Last week, I had the chance to drive to Cedar Falls to visit Tracie, the woman who discipled me while I was a student and UNI (and continues to be my spiritual mom to this day). I got to share my "discipleship testimony" at the class she leads. Afterwards, she gave a talk on the "Scent of a Laborer." She defined a laborer as a "worker in the kingdom of God who is directly involved in the specific task of reaping souls for Christ and then helping them become reapers as well." Here are the 5 "smells" that should mark a laborer:
1) Deep passion for Jesus.
- Philippians 1:21 - To live is Christ, to die is gain.
- Psalm 131:2 - But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. -->This was so insightful. When a child has not been weaned, his/her main motivation for coming to his/her mother is to be fed...for milk. But, a weaned child who cuddles up to his/her mother has a totally different motive - often seeking comfort, love, time and affection. So, a laborer is one that has a passion for seeking Jesus, not just to get a need met, but to have a loving relationship.
2) Depth in the basics.
- A laborer spends time with Jesus, prays consistently and diligently and memorizes and meditates on the word. (these are the basics)
- Those things are not only in place, but there is depth and consistenly in his/her walk.
3)Quality of character.
- Who you are is more important that what you do. (Phil 1:27)
- Model: humility, servanthood, and excellence.
4)Heart for others and the world.
-A laborer sees the lost, those he/she doesn't even know, and aches for them.
- Matthew 9:36
5) A vision for the 3rd generation.
- This is the KEY to being a laborer! 2 Timothy 2:2; Psalm 78:4-5
- This means passing your life on to another person and then sending them out to do the same.
- Many believers possess the first 4 qualities, but #5 (vision for the 3rd generation) is what distinguishes a true laborer.
Wow, those things really encouraged me and spurred me in many ways. Tracie closed by giving a "warning." There is a cost to being a laborer: time, energy, resources, emotions, incredible joy and incredible sorrow at times. But, it is all worth it when you impact a life for eternity.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Newest & Sweetest Conviction...
Do you ever witness something, and immediately think - "Yep, that is right... that makes sense...that needs to be what I am about..."
Recently, Jill, Kaci & I had the opportunity (Thank You, Mark Arant!!) to hear Beth Moore speak at a Conference a couple weeks ago, and the "nugget" that has stuck with me the most had nothing to do with what she said, but actually what she did each time before she spoke.
She got on her hands and knees (right on stage) and prayed....and every time she did that, I was thinking - "Yep, needs to be what I am about" Getting on my hands and knees in prayer. Not to be more spirtual or holy, but it reminded me of what Mark talks about with putting your hands up in worship - sometimes you have to get your body in a right position before God, even if it doesn't feel "comfortable", and often times your soul will quickly follow that position.
We bow down to demonstrate reverence and surrender - getting on our faces before God. As I have begun more and more practicing this "position" - God has confirmed in my heart, this is the position I should always be in (if not always on the floor, in my heart then) - a complete surrender & humbled obedience to him.
Actions truly do speak louder than words. See ya on your knees!!
Recently, Jill, Kaci & I had the opportunity (Thank You, Mark Arant!!) to hear Beth Moore speak at a Conference a couple weeks ago, and the "nugget" that has stuck with me the most had nothing to do with what she said, but actually what she did each time before she spoke.
She got on her hands and knees (right on stage) and prayed....and every time she did that, I was thinking - "Yep, needs to be what I am about" Getting on my hands and knees in prayer. Not to be more spirtual or holy, but it reminded me of what Mark talks about with putting your hands up in worship - sometimes you have to get your body in a right position before God, even if it doesn't feel "comfortable", and often times your soul will quickly follow that position.
We bow down to demonstrate reverence and surrender - getting on our faces before God. As I have begun more and more practicing this "position" - God has confirmed in my heart, this is the position I should always be in (if not always on the floor, in my heart then) - a complete surrender & humbled obedience to him.
Actions truly do speak louder than words. See ya on your knees!!
Monday, April 21, 2008
Confirm the Word - John 3-4
Observation - I think it is fascinating in John 4 how Jesus confirms his word. In 4:42 it says "They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world." I also think that the fact Jesus associated with the "least" is an important part to the story. A Samaritan woman, alone, with 5 husbands, is a big disgrace in Jewish culture. Jesus ministered to the lost!
Application - This is very pertinent in my life because my dream is to go to an unengaged place and share the love of God through Christ. No servant is greater than his master. Therefore, if Jesus, a man who taught with the most authority this world has ever known, confirmed his word, how will he need to confirm it through me. And if Jesus sought out the "least" then my desire is to follow his model!
Prayer - Father thank you for the call on my life. I pray that you would confirm your Word, the Word that I seek to share. I ask that you would take me to the "least" that you are calling to yourself, that they would be reconciled to you, Father, through your Son Jesus. It is in his name I pray.
Application - This is very pertinent in my life because my dream is to go to an unengaged place and share the love of God through Christ. No servant is greater than his master. Therefore, if Jesus, a man who taught with the most authority this world has ever known, confirmed his word, how will he need to confirm it through me. And if Jesus sought out the "least" then my desire is to follow his model!
Prayer - Father thank you for the call on my life. I pray that you would confirm your Word, the Word that I seek to share. I ask that you would take me to the "least" that you are calling to yourself, that they would be reconciled to you, Father, through your Son Jesus. It is in his name I pray.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
To Do List? Time with God?
God is waiting for His people to lay their to-do-lists at His feet, seek His Face, and abide in Him.
This time of the year there is a million and one things to do, whether it be with work, school, outside activities (including within the Church) - it all seems to come at once. All to often we get busy doing things for God, that we forget to actually spend time with God or make excuses why we aren't actually spending time with God. The below verses are great reminders He must be our center and number one priority.
Matthew 6:33-34 - John 15 - Psalm 27:4-11 - Hebrews 11:6
Application - List all the activities you are currently involved in and the amount of time it takes to complete them each week. Next, list the amount of time you spend in an average week in your time with God developing your personal relationship with him. Are you seeking first His Kingdom?
Lord, help us all to not get so busy doing your work that we forget to actually spend time with You, learning from you and abiding in your Word. Thank you for continually loving us right where we are at, and are continually molding us to become more and more like your son.
This time of the year there is a million and one things to do, whether it be with work, school, outside activities (including within the Church) - it all seems to come at once. All to often we get busy doing things for God, that we forget to actually spend time with God or make excuses why we aren't actually spending time with God. The below verses are great reminders He must be our center and number one priority.
Matthew 6:33-34 - John 15 - Psalm 27:4-11 - Hebrews 11:6
Application - List all the activities you are currently involved in and the amount of time it takes to complete them each week. Next, list the amount of time you spend in an average week in your time with God developing your personal relationship with him. Are you seeking first His Kingdom?
Lord, help us all to not get so busy doing your work that we forget to actually spend time with You, learning from you and abiding in your Word. Thank you for continually loving us right where we are at, and are continually molding us to become more and more like your son.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Must become less...1 Cor. 1-4
Scripture 1 Cor. 1-4
Observation - This verse in the first chapter stirs my heart. "For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, (AH)not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void." Paul is speaking to the Corinthian church regarding their foolishness saying "I follow Paul" or "I follow Appollos" He then tells them that he is happy that he only baptized a few. Paul is adamant about getting out of the way. "Or were you (AB)baptized in the name of Paul?" he exhorts. Paul wants Christ's name exalted...thats it. The reason the verse above stirs my heart is that Paul says he doesn't even want to preach with cleverness...lest the cross would be made void. Every preacher, speaker, teacher would be hard pressed to stand in confidence next to this text. My question is...how can Paul preach and not worry about keeping their attention, about them enjoying the experience, about them being engaged and listening, about them having fun and wanting to come back? I think Paul answers this question..."and my message and my preaching were (F)not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of (G)the Spirit and of power,5so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on (H)the power of God.
Application - Paul had power. Not his own power, but power that he had received. He wasn't concerned with clever speech because clever speech doesn't compare to POWER! So how to apply? I think before preparing anything my first step should be to pray. Not 5 minutes, but waiting on the Lord for a lengthy period of time for him to speak and guide, and direct through the Holy Spirit. I think the second step is to adhere to the Word. I think power comes when one preaches God's Word. God wants to confirm and validate his word. So step two is to preach God's written Word and his Word from his Spirit or a Heavenly Host. Step 3 is to pray again and beg to receive power. How might this power manifest? The Spirit can't be contained but we have lots of examples in the 66 books of the Bible to give us an idea.
Prayer - Father in heaven, I petition you on account of the cross and the shed blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I desire that your name be exalted, for you to become more and for I to become less. I want to preach as Paul preached! Forgive me Father for trying to use humor, and cleverness, and a good intro, and self glorifying nonsense in place of your pure and holy Word. Forgive me for not relying on you and you alone. Forgive me for not trusting in your goodness and faithfulness to confirm your word and forgive me for getting in the way. I pray that never in my life would my worldy cleverness make the cross void. If I preach wisdom, may it be from you. I open myself to receive from you Father. I pray in the name of Jesus that would bestow on me the a double portion of the Spirit of Elisha. Thank you for hearing my prayer. All praise be to God. Amen
Observation - This verse in the first chapter stirs my heart. "For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, (AH)not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void." Paul is speaking to the Corinthian church regarding their foolishness saying "I follow Paul" or "I follow Appollos" He then tells them that he is happy that he only baptized a few. Paul is adamant about getting out of the way. "Or were you (AB)baptized in the name of Paul?" he exhorts. Paul wants Christ's name exalted...thats it. The reason the verse above stirs my heart is that Paul says he doesn't even want to preach with cleverness...lest the cross would be made void. Every preacher, speaker, teacher would be hard pressed to stand in confidence next to this text. My question is...how can Paul preach and not worry about keeping their attention, about them enjoying the experience, about them being engaged and listening, about them having fun and wanting to come back? I think Paul answers this question..."and my message and my preaching were (F)not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of (G)the Spirit and of power,5so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on (H)the power of God.
Application - Paul had power. Not his own power, but power that he had received. He wasn't concerned with clever speech because clever speech doesn't compare to POWER! So how to apply? I think before preparing anything my first step should be to pray. Not 5 minutes, but waiting on the Lord for a lengthy period of time for him to speak and guide, and direct through the Holy Spirit. I think the second step is to adhere to the Word. I think power comes when one preaches God's Word. God wants to confirm and validate his word. So step two is to preach God's written Word and his Word from his Spirit or a Heavenly Host. Step 3 is to pray again and beg to receive power. How might this power manifest? The Spirit can't be contained but we have lots of examples in the 66 books of the Bible to give us an idea.
Prayer - Father in heaven, I petition you on account of the cross and the shed blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I desire that your name be exalted, for you to become more and for I to become less. I want to preach as Paul preached! Forgive me Father for trying to use humor, and cleverness, and a good intro, and self glorifying nonsense in place of your pure and holy Word. Forgive me for not relying on you and you alone. Forgive me for not trusting in your goodness and faithfulness to confirm your word and forgive me for getting in the way. I pray that never in my life would my worldy cleverness make the cross void. If I preach wisdom, may it be from you. I open myself to receive from you Father. I pray in the name of Jesus that would bestow on me the a double portion of the Spirit of Elisha. Thank you for hearing my prayer. All praise be to God. Amen
Friday, March 28, 2008
Mark's Notes from TSC
The Salt Company
Ancient Wisdom- Possessions
March 27, 2008
Series on Ancient Wisdom- The Bible is intensely practical. It’s not a history book that has no bearing on your life. It has everything to do with your life.
This might be one of the more important messages you will hear at TSC.
Why?
Because your view of money and possessions will shape your life more than you know. It was one of Jesus’ favorite topics.
My goal is not to share my philosophy of money. But what does Solomon have to say about it?
A study of Proverbs yielded the following... I read all 915 verses in Proverbs and wrote a “P” next to everyone of them about money, wealth and possessions. I came up with about 92 verses. That means 1 out of every 10 Proverbs is about money. I categorized them and put them down for you as points to this talk. They are in the order of the number of Proverbs on each one…
1. Work harder at getting wisdom than you would for an engineering degree.
Let’s just face the facts. It requires much more work to get an engineering degree than it does to get a speech communication degree. It’s a lot of work!
22 Verses remind us that wisdom is better than riches:
2:4; 3:13-16; 8:10,18-21; 11:4, 16, 28; 15:16-17; 16:16, 19; 17:1-2, 16; 19:10; 22:1; 28:6
What do you do? Stay up late working on grp projects, get up early to study, spend a semester on an internship…
Do more to get wisdom. It’s more valuable than a degree that will start you at 60K.
Most college students pick their major based on what will make them the most money. I think that’s short sighted.
2. We are stewards, not owners
3:9; 11:24-26; 14:21; 19:17; 21:13; 22:9; 23:6-8; 28:27; 31:8
If you get this point, it will totally transform your view of your life.
Take a deep breath. That breath was on loan. You’re accountable to God for the way you use the breath in your lungs, this life.
One measure of how you’re using your life is how you’re using your money. Which is why Solomon talked so much about money to his sons (1 out of every 10 words of advice were about money), and why Jesus spoke more about money than anything next to the kingdom of God.
3:9 “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops.”
This idea of first-fruits comes from… Deut. 26:1-11
The point is that we are stewards. Giving is our reminder that it’s not ours.
Steward (def): a person who manages another's property or financial affairs; one who administers anything as the agent of another or others.
Stewards don’t own anything. They are merely handling someone else’s stuff.
Illustration: Remember the Xmas production, “I’m Frank Smith, I own this place.” You could see the absurdity of it. You just felt like saying, “Frank you don’t own jack.”
A steward uses the resources.
So here’s a legit question: Why does God give you everything you have?
11:25 “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”
18:16 “A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great”
Psalm 67 “so that your ways may be known on earth…”
NOT, so I can have more food for myself.
NOT just so Israel can have more corn.
The cry of a Godly steward is not “God bless me”, it’s “God bless me so that I can bless others”
First-fruits- Your best! I think it’s lame if you call yourself a Christian and don’t give at least 10 percent of all you have to your church. I think we can give much more than 10 percent, but our selfishness and American narcissism justifies poor stewardship.
We will all give an account to God for how we used his stuff:
“The rich and poor have this in common; the LORD is maker of them all.” 22:2
Sorry boss, I amassed all this wealth and never shared it with anyone.
How do you think God will judge someone who spent all of His wealth on themselves?
“He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD and he will reward him” 19:17
I will go so far as to say that how you handle money and possessions to some degree directly determines how much you will have in heaven.
A steward enjoys the resources.
Warning: Wealth and possessions in themselves are not evil, they are from God
10:22 “the blessing of the LORD brings wealth and he adds no trouble to it.”
13:21 “prosperity is the reward of the righteous.”
Illustration: Conversation with Ben P
“Mark is it wrong for me to be rich, have a lake home, jet skis, boat,…?”
Of course not, if you let me use it.
But the subtext of this question is “Can I make success my god?”
Illustration: My friend C.S.
Nobody enjoys life more. He owns classic old cars, new cars, etc
Nobody is more strategic for the gospel- Sharing with S. B. “My inheritance only 100 million”
He doesn’t care how much money you make. He’s not intimidated by your millions- he’s going to tell you about Jesus
3. Be an Ant.
(not the relative, but the creature- A-N-T)
Read 6:6-11
Work Hard: (6:9-11)
Save Wisely: (6:8; 21:20; 27:23-27)
Multiply little by little (13:11; 20:21; 21:5; 28:19)
the ant doesn’t carry the whole ant hill in one load.
Remember that sometimes a little kid smashes all you have worked for 18:11; 23:5; 30:8-9
Generally, riches cause one of two wrong responses: a false sense of security or pride
Read 30:8-9- Riches can make you proud
“Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.” 23:5
God is not impressed with the size of your ant hill. “Wow, that’s a great ant.” We’re still ants. And my 2 year old Beck could smash any ant hill without even knowing it.
Remember that moving dirt is worth it. That’s what ants were made to do.
In my opinion modern Christianity has totally lost a theology of work.
Illustration: I’m going to give you a test…
I’m a pastor. The director of a large college ministry. My brother works in an auto body shop fixing wrecked and broken down cars.
Whose job is more spiritual?
There is honor in your work!!! It’s spiritual.
What did Adam and Eve do in the garden before they sinned? (besides have sex…)
They worked!
What will you do when you get to heaven? You will work.
God will give you possessions and you will be a steward of them. You won’t be floating in the clouds with a harp singing all the time. There will be work in paradise.
Your job has meaning and there is value in what you do no matter how mundane or menial it may seem.
Do you scoop dirt? Move dirt to the glory of God.
Do you design magazines? Design with pop sensibility that will sell millions
Do you sell trinkets? Find people who want to fill their houses with unnecessary clutter
Are you a journalist? Write without spinning your news story
Do you frame houses? Don’t cut corners- Make the strongest houses possible
Are you a politician? Serve your country with honor. Don’t abuse tax payers money
Are you an accountant? With integrity, save your boss money and make them rich
Aerospace engineer? Design a shuttle that can get to Mars
Farmer? Grow corn to the glory of God
(Farmer who saw “PC” in the sky and he thought it meant “preach Christ” but when he went to heaven, God said, “NO, plant corn!”
Teacher? Love your students and help them all excel
Do you sell cell phone plans in the mall and you don’t like it? Well…???? Go to college and get a different job???
Jesus was a carpenter for most of his life
Paul made tents
How many tables and chairs that Jesus made are still around?
How many tents do you see that Paul made?
None. They’re long gone. And yet their jobs were filled with meaning and purpose.
C.S. Lewis Quote, “We don't need more people writing 'Christian books' [but] what we need is more Christians writing good books”
If you’re an architect you don’t have to design a skyscraper with a cross on it to make a Christian building.
If you’re a musician you don’t have to say “Jesus” in your song to make it a good song
If you’re an artist, you don’t have to make Christian art for it to be beautiful.
If you’re a janitor, you don’t have to leave gospel tracts on the urinal to make your job worth it (who are these people who leave tracts in the bathroom- it’s litter!)
What do you have to do to make your life worth it? Be a steward. Be an ant.
Illustration: Saving Private Ryan (if time)
The whole point of the movie: Was private Ryan worth saving?
You don’t have to find the cure for cancer to be worth it.
Full-time missions is not the only way to honor God with your life!
I’ve seen more people want to get into ministry full time and I think “NO!!” Do us all a favor and be an engineer. Just b/c you don’t like your job doesn’t mean you should be a pastor/missionary.
Note to those who have gone or are planning on overseas trips:
If your missions experience has caused you to disengage with your work or school b/c it feels like a waste of time OR, you feel distant from family/friends b/c they don’t get it and aren’t as spiritual as you…
Congratulations- you have totally missed the point of your overseas missions experience.
Of course God wants all of us to engage in his global agenda- but there are a lot of ways to do this.
Illustration: Rachael
First week of school- a girl came up to her on playground. Can I talk to you in private?
Sure.
“I heard you’re going to be a missionary” (they are going to C.Asia in a year)
“I’m a missionary too”
“Really”
“Yeah, and I’m going to need your help this year. Can I count on you?”
“Sure”
“I need you to pray for me and help me share Jesus with our class.”
What do you say to that?
Wherever you’re at, be all there. Be on a mission all the time and remember your work is intrinsically spiritual.
God made you for it. You won’t be doing missions in heaven, you’ll be working and it will glorify God, so you better get used to it.
4. Great ways to jack yourself up financially…
Go into debt- Spend more than you make (22:7)
“The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender” (22:7)
Beware of school loans. Destroy your credit cards. That stuff will eat you up. It will be like a snowball (at first it’s fun to make) then it gets rolling and it will crush you. There is no such thing as free money. I’ve got a 50 year old friend who
As my friend Dan Johnston says, “College is not a right, but a privilege”
Love pleasure (21:17)
Illustration: My friend went to counsel this couple in a bad part of town and when he knocked on the front door he heard yelling from the inside, “Go around to the side door!” What in the world? He got in the house and saw the entertainment center was blocking the front door.
Most of the poorest of poor in America who are poorly clothed, malnourished are ppl w/ Satellite TV. Not all, but many people are poor b/c their priorities are out of whack.
Drink and Sleep too much (23:21; 24:30-34)
5. There are advantages to being wealthy
Friendships (14:20; 19:4, 6-7)
Honor (14:24)
You can look back and think, “I worked hard to get it, I did it the right way, and I blessed the nations because of it.”
You can give more (18:16)
“A gift opens the way for the giver”
6. Beware of getting it the wrong way
1:13-14, 19; 10:2, 16; 11:18; 20:17; 21:6; 28:8, 16, 25
“A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare”
“Is it God’s will to embezzle money to pay my credit card company?”
“Should I steal stamps from my company to send my personal mail?”
“Should I cheat on my taxes to get more money back?”
“Should I ignore the fact that my company Enron is lying in their accounting practices or do I blow the whistle?”
Application:
1. “Gain all you can, Save all you can, Give all you can” – John Wesley
Illustration: Conversation with Craig, a student who said, “Mark I’m going to make a lot of money. What is your advice?”
Unfortunately he did 1 and 3 but not 2 and he’s paying for it.
2. Take FPU before you graduate
Informational sign up sheet
3. Take Perspectives before you graduate.
Ancient Wisdom- Possessions
March 27, 2008
Series on Ancient Wisdom- The Bible is intensely practical. It’s not a history book that has no bearing on your life. It has everything to do with your life.
This might be one of the more important messages you will hear at TSC.
Why?
Because your view of money and possessions will shape your life more than you know. It was one of Jesus’ favorite topics.
My goal is not to share my philosophy of money. But what does Solomon have to say about it?
A study of Proverbs yielded the following... I read all 915 verses in Proverbs and wrote a “P” next to everyone of them about money, wealth and possessions. I came up with about 92 verses. That means 1 out of every 10 Proverbs is about money. I categorized them and put them down for you as points to this talk. They are in the order of the number of Proverbs on each one…
1. Work harder at getting wisdom than you would for an engineering degree.
Let’s just face the facts. It requires much more work to get an engineering degree than it does to get a speech communication degree. It’s a lot of work!
22 Verses remind us that wisdom is better than riches:
2:4; 3:13-16; 8:10,18-21; 11:4, 16, 28; 15:16-17; 16:16, 19; 17:1-2, 16; 19:10; 22:1; 28:6
What do you do? Stay up late working on grp projects, get up early to study, spend a semester on an internship…
Do more to get wisdom. It’s more valuable than a degree that will start you at 60K.
Most college students pick their major based on what will make them the most money. I think that’s short sighted.
2. We are stewards, not owners
3:9; 11:24-26; 14:21; 19:17; 21:13; 22:9; 23:6-8; 28:27; 31:8
If you get this point, it will totally transform your view of your life.
Take a deep breath. That breath was on loan. You’re accountable to God for the way you use the breath in your lungs, this life.
One measure of how you’re using your life is how you’re using your money. Which is why Solomon talked so much about money to his sons (1 out of every 10 words of advice were about money), and why Jesus spoke more about money than anything next to the kingdom of God.
3:9 “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops.”
This idea of first-fruits comes from… Deut. 26:1-11
The point is that we are stewards. Giving is our reminder that it’s not ours.
Steward (def): a person who manages another's property or financial affairs; one who administers anything as the agent of another or others.
Stewards don’t own anything. They are merely handling someone else’s stuff.
Illustration: Remember the Xmas production, “I’m Frank Smith, I own this place.” You could see the absurdity of it. You just felt like saying, “Frank you don’t own jack.”
A steward uses the resources.
So here’s a legit question: Why does God give you everything you have?
11:25 “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”
18:16 “A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great”
Psalm 67 “so that your ways may be known on earth…”
NOT, so I can have more food for myself.
NOT just so Israel can have more corn.
The cry of a Godly steward is not “God bless me”, it’s “God bless me so that I can bless others”
First-fruits- Your best! I think it’s lame if you call yourself a Christian and don’t give at least 10 percent of all you have to your church. I think we can give much more than 10 percent, but our selfishness and American narcissism justifies poor stewardship.
We will all give an account to God for how we used his stuff:
“The rich and poor have this in common; the LORD is maker of them all.” 22:2
Sorry boss, I amassed all this wealth and never shared it with anyone.
How do you think God will judge someone who spent all of His wealth on themselves?
“He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD and he will reward him” 19:17
I will go so far as to say that how you handle money and possessions to some degree directly determines how much you will have in heaven.
A steward enjoys the resources.
Warning: Wealth and possessions in themselves are not evil, they are from God
10:22 “the blessing of the LORD brings wealth and he adds no trouble to it.”
13:21 “prosperity is the reward of the righteous.”
Illustration: Conversation with Ben P
“Mark is it wrong for me to be rich, have a lake home, jet skis, boat,…?”
Of course not, if you let me use it.
But the subtext of this question is “Can I make success my god?”
Illustration: My friend C.S.
Nobody enjoys life more. He owns classic old cars, new cars, etc
Nobody is more strategic for the gospel- Sharing with S. B. “My inheritance only 100 million”
He doesn’t care how much money you make. He’s not intimidated by your millions- he’s going to tell you about Jesus
3. Be an Ant.
(not the relative, but the creature- A-N-T)
Read 6:6-11
Work Hard: (6:9-11)
Save Wisely: (6:8; 21:20; 27:23-27)
Multiply little by little (13:11; 20:21; 21:5; 28:19)
the ant doesn’t carry the whole ant hill in one load.
Remember that sometimes a little kid smashes all you have worked for 18:11; 23:5; 30:8-9
Generally, riches cause one of two wrong responses: a false sense of security or pride
Read 30:8-9- Riches can make you proud
“Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.” 23:5
God is not impressed with the size of your ant hill. “Wow, that’s a great ant.” We’re still ants. And my 2 year old Beck could smash any ant hill without even knowing it.
Remember that moving dirt is worth it. That’s what ants were made to do.
In my opinion modern Christianity has totally lost a theology of work.
Illustration: I’m going to give you a test…
I’m a pastor. The director of a large college ministry. My brother works in an auto body shop fixing wrecked and broken down cars.
Whose job is more spiritual?
There is honor in your work!!! It’s spiritual.
What did Adam and Eve do in the garden before they sinned? (besides have sex…)
They worked!
What will you do when you get to heaven? You will work.
God will give you possessions and you will be a steward of them. You won’t be floating in the clouds with a harp singing all the time. There will be work in paradise.
Your job has meaning and there is value in what you do no matter how mundane or menial it may seem.
Do you scoop dirt? Move dirt to the glory of God.
Do you design magazines? Design with pop sensibility that will sell millions
Do you sell trinkets? Find people who want to fill their houses with unnecessary clutter
Are you a journalist? Write without spinning your news story
Do you frame houses? Don’t cut corners- Make the strongest houses possible
Are you a politician? Serve your country with honor. Don’t abuse tax payers money
Are you an accountant? With integrity, save your boss money and make them rich
Aerospace engineer? Design a shuttle that can get to Mars
Farmer? Grow corn to the glory of God
(Farmer who saw “PC” in the sky and he thought it meant “preach Christ” but when he went to heaven, God said, “NO, plant corn!”
Teacher? Love your students and help them all excel
Do you sell cell phone plans in the mall and you don’t like it? Well…???? Go to college and get a different job???
Jesus was a carpenter for most of his life
Paul made tents
How many tables and chairs that Jesus made are still around?
How many tents do you see that Paul made?
None. They’re long gone. And yet their jobs were filled with meaning and purpose.
C.S. Lewis Quote, “We don't need more people writing 'Christian books' [but] what we need is more Christians writing good books”
If you’re an architect you don’t have to design a skyscraper with a cross on it to make a Christian building.
If you’re a musician you don’t have to say “Jesus” in your song to make it a good song
If you’re an artist, you don’t have to make Christian art for it to be beautiful.
If you’re a janitor, you don’t have to leave gospel tracts on the urinal to make your job worth it (who are these people who leave tracts in the bathroom- it’s litter!)
What do you have to do to make your life worth it? Be a steward. Be an ant.
Illustration: Saving Private Ryan (if time)
The whole point of the movie: Was private Ryan worth saving?
You don’t have to find the cure for cancer to be worth it.
Full-time missions is not the only way to honor God with your life!
I’ve seen more people want to get into ministry full time and I think “NO!!” Do us all a favor and be an engineer. Just b/c you don’t like your job doesn’t mean you should be a pastor/missionary.
Note to those who have gone or are planning on overseas trips:
If your missions experience has caused you to disengage with your work or school b/c it feels like a waste of time OR, you feel distant from family/friends b/c they don’t get it and aren’t as spiritual as you…
Congratulations- you have totally missed the point of your overseas missions experience.
Of course God wants all of us to engage in his global agenda- but there are a lot of ways to do this.
Illustration: Rachael
First week of school- a girl came up to her on playground. Can I talk to you in private?
Sure.
“I heard you’re going to be a missionary” (they are going to C.Asia in a year)
“I’m a missionary too”
“Really”
“Yeah, and I’m going to need your help this year. Can I count on you?”
“Sure”
“I need you to pray for me and help me share Jesus with our class.”
What do you say to that?
Wherever you’re at, be all there. Be on a mission all the time and remember your work is intrinsically spiritual.
God made you for it. You won’t be doing missions in heaven, you’ll be working and it will glorify God, so you better get used to it.
4. Great ways to jack yourself up financially…
Go into debt- Spend more than you make (22:7)
“The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender” (22:7)
Beware of school loans. Destroy your credit cards. That stuff will eat you up. It will be like a snowball (at first it’s fun to make) then it gets rolling and it will crush you. There is no such thing as free money. I’ve got a 50 year old friend who
As my friend Dan Johnston says, “College is not a right, but a privilege”
Love pleasure (21:17)
Illustration: My friend went to counsel this couple in a bad part of town and when he knocked on the front door he heard yelling from the inside, “Go around to the side door!” What in the world? He got in the house and saw the entertainment center was blocking the front door.
Most of the poorest of poor in America who are poorly clothed, malnourished are ppl w/ Satellite TV. Not all, but many people are poor b/c their priorities are out of whack.
Drink and Sleep too much (23:21; 24:30-34)
5. There are advantages to being wealthy
Friendships (14:20; 19:4, 6-7)
Honor (14:24)
You can look back and think, “I worked hard to get it, I did it the right way, and I blessed the nations because of it.”
You can give more (18:16)
“A gift opens the way for the giver”
6. Beware of getting it the wrong way
1:13-14, 19; 10:2, 16; 11:18; 20:17; 21:6; 28:8, 16, 25
“A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare”
“Is it God’s will to embezzle money to pay my credit card company?”
“Should I steal stamps from my company to send my personal mail?”
“Should I cheat on my taxes to get more money back?”
“Should I ignore the fact that my company Enron is lying in their accounting practices or do I blow the whistle?”
Application:
1. “Gain all you can, Save all you can, Give all you can” – John Wesley
Illustration: Conversation with Craig, a student who said, “Mark I’m going to make a lot of money. What is your advice?”
Unfortunately he did 1 and 3 but not 2 and he’s paying for it.
2. Take FPU before you graduate
Informational sign up sheet
3. Take Perspectives before you graduate.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
The Purpose of Mark
Purpose – To present the person, work, and teachings of Jesus
Author – John Mark. He was not one of the 12 disciples but he accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey (Acts 13:13)
To Whom Written – The Christians in Rome, where he wrote the Gospel
Date Written – Between A.D. 55 and 65
Author – John Mark. He was not one of the 12 disciples but he accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey (Acts 13:13)
To Whom Written – The Christians in Rome, where he wrote the Gospel
Date Written – Between A.D. 55 and 65
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