Sermon Audio Archive

What Must I Do To Be Saved?

  

FROM: 10/27/02 Radio Program

Question:

I am a homebound person, and feel like my faith is getting dry. I read my Bible, but don't feel like I'm getting anything out of it. Are there any passages which you could suggest I read?

Answer:

A passage which comes to mind is Psalm 119. There, David devotes this entire psalm to giving honor to God's word. For instance, it is here that David says:

1. "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law" (v. 18). This ought to be our prayer

as we begin reading God's word. May our eyes be opened to the wondrous things revealed in His word.

2. Further, he says, "My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word." It is God's

word which gives us spiritual strength to endure problems in this life.

3. "My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word." (Also, v. 50) It is God's word

which revives us, or makes us alive.

4. David said it is God's word which gives us hope: "Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast

caused me to hope." (Also, v. 74)

The reason David could say such is because God's word is "settled in heaven" (v. 89).

When one's faith seems "dry", this is the time to do as the Ephesians and remember your first love (Rev. 2:4). What was it that made you excited in the study of God's word? What was it that made you want to learn more and more? Try to remember those things, and get back your first love. Remember, it is God's inspired word which is "profitable" for us to "thoroughly" equip is for "every good work" (II Tim. 3:16-17).

SOME SUGGESTIONS I'D OFFER TO A HOMEBOUND PERSON WHOSE FAITH IS "DRY":

1. We need to remember that faith without works is dead (Jas. 2:17, 20, 26).

* Remember, that Elijah, when he was frustrated, disappointed, sad, and discouraged was told to go to work

(I Kings 19:15-16), not to sit down and feel sorry for himself, or think there was nothing he could do.

2. Though homebound, such a person can still be active at home and do such things as:

a. Pray for others.

b. Send a card to someone sick, or "just because."

c. Call one on the phone and express genuine interest in them.

d. Write a nice letter to someone, and encourage them.

e. Though you cannot go, invite people to visit YOU, and let people know they are welcome into your home

for a visit. Though homebound, it is important that you have contact with the "outside" world.

This is not the time to give up on God nor His word. Rather, if one's faith is "dry," it is time to partake of the "living water," (Jn. 4:10, 14) and drink it all the more during this time. And, then let us be active in doing what we can do in service to the Lord. On one occasion, Christ commended the woman who anointed Him with oil, saying, "She hath done what she could...." (Mk. 14:8). This ought to characterize us - though we do not all have the same abilities or opportunities, let us be found doing what we can for God!