WORLDLY BUSINESS IS NO PLEA FOR THE NEGLECT OF RELIGION

Matthew 8:18-22

  1. Intro.
    1. when Paul preached at Athens, he beheld their devotions, and perceived that they were in all things too superstitious
      1. if Paul would publish the glad tidings of salvation in our great cities, he would see no reason to charge us with this
      2. if he observed our lives, he would say, "I perceive in all things ye are two worldly-minded"
        1. "ye are too bent on pursuing your lawful business"
        2. "so eagerly, as to wholly neglect the one thing needful"
    2. there is not a greater way to show love to the world, than to sound an alarm
      1. to warn of the danger of continually grasping after the things of this life
      2. to warn about not being more concerned for their well-being in the future state
    3. many reasons for sounding an alarm today
      1. because worldly-mindedness so easily besets the hearts of men
      2. because many pretend to serve God while laboring for the things which perish
      3. because they do not perceive their failure to gain that which endures into eternity
    4. our text cautions us not to pursue the affairs of this world, at the expense of our happiness in the next
    5. the occasion for these word being spoken
      1. Jesus had given a command to depart to the other side
      2. one fellow wanted to follow Him, but Jesus warned him that He had no permanent dwelling place
      3. another individual that was summoned to go, made an excuse for not going
        1. Jesus said unto him, "Let the dead bury their dead"
        2. leave worldly business to worldly men
        3. let secular business be left undone, rather than neglecting to follow me
    6. this message from Christ has often been repeated
      1. whether this person did as he was commanded, we do not know
      2. this we do know, that what Christ said to this person, He has often whispered with the still small voice of his Holy Spirit
      3. leave your affections for the things of this life; and take up your cross and follow me
      4. they justify themselves by saying, "Lord, suffer us first to bury our fathers, or dispatch our secular duties"
      5. Jesus would answer, "Let the dead bury their dead," let your worldly business be left undone, rather than neglect to follow Me
  2. no business, no matter how important, can justify a neglect of true religion
    1. what we mean by the word "religion"
      1. it does not mean any set of moral virtues, or a formal attendance on any outward duties
      2. it does mean an application of Christ's personal righteousness into our life, made by faith
      3. it is a real change of nature, wrought in us by the power of the Holy Spirit
      4. a change that is preserved and nourished in our souls by a constant fresh supply of grace
      5. a change that is evidenced by a good life, and bringing forth the fruits of the Spirit
    2. this is true and undefiled religion
      1. the Son of God came down and shed his precious blood to perfect this work in our hearts
      2. for this end were we made, and sent into the world
      3. if we judged by worldly standards, we might conclude that the whole purpose of life is to toil for uncertain riches
      4. if we consult the Word of God, it will inform us, that we were born for nobler ends
      5. an obligation laid upon all: even the busiest people ought to fulfill that which they were created for
    3. some people confine religion to the clergy, but that is a fatal mistake
      1. all are called by God to the same state of inward holiness, and outward service
      2. we are all corrupt in our nature, so must we all be renewed and sanctified
      3. the Bible points to only one way of admission into heaven, and that through the narrow gate of a real conversion
      4. God saves us to root out the corrupt, and to fill us with all the fullness of Himself
    4. man is his own worst enemy
      1. the joy of salvation is not just for the minister, but for everyone that will receive it
      2. God saves us so that we might enjoy the abundant life; is it not therefore our privilege to enjoy life as much as possible
      3. do business people find the corruptions of their nature so pleasing, that they do not care if they ever root it out
      4. do they think that God will create a new thing upon the earth, and contrary to the purity of his nature, and immutability of his counsel, admit them into heaven in their natural state
    5. is there anything in the temporal affairs of man that is of utmost importance
    6. men lose their souls by hunting after riches, as those who lose them by hunting after sensual pleasures
    7. "What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lost his own soul"
    8. a parable by Jesus – Luke 14:16-21
      1. two of the three had business reason for not going
      2. did the master accept of their excuses: no, the text tells us the good man was angry
      3. what does this parable teach, but that the most lawful callings cannot justify our neglect
      4. they are no longer lawful when they interfere with the great concerns of our faith
      5. our profession, must never interfere with our precious calling, as Christians
  3. a time of application
    1. let not our concern for things which perishes be at the expense of those things which endure for ever
      1. if we were to always live in this world, then worldly wisdom would be our highest goal
      2. we have no continuing city here, but are sent into this world to be fitted for that which is to come
    2. Christians and Christianity do not have a lot in common today – Matthew 6:33-34
      1. this reveals how little faith we really have
      2. we are strictly told not to worry about tomorrow, and yet we are continually laying up riches for many years, though we know not who shall gather them
      3. is this acting like someone that is a strangers and pilgrims upon earth
    3. the wise worldlings
      1. they may seem wise concerning the important things of this life; but when their eyes are opened by death, and their souls launched into eternity, they will see the littleness of their cares
      2. these will one day cry for themselves for acting like the unjust steward
      3. the god of this world, and an inordinate desire for things, have stifled the conscience of man
    4. conclusion
      1. make the renewal of your fallen nature, the one business of your life
      2. let no worldly profit, no worldly pleasure, divert you from accomplishing it
      3. live as people that are likely at any moment to be hurried away by death to judgment
      4. remember, that this life is a state of infinite importance, a point between two eternities
      5. remember that after these few days are ended, there will remain no more sacrifice for sin
      6. often ask yourselves, how do you wish to live when you leave the world