A Man On Cherry Street

Yesterday I wrote about the spot where the most beautiful woman in the world passed by me on the Indiana State University campus. But it was not at this spot that I first met or first spoke to this woman that I would soon fall in love with. The spot where I first spoke to the girl of my dreams was here, at 607 Cherry Street in Terre Haute, directly across the street from the College of Technology.

As Kim (now my wife) and her roommate, Anna, walked down Cherry Street I walked closely behind (don't worry, they knew I was there). Anna had come along to ensure that I wasn't a creep and as a means of protection in case I was. She was walking closely to Kim that evening.

Then we heard the voice of a man calling for help. So, as any decent human being would, we crossed the street to assist. As I lifted his two casts from the front his caregiver pushed the wheelchair. And - in a moment of brilliance - I threw his glove on the ground for Kim to pick up (this kept her nearby). After assisting this elderly veteran and his caregiver into the building we were asked to assist him as he boarded the elevator to go to his room for the evening.

I still, at this moment, had not said a single word to this beautiful young woman. But, as the veteran that we were helping rose from his wheelchair to board the elevator to his room, his pants - the only pants he chose to wear that day - dropped to his knees revealing, well, everything else beneath his pants. And, in a moment of shock and concern - without thinking at all - I leaned closely toward Kim and I whispered in her ear; "don't look".

We soon made our way out of the building (although we did decline an invitation to his room for tea). And, from that moment on, I had no difficulty talking to this young woman about anything. 

I thank God on a regular occasion for this man, with two casts, his single glove, loose pants, and no underwear. I thank God that Anna was so grossed out that she took off from this spot on Cherry Street and left me alone with Kim, to walk, talk, and fall in love soon after. 

Teaching: God's Faith through Spiritual Gifts

1 Corinthians 1:4-7

·         Enriched in every way

·         Do not lack any spiritual gift

The Corinthians church had all of the spiritual gifts that they needed to live the Christian life, to witness for Christ, and to stand against the paganism and immorality of Corinth. But instead of using what God had given to them, they were arguing over which gifts were more important

Do we understand this passage?

We must not miss this; God has equipped you with every spiritual gift that you need – know that believe it, and stand faithfully on it. We must not miss this and we must not allow others to miss this; God has given us all that we need.

Before we start talking about spiritual gifts though, we must understand that God has given us all that we need to live the life He has called us to live – that is perfection in Him

•         All that we need to know about Him is in His Word

•         All that we need to obey Him is in His Spirit

Romans 12:4-8

·         One in the body of Christ – we belong to one another

·         We are call to use our gifts generously, diligently, and cheerfully

1 Corinthians 12:4-11

·         Different kinds of gifts, service, and works given by God

·         Gifts are given for the common good, just as God determines

God gives us every spiritual gift we need – we do not lack any

•         God gives us spiritual gifts as He determines

•         God gives us spiritual gifts so that we can build up His church

To use these spiritual gifts effectively we must;

1.      Realize that all gifts and abilities come from God

2.      Understand that not everyone has the same gifts

3.      Know who we are and what we do best

4.      Dedicate our gifts to God’s service

5.      Give our gifts wholeheartedly – not holding anything back

Our role – then – is to be faithful and to seek ways to serve others with what Christ has given to us.

•         And to assist others in the church in doing the same with the spiritual gifts that God has given to them.

1 Corinthians 1:4-9

·         God, who called you into fellowship with Christ is faithful

Hebrews 10:23-24

·         Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess

·         God, who promised, is faithful

·         Let us consider how we may spur one another on

·         Let us not give up meeting together

2 Timothy 2:11-13

·         God is faithful even when we are not

1 Peter 4:7-11

·         Use our spiritual gifts to serve others.

·         Use our spiritual gifts faithfully administering God’s grace

PRAYER:

·         Praising God for the spiritual gifts that He has given to us,

·         Praising God for His faithfulness,

·         Asking for discernment in the body regarding our spiritual gifts,

·         Asking guidance in the use of our spiritual gifts.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

·         God is faithful to sanctify you (set you apart for sacred use)

·         God is faithful to keep you blameless until the end

I Am Honored

It is an honor to share in the ministry of Jesus Christ.

It is an honor to preach God's Word, to know that He has called and equipped me for His service.

It is an honor to stand before God's people and to speak on His behalf.

Humbled, Honored, and Confused

After having preached for a few years now, I know right away if the words I am speaking from the pulpit are not clear or when I am not connecting with the audience. As Professor Howard Hendricks says; “If it is a mist in the pulpit, it is a fog in the pew." 

As I consider this morning's sermon I fear that I may have left our church family with an very unclear message. Yet, I walk away, seeking God's guidance, mercy, and direction for the next time I enter His pulpit. And, when I stand before others proclaiming God's Word next I will, as always be honored and humbled and the opportunity, while being continually confused that anyone would listen for any amount of time to my thoughts and understanding of God's Holy Word. 

Encouraged To Do Ministry

This morning our men's ministry director shared with us on the topic of encouragement from Acts 9:26-30;

"When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus."

Many things come to mind as I read through this passage, but I'll only share a couple.

Paul had been called and equipped to do the work of The Lord, yet without the support of the disciples, he was unable to do this work. Barbaras did two things; he took Saul to the disciples, and he spoke encouraging words about him.

Because of Barnabas' words and deeds the other disciples welcomed him, listened to him, protected him, and enabled him to continue in The Lord's work.

We can learn from this. Following Barnabas' example we must bring those that have been called and equipped by The Lord and we must speak encouraging words about them to others. Following the disciples' actions we must welcome, listen, and protect those that have been called and equipped. And, in doing this we will enable others to further The Lord's ministry.