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The Message for Aug 4, 2019Luke 12:13-21Live like You Were DyingRob Miller, PastorThis is week 2 of our 5-week worship series on “Changing the World” thru songs. Last week we considered the song - Waiting on the World to Change. We talked about how we are called by God to be change agents for good in the world by the way we live our lives. Today our song is Live Like You Were Dying sung by Tim McGraw. It was released in June 2004.As the story goes -- Tim Nichols and Craig Wiseman wrote the words and music to this song. Tim McGraw naturally connected with it since his father, Tug McGraw, died in early 2004 after a battle with cancer. Tim’s father was hospitalized with a brain tumor in March 2003. He found out that day that he had cancer and was given three weeks to live. He survived nine months. Tim recorded this song in memory of his father.Nichols and Wiseman came up with the idea for this song while they were sharing stories about a mutual friend who had been given a misdiagnosis and thought he was dying.One day they were talking about people who responded to that kind of news: ‘Wow, it's time to get busy,’ as opposed to, ‘I'm going to go lay down in my bed and freak out.’” Wiseman continued… “And our talks just turned in that direction of people that just sort of respond to that news in a really cool way. And at some point, we knew there was a song there, like ‘dying to live.’ I think I mumbled, ‘live like you were dying,’ and Tim said, ‘Yeah, that!’” And the song was born. Check it out… Video Song: song invites us to stop and consider a few questions that we ought to ask ourselves.How would I live my life, if I knew I only had a short time to live? What would I do? How would I treat the people around me?Something happens. Something changes inside of us. Something about life takes over when we are confronted with the possibility of death. Whether it be our own or someone we care about. The reality of death causes us to stop and examine our priorities. It causes us to take inventory. It causes us to think about living life to the fullest. It causes us to want to make things right with as many people as possible before we leave. That’s because death is so final.Consider this: Maybe – just maybe – we ought to… Live everyday as if it were our last, because someday it will be.That’s a sobering thought… And it just happens to be the message in our gospel reading for this morning too. But before we go there a little background information…One day Jesus was teaching a large crowd of people about life and about doing God’s will in the world thru love and grace and giving and doing for others. Jesus made it clear that above everything else -- nothing was more important than showing God’s love to everyone. Jesus would often give his disciples a clear example to follow. He even said, “I have given you an example that you should do to one another as I have done to you.” I believe… that if we actually lived according to Jesus’ teachings and did what he says to do -- we could solve all the problems of the world. Think about it.Let me ask you, on a scale of 1-10… 1 - not so good at loving 10 – really good at loving How would you rate yourself when it comes to loving others? What number would you give yourself? On your way out of worship this morning please share your number with me if you are willing… Better yet -- find someone and share your number with them and then talk about it and pray with and for each other… This is a great conversation to have in our Small Groups this week.Consider this:Jesus said – Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.He also said – Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.Then he said – If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. And he said – If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.That’s the kind of stuff Jesus was teaching the people one day… Jesus constantly stood up for the underdog, for the hurting, for the disadvantaged. He taught his disciples in the first century to do the same. Those of us who claim to be followers Jesus in the 21st century are to do the same. He is our benchmark. He sets the standard for us to follow.So one day Jesus is teaching this way of life to the people when someone from the crowd yells out - wanting Jesus to tell his brother how to split up the family inheritance. In those days all of it went to the oldest. The oldest child got everything. So chances are this was a younger sibling wanting a piece of the goods – wanting some of the stuff. That’s where we pick up our story…Luke 12:13-21So there you have it. The man in this parable was greedy and selfish. Don’t be that way. That’s the point of Jesus telling this story. He said – “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”Sadly many people believe that it does. The man was blessed and blessed abundantly – Jesus tells us. God made those blessings possible. I’ll let you in on a little secret -- You and I are blessed and blessed abundantly. God makes our blessings possible. We are blessed by God to be a blessing to others. Please don’t ever forget that.Here are 7 facts to consider from the website …Nearly 1/2 of the world’s population — more than 3 billion people — live on less than $2.50 a day. More than 1.3 billion live in extreme poverty — less than $1.25 a day.1 billion children worldwide are living in poverty. According to UNICEF, 22,000 children die each day due to poverty.805 million people worldwide do not have enough food to eat.?More than 750 million people lack adequate access to clean drinking water.?Preventable diseases like diarrhea and pneumonia take the lives of 2 million children a year who are too poor to afford proper treatment.1/4 of all humans live without electricity — approximately 1.6 billion people.80% of the world population lives on less than $10 a day.(See - )ree With PRO →Those are some sobering statistics. So here are three things I invite you to consider doing:Give a Financial Gift to World Hunger…Forgive someone this week and tell them…Think before you speak…Today is the first day of the rest of your life – so find a way to be a blessing to others. Live every day to the fullest. You won’t regret it. Amen Next week our song is – When the Sand Runs Out by Rascal Flatts ................
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