Rohn's message for this week

GOD MAKES A DIFFERENCE
II Corinthians 5:14-21

(2 Corinthians 5:14-21) For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (KJV)

(2 Corinthians 5:17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (KJV)

God makes a difference in the life, in the home, and in the nation if He is enthroned in the heart. God does make a difference; in fact, He makes all the difference.
Consider with me four facts which the text suggests:

I. Man's Need of Being Changed, Being Made Different.
1. Man needs to be changed; not politically, not intellectually, but spiritually made new within, before he can be made different without. Man does not need reformation but regeneration.
(John 3:3-7) Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (KJV)

2. Man's nature needs to be changed.
(1) From hatred to love.
(Matthew 5:43-45) Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (KJV)

(2) From sickness to health.
Like the woman that had an issue of blood for 12 long years. She had faith that if she could just touch the hem of His garment she would be healed. She did and she was! Her faith made her whole when she toughed through to Jesus. What a difference He made in her life!

(3) From distress to rest.
Like the man possessed of a legion of unclean spirits. He spent his time in the tombs, no one could bind him, not even with chains (Mark 5:3. He spent the days and nights in the mountains and in the tombs crying and cutting himself with stones.
There was no doubt not a more distressed hopeless person, but he met Jesus and it made all the difference.
(Mark 5:15) And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. (KJV)
He had become a new creation in Christ.
3. Only One is able to bring about such a change as this. He is Christ Jesus, the Mighty to save and to deliver.

II. Our Text Wouldn't Be in the Bible if There Were No Possibility of Being Changed.
(2 Corinthians 5:17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (KJV)

1. If you are going to enjoy a different life, you must come in contact, and fellowship, and have an encounter with the Christ of Calvary.

2. Examples of those who met the Master face to face:
1) The Samaritan woman. John 4:7-30.
Jesus met this woman at the well and her life was never the same again.

2) The blind man in John 9:1-41.
(John 9:25) He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. (KJV)
He met Jesus that day and he began to see things like never before. The Lord opened his eyes. If people would meet the Master their spiritual eyes would be opened and they would begin to see some wonderful things.
We need to cry out like the Psalmist, (Psalms 119:18) Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. (KJV)

3) The lad who gave his lunch to Jesus. John 6:5-13.
This boy never forgot what Jesus did that day. How his small lunch was blessed by Jesus and fed five thousand people.

4) The woman taken in adultery. John 8:1-8.
No doubt in this woman’s mind she was as good as dead. She didn’t stand a chance as far as her accuser were concerned. They no doubt already had the stones in their hands, ready to slay her. But then she met the Master. Need I tell you that her life was changed. Meeting the Master makes a difference.

5) Simon Peter who let his nets down at the Master’s beckoning and received a drought of fishes. Luke 5:1-11.
James and John were there and all their lives were changed. They began at this time to follow Jesus.

III. Consider What God Has Done to Bring About a Change in Your Life.
1. God left the pinnacle of heaven that He might dwell within the hearts of men.
2. Paul said in Galatians 2:20 "He loved me, and gave himself for me."
(John 3:16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (KJV)

3. He has given you the opportunity to hear the Gospel message.

IV. What must I Do to Be Changed?
The question comes from you. What must you do to be saved? What must you do to be what God wants you to be? Your life will never be happy until you find the answer and act accordingly. Only then can your life be fulfilled and productive as it should be.

1. Be responsive to His call.
(Matthew 11:28-30) Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (KJV)
It is only as you come to Him and give him your life and put His yoke upon you that you will find rest for your soul. This doesn’t mean that there is no work or effort to be a Christian. You must put on His yoke. That means work. That means obedience to Him. That means a determination to work and live for Him all your days come what may.
Are you wearing His yoke today? Does He control your live? Is He your Master and Commander in Chief? He loves you and will always lead you in the best and most safe way. Give Him your life and He will in turn give you eternal life.

2. Be receptive and Obedient to His voice.
(Matthew 7:24-27) Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. (KJV)
Don’t be like the foolish man and build your life on the sands of human reasoning. But be wise and build your life on the solid Rock of Christ’s teachings. Obey His word, seek out His will, follow Him wherever He leads and your life will be built on a solid foundation and will stand in the storms of life.

3. Be re-created by the Word of God.
(1 Peter 1:23) Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (KJV)
Allow Him to make your life over new and clean. Only God can make you the man or the woman that you ought to be. Only God can clean up lives and make them worth living. Only God can make you a new creation.
If you give your all to Him, He will make a difference in you.
(2 Corinthians 5:17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (KJV)
The Touch of the Masters Hand
'Twas battered and scarred,
And the auctioneer thought it
hardly worth his while
To waste his time on the old violin,
but he held it up with a smile.
"What am I bid, good people", he cried,
"Who starts the bidding for me?"
"One dollar, one dollar, Do I hear two?"
"Two dollars, who makes it three?"
"Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three,"
But, No,
From the room far back a gray bearded man
Came forward and picked up the bow,
Then wiping the dust from the old violin
And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody, pure and sweet
As sweet as the angel sings.
The music ceased and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said "What now am I bid for this old violin?"
As he held it aloft with its' bow.
"One thousand, one thousand, Do I hear two?"
"Two thousand, Who makes it three?"
"Three thousand once, three thousand twice,
Going and gone", said he.
The audience cheered,
But some of them cried,
"We just don't understand."
"What changed its' worth?"
Swift came the reply.
"The Touch of the Masters Hand."
And many a man with life out of tune
All battered with bourbon and gin
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd
Much like that old violin
A mess of pottage, a glass of wine,
A game and he travels on.
He is going once, he is going twice,
He is going and almost gone.
But the Master comes,
And the foolish crowd never can quite understand,
The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought
By the Touch of the Masters' Hand.
Myra Brooks Welch

(John 8:32) And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (KJV)

It occurs to me that attending one of Rohn's services should be added to my "bucket list" ... If only we were closer, or I had more leisure time.

I agree Keith, but until that day I'm glad he's willing to bless this forum with his messages.

Thanks for posting this for me Sonshine. Just got back from Youth Convention last night. We had a wonderful time with may spiritual victories and new converts. Thank the Lord for His help while we were there. What a blessing it is to be part of His work in seeking to save the lost.

I'm glad the messages posted are a blessing to you all.

Rohn wrote:

...

I'm glad the messages posted are a blessing to you all.

Yes sir they are.