The Church Has Got Talent (CHGT 01)
The Church Has the Only Message of Lasting Peace
John 14: 25-31
This morning I want to invite you to join me as we start a brand new mini series I have entitled "The Church has Got Talent." The Church is, by biblical account, by divine definition and by Holy Spirit impartation is the most gifted, anointed and talented group people who will find anywhere. This series is a celebration of that life and that richness that God has given the Church. America may well have talent. Britain may well have talent. The world may well have talent - but they have got nothing on the Church. You see, God made man, and gifted each one with talents, with abilities, with skills. But if God gifted mankind generally, then He did more so the Church specifically. What mankind is generally, is Church is that plus supernatural power, plus supernatural release, plus supernatural purpose. Allow me to say that again if you would - if God gifted mankind generally, then He did more so the Church specifically. So each week as a reminder of this profound truth, as we start the meeting I am going to play a short video that moved me showing the incredible talent He has given men in general or the church in specific. Watch this one as we start this morning.
Video from You Tube - Britain Has Got Talent - Paul Potts
I am unashamedly and unapologetically, irreversibly and irretractably committed to the organization or more accurately, the living organism that the Bible calls ‘the Church.’ It is the oldest living institution known to man, has survived every form of government ever invented and has out-loved and outlived its persecutors as well as its persecutions.Do you realize that the Church is God’s Sacrament of Love, God’s Covenant of Hope, God’s Promise of His Presence and God’s offer of Peace to our world? The Church remains the most profound theological statement that God has made, and that has been making, since Pentecost.The church is a theological statement - its alone understands the tenets of divine truth entrusted to it by God Himself.
The church is a social statement - it carries the mandate for effective society and successful family essential to the happiness of mankind.
The church is an economic statement - it holds the keys to unlocking the floodgates of heaven and constructing an economy that God can bless.
The church is a political statement - it holds government responsible for the basic governance and protection of all of mankind.
The church is a world statement - it holds nations accountable for the fair treatment of its citizens and the freedom of all people to love, live and worship.
The Church was never conceived to be just another voting block to be wooed by politicians - it was designed to be God’s primary source for love, truth, grace, mercy and peace in a broken world. Precious believers, the Church was given by God for society. It is the only organization that exists for the benefits of those who are not its members for the Church is not only to act responsibly in society, it is responsible for society. Like Jesus and Jeremiah before Him, the Church weeps at the pain and suffering of society - and positions itself as a place of refuge for its sick, its broken, its lost, its disadvantaged and its condemned. That is why it is such a travesty when instead of being a place of refuge for the world, it masquerades as it’s judge, it’s prosecutor, even its executer.The Church is not meant to follow society - its morals, its pleasures, its pursuits. And nor is it designed simply to be unaffected by society standing on the edge waving a bony finger of accusation. Rather, God designed the Church to intermingle with society, to embrace it with His love, guide it with His truth, unite it with His peace, heal it with His mercy, strengthen it with His grace and bless it with His power.I really, really love the church, and believe in it with all my heart - its diversity excites me, its beauty captures me, its power amazes me and its purpose inspires me.
I love the Church because the One I love lives to love the Church.
I love the Church because it loves the One I live to love.
I love the Church because it is impossible to separate my love for Jesus Christ form the love I owe His Church.
I love the Church because almost every good thing I have in my life has come through the Church.
I love the Church because it is the right thing to do.
I love the Church because it is made up of incredible people like each one of you.
I love the Church because it is the best thing going on the face of the earth. I don’t care where you put me, drop me off, leave me to stay - I will make my way to the Church - those are my kind of people, my kind of folks. And that is why this morning I want to invite you to celebrate with me the greatest institution in the history of mankind - the Body of Christ - the Church - under the title, The Church Has Got Talent. What is talent? It is an aptitude or skill. It is something you possess normally in greater measure than those around you.
Well this morning, I there is a talent I explore with you that is found in the Church, an aptitude that she possess not simply in greater measure, but in exclusive measure. What am I talking about? The Church Has the Only Message of Lasting Peace. Church, I said The Church Has the Only Message of Lasting Peace.John 14:25-27 - Read Pray
Let’s face it - neither governments or humanitarian institutions have successfully given us peace? George Washington, the first President of the United States, reflected the wisdom of his day when he said that "to be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace" - yet his efforts did not produce a lasting peace.Chinese leader Mao Tse Tung once remarked that "war can only be abolished through war—to get rid of the gun you must take up the gun." Yet in spite of giving guns to hundreds of thousands, he never found the way to peace. World War I was to be the "war to end wars"—but it was only a prelude to World War II - which was the war fought "to make the world safe for democracy."Every effort for peace has failed and will fail. May I tell you why? While the Bible recognizes the importance of wisdom and diplomacy in avoiding conflict and promoting peace, the fact is that peace cannot be found through military strength, through political negotiation or through humanitarian enticements.
Did you know that the Bible prophecy tells us two things about peace in the end times.
Firstly, it says that the desire for peace will increase as the end approaches. (Jeremiah 6:14, 8:11–15, 14:13–15)Secondly, it tells us that human efforts to establish peace will be futile.
Isaiah tells us that "the ambassadors of peace shall weep bitterly." (Isaiah 33:7)
Paul tells us why in Romans 3:17, "the way of peace they have not known."Jesus explained that in Luke 19:42, "the things that make for your peace… they are hidden from your eyes." (Luke 19:42)Revelation tells us in the end of times, the rider of the apocalyptic red horse is given the sword and authority to remove peace from the earth (Revelation 6:4)
But listen to me my friend, for you this morning, for you who are here, the pursuit of peace is not futile, the promise of peace is not a false, provision of peace is not fruitless. Why? Because the Church and the Church alone knows intimately the One the Bible calls the Prince of Peace.
I was listening to a report this week of a prayer meeting held in war-torn Israel, that went on for three days - and in that prayer meeting was a group of pastors, pastors from Israel and pastors from Palestine, and toward the end of the meeting a Palestinian pastor got up and prayed this prayer. He said, "Lord, give me so much love for my Israeli brothers that I would be willing to lay down my life for them." And then an Israeli pastor got up and prayed the same thing.
Precious believer - The Church Has the Only Message of Lasting Peace.
And it is not the fragile frail type of peace the world keeps giving. In verse 27 of our passage Jesus says, "not as the world gives, do I give to you." In other words, His peace is not like the peace of the world. The world’s peace is worthless, it cannot go deep enough, it does not stretch wide enough and it will not last long enough. New York Times observed that the world has had more than fifty wars in the last seventeen years. At least twenty-one of them have been large-scale wars. Since 36 B.C. there have been 14,553 wars. Before World War II the world had an average of 2.61 new wars every year. But since World War II despite all of mankind’s "enlightenment," and organized efforts for world peace, there are on the average 3 new wars every year. The Times closed the article by saying "peace is a fable." And from the world’s perspective that is true.But not so for you and me. Not so for the Church. Not so for any who desire peace and will come to the Church to learn where and how to get it.
The New Testament speaks of two kinds of peace--the objective peace that has to do with your relation to God, and the subjective peace that has to do with your experience in life.
May I tell you about that peace this morning? You see my friend, not only can you have this peace, but God wants to give it to you freely this morning, and God wants to give it to you in abundance this morning, and God wants to empower you to give it to others, to be an Ambassador for Peace. As God’s children, that is what we are - we are Ambassadors for Peace.The Hebrew Bible uses a familiar but significant word to describe peace - it is the word ‘shalom.’ In its purest sense, shalom means "peace." The connotation is positive. That is, when someone says, "Shalom," or, "Peace to you," it doesn’t mean "I hope you don’t get into any trouble," it means, "I hope you have all the highest good coming your way." You see, shalom means to be "blessed, prosperous and whole in mind body and soul."You see my friend, biblical peace is unrelated to circumstances. It is a goodness of life on the inside that is not effected by what happens on the outside. And that is the peace God wants to give you this morning - and God wants to give you in such abundance that where you go, peace goes.
How do we get that peace? Good question.
1. Allow God To Release Peace Into Your Life
Romans 5:1, "Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God."The peace of God has its foundation in peace with God. There is only one source of true peace, and that is a right relationship with God.
When Jesus said, "My peace I give to you," He was giving us the key to the supernatural nature of this peace: it is His own personal peace. It is the peace that enabled Him to face Pilot, His accusers and adversaries, the devil and even the cross with a quite assurance and humble confidence.
2. Fix Your Mind on Jesus
Perfect peace comes when our focus is off the problem, off the trouble, and constantly on Christ. Isaiah 26:3 says, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is set on Thee." The waves did not compromise Peter while his eyes were fixed on Jesus. Listen to me precious friend, if Satan can get your eyes off of Jesus, he can rob you of your peace.
Peter walking on the water.
3. Let Peace Guard Your Mind
This is what Paul had in mind in Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."The word for ‘guard’ means to go before and protect - is used of reconnaissance soldiers. God wants to give you His peace to protect you - but you have got to set it up as your guard.Empty your heart of fear and let peace take the door. Before you open the door, make sure the Peace Keepers are ready.
4. Be Defined by God Not Others
One of the surest ways to surrender your peace is to let others define who you are. When you let your enemies, or your past, or the devil or anyone else define who you are you re setting yourself up for failure. Do not let your circumstances, or your feelings, or your fears or your failures define who you are. Do not let your thinking define who you really are. Why? Because they will always define you inaccurately. Watch this - you will live to please whoever you allow to define you. Come on this morning - you know you are better than your failure, and stronger than your weaknesses, and wiser than you foolish moments.
We see ourselves through the eyes of God when we choose to believe God, and to act on that belief.
"Most of us plateau when we lose the tension between where we are and where we ought to be." - John Gardner
5. Add Value to Others Every Day
The best gift we can give others is to see them through the eyes of God, and then help them t do the same.
There are three reasons why each and every person is valuable.
First, simply because of who they are.
Second, because of what they cost, and
Third, because of what they can become.
How do you know if you are adding value to others. That is simple - when people think about you, do they say to themselves, ’My life is better because of that person,’ or ’My life is worse’? Their response probably answers the question of whether you are adding value to them.
a. Putting Others First in Your Thinking
When you meet people, is your first thought about what they’ll think of you or how you can make them feel more comfortable? At work, do you make your coworkers or employees look good, or are you more concerned about making sure that you receive your share of the credit?
b. Finding Out What Others Need
How can anyone add value to others if he doesn’t what they care about? Listen to people. Ask them what matters to them. And observe them. If you can discover how people spend their time and money, you’ll know what they value. And when you know people’s values, you can add value to them.
c. Meeting That Need with Excellence and Generosity
The final step requires concrete action. Once you know what matters to people, do your best to meet their needs with excellence and generosity. Offer your best with no though toward what you might receive in return
6. Sow Peace in All You Do and Say
My friend, if you want to harvest peace, so peace. If you are all contentious and hard to get along with you will never live at peace. If you want peace, plant seeds of peace that God can harvest.
It is hard to sow peace in your relationships when you are caught up with yourself - when you are interested only in yourse4lf, when they view that must be considered is yours.
You can sow seeds of peace in many ways -- by a smile or a kind word, by caring and sharing, by compassion, by demonstrating in your daily acts that life matters, that the Earth matters, that you are committed to creating a safer and saner future.
Folks, I am about done this morning - but as I close, God wants to release a supernatural anointing of peace into your life. Peace is but one choice away.
Peace with Yourself
Peace with Your Neighbor
Peace with Your World
Peace with Your God
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