So it’s been quite some time since I’ve done the speaking part at any type of event. Normally I’m the worship leader and I may speak in between songs or pray before the speaker or pastor comes up, but it’s been over 3 years since I’ve been the one who speaks. Well this morning I led worship for Cartersville High School’s first FCA meeting AND spoke. Scary…I know. And here’s how it went down:
// Setlist //
Happy Day (Tim Hughes)
Your Grace is Enough (Chris Tomlin)
Mighty to Save (Hillsong)
// Message //
Well, I only had a few minutes to share so I will share it with you and try to be brief. I told a story about the New Orleans area when Hurricane Katrina devasted most of the city. A volunteer was driving around the city and helping everywhere he could. As he turned his Jeep around a corner, he saw a little boy with his nose pressed up against a window. Curious, the man drove that way to investigate. He found the little boy nearly drooling over some donuts. As he looked at the boy’s clothes and how dirty he was, he realized this boy was most likely homeless and maybe even orphaned. So the man got out of his Jeep and walked up to the little boy and asked, “Would you like some of those donuts?” “Oh, yes sir!” the little boy replied excitely. The man went inside and bought him a dozen donuts. He came back outside and with a big smile, handed the boy the bag of donuts. As the man was walking away the little boy asked, “Mister, are you Jesus?”
When was the last time someone mistook you for being like Jesus?
For students, it’s a brand new school year. You’re going to meet new friends, new teachers, and you’ll have new classes. And most of the people in the school are going to focus on being the best football player, the best cheerleader, the most popular, have the hottest boyfriend or the hottest girlfriend, have the most friends, or go to the coolest parties. But what would our schools look like if the students decided that instead they were going to be like Jesus this year. What would your school look like? For adults, for others, what would your job look like? What would your family look like? What would YOU look like…if you decided that each and every day you were going to strive to look like Jesus?
In Ephesians 5 it says, “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thankgiving…For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth)…Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is…Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Heavenly Father, I ask you right now to teach us how to be imitators of you. Lord I pray that as the students return to their schools, and as others in their jobs, I pray that people will mistake us for being like Jesus. And when we are around others, let our love overflow and be so evident, that people will know we’ve been with you. Teach us, Father, to be imitators of you and to show this dying world the truest love they can ever experience, Your love. In Your name I pray, amen.
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