"Where Will It All End"
November 13, 2005

The Old Testament Lesson: Genesis 12: 1 - 3
The New Testament Lesson: Acts 1: 1 - 8

Our calling is to grow the Kingdom everywhere!

The impact of our stewardship is like ripples in a pool

    The first impact is on us: our perception of life as God’s gift to us.

    The second level is the church and it’s community.  We do good to all but especially to the house hold of faith.
        If we don’t support our own mission and ministry, who will?

   The Third major level of impact of good stewardship doesn’t have a limit. 
        The Ripple just keeps going outward, infinitely!
        It is the Kingdom of God in the world that spans eternity!

I.  The scope of the church’s mission has no boundaries.
   A. The Apollo 13 is one of the most dramatic moments in Space history.
        1. The flight was going just fine until an internal explosion tore away part of the space craft.
            a. There are no repair kits on those things.
            b. There’s certainly no place to “pull over and take a look”
        2. The most likely out come was death for the 3 astronauts.
        3. All eyes turned toward the heavens, wondering and praying.
        4. But the real drama was in mission control.
            a. Problems mounted one by one in overwhelming fashion.
            b. every time they solved one broken system, 2 went down.
            c. As people missed sleep their effectiveness dwindled.
        5. Then came the moment when the head of mission control spoke.
            a. He counted up the number of difficulties.
            b. He noted that the situation looked very grim, even impossible.
            c. Then he flat out stated “Gentlemen, Failure is not an option!”
        6. But it sure seemed like the only realistic outcome.
   B. We face a similar situation in the church today.
        1. We have an incredibly important mission.
        2. The obstacles to building the kingdom of God only seem to grow
        3. The people of Christ just do not seem up to the task!
        4. But, my friends, Failure is not an option!
        5. Failure for us does not just doom the lives of 3 brave men.
        6. For us, failure means a world of lost souls being lost for eternity!

II.  What is the church’s task?
   A. If we think the task is difficult for us, imagine how it sounded to the original disciples.
        1. Remember, they had already lost one of their number in Judas
        2. As 11 disciples stood with Jesus after the resurrection, his farewell speech was a stunner.
            a. “You will be my witnesses..” That’s fine.  we’re doing that already.
            b. “…in Jerusalem…” well, that’s about what we expected.
            c. “…in Judea…” Great, we’re going to get to travel!
            d. “…In Samaria…”  Oh no, not to those schmucks!
            e. “…And to the ends of the Earth!”
        3. “What! You’ve got to be joking Lord!”
            a. I’ve never been out of the country before.
            b. We don’t even know where the end of the world is.
            c. How’re we going to get there…walk!!!
        4. The task could not have been any more impossible to them.
            a. And they didn’t know the half of it.
            b. They knew the area around the Mediterranean
            c. But only the vaguest idea of Asia and Africa and Britannia
            d. They didn’t know North Central or South America at all!
            e. That’s an awful lot of ground for 11 guys to cover.
        5. Then, Jesus sent the Spirit to dwell within them.
            a. And the impossible was transformed into the likely.
            b. And today, that likely is our reality.
            c. All around the globe, the gospel is known and preached.
   B. When we think about our Stewardship and the extent of our mission, we can’t forget our most important assets.
        1. First, we have the gift of the gospel, the Good News!
            a. Paul tells Timothy that this is a treasure entrusted to him.
            b. But it is not a secret fund to be hoarded.
            c. It is a treasure to be shared.
            d. And in the sharing, rather than having less, we end up with more!
        2. Second, we too are filled with the presence of the Spirit
            a. WE should never try to fulfill God’s mission in our strength.
            b. That would be the act of a foolish steward.
            c. Sort of like attempting to bail the Titanic with a tea cup.
            d. Instead, use the Spiritual Strength and guidance God entrusts to us.

III.  Where do we fit in?
   A. When does the church get to the end of that task so it can rest?
        1. Remember the task is to be witnesses  to the ends of the earth.
            a. Do you know where the ends of the Earth are?
            b. Did you forget that the Earth is a globe, a sphere?
            c. By definition, it has no ends!
            d. The disciples didn’t know that, but I suspect Jesus did.
        2. The result is that the task is never truly completed.
            a. It is up to all Christians to work on building the kingdom endlessly.
            b. There will not come a time for us to rest on our big fat laurels
            c. We are always called to make a difference where ever we can.
   B. What God asks of us is that we give our all to this effort.
        1. All of our gifts and skills are needed.
            a. It doesn’t matter if you sing like and angel or croak like a frog.
            b. It doesn’t matter if you are Mr. Fix It or Mr. Clutz.
            c. It doesn’t matter if you can witness like Billy Graham or Billy the Kid!
            d. You give back to God the abilities God has given you.
        2. All of our resources are needed.
            a. God will not ask of you more than you can afford.
            b. But its pretty certain that most of us could do more.
            c. The Question becomes, “How committed are you to the goal of redeeming the world?”
        3. And all of our time is needed.
            a. To be a truly good steward takes a mindset that is always with us.
            b. We are constantly looking for ways in which we make a impact.
            c. A word of comfort is always on our lips.
            d. A helping hand is attached to the end of our arm.
            e. A caring heart beats within our chest.
            f. And we are never off the clock!

My Friends, I want to live in a different world.  I want to be part of a world that honors God for God’s provision.  I want to be part of a world where people truly love each other.  I want to be part of a world that does not know suffering.  If you think that sounds like heaven, you’re right.  For heaven exists wherever people recognize the reign of God and submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  You don’t have to wit for some future date however.  To the extent that you Honor God in your daily living, you are in Heaven already. 

How much of yourself are you willing to give to create Heaven on Earth?

And as you go from this place, may you walk in the way of Christ Jesus and May God always find you faithful!