The Message We Declare Series

I would say that was not NATURAL BEAUTY. But there is something far worse than having a hypocritical license plate and that's being a hypocrite!

ILL.- The pastor decides to use one rich parishioner to set an example. "John," he says, "you're a successful businessman; surely you could contribute more to the building fund." John replies, "But my mother is in a nursing home, my daughter just lost her job, and my son is starting college … If I can say no to them, I can say no to you too."

Whenever you say "no" to a needy family member and have the means, you are not walking in the light.

ILL.- My son-in-law’s mother is 55 years old and is dying of cancer. Last week Chris drove two hours one way to Virginia Beach to take his mother to the doctor on three different days. She hasn’t been the best of mothers, but Chris is being a good son. I am so very thankful.

There are many other things that may indicate that a person is not walking in the light as they may claim to be doing.

ILL.- Jim Bakker of the PTL Club (and Assembly of God church) failed in the lust department and greed department and ended up in jail. After he got out of prison in 1994 he wrote a book (1996) entitled, "I Was Wrong." And he was.

- Jimmy Swaggart, famed evangelist from Louisiana, (also Assembly of God church) was caught with a prostitute more than once.

I am not happy about these incidents, because, obviously, they damage the message of the gospel of Christ. They hurt the witness of Christ in this world. BUT...we all do things that hurt Christ and our witness for Him.

But the good of all this is: We can repent and change. We can confess our sins (no matter how large or small) and He will forgive us. We can walk with Him. We can return to a walk with Him!

We all need to walk in the light as best we can and that means walking with Him. Walking daily with Him is the only way to walk in the light and let our light shine! We get our goodness from Him, not us! We become better by rubbing shoulders with Him! PRAISE HIS NAME!

CONCLUSION---------------

I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day. I'd rather one would walk with me than merely tell the way. The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear. Fine counseling is confusing but example's always clear.

You may not remember any of the sermons that I preach but you will remember who I am and what I am. True for you as well.

We have a message to declare and speak, we must. And live it, we must. And then some in this world may come to believe and be saved in Jesus.