BACK TO THE BASICS - CHRISTIAN DUTY
                                             
Introduction

I.   I have long admired the focus of the Boy Scouts of America.
     A.   The Boy Scouts is a program of training to develop the character, citizenship,
           and physical fitness of boys.
     B.   The Scout Law reads: "A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly,
           courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, reverent."
     C.   The Scout Motto is "Be Prepared." 
     D.   The Scout Promise reads: "On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God
           and my country, and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times;
           to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight."

II.  Duty is a very important part of the Christian life.

III. Duty and privilege go hand-in-hand.
     A.   Duty is defined as: "1: Conduct due to parents and superiors; 2: Obligatory tasks,
          conduct, service, or functions that arise from ones position."
     B.   Privilege is defined as: a right or immunity granted as a peculiar benefit, advantage, or
          favor.

IV.  Christians have many duties which are privileges, and certain attitudes and actions are expected
     of us.
     A.   In this lesson we will focus on 4 areas:
          a.   What God has a right to expect of us.
          b.   What the church has a right to expect of us.
          c.   What our family has a right to expect of us.
          d.   What the world has a right to expect of us.

Body

I.   WHAT HAS GOD A RIGHT TO EXPECT OF US?
     A.   God has a right to expect open ears (Mat 17:5; Acts 3:22-23; Rev 2:11).
     B.   God has a right to expect honest hearts (Luke 8:15).
     C.   God has a right to expect wholehearted obedience (Rom 6:17).
          1.   Many have be baptized in water, but not everyone has been washed in the
               blood of the Lamb.
     D.   God has a right to expect love (Luke 10:27).
     E.   God has a right to expect regular worship (John 4:24; Mat 4:10; Heb 10:25).
          1.   The "I'll do what I want to do" attitude has permeated our society - work,
               school, and religion.
     F.   God has a right to expect my best (Mark 12:41-44; Mark 14:8).
     G.   God has a right to expect glory (Isa 43:7; 1 Cor 6:20).

II.  WHAT HAS THE CHURCH A RIGHT TO EXPECT OF US?
     A.   The church has a right to expect that we put it first (Mat 6:33).
     B.   The church has a right to expect hearty support (1 Cor 16:1-2; 2 Cor 9:6-8).
     C.   The church has a right to expect that we help it grow (Acts 2:46-47).
     D.   The church has a right to expect good behavior (1 Tim 3:15; Mat 5:13-16).
     E.   The church has a right to expect that I love it (1 Pet 1:22).
     F.   The church has a right to expect my prayers (Acts 12:5).
     G.   The church has a right to expect my best (Acts 11:29).

III. WHAT HAS OUR FAMILY A RIGHT TO EXPECT OF US?
     A.   Our family has a right to expect support (2 Cor 12:14; 1 Tim 5:8).
     B.   Our family has a right to expect fair play (Mat 7:12).
     C.   Our family has a right to expect a clean life (Titus 2:11-12).
     D.   Our family has a right to expect proper training (Prov 22:6; Eph 6:4; Titus 2:4).
     E.   Our family has a right to expect consideration (Heb 10:24).
     F.   Our family has a right to expect love.
     G.   Our family has a right to expect faithfulness (Eph 5:22; 5:25).

IV.  WHAT HAS THE WORLD A RIGHT TO EXPECT OF US?
     A.   The world has a right to expect honesty (Rom 12:17).
     B.   The world has a right to expect the gospel (Mark 16:15-16).
     C.   The world has a right to expect a good example (Phil 2:15).
     D.   The world has a right to expect that we obey its laws (Rom 13:1ff; Titus 3:1).
     E.   The world has a right to expect our help when and where we can (Gal 6:10).
     F.   The world has a right to expect that we keep ourselves unspotted from it (Js 1:27).
     G.   The world has a right to expect that we will put Christ and His church before it.

Conclusion

I.   Yes, we have Christian duties which are really privileges.
     A.   We have examined:
          1.   What God has a right to expect of us.
          2.   What the church has a right to expect of us.
          3.   What our family has a right to expect of us.
          4.   What the world has a right to expect of us.

II.  We need to sincerely ask ourselves: "Am I fulfilling my God given duties?"
     A.   Am I a Christian?
     B.   Am I living the Christian life?


**   If you have any questions or if you would like to become a Christian, please let us know.

Alan C. Cole
26th St. Church of Christ
101-26th Street
Huntington, WV 25703
Phone - (304) 522-0717
E-Mail - Cole8@marshall.edu
Homepage - http://mupfc.marshall.edu/~cole8/