Marty Sloan – Living the Dream

Beliefs Series Part 3 – Action – The Ministry

3 21 10 HT AM

James 2:14-20 NKJV

This morning we are in our final message in our series called Beliefs- so far we have talked about (quick review) today will reach our final outcome -

1st. The Mask – Authenticity

2nd. The Mirror – Accountability

3rd. The Ministry – Action

All beliefs should move to action! Check out the book of James.

James 2:14 NKJV

What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?

James 2:15

If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,

James 2:16

and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?

James 2:17

Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

James 2:18

But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without  your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

James 2:19

You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!

James 2:20

But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?

This is an extremely uncomfortable passage!  It brings a collision with:

• Faith and our face!

• Theology and our time!

• Beliefs and our behavior!

• Acknowledgements and our actions!

The Christian Life

I. Must mirror Christ Himself

1 John 2:1 LB

My little children, I am telling you this so that you will stay away from sin. But if you sin, there is someone to plead for you before the Father. His name is Jesus Christ, the one who is all that is good and who pleases God completely.

1 John 2:2

He is the one who took God’s wrath against our sins upon himself and brought us into fellowship with God; and he is the forgiveness for our sins, and not only ours but all the world’s.

1 John 2:3

And how can we be sure that we belong to him? By looking within ourselves: are we really trying to do what he wants us to?

1 John 2:4

Someone may say, “I am a Christian; I am on my way to heaven; I belong to Christ.” But if he doesn’t do what Christ tells him to, he is a liar.

1 John 2:5

But those who do what Christ tells them to will learn to love God more and more. That is the way to know whether or not you are a Christian.

1 John 2:6

Anyone who says he is a Christian should live as Christ did.

The Christian Life

II. Is based in hope

Our faith is not based on fear, its not based on punishment, it is based on our eternal hope founded in Jesus Christ – HE IS OUR EVERLASTING HOPE!

Colossians 1:27 NKJV

To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

My hope today is to stir up Christ inside of you and move you to do something!

Question – What is the gap between your life today and the hope you share or what is the gap between you theology and your reality?

Lets look at the life of Christ and how He moved to Action. Earlier I said that the Christian must “mirror Christ Himself” so lets see what He did, and find what we should do.

The Christian Life

III. Christ model

Matthew 9:35 NLT

Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness.

Matthew 9:36

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Matthew 9:37

He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.

Matthew 9:38

So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

• Confused – Not sure where to turn

• Helpless – Limited by their own abilities

• Leaderless  – Not sure who to follow

I have read the aforementioned verses numerous times – they were written thousands of years ago – yet they may be more accurate today than ever.

A. How did Jesus respond?

1st. Jesus observed the situation

Jesus was not ignorant of His times or culture – our relationship with God should not bring us to a vacuum of reality!  We should know what happens around us, and be the salvation of the culture.

• If you will only open your eyes you will see the needs!

2nd. Jesus identified specific needs

Jesus observed both the masses and the individuals that made up the crowds of people. Throughout the Scripture we see times that Jesus while consumed with large groups –He noticed and connected with specific individuals.  From Zaccheus to the woman with the physical ailment – He knows, sees, and cares for people.

• If you can see the need you can meet the need or see that it is met!

3rd. Jesus responded personally

He felt the weight of their needs and moved to action.  He did something personally!  He gave of his time and self!  He did not just commit a token – he committed His personal time!

• If you are “willing” you can take the time to make the time

4th. Jesus initiated additional responders

He saw to it that the needs of people would be met continually – why? Because as long as you have people – you will have needs!

• If you will go others will follow

B. Our life today – HT Impact – our time is now!  (HT Impact intro) (Mark Poole to join me on stage)

1st. We are going to seek out the confused. Those who do not seem to know which way to go; maybe they have been around so many times that everything looks the same.

2nd. We are going to seek those who are helpless? They have come to a place in their journey where they can no longer do it the way they have always done it; they themselves are no longer able to make it happen.

3rd. We are going to seek those who need leadership?  They do not know who to follow or where to find the One they should follow!

C. Our time is now -

Read slowly!!

Matthew 5:13 NKJV

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

Matthew 5:14

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Matthew 5:15

Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

Matthew 5:16

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Notice He never uses Himself as the focus but rather the hearers! Right now we all need to have our own mountain experience! As we lift our eyes toward Heaven and look into the eyes of Jesus, looking to Him for our help, we too need to hear His voice as He looks back toward us and tells us that we are the light, we are the salt – Have we become the burned out light bulb that once showed the path, now it only collects the dust?

• Where there is darkness – we need to shine

• Where there is decay – we must preserve

• Where there is disease – we bring healing hands

• Where this is despair – we offer hope

• Where there is a need – we sow seed

A closing story that has always moved me!

Judges 7:7 NKJV

Then the Lord said to Gideon, “By the three hundred men who lapped I will save you, and deliver the Midianites into your hand. Let all the other people go, every man to his place.”

Gideon began with 32,000 men – he than asked the question – who is afraid and wants to go home? 20,000 responded and left. 32,000 became 10,000 and 10,000 became 3 companies of 100. You’re looking at a guy who does not want to go home!  I want to see the victory that God has for mankind done through my life.

You do not need a passport to touch the hurting – just passion!

The hurting, the hungry, the homeless, the hopeless – they reside within a few miles of all we see and know!