The Measure of a Strong Christian: 1 Samuel 16:1, 6-7

1.   Man’s “Measuring Sticks” of Faithfulness:

      a.   ATTENDANCE record: “He’s there every time the doors are open; he must be a faithful member.”

      b.   PARTICIPATION in church-related activities: Visitation program, fellowship activities, work days, etc.

      c.   LEADERSHIP qualities: Do people respect them?

            i.   Men: lead singing, prayer, wait on table, teach class, etc.

            ii.  Women: teach class, carry food to the sick, clean bldg, etc.

      d.   LIKABILITY: we tend to overlook or make excuse for the faults of those whom we like: 1 Corinthians 10:12

      e.   The problems with this measuring stick:

            i.   It measures the outside of a man w/o considering the inside.

                  (1) Can a man attend all the services and still be unfaithful?

                  (2) Can a person attend all the church-related functions and still be unfaithful?

                  (3) Can a man teach class and / or take a public leadership role and still be unfaithful?

                  (4) Can a woman teach class, help with tasks around the building, etc, and still be unfaithful?

            ii.  It neglects the many-faceted nature of the body of Christ:

                  (1) It emphasizes / exalts one function over another:

                        (a) tongues over prophecy - 1 Corinthians 14

                        (b) teaching over service - Romans 12:3-8

                        (c) “honorable” over “dishonorable” - 1 Cor 12:14-23

            iii. It has man setting men in the church as it pleases him and not as God would have it - 1 Corinthians 12:18

            iv. James 4:10-11; 1 Peter 5:6

2.   God’s Measure of a Strong Christian:

      a.   The FRUIT one bears in his life:

            i.   John 15:1-8

            ii.  Galatians 5:22-23

            iii. The parable of the sower - Matthew 13; Mark 4; Luke 8

            iv. Matthew 7:15-20

            v.   James 1:26-27

            vi. James 3:8-13

      b.   What’s been put OFF and what’s been put ON:

            i.   Ephesians 4:20-32

            ii.  Colossians 3:12-15

            iii. Romans 6:1-13 (Galatians 3:26-27)

3.   The Challenges of God’s Measuring Stick:

      a.   It emphasizes an INWARD transformation - Romans 12:1-2

            i.   Transformation is more difficult than CONFORMATION

                  (1) transformation requires TIME – 2 Corinthians 4:16

                  (2) transformation requires EFFORT – Galatians 6:9

                  (3) transformation requires DILIGENCE – 1 Peter 5:8-9

            ii.  metamorphoo vs metascheematizoo

      b.   The results, at least initially, are often seen only by God:

            i.   Matthew 6:1-6

            ii.  Colossians 3:22-24