Secrets of the Most Holy Place Series
The Secret of Rest
August 11, 2010
A ...each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work.14 If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward.15 If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. 1 Cor 3:13-15 (NASB)
1 If God’s eyes would bring every work, ministry, bit of service into the kiln of His glory, what would make it out? (Wood, hay, stubble)
a Think about all the effort we’ve spent cutting wood, splitting wood, stacking wood...all for nothing?
aa Planting hay, cutting hay, baling hay, storing hay...
bb I cannot work to earn my salvation, we work for our reward.
b Have you ever seen rows of stacked wood? Field of hay bales? Rows of grain?
aa Piles of gold? Bundles of silver? Bags of precious stones?
bb Rare! He knows!
cc It’s easy for people to see bales, bundles, grain...bad news is they burn quickly.
dd God knows where the gold, silver, and precious stones are.
c I’m afraid if God burned off all my hay, wood, and stubble...I wouldn’t have much to show for a life of ministry.
aa I want to put a positive spin on this: kept me in church & out of trouble, busy...
bb No excuses for excessive business, barely having time for family.
2 When we enter beyond the veil, we find rest. "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matt 11:30 (NASB)
a When we work, serve, minister here, it’s no longer hoping to gain favor, His love.
aa If you love what you do, you’ll never have to work a day in your life.
bb If you love who you serve, you will never work without His favor, blessing.
b When you shift from being concerned about what others’ opinions are, it just really changes your work (don’t want to offend, don’t want to stop your journey because of what people may think/say about you).
B Heart check!
1 Proud/haughty: make you feel as though you’re better than others?
a Earned/deserve what you have?
b NO!!
2 You may even feel sad when you see everyone working so hard, having to struggle to get things over the hump.
a Packed calendars, crammed schedules, programs, classes, events, meetings...stop!
b Listen for His voice, look for His leading.
C God wants us to long for Him the way He longs for us.
1 Can a woman forget her nursing child and have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. Isaiah 49:15 (NASB) (Can’t separate a baby from momma for too long!)
a Some have...
aa Convinced themselves that staying busy brings glory to God.
bb Work covers over deep, inner longing
cc Put God on ignore most of the time
b The only thing that will make it through the fire/shaking are things He has done.
2 Busyness doesn’t bring glory to God; weariness isn’t a sign of spirituality.
a Jesus offers us rest, strength, peace. "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matt 11:30 (NASB)
b But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matt 6:33 (NASB)
aa When we put His kingdom first, all these things will come.
bb He’ll take care of us! Provide for us!
c Not because we’ve worked ourselves to exhaustion, but because He loves us.
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Respectfully,
Mike Fogerson
