Sermon Info
Summary
There is no way to half follow someone. There is no way to have love for someone. There is no way to give your life to Christ without GIVING ALL of it. Paul gave all of himself for the sake of others so that Christ would be glorified and that He might save some. What are we giving our lives to? Where are we investing the resources God has gifted us? May we be like Paul, and give all of ourselves to the Gospel.
Content
GIVING ALL
Thus far in this series we have been delving into the Vision Statement of Rolling Hills Community Church, where we are a people of God (who we are), reaching out (doing what), growing up, and giving all. Giving all is about how we align ourselves with the mission and work of God. You cannot halfway follow the Gospel, nor can you halfway love someone – you’ve got to be all in.
In 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, Paul expounds on how he relates to all people to win them over for Christ. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings (1 Corinthians 9:22b-23). His goal is the salvation of other people. Paul was a disciple, and he encouraged others to be the same. A disciple is an apprentice of Jesus, with Jesus as the teacher. Throughout Paul’s epistles it becomes clear that he gave all of himself for the sake of the Gospel.
Missionary Jim Elliott stated, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” You give your life for the sake of the Gospel to gain eternal life. Obedience and a willing, loving heart is what God asks of you. The results are up to God.
We are a missionary in every environment or place we are, whether at work, home, athletic events, church, a restaurant, your neighborhood – everywhere. All Christians are missionaries to the world around them. We are all placed where we are for a reason. David served in his generation, and so can we.
Acts 13:36-37 states, Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed. But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay. We have the Good News of the Gospel! We can share what God is teaching us in our daily steps, learning in God’s Word, God’s activeness in our lives and the world around us, and so much more. We each have a unique sphere of influence that we have been placed within to make a difference for His Kingdom and His glory. As David served his generation, let’s serve ours and make a difference in the here and now.
Christ has to be first in our lives. So, what does it look like to have God first in our lives, giving our all for Jesus? This encompasses three primary areas of our lives: Time, Skills, and Money.
All three of these categories have both limitations and avenues for great impact. What are we going to do with the life we have been given? How are we going to glorify God? The above three things are what we value, the inner workings of what we believe in our heart. There is not an hour, dollar, or skill not gifted to us by our Heavenly Father.
First, let’s look at time. We have no idea how long we have on this earth; time is one of the most valuable things we have. Your calendar reflects what we value and do with our time. Psalm 39:4-7 states, Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be. But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.” There are three ways to wisely invest your time: invest in your discipleship, invest in discipleship of others, and invest in making new disciples. Time is a precious commodity, and most of our life is focused on comfort, not growth. The best thing to give to one’s family and workplace is a person investing time in discipleship.
Secondly, we all have various skills that can impact the people around us. Whether it is mechanical skills, carpentry skills, reading skills, or another skill, all can be used to impact the people around us to care for others.
Lastly, let’s look at money. Money has two natures – it can build or it can burn. Iit can be your master or a tool. No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money (Luke 16:13). Consider beginning to look at giving money or tithing as a contribution towards the spreading and mobilization of the Gospel, rather than just giving money away to a good cause or doing it out of mere obedience.
As Jim Elliott shared, “Wherever you are, be all there.” So, whether you are at work, home, a kid’s sports event, or meeting God in His Word, give all of yourself for the sake of the Gospel to win people over to Christ.
