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Will You Be Missed? Introduction: As you can tell from the title we want to ask the question, "Will you be missed?" One of the greatest put downs is when you are gone for a while and upon returning no one notices you were gone. If a husband leaves his family they should really notice he is gone. If an employee leaves his work, the employee should notice a difference. 1 Samuel 20.18-23 deals with King Saul trying to kill David. It was the practice for everyone in the king's house to come to eat with the King at the New Moon, verse 5. Jonathan is making the point that everyone will notice that David is not at the King's table. What about us? Let us say we are either sick, providentially hindered, or death takes us; will we be missed? If so, how and why? You may be missed for good or bad reasons. I) Will They Miss Your Presence? A) Are you the kind of person that assembles with other people of God? 1. There are some people who you know abide by Hebrews 10.25 and if they are absent, something is wrong and there are others who you just don't know. 2. Physical presence shows spiritual concern. James 4.8 a. Physical presence shows concern at a funeral or the hospital. b. Physical absence shows a lack of concern; it is just not important enough to be there. B) Can't miss what you don't have 1. There are "members at large" and others who just skip around 2. Perhaps to avoid responsibilities but you will also be avoiding being missed. II) Will They Miss Your Example? A) We imitate people 1. Phil Mickelson is a great golfer. He plays left handed but he is right handed. While learning to play he stood in front of his dad and learned to play. 2. We imitate people all the time. At fast food restaurants people will often order what the person in front of them ordered. 3. We are to follow those who are imitating Christ, 1 Corinthians 11.1 a. Imitation is a great teaching tool, 1 Thess. 1.7 b. We all need faithful Christians to emulate. B) Can people follow you? 1. Say the right words, proper attitude during services, etc. 2. Problem of older Christians not providing the proper example to younger Christians. III) Will Your Work Be Missed? A) Work is mentioned in many Bible passages. 1. It is a verb, requires action. 2. Inactivity is a sign of being unwise and even sinful, Ephesians 5.15-16 3. Our days are numbered and we have work to do. B) A good worker is 1. Dependable, can God and others count on you? Hebrews 3.5-6 2. Faithful and diligent, 1 Thess. 5.12-13. a. A good worker is often not noticed until they are gone. b. There are a lot of good workers like Dorcas in Acts 9. IV) Will Your Leadership Be Missed? A) Look at Moses and his leadership, Deut. 34.5, 10-12 1. He had always been there for that generation. 2. Leadership is needed in every organization whether we are talking about Google or the home or the church. 3. Do you come to the forefront or disappear when things are going poorly? B) Decisive action is needed 1. 1 Kings 18.21 he who hesitates is lost. 2. Satan wants you to be neutral, Revelation 13.15-16. V) Will They Miss Your Love For the Truth? A) Bible places great value on the truth, Proverbs 23.23 1. The world rejects the idea of absolute truth like Pilate in John 18.38 2. To them the truth is irrelevant, 2 Timothy 4.3-4 B) Good Christians love the truth 1. They love it enough to accept it when they hear it 2. They love it enough to defend it when others attack it 3. They love it enough to share it with others Conclusion: Will you be missed? It not then something is wrong.
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