“Role – Model Saints”
Romans part 15
Opening Illustration: From Blue Fish TV – Mother Teresa a Hero for the faith!
Thesis: Paul in chapter 12 tells us that we must be role models saints for this world and not act worldly but instead act like living sacrifices to Jesus. This in turn will make us a hero in the eyes of Kingdom of God.
Scripture Text: Romans 12:1-21 (Have the church listen to this chapter from the Dramatized version CD and follow along in their NIV Bibles).
1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Summary of last week:
Last week we entered into chapter 12 of Romans and soon discovered that there are 27 character traits of a role-model saint – a hero for the Kingdom of God. We looked at few of these character traits in detail -- so let’s review those this morning before we progress to the next ones: Please note I have decided to make this a 4 part study in chapter 12 as we are going to take the time to explore these character traits in more detail so we understand what we are to be like as living sacrifices.
1. A role model saint is a living sacrifice for the Kingdom of God.
a. They have chosen to give up their life to Christ because he chose to give up His life for their salvation.
b. Video - Illustration – A Living Sacrifice
i. All the following traits will help to portray to us what it means to be a living sacrifice for Jesus.
2. A role-model saint lives holy in an unholy environment.
a. When a person observes a saints life they see a person living different than the rest of the sinners.
3. A role-model saint lives a life that pleases God.
a. They live a life that makes God smile!
4. A role-model saint does not conform to the behavior pattern of this world’s inhabitants.
a. They instead conform to the image of Jesus Christ and seek to live godly imitating His lifestyle.
5. A role-model saint has had their mind renewed by God’s Word.
a. They have a point of view that has an eternal perspective and a Biblical world view rather than a corrupt self-centered mindset.
6. A role-model saint does not think they are someone special because they have a sensible view of them self.
a. They do not over rate themselves and live a prideful arrogant lifestyle.
7. A role-model saint chooses the path of love over hate.
a. The hero in the Kingdom of God imitates the character trait of God – God is love and he choose this approach to others so the saint also needs to choose the path of love over hate and behave like God does.
b. Quote: “You can give without loving, but you can’t love without giving.”
These 7 traits are essential if we want to be the role-model saints God has called us to be. The reality check is that if we choose to cultivate these 27 traits in our lives then we to will become a hero of the faith for the Kingdom of God.
Introduction:
I ran across this Motto from RoleModel.net on the web and I want you to listen to how they define what a role-model is in our society:
“It is the mission of RoleModel.net to promote the idea that there is within each of us the ability to inspire those around us by living a life that is more outward focused than inward focused. By being selfless, we can do our part to make the world a better place, spreading love and hope through our daily actions. It is not only by what we say but more importantly by the life that we live out that shows what each of us is made of.”
Paul in Romans 12 tells us what the Christian role is to be in this society of evil and self-centeredness. He says. “Saints this is how you are to act in public and in private, in dealing with others in this society, in action and conduct in all circumstances toward others, this is what you are to be like! If you do this you will make God smile and you will receive the medal of honor in heaven upon arrival for your sacrificial service to the Kingdom!” We need to remember that the way we live our life here on earth for the Kingdom determines our eternal destiny in Heaven.
John Bevere stated in his book Driven by Eternity this, “In regard to your calling; you’ll not be judged according to what you did, but rather according to what you were called to do” (202)!
T.S. – Lets look at the next 8 character traits of a role-model saint and a hero for the Kingdom of God.
1. A role-model saint hates evil and also holds on for dear life to that which is good and godly – this is our 8th character trait.
a. A saint hates evil – they understand that evil is the reason for all of the heartache and the pain of this life. So because they understand how bad evil is they hate it – they hate what evil does to families – such as divorce! They hate what it does to children such as sexual abuse and child porn! They hate what it does to God’s gift of sex – such as sexually transmitted diseases from promiscuity and the act of rape and the unleashing of porn throughout the world.
i. I struggle today seeing so many professing Christians who want to hold onto evil!
1. They actually call their sins their friends!
ii. I watch and see the evil monster biting their hands – sucking their blood – abusing their body and yet they will not release it. In the other hand I see the good showing love and forgiveness and they look at with a blank stare and then throw it away thinking that evil is going to make them happy or fulfilled. What deception has gripped so many people in our society today
1. Illustration of people holding in their hand – evil and good and allowing evil to bite them – to make them bleed and to suffer pain for holding it in their hand – and then in the other hand is good which does all the wonderful traits of heaven – it gives them love, peace, comfort, and encouragement and yet they still choose to throw good away for the their so-called friend -- evil.
b. Paul tells us to hold on to that which is good – this is what Paul keeps declaring to the Christian – “Hold on to the good all the way to the end!”
i. Jesus himself declared the same thing to the church:
1. Revelation 2:25 - 18“To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 19I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. 20Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. 21I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. 24Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you): 25Only hold on to what you have until I come. 26To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations 27 ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery’ just as I have received authority from my Father. 28I will also give him the morning star. 29He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
2. Did you catch Jesus instruction to this church and the saints – He says to “Hold on to the good (what you have) and to him who overcomes to the end and does My will to the end they will be given authority over the nations in the next time frame of life- in eternity.”
3. The role model saint understand that they must hold on to what they have- “The Good” and it means they must hang on to it for eternal life because this is part of God’s will – I want to back up a moment and redirect us to Romans 12:1-2: listen to what it says closely --- 1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
a. Paul tells us that if we do these steps: 1 – Be a living sacrifice 2 – Be holy in your life style 3 – Please God with your life 4 - Don’t conform to the pattern of the world 5-Transform your mindset – which is your thinking and have it renewed by the Word so that it is God-centered and focused on eternal things ---- Then you will know God’s will! Not just His will – His perfect will for your life!
i. Quest Study Bible states this about God’s will:
1. How can we know God’s will? (12:2) By honoring and obeying him, and by refusing to be influenced by societal pressures. As we replace our old way of thinking and adopt an entirely new perspective-from God’s point of view-we’ll begin to recognize God’s will more and more. We’ll find it easier to hear his voice in a variety of situations. God may not dictate the details of our lives (such as what color clothes to wear), but he will give us spiritual principles for everyday decisions (page 1566).
c. Paul is telling the Roman saints that they must hold onto the good in their evil society because in the end they will be handsomely rewarded by the Lord.
i. There witness and determination to stay “Good” will impact this society if they persevere to the end!
d. Illustration from A Treasury of Bible Illustrations:
i. Resignation - Not everyone is ready to accept the fact that the best is yet to be. This is true for a number of reasons.
1. Some are content to live in the past. They delight in the “good old days.”
2. Many are content to live mediocre lives. They are content to drift from day to day.
3. Insecurity hinders many persons from believing that the best is yet to be. They want to hold on to their position or things. They will never know the excitement of launching out by faith, or waiting for the great things of tomorrow.
4. Negative thinking guides the decisions and attitudes of many people. They choose to accept the premise that the worst is yet to come. They will get what they wish for if they are not careful.
5. Scores have no goals for their lives. They don’t know where they are going today, much less tomorrow.
6. A few think they don’t have any needs. They are pleased with the way things are in their lives (cf. Rev. 3:17). There is always room for improvement in everyone’s life.
7. Fear is always a major enemy to progress. It also hinders a person from becoming excited about the future (cf. 2 Tim. 1:7).
e. Hebrews 3:6: “But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.”
f. So to be a role-model saint for the Kingdom you need to be hanging on to the good things in life not the evil things- throw the evil things away – they are not your friend!
2. A role-model saint is devoted to other saints through the bond of love- this is our 9th character trait.
a. Devoted to each other – have you ever seen the mini-series Band of Brothers?
i. The church needs to be like the men in this story – Easy Company banded together and they were committed to each other as they fought together in World War 2.
1. They risked their lives for one another in battles and in service for their country!
2. They are today still devoted to one another in a tight bond of love that is not understood by others. They always will be bonded together because they banded together to face death and war!
ii. Quote: "We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother..." William Shakespeare
1. I have watched this show a few times now and each time I am amazed at how close these men became with each other - it is obvious that they are bonded and banded together.
2. What caused them to band together and bond together in love?
a. It was that they needed each other to make it through this horrible war – they faced life and death situations everyday – they saw the face of death and the face of evil it made them cling to each other for support and hope to get through it.
b. The church of today needs to do the same – we need to band together and bond together as we fight against the evil in this world – the Bible tells us that we are in a war for the souls of mankind and the enemy is seeking to kill –steal and destroy and God placed us here to stand up against the attack for the sake of the lost.
b. Role-model saints band together and bond together in love to fight against the enemy and to gain an eternal victory for the Kingdom of God.
3. A role-model saint honors others in the Kingdom over themselves - character trait 10.
a. Who do you honor?
i. Who do you tell – thanks for doing a great job!
1. Do you honor the heroes of the faith in your church or in Christianity?
a. Who do you lift up those outstanding heroes of the faith – who do you encourage in the Body of Christ?
i. Remember this thought in Romans 12 – if you have a gift of encouragement then encourage others in the Body!
b. Illustrations of Bible Truths - In Honor Preferring One Another: During a spelling contest in which the prize was a fine Bible, the contestants were finally reduced to two—Betty, the daughter of a poor, hard-working widow, and Susan, the daughter of a well-to-do farmer. The sympathy of the school was with the poor girl. Finally Susan misspelled a word, and Betty won the coveted prize. Going home, Susan’s mother said to her daughter, “Couldn’t you have spelled that word?” “Yes, Mother.” “Then why didn’t you do it?” “Well, you know Betty is quite poor, and she doesn’t get many presents. She wanted the Bible very much, and she tried so hard for it that I thought I’d let her have it.” “What made you do that, Susie?” “My Sunday school lesson, Mother, which said, ‘in honor preferring one another.’ So I thought I’d try it, and I’m glad I did.” A few days later, Susan received as a birthday present a beautiful Bible, and on the flyleaf was written the text, “In honor preferring one another”
c. A Brief History — The Medal of Honor - The first formal system for rewarding acts of individual gallantry by the nation’s fighting men was established by General George Washington on August 7, 1782. Designed to recognize "any singularly meritorious action," the award consisted of a purple cloth heart. Records show that only three persons received the ward: Sergeant Elijah Churchill, Sergeant William Brown, and Sergeant Daniel Bissel Jr. The Badge of Military Merit, as it was called, fell into oblivion until 1932, when General Douglas MacArthur, then Army Chief of Staff, pressed for its revival. Officially reinstituted on February 22, 1932, the now familiar Purple Heart was at first an Army award, given to those who had been wounded in World War I or who possessed a Meritorious Service Citation Certificate. In 1943, the order was amended to include personnel of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Coverage was eventually extended to include all services and "any civilian national" wounded while serving with the Armed Forces. Although the Badge of Military Merit fell into disuse after the Revolutionary War, the idea of a decoration for individual gallantry remained through the early 1800s. In 1847, after the outbreak of the Mexican-American War, a "certificate of merit" was established for any soldier who distinguished himself in action. No medal went with the honor. After the Mexican-American War, the award was discontinued, which meant there was no military award with which to recognize the nation’s fighting men (from: http://www.defenselink).
i. Almost 3,400 men and one woman have received the award for heroic actions in the nation’s battles since that time.
ii. I went to the Band of Brothers Website and discovered that there are several individuals pushing for Major Dick Winters to get the Medal of Honor for His role on D-Day.
1. They have created website for him and are pushing for him to get this great honor – they wan to honor their leader and a man who they feel was a great leader and who sacrificed for his men all through the war.
d. We need to remember that the Lord Jesus is going to give out medals of Honor to those faithful role-model saints at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
i. Will you be receiving one?
ii. Who do you think deserves one?
e. Illustration of Bible Truths states the following story of a hero of the faith:
i. Living for Others - If you were to visit Paris, you could see the statues of two men, both named Louis. The first is of Louis XIV, France’s absolute monarch, who is remembered today chiefly for his exclamation, “I am the State.” He represents one of the supreme achievements of greatness through power. His philosophy of life was that the whole nation and the world, insofar as he could compel it, should serve him. A few blocks away is a less pretentious statue. There is no uniform on this figure carved in stone, no badge of office, no sword, no crown. It is a memorial to Louis Pasteur, the servant of humanity and servant of God. His life of unselfish, devoted research conferred immeasurable benefits upon all humanity in the years to come through overcoming disease and suffering. The statue of the monarch is nothing more than a piece of sculpture; the statue of Pasteur is a shrine where pilgrims from all over the world pay grateful homage. It is the uncrowned servant of mankind who wears the real crown of men’s love and honor. As you look back, would you rather be remembered as Louis XIV who became supreme ruler of France and now has just a statue to commemorate him or Louis Pasteur who is now crowned as an apostle of mercy? God’s Word enjoins us not to be affected by the glamor of the moment but rather by the judgment of eternity.
ii. Another example of a hero of the faith from Illustration of Bible Truths:
1. A Life of Service- A certain family had two sons. The older said he must make a name for his family, so turned his face toward Parliament and fame. The younger decided to give his life to the service of Christ and turned his face toward China and duty. He was Hudson Taylor, the missionary, who died beloved and known on every continent. “But,” someone wrote, “when I looked in the encyclopedia to see what the other son had done, I found these words, ‘the brother of Hudson Taylor.’ ” It may be that some were inclined to ridicule him when he went to the mission field, but in the end, he was respected and admired. His mercifulness had not been in vain, even as far as the world was concerned. But the merciful also receive recognition and reward from God Himself. This takes place both in this world and, in its full measure, in the world to come.
f. The question that I seek to present to you today is who are you serving and how will you be honored in the end?
g. Role-model saints honor others in the good fight and understand that as they remain committed to the cause God will honor them in heaven with a medal of honor!
4. A role-model saint keeps their spiritual zeal for the Lord and for service to the Kingdom – character trait number 11.
a. Role-model saints keep their spiritual fervor for God and His Kingdom! Are you more exited about Jesus today then on the first day you meet Him? Are you hungry for the things of God – are you madly in love with Jesus?
i. Do you love Jesus more today than yesterday?
ii. Paul says we should be sure to keep our zeal for the Kingdom and not allow our hearts to drift away from God and His eternal purpose for our life.
b. In Revelation 3:14-22 we discover a church that had lost it spiritual zeal for the Lord – let’s look and see what Jesus says to this group of saints: “14“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.21To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
i. This church was rebuked by Jesus for becoming apathetic in their spirituality! This church had lost its zeal for the things of the Lord and they were told to repent by Jesus Himself. He event old them to wake up and open their eyes!
c. It’s easy to lose your fervor for God when you start pushing Him out with the business of life. We must keep Him rooted in our daily lives to maintain our zeal for Him and the cause!
i. John w. Tadlock stated in his book When it’s Rush Hour all Day Long, “ Martin Luther himself clearly valued the importance of a deep pious spirituality, and he continued to live the life of a monk even after the break with the Roman church, unrelenting in his desire to wear the monk’s cowl. According to Roland Bainton in his classic book on Luther, Here I Stand, Brother Martin was an extremely busy person. He was a teacher, administrator, chaplain, and (most importantly I think) a campus minister. But despite his schedule, he reportedly said that he would not have the time to do what he did if he did not pray the psalms for three hours a day” (page 72)!
ii. You see we can be busy and still make sure that the Lord has His rightful place in our life.
1. I can always tell when people are drifting away from God – they start to miss church frequently - They fail to honor the 4th Commandment – which is one of the big 10:
a. Deut. 5:12-15 12“Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you. 13Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 14but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor the alien within your gates, so that your manservant and maidservant may rest, as you do. 15Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.
b. God has not changed His mind on the 10 Commandments because the 10 Commandments provide timeless moral principles that form the fabric of the Christian life and lifestyle.
i. Some think they are Old Testament and outdated and we really don’t have to follow them today but they fail to read Galatians 3:1-25.
ii. Paul makes it clear that the law exposed people to what is sin in Romans 7 and He points out that the Christian will do well to know the Law of the Old Testament because it will help them to live a holy life.
d. So to be a role-model saint you must continue to be zealous for the Lord every day and grow in your fervor for the Lord and for the ways of the Kingdom of God.
i. Become more excited today about God than you were yesterday!
5. A role-model saint is joyful because of were their hope is placed – character trait number 12.
a. Let me say it this way “Happy!” because we know were we are going and who is in control:
i. Swindoll states: “Just look around. Bad news, long faces, and heavy hearts are everywhere-even in houses of worship (especially in houses of worship!). Much of today’s popular music, which many consider a voice for the nation’s conscience, promotes, misery, sorrow, and despair. If sex and violence are not pulsating themes in new film, some expression of unhappiness is. Newspapers thrive on tragedies and calamities, lost jobs and horrible accidents. The same can be said of televised newscasts. Even the weather reports give their primary attention to storms, droughts, and blizzards. Tomorrow is usually “partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of rain,’ never ‘mostly clear with 80 percent chance of sunshine “(20).
ii. Where is the happiness and the joy? What happened to it? Where did it go? Who stole the joy? Who ripped off everyone’s happiness? How come the church is seen as somber and rigid and not having a sense of humor? When did laughter and happiness and joy get stolen out of the church and out of many Christians lives?
1. Do we not really believe that God is in control?
2. Do we fail to remember where our hope is placed?
iii. Swindoll adds, “This long faced, heavy hearted attitude has now invaded the ranks of Christianity.” We have too many “Grumpy Old Christians” in the church. Who stole their joy? How come they don’t laugh? How come they don’t split a gut and bellow out with expressions of joy? I wonder if they need a vacation to go find their joyful, fun filled attitude again.
1. I ask have they forgotten who their hope is?
iv. Turning ninety-five, comedian Bob Hope told TV guide the secret to his longevity: “Laughter is it. Laughter is therapy-an instant vacation.”
b. Joy is the overflow of a thankful heart that realizes that their hope is placed in Jesus not in themselves
i. Joy is an emotion of great happiness that never fades away because it knows were their hope is coming from.
1. Christian Joy by "http://www.keyway.ca/htm2002/roadsign.htm" Wayne Blank, “Christian joy, to which the word rejoice is related, is twofold. First, it manifests itself in true happiness, even in the midst of all of the "trials and tribulations" that are always encountered in human life, because God’s law is the natural foundation for peace, prosperity and contentment - as opposed to sinful pleasures that always result in misery, sooner or later. Secondly, it’s a peace of mind from the absolutely certain knowledge that, at the end of it all, glorious eternal life awaits the obedient.”
c. Let’s look at these other verses on the concept of joy!
i. Psalm 5:11, 12: But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
ii. Psalm 16:11: You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
iii. Proverbs 15:13: A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. --- A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face; a sad heart makes it hard to get through the day (The Message).
1. Happiness is the key to succeeding in this life. It’s what makes life worth living.
a. It’s the smile from the little one you help each day.
b. It’s the thank you from others for helping them out.
c. It’s the attitude of looking at the gas tank as being half full and not half empty.
d. It’s the heart that plays in the snow in April.
e. It’s the one who rejoices in the traffic jam and looks at as a time to spend in prayer with the Lord.
f. It’s the laughing with family and friends at our exploits.
i. All of this makes it easier and delightful to go through the day.
iv. Proverbs 15:15: All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast (NIV). - A miserable heart means a miserable life; a cheerful heart fills the day with song (The Message).
1. Have you ever met a person who is always bubbly and cheerful they are an absolute pleasure to be around.
2. How about you do you fill you day with singing or do you fill it with complaining. Do you look for a song or for a bong.
v. Proverbs 15:30: A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.-- A twinkle in the eye means joy in the heart, and good news makes you feel fit as a fiddle (The Message).
1. It’s a medical fact that laughter and humor is healthy for a body.
2. People who laugh and enjoy life live longer.
3. Comedian Bob Newhart stated, ‘People with a sense of humor tend to be less egocentric. They are more humble in moments of success and less defeated in times of travail.”
vi. Proverbs 17:22: “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (NIV). --“A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired” (The Message).
1. Laughter Really is the Best medicine by Sue Casiglia – highlights from her study:
a. The affect of laughter on the body is immediate. Laughing actually lowers blood pressure, reduces stress hormones and increases muscle flexion.
b. It also increases your resistance level to infections.
c. Laughter also triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, and produces a general sense of well-being.
d. In the US, laughter is used as a pain management technique for terminally ill cancer patients. Patients who regularly employ laughter therapy are found to be more tolerant of pain than those who don’t. (www.selfgrowth.com)
2. Laughter may be best medicine for heart disease CNN report- Highlights from study:
a. People who report that they laugh more are less likely to have heart disease.
b. Miller said many studies had shown that feelings of anger and hostility cause the cells lining blood vessels to release chemicals that make them restrict and cause heart disease.
c. Dr. Peter Angerer in Munich, Germany found that angry, lonely people developed heart disease.
d. So to be a role-model saint the world needs to look at your life and see the joy of the Lord in it and understand that your joy comes from were your hope is placed – In Jesus!
6. A role-model saint is patient in affliction – character trait number 13.
a. Let me put this thought this way. When things go wrong and bad things come on the saint they do not immediately shake their fists at God and try to blame Him.
i. They instead continue to pursue God and His way, they continue to seek to please Him in spite of their hardships.
b. James 5:7-19 addresses our character trait of patience lets see what he says:
i. 7Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. 8You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! 10Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.12Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, or you will be condemned.13Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. 14Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.17Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. 19My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, 20remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
c. Illustration: When patience is required!
i. A man and his wife are awakened at 3 o’clock in the morning by a loud pounding on their door. The man gets up and goes to the door where a drunken stranger in the pouring rain is asking for a push. “Not a chance” says the husband- “It’s three o’clock in the morning!” He slams the door and returns to bed. “Who was it?” asks his wife. “Just a drunken stranger asking for a push” he answers. “Did you help him?” She asks. “No, I didn’t-it’s three in the morning and raining out.” ‘Well, you’ve got a short memory” says his wife. “Can’t you remember about three months ago when we broke down on vacation and those two guys helped us? I think you should help him.” The man does as he is told and gets dressed and goes out into the pouring rain and calls out into the dark. “Hello-are you still there?” “Yes,” comes the answer. “Do you still want a push?” calls out the husband. “Yes, please!” comes the reply from the dark. “Where are you?” asks the husband. “Over here on the swing” the drunk replies. (Illustration from Joe Bedy)
d. The art of patience is rare to find in our high paced go get it life. Many cry out to God and say God give me patience but I want it now! We live in the rat race of go for it. We have fast food, quick print shops, faster and faster computers, express oil changes, expressways, instant pictures (One hour photos), instant cocoa, instant coffee, microwaves, overnight delivery, express mail, instant messenger, and cell phones to talk now. We eat fast food and then want fast diet plans.
i. We see our society moving a mile a minute and thinking it’s good for us!
ii. Melvin Newland even adds, “There is even a church in Florida that advertises 22 minute services. Go there and they promise that in 22 minutes it will all be over, and you’ll be out of there. The sermons are only 8 minutes long…”
e. Our society applauds the Type A personality as the way of success the person to be. It’s the right way to live. The go for it and get it done role model. We are to hit it hard and achieve more than ever before. Yet our society has the more heart attacks that kill in one year than in other countries. Why? We have the “Hurry up sickness” the “Busy as a bee mindset” and it’s killing us. We do not believe in a day of rest because we have been deceived into thinking we must do more!
i. I see this same pressure being put on the kids and the teens in school. Take more classes – do more –be in more sports. They think they need to be involved in everything in school. But there is a different attitude when it comes to church “Do less seems to be the motto!”
f. Story: While I was in India another thing I noticed about the people of India was how laid back and relaxed they where. We start when we start was the mind set! Life moved slower with the nationals and they showed an attitude of peace. But I looked at us Americans and we where still running a mile a minute. They had peace we had rush. They had joy we had frustration. They had sleep we had exhaustion. They could relax we became nervous. They had relationships we had acquaintances. They enjoyed the simple things of life we wanted the bigger and better things of life.
g. The role-model saint needs to develop their character trait of patience so as to be in tune and in step with God because He is not in hurry!
7. A role-model saint is faithful in prayer – character trait number 14.
a. Saints pray because they know the importance of communicating with the one they love.
b. It is through this discipline that true healing and wholeness starts and emerges.
i. In the healing and helping fields of today there is a new approach resurrected from the past by Saint Benedict a 16th century monk whose approach to spiritual wholeness consists of the following:
1. It involves Prayer/meditation – which gives spiritual direction, a little of direction is done by the journaling in their prayer time. Listen to this recent article.
a. In the Stillness by Dan Kimball – “The church parking lot was so packed that we had to leave our rental car on a patch of trampled grass beside the sanctuary. It was 9:30 pm, and Compline was just about to start. We’d heard that this service was drawing in lots of younger people, and we wanted to see for ourselves what dynamic speaker or hot new worship team was causing such a stir. The church was very old and gothic, and we pulled open heavy wooden doors to find about 250 people of all ages gathered inside. No cushioned theater seating here-just hard metal folding chairs. Several people sat on the cold concrete stone floor. No power point or video clips captured our attention, and no drama sketch presented the evening’s theme. Instead, the stained glass and architecture of the building spoke of God’s transcendence and holiness. No Delirious? Or Matt Redman songs launched us into worship. The entire service consisted of about five or six cantors dressed in robes, singing softly from the front. As I looked around, I could see that the crowd was mainly College students and teenagers. But when the silence fell between the songs, I could hear no restless teenager chatting in the back row. Instead, people closed their eyes and sat still. There was no rush, no hurried announcements, no clever transitions carefully thought through by the programming team. On the contrary, the experience was rather slow, silent, and contemplative. No teaching, no preaching, no how to. Just quiet worship. As we spilled out into the dark night with the rest of the crowd, I felt that maybe something was happening here with the emerging culture, and we should take not. We put so much effort into designing contemporary church services that are peppy, upbeat, and cued down to the minute, but I’d just seen a large group of young people drawn to something quite the opposite. Perhaps we should consider that there’s a rising longing to seek God in the simplicity and stillness of a meditative church experience” (80).
ii. Mike Bickle said, “At one time, I thought that being anointed in ministry would keep a person’s heart encouraged in God. Now I’ve learned this is simply not true! A deeply satisfied soul, a personal sense of meaning and significance and a rich treasure store of divine pleasure can only come through the intimate knowledge of God himself” (2).
c. A role-model saint knows that to please God and to know His will requires a high level of communication with the Lord so prayer is an essential part of their life.
i. Just look at all the times Jesus got away from the crowd to pray and communicate with the Father in heaven.
1. This is how He discovered the will of the Father-this also is the only way you and I will discover the will of the Father and hear His directions in our daily lives.
d. Video Illustration from Sermon Spice – Movie- Evan Almighty clip with God talking to wife of the Senator at a café and explaining to her how God gives patience and how He answers prayers for those who pray.
8. A role-model saint shares with God’s children who are in need –character trait number 15.
a. ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN (a guide for Global Leadership) All I really need to know about how to live and what to do and how to be I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sand pile at school. These are the things I learned:
i. Share everything.
ii. Play fair.
iii. Don’t hit people.
iv. Put things back where you found them.
v. Clean up your own mess.
vi. Don’t take things that aren’t yours.
vii. Say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody.
viii. Wash your hands before you eat.
ix. Flush.
x. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
xi. Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.
xii. Take a nap every afternoon.
xiii. When you go out in the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together.
xiv. Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup: the roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.
xv. Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup - they all die. So do we.
xvi. And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned - the biggest word of all - LOOK.
1. Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation. Ecology and politics and equality and sane living. Take any one of those items and extrapolate it into sophisticated adult terms and apply it to your family life or your work or government or your world and it holds true and clear and firm. Think what a better world it would be if we all - the whole world - had cookies and milk at about 3 o’clock in the afternoon and then lay down with our blankies for a nap. Or if all governments had as a basic policy to always put things back where they found them and to clean up their own mess. And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out in the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together. [Source: "ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN" by Robert Fulghum.
b. So what does it mean to share?
i. Sharing is the joint use of a resource. In its narrow sense, it refers to joint or alternating use of an inherently finite good, such as a common pasture or a timeshared residence. In a broader sense, it can also include the free granting of use rights to a good that is capable of being treated as a nonrival good, such as information. Still more loosely, "sharing" can actually mean giving something as an outright gift: for example, to "share" one’s food really means to give some of it as a gift (From Wikipedia Encylopedia.)
c. Jesus addressed the issue of sharing in Matthew 25:34-40: 34“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For 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, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
i. This text is clear God is watching to see how well you share with others.
ii. So how well are you sharing?
d. Here is another text addressing this subject John 3:16-18, TEV - 16 This is how we know what love is: Christ gave his life for us. We too, then, ought to give our lives for our brothers and sisters! 17 Rich people who see a brother or sister in need, yet close their hearts against them, cannot claim that they love God. 18 My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action.
i. This text tells me that Love is demonstrated by having a heart that shares with others.
e. Everett Ferguson (Early Christians Speak -- Faith and Life in the First Three Centuries, Revised Edition (Abilene, Texas: Abilene Christian University Press, 1981, 1987) - The sharing of food by the wealthier with the poorer was an important means of charity. The host provided food for those chosen who sometimes did not eat at his house but received the food at home or accepted it to take home. The recipients were expected to pray for the their benefactor, so sharing spiritual blessings in return for material ones.[page 133]:
i. Clement of Rome [1st Century]: Let the strong take care of the weak; let the weak respect the strong. Let the rich man minister to the poor man; let the poor man give thanks to God that he gave him one through whom his need might be satisfied. Let the wise man manifest his wisdom not in words but in good deeds... [page 208].
ii. Ignatius [35-107 AD]: Widows are not to be neglected. You, after the Lord, be their protector... [page 208]
iii. Aristides [early 2nd century AD]: They [Christians] love one another. They do not overlook the widow, and they save the orphan. He who has ministers ungrudgingly to him who does not have. When they see strangers, they take him under their own roof and rejoice over him as a true brother, for they do not call themselves brothers according to the flesh but according to the soul... [page 207]
iv. Lucian of Samosata [115-200 AD]: Then Proteus was apprehended as a Christian and thrown into prison.... The Christians, regarding the affair as a great misfortune, set in motion every effort to rescue him. Then, when this was impossible, every other attention was paid him, not cursorily but diligently. At dawn there were to be seen waiting at the prison aged widows and orphan children, and their officials even slept inside with him, having bribed the guards. Varied meals were brought in, and their sacred words were spoken... There were some even from the cities in Asia who came, the Christians sending them from their common fund to succour, defend, and encourage the man. They exhibit extraordinary haste whenever one of them becomes such a public victim, for in no time they lavish their all. [page 208]
v. Irenaeus [130-200 AD]: And instead of the tithes which the law commanded, the Lord said to divide everthing we have with the poor. And he said to love not only our neighbors but also our enemies, and to be givers and sharers not only with the good but also to be liberal givers toward those who take away our possessions. (Against Heresies IV.xiv.3) , [page 209]
f. Sharing in the New Testament church was a symbol of the Christian faith and the changed and transformed life of a person.
g. Role-model saints know how to share with their brothers and sisters in Christ and it makes God smile when they do so.
h. Video Illustration – They know we are Christians by our love from Blue Fish TV showing how Christians are to be sharing their resources and time with those in need because they will know we are Christians by our acts of love.
Conclusion:
Role-model saints are heroes for the Kingdom of God and they are making an eternal difference by the way they choose to live sacrificially for the Lord.
Review the 1st 14 character traits of a role-model saint and a hero for the Kingdom of God.
1. A role model saint is a living sacrifice for the Kingdom of God.
c. They have chosen to give up their life to Christ because he chose to give up His life for their salvation.
2. A role-model saint lives holy in an unholy environment.
a. When a person observes a saints life they see a person living different than the rest of the sinners.
3. A role-model saint lives a life that pleases God.
a. They live a life that makes God smile!
4. A role-model saint does not conform to the behavior pattern of this world’s inhabitants.
a. They instead conform to the image of Jesus Christ and seek to live godly imitating His lifestyle.
5. A role-model saint has had their mind renewed by God’s Word.
a. They have a point of view that has an eternal perspective and a Biblical world view rather than a corrupt self-centered mindset.
6. A role-model saint does not think they are someone special because they have a sensible view of them self.
a. They do not over rate themselves and live a prideful arrogant lifestyle.
7. A role-model saint chooses the path of love over hate.
a. The hero in the Kingdom of God imitates the character trait of God – God is love and he choose this approach to others so the saint also needs to choose the path of love over hate and behave like God does.
b. Quote: “You can give without loving, but you can’t love without giving.”
8. A role-model saint hates evil and also holds on for dear life to that which is good and godly.
a. This hero does not hold onto that which is evil.
9. A role-model saint is devoted to other saints through the bond of love.
10. A reole-model saint keeps their spiritual zeal for the Lord and for the Kingdom.
a. The role-model saints bond together in love like the Band of Brothers did in Easy Company and many other combat outfits in World War II.
11. A role-model saint honors others in the Kingdom over themselves.
a. Role model saints honor others from their unit as they fight against the enemy of our society and to the church of Jesus Christ.
b. We all need to remember that all role-model saints will be honored with the Medal of Honor in heaven for our service to the Kingdom.
12. A role-model saint is joyful in their life.
a. Role-model saints are individuals who are filled with joy, happiness and freedom which draws others to the Kingdom.
13. A role-model saint is patient in affliction.
a. Role-model saints show tremendous poise and peace under stress and pressure.
b. These saints look at the Lord for help in their time of trouble and do not place the blame for their hardship on the Lord.
14. A role-model saint is faithful in prayer.
a. Role-model saints know that to hear from God and to be in tune with God requires an open line of communication between them and the Lord.
15. A role-model saint shares with God’s children who are in need.
a. Role-model saints know how to share and this character trait become a light to the world.
Altar Call: How many are starting to understand what it means to be a living sacrifice for the Kingdom of God?
How many want to go to the next step in sacrificial living for the Lord – raise hands and lets pray that the Holy Spirit will show what to do next!
