1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:07,000 to commend the small church that has so willingly and enthusiastically volunteered to help with 2 00:00:10,280 --> 00:00:16,560 our children's ministries for the summer. It's that kind of innovation and willingness 3 00:00:16,560 --> 00:00:21,800 that's going to be very important to us over the next two or three years if we want to 4 00:00:21,800 --> 00:00:27,400 continue to minister to a growing number of people. 5 00:00:27,400 --> 00:00:33,160 But I want to thank also those who participated and helped in the banquet last Sunday night. 6 00:00:33,160 --> 00:00:38,360 That was a humongous undertaking. There were scores of you who helped move chairs and put 7 00:00:38,360 --> 00:00:45,240 up tables and decorate and then tear down and haul back tables, chairs, etc. So thank 8 00:00:45,240 --> 00:00:49,720 you for all that you did. That was a remarkable evening, a wonderful evening that all of us 9 00:00:49,720 --> 00:00:52,480 will long remember. 10 00:00:52,480 --> 00:00:58,660 I'd like you now to open your Bible, please, first to Acts chapter 16 and then to 1 Corinthians 11 00:00:58,660 --> 00:01:05,660 chapter 3. Acts chapter 16 records for us the second missionary journey of the Apostle 12 00:01:06,880 --> 00:01:13,880 Paul, at least as it got started. Late in the year 50 A.D., the Apostle Paul was burdened 13 00:01:14,080 --> 00:01:20,040 to visit again those churches that he had founded on the first missionary journey. He 14 00:01:20,040 --> 00:01:27,040 and Barnabas were unable to agree on the makeup of the missionary party. Consequently, they 15 00:01:27,640 --> 00:01:34,640 divided their efforts. Barnabas taking Mark and going to Cyprus, Paul choosing Silas and 16 00:01:36,840 --> 00:01:42,680 heading north out of Antioch into Asia Minor. It was not long before they came to the city 17 00:01:42,680 --> 00:01:49,680 of Lystra where he asked Timothy to join the party. And the three then traveled on visiting 18 00:01:49,680 --> 00:01:56,680 the churches and entering into new areas preaching the gospel of Christ in Asia Minor. As they 19 00:01:57,680 --> 00:02:04,120 neared the west coast of that region, the Spirit of the Lord began to forbid them to 20 00:02:04,120 --> 00:02:10,280 go in certain directions and they came to the city of Troas on the coast, waiting there 21 00:02:10,280 --> 00:02:17,040 for God to give them some specific indication as to what he wanted. It was there that what 22 00:02:17,040 --> 00:02:24,040 happened in verse 9 took place. A vision appeared to Paul in the night. A certain man of Macedonia 23 00:02:25,560 --> 00:02:32,240 was standing and appealing to him and saying, come over to Macedonia and help us. When he 24 00:02:32,240 --> 00:02:38,800 had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia concluding that God had 25 00:02:38,800 --> 00:02:45,320 called us to preach the gospel to them. It seems to me here we have something of a biblical 26 00:02:45,320 --> 00:02:52,320 example of what sharing the vision is all about. God gave to the apostle Paul a vision, 27 00:02:53,000 --> 00:02:58,760 a very specific one in this case, but his purpose was to give Paul and those traveling 28 00:02:58,760 --> 00:03:05,760 with him an understanding of what he, the Lord, wanted them to do. And then the apostle 29 00:03:06,800 --> 00:03:13,800 shared that with those traveling with him. In response, they together, sharing the same 30 00:03:13,800 --> 00:03:20,800 vision, endeavored to accomplish that vision, that goal, that purpose, motivated to do so 31 00:03:23,440 --> 00:03:28,920 by the Spirit of God. And you will notice that it says we in verse 10, which begins 32 00:03:28,920 --> 00:03:34,240 an important section of Acts, when Luke, the author, the human author of the book, traveled 33 00:03:34,240 --> 00:03:41,240 with Paul, was personally present. And so Paul and the other three men traveled on into 34 00:03:41,240 --> 00:03:47,080 Europe being directed by God to do so in this vision. 35 00:03:47,080 --> 00:03:54,080 On this Commitment Sunday, we as a congregation are taking a giant step in the direction of 36 00:03:54,200 --> 00:04:01,200 the vision which God has given to us. That is, to minister effectively to as many people 37 00:04:01,200 --> 00:04:08,200 as God will allow us to reach, whether it be here in the cities or abroad cross-culturally. 38 00:04:08,200 --> 00:04:15,200 The responses that we bring today on this Commitment Sunday to the shared vision will 39 00:04:15,200 --> 00:04:22,200 tell us whether we see this as a wish, a dream, or in fact a vision which is worthy of our 40 00:04:25,680 --> 00:04:32,680 commitment. What we say this morning in our indication on the response cards will measure 41 00:04:32,680 --> 00:04:39,680 the extent of our commitment to the vision that we believe God has given to us as a congregation. 42 00:04:40,040 --> 00:04:46,080 I pray that like that early missionary party in Acts chapter 16, we will be motivated by 43 00:04:46,080 --> 00:04:52,080 the Holy Spirit to move together in that direction that God has given us. 44 00:04:52,080 --> 00:04:59,080 We sometimes look upon commitment as a negative thing, don't we? We hear it in the Bible, 45 00:04:59,080 --> 00:05:06,080 as a negative thing, don't we? We hear the word commitment and we often see it as a joyless 46 00:05:06,840 --> 00:05:13,840 duty, as an unpleasant sacrifice, as an obligatory chore. If we do in fact see commitment to 47 00:05:20,000 --> 00:05:27,000 the work of Jesus Christ in that way, we have missed the blessing of it all. 48 00:05:27,000 --> 00:05:32,960 The Apostle Paul went on into Europe and founded a church later in the city of Corinth. He 49 00:05:32,960 --> 00:05:37,520 wrote two letters that we have recorded in the Word of God to those people. The first 50 00:05:37,520 --> 00:05:44,520 one is where we will look for our text today, in chapter 3, and then moving also into chapter 51 00:05:44,520 --> 00:05:50,600 4 somewhat. I'm going to read an extended portion of Scripture, so I invite you to turn 52 00:05:50,600 --> 00:05:57,600 your Bible to follow along as I read, beginning in verse 1 of 1 Corinthians chapter 3. 53 00:05:58,240 --> 00:06:05,240 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, 54 00:06:06,680 --> 00:06:13,440 as to babes in Christ. Now why would Paul say such a thing? He said, I gave you milk 55 00:06:13,440 --> 00:06:20,440 to drink, not solid food, for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you 56 00:06:21,360 --> 00:06:28,360 are not yet able, for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among 57 00:06:30,520 --> 00:06:37,520 you, are you not fleshly? And are you not walking like mere men? For when one says, 58 00:06:37,520 --> 00:06:44,520 I am of Paul, and another, I am of Apollos, are you not mere men? What then is Apollos? 59 00:06:48,600 --> 00:06:54,900 And what is Paul? Servants, through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity 60 00:06:54,900 --> 00:07:01,900 to each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither 61 00:07:01,900 --> 00:07:08,900 the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God, who causes the growth. 62 00:07:09,760 --> 00:07:16,760 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, but each will receive his own reward according 63 00:07:16,800 --> 00:07:23,800 to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building. 64 00:07:23,800 --> 00:07:30,800 You are God's field, God's building. According to the grace of God, which was given to me 65 00:07:31,680 --> 00:07:37,720 as a wise master builder, I laid a foundation. And another is building upon it, but let each 66 00:07:37,720 --> 00:07:43,920 man be careful how he builds upon it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the 67 00:07:43,920 --> 00:07:50,920 one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds upon the foundation 68 00:07:50,920 --> 00:07:57,920 with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man's work will become evident. 69 00:08:00,360 --> 00:08:05,920 For the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire. And the fire itself 70 00:08:05,920 --> 00:08:10,340 will test the quality of each man's work. If any man's work which he has built upon 71 00:08:10,340 --> 00:08:17,340 it remains, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he shall suffer 72 00:08:17,340 --> 00:08:24,340 loss. But he himself shall be saved, yet as so as through fire. Do you not know that you 73 00:08:26,220 --> 00:08:33,220 are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the 74 00:08:34,180 --> 00:08:41,180 temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy and that is what you 75 00:08:41,180 --> 00:08:48,180 are. Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, 76 00:08:49,820 --> 00:08:55,540 let him become foolish that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness 77 00:08:55,540 --> 00:09:02,100 before God. For it is written, he is the one who catches the wise in their craftiness. 78 00:09:02,100 --> 00:09:08,980 And again, the Lord knows the reasonings of the wise, that they are useless. So then let 79 00:09:08,980 --> 00:09:15,980 no one boast in men. For all things belong to you, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas 80 00:09:16,180 --> 00:09:23,180 or the world or life or death or things present or things to come, all things belong to you. 81 00:09:23,540 --> 00:09:30,540 And you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. Let a man regard us in this manner 82 00:09:31,760 --> 00:09:38,220 as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, 83 00:09:38,220 --> 00:09:44,020 it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. But to me it is a very small 84 00:09:44,020 --> 00:09:50,700 thing that I should be examined by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even 85 00:09:50,700 --> 00:09:57,700 examine myself. I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted 86 00:09:58,580 --> 00:10:05,380 for the one who examines me is the Lord. Therefore, do not go on passing judgment before the time, 87 00:10:05,380 --> 00:10:11,900 but wait until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the things hidden in darkness 88 00:10:11,900 --> 00:10:17,260 and disclose the motives of men's hearts. And then each man's praise will come to him 89 00:10:17,260 --> 00:10:24,260 from God. Indeed, a significant portion of scripture regarding the local church. 90 00:10:26,700 --> 00:10:31,820 As we look at this text this morning, I believe that we see here the blessing of serving Jesus 91 00:10:31,820 --> 00:10:38,820 Christ. Blessings belong to those who in faith and with joy commit themselves to the work 92 00:10:41,780 --> 00:10:48,780 of Jesus Christ. I repeat, blessings belong to those who in faith and with joy commit 93 00:10:51,340 --> 00:10:58,260 their resources, that is their time, their energy, their money, their reputation, to 94 00:10:58,260 --> 00:11:05,020 the service of Jesus Christ. What blessings are these that belong to such? 95 00:11:05,020 --> 00:11:12,020 Blessing number one, the blessing of potential reward. I want you to consider that. It is 96 00:11:13,380 --> 00:11:20,380 significant. As we talk about commitment today, let us remember that commitment is worth it 97 00:11:21,380 --> 00:11:27,380 if it is commitment to the work of Jesus Christ because of the blessing of potential reward. 98 00:11:27,380 --> 00:11:34,380 We lose nothing that we give to the Lord, do we? We lose nothing that we give to Him. 99 00:11:36,220 --> 00:11:43,220 What we attempt to grasp for ourselves, we ultimately lose. What we give to Him, we forever 100 00:11:43,700 --> 00:11:50,700 gain. The Apostle Paul points out here that the service that we render for Christ is given 101 00:11:50,700 --> 00:11:57,700 to us by grace. He points to his own example and he says in verse 10, according to the 102 00:11:57,860 --> 00:12:04,860 grace of God which is given to me, as a wise master builder, I lay the foundation. Whatever 103 00:12:06,220 --> 00:12:13,220 ability that we have to give, to serve, to minister, it is from Him. The Apostle says 104 00:12:13,220 --> 00:12:20,220 later in the fourth chapter and the seventh verse that we have nothing inherently of ourselves. 105 00:12:20,220 --> 00:12:27,220 All that we have is given to us by God. Notice that he says in the last part of verse seven, 106 00:12:27,260 --> 00:12:34,260 but if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? In other words, 107 00:12:34,260 --> 00:12:39,260 everything that we have, including the very breath in our lungs at this moment, is a gift 108 00:12:39,260 --> 00:12:46,260 of God's grace to us. So our service for Christ, our giving to Him, whatever that may 109 00:12:48,620 --> 00:12:55,620 be, what we do for the Lord, the gifts that we can exercise, all of that is a gift of 110 00:12:56,660 --> 00:13:03,660 God's grace to us. We are expected by God to exert our own effort and energy for it 111 00:13:03,660 --> 00:13:10,660 is our labor, as he makes it clear in verse eight when he says, each will receive his 112 00:13:10,660 --> 00:13:17,660 own reward according to his own labor. The Apostle Paul is pointing out there that while 113 00:13:17,700 --> 00:13:24,700 it is a gift of grace to us to serve, our faithfulness in using those God-given resources 114 00:13:24,700 --> 00:13:31,700 is in view. We will not be judged and rewarded based upon what we do as compared to what 115 00:13:32,620 --> 00:13:39,620 someone else does, but each one according to his own labor, his own faithfulness, the 116 00:13:40,140 --> 00:13:47,140 energy, the commitment that he makes will be rewarded. Our service for Jesus Christ 117 00:13:47,140 --> 00:13:54,140 provides a record, he tells us, which will one day be examined. Here in this context, 118 00:13:55,060 --> 00:14:02,060 our work for the Lord is compared to a building project and what we do, the materials that 119 00:14:02,620 --> 00:14:09,620 go into that building. And he says there will be a day when the Lord comes when our work 120 00:14:09,620 --> 00:14:16,620 will be examined, will be manifested, will be showed, will be revealed. The quality of 121 00:14:17,860 --> 00:14:24,860 our service for Jesus Christ will be exposed. That day I will answer to myself and to my 122 00:14:25,380 --> 00:14:32,380 Lord, did I do my best? Were my motives in what I did pure? Were my motives in what I 123 00:14:32,380 --> 00:14:39,380 did pure and honest? Was my work one of integrity and sincerity? Our service for Jesus Christ 124 00:14:40,140 --> 00:14:47,140 will, on that day, bring us what we deserve, whether it be reward or, as he says, loss. 125 00:14:47,780 --> 00:14:52,780 Please don't understand the loss as though it were the loss of salvation, he says clearly 126 00:14:52,780 --> 00:14:59,780 in verse 11. He says, in verse 11, we are not going to be able to do anything. We are 127 00:14:59,780 --> 00:15:02,580 going to suffer loss as though it were the loss of salvation, he says clearly in verse 128 00:15:02,580 --> 00:15:09,580 15 that the individual who suffers loss, who has foolishly used his life, who has not served 129 00:15:12,620 --> 00:15:18,940 the Lord in a way that has pleased God, will be saved. Yet, as through the fire of judgment, 130 00:15:18,940 --> 00:15:25,580 which has exposed his foolishness on that day. When we commit ourselves and our God-given 131 00:15:25,580 --> 00:15:29,300 resources to the work of the Lord. 132 00:15:29,300 --> 00:15:34,540 You and I have the prospect of earning eternal rewards. 133 00:15:34,540 --> 00:15:37,180 Keep in mind that salvation is by grace. 134 00:15:37,180 --> 00:15:39,460 It is a gift of God that we receive. 135 00:15:39,460 --> 00:15:45,140 But, brother, the rewards that we receive on that day will be what we have earned and 136 00:15:45,140 --> 00:15:49,540 nothing more. 137 00:15:49,540 --> 00:15:56,540 Our commitment to Jesus Christ now is not some dull routine. 138 00:15:56,540 --> 00:16:02,700 It should not be looked upon as some terrible obligation and duty, but rather as a wonderful 139 00:16:02,700 --> 00:16:11,260 prospect, because our faithful service for Christ now, our commitment to Christ now, 140 00:16:11,260 --> 00:16:16,860 means the prospect of eternal reward. 141 00:16:16,860 --> 00:16:20,340 That is the first blessing, but it seems to me that he goes on to explain other blessings 142 00:16:20,340 --> 00:16:21,340 to us. 143 00:16:21,340 --> 00:16:24,460 The second one I see is the blessing of personal relationship. 144 00:16:24,460 --> 00:16:27,860 Consider that with me. 145 00:16:27,860 --> 00:16:31,660 The blessing of personal relationship, and he points out especially that relationship 146 00:16:31,660 --> 00:16:33,500 that we have with our fellow workers. 147 00:16:33,500 --> 00:16:34,500 Verse 9. 148 00:16:34,500 --> 00:16:42,980 We are God's fellow workers, talking specifically here about himself and Apollos and Cephas, 149 00:16:42,980 --> 00:16:45,940 or Peter, who is mentioned later. 150 00:16:45,940 --> 00:16:49,640 We are God's fellow workers, he says. 151 00:16:49,640 --> 00:16:53,740 Is it not a blessing to consider the fact that we are not alone in the commitment that 152 00:16:53,740 --> 00:16:56,860 we make to Jesus Christ? 153 00:16:56,860 --> 00:17:01,900 As today we indicate how we are going to respond in giving, in prayer, in serving the Lord 154 00:17:01,900 --> 00:17:06,620 in this local church for the next three years. 155 00:17:06,620 --> 00:17:11,960 We are not alone in making that commitment, because there are others, too, who are joining 156 00:17:11,960 --> 00:17:16,860 with us as God's fellow workers. 157 00:17:16,860 --> 00:17:22,740 Now of course the context of 1 Corinthians refers to leaders, but then I think there 158 00:17:22,740 --> 00:17:29,100 is application to everyone who labors together for the Lord, as all of us do. 159 00:17:29,100 --> 00:17:30,460 We are co-laborers. 160 00:17:30,460 --> 00:17:37,820 That is a word that implies close relationship. 161 00:17:37,820 --> 00:17:45,780 It is the picture of two beasts of burden, for example, in the same yoke who are pulling 162 00:17:45,780 --> 00:17:49,860 together with the load. 163 00:17:49,860 --> 00:17:57,260 You and I are in the yoke, as it were, with others who are committed to the work of Jesus 164 00:17:57,260 --> 00:17:58,260 Christ. 165 00:17:58,260 --> 00:18:02,860 What a joy and what a blessing it is to know we are not alone. 166 00:18:02,860 --> 00:18:09,380 He says here we are God's fellow workers, that can be understood to mean that God is 167 00:18:09,380 --> 00:18:12,980 laboring with us. 168 00:18:12,980 --> 00:18:16,720 At least we can say that God is working through us. 169 00:18:16,720 --> 00:18:20,140 Can you think of a greater blessing than knowing that? 170 00:18:20,140 --> 00:18:26,460 That as you join hands with others in committing yourself to the service of Christ, God is 171 00:18:26,460 --> 00:18:37,220 working through you to accomplish His purpose and His will and His vision. 172 00:18:37,220 --> 00:18:43,860 Of course the kind of service that we perform will vary according to our own calling and 173 00:18:43,860 --> 00:18:46,060 our own gifts. 174 00:18:46,060 --> 00:18:52,260 Paul reminds all of us here that there are those who plant, there are those who water, 175 00:18:52,260 --> 00:18:57,020 and the implication is that there are also those who have the joy of reaping. 176 00:18:57,020 --> 00:19:01,500 It is God who gives the increase from beginning to end. 177 00:19:01,500 --> 00:19:06,740 But we as co-workers have different gifts. 178 00:19:06,740 --> 00:19:12,900 One of the things that we have to remember as we work with others is to allow others 179 00:19:12,900 --> 00:19:18,940 to be free to serve Christ as they are gifted to do so. 180 00:19:18,940 --> 00:19:26,340 We must not insist that they be pressed into our mold and that they do exactly what we 181 00:19:26,340 --> 00:19:34,980 do the way that we do it, because each of us is a unique part of the body of Christ. 182 00:19:34,980 --> 00:19:37,820 God has called us and gifted us to do different things. 183 00:19:37,820 --> 00:19:41,700 There is individuality. 184 00:19:41,700 --> 00:19:45,060 Of course there is the mutuality too. 185 00:19:45,060 --> 00:19:49,900 We are doing it together, but the fact is that God has given us different tasks in the 186 00:19:49,900 --> 00:19:50,900 body. 187 00:19:50,900 --> 00:19:53,540 Let us respect that. 188 00:19:53,540 --> 00:19:58,460 When we commit ourselves to the work of the Lord, is it not a blessing to know that we 189 00:19:58,460 --> 00:20:05,540 are linking with others in God's forever family? 190 00:20:05,540 --> 00:20:08,580 They are some of the finest people on earth. 191 00:20:08,580 --> 00:20:11,140 We are in this thing together. 192 00:20:11,140 --> 00:20:13,140 That is a blessing. 193 00:20:13,140 --> 00:20:19,300 So as we commit ourselves today to the ministry of Grace Church Roseville in a way that we 194 00:20:19,300 --> 00:20:24,220 have not done before, above and beyond what we are doing now, let us not see that as an 195 00:20:24,220 --> 00:20:31,980 obligation that is heavy, but rather as a blessed privilege, because we are joining 196 00:20:31,980 --> 00:20:34,580 hands with others and doing the same thing. 197 00:20:34,580 --> 00:20:40,220 That is a blessing and a joy in our commitment. 198 00:20:40,220 --> 00:20:46,300 It seems to me that the Apostle at least suggests a third blessing, one that we need to keep 199 00:20:46,300 --> 00:20:53,700 in mind as we commit ourselves in our resources, our reputation, our energy, our time to the 200 00:20:53,700 --> 00:20:56,860 service of Jesus Christ. 201 00:20:56,860 --> 00:21:01,740 It is the blessing of permanent results. 202 00:21:01,740 --> 00:21:10,860 I think verses 16 and 17 are some of the most sobering to be found in the New Testament, 203 00:21:10,860 --> 00:21:15,220 certainly as it relates to the church. 204 00:21:15,220 --> 00:21:21,380 What he tells us there is that we are involved in a building project of a temple. 205 00:21:21,380 --> 00:21:32,380 Our labor, our commitment is toward a temple which will forever stand as the dwelling place 206 00:21:32,380 --> 00:21:34,580 of God. 207 00:21:34,580 --> 00:21:41,020 There are many committed people in the world. 208 00:21:41,020 --> 00:21:49,900 Most are committed to goals and purposes and causes which are temporal and passing. 209 00:21:49,900 --> 00:21:53,140 An athlete, for example, is committed. 210 00:21:53,140 --> 00:21:58,740 One has to admire an athlete who is in preparation for the Olympics because of the hours every 211 00:21:58,740 --> 00:22:02,860 day given in preparation for that event. 212 00:22:02,860 --> 00:22:03,860 The Olympics come. 213 00:22:03,860 --> 00:22:08,180 The athlete is involved in the trial of the moment. 214 00:22:08,180 --> 00:22:16,340 Perhaps passes, perhaps does not make it, but once the Olympics are over, who remembers? 215 00:22:16,340 --> 00:22:22,660 So there may be a medal that one hangs in his room, but a hundred years from now, what 216 00:22:22,660 --> 00:22:28,520 difference does that make? 217 00:22:28,520 --> 00:22:37,440 So there is the musician who practices, who spends hours alone and with others working 218 00:22:37,440 --> 00:22:40,460 together to prepare a performance. 219 00:22:40,460 --> 00:22:46,180 But once the concert is over, it's over. 220 00:22:46,180 --> 00:22:51,100 Even if it is recorded, it will not be long before there are other recordings that take 221 00:22:51,100 --> 00:22:52,940 its place. 222 00:22:52,940 --> 00:22:56,940 Let's talk about students. 223 00:22:56,940 --> 00:23:01,320 This is a weekend when some students are graduating and others are but a few days away from their 224 00:23:01,320 --> 00:23:07,140 wonderful event that leads to another phase of life. 225 00:23:07,140 --> 00:23:11,300 Students strive toward the diploma or the degree. 226 00:23:11,300 --> 00:23:16,580 They can hardly wait until they get their hands on that piece of paper that will give 227 00:23:16,580 --> 00:23:20,100 them permission to move on in life. 228 00:23:20,100 --> 00:23:25,780 But it's not long before the thrill of that moment is over and suddenly the realities 229 00:23:25,780 --> 00:23:32,220 of that new phase of life press heavy. 230 00:23:32,220 --> 00:23:37,500 What about the business person? 231 00:23:37,500 --> 00:23:42,180 Who becomes a workaholic if necessary in order to be promoted to that position that he has 232 00:23:42,180 --> 00:23:44,540 always wanted. 233 00:23:44,540 --> 00:23:50,740 So he or she gives himself to that goal. 234 00:23:50,740 --> 00:23:57,460 And let's suppose for the moment that it's attained or even surpassed. 235 00:23:57,460 --> 00:24:00,900 Once retirement is over, who cares? 236 00:24:00,900 --> 00:24:07,460 That company or that corporation goes on. 237 00:24:07,460 --> 00:24:13,300 And there are those who desire to build monuments that will last. 238 00:24:13,300 --> 00:24:19,780 This last week I had the opportunity to take a tour through the Glenn Sheen Mansion in 239 00:24:19,780 --> 00:24:20,780 Duluth. 240 00:24:20,780 --> 00:24:26,020 It's a very interesting place. 241 00:24:26,020 --> 00:24:34,900 Mr. Congdon was a very wealthy man and obviously spent years preparing to build that house 242 00:24:34,900 --> 00:24:38,500 on Lake Superior. 243 00:24:38,500 --> 00:24:42,700 Years of work went into the construction of the house. 244 00:24:42,700 --> 00:24:46,140 Ten hours a day, six days a week, three years. 245 00:24:46,140 --> 00:24:54,340 Craftsmen, skilled people gave themselves to the building of that house that still stands. 246 00:24:54,340 --> 00:24:58,860 If you've not been through it, it's worth seeing, at least once. 247 00:24:58,860 --> 00:25:07,380 But it's interesting that having planned and having put effort and a million dollars, 248 00:25:07,380 --> 00:25:15,180 which was a million dollars back in 1906 and 7, put that kind of money into a house. 249 00:25:15,180 --> 00:25:25,940 He lived there for about six years, in fact four years before he died. 250 00:25:25,940 --> 00:25:27,460 So was temporal. 251 00:25:27,460 --> 00:25:32,260 A monument that still stands, but what use is it to him? 252 00:25:32,260 --> 00:25:37,380 He's been in eternity for over 70 years. 253 00:25:37,380 --> 00:25:39,940 You see, my point is this. 254 00:25:39,940 --> 00:25:46,500 As we commit ourselves and our resources, not to something temporal, but to the work 255 00:25:46,500 --> 00:25:54,420 of Jesus Christ, we have the blessing of knowing that the results are permanent. 256 00:25:54,420 --> 00:25:55,980 They mean something. 257 00:25:55,980 --> 00:26:02,100 Now, certainly our world progresses because of sincerely committed individuals who are 258 00:26:02,100 --> 00:26:05,260 willing to pay a price for temporal goals. 259 00:26:05,260 --> 00:26:13,580 But I submit to you today that there is no commitment except that of serving Jesus Christ 260 00:26:13,580 --> 00:26:18,540 that has permanent results. 261 00:26:18,540 --> 00:26:23,740 Every investment in the work of the Lord is with eternity's values in view. 262 00:26:23,740 --> 00:26:30,740 Whether it be my time, my money, my energy, when I am serving Jesus Christ, there are 263 00:26:30,740 --> 00:26:36,100 heavenly dividends that are in view. 264 00:26:36,100 --> 00:26:42,140 When I am serving Jesus Christ and ministering to people, I am touching the souls of those 265 00:26:42,140 --> 00:26:44,460 who will last forever. 266 00:26:44,460 --> 00:26:47,720 People are permanent. 267 00:26:47,720 --> 00:26:52,460 People go on for endless ages. 268 00:26:52,460 --> 00:26:57,340 So when I am ministering to people, seeking to win them to Jesus Christ, seeking to then 269 00:26:57,340 --> 00:27:02,140 bring them into the body of Christ as a vital part of it, seeing them built up in the faith 270 00:27:02,140 --> 00:27:07,940 and then reproduce themselves, when I am doing that and thus building the temple of God, 271 00:27:07,940 --> 00:27:15,940 I am doing something that matters for more than 10 years, or 50 years, or 100 years, 272 00:27:15,940 --> 00:27:18,700 that matters forever. 273 00:27:18,700 --> 00:27:21,820 Commitment to the work of Christ is wise. 274 00:27:21,820 --> 00:27:26,460 It brings blessing because it counts for eternity. 275 00:27:26,460 --> 00:27:32,640 As we think about commitment on this Commitment Sunday, let us finally remember the blessing 276 00:27:32,640 --> 00:27:38,340 of privileged responsibility, which Paul points out in the last part of the text we read. 277 00:27:38,340 --> 00:27:45,860 There are few honors in life more fulfilling than being asked by a person of importance 278 00:27:45,860 --> 00:27:50,500 to serve Him. 279 00:27:50,500 --> 00:27:56,100 To be asked to serve, for example, the President of the United States, or to serve that office, 280 00:27:56,100 --> 00:27:59,380 if not the person, is a high honor. 281 00:27:59,380 --> 00:28:08,420 Sadly, there are some who have forgotten that and have prostituted that service, that privilege. 282 00:28:08,420 --> 00:28:14,020 But let us never forget the honor that is involved in being asked to serve, somewhat 283 00:28:14,020 --> 00:28:16,860 of importance. 284 00:28:16,860 --> 00:28:25,940 The Apostle Paul saw himself here as one who was asked, indeed commanded, to be a servant, 285 00:28:25,940 --> 00:28:29,600 a steward of Jesus Christ. 286 00:28:29,600 --> 00:28:35,220 Please keep in mind that a steward was one who was well trusted. 287 00:28:35,220 --> 00:28:41,780 A steward in that day was one who had proven himself, who had the highest security clearance, 288 00:28:41,780 --> 00:28:45,120 if you please. 289 00:28:45,120 --> 00:28:52,860 There was a matter of trust between the important person and that individual to whom was entrusted 290 00:28:52,860 --> 00:28:58,980 and committed responsibilities of oversight. 291 00:28:58,980 --> 00:29:03,620 While the Apostle uses this term of himself and other leaders in the work of God, again 292 00:29:03,620 --> 00:29:06,220 there is an application to all of us. 293 00:29:06,220 --> 00:29:12,620 First Peter 410 tells us that we are all stewards of the manifold grace of God. 294 00:29:12,620 --> 00:29:18,860 God has entrusted spiritual gifts and responsibilities to us. 295 00:29:18,860 --> 00:29:25,780 God is the only one who can investigate or examine us with equity and impartiality. 296 00:29:25,780 --> 00:29:28,220 We must keep that in mind. 297 00:29:28,220 --> 00:29:38,640 To those who applaud us, we must keep in mind that they may not be evaluating us properly. 298 00:29:38,640 --> 00:29:40,020 They may not see the whole picture. 299 00:29:40,020 --> 00:29:45,220 To those who are detractors, likewise, don't know the whole story. 300 00:29:45,220 --> 00:29:50,500 So we are answerable to the one who has appointed us as steward. 301 00:29:50,500 --> 00:29:56,860 God will find appropriate praise, says Paul, on that day for each one of his stewards. 302 00:29:56,860 --> 00:30:04,340 He says in verse 5, then each man's praise will come to him from God, not from men. 303 00:30:04,340 --> 00:30:10,700 All of us appreciate encouragement and words of thanks. 304 00:30:10,700 --> 00:30:14,140 The thing that really counts for the one who has appointed the steward is that the one 305 00:30:14,140 --> 00:30:16,980 who has appointed him be pleased. 306 00:30:16,980 --> 00:30:25,140 And on that day, when the Lord comes, then each one of us will have praise, do praise, 307 00:30:25,140 --> 00:30:27,460 coming from the Lord. 308 00:30:27,460 --> 00:30:33,440 A significant commitment seems easier to me when I am reminded of the privileged responsibility 309 00:30:33,440 --> 00:30:36,100 I have as a steward of Jesus Christ. 310 00:30:36,100 --> 00:30:40,220 For what I have, all of it, is from Him. 311 00:30:40,220 --> 00:30:44,340 There is nothing that I have originated in myself. 312 00:30:44,340 --> 00:30:49,820 I did not put myself together the way I am, nor did you put yourself together the way 313 00:30:49,820 --> 00:30:50,820 you are. 314 00:30:50,820 --> 00:30:53,580 We are the work of grace. 315 00:30:53,580 --> 00:30:59,700 What we possess is given to us by grace. 316 00:30:59,700 --> 00:31:02,980 The energy level that God has given to us. 317 00:31:02,980 --> 00:31:06,220 The health that we have. 318 00:31:06,220 --> 00:31:08,340 The reputation that we have. 319 00:31:08,340 --> 00:31:10,380 That is all a gift of God's grace. 320 00:31:10,380 --> 00:31:18,100 And now as stewards of that manifold grace of God, we are to serve and commit ourselves 321 00:31:18,100 --> 00:31:24,260 to Christ because of that privileged service. 322 00:31:24,260 --> 00:31:29,460 Please don't make the mistake of reading the word commitment as though it were edged 323 00:31:29,460 --> 00:31:34,340 in black, bold letters. 324 00:31:34,340 --> 00:31:39,540 Commitment should not be a negative word to our ears, nor should it conjure threatening 325 00:31:39,540 --> 00:31:42,880 images in our minds. 326 00:31:42,880 --> 00:31:43,880 Commitment is a step. 327 00:31:43,880 --> 00:31:47,480 It is a step of obedience. 328 00:31:47,480 --> 00:31:49,780 Commitment is a mark. 329 00:31:49,780 --> 00:31:53,500 A mark of ownership. 330 00:31:53,500 --> 00:31:54,980 Commitment is a sign. 331 00:31:54,980 --> 00:31:59,060 A sign of maturity. 332 00:31:59,060 --> 00:32:00,060 Commitment is a test. 333 00:32:00,060 --> 00:32:05,860 A test of lordship. 334 00:32:05,860 --> 00:32:16,660 A God-given vision of touching the lives of people through our local church deserves and 335 00:32:16,660 --> 00:32:21,820 calls for from each of us a sincere and heartfelt commitment. 336 00:32:21,820 --> 00:32:26,100 A commitment that brings us blessings. 337 00:32:26,100 --> 00:32:35,380 And as in a few moments we place our commitment cards in a plate, let us keep in mind the 338 00:32:35,380 --> 00:32:39,940 blessing of it all. 339 00:32:39,940 --> 00:32:46,700 Let's bow together please and pray. 340 00:32:46,700 --> 00:32:53,540 Just a few moments, the ushers are going to return with plates. 341 00:32:53,540 --> 00:32:58,860 I'm going to ask them to come on to the front and be prepared. 342 00:32:58,860 --> 00:33:03,380 I wonder if you would take out that envelope that hopefully you have brought today. 343 00:33:03,380 --> 00:33:06,460 If you would hold that in your hand. 344 00:33:06,460 --> 00:33:13,380 If you are married, perhaps your wife would want to hold it together as we have a prayer 345 00:33:13,380 --> 00:33:24,300 of dedication for these commitments before we return them. 346 00:33:24,300 --> 00:33:29,380 Would you join me in prayer please? 347 00:33:29,380 --> 00:33:38,740 Our Heavenly Father, we thank you that you have given to us as a congregation a burden 348 00:33:38,740 --> 00:33:42,260 for ministry. 349 00:33:42,260 --> 00:33:49,700 We thank you that you have raised up this church to touch the lives of us who are gathered 350 00:33:49,700 --> 00:33:53,180 here this morning. 351 00:33:53,180 --> 00:34:00,020 Deliver us, I pray, from complacency or from such a spirit as would forbid us from seeing 352 00:34:00,020 --> 00:34:06,460 that there are others who need that ministry that we have received. 353 00:34:06,460 --> 00:34:09,460 May we pass it on. 354 00:34:09,460 --> 00:34:15,620 And I pray that we will be able to see the vision as you see it. 355 00:34:15,620 --> 00:34:23,140 That our hearts will be excited about ministering effectively to those people that you would 356 00:34:23,140 --> 00:34:30,420 enable us to reach, whether it be here in the Twin Cities area or if it be in some inner 357 00:34:30,420 --> 00:34:41,380 city, some remote part of Appalachia, or in another culture entirely in some part, some 358 00:34:41,380 --> 00:34:46,780 remote part of the world. 359 00:34:46,780 --> 00:34:56,860 These commitments that we hold in our hands today, we dedicate to you. 360 00:34:56,860 --> 00:35:03,460 We ask for grace and faithfulness to be able to follow through. 361 00:35:03,460 --> 00:35:10,700 We pray that you will enable us in giving, in praying, in serving, so that we might know 362 00:35:10,700 --> 00:35:16,220 the blessing of commitment. 363 00:35:16,220 --> 00:35:22,140 Knowing that what we do now makes a difference forever. 364 00:35:22,140 --> 00:35:30,020 Help us to appreciate the temple that you have called upon us to help construct. 365 00:35:30,020 --> 00:35:37,580 May we as living stones and as part of that temple treat the temple with reference and 366 00:35:37,580 --> 00:35:48,740 respect, knowing that it is your dwelling place, your habitation for all of eternity. 367 00:35:48,740 --> 00:35:55,500 We now give these cards, we return them to your honor and to your praise and your glory, 368 00:35:55,500 --> 00:35:59,300 in Jesus' name, amen. 369 00:35:59,300 --> 00:36:00,620 Would you take your hymnals please? 370 00:36:00,620 --> 00:36:03,980 The ushers are going to pass the plates as we sing. 371 00:36:03,980 --> 00:36:08,820 I'd like for us to turn to 449. 372 00:36:08,820 --> 00:36:14,100 We will sing, take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee. 373 00:36:14,100 --> 00:36:16,080 We'll sing it without accompaniment. 374 00:36:16,080 --> 00:36:20,340 Please remain seated as the plates are passed and as we sing together. 375 00:36:20,340 --> 00:36:21,340 Number 449. 376 00:36:21,340 --> 00:36:38,500 Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee. 377 00:36:38,500 --> 00:36:55,580 Take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise. 378 00:36:55,580 --> 00:37:05,540 Let them flow in ceaseless praise. 379 00:37:05,540 --> 00:37:21,900 Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of thy love. 380 00:37:21,900 --> 00:37:38,340 Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for thee. 381 00:37:38,340 --> 00:37:48,540 Swift and beautiful for thee. 382 00:37:48,540 --> 00:38:05,620 Take my voice and let me sing, always only for my King. 383 00:38:05,620 --> 00:38:23,540 Take my lips and let them be filled with messages from thee. 384 00:38:23,540 --> 00:38:32,340 Filled with messages from thee. 385 00:38:32,340 --> 00:38:35,500 Let's stand together now, please, and sing the fourth verse. 386 00:38:35,500 --> 00:38:52,340 Take my silver and my gold, not a mite would I withhold. 387 00:38:52,340 --> 00:39:10,180 Take my intellect and use every power as thou shalt choose. 388 00:39:10,180 --> 00:39:19,940 Every power as thou shalt choose. 389 00:39:19,940 --> 00:39:36,300 Take my will and make it thine, it shall be no longer mine. 390 00:39:36,300 --> 00:39:54,020 Take my heart, it is thine own, it shall be thy glorious throne. 391 00:39:54,020 --> 00:40:02,500 It shall be thy glorious. 392 00:40:02,500 --> 00:40:08,820 Now let's sing the last verse of this prayer hymn and make it our benediction. 393 00:40:08,820 --> 00:40:26,420 Take my love, my Lord, I pour, at thy feet its precious store. 394 00:40:26,420 --> 00:40:54,940 Take myself and I will be ever only all for thee. 395 00:40:54,940 --> 00:40:56,500 Amen.