Finding My Place In The Field Part 2 Series

Dakota Community Church

August 23, 2009

The Field & the Force 6

Finding My Place in the Field (Part 2)

So far we have looked at:

1. When the Church is the field

When the church is the field it is seen as the place people come to do the work of God.

2. When the Church is the (labor) force

When the church becomes the force – the world becomes the field.

3. When and where is the gospel to be proclaimed?

The gospel is to be proclaimed everywhere and in every way!

4. In what ways is the force mobilized?

Just how do we get out there and work in the field?

5. What is the role of pastors and elders?

Should we even have pastors and elders?

6. How do I find my place in the field?

7. The force at rest.

Let’s go to the word of God:

Ephesians 2:8-10

8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

God has prepared good works for us to do in advance.

He does not slot us automatically into place!

How do find the right place for us?

When it comes to field work:

I. Understand Christian liberty.

(He doesn’t say how to put it to work)

Luke 19:11-14

11While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. 12He said: "A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. 13So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ’Put this money to work,’ he said, ’until I come back.’

14"But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ’We don’t want this man to be our king.’

Herod the Great, had killed 3,000 Jews once on one Sabbath. They hated him. So when it came out that Caesar was going to make Herod king, there was a delegation sent by the Jews to Caesar to complain about Herod’s kingship and they were asking that another ruler be put over them besides Herod. So although this seems like a very crazy story to us, He is nailing it right where they are. This has actually happened in their time, and He’s using this story as a modern day parable to teach them.

The king is going to be going away for a while and he is leaving work for his subjects; work which is to be done using the kings gifts!

He does not tell them how or where to work, he only says – make a profit and work until I get back!

Unless you here a clear directive from the Spirit you are free to decide where you will work. Seek a clear directive but understand the reality of Christian liberty.

Prison ministry, operation sunshine, KOZ, providing a home, visiting seniors, teaching a bible study, working in the nursery – you have liberty to decide.

If you are married you do not have liberty to decide on whether or not to minister to your spouse.

If you have children you do not have liberty to decide on whether or not to train them.

Which brings the next point:

II. Face the reality of accountability.

(Don’t be a wicked servant – Judas, Pharisee/publican)

Luke 19:15-27

15"He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.

16"The first one came and said, ’Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’

17" ’Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ’Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’

18"The second came and said, ’Sir, your mina has earned five more.’

19"His master answered, ’You take charge of five cities.’

20"Then another servant came and said, ’Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. 21I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’

The wicked servant thought the increase should be his own!

The wicked servant didn’t like the Kings system, didn’t want to submit to the kings lordship; what he had to work with came from the king but he didn’t think the king had a right to demand an account.