SERMON - Wheres The Proof? By Rev. Dennis Dafoe
CONTEXT: Eph 5:8-13. (turn to - read.) Eph 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now [are ye] light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them]. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever makes manifest is light. INTRODUCTION: There is a show I like to watch, when I get the chance - 'Law & Order', you learn a little watching. In court their are 2 levels of accountability, in civil action lawsuits, there must be only majority probability. In criminal litigation, hwever, there must be proof beyond a reasonable doubt. We Christians are under the criminal level of prosecution constantly - in every word, action and intent! Both people of our faith are needing our evidence for edification and those outside the church, of this world, are looking to slam the gavel on your witness! As well "The Judge of the living and dead" is also srutinizing our lives for sincere service. Our text tells this, and what we should be doing to give evidence in action, attributes and attitude. The word 'Proving' means: 1.to examine 2. to test 3. to give proof. Right there, three steps in one word. 1. Examine what is acceptable to the Lord. 2. Test what is acceptable to the the Lord. 3. Give proof of what is acceptable to the Lord. Quite a word! Next word to look at... 'What'. The meaning of this word in greek gives special range and emphasis - From the largest part to the most miute detail! Finally - 'Acceptable'. This means 'pleasing' - to the Lord! What pleases God is the guage for the amount of His evidence in your life! Transitional Statement: Everyday we are on trial to those looking for our witness from smallest to the largest thing. So my question to you today and everyday is..."Wheres Your Proof?!" 1. Embracing Heaven (Show of hands) How many people here want to go to heaven? (Don't answer) Why do you want to go to heaven? A. Children of Light - Eph 5:8 For ye were sometime darkness, but now [are ye] light in the Lord: walk as children of light: If we've asked Jesus into our lives, God has given us light and made us His Children! Simple conclusion, we should be walking as children of light? Paul mentions this, as a description of who we are to be. We are His children...adopted...How well do you know your Father? Have you done many things in your Father's name? But how well do you know Him who the name belongs to? It is not acceptable to God to call yourself His child and act like a stranger! TURN TO: Matt 7:21 Not every one that says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father in heaven. Imagine someone coming to your home 10 years after intially meeting them and they want to live with you now because they called you on the phone here and there and liked to pass out your business card! If you want to go to heaven so you don't go to hell your missing what is acceptable to the Lord! No, God doesn't want you in hell, but He wants so much more than that. He wants you to embrace heaven, meanig He who made heaven - To embrace Him first and most! Not a Santa Claus admiration, but "'I can't breathe without you" adoration! Would you want heaven if He wasn't there? Mk12:30Love the Lord your God with all... Loving God is acceptable to the Lord! That means spending time in a disciplined regime of daily prayer and bible study and loving people! He wants your hugs, and kisses and sacrifices for proof. You may say: "But we can't hug God"! Sure..Hug His Body!! Thats how we love God! Mk12:30-31Love the Lord your God with all...and love your neighbor as yourself. We can easily love God for what He can do for us -sugar daddy, He wants you to love Him like he loves you -He gives. Ro 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. Prove your love by giving to Him, giving yourself. He gave first to prove it - It's Right behind me, A cross where His Son died for you, a gift from the Father! Are you Loving God the acceptable way? Are you proving it - giving away your life? The world is yelling:"Show me you are one, show me your unity, show me you know God!" "Wheres Your Proof?!!" B. Fruit Louder Than Words -9 For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth It seems odd that this verse would follow vs 8, its like a change of subject. Why would it be found here? Because it's not a change, It goes hand in hand.TURN TO: Mt 7:17 Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. If you have the acceptable attitude of truly knowing your Father via prayer and such as mentioned, then regardless, you will start to act like Him, He wears off on you! And Actions speak louder than words! Therefore it is logical for vs9 to state the fruit of the spirit - Ga 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law - These attributes of Christ that should be born in us if we hang around Him! We should be seeing these in our lives, but you must do more than use His name, call yourself His child of light and want to go to heaven. You must Embrace Heaven; meaning you are pleasing God in His acceptable way! Fruit is louder than words! Are you proving what is acceptable? Are you bearing fruit? The world is yelling: "Show me your freedom!, Show me what Jesus is like!" Eph 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. "Where your Proof!?" 2. The Gump Philosophy 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them]. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Notice the darkness in these verses, notice it outside, in this world? I hope so! What are you doing about it? A. Contrast - 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. Those who do not know Christ do things in ignorance and they are of no value, its rare that you can debate or teach a lesson or even preach to the darkness. Whats needed? A difference. They need to see a contrast to theirs lives that shows a better way and productive or fruitful way. Ro 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, acceptable, and perfect, will of God. We are to be rebels with a cause! No longer can we go with the flow, to do so, as James 4 says, is to make God your enemy! Our mind is to be transformed by? Renewing. This is not an event, its a multiple step program! If you will continually renew your mind with God's word and presence and with one another, you will give proof of His acceptable will! You will show the contrast the people are looking to see! Last night there was a movie on that was released in theatres years ago now, it stars Tom Hanks..See it? 'Forrest Gump'. Well theres a repeated saying in the movie..Know it?.."stupid is as stupid does". Simple but true! And for us this principle is written on our text. The wording is a little different though; for us its: "Christian is as Christian does!" You can call yourself an ambassador for Jesus all you want, you can where His Jersey, but if actions are not matching the talk, calling Him "Lord, Lord", is not worth a hill a beans! You'd better make sure your "does" is the same as what you "says" or your showing very little contrast! You should feel shame when you share in their immorality, from sharing same points of view to laughing at the dark jokes. We should have common ground - hobbies, family, sports etc. But the values and foundation of life must be always different than the darkness, there can be no compromise! If your proving God's will and renewing your mind, It will look more and more like this - Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (Bumper sticker -Clergy shirt...) There's another saying in that movie I want to quote: "And thats all I have to say about that". Do your actions match your talk? Are you showing to this world the contrast? The world is yelling: "Show me Holiness!, Show Me Strength! Show me Love!" - "Wheres your proof?!!" B. Highbeams: 13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Are you making manifest? Are you yelling your light into the faces of the world? Yes Yelling, Light is loud, its noticable! It exposes sin, confronts wrong and makes evil uncomfortable! If your shining your light into the squinting eyes of the world, they'll have no choice but to notice! Or do you keep silent and in your house, shading your light? "Someone else will show them, God will get them, best to leave each to their own and live and let live" People will not come around to God on their own, God draws them with His spirit and shows them the way through YOU! God might use someone else, is that what you want, is that what God finds acceptable? No. Don't assume much. Billy Graham recounts a time where he knew a President, and one night, this president called him and asked if Billy could come over for council, but Billy had a cold and said he would talk to him tomorrow. the next day J.F.K was assasinated! Like us at one time, the world is fallen and can't get up, because they usually don't know they've fallen! Mt 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Part of our calling is to let them see the pit there in... and then offer the rope! Its time we put on the highbeams!! Are you letting your letting your light shine? Are you showing the difference and how to get their? The world is yelling: "Tell me why I should come to your church!, Show me some light!, Tell me why I should know this Jesus!" Eph 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. - "Wheres your Proof?!!" Conclusion: In our lives, we need to be conscious we're showing evidence of the power and change of God, to other christians - in our love, to the world, in our fruit - to God, in our service. I'm not questioning whether your a christian or not, but wondering if your christianity speaks for itself?! Francis of Asissi said: "Preach the gospel everyday of your life and when necessary use words." There is the saying: If you were put on trial for being a christian, would there be enough evidence to convict?! Wheres your proof?!
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