Which Badge Are You Wearing Today?
Luke 15:1-32
INTRO: How many of us have ever had to wear an I.D. Badge? Something that tells people who or what we are? Are we sometimes a little uncomfortable about being so public for all to see and know? Well, people do see more than we give them credit. The thing is, we forget about wearing our badge after awhile.
I am going to use some "props" today. I do this to help make a point. Trust me, even though my props or visual aids are not the greatest in appearance, I worked hard with this. I think also of the Lord, did he use visual aids to teach great truths to his followers? Sure He did.
One of the more famous one is the coin in Matt. 22:17-21, where He told them to, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s."
Recently, when Bro. Jason and I were at a Straight Up Conference, we wore badges like this [put badge on]. It was during this time I thought of using this for today. I had a terrible time (as did everyone else) keeping my name towards the front. I would change the badge around and it would not stay. It reminded me of how much trouble we have at times presenting the "right badge" or "picture" of who we are to those around us. My badge told people who I was, Gary Marcum. But, on the other side, it was blank. That also described me…NO, not a blank mind, but someone who was not really there, someone who was quiet (my wife will wonder at that, as would my mom and many of my former teachers). More than one of my grade cards had the little box checked… TALKS TOO MUCH. What I am saying is, sometimes we like being unknown or unseen, or even unimportant.
Having said all that, I want to use for a thought today, Which Badge Are You Wearing Today?
Let us read from God's Word, Luke chapter 15.
We can see a badge of… [place badge]
Hunger or indifferent Badges? - vs. 1
They were hungry
They drew near
They were hungry
They had needs (publicans and sinners)
They were hungry
They listened
This works together… If you are hungry, you will want to draw near. If you draw near, you will be more hungry, etc.
Are you hungry for what the Lord offers? [turn badge]
Are you indifferent to what the Lord offers? I think it works the same way. If you want to wear the badge of indifference, you will pull away from Him, you will lose you desire to know more of Him and to be closer to Him.
It is your choice…close or far? Hunger or indifference? [turn badge back!]
I also see a badge of… [place badge]
Concern or unconcerned badges? - vs. 2 - 7
Fault finders (for others) - 2
Aware of real spiritual and physical needs - 4
Helper of those with needs - 4-5
Supporter of those in need - 5-6
Matt. 7:4 4Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
Gal. 6:2,10 2Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
10
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Preacher of the Word vs. Doer of the Word Badges? - 2-10
Able to tell others how to live (Pharisees and scribes) - vs. 2 (do this, do that)
Able to find fault with others (don't do this, don't do that)
Able to find fault with even the Lord - 16:14
Luke 16:14-15 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. 15And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
Look at this verse, 15. This tells the story. Many of us and many people show one badge - but live another. The real question we must answer today, is not what badge are we presenting to others, but what badge does God see in our lives.
Let me ask you…
Do people want us to preach the Word to them? Honestly, not really.
What they really want and need is for us to… [turn badge]
Be a Doer of the Word
James 1:22 22But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Romans 2:21-2221Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
First, we must preach the right thing (Jesus)
We also must practice what we preach
Because we really end up preaching what we practice
(BECAUSE they see our real badge)
Next I want to look at the Prodigal son…
I want to look at the badge I see him wearing. I compare him to someone that has the name, but is not what they really need to be. He was His father's son, but he did not want to be the son of his father. [place member sign]
Member or Believer Badges?
He knew the benefits of being the father's son
He wanted the benefits of being the father's son
He wasted the blessings of his father
Acts 11:26 26And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
I see many today that want the benefits or blessing God has for them. That , sadly is as far as they will go. God wants them to be more than that, He wants them to be…
[change member sign]
Working with Him
Living with Him
And…Receiving His blessings everyday
There was another brother often overlooked. He was the Elder Brother. He wore a badge too. But again as we see in Luke 16:15, his real badge is quiet different. I see many people in our society today that wear… [place badge]
Sunday or Everyday Badges? - vs. 25 - 29
In it for self? - 26
Often void of true understanding - 26
Shows a much different face at times - 28
Needs to be more concerned with his brother - 29
Needs to be more concerned with his father's work
Needs to live a consistent life
James 3:10 10Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Last I want to look in the book of Revelation
Rev. 2:17 17He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Here I have an item of joy for us; An item of anticipation. We all "wear our name." But that is not the end of it. We are going to get new ones if we know the Lord. … [place badge]
Old name or New NameBadge?
What will they be? We do not know! I was wondering, just what will God call me? I don't want to be Gary. I want my… new… secret… name. What will he call you?
[turn badge] Faithful?
Worthy?
Godly?
Servant?
Saved?
Worker?
Believer?
Son? Or Daughter? Etc.
There is a humorous saying, I don't care what they call em as long as they call me to eat. I guess I fit that. I want him to call me many things, and I sure want to be part of His great supper one day. That glorious Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
Rev. 19:9 …Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.
MORE THAN ANYTHING, I WANT HIM TO CALL ME…
BLESSED
But I also want Him to call you, my friends BLESSED.
Gary Marcum - New Beginnings Church - 110704am