You and I are… the Living Proof!

HCC (1/24/02, 2/15/04 Revised, 7/20/08 Revised) 1/8/17 Revised Text: Job 1:13-19

13 One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting at the oldest brother’s house, 14 a messenger arrived at Job’s home with this news: “Your oxen were plowing, with the donkeys feeding beside them, 15 when the Sabeans raided us. They stole all the animals and killed all the farmhands. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.” 16 While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: “The fire of God has fallen from heaven and burned up your sheep and all the shepherds. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.” 17 While he was still speaking, a third messenger arrived with this news: “Three bands of Chaldean raiders have stolen your camels and killed your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.” 18 While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: “Your sons and daughters were feasting in their oldest brother’s home.19 Suddenly, a powerful wind swept in from the wilderness and hit the house on all sides. The house collapsed, and all your children are dead. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”

- The First Messenger said…"I am the only one who escaped to tell you!" - All your oxen and donkeys have been taken - All your servants have been slain - It was the Sabeans and … “I am the only one who escaped to tell you!”

- While he was still speaking the second messenger comes saying… “I'm the only one who escaped to tell you!” - Fire from heaven has destroyed all you sheep - It has even consumed your servants… And I'm the only one who escaped to tell you!

- The third messenger comes saying… “I'm the only one who escaped to tell you!” - The Chaldeans have taken all your camels - They have even killed all your servants… “and I'm the only one who escaped to tell you!”

- The Fourth and last messenger comes saying… “I'm the only one who escaped to tell you!” - All your sons and daughters were in your oldest son’s home when a fierce wind came and pulled the four corners of the house upon them killing them all and…… “I'm the only one who escaped to tell you!”

I'm using this story to remind you of something… - That dead men tell no tales? - No… That these messengers who survived all these catastrophes… - Were living witnesses… - They were the only "living proof" to these events - They were the only ones fortunate enough to live… and be able to tell the story

So here's my point… You and I are the living witnesses… - You and I are the Living Proof - And it’s our job to tell the story!

Turn to Deuteronomy 6:6 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 8 Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

- Teach them diligently to your children - Pass it on from generation to generation - Talk about it

So when your son or anyone else asks… What is the meaning of these testimonies?

Now skip down to Verse 21... 21 “Then you must tell them, ‘We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt, but the LORD brought us out of Egypt with his strong hand. 22 The LORD did miraculous signs and wonders before our eyes, dealing terrifying blows against Egypt and Pharaoh and all his people. 23 He brought us out of Egypt so he could give us this land he had sworn to give our ancestors.

You and I are living proof! 1. Living proof of… God’s mercy - We didn't get… what we deserved - Instead… we got a new chance a fresh start - We got… His blood washing… Forgiveness!

2. Living proof of… God’s blessings - Look around! - Not only are we a blessed people… we are a blessed nation! - His blessing are all over us!

3. Living proof of… God’s working power - His trans-forming power - His healing working power - We are no longer the same!

4. Living proof of… God's unique calling - He chose the foolish things of this world - He chose us… just ordinary people - He chose us… The broken, lost, hurting and bound… to set free!

Our job is to run back and tell someone - And more than that… Let your life be seen and read by all men.

2 Cor. 3:2 2 The only letter of recommendation we need is you yourselves. Your lives are a letter written in our[a] hearts; everyone can read it and recognize our good work among you.

I love Paul's take on this subject…

Turn with met to 1 Cor. 9:19-23 19 Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. 20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. 21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law,[e] I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. 22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings. Paul became a servant to servants - He said… I’ve got to come down to their level - He recognized their value… and reached out to them

Paul became a Jew to the Jews - He understood their traditions - He respected their love for God and His Law

Paul became as one under the Law to reach those who live under the law

Paul did the same to those set free from the Law - 2 Cor. 3:17 Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is Liberty”

Paul even became weak to reach those who were week - “For when I am weak then I am strong”

Paul said… I have become all things to all men… for the sake of the Gospel!

How do we do what Paul did? 1. Get involved with those people 2. Become part of their group and culture 3. Become a participant of their ways and customs 4. Be a witness to the truth

… By whatever means it takes! LIVING PROOF!

How did Jesus do it?… You’ll find Him at… 1. Simon the Pharisee’s home 2. At Matthew the tax collectors home 3. Peter the fisherman’s home 4. Simon the Leper’s home 5. Jairus’s home 6. He almost went into the Centurions home 7. Martha’s home 8. An many many more homes….

How can we win the Lost? - When they don't know God's Word - By being the living epistle He has called us to be - You and I may be the only Jesus they see

The question is… do you want to take that responsibility - Is the Cross of Christ too heavy for you?

How can we win the Lost? - When they don't know the rules of the kingdom? - By showing them by the way we live.

How can we win the Lost? - When they can't speak our language? - Remember how Jesus reached out to Nicodemus? - Wind - Birth - Earthly terms

They may not be able to understand all our Christian…ese… but they will be able to understand this… - Loving them - being there in their time of need - Being there in their time of celebration - Showing real interest

Remember the passage where Jesus said… If you did unto the least of these… you have done it unto me?

Let's give it another try Let's do whatever it takes Win the Lost at any cost!