In my 20 years of Ministry experience, it has become my conviction that the main reason most people are not involved is that they simply do not want to be inconvenienced. Although some do believe the following, I believe for most, this is not the reason for a lack of involvement:
It is not that people think the work is unimportant.
It is not that they think it is imposable to do.
It is not so much that they think they are unable to do anything.
It is not so much that people are unaware that there are needs that need to be met. Why then do some serve?
To be really involved, you must be willing to be inconvenienced or imposed upon with a responsibility. Use yourself as an example, why are you involved now (or not)? You know there is a need that you can meet and the work is important and you are willing to take on the responsibility and serve (or you are not). You allow yourself to be inconvenienced (or you do not). This is the way it always has been –Recall Jesus said,
"What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' And he answered, 'I will not,' but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, 'I go, sir,' but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?" Matthew 21:28-31 (ESV)
The Gospel is The Inconvenient Truth. Certainly, no one would have a hope of Eternal life without our God being willing to be inconvenienced to provide it to us. In fact, the cross of Jesus Christ is evidence of the inconvenience of the truth and history documents that each Apostle of our Lord was inconvenienced for this truth along with legions of Christians who were inconvenienced for their faith. And truly, our own conversion stands in testimony to the willingness of someone to be inconvenienced to bring us the story of salvation.
Another word for inconvenience is sacrifice. And The Inconvenient Truth is that Christianity is about sacrifice. It is the foundation of the Scheme of Redemption. Christianity is about taking up a cross and following our Lord. It is about using our talents, not burying them. It’s about being Light, Salt and Leaven. It’s about giving cold water and washing feet. It’s about bearing burdens and sharing the loads of our brethren. It’s about forgiving and forbearing. It’s about being inconvenienced - sacrifice (Romans 12).
All history stands as our judge and what judgment can we expect? Just as Jesus warned Capernaum that the land of Sodom will stand in judgment of them for their response to the apparent truth in their mist (Matthew 10), the host of Heaven's hero's of faith (Hebrews 11), will stand as our judges as to our willingness to be inconvenienced for God. How can we even compare ourselves to what they sacrificed to be faithful to God?
In the Matthew 21 passage, The Man is God, and the two Sons represent the choices each Child of God has as to the commands of God. So, which of the two did the will of his father? The one willing to be inconvenienced. In light of our witness, will we do the will of our Father?
SACOC Summer Series 2010 Theme: Discovering the Character of Christ.
Wednesday nights at 6:00 PM in the Auditorium (No 5:30 or 7:00 services).
June
02 Discovering the Character of Christ - Living by the Spirit. Cory Colins
09 Discovering the Character of Christ – Love. Bob Plunket
16 Discovering the Character of Christ – Joy. Frank Mills
23 Discovering the Character of Christ – Peace. Randy Baker
30 Discovering the Character of Christ – Patience. Jack Wilhelm
July
07 Discovering the Character of Christ – Kindness. Stan Dean
14 Discovering the Character of Christ – Goodness. Don Williams
21 Discovering the Character of Christ – Faithfulness. Chris Miller
28 Discovering the Character of Christ – Gentleness. Paul Swindle
August
04 Discovering the Character of Christ – Self-Control. Charlie Meek
Please Pray for Our Troops and Missionaries Around the World.