Making a Difference
Take it Personally • Sermon • Submitted
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· 69 viewsBased on the book "Take it Personally" by Dr. Paul Chappell
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Introduction
Introduction
One day, a man was walking near the ocean shoreline littered with starfish that had been beached on the sand from a recent storm.
As the man walked, he came upon a young boy frantically picking up the dying starfish and throwing them back into the ocean.
“Son,” the man smiled as he placed his hand on the boy’s shoulder. “You know what you’re doing is futile, right?
The boy didn’t reply. He hardly looked up. He just reached for another starfish and hurled it into the ocean.
The man tried again. “Look,” he pointed along the shore. “There are miles of washed up starfish. Ten of thousands of them.”
The boy grunted as he reached for another
“You could be here all day and all the next day and the day after that. Your could be here all week, and you wouldn’t make a difference in all these starfish.”
For the first time the boy turned to look at the man. he stood as tall as he could with his shoulders back, chin tilted, and starfish in hand. Then he turned and threw the starfish into the ocean. Once again he looked at the man. “Made a difference for that one.”
And then he bent down to pick up another.
Do we wonder if we can make a difference?
There are 7 billion people.
Sharing the gospel to them in groups of 100 would take 4,000 years.
Still they would not all listen or respond to the message.
We are commanded in the Scriptures to take the gospel to others.
While not every Christian is called to be a pastor, missionary, or full-time worker in the church every Christian is called to go to others with the gospel.
“When we take it personally to one person at a time, God uses our witness to make a difference - an eternal difference - one life at a time.”
“We can look up and down the shoreline and see hundreds of thousands of starfish; we can look around the world and see billions of people; we can look at our own communities and see vast numbers of people - we can wonder if we’ll ever make a difference.”
We can
“Or we can hear Christ’s call, rely on the Holy Spirit , and personally share the gospel - and we can make a difference to that one. And teach that one to do the same. And multiply the ones who are reaching that one.”
I. The Value of One
I. The Value of One
“After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the former mayor of New York City, Rudy Giuliani, was asked to share a few thoughts:
“When everybody was fleeing that building, and the cops and the firefighters and the Ems people were heading up into it, do you think any of them said, ‘I wonder how many blacks are up there for us to save? How many Jews are there? Let’s see - are these people making $400,000 a year, or $24,000? No, when you’re saving lives, they’re all precious…I’m convinced that God wants us to…value ever human life the way He does.”
VALUE EVERY HUMAN LIFE
Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
Why is one Soul so Valuable?
A. A Soul is Eternal
A. A Soul is Eternal
We were created in the image of God ()
This means we have an eternal soul.
No one gets up each morning to think about eternity. Satan works hard to keep us distracted with the here and now.
“Even the best life on earth that ends without Christ will bring the worst eternity.”
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
We must remember that every person has an eternal soul.
B. Heaven and Hell Are Real
B. Heaven and Hell Are Real
Two men’s experience in eternity...
And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
Eternity will have a vast difference for the soul without Christ and the soul that receives Christ.
And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
C. Jesus is the Only Way of Salvation
C. Jesus is the Only Way of Salvation
Jesus is the Only Way of Salvation
Jesus is the Only Way of Salvation
The welsh poet and pastor John Dyer wrote, “A man may go to heaven without health, without riches, without honors, without learning, without friends; but he can never go there without Christ.”
When you got saved you realized that Jesus was your only hope. You abandoned your own futile efforts to earn your way and trusted Christ alone. We live in a society that rejects the demands of Christ for exclusivity.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
In fact, many see Christianity as a positive in our society. They love the kindness and the charity that it teaches. If Christianity were content with being one spiritual option and would abandon its teaching of exclusivity people would adore us all the more. But the world objects when we stand with Peter and say...
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
If we will be a consistent witness for Christ, we must allow these convictions - that every person has an eternal soul, that Heaven and Hell are real, and that Jesus is the only way to Heaven - to grip our hearts. We must believe them, remember them, and learn to see people - not as masses, not as simply personalities, but as individuals each of whom has an eternal soul that will live somewhere forever.
When we remember these truths, we’ll be more likely to recognize the value of each person and to invest ourselves in making a difference by going to them with the gospel message.
II. To Seek and Save
II. To Seek and Save
What is the MISSION STATEMENT FOR YOUR LIFE?
Roles - Goals - Influence - Legacy
Jesus’s Mission Statement was found in .
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Jesus devoted His Time to Those who knew they needed salvation. The Pharisees criticized the time he spent with “sinners”. He replied...
When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Jesus went out of his way to reach individuals with the gospel.
The WOMAN AT THE WELL IN
BLIND BARTIMAUS IN
CRIPPLED MAN BY THE POOL IN
Jesus Gave His life for each individual
For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
The often used “Great Commission” verses sum up the command of Christ for every Christian to give the gospel to other individuals.
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Matthew 28:18
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
A. Go
A. Go
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
All Power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore...
The Command is based on Christ’s power.
Power references both might and authority.
When we take the gospel to others we do it with the might and authority of Christ.
When we refuse to take the gospel to others we defy his authority and waste his might.
“Jesus isn’t just asking us to make a mental assent that people need the gospel, and He’s not telling us simply to be part of a church that is reaching out with the gospel. He is calling us to personal action - to go to people who are lost and tell them how they can be saved.”
B. Win
B. Win
…and teach all nations...”
Parallel Passage…for the first use of teach.
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
We take the gospel to people with the intent to lead them to Christ.
C. Baptize
C. Baptize
…baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost...”
The commission does not end with someone trusting Christ. That is only the beginning.
D. Teach
D. Teach
We should instruct those we win regarding the importance of baptism. (We will learn more in Part 4 of this series)
D. Teach
D. Teach
…Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
The second use of teach refers to instructing the new convert in Christian Living.
EMBRACING THE MISSION
LO - LOOK! SEE! It is a term of Emphasis.
The Commission would be pointless if we had to do it alone, but we don’t. Christ promised to be with us and to empower us.
We must embrace the mission of the Gospel by owning the mission and realizing it is our responsibility.
III. Owning the Mission
III. Owning the Mission
There was “a deacon who had fallen into the habit of using the same phrases over and over as he led prayers in church. One day as he prayed, he said, as he did in every public prayer, ‘Oh Lord, touch the unsaved with Thy finger.’
On this occasion, however, he suddenly stopped and fell silent. After a few seconds people began looking to see what had happened. When he continued to stand there without saying anything, someon finally went up and asked if he was not feeling well.
‘No,’ he replied, ‘it’s just that something seemed to say to me, ‘Thou art the finger.’”
Every born again child of God wants other to be saved.
Every born again child of God wants other to be saved.
Every Christian who is walking with the Lord believes in the Great Commission and wants it to be obeyed.
But sometimes we forget that we are the ones who are supposed to obey it.
Hudson Taylor said, “The Great Commission isn’t an option to be considered; it’s a command to be obeyed.”
So, if you are convinced that you personally are to engage the Great Commission, what does it take to do it? If you were to personally own this mission, what would that look like in your life?
A. Make a Commitment
A. Make a Commitment
The evangelist D.L. Moody used to tell the story of a lady who came to him criticizing his methods of attempting to win people to the Lord. Moody had only received a fifth-grade education, had poor English skills, and was aggressive in seeking people out and pointedly asking them if they were saved. God blessed his preaching and witnessing ministries greatly, but some people took offense at his style.
Moody’s reply to this critic was gracious. “I agree with you. I don’t like the way I do it either. Tell me, how do you do it?”
“I don’t do it.”
“Then I like my way of doing it better than your way of not doing it.”
So. How do we do it?
All the words in the previous part of the lesson, “Go, win, baptize, and teach” are all verbs requiring action.
Will you choose right now to make a commitment to giving the gospel to other people on a regular basis?
Commit to the Lord that beyond your being a part of your church or your giving to support missionaries, that you personally are going to share the gospel with people who are lost.
B. Set a Plan
B. Set a Plan
“What gets scheduled, gets done.”
Sharing the gospel is one of the highest priorities in the life of a Christian. Schedule time for it.
Christ personally preached the gospel, gave the gospel, and made plans for his church to take the gospel to others.
After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
Beginning in March we will restart both of our church wide times to give the gospel to our community. Tuesday at 6:00 and Saturday at 9:45. Pick a time or come to both. If you cannot make those two times set a plan for when you can go, grab some tracts, and get busy for Christ.
C. Seek God’s Help
C. Seek God’s Help
We can have the right message, come up with the best delivery, and have the best plan to carry the gospel to others, but without God’s help we can do nothing.
We do not want to trick people to make a decision, rather, we want to deliver a message from God with his power so others will be brought to salvation.
Paul talked about avoiding tricks or gimmicks and simply relying on the power of the gospel.
For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
I Thessalonians
While we use the word soulwinning derived from...
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life;
And he that winneth souls is wise.
…we must understand and recognize that the Holy Spirit is the true Soulwinner and we are simply the messenger. We need to rely on the Holy Spirit like Paul did.
For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
I Thessalo
We will talk a lot about this point through each part of our series because it is so important.
D. Prepare a Message
D. Prepare a Message
Some people don’t share the gospel because they do not know what to say.
If you are saved you know the gospel; that Jesus died for your sins, rose from the dead, and gave you salvation when you called upon Him to save you. But when you translate that to someone else it might be overwhelming or confusing.
How do you begin the conversation?
How do you communicate your message clearly so there is no misunderstanding?
How do you know if there is misunderstanding?
How do you lead someone from mere mental assent to a personal decision to receive Christ?
We will get to all of these questions in our next lesson.
We will define the gospel for you and give you a sample way your can share it with others and help you encourage that person to trust Christ.
We must remember though, that the commission begins with a command to go. Knowledge is great, but if you do not make the commitment to give the gospel knowledge is useless.
Tonight will you make a commitment to own the mission and get involved in spreading the gospel in our community?