Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, March 12, 2000, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia. For more outlines, including a zipped file of all of my 1999 sermon outlines, click on the link at the bottom of this note, and go to our website:

BELONGING TO THE RIGHT CROWD

By Michael D. O'Neal
Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church
Albany, Georgia

Scripture Reading: Exodus 32:15-27

Text: Exodus 32:26

Exodus 32:26 Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD'S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.

Introduction: Although it is good for a Christian to learn to stand alone against the crowd when times of testing come, the truth is, man is made so that he needs fellowship with God and with people. God looked upon Adam and said that it was not good for the man to be alone. Most people are going to search for companions, for friends. In other words, you WILL have a crowd of some sort -- friends, coworkers, relatives ... or even the TV, radio, etc. will become your buddies. Little children sometimes become so lonely that they will INVENT an IMAGINARY buddy.

It is VITAL that you have the RIGHT crowd. You see,
Your crowd identifies you.
Your crowd influences you - more about this tonight.

Who is the RIGHT crowd?

I. THE RIGHT CROWD IS THE SAVED CROWD

2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

A. They are born again

B. They are believers - 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Acts 16:29-31

C. They are brothers in Christ

II. THE RIGHT CROWD IS THE SERVING CROWD

2 Thessalonians 3:13-14 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. 14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

A. They are serving in a fundamental church
(Bible-believing, independent Baptist)

B. They are serving with faithful consistency

C. They are serving as the Father's children
(doing what they do for the LORD)

D. They are serving to follow Christ

III. THE RIGHT CROWD IS THE SOUL-WINNING CROWD

Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

Proverbs 13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

Proverbs 14:7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.

A. They are carrying tracts

B. They are clear in their testimony

• In lips - not obscuring the gospel
• In life - living in such a way so as to adorn the gospel
  

C. They are covering their territory

• They support missions, but they are doing what they can to reach their "Jerusalem."
• They participate in their church's soul-winning efforts.
• They try to witness to people on a daily basis.

IV. THE RIGHT CROWD IS THE SEPARATED CROWD

1 Peter 4:4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

A. They are separated in their attitude

• Separation is really a matter of the heart.

B. They are separated in their associations

C. They are separated in their appearance

D. They are separated in their actions

WHO IS YOUR CROWD?
With whom are you most comfortable?
Do you need to change crowds?
Above all, are you in the SAVED crowd? Are YOU saved?

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