Begins With Me

Intro

Let’s get nostalgic for a minute.

Who in here remembers these things. (show pics)

Some of you like yesterday some not at all.

Change is inevitable over time we see it.

Change can feel impossible.

When you're part of something that needs to change it seems like it never will!

have you ever seen a problem and said these words, someone should do something!

Our house has 5 people. It can get strode really easily.

The hardest job of any parent is keeping the house looking descent enough that if someone surprise drops in you're not embarrassed.

We cleaned and some trash showed back up in the living room...

I was gonna wait it out and see who would pick it up. waited. waited. Christy finally picked it up!!

I asked why, she said well, it needed be done.

The world around us needs a change.

Not just to be cleaned up a little. but needs hope. needs purpose.

It’s easy to say, someone should do something about that...

I have to get back my my own mess of life. What could I do. It’s not problem...

the change we need begins with me.

That someone who should do something, is me.

Here’s how Jesus said it.

Matthew 5:13–16 (NIV)

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

John 8:12 (NIV)

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

What god does in us, he wants to flow through us.

We are changed, to be the change in the world around us. (received the light, be the light)

We are to be change agents in the world.

When we find who we are in Christ, he gives us a new purpose.

when I belong to Christ, I’m not here to just make a name for myself, to make a good living, make money, but to make a difference.

It’s easy to be like I was with that trash in the house, we’d rather make a point than make a difference.

It’s easier to criticize than to create.

Responsibility for seeing change in the world, begins with me.

2 metaphors

You are the Salt.

You are the Light.

Salt both was used to preserve things , add flavor, and to cleanse

Light is obvious. it shines, it exposes, it reveals.

I am, it not just something I’m supposed to do, but Who I AM.

If we aren’t living to make a difference (bigger than ourselves) it’s as useless as salt that isn’t salbutamol and light that doesn’t shine.

As the salt and light, you make the world better and brighter

Salt can’t stop being salty, light can’t stop lighting, its what it is.

That is who we are called to be.

We are the difference in the world, not someone else.

We can’t do everything, but we can do something.

You may be thinking what I think when I read this,

how can I change anything. sounds great for people not already busy.

change beginning with you, being the salt and light may be simpler than you think, but it does require something of us.

Here’s how we can start:

1. Value People

And we can never see change in people if we don’t value them.

If we want to be the light, it means being like Jesus.

How many want to be more like Jesus??

Jesus valued people.

He valued everyone.

Luke 8:41–45 (NIV)

Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.

As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.

“Who touched me?” Jesus asked.

When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”

Jesus stop sand talks with the woman. encourages, heals and forgives her.

How many people would have walked past the sick, poor woman when they are on the way to the house of an important person.

But Jesus saw value in everyone.

it’s too easy to see people as an obstacle instead of something valuable.

It’s far too easy to categorize people as worth more or less. Jesus didn’t do that.

People can tell when you value them and when you don’t.

Every person I come in contact with has just as much value as me.

Philippians 2:3–4 (NIV)

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

How are we doing?

2. Add Value to People

This is how we begin to influence our world.

How can we add value to others?

1. See them as valuable (we’ve already said this)

But this is needed because my perspective about you determines my attitude towards you.

If I see you as weak - I want to help you.

As broken - I want to fix you

As valuable - I want to serve you.

All sound noble, but the top two still make me more important.

Mark 9:35 (NIV)

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

We only serve what we value.

2. Think of ways to add value to people

how often do we do this?

Before I get to the office, before I get home.. how can I add value.

3. Look for ways to add value

We see what we are looking for, we can find ways to add value to others if we are looking for it.

You don’t see things as they are, you see things as we are

4. Make the effort, take the action

Good intentions are great, but intentions are overrated.

Things only change with action.

Matthew 25:35–40 (NIV)

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Jesus loves people so much, that when you add value people he takes it personally!

Speak an encouraging work, pray with someone, look for a way to fill a need.

Most of our decisions, if were honest, are all about what adds value to me.

Jesus says to change the world, it’s about adding value to others.

3. Live Good Values

People will see your good deeds and glorify your father in heaven

People need examples of what it looks like to live differently.

it’s attractive to live differently, than just like everyone else.

people are searching.

Galatians 5:22–23 (NIV)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Let them see God through you!

It shines the light within you and points to God.

CONCLUSION

We are the change the world needs, it begins in us.

The salt and the light.

to make the world better and brighter.

Simper than you may think.

John Maxwell says this “the difference between success and failure is the gap between I should and I did”

We really are made to make a difference. Let’s do something.