Value Proposition

Value Proposition

2 Corinthians 11: ⁷ I did not charge you a thing when I preached the Good News of God to you; I humbled myself in order to make you important. Was that wrong of me? ⁸ While I was working among you, I was paid by other churches. I was robbing them, so to speak, in order to help you. ⁹ And during the time I was with you I did not bother you for help when I needed money; the believers who came from Macedonia brought me everything I needed. As in the past, so in the future: I will never be a burden to you! ¹⁰ By Christ's truth in me, I promise that this boast of mine will not be silenced anywhere in all of Achaia. ¹¹ Do I say this because I don't love you? God knows I love you!

 

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“Would you like to buy some candy?’ were the dreaded words I heard from my boss. “It’s for a good cause” was the explanation. I dug into my pocket and bought a candy bar with the money I had planned for lunch. “I guess this is part of the game to get ahead” I thought to myself.

 

• I gave even though I did not value what I was giving to.
• I supported something because I valued my job and comfort.
• I added this cause to the list of many others I was being pulled into.

 

Paul speaks about this group not being charged for his services. He spoke to them, spent time with them and taught them something extremely valuable, namely the truth of CHRIST. But he did it for free. He brought this to their attention, not to guilt them, but to have them value what they got.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to value HIS servants.
• GOD wants me to support those who speak on HIS behalf.
• GOD wants me to understand the need to spread the Gospel everywhere.

 

Telling people about the Great news of JESUS is the most valuable thing a person can do. I mean, giving up the world’s pursuits to speak about JESUS is a huge step that the world’s structures fight against. Obstacles are placed in front of those who are determined to live for CHRIST.

 

“What will they eat?” or “Where will they stay?” are a couple of questions that come to mind. But in these days of many causes, supporting someone to speak about JESUS becomes noise. I have to make a choice at some point and support those who speak on HIS behalf or be the one who needs support to speak on HIS behalf. I am glad GOD has provided many people to support me as I was sent out to speak about JESUS.

 

Challenge

• What value proposition is the writer speaking about?
• Have you ever gotten so overloaded with the world’s bills and structures that you could not see yourself giving money to those who speak on CHRIST’s behalf?
• Have you ever thought that maybe it’s you who need the support to speak on HIS behalf and need to pray about accepting HIS calling on your life today?

Staying Too Long

Staying Too Long

Acts 12: ²⁵ And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their ministry, and they also took with them John whose surname was Mark.

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Wanting to see the senior executives and the news people, I stayed around after the meeting was over. I did not know this was a huge mistake as this was a closed meeting that included specific announcements of the future of the company. I just wanted to see and hear things for myself. I was told to leave. This was an undesired result of staying too long.

• There were times when I wanted to see the inception of an idea go to a finished product.
• There were times when I did not understand what was going on so I was more curious than cautions.
• There were times when I overstepped my role and wanted to be in the room when my request went up for discussion.

Barnabas and Saul returned home when they had fulfilled their ministry. There was a finite time for them to be there, serving the people. Perhaps if they served longer, the people would not have grown up. They did not overstay their welcome.

• GOD wants me to have faith when I serve people.
• GOD wants me to plant a seed in people and trust someone else to come along and water it.
• GOD wants me to serve some people for a short time and others for a long time.

Listening to GOD is important because I could overstay my welcome at the place HE originally sent me. After a while I may start discussing comfortable topics rather than highly needed discussions. My fears of keeping the crowd appeased could be placed over speaking what GOD wants me to say.

GOD wants me to listen to HIM and stay in a place only as long as HE desires. HE then will move me to serve another person or group. Heaven is my comfort I look forward to. I am grateful HE protects me here on earth.

• Are you holding onto the same ministry?
• Is GOD trying to move your gifts and talents somewhere else, but you have become comfortable where you are?
• Will you stop seeking retirement comfort and seek GOD’s kingdom no matter how old you are?

Fully Supplied

Luke 9: Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. ² He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. ³ And He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece.

⁴ “Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. ⁵ And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”

⁶ So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

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“I wonder if I should take another class” I said to myself as I sought to be in a leadership role. I sat with mentors and asked their advice. After getting training and advice I wondered what else I was missing.

• There are times when I feel inadequate.
• There are times when I feel insecure about myself.
• There are times when I feel I do not have what it takes to amount to anything.

JESUS does something radical. HE sent HIS disciples out to spread the Good News about HIM being the one who would save all of humanity. HE didn’t send them with money, clothes, food or a change of clothes. They had nothing the world could see. But they had something else.

• When JESUS saved me HE gave me all I needed to do HIS ministry.
• When JESUS pulled me into HIS family HE provided me with a purpose.
• When JESUS washed me of all my sins HE sent me to tell everyone that HE can do the same for them and their families and their family’s families.

JESUS proved that ministry does not take money in order for HIS power to be spread. HE gives anyone who asks the power and abilities to spread HIS message of love and salvation. The message doesn’t need buildings, staff or tee shirts. GOD’s message can be preached daily to those who desire to hear. HE sends me with a grateful heart.

• Are you broke?
• Do you feel GOD’s word cannot be preached without money?
• Will you accept the gifts and talents you already possesses and use them to preach HIS message of love and salvation today?

How long should I serve?

Numbers 8: ²⁵ “But when they reach the age of 50, they must not work any longer. They must stop doing their regular work. ²⁶ They can help their brothers with their duties at the Tent of Meeting. But they themselves should not do the work. That is how you must direct the Levites to do their work.”

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Driving to the church, I realized I hadn’t even noticed the new buildings in the neighborhood. In fact I had my usual route and I had not noticed anything about the neighborhood. I was busy running all the facts and figures of the “church building” in my mind.

Upon arrival the same people would be there waiting with questions or complaints. Didn’t they know I had other concerns to think about? This ministry would be great if it weren’t for the people!

• Sometimes I forget that ministry is for people.
• Sometimes I lose my dedication to the ministry I’m in.
• Sometimes I get too comfortable with a ministry and put it on auto-pilot.

Looking back on the times I have served it seems I was most effective when I was uncomfortable in my service and it was new and fresh.  My conversations with the LORD were fervent and I had more questions than answers. But when I have served a while in the ministry I have all the reasons why something will or will NOT work.

• GOD wants me to serve HIM my entire life but transition some of the duties to others.
• GOD wants me to remain effective so I may have to change my ministry.
• GOD wants me to have faith in HIM not faith in my performance.

Be careful when looking at this passage of scripture. Keep your job and work until the LORD says so. I do question my effectiveness when my ministry becomes the same old ministry. GOD wants me to stay fresh.

• Are you serving in the same old capacity and its draining?
• Do you hear GOD or are you listening to yourself?
• Are you helping someone else take over the ministry or do you feel you are the only one?
• Is it time for you to do another ministry?

Your Calling

Luke 1:

⁷⁶ And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
   for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
⁷⁷ to give his people the knowledge of salvation
   through the forgiveness of their sins,
⁷⁸ because of the tender mercy of our God,
   by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
⁷⁹ to shine on those living in darkness
   and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

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Confusion never comes from GOD. So when I ask, “What does GOD want from me?” it is clear I’m not listening to HIM.

• When I believed JESUS “was” and “is” GOD, HE wanted me to tell people about it.
• When I believed JESUS spoke with the FATHER and the HOLY SPIRIT and convinced them that HE should become human, HE wanted me to tell people about it.
• When I believed JESUS volunteered to be murdered in order to save me, HE wanted me to tell people about it.

GOD wants everyone to know about HIS message of mercy, peace and forgiveness. I have to understand that I need mercy, peace and forgiveness in order to accept the mysterious facts HE presents in the Bible.

• If I don’t think I need to be saved then there is nothing to believe in.
• If I don’t believe there is a heaven or hell then there is nothing to believe in.
• If I don’t think there is a definitive right or wrong then there is nothing to believe in.
• If I don’t believe in demons, sin or a cursed Earth then there is nothing to believe in.

I do believe in all of the above and I also believe the Bible is very real and true to its words that time is extremely short. I can follow politics, movie stars and monetary dreams which amount to nothing or I can follow GOD and receive HIS peace.

• Will you accept HIS calling to you?
• Will you tell people about the marvelous news JESUS has done for you?
• Can you drop your fears of being labeled “weird” and accept GOD’s label of “son” or “daughter?”

You are welcome here.

Mark 6: ¹¹ And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”

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Many times I have felt unwelcome in a place. The group would not ask any questions about me or talk to me or have conversations with me. Even if they would include me, it felt like I was on the periphery rather being inside.

I don’t know if it were cultural differences or if it were something I was saying or not saying, but the result was the same, I wasn’t supposed to be there.

• GOD wants me to tell people about HIS SON through my experiences.
• GOD wants me to share HIS wisdom through my circumstances.
• GOD wants me to embrace people who HE sends to me.

I cannot reach every person, nor was I designed to. Quite honestly, there are places that do not want to hear what I have to say.  At one point I used to lose sleep trying to steer cold hearts to CHRIST thinking it was me who was doing the saving.

• If my approach is humble, generous, warm and loving yet not accepted, then it’s time to go.
• If my approach is sincere, gracious and merciful yet not accepted, then it’s time to go.
• If my approach is prayerful, kind, patient and GODLY yet not accepted, then it’s time to go.

I noticed one thing about this passage. The people were “sent” out, not sitting and listening. When GOD sends me out to tell people about HIS SON and it they will not listen then I need to prayerfully leave and take my message to those who are willing to be drawn to HIM.

Notice I said “prayerfully” because I believe it takes discernment, wisdom and patience to understand know when to leave. This isn’t a call to give up on “that” person GOD has in your life, rather if I am sent and not listened to, then I can move on.

• Have you accepted GOD’s calling to “go” and teach others about HIS great news?
• Have you run into a group of very stubborn people who you know in your heart will not listen?
• Are the people you are serving draining you spiritually?
• Is it time to listen to GOD and move on?