Speaking in the Light – 11-3

Today if you decide to do something really stupid, you won’t be able to say that you haven’t been properly warned.
As a matter of fact, you are given clear warnings daily that I am sure are going unnoticed right before your very eyes. Let me share with you a few of the crazy labels actually found on the following products. Is anybody reading? Is anybody listening? Is anybody conscious?
• Liquid Plummer
Warning: Do not reuse the bottle to store beverages… (And I was running short on glasses!)
• Windex
Do not spray in your eyes…(But I wanted them to shine!)
• Toilet Plunger
Caution: Do not use near power lines…(Why not?)
• Dremel Electric Rotary Tool
This product not intended for use as a dental drill…(I was hoping to put Dr. Thomas out of business!)
• Cardboard windshield sunshade
Warning: Do Not Drive With Sun Shield in Place…(Why? I think it might improve lots of driving done around this town!)
• Bowl Fresh
Safe to use around pets and children, although it is not recommended that either be permitted to drink from toilet…(I was so thirsty!)
• Endust Duster
This product is not defined as flammable by the Consumer Products Safety Commission Regulations. However, this product can be ignited under certain circumstances. (And what would those circumstances be?)
• Hair Coloring
Do not use as an ice cream topping. (But nothing goes better with a big bowl of vanilla!)
• Mattress
Warning: Do not attempt to swallow… (But I have such a big mouth!)
• Children’s Superman Costume
Wearing of this garment does not enable you to fly… (But it worked for George Reeves!)
• Bag of Fritos
You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside… (I guess I’ll eat them right here in the store!)
• Infant’s bathtub
Do not throw baby out with bath water…
(Well, as long as I still have the tub!)
• Package of Fisherman’s Friend throat lozenges
Not meant as substitute for human companionship (I’m not touching this one with a ten foot pole!)
I can’t help but think that there are many readers of this column who would honestly and sincerely say that they really respect and long to follow the Lord’s voice. But yet, they don’t want to be the only one in their family, or at their school, or on the job or even in their church to have to stick out from the crowd in order to do so.
They want to be popular rather than pious. They want to be accepted by their crowd rather than affirmed by their Creator. And while they may be intrigued by the words of Scripture, they are not interested in standing out so they fit right in and choose the highway over His way.
Christianity should lead to changed thinking and changed attitudes and changed lives. A congregation that displays no transformation becomes an irritation to our God who desires celebration. Here is the warning label: Christians should produce lasting and living and loving fruit. And you can’t do so if you are more selfish than selfless.
Unless you are willing to become Christ like because you honestly like Christ, doing what Jesus does will never make sense to you at all and it will produce very little power packed fruit loops for Christ.
So my sermon in a sentence is simply this: You must decide what principle will guide your walk. Do you want to be popular?
Do you want to please the Lord? Warning: To try to do both is like trying to walk safely in the middle of the Garden State Parkway blindfolded with your hands full of raw eggs balancing expensive glassware on your head!
Something has got to give! So maybe today is the day to make the crowd one less crowded. God may not always be the most popular, but He is by far the most important! And that’s the truth.
.