1 Corinthians 9:19-27

1Corinthians 9:19-27

While I served as an intern at a 1500 member church in Glendora California, I worked for Fulton Lytle. As we talked about ministry Fulton asked me “whose agenda are you on.” I did not understand the question at first. He explained that we all have agendas, agendas for friendships, relationships, work, church, and life. An agenda with goals from which we base our actions and our view of success. I have an agenda, you have an agenda, the people we meet have an agenda, the church has an agenda, and God has an agenda. Paul had an agenda which he shares with us.

1.      So that by all means I might save some
a. That none should perish but all have eternal life 2 peter 3:9
b. Our account and the Lord Jesus suggest evangelism
c. Why do we want to win people to Jesus?
d. Have less work, more people to support the budget, keep the church going
e. getting a good return for God?
f. that people are dying and will face everlasting judgment?
g. To see God bless and change lives?

2.      Whose agenda are we on?
a. in worship, in fellowship, in activates?
b. do we look at our church from an outsiders view?
c. Greet people at the front door?
d. have information where they can find it?
e. Look for them and greet them first then our friends

3.      Other centered
a. Salvation Army Leader,  “Others”
b. from self-focus to other focus.
c. get excited about Jesus working in their lives
d. Jesus is the answer, but what is the question?
e. get to know people, their lives, their interest, their needs
f. learn their questions

4.      Who’s agenda have you been on?
a. your agenda?

b. your employers
c. The people around you?
d. or God’s agenda?
e. Today you can start living with God’s agenda.

Matthew 25:14-30 "Hows that workin for Ya"

Matthew 25:14-30 “How’s that Workin For Ya”

Every business, every person, every church function on a paradigm; A set of rule, laws and view of the world that it uses to for decisions, evaluation, and actions. Some of these paradigms are written and some are not. Some are based on facts, some on attitudes, and some are based faith. Some paradigms lead to success and wealth and others lead to failure. Today’s passage is about the paradigms of three people and their results.

Dr. Phil brings guest on his show and examines their actions and paradigms. Then he ask that important question, “And how’s that workin for ya” It is his way of getting people to self-evaluate their paradigm and its success or failure. The sad truth is that many people and many churches never evaluate their paradigms and make changes to them.

Truth number one for today, “even the best pastor and lay people will fail under a bad paradigm.” No amount of talent can overcome a bad paradigm. This is going to be a hard sermon to hear, but we need to hear it. So we will start with Dr. Phil. Look around you, all around you, front, back, sides, what do you see? What you see is the result of your paradigm for church, worship, and ministry. Now ask the question; “how’s that workin for ya?”

In Matthew 25:14-30 Jesus tells us of three servants entrusted with some amount of wealth. The first servant sees this as an opportunity to gain wealth and favor in the masters eyes and invested it. He may lose it, but his paradigm is that what has been given to me is to be used. The second servant has a similar paradigm and invest his money as well. But the third man has a different paradigm, which causes him to bury the money in the ground.

The first person is an example of a talented person working with a good paradigm, which leads to success. The second person is an example of a less talented person with a good paradigm, which also leads to success. The third person is a person with a bad paradigm, which leads to failure.

Many churches and many people fail because of three ideas that are part of their paradigm.

1.      Cheaper is better. What is the least I can spend or give and still be good with God?

2.      Ok is good enough. What is the minimum I can do and still be called a church or a Christian?

3.      Save it for retirement. We will follow God when it’s more convenient.

 

I was out to a friend’s cabin and his son had a shooting range set up….shoot and miss.

“If you always do what you have always done you will always get what you always got!”

Now if you go back to that question of Dr. Phil, and you’re honest, you to admit your paradigm has not been working for a long time. We have been more like the person burying the talent and less like the person who sees opportunities.

I am here because you have seen the need for change, this change is not just worship style and songs, it’s the basic paradigm of ministry that must change and if it is not changed soon and changed completely then our church is just a few funerals away from closing the doors. This is the rainy day the fund is for, this is crunch time, this is the time to risk it all. There isn’t any more time for storing up or for more practice, the whistle has blown the coin tossed and it’s time to win or lose the game.

Three new attitudes

1. Only my best for God, never my leftovers.

2. Nothing is too Good for God. What does God want me to do? Now how will I get it done?
3. I will use what God has given me now.

Many churches are closing their doors, many Christians suffer in defeat, because when God invest in them and they bury the talent He takes it away.

The good news is that if we are willing to start walking in faith God will entrust us with more.

Are you willing to risk? Do you really want change? Are you willing to let go of that paradigm that has lead you to this place? If you do then God will bless you. You will be amazed at what God can do.