The Early Church: Growth(3) Heartfelt Religion: I Timothy 1:5 I. Introduction. A. Review past lessons. B. Being effective in our personal growth and the growth of the church is more than going through motions. C. No one can please God when one's heart is not right; when one does not obey from the heart; when one does not follow Christ with all of one's heart. D. All acceptable religion must come from the heart: I Timothy 1:5. 1. From the point of belief to the last breath one takes. 2. Remember: the Bible heart is the mind. E. Going through the motions, without a full dedication to the Lord, will not satisfy the Lord in the day of judgment. F. What kind of "heartfelt" religion do I(we) need to grow? II. Body. We need a.... A. Heart of compassion. 1. So taught in the Lord's parables. a. The unforgiving servant: Matthew 18:21-35. b. The Samaritan: Luke 10:25-37. c. The prodigal: Luke 15:11-24. 2. The Lord possessed such a heart: Matthew 9:36-38. a. Toward the sick and infirmed. b. Toward those who had nothing to eat. c. One's loss of a loved one. d. Toward those lost in sin. 3. To grow, develop a "heart of compassion." a. Realize people are lost unless we teach them: John 4:35. b. Teach while there is time: Luke 16:27-28. c. Appreciate the value of human beings(nature and origin, duration of existence, cost of redemption). d. Understand the fate of those who are lost: I John 5:12. (1 The alien. (2 The erring child(no one cared?) (3 Jesus taught care for the one who strayed from the 99. B. Heart of service. 1. Jesus taught: Matthew 20:26-28. a. Greatness in kingdom measured by willingness to serve. b. Greatest gift: oneself. 2. Paul taught: Romans 12:1-2. a. Further: v. 3-5. b. Not a dead(inactive) sacrifice; a living(active, vibrant) servant. 3. Learn to esteem others: Philippians 2:3-4. a. "A servant's heart puts the needs of others first" (David Webb). b. Hence--Jesus example: Philippians 2:5. 4. Eight character traits of a servant of God: Matthew 5:1-10. 5. Jesus object lesson: John 13:3-11. a. Custom: servant washed visitor's feet(or one of household did it). b. None of the disciples volunteered--Jesus took on the role. c. Jesus demonstrated being a servant. d. Also be willing to receive a service without feeling guilty or need to repay: John 13:8. e. A true servant of Christ has a heart empty of pride. f. It takes inner strength to be a servant. (1 Would I have washed Jesus feet?(or disciples) (2 Pride might prevent one from being this kind of servant. 6. Servants should not hesitate to obey the commands of the Master. a. Serve by teaching the alien sinner and the weak, encouraging the fainthearted, teaching the faithful, visiting the sick, admonishing the erring, and being willing, at all times, to take on any worthy task in God's kingdom. b. The sacrifices of early Christians could put all of us to shame. c. How many have I taught the truth, led to Christ, rescued from sin or error, strengthened in the truth, given a word of encouragement, etc.? C. Heart dedicated to a deep love for the Word of God. 1. Cannot love or teach what one knows little about. 2. Often do not feel "comfortable" with our knowledge--do not try to teach(individually or collectively). 3. A lack of spiritual growth hinders: Hebrews 5:12-14. 4. Begin with: I Peter 2:2. a. Never too late to begin! b. Must desire to grow--when takes place--we can achieve goal of teaching others. 5. Review Psalm 119. III. Conclusion. A. Common expression: "His heart is not in it." 1. Let such not be said of us. 2. If we grow spiritually and numerically, we must have heart- felt religion. B. Hence: Ephesians 6:5-8.-jy