Meditation Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of Your love.  Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created.  And You shall renew the face of the earth. ME:  Let us pray. O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit instructs the hearts of the faithful, grant, that by that same Holy Spirit, we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolations.  Through Christ our Lord.  Amen. I believe, Lord, that You are here present.  Although my eyes do not see You, my faith senses You.  Take any stray thoughts from my mind.  Make me understand the truths which You wish to teach me in this meditation.  Let me make up my mind to put them into practice.  Your servant is listening; speak Lord, to my soul. You may be seated. Good Morning Men… My name is Clint Wilson, and I made my way on BWOC weekend #40… where I had the honor of sitting at the Table of Paul. This weekend, I have the honor of sitting at the Table of Matthew Today, I am honored to talk to you about ENVIRONMENT. Two weeks ago I started a new career at Preferred IT Group in Columbia City, one of the top 100 Small Business Managed Service Providers in the country, and a leader in IT Management. My official title is Technology Specialist, I primarily will handle all tier 3,4 problems, and oversee the actual servers. I am the guy that gets involved when others cannot solve the issue. I am also the Executive Director of Teen Horizons Christian Outreach, a not for profit that has a focus on shaping the minds of our youth through positive friendships. We create positive ENVIRONMENTs for local youth. I live in North Manchester, with my Wife Beth whom I have been married to for 18 years, we have 3 daughters Ashleigh 17, Destiny   15 and Dakota 7, and 1 bathroom, I also have plenty of guns to protect them. I will also be a new Grandpa in August. My family attend and worship at Eel River Community Church of the Brethren. I am very active in Wabash County EMA (Emergency Management Agency) we are the county organization for FEMA as well as DHS (Department of Homeland Security). I am also a ham radio operator, with certification in emergency communication handling. I run a web based and micro FM radio station called THE CURE which has a focus on teenage oriented Christian music and content. In my spare time (which I rarely have) I enjoy wood working, gardening, and am working on starting a micro farm. Life for me and my family is very good, and I am very very blessed. It unfortunately has not always been that way. You see, just a couple of weeks ago on March 1 I celebrated 20 years clean of drugs. When I was younger my environment was not of a Christian environment, my dad was and still is an atheist, and my mom was conflicted between my dad’s beliefs and Christianity. At age 16 my mother passed away from a 4 year battle with Breast Cancer, shortly after that I lost my father to alcoholism. My dad and I became very estranged, and I moved out at age 16, I had already joined a gang known as Gangster Disciples, this was all in Tuscaloosa Alabama. I was beat in to the gang, and quickly climbed the ranks where I became what is known as a High Priest within the organization. I was a drug dealer, and ended up using my own product. I was homeless for the better part of a year, and found that putting greens made great places to sleep as they was soft. I had to worries about people around me as I saw everyone as another step to my own prosperity. I finally had a place to live, and shortly after I was contacted by another gang member about a girl who had ran away from home and needed a hide out. I brought her in and she went through the initiation process of becoming what is known as a PDQ (Personal Disciple Queen) in essence she was my slave in nearly every sense of the word. I would house large parties where she would serve the men that came. She was my first prostitute in my career of being a pimp. I now had two careers a drug dealer, and a pimp. Women to me was just an object, a way to make more money. I had everything money, power, women, but I was missing happiness. I attempted to take my own life by taking a bottle of pain killers, however my best friend (who constantly tried to get me to leave the gang) came to my rescue and had me transported to the hospital where my stomach was pumped and I was forced to drink some horrible charcoal substance. This would not be the only attempt at taking my own life, a few months later on March 1 1993, I injected what I would had thought to be a lethal dose of Heroin and Cocaine. Once again Steve had called right afterwards and I told him what I had done, I ended back up in DCH hospital, where I woke up a few days later in the full throes of withdrawl. I was in lock down in the psychiatric/rehab ward known as Crestview. I would spend the next 32 days there and was finally released where I moved to Ohio to get my life fully on path. The key thing to take out of this is I fully accepted Christ while in the hospital, right after accepting Christ my outlook on life changed greatly. While in Ohio I became a paramedic, and ended up moving back to Alabama, but not in the Tuscaloosa area as when I left the gang, there was a bounty on my head. In a twist of irony, I now decided to devote my life to Christ and do everything in my power to keep teenagers away from drugs, and gangs. Romans 6:4 States: “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” That was Romans 6:4 Just as I was dead inside, and my physical body actually was dead for a few moments in the ambulance the second time, Christ saw fit to bring new life even to me this lowly shell of a man. It is amazing to me that Christ would call me a weak inferior person, one that used everyone for their own personal gain and manipulated the environment around me to best suit my needs… to come and share with you gentlemen… on how to enrich environment! 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us: “When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun.” That was 2 Corinthians 5:17 Praise GOD! On Friday, Vern shared in the Laity talk about the laymen’s mission in the church.  Laity’s mission, our mission, is to transform all of society in the name of Jesus Christ. I challenge you, and encourage you to become involved in the movement. The Way of Christ movement provides a method, or strategy. Today’s talk will outline that strategy and method. As we go through your outline, please fill in the words as I give them to you. On your outline, Roman Numeral I, Letter A : please fill in  “The Christian is called to influence his environment”. (REPEAT) What does it mean to influence an environment? Before we can answer this question, we need to know what environment means.  Letter B on your outline: “the environment is the sum of the ideas, persons and circumstances brought about when people are together.”   (Repeat 2x)  Where is our environment? Our environment is everywhere, the grocery store line, your job, your church, and most importantly your home. Environment is everywhere that you are at any time. Everywhere we go, we are in some form of environment.  When we were children we only knew the environments our parents or guardians put us in.  Good, bad, or indifferent that was what we understood to be normal.  The important thing to remember, however, is “We can choose to change, or we can choose the status quo and maintain, those environments.”  (Repeat) I believe it was albert Einstein who was credited with saying:  “Insanity… is continuing to do the same thing over and over… and expecting different results.” Remember, the talk Shane gave Friday morning on Ideal? Let’s see how Ideals can play in to our environment. The basis for our strategy is that people live as part of certain groups of people. In these groups, certain ideas and attitudes are accepted and encouraged, various ideals are accepted. Our job, is to transform those ideas, attitudes and ideals, that do not conform to GOD’s will.  Roman Numeral II, Letter A: “The environment has a vital impact on individuals. (Repeat) Please write this down:  Environments can be transformed. (Repeat 2x)  We as human beings, tend to conform to whatever spirit is generated by and within the specific groups in which we associate. Some may refer to it as peer pressure. People with ideals, drive and a concern for their fellow man, will structure, change and influence their environments. As Christians, we are called to influence our environments more than they influence us!  We must make a difference!  (Repeat) Letter B:  “We must influence our environments more than they influence us.” (Repeat 2x) When I was involved with the Disciples I was able to influence my environment in very many ways, however not Godly ways, now as a Christian, I am still able to influence my environment. Let me share one example with you on how I was able to do this a short time after I was out of the hospital the last time. Remember my friend Steve who known exactly when to call so that I might be saved? Him and I was sitting in a burger king in Northport Alabama talking about my new life. He had saw the positive change in me, and question after question was answered, and over a whopper and fries, my best friend accepted Christ at that table in that Burger King on highway 82. I can show you to this day the exact table we was sitting at. He has since became a champion for Parental Rights in the Tuscaloosa area, and is preparing for his second bid to win the state representative spot for his district, all of this with good moral’s and a Christian stance. My influence has now trickled down and has changed others through him. This past summer by changing the environment that local youth was accustomed to in North Manchester through Teen Horizons Christian Outreach, at one of our events we had a speaker from Ohio speak about Christ being more than just a homeboy, that night 3 young people accepted Christ…. This is one more way that allows me personally to server and show God’s Love and grace in my environment. GOD called me to do this… knowing that with my experience with addiction and as a rebellious youth… I could be a great resource for helping others…. So, the question remains… “How can we transform our environments for the better?” Roman Numeral III, Letter A on your outline: “Know the environment”.  (Repeat) To determine a plan of transformation, we have to understand the people, circumstances, and the nature of their surroundings in order to influence them. We cannot just exist within the group. We must constantly be observant to what is going on and use our God given gift of discernment. Is what we are doing right, or is it wrong? And if it is wrong, CHANGE IT for God’s Sake!     Do something about it!    Do the RIGHT thing! Letter B:  “Study the spirit being generated.” (repeat)  In order to understand an environment, we must figure out its ideals and seek the motivating force behind the environment.   Letter C: “Study the Persons” (repeat)  We must study the person’s position or place in the particular environment. In each environment, some people have more influence than others. Among the many individuals around us, we will find 3 distinct types of people. #1 under letter C: are the Followers. These folks just go with the flow, without making any apparent decisions for themselves. They are the most easily influenced by others. Please write – Easily Influenced. #2: are the Impulsive. These people have a conviction that lacks strength and they are inconsistent. Please write:  Inconsistent #3: are the Leaders. Please write next to Leaders, Agents of Change.  This is a change of direction.  They no longer focus on self,  but on others.  These people use their abilities to influence that in which they believe in is worthwhile and act on it.    II Timothy 2:2 says:  “The things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrusted to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” In II Timothy 2:2  “We’ve heard God’s word - now it’s up to us to do something about it”.  Leaders lead the way.  And you gentleman, have been chosen by God. You have been chosen to be LEADERS. If we can find the leaders in other environments, and lead them to Christ, they will change their environments. Letter D on our outline, Develop a Plan, by asking the following 3 questions you can be prepared to develop your plan. We should ask ourselves 3 questions – What are the ideals of the individuals among us? How far are those ideals from the Christian Ideal?  And… How can we lead them to Christ? Remember back in the beginning of this talk I stated I just started a new career. I have officially worked 7 days total at this new company, and I have already studied my environment, the ideals of those around me and put together a plan. Here is what I have learned, I work with not one Christian, and even a couple who have stated they have never even opened a bible. I work around people who use four letter words as part of normal conversation at least inside the office. I have not once stated that I do not wish to hear the language, but already some of them are not cursing around me, and if they slip they are quick to apologize. See I read my devotional every morning in the conference room, before our morning team meeting. I let my words and actions speak volumes, and use my lunch hour to study the word. I have ordered a copy of my devotional that I read Tony Dungy’s Uncommon Life, and will be leaving a copy in the break room. It may never get picked up, but my prayer is that it will. Couple all of this with fervent prayer, and I know I will see a change in my environment. In Romans 11:16 we read: “If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.” As the Executive Director of Teen Horizons, I can’t lead our volunteers any further than where I am, but I can lead others to someone who is further along. GOD wants to use us right where we are. On the back of your outline Roman Numeral IV: Evangelizing Our Environments To evangelize our environments we should consider 3 things:  Ourselves Our friends or others around us…  andGroups around us Let’s look at letter A: Ourselves GOD has to be at work in our lives to equip and empower us to be effective agents of change. The environment will only be transformed to the degree of our commitment. GOD gives us 5 things to equip us. Number 1: The Power of the Holy Spirit Please write in Power…  and Holy Spirit. Philippians 4:13 says:  I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” The Holy Spirit enables us to do HIS will. Number 2: Will   This is our determination…  Please write in Determination.     Determination is the first requisite for action. Psalms 40: 8 says: “I desire to do your will O my GOD; Your law is within my heart”. Number 3: Knees   Prayer is the Foundation. Please write in…  Prayer is the Foundation.  (Repeat) Any worthwhile deed has its beginning and foundation in prayer. We must call on GOD who is the source and power of our action. Number 4: Intelligence  2 Peter 3: 17-18 tells us:  Therefore dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the Glory, both Now and Forever! AMEN. This is our knowledge and consciousness of Jesus.  Studying God’s word helps us to know how we are to live. Number 5:   Heart In John 13:34-35 we read:  A new command I give you -  love one another. As I have loved you, so must you love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. Through hope and enthusiasm, we will succeed because GOD wills it! 1 Corinthians 9:22 says: “To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” We should take part in the lives of others in order to share Christ with them, and we must serve our brothers with holy love! (pause) The second aspect of the environment we are called to evangelize is… B. Our Friends We have been chosen by GOD and entrusted with the sharing of the Gospel with our daily companions. There are two steps in working to win others over… Number 1: We must win their hearts, to open their minds.   Repeat Please write in Hearts… and Minds. We must show them constant and genuine Love, Understanding, and Kindness.   We should be Christ –like, in order to make them friends of Christ. Number 2:  We must help them understand who Christ is. Repeat We must communicate the Gospel to our friends, and proclaim it by our good deeds and works. When we are indecisive as to what to do in certain circumstances… we should ask ourselves – What would Jesus do? And then we must act accordingly! You see… every man has a God –shaped vacuum in his heart. A whole, if you will, waiting to be filled by Christ. St. Augustine once said that every man yearns for God, and never rests until he finds Him. We must share with our friends the meaning of Christ in our own lives, by sharing what Christ has done for us.  (Please write in) There is no better way to demonstrate Christ to others than through the grace and Love He has shown us! It is our responsibility to plant the seed and try to help them understand.  GOD has chosen us to do so! The 3rd aspect is… C.  Groups Around Us The world needs Christ to solve its problems… this means remaking individuals… but more specifically… it means BRINGING WHOLE GROUPS OF PEOPLE, in our environment, to Christ! Number 1: Our sanctification and growth affects our environment. (Repeat) Luke 14:34 tells us: “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?” Many Christians blend into the world and avoid the cost of standing up for Christ. But Jesus says if Christians lose their distinctive “saltiness”, they become worthless. Just as salt flavors and preserves food, we are to preserve the good in the world, and bring new flavor to life. This involves careful planning, willing sacrifice, and unyielding commitment to God’s Kingdom. But if a Christian fails to be “salty”, he or she fails to represent Christ in the world. Ask yourselves… “How salty am I?” Number 2: Work on, and penetrate the situation as a whole. We should think about the situation as a whole which results from the interaction of people. Remember… Character and integrity are the main ingredients for us in our society, and we must uphold the standard that Christ has set for us. We should make it a practice to influence the life and thinking… of the influential people in the group… if they accept Christ… they in turn will bring others to Christ! Number 3: Being salt, light, and leaven. (Repeat 2x) Matthew 5:13-16 tells us:  “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”    “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Gentlemen… We are often the only likeness of “Jesus”, thatsome people ever see. Number 4: Respect others, their ideas, and rights. (Repeat 2x) Our call is simply to proclaim Christ. Not to force ourselves or ideals on others. There is an old adage… “You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar”. In other words… You can win people to your side more easily by gentle persuasion and flattery than by hostile confrontation. Number 5: Change the direction and tone of the environment. (Repeat) This will allow people to lead each other to Christ. Christ calls us not to salvation alone, but to continue His mission in the world. Number 6: Constant Prayer. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 reads simply: “pray continually”. In prayer…We should recognize ourselves only as His instruments. Wherever we live and deal with people, wherever we find ourselves at any given time…    that is our environment. A good environment to begin improving is your workplace… Why not make it more Christ – Centered. Whatever we do to penetrate our environments, in other words… bringing Christ to the center and making men more united… should be with the final goal of drawing men to Christ. Therefore… Our task… is achieved by introducing new life into the environment…  (Repeat) A “fully Christian life” … that indeed changes things! Tomorrow… you will find the world as you left it on Thursday. Nothing will have changed. But… you will have changed! And this is why each one of you are KEY! It will be your actions, as Christians, that will radiate and change the lives of others. The reflection of Christ’s life in ours will lead others to the Cross. The world has not changed… but we have changed… and our change can be catalyst that changes the rest. We can be the Leaven… We can be the agents of change. Colossians 1:17 reads: “He is before all things and in Him all things hold together.”  Everything holds together in Jesus Christ!  So, who is holding your environments together? …  And who is at the center of everything you do?  Our world is filled with lives that are spinning out of control.  We can make a difference.  GOD is ready and able.  And He wants to change our worlds.  Luke 10:1-3 tells us:  “After this the Lord appointed seventy-two[a] others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.  He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.  Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.” At the beginning of this talk we looked at how we believers are challenged to influence our environment.  My prayer is that you take that step and let God lead you through your environments.  I can assure you…  that God will bless you…  beyond your wildest imagination! God loves you and so do I.