Man's Museum
I. Introduction:
1. Most people enjoy a visit to a museum-a building in which are preserved and exhibited objects of permanent interest.
2. Subject queer and unique-but lessons important!
3. So, let us visit "Man's Museum" or "The Museum of Our Minds."
4. Upon entering this great museum, we make our way down a long corridor with rooms on either side.
II. Discussion:
1. First room labeled "Book Room."
A. Here are all the books we have ever read!
(1)Good and bad-what is the comparison? ? ?
(2)Would the BOOK OF BOOKS be there?? ?
B. Importance of proper reading:
(1) Reading influence thinking and life. Compare Proverbs 23:7.
(A) Books like company. Compare I Corinthians 15:33.
(B) Influence of corrupt literature on young minds-Discuss.
(C) Emphasize Deuteronomy 31:9-13.
(2) Reading influences religion and lack of it:
(A) Many are what they are religiously because of what they have read-Catholics, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, etc.
(B) Same true with infidels-have read works of Payne, Darwin, Voltaire, etc.
(C) Same true with Christians-have read the Bible and gospel writings.
(3) Proper reading essential to pleasing God-Isaiah 34:16; John 5:39; Colossians 4:16;
I Thessalonians 5:27; I Timothy 4:13; Revelation 1:3.
C. Lack of proper reading among church members.
(1) Don't know lessons-But know what is in newspaper!!!
(2) Say they can't buy good books-But never miss paper!!!
D. Would we be willing to compare our book room with the eunuch's? ? ? Acts 8:28.
2. Word room.
A. All the words we have ever used!!!
B. What kind of words preserved and exhibited?? Are there words of:
(1) Talebearing and whispering?
(A) Forbidden by God-Leviticus 19:16; Compare Psalms 15:3.
(B) Effects of talebearing to others:
(a) Wounds-Proverbs 18:8.
(b) Separates chief friends-Proverbs 16:28.
(c) Genders strife-Proverbs 26:20.
(C) Effects to talebearer himself:
(a) Romans 1:29, 30, 32; Compare James 3:6; Psalms 101:5.
(b) Mud-slinger the first to get muddy!!!
(c) Dynamite destructive, but first destroys itself!!!
(D) Read poem: "Three Gates of Gold.".
(2) Harshness and unkindness?
(A) Paul's advice-Ephesians 4:32.
(B) Peter's teaching-II Peter 1:7.
(C)Should show kindness to family as well as to brethren!!!
(3) Comfort and cheer? Proverbs 12:25; I Thessalonians 4:18.
(4) Edification or destruction?
C. Are there too many words here? Ecclesiastes 5:3.
D. Remember:
(1) Boys flying kites can haul in their white winged birds, but you cannot do that when you are flying words.
(2) Matthew 12:36, 37.
3. Thought room.
A. All our thoughts are here. Proud or ashamed?
B. God knows our every thought-I Chronicles 28:9; Hebrews 4:13. HENCE, C. Must control thoughts-Proverbs 4:23; 6:18; Matthew 15:18-20.
D. Think on these things-Philippians 4:8.
E. Salvation depends on this same as FRCB. See Matthew 5:8.
4. Action room.
A. All our actions-good and bad-what the comparison???
B. Actions strongest argument:
(1) For Christianity-Poem: "I Would Rather See A Sermon"; Compare I Peter 3:1.
(2) Against Christianity-Discuss.
5. Secret room.
A. Here are all our secrets:
(1) Thoughts about other people!!!
(2) Sins, desires, etc.-Psalms 90:8. HENCE, 19:12.
(3) Alms-Matthew 6:3,4.
(4) Prayers-Matthew 6:6. Are there any???
(5) Would our friends think as much of us if they could see into this room?? ?
C. What about God?? ? Psalms 44:21; 69:5.
D. Emphasize Luke 12:2; Ecclesiastes 12:14; Romans 2:16.
6. Promise room.
A. Here are all my vows to God-Ecclesiastes 5:4, 5. Compare Psalms 66:13, 14.
B. All promises to meet obligations.
C. Promises to children-candy, whipping, etc.
7. Sacrifice room.
A. He died for us-what have we sacrificed for him? Romans 12:1.
B. Everything we have made and everything we have given to God. Proud?
C. Would we be willing to compare Abraham's sacrifice room with ours? ??
8. Ticket room.
A. Here are all the tickets that we have ever
III. Conclusion:
1. At end of hall there are two rooms. Over door of one is written the word HOPE and over the door of the other the words NO HOPE.
2. One room light — the other dark.
3. Which ? ? ?
* See "Greatest Words In The Bible And In Human Speech" by Macartney, p. 66.
The points in this outline are not original. My only hope is that it will do good. — Tommy McClure.