HARVEST2011
Sermon Helps
table of contents
Planting with faith: for the people who get it! page 1
Growing through prayeR: our privilege in Christ Page 3
Thriving in Christ: The hope of Glory Page 5
© 2011 International Church of the Nazarene
Written by Clergy Development and published by Stewardship Ministries, Church of the Nazarene
Planting with Faith
For the people who get It!
Introduction:
A study was conducted 12 years ago showing that 79% of the population misses the point. This
statistic is not about missing the punch line from a Dilbert cartoon. People that miss the point can
respond to surface conversations but often miss the deeper or implied meaning. Dr. Ronald Shaw
of Georgetown’s Center For American Studies said, “From the overweight housewife who eats bag
after bag of reduced-fat Ruffles ... to the Manhattan stockbroker who uses recycled-paper checks to
pay for gas for his behemoth SUV, the tendency ... to really just not get it transcends all boundaries
of class, color, religion, sexual orientation, and political persuasion.”1
The New Testament provides many examples of people that miss the point, too. From the Apostle
Peter to the Pharisees, all of us can readily identify with the fatally flawed who just don’t get it.
Today, we will drill down into two stories that teach: planting with faith. In the first story, the Rich
Young Ruler just did not get it and in our second story, Jesus established a principal with timeless
implications for all of us.
The New Testament provides many examples of people that miss the point, too. From the Apostle
Peter to the Pharisees, all of us can readily identify with the fatally flawed who just don’t get it.
Today, we will drill down into two stories that teach: planting with faith. In the first story, the Rich
Young Ruler just did not get it and in our second story, Jesus established a principal with timeless
implications for all of us.
Missing an opportunity to plant with faith: The Rich, Young Ruler
Mt. 19:16-22 (cf. Mk.10:17-22, Lk. 18:18-23)
i.
The visible wealth of the rich man blinded him to the possibilities that were awaiting him by
trusting in Christ.
a.
B.
C.
D.
The rich man thought his wealth was a result of God’s blessing.
Jesus however strategically names the Commandments which exposed the heart the
wealthy man: (If the rich man had truly kept all the commands since his youth,
perhaps he would have connected loving his neighbor as himself to compassion for
the poor.)
The rich man could not see that Christ was not asking for his earthly treasures, but
wanted to unseat the treasures of his heart.
The man departed “sad” because in order to yield, the god of his life had to die. He
was unwilling to surrender his wealth. He just did not get it.
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Ii.
In response, the disciples did not get it when they asked who could be saved.
a.
B.
The disciples agreed that wealth was a result of God’s apparent blessing and
reminded the Lord they had left everything to follow Him.
Jesus concluded the teaching with a principle of “sowing and reaping” or the law
harvest. “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother
or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit
eternal life” Matt 19:29 (NIV). (The disciples did not sow in order to get a reward –
their future harvest would be the results of a surrendered/yielded heart.)
Planting with Faith: Prelude to the Passion
John 12:24-37
iII.
Jesus models three principles of teaching: offer instruction, explain the
instruction, model the instruction (John 12:24-25).
a.
B.
iV.
Explore the options – What is the “seed” that must die?
Expect the outcomes – What is the anticipated harvest/fruit?
The surrender of Jesus is an observable/visible planting faith; yet the physical pain was
anticipated before the crucifixion, and the hour of suffering was embraced with purpose
(John 12:27).
Conclusion
The common thread between the Rich Young Ruler, the disciples, and Jesus is that they were all
giving up something dear to them – their wealth, their livelihood and in Jesus’ case, His very life.
Planting with faith and dying was asked of each of them – that is what happens to all seeds prior to
an abundant harvest.
1
http://www.theonion.com/articles/79-percent-of-americans-missing-the-point-entirely%2C640, September 7, 2011
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Growing Through Prayer
Our Privilege in christ (Ephesians 3)
Introduction:
When a child is adopted into any family, it is a great day! It is great day for the new adoptive parents
and it is a great day for the child. It is not uncommon for the presiding judge to remind the new
parents the following: All the rights of inheritance and privileges of care and nurture are granted
to the newly adopted one. The same comparison can be made when we become adopted as
daughters and sons into the family of God. In any family, there is love, acceptance, and growth.
In chapter 3 of Ephesians, Paul unpacks the mystery of how Gentile believers become part of the
story of God. In this passage, Paul describes for us today that the goal is not simply inheritance
rights – the goal is growing in faith and knowledge of the risen Lord. Knowing Christ is our privilege
and is only deepened through prayer.
i.
The privilege of a relationship with Christ is a mystery that has been revealed.
a.
B.
C.
D.
Ii.
The privilege of relationship with Christ brings new freedom.
a.
B.
C.
D.
iII.
We discover confidence through revelation. (vs. 3)
Insights will be unique to each generation. (vs. 4-5)
There is no preferred class of people – the love of Christ is for all. (vs.6)
There is no competition in the body of Christ. (vs. 6)
This freedom provides grace with overcoming power. (vs.7)
This freedom provides access to godly wisdom. (vs.9)
Through our relationship with Christ and faith in Christ we may approach God with
confidence.
Therefore, recognize God’s divine plan – outward surroundings do not determine our
inward authority.
The privilege of a relationship with Christ results in His personality revealed in our inner
being.
a.
B.
A Christ follower is to be established with holy love. (vs.17)
The desire of a Christ follower is to “know God” – not just know “about God.”
• May we experience a love that surpasses knowledge.
• May we be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
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Conclusion
Is your God enough – enough to meet the challenges of your life and world? In the concluding
verses of this chapter, Paul prays that you and I will catch a glimpse of how measureless our God is.
Once you come to know and experience the depth of His love, all other distracting enticements will
be dismissed. Perhaps there is a longing in your heart to be filled personally and completely “that
you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” Eph 3:19 (NIV).
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Thriving in Christ
the hope of glory (Colossians 1)
Introduction:
In Colossians 1, Paul brings a greeting and offers an anointed prayer for the church at Colossae.
It is out of this prayer we understand the power we have available to us in Jesus Christ. From his
prayer we catch a glimpse of the hope that awaits all who believe in Him. This passage is for all of
us who are Christ followers – including the weak, the immigrant, the marginalized, the lonely, the
poor and the oppressed – all of us can embrace a fruitful harvest. In Christ we can grow, discover
new depths and thrive ... not merely survive
i.
Thriving Christ followers offered hope to the world, in spite of cultural challenges
(Gnosticism) (vs. 3-6).
a.
B.
C.
D.
Ii.
The foundation for thriving in Christ is to understand and accept his authority over heaven
and earth (vs. 15-18).
a.
B.
C.
D.
iII.
What one believes about Christ will inform and influence character and conduct.
A lifestyle of love and faith is an outcome of a growing/vital relationship with Jesus.
The hope that is “stored up” is set aside for a future day – confident in the hope of
glory.
The gospel seeds matured and were “bearing fruit and growing” (vs. 6) as a result of
Christ followers living out a life of authenticity – proclaiming grace and truth.
Christ is the visible image (“stamp”) of a God we cannot see. And is first over all
things created (Jn.1:1-5, 17-18, Heb. 1, Phil. 2).
Christ holds all things together ... even when it seems our world is falling apart.
Christ is leader (head) of the church (His body), and is Lord over the living and the
dead. So that he might be first place in our world, first priority in our homes, and first
place (supremacy) over the living and the dead.
The Gnostics taught it was possible to separate one’s spiritual life from one’s secular
life. The reality is that when Christ is thriving in our lives – everything in our past,
present, and future (both secular and spiritual) are under His authority and care.
Growing and thriving in Christ is a journey of obedience and faith (vs. 24-29).
a.
Paul believed that his suffering (prison time) was purposeful and not random
(cf. Eph. 3:13).
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B.
c.
Perhaps that most fascinating thought is that Christ is deeply intertwined in our lives.
• When Paul struggled, Christ struggled with him. When you/I go through
suffering, Christ goes through suffering.
• Note that in verse 29, Paul is not struggling in his own energy but struggling
with all the energy of Christ in him.
•
When Christ is actively Lord over the church, our goal to be like him in every way ...
even in and during our sufferings. It is in our loving, giving, forgiving, and serving that
we share with the world the hope of glory.
• When a church puts this into practice, we bring hope to each other as well as
the world.
• We can embrace our challenges knowing that what we see and experience is
only a glimpse of the joys in the world to come.
•
Conclusion
The purpose of Christ for you and for all who name Him Lord is to make His Church, “holy,” “without
blemish,” and “free from accusation” (vs. 22). My encouragement today is the same as Paul’s
encouragement years ago: Continue on your faith journey, become established and grounded, and
thrive in the hope that can change the world.
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