Make Jesus Famous

MAKE JESUS FAMOUS

Ex. 9:16

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR

Pete Smith told me about a King in Europe who was only 12 inches tall! He was a terrible King but a good ruler!

B. TEXT

1. God told Pharaoh, “But for one reason only I’ve kept you on your feet: To make you recognize my power so that my reputation spreads in all the Earth” Ex. 9:16, MSG

2. Solomon prayed, “People are going to be attracted here by your great reputation, your wonder-working power, who come to pray at this Temple” 1 Kgs. 8:41-43, MSG.

C. THESIS

1. God is very interested in lost people hearing about Him and He’s very concerned about His reputation. For that, He’s depending on us.

2. Today, we’re going to see how God wants us 1). To make JESUS famous, not ourselves; 2). To make Jesus famous by our HOLY LIFE; and 3). To make Jesus famous by stepping out in faith to see the miraculous.

3. The title is “Make Jesus Famous.”

I. MAKE JESUS FAMOUS, NOT OURSELVES

A. JESUS IS THE KEY TO REVIVAL

1. Jesus said, “If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto Me” John 12:32. Jesus DIDN’T say, “If you talk about hunting or sports or about yourself.” He said we must lift HIM up!

2. To "lift up" is to "draw attention to," "make obvious," "make visible" in comparison to other objects of faith.

3. It’s not religions that save, or denominations or doctrines – it’s Jesus! Like the Hindu said: "Many things which Christianity contains I find in Hinduism; but there is one thing which Christianity has that Hinduism has not." "What is that?" the missionary asked. His reply was striking: "A Savior." There is NO SAVIOR in Islam, Hinduism, Confucianism, or Buddhism!

4. DON’T WATER JESUS DOWN!

a. If you water gasoline down, it ceases to be explosive -- it becomes useless for running your car.

b. If you reduce the active ingredients in pain killers, they no longer relieve the pain of the sufferers.

c. If you put too much carbonated water or less syrup in fountain drinks they lose their appeal and flavor. TO REDUCE THE KEY INGREDIENT IN OUR PRODUCTS MAKES THEM LOSE THEIR PRIMARY FUNCTION! The PRIMARY FUNCTION of Christianity is to Save, Heal, and Deliver! Let’s KEEP JESUS AS THE MAIN INGREDIENT!

B. EVEN THE HOLY SPIRIT DOESN’T SPEAK OF HIMSELF, BUT JESUS

1. John 16:13-14, “Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He...shall not speak of Himself....He shall glorify Me.”

2. This is the same Holy Spirit who hovered over the waters at Creation and the same Holy Spirit who raised Jesus up from the dead (Rom. 8:11). If HE will not glorify Himself, how dare any human bring glory to themselves? THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME TO MAKE JESUS FAMOUS – SO SHOULD WE!

3. God says, “For My own sake, I will do it...and I WILL NOT GIVE MY GLORY TO ANOTHER” Isa. 48:11. The Bible says God is “jealous” God who will allow no worship except of Himself (because it would be inappropriate and against the created order). God wouldn’t let Gideon have more than 300 men so Israel wouldn’t take the glory of the victory to themselves (Judges 7:2).

4. ILLUS. A man with a fine fishing boat & equipment fished in vain a whole morning. He saw a boy on the shore with a fine string of trout. "How is it that I can't catch any?" the man inquired. The boy answered, "Because you don't keep yourself out of sight!" God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. If you want God’s blessing, give HIM all the glory!

II. MAKE JESUS FAMOUS, BY YOUR HOLY LIFE

A. OUR BEHAVIOR AFFECTS PEOPLE’S VIEW OF GOD

1. Peter told us, “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us” 1 Pet. 2:12.

2. We bring honor to God when we live holy lives (consistent with God’s nature, since we say we have inside us), or we demean God by ungodly behavior, because it reflects on the One we say we serve.

3. God said, “I suffered much pain over my holy reputation, which the people of Israel blackened in every country they entered” Ezek. 36:21, MSG.

4. When David sinned with Bathsheba, God told him he had “given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme” 2 Sam. 12:14. A holy life honors God & unholy dishonors Him.

B. LET’S BE THE LIGHT TO A DARK WORLD

1. Philippians 1:27; “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.”

2. Our conversations, business transactions, modes of dress, style of living, entertainments all are involved. There’s nothing which we do, or say, or purpose, that is exempted from the rules of the Kingdom of God.