Live a Life of Distinction

Larry (not his real name) lived across the street during high school. We played on the golf team together, but Larry was a much better golfer. After I trusted Christ, I share the good news with Larry. He called me soon afterward and said, “Mark, I placed my faith in Christ and am so excited. Can I see you?”

I couldn’t wait to see Larry. I lived off campus. Larry knocked on my door, and we talked awhile. “Let’s go to a park and share our faith,” Larry said. “Sounds like a great idea,” I said.

Larry and his father were very close. A few weeks later, Larry called me. “I shared the gospel with my father and he said I’m too fanatical about my faith. Our family doesn’t believe like that. I don’t want my father mad at me!” That’s the last time I heard from Larry.

Sociologists Christian Smith and Melinda Lundquist Denton wrote in their book, Soul Searching, that many people live what they call, Moralistic Therapeutic Deism. Faith is reduced to rules for a happy life, religion is a self-help tool, and God is a removed and distant being. This religion won’t offend anyone.

How can we live a life of distinction so we stay consistent in the midst of persecution while drawing non-believers to Christ?

1. Exploit God-provided situations
One of the Pharisee leaders watched Jesus closely when He asked, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?" Jesus healed a man suffering from dropsy. He reasoned that you would pull a son or ox out of a well on the Sabbath (Luke 14:1-6). Minister to needs that come across your path.

2. Humble yourself Jesus spoke a parable to invited guests after noticing they picked places of honor at the table. Instead, He told them to sit in the last place so the master may say, 'Friend, move up higher', resulting in honor instead of disgrace. "For everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, and he who humbles himself shall be exalted" (Luke 14:7-11). Humble yourself to be exalted.

3. Spend time with the needy Jesus told the host not to invite his friends, brothers, relatives or rich neighbors, lest they invite him in return. When giving a reception, invite the poor, crippled, lame and blind to be blessed since they can’t repay. Wait for payment at the resurrection of the righteous (Luke 14:12-14). Spend time with the poor, crippled, lame and blind.

4. Leave your comfort zone
Jesus shared another parable about a man who invited many to a big dinner. They made various excuses why they couldn't come: oversaw a piece of land, tried out five yoke of oxen, and married a wife. The master told his slave to go immediately into the streets and bring in the poor, crippled, blind and lame. After finding there was still room, the master said to "go out into the highways and along the hedges and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled." None invited shall taste of His dinner (Luke 14:15-24). Leave your comfort zone so the poor, crippled, blind and lame can experience a personal relationship with Christ.

5. Make Christ your first love
To be a disciple, one’s love for Christ is like hate for family and his own life. Being a disciple involves carrying a cross. Count the cost to become a disciple like building a tower or being strong enough to win in battle. Put possessions in proper perspective. Not paying the price of discipleship results in being tasteless and ineffective (Luke 14:25-35). Make Christ your first love in order to influence others.

Action Steps:
1. Do I minister to needs that come across my path or walk on the other side to avoid them?
2. Am I humble not expecting attention or exalt myself to feel important?
3. Do I spend time with the poor, crippled, blind and lame (either physically or spiritually) or only hang out with important and beautiful people?
4. Do I leave my comfort zone to help the poor, crippled, blind and lame experience a personal relationship with God or hide away at home, in my office or church building?
5. Do I pay the price in loving Christ more than other things or love other things more than Christ?

I will repent of my sin, ask God to change my heart, and obey Him doing what’s listed first in each question.

I led a Bible study during the lunch hour with office and blue-collar workers at a manufacturing firm. We studied Old Testament covenants and how Christ fulfilled them in Matthew. Management decided the office staff and production workers should have separate lunch breaks at different times.

I asked Joe, a friend from church, “How would you like to lead a Bible study for other welders and assembly workers on the production floor?”

“I’ve never done anything like that, Mark” Joe said.

“I would be glad to train you. You might be amazed how God could use you,” Mark said.

“Ok, let me give it a try!” Joe said.

God’s kingdom came to this company as production workers trusted Christ. During their 15-minute morning and afternoon breaks, God’s word was discussed. In the evenings, Joe repaired many workers’ motorcycles at his home. He shared the gospel with many coming to faith in Christ.

Christ compared the kingdom of God to a mustard seed (smallest of all seeds) and leaven (obscure material) that grows like a tree, and expands bread from the inside out, respectively.

1. Acknowledge God’s design
Neither the Galileans’ blood Pilate inter-mingled with the Roman sacrifices nor the 18 killed when the Siloam tower collapsed were greater sinners than those still alive. Unless you repent, you will also perish. For three years, a fig tree didn’t produce fruit. If a tree didn’t bear fruit in four years with fertilizer around it, he cut it down (Luke 13:1-9). Acknowledge God’s design of circumstances so people repent of sin and bear fruit.

2. Help others experience freedom in Christ
A woman bent double for 18 years with sickness stood erect when Jesus laid hands on her. A Sabbath healing upset a synagogue official. Jesus said he was hypocritical. Shouldn't a daughter of Abraham be released from Satan's bonds? All His opponents were humiliated and a multitude rejoiced over the glorious things done by Jesus (Luke 13:10-17). Help others experience freedom in Jesus by releasing people from Satan's bonds.

3. Facilitate the spread of God’s kingdom
Jesus compared the kingdom of God to a mustard seed that grew and became a tree. The kingdom of God is also like leaven that a woman hid in meal until it was leavened (Luke 13:18-21). Facilitate the spread of God’s kingdom from small beginnings to impact a person from the inside out.

4. Experience God’s kingdom
When someone asked if just a few are saved, Jesus said to enter by the narrow door since many seek to enter without success. Those who know God's will eat and drink with Christ. Those left out will experience weeping and gnashing of teeth (Luke 13:22-30). Experience God's kingdom by trusting Christ and doing God’s will.

5. Patiently await Christ’s return
The Pharisees told Christ to leave since Herod wanted to kill Him. Jesus said His goal was to cast out demons and perform cures until His death and resurrection. Christ expressed sorrow over people rejecting and not seeing Him until His Second Coming (Luke 13:31-35). Patiently await Christ’s return when He sets up His kingdom.

The following principles show how God's kingdom grows:
1. Repent of your sin and personally receive His death and resurrection.
2. Bear fruit by accepting God’s rule in your life.
3. Be God’s agent releasing people from bondage to Satan so they experience freedom from the inside out.
4. Begin small with simple gospel conversations and see God's kingdom spread in your sphere of influence.

Archives

Categories