Sermon Title: Prepared to be Judged by Jesus
Dearly Beloved,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
The Christian life must be utterly lived in conscientious preparation for eternal, Kingdom life.
For whereupon the imminent coming of our Lord Jesus “in the air to receive to Himself His own, both the living who shall be transformed, and the dead in Christ who shall be resurrected” will be immediately followed with every believer appearing “before the judgment seat of Christ to be judged according to faithfulness in Christian service.” (Ref: PAOC Statement of Fundamental and Essential Truths 5.8.2)
Repentant believers need never fear judgement and condemnation for sin; because this judgement has been completed. The marks of crucifixion on the body of Christ and His Resurrection is blessed assurance that the penalty for our sin has been paid in full by our Saviour.
Our Lord Jesus promises with the eternal assurance,
“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24);
And He is resonated by the Apostle Paul who proclaims,
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.
And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:1-4)
If you have genuinely given your life to the risen Saviour, you may rest confidently and courageously in the salvific promise of our Lord Jesus Christ!
We – who are “born-again” (John 3:3) through utter faith and allegiance to Christ Jesus our Lord - will stand before Him and be “judged according to faithfulness in Christian service” and not for our sin and transgressions against God; for all our sin – past and future – has, and will, be forgiven because of Christ’s finished work of Atonement for our sins on the Cross.
And yet, are you prepared to come before Christ to be judged according to your faithfulness in Christian service?
Are you prepared to give an account of your life that has been saved and redeemed by Jesus Christ who loves you and gave His life for you? (Ref: Ephesians 1:7, Galatians 2:20, Galatians 3:13)
Just as we would prepare for a meeting, an interview, or an event that would change the course of our lives, every Christian must prepare to appear before our Lord Jesus Christ to be judged according to our courage, resolve and commitment in Christian service – which is, our fullest participation in the Ministry of edifying the church of Jesus; and in the Mission of evangelising the Gospel as His Witnesses.
If we are to be judged according to our “faithfulness in Christian Service”, it follows that we must be exceedingly clear what Christian Service is all about; and commit to living out our lives preparing for that divine eventuality of judgement – to be as committed to serving Christ with our lives today; as we are committed to our salvation and participation in His Coming Kingdom.
To this, we must consider three key, theological implications that must frame our understanding of what Christian Service is.
What is Christian Service?
Theological Implication #1:
Christian Service is to edify the church; to radically serve and love one another in the Body.
The Apostle Paul elucidates in Romans 14:10-12:
“10 You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister?
Or why do you treat them with contempt?
For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.
11 It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,‘ every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’”
12 So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.”
To be judged according to our faithfulness in Christian Service is to precisely give an account of ourselves with regards to our relationships in church fellowship, ministry and mission.
And to what standard of love and service we must readily achieve?
Our Lord Jesus exemplifies for us in John 13:12-17:
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place.
“Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them.
13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.
14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.
15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
And commands of us:
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another.
As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”( John 13:34-35)
What more need we say?
Christian love and service begins within the family of God.
Conscientiously grow and deepen your spiritual relationships within the church family; and glow with the love and light of God in a world so darkened and despaired as to what true relationships are meant to be; and ultimately intended for – the destiny so divine as one shared with God and His Holy People.
Theological Implication #2:
Christian Service is the ongoing and eternal work centered on pleasing God; and because dues will be received for the good, or bad, things we did while in the body, our Christian Service ‘in the body’ is to evangelize the Gospel – to make disciples of all nations.
To this, the Apostle Paul exhorts the Church in 2 Corinthians 5:9-10:
“9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it (Pastor’s Note: Which means, “to be at home with the Lord”).
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others."
The duration of Christian Service is ongoing and eternal; and the absolute central and complete purpose of Christian Service is to please God.
Yes! Our Christian Service which we devote to in the present life will both reverberate and resonate unto eternity. How utterly essential it must be for every Christian to begin today the life of unconditional and unreserved service unto Christ our God!
And since every human being “must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” - an essential reminder that no sin will go unnoticed and no sinner will go unpunished, our Christian Service - ‘in the body’, in the present life - is to preach the Gospel and make disciples of all nations (Ref: Matthew 28:18-20); which is, the persuasion of others based on the fact that we know intimately what it is to fear the Lord.
To live in God’s eternal Kingdom is to live for Christ today.
Change from a worldly mindset to a Kingdom mindset; devote your life in service to Christ through fulfilling the Great Commission and preach the Gospel to all Creation! (Ref: Mark 16:15-18)
Theological Implication #3:
The standard of Christian Service is exceedingly high, because it is spiritual in nature.
Every believer must solely build on Christ as the foundation of Christian Life and Service; because only with Christ the Lord as our foundation, our center and our all - will we survive the test that comes from the sanctifying fire of the Holy Spirit.
And the evidence that Christ is truly our Lord is when every resource at our disposal is offered to God to build on the foundation already laid, which is Jesus Christ – to inbreak His Kingdom!
The Apostle Paul instructs in 1 Corinthians 3:11-15:
“11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light.
It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.
14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.
15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.
Every believer must build our lives solely on Christ as the foundation of Christian Life and Service; because only with the Lord Jesus as our foundation, our center and our all - will we survive the test that comes from the fire of the Holy Spirit; qualifying our work for His Kingdom.
Can your life’s work today qualify for eternal employ? Will your labor and enterprises withstand the Holy Spirit’s fiery test for holy and eternal Kingdom-suitablity?
Our faith in God’s Salvation must grow; our hope in God’s Kingdom must become more certain; and our love for God must become deeper – in order to result in our utter resolve and participation in serving Christ through radically edifying the Church and evangelizing His Gospel.
When we understand that our Christian lives and service must be established on Christ and is essentially spiritual in nature, we would soon realize that every material and worldly resource at our disposal is meant to be offered to God to build on the foundation already laid, which is Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.
Our Lord Jesus personally teaches us in Matthew 6:19-24:
“19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body.
If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.
23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness.
If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Are your eyes healthy? What do your eyes see?
Do your eyes see the Eternal riches of God’s Kingdom? Or are they focused on the doomed riches of this world?
The health of your eyes affects the condition of your heart; and determines if your whole body will be full of light or fraught with darkness.
Christ exhorts us to develop healthy eyes; to set our hearts on His Kingdom; to serve God utterly.
Never deceive yourself into believing that you can serve both God and money.
Listen carefully.
If you truly serve God; God becomes your master; and money must become your servant - the servant whose purpose is to be used in the service of God.
In fact, if your heart is truly on God and His Kingdom, your paradigm for the purpose of money – along with all your worldly resource - is committed to the fullest utilization in the service of God; of edifying His Church, evangelizing His Gospel – of inbreaking His eternal Kingdom in the world today.
If you serve money, and money becomes your master; you have despised God, despised His Love, Grace, Mercy and Salvation.
Make no mistake.
When that happens, you will be destroyed along with your money.
Again, the issue is not that God wants your money.
Do not ever think that. This sort of thinking is as wicked as it is foolish.
God doesn’t want, nor does He need your money.
God wants you; and you need Him.
God loves you; and He knows that where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
You are His Beloved Treasure; He created You, and gave His Life for you.
Is God your beloved Treasure?
It becomes clear and evident that God is your Treasure – your cherished possession – when you utterly love and serve Him.
It becomes clear and evident – to yourself – that God is truly your master; when money truly becomes a servant in your eyes - the servant which is readily dispensable for the sake of God’s Kingdom; whose sole purpose and commitment is to be used in the service of God; just as your life’s sole purpose is to be used in the service of God.
Understand this well.
Your servants – along with all the resources at your disposal – must exist to serve that whom you serve.
If your servants do not serve your Master, they must be promptly disposed; for they will stumble and set you on the path to your own damnation.
The drama played out by the English royal family on the world stage speaks precisely to this equation of master, servant, money and commitment.
Members of the royal family serve the Queen and her cause.
Questions about Prince Harry’s commitment to the queen stems not from money; but the fundamental issue surrounding their perception of money.
If every member of the Royal Family truly believed that their purpose was to serve the queen and fulfill her cause; they must believe that their own servants ultimately served the Queen.
If such was the ‘royal’ paradigm – that their servants ultimately serve the Queen; and in this case, their money – there would be no such debilitating and wearying drama within the Royal family today.
Everyone would be on the same page; no matter where in the world anyone chose to live. They would be perfectly united; living and serving in perfect harmony – if they fully understood that service is complete devotion of their lives – including the devotion of everything at their disposal - to their Master .
The purpose of money – along with all your worldly resources - is to be used in the service of God – to edify His Church; evangelize His Gospel; to inbreak His eternal Kingdom in the world today.
I have taught that we bring our Tithe to the Lord in obedience to His Command (Ref: Malachi 3:10-12); and that we joyously bring our faith offerings to Him out of our loving and faithful devotion to Him; in gratefulness and in like-generosity to God’s immense and infinite generosity to us. (Ref: 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, Luke 6:38, Proverbs 3:9-10, 11:24, Mark 12:41-44)
When the foundation of our Christian life and service is Christ Jesus our Lord, we find ourselves utterly willing to completely avail our lives and all of our worldly resources unto Him.
As a church, we have been presented with the divine opportunity to acknowledge the spiritual nature of Christian service; to develop healthy eyes; to store up treasures for ourselves in heaven – to build on Christ our Foundation – through bringing our faith offering for the church renovation project.
As our offering of faith unto the Lord, we must not give out of what we can afford, or what we can spare; but we must give out of faith and gratefulness to Him that He works alongside us to achieve the spiritual goals and ministry of hospitality, healing and holiness that He has called our church unto.
When the foundation of our Christian life and service is Christ Jesus our Lord, we find ourselves utterly willing to completely avail our lives and our worldly resources - our money - unto Him.
Our servants become Gods’ servants; our resources become Kingdom resources.
I challenge you today – develop healthy eyes to see God’s Kingdom today; store up treasures in heaven – make a faith deposit in God’s Kingdom today; acknowledge the spiritual nature of your faith giving to the church renovation fund – and begin to truly live out the Christian life in the fullest service of God.
Bear this in mind:
To truly follow Christ, you have to move; you simply cannot remain where you are; you cannot hold on to old perspectives; old worldviews, and old thought processes.
If you are truly following Christ, you must find yourself constantly moving - deeper, further, wider in faith, hope and love of our living Saviour!
To build upon Christ the foundation of our faith, hope and love; it cannot be physical, it must be spiritual. Christian Service will utilize worldly material, but the substance and motivation of which must be spiritual; for the inbreaking and furtherance of the Kingdom of God through the Holy Spirit’s work in us is manifested only hrough the fullest participation of our lives in availing our every resource to Christian ministry and mission.
When we understand that our Christian lives and service must be established on Christ and is essentially spiritual in nature, we would soon realize that every material and worldly resource at our disposal is meant to be offered to God to build on the foundation already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
The standard is high; and Paul speaks to some who will barely make it.
But why settle for “one escaping through the flames” when you can receive the eternal reward?
Today, build on Christ our foundation – serve the Lord; and make everything at your disposal fully available for the service of God – and receive the reward for your faithfulness in Christian Service.
Are you prepared to be judged by Christ?
1. Commit to edifying – building up – the church, through radical service and love within the Church family;
2. Know that pleasing God is our ongoing and eternal work; manifested in this life through the Gospel ‘persuasion’ of others;
3. Submit fully to God; and make your ‘servants’ submit fully to Him.
Live every moment in courageous, resolute and committed service unto Christ; and in conscientious preparation for eternal, Kingdom life – and be found rejoicing and glad as you stand before God to be judged faithful and worthy to inherit His Kingdom.
Shalom.
Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done; on earth, as it is in heaven.
Holy Spirit, I ask for Your help to guide and prepare me daily to come before Christ to be judged faithful in my life of utter devotion and service unto Him.
Grant me the courage, resolve, strength and wisdom to give an account of my life that has been saved and redeemed by my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ - who loves me and gave His life in exchange for mine.
May I be found fully and utterly committed in my life and service unto Christ through my fullest participation in His Ministry of edifying the church; and in His Mission of evangelising the Gospel as His holy Witness.
Spirit of God, deepen my resolve to commit to building up my church family through radical service and love in the very example of Christ who washed His disciples’ feet and laid down His life for the world.
I acknowledge that pleasing You, O God, is ongoing and eternal; and remains my deepest joy and privilege. May I manifest this joy of serving You through active Gospel ‘persuasion’ of others through my words, actions and testimonies.
And I acknowledge that just as I am called to serve You utterly; all the worldly resources at my disposal is designated and meant to serve Your Kingdom’s cause.
I know now that the purpose of money – and all my worldly resources – is to be used in Your Service – to edify Your church and evangelize Your Gospel.
Help me develop healthy eyes, Holy Spirit – that my soul will be filled with the light of Christ. Teach me to store up treasures in heaven; to build on Christ as my foundation, my center and my all – through faithfully, generously and willingly bringing my monetary offering to build Your church.
May I be found utterly willing to completely avail my life to You; along with all that I have – that I will not give what I can afford, or what I can spare – but give faithfully and generously in divine emulation of Your immense faithfulness and generous love.
I declare that I am Your servant, O Lord; and as such, all my servants will serve You; and all my resources are in Your employ for the sake of inbreaking Your Kingdom.
In Your Power, Holy Spirit, may I begin to fully and truly live out the Christian life in the glorious and miraculous service of God – in the firm understanding that my life is built solely on Christ; and evidenced when every material and worldly resource at my disposal is set apart and offered to God for His Holy purposes.
Holy Spirit, give me resolve and grant me power to submit fully to God; and make all my ‘servants’ submit fully to Him; that my work and labor will survive the test that comes from Your holy and cleansing fire, and qualify for eternal employ in the Kingdom of God.
I resolve by Your Power to live every moment in courageous, resolute and committed service unto Christ; and in conscientious preparation for eternal, Kingdom life.
And may I be found rejoicing and glad as I stand before God - judged faithful and worthy to inherit Your Kingdom.
I thank You and pray all these in the Name of our King, Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Dearly Beloved,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
The Christian life must be utterly lived in conscientious preparation for eternal, Kingdom life.
For whereupon the imminent coming of our Lord Jesus “in the air to receive to Himself His own, both the living who shall be transformed, and the dead in Christ who shall be resurrected” will be immediately followed with every believer appearing “before the judgment seat of Christ to be judged according to faithfulness in Christian service.” (Ref: PAOC Statement of Fundamental and Essential Truths 5.8.2)
Repentant believers need never fear judgement and condemnation for sin; because this judgement has been completed. The marks of crucifixion on the body of Christ and His Resurrection is blessed assurance that the penalty for our sin has been paid in full by our Saviour.
Our Lord Jesus promises with the eternal assurance,
“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24);
And He is resonated by the Apostle Paul who proclaims,
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.
And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:1-4)
If you have genuinely given your life to the risen Saviour, you may rest confidently and courageously in the salvific promise of our Lord Jesus Christ!
We – who are “born-again” (John 3:3) through utter faith and allegiance to Christ Jesus our Lord - will stand before Him and be “judged according to faithfulness in Christian service” and not for our sin and transgressions against God; for all our sin – past and future – has, and will, be forgiven because of Christ’s finished work of Atonement for our sins on the Cross.
And yet, are you prepared to come before Christ to be judged according to your faithfulness in Christian service?
Are you prepared to give an account of your life that has been saved and redeemed by Jesus Christ who loves you and gave His life for you? (Ref: Ephesians 1:7, Galatians 2:20, Galatians 3:13)
Just as we would prepare for a meeting, an interview, or an event that would change the course of our lives, every Christian must prepare to appear before our Lord Jesus Christ to be judged according to our courage, resolve and commitment in Christian service – which is, our fullest participation in the Ministry of edifying the church of Jesus; and in the Mission of evangelising the Gospel as His Witnesses.
If we are to be judged according to our “faithfulness in Christian Service”, it follows that we must be exceedingly clear what Christian Service is all about; and commit to living out our lives preparing for that divine eventuality of judgement – to be as committed to serving Christ with our lives today; as we are committed to our salvation and participation in His Coming Kingdom.
To this, we must consider three key, theological implications that must frame our understanding of what Christian Service is.
What is Christian Service?
Theological Implication #1:
Christian Service is to edify the church; to radically serve and love one another in the Body.
The Apostle Paul elucidates in Romans 14:10-12:
“10 You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister?
Or why do you treat them with contempt?
For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.
11 It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,‘ every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’”
12 So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.”
To be judged according to our faithfulness in Christian Service is to precisely give an account of ourselves with regards to our relationships in church fellowship, ministry and mission.
And to what standard of love and service we must readily achieve?
Our Lord Jesus exemplifies for us in John 13:12-17:
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place.
“Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them.
13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.
14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.
15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
And commands of us:
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another.
As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”( John 13:34-35)
What more need we say?
Christian love and service begins within the family of God.
Conscientiously grow and deepen your spiritual relationships within the church family; and glow with the love and light of God in a world so darkened and despaired as to what true relationships are meant to be; and ultimately intended for – the destiny so divine as one shared with God and His Holy People.
Theological Implication #2:
Christian Service is the ongoing and eternal work centered on pleasing God; and because dues will be received for the good, or bad, things we did while in the body, our Christian Service ‘in the body’ is to evangelize the Gospel – to make disciples of all nations.
To this, the Apostle Paul exhorts the Church in 2 Corinthians 5:9-10:
“9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it (Pastor’s Note: Which means, “to be at home with the Lord”).
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others."
The duration of Christian Service is ongoing and eternal; and the absolute central and complete purpose of Christian Service is to please God.
Yes! Our Christian Service which we devote to in the present life will both reverberate and resonate unto eternity. How utterly essential it must be for every Christian to begin today the life of unconditional and unreserved service unto Christ our God!
And since every human being “must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” - an essential reminder that no sin will go unnoticed and no sinner will go unpunished, our Christian Service - ‘in the body’, in the present life - is to preach the Gospel and make disciples of all nations (Ref: Matthew 28:18-20); which is, the persuasion of others based on the fact that we know intimately what it is to fear the Lord.
To live in God’s eternal Kingdom is to live for Christ today.
Change from a worldly mindset to a Kingdom mindset; devote your life in service to Christ through fulfilling the Great Commission and preach the Gospel to all Creation! (Ref: Mark 16:15-18)
Theological Implication #3:
The standard of Christian Service is exceedingly high, because it is spiritual in nature.
Every believer must solely build on Christ as the foundation of Christian Life and Service; because only with Christ the Lord as our foundation, our center and our all - will we survive the test that comes from the sanctifying fire of the Holy Spirit.
And the evidence that Christ is truly our Lord is when every resource at our disposal is offered to God to build on the foundation already laid, which is Jesus Christ – to inbreak His Kingdom!
The Apostle Paul instructs in 1 Corinthians 3:11-15:
“11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light.
It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.
14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.
15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.
Every believer must build our lives solely on Christ as the foundation of Christian Life and Service; because only with the Lord Jesus as our foundation, our center and our all - will we survive the test that comes from the fire of the Holy Spirit; qualifying our work for His Kingdom.
Can your life’s work today qualify for eternal employ? Will your labor and enterprises withstand the Holy Spirit’s fiery test for holy and eternal Kingdom-suitablity?
Our faith in God’s Salvation must grow; our hope in God’s Kingdom must become more certain; and our love for God must become deeper – in order to result in our utter resolve and participation in serving Christ through radically edifying the Church and evangelizing His Gospel.
When we understand that our Christian lives and service must be established on Christ and is essentially spiritual in nature, we would soon realize that every material and worldly resource at our disposal is meant to be offered to God to build on the foundation already laid, which is Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.
Our Lord Jesus personally teaches us in Matthew 6:19-24:
“19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body.
If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.
23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness.
If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Are your eyes healthy? What do your eyes see?
Do your eyes see the Eternal riches of God’s Kingdom? Or are they focused on the doomed riches of this world?
The health of your eyes affects the condition of your heart; and determines if your whole body will be full of light or fraught with darkness.
Christ exhorts us to develop healthy eyes; to set our hearts on His Kingdom; to serve God utterly.
Never deceive yourself into believing that you can serve both God and money.
Listen carefully.
If you truly serve God; God becomes your master; and money must become your servant - the servant whose purpose is to be used in the service of God.
In fact, if your heart is truly on God and His Kingdom, your paradigm for the purpose of money – along with all your worldly resource - is committed to the fullest utilization in the service of God; of edifying His Church, evangelizing His Gospel – of inbreaking His eternal Kingdom in the world today.
If you serve money, and money becomes your master; you have despised God, despised His Love, Grace, Mercy and Salvation.
Make no mistake.
When that happens, you will be destroyed along with your money.
Again, the issue is not that God wants your money.
Do not ever think that. This sort of thinking is as wicked as it is foolish.
God doesn’t want, nor does He need your money.
God wants you; and you need Him.
God loves you; and He knows that where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
You are His Beloved Treasure; He created You, and gave His Life for you.
Is God your beloved Treasure?
It becomes clear and evident that God is your Treasure – your cherished possession – when you utterly love and serve Him.
It becomes clear and evident – to yourself – that God is truly your master; when money truly becomes a servant in your eyes - the servant which is readily dispensable for the sake of God’s Kingdom; whose sole purpose and commitment is to be used in the service of God; just as your life’s sole purpose is to be used in the service of God.
Understand this well.
Your servants – along with all the resources at your disposal – must exist to serve that whom you serve.
If your servants do not serve your Master, they must be promptly disposed; for they will stumble and set you on the path to your own damnation.
The drama played out by the English royal family on the world stage speaks precisely to this equation of master, servant, money and commitment.
Members of the royal family serve the Queen and her cause.
Questions about Prince Harry’s commitment to the queen stems not from money; but the fundamental issue surrounding their perception of money.
If every member of the Royal Family truly believed that their purpose was to serve the queen and fulfill her cause; they must believe that their own servants ultimately served the Queen.
If such was the ‘royal’ paradigm – that their servants ultimately serve the Queen; and in this case, their money – there would be no such debilitating and wearying drama within the Royal family today.
Everyone would be on the same page; no matter where in the world anyone chose to live. They would be perfectly united; living and serving in perfect harmony – if they fully understood that service is complete devotion of their lives – including the devotion of everything at their disposal - to their Master .
The purpose of money – along with all your worldly resources - is to be used in the service of God – to edify His Church; evangelize His Gospel; to inbreak His eternal Kingdom in the world today.
I have taught that we bring our Tithe to the Lord in obedience to His Command (Ref: Malachi 3:10-12); and that we joyously bring our faith offerings to Him out of our loving and faithful devotion to Him; in gratefulness and in like-generosity to God’s immense and infinite generosity to us. (Ref: 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, Luke 6:38, Proverbs 3:9-10, 11:24, Mark 12:41-44)
When the foundation of our Christian life and service is Christ Jesus our Lord, we find ourselves utterly willing to completely avail our lives and all of our worldly resources unto Him.
As a church, we have been presented with the divine opportunity to acknowledge the spiritual nature of Christian service; to develop healthy eyes; to store up treasures for ourselves in heaven – to build on Christ our Foundation – through bringing our faith offering for the church renovation project.
As our offering of faith unto the Lord, we must not give out of what we can afford, or what we can spare; but we must give out of faith and gratefulness to Him that He works alongside us to achieve the spiritual goals and ministry of hospitality, healing and holiness that He has called our church unto.
When the foundation of our Christian life and service is Christ Jesus our Lord, we find ourselves utterly willing to completely avail our lives and our worldly resources - our money - unto Him.
Our servants become Gods’ servants; our resources become Kingdom resources.
I challenge you today – develop healthy eyes to see God’s Kingdom today; store up treasures in heaven – make a faith deposit in God’s Kingdom today; acknowledge the spiritual nature of your faith giving to the church renovation fund – and begin to truly live out the Christian life in the fullest service of God.
Bear this in mind:
To truly follow Christ, you have to move; you simply cannot remain where you are; you cannot hold on to old perspectives; old worldviews, and old thought processes.
If you are truly following Christ, you must find yourself constantly moving - deeper, further, wider in faith, hope and love of our living Saviour!
To build upon Christ the foundation of our faith, hope and love; it cannot be physical, it must be spiritual. Christian Service will utilize worldly material, but the substance and motivation of which must be spiritual; for the inbreaking and furtherance of the Kingdom of God through the Holy Spirit’s work in us is manifested only hrough the fullest participation of our lives in availing our every resource to Christian ministry and mission.
When we understand that our Christian lives and service must be established on Christ and is essentially spiritual in nature, we would soon realize that every material and worldly resource at our disposal is meant to be offered to God to build on the foundation already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
The standard is high; and Paul speaks to some who will barely make it.
But why settle for “one escaping through the flames” when you can receive the eternal reward?
Today, build on Christ our foundation – serve the Lord; and make everything at your disposal fully available for the service of God – and receive the reward for your faithfulness in Christian Service.
Are you prepared to be judged by Christ?
1. Commit to edifying – building up – the church, through radical service and love within the Church family;
2. Know that pleasing God is our ongoing and eternal work; manifested in this life through the Gospel ‘persuasion’ of others;
3. Submit fully to God; and make your ‘servants’ submit fully to Him.
Live every moment in courageous, resolute and committed service unto Christ; and in conscientious preparation for eternal, Kingdom life – and be found rejoicing and glad as you stand before God to be judged faithful and worthy to inherit His Kingdom.
Shalom.
Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done; on earth, as it is in heaven.
Holy Spirit, I ask for Your help to guide and prepare me daily to come before Christ to be judged faithful in my life of utter devotion and service unto Him.
Grant me the courage, resolve, strength and wisdom to give an account of my life that has been saved and redeemed by my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ - who loves me and gave His life in exchange for mine.
May I be found fully and utterly committed in my life and service unto Christ through my fullest participation in His Ministry of edifying the church; and in His Mission of evangelising the Gospel as His holy Witness.
Spirit of God, deepen my resolve to commit to building up my church family through radical service and love in the very example of Christ who washed His disciples’ feet and laid down His life for the world.
I acknowledge that pleasing You, O God, is ongoing and eternal; and remains my deepest joy and privilege. May I manifest this joy of serving You through active Gospel ‘persuasion’ of others through my words, actions and testimonies.
And I acknowledge that just as I am called to serve You utterly; all the worldly resources at my disposal is designated and meant to serve Your Kingdom’s cause.
I know now that the purpose of money – and all my worldly resources – is to be used in Your Service – to edify Your church and evangelize Your Gospel.
Help me develop healthy eyes, Holy Spirit – that my soul will be filled with the light of Christ. Teach me to store up treasures in heaven; to build on Christ as my foundation, my center and my all – through faithfully, generously and willingly bringing my monetary offering to build Your church.
May I be found utterly willing to completely avail my life to You; along with all that I have – that I will not give what I can afford, or what I can spare – but give faithfully and generously in divine emulation of Your immense faithfulness and generous love.
I declare that I am Your servant, O Lord; and as such, all my servants will serve You; and all my resources are in Your employ for the sake of inbreaking Your Kingdom.
In Your Power, Holy Spirit, may I begin to fully and truly live out the Christian life in the glorious and miraculous service of God – in the firm understanding that my life is built solely on Christ; and evidenced when every material and worldly resource at my disposal is set apart and offered to God for His Holy purposes.
Holy Spirit, give me resolve and grant me power to submit fully to God; and make all my ‘servants’ submit fully to Him; that my work and labor will survive the test that comes from Your holy and cleansing fire, and qualify for eternal employ in the Kingdom of God.
I resolve by Your Power to live every moment in courageous, resolute and committed service unto Christ; and in conscientious preparation for eternal, Kingdom life.
And may I be found rejoicing and glad as I stand before God - judged faithful and worthy to inherit Your Kingdom.
I thank You and pray all these in the Name of our King, Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.