24-0721a Transcript

Preacher: Tom Freed

(1:06) Well, it’s my turn to preach in the rotation.

(1:09) So we don’t have an official preacher. (1:13) And there’s four of us, mainly. (1:15) We take turns once a month, so.

(1:18) Today’s my month. (1:19) If you don’t like how I preach and come next week, somebody else will be preaching, so. (1:23) You might do a better job than me.

(1:28) My sermon is, can one person make a difference? (1:33) So we’re living in crazy times right now. (1:36) It doesn’t take much to figure out that our country and world is in a lot of trouble. (1:42) And even the church.

(1:44) We can see our numbers here. (1:46) Especially after COVID pretty much went in half. (1:49) I know a lot of other churches are like that.

(1:50) But not a lot of people are looking to God for answers, you know. (1:55) Not a lot of people are looking to the Bible. (2:00) This country is quickly becoming spiritually bankrupt, along with inflation, political turmoil, civil unrest, and many other problems.

(2:09) I mean, you can see, every day, you know, there’s something new. (2:14) So there’s a lot of things to worry about, and I’m sure there are many of you, like myself, who have thought (2:20) is there anything I can do to make a change? (2:24) Have you thought to yourself, what can I do to make a difference in the world? (2:28) Have you ever said to yourself, how can I get involved to make a change for the better? (2:35) I’m sure each one of us here has had at least one thought or idea about how you can get involved (2:44) and make some kind of positive impact in your lifetime. (2:47) I know, you know, like I said, we’ve all probably thought about it, had an idea, how to help the church grow, (2:54) how to maybe make a difference in your community or the country.

(3:00) Have you ever wondered what would happen if you really put your mind to it? (3:04) What kind of changes you can make in this world if you really gave it a shot? (3:10) I’m sure many of us have thought about certain things we could do, (3:13) from something as small as talking to our neighbor to as big as a worldwide Christian revolution. (3:21) I would bet many of us have put our heart to do great things for this country, for the church, and especially God. (3:29) But even though we have big hopes and dreams, the problem is most of us talk ourselves out of them before we even get started.

(3:38) Have you ever said to yourself, I would love to get more involved and help fight and make changes in the church, community, or nation, (3:46) but what can I do? I’m only one person. (3:50) I know I’ve thought this, I’m sure many of you have thought, well, the country is messed up. (3:55) You know, the church is struggling and not many people want to be Christians.

(4:00) They’re here for God, but what does it matter? What can I do about it? I can’t make a change. (4:05) I’m only one man or woman. (4:08) Have you thought that it was pointless to even try since you really can’t do much anyways? (4:15) You know, it’s like saying nobody will listen to me.

(4:19) Who am I? (4:21) There’s so much wrong in this country or world for me to really make any kind of difference anyhow. (4:27) Why even bother? (4:30) I know I’ve had thoughts like this myself plenty of times and I’ve talked myself out of doing certain things that I thought could be helpful. (4:39) It’s easy to get down on ourselves and think we can’t do much on our own.

(4:45) But is this the mentality we should have, especially as Christians? (4:50) Is that how God wants us to act? (4:52) Did he create us as weak, pathetic human beings that aren’t capable of much at all? (4:59) I think it’s the exact opposite. (5:02) Each one of us is made by God to do great things. (5:05) Psalm 139, 14.

(5:08) I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (5:12) Marvelous are your works and that my soul knows very well. (5:17) But none of us are here by mistake.

(5:20) We’re all wonderfully made with limitless potential. (5:26) God created us. We’re a great creation.

(5:28) Every single person, every individual is uniquely made. (5:33) We all have talents and gifts we could use for God and many other things. (5:38) So anything is possible with God.

(5:41) Like Roger read, I can do all things through him who gives me strength. (5:48) So many successful people know that if you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything in life. (5:54) Especially as Christians with God on our side.

(5:57) Romans 8, 31. (5:59) What then shall we say in response to these things? (6:03) If God is for us, who can be against us? (6:06) God has a plan for each of us to do great things for him. (6:11) Jeremiah 29, 11.

(6:13) For I know of the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. (6:17) Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. (6:20) Plans to give you hope and future.

(6:25) So many rich, successful people know that they can do anything they put their mind to it. (6:30) Especially, how much more can we do? (6:33) We have God on our side. (6:35) We should be able to do exceedingly more than the world.

(6:39) We’re not made to be weak and cowardly. (6:41) But as Christians, we should be as bold as a lion. (6:45) Proverbs 28, 1. (6:46) The wicked man flees, but no one pursues.

(6:50) But the righteous are as bold as a lion. (6:54) As Christians, we should be bold. (6:57) And teach others about Jesus like Paul did.

(7:00) And also follow our dreams, you know. (7:03) Acts 28, 31. (7:05) Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God.

(7:09) And taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. (7:11) All the apostles in the early church were bold. (7:15) They faced death and persecution every day.

(7:17) Yet we’re scared to talk to our neighbor. (7:20) Or somebody at work because they might make fun of us or look at us different. (7:25) We need to be bold.

(7:26) We need to not have fear. (7:30) Just imagine if every woman that’s ever lived was too scared to follow their dreams and passions and stand up for what is right. (7:39) Imagine how much different the world would be if everybody was scared.

(7:44) And nobody thought they could make a difference or do anything. (7:47) Think about how different this country would be right now if certain people didn’t stand up and fight for change. (7:54) What if Martin Luther King or Rosa Parks didn’t stand up for civil rights like they had? (8:00) Minorities in this country still might be treated like second class citizens if they hadn’t fought for what they believed.

(8:07) Same goes for Abraham Lincoln. (8:09) If he hadn’t fought to make a change and done all he could do, we might still have slavery. (8:16) Who knows how long it would have continued in this country.

(8:20) And what about Thomas Jefferson? (8:22) He was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, which was a founding document of the United States. (8:29) It states that all men are created equal, but they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights. (8:37) And among those are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

(8:41) One of the greatest documents ever written. (8:45) That’s why we’re the greatest country on earth. (8:48) What if he didn’t feel like writing it? (8:49) What if he thought, well, it won’t make a difference anyway? (8:52) The government’s corrupt, and they’ll eventually take away the rights anyhow, as we can see they’re trying to do today.

(9:00) If he didn’t write that, this country might be a very different place. (9:06) What if George Washington felt like he couldn’t make a change for the better, and felt like Britain was too strong and powerful to defeat in battle? (9:15) If he had given up, even after all the military losses, America might not even exist right now. (9:25) What about guys like Winston Churchill? (9:28) What if he had felt like there was nothing he could do as one man, against such a powerful enemy as Hitler and the Nazis? (9:36) If he didn’t take a stand and lead his country through adversity, the outcome of the war could have been different.

(9:42) We all might be speaking German right now. (9:46) Or the Wright Brothers and Henry Ford. (9:49) Without these people and their time and effort, we might not be flying or all have cars.

(9:55) Also, guys like Mahatma Gandhi, who employed non-violent resistance to lead the successful campaign, India’s independence from British rule. (10:06) He inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. (10:11) So I could go on and on, and name hundreds of thousands of people that stood up and made a change to make this world a better place.

(10:20) And they’ve had a huge impact throughout history. (10:24) So seemingly regular people like these can make such a massive change. (10:30) What’s stopping you from doing the same thing? (10:33) The only thing stopping you is the limitations you’ve made for yourself.

(10:39) People like this are examples that you can accomplish anything you put your mind to. (10:45) We can see that there’s plenty of worldly people that have done great things. (10:50) But what about if you have God on your side? (10:52) What about the Christians in the Old Testament and the Jews? (10:58) God’s people.

(10:59) How much more can you do with God helping you? (11:04) Throughout the Bible, there are many examples of people who accomplish great things for the Lord. (11:09) We have amazing potential on our own, but we can accomplish anything with God. (11:15) God does his part, but he expects us to step up at certain times and do our best.

(11:23) The world would look different if some of these great biblical characters just gave up and didn’t think they could make a change. (11:32) We may think we’re too small and insignificant to do anything and change any of the massive problems we face today. (11:40) We may look around and say, well, I can’t do much.

(11:46) You know, this whole country is going down a path of hell. (11:50) We have all this political turmoil. All these things are happening.

(11:55) What can I do? (11:57) I’m just a small, puny human being. (12:00) But the Old Testament people, they didn’t think this way. (12:04) Even the new Christians.

(12:07) We might not be standing here right now if we didn’t have people who stood up for what was right and obeyed God throughout history. (12:17) Can you imagine if Noah said to himself, every single person on earth is evil? (12:23) What is the point? Why should I even try? (12:27) Do

you remember Noah? In his time, every single person in the whole world was evil, except him and his family. (12:34) Genesis 6-5.

(12:37) He saw how bad the world had become. (12:42) And that every inclination of the thought of his heart was only evil all the time. (12:48) We cry and complain how bad it is now.

(12:51) During his time, every thought of people was evil constantly. (12:58) So they had it way worse. (12:59) Look at Sodom and Gomorrah.

(13:01) They had it much worse than we have it. (13:05) God was grieved with humanity and wanted to wipe everyone off the face of the earth. (13:11) But Noah found favor in his eyes.

(13:13) Genesis 6-8. (13:16) The Lord was grieved that he had made man on earth and his heart was filled with pain. (13:21) So the Lord said, I will wipe mankind whom I have created from the face of the earth.

(13:28) Men and animals and creatures that move along the ground. (13:31) And birds of the air. (13:33) For I am grieved that I have made them.

(13:36) But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. (13:40) So that’s just one man. (13:42) You know, the only righteous man on earth at that time.

(13:47) Noah could have given up all hope or joined in the evil deeds around him. (13:52) But he chose not to. (13:55) He did what God told him and built the ark for him and his family.

(13:59) And because of one righteous man, we’re still here today. (14:04) If it wasn’t for him, God might have wiped out every human off the face of the earth. (14:10) Like I said, if it wasn’t for him, we might not be here.

(14:14) It might be the same for you. (14:16) There might be a lot of evil people around you or in this world today. (14:21) But God can look upon you and find favor if you’re doing the right thing.

(14:25) Could you even imagine? (14:30) Only eight people out of everyone in the world that wasn’t constantly thinking and doing evil. (14:37) Just like with Noah, if you’re the only Christian left on earth, there’s no excuse to give up. (14:44) You need to obey God’s word and do what’s right.

(14:48) So there will be no excuse God will accept if you’re not faithful. (14:54) Even if you’re the only person, the only righteous person left. (14:58) Noah did it and so can you.

(15:02) Look at another example of one man making a huge difference. (15:06) And that’s Moses, who’s one of the greatest leaders of God’s people in the Old Testament. (15:13) He wasn’t perfect and had issues like many of us do.

(15:19) That he felt was holding him back from doing great things. (15:22) Exodus 4.10 (15:24) Moses said to the Lord, (15:36) So you can see that he had some issues. (15:41) He felt like he couldn’t speak.

He couldn’t speak up. (15:45) Because of his speech impediment. (15:48) God told him that he would help him out.

(15:51) But Moses still didn’t know. (15:53) Exodus 4.11-13 (16:16) How many times have we thought the same thing? (16:23) Many of us think, oh, I know I should be doing these things to the Lord. (16:28) I know I should be talking to others, making a change.

(16:31) But man, Lord, can you send somebody else to do it? I really don’t want to do it. (16:37) Maybe we don’t feel like we can do a good job. Maybe we’re scared.

(16:42) Maybe we’re just lazy. (16:43) But we say a lot of times the same thing Moses says. (16:47) Send somebody else.

(16:51) If it’s in our heart, and we can read it from God’s word, we should be doing these things. (17:00) Moses wanted him to send somebody else. (17:02) But God knew that Moses was the right man for the job.

(17:07) Just like when Noah was told by God to go and preach to the men of Nineveh. (17:12) He ran away and didn’t want to do it. (17:16) He only changed his mind after being in the belly of the whale for three days.

(17:21) But God has a way of making us do His will. (17:25) He’s not going to probably put us in a whale, but He’ll not just in His own way at times. (17:34) So we can always find an excuse not to step up and do great things for the Lord.

(17:39) You may have something on your heart right now that you know you should be doing, but you keep talking yourself out of it. (17:47) Moses was 80 years old, a murderer. (17:51) Slow of speech and tongue.

(17:53) He didn’t want to lead his people. (17:56) And knew that they might not accept him, but he manned up and went anyway. (18:02) There’s no excuse.

(18:04) He started at 80 to 120. (18:08) So you can’t say, oh I’m too old to do anything. (18:12) He was a murderer.

(18:14) He beat an Egyptian to death with attacking one of his Jewish brothers. (18:23) You know, you have no excuse about your past why you can’t do something. (18:27) He also was slow of speech and tongue.

(18:30) So he had a lot of issues, but he still went. (18:34) He still obeyed God. (18:36) Even if you are not perfect, God, the worst excuse you have is to step up and do great things for the Lord.

(18:46) God expects you to be courageous and do His will. (18:50) Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith.

(18:53) Have courage. Be strong. (18:56) 1 Corinthians 16, 13.

(18:59) The cowardly among others will not inherit the kingdom of God. (19:03) Revelation 21, 8. (19:05) But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, (19:11) those who practice magic arts, the idolaters, and all liars, (19:16) their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. (19:22) This is a second death.

(19:25) So if you are cowardly, if you are scared to do anything, (19:30) you know, you’re in fear of going to hell. (19:33) God didn’t make us to be cowards. We have nothing to fear.

(19:37) What can man do to us? (19:42) With God with us, we should fear nothing. (19:44) Joshua 1, 9. (19:47) If I’m not commanding you, be strong and courageous. (19:51) Do not be terrified.

Do not be discouraged. (19:54) The Lord your God will be everywhere with you where you go. (20:00) So with God’s help, Moses showed up to the most powerful nation in the world at that time.

(20:07) He cast plagues on them and wiped their army from the face of the earth. (20:12) He led God’s people through the wilderness for 40 years (20:15) and gave them the Ten Commandments, (20:18) even though they were stubborn and hard of heart. (20:21) He even spoke to God face to face.

(20:24) Exodus 33, 11. (20:28) The Lord would speak to Moses face to face as a man speaks to his friend. (20:34) So he was in the clouds and he spoke to Moses.

He talked to him. (20:38) He didn’t actually see his face, (20:40) but he spoke to him like he would a friend. (20:44) God even revealed himself to Moses and showed him his backside.

(20:49) That must have been an impressive rear, you know. (20:54) But he’s the only person I’ve heard in the Bible that God revealed himself in that way to him. (21:01) He had to show him his back because he couldn’t show his face (21:05) because if God showed his face to any man, he could not live.

(21:09) Exodus 33, 18-23. (21:15) And Moses said, now show me your glory. (21:17) And the Lord said, I will use all my goodness to pass in front of you.

(21:21) And I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. (21:25) I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. (21:32) He said, you cannot see my face for no one will see my face and live.

(21:37) And the Lord said, there is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. (21:42) When my glory pass by, I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. (21:50) Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back.

(21:54) But my face may not be seen. (21:57) That’s awesome that God revealed himself to Moses. (22:01) Like I said, I can’t think of anybody else that he did that to.

(22:06) So he was close with Moses. (22:08) He had a special relationship with him. (22:12) He did things with Moses that you can’t find him doing with anybody else.

(22:18) And none of that would have happened if Moses was a coward. (22:21) If Moses let himself talk himself out of doing what God wanted him to do. (22:28) He did so many great things for the Lord.

(22:31) And grew so much spiritually that it’s hard to comprehend. (22:35) Just like many of us here at this congregation have been called out to preach and teach and serve and worship. (22:43) Many men in this congregation and women also have grown tremendously in just a few years.

(22:50) I know like Scott mentioned, you know, Jim Lockenbury has grown tremendously in preaching. (22:57) Same with all the other guys. (22:59) We have some guys that seem like professional preachers.

(23:04) Even though none of us really have any schooling or have been trained to preach. (23:12) None of this would have happened if Moses had listened to the voice in his head telling him that he couldn’t do it. (23:21) He wanted God to send somebody else in his place.

(23:25) But God knew he was right for the job. (23:28) Just like with all of you here today, God has a plan for you to do great things and build his kingdom. (23:36) He wants each of us to give our all and do what he commands us.

(23:42) Don’t leave anything on the table. (23:43) We have limitless potential as humans, especially with God on our side. (23:48) We can even move mountains.

(23:49) Mark 11, 23. (23:52) I tell you the truth. (23:53) If anyone says to this mountain, go throw yourself into the sea.

(23:58) And does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. (24:05) So we can move mountains with God. (24:08) You know, we can accomplish anything.

(24:12) So we’re destined to do great things as humans and even more so as Christians. (24:17) History has proven that one person can make a huge difference in the world. (24:24) So it doesn’t matter what age, gender, race, social status, or even if you have a disability of some kind.

(24:34) Like I said earlier, anything is possible with Jesus. (24:40) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (24:45) So don’t ever talk yourself out of doing great things for the world, church, and especially God.

(24:52) We’re here to give him glory and give it our all. (24:57) Just as he has given us everything, not even withholding his own son. (25:01) Romans 8, 32.

(25:03) He did not spare his own son but gave him up for us all. (25:09) How will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (25:14) So God did his part. (25:17) You know, he’s even sent his own son who died for us so that we can be forgiven.

(25:21) He made it easy for us. (25:23) He did all the hard lifting. (25:25) But we still have to do our part.

(25:27) We can’t just sit back and say, oh, God’s going to do everything. (25:31) You know, praying is great, but we also have to do stuff. (25:34) God expects his people throughout time to do their part and work hard.

(25:41) We’re not saved by work, but we’re supposed to work to show our faith, to build our faith. (25:48) You know, if we do nothing and sit back, then our faith is going to slowly disappear and vanish. (25:58) So God gave us our son.

(26:00) He also gives us the free gift of salvation. (26:03) For anyone who accepts it. (26:06) Romans 6, 23.

(26:08) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (26:15) There is no better life in this world than the Christian life. (26:21) The free gift is given to us.

(26:23) All you have to do is obey God and receive it. (26:27) So if you’re not a Christian, if you need our prayers, you can come forward.