The Mine

Introduction

To meet an early Christian or a true Christian of any age

Consumed with Jesus - “Jesus Christ” four times in first three verses

2 Corinthians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,”

Why?

Message

This is what Jesus offers (1.3-6a)?

Born again to a living hope (1.3).

Opposed to hoping in things that die, do not matter.

One may plan to graduate, make money, family, vacation, and die.

The Christian life really begins when all other hopes end (double-meaning).

Born again to an imperishable inheritance, undefiled, unfading, kept (1.4)

Imperishable - it can’t corrupt or be destroyed

Undefiled - no stain, nothing unlikable about it

Unfading - never loses its appeal (new car, new relationship, new job)

What awaits you is under constant guard.

Born again and guarded by God for the new universe (1.5)

You are under constant guard by God himself.

All is FOR your coming salvation.

In this, you rejoice - the idea of excessive rejoicing. So excited.

This “little while” is shaping your eternity (1.6b-7).

You will never go all in for Jesus until you go all in for Jesus.

You will never weep to see God’s face until you prove that your faith is real, genuine.

Christians in tribulation know what those at ease do not, the faith was never about your “best life now.”

Things happen for a reason, and that reason is to save souls.

Living through the struggle for Jesus, defines your eternity, your reward, and judgment.

This message will either excite you or it will not (1.8-9).

There is no third option

You can hear it and save your social and economic well-being and enjoyments.

You can hear it and trade everything for Jesus.

I don’t know why some flip the switch and others do not.

I beg you to embrace him, to pray for a heart consumed for him until you get it.

An indicator of your decision, is found in the things you value.

Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Conclusion

Gold mining

Sutter’s mill

January 24, 1848, gold was discovered at a sawmill in North Carolina.

Eventually, more than 30,000 people were mining for gold in North Carolina.

California’s gold rush

March 1848, California’s population was 157,000.

In 20 months, it increased by 100,000 - in roughly 5 years it increased by 300,000

People came from all around the world.

The sacrifices:

A single egg - $25, coffee: over $100 per pound, boots: $2,500

They moved rock, dug dirt, waded into freezing streams.

They borrowed money, mortgaged homes, or spent their life savings.

They lost fingernails, got sick, suffered malnutrition, died of disease or by accident

Only a small number became rich, and the back-breaking work left most penniless.

We will sacrifice everything for a chance at a better life for us and our family.

In an economy of faith, the currency of the kingdom is soul. Only they matter.

Mark 8:36–37 “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul?”

We know why we are here, to know Jesus and make him known.

Open your hands and let everything else fall out.

Instead of asking what is the reason behind this or that.

Know you were born into a broken world, but you are reborn.

And ask, how will God use this situation to save souls.

People we know and love and those we do not are dying lost.

The world is barreling toward death at a speed of 6,000 souls an hour.

The gold mines are there. Will you mortgage the house and do the back-breaking work it takes to find souls for God?