25 - the children of Israel danced in a shameful and unrestrained way before the golden calf. Reverted to paganism.

Matt. 14:6-8 - If this dance followed the Roman custom of the time, it was a very lewd and sensual dance done in immodest attire.

Gal. 5:21 - revelries (carousing - NASV, orgies - NIV). Nocturnal and riotous procession through the streets in honor of a pagan god.

These would include drinking and dancing. Condemned as a work of the flesh.

Today’s popular dancing certainly fits the second category, which is clearly condemned in the Bible.

To find out what is wrong with dancing we must get more specific than just looking at where the Bible mentions dancing. There are some principles set forth in the Bible that we need to take a close look at.

I. Dancing is Lascivious

Gal. 5:19-21 - works of the flesh are condemned.

lewdness - NKJ sensuality - NAS debauchery - NIV

Lasciviousness is a word that we don’t use often, but it applies to several activities that are popular among today’s teens and young people.

W.E. Vine "excess, absence of restraint, indecency"

Thayer - "unbridled lust, excess, wanton acts or manners, as filthy words, indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling of males and females"

"Sensuality" is a good rendering of this Greek word in that it identifies it as anything that produces lust or sensual thought. Since dancing clearly fits this term, and it is clearly condemned as a work of the flesh, Christians can not engage in it.

II. Dancing Produces Sexual Desire

1 Thess. 4:3-5 - Christians are sanctified, set apart from those in the world. We are not to seek to fulfill our lustful passion like those without God. We are to control our body in a holy and honorable way. Specifically mentioned, we are to avoid sexual immorality.

Several sources acknowledge the fact that dancing arouses sexual desire:

A. Modern Psychology:

In his book, World History of the Dance, Curt Sach says, "The whole range of modern dances are designed to express love making."

Dr. Leta S. Hollingsworth, professor of education at Columbia University, wrote in "The Psychology of the Adolescent" that dancing "affords a partial satisfaction of the sex impulse which (among the adolescents) cannot as yet achieve full and specific expression."

B. Advertisers:

Cellular commercial in which a teenage girl, immodestly dressed, wants to go out. She is dancing with a teenage boy. After Jamie Lee Curtis makes the pitch, the teens are making out in a car. They understand where teenage dancing is intended to lead to.

C. Boys:

Some girls may not understand this, but teenage boys certainly do. There are some things that show that guys connect dancing with sex.

1. Heterosexual girls will dance with each other, without thinking anything about it. Heterosexual guys will not.

2. Guys do not want their girlfriends dancing with other guys. They know what the other guy is thinking.

Romans 13:14 - why would we dance if we know that it will arouse lustful desire? We wouldn’t willingly expose ourselves to something that would harm us physically (something we are allergic to). Why would we do the same spiritually?

III. Dancing is Associated With Other Sins

Dancing is often accompanied by drinking and drug use. Openly in clubs, but even secretly in high school dances.

Extra security used on prom night. Police checked the cars. Statistics show that in many places alcohol related accidents are increased on prom nights.

Hotel reservations are made for after the prom.

Dances, even school sponsored dances, are looked upon as opportunities to engage in and to enjoy different kinds of sins.

IV. Dancing is a Stumbling Block

One might say, "Dancing doesn’t affect me. It doesn’t cause me to have lustful thoughts or desires."

1. Anyone saying this hasn’t been dancing, hasn’t had lustful thoughts or desires or simply is not being honest.

2. What affect does it have on the person you are dancing with? If you have causes them to have sexual thoughts or desires you have sinned against them and have become a stumbling block.

What if another young Christian, who believes dancing is wrong, learns that you go to dances? Let’s say they give in and go to a dance but are not able to handle their sexual desires and give in to the temptation. They have sinned, but you have played a part in it.

V. Dancing Harms Our Influence

Matt. 5:16 Phil. 2:15

We must strive to set a good example. People in the world are watching us. What kind of influence for good would we have if we involved ourselves in something like dancing? How are we going to effectively talk to others about the necessity to repent and obey God if we are mimicking a sex act on a dance floor, or worse, succumb to the temptation and engage in sexual intercourse?

The world is watching, and they are quick to notice any inconsistency between our profession of faith and our conduct.

What if you learned that an opportunity you had to influence a lost soul to come to Christ was ruined by your involvement in something like dancing?

Conclusion:

Sometimes I wish the Bible would be more plain on subjects like this, that we could find a "thou shalt not" for everything that is wrong. But the Bible is plain enough for those who are sincere seekers for the truth and are committed to obeying God.

Please consider this, in the place of prohibitory laws, God has given us principles to govern ourselves by. These principles require us to stop and think about our words, actions, motive and attitudes. This causes our religion to be more than cold, heartless law keeping. It involves our heart and mind, which draws us closer to God.

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