Getting into God’s Business
(Ecc. 4:7-8)
“Again I saw something meaningless under the sun: There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. For whom am I toiling,” he asked, “and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?” This too is meaningless – a miserable business!” - Ecc.4:7-8
The Bible says this man…
Had no -son
-brother
he was -all alone
he was -never satisfied with what he had
he -worked harder and harder to gain more and
more.
Finally he begins to ask… “For whom and I laboring?
"Why am I depriving myself?”
KING SOLOMON writes,
-“It is a meaningless and a miserable business”!!!!
What business are you in today?
-healthcare business
-the restaurant business
-The lumber business
-The teaching business
-Or even ….. The church business.
***If you’re not in God’s business you are in a
meaningless and a miserable business***
-If you get into God’s business it doesn’t matter what
your occupation is – you will be satisfied and
effective.
1)What is God’s business?
-God’s business is the redemption business.
JN. 3:16 “For God so love the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting Life.”
2Pet. 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness,but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.”
Jesus even commanded His disciples to carry on with the same attitude…
Mat.28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
*God is not willing that anyone should perish in their sins…Anything thing that leads people to repentance is God’s Business.
-The salvation of souls is God’s business
-Missions is Gods business.
-God is in the redemption business!
*We live in a lost world
*We live in a lost town
-it is a moral town… (you cannot walk up to
the corner and pick up a pornographic news
paper for $ .50 like you can in LA)
-It is a clean town… (you don’t have graffiti
on the side of the buildings)
-It is a safe town… (The only drive by
shootings are when hunters shoot a deer from
their truck)
Bagley is a nice community…But there are still a lot of people who do not know Jesus! - That means it is Lost!
Is there…
-Drunkenness in Bagley?
-Drug abuse?
-Adultery?
-Abortion
-What about gossip… is there gossip in Bagley?
*We live in lost families
-Do each of us have family members who do not know Jesus as the Savior?
*But God does not desire that anyone should perish
– He is in the redemption Business!
-God does not desire that anyone should spend eternity in a sinners hell
-there is no rest
-no peace
-no parties…. In hell
Only eternal separation from the presence of God!!!!
Each of us at one time were consumed in our sins…
-thrown out like yesterdays trash by Satan
But God reached into the garbage and pulled us out…. He redeemed us!!
a)Are you in God’s business?
-If your not you are in a meaningless and a miserable business!
Are you in the redemption business?
God has no time for pretenders but He has great blessings in store for those involved in His business.
<<<
Bob carworth a ford dealer
Just suppose Bob ran into some trouble...He cannot sell a Ford!
(His staff wanting to keep there jobs suggest- You need more advertizing!)
-He puts up signs everywhere
-Radio commercials
-TV Comercials
-Mailers
-Everywhere you turn you see "Bob Carsworth -get a Ford that’s worth something!"
-He’s still having trouble so He calles the muckety mucks in Detroit
-When they came to visit...
-They saw signs everywhere
-They Saw the Tv adds
-They heard the radio adds
-They read the mailers
*This Guy looks good - He should be selling a lot of Fords!
-They Get to the car lot
*-There is not a ford on the whole place
-Chevy, Honda, Christler, Dodge -But no Fords!
-“Didn’t you see the signs?” -Bob quips..
-TheTV?
-The Radio?
-The flyers?
** executives would be mad and return to Detroit to revoked the dealers right to sell Fords.
*You cannot sell fords -UNless you have fords to sell!
Friends many Churches are like that crazy ford dealer…
-Signs everywhere.
-adds are in the news paper.
-Some even have radio programs.
But when people come looking for Jesus they quickly find out that it was a false advertisement….
-They leave disgusted and disappointed
God is not in the pretending business – He is in the redemption business!
THE PROBLEM WITH MOST CHURCHES THESE DAYS IS THAT WHEN PEOPLE COME LOOKING FOR JESUS THEY OFFER EVERYTHING, BUT JESUS!
a)Programs are offered
-Youth programs
-Family nights
-Church Outings
*-Lots of Activities but lost people leave frustrated asking, “WHERE IS GOD!”
GOD IS NOT IN THE PROGAMS BUISNESS HE IS IN THE REDEMPTION BUSINESS!!
-Programs are good if they point people to Jesus!
**But let it never be said of Faith Hill – we offered good programs but forget Jesus!!!
-Programs are only good provided they plug people into Jesus!
b) facilities are offered
-But God is not in the building business!
1 - Buildings are a good place to meet… (I’m glad we do not have to sit out side when it is –50.)
2 - I appreciate these facilities a lot… (without these facilities I would not have a place to live).
But God is not in the building business - He is in the redemption business!
-Buildings are only Good providing they are a place to build people up in Jesus!
c) Christian Paraphernalia is offered:
-Don’t point your finger too much at Faith Hill…
-The church is made up of individuals!
As individuals we…
-Wear Christian T-shirts
-Have Christian bumper stickers
-Listen to Christian music
BUT GOD IS NOT IN THE T-SHIRT, BUMPER STICKER OR MUSIC BUSINESS ---- GOD IS IN THE REDEMPTION BUSINES!
-T-shirts, bumper stickers, and music are a miserable business with out God!
You can have all of the Christian parafinilia you want…
- it is not bad in of its self
- it also doesn’t release you from your
responsibilities as a Christian!
*Christian T-Shirts do not identify you with Christ.
Titus 2:11-13 says
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that , denying ungodliness and worldly lust, we should live soberly, righteous, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Just because you wear the right cloths does not mean your in God’s business…
We are called to:
-live soberly
-righteous
-godly lives
*Not so we can be saved, but - because we are saved!
You will know when you are in God’s business because you will be changed and so will those around you!
*God is not in the T-shirts, bumper sticker, or music business… He is in the Redemption Business!
c) Too often we think the tool is the Goal!
Please understand God is not against
-Programs
-Buildings
-or Christian Paraphernalia
They are the tools we use to complete our Job!
<
Just like a carpenter uses a hammer to complete his work…Christians use
-Programs
-Buildings
-or Christian Paraphernalia
To complete the work God calls us too… The redemption business!
But do not confuse the tool with the goal!!!
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-S.S. Teacher you want to know if you are off focus? – wait until you get a disrespectful child in your class – you’ll find out
-Board members you want to know if you are off focus? – wait until a prostitute comes in and is so broken in her sin that she weeps and her makeup leaves a stain on the new carpet! – you’ll find out!
-Youth you want to know if you are off focus? – wait until that geeky poor kid at school wants that nice brand new $18.00 Christian t-shirt you are wearing – you’ll find out!
2) How do you get into God’s Business?
A) -You must be saved – A living active relationship with Christ is a must if you
want to be in God’s business.
John 3:3 says, ”Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
If you are not saved … you are in your own business & the Devils business.
B) –You must do what the Boss says!
Mat.28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
C) – God’s business requires an investment.
Of: Time
Energy
Resources
(a)Time:
Competition is fierce in the business world … but it is much fiercer in God’s
business.
-Satan will try to destroy you
-Others will try to discourage you
-The cares of life will try to choke out your desire
to serve God
Many things will compete for your time – but if we must commit our time to the work of God.
(b) Energy:
Getting into God’s business requires energy.
-You will be busy
-You will grow weary
*Time must be spent in prayer
*Time must be spent listening to needs
*Time must be spent sharing the Gospel
-in lifestyle
-in words
Pastors Job???
-The great commission was to all believers not to pastors!
(c) Resources:
-It takes money to do God’s business Just as there is a financial investment in a regular business there is an investment involved in God’s business.
·It take $ to buy Bibles for those who do not have one.
·It takes $ to buy food for the needy.
·It takes $ to Send missionaries around the world to
proclaim the gospel!
3)After a season of investment There is a pay off!
-God is not a debtor to anyone and if you invest into His business you will receive a great pay off.
Luke 6:38 – “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use it will be measured back to you!”
You need more time?
-give time to God’s work
YOU need more energy?
-invest your energy into God’s work
You need more $ ?
-Give to God’s work
God is not a debtor to anyone anything you give to Him will prosper and come back to you!
Review:
1) God’s business is redemption business!
2) How do you get involved?
-Salvation
-Investment of
-time
-energy
-resources
4) The main point of this message
God’s business is the redemption business – missions at home and abroad is the motor that drives the boat!
<<
-You are either a missionary or a mission field
-You are either in God’s business or your ownmiserable business!
-You could never be involved in every ministry
-You could never fund every ministry
-But you can commit to one ministry at Faith Hill
-You can give to missions
23 missionaries you multiply your self by 23
You become…
-23 missionaries who are going all over the world
-You commit to one ministry and you multiply yourself by all of the
people touched under your ministry!
Closing
In the same way many of you did not get candy in the beginning…
-Many have never heard the Name of Jesus.
-Many have never heard about Jesus in a way they could understand.
Acts 4:12 Says, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name
under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
That is what Missions is all about
-Telling people around the world about Jesus – So they can be redeemed!
You want out of your own miserable business?
-Send missionaries where you cannot go yourself!
-Tell those around you about Jesus
Get into God’s business of redemption and you’ll be in the most rewarding business of all!
