4.18.10 "The Way it Works"

"The Way it Works"

Joshua 16:1-18:28
Luke 19:1-27
Psalm 87:1-7
Proverbs 13:11

Do you ever walk downstairs, and you forget why you were there or what you had gone to do? Or you find yourself in another room in the house, but you can't remember the reason you went there? It can be because old age is creeping up, but for some of us it's a way of life! It's a simple example, but when that happens, what has been forgotten is the mission. "What was the purpose I came downstairs?"

On a larger scale it's too easy to forget the purpose for our lives. It can bee too easy to forget God's plan for us and his desire for the way we live. "Purpose" is the principle of our Mission to Reach our World for Christ. Although it may seem I'm headed toward that discussion, I want to talk about "Responsibility" which is the principle of Active Ministry Involvement.

In Luke 19 Jesus tells a story that is familiar to many of us. What stood out to me today is verse 11 which tells WHY he told the story. "And because Jesus was nearing Jerusalem, he told a story to correct the impression that the Kingdom of God would begin right away." Jesus had come as the Messiah. In fact, in verse 10 he had just visited Zacchaeus and made the statement. "... and I, the Messiah, have come to search for and to save such souls as his."

Everyone began to see the that Jesus was the Messiah... the Promised one... the one who was to set up the kingdom. Everyone thought this would be a political overthrow, But Jesus knew that it was important to make sure that everyone knew the truth about how it works. This is the story he told:

"A nobleman living in a certain province was called away to the distant capital of the empire to be crowned king of his province. Before he left he called together ten assistants and gave them each $2000 to invest while he was gone. But some of his people hated him and sent him their declaration of independence, stating that they had rebelled and would not acknowledge him as their king. Upon his return he called in the men to whom he had given the money, to find out what they had done with it, and what their profits were." (vs. 12-15)

You probably remember the rest of the story. The first individual makes 10 times what he was given. The second makes 5 times as much, and the third just returns what he was given. Each one receives a reward based what they did with what they were given.

We need to apply this parable to our world today. Jesus returned to heaven after rising from the dead, and he's coming back soon. There are many of us who mistakingly are looking at his return in "political" terms. We're thinking, yeah, we'll show all those unbelievers! Yeah, we'll be free from this sinful world! That perspective isn't too far removed from the people of Jerusalem in Jesus' day. They were missing the point.

I think too often WE are missing the point. We stand at the bottom of the stairs of this life asking, "what was I here to do?" Jesus has given each of us resources. Each and every day we need to remember this. In worship we must develop a thankful heart, and realize that everything we have is from him.

THEN, we need to DO SOMETHING with what he has given us! God is going to ask you for the increase of what you have. It includes your finances, your time, your ministry, and the souls of the unbelievers he has placed in your life.

What's your answer going to be? What's mine?

We live in a society that has written God a "declaration of independence". We've thumbed our nose at God saying, "This is MY stuff!" "I don't have TIME to serve you!" "I'm going to do things MY way!" There will be a price to pay for that. In Jesus' parable, the master has the "independent" executed (vs. 27).

We have to remember the way this works. We are here with a purpose. God wants us to be responsible for everything he has put at our disposal. We MUST be good stewards! We must apply the principles of Active Ministry Involvement. We must live with the Mission To Reach our World for Christ. We Must Live the DREAM!




Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

P Greg


Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ