• • 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.

“To Guide People to Christ”

A. Background & Comments:

• nearly ten years ago this body of believers came together & defined the reasons for its specific existence. The good & comprehensive work done by leadership & the congregation resulted in the statement on the front of your bulletin. This type of statement is typically known as a purpose, mission or vision statement. It is important that every congregation pauses, now & then, to review why it exists and, if necessary, re-commit to its founding “raison d’etre”.

• last Sunday morning we started a series of sermons that are taking a look at the reasons we say we – specifically – exist. We started the process of consideration by addressing the first noted item: “ We exist to guide people to Christ…”

• Due to time limitations last week we were only able to review the first of two clarifying questions. That question was:

• Who are the people we seek to guide to Christ?

- we came up with two types of people noted in both the Old & New Testaments:

1. The Lost & Lonely Seeking Answers: Non-Christians
2. The Straying & Wandering: Non-relating Christians

• today we move on to the second part of this consideration.

B. Main Thought:

• The passages we consider today focus on the first of the purpose statements established by this congregation: “to guide people to Christ.”

To answer the question stated in our title, we ask the second critical, clarifying question:

II. How Do We Guide People to Christ?

The second question of clarity makes reference to how we are to fulfill the task of guiding people to Christ:

A. The Establishment & Maintenance of Relationship

• “ He entered and was passing through Jericho. There was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, and couldn’t because of the crowd, because he was short. He ran on ahead, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and saw him, and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.’ He hurried, came down, and received him joyfully.” (Luke 19:1-10)

• when Jesus Christ approached an unacceptable sinner – a tax collector – he did so with the desire to establish relationship with the lost man. Jesus goes to the home of the tax collector & eats with him. In that culture, going home & eating with the tax collector was the ultimate act of acceptance & relationship.

B. The Simple, Uncompromised Truth About Christ

• John 14:6 – “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

• when Jesus Christ came to his disciples & other religious types around him, with the message that he was the only way to the Father, he commenced his own death sentence. It was as politically incorrect a statement as could be made.
• In the same way we need not shy away from the core Christian truth that Jesus Christ is Savior & Lord. Although many liberal Christians want us to not proclaim that message, faithfulness to Christ means that we must proclaim it as the only hope for a lost & hopeless world.

Implications

A. While many people often ask, “What does the church say?” about various issues, the core issue for the Christian is, “What does Jesus Christ say?” A simple, integral, clear representation of Jesus Christ is the best place to start when it comes to guiding people to a relationship with God.

B. I ask you today as individuals, “What is your personal commitment to the lost & lonely, as well as the straying & the wanderers? What is your commitment to relationships that are based on the uncompromised truth of Jesus Christ?” How you answer that question will tell you a great deal about your relationship with Christ. Let us not tell lies about our purpose… let us fulfill our commitment.

To Guide People to Christ”

A. Background & Comments:

• nearly ten years ago this body of Christian believers came together & defined the reasons for its specific existence. Although I wasn’t part of that discussion, the good & comprehensive work done by leadership & the congregation came to fruition in the form of the statement on the front of your church bulletin. This type of statement is typically known as a purpose, mission or vision statements.

• it is important that every congregation pauses, now & then, to review why it exists and, if necessary, recommit to its founding & binding “raison d’etre”, (reason for being). Here, in what is usually regarded as the beginning of the church year, we are rightly taking some time to re-consider these earlier commitments by good & faithful people.

• today, we take our thoughts to the first of four reasons why Bethel Mennonite Church exists. This first reason for our collective existence takes us to the person of Jesus Christ, “… the author and finisher of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2a)

B. Main Thought:

• The passages we consider today focus on the first of the purpose statements established by this congregation: “to guide people to Christ.”

To answer the question stated in our title, we ask two critical questions that hopefully bring some clarity:

I. Who Are the People We Seek to Guide to Christ?

The easy answer to the question is to say, “Anyone who’s interested!” However, to be specific, we are attempting to reach out & guide the following people:

A. The Lost & Lonely, Seeking Answers: Non-Christians

• Psalm 73:2 – “But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.”

• Matt. 15:1 – “Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear him (Jesus). But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, ‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.’”

• these passages take us to the first of those people we are attempting to guide to Christ:non-Christians. We will meet many people who, whether knowingly or not, are separated from a relationship with Christ.
• the self righteous Pharisees of the day criticized Jesus Christ for “hanging out” with non-believers, for sullying his image by equating himself with these “sinners”. The only way Christians can impact the lost & lonely is by being in relationship with them… Jesus does just that!

B. The Straying & Wandering: Non-Relating Christians

• Psalm 119:176 – “I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.”

• Luke 15:1-3 – “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?”

• I dare say that there are thousands of people in this community who were – once – committed Christians, yet no longer are in relationship with a local church. These passages speak so clearly about those people who are lost to meaningful Christian relationship & who need passionate Christians to help restore them.
• There’s never a happier day when I see someone who has been at a distance from relationship with other Christians, return to fellowship here within Bethel. Hebrews 10:19-25 talks about the “let us” relationships of a healthy local church.
• To not be in fellowship with other Christians as a support & encouragement is to be at a distance from the will of God for your life. The straying & wandering are very part of our commitment “… to guide people to Christ.”

II. How Do We Guide People to Christ?

The second question of clarity makes reference to how we are to fulfill the task of guiding people to Christ:

A. The Establishment & Maintenance of Relationship

• “ He entered and was passing through Jericho. There was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, and couldn’t because of the crowd, because he was short. He ran on ahead, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and saw him, and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.’ He hurried, came down, and received him joyfully.”

• when Jesus Christ approached an unacceptable sinner – a tax collector – he did so with the desire to establish relationship with the lost man. Jesus goes to the home of the tax collector & eats with him. In that culture, going home & eating with the tax collector was the ultimate act of acceptance & relationship.

B. The Simple, Uncompromised Truth About Christ

• John 14:6 – “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

• when Jesus Christ came to his disciples & other religious types around him, with the message that he was the only way to the Father, he commenced his own death sentence. It was as politically incorrect a statement as could be made.
• In the same way we need not shy away from the core Christian truth that Jesus Christ is Savior & Lord. Although many liberal Christians want us to not proclaim that message, faithfulness to Christ means that we must proclaim it as the only hope for a lost & hopeless world.

Implications

A. While many people often ask, “What does the church say?” about various issues, the core issue for the Christian is, “What does Jesus Christ say?” A simple, integral, clear representation of Jesus Christ is the best place to start when it comes to guiding people to a relationship with God.

B. I ask you today as individuals, “What is your personal commitment to the lost & lonely, as well as the straying & the wanderers?” How you answer that question will tell you a great deal about your relationship with Christ. Let us not tell lies about our purpose… let us fulfill our commitment.

Matt. 13:45,46 • The Pearl of Great Price

A. Background & Comments:

• on this final Sunday of August, we bring to a conclusion a series of sermons that have been focusing on the parables of Jesus Christ, as they are presented in Matthew Ch. 13:1-52. In these times together we have seen:

• The Parable of the Sower (vs. 3-9; 18-23)

- we receive the Word of God in different ways!

• The Parable of the Weeds (vs. 24-30; 36-43)

- a day of judgment awaits imposters of the faith.

• The Parable of the Mustard Seed (vs. 31,32)

- we have potential to possess greater faith & hope.

• The Parable of the Yeast (vs. 33)

- the Kingdom invades every part of life

• The Parable of the Hidden Treasure (vs. 44)

- the Kingdom of God is of inestimable value

• as we have said before, these teachings are especially valuable because Jesus Christ is teaching “Kingdom” principles. Each parable starts with the words, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like…”, indicating that there is an entity & behavior – for the individual Christian – to strive toward of greater value than ourselves.

• in a practical sense, these parables are “light” to many of the issues in our lives. Quite often our struggles in life are tied to:

• how we do or do not respond to the Word of God;
• not accepting the eventual judgment of God on behavior;
• underestimating the potential/value of Christ’s kingdom;

B. Main Thought:

• The passage we consider today speaks to the value of Christ’s kingdom versus the value of the earthly experience of the “tangible”.

We begin to think like Christ when we understand that…

I. (vs. 45) The Pearl of Great Price: Obtained Through Searching

“ Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. ”

A. I imagine Jesus pausing after this sentence for effect! When Jesus Christ depicts this story he is declaring truth, particularly the truth of the value of his kingdom in the lives of his followers relative to anything else in life. The relationship, character & implications of this sentence are two-fold:

• “the merchant” – a man busy with life; familiar with searching for the best deal for his business; one who is aware of value;
• “fine pearls” – this is a relative statement: there are variable & relative values to the things we seek;

B. One of the constant themes through both these parables, as well as the gospels as a whole is the role of the individual being a seeker or pursuer of truth. This passage is a picture of humanity: people busy with life, seeking greater values & truth.

• if we will truly be who we need to be – no matter the time & season of life we are in – seeking God through prayer, scripture reading, service to others without expectation, etc. isthe bottom line of being a “seeker”.

II. (vs. 46) The Pearl of Great Price: Sets Direction for Life

“ When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”

A. The merchant mentioned in verse 45, once he had found & recognized a pearl of immense value, went away to rid himself of every inferior resource in life, in order to buy the greatest resource. He saw & experienced the real thing, the greatest valued pearl he could ever lay his eyes on.

• what a poignant moment for us! Jesus Christ’s kingdom is worth more than everything else we can lay our hands on, combined together! It is a picture of the relative value that fulfilling Kingdom life is compared to seeking life’s “pearls”. Why? Upon salvation we gain what we cannot lose!

• C.T. Studd: “If Jesus Christ be God and died from me, no

• sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him”.

• Jim Elliot: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain

• what he cannot lose”.

B. The core truth of the matter is this: we tend, whether by choice or by neglect, to not value the things of the Kingdom as highly as we value, jobs, houses, cars, vacations, etc. This reality often shows itself in how we relate to our children, especially around times of transitions. Is what they do in life as important as their salvation or obedience to Christ?

• I ask these questions gently: Who or what is setting the direction for your life? Does your life revolve around Kingdom values & priorities or is it the other way around?

Implications

Consider the story, words & life of David Livingstone…

David Livingstone of Africa graduated as a medical doctor from Edinburgh University, but he was determined to do something for God. He wanted to work in some place in the world where there was great need, so he went to Africa. We know from his story that he opened up new roads into what was called ‘the dark continent’. He said these words, I’m quoting: ‘I am willing to go anywhere provided it be forward’ – so he did, he went forward to Africa. Livingstone said early in his missionary career: ‘I will place no value on anything I have or may possess, except in its relation to the kingdom of God. Anything I have will be given according as giving or keeping it shall most promote the Kingdom of my Saviour’. He began his work that ultimately extended 32 years in total, entirely dedicated to the continent of Africa. The first 12 years or so were in missionary travels, and the remainder of those 32 years, were unveiling the unknown interior of Africa where his geographical discoveries placed him at the pinnacle of exploration and achievement. On his last trip to Scotland, the University of Edinburgh conferred an honorary degree upon him. In Scottish universities, whenever there was a recipient of an honorary degree there was a custom that the recipient was basically fair sport, fair game, for the rest of the student body as he received his award. The recipient would have to run the gauntlet of all the raucous remarks. They would taunt them and shout, ridiculing them, sometimes with very lurid remarks and criticisms – simply because the person receiving the honorary doctorate had not worked to earn the degree.

So, in the day that David Livingstone was about to receive this honorary award, many wondered what the reaction of the student body would be. Do you know what the students did that day? They stood silent in an ovation of respect to this man. There, I want you to picture it in your mind’s eye, Livingstone stood, one arm hanging at his side – his shoulder had been torn by a lion in the forests of Africa. There he stood, his skin like leather because the sun had completely destroyed it. With the students standing in silence, Livingstone was heard to say these words: ‘Shall I tell you what supported me through all these years of exile among a people whose language I could not understand, and whose attitude toward me was always uncertain and often hostile? It was this: ‘Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world’. ‘People talk of sacrifice that I have made in spending so much of my life in Africa. Can that be called a sacrifice, which is simply paid back as a small part of a great debt owing to our God, which we can never repay? Is that a sacrifice, which brings its own best reward in healthful activity, the consciousness of doing good, peace of mind and a bright hope of a glorious destiny hereafter? Away with the word ‘sacrifice’ in such a view and with such a thought! It was emphatically no sacrifice say rather ‘It was a privilege’. Anxiety, sickness, suffering or danger now and then, with the foregoing of the common conveniences and charities of this life, may make us pause and cause the spirit to savor and the soul to sink – but let this only be for a moment! All these are nothing when compared with the glory, which shall hereafter be revealed in and for us. I never made a sacrifice! Of this we ought not to talk when we remember the great sacrifice, which He made who left His Father’s throne on high to give Himself for us’.

Silence hung that day in the air in the McEwan Hall in Edinburgh University. To this day Livingstone’s name is still revered among a great many inhabitants across the vast reaches of the African interior. Succeeding generations acknowledge him as a legendary figure who dedicated his life to Africa and her people – that’s why, when he died, his heart was buried in Africa, though his body is buried in Westminster Abbey.