You Can Change the World!

You Can Change the World

Steve W. Reeves

INTRODUCTION:

A. May I ask you several questions?

    1. Is there anything in the world you would like to change?

       a. International tensions?

       b. Lack of respect for humanity – human trafficking – racial hatred?

       c. Declining moral standards?

    2. Is there anything in our community you would like to change?

       a. Problems with drugs and substance abuse?

       b. Violence? Just two weeks ago a man was shot and killed only a few blocks

           away.

    3. Is there anything in your family you would like to change?

       a. Less stress?

       b. More money?

    4. Is there anything in your personal life you would like to change?

       a. A habit or a reoccurring sin you need to give up?

       b. A closer relationship with your family? A better marriage? Better friendships?

B. I want to share with you a strategy with which you can change your world. You may

    not single-handedly change international relationships or eliminate hatred, crime and

    violence from the earth but you can change your world. I can change my world. Just

    imagine what could happen if each of us influenced change in our sphere of

    influence.

I. CARING

    A. In Luke 10:25 Jesus was approached by a teacher of the law who asked,

       “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

       1. Jesus responded (vs. 26), “What is written in the law, how do you read it?”

       2. The lawyer said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with

           all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor

           as yourself.”

           a. The man’s response was a combination of two Old Testament

               commandments. The first was the “Shema” of Deuteronomy 6:4-5, “Hear, O

               Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! 5 You shall love the Lord your

               God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” The

               second was Leviticus 19:18, “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any

               grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as

               yourself; I am the Lord.”

           b. This was an answer Jesus certainly agreed with. He said, “You

               have answered correctly, do this and you will live (vs. 28).

           c. For the lawyer there was a problem with this answer. There were some people

               he didn’t want to love. There was a great deal of conflict among the Jews of

               Jesus’ day about the parameter of your association. Some felt you could only

               associate with other Jews. Some went further and said you should only

               associate with those of your particular sect of Judaism. One particular group,

               called the Essenes, built their own community. This prompted the lawyer’s

               question, “Who is my neighbor?

       3. Jesus responded with one of the most familiar parables in the New Testament.

           Perhaps it is so familiar that we sometimes overlook its message. The parable is

           found in verses 30-35.

           a. A man was going from Jerusalem to Jericho. This was a treacherous road. In

               this seventeen mile stretch there is a drop of 3000 feet. The road was narrow

               and crooked. Thieves inhabited caves and hiding places along the way. The

               Roman historian, Jerome, called it the “Bloody way.” 

           b. This man was attacked, robbed, stripped, beaten and left for dead.

           c. A priest passed by, saw the man and kept going. Perhaps he thought the man

               was dead. For a priest to touch a dead body would make him unclean and

               unable to serve in the temple. It was easier to pass by. The Levites were

               temple servants. When the Levite saw the man he passed by as well. Do you

               see where Jesus was going with this parable? He was telling this parable to

               the Pharisees who were strict law keepers. Here were men who kept the rules

               and regulations but overlooked a need before their eyes.

           d. A Samaritan came along. This immediately got the attention of these

               Pharisees. There was bitter animosity between the Jews and the Pharisees.

               When the Israelites were carried off by the Assyrians in 722 B.C. the

               Assyrians repopulated the land with pagans. These pagans began to

               intermarry with the Jews that remained in the land creating a new race known

               as Samaritans. When the Jews returned from exile in the 5^th century they

               found these half-relatives who wanted to help rebuild the temple. The Jews

               rejected them. The animosity was so bitter that Samaritans would kill Jews on

               their way to Jerusalem. If a Jew dared walk through Samaria he would kick the

               dust off of his feet. Most of the time they would go out of their way to keep

               from passing through Samaria (consider the significance of Jesus’

               conversation with the Samaritan woman in John 4).This Samaritan had

               compassion on the man who had been robbed. He bound up his wounds, put

               him on his animal (meaning he had to walk) and carried him to an inn where

               he made provision for his care.

            e. Notice Jesus’ question in vs. 36, “Which of the three was a neighbor?” The

               lawyer had to answer, “the one who showed compassion.” Jesus said, “Go

               and do the same.”

    B. We often think that changing the world can only happen if we do something

       spectacular and achieve notoriety. Jesus said the way to affect change in the world

       is to begin with a heart of compassion towards those you see every day.  

    C. In the days following World War II an American soldier was walking through the

       bombed out streets of a European city. As he walked past the charred remains of

       building he sudden smelled the aroma of fresh baked bread. He saw a small

       bakery. Outside the bakery was a boy wearing dirty, tattered clothes. His nose was

       pressed against the window of the bakery. The soldier walked into the bakery and

       bought a loaf of bread which he gave to the little boy. The little boy looked up and

       said, “Mister, are you God?” “No,” smiled the soldier. “I’m just one of His children.”

II. BEARING

    A. You do not have to look far in this world to find people who are hurting.

       1. The hurt of loneliness and isolation.

       2. The hurt of pain, disease and death.

       3. The hurt of prejudice, anger and family problems.

    B. When Paul wrote to the Galatians he said, “Bear one another’s burdens, and

       thereby fulfill the law of Christ.”

    C. In 2005 a summer thunderstorm occurred in the Memphis area causing a flash

       flood in a neighborhood. Houses were inundated by four or five feet of water.

       1. Most people did not carry flood insurance.

       2. I am so thankful for Christians who immediately rushed to the aid of these

           people. We moved furniture, pulled wet carpet and padding to the street, cut out   

           sheetrock and pulled out wet insulation. We had several ladies in the

           congregation who were excellent organizers. We set up an office in the

           neighborhood and they worked with local contractors and businesses who

           donated services to rebuild these homes. Members of our congregation

           volunteered to paint, to hang doors, install hardware on cabinets and move

           people back into their homes. The local paper ran an editorial thanking the

           members of the church for all they had done.

    D. What are we doing to bear the burdens of others in our community?

       1. A few weeks ago a man was murdered just a few blocks from our church

           building.

       2. There are all types of needs in the lives of people nearby. Paul would later add in

           Galatians 6:10, “Do good unto all, especially those of the household of faith.”

       3. In Yell county there is a rural church known as the Mount George church of

           Christ. It’s located in one of the poorest areas of our state. Several years ago the

           people of that small church decided to help people in their community. They

           began a program called “Food on the Mount.” Every August before school starts

           they have a food drive and provide groceries to people. They collect school

           supplies and distribute them to people. They have local barbers come in and

           provide haircuts. They set up a tent where people can stop by to talk and request

           prayer. Every year this rural church serves over 1000 people in one day!

        4. Near Newport there is a small community called Remmel. Several years ago

           when Lou Butterfield was preaching there the Remmel church decided it would

           start a ministry to help people in Jackson county who are caught in addicition.

           They began a program to reach out to people. That small, rural church is bursting

           at the seams because they are reaching out and bearing people’s burdens.

       4. “Somebody ought to do that!” I have checked our church directory. We do not

           have “somebody” on our roll. We do have you!

III. SHARING

    A. Do you want to change your world? Share what you have!

       1. In Mark 5 Jesus went to the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, a place known

           as the land of the Gergesenes (Mark 5:1. Matthew 8:28 calls it the land of the

           Gadarenes).  

       2. This is the place where Jesus encountered a demon possessed man who lived

           among the tombs, cut himself, screamed and scared everyone. Jesus cast the   

           demons out of the man into a herd of pigs. Afterwards, the man wanted to

           accompany Jesus as he traveled. Notice what Jesus told him in vs. 19, “Go

           home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for

           you, and how He had mercy on you.”

       3. I applaud our mission efforts. You do not have to go around the world to tell

           people what the Lord has done for you.

    B. I met a man named Chuck Lester shortly after his release from prison. He had

       been convicted on a methamphetamine charge. While he was in prison he began

       studying the Bible through World Bible School and was baptized. When he got out

       he started coming to church. He’s not an educated man but he has a story that he

       shares as often as he can. I spoke with him just a month ago and he’s still sharing

       his story, has a steady job, and is making a difference in his world. I know another

       man named John Coleman. He is an alcoholic. Years ago he realized his problem

       and and turned to the Lord. Today he is a faithful Christian and helps scores of

       people by sharing his story.

    C. What is your story? Are you willing to share it with others?

CONCLUSION:

A. Here is another question. Are you changing the world or is the world changing

    you?

    1. The church should be changing the world. We should be salt that savors and light

       that illuminates.

    2. That is not happening. Instead of changing the world the world is changing the

       church. It’s causing our salt to lose its savor and our lights to be hidden. If we want

       to change the world we must first change ourselves.

B. God cares for each of us. His Son was willing to bear our sins on the cross. He asks

    us to share His message with others. Can He count on us?

             

Listen To Me

Listen To Me

Steve W. Reeves

INTRODUCTION:

A. An older couple was having difficulty communicating. The man was convinced that

    his wife was becoming hard of hearing so he decided to try an experiment. One

    evening as she was standing across the room with her back turned he asked, “Can

    you hear me?” There was no reply. He moved closer and said, “Can you hear me

    now?” Again, he heard no reply. He moved closer. “Can you hear me?” he said.

    Finally he edged up right behind her and said in a loud voice, “Do you hear me?”

    Quickly she snapped, “For the fourth time, yes!”

B. Do you ever have trouble hearing God?

    1. The Jews of the first century had not heard from God in approximately 400 years

       when the concluding book of the Old Testament (Malachi) was written.

    2. Their lives had been filled with political and social unrest. The Persian Empire had

       given way to Greece and finally to Rome. Their culture was changing. Their religion

       had suffered from division and the heavy burdens of human traditions (Matthew

       15:7-9). 

    3. When Jesus came He said:

       a “Come to me” (Matthew 11:28).

       b. “Follow me.” (Matthew 4:19).

       c. “Learn from me” (Matthew 5:1-2).

C. As the Sermon on the Mount progressed according to Matthew 5 Jesus repeatedly

    used the phrase, “I say to you.” This is found nine times from verses 17-48.  

    1. Vs. 18 – “I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or

       stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.”

    2. Vs. 20 - “I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses

       that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

    3. Vs. 22 – “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother

       shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-

       nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’

       shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.”

    4. Vs. 26 – “Truly I say to you, you will not come out of

       there until you have paid up the last cent.

    5 Vs. 28 - You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit

       adultery’; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her

       has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

    6. Vs. 32 – “But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except

       for the reason of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a

       divorced woman commits adultery.”

    7. Vs. 34 – “But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for

       it is the throne of God,  or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by

       Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you make an oath by your

       head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your statement be,

       ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil.”

    8. Vs. 39 – “But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but

       whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone

       wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever

       forces you to go one mile, go with him two.”

    9. Vs. 44 - “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for

       those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in

       heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain

       on the righteous and the unrighteous.”:

D. These words of Jesus are timeless. They transcend the boundaries of time and

    culture with a message that is relevant for us today. How can we be sure to hear the

    voice of Jesus in our lives?

I. WE MUST BE READY

    A. It can be extremely difficult to hear Jesus above the noise of our busy lives.

       1. We live with such crowded schedules and full agendas.

       2. Stress is a huge factor in our lives. One survey estimates that more than 80$ of

           Americans suffer from “Chronic Stress Syndrome” at some point in life. Another

           survey says that up to 75% of visits to Primary Care physicians are stress

           related.

    B. The challenge we face is described by David in Psalm 46:10. “Be still and know

       that I am God.”

       1. The instruction of God is seldom accompanied by fanfare.

       2. Elijah fled to Mount Horeb to escape Jezebel’s wicked wrath (1 Kings 19). As he

           waited on a word from the Lord there was a tremendous wind, an earthquake

           and a ravaging fire. God was in none of those things. Suddenly, an a soft, still

           voice God reassured Elijah that there were 7000 men in Israel who had not

           bowed their knew to Baal. Elijah had to be still to hear those reassuring words.

    C. Hebrews 1:1-2 says, “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets

       in many portions and in many ways, ² in these last days has spoken to us in His

       Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.”

       1. Jesus says, “Listen to me.”

       2. The question is not, “Does God speak? It is, “Are we ready to receive what Jesus

           says?”    

II. WE MUST RECEIVE THE MESSAGE

    A. In the early 1950’s my parents bought their first television. My dad was in his

       thirties at the time. He told me how it occurred to him all of the pictures and sounds

       were being transmitted through the air but they did him no good unless he had a

       receiver. When I was a boy there was no cable or satellite TV. We had an antenna

       mounted on the roof of our house. Occasionally the picture on the TV would

       become blurry and my dad would climb up on the roof to adjust the antenna so

       proper reception could occur.

    B. In John 1:11-13 the Bible says, “He came to His own, and those who were His own

       did not receive Him. ¹² But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to

       become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, ¹³ who were born,

       not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”

       1. Notice the two groups of people described in these verses.

       2. Those who did not receive Him (vs. 11) and those who did receive Him who are

           given the right to become children of God (vs. 12).

    C. When Jesus says, “Listen to me,” He invites every man and woman to be His

       disciple. We have a decision to make.

       1. Some choose to reject Christ.

           a. The rich young ruler in Matthew 19.

           b. Felix in Acts 24.

           c. Agrippa in Acts 26.

       2. Thankfully, many hear Jesus and receive Him through obedient faith.

    D. Jennifer Johnson was driving through a large city when she became lost in a run

    down, dangerous warehouse district late at night. Suddenly she ran out of gas. She

    had no cell phone and was terrified of her surroundings. She decided it would be best

    to lock the doors and stay in the car until a policeman came along. As she waited her

    worst fear was soon realized. A large, rough looking man appeared and began

    beating on her window. She screamed, blew he horn and turned on her lights to get

    attending. The man finally left. Suddenly he appeared again with a crowbar. She

    began screaming again. He broke the rear door glass, reached in and unlocked the

    door, opened the door and grabbed her. He jerked her out of the car ran with her a

    few steps and threw her to the ground. Suddenly the ground began to shake, there

    was a blaring noise and a bright light. Jennifer did not realize it but her car had stalled

    across a railroad track. The man she had been resisting so forcefully had come to

    save her life. Jesus died so you might live. He came to save your soul. Will you

    receive Him?

III. WE MUST RESPOND TO THE MESSAGE

    A. Look at the end of the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 7:28-29, “When Jesus

       had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; ²⁹ for He was

       teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.”

       1. It was obvious to these people that Jesus was genuine.

       2. Jesus said, “Listen to me.” What He said demanded a response.

    B. In Willie Cato’s biography of Marshal Keeble he tells about the evangelist in his

       later years being asked to speak to a large gathering of people in the Nashville

       Civic Auditorium. Before he spoke one of the organizers of the event said, “Brother

       Keeble, just close your message with prayer. We are not going to offer the

       invitation.” Catp wrote that Brother Keeble honored that request but when he got in

       the car to go home there were tears in his eyes. He prayed, “Father, forgive me for

       not giving people an opportunity to respond to the Gospel.”

       1. Each of us responds to the Gospel in some way. Jimmy Allen used to say that

           preaching should make people “glad, sad or mad.”

       2. Even if you choose to stay where you are and make no changes in your life you

           have still responded.

CONCLUSION:

A. A familiar song says, “I heard the voice of Jesus say, Come unto me and rest. Lay

    down, O weary one, lay down your head upon my breast.” I came to Jesus as I was,

    so weary, worn, and sad; I found him in a resting place, and he has made me glad.”

B. Jesus speaks to your heart today. Are you listening? We invite you to come to Him

    right now!