I really enjoy reading Our Daily Bread. Recently I have been really trying to start my days off with a daily dose of wisdom that is printed for the day. The devotions are so simple and to the point, they really have a neat way of speaking to me no matter what the topic is. The other day I read a great one that really spoke to me and I decided to compile a sermon off of the reading. The reading started off with a story about a professional football player. Let me read it to you.
Illustration: A professional football player’s team was having a terrible season, losing week after week. A reporter asked him how he stayed motivated to play hard and give his best even though his team lost almost every game. He responded, “My dad is watching that game. My mom is watching that game. You better believe I’m going to do my best!” He recognized that there was more at stake than just winning or losing. People were watching, and that reality always drove him to do his best.
Jesus reminded us of this reality in the early portions of His Sermon on the Mount. We should live our lives with a recognition that what we do is observed by those around us—and this visible life makes a statement about our God. He said, in Matthew 5:16 “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven”.
How does the light of our lives shine? By bringing the heart and character of Jesus into the situations that engage us every day. By showing compassion as He did for the marginalized or forgotten. By displaying concern for the God's name and reputation.
People are watching us. The question is, ....What do they see?
I. Do they see Christ's Love in you?
Illustration: Several years ago, a preacher from out-of-state accepted a call to a church in Houston, Texas. Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area. When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change. As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, 'You'd better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it.' Then he thought, 'Oh, forget it, it's only a quarter. Who would worry about this little amount? Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a 'gift from God' and keep quiet.'
When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, and then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, 'Here, you gave me too much change ...'
The driver, with a smile, replied, 'Aren't you the new preacher in town?'
'Yes' he replied. 'Well, I have been thinking a lot lately
about going somewhere to worship. I just wanted to see what you would do if
I gave you too much change. I'll see you at church on Sunday.'
- Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read. This is a really scary example of how much people watch us as Christians, and will put us to the test! Always be on guard -- and remember -- You carry the name of Christ on your shoulders when you call yourself ‘Christian’.
Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.
- The Bus Driver saw Jesus in this preacher. And this is what others need to see in us, the Love of Jesus! People are always watching, testing and examining us. What do they see in us? Do they see Jesus in us?
A. The truth is that the decisions we make from day to day, moment to moment matter. How we re-act matters. We are ambassadors for Jesus, preacher or not.
1. What we do matters. What we do shows others one of two things. One, it shows US or two, it shows JESUS. I for one want others to see Jesus in me but I realize it is a daily, constant struggle between my flesh and the Spirit of God. But the good news is that I know God's Spirit is much stronger than me and he's gonna win. I just need to learn to not fight a battle that I know I'm not gonna win!
2. But we still battle don't we? Our flesh and the world tell us to act and to re-act a certain way. Someone makes you mad or does you wrong, simply get back with them and get even. You see something you want, just take it. We see how we can get personal gain so we do it, no matter who we hurt in the process. We live in a world that is full of "I's" we care more about self than others.
3. When our hearts are more tuned into the flesh we seem to not have any room for Jesus and our lights grow dim for Him and become a bright spot light on us. People see that which we are most compassionate about because it becomes who we are and what we stand for.
4. What is it that you love in this world? I believe we can love many things, many different ways. We can love peanut butter, we can love dogs, you can love a sport or two, you can love your spouse and children, and you can even love your job. But what is it that drives you to be who you are? What is it that others see in you?
II. Do they see your Love for Christ?
A. When others see you, can they see the Love you have for Jesus? Can they tell that you have a Love for him that drives your life, that keeps you going day by day, that dictates who you are and what you do from morning, noon, and night. Can they see the Love you have for Jesus?
1. How do you think others can see the love you have for Jesus within your life? I believe to answer that question; we need to first ask ourselves a question. Ask yourself, what are my priorities?
2. Priorities are what make up an individual. Your priorities really make you who you are for the most part. They breathe into you purpose and direction.
3. People notice what your priorities are in life by what you do and by what you’re involved with.
- Let me share with you 5 priorities that each of us need to be doing within our lives.
1. Is regular church attendance at the top? People notice when you place church first over other activities.
2. Is prayer time utilized in every setting, no matter where you are? Praying in public at restruants, for people going through a difficult time shows your dependence on God.
3. Are you vocal about giving God the glory when you have victory in life? Letting others know there is no such thing as luck and that God is the sole reason for all your blessings show others that you live your life for Him.
4. Do you invite others to church and or Bible Study? Nothing tells others that you care for them like it does when you care enough to share your church with them.
5. Do you share the love of Jesus with others? Helping others in need and in Jesus' name tells others that all the good you do is for Him and about His Love.
5. These so called “Top Five” shows others that Jesus is our priority and that His Love is in us and that is what drives us.
6. When we gave or lives to Jesus, He then at that point should have become our priority. You see, our journey was never to simply except His Love for just ourselves but to share it with others as well. This is and always has been our mission from the start.
7. Sometimes, to share the love of Jesus with others is easier said than done. Some people in this world are stinkers and they may rub us the wrong way but none the less, we need to share compassion and love for and with them, Christian and non-Christian alike.
B. Jesus died for every jerk you know and for the biggest jerk of all, us. Isn’t that what Paul was emphasizing in I Tim 1:15: “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst”.
1. But wait, Paul isn't finished. Listen to verse 16: “ But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life”.
2. If God could show mercy to the worst of all sinners, what should we do?
God is rich in mercy. If He were not rich in mercy, we’d all be in a heap of trouble!
3. Mercy is what God demonstrates to the undeserving sinner and that’s us! When we show mercy towards others, they ultimately see Jesus’ Love in us.
Illustration: John Wesley visited General Ogelthorpe when he was governor of the colony of Georgia. The general mentioned an incident involving a man who had angered him and remarked, “I shall never forgive him!” Wesley responded, “Then I hope sir, that you never sin!”
4. When you forgive, you Love. And when you Love, Jesus shines through you to others. This is what others need to see in us, The Love of Jesus.
C. We all need to remind ourselves that we are sinners, which should hopefully make us respond in kindness and mercy to others who sin.
Rom. 12:17-18 “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Titus 3:1-2 “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.”
1. God wants us to be peacemakers in this world, not peace-breakers! He wants us to be a part of the solution, not the problem. He wants others to see Him in us.
2. Sometimes we’re faced with others that may seem evil or may seem to be ready to just pounce all over you but the truth is, this usually isn’t the case. How we re-act shows who we are and whose we are. Allow Jesus to run your life and not you.
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Illustration: In the movie, “Big Fish”, Ewan McGregor’s character finds himself working for a traveling circus. One evening he tries to approach the circus owner and is confronted with what most of us would view as evil, he finds out his boss is actually a werewolf.
VIDEO: “Lacking Social Niceities”
3. We can be completely wrong about how we see others can’t we? We live in a world of pain, hurts, and burdens. Kindness towards others shows we care, it shows Love, It shows Jesus in us each time we share the Love that he has given to us.
Illustration: I read that when George Bush was governor of Texas he came into office with a legislature that was in the opposite party. Early in his term he met with the opposition leader of the legislative branch with the hopes of building a cooperative coalition for the future.
The meeting was a failure. There was no trust and no agreement, only conflict.
At the end of the session as Bush got up to leave he suddenly reached over and grabbed the opposition boss with both hands on his neck and gave him a big kiss on the cheek.
The man was completely stunned. He got red faced and stammered, "What did you do that for!". Bush said, "If I can’t get your cooperation and help, I’m at least going to get a kiss!"
The opposition leader broke up laughing and that was the beginning of friendship and the end of conflict.
I don’t know if this story is true or not, but it’s interesting and what Bush did would be one way to handle conflict. Not many could or would do that and I’m not sure how anyone would respond to it.
How are we to act and react in this world? What do others see in us?
Conclusion:
Illustration: Someone said, “Love is the identifying mark of Christianity. In a world of hate, envy, and anger, love sticks out like a healthy thumb. When anyone walks away from an encounter with us, that person should remember our love, not our convictions.”
May others see Jesus in us as we seek mercy and pursue peace.
