10/22/2024
Leftovers Continued…
It’s not just the fact that God is un-impressed by our leftovers, it actually goes deeper than that. In a sense, Jesus is passionately and purposely opposed to anything leftover. To be a follower of Jesus Christ is to work diligently to make sure that in the end nothing at all is left over.
You might have heard various voices in our society say, He who dies with the most toys wins. But Leonard Sweet says for the faithful follower of Jesus today it’s the opposite--it’s He who bounces his last check wins. In other words, when I’ve used everything that has been entrusted to me faithfully, joyfully, generously—there will nothing left over. The leading indicator of a well-lived life will not be a collection of fine things, a weighty stock portfolio or an impressive estate, but the legacy of love we leave behind.
In a very real sense, we will know we have ‘made it’ if we have used what we’ve been given not to make our own lives easier or more comfortable, but if we’ve used what we have been given to make a difference in our world. When the time comes for us to go and be with our God—and that time will come for all of us here--it makes sense to have nothing left over. Because at that point, we can’t use it. God doesn’t want it. So it’s our job to get rid of it—to provide a feast of grace here and now.
One day I know I will stand before my Lord and God as naked as the day I was born. I will be left with only two things: empty hands and a joyful heart. I want to be able to stand there and know with some confidence that I have used what I have been given mindfully and faithfully. I want to be able to stand there knowing that the best of what I had was what I shared with those I love, with the Lord I serve, and those who needed even more than myself. What a moment that will be, but it will only be wonderful if I share what I have been given now, today. I know that tomorrow will take care of itself, because I know that my God will always take care of his child.
Archived Posts
The Rest of the Story
I mentioned Russell Conwell in Sunday’s message. He was a famous preacher, educator, and lecturer. His sermon/lecture “Acres of Diamonds” was turned into a book and sold rather well. I used Conwell’s illustrations to talk about sharing the good news of Jesus with those closest to us first—family, friends, coworkers, and church family. The wider world is our ultimate aim, but until you invest in the people God has already put in your life, you are unlikely to have much success.
No One Said It Would be Easy
To love Jesus first is to learn to love all the other people in our lives with greater intensity and less selfishness
What’s Saved Is Often Lost
Here’s the benediction we didn’t have time for yesterday (Sunday, November 3). It’s one of my favorite quotations (portions of a newspaper column). I hope you find it as inspiring as I have
Leftovers Continued…
It’s not just the fact that God is un-impressed by our leftovers, it actually goes deeper than that. In a sense, Jesus is passionately and purposely opposed to anything leftover. To be a follower of Jesus Christ is to work diligently to make sure that in the end nothing at all is left over.
Less Stuff and Fewer Wants
Here’s a point I left off Sunday’s sermon due to time and length. In dealing with an Entitled mindset it is very helpful if you can Reduce Materialism and Consumerism.
Entitlement Can Hit You in Ways You Might Never Suspect
The people of God (Israel) were chosen by God to fulfill a unique calling—to be a light to all the other nations of the nations of the world. God chose them because of their willingness to be used by Him for His purposes. But after a while the Israelites began to think that they were chosen--not because with God they could fulfill a special purpose--but because they were a special people, uniquely favored and loved for who they were.
What Kind of Love Do You Have For God?
In Sunday’s message about Job, I talked about how important relationship is when it comes to getting answers to our questions about God. The question that Job is really being tested on is this: can he love God for who God is—or does he only love God for what God can do for him?