Transformed Lives - Transforming Others

2 Corinthians 5:18
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:

The past two weeks at LFC have been incredible. First with Pastor Jack Hayford, then our woman had the joy of hearing Beth Moore teach, live via satellite in our sanctuary and our special guests this past Sunday, all the way from Oahu Hawaii and New Hope Christian Fellowship. A group of ten people, seven of them formerly incarcerated, came to minister during the weekend at the Lompoc Federal Penitentiary and to share with us at LFC during our three AM services. The story of transformation was shared and these who had been transformed were transforming others in return. They were loving out loud in the truest sense of the word. As they left on Sunday, they reported that 40 inmates had opened their lives to Jesus Christ for the first time – more transformation in the works. And speaking of Transformation, how about last night? We turned a street into a faire and watched people enjoy what we were able to provide. More than hotdogs, cotton candy, face painting, crafts and games. They enjoyed the hearts of almost 100 servants from LFC as we partnered with the Lompoc PD for National Night Out. The Lompoc Record had the story on today’s front page and KCOY picked up the story and ran it last night.
As I helped set up, connect with people and wander the street making sure all were doing okay, it hit me.

Transformation is best lived out in generosity.
Gratitude and generosity are key steps to wholeness.
Some people desire to be whole, but it never happens apart from giving away and serving others.
Barnabus was a “good man and full of the Holy Spirit.” He was a Levite from Cyprus, whose real name was Joseph, but Apostles called him Barnabus, or “Son of Encouragement.”
We first meet Barnabus in Acts 4, in the days after Christ’s resurrection and birth of the Church at Pentecost. Here we see Barnabus as a member of the first remarkable group: “And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales and lay them at the apostles' feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need. Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.” (Acts 4:32-37)
Barnabus was encouraging through his generosity. He sold a piece of land and gave the proceeds to the Apostles for the needs of the Church. But Barnabus’ generosity, and ours, need not be only financial. We can be generous with our time. Barnabus was a servant to the early believers and spent a year instructing the newly-converted Paul of Antioch. In the same spirit, we can visit those in need, teach the children, serve in the nursery, serve our youth and simply find ways to reach out to others.
Like Barnabus, we can be generous with our service. As I watched those from New Hope serve this past Sunday, I thought of the time they gave to travel and serve. The expenses to get here. Coming here for three days with one day of travel on each side had a price, but that is what made their service so generous. At LFC, every time a child is taught, every time the communion trays come in or the parking signs go out, I think that someone did that. Someone puts the paper towels in the restrooms, dusted, vacuumed and more. The more we look around and become aware of these myriad acts of service the more encouraged we become. Generosity serves and serving encourages.
We can be generous with our friendship. Barnabus offered his friendship to Saul, who was being shunned by believers after his conversion. He was loyal to John Mark and in short, Barnabas was a friend to all. We can offer our friendships to others and join a Life Transformation Group and join a team to serve and more. We can all reach out to others in our neighborhood and become relational with people we know that need to know the Lord. We can all do our part to greet new people as they arrive at services here and to encourage all people we see each time we come to church. Time, service, and friendship; all these are ways you can be generous no matter what is inside your wallet. Go for generosity – it will transform others while it transforms you and allows you to be an encourager.
Being Transformed and hopefully transforming others,
Pastor Bernie