STRIVE FOR GOAL OF CHRISTIAN PERFECTION.

Christians should strive for the goal of Christ perfection. That's something we can't all obtain - some are weak, some are strong, yet all are necessary. We are all one body in Christ. Strive together, a church separated quarrels - misunderstandings, strive together.

Strive for what? Salvation! Saving souls! Is soul saving hard? There are many small parts - softening up, just asking someone to church... Small credit? Yes, but we are all part of a team, just as in football. Being a guard is a small part - you get no touchdowns, but if a weak team collapses - over me, a crossblock - unknown hinderance. A small part accomplishes a lot. Many make touchdowns.

A church can grow from one Christian invitation - and grow to a good membership. Hinderances can be figured out after games, but by then it's too late. The next game may be okay, but there is only ONE life.

What hinderences might there be to soul saving? We can ask someone to come to church and we end up not being there. We can ask them to come, and it's a poor service, visitors aren't made to feel welcome, or we offer no second invitation.

There are other reasons why someone won't come. They have other things to do - go to picture shows, dances, sleep in or study. Or they just don't want to come. John 5:24 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." - we must get them to church.

As good as we think we may be, unless a man be born again, he will not see the Kingdom of Heaven.

Born again - I Cor 3:11-15 "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. "

We cannot lose our salvation, but we can lead others astray. We might believe in what they are doing, even if it's wrong. Sinners make the best Christian thermometers - they watch our every move.

Dancing, picture shows, Sunday recreation, we are seen by sinners.

Dancing - not hard for me to not go to dances; I never did.
Picture shows - more difficult - I went but only on dates.
Sunday recreation - I used to, but I lost the feeling. What's wrong with it? Seems okay - just slightly against the Pastor's will.

Each can lead to other things - dancing to smoking and drinking - first appeal for the opposite sex. Love means nothing - like pool - a stumbling block - I Cor 8:9-16, 9:24 Picture shows - same thing - can lead on

1. Poor shows - bad examples
2. Poor and good mixed
3. We can choose - I Cor 6:12
4. Blots out church

Sunday recreation -
Small seems okay - but the Lord's day is Holy, keep it that way. Small grows to big. Recreation in church - no Singspiration. Glorify God only - recreation ruins the messages; people may come to church for the recreation and not for God, then too much recreation means no time for church.