"GOD'S PEOPLE IN A GODLESS WORLD"

September 18         God’s People in a Godless World  Philippians 1:8-11

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:8-11)

**We will re-open church services on Sunday, September 27, 2020. 11:00 service with safety procedures in place (Wear Masks, Wait 6’ Apart, Wash Your Hands).**

Everyone who has been around church life for any length of time; has heard the stories of witnessing to folks and their response is, “Well, I am just as good as those church folks.  They are all hypocrites and I am not going to be a part of that crowd!” This very thing happened on Monday afternoon.  I was attempting to share the Love of Jesus with a gentleman, that most of us know, and he shut me down quickly!  “I have heard it all before and I have seen what comes out of your church and I want no part of it!”  What was I to say?  So I regrouped and said, “Well, at least, let me buy you a soft drink!”  He agreed and we sat together and we talked about his grandchildren and how things are getting terrible in the world.  As the conversation centered on the depraved and sinful world, I gently eased the conversation in the direction of Jesus.  I told him that I was concerned about the kind of society that our granddaughter was going to experience, if God continued to allow this world to stand.  That seemed to soften his thoughts and lower his wall of resistance, so I told him that I was sharing with Ava, the plan of salvation and teaching her about His saving Grace.  I told him that she has told me that Jesus is in her heart and that she is sure about her relationship with Him, at 6 years old!  I could tell that he was thinking hard about it!  Gently, I shared the Love of Jesus with him, using his grandchildren as the softening agent.  We said our “Good-byes,” and agreed to do this again.  As I was driving home, I began to consider why he was so adamant about not hearing God’s word.  As believers, we must LIVE OUR LIVES MORE CONSECRATED TO GOD’S CALLING. Folks need to see Jesus in our words and actions!  As believers, we MUST HAVE A DEEPER DEVOTIONAL PRAYER LIFE!  When we are focused on God’s purpose and His will for us, we are going to be a proper reflection of His Love and Purpose!  As believers, we MUST HAVE A MISSIONARY/REVIVAL ZEAL IN OUR LIVING!  Under the Saving Grace of Jesus, we are to claim the responsibility to share Jesus and to live His love before this lost world!  I am satisfied that Jesus is coming soon and we need to be about the Father’s business.  Every one of us that have been truly saved by God’s Grace, are in various stages of growth, however, our number one goal, our main objective should be to share Jesus and to LIVE OUR LIVES SO THAT IT REPRESENTS THE CAUSE AND PURPOSE OF JESUS!!  It all boils down to FOCUS and COMMITMENT!  What are you focusing on?  What are you committed to?  Do you prioritize your actions, your thoughts and your words?  Are they focused on your REAL PURPOSE?  Paul wrote to the Philippian Church about what they should be about… “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.” When we take our commitment seriously and surrender our all to God, then we will represent our Savior, to this EVIL world, with His Love and His Grace and His Redeeming Power!  Folks, PLEASE TAKE YOUR COMMITMENT SERIOUSLY AND REPRESENT OUR GOD THE WAY THAT HE INTENDED!!  I pray that we will work the works of HIM who saved us, because the time draws near when we will no longer be able to share His Love with Lost Family, Friends and this world!  BE REAL, BE TRUE, BE COMMITTED, BE FOCUSED and BE WHAT GOD HAS ORDAINED FOR YOU TO BE!!!  Remember, when you are TOTALLY SURRENDERED and COMPLETELY WALKING IN OBEDIENCE TO HIS CALLING, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BE A STUMBLING BLOCK TO OTHERS AROUND YOU!!  Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!