You Have It So You Must Use It Before You Lose It
ACCEPTABLE SERVICE
I want to suggest to you this morning that when Jesus brought you here He brought you here for a purpose, a Holy purpose an ordained reason.
Eph 4:11‑13 11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (NIV)
It was about lunch time when this well known traveling itinerant evangelist was waiting for his team members to bring back lunch for him. The rest place He was waiting at did not serve food but provide a suitable beverage. Ready to help himself He noticed an attractive woman at the rest area helping herself to a drink.
This evangelist saw an opportunity. He never restricted His outreach to the pulpit or to the masses. Never did the thought in His mind come suppose she refuses, suppose she turns me down and rejects me, what if she thinks I'm trying to hit on her or get fresh with her. He couldn't let this opportunity go by because He had a yearning in His soul for people to find out about a loving Saviour.
And so through prayer and faith He approached her. Hello there, may I have a drink also?,
John 4:9‑29 9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. 10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. 11 The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? 12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. 15 The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw. 16 Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. 17 The woman answered,, and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: 18 For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly. 19 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. 21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. 25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ:,when he is come, he will tell us all things. 26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. 27 And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her? 28 The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, 29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? (KJV)
She recognize in Him a sincerity of heart and purpose one who was there to help and encourage. The Bible says she left her water jar and went away into the city and said come, see a man who told me everything I ever done is this not the Christ?
She came a sinner and turned instant evangelist a metamorphic change happens when somebody meets Jesus and excepts the changes He brings into ones life. We are not the same our attitude changes toward God and man.
John 4:13‑14 13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (KJV)
Something happens when people allow Christ to change their lives, something happens when people experience the power of the Spirit in their heart,
Prophet says there is fire shut up in my bones, Isaiah said "Here am I Lord send me" Paul said "Woe is me if I preach not the Gospel" John cries out aloud in the last book of the last chapter of scripture "the Spirit and the bride say Come! And let him that heareth say, Come." then the Evangelist in him says "And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Rev 22:17
The songwriter says there is something within me that holdeth the reins something within I cannot explain, something within me that vanishes pain all that I know praise God Almighty I got something within me.
"Every true disciple is born into the Kingdom of God as a missionary. No sooner does he come to know the Saviour than he desires to make others acquainted with Him. The saving, sanctifying truth cannot be shut up in the heart. " Ministry of Healing. p. 102
1 Cor 12:4‑11 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. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. (NIV)
Why does God do this?
Let me read this passage in the New International Version.
Eph 4:11‑13 11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (NIV)
Please recognize the reasons Eph 4 One 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up (Gifts ‑ Service) Two 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (NIV) (Fruit ‑ Sanctification)
I Cor 12
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. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. (NIV)
Brethren if you have been saved by Jesus then there is something that you can do. Do you know what it is? Not only is there desire but there is ability! Some of us have such low self esteem we can't do anything but the Bible says he has given gifts to all, it's up to us to find out what it is?
Now brethren I want to take the time to say something very important. There are two things that we receive from the Spirit of God that grows with our Christian experience and relationship with God.
They are the gifts of the Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit.
Gal 5:22 mentions the fruit it says
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self‑control. Against such things there is no law.
One has to do with character,, the other service. You can't have one without the other. And both come when we accept Jesus as our personal Saviour and Lord continuing the relationship with Him day by day. Some still are of the opinion that only the talented can give success to the work of God.
"Success depends not so much on talent as on energy and willingness. It is not the possessions of splendid talents that enables us to render acceptable service; but the conscientious performance of daily duties, the contented spirit, the unaffected, sincere interest in the welfare of others. In the humblest lot true excellence may be found The commonness tasks, wrought with loving faithfulness, are beautiful in God's sight. "‑prophets and Kings, p. 219
It is in those who have a true relationship with Jesus that counts and that is how the work will be finished.
Some believe wealth and education give success to the work (voted years) or what I eat or how I speak carefully makes me God's man or woman.
Some think just because they don't have great talent they can't do anything for God. God doesn't need ability He needs a willing soul. God doesn't need strength He just needs a channel in which He will work His purposes and will.
No matter how small you feel your contribution is in God's hands it does tremendous things.
Jesus took a simple bag lunch, 5 loaves and two fish and fed 5,000. The widows mite was a blessing of faith to her life and others.
Songwriter says God uses just plain old ordinary people, little becomes much when you place it in the master's hand.
Don't say your not holy enough to be used. Matthew was a publican, Simon a fiery Zealot a hater of Roman authority. Peter was impulsive and prejudice, Judas mean spirited Thomas timid and fearful, Phillip slow of heart and inclined to doubt, and John and James were outspoken, rash and hard at times with their brethren. And all were seeking head positions among themselves.
Although each of these men had good qualities they had serious faults when Jesus called them to His service.
God takes men as they are, with the human elements in their character, and trains them for His service, if they will be disciplined and learn of Him. They are not chosen because they are perfect, but notwithstanding their imperfections, that through the knowledge and practice OF THE TRUTH, through the grace of Christ, they may become transformed into His image
But now we have to allow God to use that which He has given us to use. Not everybody can do certain things.
We feel that we must do certain things if we are to be Christians (Preach or sing) (Sis Duzant)
It is not loud singing that is needed, but clear intonation, correct pronunciation, and distinct utterance. Let all take time to cultivate the voice so that God’s praise can be sung in clear, soft tones, not with harshness and shrillness that offend the ear. The ability to sing is the gift of God; let it be used to His glory. {9T 143.3}[1]
Not everybody can sing, it's not everybody that can preach, not everybody can cook, not everybody who has the gift of hospitality, but everybody can be kind.
Neither is anyone everything in God's church. We all play a certain part in His work.
1 Cor 12:18‑19 18 But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? (NIV)
All of us play an important and different part in the plan of salvation.
And did you get the key in that quote" It is not the possessions of splendid talents that enables us to render acceptable service; No wonder David said Let the words of my mouth and the meditations ...
I am amazed when I see people who have talent to sing and at times you have to literally beg them to sing. They have an indifferent attitude as though "I'll sing when I want to sing" or the crowd has to be a large enough crowd.
They sing to get the praise of men not to the glory of God, they don't look at music as a ministry but an opportunity for theatrical performance.
(How people sing, Guy in Montreal) (Choir in Montreal) (To get amen's)
Some people have talent but they don't have gifts. But only the Spirit can give it as a gift for the ministry of God to bless souls. So their talent may be a gift, but both come from God.
It is better that they don't sing. There are countless others who have great abilities and are moved to service when they feel like serving not because they love Jesus,, they have to be prompted to do anything for God not because it's a part of them and some of the folk feel that they are indispensable, no one is.
I use to think we need more people to get the work done in our neighborhood to preach the gospel and win souls. I use to feel that we needed the largest majority of our church members to be involved in completing the work God wants us to completed in our section of the Bronx. Now my attitude is whosoever loves Jesus COME ON!
"Ten truly converted, willing‑minded, unselfish workers can do more in the missionary field than one hundred who confine their efforts to set forms, and preserve mechanical rules, working without deep love for souls. Testimonies, vol. 2 p. 135
(Jesus often withdrew . . . Lk 5:16, 17; 6:12) Church work will mislead you. You think you are saved when the opposite is true. (Matt 7:21) and we begin to believe we are indispensable.
Now my attitude is just like the Saviour gives the sinner the call to be saved so is the Spirit giving God's people (identified as the Laodicean Church) the invitation to come alive and receive the Spirits power and awake to unite in love and win others, so that they can develop a Christ like character and be saved.
So when you hear the minister or church officers asking people to become involved, in the work of the church, it's an opportunity to allow Jesus to save your soul.
"The Spirit will move like it did on Pentecost and God's people will grow in there relationship with Him and unite in love for one another and for service for mankind. even uneducated adults and children will be impelled to give this message from heaven, and multitudes will "receive the faith and join the armies of the Lord. " (Evangelism, p. 700)
God doesn't need us we need God.
And yet some are content by just sitting around and doing nothing thinking just coming to church is sufficient, when the plea is made for service it's not made to get more people involved it's an invitation to save your soul! God can complete His purposes with 10 just as He could with 100.
We cannot grow without experiencing service for Christ in our lives.
"Those who endeavor to maintain Christian life by passively accepting the blessings that come through the means of grace, and doing nothing for Christ, are simply trying to live by eating without working ... a man who would refuse to exercise his limbs would soon lose all power to use them. Thus the Christian who will not exercise his God‑given powers not only fails to grow up into Christ, But He loses the strength that he already has. Steps to Christ pp. 80,81
Some of you think oh why this man come in hear and preaching about evangelism. I'm just telling you what happens when people are changed by Jesus.
(Fruit)
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,, 23 gentleness and self‑control. Against such things there is no law.
Fruit and Gifts—Holy Ghost ministry that produces service that is acceptable to God.
It’s not just working in the church in other words some people think just because they have been here longer than most of us and been drinking that soybean juice their life getting up every morning studying their S.S. lesson coming to church with their holy snobbish attitude wondering how the rest of us are going to be saved they're in some serious trouble!
(Matthew 7:21-23)
(Daniel, Isaiah, Moses)
And it’s the devil that tries to get us fighting against each other, wasting God's time on these boards, committee's talking about the paint and toilet tissue and this or that.
And while we fight Satan is laughing at us and somebody is in trouble ... someone is hurting! Whether in the church or outside. (These are used to help us inside too!) (Church Members I would never tell!)
"Satan uses the listless, sleepy indolence of professed Christians to strengthen his forces and win souls to his side. many who think that though they are doing no actual work for Christ, they are yet on His side, are enabling the enemy to pre‑occupy ground and gain advantages. By their failure to be diligent workers for the Master, by leaving duties undone and words unspoken, they have allowed Satan to gain control of souls who might have been won for Christ. " Christ Object Lessons. p. 280
Righteousness by Garlic
The church it seems is just a game show where people argue about topics
(Sometimes the Pastor ends up playing the role of Alex Trebec
Reverence in the Sanctuary for 30
The Young People in the Halls not coming to A.Y. for 50
I’ll take Health Message for 20
Double Jeopardy)
WHAT IS THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH? (MATT 28:19, 20 – Luke 19:10)
Rev 12:9-11
9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
KJV
And God wants to come wants to wake up His sleeping saints . . .
God is buying time (Merciful, long‑suffering)
(Devil)
Gen 3:15
15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
KJV
Heb 2:14
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
KJV
That fox has nothing on me!
Gone on to heaven!
Assemble a team a dream team on earth to finish the work!
Grace, mercy
Strength and power – Growth, Finishing the Gospel
Isaiah 1:18
18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
KJV
(The Dream Team)
How about it? We kick some Satan Booty!
Fruit – grow in Jesus, use your time, talent, temple and treasure for Him!
Gifts – are abilities that are used to strengthen Christians and win souls. Holy Spirit gives to whom He chooses!
Because of the fact that all who are Christians are enable with gifts, and also the Holy Ghost tries to strengthen their lives through the fruit of the Spirit... then those Christians who do not follow through with their relationship with God are not empowered to use those gifts God has given them (fruits) thus resulting in souls lost from Christ.
Ellen White says that Christians who do this must meet the souls that have been neglected. It will be a terrible thing to find out in judgment that one has to suffer for the lost of his own soul but the lost of others is more tragic.
Eph 4:11‑13 11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (NIV)
Everyone who names the name of Christ has it. It's just there in Him because God's Spirit is living inside. The fruits and the gifts of the Spirit of God. One is for the building 'of character and the other is for winning lost humanity and encouraging those who have already made their choice for God to stick with God. It is a natural result of a relationship with Jesus.
Ellen White says in
6t p. 425 "The ability God has given, if not exercised, degenerates.
YOU HAVE IT, SO YOU MUST USE IT BEFORE YOU LOSE IT.
After the Samaritan woman left Jesus changed the Bible gives this account of what happen.
John 4:31‑37 31 Meanwhile his disciples urged him, "Rabbi, eat something." 3 2 But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about." 33 Then his disciples said to each other, "Could someone have brought him food?" 34 "My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. 35 Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. 36 Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.
Is your will the same as Jesus? Do you have a burden for Souls? Are you using by God's grace the gifts He has given you for others? Are you being strengthen by Him changed day by day or are you just going through the routine?
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[1]Testimonies for the Church, Volume 9. 1855; 2002 (Page 144). Pacific Press Publishing Association.