Sermonette: June 24, 2019

This past week we received some much welcome rain. It is so nice to see green fields on either side of the road as we make our way to whatever our destination. Our lawns appreciate it also. They seem to be just that much greener from rain that God provides than when we water them ourselves. Let's pray we continue to receive rain in a timely fashion throughout the summer.

The writings of Charles Dickens, though written many years ago, are still very popular today. Several of them have been made into movies or broadway plays, and some even both. I've not read his entire works by far but I have surely enjoyed those that I have. When once asked, about the secret of his success he replied, “I have tried with my whole heart to do well. Whatever I have devoted myself to, I have devoted myself to completely.” What a great ethic. There is something for all of us to be learned there for sure.

We read of Saul, better known as Paul, and his work ethic. It was very much the same as Dickens. For quite different purposes though. Saul was a Pharisee of high rank destined to greatness. As a devout Jew, he saw Christianity as a threat to his religion. He also had the same zeal as Dickens. He devoted himself completely to his endeavours. Unfortunately, he saw that his main duty was to kill Christians. Not satisfied with going after the Christians in Jerusalem, he was the road to Damascus to go after the Christians there when he encounters Jesus. Fortunately for us, Saul redirects his zeal from killing Christians to recruiting them to follow Jesus. In his travels, he helps establish Christian churches and his subsequent letters to those churches make up a good part of our New Testament.

This zeal to bring in new believers to Christ got him in trouble with powers in Rome because Paul's new recruits refused to recognize Caesar as a God. They worshiped the one true God. So, Paul gets thrown into prison from which he wrote a number of his letters. One I particularly enjoy is the to the Philippians. In spite of the fact that he is in prison, this letter is so positive; so upbeat. He doesn't complain about his current circumstances, instead he tells them, “I want to know Christ. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Just as Dickens and the Apostle Paul received their gifts, God has given each of us different gifts also. Some can see a piece of ground in their yards and visualize a beautiful flower garden and then make it happen. Some can listen a gasoline or diesel engine running roughly and diagnose and fix the problem, and know if part needs to be replaced. Some of you are artists in the kitchen, turning out magnificent meals. Some are good with numbers. Some, although not many, can write like Charles Dickens. Some have a knack for financial matters. Some are called for missionary work like Paul, and they are working around the globe to bring people to Christ. Whatever gift God has given you, use it with him in mind. When you complete a project, by all means admire it, be proud of it, but most importantly, thank God that he has given you the talent and ability and the zeal to use his gift wisely.