Sermon Update

Dear Supporters,

I haven’t had time this week to really write an update. However, I have been doing a lot of preaching lately and I wanted to attach for you a copy of one of my sermons. I gave this sermon at a church in Khuttar in North India. I have adapted it for your reading—to include some more American examples. I would love to get your input and see what you think!

Thank you so much for your prayers and support! Please read my blog for updates. You can also view a recent photo album here. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2136937&l=3c811&id=5801699

For Him,



Wayne Clarke


TITLE: Christ’s Controlling Love
VERSE: 2nd Corinthians 5:14-15 (NLT)
DATE: 3/30/08
PLACE: KHUTTAR, U.P. INDIA


“Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. (2nd Corinthains 5:14-15NLT)
Wow, what a concept! As I was reading through this scripture during my daily quiet time, I began to really ponder this particular translation. This translation gives an entirely different twist to this passage. In most translations, including the NKJV and the NIV, the word ‘compel’ is used in place of ‘control’. How different the meanings! Compel is merely a strong suggestion; however the word ‘control’ means total surrender.
As I began to chew on this passage a little bit more, I started to evaluate its meaning in my own life. Just how much does Christ’s love control me? Just how much do I portray a Christ like image to my peers, family members and fellow church members? As I began to examine my own life, I realized just how little Christ’s love does, in fact, control me.
As I look at this passage I am reminded of a story I heard during my discipleship training. There was a boy name Joe Perkins (I forget his actual name) that lived in Philadelphia. This boy was cast away by his parents at an early age because he was paralyzed and had no use of his legs, and very little use of his hands. He lived in a small, one room apartment above a busy street with his grandmother. He was unable to live on his own. His grandmother was a Christian and taught the boy, now a young man, about the love of Christ.
Joe was taken aback by the love of Christ and wanted to serve him somehow. He asked God how he could serve with his disability, and God gave him an answer. Joe began to scribe inspirational Bible verses on small pieces of paper. Joe wanted others to hear of the joy Christ had placed in his life. After writing the verse, Joe would toss the piece of paper out of his window in hopes that someone would pick it up. Joe did this for many months and was unsure of the impact he was making.
One day a man did in fact pick up the little piece of paper. He read the verse and was so inspired by the word of God that he gave his life to Christ. The next day the man was walking the same route and found yet another encouraging note. Intrigued, he decided to observe and see from where the mini-devotionals were coming. He noticed a hand pop out of a third story window and drop another piece of paper. The man instantly ran up the stairs and knocked on the door. He met Joe, and they became good friends.
Some time later the man offered Joe a room in his large estate in western part of the state. He offered Joe his own team of doctors, the best meals possible, and a private room with a view. “It would be paradise for you, and your grandmother,” said the man.
Joe stared at the man with great interest “sir, would people walk under my window at your property?” he asked. “Well, I wouldn’t think so, Joe. It’s a huge estate with lots of private property. It would just be you and your grandmother, and the servants,” said the man, astonished that Joe had to think about his answer. “Sir,” said Joe “I think I’ll stay here.” The man stared expressionlessly at Joe and asked him why he would turn down such an offer. “Sir,” said Joe “I think God wants me to stay here. This is my ministry. It’s a way for me to re-pay God for what he’s done for me. Who knows how many people like you have passed under my window?”
This is a paramount case of Christ’s love controlling us. Joe was content in serving Christ because he knew of Christ’s love and allowed it to control his actions and decisions. If such an offer were on the plate, would you be willing to make the same sacrifice. Many, including myself, would have to think long and hard before making that decision.
“So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from the human point of view. How differently we know him now! This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life begun!” (2nd Corinthians 5:16-17)
When we accept Christ we do, in fact, begin to evaluate others differently. We begin to feel their pain, we feel their sorrow, and in some cases we feel compelled to help. When a neighbor is hurting, often times we feel obligated as Christians to comfort them, while other non-believing neighbors may pass them by.
How many times have we passed by that stranded motorist on the interstate in lieu of stopping? What would Christ have done in this particular scenario? There have been many times when I have stopped because of a ‘feeling’ that I got. It’s as though the Holy Spirit was tugging at me saying ‘Wayne, what would Jesus do in this case?”
When we stop evaluating others from strictly a human point of view we are able to connect with them on a more personal basis. Everything becomes personal. When the Holy Spirit lives within us, it’s not easy to write off a situation where you could have helped your fellow man, but didn’t. The stranded motorist on the interstate becomes your mother, your sister, or your long lost friend from high school. As Christians we need to continually ask ourselves whether or not we’re willing to allow the love of Christ to control our actions. If the answer is anything other than a clear ‘yes’ it’s best that we re-establish a clear connection with Christ through prayer.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Love never fails.” (1st Corinthians 13:4-8)
This particular passage describes to us exactly what love is, according to Paul. Paul is writing this letter to the Corinthians, a people group who had partaken in every conceivable manner of sin. The Corinthians were struggling to keep up with a Christian lifestyle in such a metropolitan city. In spite of their continued efforts to be more Christ like and to follow His teachings, they were failing miserably at every corner. Does this sound familiar?
In today’s society it is equally difficult to fall into a pattern of sinful behavior. It is not uncommon for a church-going Christian to file for divorce, get into fights, or partake in sexual immorality. Consistently what it boils down to is a lack of Christ like love within our own lifestyle.
God’s love is completely unselfish. In our modern day era of ‘here and now’ we replace the unselfish love with lust. God’s type of love goes against our own personal inclination—and it’s hard for us to set aside our own desires and replace them with those of Christ. However when we do so, the reward is remarkable. The more we set aside our own desires, and replace them with the love of God, the more we can love without expecting any return.
I’d like you to re-read this passage. Focus particularly on the adjectives contained within. After reading the passage, I’d like you to replace the word “Love” with your own name. As we begin to read it in that manner—immediately it opens up our eyes as to how we’re living our lives. You’ll notice that we have to make slight addendum’s to make it true. “Wayne is patient and kind (most of the time), Wayne is not jealous, or boastful, or proud (well, at least I try not to be), Wayne is not rude (unless I don’t get my coffee in the morning)…” If this is the case, once again we need to re-evaluate our lives.
Now, I’d like you to re-read the passage again. Once again concentrate on the adjectives surrounding love. This time replace the word ‘love’ with the name ‘Jesus’. “Jesus is patient. Jesus is kind….” I would hope at this point you’re noticing a stark contrast in the outlook. But, don’t be discouraged—the only perfect person in the history of mankind was Jesus.
What can be said of this comparison? Are we terrible Christians simply because we cannot live up to the standards set by Paul in this passage? Absolutely not! However, we need to examine our lives very closely to determine whether or not we do, in fact, allow the love of Christ to control our every day actions.
“For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, Come back to God!” (2nd Corinthians 5:19-20)
The question of whether or not Christ’s love controls your every day actions is an important one to ask. According to this scripture, we are Christ’s ambassadors on earth. God has given us the task of bringing people back to him through our behavior and actions. As Christians, we are constantly viewed as a representative of Christ, whether we like it or not. In the eyes of the non-believing community, we reflect accurately the views and teachings of the Christ in the Bible.
In the bestselling fiction book “In His Steps” by Charles Sheldon, Reverend Henry Maxwell challenges his congregation to literally do as Jesus would do in all aspects of their life—regardless of the outcome. Nearly half of his congregation chose to take the discipleship pledge, including publishing giant Mr. Norman. Mr. Norman owned a conglomerate group of newspapers and was a very rich man.
When Mr. Norman took the pledge, he was aware of what it meant. He was aware that he may be required to re-evaluate his business practices and the content within his newspapers. Immediately he withdrew all news surrounding gossip, rumors, sexual promiscuity, and political scandals. He made the choice to publish only stories which would accurately reflect the standards set by Jesus. The community was astonished, and advertisers reacted adversely. They began pulling their advertising. Within months, Mr. Norman was on the verge of bankruptcy. Remarkably, Mr. Norman stayed true to his promise of being a true witness to Christ.
Ms. Virginia Page was an heir to a multi-million dollar fortune. For months Ms. Page debated what to do with her share of the wealth. Toward the end of the book, Virginia decides to give two million dollars as a gift to Mr. Norman, just as he was on the verge of closing his doors. Mr. Norman used this money to start a Christian newspaper and began printing within weeks.
Mr. Norman was a true witness to Christ in the secular world. Just how much did Christ’s love control him? Mr. Norman decided to let the love of Jesus control him entirely, and in the end he was rewarded with the financial gift. How would this story conclude if you were to follow the same pledge? Are you a true witness to those around you? Christ’s love doesn’t call us just as Sunday church attendee, but it commands us to make His appeal through our actions.
Where do you stand in allowing Christ’s love to control your own life? Are you like Mr. Norman? Are you somewhere in between Mr. Norman and Mr. Normal? Are you a living testimony to Christ’s love? It’s our duty to evaluate where we stand and then act accordingly. This concept has revolutionized my life, and I’m certain it will completely change yours also.