18/06/2005 The Hinge Factor

18/06/2005
''The Hinge Factor"
Nicole Conner
CLC Saturday 6pm

Matt 25:31-46

The "Hinge Factor" is God using someone small to open the doors that society and culture has closed. You may seem insignificant to the world, but when God uses you, you'll become a pivotal hinge factor. We need to 'stay our post', for God has a unique plan for our lives.

Doors cannot be opened without hinges. Although small and obscure, they are necessary.

Hinge factors become signposts that point the way to salvation.
Hinge factors are people who know who they are in Christ and serve wholeheartedly. They are contributers and not consumers. They focus on serving God, not the attention from men.

As Christians, we are called to be hinge factors. We live our lives in a warzone. (Eph 6:12)
But why don't we fight? Why don't we stay our post?

1. Some people are too sensitive

• in war, you will be scratched/wounded
• we need to get over it and get on with it

2. Some are ignorant of the need

• too much focus on the self blinds us from what is happening around us
• we need to see through God's eyes

3. Some are 'too busy'

• if God has called you to serve, He knows you can fit it in your timetable
• the joy of serving will take hold of your heart more than busyness can

4. Some despise their gift

• they don't recognise no matter how small their gift is, it is precious to God
• don't equate prominance with significance

5. Some people are indifferent

• these people 'don't care' and choose to 'sit on the fence'.
• indifference is the enemy's greatest weapon. An 'indifferent Christian' is no threat to the devil.
• Rev 3:15-16 God hates indifference.
• indifference does not strengthen an individual (ie some people prefer not to pick a side), it weakens its victim: it paralyses the mind and quenches the passion.

We all need to stay our post in this spiritual war. We all have a specific life that God has called us to live. To stay our post is to be faithful with our gifts, to be willing and obedient to God's calling.

To really live is to recognise the cause we are fighting for. This is the Hinge Factor.