GETTING TRACTION
Part Two
CONNECT The four tests of
truth... The question I hear the most often is, “Why am I here?” This is one of
those heart questions that everyone asks; they want to know their purpose!
TENSION How do I get traction
and move on to fulfill the purpose God has for me?
SOLUTION Show up! A good
part of life is just showing up!
TEXT Joshua 3:5 NKJV And
Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for
tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.”
There
it is; can’t be simpler than that. God says if we will sanctify ourselves, He
will do wonders! Now, what does that
mean? Looking at modern translations gives us some insight.
INSTRUCTION Last week we
looked at the first meaning of this strange word: “sanctify”.
Joshua
3:5 NLT Then Joshua told the people, “Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the
Lord will do great wonders among you.”
1.
Sanctify
means “get the sin out”!
Now
let’s look at another translation.
Joshua
3:5 AMPC And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves [that is,
separate yourselves for a special holy purpose], for tomorrow the
Lord will do wonders among you.”
2.
Sanctify
means “just show up”!
What
would have happened if they had slept in? They would have missed it!
Illustration:
Zacharias burning incense when his lot fell…
We are saved from
sin, and saved to ministry! I spoke several weeks ago about God brings
us out to bring us in! God took Israel out of Egypt to bring them into Canaan. He
takes us out of sin and into service! Everyone has a place of fruitfulness in
the Kingdom!
Acts
13:2
NKJV As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy
Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for
the work to which I have called them.”
Now this is not just for super-saints!
Ephesians
2:8-10
NKJV
For by grace you have been saved
through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works,
lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created
in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should
walk in them.
2
Timothy 2:20-21 NIV In a
large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood
and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who
cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments
for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any
good work.
God
gave you your gifts, talents, skills, and abilities to build the Kingdom! Your
vocation, the way you make a living, comes from the abilities God has given
you, but your avocation, your joy in life, comes from using those gifts for the
Kingdom of God! God doesn’t mind if you prosper through your gift, as long as
you keep the Kingdom first.
Matthew
6:33
NKJV But seek first the kingdom of
God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Illustration:
My singing at weddings…
When
we use our gift for our own well being, we are prostituting the gift of God!
How
did Moses build the tabernacle?
Exodus
31:1-6
MSG GOD spoke to Moses: “See what I’ve
done; I’ve personally chosen Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur of the tribe of
Judah. I’ve filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him skill and know-how
and expertise in every kind of craft to create designs and work in gold,
silver, and bronze; to cut and set gemstones; to carve wood—he’s an all-around
craftsman. Not only that, but I’ve given him Oholiab, son of Ahisamach of the
tribe of Dan, to work with him. And to all who have an aptitude
for crafts I’ve given the skills to make all the things I’ve commanded you.”
Exodus
35:30-36:2
MSG Moses told the
Israelites, “See, GOD has selected Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe
of Judah. He’s filled him with the Spirit of God, with
skill, ability, and know-how for making all sorts of things, to design
and work in gold, silver, and bronze; to carve stones and set them; to carve
wood, working in every kind of skilled craft. And he’s
also made him a teacher, he and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe
of Dan. He’s gifted them with the know-how needed for carving, designing,
weaving, and embroidering in blue, purple, and scarlet fabrics, and in fine
linen. They can make anything and design anything. Bezalel
and Oholiab, along with everyone whom GOD has given the
skill and know-how for making everything involved in the worship of the
Sanctuary as commanded by GOD, are to start to work.” Moses summoned
Bezalel and Oholiab along with all whom GOD had gifted with the ability to work
skillfully with their hands. The men were eager to get started and engage in the work.
Arts
and Crafts in the Bible
Armorer 1
Samuel 8:12
Baker Genesis
40:1
Barber Ezekiel 5:1
Blacksmith 1
Samuel 13:19
Brick maker Exodus 5:7
Carpenter Mark
6:3
Carver Exodus
31:5
Caulker Ezekiel
27:9
Cook 1
Samuel 8:13
Coppersmith 2 Timothy 4:14
Draftsman Ezekiel
4:1
Dyer Exodus
25:1–5
Embalmer Genesis
50:2, 3
Engraver Exodus 28:11
Farmer Genesis
4:2
Fisherman Matthew
4:18
Gardener John
20:15
Gatekeeper 2
Samuel 18:26
Goldsmith Isaiah
40:19
Jeweler Exodus
28:17–21
Lapidary Exodus 35:33
Launderer Mark
9:3
Mason 2
Samuel 5:11
Metal Worker Genesis 4:22; Ex.
3,4
Moulder Exodus 32:4
Musician 2
Samuel 6:5
Oarsmen Ezekiel
27:8, 9
Painting Jeremiah.
22:14
Perfumer Exodus
30:25, 35
Potter Jeremiah
18:3
Refiner Malachi
3:2, 3
Rope maker Judges16:11
Sewing Ezekiel
13:18
Ship building 1 Kings 9:26
Silversmith Acts 19:24
Smelter Job
28:1, 2
Spinner Proverbs
31:19
Stonecutter Exodus 31:5
Tailor Exodus
28:3, 4
Tanner Acts
10:6
Tapestry Exodus
35:35
Tent making Acts 18:3
Watchman 2
Samuel 18:26
Weaver Exodus 35:35
Winemaker Nehemiah
13:15
Writer Judges
5:14
Notice
what’s missing? Preachers! You all are more important than any preacher. Why?
They can’t do what you can do!
Many
want a ministry, but they already have a ministry. I look around and see
unlimited potential. Business men need to be doing the business of the Kingdom.
Financiers need to be financing the Kingdom. Managers need to be managing in the
Kingdom. Artisans need to be creative in the Kingdom. Craftsmen need to be building
in the Kingdom. Tech people need to be ‘techie’ in the Kingdom. Marketers need
to be promoting the Kingdom. Teachers need to be teaching in the Kingdom. Law
enforcement need to be protecting in the Kingdom. Lawyers need to be bringing
justice in the Kingdom. Counselors need to be counseling in the Kingdom. Health
providers need to be healing in the Kingdom. The list goes on and on; just plug
your skill in! Cooks, servers, maintenance, repairmen, pilots, office workers,
all have a place!
Example:
salesman = evangelist
Now
there may not be a direct one to one relationship, but the skill set will
transfer.
Illustration:
Richard Humphries in Ruidoso…
There
has been a longstanding issue in the church: we separate secular and sacred.
What we do at work is different than what we do at church. That is a lie! God
created work and called it good!
Romans
11:29
NCV God never changes his mind about the people he calls and the things he gives them.
Colossians 3:23-24 NKJV And whatever you do, do it heartily, as
to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the
reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
Illustration: Erwin McManus, whatever…
INSPIRATION There is a truth
in church work and in all volunteer organizations: most people will not
volunteer. They have to be asked. The problem is that I am not a good asker. I
have cheated you out of opportunities to use your gifting. That is about to change!
1
Thessalonians 4:1-3 MSG One
final word, friends. We ask you— urge is more like it—that you keep on doing what we told you to do to please God, not in a
dogged religious plod, but in a living, spirited dance.
APPLICATION/ACTION
STEPS
Now
let’s get down to it in our lives and in our church. If we want God to show up
and show off, we must…
1.
We must deal with
sin individually.
a.
What’s
in the closet?
i. We already know…
ii. God will expose
it!
b.
You
can’t beat it.
i. Get filled with
the Spirit
ii. Get help.
iii. We can help!
2.
We must all work
collectively.
a.
What
do you have in your house?
i. What floats your
boat, lights your fire, turns you on…
ii. How can you use it
here?
iii. Do it!
b.
We
need your commitment.
i. Show up
ii. Make it a priority
iii. We do what’s
important
HASHTAG #TheBigAsk
