weekly sermon

7-20-08

Am I Sufficient?

There is a song that I heard long ago, that I would like to open this message with, that really speaks volumes. Some of you may have heard this song and some of you may have not, but it really opens your eyes and makes you think about your faith and where it should be in the eyes of God. Its a tad lengthy but very touching and true.

The Outlaw's Prayer

You know, I worked the Big Packet show in Fort Worth, Saturday night,
We had all day Sunday to rest and relax, before I caught another flight.
So I decided to walk down town an' get myself a little fresh air.
Before long, I found myself in front of a big church on the corner of the square.

Boy, I could hear that singin' way out in the street, sure was a beautiful sound.
So I just walked up the steps an' opened the door an' started to go inside an' sit down.
But before I could, a young man walked over to me an said: "Excuse me, Sir,
"But I can't let you in with that big black hat, those jeans, that beard an' long hair.

So I just left, went back outside, sat down on that curbing, an I thought to myself:
That's the house of the Lord. That guy's got a heck of a nerve.
Tellin' me I can't worship anywhere I please.
So right there, in front of that Church, I just knelt down on my knees.

I said: "Lord, I know I don't look like much, but I didn't think you'd mind.
"I just wanted to be with your people, Lord: it's been a long time.
"A while ago, I saw a wino over there in the alley, all bent over in tears,
"An' I thought how one stained glass window, from this Church, would feed his family for years."

"Then there's those fine cars parked outside: too many for me to count.
"Made me think how people walked for days to hear your sermon on the mount.
"Then there's those fine ladies in the choir, Lord, singin' like they really love it.
"Heck, last night, they were dancin' on the front row of my show: drinkin' beer, screamin: 'Sing Shove It.'

"You know, even John the Baptist wouldn't be welcome in this place,
"With his coat made of Camel hair an' sandals on his feet an' a long beard on his face.
"You know, Lord, when you come back to get your children, an' take 'em beyond the clouds,
"To live forever in Heaven with you: well, I'd sure hate to be in this crowd.

"You know, Lord, I'm not perfect; some even call me no count.
"But I'll tell you: I believe a man is judged by what's in his heart, not what's in his bank account.
"So if this is what religion is: a big car, a suit an' a tie,
"Then I might as well forget it Lord, 'cause I can't qualify.

"Oh, by the way, Lord, right before they kicked me out, didn't I see a picture of you?
"With sandals an' a beard. Believe you had long hair too."

I want us to look at what this really had to say. I know it speaks of him going to a church and them not allowing him in and him not understanding or really agreeing with them. Yes this is a problem in many churches, but it is NOT what I am wanting this message to really focus on. If we focus on ourselves, which is accountably the church, and how we are seen by others, we could then change our world. I want us to see in his heart how he felt, and not how he was viewed by the other's eyes.

Remember that last week I spoke about looking with your heart and not your eyes. The heart has love, whereas the head is of this world and full of worldly thoughts. If we look with our hearts, instead of seeing outward impressions, we can really see the true person. This should show you where your faithfulness stands. Where should our faithfulness stand?

Turn with me to Revelations 2:1-7, "Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; (2)I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: (3)And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. (4)Nevertheless I have [somewhat] against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. (5)Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. (6)But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. (7)He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God."

This is a message from our Lord and Saviour to the church, which is the folks of the church, about our faithfulness to God and how it should be to all the world. If we look we can see that God sees and knows our works, our labours, and our patience. We will inevitably be judged on these things. Our faith is the ultimate salvation tool, meaning that we must have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and our faith in Him is what saves our souls. But just as James writes in chapter 2, verse 26, "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."

This says that our faith is dead if we have no works to go with them. It may be our faith that determines our final resting place, but once we go to stand before our Father, our lives will be opened in front of Him that He may judge us for our sins, or works, our labours for Him and His word, and our patience.

If we stand before God full of faith that He exists, came to earth, and died and raised again to save our souls, and our outward works displays a different person than the Christian we are meant to be by God, then our faith is nothing but dead.

How do you treat others? How do you see others when you first meet them? If someone dressed different, drives a different car, has less money, looks different, or even acts different comes up to you, do you treat them different than you would the pastor of your church? If you can say yes to ANY of that question, then you really need to look deep inside your heart and see how God Himself would see them.

We are all God's children. I do not care how much money you make or how little you have, what kind of car you drive or if you walk, how large your house is or if you are homeless, how clean or dirty you are, what side of town you live on, or your status in this world, you ARE a child of God. Remember that the streets of Heaven are paved in Gold, the streets in ALL of Heaven, and there is no one here that could compete with that, no matter how wealthy you are. This world, and all in it, was created by God, so there is nothing that you could possibly possess that God could not do better. This tells me that no matter our status in this world, we are nothing more than penniless, no status children in His eyes.

So if you feel you may not be sufficient, then re-read Revelations chapter 2. We can all, on this earth, perform the same works for our Christ. We can all labour for the same souls to be saved for Christ. We can all show the same patience and love to those around us, no matter our social status. If you put yourself on the same playing fields as those more fortunate or even less fortunate that yourself, then you will see that you are just as sufficient as anyone around you, especially in the eyes of God.

God did NOT call the wealthy to follow Him while He was here in the flesh. He called fishermen, tax collectors, and even a murderer. This should show you that you are just as sufficient as any other person out there. Now all you have to do is make your works reflect that.

If you have never shared the word of Christ, or reached out for a lost soul, or touched a hand of a stranger that you thought may not be what you expect them to be, then turn your eyes to God and let Him lead you down His path.

If no one has shared this with you, then let me take this opportunity to tell you that there is a wonderful God out there that loves you and wants you to get to know Him. If you would like to get to know Him better then all you have to do is say a simple prayer with me.

Say this simple prayer with me, Dear Lord, take over my life and forgive me of my sins, and give me the gift of everlasting life. Amen.

If you have said this simple prayer, then we believe that you have received salvation. We would love to rejoice with you, so please drop us a note, in our link, to let us know and confess Jesus before man, so that we may send you a few things that we hope will help you in your new Christian walk.
 

With Love in Christ,

Pastor Stone