Working for others to glorify God

Pastor John is our other pastor Good morning everyone,

I’m going to use this time to share some practical application of being the salt and the light.

Being a light to the world is a reminder

that we were never meant to isolate

from the world.

As evil and full of temptations the world is full of

you are to be the light within.

You are not to be like the Amish

who go run away from the world

and create their won society.

Because the world is dark

and these lost souls

need you

the light.

Jonah as an example.

God put him in a the belly of the fish for 3 days

where it was pitch black

and full of darkness

in order

to prepare him

and to teach Him that God is always with him

even in the belly of the fish.

And it prepared him to preach

to the dark city of Nineveh

which was also

3 days journey in length.

Jonah went in a full days length

where he was surrounded by darkness

maybe not physical darkness

like in the fish

but spiritual darkness

where he was surrounded by

temptation

evil

false worship

etc.

But he was ok

because God was with him

and the light of God

shone

as he preached the gospel

and the city was saved

and turned to worship

the one true God of Israel.

So as you go out

into Darby

a dark town

which

is very deceiving

because it’s a beautiful

and bright place in the summer

remember

that God is with you.

And I encourage you

to stay strong

in your private worship of God.

Moses,

when he went in private to meet with God

to worship Him

to enjoy Him

his face began to shine

with the glory of God

and he was able to handle

the most difficult people

to ever exist

the stiff-necked Israel.

As days pass

you will grow weary

and even weary of each other

and even more you need the light of God

the glory of God

to shine

to be able handle the people in Darby

and also the people that you are serving alongside with.

That’s the only way

I can handle this crazy group!

Jokes aside

look at

Psalm 34:5 (ESV)

Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.

You may have the feeling of shame

this week

especially when people ignore your loving attempt

to share Christ

but if you look to Him

in private

your face will be radiant

shining brightly

and you will not be ashamed.

I want us to consider one more thing

and that

is that you are working

for others to glorify God.

Usually in the bible

when we talk about glorifying God

it’s for you

to glorify God.

Do all things to the glory of God

thats commanded for you

to do.

But here is an odd verse

that tells you

to do good works

so that others

give glory to God.

Psalm 34:8 (NKJV)

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;

Your goal when you go out

is so that others

would taste the salt

and see the light

that God is good.

Not that you enjoy God

but others too.

Your goal today is to

feed people Jesus.

There is a famine among the souls

who are filled

with depression

and anxiety

and they desperately need

the all-satisfying

and all-pleasing

God of the universe

Jesus Christ.

Look at these poor souls today

and help them

not so that you would feel good

but that they

would feel good

by them glorifying God.

It’s about them

not us

this week.

So here are some practical examples of my experiences with this.

I’ve only been a baptist now for a few years

but I must’ve been baptist

longer

because food is one of the best ways to

open a door

for the word.

This week there’s going to be free food

for people to come

but especially to FBC Darby

and also us when we return

like the shrewd

use your money

to make friends for the gospel,

Jesus commanded.

Take that coworker or friend

out to dinner

that doesn’t know Jesus

and then tell them about Christ.

In another church I was in

we went to laundromats

and paid for people’s laundry

by giving them bags overflowing

with quarters.

You see the light in these people’s eyes

light up

and what an easy opportunity it is

to talk to them about Jesus.

At Friendship

when we do our LoveLoud

it’s is an outpouring

of love

and generosity

to the community

with all the food

and fun activities

to do

that we will also do

on Thursday.

So church as we practice servant evangelism this week

and when it’s all over

use these principles

to do it

with relationships

in your personal lives.

Constructing a building this week doesn’t have to be only this week

when you go and help your neighbor out

with something with their home

you are letting your light shine to them

and giving yourself an easy opportunity

to talk about Jesus.

That’s time.

Blair and Mike

if you wanna add

this is the time.