9.30.8 "Jesus for Sale"

"Jesus for Sale"

Isaiah 60:1-62:6
Philippians 1:27-2:18
Psalm 72:1-20
Proverbs 24:11-12

Isaiah 60:1-2 says, "Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you. Darkness as black as night shall cover all the peoples of the earth, but the glory of the Lord will shine from you. All nations will come to your light; might kings will come to see your radiance."

We are the light of the world. How brightly do we shine? An interesting thing is that we are a product of our environment. I once heard the story of a Russian girl Oxana Malaya. At the age of 3, her alcoholic parents left her out in the yard, and she found shelter with a pack of dogs. Five years later, the neighbors reported what was going on. When found she barked like a dog, ate like a dog and ran around on all fours. She was a product of her environment. She looks at life based on her experience.

To be the light of the world, we must put ourselves in an environment where we become "light". In order for that to happen, we must be in the presence of God so that when we're in the world, we shine as one who's been with Jesus.

Unfortunately, the Christian culture of our nation has become a more "capitalistic" approach. We look at life with a "marketing" perspective. We buy dish soap because it makes you skinny and beautiful... at least that's what the commercial shows. We market ourselves. We sell ourself by resume and by image. "Presentation" is everything. This spills into how we attempt to be the light of the world.

We know we have a Mission to Reach our World for Christ. What happens? We often fall into the trap of "marketing" Jesus. How do we do this? With this message: Come to Jesus and all your problems will go away. Instead of being the light, we "market" the light.

I've mentioned this quote from Erwin McManus before: "Jesus didn't come to solve the world's problems. He came to change lives. Through changed lives the world's problems are solved."

In this life there WILL be trials. But as James 1 tells us, it's through these trials that Christ transforms us into who he wants us to be. Our objective is not to be problem free. Our objective is to allow Christ to work in our life and change us and mold us. Then we can handle ANY storm that comes our way. We wont live without storms.

What's the danger of the "marketing campaign"? When we present that "Jesus is the way to the easy life" those who come to Christ are confused. As soon as a trial comes they call "tech support". "Hey, I want my money back! This isn't easy!"

Philippians 2:14-16 says "In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing, so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of people who are crooked and stubborn. Shine out among them like beacon lights, holding out to them the Word of Life."

We can only live that way as the Spirit transforms us. We don't have to conjure up a marketing campaign. We just have to allow him to make us into who he's created us to be.

It's dark out there? Exactly. That's the point. You're the light. I've said this before, but I get tired of Christians who complain about sinners sinning. What are they supposed to do? They have no light. As we become the people God has created us to be we're going to see the darkness fade.

If we will be who we are supposed to be, others can become who God wants them to be. Live as one responsible for the light, because you are. Let the light of Jesus shine through your life. You don't have to put Jesus on a billboard. Put his presence on you. You are the best commercial. People will come to Christ because they want what you have. They want to be like you. If they don't, it's because they don't want what you have. They don't want to be like you.

Live as Children of the Light!


Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

P Greg


Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ