(Watch the updated video before reading the sermon notes,

or read these testimonies:

A Link in the Chain  as told by Jack Griffin

The Frank Jenner Story by Stephen Tucker)

Good morning.  Let's Pray.

I love that little video.  Did you enjoy Mr. Jenner’s story?  His testimony moved me when I first saw it about 6 months ago and I thought to my self, “ How about sharing it with you?”  At that time our old computer here didn’t have the capability of connecting to the Internet to show a You-Tube video on Sunday morning .....It took a while, a long while as it turns out, and a new computer, but God helped .....now I can share it with you.  And Mr. Jenner’s story is a story of sharing, in his case a story about sharing the Lord.

Now there are a couple of things that struck me when I first saw this video.

 #1 (not necessarily in order of importance) His simple statement: “Excuse me sir," (so polite)  "If you should die tonight where would you go? Would it be heaven or hell?"   Mr. Jenner reminds me of Gerhart Olson.  Simple.  To the point.  If you think of the cultivating, planting reaping model of evangelism we talk about here at RCBC, I think you would agree Mr. Jenner is a planter.  And some argument could be made for cultivating but that’s not the point.  His statement and approach was simple.  And to the point. “Excuse me sir. Are you saved?  If you died tonight would you go to heaven or hell?”   

#2.  He was persistent.  Remember what he said?  “My goal is to share the gospel with at least 10 people a day.”  It seems that is just what he did, day in day out.  He was consistent in his gardening for the Lord.  Planting seeds everyday, day in day out.  His goal was clear.  It was measurable.  Share the gospel with at least 10 people a day.  Period.  And he was doing it on George St. in Sydney, Australia, a most “worldly” place full of depraved people, drugs, drunkenness and more.  Jesus said, “therefore go and make disciples of all nations.”  Mr. Jenner chose the "George Street nation".  Who do you choose?

#3 Mr. Jenner’s effect wasn’t just on the people who passed by on George St.  It spread around the world. There is a ripple effect in everything we do, too.  For good and for not-so-good.  Our witness, our lives, our actions and our words have an effect on our community.  So does our sin.  And our community is not just our town but our church and our family.  What kind of stones are you tossing into the water and what is their effect?  Are you pointing people toward Christ or leading them away?  Are you pointing yourself toward Christ or are you on a detour somewhere.  If you are on a detour, here’s a sign:  One way /l\.

In Galatians 6 Paul writes this: Verse 7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  (Galatians 6:7-9)

Mr. Jenner did not give up, day in day out he was on George Street amid the sinners passing on a promise of hope.  He stayed on his self appointed post without seeing a single ripple in the water.  He stayed on with no visible results, no pat on the back, no atta boy George.  None of that.  He was a man of his word.  He made a promise to God and he kept it.  He pressed on toward the goal to win the prize for which God called him heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Do you think there were some days when people gave him a bad time?  Or when the weather was crummy or he just didn’t feel like it.  I imagine.  Seems like he didn’t make excuses though.  And his simple, consistent, persistent witness had a ripple effect that spread Jesus around the world.  Imagine that!

So, the question to ask yourself this morning is this:  Do I make a difference in the lives of the people around me?  

Not sure?  Then ask yourself this: Can I make a difference in the lives of the people around me? 

Do you think Mr. Jenner faced any rejection there on George St day after day?  Probably tons of it.  He didn’t see any results from his work.  "None," he said. He never even heard of any results until many years later.  Yet he pressed on.  What a relationship with Christ this man must have had.  I can only imagine his conversations with God each day.  Maybe some of his favorite verses were from Paul in his letter to the Philippians,

“I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. (Here’s the part of Phillipians 4 that speaks to me of Mr. Jenner) 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:10-13)

The Lord gave Mr. Jenner his strength.  He offers that same strength to you.  Tap into it with prayer and petition.  With praise & worship.  Make your relationship with Jesus Christ up close and personal.  Let go of the sin and the things that hinder you.  Give God a chance to work in your life.  Surrender your life.  You may not see or feel a change today.  You may not even see results.  Mr. Jenner didn’t.  And when you are feeling down or disappointed or feeling like you aren’t making a difference remember Paul’s encouragement to the Philippians:

 4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7)

Mr. Jenner’s work spread Jesus around the world.  He was persistant, he was consistant and he was a man of his word.  Half way around the world we have heard his story.  But to become known around the world wasn’t his goal.  His goal was to share the gospel with 10 people a day.  Simple.  Measurabe.  And in tune with Christ’s mandate to go and make disciples of all nations.  He used what he had, where he was, to do all he could do, for the Lord.  His simple testimony spoke volumes.  The ripple effect of his work spread around the world.  You probably didn’t know about him before today.  You might forget about him before the week or month or year is out.  But God knows Mr. Jenner. And I imagine he is famous in heaven.  When you get to heaven, will God be able to say to you, “Welcome home good and faithful servant?”

Want to be welcomed into heaven as a good and faithful servant? Here’s what Paul tells us to do in his letter to the Phillipians:

 “8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8,9)

His name is called Immanuel:  God with us.

His presence means privilege, because we work with a Great King. Paul understood this principle well when he wrote to the Corinthians: “For we are God’s fellow workers.” Since Jesus promised "I am with you always," then we work together with Him in all our service. We certainly work for Jesus, but more than that we work with Jesus.

His presence means protection, because we are never out of His sight or supervision.  Never.

His presence means power, because as we fulfill this great command, we work in His name.  And our connection with Him grows stronger.

His presence means peace, because it always reminds us that the church belongs to Jesus. It is His church, and His work. How then can we worry?

Privledge.  Protection.  Power.  Peace.  In His presence.

What are you going to do differently today?  We are a small church but there is strength here at RCBC.  That strength is God working in you.  How are you going to pay him back?  Pray for your church and your brothers and sisters in the Lord.  Serve Him.  Reach out to someone this morning and say hello and listen to what they have to tell you. 

Romans 12 says this: Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

(...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. -- Phiippians 4:8,9)  

Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1,2b)

Be transformed into His image. 

Thank you Lord for the story of Mr. Jenner and his George Street witness.  May it serve as a catalyst to ignite us with the fire of the Holy Spirit and the power of Jesus Christ within each of us here today.

To you, heavenly Father, be glory for ever and ever. Amen.