Nominality: An Incipient Problem (beginning to exist or appear)

Billy Graham said of Evangelicals who are in church week in week out, he said only 60% have genuinely been converted.

Nominal---what does this word mean? It means, “In Name Only” It refers to people who want to identify themselves with a cause or a movement, but without becoming actively involved. They want a label without all the liabilities.

Within the nominality zone are people who are at the point of abandoning the church or being rejected by it. Within this group are those who have been deceived by the enemy and are in the process of being enticed to the other side.

Nominal Christians…..It is really an oxy-moronic statement. It is paradoxical at best. Can you be genuinely Christian and be nominal. Can the things of this world continue to entice you and all the while still be able to function as a Bible believing Christian?

To use a medical analogy, “nominality” describes an interacting combination of conditions rather than one disease to be isolated for treatment.

Do you want to be known as a Christian? Are you willing for your life style to be different? So different that your values are congruent with the values of the Kingdom of God?

I. Believers must learn to live alongside unbelievers. Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43 READ

There are always tares among the wheat. While the weeds are young they look almost identical to the wheat. The particular application here is not to unbelievers but it is to believers. The “sons of the Kingdom” cannot live alongside “the sons of the evil one” on a basis of mutual compatibility. The key question is: Who will influence whom? Is our heart set on identifying with the Lord or are we just looking for an association? We must learn to live like Christ in a fallen world or we will be nominal at best.

II. Believers must learn to incorporate versus just associate

Matt. 13:31-32 READ

Though the Kingdom of Heaven begins insignificantly as a “grain of mustard seed,” it demonstrates an impressive capacity for growth until it becomes “the largest of garden plants” (up to ten feet in height). As Christians we need to give ourselves to the work of the Lord and incorporate into our lives all that God has for us! Are you walking behind light? Then you are just associating yourself with the church. Are you willing to stay on the fringes and not become involved in the means of grace that the church offers? What do you say? ….. let’s involve ourselves with the work of the Lord for the sake of the Kingdom and run from this idea of nominality and complacency.

III. Believers must learn to not wither in the face of hostility and persecution. Mark 4:16-17 READ

Jesus repeatedly warned about mounting spiritual hostility. Those who lack deep roots will shrivel at the first sign of difficulty or opposition. Hostility may come from family members just at the time when their support is most needed. If Jesus Himself suffered alienation from His family (Mark 3:21, 31-32) and encountered persecution by His enemies, then we must not be surprised if we run into misunderstanding and arouse antagonism.

But the followers of Jesus are not to be afraid when opposition intensifies into persecution, because the Lord says that we are His if we are not of the world. John 15:18-19 READ

Sheer laziness has probably been responsible for more shortcuts, not to mention -- valuable inventions, than we are ready to admit. Most of us are continually on the lookout, at least subconsciously, for easier ways to perform routine tasks.

An example, spurred on by outright lethargy is contained in the story of an old mountaineer and his wife who were sitting in front of the fireplace one evening just killing time.

After a long silence, the wife said: "Jed, I think it's raining. Get up and go outside and see."

The old mountaineer continued to gaze into the fire for a second, sighed, then said, "Aw, Ma, why don't we just call in the dog and see if he's wet." Bits & Pieces, April 29, 1993, p. 3.

I don’t know where you are in your relationship with God today but if you fall into the “nominally Christian category” today then I suggest that you…….

1. I suggest that you learn to live alongside unbelievers (in a fallen world) without being influenced by them.

2. I suggest you learn to incorporate versus just associate. Give yourself to the local church and it’s ministries…the means of grace that are offered.

3. I suggest that you not wither in the face of hostility and persecution.

Maybe today you want to be saved. Maybe you want to be sanctified holy; you are tired of the nominal results you have been getting in your pre-Christian ways or in your “Christian walk.” I invite you to make a complete surrender to Jesus Christ.