Sermon Nuggets Week of May 11, 2009
Theme: Gaining by Giving
Verses- Eccl ll:1,2 Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again.
Give portions to seven, yes to eight, for you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.
THE ART OF BREAD CASTING
It is said, a hog is good for nothing while he is alive. He cannot be ridden like a horse; he cannot be used to draw like the ox he does not provide clothing like the sheep or milk like the cow; he will not guard the house like a dog; He is good only for slaughter.
Some have likened people to a pig in a number of ways. A covetous rich man, just like the hog, does no good with his riches while he lives; when he is dead then his riches can be used. It seems a silly to hang on to that which we are going to lose eventually.
Albert Schweitzer was accomplished musician compose, physician and surgeon, author, theologian, educator but he lived his life in a small African Village working as a missionary in a humble clinic.
In a world that is bombarded with the messages of gaining and getting for yourself, there is a word from God that speaks softly, "Give yourself away." Without the promises of worldly success there is gain in losing.
Verse 1,2 talk about gaining by being generous. Some think casting your bread on the waters is a parable. In Egypt, farmers cast their seed into the rich foam of the Nile River valley while the land is flooded. Then as the water recedes, the grain springs up and in the few months produce a bountiful harvest. Some said it is like putting food in a bottle it and throwing it out in the sea. If you get stuck on a desert island a bottle will float and you will eventually benefit. If you help the needy, then you will be helped if you are needed.
You gain by giving. Being generous and helpful to others during times when you have something can be helpful when you will be in need yourself. Keep giving and it will produce results. Sow today what you will reap tomorrow. Some have said it may be more blessed to give than receive, but the average man is always willing to let the other fellow have the blessing.
One does not give indiscriminately. There are crooks and con artists. If you are generous enough you will be taken advantage of. However, that should not make someone stingy. For fear of being taken some people never give to help anyone.
I gave a man I did not know some money two days ago who claimed he was robbed and trying to get gas money to get home. This was not from the church benevolence but from my wallet. Was he lying? Was he telling the truth? That was up to the Lord. I didn’t give him a lot of money but neither did I agonize or fret over it. If he was helped I believe it was of the Lord. If I was taken then it was his problem, not mine.
Many ask about solicitations in the mail from well meaning ministries and important causes. I believe you should give your tithe first to the church. Then as you are able and desire further assistance, I do not give to charitable organizations unless I know Christian groups are members of Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. There should be note from ECFA with a little symbol or statement in their literature for they are willing to submit themselves to the rules and regularly of accepted accounting practices and within guidelines of who much can be spend on administrative expenses. Or give to a local board or organization that you know is run by people that you know or trust.
When Robert Tilton was exposed on 60 minutes on how his ministry would tear open envelopes to get the money and didn't even read the prayer requests. Recently there were many of the health and wealth and prosperity gospel preachers under investigation for tax fraud. The problem with such news is also that people reduce giving to churches and local groups that help people in our communities and over which we have more knowledge of their work. Unfortunately some people would rather not give to anything than be deceived in their giving.
Giving to the Lord is always the best way to be generous. As we approach our own annual meeting and budget presentation being accountable to the members and friends is something you don’t see on TV ministries. We agree how we want to give our money away. We set up committees and elect persons we trust to handle the gifts we receive.
Are you generous with the Lord? The lesson of generosity may be a lesson we must learn in patience. For after many days you will find it again sometimes in ways you least expect.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Tues May 12, 2009
Verses- Eccl 11:3-5 If clouds are full of water, they pour rain upon the earth. Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where it falls, there will it lie.
4 Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.
5 As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.
Security in Insecure Times
Most churches will report these times are tough. Even though most people are working in many churches the giving is down. People will use their money to pay off bills, reduce debt, and save if they do lose their job. But what about the priority of giving to the Lord?
The principle of tithing was established in the Old Testament as 10% for rich or poor. It was a fair way to show that all we have belongs to God. It was a portion of who we are and what we do. It was an expression of faith to worship the God in whom we trust. We do not trust our riches but our Lord.
Solomon talks about the fact that the Lord, not humans, knows the future. There are principles we live by, but who can control the rain or if is time for a tree to fall on its own or not? How do we live in unsettled times?
The answer is to be faithful in what you are doing day by day. Do not worry about things over which you have no control. If someone is worried about the wind, then they will not plant. It is an excuse for laziness or anxiety to get in the way of faith and labor. If we are always thinking it will rain and don't do anything thinking that we might get wet, then you will never do anything. If worried about the clouds and not just going at it, you will never get to the job. There are some projects that I don't particularly like and when I say I'll do them sometimes when I have time on my hands, they never get done.
Incidentally this seems to be just another illustration of God's work within a womb. The sanctity of life and even a fetus is part of God's handiwork and with all the talk and the legislation about abortions and rights of mothers to their own bodies and can do what they want, the Bible says we are not our own, we belong to the Lord. It is a national social problem when tax money or proposed national health care funds can go to perform abortions which kill unborn and rates are rising. Abortion should be concern for all Christians. Who can explain the one who is formed in the womb, so you cannot understand the work of God? Who is the maker of all things?
Solomon preaches that only God who made the body and created you and me knows our end and how our days are numbered. So live today for him in labor and love, not laziness and anxiety. Continue to bless as you have been blessed. Trust the Lord with your riches, not the government.
Anita Belmont said, "There aren't any rules for success that work unless you do. Yet there is no disgrace in failing. It is a disgrace to do less than your best to keep from failing."
I didn’t get the name of the poet who wrote a interesting piece-
"Master where shall I work today?" and my love flowed warm and free;
and He pointed out a tiny plot, and He said, "Tend that for me".
But I answered quickly, "Oh, no, not there; not anyone could see.
No matter how well my task was done, Not that little place for me".
And His voice, when He spoke, was not stern, but He answered me tenderly,
"Disciple, search that heart of thine: Are you working for them or for me? Nazareth was just a little place, and so was Galilee."
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Weds May 13, 2009
Verses: Eccl 11: 6,7 Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.
Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.
Gaining by Living Diligently
Giving is possible because we have something to give. All that we receive is a gift from above. But partly those blessings come through our work. Good work is rewarded with the fruit of our labor, whether it be by a paycheck or good crops. Living diligently is facing the tasks regularly and faithfully until they are accomplished.
Farmers wouldn't get far if they always waited for perfect days to do their field work or work at the most convenient times. Get at your tasks. Keep at it. Set goals. Pray about them. Be diligent whether or not you can ever be sure of the out come. There are many things we cannot control but what we can have some measure of control over is how well we do our work. Faith involves doing our best realizing God understands all things. We don't. We don't know which will succeed. Do not let your hands be idle. Try some things and if they don’t work try something else. Keep at it.
We gain by being diligent in the tasks and responsibilities that await us as gifts from God to use us. We plant the seed and after many days it will produce. A generous planting will give you generous yield. Heb. 6:10 says, "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them." God will reward your kindness, he will not forget if it is with an open heart, not a greedy one.
During the civil war a man on horseback was suddenly confronted by a sentry who demand at gunpoint that he give the password, "Lincoln" he confidently replied. A dead silence followed, for it wasn't the right word! Finally the guard solemnly said, "If I hadn't recognized you, I would have shot you because of your mistake. At the risk of my own life I am sparing yours. Go back and get the right word. Thanking the soldier warmly, the man rode away, then returned he said, "Massachusetts" That's right, you may pass now. "I will not pass until I've given you a message. At the risk of your life your spared mine, so I must ask you if you have the right password for Heaven?"
"Yes, I do" said the guard."
“What is it?" He asked.
"It is Jesus Christ."
"Where did you learn that?"
"In your Sunday School class long ago in Pennsylvania. You planted that seed of God's word in my life. “And although you didn't know it at the time, it bore fruit. So even though you didn't have the right password, I knew you were an honest man. That's' why I gave you a second chance."
Believer, are you daily sowing the good seed of the Word. Be confident that someday it will take root and spring up in sinners’ hearts. There is the harvest and it is sure.
Make friends everywhere and with all and you will have friends. Look for opportunities to spread the word and talents and time and generosity will be rewarded.
Jesus put it another way, Matt 10:42 "And if anyone give a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." A giving person is a growing person. Be diligent in your tasks and in your giving and God will be blessed as well as others.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Thurs May 14, 2009
Verses- Eccl 11:8,9 However many years a man may live, let him enjoy them all. But let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything to come is meaningless.
9 Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment.
Gaining by Responding to Opportunities
Being wise involves using good judgment. It is being aware of opportunities that help you and others. Solomon was looking for way sto enjoy the days God gives to him. But enjoyment doesn’t come living selfishly. Think about that which lasts. There will be good days and there will be bad days. That is life. Take the opportunities to plan and be willing to change those plans. Can you make those days count for something? Can you learn from the disaster and tragedies and difficulties and stresses?
I have a book on my shelf entitled, “Make your Illness Count” by Vernon Bittner. As a former hospital chaplain he dealt with very sick and dying people. Through many conversations comments would be repeated as to how unfair life is, or how the staff wasn’t doing their job to bring healing or help. But Bittner made it is goal for patients to evaluate their situation and seek the lessons that patience might teach them. Don’t waste this illness on bitterness and resentment. Learn about yourself and dealing with issues of emotional, spiritual and social areas. Life is so short and meaningless unless it has eternal value.
Since our life is so fleeting and brief God's given it for us to enjoy, but to enjoy it wisely with eternity in mind. Live it up, but remember the judgment of God. Live it up, but real enjoyment is not found in the things of this earth, but in the creator of them. Live it up, but let your enjoyment be that which is not sin or which will lead you away from your accountability before God. Rejoicing in the days God gives you but remember you'll be accountable for it there will be a judgment.
Chill out. Life is serious, it is not games and gluttony, but neither is it to be spent without enjoyment as long as it has its place and purpose in the whole picture. There will be dark days and there will be fun days. Do not let the dark days overshadow your enjoyment of them. Don't let your disappointment rob you of enjoying the days that you can enjoy.
We need to respond to the opportunities God gives to us. We don't know how God works He surprises us. I read the story of John Pound, a cobbler in England in the 1700s. During that time there were many street urchins who ran around like unfed rats. Small girls sick and homeless would be victims of child prostitution. One report claimed that out of 260 vagrant children in one area 27 had been in prison, 41 lived by begging, 20 never slept in a bed, 19 slept in flophouses, and every one of the 260 were physically, mentally, and morally degenerate. Although the population of the city at that time was 100,000 only 2,000 were able to afford school.
John Pound helped build England's fighting ships, but fell from mast and several broken bones. For 2 years lay in bed, and learned to walk again all healed crooked and deformed. He learned eventually to hobble with one crutch. He used this accident to learn a new trade as a cobbler.
Pound taught himself during those years in bed to read and accepted Jesus into his life when reading a Bible. While John's brother was out at sea his nephew was living with him. He was also crippled. John examined his nephew’s foot and made little pieces of leather and iron that corrected his ankle allowing him to walk. John began to teach his nephew to read and then some friends, kids left and forgotten, were included in his teaching time. Soon this became known as the Ragged School. He'd offer ‘Hot taters’ to eat and in time up to 40 kids from the streets were taught by this crippled and poor cobbler. In his lifetime John Pound rescued 500 children from streets and lead every one of them to Lord Jesus Christ, He had gift of holding their attention. He never accepted a penny for his teaching of 20 years.
When John Pound died his reputations of good was so well know that they started the Ragged School movement where missionaries volunteered to open ragged schools. Laws were passed to establish school for the poor as a memorial to John Pound within 90 years of his birth over 50 mission centers were started, 13 hostiles and training institutions for the poor and urchins of England.
John Pound was poor, crippled, and limited but looked for the opportunity around him to be used of God. He gave himself away. He was able to manifest fruit for the kingdom of God and the good of Britain.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Fri May 15
Verse- Eccl 11:10 So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless.
Gaining by Giving Love
Solomon gives a reminder to youth. Youth is a great time; In the first third of your life your chose your faith, your vocation, your spouse. Youth can be an unpredictable time. Someone wrote:
"The youth today are rebellious, pleasure seeking, irresponsible they have no respect for their elders and spend their days in idleness and their nights pursuing sensual lusts. They have no respect for authority nor for the traditions of the past."
Who said it? Plato made that statement several hundred years before Christ. I am not so sure many adults of our society have gained anymore wisdom through the years. Even with all the Viagra ads on TV it seems seeking sensual pleasures and enjoying life is he whole goal of mankind. Youth openly wonder, if sexual arousal can result in sexual satisfaction why wait until marriage? If booze or drugs gives highs then what's wrong with it so long as nobody gets killed or hurt? If being under the authority of teachers or parents become too much of a hassle, then why not split and live on your own?
Elizabeth Jackson wrote a tract saying young people have always been restless and dissatisfied. Part of it is just growing up. What do young people really want from us as an older generation? “I'll tell you,” she writes, “they want first of all to be loved. Jesus looked a young man who came to Him asking some advice and asking some spiritual question, and the Bible says Jesus looked at him and loved him."
That's the reason so many popular songs of youth are about love which is so confused with sexual intimacy. Yet there is no better real love story than of one in the Bible whose love made him willing to die for youth and adults of all generations. Youth also want to be recognized as persons, as individuals. They want to be seen as different from their parents. They have their own aptitudes, own gifts that may be superior to parents. When it comes to spiritual things you can lead them just so far. When one is an adult God holds you responsible and you must make your own decisions concerning Jesus Christ. You cannot inherit your parent’s faith. Youth want to be trusted, and nothing is more provoking to teens than parents who do not trust them, but want acceptance, to be listened to, and to be forgiven.
There is one who accepts, loves and forgives us but that love must be returned. II Tim 2:22 "Flee also youthful lusts but follow righteousness, faith charity, peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." When we abuse bodies we pay for it later. Drugs, sex trust, scars cannot heal.
Give yourself away. Be generous, Be diligent, be wise, be loving. Jesus Christ said, Matt 16:24-26 "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.” That is gaining by giving ourselves away.
Pastor Dale
