October 6, 2013
Stetson Memorial United Methodist
Church
“Cruising
Sacred Waters with Jesus”
Sermon
12 of Summer Series
Worship
Theme: Stewardship
Luke
12: 42-46 GWT
Matthew
25:14-30 NIV
Unearthing the Gift
This summer we are on a cruise together on
the SS Stetson Memorial. We are
“Cruising Sacred Waters with Jesus”. We
are now at the end of our journey. It has been a great journey. We have looked
at our Captain with a different set of eyes. We have talked about the name of
Jesus and what that name means to Christians. We have stopped by different
ports that Jesus is the Captain of. We stopped by the port of Worship and found
out why we worship. The port of Fellowship was one that reminded us that Jesus
came for all. The ports of ports of Discipleship and Ambassadorship told us
what we are to be doing for the kingdom of God as we travel this world. The
port of Sonship reminded us of not only who we are but whose we are. . . we are
adopted children of God and our adoption papers were signed in the blood of Jesus.
Last week we stopped at the port called “Lordship” and talked about what it
means to us and for us as we affirmed that Jesus is the Lord of all. We are now at the last port that we will be visiting on
our voyage. . . The port of Stewardship.
Now I know what you may be thinking. . . here we go again. The pastor is going to ask
that we give more money to the church. . . we go through this every year. . . Well yes stewardship is partly about money but
it is so much more than that. It’s not a “four letter word” that we should not
be talking about. It’s all about thankfulness and gratitude. It’s all about
using our God given talents to further God’s kingdom. It’s about sharing what
we have with others who have nothing. And yes it’s about paying the bills of
the church so that it can function. . . fulfill its purpose in the world.
This morning I want to talk about the talent
we have been given by God. You know. . . that little thing that we do that
gives us joy as we do it. One talent might be visiting the sick. Another may be
cooking a meal for others. Still another might be listening to others with an
attentive ear. The list just goes on. Now some of you might say that you have
no real talent. But I am here today to tell you that that statement is not
true.
God gives all of humanity a talent. . . something
that we are good at and enjoy doing. I think that sometimes people really
underestimate themselves. They think that if they can’t of think of something
they can make money with they have no talent. Well. . . how about those who
give good counsel to others? They may not make money at it but it doesn’t mean
that it is not a talent. Not everyone has the ability to give good counsel. And
without someone to give good counsel, where would the wisdom in the world be?
We need to realize that we all have something to offer and as we offer it. . . no
matter how big or small. . . we are being “Good Stewards” of what God has given
us. . . and we need to unearth that talent for God and use it for His glory.
Let’s look at the definition of stewardship.
Wikipedia tells us that “Stewardship is an ethic that embodies responsible
planning and management of resources. The concept of stewardship has been
applied in diverse realms, including with respect to environment, economics,
health, property, information, and religion, and is linked to the concept of
sustainability.
Historically, stewardship referred to the
occupation of a steward. Initially, stewardship was the responsibility given to
household servants to bring food and drinks to a castle dining hall. The term
was then expanded to indicate a household employee's responsibility for
managing household or domestic affairs. Stewardship later became the
responsibility for taking care of passengers' domestic needs on a ship, train
and airplane, or managing the service provided to diners in a restaurant. The
term continues to be used in these specific ways, but it is also used in a more
general way to refer to a responsibility to take care of something belonging to
someone else.” Something belonging to
someone else. . .
And Christian steward ship is:
“A grateful and responsible
use of God's gifts in the light of God's purpose as revealed in Jesus
Christ. Christian stewards, empowered by
the Holy Spirit, commit themselves to conscious, purposeful decisions.
Stewardship is lived out in:
1. living and telling the Good News;
2. sharing with God in seeking justice, peace, and the
integrity of creation in an interdependent universe;
3. wisely employing God-given human resources, abilities,
and relationships;
4. sharing the material resources we hold and giving them in
service, justice, and compassion;
5. providing for future generations;
6. Sharing in the life, worship, and responsible stewardship
of the Church and of its mission.
Both for the individual and for the
community, stewardship is a joyful act for the sake of God's world.” It is a joyful act for the sake of Gods
world. . . Gods Kingdom. . .
Stewardship is a multi-faceted response to
Gods goodness and grace to you and to me. It is like a many faceted diamond
that as you turn it. . . it shows an opulence. . . a kaleidoscope of beauty and
depth. It gives sparkle to an otherwise drab looking world.
The Luke scripture from this morning tells us
to be out using those gifts. . . those talents that we have been given. . . being
a good steward of what we have and what we are given. (And yes. . . we do need to be good stewards of those special gifts we
are given. . . not deciding we won’t use them for whatever reason.) But. .
. but. . . as we use those gifts, we are to use them for the good of others.
There are so many out there who would use the gift they are given to oppress
and hurt others. They have seemed to have forgotten who gave them these gifts
in the first place. But then again we live in a world that tells us we are the
ones who make who we are. . . we are “Self made men and women.” Oh how the high and mighty eventually fall.
. .
In Matthew 25 verses 14-30
tells us what happens as we become good stewards of what we are given by God.
It reads. . . And I am reading from the
NIV Bible this morning. . .
The Parable of the Bags of Gold
“Again, it will be like a man going on a
journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he
gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each
according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received
five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags
more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who
had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s
money. “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled
accounts with them. The man who had received five bags of gold brought the
other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I
have gained five more.’ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful
servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of
many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ “The man with two bags of
gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold;
see, I have gained two more.’ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and
faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in
charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ “Then the man
who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are
a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not
scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground.
See, here is what belongs to you.’ “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy
servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I
have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit
with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with
interest. “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten
bags. For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance.
Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. And throw
that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping
and gnashing of teeth.’ (that is the one thing I long to hear when called home.
. . Well done my good and faithful servant.)
Like the servant in the parable, God has
given each of us a talent. It may be small and not that noticeable or it can be
large and right out there, seen by all. It doesn’t matter how large or small.
We shouldn’t. . . like the bad servant. . . hide our talent in the sand. We
need to unearth our talent so that it can be used for God’s glory. We need to share
what we have to help our church bodies. We need to encourage each other. . . spur
each other on. . . to use their talent. If it wasn’t for the body using its
talents, the body would die.
Like any human body, if one part doesn’t work.
. . if a part is not contributing. . . the whole body suffers. . . so it is
with the church body of Christ. The
church is a living, breathing, ever growing entity. It needs all of its
parts working in order to survive and flourish.
How can a body live if one of its parts decided it was not going to
work? How can a body thrive if all of the parts don’t kick in. . . if all of
the parts don’t do it’s God given job? How can we, as Christians, be the body
of Christ if we don’t work together, challenging each other to fulfill the
great commandment to “Make disciples of all nations”?
Yes Stewardship is about money but it is also
about so much more. Maybe. . . it is not something that should be feared but it
is something that should be embraced as we travel on the road God has set us
on. Maybe, it’s about stepping out of ourselves and trusting the God given
talents we are blessed with. Perhaps, it’s about taking care of what we are
given. . . yes even our church buildings. . . so that the God News can be heard.
. . the news that so many are waiting to hear.
My question. . . my challenge for you and
myself is to think about this, “How have
we been using our talents? Are we using them for our own pleasure or for Gods
pleasure? Are we ready to trust God and His providence for us or are we
squandering what we have for a rainy day? Do we even believe you have a talent
to share?”
Church, the body of Christ needs all of its
parts to survive. Will we use our resources for our own stability or help
others become stable? Are we sharing the gifts and talents we have been
entrusted with or are we burying them in the sand? Will you and I hear that
well done or will we be thrown out with the other untrustworthy servants? We
have a choice to make. Which will you choose? To believe in God and that we are
given talents to share or to step out in faith and encourage others to do so?
As Joshua pronounced to those around him, “Choose this day who you will serve.
But as for me and my house. . . we will serve the Lord.”
Amen.
October
6, 2013
Worship
Theme: “Stewardship”
Matthew
25:14:30 (New International Version)
“The
Parable of the Bags of Gold”
Luke
12:42-46 (GOD WORD Translation)
Communion
children’s
message
We
all have gifts from God
Share
your gifts
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
and
sermon “Unearthing the Gift”
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
Sermon 12 of Summer Series (final
sermon)
“Cruising Sacred Waters with Jesus”
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
October 6, 2013
&
Worship
Theme: “Lordship”
Philippians
2:1-11 (Common English Bible)
Revelations
19:11-16 (The Message)
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
and
sermon “Every Knee Shall Bow. . . ”
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
Sermon 11 of Summer Series
“Cruising Sacred Waters with Jesus”
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
September 29, 2013
&
September
22, 2013
Worship
Theme: “Ambassadorship”
Matthew
5:13-16 (The Message)
2
Corinthians 5:17-20 (New Living Translation)
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
and
sermon “Jesus Freak”
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
Sermon 10 of Summer Series
“Cruising Sacred Waters with Jesus”
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
September 22, 2013
&
Worship
Theme: “Sonship”
Galatians
4:1-8 (God’s Word Translation)
“You Are God’s Children”
Romans
8:15-17 (New Living Translation)
Romans
8:1-17
“Life in the Spirit”
Worship
Songs,
particularly:
-
“Friend of God”
-
“Blessed Assurance”
Opening
Prayer
Offering
song – “White as Snow”
pastoral
prayer
children’s
message
“God loves you no matter what,
God gushes over you,
God forgives you,
and there is nothing you can do about it.”
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
and
sermon “Adoption at the Cross”
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
Sermon 9 of Summer Series
“Cruising Sacred Waters with Jesus”
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
September 15, 2013
&
Worship
Theme: “Discipleship”
Mark
8:34-38 (The Message)
Philippians
3:12-14 (The Message)
1
Corinthians 13:1-13
pastoral
prayer
children’s
message
“Jesus
says” (not “Simon says”)
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
Communion
and
sermon “Game Time. . . ”
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
Sermon 8 of Summer Series
“Cruising Sacred Waters with Jesus”
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
September 8, 2013
&
Worship
Theme: “Fellowship”
John
15:11-17 (The Message)
1
John 4:7-12 (The Message)
“God
is Love”
Ecclesiastes
4:9-11
children’s
message
Love
them anyway
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
Communion
and
sermon “The Love Zone. . . ”
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
Sermon 7 of Summer Series
“Cruising Sacred Waters with Jesus”
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
September 1, 2013
&
Worship
Theme: “Worship”
Luke
4:5-8 (The Message)
(extract of Luke 4:1-13)
Matthew
22:34-37 (New Living Translation)
(extract of 22:34-40)
John
4:19-24 (The Message)
(extract of John 4:1-42)
children’s
message
how
to make good decisions
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
and
sermon “Worship. . . It Does A Body
Good”
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
Sermon 6 of Summer Series
“Cruising Sacred Waters with Jesus”
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
August 25, 2013
&
Worship
Theme: “Do We Make Room for God . . .?”
Ephesians
2:11-22 (CEB)
“The
reconciliation of God’s people” (CEB)
“One
in Christ” (NIV)
2
Samuel 7:1-7 (NLT)
Mark
6:30-44, 53-56 (CEB)
“Jesus
feeds five thousand people” (CEB)
“Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand” (NIV)
children’s
message
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
and
sermon “Make Room for Yahweh”
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
Sermon 5 of Summer Series
“Cruising Sacred Waters with Jesus”
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
August 18, 2013
&
Prayer
Vigil at the Park
after
worship service
7/28/2013
&
Theme:
“Do We Worship Only on Sunday?”
Worship
song – “I Sing Praises”
Ephesians
1:3-14 (Gods Word Translation)
Ephesians
1:3-14 (The Message)
Acts
2:38-47 (New Revised Standard Version)
children’s
message
sharing
our joy
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
and
sermon “Live Your Worship Out Loud!”
“Shout
It From the Mountaintops”
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
Sermon 4 of Summer Series
“Cruising Sacred Waters with Jesus”
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
July 28, 2013
&
Theme:
“Can we see the big picture”
“Big
Picture Followers”
1
Corinthians 13:9-12 (GOD’S WORD translation)
Mark
6:1-6 (The Message)
“Just
a Carpenter”
Mark
6:1-6 (NRSV)
“Jesus
Rejected in Nazareth”
children’s
message
sometimes
our vision is foggy
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
and
sermon “Seeing More Clearly. . . ”
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
Sermon 3 of Summer Series
“Cruising Sacred Waters with Jesus”
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
July 21, 2013
&
Luke
7:36-47 (The Message)
Mark
5:21-34 (GOD’S WORD Translation)
Matthew
13:44-46
children’s
message
We
are precious to God
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
and
sermon “How much does Jesus really matter?”
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
Sermon 2 of Summer Series
“Cruising Sacred Waters with Jesus”
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
July 14, 2013
&
Mark
4:35-41 (The Message)
Luke
4:16-21 (Common English Bible)
Matthew
14:22-33
children’s
message
We
are not alone
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
and
sermon “Who Is this Captain”
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
Sermon 1 of Summer Series
“Cruising Sacred Waters with Jesus”
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
July 7, 2013
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at Ray Foss
for usage. See all 25,830+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
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