October 8th, 2000, Sunday Morning

"Calling of a Christian II"
Aim of a Steward

OPENING: 1 Corinthians 4:1, KJV


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Many have a calling in life:

• Saints (who walk saintly)
• Soldiers (of the cross)
• Servants
• Stewards

God counted us faithful before we had the chance to prove ourselves just or unjust.

• 1 Timothy 1:12: Paul was grateful/thankful not because he was exalted or good (in fact he was a severe Christian persecutor) but simply because GOD counted Paul faithful.
  
  
• Ephesians 3:7-8: No matter how bad or good we've been, GOD's grace means he loves us as much as the most obedient Christian on this earth. GOD has called us to be a steward/servant/minister. People who make mistakes are referred to as sorry people but they shouldn't feel that way about themselves. Rather, they should take up the calling God has for them--as much as the most obedient Christian.
  
  
• 1 Peter 4:10: We must constantly work to better the gift we've been given--and share it with others.

2 Corinthians 5:18-21: Being saved, we are called to be ambassadors for Jesus Christ to the world.

• What do you consider to be your sole purpose in life? Some people/TV commercials suggest skiing, football, sports, etc. is why you were born--born to [insert sport here]. So when you ask God for food, clothing, housing, provision to live another day, God will say, why? Will you take what you ask for to live for God and the gospel... or yourself (and your sport)?
  
  
• Characteristics of being an ambassador of Christ
  
  
  • YOU BELONG TO THE ONE WHO SENT YOU: It's impossible to be an ambassador without belonging to the one who sent you out.
    
    
  • YOU'RE COMMISSIONED TO BE SENT OUT: Mark 28:18-20: We have the authority given by Jesus Christ (who sent us)--as He quoted. So if anyone says you don't have the authority or you can't witness, you tell them because of that passage of scripture, you have the "permission and commission."
    
    
  • SENT FORTH WITH THE MESSAGE OF THE SENDER: Day after day, more and more events occur that displease GOD. Therefore, we are sent with a message from Him to tell the world that the wages of sin is death in eternal hell but the gift of God is eternal salvation through His son Jesus Christ.

AIM - How to keep in focus

• Just as an expert marksman aims with the front sight of a weapon, we should be that way with people using the ultimate weapon--the King James Version bible.
  
  
• What our aim should be
  
  
  • 1 Corinthians 4:1
  • Isaiah 43:10
  
  
• To keep in focus when ministering to GOD
  
  
  • KNOW GOD
    
    
    • 2 Peter 3:18: Know Him personally, intimately, and always growing.
      
      
    • To be ambassadors of Jesus Christ, we must know his policies and practices.
      
      
      • For example, we can know presidential candidates' stand on the issues but that doesn't mean we "know them" personally. To know what thrills, pleases and upsets GOD should be our aim.
        
        
      • The whole reason we're in the bible is to know GOD. Reading only the New Testament is not enough. Reading the Old Testament helps us to know more about GOD and how he dealt with situations.
        
        
        • EXAMPLE: Leviticus 19:28: Did you know that cutting yourself or getting a tattoo is forbidden by GOD? Remember--it's His body not yours. People who do this anyway (who may claim to know GOD) don't know GOD. If they did, they would obey Him.
          
          
        • EXAMPLE: Leviticus 18:22: Gay Christians don't know GOD. Gay and Christian are two words you cannot put together. To do so implies Jesus Christ was gay and this is false.
    
    
  • BELIEVE GOD'S CALL, WORD, PROMISES
    
    
    • Isaiah 43:10
      
      
    • Believe that GOD loves the world and wants to save it.
      
      
      • 1 Timothy 2:4
      • 2 Peter 3:9
      
      
    • Ezekiel 33:11: Believe GOD doesn't want to see the wicked perish
      
      
    • Isaiah 43:10: Believe GOD has called you to be commissioned.
    
    
  • UNDERSTAND GOD
    
    
    • To imitate GOD is simply to do what He says without understanding the rationale behind it. GOD wants us to know Him--to understand His rationale.
      
      
    • We don't know why GOD did what He did in the Old Testament. Some of us may label His judgments harsh and extreme. However, if we get to know Him, we'll understand why He did what He did and we'll come to know His actions are justified.
      
      
    • God loves all--even those souls in hell.
      
      
    • Philippians 3:10-11: Personally know Jesus Christ and the power of His resurrection--the fellowship of suffering.
      
      
      • We've been isolated and shunned by friends before, but have you ever experienced TOTAL 100% isolation? No--because Jesus Christ said he's with us forever (Mark 28:20). However, Jesus knew 100% TOTAL ISOLATION when he took the sins of the world on Him because the world shunned Him and God shunned him because GOD cannot know evil. Therefore, even GOD turned his back on Jesus (Matthew 27:46).
        
        
      • In this passage of scripture, Paul wanted to know the power of the resurrection--walking in newness of life; the fellowship of suffering.
      
      
    • Philippians 3:13-14: Don't beat yourself up for what you did in the past--forget the past! Don't look back but look forward toward the ultimate prize if you're to be a minister/servant of GOD.
      
      
      • Paul's past was the memories of his persecution/torturing/killing of Christians. But he had to put that behind him and look forward.
        
        
      • Don't even linger on past VICTORIES! Press forward. If you don't go forward and always look on the past victory, then you'll have no new testimony.

If we don't aim, we'll hit nothing every time. But if we aim, we'll hit something.

The failures of last year, last week, two hours ago... forget that time and start anew right now.

Philippians 1:20-21: Our AIM should be the desire to not be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ but rather to be proud of it and give your life and body to Christ.

We have all the inheritance and riches of Jesus Christ and we should walk like it just as monetary millionaires "walk" like they have lots of material wealth. In other words, we should not be ashamed to dress and drive to church--for others to see us in suits with the bible in hand.

When folks look at us, they should not see us but Jesus Christ in us.

Today, the message is not getting out. This is a failure of the church.

Where you work and live is not coincidence but a divine intervention. Stop and consider that GOD put you here to be a shining light in a part of the world that's dark. Your AIM should be to burn bright and long-lasting.

• If you're timid, get over it. Paul said to speak the gospel boldly.

Our AIM should be of tremendous concern for our church (whom we represent)--that the church may not be blamed for any of our actions (be it offensive).

• The ministry of Jesus Christ cannot be blamed for our actions. That's why we shouldn't lose our temper and patience with other people.
  
  
• 2 Corinthians 6:3
• Acts 24:16

CLOSER

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1 Corinthians 4:1-2: Our AIM is that as ministers and stewards, we're expected to be:

• Trustworthy
• Accountable (Acts 20:24: with the gospel of Jesus Christ)
• Faithful (in praying for the ministers and ministry every day)
• Responsible

2 Timothy 4:7-8: How long do we serve? Unto our death or His return. There is no "retirement."

Each day you live, you come one day closer to your own death or the return of Jesus Christ. So until then, we continue the fight. Don't be like those who work 20 years and call it a good job and retire--AIM to go out fighting!