Last night in our college group we talked about impacting other people. One of the things that kept coming up is "the ripple effect." The basic idea is that what we do is like throwing a rock in the middle of pond. The ripples go out from where the rock lands and they affect the things around them.
Paul wrote the church in Colosse, "And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father." (Colossians 3:17)
It is important that everything we do represents Jesus well, because it all has influence. Everytime we interact with someone, what we do will either draw them closer to Jesus or push them away from Jesus. Even the small things like the words we speak and the way we act will tell people a lot about our character.
People will "listen" a lot more to our actions than they will listen to our words. Our lifestyle must be consistant with our message. The apostle John wrote, "Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Christ did." (1 John 2:6) We can't just talk the talk, we must walk the walk.
The bottom line is this. If we are going to make a difference for Jesus in this world, our ripples need to be Jesus-like. Jesus Himself said, "You are the light of the world--like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." (Matthew 5:14-16)
When we are willing to live like Jesus and shine for Him, then we will send out ripples that will draw people to Him.
Monday, September 26, 2005
The Ripple Effect
Last night in our college group we talked about impacting other people. One of the things that kept coming up is "the ripple effect." The basic idea is that what we do is like throwing a rock in the middle of pond. The ripples go out from where the rock lands and they affect the things around them.
Paul wrote the church in Colosse, "And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father." (Colossians 3:17)
It is important that everything we do represents Jesus well, because it all has influence. Everytime we interact with someone, what we do will either draw them closer to Jesus or push them away from Jesus. Even the small things like the words we speak and the way we act will tell people a lot about our character.
People will "listen" a lot more to our actions than they will listen to our words. Our lifestyle must be consistant with our message. The apostle John wrote, "Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Christ did." (1 John 2:6) We can't just talk the talk, we must walk the walk.
The bottom line is this. If we are going to make a difference for Jesus in this world, our ripples need to be Jesus-like. Jesus Himself said, "You are the light of the world--like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." (Matthew 5:14-16)
When we are willing to live like Jesus and shine for Him, then we will send out ripples that will draw people to Him.
Paul wrote the church in Colosse, "And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father." (Colossians 3:17)
It is important that everything we do represents Jesus well, because it all has influence. Everytime we interact with someone, what we do will either draw them closer to Jesus or push them away from Jesus. Even the small things like the words we speak and the way we act will tell people a lot about our character.
People will "listen" a lot more to our actions than they will listen to our words. Our lifestyle must be consistant with our message. The apostle John wrote, "Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Christ did." (1 John 2:6) We can't just talk the talk, we must walk the walk.
The bottom line is this. If we are going to make a difference for Jesus in this world, our ripples need to be Jesus-like. Jesus Himself said, "You are the light of the world--like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." (Matthew 5:14-16)
When we are willing to live like Jesus and shine for Him, then we will send out ripples that will draw people to Him.
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Don't just show up
This morning in our teen boys' class we discussed spiritual warfare against sin and temptation. During class we talked about George Patton, the great WWII general. He always planned for battle, down to the smallest detail. The location of every hill. The layout of the land. The best place to fight. Patton would know every aspect of the battle he was about to engage in.
We must be the same in our battle against sin and Satan. So often we just show up and expect to be victorious. We are in a serious battle that requires serious preparation.
Paul wrote, "For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12)
We should never casually approach sin and temptation. We must make decisions every day that put us on a battlefield where you have the advantage.
Struggle with lust? What movies and TV shows are you watching?
Struggle with foul language? What music do you listen to?
Struggle with gossip? Who do you spend time talking to?
Struggle with cheating? What kind of people do you surround yourself with?
Fighting the war against sin is never easy. And one last thought. Never enter battle alone. Find one or more people you trust and have them keep you accountable in your battle. When you enter the battle with someone watching your back you are much less likely to experience a surprise attack.
Shine!
We must be the same in our battle against sin and Satan. So often we just show up and expect to be victorious. We are in a serious battle that requires serious preparation.
Paul wrote, "For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12)
We should never casually approach sin and temptation. We must make decisions every day that put us on a battlefield where you have the advantage.
Struggle with lust? What movies and TV shows are you watching?
Struggle with foul language? What music do you listen to?
Struggle with gossip? Who do you spend time talking to?
Struggle with cheating? What kind of people do you surround yourself with?
Fighting the war against sin is never easy. And one last thought. Never enter battle alone. Find one or more people you trust and have them keep you accountable in your battle. When you enter the battle with someone watching your back you are much less likely to experience a surprise attack.
Shine!
Don't just show up
This morning in our teen boys' class we discussed spiritual warfare against sin and temptation. During class we talked about George Patton, the great WWII general. He always planned for battle, down to the smallest detail. The location of every hill. The layout of the land. The best place to fight. Patton would know every aspect of the battle he was about to engage in.
We must be the same in our battle against sin and Satan. So often we just show up and expect to be victorious. We are in a serious battle that requires serious preparation.
Paul wrote, "For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12)
We should never casually approach sin and temptation. We must make decisions every day that put us on a battlefield where you have the advantage.
Struggle with lust? What movies and TV shows are you watching?
Struggle with foul language? What music do you listen to?
Struggle with gossip? Who do you spend time talking to?
Struggle with cheating? What kind of people do you surround yourself with?
Fighting the war against sin is never easy. And one last thought. Never enter battle alone. Find one or more people you trust and have them keep you accountable in your battle. When you enter the battle with someone watching your back you are much less likely to experience a surprise attack.
Shine!
We must be the same in our battle against sin and Satan. So often we just show up and expect to be victorious. We are in a serious battle that requires serious preparation.
Paul wrote, "For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12)
We should never casually approach sin and temptation. We must make decisions every day that put us on a battlefield where you have the advantage.
Struggle with lust? What movies and TV shows are you watching?
Struggle with foul language? What music do you listen to?
Struggle with gossip? Who do you spend time talking to?
Struggle with cheating? What kind of people do you surround yourself with?
Fighting the war against sin is never easy. And one last thought. Never enter battle alone. Find one or more people you trust and have them keep you accountable in your battle. When you enter the battle with someone watching your back you are much less likely to experience a surprise attack.
Shine!
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