JUST WALK ACROSS THE ROOM - #1
The First Steps
Galatians 4:4-5
(For PowerPoint go to http://www.hueytownbaptist.com/pastorspage/sermondownloads.html)
> This morning take a minute, look around the room, select a face of someone you don’t know, and then play the pretend game with me. Pretend we are at a party and this person is someone you don’t know. Now with that person’s face in your mind let me direct your thinking. Realizing, at some point, every living person will experience this thing called death & that, after death, an individual spends all eternity in one of two places (heaven or hell), if you knew that you walking across this room would make a difference in their eternal home, would you make the effort, take the risk, & give the energy?
> Let me give you 3 truths: a) if no one ever walks across a room for them, they will indeed spend eternity separated from God; b) If you choose to walk across this room, maybe a process will begin which ultimately leads that person to faith in Christ; c) Never forget, someone walked across the room for you.
> During these next four Sunday mornings, we are going to use this “symbolism” to challenge us to “take a walk.” My desire is for these messages to be Biblical, helpful, and practical. We will visit many passages and Bible stories.
> Today turn with me to Galatians 4 and consider the idea of “The First Steps.” I remember our children’s first steps; they were truly exciting and fearful. The exciting part was obviously, they were doing what they had never done. The fearful part was found in the possibility of falling and failure. Let’s read our text. (READ)
> In the world of business there is a term which is frowned upon. It is the term “nepotism”. This means “favoritism shown to relatives or friends by those in power”. For our purposes, it is a family thing. In this regard, there is no place known where legal nepotism is practiced than in Heaven itself. In heaven there are no guests, drop-ins, or the unexpected. In fact, only family is admitted, those who have “received their adoption” papers.
> So who takes or who took the first step which makes the adoption a sure thing? There are 3 people, let’s see;
1) THE FIRST STEPS OF THE SAVIOR. In the late 70’s, Lanny Wolfe wrote a song entitled, “He was seeking for me.” From the splendor of heaven to the world down below. From a manger to an old rugged tree. From the dawn of creation thro’ the corridors of time. The Savior in love was seeking, seeking for me. He was reaching for me but I rejected His touch. Instead I reached for other things I thought meant so much. Things of value in earth’s market I had sought all of them but all the time I was seeking I was seeking, seeking for Him. He was seeking for me, seeking for me. Though I knew Him not still He loved me and was seeking for me. He was seeking for me seeking for me, though I knew Him not still He loved me and was seeking for me.
Consider this; In Jesus’ first steps He came seeking, not hit or miss, but;
a) They were part of a plan. We are told that “at just the right time” Jesus left the throne, the crown, the praise, the celestial setting, and the accolades to come to earth. This initial walk was across what we call the universe and He would simply call it a room.
b) Built around a person. The Bible is pretty clear that Jesus is God’s one and only Son. Furthermore, we are told that God sent His Son or gave His Son. On at least two occasions, witnesses’ record that God spoke from heaven and said this IS MY SON; I am pleased with Him so do what He says. The initial walk across a room was not arbitrary and still had to be taken by person. That person was sent by God the Father in the person of Jesus the Christ.
c) For a specific purpose. Our scripture says that He came to “redeem those” under the law. That would be you and me. The Bible gets even more detailed when it says; “we were helpless, unworthy, ungodly, sinners” Christ took the ultimate risk and made the ultimate sacrifice. Why risk? First, risk taking is what being a Christ follower is all about. Next, what if He had died and no one came to faith? Or in our case, what if no one was “offered” faith?
> You think that won’t happen? Look at Romans 10:14 But how can they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe without hearing about Him? And how can they hear without a preacher?”
> The word translated preacher is kind of an unfortunate translation by “classic” translators. When we see “preacher” we think of a vocation, when it is written in this form it means someone to tell the story.
2) THE FIRST STEPS OF THE SAINT. Every person who has ever received grace is expected to extend grace. Instead of feeling like this is a great burden, understand that this is a greatest gift which you and I give. Bill Hybels tells of a man who said he would never share his faith with anyone. When Bill asked the man why, he responded, “I don’t want to burden anyone with God.” Is that how you feel? Consider what we know about God and what He’s done.
> First, God has a deep love for you & me. He not only wants the best for you, He gave His very best. He didn’t settle for second best, He didn’t get in the middle of the process & give up, He didn’t offer what was left over, & He gave His best!! His expectation is for you to let someone else know, introduce someone to His great & good news, to walk across a room & begin a rescue.
a) My Timing – the Bible teaches us everything is about timing, God’s timing. Why does someone reject faith for years and seemingly suddenly they come to faith? Why is it that one who has been in church services for years all of a sudden realize their need and receive Christ? Why does people date, break up and years later, find each other? One possible answer to all three is “God’s Time.” Years ago, the Talley Trio recorded a song entitle “On time God”. God is always on time. His timing is perfect. He speaks to you?
b) My Trek - Just as surely as God sent Jesus, Jesus sends us (John 20:21). As a believer, just as surely as God led Jesus, our Lord Jesus sends the Holy Spirit with us every day. Just as surely as when the time was right, God sent Jesus, when the time is right, God sends you. As a Christ follower, you are sent out every day. It may be to drive a truck, run an office, work in an office, answer a phone, greet people, or even teach classes but God has sent you. Why, you may ask? Simple; People. God is all about people. I dare say he is not much impressed with our programs, schedules, likes, or wants, He is smitten by people. They are His crown creation. He has sent His own.
c) My Task – To bring redemption to this lost people.
> Please understand; today I am not calling you to learn 37 verses of scripture or how to read a gospel track with someone, nor am I telling you that your task is to lead everyone you meet to Jesus. That is not realistic.
> What each of us needs to understand is this: We are responsible for being sensitive to the Holy Spirit, ready to move outside our “circle of comfort” and enter the “zone of the unknown.” Now I have mention 3 things which need a little explanation to allow God to use them in you.
> FIRST, think about being sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Believe it or not the Holy Spirit is still at work & speaking to believers. This week, one of our members told me how he was spoken to one Sunday morning on His way to church and the results of listening to the inner voice. By the way, in a “matter of fact” conversation, I came to understand why he could hear so clearly. He and his wife pray regularly together and seek to hear God.
> NEXT, consider your “circle of comfort”; say you are in a room with friends and a stranger walks in, what do you do? Most of us hang with our friends which is where we are comfortable or what we call our circle of comfort.
> FINALLY, the “ZONE OF THE UNKNOWN.” It sounds like a Rod Sterling show and for many it is just as scary. Watch this video clip which illustrates perfectly. (jwar) Did you catch the truth of what I’m saying? We all have personal circles of comfort which we desire to stay in and yet, the Holy Spirit says, “take a risk, take a step, break down a wall, and be me in this world.” When you take a step to offer you hand and life, it’s a little frightening because in the Zone of the Unknown you have no idea how this new person will respond. Believers are challenged, called, & commanded to step outside the circle to the zone. In the “zone” is where you can make an eternal difference.
3) THE FIRST STEPS OF THE SINNER–This is one who’s lost
a) Rethink – If they are far from God, their step is to think about the “why” they are like this. Chances are that if a person is really far from God when you encounter them, that you will love get to lead them across the line or bridge of faith that first time. They think.
b) Receive – As they think, you can tell them, lead them, and share with them what has happened in your life. They will receive your words only “IF” they find you authentic. It’s this authenticity which leads them to rethink and receive the truth. Then the Spirit leads to
c) Respond – They receive Christ. Open their hearts and change directions. From death to life, from far from God to close with God.
CONCL: All because you chose to take a walk. We began thinking of that one you don’t know. Think again & walk.
