Wake Up, Church: The Kingdom of God Is Not Built by Spectators

Wake Up, Church: The Kingdom of God Is Not Built by Spectators

Text:
“Not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.” — Romans 12:11 (NKJV)

Introduction
Beloved brothers,
One of the greatest tragedies of the modern church is that many want the benefits of the gospel, but few want the cost of discipleship. Some desire comfort, pastoral care, sound doctrine, and fellowship; but when the time comes to work for the Kingdom, serve the saints, or sacrifice for the work of Christ, excuses appear.
Yet Scripture is clear: the true believer was not saved for spiritual passivity.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” — Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV)

Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. But saving faith never remains alone. It produces obedience, service, and spiritual fruit.

As R. C. Sproul said:
“We are justified by faith alone, but not by a faith that remains alone.”

I. Christ Did Not Save Spectators, but Servants
The carnal mind asks:

• “What can the church do for me?”
• “Am I comfortable?”
• “Do I like this place?”

But the regenerated mind asks:

• “How can I serve?”
• “Where is there need?”
• “How can I glorify Christ?”

Jesus said:
“Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.” — Matthew 20:26 (NKJV)

And also:
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” — Mark 10:45 (NKJV)

Brothers, if Christ, the King of glory, took the form of a servant, how can a Christian live in perpetual comfort?

John Piper said:
“Grace does not make people lazy; it makes them dangerously devoted to the glory of God.”

Many want a crown, but not a cross. They want blessing, but not commitment. They want to be fed, but not to feed others. That is not biblical Christianity.

II. Spiritual Laziness Offends God
The Bible speaks severely against laziness.

“Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise.” — Proverbs 6:6 (NKJV)
“The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, but diligence is man’s precious possession.” — Proverbs 12:27 (NKJV)

Spiritual laziness is not an innocent weakness; it is sin. It reveals a heart indifferent to eternal things.

Many have energy to:

• work overtime,
• binge-watch series,
• spend hours on social media,
• chase entertainment,

but they have no time to:

• pray,
• evangelize,
• disciple,
• serve in the church,
• visit the sick,
• help the needy.

This reveals misplaced priorities.

Paul Washer has said:
“The greatest evidence of conversion is not raising a hand at a campaign, but a transformed life that perseveres in obedience.”

And James declares:
“Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” — James 2:17 (NKJV)

III. Every Believer Received Gifts to Build Up
“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” — 1 Peter 4:10 (NKJV)

Notice: each one.
There is no useless believer in the body of Christ.

Paul says:
“For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” — Romans 12:4–5 (NKJV)

The church does not function when only a few serve while the majority watch. Some work to exhaustion while others merely criticize from comfort. That does not honor the Lord.

Miguel Núñez has taught:
“A healthy church is not built on spectators, but on committed members.”

Not everyone will preach. Not everyone will teach publicly. But everyone can do something:

• pray,
• disciple,
• serve,
• give,
• evangelize,
• visit,
• comfort,
• support the work.

The question is not: “Do I have much talent?”
The question is: “Am I willing to use what God gave me?”

IV. Idleness Brings Spiritual Ruin
Spiritual idleness hardens the heart.

David fell into sin when he remained idle while others fought the battle (2 Samuel 11).
Peter slept when he should have watched and ended up denying the Lord.
The church of Laodicea became lukewarm in its comfort.

“So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” — Revelation 3:16 (NKJV)

Many believers are spiritually dry because they live as religious consumers and not as soldiers of Christ.

John MacArthur said:
“The true Christian cannot feel comfortable living in continual disobedience.”

Inactivity produces:

• criticism,
• apathy,
• carnality,
• murmuring,
• spiritual coldness.

He who does not work for the Kingdom often ends up being a stumbling block to the Kingdom.

V. Look to Christ
Brothers, look to Christ.

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 2:5 (NKJV)

He:

• left His glory,
• took the form of a servant,
• washed feet,
• carried a cross,
• endured scorn,
• shed His blood.

And all for love of His people.

How can we say: “I am too tired to serve”?

Charles Spurgeon said:
“If Christ gave His life for me, no sacrifice I make for Him will ever be too great.”

Final Exhortation
Idle brothers: wake up.

“And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.” — Romans 13:11 (NKJV)

The church needs workers. Souls are perishing. Children need teaching. The sick need visiting. Disciples need forming. Ministries lie abandoned. Burdens are carried alone.

Do not wait for extraordinary emotions to obey.
Serve even when tired. Serve even if no one recognizes you. Serve even if others do not.

Because you do not work for men.

“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” — Colossians 3:23 (NKJV)

And never forget:

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” — 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NKJV)

Amen.