Creating Holy Moments
Matthew 28:18-20NKJV
Let’s look at the great commission together this evening, In fact, these scriptures should be read together as a corporate body more often.
Matthew 28:18-20NKJV And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
You can read more N.T. Scripture references to the Great Commission in—Luke 24:45-49, Mark 16:15-18, John 20:21-23, Acts 1:8.
“Im thoroughly convinced these scriptures should be read, studied, applied and then testified about the fruit thereof more often.” P.H
In Isaiah chapter 6, the prophet Isaiah sees the Lord and His glory, He also experiences angels, and learns more about their duty in worshiping God. Isaiah’s reply— I’m undone, I’ll go send me! In Exodus 33, God passes by Moses and all Moses can see is grace, mercy and compassion.
As I thought about Isaiah—This prophet was called to preach truth to a people who refused it.
Imagine, spending all your life teaching, and preaching to a people that refused to—grow thereby!
It’s kind of like having a biology son or daughter that was raised in truth, Ate his meals because of ministry, but refused to live in the way of this truth.
After a while, you might begin to think, “Wow, ‘I haven’t been perfect, but I’ve done my dead-level-best to be an example to those living under my roof!”
Have you ever wonder if the Great Commission could be found in the OT?
In, Genesis 1:26-28NIV—God gave mankind His commission for the entire world. 26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” 27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
Notice, God created mankind in His own image, and then He commanded Adam and Eve to be fruitful, multiply, subdue the land, and rule over it.
Psalm 82:8NKJV Arise, O God, judge the earth; For You shall inherit all nations.
From the very beginning of time, It was God’s will to be Lord, ruler and judge over man.
How would this be done? By mankind walking in the dominion God bestowed upon them. God called mankind to walk-in and subdue everything.
In return, Mankind becomes God’s stewards, His trustees, Sons and Daughters of God, We were created to become God’s voice, He intended for us to share in ownership!
Psalm 89:26NKJV He shall cry to Me, ‘You are my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation.’
Just like Adam and Eve, What did the people in Isaiah’s day do? They heard, but refused to heed and live, God’s truth.?
Again, according to Psalm 89:26, God’s desire was for mankind to call God—the rock of their salvation!
The great commission has always been about bringing everything back to God, and to reestablish its purpose—Again, For ‘everything’ to be reconcile back to Creator God.
Just like this year—2020, the Israelites refused to do what was pleasing and right in the eyes of God.
Judges 21:25NKJV In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
“Today just like in the beginning, the Great Commission was solely God’s great plan for all of mankind.” P.H
Here’s a fact, you can have God’s call, walk in His call, live His call; However, you can’t make anyone change who refuses repentance.
I want to share with you a personal testimony: As I was laying down resting yesterday, I begin to pray. I felt like doing some repenting, as I begin to give my heart and short-comings unto the Lord. I heard Him say, “Howard, you’re called to share my word, you’re called to pastor my flock.’ ‘However, I never called you to be a great orator, or a man to preach and go up some ministry ladder, I called you as well as everyone to be fruitful, to be caring and kind, to walk filled with love.” Then He said, “That’s what the world needs, it needs to see Jesus’ hands and feet through random acts of kindness, mixed with genuine care.” God’s call is the same for everyone. He’s called us to be kind and loving.
In this day and time, most folk refuse this word, but holiness is possible!
Again, I say, “Holiness is possible!”
“Holiness isn’t what most folk were taught. It’s not an outward display, but holiness is an inward work.’ ‘Holiness is only holiness when it makes our fruit and actions more like Jesus!” P.H
Matthew Kelly in his book called—Rediscover Jesus: “We live in a day and time where most folk don’t believe that holiness is possible, He say’s, this is a debilitating lie.”
I begin to think about this—Suppose I take one of you with me Thursday morning to have a cup of coffee, and I say to you,“Can you go out tomorrow and create a holy moment?”
Not a holy day, or a holy hour, or even a holy fifteen minutes—just one holy moment.
You will probably ask, “What is a holy moment?”
My answer, Are you ready—A holy moment is a moment when you are being the person God created you to be, and you are doing what you feel God is calling you to do in that moment.
If you’re a regular attender at CECC, I believe you’ve experienced holy touches from God, God’s manifestations—You’ve received His call!
However, the question is, “Can you, or will you, create a holy moment outside of these walls?”
You reply—“I think I got it,” you say, “but tell me one more time—what is a holy moment?”
Again, “A holy moment is a moment when you are being the person God created you to be, and you are doing what you feel God is calling you to do in that moment.”
You finally say, “Okay, I’ve got it,” you confirm, and I ask again, “Can you go out tomorrow and create one holy moment?”
Sure you can. It's not overwhelming. It's not confusing. It doesn't require a massive intellect are a rare grasp of theology.
It is accessible, achievable, and immensely practical.
Here's a truly beautiful thing: It can be replicated. If you can do it once, you can do it twice.
You only need to learn the lesson of the holy moment once.
From then on, you can apply it as many times as you decide to.
Again, like Isaiah, you’ve experienced the Lord! After the experience, You repented, You pretty much cried out, “Woe is me, I’m undone!”
Most of us have even said, “Here I am, send me, I’ll do what you want me to do!”
Can I tell you it's more than attending church.
“It’s important for you to always remember you need God’s grace to create holy moments.” P.H
Here’s some examples of some holy moments:
Begin each day with a short prayer of gratitude, Thanking God for giving you another day of life. (Short and simple, but turn to God first).
Offer the least enjoyable tasks of your day to God as a prayer for someone who is suffering. Suffering comes in many disguises. Maybe an addiction, difficult marriage, physical or mental anguish.
Control your temper.
Patiently coach someone who is in need.
Go out of your way to do something for your spouse, an intentional act of love.
Everyday there are opportunities to create holy moments. Someone needs your smile, voice, or touch.
I want you to realize this evening that, Holiness is possible, it opens up our hearts, minds, and souls to new realities.
1 Thessalonians 4:3aTPT God’s will is for you to be set apart for him in holiness…
In closing, Holiness is not only possible, but for most of you in here, it reality, or today it can be reality.
Benedition.
