What Are You Doing
WHAT ARE YOU DOING? MT. 25:14-30 JANUARY 20, 2008 BBC: STEWARDSHIP.
MATTHEW 25:14-18 14 1 FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AS A MAN TRAVELING INTO A FAR COUNTRY, WHO CALLED HIS OWN SERVANTS, AND DELIVERED UNTO THEM HIS GOODS. 15 AND UNTO ONE HE GAVE FIVE TALENTS, TO ANOTHER TWO, AND TO ANOTHER ONE; TO EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS SEVERAL 1 ABILITY; AND STRAIGHTWAY TOOK HIS JOURNEY. 16 THEN HE THAT HAD RECEIVED THE FIVE TALENTS WENT AND TRADED WITH THE SAME, AND MADE THEM OTHER FIVE TALENTS. 17 AND LIKEWISE HE THAT HAD RECEIVED TWO, HE ALSO GAINED OTHER TWO. 18 BUT HE THAT HAD RECEIVED ONE WENT AND DIGGED IN THE EARTH, AND HID HIS LORD'S MONEY.
INTRO: PURPOSE OF STEWARDSHIP - WOULD YOU CALL THE FARMER FAITHFUL WHO DIDN’T CARE ENOUGH TO CULTIVATE, WEED, AND SPRAY HIS FIELDS AFTER THE SEED WAS PLANTED? HE SHOULD CHANGE HIS METHODS IF HE’S NOT GETTING AN ADEQUATE YIELD OF PRODUCE. THE PURPOSE OF FARMING IS TO RAISE A GOOD CROP, AND THE PURPOSE OF STEWARDSHIP IS TO MULTIPLY THE INVESTMENT ENTRUSTED TO A MANAGER BY HIS EMPLOYER. CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP ENTAILS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF INVESTING WHATEVER TIME, TALENTS, AND POSSESSIONS GOD HAS GIVEN US TO YIELD THE BEST RETURNS TO HIM.
EXPL: THE BOOK OF MATTHEW REMINDS US THAT JESUS IS THE KING; NOT ONLY KING, BUT KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. AND THE KING HAS COME TO PROCLAIM AND HERALD BLESSINGS UPON US. IN THE FIRST PORTION OF THE BOOK...THE KING COMES, HERE YE, HERE YE...JOHN THE BAPTIST PREACHES AND PROCLAIMS, REPENT FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND.
WE ARE CALLED TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD; NOT A KINGDOM OF EARTHLY GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION....A STATE BETWEEN DENVER AND NEVADA...BUT A STATE OF MIND; ATTITUDE AND PERCEPTION BASED ON A CHANGE OF HEART THAT IS TURNED TOWARD JESUS, THE KING.
JESUS PICKS UP THE MESSAGE MANTLE AND TOO PREACHES...REPENT FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND...MT. 3:3. JESUS SAYS....YOU ARE BLESSED! BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT, FOR THERE IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
WHEN WE PRAY...WE KNEEL BESIDE THE THRONE AND PRAY, “LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL, FOR THINE IN THE KINGDOM... MT. 6:13.
WHEN WE PRESS TO MAKE A NAME FOR OURSELVES, AND STRIVE FOR SUCCESS...KING JESUS SAYS, “BUT SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD, AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS; AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU. MT. 6:33
AND IF WE PRESS WITHOUT A CHANGE OF HEART, FROM THAT OF STONE TO A SOFT HEART TOWARD OUR SAVIOR...BE ARE WARNED, “NOT EVERYONE WHO SAITH UNTO, LORD, LORD, SHALL ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM.
JESUS TEACHES THESE TRUTHS VIA PARABLES, EARTHLY MESSAGE WITH HEAVENLY TRUTH. FROM MT. 13 TO 25..
HE SAID THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS LIKE....
1. SOWER AND THE SOILS
2. WHEAT AND THE TARES
3. MUSTARD SEED AND
4. YEAST OF LEAVEN
5. HIDDEN TREASURE,
6. THE PEARL OF PRICELESS MEASURE AND
7. THE GREAT CATCH OF FISH.
8. THE TEN VIRGINS; FIVE WISE AND FIVE FOOLISH
9. THE SHEEP AND THE GOATS
AND FOR US HERE....10. THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS
PROP: IT’S NOT WHAT WE HAVE BUT WHAT WE DO WITH IT.
IT’S NOT THE NUMBER OF OUR DAYS...BUT WHAT WE DO IN OUR DAYS.
IT IS NOT THE NUMBER OF TALENTS... BUT WHAT WE DO WITH THE TALENTS.
IT IS NOT THE NUMBER OF OUR TREASURE...BUT WHAT WE DO WITH OUR TREASURE.
PROP: USE YOU TALENTS WELL
INTER: WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR TALENTS?
TS: AS WE LOOK AT THIS PASSAGE WE WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO USE OUR TALENTS WELL....BECAUSE;
MP. I. GOD ENTRUST US HIS RESOURCES. V.14-18 IT IS LIKE A MAN GOING ON AN EXTENDED TRIP. HE CALLS HIS SERVANTS TOGETHER AND DELEGATES RESPONSIBILITY. HE GAVE ONE 5G’S, TO ANOTHER 2G’S AND TO A THIRD ONE 1 G DEPENDING ON THEIR ABILITIES. THEN HE LEFT AND RIGHT AWAY THE FIRST AND SECOND STEWARDS, SERVANTS WENT TO WORD AND DOUBLED THEIR MASTER’S INVESTMENT. BUT THE THIRD...MAN WITH THE 1 G, DUG A WHOLE AND CAREFULLY BURIED HIS MATER’S MONEY.
A TALENT IS A TRUST, NOT MINE BUT GOD’S
A TALENT IS A TEST, FUTURE RESPONSIBILITY IS TIED TO PRESENT FAITHFULNESS.
HE CALLED.....YES, HE HAS CALLED US TO HIMSELF
HE DELIVERED...HANDED OVER THAT WHICH IS HIS
HE GAVE. AND GAVE...TO US AS A TALENT: NORMALLY A MEASURE OF WEIGHT 60 TO 80 POUNDS AND COULD BE GIVEN VIA GOLD, SILVER OR COPPER. ..
GOLD = MILLIONS
SILVER =THOUSANDS
COPPER = HUNDREDS
IT REPRESENTS A LARGE SUM OF MONEY...
IMP. GOD GIVES ACCORDING TO HIS SOVEREIGN WILL; ALTHOUGH GOD IS A GOD OF ORDER, AND VARIETY HE DOES...NOT GIVE EVERYONE THE SAME THING. WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT, THERE IS NO ONE THE SAME, AND EACH PERSON HAS AND DEVELOPS SKILLS, HAS ABILITIES AND TALENTS BASED ON THE WILL OF GOD.
THUS ACCORDING TO THE SOVEREIGN WILL OF GOD, HE GIVES TO US. AS HE WILL...TIME, TALENTS AND TREASURE. GOD GIVES AND WE ARE TO BE GOOD STEWARDS; TIME. TIME WILL TELL; TIME...TIME IS PRECIOUS; TIME...TIME IS SHORT. WE ARE CALLED TO LIVE. HERE, NOW AND TODAY...IN LIGHT OF ETERNITY. WE ARE CALLED TO LIVE...BEING ABLE TO NAVIGATE BETWEEN MINUTES, HOURS AND DAYS OF CHRONS TIME WHILE BEING SENSITIVE TO THE STRATEGIC, EPOCH SEASONS OF OPPORTUNITY WHEN GOD SHOWS US ...IN WHAT WE CALL THE FULLNESS OF TIME.
GOD GIVES US, AS KINGDOM PEOPLE, THE SAINTS OF GOD....
HIS WORD; PROMISE, CHURCH, COMMAND TO MAKE DISCIPLES, A NEW HEART, NEW LIFE; SPIRITUAL GIFTS; HIS POWER HIS LOVE; HIS JOY; HIS PEACE. WE ARE IN A SO TO SPEAK...”LIMITED PARTNERSHIP” AS CO-LABORERS WITH CHRIST AN UNIQUE MIX OF THE INTANGIBLE AND TANGIBLE.
TEXT: IT SAYS TO US THAT ALL I AM OR EVER HOPE TO BE I OWE IT ALL TO THE LORD.
FOR EVERY GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT COMES FROM ABOVE, AND COMETH DOWN FROM THE FATHER OF LIGHTS WITH WHOM IS ON VARIABLENESS, NEITHER SHADOW OF TURNING.
BECAUSE THE EARTH IS THE LORD’S AND THE FULLNESS THERE OF; THE WORLD AND THEY THAT DWELL THERE IN PS. 24:1.
1 CORINTHIANS 7:17 1 BUT AS GOD HATH DISTRIBUTED TO EVERY MAN, AS THE LORD HATH 2 CALLED EVERY ONE, SO LET HIM WALK. AND SO ORDAIN IN ALL CHURCHES.
1 CORINTHIANS 12:1-7 1 CORINTHIANS 12:1 NOW CONCERNING SPIRITUAL GIFTS, BRETHREN, I DO NOT WANT YOU TO BE IGNORANT: 2 YOU KNOW THAT YOU WERE GENTILES, CARRIED AWAY TO THESE DUMB IDOLS, HOWEVER YOU WERE LED. 3 THEREFORE I MAKE KNOWN TO YOU THAT NO ONE SPEAKING BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD CALLS JESUS ACCURSED, AND NO ONE CAN SAY THAT JESUS IS LORD EXCEPT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. 4 THERE ARE DIVERSITIES OF GIFTS, BUT THE SAME SPIRIT. 5 THERE ARE DIFFERENCES OF MINISTRIES, BUT THE SAME LORD. 6 AND THERE ARE DIVERSITIES OF ACTIVITIES, BUT IT IS THE SAME GOD WHO WORKS ALL IN ALL. 7 BUT THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SPIRIT IS GIVEN TO EACH ONE FOR THE PROFIT OF ALL:
1 CORINTHIANS 12:11 BUT ALL THESE WORKETH THAT ONE AND THE SELFSAME SPIRIT, DIVIDING TO EVERY MAN SEVERALLY AS HE WILL.
1 PETER 4:10 1 AS EVERY MAN HATH RECEIVED THE GIFT, EVEN SO MINISTER THE SAME ONE TO ANOTHER, 2, AS GOOD STEWARDS OF THE MANIFOLD GRACE OF GOD. 11 1 IF ANY MAN SPEAK, LET HIM SPEAK AS THE ORACLES OF GOD; IF ANY MAN MINISTER, LET HIM DO IT AS OF THE ABILITY WHICH GOD GIVETH: THAT GOD IN ALL THINGS MAY BE GLORIFIED THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, TO WHOM BE PRAISE AND DOMINION FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN.
GOD GIVES US SOMETHING TO WORK WITH...THE INTANGIBLE AND THE TOOL.
CONSIDER GOD’S GIFTS TO US...
JUBAL WAS BLESSED TO BE A MUSICIAN
NIMROD WAS A MASTER BUILDER
ABRAHAM AND LOT WERE SHEPHERDS
JOSEPH AND DANIEL WAS AN INTERPRETER OF DREAMS
NEHEMIAH WAS A LEADER
DAVID WAS A SHEPHERD, MUSICIAN, WARRIOR AND KING
LYDIA WAS A SELLER OF PURPLE...
PETER, JAMES AND JOHN EXPERT FISHERMAN
AND JESUS...HE WAS PRIEST, PROPHET AND KING.
CHRIST GIVES TO ALL OF US...AS PAUL SAYS, GRACE ACCORDING
TO THE MEASURE OF THE GIFT OF CHRIST.
GOD EQUIPS AND ENABLES US....GAVE SOMETHING FROM HIS HAND TO THEIRS
MOSES A ROD
GIDEON, HORNS AND CLAY POTS
JOSHUA, THE MARCH
ESTHER, BEAUTY AND BRAINS
DAVID, SLING SHOT AND A STAFF
APP: TRY NEW STIFF, DO A SELF INVENTORY TO SEE WHAT ...ARE YOUR
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
LIKE AND DISLIKES
GIFTS AND SKILLS
EFFECTIVES AND INEPTNESS
GET FEEDBACK ...
WHAT EVER YOU DO...DO SOMETHING, JUST MAKE SURE IT FITS HOW YOU ARE WIRED.
ILL: THE SPRINGFIELD, OREGON, PUBLIC SCHOOLS NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED AN ARTICLE THAT CAUGHT MY EYE SOME TIME AGO. AS I READ IT, IT STRUCK ME THAT I WAS READING A PARABLE OF FAMILIAR FRUSTRATION IN THE CHRISTIAN HOME AND THE BODY OF CHRIST TODAY.
ONCE UPON A TIME, THE ANIMALS DECIDED THEY SHOULD DO SOMETHING MEANINGFUL TO MEET THE PROBLEMS OF THE NEW WORLD. SO THEY ORGANIZED A SCHOOL.
THEY ADOPTED AN ACTIVITY CURRICULUM OF RUNNING, CLIMBING, SWIMMING, AND FLYING. TO MAKE IT EASIER TO ADMINISTER THE CURRICULUM, ALL THE ANIMALS TOOK ALL THE SUBJECTS.
THE DUCK WAS EXCELLENT IN SWIMMING; IN FACT, BETTER THAN HIS INSTRUCTOR, BUT HE MADE ONLY PASSING GRADES IN FLYING, AND WAS VERY POOR IN RUNNING. SINCE HE WAS SLOW IN RUNNING, HE HAD TO DROP SWIMMING AND STAY AFTER SCHOOL TO PRACTICE RUNNING. THIS CAUSED HIS WEB FEET TO BE BADLY WORN, SO THAT HE WAS ONLY AVERAGE IN SWIMMING. BUT AVERAGE WAS QUITE ACCEPTABLE, SO NOBODY WORRIED ABOUT THAT—EXCEPT THE DUCK.
THE RABBIT STARTED AT THE TOP OF HIS CLASS IN RUNNING, BUT DEVELOPED A NERVOUS TWITCH IN HIS LEG MUSCLES BECAUSE OF SO MUCH MAKE-UP WORK IN SWIMMING.
THE SQUIRREL WAS EXCELLENT IN CLIMBING, BUT HE ENCOUNTERED CONSTANT FRUSTRATION IN FLYING CLASS BECAUSE HIS TEACHER MADE HIM START FROM THE GROUND UP INSTEAD OF FROM THE TREETOP DOWN. HE DEVELOPED CHARLEY HORSES FROM OVEREXERTION, AND SO ONLY GOT A C IN CLIMBING AND A D IN RUNNING.
THE EAGLE WAS A PROBLEM CHILD AND WAS SEVERELY DISCIPLINED FOR BEING A NONCONFORMIST. IN CLIMBING CLASSES HE BEAT ALL THE OTHERS TO THE TOP OF THE TREE, BUT INSISTED ON USING HIS OWN WAY TO GET THERE.…
THE OBVIOUS MORAL OF THE STORY IS A SIMPLE ONE: EACH CREATURE HAS ITS OWN SET OF CAPABILITIES IN WHICH IT WILL NATURALLY EXCEL—UNLESS IT IS EXPECTED OR FORCED TO FILL A MOLD THAT DOESN’T FIT. WHAT IS TRUE OF CREATURES IN THE FOREST IS TRUE OF CHRISTIANS IN THE FAMILY. GOD HAS NOT MADE US ALL THE SAME. IT’S OK TO BE YOU … SO RELAX. ENJOY YOUR OWN CAPABILITIES, CULTIVATE YOUR OWN STYLE. APPRECIATE THE MEMBERS OF YOUR FAMILY OR YOUR FELLOWSHIP FOR WHO THEY ARE, EVEN THOUGH THEIR OUTLOOK OR STYLE MAY BE MILES DIFFERENT FROM YOURS. RABBITS DON’T FLY. EAGLES DON’T SWIM. DUCKS LOOK FUNNY TRYING TO CLIMB. SQUIRRELS DON’T HAVE FEATHERS. STOP COMPARING!
—CHARLES R. SWINDOLL, GROWING STRONG IN THE SEASONS OF LIFE
MP. II. GOD EXPECTS US TO GIVE A REPORT V. 19-28
AFTER A LONG ABSENCE THE MASTER CAME BACK TO SETTLE UP AND RECKON THE ACCOUNTS. THE FIRST TWO SERVANTS DOUBLE HIS INVESTMENT AND WAS COMMENDED WITH GOOD WORK...YOU DID YOU JOB WELL. FROM NOW ON ...WE ARE IN PARTNERSHIP. BUT THE ONE WHO HAD ONE THOUSAND...HE SAID, MASTER I KNOW YOUR HIGH STANDARDS AND YOU HATE CARELESS WAYS, THAT YOU DEMAND THE BEST AND MAKE NO ALLOWANCES FOR ERROR. I WAS AFRAID I MIGHT DISAPPOINT YOU AND FOUND A PLACE TO HIDE AND SECURE YOUR MONEY...HE IT IS SAFE AND SOUND. THE MASTER WAS FURIOUS....IT’S A TERRIBLE WAY TO LIVE. NOT DOING AT LEAST THE LEAST AND RECEIVED A LITTLE INTEREST.
IMP. READY OR NOT ...HER GOD COMES...HE WILL RETURN....HE GOD WILL RETURN; HE WILL RETURN...: EXPECT IT.
REPORT- THERE WILL BE A DAY OF RECKONING. THUS BE PREPARED FOR IT.
RESPONSE – THERE WILL BE A RESPONSE; COMMENDATION OR CONDEMNATION...COUNT ON IT.
IMP. GOOD STEWARDS WHO MANAGE GOD’S STUFF WELL...RECEIVE GOOD THINGS FROM GOD. YES..HARD WORK PAYS FOR IT SELF AND IT HONORS GOD.
PROV. 3 FAVOR WITH GOD; PROVERBS 3:3-14 3 LET NOT MERCY AND TRUTH FORSAKE YOU; BIND THEM AROUND YOUR NECK, WRITE THEM ON THE TABLET OF YOUR HEART, 4 AND SO FIND FAVOR AND HIGH ESTEEM IN THE SIGHT OF GOD AND MAN. 5 TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING; 6 IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, AND HE SHALL DIRECT YOUR PATHS. 7 DO NOT BE WISE IN YOUR OWN EYES; FEAR THE LORD AND DEPART FROM EVIL. 8 IT WILL BE HEALTH TO YOUR FLESH, AND STRENGTH TO YOUR BONES. 9 HONOR THE LORD WITH YOUR POSSESSIONS, AND WITH THE FIRST FRUITS OF ALL YOUR INCREASE; 10 SO YOUR BARNS WILL BE FILLED WITH PLENTY, AND YOUR VATS WILL OVERFLOW WITH NEW WINE. 11 MY SON, DO NOT DESPISE THE CHASTENING OF THE LORD, NOR DETEST HIS CORRECTION; 12 FOR WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE CORRECTS, JUST AS A FATHER THE SON IN WHOM HE DELIGHTS. 13 HAPPY IS THE MAN WHO FINDS WISDOM, AND THE MAN WHO GAINS UNDERSTANDING; 14 FOR HER PROCEEDS ARE BETTER THAN THE PROFITS OF SILVER, AND HER GAIN THAN FINE GOLD.
PROVERBS 31:10-31 10 WHO CAN FIND A VIRTUOUS WIFE? FOR HER WORTH IS FAR ABOVE RUBIES. 11 THE HEART OF HER HUSBAND SAFELY TRUSTS HER; SO HE WILL HAVE NO LACK OF GAIN. 12 SHE DOES HIM GOOD AND NOT EVIL ALL THE DAYS OF HER LIFE. 13 SHE SEEKS WOOL AND FLAX, AND WILLINGLY WORKS WITH HER HANDS. 14 SHE IS LIKE THE MERCHANT SHIPS, SHE BRINGS HER FOOD FROM AFAR. 15 SHE ALSO RISES WHILE IT IS YET NIGHT, AND PROVIDES FOOD FOR HER HOUSEHOLD, AND A PORTION FOR HER MAIDSERVANTS. 16 SHE CONSIDERS A FIELD AND BUYS IT; FROM HER PROFITS SHE PLANTS A VINEYARD. 17 SHE GIRDS HERSELF WITH STRENGTH, AND STRENGTHENS HER ARMS. 18 SHE PERCEIVES THAT HER MERCHANDISE IS GOOD, AND HER LAMP DOES NOT GO OUT BY NIGHT. 19 SHE STRETCHES OUT HER HANDS TO THE DISTAFF, AND HER HAND HOLDS THE SPINDLE. 20 SHE EXTENDS HER HAND TO THE POOR, YES, SHE REACHES OUT HER HANDS TO THE NEEDY. 21 SHE IS NOT AFRAID OF SNOW FOR HER HOUSEHOLD, FOR ALL HER HOUSEHOLD IS CLOTHED WITH SCARLET. 22 SHE MAKES TAPESTRY FOR HERSELF; HER CLOTHING IS FINE LINEN AND PURPLE. 23 HER HUSBAND IS KNOWN IN THE GATES, WHEN HE SITS AMONG THE ELDERS OF THE LAND. 24 SHE MAKES LINEN GARMENTS AND SELLS THEM, AND SUPPLIES SASHES FOR THE MERCHANTS. 25 STRENGTH AND HONOR ARE HER CLOTHING; SHE SHALL REJOICE IN TIME TO COME. 26 SHE OPENS HER MOUTH WITH WISDOM, AND ON HER TONGUE IS THE LAW OF KINDNESS. 27 SHE WATCHES OVER THE WAYS OF HER HOUSEHOLD, AND DOES NOT EAT THE BREAD OF IDLENESS. 28 HER CHILDREN RISE UP AND CALL HER BLESSED; HER HUSBAND ALSO, AND HE PRAISES HER: 29 "MANY DAUGHTERS HAVE DONE WELL, BUT YOU EXCEL THEM ALL." 30 CHARM IS DECEITFUL AND BEAUTY IS PASSING, BUT A WOMAN WHO FEARS THE LORD, SHE SHALL BE PRAISED. 31 GIVE HER OF THE FRUIT OF HER HANDS, AND LET HER OWN WORKS PRAISE HER IN THE GATES.
GOOD STEWARDS ARE FRUITFUL....AND FAITHFUL...THEY CULTIVATE...
BAD STEWARDS ARE MISMANAGERS AND HAVE A FOOLISH MINDSET;
IT’S CRIMINAL TO LIVE SO CAUTIOUSLY THAT WE DON’T STEP OUT ON FAITH.
AFRAID..EXCUSES AND BLAME SHIFTED
HID – ESCAPE AND EXERCISED THE OATMEAL BOX METHOD OF INVESTING
WICKED – EVIL AND HAD A JUDAS MINDSET...IT REALLY WONT HURT...AND IF HE NEVER COMES BACK. IT’S ALL MINE.
LAZY – EVASIVE – AND SKIRTED RESPONSIBILITY; DIDN’T TAKE TIME TO REGISTER HIS MASTER RESOURCES.
PROVERBS 10:4 HE BECOMETH POOR THAT DEALETH WITH A SLACK HAND: BUT THE HAND OF THE DILIGENT MAKETH RICH.
PROVERBS 18:9 HE ALSO THAT IS SLOTHFUL IN HIS WORK IS BROTHER TO HIM THAT IS A GREAT WASTER.
PROVERBS 24:30 I WENT BY THE FIELD OF THE SLOTHFUL, AND BY THE VINEYARD OF THE MAN VOID OF UNDERSTANDING; 31 AND, LO, IT WAS ALL GROWN OVER WITH THORNS, AND NETTLES HAD COVERED THE FACE THEREOF, AND THE STONE WALL THEREOF WAS BROKEN DOWN. 32 THEN I SAW, AND CONSIDERED IT WELL: I LOOKED UPON IT, AND RECEIVED 1 INSTRUCTION. 33 YET A LITTLE SLEEP, 1, A LITTLE SLUMBER, A LITTLE FOLDING OF THE HANDS TO SLEEP: 34 SO SHALL THY POVERTY COME AS ONE THAT TRAVELLETH; AND THY WANT AS AN ARMED MAN.
ROMANS 12:11 NOT SLOTHFUL IN BUSINESS; FERVENT IN SPIRIT; 1; SERVING THE LORD;
ILL: FAITHFUL IN MENIAL TASK
W. B. RILEY USED TO TELL THE STORY OF A MAN WHO HAD WALKED THE STREETS OF PHILADELPHIA SEARCHING FOR EMPLOYMENT. ONE DAY HE HAPPENED TO GO INTO THE OFFICE OF A WELL-KNOWN BUSINESSMAN BY THE NAME OF GIRARD. WHEN HE ASKED FOR A JOB, MR. GIRARD ANSWERED, “YES, I CAN GIVE YOU WORK. SEE THAT PILE OF BRICKS OUT THERE? CARRY THEM OVER TO THE OTHER END OF THE YARD AND STACK THEM UP.”
BY NIGHTFALL THE MAN REPORTED THAT THE PROJECT WAS COMPLETED AND RECEIVED HIS PAY. WHEN ASKED IF THERE WOULD BE MORE WORK THE NEXT DAY, HIS EMPLOYER SAID, “YES, COME IN TOMORROW AND CARRY THOSE SAME BRICKS BACK TO WHERE YOU FOUND THEM.” THE FOLLOWING MORNING HE CAME IN EARLY AND GOT BUSY WITHOUT A WORD. FOR MORE THAN A WEEK HE WAS INSTRUCTED TO CARRY BRICKS BACK AND FORTH UNTIL IT WAS EVIDENT THAT HE COULD BE TRUSTED TO DO EXACTLY WHAT HE WAS TOLD.
THEN HE WAS GIVEN A NEW AND BIGGER RESPONSIBILITY—TO GO DOWNTOWN AND BID ON A LARGE QUANTITY OF SUGAR. NOT RECOGNIZING HIM, THE PEOPLE AT THE AUCTION WERE SURPRISED BY THE BID OF THIS TOTAL STRANGER. WHEN IT WAS ACCEPTED, THE AUCTIONEER ASKED WHO WOULD PAY THE BILL. “MR. GIRARD,” THE MAN REPLIED. “I AM HIS AGENT.” HE HAD EARNED THIS POSITION BY BEING FAITHFUL IN A MENIAL TASK.
—OUR DAILY BREAD
APP: DON’T SLANDER THE MASTER
LIVE A BALANCED LIFE, BE RESOURCEFUL, LEARN TO TAKE AND MANAGE RISK; HAVE A PLAN OF ACTION AND HAVE PRIORITIES...GOD, HOME, FAMILY, WORK AND CHURCH. AND PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE. BE PREPARED, DEVELOP YOUR PERSPECTIVE. AND KNOW
WHAT WE DO TODAY, WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ON TOMORROW.
APP: WISDOM IS INDISPENSABLE AND FOOLISHNESS IS COSTLY.
SEE IF IT’S RAINING
SHEER LAZINESS HAS PROBABLY BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR MORE SHORTCUTS, NOT TO MENTION VALUABLE INVENTIONS, THAN WE ARE READY TO ADMIT. MOST OF US ARE CONTINUALLY ON THE LOOKOUT, AT LEAST SUBCONSCIOUSLY, FOR EASIER WAYS TO PERFORM ONEROUS OR ROUTINE TASKS.
AN EXAMPLE OF IMAGINATION SPURRED ON BY OUTRIGHT LETHARGY IS CONTAINED IN THE STORY OF AN OLD MOUNTAINEER AND HIS WIFE WHO WERE SITTING IN FRONT OF THE FIREPLACE ONE EVENING JUST WHILING AWAY THE TIME. AFTER A LONG SILENCE, THE WIFE SAID: “JED, I THINK IT’S RAINING. GET UP AND GO OUTSIDE AND SEE.”
THE OLD MOUNTAINEER CONTINUED TO GAZE INTO THE FIRE FOR A SECOND, SIGHED, THEN SAID, “AW, MA, WHY DON’T WE JUST CALL IN THE DOG AND SEE IF HE’S WET.”
BITS & PIECES, APRIL 29, 1993, P. 3
QUOTE
• SOME PEOPLE WOULD DO ANYTHING TO BE ABLE TO DO NOTHING. - FRANK TYGER
MP. III. GOD EVENTUALLY GIVES US A REWARD V. 28FF.
TAKE FROM THE ONE WHO HAD THE THOUSAND AND GIVE IT TO THE ONE WHO INVESTED, AND RISKED THE MOST. AND GET RID OF THE PLAY IS SAFE SERVANT...WHO WOULD NOT STEP OUT ON FAITH OR GO OUR ON A LIMB. THROW HIM INTO OUTER DARKNESS.
IMP. WE HAVE NOTING TO LOSE AND EVERYTHING TO GAIN BECAUSE WE STARTED WITH NOTHING. IT WAS ALL...CAPITAL, TREASURE, TIME, TALENT WAS GIVE TO US BY GOD. WHEN WE DO WELL....GOD TAKES FROM THE FAITHLESS AND GIVES TO THE FAITHFUL. IF WE DO WELL WITH WHAT WE HAVE, THEN GOD IS ABLE TO GIVE US MORE.
WHEN WE DO NOTHING, GOD TAKES FROM US...AND WE BECOME TWO TIME LOSERS: WE LOSE SUBSTANCE AND OUR SOULS. BUT WHEN WE TRUST GOD AND MANAGE HIS RESOURCES WE ARE DOUBLY BLESSED OF GOD.
TEXT: GOD TOLD ABRAHAM...I AM YOUR GREAT AND EXCEEDING GREAT REWARD. GEN 15:1
PSALM I – BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO WALKS NOT IN THE COUNCIL OF THE UNGODLY;
PSALM 1:1 BLESSED IS THE MAN THAT WALKETH NOT IN THE 1 COUNSEL OF THE UNGODLY, NOR STANDETH IN THE WAY OF SINNERS, NOR SITTETH IN THE SEAT OF THE SCORNFUL. 2 BUT HIS DELIGHT IS IN THE LAW OF THE LORD; AND IN HIS 1 LAW DOTH HE MEDITATE DAY AND NIGHT. 3 AND HE SHALL BE LIKE A TREE PLANTED BY THE RIVERS OF WATER, THAT BRINGETH FORTH HIS FRUIT IN HIS SEASON; HIS LEAF ALSO SHALL NOT WITHER; AND 1 WHATSOEVER HE DOETH SHALL PROSPER. 4 1 THE UNGODLY ARE NOT SO: BUT ARE LIKE THE CHAFF WHICH THE WIND DRIVETH AWAY. 5 THEREFORE THE UNGODLY SHALL NOT STAND IN THE 1 JUDGMENT, NOR SINNERS IN THE CONGREGATION OF THE RIGHTEOUS. 6 FOR THE LORD 1 KNOWETH THE WAY OF THE RIGHTEOUS: BUT THE WAY OF THE UNGODLY SHALL PERISH.
MATTHEW 16:26 "FOR WHAT PROFIT IS IT TO A MAN IF HE GAINS THE WHOLE WORLD, AND LOSES HIS OWN SOUL? OR WHAT WILL A MAN GIVE IN EXCHANGE FOR HIS SOUL?
LUKE 16:25 BUT ABRAHAM SAID, SON, REMEMBER THAT THOU IN THY LIFETIME RECEIVES THY GOOD THINGS, AND LIKEWISE LAZARUS EVIL THINGS: BUT NOW HE IS COMFORTED, AND THOU ART TORMENTED.
APP: P.O.P PREPARATION - OPPORTUNITY – PERSEVERANCE.
ILL: BETWEEN THE GREAT THINGS WE CAN’T DO AND THE LITTLE THINGS WE WON’T DO, THE DANGER IS WE SHALL DO NOTHING AT ALL....WHATEVER...DO YOUR BEST...
GOD WANTS OUR BEST
CHRIST NEVER ASKS FOR ANYTHING WE CANNOT DO. BUT LET US NOT FORGET THAT HE ALWAYS DOES EXPECT AND REQUIRE OF EACH OF US THE BEST WE CAN DO. THE FAITHFULNESS CHRIST WANTS AND APPROVES IMPLIES THE DOING OF ALL OUR WORK, OUR BUSINESS, OUR TRADE, OUR DAILY TOIL, AS WELL AS WE CAN. LET NO ONE THINK THAT RELIGION DOES NOT APPLY TO PRIVATE LIFE. IT APPLIES TO THE WAY YOU DO YOUR MOST COMMON WORK JUST AS READILY AS TO YOUR PRAYING AND KEEPING OF THE COMMANDMENTS. WHATEVER YOUR DUTY IS, YOU CANNOT BE ALTOGETHER FAITHFUL TO GOD UNLESS YOU DO YOUR BEST. TO SLUR ANY TASK IS TO DO GOD’S WORK BADLY; TO NEGLECT IT IS TO ROB GOD. THE UNIVERSE IS NOT QUITE COMPLETE WITHOUT YOUR WORK WELL DONE, HOWEVER SMALL THAT WORK MAY BE.—J. R. MILLER
CLOSE: WHAT ARE YOU DOING..
.AND WILL YOU BE READY WHEN JESUS COMES...
HE CAME THE FIRST TIME...
QUIET NIGHT IN BETHLEHEM
ANNOUNCED BY THE SHEPHERDS
BORN NOT IN A PALACE BUT A STABLE
BORN NOT IN POMP BUT POVERTY
HE GREW...IN KNOWLEDGE IN WISDOM AND FAVOR
HE MINISTERED TO THE MASSES..HEALED THE SICK...
HE WAS DELIVERED...TO THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS
HE HANDED OVER TO ROME
HE WAS GIVEN TO THE ALTAR OF SACRIFICE...
HE DIED...THAT WE MIGHT LIVE...
... GOD DELIVERED ...WORD LINKED TO HIS ....POSITION AS MESSIAH
PASSION – COST OF SALVATION...AS HE WAS DELIVERED ...HANDED OVER.
PUNISHMENT – CONSEQUENCES OF REJECTING SALVATION
GOD GAVE HIS BEST..SO WHATEVER WE ARE DOING GIVE YOUR BEST.