Telescope or Microscope?

Here's a question for you to think about tonight:  Are you are a microscope or a telescope?

A microscope makes “small things look bigger than they really are. 

A telescope makes a big thing BEGIN to look as big as it really is.”

With a microscope, tiny bugs look BIG!!

With a telescope, a huge moon or planet that looks so small because it is far away looks a little bigger.

Tonight at our AWANA awards night we are going to give out awards for scripture memory and service BUT I want you to remember something

First Corinthians 10:31 tells us why we should do AWANA awards nights and why we should do anything we do.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

KIDS, I am so very thankful that you learned God’s Word and cared for others this year.

Tonight, though, our focus should not only be on you and what you have done. 

Tonight we want to remember and honor God.

We want to continue making God look as great as he really is.

Remember this night is really about God.

Now how do we do this?

• Thank God that he gave you the ability to memorize Bible Verses.
• Thank God that he gave you the taste buds to enjoy the snacks we had this year.
• Thank God for the leaders we have had this year.
• Thank God for the truth of God’s Word.
• We especially want to thank God that even though we were God’s enemies, sinners, He sent His Son to die for those who trust in Him.

Making God great means that we need to humble ourselves.

Here is a definition of humility we try to review with our kids:

To pursue humility means choosing to accept the fact that your knowledge and abilities are limited and in light of that, you are regularly seeking help and graciously receiving advice and correction.

KIDS, you don’t know everything and you need help.

PARENTS, you don’t know everything and you need help.

Remember, KIDS no matter how many verses you have memorized, awards you have received, or good things you have done, you are in desperate need of God’s gifts.

First, the gift of salvation which comes through Jesus Christ who came to earth, died on the cross, rose from the dead, ascended into heaven and is coming again.

Second, the gift of the power to live the life God wants you to live which comes from the Holy Spirit, the one whom Jesus promised and God sent. 

You cannot save yourself or live the life God wants you to live on your own.

Remember, PARENTS no matter how many people you have helped, how many sinful things you didn’t do, how many times you go to church, or how much money you donate to good causes, you are in desperate need of God’s gifts.

First, the gift of salvation which comes through Jesus Christ who came to earth, died on the cross, rose from the dead, ascended into heaven and is coming again.

Second, the gift of the power to live the life God wants you to live which comes from the Holy Spirit, the one whom Jesus promised and God sent.
You cannot save yourself or live the life God wants you to live on your own.

I want you to remember these two truths from God’s Word:

1. Romans 5:8.  "but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

1st Peter 5:5-6.  “’ God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." 

There are really are only two ways to live.

The first way is to keep saying 'No' to God and pretending to be your own king. But if you do that, you won't win, because God is God. God will shut you out of his kingdom forever. 

Do not think you bigger than you really are. 

The second way is to stop saying 'No' to God and to ask God to forgive you. God will forgive you and welcome you as his friend. Because Jesus died to take your punishment, God promises that he won't be angry with you anymore.   

In your life, make God as big as He really is.  He is the one who created you.  He is the one who rules over all creation.  He is the only one who can save.

John 3:36 says

Everyone who trusts in the Son has eternal life.  But everyone who rejects him will never share in that life.

At the beginning of this time I asked you a question:

Are you are a microscope or a telescope?

Be a telescope.  Feel, think, and act in a way that will make God look as great as he really is. 

Feel the weight of your sin.

Know that your sin has broken your relationship with God.

Act.  Recognize the fact that Jesus Christ is the one and only solution to your sin problem. 

CALL OUT TO HIM IN PRAYER.

Another way to ask that same question is "Who will be king?"

You or God?

As you think about your answer to that question, remember there is only one king and creator of the world.

And you are not Him!!

To find out more about these two ways to live go to 

www.matthiasmedia.com.au/2wtl/whowillbeking/

I originally heard about the illustration of telescopes and microscopes at Desiring God - www.desiringgod.org/messages/i-will-magnify-god-with-thanksgiving