Walk the Walk

I believe God has given us many challenges here. Like Brian's sermon on Idol Worship, one is to watch for greed in your life. Pride is another one of the sneakiest things that catch young Christian as well as mature Christians. You may have heard ‘pride goes before the fall’ that is not how it should go. Prov 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall. Another of the most potent challenges that God wants us to do in our culture is what they should have done in theirs. PRACTICE THEIR FAITH There are several ways to do this. But it seems that there are communities of Christians who bring the love of Jesus to the hurting, broken people. If the world ever needed that - it is now. Just as much as we needed it in 1964. I challenge you to be a loving, caring person to show others who God is.

Help me if you can; I'm feeling down. And I do appreciate you being 'round Help me get my feet back on the ground. Won't you please, please help me!

In oh so many ways, My independence seems to vanish in the haze But every now and then, I feel so insecure. I know that I just need you like I've never done before. John Lennon

Most of the time, you will not hear another one asking out loud for help like John Lennon. Many times, they are just quiet. There is a location in Australia that is the world's leading place to commit suicide. The funny thing is that this area called ‘the Gap’ is a wealthy neighborhood. Beautiful views from a white sand cliff over Sydney Harbor. This is the place Don Richie chose to retire from the insurance business. This place sounds like Laodicea, but unlike Laodicea, He began to see all the jumpers and paid attention. After a while, he would walk up to those who were delaying and ask, “Hi, my name is Don. Would you care for a cup of tea?” This man was Donald Taylor Richie, OAM; He was an Australian who intervened in many suicide attempts. He officially rescued at least 180 people. In 2006, he received the Medal of the Order of Australia. He died in 2012. I pray that someone else picked up his torch.

(Do Something – Matthew West)

For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. Once, you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls. 1Pet2:21-25

Shepard's never loose their way. They keep the flock from danger. Martin Luther said “A preacher must be both a soldier and a Shepard.”

We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. Col 1:10 - 12

8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. 11 In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. COL 3:8-11

Live wisely among those who are not believers and make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. COL 4:5-6

Ephesians 4:11–12 NLT

Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.

According to Robert Morris, What is an Evangelist? Evangelists delivers or announces the good news. The problem is getting you to announce it to someone. He says that is like a poster worker who has the mail but doesn’t deliver any.

You have the news, tell your story. You have a message from God that God sent his son to die for people. They don’t have to work their way to heaven. So many Christians come to the message, but never deliver. What is you message? The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ!

There is a word that scares the daylights out of Christians: Witnessing. Let me take the fear out of the word. Witness is not something you do - it is something you are. Jesus repeatedly said “you will be my witnesses.”

Last year I spoke of witnessing and told the story of a car crash while you are walking downtown. Since it happened right in front of you the authorities want you as a witness. You don’t need a degree in car mechanics to tell what you saw. Just tell your story. No one can argue with your story, it is yours. “ I was saved at 9 and have been working for the Lord ever since.” Great! “I died and saw Jesus and he told me that relationships and community are important. He also told me to learn about the bible. 60 credits later I am still learning”. Great!

Jesus equips you with the gifts , the Holy Spirit empower you to do it.

You are a witness, it is just a matter of whether you will do it

another thing you could is get out of your’comfort zone’ and act like a Christian by reaching out to lost souls, and we have an opportunity to do that now. Saturate USA has sent us some packets of Christian information, including ours. We will be covering 51103, our zip code here. More about that in this video.