The Country Church Bourbon Indiana

Morning Greeting:

Terry Handles

Announcements:

• Annual Meeting
• Trunk or Treat
• Tables and Chairs for Thursday – For 100

Introduction:

James 2:14-17

I’ve been thinking a lot this week. Not particularly happy thoughts, but sometimes unhappy thoughts help to sober us and bring good change.

I’ve been thinking about what happened Tuesday with the young children. I don’t have first-hand knowledge of the event, only what has been passed down to me and what I’ve read online.

I remember thinking at first many angry things about the driver. “How stupid?” “How careless?” “She must have been texting.” “Those children are dead because of her.” All my grief was for the family and children: there was none for her.

I thought a little bit about on Sunday delivering a quick exhortation to people to show their love for others by choosing not to text while drive, and paying attention while driving.

Then I heard that the girl who hit them was a children’s minister. And I heard that her father’s health was in bad condition. And I heard that when the officer arrived on the scene, the girl was running around her car panicked and confused and shocked and broken. And then I thought “I too am a minister.” And I have been distracted. And I know what it’s like to have a father in bad health.

And then the Lord started to change my thinking about the situation. And I thought instead about how broken our world is, and especially the current generation. I thought about the confusion and distraction that overwhelms young people. I thought about that there is so much anger out there, and such a shortage of love and grace and forgiveness. I thought about that children were dead and a family had lost everything and maybe the girl is ultimately to blame, but her life is now also in a shambles.

And I’ve been thinking about the death of Charles Wesco, an Indiana born missionary to Cameroon.

And today we pray for the persecuted church. Every month an average of 255 believers are killed. Charles Wesco shows that’s more than a number.

And there have been more sad thoughts.

Link: But of course, brooding about problems and sadness does not solve problems it just creates more.

And so I have also been thinking about what Christians should do to help improve the world around us. To help heal and lead people so that these terrible stories of tragedy would stop being so common. I’ve been praying about it, and the Lord directed my thinking to these truths:

First, the reason I opened with James 2:14-17 is because our prayers should be paired with works. If you see a problem, pray about it. And if it is something that you can do something about, then do something about it. Problems rarely fix themselves, and perhaps the way the Lord intends to answer your prayer for a problem is for you to go and solve that problem yourself.

As you and I have prayed today and will continue to pray for our church, community, nation, and the persecuted church, let us be mindful of how the Lord might want to use us to answer those prayers.

Link: So, first. Back up your faith with works.

Second thing we can do, we need to be examples. The world needs more good examples. Many positive and negative things are learned and reinforced by example. You and I know this by experience. If a person is around a lot of swearing, it makes it easier for them to swear. If they are around a lot of talk that tears people down, it is easier for them to do that. This also can work in positive ways too. If you actively choose kindness, it helps others to as well.

The power of example in Christian Living:

John 13:15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. (Feet Washing)

Phil. 3:17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. (Christians encouraged to follow good examples)

1 Thessalonians 1:6-7 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. (Church imitates Paul, becomes example to others)

1Tim. 4:12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. (Young pastor told to set an example that causes others not to think of him as a child)

1 Peter 5:2-3 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. (Church leaders, lead by example)

We can learn to model the change that we want to see happen around us. Are you upset about how irresponsible the world is? Be responsible. Are you upset about distracted drivers? Drive safely. Are you upset about the hate and unforgiveness that surrounds us? Show love and compassion. Is there some good and lovely thing that you desire to see more of in this world? Then be an example to others. People do notice, and it does change lives.

Third, a similar thought: we are the light of the world and we are the salt of the world.

(Matthew 5:13 & 14)

Let me emphasize several parts of that statement:

WE are the light of the world and the salt. You cannot expect the government to be the bright light and salt. You cannot expect unbelievers to do it. It must be us. Our reaction to problems is so often: let someone else take care of it. You cannot pass off the responsibility to be light and salt.

Light. Darkness is the word used to describe the broken and sinful state of the world. And light is the contrast to that. We must be the bright and attractive contrast to the broken and sinful state of the world. Sin is hate, selfishness, murder, lying. Light is love, selflessness, courage, responsibility, giving, and truth.

Salt. It is a preservative. The natural tendency of food is for it to go corrupt and expire. So it is with the world. Its natural state is not to get better and better of its own accord. It is to get worse and worse. Frequently mankind has deceived themselves into thinking that the natural state of the world is progress. But then we are awakened to our naivety and complacency by terrible tragedy. Meat rots without salt.

But let me tell you. I love salt. Salt is my favorite food. I really like pizza, and I like olives, and cheese, and chips, but really what I like is actually just salt. It’s not the pizza, it’s the salt. I pour it all over everything. It tastes great.

You might think I’m a pessimist this morning talking about all these problems and that the natural state of the world is toward corruption. But I am not a pessimist. I am a saltimist.

The natural state of the world might be towards corruption, but you and I can not only slow that process – we can even make things great. We must be active in the world, not passive, to help slow the tendency towards corruption.

Link: So, you and I are to match our faith with works. We are to be an example to others. We are to be the salt and light of the world.

Finally, who is our faith in? Who are we to be an example of? And Who is the true light of the world? And Who is the Savior of the world? It is Jesus. More than a good example, more than some preservative and a glimpse of hope, people need a relationship with Jesus. We need to introduce other people to Jesus.

Pouring salt on something makes something that tends toward rotting instead taste really good, but it doesn’t truly fix the root of the problem. Jesus fixes the root of the problem.

And when a person becomes a Christian, they gain something much better than our example and our light and salt. They gain the source of those things. They gain Jesus. And they gain eternal life. And this is eternal life: that they know God and Christ Jesus whom He has sent. They gain new life and change from within.

External influences can only do so much. Having a life transformed by a relationship with Jesus can do infinitely more.

“You be the change” is a common and excellent thought. And I say the Bible teaches that. But even better: introduce people to the Savior who has infinite power to change. You can be the change, but it takes Jesus to be the Savior.

Here is the change that Jesus promises for the world that He will one day bring.

*Read Revelation 21:1-5*

*Close in Prayer*