Date: February 27th, 2011
Speaker: Pastor Kevin Snyder
Title: The Whisper to the Ordinary Part 3: Bloom
2 weeks ago
How a group of ordinary people, living in a sin-permeated world… rocked their world.
We talked about one of the things that enabled that.
They were armed with a dream….not a dream they made up, but a dream of the Kingdom of God.
- A dream of what God wanted for this world.
- A dream of what lives, families, communities, and societies could be liked…a dream that embraced the world and the environment. A salvation that was deeper and broader than just my soul.
- That dream so captured their hearts and minds that it catapulted these ordinary people into the streets, soup kitchens, youth rooms, kid’s place, their workplaces, and community…
It motivated them to give their time, their resources, their lives to see this kingdom come about.
It is amazing what God can do with a group of ordinary folks armed with a dream, but it is even more amazing what God can do when those ordinary people are partnered with the Holy Spirit.
Last Week:
We looked at how these people accessed and partnered with the Holy spirit to rock their world.
It wasn’t done by their extraordinary effort, extraordinary talent or smarts…They were just ordinary people who learned that prayer moves the arm of god in some amazingly powerful ways.
They prayed.
They prayed together in a united, focused prayer for their world for 40 days. And God moved.
Today:
Part 3: How a group of ordinary saints rocked their world.
- They were armed by a dream - a vision of the Kingdom of God.
- They were empowered through prayer by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Those are 2 absolutely two foundations for why they rocked their world.
The third factor was :
- They bloomed where they were planted.
BLOOM
In Acts 1: 15 – 26 we read the process to replace Judas, the traitor, among the disciples.
They believed that Scripture called for them to fill Judas’ spot. There was a gap that needed to be filled. God had someone in mind.
15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers?b? (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus— 17 he was one of our number and shared in this ministry.”
18 (With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)
20 “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the book of Psalms,
“ ‘May his place be deserted;
let there be no one to dwell in it,’?c?
and,
“ ‘May another take his place of leadership.’?d?
They prayed, they established some criteria
21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”
They narrowed down the search and then they put it into God’s hands.
v. 23 – 26
23 So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
- They believed God placed Matthias there.
- They believed God had his hand in choosing him for this role.
Info about Matthias
- Some commentators said the disciples chose Matthias and God chose Saul (ch 9) . He became the most prominent disciple of Jesus in the decades to come. I don’t know about that.
- We know he is never mentioned again within Scripture. Tradition has it that he was stoned and then beheaded for his faith.
Application
What does it take to bloom where one is planted?
1. YOU ARE NEEDED
When Judas vacated the role Christ left for him , and that may have been earlier, he left a gap. There was a hole to be filled.
The disciples believed that. They had a 11 guys on the field when they needed 12….Saskatchewan often sends 2 to fill the gap.
People who bloom are people who realize that they are needed.
They are not an appendix in the body….an extra part. No discernible usefulness.
Sometimes we don’t bloom because we don’t think we have any discernible role….we aren’t needed. God doesn’t miss me in his kingdom plan.
We can think like the 1 talent man in the parable of the Talents. He thought what he had been given was so small and insignificant that he went and buried it.
In Ezekiel we read this verse:
Ezekiel 22:30 –
“I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one. 31 So now I will pour out my fury on them, consuming them with the fire of my anger. I will heap on their heads the full penalty for all their sins. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”
Note:
There are gaps in the wall. There are places unguarded….vacancies in the defense….holes in the offensive line.
And God is looking for people to fill the gaps.
- Matthias was one.
- You & I are another.
- You matter.
People who bloom are people who realize there is something going to be lost if I don’t stand in the gap.
i.e.
I don’t really like the term “volunteers” in the church.
Volunteers often think “option”…added benefit. Non- essential.
Not true in the church. But sometimes because we aren’t paid we don’t think our role is that important. We won’t be missed.
Someone will fill in.
- Not that important that I be there to do sound …someone else will do it.
- Not important that I be there to usher….someone else will do it.
- Not that important that I be in Kid’s Place someone will cover….
- Sometimes folks we are covering for 4 or 5 per week. We are looking for people who will stand in the gap.
One of the greatest challenges in pastoral ministry is running a top-rate ministry with people who have number 5 & 6 on their priority list.
But you aren’t important just for what you do, it holds on a much deeper level than that. (Was Judas missed as a treasurer…probably not cuz it says he was a thief).
You are in relationship to others. (i.e. systems theory - you effect a system) You touch different people. You hold influence in other people’s lives. Who you are brings something to the table.
i.e.
Ever played on a team….there are chemistry people. People who bring energy and enthusiasm. Might notbe critical player on the court but who they are in the locker room is huge. Without them the team seems flat.
Friends, if we are going to rock the world we have to realize you are needed. You leave a gap when you vacate. The church often is unable to reach it’s full redemptive potential because it spends so much of it’s energy just filling gaps.
People who bloom, ….God’s mission blooms….. when we realize we are needed.
God has a role for you in his Kingdom mission and when you vacate it, it leaves a gap. God has his eye open for people who will “stand in the gap”. According to Ezekiel, the welfare of the nation depends on it.
People Who Bloom…
2. REALIZE YOU HAVE TO “PAY THE RENT”
College prof that talked to us about this concept of paying the rent.
He said a lot of times in ministry there are all kinds of things we like to do. But he said if you are going to influence your congregation there are some basic everyday things you need to do. Foundational ministry practises.
i.e.
Same in your job
Same in house
For many of us as husbands we have come to realize our wives don’t just love us for our marvellous good looks and great love-making ability….but because we have learned to “pay the rent”… handiness in the kitchen & cleaning ability ….well not so much…maybe not such a good illustration.
The disciples had some criteria for the one who would fill the gap. They had to have been there throughout Jesus ministry. That was “paying the rent.”
The person who was going to fill the gap had to be someone who had been faithful. That was a key thing.
I’m sure their thinking was:
“Why would we entrust something as important as the kingdom of God to anyone who hasn’t shown first their faithfulness?”
Jesus saw faithfulness as a key criteria as well:
In the parable of the Talents we read these words:
Matt 25:21 -
21 “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.
1 Cor 4:1,2
So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
Paul uses the picture of a steward….aka bank teller
We don’t judge a bank teller by how flamboyant they can be with counting money …do it will balancing on head….or count it with one hand….No, we judge a bank teller by their faithfulness. Have they done with our money what we intended.
Picture is God has entrusted to us a message, resources….Not ours…they are his….we are stewards (bank tellers). Issue is: “Are we using them in line with his wishes? Are we faithful to his plans?”
If we are going to bloom in God’s kingdom , if we are going to fill the gaps there are some basics we need to do. We have to learn what it is to “pay the rent.” To learn to be faithful
i.e.
Basketball – John Wooden (10 National championships, 80% winning %)
Make everyday a masterpiece.
If he saw a player who was slacking off in practise….”Don’t think you will make up tomorrow for what you didn’t do today.”
I tell my team “You play as you practise.” There are guys who think they can goof around in practise….not focus….not attend to fundamental skills, and then in a tough game situation turn it on and perform. Usually see them frustrated and mad - because shots aren’t falling, not making the plays….becasue they never practised like in a game.
Faithfulness is key to blooming. Showing up, faithfully stewarding the time, resources, message, ministry that God has entrusted into our hands.
When I am looking for leaders or people to fill ministry gaps there are some basic criteria I look for:
You have to be FAT.
F- Faithful
A – Available
T- Teachable
Are you fat?
If you are going to bloom where you are planted….you must learn to “pay the rent”.
Be faithful.
People Who Bloom…
3. BELIEVE GOD HAS PLACED YOU WHERE YOU ARE
The disciples only went so far in the selection process, and then, they turned it over to God. They narrowed it down to 2 faithful guys and then they let God choose. They drew straws.
24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen
Question is:
Do you dare believe that God has had a hand in placing you where you are for His kingdom purposes?
Could it be that you are where you are because God wants you there?
Perhaps it is no accident that you
- live where you live
-You work where you work
-That you are here at East Side at this time
i.e.
In the Old Testament there is a book called Esther.
Esther applies for and wins a beauty pageant and becomes the king’s trophy wife. Perhaps some quasi-motivations on her part.
But she gets there and stuff happens in the kingdom. A man who has ascended to a powerful government position wants to use his power and position to commit racial genocide. And he schemes and connives and manipulates until he achieves his goal…he gets the edict.
Well, the pretty little queen who is enjoying daily spa treatments has her world rocked by her uncle who raised her:
He said, “Esther this is what is happening. You alone are in a position to stop it. Will you answer the bell.”
She isn’t convinced she has influence or opportunity and Mordecai says:
“Esther, could it be that God has put you in this position for such a time as this?”
Friends, I don’t know how it works.
- Sometimes we take jobs because we like the money….or the opportunity.
- We move because we like the neighborhood.
- We choose that church because we like the music or the Senior Pastor.
But I believe Prov 16:9 People may make plans in their minds, but the Lord decides what they will do.
Somehow, despite our quasi-pure motives, God places his children in the place he wants us for bigger reasons than we know.
We plan our ways and he directs our steps.
i.e.
What got me thinking on this was a little book that hit me with this. Written by Pastor Juan Carlos Ortiz in a book called “Disciple”
(Ortiz,Ddisciple , p.24)
He starts with a contrast:
Contrast:
Suppose I asked you “Why do you work?”
Many would say
“Well, I work because I have to eat. If I don’t work I don’t eat.”
“Well , why do you eat?”
“So, I will have strength to work.”
“And why do you work again?”
“Well, I work again to eat again to work to be able to eat…”
He comments:
“That’s not life. That’s just breathing. There is no purpose to it.”
In contrast he says,
“What would happen if we saw ourselves in the larger purpose of the Kingdom of God? Sent to heal….be active in the redemptive ministry of Jesus seeking to restore this broken world.
What if we looked at life this way…
“So inch by inch I must recover the things that belong to God. To do that, I have to eat; to eat I have to work. But the purpose of it all is to extend the Kingdom of my Lord.
That means my values have to change. I don’t study at the university to just get a degree; I am there as a member of Christ’s Kingdom to do Kingdom business. I also happen to get a degree.
I don’t work at Ford Motor Company to earn my livelihood. I work there because God needs that spot on this earth; He needs one of his soldiers to conquer it for Him. And Mr. Ford happens to support my conquest. But my real Lord is Jesus Christ.”
What would change if you went to work with a bigger purpose in mind? You aren’t just there to pound nails….fix cars… cook food.. But God has you there for some larger kingdom purposes.
Would our prayers change from…
“Oh, Lord. Help me survive this next 8 hours.”
To ….
- “Lord, what do you have for me today?
- Who are you going to bring across my path to whom I can be a peacemaker?
- How can I be an agent of justice and mercy today?
- How can I be an agent of your love and acceptance?
What would happen if each day you entered your workplace, your neighbourhood, your social circles with the prayer, “Lord, how can serve you today?
- How can I serve your kingdom purposes right where I am today?”
- How can I bloom where you have planted me today?
“I may be a Hermy or a Wormy, so exceedingly ordinary, but God has me here for a purpose, and I am going to trust, and look and listen, and seek to fulfil his purpose today.”
Wrap Up
These 120 or so ordinary NT “Hermy’s” & “Wormy’s” rocked their sin- permeated world to it’s foundations.
This little gathering exploded in days to over 3000….then 5000.
It spread from Jerusalem….to Judea…Samaria…Antioch, all the way to Rome. Paul refers in Philippian’s, a book written within 30 years, about “some saints in Caesar’s court”….infiltrated the highest echelon of the empire.
It happened because these ordinary people were
- Captured by the dream of the Kingdom of God
- Empowered by prayer with the power of the Holy Spirit
- And were determined to bloom wherever God had planted them….
- They believed they were needed to fill the gap.
- They believed a key was being faithful
- They believed God placed them where they were for kingdom purposes…
And it can happen again….in our day….in this place
Challenge today
- Where’s the gap? Where has God called you to stand in the gap? Where do you see a need? (If God has entrusted you with the knowledge of a need maybe he has entrusted you with the resources to meet that need.)
- Pay the rent – faithfulness is key
How is your faithfulness to God’s kingdom purposes?
- Do you dare to begin to believe and discover why God has you where you are ? Will you look for his kingdom purposes?
Prayer
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b Greek brothers
c Psalm 69:25
d Psalm 109:8
The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ac 1:1-26
Tyndale House Publishers: Holy Bible : New Living Translation. 2nd ed. Wheaton, Ill. : Tyndale House Publishers, 2004, S. Eze 22:30-31
The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Mt 25:21
The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. 1 Co 4:1-2
The Everyday Bible : New Century Version. Nashville, TN. : Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2005, S. Pr 16:9