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?