Intro: I have been talking to you about casting the vision. Last Sunday, I told you about the story of Moses and Joshua how Moses set the vision while Joshua fulfilled it.
I then challenged you to get plugged in to the vision of the church; it is by plugging in that you become empowered to go with the vision. When you plugged in you are now giving new goals and challenges that will strengthen and equip you in your daily walk with the Lord. When the needs of this House are placed above yours not only will God bless this house but yours as well.
Today I want to follow up by challenging you to get out of your comfort zone and into the Gift Zone. Look at your neighbor and say, “neighbor you are looking a little too comfortable!”
Let me share with the story of Larry Walters.
He was a truck driver with a life-long dream to fly. So, he bought a tank of helium and 45 weather balloons (more than 4 feet across). He then strapped them to his lawn chair that was anchored to the bumper of his Jeep; packed him some sandwiches and drinks and a BB gun to pop the balloons when ready to return to earth.
He cut the rope and shot up like a rocket rather than floating like he envisioned. He didn’t only go a couple of hundred feet, but climbed to 11,000 feet (over 2 miles high). Now he’s afraid to shoot the balloons. He floated around for 14 hours.
He eventually drifted into near LAX Los Angeles International Airport. A Pan Am pilot radioed that he just passed a guy in a lawn chair w/a gun in his lap. The Navy dispatched a helicopter to rescue him. They had a hard time reaching him because the propellers kept pushing him away. They hovered over & lowered a rope & hauled him in.
When he hit the ground, he was arrested. The TV reporter asked why he did it. He replied, “A man just can’t sit around.”
The worst thing we can do here in the church is just sit around, and wait for the coming of the Lord. Jesus tells us in Luke 19:13 to “occupy till I come” we are to be about the Fathers business.
Thomas Carlyle, “the tragedy of life is not so much what men suffer, but rather what they miss.”
So many are missing out right now and sadly it is those in the church that are missing out in their relationship with Christ and their relationship with the church.
My Grandpa at a young age shut down and became very fearful of the outside world he refused to leave and if he did it was for only a brief moment. He confided himself to the house.
All my memories of my grandpa are of him just sitting around. Life passed him by, he missed out on so much. Later in his life I had the privilege to lead him to the Lord before he died, but often I wonder how much different it would have been if he started a relationship early in his life.
I would hope that he would have done more with his walk than what he had done with his life.
I.Comfort zone to Gift Zone???
It is time for us to step out of our comfort zone that we have grown so accustomed too and step into our Gift Zone. We develop in the Gift zone we become cold and complacent in the comfort zone.
Now since I love football, I plan to use a lot of analogies from that game to get my points across. Today I will focus on from comfort zone to gift zone, and next message will deal with challenge zone to end zone.
The comfort zone sits and watches the game. The gift zone is like participating in a practice sessions, the challenge zone is being in the game, and the end zone is where the points are made.
Let’s look at Paul here in 2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.” Victory is for those that play the game.
Here you see Paul come out of the comfort zone when he accepted the call into ministry, in the gift zone he fought a good fight, in the challenge zone he kept the faith, and in the end zone he finished the course.
Too many are complacent, settled, and satisfied with their walk with the Lord. They are living in the place of least resistance.
Let us look at a few characteristics of the comfort zone.
When you go to a football game the only thing you got to worry about is getting there. The players on the other hand have a lot more at stake. Showing up is not good enough; they have to know they are prepared for the game.
When we sit back in our comfort zone the only thing we as Christian worry about is life itself. All the day to day challenges of living are all we want. We forget that the day will come when we stand before the Lord and give an account for the gifts and callings we received but never used and fulfilled.
Just in case you don’t believe me here is some Word to back it up; Paul tells us in Ro 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
John would tell us in Re 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
So many don’t want to participate and get involved in the local church because they are not interested in the added responsibility. If the pastor talks about commitment, that is when so many feel God leading them to another church.
So many come to church and become fixtures, they make no attempt to get involved they are happy to just sit back listen and leave.
So many fall into the trap of the enemy and let hurt and offences dictate their relationship with God and the church. Like I told you last week you got to get over that stuff don’t sweat it just forget it.
Let God heal those hurts that are hindering you from getting plugged in. If it is a person forgive them and move on. What did the Lord’s Prayer say “forgive us of our trespasses as we forgive those that trespass against us” IN other words to get forgiveness you got to give it yourself. If God can forgive you for all the sin and junk you have done; I think you can do the same. The Bible tells us in Mt 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
In Matt. 18:23-35 we read of the parable of the unmerciful servant who was forgiving of a great debt but could not in return do the same.
Don’t let satan rob you of your joy and peace, and keep you from being all you can be for Christ. It is not worth going to hell over.
Satan wants nothing more than for you to be crippled and hurt, you are not a threat when you live under that bondage. You become separate and cold from the body of Christ.
When you let hurt and offence rule your life you can never adequately receive the proper nourishment from the Master’s table. You become a hostage to self it is all about self and you miss the blessings that are rightfully yours.
It is time to get in the game. Sitting in the stands will never give you a true taste of Victory. If you say you’re a Christian that means you were bought with a price and that you are FREE, and he who the Son sets free is free indeed.
When you are nothing more than a seat warmer in the House of God, your gifts and talents are wasted and you become an agent that promotes satan’s kingdom to work unhindered. It is like a guard falling asleep on the job and everything gets stolen.
That is why it is so vital that you get involved and move past those stumbling blocks. You are important in the kingdom and I need everyone. When you are using your gifts and talents for the kingdom you are building the Kingdom, and destroying satan’s kingdom. We cannot let the devil win.
You got to make up your mind that no principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places are going to keep you from being all you can be in Jesus name.
Those that stay in the comfort zone they are the ones that think their opinion matters most.
Last year my wife and I were at a Panthers game and behind us sat this man who after receiving great knowledge from Bud knew how to play the game better than anyone on the field. This man knew everything and was letting everyone around him know that he could do a better job.
Now I can’t help but think what would happen to this skinny man if he was given a uniform and told to play. I will tell you what would happen he would get one play in and only one, he would get tore up.
People that yell & scream at players have no right to do so. Until you get in the arena you have no right to
complain or be critical.
The church has many experts sitting in the stands (pews) that believe they got all the answers, they think they know what needs to be done, but are never willing to do it.
We need more willing to be in the game than being a spectator.
Let me just say this and I will move on if any spectator has any advice or criticism for me unless you are a tither and a faithful member, you have nothing to say to me.
I was told that since opinions cost nothing to give; therefore, they are worth nothing.
The only opinions that matter and have any worth are those giving by individuals that Love God and are looking to expand the kingdom and not hinder it.
It is sad to say but many will live and die in the comfort zone.
There are over 3,000 people mentioned in the Bible, but only 20% fulfilled their assignment. Mt 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. That means you have been chosen it is just up to you if you accept the call.
There always more in the stands than those on the field playing.
We must ask ourselves this are we willing to allow our lives to pass us by; are we willing to sit back and do nothing, or are we ready to leave our comfort zones and make our lives count.
In Genesis 11:31-32. Terah; Abraham’s father was original on his was to Canaan but he stopped in Haran, and never finished his journey it would be his son Abraham who would answer the call of God and go on to Canaan. I wonder what would have happen if Terah kept going. Terah is mentioned 2 times outside of Genesis 11, but
Abraham’s name is found 216 times.
Abraham would father a nation and of the Faith; Terah was only a father to the man that fathered a nation.
What I am saying is that I am challenging each and everyone one of you that you have purpose and worth in the kingdom and God needs you working and so do I.
If you got talents and skills don’t be afraid to share them with me, I need you and I got a place and a job for you; to help fulfill the vision.
I need teachers and workers; we may not have much but little is much when God is in it. If you love children, I need workers that are willing to step up for nursery duty. When we start having young children, I need someone to do children’s church while we have Sunday morning worship.
Whatever you can do I got a place for you.
The opposition isn’t concerned with bystanders for they pose no threat in the comfort zone. It is when you start to do something all hell gets bent out of shape.
They have already sized us up and we need to show them what we are made of. 1Jo 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Its time for us to stand up and flex our spiritual muscles and show the enemy that we are more than conquerors in Jesus Name!
Let me tell you there is a cost when you decide to stand up for Jesus all hell will attack you, but the reward is greater than the cost.
Ro 8:31 ¶ …If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us?
There are costs of ministry Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, went through hell but the reward was greater.
There will be times of rejoicing; but it is now time that realize that we have a job to do regardless of what hell throws at us. We have already won and it is time we start acting like winners.
Zec 3:1 ¶ And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.
Zerubbabel and Joshua had an assignment from God to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. It was an assignment from God, if acted upon, will bring satan’s opposition.
So many will stand back in their comfort zone for this very reason. I want mess with him and he want mess with me.
You have nothing to be worried about if “God be for you who can be against you”. Listen to what God told Zerubbabel in Zec 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This [is] the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
Don’t let the enemy fool you into thinking you have nothing to offer he will try to keep you in your comfort zone any way he can if that means telling you that you will fail and are not good enough. That you will never experience any joy from getting involved.
He will say whatever it will take to keep you down.
Know that when you are weak God is strong. Remember 1Ti 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
Don’t stay on the side lines watching everybody else get in the GAME!
Times change and so do things. We as a body must be progressive in our walks we cannot let little things keep us from growing.
We are living in this world but not to be of it. Yesterdays fishing hook is today’s antique.
To play the game we got to adapt and be ready. We are not to compromise only improvise.
II.Serving others
Once you have made up your mind to leave the comfort zone you can now step into the gift zone.
The gift zone is a place where you die to your own desires and start serving others.
2Ki 3:11 But Jehoshaphat said, [Is there] not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may enquire of the LORD by him?
And one of the king of Israel’s servants answered and said, Here [is] Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah.
When we think of Elijah and Elisha we automatically think of “double portion”, oh we love to hear about double portions and we all want it, but we forget that Elisha first was willing to serve. That double portion was not free he worked for it and showed himself faithful.
Elijah and Elisha story is recorded in 1 Kings 19:19-21, it here we see Elisha forsaking all to follow Elijah. He took care of the man of God and when the time came in 2 Kings 3:11 we read about Elisha asking for the double portion.
Before we can be served, we got to know how to serve we must be willing to humble ourselves before God. Jesus said in Joh 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will [my] Father honour.
Jesus would also say in Mr 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered (served) unto, but to minister, (serve) and to give his life a ransom for many.
Christ himself would take the role of servant and served others no greater example of this than when Christ washed the feet of His disciples in John 13; and asked that they would do likewise.
The church is for meeting the needs of others, not just a place to have our needs met.
So many church members today come in with their own agendas. They come to display their gifts and talents, instead of using them in the service of others. They do not want anyone to tell them where they are needed or where they can better serve, they are there to promote themselves.
A young preacher told a pastor the Lord sent him there to start a ministry. The pastor sent him to the housekeeping department. The young man never returned.
You have to start out low, despise not the day of small beginnings. Be faithful over a few things then God will make you ruler over many things.
I am here today because I served my local church for 11 years. I was faithful in giving and I used all of my talents to help the church and the man of God. (Share more testimony from PPCOG)
It was there on the practice field/gift zone that I was being prepared to be your pastor.
In football during training camp and practice sessions the coach is able to observe his players and see what position best suits them. Sometimes a half back may make a better full back. Some go in thinking to start one position only to learn that the coach can use them better in another.
I would rather have someone that was willing to serve than have those with talent that didn’t. If you come at ministry with a servant’s heart God will bless and elevate you. It’s not the talent He wants it’s your heart.
Don’t focus on what to do but rather focus on how you should be doing it.
Become a faithful servant and that will become a gateway for greater service. Whatever hand life dealt to you play like it’s a royal flush.
2Co 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. That verse doesn’t just speak of tithe and offering but everything that we have to contribute to the kingdom.
III.Handle praise and deal with criticism.
Everyone needs to know how to handle praise and criticism. I just want to touch on this briefly.
There will days that are good and days with challenges. As your Pastor I am here to help you and equip you in your walk. So, I need you to be able to receive confirmation and confrontation with meekness.
A coach will praise the team when they do well and confront them when they are not. But it is always done in a love and for the team’s sake.
There will be days I must be stern but I do it because I love you and I want you to be the best you can be. Just as a parent is stern with their child they must reprove and correct, but it is for the child’s own good.
Pr 12:1 Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof [is] brutish. In other words he that doesn’t take correction is stupid.
It takes no effort to quit and go somewhere else. But it takes a real man or woman to stand still and take it. Today’s mighty oak is yesterday’s nut that held it’s ground.
Our faith will be put to the limits but it is so you can go the extra mile.
God will push me in my faith and I am to push you in yours. This is how we are in to grow… “BY FAITH!”
IV. In the gift zone you are being prepared to shine.
Gifts don’t develop over night. They are forged in life’s ups and downs.
In football the team will practice 2 or 3 times a day to prepare them for the big game. These long practices bring out the best and the worst in people.
Double practice pushes the athlete beyond their endurance. They learn to press on even when the body and mind tell them to quit. These practices help develop a mental toughness that will allow them to press through any barrier when they are pushed past their physical limitation. Many games have been turned around because the team went the extra mile.
We as a church must develop this “can do” attitude, because we “can do all things through Christ who strengthens us!” We can do anything in faith in Christ; don’t be moved by the mountain but move the mountain!
We must sacrifice, have temperance, use restriction and discipline, and stand up in hardships. I know that many want to hear a “tip-toe through the tulips” message, but life isn’t always rosy.
We got to place demands on our faith that we may grow and shine. Paul said in 1Co 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. Paul was talking about the necessity of placing demands upon himself so that he would not give in during times of pressure.
Church we must have a mental toughness a hard headed faith to press through in these last days; life is stressful, but push on through.
Either we can be busy and happy or busy and full of care. We can be busy and have the peace of God in the midst of the storm or we can be busy and sweat the storm. I chose the latter because Jesus said in Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
If we make up our minds to allow the Holy Ghost to stretch our faith, we will find that nothing can stop us.
A person’s character is proven in times of adversity and challenge. Throughout the Bible we read of men and women who have come through many great toils and snares, but always came out on top.
True character is exposed during times of opposition. When you commit to the local church, your true self will eventually be exposed because you will be faced with opportunity to get offended, hurt, and angry.
The church is the best place to discover just what it means to walk in love. The best way to keep from being offended is to make allowances for others.
That means when they make mistakes don’t hold it against them. The church is a training ground, it is not perfect; we all make mistakes. When people make mistakes accept them regardless. Love them, pray for them, and let God take care of them
This is why Paul exhorts us in Eph. 4:2-7-(2)With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;(3)Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.(4)There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;(5)One Lord, one faith, one baptism,(6)One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.(7)But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
While in the gift zone, you aren’t aware that your character is being sharpened, and you might just be surprised what will come out of you. The adversity we face brings out what God knew was there the whole time. So that when you are in the game, character is not developed it is on display. 1Pe 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
