TO THE GLORY OF GOD

God is most glorious and He is above all things to receive glory. In 1 Peter 4:7-11, the Apostle focuses on how can do all things to the glory of God. 

There is to be intentional URGENCY. “But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.”  (1 Pet. 4:7)

I am reminded of the words of missionary C. T. Studd, 

Only one life, ‘twill soon be past; 

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Writing as a man in his seventies, who has been active in church work for nearly half a century, I can attest to the rapidity with which life races by. There is no rewind button. Every precious second that ticks by, with a significant amount spent in sleep and basic necessities, will never be reclaimed. Time is too precious to waste or as we say, “killing time.” Instead our days are to be devoted to the glory of God, as those who must stand before Christ and give account. 

Human history is linear and not circular. There was a starting point in creation and there will be a finishing point of consummation. Those who glorify God best live as though Christ might return today—for He may! 

This leads us to seriousness—“therefore be serious.”  It doesn’t mean we shuffle along with a long face as in a funeral, but rather that we run purposefully with joyful anticipation of a wedding with Christ our Bridegroom.  That is important. If you have ever been around a woman preparing for marriage, you know they take the wedding seriously!

This further inspires supplication—“watchful in your prayers.”  Those who glorify God most are those who spend time in His presence. As we gaze into His glorious face, we reflect that glory when we leave the private place of Divine communion and journey to the public place of human connection.  

There is to be loving FERVENCY, “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins.’ Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.” (1 Pet. 4:8-9)

While we ought to say to others, “I love you,” it is imperative that we show others we love them. True love is a fire exhibited fervently. As God is nauseated by lukewarmness, He desires that we “have fervent love for one another.”  

Such love is marked by humility. “Love will cover a multitude of sins.” We are to humbly forgive and not assert our own rights. We are not about exposing the flaws of others, instead humbly confessing our own failings. As Jesus said, 

And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do  not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to  your brother, “Let me remove the speck from your eye”; and look,  a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank  from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the  speck from your brother’s eye. (Matt. ‭7‬:‭3‬-‭5‬‬)

Peter tells us such love is also exhibited by hospitality. “Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.”  An open heart and open arms lead to an open door. How we entertain one another in our home ought to be with gladness and not a grumbling.  It is something we want to do and not just we have to do—a delight and not a duty.  

There is to be gracious MINISTRY. 

As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as  good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks,  let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him  do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God  may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory  and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭10-‭11‬‬)

Every church member is to be a minister. All the Father’s children are gifted children. Being born again of the Spirit, each of us has at least one spiritual gift. These are not for show, but for service. 

Every church pastor is to be teacher  “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.”  The preacher has a particular ministry of speaking the Word of God—not his opinions, but God’s oracles.

There is a sacred stewardship. “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”  As mentioned previously, a day of accounting is coming. Paul put it this way, 

Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious  stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for  the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the  fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work  which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If  anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be  saved, yet so as through fire.  (1 Cor. ‭3‬:‭12‬-‭15‬‬)

There is a supernatural supply. “If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies.” Christian ministry is a human impossibility. If we do it, then we can claim credit for it. If God does it through us, then He gets the glory. That is the way it works. The secret is to abide in Christ. Read John 15 where our Lord reminds us that He is the Vine and we are the branches. If a branch is not connected to the vine it cannot bear fruit. Now, we may think our service is something, but Christ says it is nothing—that is, of no eternal significance unless done in supernatural reliance.

When there is intentional urgency, loving fervency, and gracious ministry, here is the result: “that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

WHO’S YOUR ONE? Day 11

The Good News Entrusted to You

“Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please people, but rather God, who examines our hearts. For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy motives — God is our witness — and we didn’t seek glory from people, either from you or from others.”
‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭2:4-6‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Have you ever allowed the opinions of others to keep you from sharing your faith with your one? Perhaps a perfect opportunity presents itself, and you feel the distinct nudge of the Holy Spirit. You may notice the other person’s voice is muffled and tuned out because insecurities begin to flood your thoughts. “What will they think of me? What if I offend them with what I believe? Who am I to share this message, and what if they ask questions I don’t know the answers to?” God has entrusted the message of the gospel to you, and perhaps this moment is one of the good works He has prepared in advance for you to walk in (Ephesians 2:10). It's almost impossible to obey God while trying to please people.

As you share the gospel this week, don’t allow the temptation to seek the glory of others crowd out your boldness and faithfulness to share the message. (From “Who’s Your One?” Devotional, NAMB)

THE GOD WHO OWNS EVERYTHING

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"In the beginning God created THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH” (emphasis added).

Creation testifies of the Creator. “The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.” (Ps.19:1‬). All creation is designed to give God glory.  Isaiah wrote, “The whole earth is full of His glory” (6:3b).

The creation narrative strikes against the idolatry of the times in which Moses, the author of Genesis, wrote—the worship of the sun, the moon, the animals. The material universe is seen as God’s creation and the Creator deserves exclusive worship.  A.W. Tozer declared, “The essence of idolatry is the entertainment of thoughts about God that are unworthy of Him.”

The Maker owns His creation and has the right to dictate its proper use.  Man has been placed as a steward of God's creation and is himself owned by God (Gen.2:7, 15-17).  If He made it, it belongs to Him. God calls humans, who are the pinnacle of His creation—those made in His image—to account for the use of our time, talent, and treasure.  This is His world. We belong to Him.  All we are and all we have is God’s and meant for His glory.

Is that how we are living?  What are we doing with God’s stuff?

THE WORTH OF WORK

“Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler, Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest. How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep— So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.” (Proverbs 6:6-11 NKJV)

A misreading of the Scripture might convince us that work was the punishment for Adam and Eve’s sin in the garden. Actually, they had been given the assignment to cultivate the soil before sin messed up paradise.  It would be the toil and thorns, the sweat and weeds that would result from the curse.  

Work has always had worth and been part of God’s design for us.  When we work in our yard or we grow a garden, we are reclaiming a bit of Eden from this fallen world—redeeming it for God as His stewards.  On our job, our motivation as the servants of God is not just a paycheck, but to glorify God.  Whatever our vocation may be, it is a sacred calling and divine service rendered.  There is dignity about it, when viewed this way. 

Sloth is sin.  When we are being paid to do a job, and we don’t put the effort in, we have stolen from our employer by taking money we haven’t earned.

The ant is our model.  The industry of these little creatures is how they honor their Creator. Watch them work, and emulate them.  Nobody ever saw a lazy ant. 

Don’t be guilty of sloth.  The sluggard can always find a reason to hit the snooze alarm—again and again.  That is a formula for poverty. Let us teach a younger generation the worth of work.  There are too many parasites who live on the government treasury or someone’s compassion—not because they can’t work, but they won’t. 

INVESTING IN ETERNITY

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  (Matthew 6:19-21 NKJV)

Right now the stock market is in record territory, rising like a rocket.  The thing about rockets, however, is they can come down just as fast—with a crash at the end.  Let me tell you where you need to invest—in eternity!  The things of God will endure when all that is of this world passes away.  While it is true that we can’t take it with us, we can send it on ahead to a place where it is safe.  On earth, designer clothes can be moth-eaten, fancy cars will rust, and extravagant homes may be plundered by thieves.  No worries about that in heaven!  You are guaranteed an abundant return on your investment!

The month of November will feature a series of Biblical messages to challenge us in this area.  By far, the most significant investment we can make is on FRIEND DAY, November 5.  Invite some friends to join you at Pole Creek where they will hear a special Gospel message on “Life’s Most Important Question.”

On November 12, we will consider “The Stewardship Challenge.”  God challenges us to “prove” Him.  Did you know this is the only area where God invites us to put Him to the test?

November 19 presents “The Stewardship Choice.”  We have a choice about how we invest in what God gives to us.  What we have is not ours, but His and we will be accountable for how we choose to invest it.

The series concludes on November 26 with “The Stewardship Commitment.”  The commitment we make needs to be plentiful, purposeful, and productive.  We will ask God to guide us in our giving commitment for the next year.

Thank you for being such a generous church!  The Lord has blessed us with a big-hearted congregation.  It is a privilege to serve you!

Blessings,

Pastor Dennis  

THE HOUSE PAYMENT

Then all the leaders and all the people rejoiced, brought their contributions, and put them into the chest until all had given.  (2 Chronicles 24:10)

Some wonderful things happen at our house.  But there is a price—time, effort, and money are required. There are wonderful things that happen in the house of God at the house of God, but there is a house payment to make. We see this illustrated in 2 Chronicles 24.

We note THE PERSON JEHOVAH USED (v.1-3).  Joash was a young man thrust into a tremendous responsibility. The youth had a godly mentor in Jehoiada the priest.  He gave direction and support to the king. Joash owed his very life to the priest.  Joash had a grandmother named Athaliah.  When Her son, King Ahaziah died, this wicked woman greedily grabbed for power.  She had all the royal heirs put to death.  Imagine a woman so maniacal that she would kill her own grandchildren, so she could be queen!  But, the priest, Jehoiada, and his wife, rescued baby Joash and hid him six years. Chapter 23 tells how Athaliah was overthrown and Joash brought to the throne.  God had a plan for Joash.  God has a plan for you.  You’re not here by accident, but appointment.  God uses people. If your church moves forward in faith, it will be because you respond in obedience.  One person can make a great difference.

Next, we see THE PROBLEM JOASH UNCOVERED (v.4).  Athaliah was the daughter of Jezebel. During the reigns of Athaliah and her son Ahaziah, the pagan pollution of Jezebel permeated the land. As a result, the worship of God declined and the house of God deteriorated. Now Joash is moved to repair the house of God.  Our support of the ministries of our church indicates a lot about our heart. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is there will your heart be also.”  Many want to enjoy the blessings of the house of God without contributing to its support.  You are experiencing all the wonderful ministries that at the church.  Now the house payment has to be made!

Here was THE PLAN JUDAH UTILIZED (v.5-14).  The people of God were challenged by their spiritual leaders (v.5a).  Some people don’t want the preacher mentioning money.  They say they are tired of hearing about money.  I’m sorry, but it’s my responsibility to tell you. They were to challenge all the people to contribute something—from the poorest to the richest, the youngest to the oldest—everyone was to come together and have a part (v.5b).  Every member can and should do something.  There was an urgency (v.5c,6).  It is instructive that the temple was called “the tabernacle of witness” (v.6).  We can witness to the depth of our commitment to the Lord to our children, grandchildren, and generations to come.  We can testify to a dying world that we have a living church.  Sadly, many take that which belongs to God and give to Baal (v.7).  We choose to worship God or mammon—we cannot do both.  The chest of Joash was put in place (v.8-9).  The people gave cheerfully and abundantly (v.10-11).  The workmen were paid and God was glorified (v.12-14).  This is the Bible plan God gives us.

Sometimes we need a challenge.  As we come to the end of the year at Pole Creek, one of members has committed to give $15,000 for the ongoing mission and ministries of our church.  They are challenging the rest of us to match that—dollar for dollar above our other gifts.  May we respond joyfully!

SEIZING OPPORTUNITY

And Solomon went to Hamath Zobah and seized it.  (2 Chronicles 8:3)

One of finest roles played by the late Robin Williams was in the movie, “Dead Poets Society.”  He was cast as an English teacher, John Keating.  Perhaps the most memorable part of the movie came when Williams was challenging the young men who were his students to seize the opportunity for their lives to be extraordinary.  He discusses with the class the Latin term, “carpe diem,” (meaning “seize the day”) by pointing to pictures of students who preceded them—now dead—their voices whispering from beyond the grave, “carpe diem…carpe diem…seize the day.”  It strikes a chord with our heart because we realize our days are numbered and we have something inside us that calls us to want to make a difference during the time we have.

In the eighth chapter of 2 Chronicles, we find King Solomon seizing his opportunity with a firm grip and wringing out of it every drop of significance.  He was a man exceptionally blessed by God with resources—wisdom and wealth—yet, was extraordinarily energetic in using those gifts to the glory of God.  Solomon was an ancient Hebrew who did not know a word of Latin and who preceded “Dead Poets Society,” by almost three thousand years.  Still, he fully understood the concept of making his life extraordinary.  He was blessed to be a builder.  Eight times the words, “built” or “build” are used in these eighteen verses.  The fact is that each day we are building a legacy that will last or frittering away our time on the trivial that will erode and vanish with the passing of the years.  As some walk through life, their footprints are cast in concrete, so that long after they are dead a path is clearly established to challenge others to follow.  Then, far too many will leave footprints as those who walk along the beach, where the tides of time wash away the evidence of their existence.

Solomon built a beautiful temple for the worship of God, as well as a palace for himself (v.1), with the sacrifices and service of the altar which he organized (v.12-16).  He built cities, took territory, secured it, and established an administration to govern effectively (v.2-11).  Solomon built the economy so all the nation might share the prosperity (v.17-18).

At this point, it will be tempting to make excuses and say, “If I had the same opportunity as Solomon—if I had all that he had—I would make my mark in life also!”  Would you?  There are some Biblical principles that apply.  Jesus said, “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.”  (Luke 12:48) and “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.”  (Luke 16:10).  You are not responsible for what you cannot do—only the opportunity God gives you with the tools in your hands—and God establishes the true measure of success.  It is as eternity decides and not some earthly poll that is taken.  It may be that we labor in relative obscurity, few resources at our disposal, and little of the opportunity others have.  The real question in the end of life is, “Did I seize my opportunity?  Did I make the most of what God entrusted to me?”

Carpe diem—seize the day!

THE GLADNESS OF GIVING

 

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.  (2 Corinthians 9:7)

“Give till it hurts!”  That is the advice we often hear.  But, if we stop at that level of giving, we haven’t given enough.  We need to give until it feels good!  That’s what Paul is encouraging us to do.  In chapter eight of Second Corinthians there is a grace and a glory in giving.  Now, in chapter nine, the Apostle informs us there is a gladness in giving.  Grace is the exhibition of God’s power.  Glory is the experience of God’s presence.  Gladness is the expression of God’s praise.  That is why we gather on the Lord’s Day—for the purpose of worshipping our worthy Lord.  Our giving is an essential way that we express our worship to God. 

God is as much concerned with why we give as what we give.  Our attitude matters as much as the amount.  Underscore that last phrase in verse five, “as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation.”  The story is told about Billy Graham visiting a church service years ago.  It came time for the offering and he reached in his wallet and pulled out what he thought was a twenty dollar bill.  When he looked down, he saw he had taken out a hundred by mistake.  He fidgeted.  He knew people were watching.  What could he do?  He reluctantly tossed it in the plate.  His wife Ruth, knowing his intent and seeing him squirm, leaned over and whispered, “You only get credit for a twenty!”  Our motives matter to God.  God wants gladness.

Paul bragged on them for their desire to minister to others through giving (v.1-2).  People who are concerned for others buy Bibles, support missionaries and broadcast the Gospel.  It should make you glad to know that your giving is touching a world with love! 

Paul exhorted them to keep their promise (v.3-5).  They had committed to giving and now he expected them to honor that commitment.  We are committed to the bank, the car company, the grocery store, the electric company, the phone company, the insurance company, and on and on.  How committed are we to God’s work? 

Verse six reminds us of the law of the harvest: if you want a bumper crop then you best sow bountiful seed.  Jesus said, “Give and it shall be given you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give unto your bosom.”  If you are stingy in giving, then God will be slight in blessings.  If you are generous in giving, then God will be generous with grace.  

Don’t you want to be the kind of giver that God loves?  Then do it cheerfully (v.7)!  What would you think if one Sunday, the preacher announced, “You’ve given so much we really don’t need anymore.”  Then, we posted the ushers to hide the offering plates so no one could give!  Far-fetched?  That’s what happened in the collection to build the tabernacle during the days of Moses.  Read about it in Exodus 36:3-7. 

God ministers to us and through us as we gladly give (v.8-15).  God will provide whatever He puts in our heart to give.  Every need that arises is simply God inviting us to trust Him for Divine resources.  The giving of the Corinthians resulted in praise to God.  May God make us glad givers!

A SACRED STEWARDSHIP

Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.   (1 Corinthians 4:1)

When the word stewardship is mentioned, most people (Baptists anyway) start grabbing for their wallet, expecting a plea for more money. Without a doubt, we are stewards of our treasure, but Paul is not speaking of that here—he is talking about being a steward of the truth.  Those who are ministers of the Gospel are called to that sacred stewardship, and those who are in the membership of the church are to hold the preachers accountable to being faithful.  Faithfulness is the required attribute that must be found in those who proclaim God’s Word—faithful to preserve the integrity of the message in sound doctrine and faithful to proclaim the authority of the message in Scriptural declaration (1 Cor.4:2-3).

All followers of Christ are called to serve the Lord in some capacity.  The service of the man behind the sacred desk is the ministry of the Word.  The word servant is an interesting one.  It is a most humble term in the original language—“an under-rower”—the slaves who rowed in the bottom of a Roman galley.  It was a brutal assignment, and most did not survive long.  How is it that preachers think to promote themselves as celebrities, and demand perks and privileges?  Where do we think we are exalted to lord it over the church?  Christ is Lord of His church!  We are in the bowels of the ship of Zion, toiling for our Lord!

The preacher is a steward of mysteries—truths once hidden as buried treasure, locked away in the heart and mind of God from eternity—now unearthed in time by the Spirit’s spade.  That treasure of truth is from God.  These mysteries are not ours to tinker with and tailor to suit the self-centered hearts of sinful man!  It is God’s Word and we must hold it in reverence, bow to it in obedience, and preach it with confidence!  One day, all those who stand with a Bible in hand, will be summoned before Christ and judged according to their degree of faithfulness in this stewardship.

Paul knew what it was to be judged by men—and doubtless there were those who esteemed him very highly—and thus the temptation for devilish pride would be present.  Then, there were those who judged him most harshly—and thus the temptation for discouragement to arise.  Wisely, he refuses to listen to either.  The Apostle would not invest the time in trying to determine the accuracy of men’s opinions.  He would leave it in the hands of God (1 Cor.4:4).  So must we.  There are likely those sermons that men despise and that we think a disaster which we will discover on Judgment Day were honored by the Lord Jesus, and used in a powerful way beyond our wildest imagination.  Then, we will find that some of the sermons which received human applause will be judged as nothing, since they led to our glorying in the flesh.

May those who sit in the congregation grading the sermon as critics might review a movie, remember that they do not get the final word.  Here is Paul’s encouraging word for the pastor:

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts.  Then each one’s praise will come from God.  (1 Cor.4:5)

INVESTING IN ETERNITY

After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.  (Matthew 25:19)

When you are investing for the future, ideally you want the safest investment with the highest return.  That is a hard combination to find in the financial world.  Typically, something safe produces little return, and something that promises a high return yields great risk.  Jesus told us of the best investment—one that is absolutely safe and the yields are “out of this world!”  Investing our time, talent, and treasure in the eternal will pay eternal dividends.  He taught this many times, but the focus of this study is the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30.

In this story, the servants had a responsibility to invest the master’s wealth.  The money was not theirs—it was his—and there would be a day of accounting for their stewardship.  In that day, all else they had done would pale in comparison, to the moment when they would be summoned before their lord.  Surely, the meaning is clear.  We are like those servants.  All we have belongs to God.  To invest the precious minutes God gives, the valuable money He grants, and the special abilities He bestows on this temporal world is foolishness.  What will matter is investing in eternity.

Each servant was asked to do what he or she was capable of accomplishing.  They were entrusted with varying sums according to their master’s will.  God never asks us to do more than we are capable of accomplishing.  We are not in a competition with other servants, but to be the best servant we can be as God has distributed opportunity.

We discover that excuses are not acceptable.  Each of us is accountable.  On that day when we stand before God, what will matter?  It will not be the size of our house, the speed of our car, the style of our clothes, the sparkle of our jewelry, or the success of our business.  The discussion will not be about how many fish we caught, deer we killed, putts we made, shoes we bought, TV shows we watched, vacations we took, or hobbies we enjoyed.  I am not saying any of those things are evil, in and of themselves, but if we live for them, and are consumed with them, we will regret it at the Judgment Day.  I have quoted this at many a funeral,

“Only one life, ‘twill soon be past;

  Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

They say about money, “You can’t take it with you.”  The truth is you can send it on ahead, by investing it where thief cannot steal it, tarnish cannot dull it, and moths cannot eat it (Matt.6:19-20).  Our income is a blessing of God, and He expects wise investment.

We are blessed by the Creator with a unique blend of personality, capacities and abilities at birth.  In our second birth, we receive a select mix of spiritual gifts.  These are bestowed so we can be employed in God’s service.

The Lord has established a fixed amount of time for us on earth.  Our days are numbered and the Bible tells us to be, “redeeming the time…” (Eph.5:16).  To redeem means to exchange our days for that which is most valuable—the things of eternity.

One servant wasted his life.  He operated in fear of loss, rather than in faith.  The frightening possibility is we may stand before God without faith, and be cast out!  “We practice daily what we truly believe.  All the rest is just religious talk.”  (Peter Lord)

OUR SACRED STEWARDSHIP

Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.  (Ephesians 5:17)

Typically, when we hear the word, “stewardship,” we think about money.  That is an element of stewardship, yet, it is much more than that.  In the ancient world, a steward was a household servant entrusted with the goods of another and accountable to his master for how he managed those assets.  Therefore, we believers are servants of God, given His goods to care for and invest—time, talent, treasure—all the gifts of God bestowed on earth in view of the day of accounting in eternity.

Paul reminds us in Ephesians 5:15-17 that we are STEWARDS OF OUR STEPS.  We are to “walk circumspectly”—to be careful where we place our feet, setting them on the right path.  As a child, I learned this truth when taught to sing, “Be careful little feet where you go…There’s a Father up above, and He’s looking down in love, so be careful little feet where you go.”  God has a path for us to travel—a course established according to His will and purpose for us.  Yet, we walk through a spiritual minefield in this world of sin.  We must, therefore, walk in wisdom (v.15).  A wise walk is directed by our roadmap—the Word of God, and accessed through prayer (James 1:5).  In this walk, we treasure the time (v.16).  There is a destination called eternity and only a set number of hours on earth—so our pace must be swift and steady—not being detoured by the Devil! 

Then, we are to be STEWARDS OF OUR SANCTUARY (Eph.5:18).  Our body is the sanctuary of the Spirit (1 Cor.6:15-20).  Jesus has purchased us with His blood, and we will render an account of the deeds done in the body at the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Cor.5:6-10).  Paul tells us that there is an intoxication to be refused, “do not be drunk with wine….”  Alcohol is so dangerous that avoiding it altogether is the wisest course.  Drunkenness is dissipation—a wild and wanton waste of life.  We have all witnessed the sad result of abusing alcohol—destroying family, finances and health.  Instead, we are called to an infilling to be received, “be filled with the Spirit….”  In refusing to let your body be under the control of alcohol, yield your body to the control of the Holy Spirit!  As destructive as the former is, so delightful is the latter.  The old hymn tells us how to be filled with the Spirit, “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”

Furthermore, we are STEWARDS OF OUR SPEECH (Eph.5:19-21).  Jesus said, “for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.”  (Matt.12:36)  This has implications in our singing (v.19).  If our heart is in tune with God, then the lyrics of our lips will flow from the love for Him in our heart.  This has implications for our thanksgiving (v.20).  We bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord.  Rather than the destructive expression of grumbling, there is the constructive exclamation of gratitude.  This has implications for our submitting (v.21).  We defer to one another when we speak words that heal rather than hurt—when we consider others as to the effects of our speech.

We have a sacred stewardship—how will we invest our time, our body, and our words?

GIVING TO GAIN

 

There is one who scatters, yet increases more;

And there is one who withholds more than is right,

But it leads to poverty.  (Proverbs 11:24)

There are many paradoxes in Scripture.  In the precepts of God’s Kingdom, the way to live is to die; if we want to rise up to lead, we must stoop down to serve; if we want to have all things secure in Heaven, we must give up all things to God on earth.  We give to gain!

Such principles are contrary to the natural man’s thinking.  “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”  (1 Cor.2:14)  It requires spiritual perception to comprehend these truths.  The world has turned God’s ways upside down, while the Word will turn our thinking right-side up!

This world system has the idea that satisfaction is found in stuff—and the more stuff you can stuff in and stuff away, the more stuffed you will be—and content.  But, that is never the case.  The more you have the more you worry about keeping and no matter how much you have you want more.  The source of true contentment is to place what rightfully belongs to God in His omnipotent hands to be cared for and disbursed according to His omniscient mind—and all guided by His righteous and loving heart!

“And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”  (Acts 20:35b)  The greatest gain is not getting, but giving.  That which we selfishly clutch is wasted and gone, but that which we selflessly release is invested and preserved.  In giving, the coin of this temporal realm is exchanged for the currency of the eternal Kingdom.

There is nothing that we have that we have not received from the gracious hand of God through Christ.  “And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.”  (John 1:16)  We need to acknowledge with Job, “The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.”  (Job 1:21b)  The blessings of the Lord are many, and we deserve none of them.  Should He reach out His hand and say, “Give me that,” it is His right to claim.  Christ commanded, “Freely you have received, freely give.”  (Matt.10:8b)

May God take the gift of life and all it encompasses—that which He has given me—and now may I yield it all back to Him.  I have been given these blessings in order to be a blessing—my time, my talent, my treasure, my testimony, the truth—really all His to share with others.  Thank you, Lord, for the privilege. “Blessed be the name of the Lord!”

A RETURN ON THE INVESTMENT

 

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.  And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.  Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.  And likewise he who had received two gained two more also.  But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.  After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.  “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’  His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’  He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’  His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’  “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.  And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’  “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.  So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.  So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.  ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.  And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’  (Matthew 25:14-30)

God expects a return on His investment.  He has invested much in us—at the price of the blood of His Son.  He has given us the opportunity to live in this life in such a way that it pays dividends in eternity.  In His sovereignty, He has distributed spiritual gifts to each of His people to be employed in His service.  All God’s children are gifted children.  We are not to be in the comparison business—either envious of the gifts of others, or egotistical about our own.  The measurement of success is how we do in proportion to our capacity not how we do relative to others.  Should we seek to hoard the blessings of God and waste them in carnal passions and temporal pursuits, we squander the privilege that has been given to us.  You can spend a life on your own desires—but you will have everlasting regret.  On the other hand, if we take what God has given us here and invest it in the hereafter, we will be thankful to hear God’s commendation.  The life that glorifies God by bearing much fruit will be met with the most precious words, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things.  Enter into the joy of your lord.”  What has God given you?  What will you do with it?

OUR WORK: How Hope is Shown

"Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need." (Acts 2:43-45 NKJV)

The reality of our hope is shown in the priorities we flesh out in daily action.  We are demonstrating whether our hope is fixed on things that are eternal or that which is temporal.  We can claim we have our heart set on heaven, and yet how we invest our time, talent and treasure contradict that.

Jesus did many mighty works while on earth in His mortal body.  He would keep on working after He ascended to heaven, through His spiritual body, the church.

As seen in our text, these Christians loved each other.  They helped each other.  They shared life together.  If a man or woman faced a seemingly hopeless situation, they refused to allow it, but lifted them up and gave them hope and help.

Just read in the next chapter of a hopeless cripple, consigned to poverty, begging for a few coins outside the Temple gates.  Peter and John didn't ignore him, but intervened in the name of Jesus and his life was changed forever.  He found hope!

We still have work to do.  Help someone find hope today!

THE STANDARD FOR STEWARDS OF THE GOSPEL

So Abraham said to the oldest servant of his house, who ruled over all that he had, “Please, put your hand under my thigh, and I will make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell; but you shall go to my country and to my family, and take a wife for my son Isaac.” (Genesis 24:2-4 NKJV)

Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.  Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. (1 Cor.4:1-2 NKJV)

Abraham's servant, Eliezer was sent to find a bride for Isaac.  He sets a standard for soul-winners: devoted, dependent, discerning and decisive. We are sent into the world as God's servants to seek those who will become part of the Bride of Christ.

 It will require devotion to our mission—this required much effort on Eliezer's part, but he was a faithful steward to his duty (24:1-11). 

No matter our effort, however, we must be dependent on God's might—Eliezer called on the Lord for aid (24:12-14).

We must be discerning in our motive—Eliezer wasn't out to find just anybody, but was looking for the one God had prepared to receive the appeal (24:15-16).   If we are motivated by just recording a decision, rather than making a disciple, then our motives are wrong.

Then, we must be decisive with our message. When the opportunity presented itself, Eliezer shared his heart, and called for a decision (24:17-28). He conveyed the urgency of the choice (24:29-60) and returned successful in his task (24:61-66) with a bride presented to Isaac.

What an amazing assignment God has given to us, empowered by His Spirit, to be used to summon His Bride into a love relationship with our Lord!