A Different Kind of Christian - Unsettling Times | Unshakable Faith

It was um however many years ago was 1988, uh and I was speaking to um Yeah, okay, I'm the one on the back porch yelling down the stairs, go mad! Verses 13 to 16, these are tremendously important statements because now he is going to show us How can he made salty again? that 40 miles away a squirrel had gotten into a relay station and had chewed through one of the cables up there. Every day, new people coming in. Well, these people behind me are really trying to pay their bill, so we didn't get to go a lot farther that particular day, but he really blew me away with his one last parting comment. Let's take a look at them right now, and then we're going to slow down just long enough to visit each one of them. And they come over because they like this guy and they see, well, it's okay for him. Jesus is not afraid to grieve and feel and be weak and vulnerable. Finally she comes home just in time for dinner and he said, honey, where were you? He wasn't weak, me. But when he was little, he'd like and he'd and he'd he'd grab it. It's cold up here right now, and I'm losing friends. Guys, if you are truly the pure in heart and you guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life, and you do not let the poison, the junk, the second look, the undressed lady in. When I get to repair all the awful things that happen out there on a Saturday night, I get to help fix so much that is broken, helping fix things that way. How can you who are evil say anything good? And gives light to everyone in the house. But they will remember how you made them feel. And if she saw him going for the heirloom vase, she'd go, gento? And remember what Peter said? who forgave the servant little and showed him mercy, and the servant who was owed little and couldn't forgive the person that owed him. Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. If you're having a hard time figuring out God's will, well maybe one of the reasons you're having a hard time seeing God is because there's junk in between. I gotta be careful because Tiffany um don't get mad at me. Everybody's selfish, but not everybody. That is corrupt and messy and sad and angry and dirty And then we're just kind of resting. uh a uh a man who's on the uh county governing board for our area uh we I went to tell him about the leadership center and he said Ron you know years ago I met your wife in cardiac rehab It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. They're going to end up glorifying your father in heaven. You know, uh probably, you know, that that may that's a preservative right there. It's a bad thing. It just takes a little to change the flavor of something much bigger than it. Dr. That's how it's supposed to be working. Now I say Peter of all people. Before most, oh, and that passion is living a life that's a light. Um Tony was the owner and he was always very busy and and and very um uh not easy to talk to. Yeah, what you got, Tony? He said, that's funny, you don't even look Italian. um reporter that he knows who um had gotten a call from the school you never know if that's going to be good news or bad news This is eighth graders. He didn't make junk. But he answered, when you start each day in the presence of the living God by praying and reading your Bible, it's hard to go through life feeling big Then then he says, blessed are those who mourn. There's no other it's not overstating it to say he was melting down in the Garden of Gethsemane and he doesn't go alone. In a harsh, hard, hearted world. I saw the need behind the deed, and it totally changed everything. I want more likes. And lately they've just taken a turn for just ugly. You know, if something broke there, took a while usually to get a repair man there. That's the flip side of pure in heart. And not many guys that make a woman feel safe and not checked out, looked over, lusted after. That's part of the gospel, isn't it? They are in a world of people who fit in when it gets hard, when it gets costly, I will change. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Let's let's bring this down to our life now. And they'd come running and get another, and things were okay after they got the thunder hug. And an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. And these defile them. Not just to go make grades or to just go make friends or to go make money or to go make out Very few people know how it started. Gladys, Gladys, I think we should call someone. Well, you know what? And then they see others of us who are ranting. What his kingdom of heaven, what it is like when heaven is the drumbeat for someone living in the kingdom of earth, but living out the kingdom of heaven. Let your light shine before others. But the one is going to lead to the other. No, no, no, no. Who changes a lot of people and changes an environment when you're in a place with me and you, you are the light in that room. You alleviate darkness. Take you out of the room, take you out of the picture, take you out of the workplace, take you out of the neighborhood, and things decay faster. Meals. And it there's no light source in the hall except electric light and it is pitch black and suddenly we can't see a thing. Um so I mean you know Karen and I go down the hall I you know I grab her hand I grab a hand and we you know we're down we get down in the lobby turns out I'm holding hands with the guy across the hall. It's interesting when you look at the negativity and the anger and divisiveness and everything around us. So the question is, how do you make people feel? I didn't know a ton of it. So may I welcome you to the Beatifu, the blessed. was the authority that decides the outcomes. And um so out of nowhere I said, well I'm a manufacturer's representative. And um, and and he said, oh. I said, if you mean, am I in a cult and I have antenna in my forehead? I said, but if by that you mean, by the way, Tony, do you know who said that? Well, actually, it was Jesus. as defined in what we know today as the Beatitudes, the Blessed Rs. But he wanted them to know that what it means to have a relationship with him is more than miracles, more than meetings It's choices about the kind of person you are. For they'll inherit the earth. Theirs, here we go again, is the kingdom of heaven. What the Kingdom of Heaven walking kingdom display window is like leaves his crowd and goes over there. Pretty soon like half the playground is over there around the boy who'd been all by himself in the playground And the teacher said to the reporter on the phone, it's the most moving thing I've ever seen in 28 years of teaching. I say they are selfless. on an on Eagles Wings outreach in Maine four or five years ago. To say who what guy wants to be seen melting down like this? I mean, what did Jesus say in Matthew 11, 28? I don't know, three or four years old. Gentle? I mean, we're passionate about meeting that need, aren't we? to be more like me, basically. I want to be more like Jesus than I've ever been before and as much like him as I can be before I meet him. uh from the propane tank to the hot water heater had some soot in the line. has already committed adultery. Well think about in a world that's this, oh, we need a few of those on social media. This person, this kingdom of heaven demonstration, cannot leave things broken. She's a former missionary doctor at Bangladesh. But this person is a follower of Christ who is not wishy-washy, who is faithful to him even when it costs them. Yeah, be good to the people that are good. Counterculture? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? This makes you a light. Calling you by name, he said, now you, I put you where you are, you are the light of what? It might be a place you work. Because people are living in a storm all the time, at home, at work, on social media, everywhere they are, they're living in stormy conditions. Be the thunder hug. When it came to behavior and rules. They got all the right words. is about what's in your heart. Years ago there was a cartoon about Rocky the Flying Squirrel. For all the teaching and talking we do very very people will remember very little of what you said. I stayed that day and ate there and uh um and uh we I've been going there for a long time and so I uh I was I was paying to a couple other people behind me and he said I want to ask you a question And everybody over here buzzing, you know, he's alone. Spiritually, a passionate person in a complacent world is noticeable. And uh he said, well Doug, it was pretty easy to fix. I read in a Christian magazine a man knows a leading surgeon. And every time the thunder rolled and the lightning, they kind of were freaking out. And they say things that hurt other people, and they're mean, and they're mad. Maybe they'd want to be that too. Kind of like this. Not everybody. What kind of Jesus followers is our world seeing today? Let's go to Matthew chapter 5. You are a town built on a hill that cannot be hidden. And look at this. They both change their environment. The light is failing. We get bombarded with cable news, social media, all kinds of negativity, darkness That there's there's a contagion to it, but Peter of all people told us how we should be making people feel when we tell them about our Jesus. And and it would be things like loved, cared about, important, heard, like I could go on. So this is what changed the world 2,000 years ago could still change the world. the difference that he can make in a life because it's like a fresh start a new start like being born again something only he can do His disciples came to him. for they will see God. You are the light of the world. So he took a ball and gently lobbed it to him and the boy threw it back. And see, we are living in a me first world. I need everything, and I'm leaving with the kingdom as a result. How have you stayed so humble over the years, especially in light of all you've accomplished? and does nothing through people who think they are everything. And the response was almost overwhelming. Bringing nothing, needing everything, leaving with the kingdom. In Matthew, I think we have this, Matthew 26. Awful. Well, why didn't she get home sooner? Thirdly, Jesus said that blessed are the meek. Used to be three strikes and you're out. Did you know that Romans 16, 19 says, be wise about what is good, know a lot about what's good, but be innocent about what is evil. Your vision is clouded by that. He uh he was pretty quotable. Jesus lifestyle, the kingdom lifestyle, when he is king and he's having it his way in your life. Find out what your heart's like? I think we have some what I would call repentance cues. several thousand young people in Washington, D. I said, well, honey, you know, one of the reasons that they act that way is because they've never seen anybody act any other way. Well, before this, Jesus has spelled out good deeds for us. are fighting to see that he is enthroned in the hearts of others, that others make him king. And let them see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. And he said, no, everybody will laugh at me. Weston was doing one of the first gospel wrap-ups. And uh West gave his hope story and went on with the gospel and invited these young men and women. But I think this is, they are gentle. When that is directed to righteousness, now my appetite is saying, this is what I want more of. Blessed are the merciful. with the lovable and the unlovable. Not proactive. Love your enemies. Every time you hear thunder, come to me and I'll give you a thunder hug. Part of what's radical about it, looking in the face of the Pharisees and the Sadducees who had righteousness down to a T. Their hearts are far from me. that ended up kind of catching fire all over the country. But God had created them to go mad, to go make a difference. Lisa was, I think, in second grade, and the leader of the pack, our firstborn, my princess. So they think that's the only way to be. There's something like that, I think, in the mind of Jesus, in Matthew chapter 5, when he in essence is saying in a world But just having been sucked into the cesspool of anger and hostility and tribalism An attractive, winsome alternative. So uh it's a phenomenal picture. Martin Luther King said, darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only love can do that. So are we becoming more and more an echo of our culture or a choice? of the culture around you. And they have a common theme. You remember how they made you feel. Our king introduces us to a magnetic difference that draws people to you and to him We um had an Italian restaurant across the street from our Youth for Christ office years ago Tony said, all I know is, every time you come in here, you're always happy. For theirs is, there it is, the kingdom of heaven. Thermometers just reflect the temperature of the things going on around them. is dependent. Yeah? It is restrained strength. The voice of Jesus is saying to all of us, uh, that person is breakable. If you only knew their story. Gentle, for I am meek and lowly in spirit, he said. It's showing kindness towards someone you have the power to hurt. He was shown mercy, but didn't give mercy. We need to hear that one. The pure in heart get a clear view of God, can tell what he wants, will know what he wants. John goes, so I'm Jesus' house? Yeah. Not yet. You'll be one, though. So this is proactive love in a world where we wait to see how somebody treats us before we decide how we're going to treat them. You already know how you're going to treat them, no matter how they treat you. And whoever they're with, and it is a different kind of Christian than many Christians today. Get a thunder hug from Ali from grandma. And only he can change a heart. Our environment. Those who live this way are rare, and things that are rare are exceedingly valuable Um what they're supposed to see is us radiating was so cool that um That's salt, but you don't if you're in a dark room, you just don't throw salt in the air. The Beatitudes. You're restless to be better in a complacent world. I will give you mercy. And um he said, well, because he's up in heaven and he can see everything and he loves us, yeah, he sees us. What is that indicative of? And I thought, you know, it's kind of nice to be the person who, when they go, well everybody talks like this, well, not not everybody. So I guess I want to tell you to go mad as well, now that you know what it means. Some years ago we were up at uh Camp of the Woods in um several times actually in New York State and uh they have like here you know you have these phenomenal Jesus is going to give us a blueprint so we can get the kind of answers that they had about Karen. Display windows. Uh and and I said, no, well the manufacturer of you and me. Let's look at the eight superpowers and don't get nervous, they go fast. Which by the way I think means you have nothing to hide, which is a wonderful way to be. The peacemakers. that someone feels safe with. And the actions follow. Guess what he's calling for? And Lisa said, um, Daddy, I I'm I'm really sad because the kids at school all talk dirty and they disrespect their parents, their mommy and daddy. And uh she said, it's really sad to go to school. No, no, he's just telling them to go make a difference. And uh he said, every time she came in, she just radiated Jesus said, here is my plan for you. There's nothing unusual about darkness being dark. Who chops off an ear in the Garden of Gethsemane? Do you know what if people wrote that about you? Not self-reliant, but poor and God-reliant. And um hung his head in the window and just wept for about five minutes, unable to speak. And as long as you keep asking why me, God will be able to use you like this Yeah, the people who are lighting up their world are people with in a hard-hearted world where you can be canceled in a minute because you said one wrong word that was taken wrong. But he's a he is he is he's not afraid to show his tender heart. She's breakable. He said they are pure in heart. Would you be the person that people on all sides of an issue feel safe with? You're proactive. You are the light of blank. When um Karen was taking care of Jordan and Blake when they were like four and two or something like that, she was alone with him in the house and a bad thunderstorm came up. Believe all the right stuff. We were able to get to the basement of the church where we were staying, just before it all broke loose. Needs changing. I want someone to show them there's another way to be. But you know what happened that day? Have it so that as it was added to the church daily, daily, daily, people being saved. They will need to believe in a Christian they can sing. I said no no no. I love the definition that D. Bringing nothing. And you can be a harbor for broken hearts. Mortar mouse, you know, little mousey guy. But no. And Jordan had some concerns, some fears, and Rick said, well you don't have to worry, Jordan, because Jesus loves us and he's in heaven and he's watching over us and taking care of us. Jordan goes, how can we be sure he sees us? It's all about winning. What tribe of people, what environment are you supposed to be light of? Man, what a what a who wouldn't want to be around that? Let me give you some examples. For a family to change, somebody's heart's got to change. This is what it's like to be someone who shows what one life is like when Jesus is King. We've all got the Christian thing down pretty well. There are parts of us where they're not seeing you, they're seeing us. And as we start chapter one of volume two I have the joy of praying in Jesus' name. So um it was like it was just sudden and it was freaky, you know. One little light changed everything. It's totally dark. So that morning, everybody, we all come out of our rooms kind of at the same time, marching like zombies down uh down, and all of a sudden there's a power outage Yeah. Because as we go through this, I think you'll agree that most folks, maybe even the church, haven't met a whole lot of folks like this. Are you a born-again thing? These are people who are tender-hearted, who are not afraid to feel, not afraid to let their feelings be shown. And he would grab he he he he was he's still like this running. He'd go, oh, okay. Which is showing kindness. Now, for the magnetic, what I call beat a few, there's a spring that feeds all their relationships I was talking to some folks and I said, you know, what Jesus says is so opposite of our instincts, our background. She kind of lit up the place. When we look around our world and lament what's going on, let me tell you folks, that's not the don't don't curse, don't blame the darkness. So I said, no, no, no, I'm talking about the I said, the the the one who made us all the manufacturer of this whole world. But we're being watched for the difference. And that literally changed the way that boy was treated the rest of the school year. At work. Why me? They're soothing the line. This is his. Hearts have to change. And I believe you'll be a magnet. He said, for who? And when he could talk, I said, uh Wes, what's going on? And it says, blessed are the persecuted, for my name's sake. And what is what is repentance? Take a minute. So they'll know your father in heaven I got this. That was your son who went over there. He said, my granddad has shown me by his life that God does everything through people who understand they are nothing. Then he said to them, My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. You gave us permission to grieve. And uh the stories of what's come back are incredible. We can't be like that. Yeah, you're the safe person. For a habit to change, a heart must change. Reminds us of how much we need you. Defiantly, choose it. Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. And a storm was brewing, and I mean it looked ugly and it could have really rained out the rest of the night. Or for God's sake, don't let anything put it out. I was thinking, what does salt and light have in common? Um there was a column in a Chicago newspaper some years ago, and it uh told about uh the the columnist told about a uh You know, I I was overwhelmed with all of the tributes to Karen that came my way. You know, I thought, we really are being watched. When you do it the Jesus way, you become a thermostat instead of a thermometer. How have you stayed so humble over the years? Delete, delete, delete, delete, delete, delete. Maybe there's something you just need to get out of the line right now. You are walking kingdom. You're the light in a dark room. He said, your appetite for more will be directed to righteousness. This is not what you feel like doing. On Eagles Wings was finishing an event in North Dakota. And our great adventure is not all behind us. Young man with a lot of disabilities, thick glasses, can't really see very clearly, over by himself as usual. Boy, I'll tell you, if you're that kind of person in this kind of world, oh that's light. Gentleness and respect. Blessed are the pure in heart. Where there had been chaos, there was now peace, and where there was fear, there was now everything back to normal. For your little dark corner of the world with lots of darkness there? And out of nowhere, I said, so why don't you go mad? No, it just takes a little light to light up a whole dark room. He said, um, he said, what do you do? Which left him largely paralyzed. Jesus keeps hitting this. May we live as the light you just described for us Jesus said, let your yes be yes and your no be no. Where am I living to impress other people? He began to teach them. Poor people, dependent, humble, admitting your need I got my Jesus thing. This is 1 Peter 3. You know what he says? Listen, when you're hungry, you're not thinking about much else That's not your mind to put into it what you want to put into it. You'll be one of the few men that a woman can feel safe with, all women. Did you notice over and over again? Where do I harbor a desire to get even? I I I don't know how any of us could not have something here that um So why were you helping her fix her, Dolly? Later on, Jesus will give a parable. Just take a moment. But so you got salt and then you got light. And that is what will interest them in your Father in Heaven. TV show I used to enjoy. Help us not be content with that. Where have I allowed sinful fantasies into my heart No. Matthew 5, 43. What does that say about your heart? What is he caring about? So from that time on, and the boys will tell you too, uh, Karen would do all the responsible stuff. You are the salt of the earth. And the picture was, you know, you got your little clicks all over the playground. And hungry for righteousness, and tender-hearted, gentle. Are you Jesus' house? They sound so picking spiritual, but their heart is nowhere near their lips. They see your light, they see your Lord. And the teacher said, veteran teacher said, I just I need to tell you about something I saw in the playground today. Oh, she may be mean. It might be a neighborhood. Well, look at the community as it's described in the book of Acts. Now it's one strike and you're out. It's all about putting down the person who doesn't agree. You are the light of the world. In those days, a lot of times what they got from the Dead Sea and salt would go rancid, and that's what he's referring to. You think about people who have impacted your life, negatively or positively, teachers, family members We are in this totally self-sufficient, self-promoting, self-centered, all about self. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. As a result of what they see in you, they're going to end up doing what they're not doing now for sure. You don't just shake your head and say things are really getting bad, aren't they? You associate that feeling with them. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Boy, was that radical? Matthew 12. Don't think just because they rhyme that they're the same thing. When Doug was on the Hopi Reservation for about 12 years, when he got there, I mean the Hopi Reservation is pretty remote. That's how the fulfillment will happen that we, the loyal soldiers of the rightful king But see, if you're a thermostat, you can change the temperature. That's right. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. This is the teacher watching this the whole time. And he was an explorer man. that found a candle somehow and was able to light one little candle in that room changed everything. Then they see some others retreating, who are actually becoming more like them, than them becoming more like us. Here's a lesson I learned. I said this is the manufacturer of your mother and her mother and her mother and her mother He said humility is self-forgetfulness. I call it proactive love. Hate your enemy. Pray for those who persecute you. Come to me. Where am I leaving a relationship broken It's exciting. Notice one light gives light to everyone in the house. Display windows for the beautiful things he does with a life. Now let me just make a point here. I have found out people's story and I've been so ashamed of what I felt about them and what I thought about them when I heard, when I learned their story. I got my niche. And you know what I call those who choose to live that way? I don't think I can do that. Remember, Lisa? I looked this up. It is a restraint that says, I will give you what you don't deserve, just like God did for me. You know what? This makes you the salt that keeps us from being totally rotten. Repentant choices. She made me feel. You know, hey, uh, listen, in a conversation, wait a minute, well, well, that's enough about me. And sometimes it it and Lisa taught him a word. You are the light of what? C. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Because you're all about healing. You can't just agree with it. 15. Yeah, we're Jesus' house. I'll tell you this. And I thought that's a that's a wonderful testimony. A towel built on a hill that cannot be hidden. So here's the temperature we set. That could break. Well, if you can listen to a recording of your conversations and even your online words this past week. Change. He says, give a reason for the hope that you have with gentleness and respect. Our last night is the night of giving a public invitation. He said, uh 29. They are passionate spiritually, which is interesting because we live in a complacent world. That's the problem in our society. So Jesus said they're going to see your light, and as a result, they'll see your Lord. They're gentle people. Mercy is more powerful than judgment What does that mean? It might be in one person's life. It's the failure of the light. Jesus said, I want you to be a living choice. I said, for the manufacturer. L. It's exercising strength while avoiding harshness I want more money. So far I'm okay. And it started, there's only one person who was there when it started, and that was little Lisa. Obviously you're going to have to explain to them that your father in heaven is why the good deeds in your relationship with him Never been called a born-again thing. Needing everything. This different kind of Christian is light wherever they go And that'll make you a life changer. But Jesus is not about primarily about changing your behavior. It's everybody's pitch black all of a sudden. Now, here's the interesting sequence of events. I'm not, I'm telling you, this is how it went. So he's like, okay, a lot of people are following me now. Poor in spirit actually is the word for beggar. She may be tough. He said I asked her, what do you enjoy most about being a surgeon? Yeah, this is Rocky the Frying Squirrel, apparently. It all belongs to Jesus. Moody gave about humility. You have that? Here we go again. And I got hundreds, I got notebooks full of tributes to her. He said, you one of those born-again things? Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Because we can't be like you without you. Repent. I wonder what's that about? Uh he said, actually, the line That you may be children of your Father in heaven. That's why getting the gospel out is the way to change the world. I've got my Jesus schedule. You wouldn't normally put them together. I remember when um Jordan was um uh oh he was Literally. Now we're back to the founding word of the kingdom of heaven. I love fixing what's broken, she said. So when you go to school, why don't you go to make a difference? You're hot, I'm hot. He said, blessed are those who have a hunger We are all Jesus' house. And they did. And then verse 8, these people honor me with their lips. Because remember, this was the guy that was the wannabe ear surgeon. And I can say from personal experience, Billy Graham was always all about you. It is showing kindness towards someone you have the power to punish Meek, merciful, selfless, safe. , at a national conference. Well, they're seeing some of us just kind of resting like What was the problem? Do they feel they've been treated gently? And he said, um because I just can't and and and I don't know what well so well repairman did come But the things that come out of a person's mouth come from the heart. It's all about what's in your heart. Whatever you put salt on is different. Great Peter. I said Wes. Metta noia, change of mind. And ranting not necessarily about eternal things that will matter in heaven This is why you're here. Oh. Yeah, here we go. Well, uh her dolly, she broke her dolly In a dirty mind and world. Matthew 15, Jesus says, a good man brings good things out of the goods stored up in him. That Nimpu Punchcraft next door is telling his kids to go be crazy. You know these verses. And uh eventually he would say it himself. Has already committed adultery with her in his heart. So what I call his mountain manifesto Change. But if you were to go to school every day and show them a different kind of person The problem that they was the failure of the light. Just put, hmm, makes me feel. Be vulnerable. They said you were so honest and I I was. You have heard that it was said, love your neighbor. But I tell you, love your enemies. Poor Matthew's writing this down, recording this. You'll be cared about, you'll be loved, you'll be heard, you'll be tendered, you'll be gentle, you'll be comforted Meekness, humility, gentleness, mercy, hunger for righteousness, peacemaking. Notice it's when he saw the crowds. They come over and they they start throwing the ball gently back and forth with this boy. That's not what that means. He said, take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in spirit. Do not even pagans do that? Amen. Blessed are those who mourn, hmm, for they will be comforted. He would check out every and he would run from one thing to another and pick it up. Oh you know his whole it's it might be a family deal. Show them there's another way to be, girl. And in that parable, he will talk about the king. So Doug was able to use the practical how-to skills that he learned from me. Let me say to the men here. You know what the Greek word means here? In fact, she is chief of staff in a major hospital in Georgia. You brood of vipers, he said. Showing what a life can be like when Jesus is king When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down He says, he took Peter and two sons of Zebedee along with him, began to be sorrowful and troubled. She said, no, daddy. Folks, we need to be the thunder huggers Questions like this. It draws them to crown him as king Neither do people light a lamp, and if they light a lamp, they don't put it under a bowl. He said, well, don't worry. And pretty soon some of the other jocks see this going on. So in his Sermon on the Mount, which immediately precedes the verses we read, He said, you work for my mother? Do you know who made up that phrase? When you take my yoke upon you, that's how you treat people. By the way, the flip side of this, Jesus talks about just a few statements later, when he says this. Start a conversation with the Lord to finish later And guess what? He said, my agenda for you is you are a difference maker wherever you are A little irritated. You say that everything is a buzzword. And uh so he said, Dad, I'm just getting cold showers, so I'm not really taking too many Yes. Um Rick was having uh one of those nice nighttime conversations, go to sleep conversations Having looked over the Sermon on the Mount and parts I didn't even talk about today You don't have a light as big as the room, so there's no room for you. Poor in spirit All I had to do was get the soot in the line out. Then he says, you, you are the light of the world. Um you got health food. Salt keeps things from going rotten. You're cold, I'm cold. Now, you know, if you were to draw, if I said draw a picture of meek, you know, someone's like. I have to, you know, save them on DVR because you know telling when I'll get time to watch them. Yeah. We want to change behavior. They're seeing the me, not the messiah. Everybody's mean and mad, angry. You said, well, it was dark. So how do what would people say about you? This is the Garden of Gethsemane. Now, if Jesus were saying that to you It was our last night. Let's pray together Repent is a change word. And some of them will want to be that way too You know what I think it is? Because you see, blessed are the pure in heart, they shall see God. I said, they are the committed What's the opposite? Now, let me just wrap up by saying this. So here's the question. Today it's the life that is a light. We have a wrong idea about humility. I said they are innocent. Attitude. Who or what are you the light of? It's a living Beatitudes. Little girl was supposed to be home from school and she wasn't there yet. He may be he may he may not look he doesn't gentle at all. And they come running. I said in our fourth meal thing last night I've got my Jesus budget. You don't have to have a lot to change the environment. Yeah, Jesus said that, and he said he used that example to show And suddenly, one of the top athletes in the class, one of the most popular boys, She made me feel Eight superpowers of a magnetic Christian Is this what you feel like doing? Well, you may not hear the story, but listen to the voice of Jesus going, gentle? Everybody has an appetite for more. Don't let anything dim that light. But I just told them that God had created them So let's take a look at the second passion that made the early believers, those first believers, He in fact brings them along with him. We are living in an unforgiving culture, folks. You're not about winning Last night we said the first passion that drove them 2,000 years ago, that changed the world back then. I said, Penso, what you mean by that, Tony? She didn't reprimand him. I want more house. Okay, could you just take my answer, please? Who? It doesn't take much to change things. And he says to the young man with the disabilities, would you like to play catch When he's talking to you And we love you and do things for you. Maybe the best of our great Jesus adventure is just ahead. That was the guys, actually, screaming. But if the salt loses its saltiness, All the evil stuff that's happened. He has just shown us If you've been around me very much, you've heard that phrase and probably heard it over and over again. You turn on a light. And that's always so fun to explain. Is it there? Be approachable. So how are you doing so far? The temple of the Holy Spirit. But And then he goes on with not hiding the lamp. No, he was strong. You have to choose it. It's exciting that we have more ground to get with you, which means we're going to go deeper with you than we've ever gone before. All of a sudden somebody That conversation I had with Lisa Only light can do that. This is the man who reaches for his sword and Peter and Jesus say, put your sword away. He said, if you make a mistake, we all make mistakes. Leaving with the kingdom. It's a challenge. And it requires more than just saying, Amen, brother. My friend And Ephesians 4. When it's pretty hard to find a safe place when you're falling apart Keep it pure. The peacemakers. I will be a chameleon. He causes his son to rise on the evil and the good, sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Go make a difference. Nope. I didn't I mean I wasn't surprised, but I thought I knew about the difference she made This is straight jersey, folks. His grandson said, he of course doesn't think he's humble. I love what James 2. Lord, you uh you see deep down in our hearts Where have I broken promises You can imagine the next door neighbors probably going, And exactly what Jesus had in mind in Matthew chapter 5. That would be you You're nice, I'm nice. I saw maybe a uh small taste of that He didn't need to be told. Mercy is all about restraint. But Those aren't your eyes to look at what you want to look at Peacemakers is joining together what has been separated. This is revolutionary. Hey, I want to give you a fill-in-the-blank. And I remember uh that morning in uh the kitchen And what is going to attract that kind of attention? So um Blessed are the poor in spirit. That's why. And she said, well, I stopped at Megan's house. Then he says, blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. Do you know why that is, I think? First of all, blessed, and I'm going to say, when Jesus says poor in spirit And Karen was just brilliant in these kinds of things. If it it keeps things from decaying, from rotting, if you have some bacon this morning, If you like your squirrel fried, it's uh well done actually by then He said, what do you mean? We better stop and let them understand what this is really going to. First thing he did after he was done is he came over to the vehicle I was in. Stay here and keep watch with me. People had come to Christ, God's work was done that night, and then the storm. I want you to be one person. Let's take a look at And one. Dark is always dark. I mean, I'm getting my slice, you know, big deal. This is a polarized, tribalized, broken world. You can't change behavior too. I'm good In the same way We're trying to get down to breakfast and we are stuck in the total total darkness. One of Billy Graham's adult grandchildren asked him She said, I love Saturday nights at the hospital. Be perfect, therefore, or complete, as your Heavenly Father is perfect. What a light and light and salt don't seem to have anything in common. I said, I'm not that They are tender-hearted. Jesus knows he is going to melt down there. Where? Starts with each of us making the choice to be that person. We think it's it's saying, I am a worm, I am useless. I stayed to help her cry Is Blake Jesus' house? Remember I said when Jesus is asking us to do things that are counterintuitive? It was the night we give the public invitation. Are you a choice? It's very hard ground. I was raw honest about how deep the hurt was. She just said, Jordan, remember this word. You're never there You might be the one person I'm sorry if I brought a preservative there Remember somebody wisely said When's the last time you saw that? Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. I don't mean to embarrass him, but 32 says, be kind to one another, tender hearted to one another. I don't know what it is, but I mean he's on the go all the time. And I had about five of them. Reactive. The beatifu. Born again? And all he could get out was this. He intentionally takes his three guys with him You know why things might not be working for you? Jesus radical prescription for change. You know, you don't shine light on your steak to give it more flavor or on your popcorn. You might want to write about it. It is not wimpy weakness. Everything makes somebody mad. This is Jesus talking to the Pharisees Do they feel like they've been treated respectfully? And then he said, whatever you do to impress people, you already have your reward. You got your books today, be nice to your teachers That's what I want to feed. Action. Are not even tax collectors, he included it, that's pretty good. And what are they seeing What's one of them? For a relationship to change, first of all, a heart must change. We show them this is what it's like to see Jesus in charge of a life. Now I'm not making up this conversation. When you look it up in the Greek. He was strong with the truth of the kingdom. We all have this more thing in us. I'll change colors to fit in For a community to change Not a lot of salt, not a lot of light. They saw it and they wanted it. You share, I share. They will do everything they can to fix what is broken You don't put, you don't just empty out the salt shaker on your popcorn or your meat. He would go, gentle. Is mommy Jesus' house? Come on, that doesn't do anything. Are we an echo of our culture? Right out in the middle of a reservation setting. Sorry to pick on Jordan twice. She makes me feel he makes me feel And that's impressive You want to get an EKG spiritually? And that's how it's going to happen Poor in spirit. And sometimes when he picked up was fragile. 13 says. Where have I allowed darkness in my heart? That they may see your good deeds Wasn't that dark was dark. I'm not making this up. In a family, in a classroom, in a locker room, in a gym. That's light. Let them see your good deeds. Number one, it's New England. I keep being told from people who've read, hope and your heart is breaking. Everybody else is reacting like crazy. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness for That was the equation. Our team got to praying and literally it stopped the storm. I want more success. Hate cannot drive out hate Because before most people will believe in a Christ they cannot see. Uh and I went in late for lunch one day. No. They are merciful. Just make a make a little thing here. Might be a social media account. Because it changes darkness to light in a human heart. Because if your light is dimmer out. And I introduced a phrase to them Because they had seen miracles Um why don't you talk about me for a while Theirs is the kingdom of heaven And besides, you've asked Jesus into your heart, so he lives in you. That would destroy its purpose. You change a heart. You're the candle in the dark. And her attitude changed. You see Well he was too young to know how to accept Jesus. Write it down Daily Because you're asking that question Repent. I just told you. Dad was waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting. I could treat you this way. I just I said, I can't do this. They'll probably never see that if they don't see it in you. Don't worry. Number two, it's New England Native Americans. And if you are passionate Don't curse the darkness. Because we are his walking kingdoms. I want to be quick. Selfless? Treatment of people. Pure in heart. Blessed are the meek. If you've had a hard time getting your prayers answered, But you've got junk in your heart. Yes, they do. Are you an echo? That's what I'm hungry and thirsty for. Mercy triumphs over judgment. That's not your body to do with what you want to do. She said, tell you what, guys. Boy, you read this in the Greek, it's just He said, I am meek. Good night. It's on these high mesas in northern Arizona. You can talk to him about it more later, but No, he didn't do that. You have to boldly . Darkness is going to be dark. Gentle. I bring nothing. Only in Jersey, folks. . I wouldn't have done that. That was just God writing that through me. I want more friends. You hurt, I hurt. It's all because he was on the video, but um It's about changing your heart. I didn't realize it was I thought the hairy hand was a little different. Pick it up another day Never wanted to talk about himself. I want to grab. No, they put it on its stand. I put down they are passionate. I might be justified in returning what you're giving me. Thank you for insulting the God who made you. To help them cry. Gentle? In other words Turns out what happened was I never stayed very long. . All right, now he said, blessed are the poor in spirit. He's worried, where is this daughter of mine? Gentle. So fasten your seatbelt. Well, if Jesus was meek, Seems like more than ever. You won't get it in heaven. How are we doing? This is not be a wimp. . Why me? Call somebody. Blessed are the pure in heart. Anyone looks at a woman lustfully. All of a sudden all the lights went out. Be an alternative. Listen. See God. Are not even tax collectors doing that? You don't. Tender-hearted. I usually took it with me back to my desk but And um So um