Becoming Line Crossers

BECOMING LINE CROSSERS!

INTRODUCTION

Ephesians 5:14-16 For this reason it says, "Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you." Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

· God is looking for people willing to move across the line into the impossible - can’t live in the comfort zone of possible.

· What’s the “comfort zone”?

· Tendency is to want to “go with the flow”, getting out of your comfort zone means pushing against the flow.

TRANSITION: The first thing you must do to be a line-crosser and move out of your comfort zone is to Put on Purity

I. Put on Purity

I Peter 1:13-16 Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY."

1. Purity in Thought

We have to decide to get out of

our “easy chairs” and make

the changes necessary to be

different.

We’ve been caught in the world’s

trap in our thinking, our philoso-

phies, our social agendas

Line up everything with God’s

word (Abortion, Homosexuality,

Church & State, Evolution)

2. Purity in Action

ILLUSTRATION

A middle-aged business executive approached the front entrance of the office building in which he worked. A young feminist came up at the same moment, so he stepped back and held the door open for her to pass on through. She looked at him and said with annoyance, “don’t hold the door for me just because I’m a lady.”

To her surprise, he looked right back and replied, “I’m not. I’m holding it open because I’m a gentleman.”

Likewise, we are Christians must always act toward others on the basis of what we are in Christ Jesus, and not on the basis of what they may or may not be.

3. Purity in Speech

Our speech must be different

from the world’s speech.

What do we allow in our homes?

At our workplace? Jokes?

conversations? Jesting?

TRANSITION: After putting on Purity, the second thing you must do to be a line-crosser and move out of your comfort zone is to Put forth Priority!

II. Put forth Priority

Joel 3:13-14 Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, tread, for the wine press is full; The vats overflow, for their wickedness is great. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

A. First priority of the church is SOULS

· He will give His heart to you. Can you imagine what the heartbeat of God is like?

· As our hearts touch the Father’s heart our hearts become the same rhythm as His.

B. First priority of the Christian is finding God’s Will for their life.

1. God has a plan for your life

· The anointing is upon you once you agree to give up and give Him control.

Romans 11:29 for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

Joel 2:29-30 "And even on the male and female servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. "And I will display wonders in the sky and on the earth, Blood, fire, and columns of smoke.

2. Never commands us to do anything He doesn’t give us the anointing to

do!

2 Chronicles 16:9 "For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on you will surely have wars."

TRANSITION: The final thing you must do to be a line-crosser and move out of your comfort zone is to Put off Passivity!

III. Put off Passivity

A. Moving into the impossible costs!

Judges 7:20 “The sword of the Lord and of Gideon”.

Gideon ordered his men to do two things.

“He put a trumpet into every man’s hand, with empty pitchers, and torches inside the pitchers” (Judges 7:16).

“They blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers that were in their hands. They held the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands for blowing -- and they cried, “The sword of the Lord and of Gideon” (Judges 7:19-20).

This is precisely what all Christians must do.

First, they must shine, perhaps by breaking the pticher than conceals their light, or by throwing aside the basket that has been hiding their candles.