Sermon preached by Chaplain Rick Brewer 07-10-13
This sermon uses a visual illustration of a tea bag. You will need: A Tea Bag, Plate, Glass of water, Lighter, something to pry out the staple.
1. Labels:
The Label tells us what kind of tea it is.
Just as we have Baptist on the sign to tell others where we stand and what we believe.
Note: Sometimes the label might say one thing and be something different.. You sometimes need to make a cup of tea to find out what it really is.
Jesus had labels too. He was called Christ, the Son of God, Messiah, and the Good Shepherd and Master to name a few.
Even at his death he was given a label the King of the Jews But all these labels were put on Him by those around him.
For Jesus did not seek the glory or fame, the riches or power of this world. But He was not concerned with titles or with labels of importance,
Instead He made himself a servant.
Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
2. Attachments: the staple
One of the things that is difficult for people these days is attachments. People get attached to a home, cars, motor boats, and huge TVs, a bike, video game, cell phone.. While these things in themselves are not a sin.. What we do with them can be.. When we get so attached to the things of this world… that we don’t have time for God.
Jesus had no attachments. Nothing to detour Him from his purpose.
Luke 9:57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. [58] And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. [59] And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. [60] Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. [61] And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. [62] And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
3. The weight of sin
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Illustration: Sin can take something clean and make it nasty…
Pour the contents into a glass and stir it.
Illustration: you must be emptied out in order for God to be able to use you
4. The Cleansed soul
Now that we are emptied out from sin we can stand tall. (open up the tea bag and place it on a plate)
Without sin you can now become a light for others.
Matthew 5:16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. [15] Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. [16] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Light the bag and make the statement while the bag is burning:
Let the word of God Burn in your heart and consume you and light the way for others
When the flame goes out: the remnant will rise.
Just as Christ rose and went to the Father, if you live your life unconcerned about labels, unconcerned about the attachments of this world your fire will lift you up before others so that you might point others to Christ.