Camouflaged Christians

Romans 12:1,2
I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
I have read this scripture about 100 + times and I thought I got it. I didn’t, well, not until today. I attended a men’s Christian weekend and just got back last night. Verse 2 was the theme scripture but in the hustle and bustle of the weekend, I didn’t get it.
As sometimes with me it happens, my heart was set on service and not the theme (I was hiding in service). The first day on this retreat, I wore a camouflaged shirt. I didn’t realize how that shirt represented my thought process. The purpose of camouflage is “to not be seen” - to go unnoticed. To “blend in” to the surroundings; not “draw attention” to ourselves and it’s an advantage for the military and for sportsmen, but it’s disastrous for Christianity.
I wanted to be in the background, not seen and not draw attention to myself. God didn’t see it that way; he put me right out front (unhappily for me at first). Even though I didn’t want to be there, God still made me shine. God ripped off my Camouflage!
How do we avoid becoming a Camouflaged Christian?
To not be Camouflaged, there must be a:
• Difference in our LOGIC - because we have a different MIND ( I needed to change my mind)

• Difference in our LABOR - because we have a different MISSION (My mission didn’t change but the method did)

• There Must Be A Difference in our LIVES - Because we have a Different MASTER

The World can’t afford for us to be Camouflaged Christians.
Mt. 5:14-16 14
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. “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. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

How do we keep from becoming camouflaged?
There has to be:
1. A Presentation - present our bodies to God as living sacrifices.
2. A Separation - avoid conforming to the world’s ways
3. A Transformation - renew our minds through Christ
4. A Demonstration - prove we belong to God by doing His will.

I don’t know about you but I am going to stop fighting God’s will for me. I’m going to stop hiding and become the man God wants me to be. I’m not going to try to restrain myself from doing God’s will in community because of a fear of Public Speaking.
This fear, I’m throwing into the garbage!

Vessels: Some empty, some cracked

I heard a wonderful sermon on the Holy Spirit this weekend. He used analogies that amazed me and inspired me. I’m going to share one of his analogies in my own way. Just know, his words sunk into me deeply.

There’s a story of a Pastor who was talking to one of the newest members of his church.
This member wanted to know, “How do I find God? What I mean is now that I believe Jesus was sent to save me; I want to know God more. How do I find him?”

The Pastor guided him to the Baptismal Pool and led him into the water. Grabbing the member’s shoulders he immersed him totally into the water. Instead of releasing him and helping him out of the water he kept him under the water until the member started struggling. Finally, the Pastor released him.

The member was upset and asked him why he had held him under the water so long. The Pastor replied, “when you were under the water, what did you want more than ever?’

The member stated, “Air”.

The Pastor replied, “When you want God as much as you wanted that air, you will find him!”

How desperate are you for God? How much of God’s Holy Spirit do you want? When do you want God to pour his Holy Spirit in you? When will you claim to be God’s Earthen Vessel?

No matter who we are or where we come from, each of us have been created to be vessels of the Holy Spirit.
II Corinthians 4:7 - but we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

It’s easy for me to look at myself as an earthen vessel…..a large vase! But…. My vessel is cracked (I can think of a hundred jokes with this but I’m not joking here). I daily need to refill my vessel because of my sin.

You are an earthen vessel. What you decide to put in your earthen vessel is your choice. God has the better plan for your life to fill you up with His “…excellence of power… His Holy Spirit”

As I said though, mine is cracked, I constantly need to seek God and replenish my cracked vase. I don’t ever want my vase to be empty but because I sin, (I’m cracked) it does. It also flows out of me because I share God's wonderful Holy Spirit with others that are empty.

God won’t pour his blessings into a vessel that is filled with the cares of life and the love of this world and its sin. God is looking for EMPTY/CRACKED VESSELS to fill!
God will continue outpouring His Holy Spirit for you.

Are you ready to receive? Do you really want to know him?

Are you an EMPTY or CRACKED VESSEL ready to be poured into?