I am concerned, however, that we may not be able to readily express and give witness to the hope of His Kingdom. No, this one seems perennially more difficult for us. In Luke 17 Jesus' audience is also having trouble 'getting it,' or 'getting Him,' rather. But that is understandable, after all they are Pharisees - they truly don't ever get Jesus - I mean they don't seem to get Him on any level at all. In fact, they fail to get him so badly, that they miss what I believe is one of Jesus' most aggressive and antagonistic statements toward them.
You see, in Luke 17 Jesus is being question in regard to end times, 'How will we know,' they ask, 'when the kingdom of God will come?' Rather than pointing to signs, Jesus says - the time is now, open your eyes because the Kingdom of God is in your midst. Now some of your Bibles may say within you - but this is a bad translation at this point. He is, after all, speaking of Pharisees and there is simply no way He would tell them that the kingdom in within them. No, he is trying to say that the Kingdom of God is now present because He (Jesus) represents that kingdom. This is the great hope that we all have - that God is not withholding His presence from you and me. No, in fact He has granted us His day to day, minute by minute presence of Jesus Himself through the ministry of His Spirit (okay, I will say it for you 'whoohoo!'). In fact, here is how Paul says it (yes, Paul) in Ephesians 1:7 - 8, "In him (JESUS) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding." Yes, friend, we have been 'lavished' by God's grace! You want to really 'wig' someone out today? Next time you are asked how you are doing respond by saying: 'I have been LAVISHED by God's grace today!'
Okay, what are the implications of this great lavishing from God. Put simply, the lavished heart - those who truly get that they have been lavished - will respond as willing vessels of a worthy God on a (His) worthwhile Mission. Now, this speaks to you and me today. Are we willing vessels? Do we get the idea that God is Worthy and we are Unworthy? Do we know that any service rendered to God is or should be seen as not meritorious, but as a humble response to His Worth?!? And do we get, I mean really 'get' that there is no more worthwhile investment in this life than the Kingdom of Christ and His mission on this earth? If we were to generously give of our time, talents and treasures to something, then surely it would be to this!
What about you today? Have you been lavished? If so, will you respond as a willing vessel of a worthy God on a worthwhile mission? You know, my family and I were out of town for a week and a half - we had a great trip, though it was not without its low spots. While gone our church suffered a great loss as Andy Higgins was ushered into our Lord's presence. I miss Andy. I will miss Him for sometime to come. The impact of his life on mine is deep indeed. In times like this we need to rest and reflect, grieve and mourn. However, we never, ever need to stop. I think Andy himself would be telling us today, 'okay, Westside - take the next step - follow Jesus and share His love with everyone you see.' Yep, he would tell us to become 'willing vessels of a worthy God on a worthwhile mission.'
See you Sunday, 930 or 11 (or both, worship in one, serve in the other)!
Biz
Series: Kingdom Investments
This week: Becoming Willing vessels of a Worthy God on a Worthwhile Mission!
Series Goal: To Enlist (encourage, inspire, empower and recruit) our congregation to live a life of Kingdom Investment!
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