Chosen And Serving

INTRO.- ILL.- A site foreman had ten very lazy men working for him, so one day he decided to trick them into doing some work for a change.

"I’ve got a really easy job today for the laziest one among you," he announced. "Will the laziest man please put his hand up." Nine hands went up.

"Why didn’t you put your hand up?" he asked the tenth man. "Too much trouble," came the reply.

ILL.- Through a scheduling mix up, a man and a woman who have never met before find themselves in the same sleeping carriage of a train. It’s late, the train is full, and everyone else is already asleep. After the initial embarrassment, they both manage to get to sleep; the woman on the top bunk, the man on the lower.

In the middle of the night the woman leans over and says, "I’m sorry to bother you, but I’m awfully cold and I was wondering if you could possibly pass me another blanket."

The man leans out and, with a glint in his eye, says, "I’ve got a better idea ... let’s pretend we’re married."

"Why not," giggles the woman. "Good," he replies. "Get your own blanket."

ILL.- The sign in the store window read: NO HELP WANTED. As two men passed by, one said to the other, "You should apply--you’d be great."

There are many lazy people in life. You’ve seen them. I’ve seen them.

ILL.- I remember one fellow who came to work at Safeway one night with alcohol on his breath. I don’t know how much he’d been drinking but he’d consumed some booze. As soon as the manager was out of sight and drove away from the store that stocker got out a lawn chair, which we sold, got in it and went to sleep. I think he slept most of the night and even when he did work, he did little.

Sorry, but he appeared to be a lazy wart. He didn’t last long. I think he was "let go" after a month.

I wonder what how many people would be "let go" in our churches if the Lord decided to cull workers and non-workers?!

Matthew 9:36-38 "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." WORKERS ARE FEW.

John 4:34-35 "My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say, ’Four months more and then the harvest’? "I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest." TRUE FOR JESUS. TRUE FOR US AS WELL!

John 6:27 "Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."

God put us here on planet to do more than just make a living and put food on the table.

John 9:4 "As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work."

This verse puts Christian work or Christian service in a different light, doesn’t it? We have only so much time in which to do God’s work or serve the Lord. We must "make hay while the sun shines."

We have been chosen for a purpose in life. We are special people with a special purpose in this world.

PROP. - Let’s check out the Thessalonians to see how we got where we are and what we’re supposed to be doing.

1- We are chosen by God

2- We are models for others

3- We are messengers of the gospel

I. WE ARE CHOSEN BY GOD

4For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.

ILL.- Do you know who Kenny Chesney is? He’s a very good country music star/singer. I particularly like his song, "Baptism." Randy Travis sings with him on this one. Here are some of the lyrics.

The summer breeze, made ripples on the pond

Rattled through the rings and the willow trees beyond

Daddy in his good hat, mama in her Sunday dress

Watched with pride, as I stood there in the water up to my chest

And the preacher spoke about the cleansing blood

I sank my toes into that East Tennessee mud