IT S ALL IN THE FOLLOW-THROUGH But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. 1 A. The games we play often reflect REAL life. 1. Football is a team sport, & each team has a coach whose purpose is to get everyone working together to win games. a. A model for every healthy business: Goals Authority Teamwork. B. But the games we play also reflect our SPIRITUAL lives. 1. Paul used the individual sport of foot-racing (Gal 2:2; Phil 2:16; 2 Thes 3:1; Heb 12:1; 2 Tim 2:5). 1 Cor 9:24-27 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 C. The sports of baseball, golf & tennis can also teach us something out our Spiritual lives. 1. Because in these three sports especially ONE thing is essential: a. Yes, you ll need a knowledge of the game, good equipment & the skill to use to. Also a good stance in preparation for hitting the ball. b. But without a follow-through at impact, all that knowledge, skill & good equipment is meaningless. [This lesson is about the importance of follow-through in our service to the Lord. We may have the knowledge & even the skill to be an effective Christian, but without execution follow through we can achieve nothing.]
I. EXAMPLES OF FOLLOW-THROUGH A. Paul & the churches of Galatia. 1. There is no record of Paul ever going to these churches, they were most likely taught the gospel from messengers who came from Paul while he was in Ephesus. 2. Paul, knowing the gravity of their situation didn t just let a sick body die, he followed-through with an epistle of love & warning (Gal 1:6-8; 3:1; 4:19-20). 3. But John knew the importance of followthrough. 3 John 10a Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. a. This was more than just a case where a congregation refused to support a preacher. b. This was a case of one man instigating a war against the representatives of Jesus Christ. B. John & Diotrephes. 1. Diotrephes was an ego maniac ; a selfpromoting, self-interested, domineering man who was eaten up with ambition. 2. His character led him to use malicious tactics to keep the Apostle John s influence out of his congregation. c. If Diotrephes had been successful, if John had not followed through with the necessary actions then many Christians would have been cut-off from Christ. II. FAILURES IN FOLLOW-THROUGH A. Israel (Jud 2:6-10). 2
B. Joash (2 Chron 24; 2 Kings 11-12). 1. The LORD watched over Joash. 2. His grandmother (Athaliah) seized the throne in Judah when her son (Ahaziah) the king was killed by (Jehu) the future king of Israel. 3. Athaliah intended to keep her power by killing all the royal sons (grandsons). 6. For several years Jehoiada led the nation, protected Joash & brought him up to know the Lord (2 Kgs 11:17; 12:2). 7. King Joash ultimately tore down the altars of Baal, repaired the Temple & restored worship according to the Law of Moses (which they found). 8. But after the death of Jehoiada the Priest, Joash allowed himself to be influenced by the leaders of Judah to turn back to idolatry (2 Chr 24). 4. Joash was hidden by his aunt (Jehosheba) for six years. a. At the end of those six years, Grandma Athaliah was executed by her own nation. 9. He ended up killing the son of Jehoiada, losing a war against the Syrians, & losing his own life at the hands of his servants. 10. He was not even honored with a burial among the kings (2 Chron 24:2, 4, 22-25). 5. So Joash became the king at 7 years of age, due to the influence of a righteous priest (Jehoiada). a. Joash suffered the same problem that God s people always struggled against. FAITH BUT NO FOLLOW-THROUGH! (Heb 3:17-19 4:2; Jas 2:20, 26). 3
C. Peter. 1. Peter played the hypocrite, he was not straightforward about the truth of the gospel (Gal 2:11-14). 2. Paul followed-through & withstood Peter to his face, because he was to be blamed. D. The WRONG follow-through is as bad as NO follow-through. 1. An invitation from a Dallas area church invited members from area churches to attend a singing & Lord s Day service. 2. But this church included something that would have an appeal to young people a bonfire, a devotional & a lock-in. a. They had no liberty to mix recreation with the spiritual work & worship of the Lord s church (Col 3:17; Phil 4:9). b. Their social activities may be funded by families within the church, but the invitation was from the church. c. They made no attempt to distinguish between the work of the church & the liberties of individuals. III. AREAS WHERE FOLLOW-THROUGH IS NEEDED A. Personal lives: 1. Parental Discipline (Eph 6:1-4). Prov 13:24 He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly. 4
22:15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from him. 23:13-14 Do not withhold correction from a child, for if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. 14 You shall beat him with a rod, & deliver his soul from hell. 29:15 The rod & rebuke give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother. 2. Prayer (1 Thess 5:17; 1 Tim 2:1-4; Phil 4:6-7). 3. Bible study (2 Pet 1:5; 3:18). 4. Hospitality (Rom 12:13; 1 Pet 4:9). 5. Developing our gift or talent (1 Pet 4:10-11). 6. Demonstrating our love (Jas 2:15-17; 1 John 3:16-18). B. Church duties: 1. Plans are needed to develop men & women in their respective roles. 2. Churches need follow-through in matters of discipline. a. A single virus or bacteria, left untreated, can kill a human being. b. And a single member left in sin & left in fellowship can ruin a soul & an entire congregation. a. God demonstrated His love toward us while we were sinners (Rom 5:8). c. Sin will not repair itself; God s remedy must be applied to it; there must be follow-through! b. As we saw in Paul s dealings with the Galatians, love will find a way to demonstrate itself. CLOSING 5
A. How do we develop follow-through? 1. Practice it over & over like the athletes do. a. Build up some muscle memory. 2. Change just one habit (at a time) that will allow for personal spiritual growth. Hear the gospel Christ; read it: Acts 2; 3; 13; 17; Rom 10:17 Believe Jesus to be Lord and Christ, the Son of God and Savior of men: Acts 2:36; John 3:16; 8:24; 20:30-31; Acts 4:12; Titus 1:4 Repent of your sins: Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30; 1 John 3:4 Confess your faith in Jesus Christ: Matt 10:32-33; Acts 8:37; Rom 10:9-10 Be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins & salvation: Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Rom 6:3-4; Gal 3:27; 1 Pet 3:21 Be obedient to the Lord, He will be your Judge: Titus 2:11-12; Heb 5:9; 2 John 9; Rev 2 a. Get up 15 minutes earlier for a prayer. b. Watch 1 less program for family Bible reading. c. Dedicate one day a month to doing something with another Christian. B. As we begin a new year, let us pray to have the follow-through we need to be effective workers in the Lord s Kingdom. 6