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The Heart of the Call – Where it Begins

Sunday, July 22nd, 2007

This entry is part 2 of 4 in the series The Call of God

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INTRODUCTION:

Last week I began a series of messages that I’m going to be preaching for a few Sundays about the Call of God. In the first message I shared that God chooses to have a unique, personal and real relationship with us. And because it is unique, God does not deal with all of us in the same way. God dealings with me are unique to me.God uses this relationship that He has established with me to reach others. And therefore since God chooses to deal with man by man, what He calls us to do is varied so that all people can be reached.

Today, I want to continue to expand on what I introduced the last time I spoke and begin to dive into the heart of the call of God and how it develops in our personal lives.

There was a time where Jesus was ministering to a crowd of people and a rich person came up and asked Jesus what He should do to inherit eternal life. This rich man asks a question that is on the heart’s of many people today. So many people like the rich young ruler have a desire for significance – a desire for something greater than what they have now. In Jesus, this rich young ruler saw the opportunity for something greater and wondered how he might obtain it.

Jesus acutely saw to the heart of the young man’s request. He made the observation that the young ruler had lived a good life by religious standards. He was a morally upright and good man. Yet even then there was still something missing. There was something that still needed to be done internally in this man’s life and something he had to understand about the kingdom of heaven and the call of God.

Scripture says that Jesus looked at the man with love as he spoke His “cut to the heart” words. It was tough to say, but in love, Jesus pointed out the internal change required in the young man. Jesus said,

Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Mark 10:21 (NIV)

The Bible records that when the young man heard these words his face fell because he was had great wealth. Although the Bible doesn’t say what the young man ended up doing you get the impression that this was a really tough thing for him to do. Jesus goes on to make the declaration to those around that it’s really hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of God and to emphasize his point Jesus draws an image,

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
Mark 10:25 (NIV)

Of course there’s many lessons that can be drawn from this window into the ministry and words of Jesus – among them the tendency for success and affluence to create a false sense of security and self-sufficiency that is the endemic to a life of dependency and true fulfillment in God through Jesus.

However, I think Jesus also gives us a lesson about the nature of God’s calling on every person’s life. From this story we can learn that…

The Call of God isn’t so much about what He wants US to do FOR Him but more importantly about what HE wants to do WITH us!!!

The rich young man had the external stuff down pat. He told Jesus He had followed the law of God from when He was a boy. Understanding God’s calling however involves the realization that it’s not essentially about what you do for God but what you do with God! He wants you to be involved with your heart as well as with your hands. Notice, Jesus’ answer to the rich young ruler took things further than the guy probably thought he’d have to go. And that’s the problem. When people think of the calling of God they think of God wanting you to do something for Him. Certainly that’s an element of the call – afterall Jesus did say, “Sell all you own and give it to the poor…” but Jesus went on to say, “Then come, follow me”. Remember this – God always calls you to the where He wants you to participate in what He’s doing! He wants you to follow Him!

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
2 Peter 1:3-4 (NIV)

“Make no mistake about it, this drama and this Kingdom’s agenda is at the center of the meaning of cosmic history and your own individual story. Like a grand conductor who calls in the flutes at just the right time, your Father has brought you into the Cosmic Symphony at your unique place in time and space so you can be a vibrant outpost in your sphere of influence. In short, you are here to be an apprentice of the Lord Jesus to learn how to live your life well as part of God’s broader purposes. This is your calling, this is your destiny, this is your only chance to have a life of genuine, full human flourishing.” – J.P. Moreland, Kingdom Triangle (Zondervan, 2007)

1. God calls us to a certain place in life in which He can have the best opportunity for an on-going daily relationship with us. (Genesis 3)

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.
Genesis 3:8 (NIV)

A. In the Garden, God allowed Adam to name all the animals. He would walk in the Garden with Adam in the cool of the day. God made woman out of Adam.

B. The purpose of all these activities was to establishing relationship with Him.

2. In order to maintain that relationship He desires, God will always deal we me on the basis of His love.

5 And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”
Hebrews 12:5-6 (NIV)

A. In the Garden, what did God do? He dealt with Adam and Eve on the basis of love.

B. God killed an animal to provide clothing for their nakedness. He promised a Messiah for their sin nature.

C. When you need to make decisions in your life, remember that God always deals with you on the basis of His love and where He feels will best maintain that relationship with Him that He has called you to.

The Effectiveness of God’s calling in our life depends on our response.

1. We are called to respond to His call by exhibiting the character of Christ.

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 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.
Romans 8:28-29 (NIV)

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:8-10 (NIV)

A. In other words, God is telling you the place I have you, I put you, because this is the place that I can best have that on going relationship I desire with you. And this is the place that I’ve already prepared to work out my plan through you!

B. You might not particularly like that place, but we must respond out of the character that God desires for us.

C. God does not always put us in the most comfortable place because in that place we might not maintain that on going relationship. He might place you in a difficult spot so that the relationship might be more vital.

D. In either case we are to exercise the character of Christ as our response. In fact it is often in those places that the character of Christ is refined within us.

2. Our responses to God’s call have significance both now and in eternity.

23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)

A. How I respond to where God has placed me will not only affect me today but it will also affect me in eternity.
When Jesus told the rich young man to sell everything he had and give it to the poor he also said, “…and you will have treasure in heaven”. God’s calling in your life may not always bear fruit in this world. We might not see the outcome or the reward of the effort and the obedience in following Him immediately! But you can bank on the assurance that you are storing up treasure in heaven.

B. If I am fighting God now, I am also losing rewards in eternity.

C. If I am exercising character where I am placed, I am maintaining my relationship with God now and I will be benefiting in eternity.

i. God will reward you for seeking Him through spiritual acts such as fasting and praying

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Matthew 6:6 (NIV)

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

ii. God will reward you for submitting to your employer as a faithful steward

45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47 I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.
Matthew 24:45-47 (NIV)

because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free. Ephesians 6:8 (NIV)

22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:22-24 (NIV)

iii. God will reward you for self-denial in His service

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.
Matthew 16:24-27 (NIV)

iv. God will reward you for serving those in need in His name.

I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.
Mark 9:41 (NIV)

v. God will reward you for suffering for His name and reputation.

22 Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. 23 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.
Luke 6:22-23 (NIV)

vi. God will reward you for sacrifices you make for Him.

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
Luke 6:35 (NIV)

In fact, Jesus said that every person who sacrifices to follow Him will be rewarded a hundredfold!

And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.
Matthew 19:29 (NIV)

vii. God will reward you for sharing of your time, talent, and treasure to further His kingdom.

3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Matthew 6:3-4 (NIV)

18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
1 Timothy 6:18-19 (NIV)

(A Life God Rewards by Dr. Bruce Wikinson, pp. 38-39)

3. God calls us to a place where He can work through us to reach others.

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

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
1 Peter 2:12 (NIV)

A. God may have you in the place He has you just to reach one person. And that is worth it. The truth is, every single one of us has a sphere of influence. There are people we come into contact with every day and whether you believe it or not those contacts are not accidental. You have a choice on how to respond to the realization that God wants to work through you in the influences you have!

4. Because God is the one who initiates the relationship, I may have to make major adjustments in my plans to fulfill His plans.

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit–fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
John 15:16 (NIV)

who has saved us and called us to a holy life–not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,
2 Timothy 1:9 (NIV)

A. God initiated the relationship. I may have to make major adjustments to what I think I want to do so that I can fulfill His plans. Here’s the thing. Sometimes people think they’ve got their lives figured out – that they know what they want to do and what will fulfill them. And then along comes someone saying that God is calling them to something. Sometimes it works out alright and what God calls you to is what you think you want to do. However, many people have a fear that God will “call” them to some thing that is leagues away from what they think they want to do. Truthfully? Most times this does happen. But never forget – that those who obey God’s calling and make whatever major adjustments in their lives that need to be made often discover that His calling fulfills the deepest desires of their heart and what they thought they wanted pales in comparison!

B. He says I appointed you. I want you to go. Some may not want to change their plans…

CONCLUSION

God call in my life is based on His love for me and for others. I must respond in the character of God with a willing heart to change my plans if they are not in line with His plans.

1. God’s call isn’t so much about what He wants us to do for Him but more importantly about what He wants to do with us!!

2. The Effectiveness of God’s calling in our life depends on our response.

Tags: called, character, desires, heart, ministry, purpose, servants, serving, steward, The Call of God
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Temporary Servants, not Maniac Managers

Friday, October 6th, 2006

“We are not called to use time as maniac managers, but to steward it as watchful, temporary servants.”

- Mark Labberton, Leadership magazine (Summer 2006)

Tags: call, leadership_magazine, servants, steward, time
Posted in Illustrations, Quotes | No Comments »

Supernatural Happenings with Angels

Sunday, December 11th, 2005

This entry is part 3 of 4 in the series Christmas: Divine Design Causing Change

Read at beginning of service:

Luke 1:26-38 (NIV)

26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.” 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

INTRODUCTION

How many of you have ever heard a sermon on angels before? In my recollection I don?t think I?ve ever preached a message regarding the ministry of angels before.

In recent years, Angels have become quite popular. The Wall Street Journal carried an article in 2003 that stated, “After a hiatus of almost 300 years and much skepticism, angels are making a comeback.” From lapel pins to Angel Cards, people can?t seem to get enough of the celestial world. Just this week I typed in the word “angel” on Google, and came up with 73.9 million hits! According to the Angel Collectors Club of America, the hands-down champion of angel collectors is a woman from Beloit, Wisconsin. Her home is stuffed with 10,455 different angelic artifacts!

Even TV talk shows devote hours to people with “angel stories.” Several years ago, Oprah Winfrey chided a guest for being “in denial” about an angel experience. Major bookstore chains sometimes have whole sections devoted to books involving angels ? of course a small percentage of those books present angels in a biblical light.

While the Christmas story is saturated with the supernatural, some of us miss the meaning because we just skim by this season on a superficial level. I want to suggest this morning that we must see the mysterious and miraculous elements surrounding the birth of Jesus.

In his book called, “Rumors of Another World,” Philip Yancey writes, “The Bible presents a?view of reality that encompasses both the familiar visible world and an invisible world that coexists as a kind of parallel universe” (Page 165). The supernatural star that led the wise men to Jesus gave way to a divine dream that warned them to go home by another route. In addition, angelic pronouncements permeate the landscape, appearing first to Zechariah, then to Mary, Joseph and finally to the shepherds.

2 Corinthians 4:18 challenges us to move our minds from this transitory world to the real world that we have a difficult time seeing: “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” We live in one place but we believe in another dimension. I?m reminded of the story in 2 Kings 6 when an angry army surrounds Elisha and his servant. The servant starts to flip out so Elisha says in verse 16: “Don?t be afraid, those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” I picture the servant looking around and not seeing anyone but innumerable enemies. Then Elisha prays in verse 17: “O LORD, open his eyes so he may see. Then the LORD opened the servant?s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” Friend, I believe that if we could pull back the curtain on the spirit world, we would see that this room is filled with intelligent, powerful beings.

My prayer is that the Lord will open our eyes so that we will see what is ultimately important this morning. Angels appear in more than half of the books of the Bible, with over 300 total references. They have three primary responsibilities.

They magnify God. The number one job of angels is to adore God. Nehemiah 9:6: “You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.” One of the most vivid pictures of praise is found in Revelation 5:11-12: “Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand?In a loud voice they sang: ?Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!?”

They are messengers of God. The word “angel,” as used in the Bible, literally means messenger. Their job is to do what God wants them to do. Angel messengers basically convey two types of messages. Sometimes it?s good news like announcing the birth of Christ. But, other times they bring bad news. When they serve in this capacity, they are not cute little cherub dolls that look like ornaments we hang on our Christmas trees. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7: “God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.” The Book of Revelation is full of prophecies regarding the role of avenging angels and it is anything but pretty.

They minister to people. Hebrews 1:14 puts it best: “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” Most of the time angels are not seen; they minister invisibly behind the scenes. And yet, on occasion, they break into our world, appearing for a short time to accomplish a specific purpose. The Bible mentions that when they do appear, they often look just like humans. Listen to Hebrews 13:2: “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” It?s quite possible to be face-to-face with an angel and not even know it

Phillip Yancey refers to a concept called, “thin places,” where the natural and supernatural worlds come together at their narrowest, with only a thin veil between them (“Rumors of Another World,” Page 45). As we read the Christmas story, there are many of these thin places, particularly when messengers from the angelic world make an appearance into our world.

Not surprisingly, every time an angel shows up in the Advent Adventure, human beings become very afraid. They?re terrified by the messenger and are left tottering by the message. When an angel appears in Scripture, a sense of fear and wonder blasts through the blas? and predictable. Actually, that?s one of the functions of angels. This awe-inspiring element was built into the very worship fabric of ancient Israel. The Ark of the Covenant had two cherubim carved into it. The idea is that God is surrounded by powerful beings. Prophets like Isaiah came face-to-face with seraphim who cried out in Isaiah 6:3: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” With the doorposts shaking, and the temple filled with smoke, Isaiah cried out in fear, “Woe is me!”

My guess is that many of us are afraid about something this morning. On 65 different occasions, the Bible tells us to “fear not.” Let?s see how these messages to Mary, Joseph and the shepherds can minister to us today. (Insights for the following come from Pastor Leith Anderson www.wooddale.org).

Let?s look at three different angelic encounters that intersect the Christmas story in order to help us see that which is ultimately real.

1. Don?t be afraid of God?s purposes.

The first messenger was one of the big guns of the Bible. His name was Gabriel and is one of only two named angels in the Bible, the other one being Michael. His first assignment that we know about came when he was called on to interpret a dream for the prophet Daniel (see Daniel 9:21). Gabriel then disappears from the scene for six hundred years, until he appears to a young teenage peasant girl named Mary.

As we read the familiar story let?s try to imagine what Mary might have felt during this angelic encounter. Luke 1:26-38 (read at beginning of service):

Luke 1:26-38 (NIV)

26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.” 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

Gabriel had the privilege of announcing the most astonishing news ever! God was going to send His Son to earth. I wonder if Gabriel questioned why God would want to accomplish His purposes through such an unlikely person. She was young in a culture that respected older people. She was poor. She lived in an isolated village. Don?t you love how God chooses to use people who we might not pick?

But Mary is terrified. She?s agitated at this announcement because she doesn?t understand why God would want to accomplish His purposes through her. I think she was probably afraid of this mighty messenger and dumbfounded by his message. Gabriel must have seen the fear in her eyes and so he said, “Don?t be afraid.” He knew that her fear could keep her from responding in faith and so his first task was to tame her trembling heart. He then explained what was going to happen as best he could. Mary asked a very natural question and Gabriel responded with the mystery of how a virgin could become pregnant with the Son of God. Mary didn?t understand this any more than we can explain it.

Gabriel reminds Mary of the miraculous pregnancy of Elizabeth and then makes a statement that we still need to hold on to today: “For nothing is impossible with God.” As Mary?s eyes are drawn to the power of God and away from her situation, she is able to respond with faith in verse 38: “I am the Lord?s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” Mary was ready to respond, choosing faith over her fear.

What about you? Perhaps God has revealed something to you in this past year that you?re afraid to fully submit to. What fear is keeping you back? Friend, because nothing is impossible with God He can do the improbable with insignificant people like you and like me. ?ordinary people who are part of an extraordinary plan?

2. Don?t be afraid when everything seems to go wrong.

Joseph needed some divine intervention after he found out Mary was pregnant. He knew he wasn?t the father. He had wanted to settle down into his carpentry business, get married, build a home, and pass on his trade to their children. But now things were falling apart and his plans were blown up. His reputation was on the line. And his fianc? had let him down. What was he going to do? Because he was a righteous man, he determined to end the engagement as quietly as he could. Instead of trying to get even, he wanted to do what was right. He?s in a daze, probably wanting to crawl into a hole.

In the middle of his misery, Joseph gets a visit. Let?s look at Matthew 1:20-24:

Matthew 1:20-24 (NIV)

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”–which means, “God with us.” 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.

This unnamed angel fills in some of the blanks for Joseph but first he settles Joseph?s anxious heart by saying, “Do not be afraid.” Amazingly, he is being asked to raise a child that is not his. And, he?s given a glimpse of the glory of this child as the angel tells him that this boy will be the Savior, fulfilling the prophecy from Isaiah 7:14. Joseph then moves from fear to faith when we read, “he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.”

Does your life seem out of control right now? Have some things happened that have caused you to lose sleep? Maybe your dreams have been destroyed and your problems seem insurmountable. Does everything seem to be going wrong? Friend, hold on to hope. Immanuel will be with you always, no matter what happens. God will work everything out for His glory and for your good. Romans 8:28 is still true: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” What God wants from us is to be obedient like Joseph was. He wants us to serve Him in the midst of the storm, to love Him even when we feel like we?ve lost everything, and to trust Him during our trials.

Joseph actually had two more encounters with angels, and like the first time, he chose faith over fear. Look at Matthew 2:13-14:

Matthew 2:13-14 (NIV)

13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” 14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt,

Joseph had some “get up and go,” didn?t he? He response was identical some time later after another angelic encounter, in which he was told to go back to Israel because Herod had died. We see his obedience again in Matthew 2:21: “So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.”

Friend, don?t be afraid when life throws you a curve. Choose faith over fear. And when God makes it clear what you?re supposed to do, and you?re sure that He?s the one speaking, then “get up and go.”

3. Don?t be afraid of the good news.

The final exhibit of angelic intervention takes place when God rocks the routine of some guys who are just out doing their job. Luke 2:8-20:

Luke 2:8-9 (NIV)

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

In the midst of the mundane, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared. Into the darkness of a silent night came the brightness of the glory of the Lord. I?m sure they were rubbing their eyes and shaking in their sandals. In fact, the word “terrified” means that they were alarmed and agitated.

“But the angel said to them, ?Do not be afraid.” Once again, an angel has to tell humans to chill out. The reason they did not need to be afraid is because the messenger was bringing “good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.? As the shepherds are trying to handle the message from this one messenger, they are taken aback again. “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God?” The word “suddenly” means that the heavenly host came unexpectedly. I imagine the sky filled with a multitude of messengers. The phrase “heavenly host” refers to the Lord?s army in other passages of Scripture. Then the angels say, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

After witnessing this incredible display of unbridled adoration and praise, the shepherds knew that they had to move. “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ?Let?s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.? They discussed what they should do and were unanimous in their decision to head to Bethlehem. I love verse 16 because it shows that their fear had been replaced with faith and then their faith went to their feet: “So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.” There was no delay. The word “hurried” carries with it the idea of speed.

The shepherds then became messengers of the message they had received from the angel. “When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” With hearts filled with gratitude, these men broke out into praise: “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”

Friend, God may be trying to break into your ordinary routine with the message of good news. He loves you and has sent His Son to be your Savior. How long will you continue to ignore Immanuel? When will you hurry to the Holy One? He wants to bring you joy in the midst of all the junk going on in your life. Will you receive what He has done for you? Will you put feet to your faith?

There are angels everywhere and I believe they are still doing God?s work today. But whether we see or hear an angel today doesn?t really matter. What matters most is that we get God?s message and that we respond not in fear, but in faith. Since it?s important to understand the role of angels in the Bible, let me briefly mention three things that good angels never do:

Angels Never Take the Place of the Bible. When they give messages from God, angels never supersede Scripture or contradict the Bible. Angels had a part in delivering sections of the Bible; therefore they would never say anything against it. Deuteronomy 33:2 tells us that myriads of holy messengers came down on Mount Sinai when God gave the Law to Moses and the entire book of Revelation is most likely the result of angelic messages. Revelation 1:1: “?He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John.” Then, in the last chapter of Revelation, a curse is pronounced on anyone who adds or takes away from the words of the book (Revelation 22:18-19). Friends, don?t look to angels, or anything else for that matter, to provide you with new messages from God. Everything that God wants you to know is found in this book!

Angels Never Take the Place of God the Father. God?s good angels refuse to be worshipped. In Revelation 22:8-9, the Apostle John is overcome by all that he has heard and seen: “I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel…But he said to me, ?Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers the prophets and of all who keep the words of this book. Worship God!?” Good angels never draw attention to themselves. They can get our attention, but they always do it for God?s sake, not their own. When Biblical angels discharge their duty and deliver their tidings, they withdraw from human contact. They don?t stay long because they don?t want us to focus on them; they want us to worship God. One other thought in this regard. Angels are not to be prayed to. They may help deliver answers to prayer, but the Bible never suggests that we should direct our requests to them.

Angels Never Take the Place of Jesus. Angels are not the go-between for us. 1 Timothy 2:5: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” In the whole scheme of things, Jesus is center stage; angels are just the supporting cast. Like fans of a famous actor, 1 Peter 1:12 says that “angels long to look into the things” that Jesus has accomplished. The picture here is of angels bending over, trying to peer into the truth of salvation through Jesus. They?re intrigued by the whole idea of redemption.

Christmas cannot be explained apart from the thin places. Ray Pritchard puts it strongly: “If you take the supernatural out of Christianity, all you have is a religious book club.” Let me summarize what we?ve learned today.

CONCLUSION

1.Don?t be afraid of God?s purposes.

When Mary got the news about God?s purpose for her life she said in Luke 1:38: “I am the Lord?s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” Are you ready to surrender to God?s purposes right now?

2. Don?t be afraid when everything seems to go wrong.

Joseph?s world was being wiped out and yet he chose to hold on to what was true and to do what God was asking him to do. Matthew 1:24: “He did what the Lord commanded.” Matthew 2:14: “So he got up?” Matthew 2:21: “So he got up?” What are you going to do? Are you going to stew? Or are you going to get up and do what is right?

3. Don?t be afraid of the good news.

God is giving you a gift this Christmas and He wants you to respond by receiving it. The shepherds could have ignored the good news but they were so moved by the majesty of the glory of God that they had to move. Did you know that angels like to party? I used to think of them as boring and a bit predictable. They certainly don?t seem very spontaneous or very fun. Don?t they strike you as a serious bunch? After all, if their job is to magnify God, serve as His messengers and minister to people, how could they have time to do anything else? Luke 15:10 describes how this all comes together: “…I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Whenever an individual repents of sin and receives Jesus into his life, the angels break out into a wild party! They magnify God and minister to us in far greater ways once we respond to the message of good news of great joy.

Friend, what about you? The angels are cheering you on this morning. They want you to surrender your life to Christ?s leadership. All the plans are set for a big celebration. They?re just waiting for you to respond to the invitation. Angels are watching every move you make. They know the spiritual condition of your soul. And they are anxious for you to repent and to receive Christ for salvation before it?s too late. You see, they know what lies ahead for all of us. They understand the joy and rewards that await those who put their faith in Christ; and they know the harsh reality of hell for those who choose not to receive Christ.

Do you want a party thrown in your honor in heaven? Do you want the angels to rejoice? Then, engage your will and receive the free gift of Jesus. Then, not only will know more about the “Angels Out in the Field,” you will have Jesus in you, Immanuel who will always be with you.

J. B. Phillips wrote a wonderful story called, “The Visited Planet” to help us shed the limitations of earthbound thinking and to allow the supernatural to break over us afresh (see www.ccel.org).

Once upon a time a very young angel was being shown the splendors and glories of the universes by a senior and experienced angel?Finally he was shown?a small and rather insignificant sphere turning very slowly on its axis. It looked as dull as a dirty tennis-ball to the little angel, whose mind was filled with the size and glory of what he had seen.

“I want you to watch that one particularly,” said the senior angel, pointing with his finger. “Well, it looks very small and rather dirty to me,” said the little angel. “What?s special about that one?” “That,” replied his senior solemnly, “is the Visited Planet.” “Visited?” said the little one. “You don?t mean visited by ——–? “Indeed I do. That ball, which I have no doubt looks to you small and insignificant?has been visited by our young Prince of Glory.” And at these words he bowed his head reverently. The little angel?s face wrinkled in disgust. “Do you mean to tell me,” he said, “that He stooped so low as to become one of those creeping, crawling creatures of that floating ball?” “I do, and I don?t think He would like you to call them ?creeping, crawling creatures? in that tone of voice. For, strange as it may seem to us, He loves them. He went down to visit them to lift them up to become like Him.”

The little angel looked blank. Such a thought was almost beyond his comprehension.

“Close your eyes for a moment,” said the senior angel, “and we will go back in what they call Time.” “Now look!” And as the little angel did as he was told, there appeared here and there on the dull surface of the globe little flashes of light, some merely momentary and some persisting for quite a time. “Every flash and glow of light that you see is something of the Father?s knowledge and wisdom breaking into the minds and hearts of people?Not many people, you see, can hear His Voice or understand what He says, even though He is speaking gently and quietly to them all the time.”

“Why are they so blind and deaf and stupid?” asked the junior angel rather crossly.

“It is not for us to judge them. We who live in the Splendor have no idea what it is like to live in the dark. We hear the music and the Voice like the sound of many waters every day of our lives, but to them – well, there is much darkness and much noise and much distraction upon the earth. Only a few who are quiet and humble and wise hear His Voice. But watch, for in a moment you will see something truly wonderful.”

The Earth went on turning and circling round the sun, and then quite suddenly, in the upper half of the globe, there appeared a light, tiny but so bright in its intensity that both the angels hid their eyes. “I think I can guess,” said the little angel in a low voice. “That was the Visit, wasn?t it?” “Yes, that was the Visit. The Light Himself went down there and lived among them; but in a moment?the light will go out.” “But why? Could He not bear their darkness and stupidity? Did He have to return here?” “No, it wasn?t that,” returned the senior angel. His voice was stern and sad. “They failed to recognize Him for Who He was – or at least only a handful knew Him. For the most part they preferred their darkness to His Light, and in the end they killed Him.”

“The fools, the crazy fools! They don?t deserve —-” “Neither you nor I, nor any other angel, knows why they were so foolish and so wicked. Nor can we say what they deserve or don?t deserve. But the fact remains, they killed our Prince of Glory while He was Man amongst them?Watch now, but be ready to cover your eyes again.” In utter blackness the earth turned round three times, and then there blazed with unbearable radiance a point of light. “What now?” asked the little angel, shielding his eyes. “They killed Him all right, but He conquered death. The thing most of them dread and fear all their lives He broke and conquered. He rose again, and a few of them saw Him and from then on became His utterly devoted slaves.”

“Thank God for that,” said the little angel. “Amen. Open your eyes now, the dazzling light has gone. The Prince has returned to His Home of Light. But watch the Earth now.” As they looked, in place of the dazzling light there was a bright glow, which throbbed and pulsated. And then as the Earth turned, little points of light spread out. A few flickered and died; but for the most part the lights burned steadily, and as they continued to watch, in many Parts of the globe there was a glow over many areas.

“You see what is happening?” asked the senior angel. “The bright glow is the company of loyal men and women He left behind, and with His help they spread the glow and now lights begin to shine all over the Earth.” “Yes, yes,” said the little angel impatiently, “but how does it end? Will the little lights join up with each other? Will it all be light, as it is in Heaven?” His senior shook his head. “We simply do not know,” he replied. “It is in the Father?s hands. Sometimes it is agony to watch and sometimes it is joy unspeakable. The end is not yet. But now I am sure you can see why this little ball is so important. He has visited it; He is working out His Plan upon it.” “Yes, I see, though I don?t understand. I shall never forget that this is the Visited Planet.”

Tags: angel, angels, bethlehem, Christmas, Christmas: Divine Design Causing Change, servants, signs
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Defrosting Your Spiritual Assets

Sunday, November 13th, 2005

This entry is part 3 of 4 in the series Improving Your Serve

Read at beginning of service:

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (NIV)

1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

INTRODUCTION

A man from Illinois decided to travel to Wisconsin to go duck hunting. He shot and dropped a bird, but it fell into a farmer?s field on the other side of the fence. As the flatlander climbed over the fence, a diary farmer drove up on his tractor and asked what was going on. The hunter said, “I shot a duck and I?m retrieving it.” The old farmer replied, “This is my property and you?re not coming over here!”

Well, this made the hunter mad so he said, “If you don?t let me come over the fence I?ll call my Chicago lawyer and I?ll sue you.” The farmer smiled and said, “Apparently you don?t know how we do things up here. We settle disagreements with the Wisconsin three-kick rule. I?ll kick you three times, and then you kick me three times, and so on, back and forth, until someone gives up.”

The guy from Illinois like this challenge because he though he could easily take the old farmer. The Wisconsin Badger climbed down from the tractor and planted the steel toe of his heavy work boot into the man?s shin. The man fell to his knees. His second kick went directly to his stomach, knocking the wind out of him. The farmer then landed his third kick to the side of the hunter?s head. The disoriented man slowly got up and said, “Okay, you old codger, now it?s my turn!” To which the farmer responded, “Nah, I give up. You can have the duck.”

(source: Defrosting Your Spiritual Assets by Brian Bill)

Many of us battle over things as well. Sometimes we fight because of lack of information and other times we kick people simply because we want to. As we?ve been learning in the series I?ve been preaching called, “Improving Your Serve,” most of us default to our selfish settings instead of looking for ways to put others first. Three weeks ago we focused on checking our motives, preparing for problems, putting the needs of others first, and following the example of Christ. 2 weeks ago we learned that we must surrender our bodies, minds, and wills to God and have a proper estimate of ourselves before we can effectively serve. Then last week, we had a break from this series as Pastor Nancy preached. However, what she shared with us clearly had relevance to what we?ve already been hearing. In her message, “Have I caught You Napping?” she shared the story of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane and Peter, James and John who were sleeping while Jesus was praying. I couldn?t help but think as she was sharing her message ? how many of us are “sleeping” when God wants us to pray, or to serve? Jesus made a simple request of the three with him in the garden that evening, “Stay here and keep watch with me.” ? what request has God made of you and me?

Today, I?m going to continue speaking on the subject of spiritual gifts and their importance in our service. The whole topic of spiritual gifts has been a battleground for many years, going back to the church at Corinth. This tension can result from an overemphasis on certain gifts, or it can come because we like to pick fights with those who are wired differently than we are.

Before we jump into our text in 1 Corinthians 12, let?s set the context. The Corinthian church was beset with many problems and difficulties. The church was filled with division, arguments, lawsuits, and immorality. On top of that, there was confusion about marriage, food sacrificed to idols, worship, the Lord?s Supper, the Resurrection, giving, and spiritual gifts. In particular, some people thought they were more important than others because they had some pretty spectacular gifts. When Paul wrote this letter to the church he specifically addressed these issues.

Chapter 12 gives us six directives to help us defrost our spiritual assets.

Be INFORMED about Spiritual Gifts.

When we come to 1 Corinthians 12-14 we see that Paul wanted to make sure that they had a proper understanding about spiritual gifts. The church at Corinth desperately needed instruction on this topic, and so do we. Notice verse 1 of chapter 12,

1 Corinthians 12:1 (NIV)

1 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant.

This is a topic that is too important for believers to be uninformed about and it?s certainly too critical to fight about. John MacArthur writes,

No local congregation will be what it should be?until it understands spiritual gifts. (The Church, p. 136)

Let?s begin by defining what a spiritual gift is. A really good definition that I?ve come across is from Bruce Bugbee, founder and president of Network Ministries:

Spiritual gifts are divine abilities distributed by the Holy Spirit to every believer according to God?s design and grace for the common good of the body of Christ. (What You Do Best in the Body of Christ, p. 52)

It?s important to recognize that a spiritual gift is given by the Holy Spirit at conversion, whereas a natural talent is something we?re born with. While we must yield our talents and abilities to the Lord?s work, we must pay particular attention to unleashing our spiritual gifts for the good of the body of Christ.

It is also important to acknowledge the difference between spiritual gifts and the “fruit of the Spirit” as listed in Galatians 5:22-23. Both the fruit of the Spirit and spiritual gifts are necessary for a life of servanthood, but they make different contributions.

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT SPIRITUAL GIFTS

? Every believer should exhibit the fruit of the spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control)

? Every believer has different gifts given by God.

? The fruit of the spirit are character traits of believers that are the how we do things.

? Spiritual Gifts are unique, distinct characteristic abilities of believers that are the what in the things they do.

? Whatever your spiritual gift or gifts are the fruit of the spirit should be found in the carrying out of that gift

There are also some distinct “categories” of spiritual gifts in the New Testament. While there are many ways to categorize the gifts of the Spirit, I like the one suggested by Chuck Swindoll. He sees three gift groupings. Based on 1 Peter 4:11, there are two primary areas of distinction: speaking and serving. The third category would include the “sign gifts”.

Speaking gifts: Word of wisdom, prophecy, evangelism, pastor-teacher, and teaching.

Service Gifts: Administration, exhortation, faith, giving, helps, serving, and mercy.

Sign Gifts: Discernment of Spirits, Miracles, healings, tongues, and interpretation.

If you were to add up all the distinct spiritual gifts, you?d come up with about 20. Since each of the lists does not appear to be exhaustive, there may even be more. These gifts are found in four books of the New Testament: Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4 and 1 Peter 4.

As we study this topic of spiritual gifts, it?s important to keep in mind that we?re commanded to do much of the things that are also listed as spiritual gifts. For instance, while some people have the gift of giving, all of us are to be givers of our resources to kingdom purposes. Likewise, we aren?t excused from our responsibility to witness just because we might not have the gift of evangelism.

The next directive Paul gives the Corinthian church is?

Be INFLUENCED by the Holy Spirit

In verse 2-3, Paul challenges us to be influenced exclusively by the Holy Spirit,

1 Corinthians 12:2-3 (NIV)

2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

When we come to the topic of spiritual gifts, our focus must be on the Giver, not on the gifts themselves. Unfortunately the Holy Spirit is often neglected in many churches today. Paul reminds us that before we were saved we were led astray by our emotions and false doctrines. Now that we are believers, the Holy Spirit empowers and energizes us for ministry.

Just as no one can confess the Lordship of Christ apart from the Spirit?s leading, so too, it is impossible to improve your serve without being led by the Spirit.

Galatians 5:25 (NIV)

25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

The Holy Spirit blows like the wind through surrendered lives.

John 3:8 (NIV)

8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

Let?s continue to allow him to move us into worship and the work of ministry.

Incorporate DIVERSITY in your understanding.

Paul next challenges his readers to incorporate diversity in their understanding of spiritual gifts in verse 4-6,

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (NIV)

4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

I want you to notice that the Trinity is involved with the giving of gifts: the Spirit, the Lord Jesus, and God the Father. While teaching about the Trinity is not the main point of this passage, these verses help us to see how the entire godhead is involved in the giving of gifts.

The key word in this passage is the word “different”. We all have different kinds of gifts, there are different ways to serve, and there are different workings. There?s not just one gift that fits all believers. The word “gifts” comes from the Greek, “charismata,” which is the root for the word “grace.” Grace gifts are those divine abilities distributed by the Holy Spirit. There are different kinds of “service”. This word speaks of opportunities for expressing our spiritual gifts in practical ways. The word “working” refers to the results or accomplishments that come when we use our gifts in meaningful service. Whether or not we are able to see the results, God does. We get the word “energy” from this Greek word. When we serve according to our giftedness, God gives us energy and we in turn energize the church through our service.

Philippians 2:13 (NIV)

13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Because God is at work within us, we can accomplish His purposes. The Corinthians had elevated the more spectacular gifts and were giving more attention to the spiritual superstars. Paul challenges them, and us, to incorporate diversity in our understanding. We minister differently because we?ve because we?ve been gifted differently. The same God is at work in us, but He customizes His work through us for His ultimate glory and the strength of the church.

Let me illustrate. We had a great celebration dinner at the Schaab?s last weekend with great food and fellowship. Now let?s supposed someone had dropped a plate full of dessert on the floor. This is how people with different gifts would respond.

Gift of prophecy: “That?s what happens when you?re not careful.”

Gift of service: “Oh, let me help you clean it up.”

Gift of teaching: “The reason that it fell was because it was too heavy on one side.”

Gift of exhortation: “Next time, maybe you should let someone else carry it.”

Gift of giving: “Here, you can have my dessert”

Gift of mercy: “Don?t feel too bad. It could have happened to anyone.”

Gift of administration “Barry, would you get the mop? Sue, please help pick this up. Pastor Nancy, could you get him another dessert?”

We?ve all been gifted differently and so we act differently and we serve differently. Friends, this church has every gift that is needed in order to function as a biblical community.

1 Corinthians 1:7 (NIV)

7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.

This verse is written to the entire church at Corinth. Even with all it?s problems, this community of faith did not lack any spiritual gifts. Likewise, HPC has just the right amount of spiritual gifts! It makes me wonder what needs God is going to meet by placing you in this church!

I?d love to lose the clergy/laity distinction that is way too common in churches today. We?re all ministers and priests according to 1 Peter 2:9

1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Pastor Nancy and I are your pastors but the priesthood is for all believers. In fact, our job, according to Ephesians 4:12 is

Ephesians 4:12 (NIV)

12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

With a full ministry schedule, there is no way that Nancy and I can be at every single function, or be actively involved in all the ministries here at HPC. Here?s an exciting truth. You have permission to minister in this church! In fact, you are saved in order to serve.

Can we make a deal? Pastor Nancy and I will serve faithfully in our area of giftedness and responsibility if you will serve in yours. Can we shake on it?

IDENTIFY your Spiritual Gift

We?re to be informed about spiritual gifts, be influenced by the Holy Spirit, and incorporate diversity in our understanding. Next, we?re to identify our spiritual gifts. Look at verse 7:

1 Corinthians 12:7 (NIV)

7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

The word “manifest” means to make plain. Spiritual gifts are given to make plain the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. This verse teaches us two things. First, every born again believer has been given the manifestation of the Spirit. Notice the phrase, “each one.” Every Christian has been given at least one spiritual gift. 1 Corinthians 7:7 makes the same point:

1 Corinthians 7:7 (NIV)

7 I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.

Second, we?ve been given at least one spiritual gift for the “common good,” or profit of the church.

Ephesians 4:16 (NIV)

16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Gifts are given so that they can be given in service to others so that the church will be fortified. Remember that gifts are received, not achieved. The gifts of grace are given to you so that as each part does its work, the church can be built up.

1 Corinthians 12:11 (NIV)

11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

If you need some help in figuring out your spiritual gift I?d love to meet with one on one. I?ve also put together an insert that references some online assessment tools that you can use. Examine the different gift lists in the New Testament and then experiment with some different ministries. The Holy Spirit will lead you because He is the one who gave you your gifts in the first place. Remember all these ?assessment tools? are helpful but the best way to discover your spiritual gifts is to serve!

IMPLEMENT your gift in Service.

While it?s important to identify your gifts, it?s not enough. Gifts are given to be used. Verses 12-30 describe how the church is like the human body, with each part playing a critical role in the functioning of the body. You?ve been given gifts and a key role to play in this church. Until each of us implement our gifts, our church will not mature in faith. Look at verse 14:

1 Corinthians 12:14 (NIV)

14 Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.

The foot needs the hand, and the ear needs the eye. Likewise, we all need each other. If you?re hoarding your gifts and not using them, the entire body is handicapped.

The church at Corinth had elevated some of the sign gifts and had relegated the “lesser” gifts to second-class status.

If Paul were to write a letter to us today, he would say something like this: “Brothers and sisters, say one of you owned a set of tools. Would you spend all your time counting them, naming them, organizing them, polishing them, and putting them on display? Would you not simply use them? So it is with the gifts of the Spirit: they are tools not to admire, but to use. They are not medals to be won, or trophies to be displayed, or treasures to be guarded. Use them! It is as you serve that God by His spirit will reveal the gifts He has given you” (Brian Bill?s adaptation from an article in Discipleship Journal by David Henderson, “Paul?s Letter to Midvale Church”)

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.

Paul?s concern for young Timothy was that he not only be able to identify his gift, but that he would implement it:

1 Timothy 4:14 (NIV)

14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

2 Timothy 1:6 (NIV)

6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

Do you need to allow the Spirit to fan your gift into full flame? Are you burning bright for Him, or are you just flickering or smoldering?

A well-known conductor was holding a rehearsal one night with a vast array of musicians and a hundred-voice choir. While the mighty chorus sang out, the horns blared and the cymbals clashed. Sitting far back in the orchestra, the piccolo player thought to herself, “With all these loud instruments, it doesn?t matter what I do. They don?t need me.” And so she stopped playing. Suddenly the conductor stopped the music and looked right at the piccolo player and said, “It doesn?t sound right without you. If you don?t play, the concert?s off. We need you”

(quoted in “Defrosting Your Spiritual Gifts” by Brian Bill)

You?re needed in this church! Whether you?ve been a member for 20 or more years or you have recently started attending God has gifted you and brought you here and now He wants to use you. Don?t allow yourself to think you don?t matter. Nobody is a nobody in the body of Christ. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.

INTENSIFY your Love

One of the lessons we can learn from the church at Corinth is this: having spiritual gifts does not necessarily make you spiritual. It?s possible for a church to have all the gifts that are needed, and for every believer to know what their gift is, and still miss the mark. In the last verse of 1 Corinthians 12, we?re reminded that there is something far greater than even our divine abilities:

1 Corinthians 12:31 (NIV)

31 But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.

While 1 Corinthians 13 is without doubt the best explanation of love ever written, we do a disservice to Paul?s intention when we only read it at weddings. This love chapter is sandwiched between a discussion of spiritual gifts in chapter 12 and chapter 14. Paul recognizes the dangers of defrosting our spiritual assets when they are divorced from love.

Notice the gifts that are listed in verses 1-3:

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (NIV)

1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

After elevating the supremacy of love over every spiritual gift, Paul then describes how love should be the marinade that provides the distinctive flavor in our serving: “Love is patient, love is kind?” Then, beginning in verse 8, Paul contrasts the cessation of prophecies, tongues and knowledge with the never-failing aspect of love. Love will never fail or cease to exist.

I believe that ignorance related to spiritual gifts is not our basic problem. More basic is the problem of not desiring to strengthen other people?s faith by being patient and kind, by refusing to boast, by not being easily angered and by keeping no record of wrongs (see 1 Corinthians 13:4-6). Human nature is more prone to tear down, than it is to build up. We?d rather kick people than labor in love with them and for them.

We have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another.

– Jonathon Swift

According to verse 7, a servant who loves “always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.” In other words, as we focus on living out the Great Commandment by intensifying our love for God and for others, then we will want to look for ways to defrost our spiritual assets and serve others. Spiritual gifts, no matter how exciting and wonderful, are useless and even destructive if they are not unleashed in love.

CONCLUSION

Let?s summarize the six directives that will help us defrost our spiritual assets.

Be informed about spiritual gifts

Be influenced by the Holy Spirit

Incorporate diversity in your understanding

Identify your spiritual gift

Implement your gift in service

Intensify your love.

What?s in your gift box? Open it and use what you?ve been given. Is it time for you to think outside the box? Allow the Holy Spirit to blow into your life and lead you into some exciting serving opportunities!

Tags: character, corinthians, fruit, gifts, Improving Your Serve, ministry, servants, serving, shape, spiritual
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Samuel: Revival Man

Sunday, November 16th, 2003

This entry is part 6 of 15 in the series When the Heroes of Faith speak...

Read at beginning of service:

Matthew 16:24-27 (NIV)

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.

INTRODUCTION

recap message series, “When the Heroes of Faith Speak”

Today we?re going to look at the life of a man who was dedicated to God before he was born. In 1 Samuel, chapter 1, we are introduced to him.

Here we learn that there was named Elkanah, and Elkanah had 2 wives. The first wife was Peninah, and Elkanah and her had many children. Elkanah?s second wife is Hannah, and as much as she tried, she wasn?t able to conceive a child with her husband. Her heart ached to hold a little baby of her own. Elkanah must have known how much his wife hurt because verses 4-5 tell us?

1 Samuel 1:4-5 (NIV)

4 Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the LORD had closed her womb.

Hannah was a sad, hurting, disappointed woman and her husband stood beside her as she dreamed of giving birth to a child to call her own. We find out also in chapter one that Hannah was even more tormented because Peninah did everything she could to make Hannah?s life absolutely miserable.

1 Samuel 1:6-7 (NIV)

6 And because the LORD had closed her womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. 7 This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the LORD, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat.

As the story continues, we learn that each year the family would make a trip to Shiloh, which was the spiritual center of the Israelites at that time. With her hurt/pain/anguish, Hannah wandered to the Tabernacle to pray. Her tears splashed down her cheeks, and in verse 10 we learn that,

1 Samuel 1:10 (NIV)

10 In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD.

She was at the end of her rope, and she cried out in anguish?

1 Samuel 1:11 (NIV)

11 And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”

Her prayers were answered, and God gave Hannah a son. She named him Samuel, which means “Heard of God” or “God heard me.” And Hannah kept her promise to the Lord. When Samuel was weaned form his mother, at 2 or 3 years of age, she took him to the Tabernacle, dedicated his life to God, and gave him to Eli the Priest to serve God in the Tabernacle. In the first 10 verse of Samuel chapter 2 is a wonderful prayer of a mother who loves her Lord and loves her child ? I would encourage you to read those verses sometime.

So this morning we?re going to look at the life of this child who grew up to be a mighty man of God ? Samuel.

Now Samuel is one of those people on the list of faith who appears a little more frequently in the pages of Scripture. By way of introduction there are a few quick comments I would like to make about him?

God shaped Samuel?s life from the start. Like Moses, Samuel was called to fill many different roles: judge, priest, prophet, counselor, and God? man at a turning point in the history of Israel.

Samuel was used by God to assist Israel?s transition from a loosely governed tribal people to a monarchy.

He was the last and most effective of Israel?s judges.

He anointed the first two kings of Israel.

While Samuel?s entire story is found in 1 Samuel 1 ? 1 Samuel 28, a very significant verse makes this observation about him:

1 Samuel 3:19-20 (NIV)

19 The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the LORD.

Yes, Samuel was a great man of God and a man who accomplished much. As I approached his story in preparation for this message I found that there is so much that Samuel might say if he were here this morning ? that I didn?t know how I could narrow it all down to the time we have here today. I would never presume to be able to state to you what exactly Samuel would say to us this morning, but my attention was drawn to a major incident that happened in Israel during his tenure as judge. I believe that Samuel would have a lot to say about this event and so I?m going to zero on it this morning.

The event I?m referring to is found in our text for today ? 1 Samuel 4:1-10

READ TEXT AND PRAY

There is a popular children?s show on the Disney Channel called “Out of the Box”. The theme song is one of those songs that, once you?ve heard it, sticks in your mind all day. It ends with the words, “Out of the box, it?s really up to you what comes out of the box.”

In the business world there is a catch phrase that frequently pops up – “thinking outside the box.” It is a challenge to go beyond the ordinary and do something extraordinary.

I believe that Samuel would speak today to a church that is stuck in the box. For the most part ? the church in our society has a focus that has shifted from people to pews, from saving souls to sacred Sundays. Today when you mention Christianity most people immediately think of the worship assembly ? a church building ? or denomination. As long as we continue with this mentality we are stuck in the box without hope of growing beyond ? and fulfilling God?s mandate for us as Christians.

One of the greatest accomplishments that happened in Samuel?s life was when God worked through him to bring the nation of Israel to the place of revival. I believe Samuel would take one look at the church in Hanover and say, folks ? it?s time for a revival. I believe Samuel would say,

“If we want to experience revival in the church, if we want this family of God to grow then we must let God out of the box and back into our lives before we suffocate.”

In thinking about the them song from the Disney kids show ? “Revival, it?s really up to you what comes out of the box!”

Samuel and the Israelites had an experience similar to the one facing us today.

? The Israelites were losing a war to the Philistines like we are fighting a war against Satan. (which at times feels like a “losing” war)

? The Israelites? answer was, “Bring us God in a box.” Our answer is “We all need to go to the box (church – building).”

? The Israelites? answer brought them defeat, not Victory. Our answer will lead us to defeat unless we experience transformation by the hand of God.

Even in a time when “the word of the Lord was rare.” (1 Sam. 3:1) Samuel led the people in Revival. I hope this morning, Samuel does the same for our hearts.

So let?s turn our attention to what he would say to us today about “the box”

You are Relying on a Box

Israel?s answer to defeat was God in a box. 1 Sam. 4:3

1 Samuel 4:3 (NIV)

3 When the soldiers returned to camp, the elders of Israel asked, “Why did the LORD bring defeat upon us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the Lord’s covenant from Shiloh, so that it may go with us and save us from the hand of our enemies.”

Notice how it?s recorded that they said, “so it may go with us” rather than so God may be with them!

By bringing in the ark they thought they had secured the presence of God.

they had attached more significance to a “symbol” of God?s presence than to the actual presence of God!

Certainly some of the Elder?s would remember the story of when the Israelites first crossed into the Canaan and the miraculous crossing of the Jordan that involved the Ark of the Covenant?(Joshua 3)

The story of the fall of Jericho (Joshua 6)

The ark was a symbol of the presence of God ? but in and of itself it was nothing powerful ? it was just a beautiful, decorated box!

Their focus was on personal success and not on glorifying God.

Their focus wasn?t on glorifying God. Their focus was on beating up the Philistines. They weren?t seeking justice ? they were seeking revenge. And they thought that by bring “the box” they could win.

Our answer to our battles as Christians (whether it be with satan/world/sin) has been far to often faith in a box.

Far too often when we face a defeat we arm ourselves with the symbols of God?s presence and walk out to battle again. When we approach evangelism ? we equip ourselves with the symbols of God?s presence and head out to witness. Folks, I want to tell you something, listen carefully ? worship (by that I mean praising God in song or speech), prayer, reading your Bible, or even gathering together with other believer?s for a ministry or service are all very important and good things. However, they are all “symbols” of God?s presence.

We associate praising and worshipping God with inviting His presence.

We associate prayer with communicating with His presence.

We associate reading the Bible with learning about His presence.

We associate coming together with dwelling in His presence, or serving in His presence.

Now, listen to me carefully I must prelude my next statement by making the following clarification, I?m not saying these things are irrelevant, or that they are insignificant, or that they are not needed. But what I am saying that you can have these things attached to your Christian utility belt and still not have the presence of God. How is this possible?

When our faith shifts from the one symbolized to the symbol itself.

For example,

when we put more faith in a style of music or a particular song, or clapping our hands, or the way we worship than the one we?re worshipping.

When we put more faith in what we pray or how we pray than who we are praying to!

When we put more faith in the act of reading the Bible than in the one who wrote it.

When we put more faith in what we are doing for God than in Him who wants to do things through us!

An example of this is found in our emphasis on going to church, over being the church! When we associate our success with “the box”

Friends, I believe Samuel would draw parallels between the Israelites putting their faith in the “box” they carried to battle against the Philistines and the “boxes” we rely on in our life. I believe he would point out that many of us are relying on these “boxes” for victory and freedom. But then, I believe Samuel would next ask a pointed question? you are relying on a box, now?

Where has the Glory gone? (1 Samuel 4:12-22)

relate the story of the Ark of Covenant being taken by the Philistines and Eli finding out the news. Then emphasize verse 19-22

1 Samuel 4:19-22 (NIV)

19 His daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant and near the time of delivery. When she heard the news that the ark of God had been captured and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she went into labor and gave birth, but was overcome by her labor pains. 20 As she was dying, the women attending her said, “Don’t despair; you have given birth to a son.” But she did not respond or pay any attention. 21 She named the boy Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel”–because of the capture of the ark of God and the deaths of her father-in-law and her husband. 22 She said, “The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.”

A. With the ark gone the glory was gone from Israel. 1 Sam. 4:12?22

1. Israel?s hope was gone without the Ark of Covenant (the box).

2. The sad reality is that it was a false hope. God was never really with them.

B. When people put God in a box then they lose the glory.

1. Some people associate the glory (presence of God) with “the box” (or symbols of God?s presence).

2. Some people see Christianity as a “fix” instead of a way of life.

Imagine for a moment the feeling of the Israelite soldiers when the Ark of Covenant comes into the camp. “Yah! Now our victory is assured, the Ark is here”. Imagine the confidence that they carried with them into battle that day. But then imagine the sinking feeling in their gut when they realize that they are losing! When they realize God isn?t with them!

It?s the same feeling that many Christians have experience. Myself included. Haven?t you ever asked the question ? “Where are you God”? I?ve prayed, I?ve read your word, I worked for you, I?ve worshipped you ? but where are you?

For some of you that is where you are at today. And this is why when I pose that question that Samuel might ask himself ? it brings forefront ? “Where is the glory of God?” – Isn?t it every person?s desire to experience a revival that changes their life, makes it better, gives them hope? Isn?t that the most sought after experience in a believer?s life?

I believe Samuel would begin by saying, “You are relying on a box” then continue with the question, “Where is the glory” and finally direct us to the answer?

When we decide to live for God and rely on Him (instead of for what He brings), the glory will return. Stop relying on a box!!

I want to draw your attention to where Samuel enters the picture in 1 Samuel 7:2-10

1 Samuel 7:2-10 (NIV)

2 It was a long time, twenty years in all, that the ark remained at Kiriath Jearim, and all the people of Israel mourned and sought after the LORD. 3 And Samuel said to the whole house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” 4 So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and served the LORD only. 5 Then Samuel said, “Assemble all Israel at Mizpah and I will intercede with the LORD for you.” 6 When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel was leader of Israel at Mizpah. 7 When the Philistines heard that Israel had assembled at Mizpah, the rulers of the Philistines came up to attack them. And when the Israelites heard of it, they were afraid because of the Philistines. 8 They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines.” 9 Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it up as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on Israel’s behalf, and the LORD answered him. 10 While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the LORD thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites.

Several key things happened here that resulted in revival (victory over the Philistines).

The Israelites realized how important God was to them.

Verse 2 says that, “all the people of Israel mourned and sought after the LORD.” With the symbol of God?s presence gone (and with it the glory of God) they came face to face with the emptiness and loneliness of being without His presence. There was a void, a vacuum that they knew could only be filled by God.

Friend?s I believe that one of the catalysts to relying on a box is when we start to take God for granted. When we take Him for granted we start forgetting how much we need Him. We move “out of the box” and into reliance on God when we start realizing how much we need Him and when we miss His presence. That?s the first thing that happened with the Israelites ? and they “sought” after Him.

Samuel said, “choose your sides” and stick with it.

He basically said, “If you really mean it, if you really want to return to the Lord with all your heart, then make sure it?s with all your heart!” He called for a total commitment and undivided service to Him.

Friend?s if you are really seeking God, if you are really wanting to experience His glory and come into His presence then halfway measures aren?t going to cut it. If there is something that is dividing you from your pursuit of God then that “idol” has to go!

The Israelites confessed and repented and Samuel prayed?

The first step toward God is the last step away from your sin. The Israelites confessed their lack of faith and their divided loyalties, and their sins and repented of those things (the evidence of their repentance was found in their actions). When Samuel prayed for them it wasn?t because of his choice of words, or his stature as a man of God that somehow resulted in the return of God?s presence (that would be relying on a box again!) It was because of the attitude of their hearts that God heard Samuel?s prayer.

CONCLUSION

Friend?s I believe it?s time for the church to get out of the box. I hope you?ve heard the message of Samuel this morning? What boxes are you placing God in? Are you missing the presence of God. Are you wanting His presence. Are there things in your heart/life that divide your attention to that desire? Friend?s for us to experience and witness and walk in and know revival and the glory of God in our midst we must be committed wholeheartedly to seeking Him and serving Him.

For really it?s not revival we?re after ?it?s God we want ? it?s that deep, intimate, life-changing relationship with His awesome, supernatural person. Revival is just the side-effect.

Tags: call, called, catalysts, choices, covenant, preach, prophets, relationship, remain, samuel, servants, When the Heroes of Faith speak...
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UnashamedSermons.com

Posts Tagged ‘servants’

The Heart of the Call – Where it Begins

INTRODUCTION:

The Call of God isn’t so much about what He wants US to do FOR Him but more importantly about what HE wants to do WITH us!!!

1. God calls us to a certain place in life in which He can have the best opportunity for an on-going daily relationship with us. (Genesis 3)

2. In order to maintain that relationship He desires, God will always deal we me on the basis of His love.

The Effectiveness of God’s calling in our life depends on our response.

1. We are called to respond to His call by exhibiting the character of Christ.

2. Our responses to God’s call have significance both now and in eternity.

3. God calls us to a place where He can work through us to reach others.

4. Because God is the one who initiates the relationship, I may have to make major adjustments in my plans to fulfill His plans.

CONCLUSION

Temporary Servants, not Maniac Managers

Supernatural Happenings with Angels

Defrosting Your Spiritual Assets

Samuel: Revival Man

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