3
Jul

Preferring Others Before Ourselves

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The next area I want to explore in “making an IMPACT” is the letter P:

Preferring others before ourselves

“You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead?
Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not!
So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him?
Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.
This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.”
Matt. 7:9-12

1 – Dying to self daily

In order for us to make an impact on others we must first learn how to “deny ourselves” and place the interest of others before our own.  Look at the example of Christ.  He was willing to “deny” his glory, his omnipresence, his omnipotence, his eternal throne for the purpose of reversing the curse that had been placed on the earth and all mankind.

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me,
let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Matthew 16:24

Just what does it mean to “take up your cross” and follow Jesus?  Paul addressed the subject at length in Philippians 2:  (ref. vss. 1-13)
A. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain deceit.
B. Consider others better than yourselves.
C. Your attitude should be that of Christ
D. Continue to work out your own salvation
He summarizes these instructions by saying we should “do everything without complaining.”  Now, our nature is totally contrary to these things.  But, as we become “new creations” in Christ, we have the ability to be changed in our nature by allowing the Holy Spirit to do his work in our lives.  However, the Holy Spirit looks for a willing participant.  Thus, we must deny ourselves and surrender to Christ.  Here again, Paul gives good direction in Ephesians 4 on how to grow into this new nature.  That will bring us to the next point;

2. Looking for ways to uplift others

Paul begins by saying we should “stop lying” and speak truth.  He first approaches the subject in verse 15, and again in verse 25.  We should be angry but not sin.  We should stop stealing and work for what we need.  We should stop speaking ungodly and unwholesome talk and speak what builds up others.  Look for the good in every situation.  Look for the possibilities not the obstacles.  Look for the solutions not the problems.
He closes out the passage by instructing us to “be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ Jesus God forgave you.”  WOW!  That is where the rubber hits the road.  The “forgiveness” angle.  No impact will be made on others if there is no forgiveness.  No impact will be made on others if there is no kindness or compassion.  The word says, “it is the kindness of the Lord that leads to repentance.”  After all, that is what is needed to have real change take place and to make an impact:  repentance and forgiveness!

3. Speak only what builds up and stop tearing everyone and everything down.

This could be the most difficult part of all.   We live in a society that thrives on destructive talk and negative news.  You can’t get away from it.  There is a spirit that dwells in this negative atmosphere.  It is the spirit of rejection, and that is joined by anger, bitterness, hatred and even death.  As we mentioned in our last time together, we must begin to speak life everywhere we go.  We have enough death around us.  Those of us who believe are the only ones who can truly speak life into situations because the “spirit of life” lives in us!
In Philippians 4 Paul says this: “Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think on these things.”
We must ask God to place within us that Barnabas spirit, that spirit of encouragement.  Paul says in Colossians 2: “I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally.  My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” In chapter 3 Paul continues his exhortation:

“Clothe yourselves with compassion; bear with each other and forgive; put on love; be ruled by the peace of God.  Be thankful, keep the word in you, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.  Whatever you do – do for Christ.“  Then as he begins to close out the book, he makes this statement:  “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

Look around you.  What do you see in the world you live in?  What can you do in your life that will help make an impact on others?

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18
Jun

MINISTERING TO THE MASSES . . .

   Posted by: admin   in Uncategorized

Here is the second installment in the study on IMPACT.

Intentionally seeking God’s Kingdom and His Righteousness.
Ministering to the masses with grace and mercy.
Preferring others before ourselves.
Actively sharing the love of Christ with others.
Consistently honoring Christ in what we do.
Taking the Gospel to the nations, beginning first at home.

1 - Be ready to preach “in season” and “out of season” - be instant!

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always
to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope
that is in you with meekness and fear:”
1 Peter 3:15
“Once we come to the saving knowledge of Christ, we should be “compelled” to share what he has done and is doing in our lives.
For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all,
and therefore all died.”
2 Cor. 5:14

Jesus commanded his disciples to go to Jerusalem and “wait” for the empowering of the Holy Ghost.  Then, they were instructed to “be witnesses.”  Jesus taught us not to fear or worry about what we may say,

“But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up,
take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye
premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye:
for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.”
Mark 13:11

The psalmist put it this way:

“In God, whose word I praise,
in the LORD, whose word I praise-
in God I trust; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?”
Psalm 56:10-11

2 - Meet the needs of others as God allows - minister to the masses.

Read Matthew 4:23 thru 8; 15:29-38  (the feeding of the 4000 and the sermon on the mount)  Jesus was always ready to minister to the crowds.  He was demonstrating the compassion and power of His Father for the world. (kosmos - #  the world, the universe # the circle of the earth, the earth # the inhabitants of the earth, men, the human family # the ungodly multitude; the whole mass of men alienated from God, and therefore hostile to the cause of Christ)  God won’t impress you to meet a need that he hasn’t already provided the resources for you to do it.  Remember, everything  is from him, of him and to him.

Romans 11:33-36 -

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and[a] knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
“Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”
“Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay him?”
For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.”

And, Colossians 1:16-17 -

“For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth,
visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers
or rulers or authorities; 
all things were created by him and for him.
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

God initiates the need, God speaks to a heart, God provides the resources, all for His own glory!  Hudson Taylor, known missionary to China put it this way:
“Our heavenly Father is a very experienced One. He knows very well that His children wake up with a good appetite every morning. . . . He sustained 3 million Israelites in the wilderness for 40 years. We do not expect He will send 3 million missionaries to China; but if He did, He would have ample means to sustain them all. . . . Depend on it, God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.”

3 - Be encouraging and comforting.  Always look for ways to “build up” instead of tearing down. (be careful with your words)

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,
but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs,
that it may benefit those who listen.” Eph. 4:29

“But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment
for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Matt. 12:36-37

Here are some other Scripture references to check out; Colossians 3:13-14; Romans 14:19; 1Thes. 2:12;Acts 20:2;16:40

We must get control of our tongues!  The power of life and death is in the tongue.  We can build up or tear down.  Slander is the same as murder in God’s eyes.  Remember, Jesus didn’t come to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved!

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13
Jun

Study on Making An IMPACT

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For the next few weeks I want to share with you a study I put together on Making an IMPACT.  Here is the first installment.  I hope it is helpful.

We please God through our WORSHIP
We experience God through our FELLOWSHIP
We grow spiritually to be more like Christ through DISCIPLESHIP
We serve the needs of others through MINISTRY
We share the good news through EVANGELISM

God wants us to live our lives “on purpose” with “purpose.”  He wants us to know we are here for a reason.  God wants our congregations, His church, to operate for a reason “with purpose.”  I was moved to worship the other day as I listened to the new arrangement of “I Can Only Imagine” by Mercy Me and the London Symphony Orchestra on their new 10 album. It touched my heart and moved me to tears.  Though I have mentioned this before, it bears calling attention to it again because it has a bearing on this study that I have put together.

I can only imagine what it will be like
When I walk by your side
I can only imagine what my eyes will see
When your face is before me
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

[Chorus:]
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine         I can only imagine

I can only imagine when that day comes
And I find myself standing in the Son
I can only imagine when all I will do
Is forever forever worship You
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

I can only imagine when all I will do
Is forever, forever worship you
I can only imagine

True, we are not completely sure just what it will be like when we see Jesus in glory or how we will respond in our worship, but we should be training ourselves and preparing for that now. We must learn to worship NOW!  Paul says we “see through a glass darkly.” We get glimpses, shadows of how it will be on the other side. It is as if the LORD entices us with just a taste to make us desire the “much more.”

John got a glimpse of true worship as he had his vision on the isle of Patmos.  He watched as the 24 elders and all the created beings and angels fell on their faces before the throne of God with a loud voice singing, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Then he heard every creature in heaven and earth and even under the earth and on the sea singing, “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever.” (Rev 5)

How do we respond? Some just look at the menu and ooooh and aaaah at the delights that are offered by the LORD. Some taste and say, “Is that it? Is that all there is?” Some say, “Wow! That’s good” and they just keep chewing on the same mouthful like a cow chewing cud. They never really digest it and ask for more. Still others eat, swallow, digest and come back for another serving and another course.  I believe we should never become satisfied and complacent when we “feast” on the LORD in
worship, but we should seek and pursue the “much more” until we make it home and enjoy the “full meal.”

Remember the initial study we did at the beginning of the 40 days of purpose.  I began with the acronym for IMPACT, Intentionally seeking God’s Kingdom and His Righteousness.
Ministering to the masses with grace and mercy.
Preferring others before ourselves.
Actively sharing the love of Christ with others.
Consistently honoring Christ in what we do.
Taking the Gospel to the nations, beginning first at home.

Today I want to look at the first letter of this acronym - I

This is all about worship.  Remember, we please God when we worship.  Worship is the first priority for all of us.  “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness…” I firmly believe that if we get this right, everything else that is needed to make an IMPACT on the world will flow out of it.  So as we look at this starting point, here is how we will break it down.

1- Be in the Word.
2- Be in prayer.
3- Be full of joy and praise.
4- Be listening to God’s voice.

Remember from our study on the Vine, God’s desire is that we learn to ABIDE in Him and allow Him to ABIDE in us.  Turn to John 15 and read it.  If we are to break through to abiding, we must deepen the quality of our devoted time with God.  I’m not talking about having devotions.  Devoted in the biblical sense is something “set apart” for God.  In Psalm 27 we see David’s expression of his desire to be devoted to God:

“One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD
And to meditate in His temple.”

1- Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.  We must be “in the Word.”  We are to be a people of the Word.
2 Peter 1:4

“Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises,
so that through them you may participate in the divine nature
and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”

“Do you want to know how to be able to stand in every situation?  Get in the Word.  Don’t just
look at the menu.  What is the purpose of a menu?  To point you and get you to a meal!
Paul said, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” (Col. 3:16)

2- We must be a people of prayer!  How do you pray?  The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray.  Remember what he said to them?  (Ref. the Lord’s Prayer - Luke 11:2-4)


“And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven,so in earth.
Give us day by day our daily bread.  And forgive us our sins;
for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.”

Remember, God is a spirit, but He is not some mystical force somewhere out in the universe.  He desires for us to talk to Him, to come to Him, to listen to Him.  Take time to “be still and know.”

3- We must learn to be “full of joy and praise.”  James said to “count it all joy” when you face trials and temptations.  Paul said to “rejoice evermore and pray without ceasing.”

1 Peter 1:8

“Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not,
yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:”

Nehemiah 8:10

“Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet,
and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared:
for this day is holy unto our LORD: neither be ye sorry;
for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

The Psalms are full of admonitions to rejoice, to praise, to celebrate!

4- We must learn to “Listen” for God and to God.  Be aware of “divine appointments.”  We must learn to be like Jesus and listen for God’s voice and direction.  So Jesus said, (John 8:28-29)

“When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be
and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who
sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.”

He has given us His Holy Spirit to guide and teach us.  We just need to learn how to listen to His voice and not all the other voices that vie for our attention.  How do we learn?  This is done by knowing that the Spirit never contradicts the Word, and the Word never contradicts the Spirit.  Sometimes it is by trial and error.  Situations we are thrown into, experiences we live. Sometimes it is through wise counsel from other believers.  We learn to “abide.”  Abiding is not based on feelings.  Feelings come and go, but the Word never changes.  Abiding is an act of faith.  Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.

We can’t truly abide in Jesus if we don’t obey Him.  Disobedience always causes a breach in our relationship.   Remember, this is a marriage!  The Lord Jesus is the husband and we, the church, is the Bride!  A good marriage requires trust and love and forgiveness.  When the trust is breached it must be regained through forgiveness and love and faith.

Abiding helps us to sense the Lord’s leading; to tap into the power of the Holy Spirit and His gifts for our times of need.  It gives us rest so that we don’t grow weary in well doing and it carries a promise of answered prayer.  And, finally it gives us peace in the midst of the storms of life.

God is most pleased with us when we are most pleased in Him.  When we are asking for the things that He desires to give us; when we spend time with Him and seek His face and desire His priorities in our life, that is when we are truly worshipping Him.

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