INTRODUCTION: Shubal Stearns was saved under the preaching of George Whitefield and several years later became a Baptist by conviction. Stearns left Connecticut and traveled south in the 1750’s and finally settled in Sandy Creek, NC, in 1755. The church he founded there started with 16 members and quickly grew to over 600. Then, just about as quickly, the church went back down to 16 and Shubal Stearns died with a tiny congregation in 1771. Just as quickly, he was forgotten. But his deeds speak for themselves. About 125 preachers came out of the Sandy Creek Baptist Church. These men started churches that started churches. By 1800, it is estimated that approximately 1,000 churches came from Sandy Creek. Shubal Stearns did not leave behind written works or a large congregation, but his life counted for much more than is known today.
Abel lived about 6,000 years ago. He did not leave behind any books. In fact, we do not have a single quotation from his lips. Yet, God gives testimony that he being dead yet speaks.
- DEEDS OF FAITH By faith Abel
- Required the Word of God (Romans 10:17)
- Included Teaching on a Blood Sacrifice (Genesis 3:7-8, 21)
- Illustration: Man who preached when Spurgeon got saved
- DEEDS OF SACRIFICE offered unto God asacrifice
- He Offered of His Flock of Sheep (Genesis 4:1-4)
- He offered the life of a lamb
- He offered the blood of a clean animal (Leviticus 17:11)
- He Pointed to the Lamb of God (John 1:29) the message of Jesus Christ as Saviour of man.
- DEEDS OF EXCELLENCE a more excellent sacrifice
- He Offered the Firstlings of His Flock (Genesis 4:4; Matthew 6:33)
- He Offered the Fat of His Flock (Genesis 4:4; Leviticus 3:16)
- Illustration: Christ did all things well (Mark 7:37)
- DEEDS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS obtained witness that he was righteous
- As From Righteous Abel (Matthew 23:35)
- A Natural Outcome of Faith (Titus 3:5-8; Galatians 5:6; 1 Thessalonians 1:3)
- Illustration: Job maintained his integrity (Job 2:3)
- DEEDS APPROVED BY GOD God testifying of his gifts
- Respect to Abel and to his Offering (Genesis 4:4, 7)
- The Need to be Approved by God (2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Corinthians 10:18)
- Illustration: We seek the Saviours Well done (Matthew 25:21)
- DEEDS WORTH DYING FOR he being dead
- He Died Because of his Righteousness (Genesis 4:8; 1 John 3:12)
- We Suffer Because of our Righteousness (2 Timothy 3:12; John 15:19-21)
- Illustration: David Brainard and many other missionaries
- DEEDS THAT KEEP SPEAKING yet speaketh
- The Voice That Cries From the Ground (Genesis 4:9-10)
- The Dead Who Continues to Speak (Hebrews 11:4)
- Illustration: Mom and Dad and their descendents
CONCLUSION: Proverbs 9:1 speaks of the house that wisdom builds. It is built stone upon stone over a period of time. Though changes come with decisions, it takes much more than a quick and easy commitment to live a life for Christ. What do your deeds say? What would you like them to say?
