Harmony Christian Church
Harmony Christian Church
Learning to Walk: Walking the Walk
Loading
/

Have you ever wondered if you are doing what God wants you to do?  While I think God does specifically care about you, I think what He wants from us is more encompassing than us just doing one thing.  Tune in this week to go deeper into this idea and get ready to let God speak to your heart.Help us advance the Kingdom, support our online ministry (harmonychurch.cc/give).  Got kids?  Check out Harmony Kids online (updated weekly)  https://www.harmonychurch.cc/harmony-kids-online/! 
——————-
Sermon Notes Slide Key:

  • Sermons always start with “OPENING ILLUSTRATION:” and end with “CLOSING ILLUSTRATION:”
  • All scriptures are NIV unless otherwise noted
  • Bold = Slide text
  • Bold Red = Scriptures (please reflect formatting of scripture on slides, i.e.  – underlines, italics, etc.)
  • “b” or “B” on a line by itself = Slide break/New slide
  • Bold ALL CAPS WORDS = heading to be ignored
  • [some text] = programming notes to be paid attention to

—————————–
OPENING ILLUSTRATION: A few weeks ago my mower breaks down, literally deck falls off it, scalps lawn, can’t drive cause caught in the wheel. 
can’t even begin to tell you how frustrating…  interviewing here, Momma Sheila watched one of my sermons and it was about my lawnmower. My mower used to break down, literally, every time I mowed. the running joke in the previous ministry.  Sheila called me the lawnmower guy…
spent more time fixing the mower than spent mowing with the mower…
If you want to know what something is, look at what it produces. a lawnmower that won’t mow, not a mower…  It’s a lawn ornament
Jesus said it this way: Matthew 7:16-2016 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
Have you ever known someone who has worried whether they are saved or not? Maybe you’ve had that question…
Jesus makes it simple for usYour fruit tells me everything I need to know about your root.
So, how I do know what your fruit is?
ILLUSTRATION: When youth pastor, tell kids should date someone Christians
Some kid would say a Christian to get a pretty girl to date them…
So, I changed what I started saying to kids.  Gave list of questions could ask to see if the person had the fruit of Christian.
-treat their younger siblings well?-kind of person who would cut in line if thought could get away with it?++The bible calls this, walking in the light++
The answer to whether you walk in the light (show fruit) is not a question of what you claim to be, but what you actually are.
3 Questions to Help you Identify Good Fruit:1.  What does your time say about your love for the people of God?-Every week – people up here working on cards, fixing lights, changing diapers in the nursery, etc.  
literally, thousands of man-hours sacrificing time to love on people.  To care for them, to go after them…
What about you?  What does the way you spend your time say about your walk with Jesus?-do you spend time praying for friends and neighbors?-do you eat with people who aren’t followers of Jesus so you can build relationships?-do you offer to help someone in need, even when it puts you out-do you sacrifice your time to help others?
This isn’t about doing more, it’s about being more intentional with what you are doing.
say that again, not adding to schedule, a matter of fact, to love well -have a feeling most of us have to remove from our schedule.
Jesus’ intention was always for disciples to be in a loving relationship with one another, not watching a show and eating popcorn…
Loving others well will take a significant investment of time.
2.  What does your treasure say about your love for the people of God
ILLUSTRATION: Knife giveaway – a guy in the church who wanted to make a difference.  didn’t want glory, doesn’t want anyone to know who he is.  Just wanted to give because if his sacrifice could move someone one step closer to following Jesus, it’s worth it to him.
What about you?  What does the way you handle your treasure say about you?
Jesus tells a harrowing story in Matthew 25 about sheep and goats -will separate people left and right.   -On left – goats on right sheep…
sheep will enter eternal life because fed hungry people, gave drinks to the thirsty, invited people in, clothed naked visited the sick, and in prison.  
goats same thing applied to them… go away to eternal punishment… when?  whenever you didn’t… it hits me… Sit up and take notice, because Jesus is noticing it all… He’s looking for fruit
The question for you and me…Is your life lived to lift up others or to fill yourself up?
3.  What does the way you use your talents tell me about your love for the people of God
ILLUSTRATION: I happen to be in this small group with some really incredible people.  They are all really talented, the top of what they do kind of people.  I came to them a few weeks ago and asked them if they would help me organize our small group ministry at the church.  They have become my team.  Helping to plan out our launch for September for our small groups.  They have gifts I just plain don’t.  I don’t care one lick about details, but I know details are everything.  I forget to follow up with things, they are going to manage that.  Because they are using their gifts and talents for the Kingdom to help create an opportunity for all of you to get into that kind of relationship where you can love others well.  
This is why Paul says to us1 Corinthians 12:2727 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
Jesus gave  – our lives to each other to Advance His Kingdom…
Can I just tell you?  In just a few months we are going to launch new small groups. I need over 20 leaders for these groups.  
Some of you are great with people, some of you are fantastic with the bible, some of you love to host people at your homes.  The body of Christ needs you!  I’d love to have you sign up to learn more about being a leader – see one of us out in the lobby
July 11th Informational meeting
CLOSING ILLUSTRATION: You know what I did with my lawnmower that had turned into a lawn ornament?   That’s right, I mocked it and made it feel guilty for not mowing the lawn.  I told it how terrible it was.  I set pictures of Club cadets with owners wistfully mowing their lawns in front of it to make it feel guilty…
I know, I’m a dork.  That’s not what I did.  Instead, I got into the guts of it and fixed it.  I put new parts where new parts were meant to be and got it up and running.
I don’t believe Jesus wants you to sit here feeling guilty, what He wants is for us to come to Him, the master mechanic, and let Him do some soul work on us.  For us to repent, and humble ourselves and offer ourselves as His tool in this world.  
Man, there are so many opportunities for you to make a difference! Don’t just sit there feeling guilty, go to the maker and let Him make you!++Learn to walk in the light!++