 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
You - A Change Agent
THEME: “Lord change me…I will change the world.”
Message: YOU-A CHANGE AGENT
Scripture: “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds” (John 12:24).
“Death to self-seeking is the disciple’s goal.”
Having begun a new year, we face both a brave and daring future. That is to say, in keeping with our theme, on the one hand your prayer is for the Lord to change you, and on the other hand, you face the future with a desire and a determination to change the world. Therefore as I see it, you are CONFRONTED WITH A CHALLENGE TO CHANGE. Second, you must have the COURAGE TO CHANGE. And, third, you will learn that CONVERSION IS A ONE TIME EXPERIENCE BUT TAKES A LIFETIME TO COMPLETE.
Does not our Scripture, itself, speak of change? A kernel of wheat is planted in the ground and must die (germinate), before it can reproduce itself many times over. If it does not die it will remain by itself alone. The question for you then is this: How will this process of change unfold in your life as you face the future? In answer to this question, let us consider….
I. A CHALLENGE TO CHANGE. While doing my doctoral research many years ago, I came across a paper titled: “Change—Growth or Grief.” This paper suggested to me that a person must change, or overtime experience grief. Likewise, it has been said, “You must grown in grace or you will grown in disgrace.” Change, as I see it, is the operative word here. Change, that is to say, is the challenge. However, as you, perhaps realize, change is both challenging and threatening.
Allow me to illustrate what I have just said like this….A caterpillar does not become a beautiful butterfly over night. At a certain point in the maturation process, the caterpillar must go into a cocoon and actually die as a worm, be transformed if you please, in order to become a butterfly. Like the kernel of wheat, the worm must die in order to reproduce itself.
Many people are afraid to fly and that reminds me of a story I heard some years ago. The story goes like this….two caterpillar’s were crawling along side-by-side when suddenly a beautiful butterfly flew over their heads. One looked at the other and said, “You will never get me into one of those things.” For you, like the caterpillar, change is the challenge. A wise person once said, “The only thing that remains the same is change itself.”
Prior to Jesus’ death on the Cross, He faced a tremendous challenge. He was the kernel of wheat in our text. He must die in order for you and I to live. That is to say, He must die on a cross; be buried in a tomb, and be resurrected. Then His life would produce many changed lives.
Where will the road to change take you? Are you, like Jesus, willing to face the challenge?
Second, not only must you face the challenge, you must have….
II. COURAGE TO BE CHANGED. On a recent television program, called the Today Show, a Vietnam war veteran and rescue helicopter pilot was given the opportunity to share the following story with millions of viewers. The story goes like this….On a particular day in the flurry of war, this pilot was assigned to pick-up a wounded soldier in the heat of battle. He and his team rescued the wounded soldier and flew him back to a medical facility only to discover that the young soldier had experienced multiple wounds from a bomb blast. His right leg had been severed, his left arm blown off, his right eye torn from his face along with his right ear. Leaving the wounded soldier in the hands of the professional medical team, the pilot was getting ready to get back into his helicopter and make another rescue, when, in his own words, “Something unusual happened.” He noticed a member of the medical team leaning over the wounded soldier and rising up, he turned, walked over to the rescue pilot to relay to him these words from the wounded soldier, “Thanks for the ride!!” As the interview continued, the retired military pilot said, “These four words changed my life.” Having heard this amazing story, I surmise that here was a young man with the courage to face an uncertain future and gave the rescue pilot the courage to face his future with a heart of thanksgiving and gratitude. In light of this amazing story, I say to you, your life can make a difference. You may not change the world, but being a person of courage you can change those around you.
Concerning courage, here is a famous prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr, that will help you to face your own future when applied to your life….
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
Third, and finally, not only are you faced with a challenge to change, courage to be changed, you need to understand this truth….
III. CONVERSION: A ONE TIME EXPERIENCE BUT A LIFETIME TO COMPLETE. The word “conversion” has everything to do with change. Change has to do with repentance, which means, “to change your mind.” Conversion is a one time experience, but is borne in terms of past, present and future. That is to say, “I was saved,” “I am being saved,” and I will be saved.” This whole idea is expressed in the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 12:1-2, in which he wrote, “I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God---this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is---His good, pleasing and perfect will.” Then concerning a life time of change, Paul states it like this in Philippians, “….He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).
A lifetime of appropriate change begins with a conversion experience and continues by having a mind like Christ….”Let this mind be in you….”
Therefore, my closing challenge to you is this. Using an acrostic for fat, be a FAT person throughout your life…
F – Faithful A—Available Painful Moments – Trust God T—Teachable/Thankful Every Moment – Thank God! Persons with these qualities and characteristics are the ones the LORD will use to change the world. Therefore, my your prayer be, “Lord change me, so that I can change my world.” |