Flashback with me to 1984, a singer by the name of Rockwell releases a one hit wonder by the name of “Somebody’s Watchin’ Me.” Do you remember the tune? A very catchy 80’s style tune with a synthesizer ominously laying down the background rhythm. But it’s by far more famous for the background harmony vocal done by a little known singer, Michael Jackson. The video is of a guy going about his daily routine, paranoid that the world is watching his every move. Did you know that this is a true story of you and me as believers in Jesus Christ?
There’s a great quote that says, “preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words.” The gist being that the most important statement you can make to the world about Christianity is in your actions, not your words. This is exactly what we see in chapter 22 of Leviticus today. We continue on in the vein of personal responsibility by the priests of God. It’s important to God that you follow His commands. You see if you truly have God in your heart, He will come out in your actions. And folks there is a big difference in our actions showing God and not showing our own sinful, prideful desires. Big difference.
It may send you into a reclusive, paranoid state like Rockwell, but as a follower of Jesus Christ you just might not fully comprehend how closely you are being watched. Let me combine a couple of popular idioms to stress the point. Talk is cheap but the proof is in the pudding.
You see the priests were called by God to serve Him exclusively and in doing that the people would see God in all of their actions. They were elevated by God to uphold His high values and statutes and as a result it naturally separated them from others. You see when we stand for God and adhere to His commands, we will also naturally look very different to a sin-filled world.
As we think about preaching a “wordless sermon” to the world you might wonder what that might look like. Let’s look at a few points that will ensure that your actions will speak loudly of Christ to a world that might not see a lot of God in their daily routine.
1) How well do you know God? You can’t expect to readily show God in your daily routine if you barely even know Him. Folks, there is a big difference between knowing “of” God and knowing God. Do you spend any time in His Word? God’s Holy Word is the most powerful tool God has physically given us. It’s how you hear from Him, learn of Him, understand Him, gain wisdom from Him and improve your life through the application of His principles. If you’re not regularly studying His Word, you’re not growing in God and your wordless sermon will be stagnant at best. Do you regularly pray to Him? It’s said that God talks to us through His Word and we talk to Him through prayer. In order to have an effective communication model you need both sending and receiving. Your daily prayer life will speak volumes into your wordless sermon.
2) Who owns your heart? If God sits on the throne of your heart instead of yourself, it will show…loud and clear. You see one of the biggest differences the world will see is not you at all, but the Holy Spirit of God that lives within all followers of Christ. Like the old Sesame Street jingle, which one of these things doesn't belong here, the Holy Spirit of God sticks out like a sore thumb in this dark, sin-filled world. If you let the light of Jesus shine brightly through your life to a dark world, you will indeed preach a wordless sermon that is radiant to all.
3) How do you really treat others. The world is watching everything you do, especially how you treat others. I watched a Fail Army video the other day of a guy that got the wrong order at a fast food place. I have no idea what was going on in this guys life, but he got out of his car, walked back to the drive-thru window and then proceeded on a verbally abusive tirade that made me blush. A grown man wielding his words as weapons. Using his words to simply hurt others. Folks, when I see how you treat others, you bare your soul and show me your heart. You see,
“The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45
How do you talk to people? How do you look at them? Sometimes those hateful stares say all that needs to be said about your heart. How do you react to people when you’re stressed? As a follower of Christ, you’re not given an exemption when you’re tired or frustrated. In fact, the world watches more intensely in these moments. When you least expect it, your sermon will mean the most.
4) What do your actions say? I know some people that proclaim to be followers of Jesus and I have to be very careful to avoid them. Their language and actions towards people do so much damage that even being around them causes me to look foolish. They curse, they’re rude to people, and their language is just simply filthy. Folks, if you tell people you go to church and then turn right around and drop massive curse words like it’s nothing, you just did more damage to God’s Kingdom than you can ever imagine. This is by far the biggest obstacle I encounter as I invite people to church. The person proceeds to tell me about someone in their life that lived contrary to the message of Jesus and it turned them off of Christianity for years. Hypocrisy can damage the gospel beyond belief. Remember, your wordless sermon can go two ways. It can attract, but oh boy, can it repel too.
5) What do you do when nobody is watching? One of the best definitions of integrity is “doing the right thing even when no one is watching.” Folks, if you pick up anything from today’s study get this, someone is always watching you. You might think your alone in your office or cubicle, you’re not. You might think your having a private moment in a restaurant, you’re not. You might think no one is watching you in the parking lot as you walk to your car, they are. You may be at a busy mall this Christmas and think that nobody is paying any attention to you, not true. You see, we are so programmed to see the world the way it normally is, that when something contrary is done, it sticks out like a red flag 20 feet in the air. Do things with the heart of Christ, all the time, all the way, no matter where you are. Simply picking up a piece of trash can send a message. Maybe holding a door open for someone, or two, or three. Maybe helping an elderly person load up their groceries. Maybe just a kind, genuine, loving word this Christmas season to a food server or retail worker that is having a stressful day. You see, in a dark room, one flashlight can be seen by all in the room.
Folks, walk this world today steeped in the Words and actions of Jesus. Meditate on God’s Words day and night so that it can be stored up in your heart. And then when you need those Words, the Holy Spirit can access them quickly and easily and give guidance to your steps. Your goal today? Be like Jesus. He is your model, and what a perfect model He is. Love like Jesus. Encourage like Jesus. Give like Jesus. Care like Jesus.
And friends as you do, the world will see the pure light of Jesus and it will shine ever so brightly through you. Preach the message of Jesus today and do it through your hands and your actions…if necessary, use words.
May your heart make a bold statement for Jesus today.
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