Making A Difference To Change The World

Making A Difference To Change The World

I AM THE DIFFERENCE WITH THE HELP OF THE HOLY GHOST

Leviticus 10:10 (KJV) And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean.

Introduction

I want all of us to think back to last Sunday, June 18th. Try to remember what you saw in our communities, seen on television, and heard on the radio. Think back really well because I want you to recall if you heard anything about living holy and separate from this world. You might say; “I heard some church music, I heard a sermon or I heard about something good in the news, and that’s good. But was it really good? Did it really glorify God, our creator, and sustainer?

I like participation so we’re going to be making some declarations today so be ready to use your right hand.

Point 1 - The Book Of Leviticus

The Levites were descendants of Jacob’s son Levi and they were set aside for service to God. They were given the responsibility of maintaining the Tabernacle and its services, and the responsibility of teaching the people concerning God’s requirements for leading a holy life. Aaron and his descendants were chosen to be priests of Israel and to officiate at the services. They also served as magistrates and judges among the people.

Some things happened before we get to the text of our theme; “Making A Difference To Change The World”.

Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron took his censer and put fire in it and incense on it, and offered a strange fire before the Lord.

Then a fire from the Lord consumed them, and they died before the Lord.

The book of Leviticus teaches us about how God wanted the people to worship Him in the Tabernacle. The book of Leviticus also contains laws that deal with holy living. The Israelites greatest blessing was the presence of God with them and if they failed to live holy lives, God would withdraw His presence from them.

Point 2 - Strange Fire In The Church Today

In Hebrew, the word strange means; unauthorized, foreign or profane. And my sisters and brothers if we be honest we must admit there is some strange things going on within some of us and we bring it to the church, where we’re supposed to be coming to be in the presence of the Lord.

Anything the Lord doesn’t see as holy is strange to Him.

Some of the gospel music is strange. Some of the messages from the pulpits are strange. The way some of us dress is strange to the Lord.

Some of our attitudes are strange to God in that IF we come before Him (church), our minds are on something or someone else. We’re in a hurry to “get it over with.”

Some of today’s gospel music sounds strange in that if the name of Jesus is mentioned, it's at the end of the song.

Some of Today’s gospel music glorifies self and the flesh instead of glorifying God.

Some of the messages coming from the pulpit are strange because there’s more preaching about prosperity than there is about repentance.

When God looks at us, He wants to see a difference in Faithful COGIC, in True Faith COGIC, in New Gardners COGIC, and in every place, people gather to worship Him.

He doesn’t want to hear the world’s opinions or see the world’s practices. He wants to see His people putting a difference between holy and unholy, and between clean and unclean.

Point 3 - Making A Difference

What can we do to be the difference?

Study God’s word - Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. - 2 Timothy 2:15.

Fast - And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. - Mark 9:29.

Pray without ceasing. - 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

Receive the Holy Ghost who guides us into all truth so we can come out from among them and be separate says the Lord Do and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

When we do these things God will receive us because we won’t be bringing anything strange into His presence.

The world is so full of hatred, violence, death and darkness. We can make a difference by being the complete opposite of what we see in the world.

Think about the difference we can make by extending ourselves by going out and showing the love of Christ.

Think about the difference we can make by being the salt and light of the earth.

Think about the difference we can make when people in the world see people who won't deviate from the word of God but stand on it no matter what happens.

Conclusion

The church isn’t dying or will ever die because of Jesus’ words in Matthew 16:18 “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

Just like the Lord replaced Nadab and Abihu, He knows how to bring forth a people who refuse to bring strange fire into His presence to replace those who appear strange to Him.

There are too many strange things going on in the presence of the Lord. And Faithful COGIC, I exhort you to keep pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 3:14.

This is where you can participate in the message using your right hand. Now I’m not going to ask you to touch your neighbor or high-five your neighbor with your hand. I remember when I was in grammar school we did a pledge of allegiance and we placed our right hand over our heart. So place your right hand over your heart and repeat after me:

I am the difference because I love the Lord with all my heart, soul and mind.

I am the difference because I love my neighbor as myself.

I am the difference because I shun the very appearance of evil.

I am different because I stand on the word of God no matter what.