Maybe you don’t think you have much to give but let me assure you that God can turn the smallest deed, just a token of your time, whatever you have into life changing actions.
I read a story World War II that shows how the smallest deed can make all the difference in the world to someone.
During the last months of the War, the British conducted daily bombing raids over Berlin and one night the bombers were attacked by a large group of German fighter planes.
During the dogfight one of the Bomber Planes got separated from the protection of British Fighter Planes. They watched helplessly as a German Fighter Plane came within range. Bullets whizzed by over and over until Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Five bullets slammed into the fuselage of the bomber near the fuel tank.
The crew braced for the explosion, but it never came. Fuel poured from the bullet holes, but there was no explosion. After landing, a mechanic handed the pilot 5 bullets he had pulled from the plane.
The pilot carefully opened the explosive tip and found that They were empty --- except for a tiny wad of paper with a note that read: “We are Polish POWS forced to make bullets. When guards do not look, we do not fill with explosive. Is not much, but is best we can do.”
Those five small bullets were made by a few weak and lowly prisoners. But because of the small effort of those prisoners every member of that British bomber crew made it home alive. It didn’t seem like much to those POW’s BUT for the Crew of that British Bomber it made all the difference in the world.
God often chooses insignificant people and events to bring about His great purposes.
[1 Corinthians 12:27-28] says, “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are…”
WHAT IF GOD SAID “I can’t”? Let’s say that you’re praying & God stops you mid-sentence…
WHAT IF YOU SAID “I CAN”
It may not seem like much in the big picture but if God can take a handful of nothing and create all we can see and beyond just think what He could do with your/my little handful of something.
Making a difference in the lives of people requires a Strong Aggressive Strategy.
Many times people in churches have the desire to make a difference but they aren’t sure how to get it done. Like those POWs who developed a strategy, which ultimately made a difference in the lives of those British soldiers; we must develop a strategy to make a difference in the lives of people around us.
My goal this morning is to lay out a strategic plan that I pray will get us on track.
I want to show you several strategies, necessary for becoming the people/church God desires us to be.
Strategy #1- We Must Have a GENUINE Love for People That is Recognizable:
Did know that most people can tell that you don’t like them? Oh yea! You make REAL obvious. The problem is that others can see it as well.
I read about a young boy who attended Moody’s Sunday School.
When the little boy had to move to another part of the city he decided to take the long walk to church rather than change churches.
One day one of his friends commented that there were plenty of others just as good nearer his home.
“They may be as good for others, but not for me,” was his reply.
“Why not,” the friend asked.
“Because they love a fellow over there,” he replied.
I think our church members do this pretty well, but as a whole have we done this for our community.
We need to develop a reputation that tells people we love not only each other, but anyone at all.
In marketing they call this product positioning.
Chocolate milk wasn’t selling well because the product was positioned in the minds of adults as a sweet children’s drink. The chocolate milk manufacturers began advertising the healthy side of chocolate milk and their product was positioned in the minds of adults a little differently. As a result, sales went way up.
We need to do a little product positioning for our church in our community.
What kind of love do we need in order to accomplish this?
a. Love Regardless of Repayment…
b. Love Regardless of Differences…
c. Love Regardless of Actions…
d. Love Regardless of Preference…
James 2:1-4 says, “My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. 2Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here’s a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," 4have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?”
Strategy #2- We must Have Individual and Corporate Commitment to Missions
a. Missions Is Intentional illustration: Africa trip 26/6
Nobody does missions by accident just like you don’t get in shape by accident. It takes planning and hard work.
Each person will have to decide to do it. Usually that means thinking ahead and being ready.
b. Missions Is Specific
Acts 10:39-44 says, “‘We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, 40but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.’ 44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.”
Look at Peter’s words. This was no soft sell approach. He laid the gospel out there for them to take it or leave it.
The truth is, Jesus really did die on a cross for your sins and mine.
He rose from the grave, on the third day just like He said.
He ascended to heaven and is waiting for those who don’t know Him to come…
He is waiting for those who know Him to go…
Too often people think of an invitation to church as the same as witnessing but they are not the same.
An invitation to “church” in most cases is no different than an invitation to a ball game…
c. Missions Is “Where We Are”
A lot of the time people feel like mission work doesn’t count unless you get on a boat or an airplane and go far away.
In reality, missions starts across the highway, down the road, in your neighbor’s yard.
“The light that shines the farthest shines the brightest at home.” Pastor Oswald Smith is credited with saying this.
YET
d. Missions Is “Outside These Walls”
This is really the most important part of missions. I don’t mean we can’t do mission activities here, but we have to get away from the idea that we sit here and wait for people to come to us.
Jesus went TO the people.
For this year I really want each of our church members to think of an event geared towards our community.
The idea must be something that WE NOT ME can get involved in to reach the community.
Here lies the problem … “I have this great idea but I don’t have the time nor the inclination to do it.”
Here are some things to prime the pump: Community picnic… Summer activities and games for the children IN THE community… Back yard Bible clubs…
BUT LISTEN…Each of these are impossible for just one or two…I know it may mean sacrificing some of your time and the free time you have is precious.
Believe me I know. I can’t tell you how many times Suzanne has looked at me and said “go” because someone had a need.
Did you know that many Believers give less than 1% of their time to the Lord?
Think about this: 168 hours in a week and most work 40hrs/wk > or <. You sleep 56 hours/wk. that leaves 72 hours/wk. Many will give God 1 hour/week or less and call it serving…
Strategy #3- We Must Maintain an Attitude of Selfless Service
a. Make Church about Worship, Not Preference
Many churches fight over the style of worship and other things. They have forgotten Paul’s words:
Philippians 2:3-4 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
b. Get Up and Get Busy
Colossians 1:28-29 says, “We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 29To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.”
If you’ll get busy God will energize you to get the task done…
c. Give Financially
Notice that I put this after Get Up and Get Busy. There is a reason. Some people think that giving a little money counts as their service; it doesn’t.
Give yourself first, but then don’t forget to give financially.
Pastors hear people say “I can’t afford to tithe.”
Let me get in your business, for a moment. Here are s few questions to consider.
1 How many times a week/month do you eat out? One meal a week turns in to your tithe…
2 How much do you spend each week/month on things that sit on a shelf, in the workshop or in the closest? One pair shoes…one saw…one fishing rod, etc. could become your tithe…
What if God said “I can’t” the next time you needed Him for something?
Strategy #4- We Must Possess Uncompromising Integrity:
Romans 2:23-24 says, “You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24As it is written: ‘God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.’”
Do I brag about church membership or about being a Christian while trashing the Name of God by my actions… attitude or my language?
Did it make you feel good when you cussed that person out?
How’d you feel after you spread that gossip?
How did you feel when you shared your lunch with that person who forgot theirs and didn’t have the money to eat out?
Did it make you feel good to go out of your way to give a ride to someone whose car broke down?
Philippians 2:14-16 says, “Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.”
God is NOT impressed with service that comes with an attitude of gripping and grumbling…BUT He loves to watch you serve with a heart of love…
