Living to make a difference!

The Law of Christ

Galatians 6:14 (NIV)

14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Galatians 5:13-14 (NIV) 

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

You can't love out of duty because love is relational. 

Galatians 6:2 (NIV)

2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

How to live to make a difference.

Galatians 6:10  (NIV)

10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

I don't have to love others.  I get to love them. 

1.  We need to identify our sphere of influence.

2 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)

13 But we will not boast beyond limits, but will boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, to reach even to you.

We are not called to everyone only those that God has put into our lives.

Acts 17:26  (ESV)

26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,

Our Sphere of Influence is... 

A. Our workplace.  

B. Our family.  

C. Our passion.  

D. Our place. 

2. We must help those whom God has placed into our lives by meeting their needs.

Galatians 6:2  (NLT)

2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

Matthew 25:34-40  (NLT)

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 

35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 

36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 

38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing?

39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

We must find other's needs and fill them.  We must find other's hurts and heal them.

3.  We must point them to Jesus and His Family (the Church).

Matthew 11:28-30  (NLT)

28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Psalm 92:12-15 (NLT)

12 But the godly will flourish like palm trees
    and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon.
13 For they are transplanted to the Lord’s own house.
    They flourish in the courts of our God.
14 Even in old age they will still produce fruit;
    they will remain vital and green.
15 They will declare, “The Lord is just!
    He is my rock!
    There is no evil in him!”

God has given us a promise of Freedom.

Galatians 6:8-9 (NLT)

8 Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. 9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

John 10:10 (NLT)

10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

We can experience God's freedom to help others everyday.

Mark Pettis, Church of the Highlands

https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/living-to-make-a-difference