Preached at Markham Baptist Church, June 27, 2001

We are on the threshold right now as a church and we have some important decisions to make. That threshold is undetermined right now but we are at the point where we need to look forward and respond to God leading this church. God is calling us to move forward here. Many of us feel that and are excited about it. So today, let's begin to put some serious thought into that and where each of us fit in.

As far as I know, there are no Christian Superstars in this room. There is no Billy Graham, Mother Teresa, or Martin Luther. We know that Moses, King David, Goliath, Samson, Peter and other heroes of scripture died long ago. But we do have some terrific people here doing great ministry. On Saturday May 5th Carolyn Dougall graduated seminary and this week began full-time ministry at Evergreen, a ministry of Yonge Street Mission to inner city teenagers. God challenged Carolyn and made her aware of gifts/talents she was to use as he called her to ministry with these young people. It took 2 years full-time at Seminary and many sacrifices of time and finances and family. Not all of us here are being called to step out like Carolyn but maybe some of you are. But all of us certainly, as believers, need to be people that are making a difference because of their faith in Jesus Christ.

If you are anything like me, you wonder how one person can make much of an impact on this world. There are simply too many people. The world is too big. There are too many problems. Can one or a few people make a difference? I think the answer is "YES" but even more important than what I think, Jesus says, ".... if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:20) (NRSV) You can make a difference and Markham Baptist can make a difference.

We can have impact and be world-changers. The thing of it is, we might not always see the change. Like the story of the mustard seed, it may take time and it may be such that we will never know our impact. But it will be an impact that others will see and say: "I want to live like that" or "I want to be part of a church that is like that." We can decide to be a doer of the word as James speaks (we'll read his words in a minute) as we show the world who we are by how we live. We can be a doer of the word as our church family is a doer of the word - as we work together in this community, serving the needs there.

I want to share a video clip with you that outlines making a difference in a community - New York city. The speaker is E.V. Hill. He is speaking at a men's conference about how a few people can impact many.

(Apologies, video unavailable on the internet due to copyright.)

There have been all kinds of examples like this one where a few can impact the many, whether for good or evil. In this community right now there is an issue with Markham District High School regarding the pathway between the yard and the street behind. It affects not only the entire school of almost 2000 students and the 120 staff, it affects the neighbours, families of all. The problem of drug dealing, fighting, harassment, just plain blocking the path is done by probably no more than 30-50 students, most of who are in grades 9-11. There have been similar problems I know of at Unionville High School. Unfortunately we don't have to look far to find other instances. Where is the church of Jesus Christ today? Why does it not have more impact? What can we do as individuals? What can we do as a church?

As we look at the idea of Making a Difference, I want you to ask yourself one question: "Is my life fulfilling God's purpose for me?" This is not a guilt trip time today. Just an honest self-reflection between you and God.

"Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is not variation or shadow due to change. In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of this creatures. You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God's righteousness. Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act - they will be blessed in their doing. If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world."
(James 1:17-27) (NRSV)

Four points here to remember:

Every good gift is from God [vv. 17-18]
God gives us all that we need, both individually and as a church. We know from scripture that again and again God supported the people of faith. And when they turned away from him, he brought them back. He blessed their living as they stayed true to him. And he continues to do that today. In Jesus, he has given us perfection. The true gift that cannot be repaid, no matter what we do - and it was, is free. Tom has taught us that each person who believes in Jesus has the fruit of his Spirit in them and his spiritual gifts to use as testimony to our faith. These gifts are perfect. Perfect in their substance. Perfect to fulfill his purposes as they are distributed to God's people as necessary.

The word of the gospel can change us [vv. 19-21]
James compels the people to be learners of the word. He starts the section as if they are not paying attention. In a group setting, when I want to get the attention of a group, I have a certain ability I have developed. [whistle] James uses the Greek word that means, "know this!" to get their attention. He makes sure we stop to listen to hear him tell us to be quick to listen, to be slow to speak and to be slow to anger. We are told to welcome the word, which is not always easy to do, because it has the power to save your soul. This is important stuff and James does not want them to miss it. But some will, because they are not humble but proud and arrogant, loud and quick to speak, slow to listen.

We need to listen (learn) and then do [vv. 22-25]
But as we listen, we need to do. James gives us the example of the person who looks in the mirror. Think about it. I look and see the things I need to touch up. I know if I am ready to go out. I know what I look like. But James is comparing those who only hear the word to people who forget what they look like. That is simply not possible unless they didn't even look into the mirror. We look at the mirror, we know what we look like. We hear the word but don't do anything. We hear the word and we don't do anything because we didn't really hear it. It didn't speak to us. We didn't open our ears to it. It's sort of like saying the lights are on but no one is home.

Respond to those in need and keep the faith [vv. 26-27]
The Old Testament speaks clearly of taking care of widows and orphans. They were people who had no social standing and no support systems as we have today. These were people who didn't just fall through the cracks, they were left uncared for unless the community took it upon themselves to do it. In the world today, this description could be expanded to single parents, people with disabilities, new immigrants, ...

Is God calling you to do something different with your life? If he is, don't put him off. No excuse is good enough. A few examples of people God called to serve Him in a special way:

The first guy is a murderer. He runs away from his home and the city he grew up in. He gets into a fight over some girls. As he realizes God is calling him to do something special, he asks:
- Who am I [that you should call me]?
- I need some proof.
- What if people don't believe me?
- I can't speak very well, send someone else.
The person? Moses.

The second person is Peter the Apostle. He is a fisherman by trade. At the transfiguration of Jesus, he tells Jesus he wants to set up a monument to him - there is no record of Jesus' response. When Jesus walks on the water, Peter tries it, but quickly realizes what he is doing is impossible [even though he is actually doing it] and begins to sink. Peter asks Jesus: "We left everything and followed you. What do we get out of it?" (Matthew 19:27) (The Message) At the Garden, when Jesus prays before being arrested, Peter cannot even stay awake to keep watch. And finally, despite objections to the contrary, Peter denies 3 times that he even knows Jesus.

God calls people knowing their weaknesses. All that he asks for is that we acknowledge him; to live a life as an act of worship to him and he will be there to sustain us. It is a promise.

In your life at work, at school, at home, live for Him. Make a difference for Him. He knows you are not perfect. He knows your weaknesses. But sometimes he uses those weaknesses to do great things so that when people see them or hear of them, they know that it is God doing it, not the person. I was wrong at the beginning. There is greatness in this room because God is present here when we worship together. Let me close by sharing with you one last story of answering and serving Him.

"A friend of mine was on a train travelling out of Victoria Station in London. Across from him in the compartment were two men in their early thirties. Twenty minutes out of the station, one of them had an epileptic seizure. Perhaps you know how frightening such a seizure can be. The man stiffened and fell heavily out of his seat. Immediately, his friend took off his own jacket, rolled it up and put it behind his friend's head. He blotted the beads of perspiration from his brow with his handkerchief, talked to the stricken man in a quiet manner and calmed him. When the seizure was over, he lifted his friend gently back into his seat.
Then he turned to my friend and said, 'Mister, please forgive us. Sometimes this happens two or three times a day. My buddy and I were in Vietnam together, and we were both wounded. I had bullets in both my legs and he had one in his shoulder. The helicopter that was supposed to come for us never came to pick us up. My friend picked me up, mister, and he carried me for three and one half days out of that jungle. The Viet Cong were sniping at us the whole way. He was in more agony than I was. I begged him to drop me and save himself, but he wouldn't let me go. He got me out of that jungle, mister. He saved my life. I don't know how he did it and I don't know why he did it.
Four years ago, I found out that he had this condition, so I sold my house in New York, took what money I had, and came over here to take care of him.' And then he looked at his friend and said, 'You see, mister, after what he did for me, there isn't anything I wouldn't do for him."
(from "You Can Make a Difference." by Tony Campolo)