A Sermon For Today

Song: Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus!

Scripture: Acts 10:1-48

Peter’s sermon to Cornelius’ house needs an audience today as much as when he first spake it.

“God shows no partiality.” Let us not either. Let no prejudice cause you to refrain from doing good to another when it’s in your power to do so.

“Whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.” A healthy dose of fear and a generous portion of righteousness will keep you in God’s favor today. The former will keep you out of trouble. The latter will keep you on task.

“The word which God sent… that word you know.” God has spoken. We don’t have to guess what He thinks, what He wants. We can read. We can know. Thank God for such a privilege today.

“God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.” Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? Good news can. The good news of God tabernacling among men, suffering between thieves, sleeping beside the dead, bursting from the tomb, reigning above the heavens. That came from Nazareth and equips us for Eternity.

“He commanded us to preach to the people.” He still does. “And the things you have heard from me…commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). If you want to strengthen your commitment today commit someone else to following the Lord.

Shall we stand and sing?

Jason Moore

Blest Be The Tie

Song: Oh, The Things We May Do

Scripture: Nehemiah 5:1-13

How sad it is when behavior that characterizes the world and the worldly-minded invades the family of God. It’s true that the people of God are people. But people are made in God’s image. And those people who are destined to populate heaven ought to have their affections set on still higher principles. We ought to behave differently.

Many of the people who returned to Jerusalem in Nehemiah’s day came out of slavery. They came with nothing. They found nothing when they came. The difficulty of raising a city from the ashes reduced many of them to still deeper poverty. Some of the Jews who were in better straits than their contemporaries offered assistance but with interest. They did nothing uncommon by worldly standards, and thus the problem. The kinship of believers and their brethren is uncommon.

“Do good to all,” said Paul, “especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10). How do you treat your brethren in the Lord? Do you treat them differently? Do you show them more courtesy, more warmth, more genuine affection? Do you have more time for them, more patience with them, more sympathy for their circumstances?

“The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ But not so among you” (Luke 22:25-26). Let it not be so among us.

Jason Moore

Manning The Storm

Song: Master, The Tempest Is Raging

Scripture: Luke 8:22-25

It happened on an ordinary day like most calamities do that try men’s faith. They were just getting in a boat to cross the lake, a lake they had often crossed. In fact, it was the Lord’s idea on this occasion reminding us that it sometimes rains even when we’re doing the Lord’s bidding.

And so they launched out on this ordinary day, on an ordinary lake, in an ordinary boat, and encountered an extraordinary storm. It came suddenly like most ordinary calamities which try men’s faith. The Master slept. The fishermen toiled. The boat filled with water. The Master still slept. Recognize that the Master knows but He acts in His own time.

“Master, Master, we are perishing!” they cried as they awoke Him. Without a word, He rose not to take an oar, nor to man the tiller, nor to trim the sail, but to trim the wind and man the storm. With a word, He shut up the clouds, He silenced the storm, He shushed the raging sea. All was calm. Notice that the Lord’s answer comes as suddenly as the winds which prompt men’s prayers. Neither the answers nor the perils should catch us unexpectedly.

“Where is your faith?” He asks. Good question—for us. It’s strong and resolute when we from the shore peer out at the disciples wrestling in the deep. But how about when we launch out? The winds and the waves still obey the Master’s will. Peace. Be still.

Jason Moore

The Mighty Tongue

Song: Will You Not Tell It Today

Scripture: Proverbs 12:16-19

The tongue is man’s smallest member, but the most powerful. With but a word, it can tear down or build up. It can give hope or breed despair. It can promote life and health or death and injury. Today’s proverb celebrates the constructive potential and destructive power of the mighty tongue.

The tongue can build or ruin your credibility. An untimely explosion of rage or wrath and you’ll have a reputation for volatility to live down. But hold your tongue and temper, speak kindly, speak wisely, and you’ll earn a medal for diplomacy.

The tongue can make or break the reputations of others. If you’ve an appetite for tasty morsels of gossip, you’ll hurt somebody one day. Maybe not today, but someday. But no one is injured by a kind word, and a morsel of truth and charity is far more substantial than a mouthful of rumors and prattle.

The tongue is sharp. And like a sharp knife it can be wielded to help or to harm. You can use it to jab and cut, to stab and wound your opponents. Or you can use it to cut through a foul mood or “cut through the fluff,” as we say, and “get to the point” of an important discussion.

While the mighty tongue is powerful both for good and for evil, the Lord has mandated that only the truthful tongue shall endure. “It shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.” So be careful little tongue what you say today.

Jason Moore

A Plea For Sincerity

Song: More Holiness Give Me

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18

Religion without sincerity is religion without heart. It’s a hollow religion, a performance, a sham. Religion in this form is recognizable in others and detestable to all. It’s not so easily detected in ourselves and requires vigilance to prevent its appearance.

Beware of hypocrisy in your benevolent deeds. The priest and the Levite might have helped their injured countryman had he fallen prey to bandits in downtown Jerusalem. But it was the Samaritan who stopped when no was looking. Do good not because of who sees, but because He sees and because you’ve seen the need.

Watch out for hypocrisy in your worship. It’s easily done. Songs are not addressed to God when your mind has left the building. Prayers have not the benefit of your Amen when they’ve not had the benefit of your attention. Your neighbor is not helped when you apply the sermon to him; even worse - you're not helped. Worship is between you and God. Funny how often God gets left out of it.

Guard against hypocrisy in your sacrifices. If you must tell how strong you are, how much you’ve lost, how much you’ve given up, what glory does God get in that? Self-righteousness, intentional or unintentional, sours others on religion. Certainly they have no right to be sour, but you have no right to make them that way. If you’re doing this for the Lord, do it for the Lord, not for the applause of men.

Jason Moore

Sunday Morning Starters

What really matters?

Is it what you get, or what you give?

Is it how you feel, or how you are?

Is it how you are helped, or how you help?

Is it how it is said, or how you hear?

Is it why they came, or why you came?

Does what really matters start with others, or does it start with you?

Jason Moore

The Forerunner

Song: Will Your Anchor Hold?

Scripture: Hebrews 6:13-20

Who He is, what He did, and how I respond is what life is all about.

The Trailblazer. A forerunner is one who runs forward, who goes in advance. Not only did Christ go ahead, He blazed the trail. He has made it possible for those who accept His forgiveness to "enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus" (Hebrews 10:19). Because of Him there is a blood stained trail that leads to Heaven.

The Choice. The wisest choice of all is to follow Jesus. He calls me to deny myself, to take up my cross daily, and to follow Him. When I've come to the end of the way I do not expect to be disappointed. The hope I have in Him is an anchor for my soul that is "both sure and steadfast" (Hebrews 6:19). He has gone to where we want to be.

"...where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus..." (Hebrews 6:20; NKJV)

Jason Cicero

Is the Bible Relevant to Me?

Song: Give Me The Bible

Scripture: Psalm 119:105-112

Perhaps the single greatest challenge GOD'S people have today is to take GOD'S book, the Bible, and help people to see the relevance of it to their lives. GOD'S word is practical. It speaks to the issues of everyone's life.

The Bible is relevant to you because of what the Bible is - The Word of GOD. Scripture is "inspired by God" (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Bible did not originate in the mind of man. Scripture originated in the mind of GOD. Men "moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God" and were guided to put His word in written form (2 Peter 1:21). "For the word of God" is from Heaven, not from Earth (Hebrews 4:12). Written by our Creator, Sustainer, and Savior, the Bible is relevant to us!

The Bible is relevant to you because of the nature of the Word of GOD - Living, Powerful, Piercing, and Discerning. Nature is a thing's essential qualities or character. "For the word of God is living and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12; NKJV). The Word of GOD speaks to the heart of man about the issues of the heart (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

Is the Bible relevant to me? Read it and see!

Jason Cicero

Faith

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-6

Song: Faith Is The Victory

Faith consists of three parts.

Conviction of the Mind. GOD would have us believe that He is. We must come to Him convicted intellectually that He is there. To be unsure in one's mind is not faith. GOD has given us enough evidence that we can see to help us accept by faith those things we cannot see.

Trust of the Heart. As we stand upon the mountain of evidence that we can see, GOD would have us to trust Him enough to step off the mountain into His awaiting arms. Just as a child trusts His parent to catch him when he jumps into the water, GOD would have us trust Him concerning those things we cannot see. He will catch us. We can trust Him (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Surrender of the Will. The demons are convicted in their minds that GOD is (James 2:19). And yet, they do not trust Him. Nor do they serve Him. Faith involves the surrender of one's will to Him. It is not enough to believe intellectually. One must trust His heart that His will is what is best and then do that will (James 2:14-26).

"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith (conviction of the mind, trust of the heart, surrender of the will - JHC)" (1 John 5:4; NKJV).

Jason Cicero

Conversion to Christ

Scripture: Acts 8:26-39

Song: Come To Jesus

Jesus said, "Unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3; NKJV). Conversion has to do with change. It involves a turning from something and a turning to something. There are three basic changes involved in conversion to Christ.

One's Heart. Conversion involves changing one's mind about one's self, GOD, sin, and state. Conversion recognizes one's need for GOD, one's need to repent of sin, and one's state of separation from the One who has been sinned against. The prodigal son got it right: "Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight..." (Luke 15:21; NKJV).

One's Action. Many change their mind about themselves, GOD, and their sin, but never change their action. Maybe they stop a sin because of the negative consequences only to begin participating in a different sin. Conversion to Christ involves a turning from sin and a turning to GOD. The Thessalonians got it right: "...and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God..." (1 Thessalonians 1:9; NKJV).

One's Relationship. Some change their mind and their behavior, but never have a relationship with GOD. Conversion to Christ involves changing one's mind about Jesus, conforming one's thinking, speech, and behavior to His, and beginning a relationship with Him. Throughout the New Testament those in relationship with Jesus are spoken of as being "in Christ." The Galatians got it right: "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Galatians 3:27; NKJV).

"Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord..." (Acts 3:19; NKJV)

Jason Cicero

The Human Experiment

Song: Jesus, Name Above All Names

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Humankind's greatest problem is sin. All have transgressed His high and holy law. Mankind's greatest need is to get back to GOD.

The Jews. GOD gave the Jews the Law of Moses. Law condemns. The purpose of the Law was to demonstrate to the Jews the impossibility of obeying themselves to glory.

The Gentiles. The Gentiles sought GOD through wisdom. This search was designed by GOD to demonstrate to the Gentiles the impossibility of reasoning themselves to glory.

The Answer. The answer to the human problem of sin is not perfect law keeping, nor perfect understanding of things pertaining to wisdom and knowledge. The answer is Jesus. The Law points to the need of Jesus. Wisdom and knowledge both find their source in Him. He is the way, the truth and the life. He is what we need to get back to GOD.

"...and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity." (Ephesians 2:16; NKJV)

Jason Cicero

Sunday Morning Starters

Sing and you’ll be happy.

Pray and you’ll be content.

Read and you’ll be edified.

Commune and you’ll be humbled.

Encourage and you’ll be motivated.

Listen and you’ll be challenged.

Try and you’ll be better.

Jason Moore

He Did Not Look Up

Scripture: Exodus 2:11-25

Song: Faith Is The Victory

Operation Deliverance. When Moses was forty years old it "came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel" (Acts 7:23; NKJV). Problem was, the I AM had not put this on His heart. It was GOD'S will for the Israelites to be freed from Egyptian slavery, but it was not GOD'S time. Moses was dedicated to the will of GOD, but not to the GOD whose will it was. In Exodus 2:12, Moses "looked this way and that way," but Moses failed to look up! Operation Deliverance was energized by the flesh and therefore it failed.

I try, I fail. For forty years Moses reflected on his thinking that led to his action. The Spirit tells us that Moses "supposed that his brethren would have understood that God would deliver them by his hand" (Acts 7:25; NKJV). Moses learned a valuable lesson about doing GOD'S will without GOD'S help - I try, I fail.

I trust, He succeeds. Forty years later it is GOD'S time. He calls Moses "to be a ruler and a deliverer" (Acts 7:35; NKJV). Moses is broken from the Operation Deliverance experience, but it is GOD'S time and it is GOD who gives Moses the strength to do His will. At the burning bush, in Egypt, at the Red Sea, and at Mount Sinai Moses learns a second valuable lesson - I trust, He succeeds!

"...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." (Philippians 2:12-13; NKJV)

Jason Cicero

GOD is Love

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-16

Song: God Is Love

Valentine's Day is an American holiday celebrating romantic love. The true and living GOD celebrates romantic love in the Song of Solomon. And yet, romantic love is not "the greatest of these."

Types of Love. The Greeks had a number of words that described the concept of love. Phileo has to do with brotherly love. Storge has to do with loving affection. Eros speaks of erotic love and is never used in Scripture. Agape is the love most often spoken of in GOD'S Book.

Agape. Decribed as "the greatest of these," agape is not an emotion, but rather an act of the will. Agape choses to love, to act in the best interests of others. It is a sacrificial love. Agape is a provider and a protector. Indeed, agape is love of the highest order.

GOD is Agape. We know this love because we know GOD. The great I AM is not loving, mind you. He is love - "for God is love" (1 John 4:8, 16). At the core of His being and nature is agape. He is the source of "the greatest of these" (1 Corinthians 13:13).

If GOD blesses you with a Valentine, give Him the glory. If not, rejoice in His love which is far better. His love is of the highest order.

Jason Cicero

Preach the Word

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Song: Send The Light

Preaching is an important part of GOD'S eternal purpose. The Spirit asks, "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14). Those who "preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things" are blessed. And those who hear and believe the gospel they preach are blessed too.

Preach. To preach is to proclaim openly something which has been done. Officials would send heralds before them when traveling to proclaim their impending arrival. Jesus has sent forth preachers to proclaim something which has been done. Namely, His death, burial, and resurrection. To preach Jesus is to openly proclaim all that He lived and taught and one's proper response to Him. Preaching is intended to help folks prepare for His second arrival.

The Word. The Word of GOD reflects His nature, His character, and His will. To "preach the word" is to preach the Author of the Word. To help others to know the Lord, His nature, His character, His will is the high aim of preaching. Preaching must be centered on the Word of GOD because the Word is where GOD is seen.

Sufficient. The primary purpose of preaching is to glorify GOD. Secondly, preaching is intended to edify GOD'S people. Finally, preaching is intended to convict lost souls. The Word of GOD is sufficient to glorify GOD, edify GOD'S people, and convict lost souls!

"Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." (Colossians 1:28; NKJV)

Jason Cicero

Knowing GOD'S Majesty

Scripture: Exodus 33:17 - 34:8

Song: Majesty

The true and living GOD is "clothed with majesty" (Psalm 93:1; NASBU). Majesty has to do with beauty, glory, ornament, and splendor. Simply stated, majesty means "great." GOD is great and when we speak of His majesty we speak of His greatness!

See His Majesty. Moses requested to see GOD'S greatness at Mount Sinai and the I AM granted His request. What Moses saw with his own two eyes GOD would have us to see by faith. Make Paul's prayer for the Ephesians your own: "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know...the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe" (Ephesians 1:18-19; NASBU).

Respond to His Majesty. When Moses saw GOD'S greatness he responded to it by bowing his head and worshiping. To see GOD'S greatness is to also see one's own smallness. To bow in deference with reverence from the depth of one's heart is the proper response to "the high and exalted One Who lives forever, whose name is Holy" (Isaiah 57:15; NASBU).

Magnify Him in My Life. Let there be no mistake - GOD is great. But is he great in my life? To magnify Him is to make Him great, to exalt Him, to give Him is rightful place in my life. He longs to "be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death" (Philippians 1:20; NASBU). He is worthy of my exaltation because He is great!

See His majesty, respond to His majesty, magnify Him in your life!

Jason Cicero

Exalted

Song: Exalted

Scripture: Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12

Made a Little Lower. In eternity, the Word submitted to the will of the Father. In the first century, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. He "was made a little lower than the angels" (Hebrews 2:9; NKJV).

Lifted Up. The Word became flesh for the purpose of being "lifted up" (John 3:14). The process of crucifixion was efficient. A hole was dug in the Earth. The cross was laid on the ground. The victim was laid on the cross where he was then nailed to it. The cross was then "lifted up" and dropped into the Earth. The Word "was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death" (Hebrews 2:9; NKJV).

Exalted. The death of Jesus on the cross is not the end of the story. The I AM raised up His Servant and "Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins" (Acts 5:30-31; NKJV). When He, "by Himself purged our sins," He then "sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high," exalted (Hebrews 1:3; NKJV).

Is He exalted in your life?

Jason Cicero

Sunday Morning Starters

Sing and you’ll be happy.

Pray and you’ll be content.

Read and you’ll be edified.

Commune and you’ll be humbled.

Encourage and you’ll be motivated.

Listen and you’ll be challenged.

Try and you’ll be better.

Jason Moore

Walking With God Today

Scripture: Psalm 15

Song: We Shall See The King Some Day

Dwelling with God in eternity begins by walking with God today. Here’s how:

“Walk uprightly” – Don’t slouch today. Don’t even lean. Stand tall. The man who does right has no reason to be ashamed.

“Speak the truth in your heart” – Speak the truth in your home, on your job, on the playground, at the school. Don’t lie today. Be honest.

“Don’t backbite” – Build somebody or somebodies up today. Don’t put anyone down. Encourage. Don’t discourage. Don’t gossip. Don’t listen to gossip. Choose your words carefully.

“Despise vileness” – Don’t give consent to evil today. Don’t be silent when you need to speak. Don’t stay when you need to leave. Don’t laugh when you need to censure. Stand up for what’s right and who’s right.

“Swear…and do not change” – Do what you say you’ll do today. Don’t make commitments that you can’t or won’t keep. Be a man of your word.

“Don’t put out your money” – Spend wisely. Use your time, your talents, your money as if you were borrowing them. They are, after all, on loan to you from God. Make Him a profit today.

“He who does these things shall never be moved” – That’s a promise. And God keeps His promises.

Jason Moore

A Mind To Work

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:1-6

Song: Work For The Night Is Coming

When you have a mind to work, you make enemies. Productive workers by their diligence call attention to the idleness of others. In the kingdom, that translates into the wicked hurling sticks and stones at workers who are doing the building of God. Work anyway. The insults of the Sanballats of our day are just as harmless as they were in Nehemiah’s time.

When you have a mind to work, you invite criticism. There’s always somebody who could have done it better, faster, or cheaper. Mind your work. There are plenty of critics in our day who say concerning marriages, families, and children, “It won’t last. You can’t do it.” Just mind your work.

When you have a mind to work, you need to mind your prayers. Prayer will keep you focused. Prayer will check your motives. Prayer will bring you new opportunities. If you have something to say about your enemies and about your critics, say it to God in prayer. It’s hard to gossip when you tell Him.

When you have a mind to work, you fuel the enthusiasm of fellow workers. When you mind your work, others get to work. That’s how all work, even the Lord’s work, gets done. The builders of Jerusalem’s wall completed the task because the people had a mind to work. But the work started with Nehemiah. Start a work today and watch it grow.

Jason Moore

The Nobleman's Quest

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40

Song: Teach Me Thy Way

A good question is the beginning place for all learning. Learning after all is a quest for knowledge, a search for the answers to your questions. Four pivotal questions are found in the story before us.

“Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip is trying the door. A question is the perfect way to launch a quest for a Bible study. His simple query found the door ajar. The eunuch himself was on a quest and eager to learn as Philip soon found.

“How can I, unless someone guides me?” Here is the quest for help. It takes a humble man to make this request, to admit he doesn’t know. The man who approaches the word of God assuming that he already has all the answers won’t learn. He can’t learn. He’s not on a quest. He’s on a mission.

“Of whom does the prophet say this?” This is the quest for context. It is an indication that the Bible is an ordinary book to be understood by ordinary means. The key to reading the Bible effectively is to ask questions of it all the while. Questions like Who? What? Where? When? Why?

“What hinders me from being baptized?” Here is the application question. Every disciple should ask – and answer – this question. The eunuch is really asking, “So what?” He wants to know how this information about Jesus applies to him.

Try one or more of these questions out today. They’re sure to help you on your quest to serve God.

Jason Moore

Healing of the Nobleman's Son

Scripture: John 4:46-54

Song: Love Divine

The power of Jesus was not bound by time and space. As the crow flies, Capernaum was 17 miles from Cana. Yet the nobleman’s servants confirmed that at the same hour Jesus said, “Your son lives,” the fever left the deathly ill boy. It’s a marvel to contemplate that there was such power in Jesus’ word. Without seeing the boy, without inquiring for his address or the nature of his ailment, Jesus spoke and that one boy out of all the world’s boys received the blessing of His power.

Trust Jesus’ power. Is Jesus less capable or less willing to answer our pleas now that He is in heaven? If He was not bound by time and space while dwelling below, He surely is not bound while reigning above. Trust Him. Ask Him. Wait on Him.

Trust Jesus’ word. The same tongue which said, “Your son lives,” also said, “Seek first the kingdom...and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). We may not see the provisions Jesus has made when we are called upon to act on our faith. But when we, like the nobleman, are walking by faith, news may come sooner than we expected that God has done what He promised.

Grow your faith. Jesus responded to the cry of a man with imperfect faith. That gives me courage. But that’s no excuse to stay where I am. “Go your way,” He said. “Go” we must if we’re to grow.

Jason Moore

The Chastening of the Lord

Scripture: Proverbs 3:11-12

Song: O Thou Fount Of Every Blessing

The chastening of the Lord comes in a variety of forms as the Scriptures themselves illustrate.

Punishment. The child conceived by David’s adultery died as punishment for David’s crime. The penalty invoked shows the distinction between the guilt and the consequences of sin. God forgave but still ordained that David suffer consequences for his sin because he had “given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme” (2 Samuel 12:14). "Be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).

Preventative. Were we privy to the counsel of God we might find that some of life’s difficulties were intended for our own safety. Paul was privileged to learn that the reason for his “thorn in the flesh” was to prevent him from being “exalted above measure” (2 Corinthians 12:7). The Lord at times may build fences to keep us within safe bounds.

Pruning. “Every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit” (John 15:2). Sometimes our good deeds, kind words, and godly conduct will be rewarded with evil. Take courage. Such is evidence of your fruitfulness. The Lord may be trimming some of the dead wood so that your harvest will be sweeter and more abundant still.

Don’t despise the chastening of the Lord in whatever form it comes. In fact, pray that it comes for it’s a sign of the Father’s love for His children.

Jason Moore

Sunday Morning Starters

It’s not just another day. It’s the Lord’s Day.

It’s not just another week. It’s a new week.

It’s not just another Sunday. It’s the first day.

It’s not just another morning. It’s the resurrection morning.

It’s not just a matter of perspective. It’s a matter of attitude.

Jason Moore

Proper Concern For Influence

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Song: Ye Are The Light Of The World

The public acknowledgment of sin I’ve heard more than any other is, “I’ve been a bad example.” I would not discourage the penitent man seeking forgiveness, but I have at times been concerned for some who’ve made such a confession. I fear that some concern themselves with influence only after they’ve been caught. It may be that they’ve been “a bad example” for a long time, but only lately were seen by someone who cared about their conduct. If your light is only turned on when somebody who stands for righteousness is watching, God receives no glory in that.

The “bad example” confession may also be used to avoid the shame of admitting your real sin. We don’t need a public confessional nor to make the preacher an intermediary for the penitent saint. But if you’ve been drinking with the boys and it’s known abroad at work or school, the church ought to know to what extent you’ve hurt their influence. More than anything else, I fear that we’re not shining our light. I fear that Christians influenced by worldly peers partake of worldly pleasures. They repent for having partaken and join their associates once again, resolving within themselves to avoid their past mistakes, but never openly, unashamedly shining their light before their friends. Their light is hidden, as Jesus pointed out, under the bushel.

Shine your light. I mean really shine it. You can see the difference can’t you?

Jason Moore