Somewhere in the history of man, we found it in our hearts to cut corners and do things our own way. I want to specifically address those men out there that are living the comfortable life, maybe you are married and have a great job or have gone to college and feel good about yourself because you are intelligent and successful in life. Maybe you dont have a good relationship with anyone ... least of all your family or co-workers? Maybe you are the guy who everyone trusts and expects to solve their problems, yet in secret you are addicted to pornography, lust, masterbation, alcohol, illegal drugs or other fake replacements of "real peace".
I have great news for you! YOU are special to God and He really does love YOU and cares for you despite what you contiunue to hear from the media and universities and so-called experts. I can hear some of you right now with your rolling eyes say, "Someone is always talking about God, then why is there bad in the world?". Listen up, I cannot explain everything or very much for that fact with a nice clean crispy response that will satisfy you. Of all the knowledge that exists, I really dont know very much at all, however I do know a few things very well and I'd like to share them with you if you will give me a moment?
This message is only Part 1 of 5, therefore I encourage you to come back and review my remaining four messages in this series on the purpose of men entitled "Men on Life". This first installment is based upon Matthew 5:13-16 .... Please join me.
Most men are taught to search and acquire things in life that are transitional or temporary. Think about it for a minute? We learned since the time we were kids that if we applied ourselves and worked hard in school that someday we would get a great job and be successful. Although this is great for discipline and work ethic, it is at the core a LIE.
We were also taught that we should always be strong, not cry, be tough which also is a great tool when you want to condition yourself for war or train yourself to reach a goal such as weight training, or running a marathon or pass the bar exam. However, this too in terms of the things that are eternal and matter most in life is also a LIE. In hopes of keeping this message short and to the point, I will refrain from using additional yet obvious examples.
God created man, YOU are not an accident nor did you evolve from matter or slime somewhere! God in His infinite wisdom created YOU who are so complex that doctors and intellects all over the world cannot explain the complexity of your blood cells and how it operates with simplicity. You came from somewhere and that "somewhere" is from the hand of the Lord!
Jesus Christ taught a lesson regarding the simplest things in life and how they contrast with the struggle and rewards of life, better known as the "Sermon on the Mound" or "The Beatitudes". His focus wasn't in revealing the way of salvation for the lost, rather in showing the way of life for the true children of the kingdom.
Jesus was recorded in Matthew 5:13 as saying, "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salf loses it's flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be trampled underfoot by men". (NKJV) Listen up men ... this is a revolutionary truth that has stood the test of time. Think about this for a minute? 2,000 years ago when Jesus actually taught this principle, there were no DNA Laboratories, television, internet service, cell phones, pagers, cars, etc. How could He know that something as simple as "Salt" is made up chemically of sodium chloride? If you take sodium chloride away from sodium chloride, you have nothing! Nothing from nothing leaves nothing, you gotta have somthing if you wanna be with me (remember that song?). Jesus has made it clear and YOU are now on notice that you were created with a divine purpose and YOU are the salt of the earth! Salt has two primary purposes and that is to preserve and to add flavor. Similarly, YOU are charged with preserving righteousness and holiness in your life, not filling yourself with fake junk this world has to offer such as sneaking peeks on pornography websites or lusting after the attractive women in church or promoting the flirtatious relationship with your co-workers or treating your spouse with disrespect or alienating yourself from your children because you've worn out the excuse that you have to work to provide for your family. Most men will swear that they would die for their family .... I challenge you with this, "Would you live for your family?". If you lose your chemical properties as a believer and confessed follower of Jesus Christ, then you are like salt which lacks sodium choloride ... USELESS and is only useful to be laid down as road gravel for everyone to walk upon. Do you hear me men? YOU were created to preserve truth, life, peace, holiness and pour into the lives of others regardless of what they look like!
Matthew 5:14, "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden". (NKJV) The light that Jesus is referring to here is the reflective light that comes directly from God the Father. Have you ever got up in the middle of the night to use the restroom? Somewhere in your groggy transition from the bed, your toe clips the edge of the dresser or chair or door jam ... OUCH! Somehow you wish that you knew exactly where the position of that obstacle was before slamming hard core into it. If the light were on, you would know exactly the position of that obstacle and how to navigate around it. All of us would most likely agree that light in this scenario would be invaluable! HOWEVER, on the other hand many of us live our lives just the opposite, especially those men who are sceptical or swear there is no god or beleive that when you die thats it. Please listen to me on this one ... It is tragic and an eternally dangerous thing to base your beliefs and convictions upon your experience. If on the other hand you got up in the middle of the night to use the restroom and somehow slammed your toe into the corner of your dresser and clinched your foot in shear agony becuase the pain was crippling; you would realize that absence of light causes you to walk around in the dark basing your decisions on things you cannot clearly see or your previous yet limited experience of what you think you knew. What would you see if the light was pointed towards your thoughts? Would you see a lonely person who really uses sarcasm as a shield to protect you from your inferiority of others or the out-of-control lustful thoughts you are consumed with when you are with your wife or girlfriend. Would you be like the cockroach that runs for cover when the light switch is turned on because of your deep seeded shame and humiliation of the truth. YOU are not alone! The Lord Jesus Christ wants to rescue you from trying to overcome yourself by yourself.
Matthew 5:15, "Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house". (NKJV) Now that we understand our purpose to be actively engaged in the properties that make us up .... what exactly does this mean? Simply put, as a believer YOU are purposed to be light, constantly reflecting the merciful, loving, compassionate love and light of Jesus Christ in your life. Jesus Christ is not going to play second fiddle to anyone -- NOT YOU, NOT THIS WORLD, NOT ANYONE!!! In summary, this is the subtle reminder for proof of your character. The proof is in the pudding my friends, if you say you are a believer and that you follow Jesus Christ as your Lord & Savior, Do you reflect light on the lampstand of your life so others can see you through their darkness and be drawn to the life of completeness that only God can give them through His Son Jesus Christ? What's the word on the street? Do you talk smack about your faith or do you put it all on the line and live your faith for Jesus Christ?
In Conclusion, Matthew 5:16 says, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (NKJV) As I mentioned previously, YOU cannot manufacture your own light. As a believer in Jesus Christ YOU are set free from the bondage and blindness of this world, therefore YOU reflect God's merciful light so others can be directed to the life which you hopefully have. The cool thing is that YOU are not called to observe a multitude of rules and regulations or be a good person or show up to church with a suit on! Listen very clearly, although some of those things may appear to be evidence or character traits of your life, only God changes lives ... you may be making excuses about your sin and you would be dead wrong to continue to live your life in that LIE. It is not wrong or unloving for me to turn on the light for you to see, it would however be wrong for me to turn on the light and beat you up with guilt about sins you struggle with. Listen, I love you too much to let you make excuses about continuing in the bondage/addiction to: pornography, alcoholism, illegal drug use, lust, homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, lies, adultery, greed, materialism, stealing, etc. The list goes on an on an on, huh?
You've tried and failed & tried and failed again, yet you cannot overcome that addiction. You tried not masterbating or dinking or logging onto the porn sites because youre a deacon or pastor or well know person in your community or doctor or school teacher or lawyer, and you are well respected -- You love your wife or husband and would hate to be found out! Today is the day of salvation for you if you will only give up and let Jesus Christ save you! If somehow after having read my sermon you want to escape the life of fraud that your life has become and be set free, just give your life to Jesus Christ and He said He will forgive you of your sins. Jesus said that if you would call on His name and ask Him into your heart that He will save you. This is a promise that He guarantees to deliver immediately and instantaneously, only if you would have faith and believe in Him alone!
If I'm talking to you and you truly desire to be changed, I want you to stop right where you are and pray this simple prayer .... "Lord I don't have all the answers to life. I dont really understand much at all, but I do realize that I cannot continue to live under my own rules. I need your help right now and I'm asking you to forgive me of all the evil things I've done in my life. Please come into my life as my Lord and my Savior. Give me a new life and the desires that you want me to have. Thank you for loving me, Amen".
If you prayed that simple prayer, YOU are now in the family of God. It is important that you find and attend a church that teaches only from the Holy Bible. Congratulations on your new life committment to follow Jesus Christ! I won't kid you, YOU are a different person now and life doesn't get easier ... however You will never be the same old person again.
Please send me an email and let me know how I can pray for you everyday!
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Out of Egypt Ministries was founded by Egypt McKee and exists only to radically encourage men, women and teens in Suburban-Inner City-Rural communities to understand their purpose in life and to walk daily in fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ!Egypt McKee is a gifted Speaker & Evangelist who travels throughout the United States and internationally preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Crusades, Conferences, Retreats and Churches to people from every walk of life.
This ministry is self supporting and we are dependent upon financial gifts from our ministry partners to continue reaching every person with the Good News! If you are interested in helping support our ministry, Please send us an email for more information at egyptmckee@hotmail.com or egyptmckee@cox.net
