Measure of a Man
1 John 2:15-17
Intro: The apostle is giving us a picture of what the world is like. A picture of how the world wants us to be, but God has so much more in store for you and I. The world measures us by it’s standard. I want us to look at some of the things that the world measures us by, and the dangers of allowing this standard to measure us. God’s measure is so much more rewarding. His scales are much different.
World Measure’s
1. Intelligence
a. This christless culture we live in measures us by our brains and our popularity only, taken nothing else into account.
b. The world measures us by how much power we have. How many degrees are hanging on our wall. The title we go by at work. Not considering the cost it takes to obtain these standards.
c. Just look at our past president.
2. Wealth
a. This world will measure you on how many toys you have in your yard. How much money you make, not taking in consideration the cost it takes you to obtain this. What things in your life have to be forgot about, your family, relationship with Christ?
3. Fame
a. Just look at the importance place on athletes and movie stars.
b. The world John is warning us about tells us that who you are is want counts, never considering the consequences of being measured this way.
I am here tonight to warn you of these worldviews.
God has warned us. He has given us a direction. He has given us His word.
1 Timothy 6:9-10
This world will measure you on these things.
Satan is no dummy; when he tried to tempt Jesus What did he use.
1. Fame and Popularity and Riches
2. Jesus said in Verse 10 “Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan!” For it is written: “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only”
The World’s Measures you with evil that will overtake and consume your life.
You will be the lover of the world. “He who loves the world the Father is not in him.”
God’s Measure
1. Love
a. Mathew 22:37 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
b. 1 Corinthians 13:1-8a
c. Turn to your concordance and see how many times the word love is mentioned and taught. Enough said!
d. God measures you and I on our love.
e. What are we without love?
f. Love for God, love for His church, love for families. The list goes on. We must love.
g. We must love God with all our heart, not the way the world loves, but the way God loves.
h. Illustration: Fishing Story
Story # 1:
Jimmy an orphan from a foster home, is fishing by himself on the end of a pier. Full of curiosity like most ten year olds, he leans over the edge to look at an insect crawling next to him and falls into the water. Unable to swim, he frantically splashes and screams, trying to paddle to the pier. Just as he goes under an d bobs to the surface again a strong arm reaches down, grabs him up and sets him on the pier. He is soaked to the skin and close to tears, but without the cocky attitude that allowed him to risk hanging over the edge. His rescuer scolds him about being so careless, turns, and walks off.
What’s missing in this picture?
Story # 2:
Jimmy an orphan from a foster home, is fishing by himself on the end of a pier. Full of curiosity like most ten year olds, he leans over the edge to look at an insect crawling next to him and falls into the water. Unable to swim, he frantically splashes and screams, trying to paddle to the pier. Just as he goes under an d bobs to the surface again a strong arm reaches down, grabs him up and sets him on the pier. He is soaked to the skin and close to tears, but without the cocky attitude that allowed him to risk hanging over the edge. Sounds like the same story, doesn’t it? So what’s different? This time the rescuer firmly but gently pats him on the back, burping out the water he has swallowed, carries him to the showers to wash away the saltwater, and dries him off. Then he drives him to the mall, buys him new clothes, and takes him home with him, introducing him to his father and family. They feed him a hot meal and invite him to live with them. This wonderful loving provider mentors the newly adopted boy in the family’s beliefs and makes him one of his heirs. He’s delighted as the boy participates in the activities of his new family. Jimmy finally has a family has a home, a father, and brothers who love him. He is secure in his new father’s love.
In the first story we saw what it means to be rescued, but not loved.
2. Actions
a. 1 John 3:18 “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”
b. God measures us by our actions.
c. Our actions toward others and toward Him.
d. Our actions when no one is looking, our actions when everyone is looking.
e. This world is watching us with a magnifying glass, waiting to see what you will do, waiting to see how you will behave.
f. Our family is watching our actions. If you have any children you know this far to well. Lacy does everything I do. She is watching my actions and my behavior.
g. Our behavior everyday is critical to our Christian living
3. Relationships
a. Philippians 3:10 “I want to know Christ and power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings becoming like him in his death.”
b. Give a illustration of a relationship you have!
c. God measures us by our relationship with others. Do you have an accountability group? Do you have a prayer partner?
d. What is your relationship like with others?
e. Relationships with your family. If you were here this morning you know why it is so important, and why God measures us this way instead of the way the world measures us.
f. What about your relationship with the Lord.
g. Are you on a first name basis with your Father?
h. I wrote a poem to my Dad last Father’s Day: http://members.lwol.com/blwilliams/poem.htm
When I Grow Up I Want To Be Like You
As children we all have our heroes
The people we want to be like
The Mickey Mantle’s and the Michael Jordan’s
The person I wanted to be like taught me how to catch a baseball
He taught me how to shoot a free throw
But he also taught me how to do something else
He taught me how to be a father and a husband
He showed me a father’s love has no boundaries
A father’s love is mimicked after the Father’s Love
He showed me a husband’s love is everything
He showed me a husband’s love is endless
Daddy Daddy, Why do birds fly?
Daddy Daddy, Can I go with you today?
Daddy, How can I go to heaven?
Daddy, Will you teach me to drive?
Dad, Do you like this college?
Dad, This is the girl I want to marry?
Dad, Why did this happen to me?
Dad, Do you like her name?
Dad, Do you like this house?
Who knows the next question?
But I know you have the answer.
Thank you Dad for being my Mickey Mantle
When I grow up I want to be like you!
i. After I wrote it, I realized that this is the relationship I should want with God more than my earthly father.
j. Your relationship with Christ is everything. Your behavior, adoration, devotion, commitment, and affection.
k. Your walk with God is what counts. That is the way God measures you!
4. Dedication
a. 1 Chronicles 22:19 “Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God”
b. Job 11:13-15 “Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him, if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, ten you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm without fear.”
c. How is your intensity? Is it temporary or permanent? Is it Sunday’s only, or everyday of the week?
d. Are you dedicated to love?
1. Love God
2. Love People
e. Are you dedicated to your actions?
f. Are you devoted in your relationship?
Nothing that you and I do is more important than the permanent relationship with Jesus Christ. When you put yourself on the scales. Does God Measure you? Or… Does the world measure you?
“I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.”Ezekiel 22:30
