Gtcotr/ss090212
Luke 10
1 ¶ After these things the Lord appointed seventy
others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place
where He Himself was about to go.
2 Then He said to them, "The harvest truly
is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of
the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.
Labor
Day is the holiday set aside to remember the contributions of all those who labor
to make America great. This day was originally observed by labor unions and
organized by those who hoped to put a stop to poor conditions such as overwork,
underpay, unsafe working conditions and the cruel child labor practices of the
late 1800’s.
Today
it has become a day which marks the end of summer, the last hurried vacations,
the beginning of NFL Football season and the back to school schedules for
children and teachers alike, as well I’m told that Labor Day is the last day in
which it is fashionable to wear white. This weekend there will be picnics,
barbeques, sales, and specials giving families and shoppers their last taste of
summer.
In
all the business of having fun this Labor Day, let’s not forget to be thankful
and remember those who labored this past year and in years gone by, who worked
hard to make America great. God bless you and thank you for your labor! Enjoy
the break … work for most of us will begin again bright and early Tuesday
morning!!!
Speaking
of work … sometimes it takes work to fix things that seem to go wrong all on
their own – and even more work if it turns out that we broke it. Work, or labor
if you will, is a very important part of life. In fact work is one of the first
things God required of Adam.
I
know some of you are already retired and others are yet to finish school and
fully step into the workforce. However, most of you out there are in the season
of life that demands you work … steady work … work which yields a steady reward
for your labor.
2 Thessalonians
3:10 For even when we were with you, we
commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.
1 Timothy
5:8 But if anyone does not provide for
his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and
is worse than an unbeliever.
1
Thessalonians 4
11 Aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own
business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you,
12 that you may walk properly toward those who
are outside, and that you may lack nothing.
How
can you do this if you can’t find a job or don’t have the skills or the honed temperament
to keep a job once you do find one?
You
know there are three things that God requires from us which He is more than
willing to help with. These three things sum up God’s will for His Children and
if we accomplish these three things, it will please God. What are these three
things? You have heard them from me before:
1. Make a living
2. Make a life
3. Make a difference
It
can be challenging for some to imagine how they can make a good living when
much of America is faced with rising rates of unemployment. The unemployment
figures for August will be come out this Friday. Unfortunately they are
expected to be higher than originally anticipated.
The
unemployment rate for July was 8.3%. More than 40% of those unemployed in July
had been without a job for more than 27 weeks.
In
addition to the unemployed, there is an additional 8.2 million who are not
working full time but are not counted on the roles because they have taken
forced part-time jobs because no full time jobs could be found.
These
numbers alone are alarming but when we add another 3.5 million unemployed not
counted in July because there was some condition which precluded them looking
for a job during, or perhaps they fall into the category of “discouraged
workers” who have simply stopped looking because they believe there are no jobs
available … things begin to look pretty bleak for some in America.
I know some jobs are
hard to find however, I believe that:
·
a Child of God,
·
armed with the
knowledge of God,
·
empowered by the
faith of God,
·
led by the Spirit of
God,
Can find a job and …
·
taught by the Word
of God,
·
can not only keep
that job,
·
but can also turn
that job into the ministry God intends
Which will not only
provide:
·
bread to eat - but
also
·
seed to sow
The
Bible is an instruction book for life on planet earth. However, is not a book
of quick fixes – rather the Bible is a book of long term security. In fact it's
a book of eternal security!
If
you will begin a journey with me, together we will take the Bible and discover
how you can
·
make
a better living,
·
build
a better life - and
·
make
a greater difference.
I
am committed to teach you the keys to achieving God’s goals for your life. I will
take the Word of God and show you how you can achieve a long term productive
relationship with your job, your profession, you client, co-worker and your
employer. More than a job … God wants to give you the spiritual keys to success
in the workplace and thereby guarantee you a blessed future. I will also teach
you how to successfully deal with debt.
In
addition to making a better living, we will also use the Word of God to find
out how you can effectively handle family problems. I’ll teach how to build
stronger and healthier relationships between you and your children, parents and
spouses. You will be given tools that will establish and keep the peace of God
in your home and learn how to deal with a growing family, in-laws and
grandchildren.
On
top of making a better living and building a better life, I will also
spiritually equip you and open doors of opportunity for you to make eternal
differences in daily life both individually and corporately with family and
friends. There are some very simple and very small steps that you can take
which will make a world of difference.
From
your witness in the workplace to assisting disaster ridden communities and
impoverished nations all over the world, you will become a vital link to
helping relieve individuals and families of the terrible and unfair burdens
life can offer.
Believe
me when I tell you that this is not idle talk or some unrealistic fantasy that
we hope to accomplish. Oh no, - rather this is our proven track record and
there is no doubt in my mind that working together, we will succeed in reaching
these goals.
God
has promised, your greatest days are yet ahead. The greatest number of people
you will ever impact for Jesus are people you have never even met. There is not
one single reason why you cannot get your life in the shape God wants it to be
physically, financially and spiritually.
We
believe that the only marching orders God ever gave the church was to go into
all the world and make disciples. This kingdom outreach begins at home and it
starts afresh with you.
Nothing
says success like a person who knows where they are going and are dedicated to
whatever it takes to get there. Add this vision and determination to the will
of God for your life and you cannot be stopped.
·
It
is God who wants to bless you and make you a blessing
·
It
is God’s will that your family, your finances and your future be in order
·
God
has called you to do something no one else can do as well as you.
However,
if you aren’t prepared to take control of the situations of life, they will
take control of you. Life’s problems are not timid. They don’t mind getting in
your face and working hard to hurt you.
I
know that I have been anointed and appointed by the Lord for just such a time
as this. There is one thing of which I am confident – Almighty God has called
and equipped me to teach you how to walk in His blessings.
During
these next three months I will unveil and impart to you the mysteries of the
Kingdom of God to help you:
·
Make
a better living
·
Build
a better life
·
Make
a greater difference
Well,
I know this is a holiday weekend and tomorrow is Labor Day. So go, rest, relax,
have some fun and enjoy the family and friends, picnics and barbeques … hey, as
soon as I finish preaching, Brenda and I are headed to Lake Rayburn for a fish
fry with the families from Church On The Rock in Vidor. Take the day off
tomorrow and be thankful for America’s workers who made all of these things
possible.
But,
come next Sunday morning at 9:30am … providing you don’t have another spiritual
adventure to which you are already committed … You be here! Right here! We are
going to begin this process by discovering God ordained keys to building and
maintaining your immediate family. I will have books and handouts for everyone.
Don’t
forget – Sunday, September 9th at 9:30am – right here, both live and
online …
People
all over the world are lost and dying and are in need of Jesus. How can you be
salt and light to the world if you can’t even make a living, build a life or
make a difference at home?
More
than just doing something about your life or your problems … it only works when
you do:
·
the God
thing
·
the God
way
·
for the
God reason
Why
does Jesus want to make such an investment in your life? Why is He so
interested in blessing you with a better living and a better life?
In
Luke the 10th chapter those 70 disciples joyfully returned to Jesus
after completing their mission trip. They reported their journey was filled with
evidence of God’s power and authority which they found in His name.
Luke 10
17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying,
"Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name."
18 And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall
like lightning from heaven.
19 "Behold, I give you the authority to
trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and
nothing shall by any means hurt you.
20 "Nevertheless do not rejoice in this,
that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are
written in heaven."
Like
we have said for decades now … “It’s all about souls!” Your soul, the souls of
your family, your neighbors, friends, and people you have never met, both here
in our communities and communities like ours around the world … How shall they
be reached with this power?
·
We have a
light to shine.
·
We have a
love to share.
·
We have a
hope to give.
And
it’s all about souls and together we can make a difference. Jesus said, “The
harvest is plentiful only the laborers are few”. Won’t you become a light to
your family, a witness to the world, a laborer in God’s harvest field?
You
can join me on this journey of a lifetime beginning next Sunday morning, right
here at 9:30am. I guarantee God’s Word will help you:
·
Make
a better living
·
Build
a better life
·
Make
a greater difference
Beginning
next Sunday, September 9th …
Today
however, before I send you out to enjoy the holiday, allow me to send out an
invitation to you.
·
Come to Christ Jesus
for the salvation of your soul
·
Come and join the
strength of your life with the vision of this house to reach the souls of your
family, friends and the lost around the globe.
·
Perhaps you know
Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior and have already joined your heart to
this house but have not gotten a personal chance to introduce yourself to me
and let me pray with you.
·
If there is anyone
here that falls into that category, I would appreciate having that chance this
morning. Will you allow me to personally welcome you to our Church family?
·
If so, then please
come
