A. INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS:

• the first message of this final series before my sabbatical period asked you to consider what it is to include people into your lives. This final formal message focuses on Acts 20:17-24, as these verses describe the last days of Paul’s Ephesian ministry.

B. MAIN THOUGHT:

• This passage clearly reminds us that the Christian life is driven by personal conviction and commitment.

C. KEY QUESTION:

> What were the qualities of Paul’s life that he was absolutely committed to on behalf of the Christ’s church?

I. The Commitment of Humility (vs. 17-19)

“From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents.”

A. Paul’s life at Ephesus was characterized by a humility that led him to tears – on behalf of people – before God.

B. Paul’s commitment to a lifestyle of humility was so strong, he did not demandanything, although he had been a person of privilege in Jewish society.

II. The Commitment of Declaration (vs. 20, 21)

“You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.”

A. Paul declared to his world the message of Jesus Christ, his salvation and his hope for living without any hesitation whatsoever.

B. Paul declared the message to both Jews & Greeks: an unpopular message to both groups.

III. The Commitment of Boldness (vs. 22-24)

“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”

A. Boldness should be understood as a desire to share the message of Jesus Christ with tact, sensitivity and love for people who are seeking God.

B. Paul understood that by going to Jerusalem he was risking persecution, unjust trials, torture, imprisonment and even death. (See Acts 21-23:22)

IMPLICATIONS FOR LIFE

1. There does need to be a greater number & a deeper conviction within this bodyto simple, unashamed commitment to the Body of Christ, a commitment not defined by tradition nor convenience, but through an inner compulsion that we can do no other.

2. We need to begin to “take it personally”, not operating faith at a distance from life.

The Act of Inclusion

A. INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS:

• during this last period of time among you before sabbatical, our message times will be focused on questions that I would like you to think about over the next number of months. I believe that these items are critical to the future of the congregation & how we might be more genuinely effective in fulfilling the purposes stated on the front of your bulletin.

• Today, in the first place, this passage speaks to the issue of the need of believers to be people who are relationally inclusive. Please notice that I am not talking about just “being friendly

B. MAIN THOUGHT:

• The verses we consider today speak to what every Christian hopes to truly & sincerely experience when they consider their relationship to a church body:inclusion.

C. KEY QUESTION:

• What does it mean – in real, practical terms – to be an inclusive people?

I. Inclusion Reflects the Priorities of Jesus Christ for His People (1:13,14)

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation.”

A. These verses indicate that God gave the best of His resources for us, so that we could be included in him.

• This act of inclusion goes beyond simple belief & faith: that isn’t the issue! The issue for any local church is about how we involve & include all who believe in Christ as Savior & Lord.

B. This giving of the best is the model for us to pattern our lives after. Jesus Christ claimed that the Kingdom of God is like a banquet where the best is offered up.

• when people come, desiring to connect to this body, do they get the best of who we are?

II. Inclusion Recognizes that the Individual Belongs to the Body of Christ (1:13,14)

“ When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit…”

A. These verses further teach that when a person receives Christ he or she is marked “with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.” After acceptance of the truth, theindividual believes & is marked instantly by the presence of God in a remarkable & powerful way, initiating change of character & person.

B. Notice that Paul uses “in him” to describe the standing of the person who believes. It is a clear statement – they belong! Once the person belongs to Christ,he/she belongs to the body in a very real sense.

III. Inclusion Acts as Confirmation of the “Guaranteed Investment Certificate” (1:14)

“… the promised Holy Spirit who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession….”

A. This passage also teaches us that when the Holy Spirit is present, it is a guarantee that we belong to Jesus Christ. God’s promise to us is real & everlasting: when sincerely accepting Christ as Savior & Lord,

B. When we include people in our lives, we become instruments in accomplishingthe task of the Holy Spirit, helping people toward an experience of belonging & feeling significant.

IMPLICATIONS FOR LIFE

1. Before this congregation can ever do effective outreach, it must commit itself to ensuring effective “in-reach”.

2. This is vital, to not only survival, but growth. We are facing significant loss of membership through normal means over the next 5 years. NOW is the time to give our selves to the survival & growth of this body through the act of inclusion.

Money: A Love-Hate Relationship?

I

A. Background & Comments:

• this New Year has given opportunity to reconsider how we treat the resources we have been given by God: Time, Ability & Money. The Bible teaches us that we are stewards (investors) of what we have.

• Whatever our circumstance, there are principles in Scripture that help us make best use what we have

B. Main Thought:

• • These verses teach that God has given us the resource of money through work & investment: there are principles that help us use that resource for his glory & our good.

I. Understand the Danger of Obsession Regarding Money (I Tim. 6:10)

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with much grief.”

A. The Apostle Paul understood that it is possible to become obsessed with the accumulation of money & resources. With that pursuit comes the danger ofpersonal destruction on the rocks of greed, dishonesty, illicit practices & selfishness.

B. Note that this verse teaches us that people have been known to give up their faith in Christ in the pursuit of “earthly salvation”! Jesus was explicit about this: (Mark 8:36) “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?”

II. Understand the Primacy of Christ in Relation to Your Money (Matt. 6:24)

“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”

A. Jesus Christ was absolutely uncompromising about the primacy of his lifewithin us & that nothing should come in between our selves and our God. He speaks here of the cumulative effect of a life torn between God and Money.

B. Most Christians don’t think of themselves in a place of “hate” or “despising” their relationship to God. However, Jesus Christ is clear that he wants the primary place in our hearts.

III. Understand the Priority Purpose of the Money Given to You (I Peter 5:2)

“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care… not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve…”

A. Notice that their service to the church is driven by goodwill, not duty or “should” thinking.

B. Your monetary resource is a tool to be used to care for legitimate self-interest(Phil. 2) & the ministry you are called to and involved in.

Implications for Life

A. There will likely be some cynic sitting within the sound of my voice saying, “There goes the church asking for money again!” That is absolutely not what this message is about.

B. While we are not to be driven by “should” & “must” thinking, we are compelled by Christ’s love to give back to God what we have been given. By doing so we are demonstrating gratitude & the fact we take seriously the responsibilities of being a Christian.

Ability & Effort = Blood, Sweat & Tears

A. Background & Comments:

• The Bible teaches us that we are stewards (investors) of what we have received. Last time we were together we considered:

• • Time: Principles To Guide Life (Eccles. 3:1-12)

• Today, we turn to the issue of the abilities each one of us has been given by God.  You have been gifted with abilities that can bring you great satisfaction in their use and unparalleled blessing to others.

B. Main Thought:

• • In the granting of life, God has given us the blessing & resource of abilitythat demonstrates itself only when we choose to apply it!

C. Key Question:

• • What are principles regarding these abilities that help me use them the very best I can?

I. Ability is God’s Gift to be Employed for Mutual Benefit (2 Cor. 8:1-3)

“ And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.”

A. Rooted in God’s Grace (vs. 1)

• Notice the verse references the “Macedonian (Greek) churches”: the clear implication & expectation is that these abilities need to be seen & used in the context of the church. You have freely received this ability… now give freely back to the church.

B. Often Showing Itself During Crisis or Trial (vs. 2)

• this second verse teaches us that ability often comes to the forefront during a crisis or trial that tests the people of God. We often are sitting on unknown abilities just waiting to spring out into action…

C. Primarily Benefits Others (vs. 3a)

• Paul is explicit in noting that the combined abilities of the churches were for theblessing & encouragement of others. This church was so eager to be used they actually “urgently pleaded” with the Apostle to share in the need.

II. Ability is Realized Through Personal Effort of Blood, Sweat & Tears! (Eph. 4:3; I Peter 1:5-7)

A. Effort: Keep Unity Amongst Believers (Eph. 4:3)

• it takes real effort to keep the unity between believers living, active & normalized. It takes precious little effort to stir up trouble & destroy unity in any local church. For that very reason the Apostle Paul said, (Rom. 16:17) “… towatch out for those who cause divisions…keep away from them.”

B. Effort: Build Character & Integrity (I Peter 1:5-7)

• Peter, one of the men who walked with Jesus Christ, understood that it takes great effort to become the person God wants me to be. Some Christians take the perspective that we just need to “sit back and let God”.

Implications for Life

A. Take a good look within: what ability have you been “robbing” God & the local church of? It is your responsibility to contribute to the local church – Christ’s body – with the ability you have been given. You may have all the ability in the world but it is useless & without value unless it is put to work.

B. We live in a time & society that values convenience. Thankfully our relationship to God does not operate on this dynamic. Are you prepared to give to Godconsistent, real effort toward the things His word claim as important?

• • Time: Principles To Guide Life

A. Background & Comments:

• as we enter this new year we are taking opportunity to consider how we treat the resources we have been given by God: Time, Ability & Money. More commonly, the Bible teaches us that we are stewards (investors) of what we have received.

• Today, we turn to the issue of the “times of our lives” and specifically how we use the time we have.

B. Main Thought:

• • In the granting of life, God has given us the blessing & resource of time: there are principles in this passage that help us to live life in the way God intended.

C. Key Question:

• • What are principles regarding the use of time that helps us live a more balanced & healthy life that honors God?

I. Accept the Balanced Nature of Human Life & Experience (vs. 1-8)

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”

A. Most often we tend to see life in the extremes: either life & times are absolutely great or absolutely terrible. We tend to see life through the lenses of the latest event – blessing or crisis – and therefore interpret everything around us in light of that.

B. In reality, as taught by this passage, life is made up of times & seasons.

II. Accept that Goodness is Forged in God’s Time, Not Ours (vs. 9-10)

“ What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time.”

A. There are events in your life – right now – that seem to be ugly and frustrating, sometimes without any evident value or help. I urge you to see these circumstances in God’s eyes & timing.

B. These verses focus our thoughts on the reality of God’s timing as the key tobringing beauty & refreshment into life.

III. Accept the Presence of the Eternal Nature Within (vs. 11)

“He has also set eternity in the human heart yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live.”

A. When we gauge the nature of our society, we understand that people often experience the paradox of living like there is no tomorrow, yet essentially believing that their lives are invincible!

B. When all the rationalizing, denial & justifying of life is done, we know on the inside that there is an afterlife and that we better take care to be ready for it.

Implications for Life

If you will use this resource of time according to God’s principles & priorities laid out in this passage, I believe you will find the following results:

• 1. You will focus more on things that really matter and be more passionate about them;
  2. You will learn to be more patient;
  3. You will not spend your life in a state of panic.

Faithful to Obey

Matt. 2:13-15, 19-23

A. Background & Comments:

• in these weeks of Advent, we have observed one consistently outstanding characteristic that notes Joseph as an exceptional man: faithfulness to do rightly.We have seen that Joseph was:

• Faithful to Family: Conviction & Grace (Matt. 1:18,19)
• Faithful to God’s Plan (Matt. 1:20-24)

• Remember: The so-called “simple carpenter”, was someone whom thedecisions of eternity were thrust upon.

B. Main Thought:

• These verses focus on the faithful nature of Joseph & how his faithfulness to obey has resulted in untold blessings to the world, for time & eternity.

C. Key Question:

• What marked the obedient acts of Joseph? What makes a man or woman truly “obedient” to God?

I. Faithful Joseph: Obedience is Marked by Urgency & Attention (vs. 13-15)

“ … an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ‘Get up’ he said, ‘take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.’ So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. ”

A. Notice that Joseph’s response to the divinely inspired dream was immediate: he got up & they got moving!

• Do you ever wonder how you might have responded in a situation like this one? I think I might have asked…

B. Oftentimes, the gospel of Jesus Christ requires the Christian to respondimmediately!

• it probably goes without saying that our culture’s pre-occupation with “busyness” & incessant activity has created a context where it is hard for us to hear God & respond appropriately.

II. Faithful Joseph: Obedience is Marked by Wisdom & Discernment (vs. 19-23)

“… an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother and escape to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.’ So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth.”

A. The second evidence of faithful obedience in Joseph’s life is found in his response to the next divinely inspired dream: wisdom & discernment guide his response to the angel.

• Notice: Joseph is strongly desiring to follow the leading he has received yet, when learning subsequent information, he adapts his response to the most appropriate one.

B. I believe that you, God’s people, want to do rightly & obey God’s leading in life. However, we do make mistakes & wrong choices in life, which is exactly why we need the counsel & encouragement of other, rightly intended believers.

Implications

• The lesson for those of us who follow is clear & present: if you want to experience God & fulfillment in a greater manner than at this moment, thencommit yourself to greater obedience.
• Understand this: Joseph’s obedience, along with Mary his beloved wife to be, came at great risk & it eventually brings us to the Christ, culminating in the cross event.

Faithful to Family Matt. 1:18, 19

A. Background & Comments:

• While Jesus & Mary are – obviously – deserving characters, I have always felt that Joseph didn’t quite get the appropriate attention he deserved.

• there is one consistently outstanding characteristic that notes Joseph as an exceptional man, even in the face of daunting circumstances: faithfulness to do rightly.

B. Main Thought:

• These verses focus on the faithful nature of Joseph & how his choices impacted both his family & his faith in the God.

C. Key Question:

• How did Joseph display genuine faithfulness to both God & his future wife Mary?

I. Faithful Joseph: Demonstrated Via Character & Conviction (vs. 18)

“ This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they had come together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.”

A. Consider the moment: Joseph & Mary are engaged to be married & she comes to Joseph with news: she’s pregnant.

• Consider the stigma that Joseph & Mary faced: they would be known in their community as a couple who brought a child into the world, an “illegitimate child”.

B. The Bible claims that Joseph & Mary had not engaged in a pre-marital sexual relationship even though they were engaged to be married.

• Remember the culture that he lived in! Women were considered to be of no more value than a dog, used for the pleasure of men without consequence.

II. Faithful Joseph: Demonstrated Via Gracious Response (vs. 19)

“ Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.”

A. Joseph’s characteristic of faithfulness also shows up in how he treats the situation & circumstances. As part of those convictions, his response to the situation is one of grace, love & compassion toward Mary, in spite of this unbelievable situation.

• Obviously Joseph has his doubts about the veracity of Mary’s claim!

• Are there situations in your life – even shocking ones – that require a gracious response?

B. There will be times & circumstances in life that challenge us to the core of our being.

Implications

• The families that we are part of need us to practice & display a faithful character.
• Being a moral & responding graciously to people who have hurt us go hand-in-hand.

Why is This Church Here? VI  Ps. 51:14-17      “To Honour God”

A. Background & Comments:

• We looked to Psalm 51 for guidance & noted that King David addressed two major themes in the chapter regarding how we need to think about honouring God:

• • Defined What Honouring God Is Not! (vs. 5,16)
  • Defined What Honour Means: Active Responses (vs. 10-12)

B. Main Thought:

• The verses we consider today demonstrate how it is that we bring real, meaningful honour to Christ’s name.

C. Key Question:

• How can we be a people who truly “honour God”, causing others to pause & consider the reality of Christ in our lives?

I. Honouring God: Active Response

A. Response of Enthusiastic Praise (vs. 14, 15)

“ Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.”

• this moment in David’s life is still instructive today! Our worship & praise of God does not rest in my feelings or emotions but rests in my choice to open my mouth in purposeful praise.

B. Response of a Humble Heart (vs. 17)

“ The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”

• The outward acts of faith, ie. verbal worship or ceremony, are meaningless unless the condition of the heart is in the right place.

II. Why Do All of These “Purposes” Matter to Bethel’s Future?

A. To Make Decisions About the Future

• as we proceed into the future, making decisions about our collective experience, we need to be guided by these purposes.

B. To Define the Values We Corporately Embrace & Are Unified Around

• when Bethel church agreed to these purposes more than 10 years ago, we effectively said that these things are the things we truly value.

C. To Keep “On Track” When Other Influences Want to Take Us in Various Directions

• When we commit to a series of values statements like this one, it becomes easier to remain “on track” with our collective purpose.

Implication

• There is only one implication that matters today: GET ON BOARD!

A. Background & Comments:

• About ten years ago this body of believers came together & defined the reasons for the specific existence of Bethel. We discovered that our first two primary reasons for existing are:

• # 1 – to guide people to Christ;
• # 2 – to fellowship with each other:

• the good & comprehensive work done by leadership & the congregation back then came to fruition in the form of the statement on the front of your bulletin.

B. Main Thought:

• The passages we consider today focus on how the early church spent their time encouraging each other. Their example is a model for those of us who follow.

C. Key Question:

• How can we invest & engage in being encouragers, fulfilling our commitment before God & each other?

I. Embrace Encouraging as a Purpose of Life & Faith (Col. 2:2)

“ My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ…”

A. The apostle Paul clearly identifies both his motivation & one of the purposes for his life: to be an encourager.

B. I say to you, with a completely clear conscience, that my purpose here amongst you is to bring hope & encouragement through the Word of God.

II. Practice & Model Sincere Acts of Love as Encouragement (Phil. vs. 7)

“ Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.”

A. In this little known part of Scripture, Paul encourages his friend Philemon to welcome & model a life of practical, sincere acts of love to encourage.

B. What are some practical things I can do – TODAY - to be an encouragement?

III. Speak Words of Encouragement & Hope (Proverbs 18:21)

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

A. The author of this proverb clearly understood the power of words to bring either encouragement & life or discouragement & death.

B. I would like to take this time to praise you in this matter. I believe that the Bethel congregation has become much healthier in this part of our lives together.

Implications

A. Being part of Bethel Church is not intended to be a passive experience!

B. In order to grow as a body everyone needs to invest in encouragement… then, and only then, does everyone benefit.

Colossians 2:6,7

Opening Comments:

• on this Thanksgiving Day we come here to this place as fortunate people, regardless of the issues we constantly face or pressure us. We are amongst the most provided for people on this planet, given far more than we need & even want!

• in spite of this reality, we know that we are surrounded by a population that is, when pushed to be honest, often miserable & dissatisfied with life. The evidence of this can be found in the plethora of broken relationships, anger management issues & the ever-growing pharmaceutical industry that keeps the population “happy” via artificial means.

• today we once again turn to the Bible for wisdom & counsel. The book of Colossians gives us a quick glimpse as to the nature of the Christians in this ancient city and what it was that made them to be a healthy, satisfied people. On this Thanksgiving Sunday we would do well to follow their example.

A. Main Idea:

• The passage we focus on today clearly demonstrates what it is that helps the Christian live a life overflowing with gratitude, joy & contentment.

B. Key Question:

• What would cause the Apostle Paul to tell the early Christians to be people who are “overflowing with thankfulness”?

Paul recognizes two “keys” in this passage that bring a Christian to a contented, satisfied life:

I. Key # 1: Recognized the Reception of Christ as Lord (vs. 6)

“ So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him…”

A. The Colossian people were familiar with persecution & the pressure of the authorities to renounce the faith was overwhelming. Consider the observation of one biblical commentator & the old adage which says, “…. the more things change the more they stay the same.”

B. In the midst of all of this Paul paints a picture of the Colossians as a people who are overflowing with great attitudes, focusing not on life’s difficulties but upon the goodness of God. They were absolutely able to focus on their reception of Christ as the key to change in life. The Colossians recognized that Jesus Christ was Lord, implying a very real obedience to His commands.

• when we have received Christ as Savior & Lord our lives change! The Colossians gratitude flowed from their recognition of the forgiveness of sin & a new perspective on life! Our lives change because we obey the commands of the one who has given his life for us.

II. Key # 2: Recognized that Life is Rooted, Built & Strengthened by Christ (vs. 7a)

“ … rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

A. Before the Christian overflows with a thankful heart & words, we need to be sure that Jesus Christ is the source of our strength. The Apostle Paul, who wrote these words, understood & communicated that the experience of gratitude is rooted in the daily experience of God. If there is no real experience of God, the Scriptures, prayer or fellowship it would be foolish – at best – to imagine that gratitude will be part of life. Paul is really speaking to what the foundation for our individual life is…

• Psalm 37:4

“Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

B. Something often unexplainable occurs in life when we recognize that the source of our sense of well-being rests in Jesus Christ. When a person understands – at a heart level – that Jesus Christ is the everlasting source of strength & growth in life there is an abundant thanksgiving that begins to flow from life.

• James 1:17,18

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first-fruits of all he created.”

• When was the last time you consciously recognized that God was giving you strength for a tough time or a difficult moment in life?

Implications for Life

A. Misery & the unthankful life go “hand-in-hand”. You show me a miserable person and I will show you someone who has no ability to give thanks to God, nor express true thanks to his or her peers. The key to living a satisfied life, being able to give & express thanks, is found inhow we think about the circumstances of our lives. Are you willing to change that?

B. When all is said & done, do we recognize Jesus Christ as the source of “every good and perfect gift”? If the answer to that question is “no” then why not – today - receive him as Savior? Allow Christ to bring satisfaction to the areas that trouble your life.