The church in America is paralyzed today by lack of quality involvement. We have grown satisfied and complacent. We've allowed the church to go from the cutting edge to the back burner, because it's easier just to sit back and watch.

Part of the problem is that we've been inundated with preachers who seek popularity above soundness of doctrine. They've centered on the benefits of the gospel and neglected the cost of discipleship.

Look at Deut 6 for some insight:

This is precisely where we are -

We're looking for wells we didn't dig and houses we didn't build. And we're all standing around waiting for somebody to dig those wells so we can possess and enjoy them.

Well, somebody has to dig the well.

We all want the same things - a church with great Sunday School classes 0 but God forbid that we should teach one.

A church with a great nursery program for the children 0 so I can get a break from the kids. But, what? Who me work in the nursery? NO! The nursery is there for me.

Our forefathers sacrificed to build a great nation for us. But now, we've done just what God warned Israel not to do. We've become addicted to the benefits and we don't want to pay the price anymore.

What we call involvement is nothing more than approval. We like what good is happening, but let somebody else make it happen.

I appreciate those of you who are here. We've lost so many who wanted bigger and better. But let me ask you, are we here because we've settled for less, of because we want to be a part of the foundation?

Do you just want to be a beneficiary, or are you willing to be a builder? Or, are you just biding your time till you get delivered and go to heaven where it's all been prepared?

There will never be a great church one Remount Road at the rate we are going.

Every willing worker and leader we get, we burn out, because we expect them to provide for us.

How do you serve the Lord? With fervor or with dread? Joy or resentment?

The churches in Revelation were rebuked primarily for cooling off - losing zeal - losing passion - losing their love and joy of serving God. They were reprimanded for casual commitment.

I heard a preacher on TV the other day say "the party is just beginning". I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there probably will not be any party if somebody doesn't get busy making the punch, baking the cake, and wrapping the gifts.

Most of the people I've met are only interested in drinking the punch, eating the cake, and opening the gifts.

The Kingdom of Heaven may be a fairly lonely place because the only ones who will be there will be the ones who worked themselves to death trying to get it ready.

Everybody is excited about being saved. But are you excited about serving God?

I don't think we really understand God. He is not just a big fat cat sugar daddy who lavishes us with goodies. He is a responsible Father who wants his children to grow up responsibly.

If heaven is a party, then we are the waiters and waitresses.

I am very concerned about the integrity of the believer today. We've got good intentions, great desires, holy goals - but we have little follow through.

We want God to zap us - instantly turn us into spiritual giants.

Now I have had instant coffee and I've had slow perked. There is no question about which is better.

I've had instant potatoes and I've had the real thing.

Have you ever noticed that microwaved food doesn't stay hot very long? I have about had it with microwave church, microwaved Christians, and microwaved religion.

Today we have a lot of frogleg Christians. Ever cook frog legs? They keep jumping out of the pan. Be carefull, you could get a half-cooked one.

Do you want the church to succeed? Then do something to make it suceed.

Have you taken on a job in the church? Then do it with all your might.

Do you have good intentions - high hopes? Then take some action to make them happen.

Have you commited to do something for the Lord. Then do it to the glory of God and the best of your ability, or stop pretending and pray for someone who will do the job and do it right.

Are you concerned about lost souls? Then start praying and witnessing and living the life in front of them.

Stop talking and dreaming and start doing.

Somehow, I have failed you. After 8 years, I have not produced enough true disciples to fill the leadership needs of this ministry. I'm not sure how to remedy that, but I am asking God to help me.

I know a few of you would do anything you could to help, but I cannot afford to burn out any more workers with and overdose of work.

I'm not fussing. I'm just telling you what I believe God is communicating to the church.

Let me illustrate with a current project - Project Reachout, our cancer awareness program. Do you realize 1 in 4 women you see right now will develop breast cancer? And most of them won't know it till it's too late, because they are unaware.

Right now, we have a program provided for us to inform them. We should be begging ladies to come - offering them rides - making sure they get here. Lots of money has been spent, people have sacrificed - but that's not enough - you have to get involved. Sound the alarm!

It's the same with the gospel.

How long will we sit still while the world perishes. Communists, Mormons, Muslims, and others give all to serve their causes. What's wrong with God's church?