Wednesday Night Subjects

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Acts 11:27-30

And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. 29 Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. 30 This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

Acts 21:10-11

And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ”

Evangelists:

'The gift of evangelist is the special ability God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to share the gospel with unbelievers in such a way that men and women become Jesus' disciples and responsible, fruitful members of His Body.'

Acts 8:5-13

 Then Philip went down to [athe city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city. 9 But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, 10 to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.” 11 And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time. 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.

Acts 8:26-40

26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. 27 So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 The place in the Scripture which he read was this: “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so He opened not His mouth. 33 In His humiliation His justice was taken away, and who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth.” 34 So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” 37 Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” 38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 39 Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at [c]Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea.  

Pastors and Teachers.

The word "Pastor" means shepherd and refers to the one who is in charge of a flock of sheep. The second noun, "teachers", emphasizes the individual Pastor's number one priority as a leader: namely, to lead the sheep to spiritual nourishment.

John 21:15-17

 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” 16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.

Peter's love for the Lord would be evidenced by his willingness to feed, the sheep under his charge. 

I Peter 5:1-5

 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. 5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

The Pastor’s Job Description.

John 10:1-15

1. The Shepherd Knows the Sheep.

3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

2. The Shepherd Leads the Sheep.

4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

3. The Shepherd Guards the Sheep.

7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

4. The Shepherd Feeds the Sheep.

9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

5. The Shepherd Gives His Life For the Sheep.

15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.

The Purpose of Ministry.

Ephesians 4:12-16

The Perfecting of the Saints.

1. What is involved in the maturity of the saints?

Mark 4:25-29

For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.” 26 And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should [a]scatter seed on the ground, 27 and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. 28 For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. 29 But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

a. A man should scatter seed on the ground.

b. The seed should sprout and grow.

c. For the earth yields crops by itself.

1) First the blade.

2) Then the head.

3) The full grain in the head.

4) Then the grain ripens.

The Work of the Ministry.

1. To repeat the process.

John 1:40-42

I Corinthians 13:11

Hebrews 5:12-14

The Ministry

Philippians 2:13

For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Where did Joshua start.

Exodus 33:10-11

All the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the tabernacle door, and all the people rose and worshiped, each man in his tent door. 11 So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle.

Numbers 27:15-20

Then Moses spoke to the Lord, saying: 16 “Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, 17 who may go out before them and go in before them, who may lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the Lord may not be like sheep which have no shepherd.” 18 And the Lord said to Moses: “Take Joshua the son of Nun with you, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him; 19 set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation, and inaugurate[a] him in their sight. 20 And you shall give some of your authority to him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.

God’s Word tells us that every Christian has a spiritual gift.

I Corinthians 12:7, 11

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:

But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

3. God’s Word instructs every Christian to admonish.

Romans 15:14

Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

Colossians 4:5-6

Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

I Peter 3:15

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

I Thessalonians 5:14

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.

4. So with starting where I am at in mind, look at the folks with the talents.

John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

Matthew 6:19-21  Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: ²⁰But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: ²¹For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Matthew 25:14-30 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.  ¹⁵And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. ¹⁶Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. ¹⁷And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. ¹⁸But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. ¹⁹After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. ²⁰And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. ²¹His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. ²²He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. ²³His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. ²⁴Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: ²⁵And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. ²⁶His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: ²⁷Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. ²⁸Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. ²⁹For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. ³⁰And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 25:14-30

There are three things you can do with your life:

You can waste it.

There are plenty of things to waste it on.

You can spend it. 

On your career, on your hobby, on acquiring certain possessions.

You can invest it.

Jesus taught that the greatest use of your life is to invest it in that which outlasts it.

He told a story called the parable of the talents. In it he gives seven principles for investing your life:

1. Everything I have belongs to God.

2. God has given me some talents.

3. God expects me to use those talents. Someday he's going to ask me, "What did you do with what you were given?"

4. It is wrong to bury what God has given me.

5. Fear keeps me from using my talent. When you cut through all the excuses, it's fear that keeps you from using your talents.

6. If I don't use it, I'll lose it.

7. If I use it wisely, I'll be rewarded.

The study of these seven principles will make a major difference in your life.

1. OWNERSHIP: Everything I have belongs to God.

God made it all. You really own nothing. You didn't come into this world with anything and you're not going to take anything out of this world. What you have you simply get to use for 60, 70, 80, 90 years. It's God's. You just get to use it. God made man to manage his resources.

The Bible says, "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them."(Matt. 25:14, NIV) Whose property was it — the servant's or the master's? It was the master's. God has entrusted some things to you. God owns everything.

2. ALLOCATION: God has given me some talents.

"To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability." (Matt. 25:15, NIV). The word "talent" that we use today actually comes from this story. Back in this day, talent simply meant an amount of money — about $1,000 bucks. The master gives five grand to one guy, two grand to another, and one grand to another. He says, I want you to go invest it.

You have some talents. Talents are abilities, resources, skills or opportunities — all of the things that God has given, including spiritual gifts. Anything that God has trusted you with — your children, your job — can be considered a talent.

Notice the amount differs but everybody gets something. There is no such thing as a no-talent person. Everybody has at least one. You do have a talent. The Bible says, "We have different gifts, according to the grace given us." (Romans 12:6, NIV) You're unique. God has given you gifts, talents, skills, abilities, experiences, personality traits, temperaments — all to make you, you. You're unique. There's nobody else like you in the world. He made you for a purpose.

3. ACCOUNTABILITY: God expects me to use them.

"After a long time the master of the servants came back and settled accounts with them." (Matt. 25:19, TEV)

The master had made an investment and wanted a return. God has made an investment in your life and he wants a return. The Bible says one day God is going to do an account — an audit — of your life. Are you ready for that? God is going to ask you, "What did you do with what I gave you?" You didn't choose to be born in America and enjoy the freedom you have here, what did you do with it? The greater the privilege the greater the responsibility.

4. UTILIZATION: It's wrong to bury what God gave me.

The first man took his money and doubled it — a 100 percent return. This man was a wise investor. The second guy took his two grand and he doubled it. The point of the story is the third guy. The third guy just buries it. He does nothing. "But the man who had received one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money." (Matt. 25:18, NIV) He's cautious and conservative. He says, "I'm going to play it safe!" He sat on it.

What was his master's reaction? "His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant.'" (Matt. 25:26, NIV) His master was ticked! He was more than a little upset! "At least you could have put it in the bank." You haven't even tried, he said. You hid it. This is the sin of inactivity, the sin of passivity.

The point is we cannot please God by playing it safe. We must take risks in life. If we don't, we are wicked and lazy. Why does God want me to take risks? Because, "Whatsoever is not of faith is sin." (Romans. 14:23, KJV) And the Bible also says "Without faith it is impossible to please God." (Hebrews 11:6, NIV) If everything is safe, you don't need any faith! Doing nothing is inexcusable. God would rather have you try to serve him and totally blow it, than do nothing. I'd rather attempt to do something great and fail than attempt to do nothing and succeed.

I've said that I want the church to put four words on my tombstone: "At least he tried!" I may not reach all the goals I believe God has given me for my life but it really doesn't matter. What matters is the effort — trying! Trying to make your life count, trying to make an impact with your life, trying to do something significant that is going to outlast you. It's not whether you reach it or not, it's the effort that counts. Doing nothing is inexcusable.

Which person — the person with five talents, the person with two talents, or the person with one talent — was the most likely person to "sit on it" — to do nothing? It was the guy with the one talent. Why? Because this is what typically goes through our minds: "If I'm just a one-talent person, and therefore not a superstar, I'm not going to do anything. I'll let the pros do it. Since I don't have 10 talents, I'm going to do nothing! Since I only have one, I'll just bury it. I'm not going to make any attempt in ministry at all with my life."

I see dull Christians all the time. The fizz, the sparkle has gone out of their life. The Christian life is not a relationship any more, it's a routine. There is no joy like it used to be. Their spiritual life has gone flat. Why?

They are sitting on the sidelines — not in the game — spectating and not participating. They have buried their talents. You get stretched when you're in the game, not sitting on the sidelines saying, "Go team!" God gives the principle of utilization — he expects me to use what he's given me. If I don't it's not just a casual matter. It's flat out wrong to waste my life. I shudder to think of some of the excuses given while standing before our pure Savior — excuses why no attempt was made to get involved helping other people and serving others. Those excuses will seem pretty puny at that point. May I, as your pastor and friend, urge you to seriously consider preparing for that event? Whether you like it or not, it's inevitable.

5. MOTIVATION: Fear keeps me from developing my talent.

Why do we play it safe? It's really fear — Satan's favorite tactic. Satan has three kinds of fear: self-doubt, self-pity and self-consciousness. Any time you're sitting on your talent it's usually because of one of those three things.

Self-doubt — "I could never do that; I'm not qualified." It's the fear of failure. Do you remember when you were in school and the teacher asked a question you knew the answer to but you thought there might be a chance you'd be wrong so you didn't raise your hand? "Do I want to put my life and reputation on the line?" you thought. "If I say the wrong answer, I'm going to look like a real dork!" God says that's fine for kids but it doesn't cut it as an adult! Don't let fear get in the way. "I was afraid and went out and hid your talent." (Matt. 25:25, NIV)

Self-pity — "I've failed in the past so many times. I made an attempt at one time to get involved for God, to get involved in ministry and service, but I got burned or I burned out. So I'm never going to try again." That's like saying, "I ate at a restaurant once and it was bad food so I decided I'd never enter another restaurant." It doesn't make sense.

There are two ways to respond to failure — as exemplified by Judas and Peter. Both committed the same sin — they denied Christ. Judas let it get to him. He got on a guilt trip, became depressed and gave up. He committed suicide because he blew it. Peter, on the other hand, wept bitterly, told God he was sorry and picked himself up. Fifty days later, this same man — who three times denied Jesus Christ — was chosen to birth the Church. In fact 3,000 people accepted Christ in one day while Peter preached! Just 50 days after his greatest failure in life Peter experienced his greatest success. It does not matter so much where you've been. What matters is what direction your feet are headed when you land. Where you are headed right now is what counts, not all the garbage in the past. It's where do you want to go, not where you've been. Will the rest of my life be the best of my life?

Self-consciousness — "What will other people think? If I give my life completely to God, will I become a fanatic?" The Bible says, "The fear of man brings a snare" (Prov. 29:25, NKJV) — it's a trap. We excuse ourselves from ministry by pointing to people who are more talented and saying, "Let them do it, God." I have a phrase when it comes to ministry — "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing poorly." I hate the phrase, "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing well." That cuts out about 95 percent of us. That means that the only people who should be doing anything are the people who are tops in the field. If you can't do it well, don't do it! That's stupid! The same is true of ministry. If it's worth doing, it's worth doing poorly. What counts is the effort!

Fear causes me to make excuses for doing nothing. "Then the man who had received one talent came and said, 'Master, I knew you were a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered.'" (Matt. 25:24, NIV) This guy prepared a speech. He says, "The reason why I didn't make any profit on my money is your fault!" He blames the master and passes the buck.

6. APPLICATION: If I don't use it, I lose it.

This principle is true of anything in your life — time, money, effort, energy, talent or abilities. If you don't use it, you lose it. "The master says, 'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents.'" (Matt. 25:28, NIV) That doesn't seem fair! The rich get richer and the talented get more talented. But it is fair. God has the right to take away anything that I don't use for him. He gave it to me in the first place. He has the right to do that. I forfeit it if I don't use it. It's a universal law: if I don't use my muscles I lose my muscles. If I don't use my mind, I lose it — it becomes mentally dull. If I don't use the opportunities God has given me in business, sports, ministry, whatever, I lose the opportunities. If I don't practice my talent, I lose my talent. Use it or lose it.

Just start using what you have been given for God. If you find you need more energy, use what you've got for God and watch what happens. Little becomes much when you put it in the master's hand. If I need more time, I give my time to God. If I need more money, I give my money to God. If I need more talent, I give my talent to God. Watch him multiply it — just like the five loaves and two fish. He multiples it when we place it in the Master's hand.

7. COMPENSATION: If I use my talents, I'm going to be rewarded.

This is the test. This is why you're here on earth. The rewards: "His Master replied, 'Well done good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things — I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your Master's happiness!'" (Matt. 25:21, NIV)

God promises three rewards:

Affirmation — "Well done." I can't think of anything better than to stand before Jesus Christ and have him say, "Good job, Rick. Good job! You really tried!"

Promotion — He says, "I'm going to give you greater responsibility. You've been faithful with little things; I'll trust you with more." God can't trust many of us with great blessings because we're not faithful with the little.

Celebration — He says, "Come and share your master's happiness." The happiest people I know are those who are using what they have for God.

When God does an audit on your life — and it is coming — is it going to show a profit or a loss? A negative or positive? Is he going to say, "Well done!" or "Lazy servant!" What's it going to show? I shudder to think some of the excuses I will have to give for earlier in my life when I did nothing! I was basically living for myself. To stand before a Savior with pierced hands and have him say, "Why did you never even make an attempt to get involved in a ministry? You were so busy doing your own thing!"

Can I, as your friend and your pastor, suggest that you start preparing for that event right now? Start investing your life.

How? Look at the following "Life Investment Guide". Evaluate yourself. Put an "X" on the line showing what percentage of your talent you are using for God right now. Put an "O" where you would like to be six months from now. Estimate what percentage of your time each week you're investing in spiritual growth and ministry (helping other people). There are 168 hours a week. If you're giving 16 hours, that's 10 percent. Put an "O" for your six-month goal. Evaluate what percent of your money you are investing in God's kingdom. Set a faith goal — an "O" — for the next six months.

The wisest investment you will ever make is not with Paine-Webber, Merrill Lynch or anybody else. The wisest investment you will ever make is when you say, "God, I want to make the rest of my life count for eternity. I give it to you, whatever it is. I'm tired of playing Mickey Mouse. I'm going to get in the game. I'm tired of sitting on the sidelines. I'm not going to be a spectator."

Only one life will soon be past

Only what's done for Christ will last.

I received a card a few weeks ago: "By God's grace I'm going to do all I can to help make my church all God wants it to be. I'm thrilled to have a small part and I pledge all my time, talents and treasure to accomplish God's will for my life in this fellowship."

Saddleback is an example of how God takes very ordinary people and does extraordinary things through them. That is the testimony of this church — that God has taken very ordinary people who would make commitments like this and God has done incredible things.

How do I start investing my life?

First, find a church family. Get involved and join a church family — Saddleback or someplace. We don't believe everybody is supposed to be a member of this church. But you need to find a place. You need to make a commitment and not be a shopper — a hopper — who floats around.

Second, start growing, maturing and developing. Learn the basic habits of the Christian life. God says my ministry is determined by my makeup. Who I am determines what I do. Get involved in ministry.

I can't think of a greater thing than to stand before Jesus Christ one day and have him say, "You don't have a whole lot to show for the first part of your life, but you did get serious with Me. You made a commitment to make the rest of your life count for the things that matter — the things that are going to outlast you. You did a good job. You weren't perfect, you had a lot of faults and sins and bloopers, but you made the effort. Well done, thou good and faithful servant." At that point you will say, "It was worth it!"

Prayer: I challenge you to make a very specific commitment. If you have not specifically joined a church family, why not? What are you waiting on?

"Father, thank You that You've given us talents, abilities, gifts, skills and opportunities. You've given us such a great privilege — even the privilege of living in such a beautiful area. We know with privilege comes responsibility. Help us make our lives count. Help us not be like others who are living simply for today, but help us live for eternity. In Jesus' name. Amen."

C. For the edifying of the body of Christ.

Ephesians 4:28-30 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. ²⁹Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. ³⁰And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

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