December 11, 2005

 

“ARE YOU A CRUISE SHIP CHRISTIAN OR A BATTLE CRUISER CHRISTIAN?”

 

SCRIPTURE READING: ROMANS 12:1-8

 

ECCLESIASTES 9:10 (NIV) Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.

 

NOTE: Have you ever been on a cruise ship or do you long to go on one?

 

   What is it about taking a trip on a cruise ship that makes it so attractive?

 

 

   The whole purpose of the cruise line is to make you so happy and content that you will want to come again and tell others about your wonderful trip.

 

ILL:  David Williams and his steak not cooked properly.

 

   What is it about taking a trip on a battle cruiser that makes it so un-attractive?

 

 

   The whole purpose of a Battle Cruiser is to defeat the enemy and bring victory at any cost.

 

   How does the question, “Are you a cruise ship Christian or a battle cruiser Christian” have anything to do with our Christianity?

 

   It has everything. 

 

   When we answer this question truthfully, it reveals what kind of Christian we are.

 

 

   On a cruise ship, it is the responsibility of the Captain and the entire staff to satisfy your every legitimate desire.

 

   On the cruiser, it is our responsibility to fulfill every desire of the Captain’s and to obey his orders.

 

I.  THE CRUISE SHIP CHRISTIAN’S MENTALITY.

 

INTRO:  We often find these kinds of Christian in the large Mega Churches. 

 

 

NOTE:  The Cruise Ship Christian is only concerned with themselves and how their needs are met.

 

   A.  THE SCENERY

 

NOTE: They want everything to go smoothly. 

 

   The sun is always shinning.

 

   Everything is positive the sea is calm and only a gentle breeze is blowing.

 

   B.  THE ACCOMMODATIONS

 

NOTE:  They want the church to look really nice, but it’s not for the glory of God, it is for their own ego.

 

   C.  THE FOOD

 

NOTE:  They want positive sermons telling them how God is going to bless them with material blessings.

   They want the latest programs to meet their personal needs.

 

   They only want food they like.

 

NUMBERS 21:5 And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.

 

   D.  EVERYTHING IS DONE FOR YOU.

 

NOTE:  You don’t have to anything but enjoy all the things that others have prepared for your pleasure.

 

   E.  THERE IS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR A CRUISE SHIP

        CHRISTIAN.

 

NOTE: No one expects them to do anything and they don’t want to do anything.

 

   F.  IT’S ALL ABOUT SELF, BEING HAPPY AND CONTENT.

 

NOTE:  A Cruise Ship Christian is totally self-centered and has no real concern for the needs of others if it doesn’t affect them personally.

 

   On a Cruise Ship you can leave at any port if you wish too.

 

II. A BATTLE CRUISER CHRISTIAN

 

NOTE: A Battle Cruise Christian is all about service.

 

   They are constantly seeking way to please the Captain of the ship.

 

   That Battle Cruiser Christian is involved in war with the enemy.

 

   A.  THE SCENERY

 

NOTE: The scenery from and around the Battle Cruiser is filled with war scenes.

 

   B.  THE ACCOMMODATIONS

 

NOTE: They are cramped and meager.

 

   You live in close proximity with other crewmembers and you must learn to get along.

   For the Battle Cruiser to function properly each must do their part.

 

   C.  THE FOOD

 

NOTE: You feed on the Word of God and drink from the Living Fountain.

 

 JEREMIAH 15:16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.

 

JOHN 6:53-58 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.  Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.  For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.  He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.  As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.  This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

 

   D.  VERY LITTLE IS DONE FOR YOU

 

NOTE: On a Battle Cruiser everyone has to carry their own load.

 

PROVERBS 6:6-11 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.  How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?  Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: so shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.

 

   E.  THE ONLY RESPONSIBILITIES YOU HAVE IS TO OBEY

        THE CAPTAIN

 

NOTE: The Captain receives His orders from headquarters (Heaven) and than gives out the orders that when fulfilled with complete the mission that headquarters has sent the Battle Cruiser on.

 

JOHN 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

 

    F. IT’S ALL ABOUT SERVICE TO AND FOR OTHERS

 

PHILIPPIANS 2:1-4 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

 

NOTE:  The battles we fight are no always for ourselves, they are often for the needs of others.

 

G.       THERE ARE NO PASSENGERS ON A BATTLE CRUISER.

 

MARK 8:34-38 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.  For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?  Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?  Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

 

CONCLUSION:  On a Cruise Ship you can leave the ship at any port you and get on another, on a Battle Cruiser there are only three ways to leave the ship: