Jack hated to help his Mom do the chores around the house. He cried and threw a fit every time his Mom asked him to help her; He just wanted to play. One day he went to Sunday School and the teacher told him that Jesus is glad when his children are kind and helpful. And that Jesus is sad when his children are selfish. The teacher explained selfishness to be kind only to yourself and not others. And that if children didn’t learn to obey their mothers and fathers they would have a hard time obeying Jesus.
Jack went home thinking that he better help his mother when she asked him. And sure enough, when lunch was over, Jack’s mother asked him to help clean off the table. Do you know what Jack did, that’s right, he cried and threw a fit. After breakfast the next morning, Jack’s mother said, “Jack will you clear the table for me?” Just as Jack’s eyes began to water and he was reaching for a tissue, his mother said, “never mind, today, let’s just do the things we want to do.” “Really,” Jack exclaimed. “I don’t want to go to school,”. Jack yelled. “Ok” “And can I have some cake” “Yes if that’s what you want.” Jack didn't help with dishes, he didn’t go to school. He just played with his trains, but he quickly got bored. He wished he could play with his friends but they were all at school. So, he decided to eat the cake he wanted so badly. When he went to get the cake, he couldn’t find any dishes. His mother told him that she didn’t want to do dishes…”remember we are only doing what we want to do today.” At lunch Jack wondered where his lunch was, “Jack I don;t want to make your lunch, just eat the cake you like so much.” But Jack was already tired of the cake because now his stomach was upset. But he couldn’t find anything else to eat so he settled for the cake. After a little while, he asked his mother to help him feel better but she replied, “ I’m busy right now” At supper time, Jack asked his mother what was to eat. “Just eat the rest of your cake” she replied. But Jack definitely didn’t want any more cake. Finally Jack went to bed. The next morning Jack’s mother woke him and asked, “Are we doing what we want to do today?” Jack thought about yesterday for a second. Even though he hadn’t gone to school, he didn’t have much fun. He remembered how sick he felt after he ate the cake. And he remembered how his mom wanted to do other things instead of take care of him. “No, let’s do things for each other today.” And Jack didn’t cry about helping his mom anymore. When God gives us a task, many of us respond in the same manner that Jack responded, we cry or throw a fit. We give excuses. We think of every reason that we can muster to get out of the job at hand. When God pulls at our heart to do something for him, we get all in a tizzy and figure out a way to rationalize not completing the task. This is a common practice among all spouses. The other day the dishes were piled up at the house. First, they were piled up because we had rationalized not doing the dishes already. Second, I had time to complete the task because the children were with Laura Ann but I simply did not want to do it. So looking at the dishes, I began to rationalize….
And the dishes remained piled up until I realized, I can procrastinate no longer….and I might get in trouble when Laura Ann returned home. For tasks associated with God we do the same thing…
Jeremiah 1:4-19 Called. “The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” God has asked each of us to do something. Just like we are asked by our parents, our bosses, our coaches, our spouses, our friends, to do something. Daniel Bacon, contributing author in Evangelical Mission Quarterly, describes God’s calling in three arenas: The “to-do list approach, the Godly Wisdom approach, and the partnership with God approach”. The To-Do List approach suggests that God calls us to a specific task. This task can be delivered to us through scripture reading, prayer, and Godly counsel. This calling is very specific in that God reveals the when, where, and how of the task. This approach is used by preachers when they ask you to find God’s calling for your life. The Godly Wisdon approach suggests that God gives his children freedom to choose Godly tasks. The tasks are before us and He has already given us the talents and instruction needed to complete the task. This approach is widely referred to win preacher’s reveal to their congregations how to live a Christian life. God has given us the talents and the guidebook to living a healthy, productive Christian life, so go live it. Finally, The Partnership approach, I Corinthians 3:9 “for we are God’s fellow workers” suggests that our task in our Christian Faith is to walk closely with Christ. And through our close relationship with Him we step out on faith to accomplish tasks for the Kingdom. God provides for us the entirity of the way, yet the task is initiated from the close walk with Christ because we see needs around us...and step out. Despite the discrepancy in interpretation of a calling, you and I are called. We can be called to a specific task. We are called to build a relationship with Christ. We are called to use our spiritual gifts and talents in the benefit of the Kingdom. We are called to care of those in need. God has called us to be set apart. Jeremiah is no different than you and I. God formed him in the womb. God has a plan for our lives. God appointed us for a specific task. We are called. Response. Excuse time. Rick Ezell, writer for Lifeway Christian Resources and pastor of First Baptist Church Greer, South Carolina, gave a sermon on Jeremiah and I will give a few of his points here…. The job is too demanding. “A prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5 He was branching out from the family business. Jeremiah would bring the Word of God to the nations. His father and grandfather were priests for the Israelites. However, Jeremiah’s job was a little bit more extensive. Prophets were not liked people. They exposed sins and called people back to God. Their responsibilities were greater/ heavier than those that were priests. The job was not more significant, rather it was more detailed, more complex. When we look at the job ahead, sometimes we give the excuse that the job is too demanding, so we try to give it to someone else. If God has called us to a greater relationship with him, then we are to everything we can to grow our relationship. This is not an easy task. We are to move away from things that keep us separated from Christ. But this might mean we are to give up friends, a cushy job, our lifestyle. And in doing so venture in to the unknown. Jeremiah was definitely venturing into the unknown. He was about the most hated person in Isreal but he was called to do so. He was called to help people understand their folly and move closer to Christ. My talent is inadequate “But I protested, Oh no Lord God Look, I don’t know how to speak since I am only a youth.” Jeremiah 1:6 This sounds reminiscent of Exodus 4:10...Moses. When we are called to a task, sometimes we think that we don’t know how to do it, so we give it to someone else or try to wiggle our way out. Jeremiah is not different. Instead of researching or taking classes, Jeremiah said he couldn’t do it. You and I are the same. God has called us to talk to someone about our faith about what God can do for their life and we think we don’t what to say...but rest assured… God is there for us… “Then the Lord reached out His hand touched my mouth and told me I have now filled your mouth my words” Jeremiah 1:9 When God calls us to a task, he provides for us all the necessary resources. He will not leave us hanging out on our own. He will not leave us to our own devices. He is the author of our project and he will give us the necessary resources and tools to accomplish the task. Jeremiah looked at the task ahead and couldn’t understand why he was called to this particular task. He wasn’t even good at it. Many of us use this as an excuse all the time...after all, how many good orators do you hear and say...someday they will be a preacher or a teacher. That is not necessarily the case. When we are reliant on God, we are right where we need to be. God wants us to be in partnership with Him. He does not simply gives a list of things to do nor does he give us a good feeling about the way we are going. God gives us the tools we need and guides us all the way….”They will fight against you but never prevail over you, since I AM WITH YOU to rescue you.” Jeremiah 1:18-19 The time is not right. “Now, get ready. Stand up and tell them everything that I command you.” Jeremiah 1:17 Do not be intimidated. Do not be in fear. Do not sit back and wait. Seize the opportunity that is before you. God has called us, whether it is a task designed for many or for just a few, God has called us. Get ready. And Go. Jesus did not sit around and wait. Jesus knew his task, and when He was called, He began. Now. Matthew West’s hit song Do Something. Calls us to get up and do something. Looking at the world around us we see pain, agony, heartbreak, and we wonder why God doesn’t do something to stop this. But he has...he created us. He created us, you and me, the children of God to do something. We cannot sit around and wait for something great to happen and then join in. God, according to Henry and Richard Blackaby is at work all around us...we just have to join in. Get off our couch cushions and Go. Get ready, Stand up! Tell them! God is with us. If the situation goes sour, God is there to rescue us. Today, I ask you….to complete the job. I ask you to be that guy at work that does what he is supposed to. Be that woman that will do everything in her power to accomplish the task before here because you and I are called to be better. To be men and women of God that rise up and throw away fear and tell others/ show others the love of Christ. We are men and women with specific spiritual gifts, with specific talents that are to be used for His purposes. Do not be that Guy that lets his talents go to waste because you make excuses. Do not be that woman that will never experience the fullness of life Christ offers because you make excuses. Today, make the same the commitment Jeremiah made….say Yes to Christ...throw away the fear, listen to the calling, and accomplish the task. |