## Tell Us Plainly ...

## John 10:22-31

In our scripture reading this morning we read where Jesus was asked by the Pharisees to tell them plainly, yes or no, was He the Son of God. Jesus replied to them that he had already both told and had shown them that he was indeed the Son of God. And shortly after he stated this they started picking up stones and throwing them at Him. He told them plainly, but they didn't like it. Ezekiel was told the importance of telling it plainly.

(Ezek 3:18-19) "When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. {19} Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul."

This morning, I want to speak plainly about the major problem of this church and of most Christians today.

I will get to the point. Plainly speaking, many of us do not love the Lord. We sing about it, and even give testimony about it, but we don't live like it!

I. Let's Start Out By Defining What Is Love For God?

A. Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15).

1. That's pretty plain isn't it?

2. If we love the Lord, we will show it by obeying His commandments as they are found in His word.

3. It's pretty simple to understand when it comes to our spouses.

a. If a man or woman truly loves their spouses they won't commit adultery against them.

b. Yet many claim to love the Lord and still go on committing spiritual adultery on a regular basis.

c. No beating around the bush, no sugar-coating the issue, we need to know what's wrong...

B. God's Word very plainly reveals that God is a jealous God.

1. As we consider the Word, we can see how God handled rejection by His people.

2. They thought that since they were the descendants of Abraham they would always be blessed by God, no matter what they did, but they were wrong.

3. Time after Time God sent prophets, crying out, even weeping, trying to draw God's people back to God, yet they kept on in their spiritual blindness anyway.

C. Over and over they rejected God.

1. One way they rejected God was by rejecting His way for the sabbatical year.

a. The captivity described in the book of Daniel was 70 years long because for 490 years they had not kept the sabbatical year.

b. God decided that since they had neglected 70 sabbatical years that He would get them back by captivity, and therefore they became slaves.

2. Another way they rejected him was by not giving their best to him.

a. They became covetous and kept back what was worth something and gave God the leftovers.

b. God collected what was given to Him after all the bills were paid, and the bills were paid with the best funds, then the weak, lame, blind and sick was given to God.

3. Another way they rejected him was by rejecting his direction in worship.

a. They not only replaced God with their manmade idols, but they completely rejected everything about God's worship.

b. They quit traveling to Jerusalem, and chose rather to set their idols up in the groves.

c. Those who did travel to Jerusalem were taken advantage of by those who decided to make an enormous profit at the expense of the ones trying to remain faithful to God.

d. Even the priests and prophets became corrupt and quit proclaiming God's Word as it should be proclaimed, and began proclaiming what the people wanted to hear.

D. Does any of this sound familiar?

II. How We Reveal Our Failure to Love God.

A. We give Him the leftovers of our talent.

1. It is difficult to find folks willing to teach and work in various areas of this ministry.

2. People who could teach, who used to teach, won't

3. People who used to visit, who could visit, won't.

4. People who used to sing in the choir, who could sing in the choir, won't.

5. Just fill in the blank…

6. What happens is the major load is left to the few who are willing to do the work.

7. Folks, if we love the Lord…this ought not to be the case!

B. We don't love the Lord because we give Him the leftovers of our time.

1. I know the excuses…

a. I am too busy…

b. I am too old…

c. I have done my part…

d. I can't (just means I won't)

2. Do we really think that this is pleasing to the Lord?

3. Some of us only come to church when we feel like it…if we aren't busy…if we aren't going to visit family…if…if…if…

4. This is a serious spiritual problem.

(Heb 10:25) "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."

5. What's wrong? We don't love the Lord!

6. Maybe, some are not even saved!

(Luke 6:46) "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?"

(Mat 7:22-23) "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? {23} And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

7. What will we say when we stand before the Lord?

8. Let me ask a very plain question: If you missed work as often as you missed worship services, and for the same reason that you missed worship services, how long would you be able to keep your jobs?

C. There are those who give the Lord the leftovers when it comes to offerings.

1. After God has given us so much…

2. How can we be so selfish as to want to keep it all?

3. The tithe is the Lord's…He should get the first-fruits of all we have.

4. That means that 10% of our gross income belongs to God…then comes the offerings for mission work, building fund, special ministry offerings.

5. But we aren't giving God our best if we aren't tithing.

6. There is no excuse for disobedience!

7. It is not up to us to decide where to use the tithe…it belongs to the Lord…give faithfully and He has promised to bless us.

III. Thank God for the Faithful.

A. There are those who will be here if at all possible, regardless of circumstances.

B. There are those who will do whatever needs to be done…because they love the Lord.

C. There are those who will give of their time, their talent, and their resources.

D. God is greatly pleased when we show our love for Him by our obedience to His commands.

God loves us…so much that He gave Jesus Christ to die on Calvary that we might have eternal life. We can be born again by placing our faith and trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ. If you have never placed your faith in Him the invitation is for you to come and receive Him as Savior today.

Christian, this morning the invitation is for us to come and commit ourselves to loving Him as Jesus tells us. Will you come today.

Whatever the need…the invitation is to come.