First Message of 2013 @ Life Church Chelmsford.
Many of us will be glad to see the end of 2012. It was a busy year. The nation had a lot to celebrate: Olympics, the Jubilee, Kate and William’s birth announcement. All these things were used to pep us up and feel better about ourselves in a time of economic uncertainly.
What about us as a church. We have seen a few things change but nothing too drastic really. How do we launch ourselves into 2013?
Well I think this year needs to be one of focus. I am not introducing a ‘theme for the year’ when I say this. I said over the Christmas period that I don’t make New Year’s resolutions; what I aim for is an improving consistency in my decisions. I don’t wait for the New Year to do this.
But I think we can have our focus in four directions this year.
1. Look back and thank God.
We have a lot to be thankful for.
Luke 17: 11-19: Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus travelled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
Thankfulness should not be the minority position, but here only 10% came back and thanked God. We’re told this one was a Samaritan, despised by the Jews.
One of the reasons our testimony service was so powerful last week was that people were expressing thankfulness to the Lord, sometimes when they were still in the midst of tough times.
How do we remain grateful?
• Realise That Everything is the Lord’s
Psalm 24:1: The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.
• Realise What We Do Have
Visit a third world country and we may stop complaining about ours. Visit with a parent that just loss a child and we may stop complaining about ours. Visit a homeless shelter and we may stop complaining about our situation. Learn of Christian martyrs and we may stop complaining about how things are for us. A lot of problems come from a failure to realize what we do have.
The old hymn:
When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Count your blessings name them one by one
Count your blessings see what God hath done
Count your many blessing and it may surprise you what the Lord hath done
I Timothy 6:17: Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
• Avoid Grumbling and Complaining
Philippians 2:14: Do everything without grumbling or arguing
Andrew Carnegie, the multimillionaire, left $1 million for one of his relatives, who in return cursed Carnegie thoroughly because he had left $365 million to public charities and had cut him off with just one measly million.
Many problems exist in the church and in the world because people complain about what they have or do not have. They think they are owed something and they fail to take time out to realize what they do have. We as Christians need to do our best to avoid complaining, but we like the Apostle Paul need to learn to be content in all circumstances.
• Give Thanks to God Daily
Sometimes we can be so busy with this life that we fail to take time out for the most important things.
I Thessalonians 5:18: ...give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
2. Look up and seek God.
Psalm 121: 1-2: I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Everyone needs a friend who sticks closer to them than a brother (Prov 18:24).
Whenever you have a problem before you talk to me or Gareth, talk to Jesus first.
Many of our problems in life would be solved a lot better and a lot quicker if we’d take things to the Lord first. If we would consider His Word and talk to Him about it first. Human counsel can sometimes be misleading or confusing. God’s Word is neither confusing nor misleading.
3. Look around and serve God.
Matthew 9: 35: Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’
Everywhere we look around us we will see needs. The greatest need this world has is for the gospel of Jesus Christ.
There are needs around us that God has gifted us to answer. But what happens in the church is the same as in Jesus’ day – 80% of the work being done by 20% of the folks.
What would church look like if, say, 50% of the church knew their gifts, calling and abilities and served Godin that area.
Remember one of the earliest things I said here was that you are not here to serve my ministry, but I am here to help you discover and serve yours.
Ephesians 4:11-13: So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 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.
Our role as ministers is to help you discover that you have a ministry that needs to be equipped and that will bring maturity to the body.
Life Tracks –Partnership, Discipleship, and Ministry. One leads to the next and so on.
We have observed a bottle neck in these, after Track Three, where some homework is required. Only 25% of folks have competed this. We’re reviewing it to see if it can be made simpler. But that said, work with me! Don’t come along and say, “well we tried that but it didn’t work!” It will take a basic level of commitment to serve the Lord and doing homework becomes a test.
What will our church look like in two years if everyone engages in their opportunity and gifted area of service?
4. Look forward and live Godly.
2 Peter 3: 10-14: But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
People are aware that the world as we know it is going to end. Last year this was predicted three times, twice by a wayward preacher, in March and October, and then anticipated in December as the Mayan Calendar ran out.
These stories gained interest because people intrinsically know that something is going to change.
Believers look forward to that day! 2 Peter tells is this in the verse we have just read three times. But these verse also tell us, You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming… make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
What we’re being told here is to look forward but live right too!
One of the reasons that we find that Christians are overlooked is that we seem to be no different from the world.
There is a lack of credibility in our message, not because of gospel has lost its edge, but because the Christians who promote it are blunt.
It is true that nothing we could ever do or say would make God love us less. He has paid a great price for us. But don’t mistake unconditional love for unconditional approval!
How it that the church will claim God is with us but behave in the same way as the world? “Because, Pastor, Jesus said He’d never leave us!” But do we realise that the promise is Matthew is conditional?
Matthew 28: 20b: And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
But look at the proceeding clause:
Matthew 28: 219-20a: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…
The continuation of His presence is based upon the missional imperative! Make disciples of nations, baptism, teaching obedience to Christ. As far as I am aware God still requires His Bride to be holy, sold out for Him, in love with Him, devoted to Him and obeying Him!
His grace is amazing in that He has not wiped us out! His love is compelling! His zeal is still working towards our perfection. But don’t’ ask Him to bless sin! He will draw near to a repentant and contrite heart [Psalm 51:17].
I think as we look forward in 2013 we have to up our game, walking in more humility than we have in the past before Him.
Wrapping it up:
I want to show you a little clip from the Skit Guys, about approaches to the New Year.
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