Sermon
I got the opportunity to preach Sunday, March 14th at http://www.StMatthewsBaptist.org
As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Kjv
Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. NRSV – 1 Peter 4:10
God doesn’t make mistakes or waste things. Everything has a purpose including you and I.
You have a gift, you have a reason to be here, you have a purpose.
Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. NRSV – 1 Peter 4:10
If I can help somebody, as I travel along
If I can help somebody, with a word or song
If I can help somebody, from doing wrong
Then my living shall not be in vain
Playing your part.
Sometimes it changes, sometimes you don’t know that what you have is needed. You won’t know unless you try to help, get involved, see what is lacking…
Left alone, in quarantine, on lockdown, isolated… in a rut, is bad because you are not acting with others that you can help, that is our purpose
To do what one should and is expected to do within a group in order to achieve a particular result; to perform one’s role.
Some gifts are easy to see…
My daughter can cook
The pastor can cook
I’m really good with animals and used to be a pretty good marksman
Homes have parts we play too. And we can mess that up too
Failing to play your part hurts the team.
Have you been or are you a good steward of the gift that God gave you?
In church, it can hurt worship
Do you want to be the one responsible that kept someone from getting to God?
Playing Your Part
The inner essence of worship is to know God truly and then respond from the heart to that knowledge by valuing God, treasuring God,
prizing God, enjoying God, being satisfied with God above all earthly things. And then that deep, restful, joyful satisfaction in God overflows in demonstrable acts of praise from the lips and demonstrable acts of love in serving others for the sake of Christ.
The choir has parts – soprano, alto, tenor, and bass
In sports they say – play your position.
A team has members, football team receivers, tackles, kickers, guards, and quarterbacks- looking for the person with their hands up
God is looking for those with their hands up – in worship, to bless, to RECEIVE
God owns this team. The Pastor is the quarterback, the ball is snapped, he is looking to bless someone one, if he wins the whole team wins…. Whos got their hands up (worship hands)
Put ’em up
Put ’em up
Put ’em up, put ’em up, put ’em up
Put ’em up
Put ’em up, put ’em up, put ’em up
Conclusion
It’s important to play your part. Everyone is important. But you can hinder or help
You can curse or bless
Encouraging words can go a long way.
Once you know who you are and from whom you come and then to where you are sent, then your value cannot be undermined or redefined.
Seek God who made the determination of knowing your value. Your life is not an accident nor are the thoughts that take you from day today.
There is substance and purpose in all you have experienced. Take courage in knowing that you don’t have to compete with anyone for what life has promised you.
Play your position, the quarterback is looking for uplifted hands and a consistent heart that is reliable when needed
Stewards of the gift of Grace. Serving one another with whatever gift you have received
What happened to the person who didn’t use the talent that they were given?
We Must Put Our Talents into Action
We Will Be Granted Exactly What We Need to Fulfill God’s Bidding
We Will Eventually Be Held Accountable