WHY ARE SOME CHRISTIANS

MISERABLE?

1. They want to be miserable!

          A. Jonah 4:4

          B. Abraham Lincoln - “Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”

          C. Some are only happy - if they are miserable.

          D. Seem to need something be be bothered (worry) about.

2. Strain at gnats and swallow camels.

          A. Matthew 23:24

          B. Nit-picking, harsh, critical

          C. List some gnats and camels:

                    GNATS                             CAMELS

          3 wise men                                 Gossip                    Forgiveness

          Eve ate an apple                         Prayer                              Sun and Wed PM

          Author of Hebrews                      Elder qualify.           Church discipline

3. Excuse makers instead of responsibility takers.

          A. Genesis 3:12-13

          B. Luke 14:16-24

4. Emphasis on material things.

          A. Ecclesiastes 2:11 - vanity

          B. Matthew 6:19-21

          C. 1 John 2:15-17 Love things, gadgets, trinkets

          D. Things wear out, fall apart, not dependable

5. Filled with animosity and resentment.

          A. Ephesians 4:31-32 Put away all bitterness

          B. Matthew 5:22-24

          C. Matthew 18:15-17

6. Depend too much on other brethren.

          A. Romans 3:32 All have sinned

          B. Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord, not in own understanding

          C. 1 Corinthians 1:10-15

          D. 1 Corinthians 3:4-7

7. Lives are not right with God.

          A. Proverbs 13:15 Way of the transgressor is hard

          B. Philippians 2:15-16 Rejoice in the day of Christ, 2nd coming