Archive for January, 2006

The Trust Test – Part One

Sunday, January 29th, 2006
This entry is part 3 of 4 in the series Stewardship Begins with Trust

Read at beginning of service:


Romans 1:16-17 (NIV)16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

INTRODUCTION

Today I want to talk to you about managing the resources that God has given to us. Two Sundays ago we asked the question: Can I trust God? Last week we looked at another question: Am I trustworthy? Can God trust me with the resources He has given to me? And today I just want to share with you what I call the Trust Test. This is a two-part sermon. I?ll share half this morning, and half when I get back from my holidays. We?re really going to work through this whole issue of trust, and how we, as God?s children, do when we take the Trust Test. Let me read as an introduction of this message an article that I came across in preparation for this message.

“At first I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things that I did wrong so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there sort of like a president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I really didn?t know Him.

“But later on, when I met Christ, it seemed as though life were rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike. And Christ was in the back helping me pedal. I don?t know just when it was that He suggested that we change places, but life has never been the same since.

“When I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring, but it was predictable. It was the shortest distance between two points. But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts. Up mountains and through rocky places at break-neck speeds. It was all that I could do to hang on. And even though it looked like madness, He said, ?Pedal.? I worried and was anxious, and I asked, ?Where are you taking me?? He laughed and didn?t answer. And that?s when I learned that I was going to have to trust Him.

“I forgot my boring life and entered into every adventure. And when I?d say, ?I?m scared,? He?d lean back and just touch my hand. He took me to people with gifts that I needed. Gifts of healing, acceptance, and joy. He gave me gifts to take on my journey and off we went again. And he would say, ?Give the gifts away. They?re extra baggage, too much weight.? So I did, to people we met, and I found that in giving, I received. The journey continued and our burden was light. I did not trust Him at first to take control of my life. I thought He?d wreck it, but He knows bike secrets. He knows how to make those sharp corners and how to jump clear off high rocks and do things I could?ve never done if I were in control.

“And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places. I?m beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful Companion, Jesus Christ. And when I?m not sure I can do it anyway more, He smiles and, says, ?Just pedal.?”

I think every one of us comes to a place where we ask a very simple question: Can I really trust God? Can I trust God with my life? Can I trust God with my future? With my family? With my job? With my health? Can I trust God with my possessions? I think every one of us comes to the place where we have to cross a line of either saying, “Yes, I do trust Him,” or staying back and saying, “No.”

This is a crucial observation: it?s at that Trust Test line that we either grow spiritually by crossing it and saying,” Yes, I?m going to trust God,” or we back away from that line and begin to shrivel in our soul and never reach our potential as a child of God. All because we were unwilling to let God take control of our life.

I?m trying to give you handles, ways that you and I could learn to trust God more completely. I came across this little acrostic, and let me just share with you what each letter stands for. We?re going to talk about a couple of them this morning.

T Take an inventory.

We need to be asking ourselves the bottom line question: Do I really trust God?

R Recognize God as your source.

We need to realize as we take inventory of our life, that everything that you and I have right now is a gift from God.

U Understand God?s principles.

Until we understand them, we?re always going to hold back in our trust toward God.

S Surrender everything to God.

The moment that we understand the principles that God has for us; then it?s just an act of surrender.

T Test God?s promises.

We need to look at God?s Word and test his promises, because it?s in that testing that God proves Himself to us. Then all of the sudden our faith begins to build.

Take An Inventory (Psalm 139:23,24; Proverbs 3:5-10)


Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 139. The psalmist said it better than I could. He says to God, “God, look deep into my heart and find out everything that I am thinking. Don?t let me follow evil ways, but lead me in the way that time has proven true.”

Three observations about the psalmist?s prayer of inventory.

1. Only God knows everything about us.

It?s obvious to me because the psalmist said, “Look deep into my heart and find out everything I?m thinking.” In other words, the psalmist said, “I don?t even know what?s down there. I don?t even know what I?m thinking. Look deep in my heart.” He?s asking God to help him take inventory.

2. Only God can lead me correctly.

The psalmist recognized that our tendency is to want to follow evil ways.

3. Taking inventory and trusting God begins with me.

This whole issue begins with me. I have to do personal inventory. Look at myself and ask myself, “How am I doing in this area of trust? ” Turn with me please, to Proverbs 3, and let me just show you how personal this inventory has to be.

When you go to Proverbs Chapter 3:5-10, you?ll see that the Proverb writer understood that trust began with him. In fact, take your pen out with me. I?m going to read it, and I want you to underline or circle all the personal pronouns. Are you ready?

Proverbs 3:5-10 (NIV)

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. 9 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

The Proverb writer said that all trust starts with personal inventory. I need to take responsibility for doing my part. What happens? I do my part, and you know the rest — God does His part.

Recognize God As Your Source (Deuteronomy 8:18)


Deuteronomy 8:18 (NIV)18 But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.

We need to come to a place where we recognize God as the source of our life. Recognize that He knows everything. There?s nothing hidden from Him; He is sovereign. I love the humorous story of the mother telling her daughter a little bit about the facts of life, as she came to the age to understand some of those things. The little girl was really shocked. And when the mother finished, the little girl said, “Mom, does God know these things? ” God knows them all. He?s the source. Also write down Colossians 1:15-20. It?s a great passage that talks about God (Jesus) being the source.

Colossians 1:15-20 (NIV)

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

As I was going through the Word of God this week, I realized that there are so many places in the Bible that tell us without God it?s impossible:

Matthew 5:36 tells us, that we cannot change our hair, add hair to our head, without God being the source.


Matthew 5:36 (NIV)

36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.

Matthew 6:27 tells us that we cannot add a single moment to our life without God being the source.


Matthew 6:27 (NIV)27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

James 4:14 reminds us that we cannot even say with certainty what?s going to happen tomorrow without God as the source.


James 4:14 (NIV)14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

Act 27:20 tells us that we cannot save ourselves from disaster without God being our source.


Acts 27:20 (NIV)20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.

It?s very humbling when we to recognize where we are.

They tell us that William Beavy, the naturalist and a very close friend to Teddy Roosevelt, spent many evenings with Roosevelt. After their meal, they would go outside and look at the stars in the heavens, and he would say, “That is a galaxy as large as the Milky Way. It consists of a 100 billion suns. It is one of a 100 billion galaxies. ” And then Roosevelt would you believe grinned, and said, “Now I think we?re small enough. Let?s go to bed.”

God?s the source.

Understand God?s Principles

Three reasons why Christians don?t give more to God:

1. They don?t think they can give and meet their own needs.

Most of the time when we start talking about resources and finances, these people say, “Well I?m not sure that I can give and still take care of family, still meet the budget, and meet my own needs.” And so it alarms them.

2. They don?t know how to give.

3. They don?t plan to give.

Because they lack planning, they are always in an emergency. A favorite quote of mine that could be applied to so many things including finances is this, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”

Stewardship principles that make a difference:

1. The Who?s in Charge Principle Psalm 24:1

God?s the Owner – I?m the Manager

And that basically is, “Who?s going to run my life?” Psalm 24, “The earth and everything that is in it belongs to the Lord. The world and its people belong to Him.”

2. The Give and Grow Principle.

Practicing Stewardship Produces Growth.

I have a quote here by Timothy Johnson that?s outstanding.

“Some say dedicate the heart and the money will follow; but our Lord put it the other way around. ?Where your treasure is, there will your heart will be also.? If your treasure is dedicated, your heart will be dedicated. If it is not, it simply won?t. It is as simple as that.” Stewardship, Timothy Johnson

I sat down and began to write all the ways that practicing good stewardship enables us to grow: We find our spiritual gifts. It increases our faith. We become spiritually sensitive. We become fruitful for God?s kingdom. We receive a blessing from God. We are a blessing to others. We make a lasting contribution.

I can tell you, practicing stewardship causes us to grow. You see, stewardship training isn?t about raising money or gifts. It?s about raising Christians and developing you the way that you need to be developed.

3. The Do it Now Principle.

Stewardship Deals with our Present Resources.

“The person who waits to do a great deal of good at once will never do anything.” Samuel Johnson

A cute poem I heard recently: “Procrastination is my greatest sin. It brings me endless sorrow. I?m going stop doing it. Perhaps I?ll start tomorrow.”

Can I ask a question? How long are you going to wait before you find out what your spiritual gift is? How long are you going to wait before you use it? How long are you going to wait with all the resources God has given you before you do something about what you?ve got right now?

You see, there?s tendency for us to say, “Well sometime, next year, I think, I?m going to find out what my spiritual gift is. You know, down the road I?m going to start using it.” What are we doing with these gifts right now? It?s our present resources that God is concerned about. If you don?t know what your spiritual gift is, can you imagine appearing before God, who gave you those gifts, and He looks at you, and He wants to know what you did with them? And you don?t even know what they are. Come on now. Get a life.

I can?t imagine Christians who just sit in pews on Sunday somehow thinking they deserve a purple heart for showing up. What are your gifts? Do you know them? Are you using them? You see, we?re going to be held accountable for those things. There?s going to be a day when I stand before God, and I?m going to either have gold and silver and things precious; or I?m going have a bunch of wood. Some of you are going to have a bonfire with it.

And what are you doing with your present resources now? I know, I know, you?re saying, “If I had just won that lottery last week, man, I?d given all that money to the church.” No you wouldn?t. You don?t tithe now. What are you talking about giving everything to God. If you can?t give Him 10% now, you?re not going to give Him a 100% later.

I love the story about the real rich guy who was on this prosperity gospel kick. And he went from town to town talking about how he once only had $20 in his pocket, and when the offering plate came by, he put all $20 in. Then he became a multimillionaire. And, boy, they loved this story. He?d go everywhere. People would just clap and he?d encourage them to do the same thing. He was in Toledo and shared this great story. And everybody clapped.

But one lady raised her hand. He looked at her and said “Yes ma?am, do you have a question?” She said, “Yes. Now let me make sure I understand. You only had $20. You gave all $20 to God, and He made you rich and famous.” “Yeah, that?s exactly the way it works.” “And now you?re a multimillionaire.” “Yeah, that?s exactly right.” “Just one question:”, she said, “would you like to do it again?”

I get so sick and tired of Christians with all these spiritual clich?s talking about how God will provide. Let me tell you something. God?s already provided. The issue is not God?s provision. The issue is for you and I to learn to manage the resources He?s given, be a good steward of them and pass them on. Amen?

4. The I?m in Debt Principle. (Romans 1:14-15)

The Moment We?re Born … We?re in Debt.

“Well, praise God! There?s one I?m really following right now.” ?I?m not quite talking about that.

“Whatever you have received more than others — in health, in talents, in ability, in success, in a pleasant childhood, in harmonious conditions of home life — all this you must not take yourself as a matter of course. In gratitude for your good fortune, you must render some sacrifice of your own life for another life.” Albert Schweitzer

How true. Paul said to the church of Rome, in Romans 1:14-15, “For I owe a great debt to you and everyone else.” Paul understood that he was a debtor.

Our indebtedness is two-fold…

1. To God.

All the blessings that God has given to you health, life, everything. “Every good and perfect gift comes from Him.” I?m indebted to God, you?re indebted to God. It?s a process that we all need to understand.

2. To the previous generation.

But there?s another indebtedness that we have. And that indebtedness is to the previous generation. The one that has gone on before us, that has given many of the blessings that we have in Canada. Many of the blessings that we have, have been handed down.

I can?t stand a bunch of ungrateful people who look for a handout and think that everything they have they deserve. Why don?t you get a life? You don?t deserve anything. Everything you have is a gift from God or a gift from somebody else (which is ultimately a gift from God!!). And it?s our job to take those gifts that God or others have given to us and turn around and reproduce and multiply and develop them for the glory of God and to help our fellow man.

5. The Fountain of Youth Principle.

We Live Forever Through Our Giving.

“We exist temporarily through what we take, but we live forever through what we give.” Douglas M. Lawson

Jesus said that what we keep we lose, and what we lose we keep. We know that. You all heard the expression, “You can?t take it with you.” There?s a new one I read the other day: “You never see a hearse with a luggage rack.” Amen? Can?t take it with you. You always like the deep stuff I give you, don?t you?

“No enterprise can exist for itself alone. It ministers to some great need, it performs some great service, not for itself, but for others; or failing therein it ceases to be profitable and ceases to exist.” Calvin Coolidge

CONCLUSION

One of the things that excites me about our church is we have a vision that is beyond the local church. Our vision is to see our community reached with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our vision, our purpose is to not only reach our community but to disciple those won to Christ so that they become more like Him. Oh how I desire to see our chairs filled with people who have been won to Christ because of the vision of a church that cares and the action of a people who trust God and in whom God trusts. The vision is not for our benefit. The vision is for the kingdom. Amen? And that?s the only kind of vision that will last. This vision will only be fulfilled when as a church we understand that stewardship begins with trust.

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Can God Trust Me?

Sunday, January 15th, 2006
This entry is part 2 of 4 in the series Stewardship Begins with Trust

Read at beginning of message:

2 Timothy 2:14-19 (NIV)

14 Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”

INTRODUCTION:

Last week I asked the question, “Can you and I trust God?” As I’m continuing the series of trusting God , “Stewardship ? It Begins with Trust,” today I want to ask another question.

I think last week we realized that God’s gifts are generous, and God’s care is constant. And, yes, He is trustworthy. The question I want to deal with this morning is, Can God trust you?” Can God trust me? Let’s think about a parent and children. One of the biggest issues parents deal with their children as they grow older is the issue of trust.

Example #1: Trust Babys?

Obviously when a child is a baby there is little that you can trust that baby boy or girl with. You can?t trust them in the bathtub alone for instance. You can?t trust them with sharp utensils. (Tell about experience with trusting baby?s with pictures.) But as our children grow older we begin to trust them with little things (Share example of Zachary with juice). Then when they get to be teenagers?

Trust is a big issue between parents and children. As they get older we ask them, “Can I trust you? Can I trust you to go where you?re saying you?re going? And can I trust you to get back on time?” And every time they do it right, they get a little bit more trust; and every time they do it wrong, we have to pull back a little bit.

It’s the same way with God. The question that God has for every one of us today is: Can I trust you? Luke 16:1-15 contains one of the most difficult parable, I believe, to understand in all the Bible. Now Luke 16 is connected with Luke 15, which is the best loved and the best known parable. It’s the story of the prodigal son. And in Luke 15, our Lord deals with wrong attitudes about people. In Luke 16, our Lord deals with wrong attitudes about wealth. It talks about our possessions — what we have and how are we going to deal with what He has given to us.

Read Luke 16:1-15

Story of the foolish steward:

Chapter 15: Wrong attitudes about people.

Chapter 16: Wrong attitudes about wealth.

The Bible and Money…

Jesus talked about money in 16 out of 38 of His parables; and 1 out of 10 verses in the Gospels. The Bible devotes 500 verses to prayer, less than 500 verses to faith; but over 2,000 verses to money and possessions.

Some observations of this parable?

1. The Accountability of the Foolish Steward (vv. 1,2)

When the owner came back, this unwise manager of possessions was brought into accountability. Are you ready? Note this parable was to His disciples, wasn’t to the scribes, wasn’t to the Pharisees. It was His own inner core. “A rich man once had a manager to take care of his business, but he was told that his manager was wasting money. So the rich man called him in, and said, ‘What is this I hear about you? Tell me what have you done. You are no longer going to work for me.’” Now, there are two reasons why this manager was accountable to the owner. There are two reasons why I’m accountable to God.

Reasons why I’m accountable to God:

A. He is the owner; I am the manager.

The first reason that I’m accountable to God is because what I have today are gifts of God; I own none of it. I’m accountable to the owner.

James 1:17 (NIV)

17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Amen? He’s the owner. He gives me everything. The gifts I have, He gave them to me. Every possession I have, it is a gift of the Lord. He’s the owner.

Now, this is the No. 1 issue. Until we can settle this issue, we’re always going to have a problem in this area of management and stewardship. You see, if I believe that Darren Ethier is the owner, then I’m going to constantly be in conflict with God over what I do with the stuff I have. But the moment I understand that God is the owner and I am the manager, then all of the sudden the conflict disappears, because I realize everything I have right now: my health, my life, my possessions, my family, everything I have is not mine.

Now, let’s just do a little quiz here to make sure we understand this. If you made $400 last week, and you came to church on Sunday, how much of that $400 belongs to God? You’re so smart. It must be the great preaching you get that makes you that way. You better believe it. All of it. $400 is God’s, not $40. Somebody says, “Well, let me see, 10% of $40…” No, no, no. $40 is not God’s and $360, yours. All $400 is God’s. It all belongs to Him, and until we understand this issue of lordship, we’re going to be in trouble.

B. The owner has expectations of the manager.

When the master comes, the owner comes back, He wants to know what has been done with the possessions that He’s given us. And there are several areas of expectation, and I just want to give you a few Biblical areas today.

Areas of expectation:

1. Ourselves. Romans 12:1

The first thing the owner expects is for us to consecrate, dedicate, and give ourselves to Him. That’s why Paul said in Romans,


Romans 12:1 (NIV)1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.

That’s the most sensible way to serve God. All Paul is saying is that the most sensible way to serve God is settle immediately in your Christian walk that He’s the owner; you’re the manager. And so you give yourself to Him. You voluntary surrender everything to Jesus Christ.

2. Possessions. Luke 14:33

He has an exhortation for what I’m going to do with the things that He has given me in my life. That’s why Jesus said, in Luke 14:33


Luke 14:33 (NIV)33 In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

3. Time. Ephesians 5:15-17

Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus in Ephesians 5:15-17,

Ephesians 5:15-17 (NIV)

15 Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

4. Our Gifts. I Peter 4:10

The owner has an expectation that we’re going to do something with the gifts He’s given. That’s why Peter says,

1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.

5. The Gospel. I Thessalonians 2:4

The good news. The story of redemption. The story of Jesus dying on the cross. I Thessalonians 2:4,

1 Thessalonians 2:4 (NIV)

4 On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.

I came across this in preparation for this message and this just really fits right where I’m preaching, and it really fits what I want to get across. It says: “God put me on this earth to accomplish a certain number of things. Right now, I’m so far behind that I will never die.” How many of you felt like that before? The manager is accountable to the owner, I am accountable to God and there are certain expectations He has of me?

Next observation:

2. The Assessment of the Foolish Steward (v. 3)

The moment this unwise manager realized that he was going to lose his job, look what he said in verse 3.

Luke 16:3 (NIV)

3 “The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg–

“He made an assessment of where he was. The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now that my master is going to fire me? I can’t dig ditches and I’m ashamed to beg.’” Now, this fellow realizes all of the sudden he’s in trouble. The owner comes home, doesn’t like how he’s handling the possessions and fires him. He says, “Now what am I going to do?”

There are different times when people will change in our lives. And one of those times is when they hurt enough that they have to. In other words, this guy was in that position. He said, “I’ve got to make a change. I’ve got to do something differently. I’m in trouble. I’m losing my job. What am I going to do?” He made a quick assessment and found out that he wasn’t doing what the master required.

So what does he do? Next observation?

3. The Action of the Foolish Steward (vv. 4-7)

This unwise manager began to act on what he had just discovered. And let’s look at the action of the foolish steward.

Luke 16:4-7 (NIV)

4 I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’ 5 “So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6 “‘Eight hundred gallons of olive oil,’ he replied. “The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred.’ 7 “Then he asked the second, ‘And how much do you owe?’ “‘A thousand bushels of wheat,’ he replied. “He told him, ‘Take your bill and make it eight hundred.’

Now, I want you to notice that when the owner came home he said, “You’re going to lose your job.” But interestingly enough, he gave this man a little bit of time to settle some accounts. And in the settling of accounts, you notice, the one who owed 800 was reduced down to 400, the one who owed 1,000 down to 800.” And perhaps this man is knocking off the interest that was owed, and just saying, “Let’s go to the principle.” Perhaps, because he was foolish steward, he was overcharging them in the first place, and all of the sudden when the owner came home, he realized what happened. So he cut it back down to the right price. Whatever the reason -there are four lessons that I believe you can learn from this story.

Lessons learned from the story:

1. Use your opportunities wisely. (vv. 8,9)

Jesus commended the man for his wise use of opportunity.

Now, let’s look at how this happened in the story. In verse 8, we see that the master praised his dishonest manager. Now, just stop for a moment. Why would he praise a dishonest manager? Because he did a bad job? Why would he praise him for that? Well, it’s very simple. He didn’t praise him for the bad job he did. Let me go on with the story and explain.

Luke 16:8 (NIV)

8 “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.

In other words, the children of God.

Luke 16:9 (NIV)

9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.

Now, why was this foolish steward commended? It’s very simple. He wasn’t commended for being dishonest, he wasn’t commended for wasting maybe months and years of the master’s money. He was commended for the fact that when he realized there was a problem, he immediately took action to fix it!

Now, this is very important. Because some of you today are saying, “I’m sure God’s given me gifts that I don’t use for His glory. I’m sure that I’m not really using my time like I need to for the Lord. I’m positive that I haven’t really settled this issue of who owns what concerning my possessions, my money, et cetera. ” And many of you today, perhaps you’re struggling, and saying, “Wow, maybe I’m a foolish steward.”

Here’s the good news: God gives us a chance, just as the owner gave this man a chance, to settle the issues and get the accounts and the books right. There?s a little poem that captures this thought well, “Though I cannot go back and make a brand new start, my friend, anyone can start from now and make a brand new end.”

And that’s what we’re going for. And the Lord said that this man is to be commended because he began to use his opportunity wisely. In fact, what’s interesting is, He said, “The people of the world are often more time conscious than Christians.” And, he said, “I want you to realize that we are to use our opportunities as wisely as we possibly can.” Do you remember what Jesus said over in Matthew 6:19-21? He said,


Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

You know the passage. I saw a paraphrase of that recently that I just loved, and the paraphrase was simple. “You can’t take it with you, but you can send it ahead.” Now, what does that mean? Is there some kind of account up there? No, no. When you give money to missions, and somebody gets saved over there, you don’t have an idea that they even got saved. You don’t know, you just gave your money and asked God to bless it. You see, when you get to heaven, there will be somebody from that country waiting for you. Now, we all want to go to heaven, but nobody should want to go to heaven all alone.

Let me ask you a question. How many people are going to be waiting on you? And that person is going to say, “I just want you to know it was your gift, your talent, that ability that you had that influenced me to become a Christian. It was the time that you used wisely.” Are we investing in eternity? Are we laying treasures up in heaven? The treasures are always redeemed persons. You see, I believe that heaven is going to be one giant video screen. Sound’s going to be great. And I believe on that video, we’re going to see flash before us lives that we have positively affected for the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, that we had absolutely no idea that we influenced. But because we were a good manager of what God gave us, or a good steward of what God gave us, all of the sudden we’re going to one day see the results. Just ask yourself the question, “Am I using the opportunities that I have right now wisely?”

Next lesson?

2. Trust must be earned. (vv. 10-12)

The big question: Why would the Master give me more if I misuse what I have?

The second lesson our Lord teaches is the trust must be earned. He teaches us that trust can never be granted without us earning it. Now, look at verses 10-12.

Luke 16:10-12 (NIV)

10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?

He talks here about the fact that we need to earn our trust.

He’s basically saying, “If you can’t be faithful in the few things, why am I going to give you more things?” It goes back to the illustration I gave you at the beginning of the message. Here?s a parent with a teenage son or daughter who just received their drivers license. And this parent has to trust them to come home on time. Now if their son/daughter doesn?t come home on time, then the parent will look at this situation and say, “You wanted to go out next week or tomorrow night. Well we?re going to curb this thing back a bit” Why? Because if you’re not faithful in little thing here, then I certainly cannot trust you tomorrow night. If I can’t trust you in everything, I can’t trust you anything. Trust has to be earned. It’s never just granted. No parent should just say, “Here, I just totally trust you. Go out, and if you don’t come back on time and you disobey me, I’m sure there’s a reason.” No, no. Trust has to be earned. And the more we earn trust, the more trust is given. The more we show that we don’t deserve trust, the more trust is pulled away.

Remember the story that Jesus told (Matthew 25:14-30), where he gave one man five talents; and one, two talents; and one, one talent. He went away and came back and the guy who had five talents had taken it from five to ten. The guy who had two went from two to four. But the guy who had one buried it. He was afraid. This story contains a great principles on stewardship. This week when I was finalizing this message, all of the sudden it hit me. Why did the Master give the one guy just one talent? Was it because He didn’t like him? Of course not. I believe it was because He knew before He ever left that the man was untrustworthy. I believe he had already had previous bad experiences with him. Remember when He came back, that guy who had one talent said, “Here, I dug a hole. Here’s what is yours. You can have it. I knew you were a hard man.” How did he know the Master was a hard man? Because he had some bad dealings with Him in the past. I can promise you the Master only gave him one talent because that’s all He could trust him with. And He had to take it from him.

Now, here’s a very simple question. How much can God trust you with? How many abilities and talents and opportunities can He give me because I’m trustworthy? Or how many has He not given me and withheld from me because I’m not trustworthy? Can God trust you with money? Could you lack financially because you’re not trustworthy? Does God have opportunities to give you, but withholds because you?re not using the opportunity you have right now?

Here?s another important question to ask, “What do you do with what you?ve got?” I run into people all the time who say “Well, you know, Pastor, if I ever get a million dollars, I’m going to give it all to the church.” No, you wouldn’t. Most of the people who tell me that don’t even tithe. If you can’t give 10 percent to God now, you’re not going to 100 percent next year. You see, the whole issue is: Am I trustworthy with what I have right now? I wonder how many blessings we miss because we’re sitting in our chairs waiting for some time, somewhere under the rainbow for that opportunity to hit us. Am I trustworthy right now? Here’s the big question. Why would the Master give me more if I?ve misused what I have?

Remember when the fellow with the one talent said, “I was afraid, and I dug a hole and I hid my talents.” It was fear that kept him from trusting his master. It was fear that became the wall between the owner and the steward.

I brought a parable with me today. I want to read it. It is the parable of the three little turtles. I hope you can intellectually handle this parable. I know you come to church to hear me preach, and I’m so deep that you just try to strive to stay with me intellectually. But hang with me?

Three turtles were going out one summer afternoon for a country picnic. One carried a basket with the food and the second, a jug with turtleaide; and the third, nothing. Just then they felt the first splat of rain drops on the their shells. “We can’t have a picnic without an umbrella,” said the first. “Who will go back for one?” They made the choice, and the empty-handed turtle was chosen.

“I won’t go,” he said. “As soon as I leave, you’ll eat all the food and drink all the turtleaide, and cut me out of everything. Right? ” “Wrong, they said, “we’ll wait for you, no matter how long.” “No matter how long?” Asked the third turtle. “No matter how long,” the other two replied. So he turned back, and they sat waiting an hour, two hours, four, a day, two days, a week. Two weeks went by when one turtle turned to the other and said, “Maybe we should go ahead and have the picnic.” Just then the voice of the third turtle came out from the bushes behind them, “If you do, I won’t go,” he said.

I love it. I wonder how many times God has entrusted something to us, and instead of going, giving or doing – we wait behind the bushes.

Next lesson?

3. Trust can be measured. (vv. 10-12)

Our Lord says, “I want to tell you how I measure trust.” Now carefully follow this. He said, “I measure trust by this very simple method. If you are trustworthy in a few things, I give you more. That’s how I measure trust. If I can’t trust you with a few things, you don’t get any more. You can either hear, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant. You’ve been ruler over a few things, and I’ll make you a ruler over many things.” Or you can hear, “You are an unlawful servant. Be cast into utter darkness.” Here’s how he measures trust: not by what you’re going to do; I measure trust by what you’re doing right now.”

Let’s say a daughter/son comes home 30 minutes late, and the parent says, “Hey you?re supposed to be home at 10:30; and it’s 11:00.” And they say, “Oh, dad, I’m sorry. I’ll do better next time.” Now the Dad has to say, “Listen you violated trust tonight. Now, I think your intentions were good, and I think your intentions are good for tomorrow. But that isn’t the issue. You see, the only way I can measure trust is not by what you say; the only way I can measure trust is the way God measures trust. Are you trustworthy now?” Am I trustworthy now?

I love the story of the pastor who preached in a farming community. And he was trying to teach this issue. And he went to one of his farmer laymen and said, “If you had a 100 cows and God asked you for 50, would you give them to Him?” He said, “Oh, yes, I sure would, Preacher.” He said, “If you had a 100 horses and God asked you for 50, would you give them to Him?” He said, “Well, sure I would, Preacher.” He said, “If you had two hogs and God asked you for one of them, would you give it to Him?” “Now, that’s not fair, Preacher, you know I have two hogs.”

I think some of us maybe this morning our trying to snow God. Have you ever tried to do that? Now, don’t feel bad. I?ve been guilty of doing this before. Let’s just take a quick poll. How many of you ever tried to slip one past Him? Sure you have. It doesn’t work because trust can be measured, and we can’t slip one past Him by what we say, or what we sing. No, no. He says, “If you aren’t faithful here, you’re going to have trouble down the road.”

Now one more thing about the story as I wrap it up this morning?

4. Be wholly devoted to God. (v. 13)


Luke 16:13 (NIV)13 “No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”

Jesus says, in that last verse, “You cannot be a slave of two masters.” “You will like one more than the other, or you’ll be more loyal to one more than the other. You cannot serve God, and you cannot serve money.” I want to ask you this morning Who are you and I slaves to today? Can God trust you? You see devotion to God begins with trust. Yes, you can trust Him and you should trust Him but the next step is to ask yourself, Can God trust me?

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Trust God, Know Life

Sunday, January 8th, 2006
This entry is part 1 of 4 in the series Stewardship Begins with Trust

Read at beginning of service:


Romans 12:1-8 (NIV)1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

INTRODUCTION:

In Proverbs 3:1-10, there are some marvelous words of wisdom for us on our relationship with God. This morning, and for another three Sundays I?m going to be talking about what I believe is the key to successful Christian Living! I want to talk to you about trusting God, his being able to trust us, and what happens when our whole relationship is based upon obedience and trust. How many of you remember this song: “Trust and obey, for there?s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”

Top two questions Christians ask:

1. “How can know God?s will? ”

2. “How can I be a success for God, others, and myself? ”

Series Title: “Stewardship…Begins with Trust”

Series Thesis (main idea, most important point, thrust of these messages): Trust is the most important factor in…

Knowing God and His will for my life.

Growing His Kingdom and myself as a steward.

Open your Bibles now to Proverbs 3:1. I want you to have your pen ready, because I?m going to have you underline some words. Let?s get going. “My son, (or my daughter), do not forget my teaching. But keep my commands in your heart,” Would you take your pen out and just circle or underline the word “keep” and then write in your margins “complete”. As the Proverb writer begins to talk to us about this relationship with God, he talks about “keeping” his commands, he is talking about “complete” obedience.

Now, the result of this obedience is found in verse 2. “for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.” Verse 3,4 “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” He talks about love and loyalty always being at the very fore place of our life, and the result is that God and people will like you and consider you a success.

Verse 5,6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” In verse 5 underline the word “all.” “With all your heart,” the Proverb writer says we must trust the Lord. And in verse 6 underline the word “all”. “In all your ways acknowledge him?” or in other words, “always let Him lead you.” The Proverb writer tells us if we do these things, that He will make our paths straight! Verse 7, “Do not be wise in your own eyes;” Underline the words “do not.” “Don?t ever think that you are wise enough,” and verse 7 continues, “fear the Lord and shun evil.” If we do this verse 8 says, “This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” Verse 9, “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops.” Again, underline the word “all.” Verse 10 “Then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”

Observations on Proverbs 3:1-10:

1. The commands are all-inclusive.

Did you notice that there were no exceptions? He didn?t say that we were to partially obey our Lord?s teachings and instructions. He didn?t say with most of our heart we were to trust in Him, and that we were sometimes supposed to let Him lead us. Notice these words: keep, all, all, do not, all of your crops. These words are all inclusive exhortations. No exceptions. No leaks. He says, “I want you to understand that trust is a total affair in your heart and in mine.”

2. The commands precede a promise.

God tells us that if we do these things, He will do some wonderful things in return.

3. The promises are conditional.

We do our part, and God does His part. If we trust Him completely, if we obey Him completely, then He has some wonderful provisions for us as His children.

Stewardship statements:

1. God is trustworthy.

2. God has entrusted (placed within our care) the possessions, opportunities, talents, and time

that we now experience.

3. We are trustees of everything God has given us.

Now I suppose after making these statements there are some questions we have to ask ourselves. Ask yourself: Do I trust God? Where do I place my faith? Where do I place my confidence?

Now, I know it?s easy to say, “I trust God.” It?s easy to say, “Oh, yes. I obey God completely. I trust God completely.” But this is just for personal introspection. Do I trust God? Is He truly my source? Do I trust Him in everything? Do I trust in Him some things? Do I trust Him in big things and not in small things? Or do I trust Him in small things but with big things, I kind of want to take control? This is an incredible question. I?ve wrestled with this question for a large part of my life and I?ve come to the conclusion that it?s the key to success, and it?s not an easy thing to do in a self-reliant society. Well, that?s why I want you to stay with me the next three weeks. And, folks, I tell you what, the potential for your spiritual growth is greater than anything I?m going to do all year. Because we?re going to really look at these penetrating questions. Can I trust God? Do I trust God?

When we?re through looking at that, we?re going to turn the tables around and ask another question. And if you think the first one makes you sweat bullets, how about this one: Can God trust me? Does He trust me? Have I proven to be a trustworthy person? Can He give me what He wants to, knowing that I am trustworthy? Or am I one of these people who are trustworthy in some areas, but in other areas, God says, “I cannot touch this area in your life because you?re not yet trustworthy.”

We?ll wrap up the series by taking what I call “the Trust Test.” Hang with me, folks. The next three weeks can be life changing. In Week 3 and Week 4, we?ll go through a process of taking the “Trust Test” where we can really begin to look at ourselves, and ask ourselves, “Am I truly trusting Him?” Now, let?s talk about God for a moment.

Trustworthy thoughts about God:

1. God?s Care is Constant.

When it comes to trusting God, you can rest assured that He gives you and me constant care. I love Hebrews 13:5,6, where, “God has said, ?Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.? So we say with confidence, the Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Amen? That?s a great promise. Literally, in the original language it reads this way: “I will not, no, not leave thee, neither will I forsake thee.”

Five times God wants to assure us that He is never going to leave us. George Beverly Shea, the singer who partnered with Billy Graham for so many years, was sharing that he had many requests for songs to be sung at crusades. And he said the strangest request he ever got was when somebody handed him a slip of paper one time, and wanted him to sing a song entitled “God?s grip don?t slip.” Now, I want tell you it?s very poor grammar, but it?s marvelous theology. God?s grip don?t slip. God constantly cares for us, and because of that the writer of Hebrews can tell us that we are to cast all of our anxiety, all of our worries upon Him. His care is constant. It?s not occasional or sporadic; His care is total, not partial. His care is sovereign. Nothing can touch a child of God without first touching God.

Most of us have read the beautiful poem called Footprints. It?s brought comfort I think to all of us. Kerryanne and I have it hanging (in of all places?) our bathroom. We?ve also got a copy of this poem hanging on the wall of Elaine?s office when you first come in the side door. I see it continually. What?s interesting is that the lady who wrote Footprints, Margaret Fishbeck, went through amazing trials. The person that she loved left her, she caught meningitis, and was literally bedridden for many months. She came to the lowest place of her life. During that time, another man fell in love with her and wanted to marry her. But she wouldn?t marry him. She basically said, “I?m out of trust. I?m not sure I trust God. I know I don?t trust men. I?m out of trust.”

One night in her diary as she lay in bed, she began to write that beautiful piece, Footprints. And that night she saw the answer. I?ll just take a moment to read it to you, if you?ve never heard it: “One night a man had a dream, and he dreamed that he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes of his life, and for each scene he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to him and the other belonging to the Lord. After the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. And he also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and at the very saddest times of his life. This really bothered him, and he questioned the Lord about it. He said, ?Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you?d walk with me all the way. But I?ve noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there?s only one set of footprints. I don?t understand, Lord. Why, when I needed you the very most, you would leave me?? And the Lord replied, ?My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.?”

2. God?s Gifts are Generous.

God not only constantly cares for us; but He is also generous in His provisions to us. He has blessed us with gifts, and talents – all kinds of blessings. Just write in your sermon notes Psalm 136. When you have time today, read that Psalm. I?m going to read just a few verses just to give you the flavor of it:


Psalm 136:1-9 (NIV)1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever. 2 Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. 3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever. 4 to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever. 5 who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever. 6 who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever. 7 who made the great lights– His love endures forever. 8 the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever. 9 the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever.

Every time he makes a great statement about God, the Psalmist says, “God?s love endures forever.”

Developing our Trust…

1. Trusting in Adversity.

We are responsible to trust him in times of adversity, but we are dependent upon the Holy Spirit to enable us to do so.

You see, David said in Psalm 56:4, “?in God I trust; I will not be afraid…” And in Psalm 34:4, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” What?s David saying? You and I are responsible to obey and trust God. That?s our part.

You see, here?s where the conflict comes. Now, hang in here with me. Here?s our problem. God asks us to obey or to trust Him in an area of our life that?s bigger than what we can reason or understand, and instead of doing our part, which is total trust and obedience, we want to get over on His side. And we want to say, “Now God, if I do this, how are you going to work? If I really let you have my marriage…” It?s almost like, “God, you just don?t understand all the problems I?ve got in my marriage.” “If I surrender this financial issue to you, God, I?m not sure you understand how bad the finances are.” “I?m not really sure, God, you understand how deep the problems go.”

It?s so simple. I think this is why our Lord said, “We have to be like children to get into heaven.” The simplicity, the willingness to be vulnerable, just to say yes to God and trust Him. Even in adversity, when we don?t have answers. Even if we have to say like the Psalmist, “I trust in the Lord, and Lord, I give you my fears.” That?s not conflict. That?s not a double standard of statements. What he?s really saying is, “God I believe you, and God, help my unbelief.” Have we all been there before? “I?m willing to obey you, God, and yet there?s something within me that wants to pull back.” He?s basically saying, “God, I don?t understand, but I?m willing to trust you.”

2. Trusting in Plenty.

The extent to which we genuinely thank God for the blessings he provides is an indicator of our trust in Him.

I suppose truthfully, this area becomes most difficult. Because when we are blessed, there?s a tendency for us to either trust in ourselves or trust in our blessings. Huh? I think we run to God fast when we have problems, but I think we kind of ignore God when we?re being blessed. There?s tendency for us just to kind of think “You know, I?m doing pretty good here. ” And we become self-reliant. It?s so human for all of us.

3. Trusting God as our Source.

Human tendency: Trust in God?s instruments of provision rather than in God himself.

We trust the job instead of realizing that God is the provider of the job. We trust our health instead of realizing that God is the provider of our health.

In Proverbs 18:10, 11, there is an interesting contrast between people who trust in God, and people who trust in themselves or their possessions. Listen very carefully. Here?s what he says:


Proverbs 18:10 (NIV)10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

Beautiful picture. Now, listen to what he says:

Proverbs 18:11 (NIV)

11 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it an unscalable wall.

What?s he saying? Very simple. He?s saying that those who trust in the Lord when they have an issue or need, they immediately go to Him. And He is their trust. But those who have possessions, they make them a fortified city, and they look at that fortified city and say, “It?s an unscalable wall. I cannot be touched. I?ll hide behind it.”

What?s your unscalable wall today? Is it your college degree? Is it your savings account? Is it your job? Is it your health? It?s so easy for us to trust all of these other things, and not make God the source and platform of our trust. It?s like the fellow who said, “God, it just seems like I cannot not lean on you like I want.” And God says to him, “It?s because you?ve never put your total weight on me. You?re still using your own strength. You?re still using your own muscles. Relax.”

In preparation for this message I came across a quote from a man by the name S.M. Lockridge. I don?t know if you ever heard him, I know I hadn?t until I came across this short message delivered by him. He?s a black preacher who pastored for a long time at Calvary Baptist church in San Diego, USA. He passed away in April, 2000 but I?d like to share something he preached in Detroit in 1976 about trusting God. I?m going to read it. Listen carefully to the words.

“You Can Trust Him.

He?s the one who made us. It is He who made us and not we ourselves. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork. No means of measure can define His limitless love, and no farseeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supply. I?m telling you today you can trust Him.

“No barrier can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing. He?s enduringly strong, and He?s entirely sincere. He?s eternally steadfast, and He?s immortally graceful. He?s empirically, powerfully, and impartially merciful. He?s the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world. He?s God?s Son. He?s the sinner?s Savior. He?s the centerpiece of civilization. I?m trying to tell you, Church, you can trust Him.

“He does not have to call for help, and you can?t confuse Him. He doesn?t need you, and He doesn?t need me. He stands alone in the solitude of Himself. He?s august, and He?s unique. He?s unparalleled. He?s unprecedented. He?s supreme. He?s preeminent. He?s the loftiest idea in literature. He?s highest personality in philosophy. He?s the supreme problem of higher criticism. He?s the fundamental doctrine of true theology. He?s the cardinal necessity of the spiritual religion. He?s the miracle of the age, He?s the superlative of everything good that you can call Him. I?m trying to tell you can trust Him.

“He can satisfy all your needs, and He can do it simultaneously. He supplies strength for the weak, and He?s available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He sees, He guards and He guides. He heals the sick, He cleansed the leper. He forgives sinners. He discharges debtors. He delivers the captives. He defends the people. He blesses the young. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent. He beautifies the meek. I?m trying to tell you, Church, you can trust Him. (Congregation: Amen.)

He?s the key to knowledge. He?s the wellspring of wisdom. He?s the doorway of deliverance. He?s the path of peace. He?s the roadway of righteousness. He?s the highway of holiness. He?s the gateway to glory. You can trust Him.

“He?s the master of the mighty. He?s the captain of conquerors. He?s the head of heroes. He?s the leader of legislators. He?s the overseer of the overcomers. He?s the Governor of the governors. He?s the Prince of princes. He?s the King of kings. He?s the Lord of lords. You can trust him.

“His office is manifold. His promise is sure. His life is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy. His burden is light.

I wish I could describe Him to you. He?s indescribable because He?s incomprehensible. He?s irresistible because He?s invincible. You can?t get Him off your hands. You can?t get off your mind. You can?t outlive Him, and you can?t live without Him. Pilate couldn?t stand it when he found out that he couldn?t stop Him. Pilate couldn?t find any fault in Him, and the witnesses couldn?t get their testimonies to agree, and Herod couldn?t kill Him. And death couldn?t handle Him, and thank God, the grave couldn?t hold Him. There was nobody before Him. There?ll be nobody after Him. He has no predecessor. He?ll have no successor. You can?t impeach Him, and He?s not going to resign. You can trust Him.”

“He?s the Alpha and the Omega. The beginning and the end. The first and the last. He?s all things. He?s the giver of life. He?s the joy out of every sorrow. He?s the light of every darkness. He?s the peace that passes all understanding. He?s the giver of every good and perfect gift. You can trust Him. There?s no God before Him. There?ll be none after Him. He is the first. He is the last. He is preeminent. There is no other God.” YOU CAN TRUST HIM!

Hallelujah. Thank you, Lord. We give you praise, we give you glory. We walk out of this building today knowing, God, you are trustworthy. And God?s people say, “Amen”. All right. You can trust Him. Amen

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What are We In this For?

Sunday, January 1st, 2006

Read at beginning of service:

Psalms 77:10-14 (NIV)

10 Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years of the right hand of the Most High.” 11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. 12 I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds. 13 Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God? 14 You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.

INTRODUCTION

Well here we are at the beginning of a brand new year. The first day and the first SUNDAY of the new year is today and it?s great that we can start the year together in the same place! I thank you for coming today!

For the message to you this morning I thought it would be good to revisit what Hanover Pentecostal Church is all about. To ask the question, “What are we in this for?”. With the passing of time and the increasing exponential change that happens all around us we can sometimes forget or at least get sidetracked about why we are a part of this local body of believers and what we?re all about. Whether you?ve been a member of HPC for over 10 years or just started attending recently it?s important to revisit our purpose and be motivated once again ? and what a better time to do that then at the beginning of a new year!

As I share this message I want you to ask yourself, “What am I in this for?”. I think it?s an important question to ask, and frankly we ask this question a lot in other areas of our lives. A business owner asks that when planning for his success in the future. Parents often visit this question in the midst of a chaotic household with kids writing on walls and having food fights at dinner time. Teachers face this question when finding that the level of respect they receive from students seems to keep degrading rather than improving with time. A patient lying on the surgery bed waiting to be operated on is probably rehashing the question he or she has been asking over and over again ever since the date was marked in the calendar. A couple falling in love probably have this question on their minds. Oh, and I?d really like to know the politician?s answer to this question! Not everyone asks this question when thinking about their lives but for those who do they discover it helps make sense of what you do and why you do it. Eventually, if it?s not asked, circumstances and events will bring you to the place where you are in fact forced to face it. So, frankly, it?s better to ask it right at the beginning!

Jesus wanted to make sure His followers asked this question! Listen to his words as recorded by Luke in chapter 14 of the his gospel,

(Read Luke 14:25-33)

A large crowd was following Jesus and He turned to them and basically asked, “What are you in this for?” I guess in a way Jesus was really saying, “Do you really know what your getting into?”. Jesus stressed the importance of counting the cost before following Him. Indeed there is life in following Christ and there is death in not ? even though salvation is a free gift of God it doesn?t mean it?s cheap. Jesus gave His life for us that we may live ? but to live as Christ lived in a world that?s basically against Him isn?t easy! Is it worth it? Of course! But that?s what counting the cost is all about. If you look at the cost of following Christ in consideration of the rewards of following Him ? there really is motivation for casting your lot in with Him!

But here?s what really intrigues me about Jesus? words is what he says at the end of this passage,

Luke 14:34-35 (NIV)

34 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? 35 It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

It seems that those who have not asked, “What am I in this for?”, those who have not “counted the cost” are really impotent and ineffective people. I mean think about it ? those who really make a difference for what they follow are those who are willing to give up everything for what they believe! Their mission and purpose is clear and they are willing to see it through at any cost! Why? Because they consider it worth it.

Matthew recorded Jesus saying the same thing in Matthew 5:

Matthew 5:13 (NIV)

13 “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 by men.

And then he goes on to say,

Matthew 5:14-15 (NIV)

14 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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.

Anybody recognize that verse? You should! It?s the scripture that is the backbone of the vision God has given HPC to be a City on a Hill. I want you to note however that Jesus again associates these words with “counting the cost”. Jesus had been teaching a large crowd the Beattitudes?

Blessed are those who are poor (vs3)

Blessed are those who mourn (vs4)

Blessed are those who are humble (vs5)

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (vs6)

Blessed are the merciful (vs7)

Blessed are the pure in heart (vs8)

Blessed are the peacemakers (vs9)

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness (or doing what is right) (vs10)

Blessed are those who are insulted, persecuted and falsely accused of wrong because of their love for Christ (vs11)

Jesus is pointing out the cost of following Him! Why? Again because failure to do so will lead to fruitless lives and lackluster impact.

So, let?s ask this question today then ? “What are we in this for?” It?s both a question for each one of us individually and also as a church body.

The first answer to that question is carried and sustained by the most important statement we could make?

IT?S ALL ABOUT GOD! (WORSHIP)

It?s all about HIM! While there are certainly ancillary benefits for us and for the church in following Christ we must always keep in mind that the main reason we are in this is because of God.

Hebrews 2:10 (NIV)

10 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.

The purpose of your life is far greater than your happiness. It?s far greater than your personal fulfillment. It is far greater than your success. It?s far greater than your dreams or ambitions. You were made by God and for God and until you understand that, life doesn?t make sense. You were made for God. And the Bible says that God made us for His forever family.

Colossians 1:16 (NIV)

16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.

Now, this is the most basic truth we have to understand about life; that life is not about you (or me), it is about God. You were made for God, and you were made to live with God forever in eternity; and you exist for God, not vice versa.

This is the personal application of this statement but it also applies to us together as a church. You know, I sometimes hear people make statements like this about the church. They?ll say that the church is “the hope of the world”. The intent behind that statement is to highlight that the church of Christ is the greatest organization or group of people that the world has ever seen and has the greatest potential to influence and impact our world for good. While I will not dispute the value of the church of Jesus Christ I take issue with this statement because the church isn?t the hope of the world. Jesus is. You see it?s not all about the church ? it?s all about Christ. Our Lord and Savior is the hope of the world and His church is His body. The church is simply to be the hands and feet of Christ at work in our world and as we share Him as the hope and model Him in everything we do and as He works through His church then the impact on our world is limitless.



Ephesians 2:19-22 (NIV)

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

And so because it?s all about God and not about me, because it?s all about Christ not the church the first thing we need to be reminded about as we ask the question?”What are we in this for?” is to WORSHIP. Worship is simply recognizing and giving authority and priority to the triune God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) in everything we do. WE are in this for HIS pleasure ? and that?s been His plan all along.

TO BELONG (FELLOWSHIP)

Ephesians 1:5 (NIV)

5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will–

1 Peter 2:17b (NIV)

17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

1 John 4:21 (NIV)

21 And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

1 Timothy 3:14-15 (NIV)

14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

We are in this to belong to each other. The word for that is fellowship. Friends Hanover Pentecostal Church is not this building, it will not be the building we are setting out to build. HPC is family we belong to the family of God and hence belong to each other. It is not an institution, it is not an organization, it is not a club. It is family!. A lot of people say, “Well, I?m going to go to church,” as if church is a place you go to. That?s not correct. Church is not a place you go to. Church is a family you belong to. Big difference.

Fellowship is loving God?s family.

That?s what fellowship is all about. We weren?t meant to be here on earth alone, to go through life on our own. We need each other and that?s where fellowship comes in. What are we in this for? To belong to God?s family.

TO GROW (DISCIPLESHIP)

Romans 8:29 (NIV)

29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

God?s plan has always been to make you more like Christ. His plan from the very beginning has been to make human beings like Himself. Now, don?t get me wrong, let me be clear, He?s not saying you?re going to be a god. You?ll never be a god. I mean your wife may think you?re a god, but you?ll never be a god. In fact, I?m sure she doesn?t think you?re a god. Maybe in your own mind you think you?re a god, but you?re not. But God doesn?t want you to become a god; He wants you to become godly. He wants you to develop His character, the way He thinks, the way He acts, the way He feels, His values, His moral character. God wants to make you like Himself!

Ephesians 4:15 (NIV)

15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

Now, this is a process. This doesn?t happen overnight. It?s not like one day all of a sudden ? ZAP ? you?re just like Jesus. It?s a process, and this process is called “discipleship,” and it takes an entire lifetime

So, how does God do it? How does God help us grow spiritually?

Through the Bible.

Through fellowship!

Through trouble (teach us trust)

Through temptation (teach us to obey)

Through trespasses (teach us to forgive)

Now God will take each one us through this individually but He will also do this with the church as a body to. As a church family we are also going through this process of becoming more like Christ and being a City on a Hill. Here?s an important insight to remember. As we become more like Christ individually ? we will see the fruit of that in the life and impact of HPC. So, what are we in this for? To grow!

TO SERVE (MINISTRY)

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is found in Ephesians 2:10;

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

I like this because it tells us three important things. First, we are God?s workmanship. We were created by God. His hands shape us and mold us. We are products of His creative power. Second, we were created in Christ Jesus to do good works. We were made to make a contribution, not just to consume. God made you to make a difference. And what matters is not how long you live, but how you live. What matters is not the duration of your life, but the donation of your life. On this planet nobody gets a free ride. We?re all meant to give something back. We?re all meant to make a contribution. The Bible says we?re created to serve, we?re saved to serve, we?re gifted to serve, we?re shaped to serve. We?re commanded to serve! Third, God prepared these good works in advance for us to do! In other words God has created you for a unique work for you to do! He?s prepared a practice for you to have, opportunities for you to seize. He has equipped you for the task He wants you to serve in.

God has given each one of us a unique SHAPE – Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experiences. These five things make you, and God uniquely shapes you, different from anybody else in the world, for a purpose. And that purpose is to serve Him.

1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.

So what are we in this for? To serve God by serving others? The word for this is ministry. Every single one of us is called to ministry. Every Christian is a minister. Any time you use your talent to help somebody else, you are ministering. You are serving. All women are ministers. All men are ministers. All little kids, all old people, if we?re believers, we?re all called to serve Jesus Christ as His ministers.

TO SHARE THE GOOD NEWS (evangelism)

This is the fifth answer to the question, “What are we in this for?” Listen what Jesus said in John 17:18,

John 17:18 (NIV)

18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.

The common mission that everyone of us shares as a part of HPC is to tell people the good news about God?s grace. God wants us to share everything about Christ with whoever He brings our way. The word for this is evangelism. Evangelism is just the Greek word for “good news.” That?s all it means. And so the Bible says that once I know the Good News, that God loves me, has a purpose and plan for my life and all the things I?ve been talking about, that God wants me to pass it on, sharing the Good News with others.

Now where are we supposed to share?

Acts 1:8 (NIV)

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Start at home (Jersusalem)

Then the people nearby, but who are different then you (Judea and Samaria)

To the ends of the Earth (everybody else).

Now it?s important that we recognize that Jesus doesn?t say, “You will be my defense attorney.” He doesn?t? say, “You will be my prosecutor.” He didn?t say, “You will be my salesman.” You don?t? have to defend God. You don?t? have to be a salesman for God. All God wants you to do is He wants you to be a witness. What is a witness? A witness is somebody who just tells what they have seen. I saw this, and then I saw this; and this is what happened.

You are the expert on what has happened in your life. Nobody can be a better witness of your life than you. Nobody can be a better witness of what God has done in your life than you, because you are the authority on your life, not some pastor, not some priest, not anybody else. So God says, “I just want you to tell other people what?s happened to you, what?s happened in your life.” And he says, ” I want you to go all over; the people close to you, the people who are near, but different, and then to everybody else.

Now, what we must do as a church is facilitate what each one of us should be doing individually as we carry out our missions at home. But, we also enable the carrying our of our mission to our community and to the ends of the earth. That?s why we have bridge-building events such as Family Day, and ministries like our Small Groups and Time out Tuesday. It?s also why missions is such an integral function of our church body?..because we are in this to share the good news.

Romans 10:13-14 (Living)

13 Anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. 14 But how shall they ask him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?

CONCLUSION

This then is the answer to the question “What are we in this for?” when we think about our involvement with the family of Hanover Pentecostal Church?

We are in this to worship

We are in this to belong

We are in this to grow

We are in this to serve

We are in this to share the good news.

Now, I want to ask you this, have you counted the cost? Have you considered what it means to belong to the family of God ? what it means to belong to this local body of believers? I don?t know about you but I?m excited to belong here! I?m excited about the incredible things that God has planned for this church family and how He wants to impact the world through us individually and corporately! As we enter into 2006 I look forward to the ways in which God will continue to grow us and work through us. But here?s the tough thing. If we consider the cost and commit to what God has called us to then we will continue to be salty and shine like a light for Christ. But if we don?t then we?ll be “thrown out” and “trampled by men”. I don?t know about you but I don?t want to see that happen.

So, what are you in this for?

Can you declare with me this morning?

I am in this to worship God! I realize that it?s all about Jesus ? it?s not about me. It?s not even about this church. It?s all about Him. Everything I do, I do for His glory and for His purpose. It is all my active worship to Him.

I am in this to belong. I realize that God created me for family and has brought me to Hanover Pentecostal Church to belong to this body of believers. I belong to them and they belong to me. We are family. We?re in this together. I am willing to love God?s family.

I am in this to grow. I am thankful that God wants me to become more like Him. I will seize the opportunities given to me to help me grow in Christ and take on the character and qualities He wants to develop in me. I will also make myself available in my church family to help others grow in areas that God has matured me. I also am looking forward to contributing to the growth of HPC as each one of us becomes more like Christ and enhance the impact of our community of believers.

I am in this to serve. I welcome opportunities to discover my SHAPE and be a minister in the area of God?s calling in my life. I am eager to serve wherever and whenever God would have me serve. I realize that every believer is a minister of Jesus Christ and welcome the Holy Spirit?s leading in my life to the places He would have me serve.

I am in this to share the good news. I realize that God has done incredible things in my life and I wont? be silent about the testimony God has given me. I may not be eloquent, and I may not have all my scripture down pat but I can share from my own experiences and be available for any opportunity God gives me to share. I am also committed to supporting the work of my church family in sharing the good news with our community and the world. I realize that missions is what we do and that sharing about Jesus is our mission!

PRAY

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