Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, Oct. 22, 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:

CHURCH MEMBERS THAT I LOVE

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

Scripture Reading: Romans 16:1-16

Text: Romans 16:8

Romans 16:8 Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.

Introduction: Notice the word, "beloved" in

verse 5: my BELOVED Epaenetus
verse 8: Amplias my BELOVED in the Lord
verse 9: Stachys my BELOVED
verse 12: the BELOVED Persis

It is obvious that Paul loved these saints of God at Rome. Every preacher should love his church members. I love MY church members -- ALL of them. Some church members are, however, easier to love than others. I want to mention four main kinds of Christians in my church that I love:

I. I LOVE THOSE WHO DON'T MISS

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

A. They don't miss going to church

B. They don't miss giving cheerfully

C. They don't miss getting converted!

II. I LOVE THOSE WHO DON'T MURMUR

1 Corinthians 10:10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

Acts 6:1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

A. They don't murmur about God's provision for them

B. They don't murmur about God's plan for their lives

C. They don't murmur about God's preacher

D. They don't murmur about God's program

III. I LOVE THOSE WHO DON'T MIX

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?

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

A. They don't mix the scriptures with falsehood

B. They don't mix the sexes in fornication

C. They don't mix the saints with the filth of this world

IV. I LOVE THOSE WHO DON'T MIND

The word, "mind," has two common meanings:

To obey or regard
To dislike or object to

1 Corinthians 1:4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;

Paul thanked God always for the Corinthians. He loved them. However in the same epistle we find:

1 Corinthians 5:1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.

I even love church members who don't mind (OBEY or REGARD), keeping in mind that:

A. Babies will always act like babies while they are babies

B. Backsliders have potential

C. Building believers is part of my business as pastor

THANK GOD FOR THOSE WHO DON'T MIND (DISLIKE OR OBJECT TO):

A. The presence of babies

As long as we win souls, we will have new babes in Christ.

B. The preaching of the Bible

C. Persevering through battles

Thank GOD for those who STICK, who STAY through thick and thin, and are still SWEET and SERVING THE LORD after many years! Amen!

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