HANDICAPPED  CHURCHES

A handicapped person or animal is hindered to some degree.  Some overcome their handicaps
and commendation is offered to them.

Churches--congregations may be handicapped--hindered in growth.

What are some church hindered by:

I.  THINKING MORE HIGHLY OF SELF THAN WE OUGHT.
     A.  Try to compete with the denominations.
     B.  Forgetting our purpose.  Threefold:
           1.  Preach the gospel to the lost. - Mark 16:15-16.
           2.  Edify the members - 2 Tim.2:15.
           3.  Benevolence - Gal 6:1,10.
     C.  Forgetting the message - 1 Cor.2:2; Rom.1:16.
     D.  Appearing that we are sometimes ashamed of the plan of salvation and God's order of       
           worship.
     E.  Let's put emphasis on the gospel.

II.  MEMBERS DEVELOPING UNBECOMING HABITS.
     A.  The church members should set the example of good clean moral living.
           1 Tim.4:12; Tit.2:7-8.
     B.  The standard is set high--but not so high that we can't live by it. Gal.5:19-21.

III.  FILTHY MOUTHS.
      A.  Dirty stories, jokes and conversation which borders on the indecent should not be a part    
            of  the Christians lifestyle - Eph 4:29. 
      B.  Foul speech on the part of the members can handicap a church.

IV.  WORLDLINESS CAN HANDICAP A CHURCH.
       A.  Worldly people go to worldly places and worldly people are shocked to find church          
             members there.  So called Christians become a laughing stock.
       B.  The line of distinction between some so called Christians and the world is all to cloudy.
       C.  Unless there is confession of wrongs and genuine repentance, which means a ceasing of   
             such sinful acts, churches should withdraw from the sinful member. 1 Cor.5:1-13.
       D.  You may need to find new friends.
       E.  The congregation should make the line between worldiness and righteousness just as        
             wide and deep as the N.T. teaches.  Rom.2:21; 12:1-2.

V.  DISHONESTY HANDICAPS THE CHURCH.
      A.  Church members need to be honest in applying for a job.  If not qualified, do not say you  
            are.  Be honest with your employer.  Be honest with yourself.
CONCLUSION: If you are living in sin, consider your fate.  Eternity is a long time to think about
your sinful acts.  Are you handicapping the church where you are a member?