Thermometer Or Thermostat: Which Are You?

THERMOMETER OR THERMOSTAT: WHICH ARE YOU?

Mt. 5:16

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR

1. A Pastor told one of his faithful church members, “Mrs. Smith, I appreciate your devotion. You are present at all the services!”

2. Mrs. Smith: “Yes, it’s such a relief, at the end of a long, hard week, to come to church, sit on those soft cushions, and not think about anything for an hour!”

B. THESIS

1. If I had a carton of Blue Bell ice cream, would you be willing to eat a spoon of it? Just one spoon probably wouldn’t be enough!

2. But if I asked you to eat a spoonful of salt, how many would volunteer? No one! Why not? What’s wrong with salt? [would be too strong. Too bitter. Impossible to eat by itself]

3. Today we’re talking about whether YOU and I look more like a thermometer or a thermostat. As Christians, there’s 3 things we’re supposed to be doing.

WE’RE SUPPOSED TO...

I. CHANGE THE TEMPERATURE OF OUR WORLD

A. DEFINITIONS

1. A thermometer is a device that tells how hot or cold something or someone is. It doesn’t try to change the temperature, but just reflects what it is.

2. A thermostat, on the other hand, changes the temperature. If the room gets too cold, the thermostat goes into action and warms it up. Should the room get too hot, the thermostat cools it down.

3. There’s a huge difference between the two. One is passive, the other is active. One exerts no influence over its environment, but the other exists to change its environment.

4. A thermostat exerts control, while a thermometer does not. God wants us to be more like thermostats -- extending the Kingdom of God into their lives.

B. GOD’S IDEAL TEMPERATURE

1. Thermostats try to keep the temperature of a room at an ideal temperature. God’s ideal temperature is the fire of His Holy Spirit. We live in a world cold toward God.

2. Astronomers and physicists talk about a time, trillions of years away, when (if the Lord were to let things go on naturally) the last stars would burn out and the universe would experience “HEAT DEATH,” or would be absolutely cold.

3. That’s what it’s like now, spiritually; everyone around us is cold toward God. But God wants to use us to share the warmth of His love with them. What He has to do first is GET US HOT. Only when we’re full of God’s fire can we impart that fire to everyone around us.

4. Many Christians don’t change the temperature of our nation. Instead, they reflect the same incivility, fears, and discouragement as the lost people who live around them. They don’t channel the power of the Lord to the world.

II. WE'RE SUPPOSED TO SHINE WITH GOD’S TRUTH

Jesus said, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matt. 5:16

A. SHINE TO GUIDE (Mt. 5:14)

1. Light is a common metaphor in the Bible for truth as opposed the darkness of ignorance. The world is “in the dark” about God, but Christians “turn on the light.”

2. Light allows people to see. Christians are supposed to show the world how much God loves them.

3. We are meant to be conspicuous to others; “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16. A light bulb has no other purpose, nor do we!

2. Lights mark the way to go; airport runway lights or harbor markers. We Christians are to mark the way to heaven/ Jesus.

B. TAKING THE MORAL LEAD

1. Christians also show God’s moral code by how we live. If someone suggests doing bad things, Christians should speak up and refuse to participate. We must take the lead and not remain silent. It may be our job, at times, to expose sin. We have to be open to that.

2. Many people in this world do not have the moral strength to take a stand by themselves, but if someone shows them the way, they will follow. It’s the Christian’s duty to take a stand.

C. EVEN DIM LIGHTS STAND OUT

1. One of the great things about camping out in the country is that you can get away from the city lights and really see the stars. Away from the city, a full moon is bright enough to find your way around in the dark. The sky is full of light from the stars.

2. In a world of darkness, we are those who reflect the light we have found in Jesus. [Turn off lights; light a candle. The turn a floodlight. In a dark room, even a candle matters.]