RSVP

-Introduction

-RSVP – an acronym for a French phrase meaning, “respond if you please”

-On the back cover of one of my Bibles I have written “RSVP.”

            -After all, isn’t that what God wants us to do in regards to the invitation presented

             in His word?

            -Rev 22:17 – Within the Bible’s closing words we find an invitation.

-We can each respond – and need to respond – with obedience to the Gospel.

            -Believe in Jesus (John 3:16, 8:24), Confess that faith (Matt. 10:32, Rom. 10:9-10),

             Repent of Sin (Luke 13:3,5; Acts 17:30), Be Baptized into Christ (Mark 16:16, Acts
             2:38).

            -But then what?

-In the church we sometimes do a good job with working with a person up to the point of

 his/her obedience to the Gospel.  But, then what?

-Most of us know that – regardless of how short of a time or how long of a time we’ve

 been Christians – we need to continue to grow spiritually.

            -But how?

            -Now, I’m not going pretend to be able to address this important topic at much length

             at all in one lesson.  However, I want to make some simplistic, practical (and perhaps

             rather obvious) suggestions.

-Read

-Our God has chosen to communicate to us through the avenue of words – His words.

  What are we to do with those words?  To get started, we need to read them.

-Spend time each day in God’s word…reading.

            -Purposely set aside some time to read your Bible.

            -When?  Where?  How long?  - Of course, that’s up to you.  But, please, read your Bibles.

-Last week’s lesson included a reference to the importance of being spiritually minded.

            -Romans 8:6

            -You’re not going to find help with being spiritually minded out in the world.  You’ll find

             that help in God’s word.

-By simply reading, you might not absorb a lot of particulars.  Yet, by reading, where are you

 focusing your mind? – on God’s word – on the spiritual aspect of life.

-Study

-However, when spending time in God’s word, don’t spend all of your time simply reading.

-Instead, spend some time studying – 2 Tim 2:15.

-Maybe it’s a topic, a particular book of the Bible, a passage, a word, a person, etc.  Maybe it

 is something that you came across while reading.  Pick something and study it.  Dig in and

 discover more fully the treasure of God’s word.

            -Perhaps there is something in particular that you want to improve upon.  Study about it.

            -Psalm 19:8-11

            -Job 28:12-28

-Visit/Contact a Fellow Christian

-During the week, have some contact with a fellow Christian.

-Perhaps it is a brief visit on the way home from work with one of the widows or widowers

 of the congregation.

            -James 1:27

            -Stop in and say “hello.”  See how they’re doing.  See if there is something they need

             that you might be able to help with.

            -Perhaps you’re about to go to Wal-Mart.  Give a widow or widower a call and see if

             there is something you could pick up for them.

            -They would appreciate the contact and you would be encouraged/edified as well.

            -Many times I’ve left the home of an individual saying to myself, “That visit did me more

             good than it did for them.”

-1 Cor. 15:33

            -We need to spend time with fellow Christians.  We need to build and enjoy fellowship.

                        -We need encouragement and edification along the way.  We’re not going to find

                         that with/in the world. 

            -Something that you’re going to do – do it with a brother-or-sister in Christ.

                        -Going to grab a bite out to eat?  Ask somebody to go along.  Enjoy the fellowship.

            -Or, invite somebody into your house.

            -Have you considered studying the Bible with somebody else?

            -etc., etc., etc.

-In many congregations, we simply don’t have the fellowship that we should.

            -However, instead of just saying that we don’t have enough fellowship, do something

             about it.

-This week, contact at lead one other fellow Christian/family.

-Pray

-1 Thess. 5:17 – We need to develop a pattern of prayer.

-It is our opportunity to talk to the Almighty God of heaven.

-Again, this is an avenue in which we can get focused / remained focused / or refocused on

 spiritual matters.

-1 Tim. 2:1-2

-Talk with God.  Thank Him.  Praise Him.  Make requests of Him.

            -Pray for self – strength, courage, continued growth, etc.

            -Pray for others – sick, shut-ins, bereaved, etc.

            -Pray for the church – elders, church leaders, church workers, success, growth, etc.

            -Pray for your families, friends, co-workers, etc.

            -Pray for our country and its leaders, world leaders, etc.

            -Pray for the lost.

            -Pray for your enemies.

-Lord willing, we’ll be learning more about this important topic in our upcoming Wed.

 evening auditorium Bible class.

-Summary and Invitation

-Read, Study, Visit/Contact a fellow Christian, Pray – RSVP

-Each of these is an important part of our ongoing response to God’s word.

-Will you do these things?  Will you continue to do them?  I hope we all will.