To understand where this comparison comes from:

• I started working at a Mercedes dealership on weekends when I was 13 with my Dad. They also had Volkswagen , Alfa Romeo and Sterling.
• When I was 17, I took my electronics experience and started a small stereo and custom electronics business.
• When I graduated high school I started working full time in the parts department.
• From there I went to work for a small auto parts company until I went into the military.
• When I came out of the Air Force I worked at One Stop Auto Parts while I went to Trinity Baptist College.
• After that I moved over to AutoZone as a Store Manager while I attended Bright Light Baptist College.
• Moving to Kentucky I worked on the Management team for BMW, Volkswagen, Oldsmobile and Honda earning the nations highest dealer level every year I worked there, achieved the top 2% customer satisfaction rating in the country and the highest auto certification available in the nation. I also attended Bible Believers Baptist Academy during this time.
• When I started my own Advertising company I was also working as a Chaplain for both the Sheriff and Coroner’s offices, attending Chaplains school in Indiana
• Moving to Florida to serve as Pastor I worked at Advanced Auto as a manager as well.

As you can see… my experience in the automotive industry and the ministry have literally gone hand in hand overlapping over 20 years.

Over the years working in the automotive industry I have seen so many mechanical failures due to a lack of maintenance.

It’s interesting that in my ministry, I noted the same. Having a well maintained car will extend the life of the car, as well as, increase it’s value and usefulness; having a well maintain spiritual life, is the same.

Today we are going to look at having a well maintained Christian life.

In order to know how to best maintain your car you must first read the owners manual.

2 Timothy 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

• The Owners Manual is where you find the specifics for your car, written by those who designed and built the car. Too often people rely on the word of someone who sounds smart, but does not really know what the book actually says. Oil change? Depends who you ask: 3k, 5k, 10k, 15k? Tune up? Fluids like transmission, coolant, brake fluid, power steering, etc… everyone has an opinion; but opinions don’t matter if it’s contrary to the owners manual.

Psalms 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

Psalms 119:105  Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Psalms 68:11  The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.

Titus 1:14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

Psalms 119:89  For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

Just like with cars, there are many opinions on how you might have a victorious Christian life. Some might say that church membership, praise and worship or spiritual ceremonies will make things better; however, would it not be better to read the Bible? The owners manual for the Christian? Written by the God that created us? People’s opinions change based on the day, but God’s world is never changing.

A well maintained car is inspected regularly

2 Corinthians 13:5a  Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. 

• There are parts that wear faster and can lead to failure, but because they are not easily seen we often neglect them until it is too late. (Brakes, Coolant, Tires…)
• That is why an inspection needs to be done on a regular basis to help reveal those problems before they lead to a break-down.
• These inspections are done against a perfect comparison so that there is a point of measurement. (example: brake pads are measured against the thickness of a new pad.)

1 John 4:1  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

• When is the last time you inspected your heart? Have you grown to be closer to God today than yesterday? Are you running with optimal performance, or are you always riding the brake?

2 Corinthians 13:5  Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Psalms 26:2  Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.

1 Thessalonians 5:21  Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Like a car, a good inspection or examination can reveal problems. Just like a mechanic has a perfect example to compare against, we as Christians have a perfect Saviour to measure ourselves by, to see where improvements must be made. You don’t see a mechanic making a comparison against car that is as old as yours… they measure it against a new one. Why would we compare ourselves to another sinner to determine our condition?

2 Corinthians 10:12  For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

Changing the Oil

One of the things that can cause failure is when someone does not get the oil changed, without changing the oil components will get dry, create friction and cause failure.

Psalms 92:10b…I shall be anointed with fresh oil.

• This lack of oil will cause a premature breakdown of the components causing them to fail quickly and… at times… catastrophically.

• Oil in the Bible is a picture of the Holy Spirit. Often times in our Christian lives we have a lot of friction in our lives, because we didn’t get fresh oil. We must renew the oil to keep everything running smoothly…

Romans 12:2  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.

Titus 3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Psalms 51:10  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

2 Corinthians 4:16  For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

• Without the renewing of the spirit, changing the oil… we will become weary, tired… worn out, components begin to fail.

2 Thessalonians 3:13  But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

Psalms 143:7  Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.

Luke 22:32  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Conclusion:

To have a well maintained Christian life we must first:

• Read the Owners Manual
• Examine ourselves
• Change the oil.

Sometimes these things are difficult because you are not IN the Car… or IN Christ:

Colossians 1:28  Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: