Right Here…Right Now

Right Here…Right Now

2004029

Topic # 0560

Introduction:

A. Americans know for dreaming big things & achieving big things.

1. 100 yrs ago – Wilbur & Orville Wright – flew airplane. Never could have imagined how much their invention would change the world.

2. 1960 – John Kennedy – moonshot by end of 1960’s.

3. List goes on & on for accomplishments & great things we’ve accomplished in this country – because of our freedom.

B. What are your dreams?

1. Reach for stars & grasp them – what will you catch?

2. Think of person(s) you love most in this life. What great thing would you give them?

3. Think of our society. If you could change one thing – what would it be?

C. Dreams are good things.

1. they give us something to work toward.

2. they give us great personal joy.

3. they can inspire us to think, hope, and uplift those around us.

D. But…sometimes we are content to do little but dream.

1. we may think if we dream big dreams – the right here & right now doesn’t matter.

2. we may possess wonderful desires that come from those big dreams – but must not think that this is all that matters.

3. You see…we can deceive ourselves.

a) we think we can impress God, if we do something big…something important.

b) We can deceive ourselves into thinking what impresses humans impresses God.

E. Not saying don’t big dreams for God & God’s purposes.

1. but…begin those dreams by doing what you can in your life…right here right now.

I. Serve God NOW with what you have.

A. FC Palestine:

1. poor nation full of very poor people. Jesus: from a poor, obscure family in the poorest of regions in the country. Poverty rampant.

2. no electricity, electric/gas stoves, refrigerators, no indoor plumbing, no indoor running water, no hot water, no showers.

3. we would consider their lives VERY crude. No health & beauty aids.

4. NOTHING that even remotely resembles the things in our lives that we take for granted!

B. Now…listen to two passages in light of the culture & society in which Jesus lived.

1. Mt. 10:40-42

2. Mk. 9:38-41

C. Jesus had to constantly remind his disciples not to:

1. dream of grandeur b/c they followed Him.

2. focus on what wealthy people would do for them.

3. focus on position & power.

D. He worked hard from beginning to end of His ministry to teach them:

1. earthly wealth & prosperity are not the things that impress God.

2. that God is not impressed when people say:

a) look at that person…he’s really important.

b) Look at who that person is…where he’s at.

c) These things do not impress God.

3. God not impressed w/wealth or the lifestyle that wealth produces.

4. God not impressed w/human power!

E. Focus again on Mt. 10:42; Mk. 9:41. What is God impressed with?

1. the person who demonstrates his faith by doing what he can with what he has at that moment.

2. if they are so poor; powerless that all they have is a cup of cold water to give a thirsty person…

3. God notices & doesn’t forget.

F. Did the disciples get it?

1. Mk. 9:30-34; Lk. 9:46

2. dreamed of Jesus being physical king over a physical nation. They wanted positions of authority over other men.

3. Even night before Jesus’ death – they failed to get the point w/Jesus washing their feet.

4. not fully grasp this till after His death.

II. Cup of Cold Water Principle Illustrated.

A. Philemon. Book illustrates principle very well.

1. Onesimus, a slave & Philemon, his owner.

2. in some way, salve had become useless to his master (1:11).

a) some believe Onesimus fled to Rome where Paul would intercede on his behalf.

b) While in Rome, Paul converted him.

c) Then Paul sent him back – w/a letter for Philemon to receive him back.

3. Notable thing:

a) 1:2 – church met in Philemon’s home.

b) 1:5 – Philemon had a great reputation.

c) 1:10-16 – Paul wanted Philemon to receive Onesimus back in as a brother in the flesh & the Lord.

B. Philemon: a prosperous man. Able to do great & wonderful things.

1. Paul does not ask him to use power, prestige, or anything that society would be impressed with.

2. just forgive a slave. Demonstrate love & faithfulness as a Christian.

C. Mt. 25:31-46 – Jesus speaks about judgment.

1. what will play a role in our salvation?

2. the things we do right here right now!

a) 25:35-36

b) those who are saved did what they could when the need arose!

c) 25:40

III. We must focus on what we actually have & ways we can actually serve.

A. Quick to dismiss ourselves.

1. I’m not that knowledgable in the scriptures.

2. I’m still struggling with things spiritually speaking … how can I make a difference?

3. I havne’t been a Christian that long…what can I do?

4. I don’t have the financial resources to help out..

B. Sometimes we see things that overwhelm us. We convince ourselves that our help would be less than significant.

1. too often we believe the significance & the meaning of our acitivities depends on completely resolving a need or destroying a problem.

a) we feel that if we cannot produce a permanent solution we are powerless.

b) If I can’t allievate your hunger indefinitely – then there is no point in feeding you a meal.

c) How often do we shy away from helping someone learn about God because we feel we don’t know enough about the bible?

2. And so…regret becomes an acceptable substitute for inaction.

a) I’m sorry…I wish I could do something…

b) This is no justification for inactivity.

C. 1 John 3:17-18

IV. Some very personal applications.

A. What are your spiritual plans for the next few months? Years?

1. someone: I plan on doing something big for God!

2. Great! I want to see you succeed!

3. But…how are you serving God RIGHT NOW?

B. Someone: I’d like to go on a mission trip sometime.

1. Great! I hope you can go help people find the gospel!

2. But…how are you serving God RIGHT NOW?

C. It is easier to plan to do great things for God “way out there” and “way off” than it is to serve God’s purposes right here in my life right now.

D. Kids: How FOR GOD are you showing your parents love & respect RIGHT NOW?

E. Parents: How FOR GOD are you showing your children love & respect RIGHT NOW?

F. Husbands? Wives? Elders? Deacons? Members of this church?

G. Don’t stop dreaming about big things! Set large goals for God & go out & let Him help you achieve His purposes through you!

1. let God use you as He sees fit!

2. John 12:26

Conclusion:

A. It is easier to show God’s love & your love for people “way out there” that you do not know than it is to show God’s love to people right here that you do know.

1. if we are going to let God shine in our lives – start out by letting God influence our lives right here right now w/people who are a part of our lives.

2. if all you have to help those people is a cup of cold water – then give the thirsty a cup of water!

B. If we are going to declare to the world how God has changed our lives – no where should it be more evident than in the way we live/respect the people closest to us.

C. What about your life…right here….right now? Are you living your life for God?

D. If not, why not?

E. I N V I T A T I O N



Right Here…Right Now 2004029 Topic # 0560 Introduction: A. Americans know for dreaming big things & achieving big things. 1. 100 yrs ago – Wilbur & Orville Wright – flew airplane. Never could have imagined how much their invention would change the world. 2. 1960 – John Kennedy – moonshot by end of 1960’s. 3. List goes on & on for accomplishments & great things we’ve accomplished in this country – because of our freedom. B. What are your dreams? 1. Reach for stars & grasp them – what will you catch? 2. Think of person(s) you love most in this life. What great thing would you give them? 3. Think of our society. If you could change one thing – what would it be? C. Dreams are good things. 1. they give us something to work toward. 2. they give us great personal joy. 3. they can inspire us to think, hope, and uplift those around us. D. But…sometimes we are content to do little but dream. 1. we may think if we dream big dreams – the right here & right now doesn’t matter. 2. we may possess wonderful desires that come from those big dreams – but must not think that this is all that matters. 3. You see…we can deceive ourselves. a) we think we can impress God, if we do something big…something important. b) We can deceive ourselves into thinking what impresses humans impresses God. E. Not saying don’t big dreams for God & God’s purposes. 1. but…begin those dreams by doing what you can in your life…right here right now. I. Serve God NOW with what you have. A. FC Palestine: 1. poor nation full of very poor people. Jesus: from a poor, obscure family in the poorest of regions in the country. Poverty rampant. 2. no electricity, electric/gas stoves, refrigerators, no indoor plumbing, no indoor running water, no hot water, no showers. 3. we would consider their lives VERY crude. No health & beauty aids. 4. NOTHING that even remotely resembles the things in our lives that we take for granted! B. Now…listen to two passages in light of the culture & society in which Jesus lived. 1. Mt. 10:40-42 2. Mk. 9:38-41 C. Jesus had to constantly remind his disciples not to: 1. dream of grandeur b/c they followed Him. 2. focus on what wealthy people would do for them. 3. focus on position & power. D. He worked hard from beginning to end of His ministry to teach them: 1. earthly wealth & prosperity are not the things that impress God. 2. that God is not impressed when people say: a) look at that person…he’s really important. b) Look at who that person is…where he’s at. c) These things do not impress God. 3. God not impressed w/wealth or the lifestyle that wealth produces. 4. God not impressed w/human power! E. Focus again on Mt. 10:42; Mk. 9:41. What is God impressed with? 1. the person who demonstrates his faith by doing what he can with what he has at that moment. 2. if they are so poor; powerless that all they have is a cup of cold water to give a thirsty person… 3. God notices & doesn’t forget. F. Did the disciples get it? 1. Mk. 9:30-34; Lk. 9:46 2. dreamed of Jesus being physical king over a physical nation. They wanted positions of authority over other men. 3. Even night before Jesus’ death – they failed to get the point w/Jesus washing their feet. 4. not fully grasp this till after His death. II. Cup of Cold Water Principle Illustrated. A. Philemon. Book illustrates principle very well. 1. Onesimus, a slave & Philemon, his owner. 2. in some way, salve had become useless to his master (1:11). a) some believe Onesimus fled to Rome where Paul would intercede on his behalf. b) While in Rome, Paul converted him. c) Then Paul sent him back – w/a letter for Philemon to receive him back. 3. Notable thing: a) 1:2 – church met in Philemon’s home. b) 1:5 – Philemon had a great reputation. c) 1:10-16 – Paul wanted Philemon to receive Onesimus back in as a brother in the flesh & the Lord. B. Philemon: a prosperous man. Able to do great & wonderful things. 1. Paul does not ask him to use power, prestige, or anything that society would be impressed with. 2. just forgive a slave. Demonstrate love & faithfulness as a Christian. C. Mt. 25:31-46 – Jesus speaks about judgment. 1. what will play a role in our salvation? 2. the things we do right here right now! a) 25:35-36 b) those who are saved did what they could when the need arose! c) 25:40 III. We must focus on what we actually have & ways we can actually serve. A. Quick to dismiss ourselves. 1. I’m not that knowledgable in the scriptures. 2. I’m still struggling with things spiritually speaking … how can I make a difference? 3. I havne’t been a Christian that long…what can I do? 4. I don’t have the financial resources to help out.. B. Sometimes we see things that overwhelm us. We convince ourselves that our help would be less than significant. 1. too often we believe the significance & the meaning of our acitivities depends on completely resolving a need or destroying a problem. a) we feel that if we cannot produce a permanent solution we are powerless. b) If I can’t allievate your hunger indefinitely – then there is no point in feeding you a meal. c) How often do we shy away from helping someone learn about God because we feel we don’t know enough about the bible? 2. And so…regret becomes an acceptable substitute for inaction. a) I’m sorry…I wish I could do something… b) This is no justification for inactivity. C. 1 John 3:17-18 IV. Some very personal applications. A. What are your spiritual plans for the next few months? Years? 1. someone: I plan on doing something big for God! 2. Great! I want to see you succeed! 3. But…how are you serving God RIGHT NOW? B. Someone: I’d like to go on a mission trip sometime. 1. Great! I hope you can go help people find the gospel! 2. But…how are you serving God RIGHT NOW? C. It is easier to plan to do great things for God “way out there” and “way off” than it is to serve God’s purposes right here in my life right now. D. Kids: How FOR GOD are you showing your parents love & respect RIGHT NOW? E. Parents: How FOR GOD are you showing your children love & respect RIGHT NOW? F. Husbands? Wives? Elders? Deacons? Members of this church? G. Don’t stop dreaming about big things! Set large goals for God & go out & let Him help you achieve His purposes through you! 1. let God use you as He sees fit! 2. John 12:26 Conclusion: A. It is easier to show God’s love & your love for people “way out there” that you do not know than it is to show God’s love to people right here that you do know. 1. if we are going to let God shine in our lives – start out by letting God influence our lives right here right now w/people who are a part of our lives. 2. if all you have to help those people is a cup of cold water – then give the thirsty a cup of water! B. If we are going to declare to the world how God has changed our lives – no where should it be more evident than in the way we live/respect the people closest to us. C. What about your life…right here….right now? Are you living your life for God? D. If not, why not? E. I N V I T A T I O N