DEDICATED TO GOD

Read Romans 12.

Paul has presented the glory of God’s Gospel in the first eleven chapters of Romans.  Now, he turns to the practical implications of that truth, as we see belief is to impact behavior.  His call is to complete dedication to God.

The basis of this dedication is in grace—what God has done for us, “I beseech [beg, implore] you therefore [because of what God has done for you], brethren, by the mercies of God [that has spared us from hell and opened up heaven], that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”  (v.1, comments added). That is, it is a perfectly reasonable thing for you to dedicate your all to the Savior who gave His all for you.

The means for this dedication has both a negative and positive dimension.  In verse two, the negative to avoid is “do not be conformed to this world,” and the positive to apply is “but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,” with the result, “that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”  You will either be conformed to the world or transformed by the Word.  It’s your choice.  You can’t do both, for they are mutually exclusive. You cannot walk in opposite directions at the same time!

For the rest of the chapter, Paul makes practical application of what it means to be dedicated to God.  There will be the deploying of spiritual gifts in humble service (v.3-8). There will also be the demonstration of sanctifying grace in personal action (v.9-21). We are in the world to make a difference, but not of the world in being different. Our dedication to God is seen in our devotion to our fellowman.

THE SMALL STUFF

(a guest article from Derrick McCarson, Pastor of Liberty Baptist Church, Candler, NC)

There is an ancient Indian legend of a king who loved chess. He challenged visitors to a game, and was usually victorious. One day a traveling sage visited the kingdom and was challenged to a game by the king. To entice him to play, the king offered to give the sage whatever reward he asked if he won. When the sage explained that his prize would involve rice, the king thought nothing of such a small reward.

To the king’s amazement he was swiftly defeated in just a matter of a few moves! To honor his word, the king ordered a bag his servants to go to the granary and locate the rice. But the sage, had something more in mind. He asked for one grain of rice to be placed on the first square of the chessboard, and then that it would be doubled on each following square until all 64 squares were filled.

The request seemed modest, and the king ordered a bag of rice to be brought. One grain was placed on the first square, two on the second, four on the third, eight on the fourth and so on. But it quickly became apparent that the terms of the request were impossible to meet. By the twenty-first square more than one million grains of rice would be required. By the thirty-first square the total would go over one billion—with more than half of the chessboard still left to go. By the end, the wise man had a lifetime supply of food at his disposal because he understood the power of exponential growth.

Small things have a big impact when they are added together. The Scriptures have a lot to say about the value of small things. Zechariah encouraged us not to “despise the day of small things” (4:10). Solomon warned us to be on the lookout for the “little foxes” which can rob us when we aren’t looking (Song 2:15). Proverbs 13:11 tells us that wealth which endures is gathered “little by little” over a lifetime. Jesus taught that as stewards of His kingdom resources we ought to be faithful in the “small things” (Luke 16:10). Christ even compared His ministry to a tiny mustard seed that grew into a towering tree (Mark 4:30-32). Remember one of Jesus’ most fantastic miracles began with just a little boy’s sack lunch of sardines and bread (John 6:9).    

When you think you don’t have much to offer, remember God has a special way of using routine faithfulness in the “small things” to accomplish great things! Too many of us get caught up in future, grandiose thinking.  “The Lord is going to give me a great ministry down the road.  Then I will matter to Him and to others.” The danger in being caught up in “someday I will do a great thing for God” is that we may miss the frequent and daily opportunities to serve Him which, by the way, may make an extraordinary impact for the Kingdom.

Great opportunities often disguise themselves in small tasks. The little things in life determine the big things. There will always be more people willing to do “great” things for God than there are people willing to do the little things. The race to be a leader is crowded, but the field is wide open for those willing to be servants.

So where do we begin? Moses had a staff. David had a sling. Samson had a jawbone. Rahab had a string. Mary had some ointment. The widow had two mites. Paul had a pen. What do you have? Start small and give it to God. 

~Derrick McCarson, 2015

WHAT KIND OF CHURCH MEMBER ARE YOU?

 

Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God. (3 John 11)

On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being an embarrassment to the cause of Christ and 10 being a maximum impact Christian, how would you rate yourself as a church member?  Should someone ask your pastor, “What kind of member is (fill in the blank with your name)?” what would he say?  Let me help crystallize your thinking with a few more questions.

ARE YOU A DELIGHTFUL MEMBER?  Gaius was a member who brought joy to the heart of an old pastor, John the Apostle (3 John v.1-8).  Four times John refers to Gaius as “beloved.”  The obvious strong connection—the warmth and affection—they shared should be the goal of every pastor and member.  John wanted the best for Gaius—that he would prosper in every way.  His spiritual prosperity was evident.  John’s prayer is that his financial and physical well-being would be as healthy as that of his soul.  Would you want your pastor to pray that for you?  If he did, would you be bankrupt financially because you are destitute spiritually?  Would you be hospitalized in critical care because your soul is sin-sick?  Gaius was seeking God’s kingdom first, and then trusting God to care of the rest (Matt.6:33).  No wonder he brought delight to the heart of John.  Twice he is commended for walking in the truth.  The truth was in him, transformed him, and fleshed out in obedience.  He was not only marked by truth, but by his love.  Gaius was generous—willing to help anyone in need, but especially supportive of missions (v.5-8).

ARE YOU A DESTRUCTIVE MEMBER?  Diotrepehes was a destroyer (v.9-11).  Great damage has been done to the church because of church members like this.  He was a man ruled by ego. He would not yield to authority, but exerted his autonomy.  Diotrephes desired to be the dominator—a church boss, greedy of position and gorged with pride.  He rejected new people because they might prove to be a threat to his status.  He refused the Apostle John’s teaching.  He wouldn’t receive instruction.  You can’t teach a know-it-all anything, and that was Diotrephes.  Unlike Gaius who was a helper in spreading the Gospel, Diotrephes was a hindrance.  He had an agenda.  His attitude was, “My way or the highway!”  His tongue was a sword to hurt others.  We look at a member like this and question if they are even saved (v.11).  They may not be.

ARE YOU A DEDICATED MEMBER?  Demetrius was a dedicated disciple (v.11-14).  His testimony was credible because his lifestyle was consistent.  If someone mentioned his name in or out of the church, the reaction would be, “I know him!  He’s a good man!”  Is that what people say when your name is spoken?  It was more than reputation—for some can wear a religious mask that hides the reality—Demetrius’ life was in alignment with the truth of God’s Word.  Belief and behavior; character and confession—both matched up.  John knew he could count on Demetrius.  Can the church count on you?

Here are some examples of church members—two good and one bad—which one will you seek to be like?  Maybe you would say, “I’m not as good as the best, but not as bad as the worst.  I’m somewhere in the middle.”  That makes Christ sick!  Read Rev.3:16.