For The Love Of God Is Sacrificial

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

be acceptable to you, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer."

"For The Love Of God Is Sacrificial"

(Matt 16:13-20; Matt 25:14-30)

INTRO:

            I love this parable.  Except for the last part.  Great story.  3 trusted employees called in by the boss.  5, 2, & 1 talent. Talents =  money.  15 years of a day laborer's salary -  $115.000. We interpret it to mean more, too.  Abilities, etc.

    Two double their investment.  One buries.  Boss comes back.  Asks for a report. "Wow, great job. Well done, good and faithful servant."

            The last guy: hid, buried.   Boss angry.  Asks, why didn't you at least put it in the bank, where it could bear interest: "Why have you done less than the least."

            That's a hard passage.  I don't like that ending because I want God to look at me someday and say, "Well done."  I don't want God to look at me and ask "Why have you done less than the least."  God has given us all talents to invest - in life and faith.

            Jesus asked disciples - "Who do people say I am" 

            Then he asked them, "But who do YOU say that I am?"  That's the important question.  IF answer like Peter - has to make difference. IF Jesus IS Son of God, Messiah, Personal Savior; has to impact our lives.  Stewardship is Biblical: Stewardship is about  Faith, Vision and Giving.

            That's where Church comes in. Church is about giving. Giving and investing yourself out of gratitude because Jesus is your Savior.  Invest in your Church.

            Promise to make an investment through our membership vows: "Support Church with Prayers, Presence, Gifts and Service."

1.  PRAYERS: 

            A.        Important to pray.  Little boy. Mom. Need new football. "I don't know whether to pray; write Santa or call Grandma."

Prayer is giving self to God.  Communication with God.  Listening.

            Jesus said, "When you pray..." (Luk 11:2) and then instructed how to pray.  He didn't say "If you pray."  Assumed we would pray.  That's part of being Christian and a disciple of Jesus.  It builds faith.

B.        Important what pray about:   Each Other!   Church as a whole!  Church's programs. Pastor!  Sunday School teachers.   Ministries of the Church! Your Enemies!  If we don't pray: "We've done less than the least."

2.  PRESENCE:

A.        Flip Wilson: "Jehovah's bystander. Wanted him be Jehovah's witness, didn't want to get involved."  Worship is involvement.  Not  spectator sport.  Not entertainment.  We come give self to God.  Open self to God.  Open self to inspiration from God.

B.        Presence not limited to worship.  Give self for others by being there when someone else leads or prepares.  Think how you felt?  Work, plan, prepare.  No one shows up.  When we don't support we like 1 talent man, bury it.  Invest in the Church by your presence in Sunday School, Worship, Committees etc.

            If don't "We've done less than the least."

3.  GIFTS:

A.        Gifts = more than money but lets concentrate on that form of giving.  Jesus said, "When you give.." (Mat 6:3)  Not if but when.

            We give to God's work in the Church because that's how we are created.  Not fulfil who we are if don't give.  By Giving we Invest in God's work in our community.  Invest in children's faith and future.  Invest in own future.

            There is no reason that why any Church should be struggling financially. We give to what's important to us. 

            If Church is important to us we ought to show that to God by what we give.  Ought to give at least the cost of a night out with the family.  If not:  Are we doing "less than the least?"

            Every Church, out of their love for God, should over-subscribe their budget to make missions, service, & work of Chuurch possible.

4.  SERVICE:

A.        Our 1st call is to Christian Action.  Called to be servants like Jesus.  Basin and towel, symbol of servanthood.  Jesus said, "Follow me..."  Also said, "No servant can be greater than their master."  The Son of God is our example and He came as a servant. 

            We would rather be served but there is great joy in serving.  Servant thinks of others first. Called to give selves to God through our service within God's Church.  Our giving is blessed and multiplied.

            We don't give to be blessed, but when we give unselfishly - we are  blessed. 

B.        Ways to serve:   In Evangelism.  Phone calls,  invite others, visit any visitors.  Meals for sick, needy.  Care for home-bound.  Greeters to welcome visitors.  Choir.  Clean-up and work day.  The Night Shelter.  Help at  the  Thnksgivng dinner.  Involvement in Missions.

            All called to serve.  If don't "We've done less than the least."

CONCLUSION:

            We all given gifts and talents.  All asked the same questions as members of Church.   Same question Jesus asked Peter, "Who do YOU say that I am."  How we answer makes all the difference in how we invest or hide the gifts and talents God has given us. 

            The one who gave His life so we could have life asks:                                  "Who do YOU say Jesus is?"

            "What will you do with what God has given you?"

            "How will you invest yuorself and your gifts?"

            Will you step out on faith, give yourself and invest yourself  in God's Kingdom and this Church or will you do less than the least?