TOPIC: DARE TO BE DIFFERENT
TEXT: I Kings 22:6-18
MEMORY VERSE: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “Those who claim they belong to the Lord must turn away from all wickedness” (2 Timothy 2:19).
SONG: I’m a new creation. I’m a brand new man. Old things have passed away…
INTRODUCTION: To be different means to be exceptional or to be unusual. To dare to be different means to be bold or brave enough to be different or be an exception. In the world we live in, we see many people doing what is wrong, and more people joining them to do what is wrong. However, we should understand that the fact that almost everybody is doing what is wrong does not make it right. If you dare to be different, not going the way of the evil doers, you shall be praised and honoured in the end.
EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE IN THE BIBLE WHO DARED TO BE DIFFERENT
1.Caleb and Joshua: When the other ten spies agreed together to give a bad or negative report about the land of Canaan, Caleb and Joshua boldly declared a positive or good report. They believed the report of God and got to the Promised Land while the multitudes who believed the negative report died in the wilderness (Numbers 13:26-33; 14: 6-10).
2. Daniel and his three friends: They refused to be fed with the food and wine of the king of Babylon, so that they would not defile themselves or make themselves unclean. They were looking better and were more brilliant than the others who defiled themselves (Daniel 1:8-20).
3. Micaiah: He was the only prophet who dared to be different. He did not join about 400 prophets who prophesied lies to King Ahab. When all the other prophets were prophesying lies, he was the only one who was bold to tell the king the true word of God, and what he said happened (I Kings 22:6-37).
4. The leper who came back: When Jesus healed ten lepers, only one of them came back to thank Jesus, while the remaining nine went away. He was the only one who was made whole (Luke 17:12-19).
AREAS YOU CAN DARE TO BE DIFFERENT (I TIMOTHY 4:12)
(a) In words: When everybody around you speak dirty words, abuses, lies, or curses, remember that no corrupt word should proceed out of your mouth. Be bold to speak the truth in every situation (Ephesians 4:29).
(b)In conduct: You should be different in the way you behave. When other children are naughty, be well behaved (Matthew 5:16).
(c) In love: When others hate and do not show sincere love, dare to love the Lord with the whole of your heart and love your neighbour as yourself. We must love one another for love is of God (Matthew 22:37-39, I John 4:7).
(d) In spirit: When others operate in the flesh or outside the spirit of God, you must be led or controlled by the Holy Spirit and reject every work of the flesh such as lying, hatred, selfishness, and stealing. (Galatians 5:16).
(e) In faith: When people around you do not put their faith in God or do not profess their faith, you should demonstrate your faith in God and speak aloud of what God can do for a man of faith (Hebrews 10:23).
(f) In purity: Purity means cleanliness. When other people around you practise sin, you must avoid or shun anything that will defile you or make you unclean. You must be holy and pure, because it is only the pure in heart that shall see God in the end (Matthew 5:8).
CONCLUSION: Every child who wants to please God must always dare to be different. Do not follow the crowd or multitude to do evil. The majority is not always right. People may mock you or laugh at you. Be a God-pleaser and not a men-pleaser. Do you want men’s applause or God’s commendation? “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). REMAIN BLESSED!
Pastor (Mrs) Olanike Banso is a servant of God in Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria. She has a ministry to children.
Phone No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
WhatsApp No: +2349081295947
Email: cedarministryintl@yahoo.com,
cedarministryng@gmail.com
Website: www.cedarministry.org
