Be the One!

I'm catching up on some "what I learned at church" posts today! This sermon was given at my church, not by my pastor, but my one of our church member's named Matt. Matt moved his entire family to TX from Missouri, because he believe God had called him to plant a church in Texas. They didn't know anyone here and made a huge step of faith to do that. Around the same time, Lifepoint (our church) was getting off the ground and Matt felt it was best to come join our church. So, he has filled in several times preaching when our pastor, Jeff, has been unable to.

We started off by talking about the bumblebee and how it's wings seem way too small to fly, but he doesn't know that. What if someone had told him he wasn't made to be able to fly and so he just never tried. He would have missed out on being able to fly. Jesus said that He came so that we may have life and have it to the full (John 10:10). What lies have you believed? We are supposed to have a great life, not suffer through it. We may have circumstances or addictions and we think we're stuck. But we are God's creations, created to live a great life. HIS word says yes, even when people say no. We should listen to God's promises.

We looked at the story of the 10 guys with leprosy in Luke 17. Their lives were turned upside down with this disease. It was contagious, with no cure, and it's effects were devastating. What is your leprosy? What is sucking the life out of you? What obstacles are keeping you from living a great life right now? Fill in the blank _______________

There are 3 lessons we need to learn.

1. Call on God FIRST. In Luke 17, these guys knew Jesus was their only hope. Sometimes, we will ask everyone else what to do before we ask God. Psalm 55:22 says to cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you. It doesn't say He'll take the problems away. It says He will give us the perfect measure of grace and strength to sustain us. There may be a lesson you need to learn from your problems. Call on God first.

2. Take a step of FAITH. Jesus didn't heal these guys right on the spot. In Luke 17:14, he tells them to GO, show yourselves to the priests. He didn't give them an option. They had to be obedient, even though healing wasn't guaranteed. They didn't question Him; they obeyed. Maybe Jesus is telling you what to do, but you don't want to obey. As they went, they were cleansed. Only in obedience were they healed. You demonstrate your faith by walking in obedience. What is God asking you to do?

3. Be the ONE! Out of all 10 men who were healed, only one of them came back and threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him. Be the one who is so thankful that you are all in. "The world has yet to see what God will do with and for and through and in and by the man who is fully consecrated to Him." (Henry Varley) Jesus was the ONE. He had a choice, but He gave His life for us. Are you going to be the one who gives everything?