I love that song. It is a very creative video.
I have a soft-spot for Nickelback b/c I’m a 80’s metalhead and I like NB’s stuff. They have some very thoughtful lyrics as well - this song, 'Savin’ Me' - Overall, he just wants out of a bad situation and needs help doing so, but he wants to be helped by someone who truly thinks he deserves saving.
A pretty inspirational song.
The chorus is impactful:
And teach me wrong from right
And I'll show you what I can be
Say it for me
Say it to me
And I'll leave this life behind me
Say it if it's worth saving me
I wonder what we could say? I wonder what we could share
that would be worth it for someone to hear and listen?
What could we say, what could we share that it would be so meaningful to others that they’d leave (all that they know) their life behind them and go with what you have?
We are to be a voice of HOPE
This is a message God spoke in the O.T.
"But you are my witnesses, O Israel!" says the LORD. "And you are my servant. You have been chosen to know me, believe in me, and understand that I alone am God. There is no other God; there never has been and never will be. Is. 43:10
Israel’s task was to be a witness, to be a voice of hope, telling the world who God is and what He has done. Believers today share the same responsibility - do people know what God is like thru your words and example? Though they cannot see God directly, they see Him reflected in you. (mirror)
Another O.T. scripture -
”Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who turn many to righteousness will shine like stars forever.” Daniel 12:3
Many people strive to be stars in the unstable world of sports or entertainment, only to find the pursuit meaningless or temporary. God tells us how to be ‘eternal stars’ - by “turning many to righteousness” - by being a Voice of Hope!
Throughout the New Testament God is changing the lives of people through His Son Jesus Christ - story after story... Sual(Paul)... Cornelious... the Blind man... and on and on...
Look at this story in John 1:
“The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!" When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, "What do you want?"
They said, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?" “Come," he replied, "and you will see."
So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour.
Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.
Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter). John 1:35-42
I want you to think about this for a moment, this is HUGE!
We’re talking Peter here! Peter... who... became disciple...
... was part of Christ’s inner circle
... was the 1st great VoH after pentecost
... became the recognized leader of the church
and it was his brother Andrew who lead him to Christ.
Peter was living this normal, regular routine life and then Andrew takes him to Christ. From that moment on Peter found purpose in life, his reason for living, life actually meant something - Andrew had something worth sharing. (changed Peter's life)
Andrew was a voice of hope - this is a great example of how God has called us to be His witnesses that we read in Is. 43 and how to shine like the stars that we read in Da. 12
to be a Voice of HOPE
Here’s another ex. closer to home (lynn video)
Lynn is a godly woman who continues to impact the lives of those around and beyond... and did you catch how she was lead to Jesus Christ? or how she ‘meet the Lord’ in her own words there?
2 people - Andy and her mother
Andy is living out Dan. 12:3, shinning star - He is this mirror reflecting the glory of God, the love of God out to others - and Lynn was one of those who saw Christ in Andy.
Her mother is living out Is. 43 as well as John 1 leading her now adult daughter to church to meet Christ.
Andy and her mother had something worth sharing - they were both a VoH
Let’s look at Rick (video) - how cool - their testimony - heard that b4? your testimony can be broken down to 3 simple steps - Life b4 JC - how met JC - life after JC - that’s testimony.
Your life story will change the life of others
How did Rick come to know Christ?
Wife and other believers (men’s group)
Let me ask you, who made a difference in your life?
Who was a shinning star in your life? Who reflected the love of God to you? Someone did, maybe a # of people did
Now let me ask you this - how can we make a difference?
How can we share this good news, this amazing story of love, forgiveness, and acceptance?
HOW?
Invest and Invite
All of us know people, people who are close to us who do not know Christ intimately. Who have not stepped over that line and accepted Him as Savior.
Invest in them - you’re not on your own, we will be praying with you and partnering together to share the love of Christ w/ them. I promise you our goal every week here is to share the love, acceptance, and forgiveness Christ offers.
Operation Andrew:
LOOK AROUND where you live, work, or go to school—
this is your mission field. List names of individuals you
know who need Jesus Christ.
LOOK UP because God changes people through prayer.
Pray each day for those on your list, that God will give
you opportunities to share His love with them.
LOOK OUT for ways to cultivate friendships with each
person on your list. Spend time with them. An invitation
to dinner or a sporting event will cultivate friendships, to build trust which can open the way to talk about Christ.
LOOK FORWARD by beginning to talk with each person
on your list about attending church or maybe a small group or down at Montrose with you.
Choose a specific date, pray, and invite them.
LOOK AFTER those who respond to Christ or even begin
to show interest in the Gospel, for they need your
encouragement. Continue to love and pray for those
who do not respond.
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