My Father’s Business

I. Your Priorities Will Change -

When Christ was missing He was twelve years old.

Where would one suppose to find a twelve year old? Playing with friends,

wrestling with other boys, having fun, and all the other things twelve year olds

like to do. But Jesus was in the Temple sitting among the doctors speaking with

them. Why? Even as a 12 year old he understood the need to be about His Father’s business and it changed His priorities.

Paul said in Philippians 3:7 " But what things were gain to me, those I counted

loss for Christ." in other words Paul said, life is not about me, it’s about

God.

I am saying when you begin to be about your Father’s business your priorities

will change.

II. Your Schedule Will Change -

Joseph and Mary had a definite schedule for leaving Jerusalem and coming back

home. Jesus could not keep their schedule for He was about His Father’s

business.

You see when you mind your own business, your too busy to be interrupted, your

to busy to worry about where someone may need your help, or some way God wants you to serve in the church.

When you mind God’s business His schedule becomes yours.

You say, God I have plans for this day but feel free to change them.

Let’s not view interruptions as a bother but as divine appointments.

In John 4:4 Jesus said He must needs go through Samaria. Why? Because He had nothing better to do? No, because His Father said go and He was about His Father’s business.

When we are minding God’s business rather than our own we allow Him to set the agenda.

Beware the barrenness of a busy life.

III. Your Life Won’t Be About You, It Will Be About Others.

Philippians 2:7 Your Father’s business requires you to be a servant.

It requires you to be a giver, not a taker.

It requires you to serve your brothers in Christ.

Not what can I do for me but what can I do for others.

During a terrible storm at sea that threatened every moment to carry the ship to the bottom, one of the ship's crew was doing something on the deck when a great sea struck the ship and went fairly over the deck, striking this man with great force, disabling him and carrying him into the mad waters.

Although he was a good swimmer, he was so disabled that he could only keep above water. They saw him lifting up his imploring hands through the white foam, signifying his desire for help. But the Captain said, "Don't lower a boat, for no small boat can live in this sea, in this terrific storm. We cannot save the man. The most we can do is to save the ship."

The vessel was bearing farther and farther from the helpless man. Once more they saw his imploring hands come up among the white caps further off, which moved all hearts that witnessed it. Still the Captain said a small boat must not be lowered, as it could not live a moment among these wild billows.

But one man who was an expert swimmer, was so moved by the imploring signals of the drowning man, that he threw off his loose garments, saying:

"I will save that man, or die with him."

So plunging into the surging deep, he struggled so bravely with the mad waters, that he reached the poor man just as his strength had gone; he had given up and was filling with water, and sinking down unconscious. He grasped him, and strange to tell, he brought him so near the ship that a small boat was lowered, and both men were taken up and laid down upon the deck. The one that had been swept overboard, entirely unconscious and his deliverer nearly so. Appliances were used and both were brought to consciousness.

As soon as the rescued man opened his eyes and found he was not in the ocean, his first words were:

"Who saved me?"

He was pointed to his deliverer still lying on the deck in his wet clothes. He crept to his deliverer, and putting his arms around his feet, and in the most tender and heart moving tone of voice cried out:

"I'm your servant, I'm your servant."

He felt that he could never do enough for him.

Let me ask all who read this incident, would you not put your arms about the bleeding feet of your great Deliverer and say from a full heart:

"Jesus, I'm your servant, I'm your servant. Ask anything of me, Jesus, and I will do it the best I can."

V. When You Mind God’s Business He Will Mind Yours.

Luke 12:28-31

The Apostle Paul, after writing about members utilizing their gifts (Romans chapter 12) gives us this exhortation (verses 9-11) "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." In the KJV, the last verse reads, "Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord."