It's Time To Take A Look

Today, I would like for us to look at David for a moment.  We know Him as King David, God's chosen to lead Israel, the one that God picked as a young boy on the hillside, the one who killed Goliath against all odds, and the one would be known as a man after God's own heart. 

This is someone who loves the Lord…no doubt.  But, he was not perfect.  He was prone to sin just like anyone else.  And, he fell just like anyone else would…except he fell big time.

You probably know what happened.  Man sees beautiful woman…man goes after beautiful woman…beautiful woman is married…man gets married woman pregnant…man has husband killed.

It was a horrible thing for David to do.  Truly one of his lowest points.  He might have thought he got away with it.  It had been quite a while…maybe a year since the incident.  Now the woman is his.  David is trying to put his sin in the past, but certainly not talking about it, admitting it or even willing to face it.  Just sweep it under the rug and move on.

But, God has other plans.  God has seen the sin (as if He wouldn't).  God knows what has been going on and it has gone on way too long without being acknowledged.  Nathan, the prophet, comes on the scene with an important message.

2 Samuel 12:1-15

David has been running from his sin (as if he could really escape).  He has been trying to ignore what he has done.  Nathan comes up with a story.  It is David's job as king to protect the poor.   An injustice has been done to someone who is poor.  David can't stand that to happen.

Well, it can't stand it until he realizes the injustice has been done…by him.  Nathan tells him the story and then points a mirror in his face.  Nathan lets him know that God knows who the man is that has committed this sin and it is the man who is in the mirror.

I can imagine that it causes David's heart to sink.  His knees probably buckled as Nathan relays a message from God.  There are consequences to what has happened.  David has NOT gotten away with the sin.  God saw…God knows…God shows David who is in the mirror.

This reminds me that God doesn't mess around with sin.  It also reminds me that it is time that we start taking a look at who is in our mirror.

It is not easy to do.  When we take a long hard look at who is in the mirror, it makes us have to confront our sin.  It is really easy for me to point fingers, but very difficult for me to take a look at who is in the mirror.

It is really easy for me to talk about the things that need to get done in the church, but really hard me to take a look at what God has called me to do in the church.

It is really easy for me to point out what other people aren't doing but really hard for me to hear God tell me what I am not doing. 

The man in the mirror is starting back at me and that is difficult to deal with.  I don't want to hear what I have done wrong or what I am not doing or admit where I have gotten off track.  I don't want to think about my sins or shortcomings.  I want to help other people realize theirs.  I would be good at that…I can tell others where they aren't going right…do I really have to look at me??

If we want to grow as people…if we want to flourish as Christians…if we want to become what God has called us to be…we have to look at the person who is staring back at us in the mirror and begin having honest conversations with God about where we are.

Nathan had a powerful message for David…"YOU are the one"…maybe we start heeding that message as well.  Take a look at who is in your mirror.

The good news is that when we come honestly to God and repent and commit ourselves to Him, He listens and loves me and will help me to be what He has called me to be.  There is hope when we come to him honestly and with a repentant heart. 

What you bring to the table

Summer is ending for many…school is beginning and vacations are coming to a close.  As well, our fiscal year for the church is coming to an end too.  October begins a new year for us.  As I think about this past year and what is to come, I can't help but think about many of us who aren't using our gifts for the glory of God.

So, today I want us to consider what we have to bring to the table.

When we go to a job interview or we are joining a group, they will often look at what we bring to the table.  They want to know what we have to offer to the organization that will help make it work efficiently.

Employers and groups want to know what gifts you possess that will make a difference.  We willingly tell them about how we can do things and just how good we are at certain things.  We want to please them, even impress them.

Interestingly enough, God is asking us to bring something to the table too.  But, there is a really big difference.  Let's look at a couple of scriptures that I think will clarify:

1 – 1 Corinthians 1:26-31.  In this scripture, Paul is telling the people of Corinth not to look at their worldly status.  God doesn't choose people to work for Him based on their worldly status or how much they have or don't have.  He chooses people based on what He has put within them. 

What He has put within us is not measured by the world.  In fact, if we use what He has given us for His glory, nothing compares or is understood by worldly standards.  That's why people can leave their careers and possessions and move across the world to show the love of Jesus.

It's also why we can see God work in the lives of people in ways we could have never imagined. 

God uses the things we consider weak to blow the minds of those who think they are strong by worldly standards.  God does this so we know that it is Him and not anything we did.  He takes what we have and makes it something beautiful.

2 – 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.  This scripture is important because it reminds us of what God brings to the table…His own Son.  God sent Jesus to die for us.  That really can confuse the world…speak of mind blowing!

We are called to the table because of what He has done for us.  We aren't privileged enough to be at the table.  We aren't worthy to be at the table.  But, because of the body and blood of Jesus, we can come to the table…and not just come, but we are called to the table.

What do you bring to the table?  Nothing we have is good enough at the table.  We might feel as though we don’t belong there and what can our measly gifts do at the table of the divine?

We are told in the Word that if we bring our all to the table, God makes something so beautiful of it when it is used for His glory.  God takes us and makes us something unique and special and blessed and used for Him.  That isn't something that we get on our own.  Remember He takes the weak and makes strong for Him. 

So…what do you have to bring to the table?  Are you willing to bring your everything?  Are you willing to bring your gifts and talents and resources and time and everything so that God can be glorified?  What are you willing to bring to the table?

If you say you have nothing to bring, you are underestimating the power of the One that we serve and the One that has called you.

Forgive and be Forgiven

Last Sunday, we were privileged to have David, who grew up at FMBC, bring the morning message.  He spoke about how we have to be willing to forgive as we would like to receive forgiveness.  That should open our mind about how we forgive. 
This is two Sundays in a row that FMBC has had men who grew up as young people in the church bring the morning message.  What a blessing to see how God has blessed those who have grown up in the church and are now serving Him as adults. 

Youth Sunday

This past Sunday was our annual Youth Sunday.  It truly was a blessing to have the youth of the church lead the service and use their gifts for the Lord.  They all brought something so special to the service.  We were also thankful to have Ray Burke, who grew up as a youth in the church, bring the morning message.  He reminded us all to live faithful lives for the Lord.  At FMBC, we are blessed beyond measure to have youth willing to stand up for the Lord and leaders willing to support them along the way.  Finally, a big thank you to Allyson who helped coordinate it all and make sure it happened.  God is leading and guiding our young people and I am looking forward to seeing what He has in store for His faithful followers!