Clicked Into Others

Alex Hardt    The Altitude of Gratitude, Clicked Into Others on November 20, 2022

Pastor Alex and Pastor Damon gave us a sober reminder this Sunday from Ezekiel 33:2-7.  Did you identify with the watchman? Do you see yourself as one who is a herald for Jesus?  The passage was clear that if we know there is trouble coming and don’t take heed ourselves then the destruction is ours to bear.  If however, we see trouble coming and do not shout a warning to others of the coming destruction then their deaths are on us and God will hold us accountable. 

As a culture we like to think of ourselves as independent and the masters of our own destiny.  The truth for every believer is that we are inter-related to one another in love because of Christ’s love for us.  He loved us first as Romans 5:8 tells us, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  Christ specifically commissioned us to tell others and love them.

​John 13:34-35 ““A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” 

You many ask, what does love have to do with it?  If you know something is going to happen to a love one, then you act and try to prevent it, right?  God tells us that each and every believer is a loved one of His and we are to act in love towards them.  He also includes non-believers.  We are to act differently from the world and love them, show them grace and give them the message of salvation.

Romans 10:16-17 remind us, “But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”    We have to tell them about Jesus and His love and sacrifice for all. 

Pastor Alex reminded us that refusing to open your mouth and tell others is considered by God an Act of Rebellion.  It sounds like the child that whines, why me Lord?  Why do I have to tell them?  Why do I have to warn them that “the wages of sin is death” Romans 3:23 and that “ Jesus is the way and no one comes to God except through Him”  John 14:6.  Can’t someone else tell them, I’m busy, I don’t like them, they are mean to me, they aren’t worth it….. Jesus’ answer, is NO!  It is your privilege to tell them about me because you LOVE ME and I LOVE You and I Dwell within you!  Jesus empowers us to tell others and gives us the words and love for them.

This Thanksgiving be bold and speak of the love of Jesus to those around your table.  Tell them of what Jesus has done for you and continues to do each and every day.  Let them know and see your love for Jesus.  I spoke at the memorial for my best friend earlier this year.  The line that God gave me to repeat was, “My friend Joan loved Jesus”.  It was evident in how she spoke and acted.  Words of praise and encouragement were on her lips and she loved to talk about her Savior. She loved Jesus.  What about you? What is on your lips- words of praise and thanksgiving or words of discouragement and selfishness?  If you love Jesus, it will be easy to speak about Him and what He’s done for you.  Damon exemplified this in the story he shared about the job he miraculously got at Safeway that allowed him to share his new faith and new found love for Jesus with others. 

Remember Psalm 107:2 “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
    whom he has redeemed from trouble”

SERMON LINK
The Altitude of Gratitude | Climbing the Relationship Mountain
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Sermon series, "The Altitude of Gratitude" Today Alex and Damon teaches from Ezekiel 33:2-7

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