Sermon Central
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Thermostats And Thermometers
Contributed by Rick Boyne on Aug 6, 2012 (message contributor)
Summary: We should influence the world around us – not be influenced BY the world
Thermostats and Thermometers
August 23, 2009 Morning Service
Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK
Rick Boyne
Message Point: We should influence the world around us – not be influenced BY the world.
Focus Passage: Matthew 5:13-16
Supplemental Passage: And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2 NASB)
Introduction:
Years ago the communist government in China commissioned an author to write a biography of Hudson Taylor with the purpose of distorting the facts and presenting him in a bad light. They wanted to discredit the name of this consecrated missionary of the gospel. As the author was doing his research, he was increasingly impressed by Taylor's saintly character and godly life, and he found it extremely difficult to carry out his assigned task with a clear conscience. Eventually, at the risk of losing his life, he laid aside his pen, renounced his atheism, and received Jesus as his personal Savior.
Dr. John Geddie went to Aneityum in 1848 and worked there for God for 24 years. On the tablet erected to his memory these words are inscribed: When he landed, in 1848, there were no Christians. When he left, in 1872, there were no heathen.
I. God Has a purpose for each one of us
a. Salvation
b. Obedience
II. God has called each of us to be flavor
a. Salt your conversation with spiritual matters
III. God has called each of us to be light
a. Point to Jesus as the source of your strength & good works
IV. Good examples of being a thermostat:
a. Not being a part of gossip
b. Not being a part of vulgar talk/dirty jokes
c. Engaging folks in spiritual discussion
d. Become involved in ministries of the church
My life shall touch a dozen lives before this day is done;
Leave countless marks for good or ill, ere sets the evening sun.
This is the wish I always wish, the prayer I always pray:
Lord, may my life help other lives it touches by the way.
