The Privilege of Changing a Life

[pgjohnson]

As Christians we have so many opportunities to change lives. In fact, I really believe that’s our main purpose as Christians; to have in impact and influence peoples lives. If were not doing that, than what makes us different than anyone else? As most of you know, we are celebrating our 25th year in ministry this year. And as I look back on those 25 years of ministry I think of all the lives that have been changed and what a privilege it has been to be used by God. I get no greater joy than when I directly play a part in someone’s life being changed. And so in saying that, I want to challenge you this week. There is no where in the Word of God that says only pastors get to change lives. In fact it says something quite different. The Word says my job as a pastor is to equip YOU for the work of the ministry. That means that you are called to change lives!!! I’m called to teach you HOW to do it, and you are called to DO it!! Our church and our ministry is based on this simple principle: Love God and Love People. All throughout the Old Testament God established laws and commandments that you had to live by. Don’t steal, don’t commit adultery, don’t lie, don’t do this and don’t do that. Do this, this way and do this that way, ect. Then Jesus came and the Word says he didn’t destroy the law, but He fulfilled the law. And Jesus said something regarding the law and commandments that is going to change your thinking. Grab a hold of this my brothers and sisters. In Mathew 22 a lawyer, in an attempt to trick Jesus, asked Him out of all the commandments that God had established which one was the greatest. And this was Jesus’ answer. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as you love yourself. On these two commandments hang ALL the law and the prophets”. Did you catch it?? Jesus says the two greatest commandments in all the Bible are, Love God and Love People. And then He goes on to say that on those two commandments hang all the law and the prophets, or in other words, ‘if you obey these two commandments, then your obey ALL of them’. If you are loving God and Loving people then you’ll never steal. If you are loving God and loving people than you’ll never commit adultery on you spouse. If you are loving God and loving people than you won’t ever lie. Do you see it? If we are loving God and loving people then we don’t have to worry about all the other things because they are fulfilled by loving God and loving people. And when we are loving people, then we are changing lives. A simple act of showing love towards someone could radically change their life. Think about it!!! What an amazing thing!! We have the privilege of changing lives. And I can guarantee you that there is no better feeling than when you have changed a life. Try it! The greatest part about it is that when you do love God and love people first in your life, then the blessings of obedience come into play and every part of your life becomes blessed.

You may be saying “Pastor, I don’t know what I can do to have an impact in someone’s life…” Well that’s easy. Start a small group. Start a small group, because then you become a leader and that ‘title’, if you will, automatically gives you influence in the lives of the people that are in your small group. Leadership is influence. I don’t know about you but I want to spend the rest of my life loving God and loving people and having an impact on people and influence in people’s lives.

Alright, that’s all I got for you this week. I’m traveling this week, but leave me any comments or questions and I’ll get back to them as I have time. I hope this is challenging you and making you a stronger and better person. Theresa and I love you and believe in you, that you will walk in you purpose and destiny in Christ. Have a great rest of your week.

Blessings,