Inspired by the writing of Donald R. Givens
Feb. 1964
You maybe the only bible some people ever see
What does your tv have to do with your Christian life and service to God? I wany to draw a parallel between the working or operation of the T.V. set and the living of the Christian life.
The Christian is a walking picture. Others look at us who are children of God and either receive a bad or a good impression/picture.
What kind of a picture are we giving to the world.
What is the first thing you have to do to see your favorite program on T.V. turn it on.
The parallel with the Christian life is that before we can have any influence for good in the darkened world —we must turn our light on brightly. Let the light shine in your life. Allow Christ to have His effect on your character by an honest and diligent study of His word. Turn the light of knowledge on in your mind.
Mat_5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Mat_5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Its not enough to just turn on the TV you have to be sure It is on the proper channel. You cannot watch your favorite show on the wrong channel.
The a child of God can never glorify God by walking in sinful ways, in the wrong channel of life. We must walk within the straight and narrow way
Mat 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
A christians correct channel is Jesus Christ.
What happens when your sitting there watching your favorite program and its interupted you get a lil ticked off cause your missing it right?
The Christians life can get disrupted too or you can change from the right to the wrong channel. Then the righteous picture that you presented to the world is now stained with sin and no longer does your light shine. Christ is not being seen in you during these times. But we can get back to the right chanel and turn our lights back on through repentance.
2Pe_3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
We must remove all the blurs, lines and spots.
No one desires to see a picture out of proportion or distorted. We want a clear and distinct image on the T.V. It should be the same with our example — the Christian life. As children of God must remove all stains and distortions in his life. We need to present a clear and righteous picture to others. Paul instructed the Ephesians and us today;
Eph 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
Eph 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
And Paul instructs us further down in the same chapter
Eph 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Eph 5:7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
Eph 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
Eph 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
Eph 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
Also look and what Paul told the Colossians:
Col 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Col 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Now we have a clearer and more distinct picture, but it doesn't stop there.
What's missing?
No one wants to watch T.V. without sound. It must be loud enough and clear enough to to be heard. It's the sam with our Christian life.
We have tospeak up!
Teaching others by word of mouth. Tell your friends and neighbors of the salvation found in Jesus Christ and His glorious church.
Too many of us have our volume down too low — we never teach or tell others the words of eternal life.
On the other hand, no one likes to hear a glaring, screaming sound — so do not try to force the Gospel down anyone's throat. Teach it calmly, firmly, yet with love.
So we now have the T.V. turned on, it is on the proper channel and all blur s and spots have been removed and the volume is clear and loud enough. What is next?
See the program to the end.
No one wants to stop watching his favor ite program when only half over. No one likes for it to be shut off abruptly. If at all possible — we see it to the end. Why then, should anyone become a Christian, the greatest thing one can be, and start out on the road to eternal life —
then shut off this hope?? Why quit and give up when you have the greatest reward ever promised?
The Christian walk can give far, far greater benefits than any temporal enjoyment derived from a television program. But if one quits, he has lost all he could have gained if he had remained faithful unto the end.
Befor I close this lesson I want to look at one last thing.
What about repairs?
oftentimes the T.V. set "goes on the blink" So we call the repairman to come and fix it. But what if our spiritual life needs repairs? From time to time we stumble and even fall we fail in our obligations to God and fellowman.
Where do we go? When the Christian needs strength to carry the burden, comfort in his sorrows and joy to press forward — where does he go?
Nowhere but to God!
Call on God in prayer and pour out your soul to Him with a penitent heart. When sin enters our life; something MUST be done to correct the situation or just as the tv our picture to the world becomes distorted.
So I ask you in closing…..
How is your television working? Yes, my friend, what condition is your spiritual life in today? What sort of an image of Jesus do YOU show to the lost and dying world?
