Sermon Nugget Mon July 14, 2008
Theme: MAKING PLANS
Verses- John 11:48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation."(NIV)
Determine a PURPOSE
A group of American business people traveled to Japan to meet with the top officers of Honda, Sony, and Mitsubishi. An 88 yr old Japanese executive was asked, "Does your company have long range goals?" His response was yes.
When asked how long were those long range goals, he replied 250 years.
"What do you need to carry them out?"
He replied, "Patience.”
Now that is planning. Although most of us aren't ready for 250 year goals it's a good reminder to us, whether in our spiritual lives, homes, jobs, or church that we need to plan.
Jesus followed the plan of His Father. And interestingly enough, as we return to the Gospel of John, we see the Sanhedrin made plans to kill Jesus. Yet, unknown to them, they were following the plan of God.
Following the joyful miracle of the raising of Lazarus from the dead, the word didn't take long to spread. Some believed in Jesus and others saw Him as a threat to their personal position, authority, and traditions. As we conclude this 11th chapter we see plotting taking place among the Jews as to what they should do with Jesus. The prophetic statement of Caiaphas sets the stage for the remaining events in Johns Gospel of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
We are told by all the management experts that if you do not have a target you will never hit it. We are encouraged to ask the questions, "Where are you going, and why? What is your purpose? What are you trying to do?" If we can define our goals clearly then we can make plans to achieve those goals.
Our church has a purpose statement that we believe is Biblical. "The purpose of SBC is to glorify God through worship, obedience and love to equip and edify the body of Christ for ministry of service, fellowship and spiritual growth; to proclaim Christ to our community and world by word and deed."
We seek to identify this purpose on our logo and periodically on our bulletins as the upward, inward, and outward ministry to the glory of God. We have responsibility to God to the church and to others outside of the church. That purpose becomes the ideal target to which we direct our programs and ministry as it is consistent with the Scriptures.
It is good to periodically review the purpose and to see if we are still on track. Many churches have as their purpose growth. It might be a meaningful purpose, but to what end? Entertainment? Keeping the church building open? Salaries paid?
Other churches might have as their purpose to keep the members content. Any change might bring discontent so that would not be acceptable. To maintain power among a certain family or pastor loses sight of the most important purposes. To be all things to all people so as not a upset the most, is the way some will operate.
Jesus could have done many good things, but the reason He stayed His course is that He knew his main purpose was to seek and to save that which is lost, and to do the will of His Father. IT was the main purpose of the Sanhedrin to preserve their power and position.
Whether a church reviews it’s goals, or an individual takes time to review his or her goals for life results in taking our priorities and giving them the proper attention they deserve.
Pastor Dale
