PUZZLING MYSTERIES

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. Someone listed the following "Enigmas" on the Internet.  Their
      author is unknown. (See Chart below).
      1. According to the dictionary an "Enigma" means: "A puzzling
         mystery."
      2. Lets look at these "Puzzling Mysteries" and apply some
         appropriate Scriptures.

I. Why is it easy to see others' mistakes, but hard to see our own?
   A. This is human nature; however, Jesus teaches us to conduct
      ourselves otherwise.  Matt. 7:1-6; Rom. 2:1, 17-23
   B. Once we correct ourselves, we are in a position to help others.
      Luke 22:31-34

II. Why is it easy to solve others' problems, but hard to solve our
    own?   
   A. Again, it is human nature to want to give advice, but not to   
      take it.  It is far easier to give advice than to take it.
   B. It is amazing how many answers we often have for the other
      fellow's problems; when, if faced with identical ones, in all
      likelihood we would be unable to cope.
      1. We can train the other fellow's children exactly correctly.
      2. We can tell another man how to deal with his wife or
         husband, as the case may be, but have our own problems
         when dealing properly with our own.
      3. We know how the other fellow should spend his money and
         how much he should give to the Lord, etc., and are often
         poor managers of our own resources.
   C. We have all of the answers to others' problems, but none for   
      our own.
   D. The Bible teaches us to not be meddling in the affairs of      
      others, but to work out our own salvation with fear and        
      trembling.  Gal. 6:4; Phil. 2:12

III. Why is it easy to "find the time" to attend ball games, parties,
     and other recreational activities, but hard to attend Bible     
     studies, worship services, and gospel meetings?
   A. If this is true, we are simply failing to put the Lord first.  
      Matt. 6:33
   B. Perhaps our heart is in the wrong place.  Matt. 6:21; Col. 3:2;
      1 Pet. 1:13

IV. Why is it easy to spend several hours reading the newspaper,
    magazines, and/or books, but hard to spend just a few minutes
    reading the Bible?  
   A. Paul admonished Timothy: 1 Timothy 4:13-16.

V. Why do Christians dress UP for weddings and funerals, but dress
   DOWN for worshiping God?
   A. We are well aware of the fact that God does not look on the
      outward appearance, but on the heart.  1 Sam. 16:7.
   B. Also, we are aware that James rebuked the early Christians who
      showed favoritism to the "well-dressed" person and not to the
      one in "vile raiment."  James 2:1-5
   C. Nevertheless, we still should "give of your best to the        
      Master..."
      1. Modesty demands neat and orderly, as well as non-revealing
         apparel. 1 Tim. 2:9-10

VI. Why is it easy to encourage our children to work on their lessons
    for school (and punish them if they don't), but hard to motivate
    them to do their Bible lessons (and fail to discipline them when
    they don't)? 
   A. Let me encourage our parents to encourage their children to do
      their Bible lessons.
      1. We need to not only encourage our children, but work with
         them in preparing their Bible class lessons.
   B. Also, it is important that we set a good example in preparing  
      for our own Bible classes.

VII. Why is it easy to spend $30 at a fancy restaurant and see the
     latest movie, but hard to place the same amount in the          
     collection plate to support the work of the church?
   A. 1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 9:6-7
   B. Our Lord said: "It is more blessed to give than to receive"    
      Acts 20:35b
   C. When we give to the Lord, we become partakers in the preaching
      of the gospel.  Phil. 1:7; 4:14-19

VIII. Why does it seem like a sacrifice to spend an hour worshiping
      the Lord, but easy to spend an hour watching TV?
   A. Again, our priorities are not correct.  Perhaps we don't fear  
      God or love God as we should.
      1. God seeks our worship, and we should joyfully render it to
         Him.  John 4:23-24
      2. The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him.  Psalm
         147:11

IX. Why is it easier to talk to your friends about your views on     
    world affairs, but harder to speak about your faith in Christ?
   A. We don't like the stigma of being labeled a fanatic or trouble
      maker.
   B. Nonetheless, it is our duty, as well as our privilege, to      
      "proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into
      His marvelous light."  1 Pet. 2:9
      1. When our zeal for the Lord has eaten us up, there will be no
         way to hold us back from proclaiming God's praises.  Jer.
         20:9

X. How is it that we can chat on the phone for hours, but find it a
   chore to talk to God in prayer for a few minutes each day?
   A. A genuine love for God, as opposed to love for the people and
      things of this world, is what we need.  Matt. 10:37
   B. The prayers of the upright is God's delight.  Prov. 15:8
   C. Notice how David expressed his genuine love for God.  Psalm
      63:1-8

Concl.
   A. Hopefully, a consideration of these "enigmas" will help us to  
      do better.
      1. Let us seek to do our utmost for the Master.  Let us all be
         true, dedicated servants of the Lord.
   B. If you are not a Christian, why not obey the gospel now?  If   
      you have fallen away, why not return to the Lord now?

Chart:
Ten Enigmas:

1. Why is it easy to see others' mistakes, but hard to see our own?
2. Why is it easy to solve others' problems, but hard to solve our
   own?
3. Why is it easy to "find the time" to attend ball games, parties,  
   and other recreational activities, but hard to attend Bible       
   studies, worship services, and gospel meetings?
4. Why is it easy to spend several hours reading the newspaper,
   magazines and/or books, but hard to spend a few minutes reading   
   the Bible?
5. Why do Christians dress UP for weddings and funerals, but dress
   DOWN for worshiping God?
6. Why is it easy to encourage our children to work on their lessons 
   for school (and punish them if they don't), but hard to motivate  
   them to do their Bible lessons (and fail to discipline them when  
   they don't)?
7. Why is it easy to spend $30 at a fancy restaurant and see the     
   latest movie, but hard to place the same amount in the collection 
   plate to support the work of the local church?
8. Why does it seem like a sacrifice to spend an hour worshiping the 
   Lord, but easy to spend an hour watching TV?
9. Why is it easier to talk to our friends about your views on world 
   affairs, but how hard to speak to them about our faith in Christ?
10. How is it that we can chat on the phone for hours, but find it a 
    chore to talk to God in prayer for a few minutes each day?