I wrote an article on the Preacher's Pen regarding this subject and found it worthy to share as a Sermon PowerPoint. The article may be found at http://www.preacherspen.org

2. Six Things the Church
Must Respond to
February 5th, 2012

3. The Challenges of the Church
“I feel the challenges in the future of the church
are going to weigh heavy on the shoulders of
those leading, serving, preaching and loving.
The effects will be seen not only in the current
generation, but future generations.”

4. #1 - Slothfulness
• “Be doers of the words, not hearers only,
deceiving yourselves.” (James 1.22)
• Hebrews 5.11-14

5. #2 - Entitlement
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and
profitable for teaching, for reproof, for
correction, and for training in righteousness,
that the man of God may be competent,
equipped for every good work.”
(2 Timothy 3.16-17; ESV)

6. #2 - Entitlement
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one
another…in order that in everything God may
be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong
glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
(1 Peter 4.10-11; ESV)

7. #3 - Leadership
“…shepherd the flock of God that is among you,
exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but
willingly, as God would have you; not for
shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering
over those in your charge, but being examples
to the flock.”
(1 Peter 5.2-3; ESV)

8. #4 – Youth Priority
“You shall teach them diligently to your children,
and shall talk of them when you sit in your
house, and when you walk by the way, and
when you lie down, and when you rise.”
(Deuteronomy 6.7; ESV)

9. #5 – Idleness
“Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going
about from house to house, and not only idlers,
but also gossips and busybodies, saying what
they should not.”
(1 Timothy 5.13; ESV)

10. #5 – Idleness
“For there are many who are insubordinate,
empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of
the circumcision party. They must be silenced,
since they are upsetting whole families by
teaching for shameful gain what they ought not
to teach.”
(Titus 1.10-11; ESV)

11. #6 – Selfishness
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
For you clean the outside of the cup and the
plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-
indulgence.”
(Matthew 23.25; ESV)

12. #6 – Selfishness
• Romans 2.8
• The Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12.12-21)

13. Six Things the Church Respond to
• Slothfulness
• Entitlement
• Leadership
• Youth Priority
• Idleness
• Selfishness