“Difference Makers!”

Acts 3:1-10 & Selected

The story is told of a Pastor who was frustrated because of one man who always seemed to fall asleep during the sermon. So the Pastor devised a trick, a way he thought he could embarrass the man so as to get him to break this habit. Near the end of a sermon concerning "hell", the Pastor, in a normal voice, said to the congregation, "Is there any one here today who wants to go to hell?" - - then he raised his voice to a much louder volume - - "PLEASE STAND UP!" Of course this woke up the sleeping man who quickly jumped to his feet. After collecting himself for a moment, the man then looked at the Pastor and said, "Preacher, I don't know why I'm standing, but it appears that you and I are both in the same boat!

·        Whether you know it or not, everyone is a “Difference Maker” – One way or another in lives of others

·        No one is an island unto themselves, we’re interconnected and we affect people around us...

Jonathan Edwards, who was a great and useful man, made five resolutions for himself in his youth, and lived by them faithfully. They are worth studying. Anyone who will adopt and follow them will greatly increase his usefulness. The resolutions are as follows:

      1. Resolved: To live with all might while I do live.

      2. Resolved: Never to lose one moment of time, but to improve it in the most profitable way I possibly can.

      3. Resolved: Never to do anything which I should despise or think meanly of in another.

      4. Resolved: Never to do anything out of revenge.

      5. Resolved: Never to do anything which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.”

—Ohio Sunday School Worker

How did Jonathan Edwards life affect others?

      Jonathan Edwards was the son of a godly home. His father was a preacher and before him his mother’s father. Trace the history of the offspring of this godly man.

      More than 400 of them have been traced, and they include 14 college presidents, and 100 professors, 100 of them have been ministers of the Gospel, missionaries, and theological teachers. More than 100 of them were lawyers and judges. Out of the whole number 60 have been doctors, and as many more, authors of high rank, or editors of journals.

      In fact, almost every American industry has had as its promoters one or more of the offspring of the Edward’s family who was married in the closing half of the seventeenth century.

·        One man or woman can make a major difference... 

·        God calls all of us to be a Difference Maker... No better time than beginning a New Year of 2006

Romans 13:11-12 And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. ¹² The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

·        Jesus is coming soon – we see the “signs” of His return everywhere... we must be engaged for Him

·        If He were to return today, will you be ready?  I exhort you to listen carefully this morning

Ephes. 5:15-17 Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.

·        The Lord tells us to be very careful in how you live your life – to use your time wisely...

“All you have to decide, is what to do with the time given to you” (Gandalf LOTR)

	We’re all given 1,440 minutes every day of our lives... how are you using them?
	Every moment requires a decision/ a choice to wisely use each moment, they cannot be stored up.
	Do you ever wish you could relive a certain day or week or month or year?
	How can I be a difference maker?  How can I make an impact in my spouse? Family? Child? ...
	First we must allow God to change us then allow Him to change others through us...

To Make a Difference...

1.  Be Faithful where God Calls You.

Acts 3:1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer--at three in the afternoon.

·        “One day”, “Three in the afternoon” – Peter & John was being faithful to pray...

·        Peter and John were faithful where God called them – are you?  What will the year 2006 behold?

Psalms 18:25a To the faithful you show yourself faithful,

Proverbs 28:20 A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

1 Cor. 4:2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

2 Timothy 2:13 if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

·        Are you a faithful servant for Jesus Christ?  Difference Makers need to be found faithful to the Lord!

·        Faithfulness to prayer, to the Word, to witnessing, to holy living, to sound speech, to seeking God

Faithful – Reliable, Devoted, Trustworthy, Steadfast, Loyal, Sure, True

	Slowly digest each of the definitions to faithfulness and ask yourself – How am I?
	Take a personal checkup I put together...

Personal Inventory Checkup...

      Pardon           yes - no

      Purpose         0---1---2---3---4---5

      Priorities        0---1---2---3---4---5

      Progress        0---1---2---3---4---5

      Praise             0---1---2---3---4---5

Pardon:

Have you been pardoned?  Only a Yes or No answer – either you are genuinely saved or you’re lost

	Once you are born again through the blood of Jesus Christ you become God’s son, a Christian...
	Once you’re a real Christian your life is transformed from the inner heart to your very words & actions
	Now you can circle the number where you think you are spiritually in each category...

	What on earth am I here for?  Purpose Driven Life... God created you for eternity – live like it
	God plants a purpose deep within you to begin to glorify Him in becoming Christ-like in your living

Romans 8:29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Priorities:

As you grow more Christ-like your priorities begin to change... things you loved now you hate

The things you despised now you love... you begin setting new priorities for your life... In the box...

	Difference Makers has been pardoned, has a reason for living, and has priorities correct
	Difference Makers make personal spiritual progress... they do not live in defeatsville but in victory

	Take an inventory of your life. Examine yourself. Are you spiritually growing in your walk with the Lord?
	I see tremendous growth in some of you but sadly in some I see very little spiritual depth or growth...

	How’s your personal praise?  Is your worship becoming sweeter, fuller, deeper? Anemic, cold, routine?
	We may need to grow in our worship and praise...

	Let me ask you again this morning... are you faithful?  Faithful in your use of time...
	Faithful in prayer and God’s Word, faithful in telling others the Good News of Jesus Christ
	We have teacher training classes for ALL workers (50 or so Jr. church workers, 25 or so Awana workers, 20 or so SS teachers)  As a faithful servant you’re expected to be at these three training classes unless you have a note from the Doctor!
	Peter and John were faithful men serving God wherever they were no matter the task at hand
	Remember its not the size of the task... but how faithful you are in the “little” “unseen” things
	Faithfully doing the common things uncommonly well – we’re all part of TEAM Jesus – be faithful
	Allow 2006 to be a tremendous year for spiritual growth & spiritual faithfulness for you also...

Luke 16:10-11 ¹⁰ "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. ¹¹ So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?

2.  Be Discerning in all situations.

Acts 3:2-3 ² Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. ³ When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.

	Peter and John were sensitive to the man who needed to be healed.  We too must be discerning
	Always look at people & situations through the lens of scripture... not thru your limited vision
	Discern right from wrong, the godly from the ungodly... people you know, strangers, visitors...
	Most people will “Speak of” how spiritual they are... but be wise as serpents & harmless as doves...
	It’s not who they say they are but show me fruit of their lives! Their love for God & others!
	We live in a world filled with lies, shams, deceivers, we must use discernment in all situations/people

Philippians 1:10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,

Proverbs 16:21 The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction.

1 John 4:1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

3.  Be Unashamed in Proclaiming Christ.

Acts 3:4-6 ⁴ Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" ⁵ So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. ⁶ Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."

	When Peter exclaimed – “Look at us”... the man gave him his attention... then spoke of Jesus
	Are we ashamed of Jesus Christ out in public?  As a Christian are you leading people to the Lord?
	Be a contagious Christian – get excited for Jesus – passionately love Him, serve Him, tell of Him
	Walking in integrity, clean before men and God – with a clear unquestionable testimony!
	IF Jesus saved you from SIN you cannot help getting excited about Him!  Go into all the world!
	Being a Difference Maker by taking the gospel to a dying world on their way to hell!

Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

I read about an old man, walking the beach at dawn, who noticed a young man ahead of him picking up starfish and flinging them into the sea. Catching up with the youth, he asked what he was doing. The answer was that the stranded starfish would die if left in the morning sun. ‘But the beach goes on for miles and miles, and there are millions of starfish,’ countered the man. ‘How can your effort make any difference?’

The young man looked at the starfish in his hand and then threw it to safety in the waves. ‘It makes a difference to this one,’ he said.”                      Leadership Journal

4.  Be Confident in God.

Acts 3:7-8 ⁷ Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. ⁸ He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.

	Peter took the man by the hand & helped him up... He was healed by the power of the risen Christ!
	To make a Difference our reliance, our faith, confidence, trust must be in the Lord... He is the healer
	He heals the depravity of the soul... giving us new life, life eternal... this year be confident in your Maker
	If you’ve been saved – you better get Walking, Jumping and Praising!!!!
	Speaking about Abraham’s faith in God...

	This man experienced a miracle from the Lord... everyone born again received even a greater miracle!
	Every believer is a living, breathing, walking, talking miracle of Jesus... let your light shine!
	As your light becomes brighter & brighter – people will be attracted to Him – be a difference maker
	Jesus hasn’t chosen 2005 to return... I believe it easily could be in 2006... maybe today!
	Are you ready to meet King Jesus?  How’d you do on the personal spiritual inventory?
	Begin to put into practice these action points and you will Be a Difference Maker in 2006...
	What we do with our life today will affect us & countless other lives throughout eternity!

Praise team may come up at this time...

<<A special PowerPoint 2006 animal slideshow – 4meg>>

Revelation 22:12 "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.

These truly are the Days of Elijah!

Pack your bags and don’t buy any green banana’s!  Jesus is Coming Soon!

Enjoy a Happy New Year!