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Communion - What is Precious to God

What is Precious to God?

 

 

As we observe the Lord’s Supper today, there is one aspect that I want us to focus on today.

            What (or WHO) is precious to God?

Not just who matters or who does He care about, but

o                   who is He passionate about,

o                   who does He adore,

o                   who doesn’t He want to live without?

 

As you imagine in your mind someone who falls into this category, who could it be?

Certainly it would be someone important, significant, valuable

Does anyone here know someone that is a TREASURE to God?

 

There’s one thought that ALARMINGLY is becoming more and more prevalent

NOT ME!!

 

Why Not – a thousand different excuses

           

I’ve Messed Up  - my past is too dark or my problems are too huge

Do you have guilt that paralyzes you – NOT from God!!

            God shows the way to eliminate guilt

 

I’m Defective – there is something wrong with me – I’m not as good as everyone else – I am unlovable or unworthy – God doesn’t notice me

Do you feel like you just don’t fit in – like the solutions are for everyone else?

 

I’m an Accident – I’m worthless – there is nothing special about me or desirable about me.  No one wanted me (Garry Gear)

Have  you ever felt insignificant – especially to a God who is King?

 

ANSWER

 

His Grace – God’s love is universal and His forgiveness is free (Eph 2:8-9)

 

This is the path of God – ELIMINATION OF GUILT!

Paul – worst of sinners 1 Timothy 1:15 – Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst.  – Acts 7&9 – literally fighting against God

            David – adultery and murder - 2 Samuel 11

God’s gracious gift means that whatever you’ve done and whatever you’ll do – He loves you and His forgiveness is free – receive it or embrace it today!! 

Don’t let the enemy overrun your mind with endless and unsolvable guilt

 

His Creation

            We need to understand how God feels about what He has made -

Gen 1:26-27 – made in the image of God

Eph 2:10 – workmanship “poema”  Masterpiece!!

He adores you – those who critique you offend Him!!

You are His display – He brings people over to see YOU!!

No, not me – He doesn’t know me!!

Psalm 139:13-16 – God’s direct creative act in making you

                                                God’s knowledge of the paths of your life

 

His People

What does God have to say about us?

Psalm 149:4 – For the Lord takes delight in His people

Zephaniah 3:17 – The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save.  He will take great DELIGHT in you, He will quiet you with Hi s love, He will rejoice over you with singing

            God goes around singing songs about YOU!

            When He’s weary, He thinks about YOU!

 

 

How does God feel about me if I haven’t become one of His people yet?

            Romans 5:8 – while we were still sinners, Christ died for us

            John 3:16 – God loved “the world”

2 Peter 3:9 – “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance”

 

You – He loves you, forgives you, accepts you, and finds immeasurable joy in knowing you

            YOU ARE PRECIOUS TO HIM!  You are His treasure and joy

 

No more powerful example than what we are about to do – remember the sacrifice of our Lord for each of us

            Personal – each of us must take for ourselves

            Universal – the invitation is simple and for ALL

            Given – we didn’t ask for it – He know our need and did it voluntarily

            A statement of value!

 

Col 3:12 – [You are] God’s chosen people, holy, and dearly loved

Core Value #8 - Relationships

Core Value #8 - RELATIONSHIPS        

 

Although this is the last one – it probably defines the feel of our ministry more than any of the others.  Most related to Caring, but has connections to integrity, teamwork, inclusiveness, and even sacrifice.

 

I believe relationships are the primary area where God shows us what He’s doing in our lives.

 

PERSONAL APPLICATION

If the enemy can get you to feel alone – you’ll be defeated

 

Not all relationships are healthy and enduring – Don’t misconstrue this teaching!

            Some are given just for a time

            Some need to be cut off

            Some need to be let go

The good things in life are often the enemies of the best things in life

 

The people you are around and choose to invest your time in will have the LARGEST impact on the direction and feel of your life. – you need to have the RIGHT people around you!

 

1.         The Substance of Life - Relationships

 

When we look back at our lives and even forward in our lives, what is the most important part of our lives on this earth?  What would bring the most satisfaction and enjoyment?

 

Relationships bring the texture and depth to our lives

 

SPIRITUALLY

Primary interaction with God is relational

John 1:12 – we can become the children of God

 Matt 7:23 “I never knew you” basic question with God is relational

 

HUMANLY

Not good for man to be alone (Gen 2:18)

The Creator knew that He made us to need to be with one another

Thus, relationships are a gift from God

Not a cheap commodity to be used and thrown away (Eph 4:31-32)

 

Without other people, our lives would be empty and pointless. 

            SURE they bring pain and risk

            But isolation is no solution – it is just adding another problem

 

Give thanks today for the relationships that God has given you – for how much they make your life mean

 

2.         Relationships require care and nurturing

 

While relationships are gifts, it doesn’t mean we can presume that they are easy or invincible

 

            The healthy only grows on purpose, the weeds grow for free (Eph 5:28-29)

Get rid of – doesn’t say “don’t get” because it comes automatically

These are relational killers!!

Notice the mandate for healthy relationships – kindness, compassion, forgiveness

 

What are other weeds – expectations, manipulations, selfishness

1 Cor 13:4-8 – what is love? – Love is not self-seeking

A healthy relationship is not one in which I am looking to have my needs fulfilled – Is the Lord enough?  If not, He may make it so that He is all you have!!

 

3.         MINISTRY happens in relationships

 

Jesus and disciples – 3 ½ years with them (John 15:15-17)

⁵I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. ¹⁶You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. ¹⁷This is my command: Love each other.

 

            Takes time and patience

            Takes regular instruction

            Takes TRUST

 

Call to connect with others is a call to relationships

This is why the Bible calls us an interdependent body

God designed the church to work through our relationships (Eph 4:11-16)

 

4.         Ministry’s foundation is Relationships

 

Cannot substitute busyness or programs for relationships with people or with the Lord

 

Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42)

 

Opened her home – to entertain a guest – to be hospitable

These sisters were reaching out to develop a friendship – spend time together

 

CONTRAST between the sisters -

v. 39 – Mary sitting at Jesus feet – the language is meant to convey that she is just engrossed in conversation with the Lord – listening intently

 

v.40 – Martha busy serving (idea is bringing out food, drinks – making the dinner possible

 

Both valid approaches to their time with the Lord?  Seems so – but look at the Lord’s comments – Mary has chosen what is better (literally the good thing).

 

Why is Mary praised?  And Martha criticized? 

v.40 “distracted” – she was focused and busy – so what was she distracted from?  JESUS!!  The word picture is dragging around a weight so that you are weary, tired, and ready to give up

 

Don’t mistake activity with someone – even spiritual – for a relationship with them

Don’t mistake service for the Lord with a vibrant personal relationship with Him

Our service must flow from our relationship or it will be empty!

 

Look at Martha’s experience  (when you let busyness overrun relationships – especially with the Lord)

Frustration, weariness, abandonment, even comparisons that lead to judgment.

“Don’t you care” – do you wonder if your Lord cares about you?

“left me to do the work ALL BY MYSELF” – do you feel like you’re the only one working – or that you’re carrying more than your share?

“Tell her to help me” – do you find yourself telling God what to do?

 

In contrast, Mary knew it was time to just spend time with her friend – the Lord

Jesus calls it “needed”.  We all need to have time just focused on Him.

 

If we don’t watchguard our relationship with the Lord, we can fall into a pattern of spiritual looking activity that is empty and dry – WHAT DO YOU DO THEN?  Carve out time to just spend with him!!

 

Our ministry will be founded on relationships – not programs!  We will keep in focus the need to just spend time together.

           

            Contagious Christian – principle of relational evangelism!

Core Value #3 - TEAMWORK

I Cor 12:4-27 (p. 163)

Integrity gets proven in Sacrifice (Rich young ruler in Matt 19)

Without the first two, this one is impossible

Huge believer in teamwork!

There are some things in life that only work in teams – eg – football AND Church!!

We do teams for everything possible: Worship team, hospitality team, kids teams, leadership team, setup team – everything we can think of!

If you don’t like working with a team – Hope may not be for you!

Key to our next core value – Inclusiveness

This core value recognizes that God’s plan for us as a church (and for all churches) is to not be a grouping of individuals, but an effective team WHOLE.

Look at 1 Cor 12 – Long read

A few points about teamwork that this passage shows us!

TEAMWORK recognizes:

1. Common DESIGNER (v. 11)

He gives them to each one – just as He determines

This is not some random scattering of talents and abilities. Determines – to deliberate and decide what you intend – speaks of design. (same as in Rom 9:19 speaking of election – God’s choosing)

So there is a design to having all of the gifts distributed to different people.

I can’t try to make someone have more or less of a particular gift

I am not able to “do it all”

I am not in competition to have specific gifts

We should affirm each other’s call from God as evidenced by who they are!

Other examples of God’s design for Teamwork:

Elders (Titus 1:5 – appoint elders (plural) in every town (singular))

12 Apostles – Jesus didn’t even minister alone

70 Sent – 2 by 2 (Luke 10:1-2) Sent out in pairs as teams – pray for “workers”

Paul and Teams – we don’t ever see Paul working alone by choice!

“the work of one and the same Spirit” – if we embrace God’s call and design – WHO DOES THE WORK?

What is God’s work like

Effective and Excellent – Ps 139:14 “your works are wonderful”

SO we can be effective and do well as we let the Spirit work through us according to His design

Design is for Synergy – we can do more together than we ever could separately

Canadian geese flying V – 70% farther – aerodynamically like one wing

2. Common SOURCE (v. 4)

Our diversity of gifts, callings, and people are all handed to us by the providence of God

SO to question why I am like this and why can’t I do that is to question WHO?

We must recognize this reality by working in an attitude of submission to God’s leading – not my desires, wants, thoughts.

There will be times when you are used outside of your primary giftedness

There will be times when you are not using your primary giftedness

The source that provides all of these abilities unites us all – we are equal no matter what we can do!! Everything is important!

3. Common GOAL (v. 7)

For the common good – not personal gain but what is good for the team!!

Here is the proof of our hearts. What is your goal in church?

Do you come to get?

Or do you look for what you can give?

Are decisions based on personal impact or common impact?

Eg – kids workers – miss service but serve the families

Setup team – arrive early and work

If we look at the common goal instead of our selves, we will work together.

Remember that what God calls Hope to – He calls ALL of us to!

We succeed or fail TOGETHER as a ministry

TEAMWORK is characterized by:

1. UNITY (v. 12-13)

One Body

Because we have a common goal, designer and source – we should all live and act like a unified team.

The distinctions between us are meaningless for personal value – Jew or Greek, slave or free – we are all ONE.

One of the greatest weapons of the enemy is to bring divisions among the body

We begin to spend our strength against one another instead of with one another – TUG OF WAR

What defines us as a ministry is our connectedness – our togetherness.

We can never let personalities, ideas, desires, or talents make someone more valuable or someone less valuable – (James 2)

2. DIVERSITY (v. 14-22)

Yet unity does not mean conformity or cloning

How boring if everyone were the same!!

What does God want to do in our differences?

A. Bring security – v. 15 you are not disqualified from being a full partner for being different!

B, Bring appreciation – 21-22

We need each other – there is no minimizing of ANYONE’S role

C. Bring interdependence –v22

There is a joinedness – we cannot make it without one another

Body without feet is “handicapped” So the body without you is handicapped

3. Shared BURDENS / WORK (v. 25-26)

Common experiences – we share the joys and sorrows of life (prayer connects)

Rest/Relief – Matt 11:28, Gal 6:2 – a team means that we don’t have to do it all ourselves – others can take a turn to allow me to rest for when I am needed

Proverbs 15:22 – Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

Working together brings accountability and strength – United we stand, divided we fall

We must look for ways to use teams at every opportunity. There is no need for Lone Rangers – even he had Tonto! Let us find strength as we embrace unity through diversity and SHARE THE LOAD together!

Core Value #2 – SACRIFICE

Matthew 16:21-26 (p. 17)

Last week – Integrity

Today we go from motivation and substance to Methodology.

How will God work in us – what will He direct us to do?

Until we are ready to sacrifice, we will be ORDINARY and NORMAL

God consistently calls for sacrifice

It is the path to supernatural power – extraordinary results

It shows that God is the author of our call and the Lord of our lives

From Adam and Eve, to Abraham and Isaac, to the martyrs of the 1^st century, to God's own Son, Jesus – Sacrifice is a foundational theme of Scripture.

As we celebrate the Lord's Supper today, and see the power of Sacrifice, let's look at God's call for US

1. The Certainty of Sacrifice (v. 21)

"must go" – there was no doubt about the sacrifice to come.

If we hope for a path without sacrifice – we will be frustrated and disappointed

On the other hand – seeing God's working through sacrifice can be exciting and exhilarating

Look at the types of sacrifice Jesus would experience

1. Loss of Control of His life (suffer at the hands of . . .)

2. No support from those who should support (chief priests, elders, teachers of the law)

3. Loss of EVERYTHING

True sacrifice comes from a heart that holds NOTHING back – even when not everything is required

See God's provision in sacrifice – the third day be raised to life

God will not leave you barren from sacrifice – there comes a time of renewal and provision that FULFILLS sacrifice

2. The Distastefulness of Sacrifice (v. 22)

"Never Lord – this shall never happen to you" Why not?

Peter saw sacrifice as something to be avoided.

An unfair consequence of doing right!!!

When we look through eyes of flesh, sacrifice is horrible and distasteful

But looking through eyes of FAITH lets us see sacrifice as an opportunity for God to do wonderful and miraculous things.

3. The Deception that Stops us from Sacrifice (v. 23)

Attributes to "Satan" who Jesus calls "the father of Lies" in John 8.

Satan's main attack is deception

Tries to derail the willingness to sacrifice

Stumbling Block – a word that is the name for the part of the trap that holds the BAIT – the deception of a trap!!!

Sounds good and beneficial but brings death and enslavement

How? Concerned about "the things of men" instead of "the things of God"

4. The Call to Sacrifice (v. 24)

If anyone wants to come after me

This is a statement of clarity – there is no following Jesus without this!

MUST – it is not optional or "sometimes"

3 things

1. Deny himself – to utterly disown, deny, and abstain

INTENSE – same word used for Peter's denial

2. Take up his cross – to choose to pick up the sacrifice

Cross – speaks of a place of suffering and shame

3. Follow me – speaks of identifying with Christ

Be in the same way as.

All of these things speak to a decisive choice to sacrifice. There is a DEDICATION in sacrifice – a COMMITMENT that goes beyond words to actions and devotion

Are you ready to embrace a purpose for your life that is not you?

Sacrifice is not give and take – it is GIVE and GIVE

OT sacrifices – burnt offerings – ALL gone

Cortez in 1519 – explorer of Mexico – burn the ships – no going back

Romans 13:14 – do not make any provision for your flesh

Time to stop playing games – Being a believer is not a hobby or a part of who you are – it is an all consuming calling

1 Cor 10:31 – whatever you do – do to the glory of God

Have you wondered why your spiritual life is empty and weak – are you dabbling or "trying" instead of putting it all on the line

Christianity doesn't work half hearted or part time – it just frustrates

5. The Promise of Sacrifice (v. 25-26)

See the Paradox

Lose life – find it

Save life – lose it

The more you try to make life work on your terms, the more it slips through your fingers.

Gain world – Lose everything

Jesus says the path to life and gain is selflessness EXPRESSED through sacrifice.

So what does this mean to Hope?

We can only succeed in God's call as each of us submit to the call to sacrifice

WHAT is God calling you to sacrifice?

Money – All that we have is HIS – Are we faithfully using what He has given for His kingdom?

My financial philosophy on giving is SACRIFICE

My Desires – what do I want – people's opinions, roles, preferences

Time, Energy, Talents, Attention, Focus – Are we ready to make our lives REVOLVE around the cause of Christ? Matt 6:33 – seek first!!

Enemy – make you focus on what you will LOSE instead of what you will GAIN

Next week – Teamwork

Communion – 1 Peter 2:21

CORE VALUE #1 – INTEGRITY

Today we begin a series on what are the Core Values for Hope.

All of these things, you and I will easily agree that they are important. What God must continue to do is to make them OUR WAY OF LIVING and MINISTERING.

It is vital that we are watchful in these areas – or overgrown like a weed filled garden

Personally – each of these elements are vital to a healthy Christian life

As a Church – we must be strong here or it will hurt our ability to help others

First one - Integrity

1. What is INTEGRITY?

Definition includes three elements:

Straight – not confusing, straightforward, not tangled or twisted

Refers to honesty, openness, not underhanded, deceptive or misleading, not playing a semantic game

Also includes the idea of not going one way and then another (being the same all the time)

Sound – not broken or impaired –

You can rely on it, trust it (the hull of a ship, the weighbearing of a bridge)

Wholeness – The same throughout, no parts missing or lacking, genuine sincere –

The word GOODNESS in Scripture is often translated “integrity” because it talks about the good all the way through.

Refers to the constant desire to do what is right – even when battling desires to do wrong

A determination that easy or hard, NO MATTER WHAT, I want to do the right thing

Doesn’t mean we always do right – but we always try to, and when we don’t – we own up and turn from it.

Involves what you do and say

Ephesians 5:8-9 Walk as children of light – live like you can see!

Goodness = integrity

Righteousness = good actions

Truth = honest words

Is to be an identifying mark of genuine Christianity

Matt 5:33-37 – Let your “yes” BE yes and your ”no” be no

2. Realities of INTEGRITY

A. Necessity in Church – Titus 2:7–10 – for our “attractiveness”

We tend to see honesty and integrity as a burden of being a believer

They will be “watching” me. They expect me to be perfect

Instead, we need to pursue integrity because it is a reflection of the reality

In Titus, Paul is instructing him to be sure he teaches in integrity

It removes the vulnerability to accusations and assumptions

It teaches workers to work from the right heart – not trying to steal or undermine their boss

IF this is a reality – in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior ATTRACTIVE!!

B. Little things AND big things (Luke 16:10)

We often devalue integrity in the normal course of life

Just “little” things. Little lies, little thefts, little cheating, NO ONE GETS HURT, BETTER YET – EVERYONE WINS

Integrity doesn’t differentiate between little and big things. The desire is to always do what is right.

Compromising for “results” in the little things leads to huge lapses in integrity down the road.

C. From HEART 1 Chronicles 29:17

Where does the Bible say Integrity comes from in us – our heart

“I know my God that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity”

David’s inspired prayer shows us where God looks to see if we are filled with integrity – into the passions and desires of our hearts.

If you have difficulty being honest or trustworthy or a difficult time doing the thing you KNOW is right – even in the little things – you have an issue of wanting the wrong things!!

I am TUNED IN to what I see that I want – this is a challenge to not look through our flesh (live by sight) but instead to look by faith (live by faith) – I don’t see it, but I choose to believe it

This is where the “children of light” comment really has an impact. The reason we want the wrong things – we are living like we’re in darkness and can’t see how those things will destroy and devastate everything they touch!

D. Withstands circumstances (situational ethics) Job 2:3

If it weren’t for _______ I would do the right thing.

Real integrity doesn’t look for excuses

Job was under severe trial – without having done anything to warrant it

New Orleans type devastation on one person!

God says “and he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without reason”

Real integrity is not dependent on situations or circumstances.

It is convinced that the right thing is always the right thing

Good is always good!

No lines to separate my personal life from my spiritual life, or my business life from my church life – NO MATTER the situation, I want to be right in what I think, say, and do

E. Guides us (Prov. 11:3)

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity

Ever done something you regret? If you had a “do over”, is there something you would use it on?

Integrity guards against regret – it keeps us on the path that in hindsight will bring joy.

The second part of the verse talks about how letting go of integrity (duplicity means two faced) will DESTROY you!

Is integrity that valuable to you?

F. Keeps us safe (Prov 10:9)

The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.

If I walk in honesty, honor, and genuineness – with an abiding desire to think, say, and do right – every step that I take is SOLID. No slipping or sliding.

The second part talks about being found out

Real integrity does what is right even if you think no one will ever find out!

But DON’T DECEIVE yourself – “will be found out”.

Few stories to illustrate in next point (Achan)

G. No hiding a lack of it (Acts 5; 2 Kings 5)

Ananias and Sapphira – Did something nice for church, nice for them (reputation wise and bank account wise) – NO LOSERS, ONLY WINNERS!

Each came separately to the apostles and abandoned their integrity

Both were struck dead on the spot

FOUND OUT!

Why such a big deal – the inception of the church – undermined integrity could not be tolerated at that moment!

Elisha and Gehazi – Gehazi claims the reward for healing Naaman that Elisha rejected – then lies about it – NO LOSERS!! But the truth.

Gehazi struck with leprosy – a cast away, a reject for ever!

No escaping the consequences (Ps 37:1-3) But I know people who don’t live in integrity and they’re doing great!

Their end is as sure as if it has already happened – being in darkness, they don’t see that!

3. INTEGRITY at Hope

Take the definition and apply it:

Straight - Relational Integrity – honesty, resolution, honor

Not looking for the way around rules or work

Honest with the government, our community, each other.

No need to “guess’ what everyone really thinks

Sound - Trustworthy for others (foundational)

Finances – up front and in the open

Confidentiality – can others be open with you and be SAFE?

Gossip / Slander – do we guard our words?

Whole – Authenticity – like slicing through an apple

From Becoming a Contagious Christian by Bill Hybels

Be who you are – all your differences included

Be real about how you feel

Be real about your failures

Live with conviction

A huge reason for the pain in my life has been a lack of integrity by those around me

We’ve learned from personal experience how important it is for a ministry to be straight, sound, and whole.

Let us ask God to show us where we need to address issues of integrity in our lives and in our church – don’t let the enemy lull us to sleep or steal our ability to share hope with those around us!