ADDICTED TO THE THE MINISTRY

1 Cor. 16:13-19 (KJV) Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. [14] Let all your things be done with charity. [15] I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) Several years ago while doing some study on the subject of addiction, I went to the local library to try to find some books that would enlighten me. You see, I had been raised with family that was addicted to alcohol and drugs but I didnt feel that I had a grip or understanding of what it was that made them or anyone with an addiction tic. In my search for books that dealt with addiction, I ran across a little book, "Life Skills Education, What is Addiction?" As I was reading this relatively small book on the subject, I came across a list of questions to help someone determine whether they were addicts. What was so alarming about this, was the fact that I found out that day that I was an addict. Not just an addict, but a hardcore addict. The following is that list of questions: I. Can you hardly wait until you are alone so you can experience the feeling that comes from taking part in the experience? A. I can hardly wait to get in His presence!

1. David said in Psalm 16:11 (KJV) in thy presence is fulness of joy, listent to what the GW edition says; You make the path of life known to me. Complete joy is in your presence. Pleasures are by your side forever. Psalm 84:1-2 (KJV) How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! 2My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. Psalm 84:4 (KJV) Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah. Psalm 84:10 (KJV) For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. Psalm 84:1-2 (GW) Your dwelling place is lovely, O LORD of Armies! 2My soul longs and yearns for the LORDS courtyards. My whole body shouts for joy to the living God. Psalm 84:4 (GW) Blessed are those who live in your house. They are always praising you. Psalm 84:10 (GW) One day in your courtyards is better than a thousand anywhere else. I would rather stand in the entrance to my Gods house than live inside wicked peoples homes.

B. You talk about an addict, it sounds like David was hardcore! II. Do you find yourself avoiding people because they interfere with your addiction? 2 Tim. 2:4 (KJV) No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. Romans 12:2 (KJV) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. III. Do you find yourself daydreaming about your habit? IV. Do you regularly turn to your habit when you are troubled? V. Do you feel better able to face life after engaging in your habit? VI. Do you get upset if you cannot partake in your habit for a long period of time? VII. Do you prefer to be with other people who do what you do? The book went on to say that if you answered yes to any of these questions, then you are an addict and should seek professional help! Come to the mighty counselor if you need help with your addiction. Youll leave more addicted than when you came.

If you are a child of God this makes a great witnessing tool! Can I talk to you about something that I found out this morning? "I found out that I am an addict!" When they ask what your addiction is tell them you are addicted to Jesus! If you have never experienced the joys of this addiction, I invite you to come running into the arms of Jesus Christ! Hes waiting not with a temporary fix but with an eternal change. How does on become an addict? 1. Experience. A. In order to become addicted to anything one must have an experience with it. B. In order for on to become addicted to the ministry one must have an experience, that is Salvation. 1. That is why there is so many who fall by the wayside is because they have never had an experience with Christ. 2. Evolving

A. Once one has experienced the substance, it evolves or grows into a greater desire. Luke 6:38 Give and gifts will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will they pour into the pouch form by the bosom of your robe and use as a bag. For with the measure you deal out with the measure you use when you confer benefits on others, it will be measured back to you. (Amplified Bible) Part of why we become addicted to ministry is because of how it makes us feel, What we minster to god and others comes back yo us Heb 6:10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. Heb 6:11 And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: This is the lesson Jesus was trying to teach: Give, and it will be given to you, (Luke 6), Freely you have received, freely give (Matt. 10). Jesus also explained to His disciples, Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven for where your treasure is there your heart will be also (Matt. 6). You see we gain by giving and lose by keeping.

a pond that does not flow becomes stagnant but when it rains and the pond overflows its banks and it is cleansed so are we when we give if we just keep it all in we become green and stagnant and stinky. Our Lord said in Luke 6:38, "Give and it shall be given unto you...for with the same measure that you give withal it shall be given to you." This is saying that GOD USES THE SAME CONTAINER OR MEASURE FOR HIS GIFTS TO US AS WE USE TO GIVE TO OTHERS. The more generous the farmer is with the seed, the greater the harvest; and the more generous and loving and giving we are enabled to be, the greater the blessing. NO! GIVING IS NOT LOSS BUT GREAT GAIN! A person may say, "I can't afford to give." If we have an understanding of the grace of God, we can't afford NOT to give.