Timothy J. Clarke - The Presence of a New and Better You - Part 1

I want to talk about… Are you ready for this? The presence of a new and better you! The difference your presence makes in the world. Because listen to what Paul says, Sister Jerry. Paul says, «I want you, no matter who you are, to realize and recognize how important you are.» Listen to how he expresses it: «I want you to shine like stars in the midst of a wicked, crooked, and perverse generation.» For you missed it! Paul says: «I know you’re not popular, I know you’re not famous, I know you’re not rich. But here’s what I know: the presence of the believer in the world makes a difference.» Okay, okay, young Miss Edna, come on Carolyn. I’m telling you, matter of fact, doesn’t care that I just called her name! Four years—everybody, four years! Cousin Carolyn worked at Grove Hospital, and she ran that surgical unit. Whenever I’d go visit—I don’t get to visit as much as I used to but when I do, I would run into Carolyn and her team. They always tell me how much they loved Carolyn and what she meant to them. When she retired, I would go in, and they would say, «We sure miss Carolyn!» I could say that about many of you. I’ve had the opportunity to run into folks who know you. Here’s what you don’t realize: Your presence on your job has made a difference. Your presence in your neighborhood, on your block, makes a difference. Your presence in your community makes a difference. Your presence in this church makes a difference. What you need to realize is you’re not just here by accident, taking up space. God has planted and placed you in this world at this particular time for a reason and a purpose. Your presence is making a difference, and that difference makes all the difference in the world. I was in one of my favorite stores last night. Okay, y’all, Devon is my favorite, Apple—what were the others? They sent over here, Walmart. It’s my favorite! I’m up here pastoring in Walmart more than anywhere else. Sometimes, I wouldn’t want to just go in and stand around, and they would just come to me. I was a bit on alert, not picking on you, First Ladies, out in town, so you know what I was doing, right? Picking up precooked items. So, I was shopping for those, and while talking to the cashier, a lady turned around and said, «Bishop Clark!» I said, «Yes?» She said, «I know that was you. I heard you talking!» And I knew that was nobody. Come on, let’s go; we gotta go! It humbles you. Your presence makes a difference. You have a voice like no one else. You have a touch like no one else. You have a heart like no one else. Your presence makes a difference, and that difference makes all the difference! This is why you should stop trying to be a copy of somebody else. Stop running around and trying to be a photocopy of this person, a carbon copy of that person. When God made you, He broke the mold. Now, I know some folks were shocked just by that, but I’m serious. When God made you, do you know what He said? He looked at you and said, «I will never do that again!» Now you think that any way you want to, but that’s what He said! If this world lasts another million years, there’ll never be another you. Paul says, because you’re different. Now, I could go into the theological part of this—how we are different because Christ is in our lives. Paul assumes he’s writing to the church, writing to Christians. Of course, they’re different because of that. He says, «Now, since you’re different, here’s what I want you to do: Show forth that difference.» There are three ways I’ll deal with tonight and two tomorrow. The way you do it tonight, you’ll be off the hook tomorrow for the other two. No, you won’t get to see them, you shine! Tell your neighbor, «You shine!» When I was a little boy—I know it’s a long time ago—when I was a little boy, we sang that song, «This Little Light of Mine.» Oh, y’all sang that too? «I’m gonna let it shine, everywhere I go, over in my home, I’m gonna let it shine! Let it shine, let it shine!» Y’all left me out here by myself! «Let it shine!» And Tracy, that’s what Paul says. Paul says that one of our responsibilities is because we’re different, because Christ has made a difference in our lives, we ought to shine. Come on, that’s your job! Now, you remember that song, right? Because, you know, I didn’t—I used to hate this: «Then you molly make your pan of mine!» «Hey, I don’t wanna sing it!» «Then they’ll make you act it out, hiding under a bushel—no! I’m gonna let it shine.» I’m gonna ixnay hiding under a bushel part, but that’s what Paul says! Paul says you don’t hide it under a bushel. That’s what Jesus says: «Let your light so shine before men and women, that they see your good works and give glory not to you but to your Father!»