Guidelines for Living (Part 2)
Heb. 13:21
Introduction
Guidelines for living are very important and we should do or follow it. I should be preaching about
Christmas but I would rather continue the topic. Rules at first may be hard to follow but you’ll get
used to it and when you do, everything will just be routine and you’ll find enjoyment doing it.
Serving the Lord is not an easy job but there is joy in doing it. Going to church every Sunday may
seem like a burden and a nuisance to your busy social life, demanding secular job, and important
rest and recreational life, but when you go to worship and serve, you’ll find that it is more blessed,
and more rewarding. So here are more guidelines to follow.
I. We allow others to be preferred more than us (Rom. 12:10)
1. This is humility and all Christians should practice humility for we have Christ as our
example. (Jn. 13:14-15).
2. We must consider all your brethren as more worthy than ourselves; and let neither
grief nor envy affect your mind at seeing another honoured and yourself neglected.
3. Preferring others more than yourself calls for self-sacrifice which is difficult to do
and only by the grace of God and by the power of the Holy Spirit we can do it.
4. Those who humbles themselves will be lifted and exalted by God (Jas. 4:10, Lk.
14:11; 18:14).
5. The humble and the lowly will receive more grace. (Pr. 3:34; Jas. 4:6)
6. For me the general rule is Luke 14:11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be
abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
7. Just remember what happened to Lucifer, Pharaoh, King Saul, Nebuchadnezzar,
Haman, and Herod.
It was John Riskin who said, “I believe the first test of a truly great man is his humility. I do not mean
by humility, doubt of his own power, or hesitation in speaking his opinion. But really great men have
a … feeling that the greatness is not in them but through them; that they could not do or be
anything else than God made them.” Andrew Murray said, “The humble man feels no jealousy or
envy. He can praise God when others are preferred and blessed before him. He can bear to hear
others praised while he is forgotten because … he has received the spirit of Jesus, who pleased not
Himself, and who sought not His own honour. Therefore, in putting on the Lord Jesus Christ he has
put on the heart of compassion, kindness, meekness, longsuffering, and humility.”
M. R. De Haan used to say, “Humility is something we should constantly pray for, yet never thank
God that we have.”
II. We sympathize to those who are in sorrow. (Rom. 12:15).
1. To sympathize means to feel in consequence of what another feels; to be affected
by feelings similar to those of another, in consequence of knowing the person to be
thus affected. We sympathize with our friends in distress; we feel some pain when
we see them pained, or when we are informed of their distresses, even at a
distance.
2. We should be sensitive and compassionate to the hardships and sorrows of others.
3. Marks of True sympathy:
a. Helpfulness (Acts 20:35)
b. Visits the fatherless and the widows, people who are in need (Jas. 1:27)
c. Identify with the sufferings of others (Heb. 13:3)
d. Burden bearing in the sense that the strong shall tolerate the weaknesses of their weaker brothers but they are to help the weak shoulder their burdens. (Rom. 15:1)
A man put up a sign in his yard that read: “Puppies for Sale.” Among those who came to inquire was a young boy. “Please, Mister,” he said, “I’d like to buy one of your puppies if they don’t cost too much.” “Well, son, they’re $25.” The boy looked crushed. “I’ve only got two dollars and five cents. Could I see them anyway?” “Of course. Maybe we can work something out,” said the man. The lad’s eyes danced at the sight of those five little balls of fur. “I heard that one has a bad leg,” he said. “Yes, I’m afraid she’ll be crippled for life.” “Well, that’s the puppy I want. Could I pay for her a little at a time?” The man responded, “But she’ll always have a limp.” Smiling bravely, the boy pulled up one pant leg, revealing a brace. “I don’t walk good either.” Then, looking at the puppy sympathetically, he continued, “I guess she’ll need a lot of love and help. I sure did. It’s not so easy being crippled.” “Here, take her,” said the man. “I know you’ll give her a good home. And just forget the money.”
III. We must minister to the needs of others. (Gal. 6:10)
1. As followers of Christ, it’s our duty to help others.
2. We are saved to serve. Serve the Lord and our brothers and sisters also, including non-believers for by this we may be able to invite them to come to Christ.
3. Serving others shows our Christlikeness (Jn. 13:14).
4. Serving others exhibits our love to hem (Jn. 21:16)
5. Each of us have a responsibility to be a neighbour (LK. 10:36-37)
The Dead Sea is so salty that it contains no fish or plant life. What accounts for this unusual condition? There are absolutely no outlets! A great volume of water pours into this area, but nothing flows out. Many inlets plus no outlets equal a dead sea.
This law of nature may also be applied to the child of God, and it explains why many believers are so unfruitful and lacking in spiritual vitality. It’s possible for some people to attend Bible conferences, listen to religious broadcasts, study the Scriptures, and continually take in the Word as it is preached from the pulpit, and yet seem lifeless and unproductive in their Christian lives. Such individuals are like the Dead Sea. They have several “inlets” but no “outlets.” To be vibrant and useful believers, we must not only “take in” all we can, but we must also “give out” in service to others!
IV. Looks at the things for others (Phi. 2:4)
1. It is the duty of every man to do this. No one is at liberty to live for himself, or to disregard the wants of others.
2. The object of this rule is to break up the narrow spirit of selfishness, and to produce a benevolent regard for the happiness of others.
3. “Others” is the key idea on this verse and chapter. The believer’s eyes are turned away from himself and just focused on the needs of others.
One night two friends were camping out in the deep woods on a warm summer’s night. Suddenly, their sleep was abruptly interrupted by a large furry visitor. A huge black bear began to tear through their camp, crushing supplies, throwing backpacks, and scaring the two men half to death. Thinking quickly, one of the men began to lace up his sneakers for a quick getaway. “You will never outrun that bear!” his friend yelled. To this he replied, “I don’t have to outrun the bear, I just have to outrun you!”Jesus taught us to put others first. His very actions and dealings with the beggars, the lepers,
and thieves showed that He had compassion for the lowly. So the next time you have trouble with your brother remember the following: “The world measures a man’s greatness by the number who serve him. Heaven’s yardstick measures a man by the number who are served by him.”
V. Conclusion:
Once more I will remind you that guidelines and rules are made for us to obey and to follow. We must practice humility, sympathize to those who are in sorrow, minister to the needs of others, and look at the things for others. If you look at the sermon last Sunday and today, they were all done by Christ. We cannot do exactly what the Lord did, but by His grace He will enable us to do all things according to His will. If you are blessed by this message, come to Jesus, repent from your sins and receive Him as your personal Saviour. With arms wide open He is waiting for you.
