Getting Focused And Going Forward

Intro: In the past few weeks we have studied some of the lethal weapons that the devil will direct at us. I have said that these devices or schemes are designed to destroy, divide, distort what God has for us as believers. Jesus offers us life full. The devil offers life fractured. Our adversary also wants to distract us from the main purpose of the church? So what is the main purpose of a local body of Believers?

To be a place where Jesus is King! There is a command given here in Matthew 28.19-20 and it is not go. The command is make disciples, by teaching to obey everything that our King and savior and friend Jesus has commanded. It seems to me that far too much emphasis is put on freedom today. What do we get freedom from? When we trust Christ we get freedom from the tyranny of Sins power over us. We are freed from our inability to respond in humility, graciousness, and service to God. The Church is not here for you dear friend! The Church is first and foremost here to fulfill God’s good will!

What will happen if we figure this out? In the words of Mark Dever, “We turn the corner from a compromised, self-centered involvement in the church to the God-centered, communal life that God calls and uses for His own purposes!

Here in Matthew 28.19-20 a command is given! Make! There are two responses to commands obedience or rebellion. The natural tendency of man is sin or rebellion.

How do we obey this command?

I. Surrender your resources

What is the greatest resource you have?

A) Your life! As you are going make disciples.

There must be surrender of your life in order for the Holy Spirit of God to flow through you and demonstrate the life of God. (The Kingdom of God is Christ reigning through your life.)

I believe this is why Romans 12.1-2 call us to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice.

The measure of a life, after all, is not its duration, but its donation.

-- Corrie Ten Boom

B) Your finances

Part and parcel of what it means to be a member of the body of Christ and a member of Immanuel Baptist church is giving.

Jesus talked about money does that shock you? One-sixth of the Gospels, and one- third of the parables address the subject of stewardship. Jesus was no fund-raiser. He dealt with money matters, however,because money matters. It’s a surprise to many people, Christians included that the Bible has a lot to say about the subject of our financial resources and how we use them or abuse them.

God has given us three ways on this earth to invest in eternity. Two of them are up for discussion and we approach them with open-mindedness, we can never seem to hear enough about them, but the third seems to be nobody’s else’s business.

We preachers who fail to address time and how we spend it are considered derelict in our duty. For time is one of those irretrievable values in life you can only spend once and never capture again.

We pastors who overlook teaching on talents and gifts that help the church body function smoothly and well and even efficiently are not doing our job. The body has a right to feel slighted because gifts and talents are not mentioned.

But let me mention the subject of treasure and I’m back on the age-old subject and just trying to get your money. I find that not only amazing but ridiculous.

Jesus Himself said where your treasure is there you heart is also. I want to encourage you to do something in the next two to three weeks. Take inventory of where you treasure goes. Take inventory of where your time is spent. Take inventory of your life and see what it is surrendered to.

Jesus says you cannot serve two masters mammon or God. Mammon is a particularly powerful translation of the word often translated money. It becomes a God and overcomes us with greed and eventually becomes a master.

Some will say you don’t have to tithe or give through the local church because we live under grace. What you may not understand is the opportunity you are missing to invest in the Kingdom of God through the local church called Immanuel.

If you do not give through the local church you will miss out on supporting these ministries.

1) Bill Ricks. 2) James Gosney 3) Shane Russell 4) VBS 5) Food Pantry 6) Clothes Closet

7) Highway ministry

5 “tither” families, 2 indiviuals, 4 or 5 generous givers, and some just givers.

C) Your gifting

Ephesians 4.11-12 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until 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.