Charlie Thompson 12/01/2019

Morning, everybody. Esa blessing

Let's talk to God father God I come before you and Thanksgiving and praise for for anointing my hands in my feet father. Now. I ask that you anoint my lips with the coals of Fire Lord. It would be a blessing that would be a seed planted in good ground father and that you would throw it and you would water it and you would raise it up father. That word would be would be heard father your name. I thank you. Amen.

Show this message when it comes down to it is again about obedience and that's kind of been my thing again for the past few years is obedience and what it means and what it's what it is. This is a question that I've had to ask myself and it's who I who am I and this question took a lot of Revelation for me to answer for God answer. And so this is my Revelation now David mentioned being Father a mother a husband a wife of a brother a sister a sunroof and a daughter. And these are these things are true for most of us in this room. This is that's a very basic only thing that everybody in this room has been called to do. but what sets us apart from the millions of other people that are brothers sisters cousins aunts and uncles

1st Peter 2:9 says but ye are a chosen generation a royal priesthood a holy nation A peculiar people that you should shoot for the Praises of him is called you out of Darkness Into His Marvelous Light.

Out of this whole wide world. What makes you a peculiar husband live daughter son sister brother exedra. It'll be like there's more to it than the simple obvious. Absolutely, absolutely.

You're calling when it comes down to it is spreading the word of God and his greatness that's pulled you out of this Darkness. What chapters apart from the obvious is our commission is our calling the shoe for the Praises of Christ for pulling us out of Darkness Into His Marvelous Light cuz that's where we all were before this. Now that means that we are more than the common husband. We are more than the common wife father mother sister brother and so on. We are a royal priesthood.

Given a commission to preach the gospel and when necessary to preach the gospel using words. I'm pointing out that preaching the gospel starts with our actions because for me talk is cheap. I've heard a lot of it. I've said a lot of it and I meant a lot of nothing in the past so I can stream. No, we hold a truth that others don't have. a true that most people will spend a lifetime agonizing over searching for and seeking

You're our actions as Believers are fruit. And the Bible says that we shall be known by our fruit. And what do I mean? If I'd stayed a common father a husband brother, I would have missed my calling by a long shot. I stand on my calling to be a husband based on Ephesians. 5:25 is my favorite favorite verse ever this husbands. Love your wife wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself for it. Nash Drive everyday to be what? I'm supposed to be at home what God has called me to be just as much as I am here with you guys. And that's what makes me up a kill your husband unbelieving husbands would roll their eyes at me for saying such a thing and I've seen it. I've witnessed that I've been part of that. I where I where I left my wife shirts everywhere. And I've seen similar shirts read. I love when my wife... Let's me go fishing lets me drink beer, whatever it is, but that's not what I'm saying hear what I'm saying? Is that regardless of what my wife lets me do or don't do I love her I stand on it. And I know that women think that is sweet and little girls will stop and take notice cuz I personally witness this as well. And they don't even and it's I think it's funny because even they know that there's something peculiar about wearing wearing it. That's just what the world feels like to me. And that's what I want. I want them to believe there's someone out there something bold enough for them. It will love them with all their minds Hearts bodies and souls. and if a simple shirt with the word of God on it makes husbands and wives think makes a seed being planted a water a little bit so that he can grow then then then I've done my job. I've done simple basic calling in this goes beyond I just being normal.

No, but me on the other hand before we decide and asked me if it if it's my wife, it's making me wear the shirt or or did she buy it for me? Where is she now? Is she is she here? It seems to be emasculating to hear a guy professes love openly to the rest of the beer chugging born watching woman repressing world. That's that's my personal experience in this. Our wives are supposed to be these nagging women and it's a man's machismo versus feminism.

And when I tell them that my wife's not here that I made the t-shirts at home with my own hands. It sets a president. The women little girls read the shirt and think to themselves. Why won't my husband wear one of these I want my future husband to be bold enough to love me in public. I hope it makes them think of their worth as a wife as a woman as a human being not an object. I hope it makes a little girl think of who she wants her future husband to be. I try to lead by example because again talk is cheap. I let a lot by by Tonk and it's meant a lot of nothing. So it it truly is an honor to stand up here and it truly is that I can't describe that. I'm will never be worthy of but I'm thankful. I'm grateful for it.

Because that's what it means to be a peculiar husband at least to me it does. To me. My marriage has lasted longer than any other marriage in my family. And in a lot of my family members have been married five six, six times just about everybody in my family has been married. And I think that most marriages are based on a simple coexistence with no substance or very little at all at least. That's why most marriages at least from the studies that I've read 50% of them will end in divorce and 3/4 of that number is based on financial problems. T finances are at the center of worldly marriages. 1st Timothy 5:8 speaks to do a man who fails to provide for his own family's called worse than an unbeliever.

For me I thought going to work was what this verse was talking about. Georgia green that's definitely part of it. But a lot of people think that it is there a lot of worldly people think that's exactly where it ends. The most important part of providing for my family and spiritually money is nice. Yes. It's a comfort but fulfilling spiritual needs a my family is at the top of my list. My commandment is a husband. wives are you your husband's help me? Yes, you make your house run. And you're good at it.

What are you helping him be a better person? Not just pointing out flaws not just pointing out what he did wrong.

But are we kind gentle and patient and slow to anger with each other?

And for those of us who were unmarried this is what you should be aspiring to if your man or searching for if you're a woman. No thing that shuts husbands and wives apart from being common as rising to their higher calling and in their role. It's not just about your house. Although that takes precedence over everything else. It's also about stepping up and being there for others to show them by example, what a husband and a wife truly means and this goes beyond marriage. This goes to every other roles. We are called into where to show others by example what it means to be a brother or sister. This is not just a marriage message by any means. Be Father's and Mother's Day that the orphans those who have been abandoned by their natural parents be a friend who encourages and leaves not one who serves no purpose. I run into people all the time and sober recovery come from a background with no pants and sometimes just being a friend to them is being a pants them. There are generations of people who were lost and have no hope we are that solution.

We are one body but many parts and carrying our faith with us wherever we go is useless unless we're answering God when he calls and stepping into where we're needed. I just want to challenge and encourage you because sometimes we need to be reminded that we're ready to do more. Even if it always even if it doesn't feel like we're ready for that were meant for it. If you're asked to fill a role in the body, and you don't rise to the calling, you're not just stifling your own potential, but you're neglecting. The people whose lives You Were Meant to change. Most people have a general idea of what they were called to do. What they were meant to be for me. I I waited for this bolt aligning to come down and strike me to where I was supposed to be even though I might even though I knew what you wanted me to do instead of acting on faith. I waited for an audible voice of God at the tell me to move. You know and if you're waiting on an audible voice of consider, this it move.

And to be honest, what you've already heard this Audible Voice of God, I know that the pastor these please given messages several times since he's been Apache what he does. He gives messages. Typically that's led by the spirit. So that is the voice of God. Every single part of this body is important even the little ones. You wouldn't be part of a body if you weren't necessary. Are many different ways to be hands and feet eyes and ears and even even the mouthpiece of Jesus. the choir constantly practices to better fulfill their calling and that's why we come to church is to learn how to fulfill Our Calling to be enriched and to grow We are all peers. We are all mentors the walk with men and women through their struggles Celebrate Recovery sponsors and accountability partners are big part of this body now. Another significant part of this body is prison ministry. I know it doesn't look like it now, but believe me when I tell you it's coming you can't stop the plans of God. Hebrews 13:3 says remember them that are in bonds as being bound with them and then would suffer adversity as being your yourselves also in the body. Jesus said out of his own lips for I was hungry and you gave me meat I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you took me in naked and you clothed me sick and you visited I was in prison and you came to me. That's what the church should look like.

What would the church look like without that part of the ministry and the people that helped fill these roles? This is what Jesus said the church should look like when it's rolls are being met for this community.

I don't know what it would look like if this calling has not been pursued and I would hate to even imagine where my house would be where my kids would be where I would do that. I would really hate to see that now and I'm glad that I don't have to And whether these people are reach through this ministry or not. They're still brothers and sisters and part of the same body people that are other churches right now part of the same body people that don't visit this church are still part of the same body. Which leads me to another point that 2nd Corinthians 9 6 & 7 illustrates he which soweth sparingly shall reap sparingly and he would shows bountifully to reap bountifully every man according to his purpose in his heart. So let him give not grudgingly or Miss essity God loves a cheerful Giver. You think that you could reach as many hearts? If there was no heart put into it.

Give the very best of your time of your mind of your heart and love your finances. Most important thing to consider when you feel led to step up into our roles as where are your hearts? Where is our heart? Are we just doing it out of sense of Duty we doing this because we feel passionately glad to do it. When you go to the store, can you tell the difference between those who genuinely are happy to be alive and just happy to be working rather than the ones that are there for just a paycheck. I can I work with people all the time.

and sometimes

nothing for us to consider. Are you doing your part just to get credit for it? Are you doing it because you believe and what you're called to do. I know that I've had to answer that question several times and in my own mind and in my heart, especially when I don't see things going the way I would want. At the question. I have to question that.

I could go on and on with scripture that commands us to action is part of this body. But my main point is this. It's important to just step up and fill your calling and to do it with joy and love. That's what we were commanded to do. It's important to note that what you do outside of this church body is as important as what you do inside of this body. How many people are part of this body? But don't show it outside of these walls, and I know that I'm guilty of that.

How many people are part of the body outside this church, but not inside. Calling should be the same whether we're at church or not, cuz it's the same calling regardless of where we are. I think it's awesome to see people stopped up when pastors are gone. And and to know that they can leave and and everybody gets fed to know that there's people that will fill roles that will make the thing run the machine run. And I'm sure they'd be glad to see the same thing happen even while they're here. I'm sure that if you were to ask the pastor where we need to grow they would tell you in the word and spiritual gifts cuz we're already saved and seal. What's next to Growing these gifts. Robbie wants to know what they're supposed to do and how it fits within this body of the Living God and do it with all their hearts and love if you see you need step in and fill it. I know that there are plenty of open positions explaining things that need to be need to be done and taken care of. And whatever you were called into you were also to help not impede the growth of that Ministry. It's you were always to be thinking about how it can grow and how can change I know for me. I celebrate recovery in in the kids. And you know, how how I want that to grow. That's something I'm always praying and thinking about how I can how I can be his hands or feet to make it grow get bigger.

Hebrews 6:1 says therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings of Christ. And be taken for to maturity not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts lead to death. Being part of this body and growing is to stop moving backwards into actually to death. Not growing maturity is to move backwards. I like this illustration because I've heard the church being referred to as a hospital and people come when they're sick. They leave when they're healed. Who wants to come back to the hospital for fun? We should be doctors. We should be nurses you should be volunteers the others and and their needs time with me and if you're not involved get involved, I think it's awesome to see people that are addicted to substances step up and help people that are trapped there speaking as far as sober recovery does and those that that step up and and are we going to take time to minister to people in to be there with some of these people that really genuinely need it. For me, it was all about comfort and I had to I had to take my comfort it into account. I was comfortable where I was at all before. And if you're nice and comfy that probably means you're not growing. I I know that sometimes this is very hard for me. Out of Paul absolutely loved what he did. He was never comfortable in prison. It was never comfortable being Shipwrecked or being left for dead or being stoned. And we don't have to suffer the same things that he suffered but the concept is the same. He was always moving forward. We need to do that as well.

For me doing things for Price isn't always comfortable. Pushes me beyond what I think my limits are I got to be honest. I find my flesh coming up here in front of you today.

I find it real bad at this new place is new people. Sometimes it's easier to sit in the crowd. And to be the one that speaks to it. I know this.

God wants to hear what I have to say. God wants people to hear what I have to say. It's what makes us a peculiar people. because believing and behaving this way is out of the ordinary for this world everything that we do should be peculiar to anybody else's that's watching but at the same time it's it's it's it's a need that people want the people seeing the people are drawn to

Pushing past my fears of this world is to deny the Flesh in my body. In Colossians, 3:15 and let the peace of God rule in your hearts as members of one body. It may not always be easy, but it's always peaceful and joyful to know that you've heard God's voice and stepped into it. May not always be fun, but there is always a peace that surpasses all understanding.

And to know you're not the only one who will step up and be there to help help that me getting that getting mad. I know that I'm not the only person that when somebody comes on a Friday night or even on a Sunday morning. Up in and help. And that's very comforting. And again, I want to I want to challenge and push you know, who you are in this body because you are a very vital part of this. And because that's what was done for me. I was pushed to know who I was. Philippians 1:6 is being confident of this very thing that he which has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. In a little over 3 years ago. I was so so far gone. I was I was out of my mind. I was gone with my family. I couldn't even see old things as familiar anymore almost like I was crossing out of this world into another. Maybe you perhaps a reprobate mind. But I know this the Jesus didn't forget the promises you made to me. He told me that I was ready to stand in front of you guys today. I'm not sure why.

But he told me that I was ready to be a huge part of men's lives their well-being their sobriety both in this church in prison and on the streets Wherever I Go.

According to Christ. I'm not just a husband who goes to work to provide for my family. I'm a covering for all who are in my house. I'm called a warrior and so much more than if you can't even begin to put it in in a whole lesson is Bo just take too long Matthew 13, 3132 speaks of my faith is being a refuge for all. Says the Kingdom of Heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed what your man took and sold in his field. Here it says we did it say see that must be put in good soil to grow. It must be putting a good soil to grow. You must put your faith in God and he what he wants in your life to see if bro. It's the only way we we get it to produce good fruit.

And we all know what happens to seized that are planted on bad. I'm bad ground. We get bad fruit or no fruit doll. And it goes on which indeed is the least of all seeds on when it is grown. It is a great osita mother herbs to become with a tree. So the birds of the air May Lodge in the branches there. That's your faith. That's what you offered to humanity. That's what she wanted to a brother to a sister to your wife to your kids everybody that you will come in contact with that is your calling. Now I get to be part of Celebrate Recovery. And the men that will come in we'll get a chance to find this peace and find this rest in to find healing and the power to break Chains It's not because of me not because of the people that that fill it but it's because of the word that lives in the people that do show up to help.

Just a little bit of the very best of your time of your mind and I'll be your heart done in absolute love. Will give mini that she rest rest in. Peace.

I didn't know I was ready for a lot of things, but I was pushed forward and at times it wasn't. It wasn't it wasn't just a matter of hearing God's voice. It was a matter of physical people shoving me forward and saying hey you can do this. And with Christ all things are possible. So I knew it was true.

And at times it's it's it's nerve-wracking. It's uncomfortable and I fought against it in my eye in my mind. I are you with God. But it turns out that I will always lose that fight.

A most of the started at home, but a lot of things were made right because of the work that I was doing with with people work that I was doing on the street. Being able to talk to me and open my eyes to who I was supposed to be made me realize that I needed to be what I was talking about. That was fat.

Where would I be? What would I be if I had I not been to that calling again? I got to ask myself that because Cuz I remember where I was at. Where will you be when you hear God's Direction and choose to follow to turn away again. I remember that I remember hearing God's Audible Voice choose this day who you will serve.

Where would I have been if I not fall that?

Because you may not just be pushing yourself away. It could be your whole house. Could be your friends are complete strangers. You may never meet will be somebody as simple as it reads a t-shirt.

No one has ever given a Celebrate Recovery lesson or an opening scripture is ever felt comfortable doing it the first time and and to be honest. I'm still on sometimes but I'll close with this. We are called to be something greater than just sharing these messages.

We are called to be these messages of every moment of every day. And when it comes down to it, we all love God. We shouldn't have a desire to grow spiritually regardless of whether or not it's comfortable.

We should crave spiritual growth regardless of where we are in life, and we should have that Spirit of obedience. It's willing to go anywhere Chrysler wants to go. Or when the word throwing spiritual gifts cuz it's the evidence of growth. We need to be his hands and feet and there can't be any excuses. There's a world of hurting people. last who need you you need me?

Your calling is much more than what I can fit into this mess. Your calling is deep and wide go find them. And if you're unsure. You don't you're not sure that you that you heard from God or that you want confirmation of the word of God staying with the pastor. The pastor is going to come up here and he's going to stand with you guys and he's going to pray and then if they need it needs to be mad make make it down make it down to God cuz we can't do anything unless we can't do anything unless the pastor of a thank you for the for the chance to come up here and I thank you guys for your ears. I love you guys.

Santos Disney

you talked about doing what God has called you to do that's pretty deep stuff. So I pray that you take the heart what he's what he shared with us today. You know, I want to take it to Hartford for me to identify with a lot of what he says most of my what I do in God and I don't really feel comfortable about doing so I just a part of the Christian walk I think is we can't trust in our abilities.

Many times God will call us to do things. We're we're we're weakest at that way. We'll have to trust him because then we he gets all the credit right and we know what it means that his grace is sufficient, which is one of the big big ease of celebrate recovery and begin scripture as well. That's all stand.

so if I pray that you'll take that likes it take to heart what Charlie said today and

Lori just asked today that you would just help each one of us to look within ourselves Lorden to ask these questions. What are you calling is to do what? What are you calling me to do? Am I doing what you've called me to do or am I?

wasting the opportunities that you have brought before me God I pray that each and everyone here today would fulfill. The call of God upon their life Lord, we pray that everyone in your will be conformed to the image of the Son of God or we thank you for Charlie and his obedience and we just pray a blessing upon him as he leaves Lord knowing that he fulfilled what you told him to share and got we just pray that you would help us as a church body. To fulfill what you called us to do or we will not.

Hold back by butt whooped will it will exceed even we will run with you or where you're calling us to run and will do what you called us to do Lord. I pray that you would put that passion in a sky that we could do what you call us to do Lord. I pray that we won't look to the right or to the left or say.

We could all have excuses but I pray that we lay those down.

Cuz there is a harvest field. There are people that need you Lord and I pray that you would help if its prey whatever it is or we'll just do what you call this to. Do you Lord and we ask it Lord in Jesus name and everybody said amen. God bless you and rub your prayer if you require that is our God bless you email.