Our mission statement clearly states what and who we are, and what our purpose in life is. We are a united body—Look around you. We not only look different, but we are diverse with our different gifts, talents and abilities.
We have combined together all of what we are into this church we call Del Norte. But to be united is personal. It’s up to you. Will you stop saying, “What’s in it for me?” or, “What will I get out of being a member here?” and begin to ask, “How can I serve in this church?”
There are three things that make us united. First, we are believers. We don’t believe in this or that, we believe in Jesus Christ. We share a common faith and salvation in Jesus Christ.
Secondly, we are committed to grow in Christ—to increase our spiritual knowledge and constantly learn more and more about what it means to be a Christian and belong in God’s family.
Thirdly, we are committed to reach others for Christ. We understand that this is our primary purpose for being here, and that this is why our church is here.
In January, this united body, you, overwhelmingly approved a five-year plan of growth and ministry. The great thing about this is that this plan is based on our mission statement you have been memorizing.
Your ministerial staff have it tacked on the walls of their offices to be constantly reminded of our goal and purpose. In other words, from now on this is what drives us.
The plan includes two objectives: one is for us to focus on spiritual growth and excellence in all we do for Christ. A second objective is to be a visible presence in our community. One of the strategies under spiritual growth is to set high expectations of church members.
So what should be expected of a member of this church? If you become a member of any organization it just makes sense that you plan to support it and attend its meeting.
If you are a member of Del Norte we would expect that there is a reason you joined, and that you will attend its meetings. Our church wide weekly meetings are our Bible Study groups (S.S.) and worship services on Sunday.
We would also expect that members would support and pray for the ministries and missions of their church with their tithes and offerings. And that church members would be involved in some of those ministries.
Seems like a lot, doesn’t it? But in the scheme of what is important and not so important in this world, is it really? “But pastor, I am so busy already, how do I fit it all in? How do I balance it all?”
The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 8:6 (The Message), There’s a right time and way for everything, even though, unfortunately we miss if for the most part.
The last part of that verse should hit us right between the eyes. God has put us here at this time and in this place to be His witness to the world. Wouldn’t you hate it if we missed it for the most part?
For the most part we miss that which is the best—being all we can be as God’s children. The majority of us probably think we don’t have enough time.
We are so busy and miss so much. The real problem is not the clock. The problem is not even time—it’s how you use it. To get mad at the clock saying, “There’s just not enough time,” is like getting mad at your bathroom scales. It’s not the scales fault that you don’t like the way they read.
How do you balance all that you’ve got going on at work with all that you’ve got going on at home with all that you’ve got going on at church?
We’ve all got the same amount of time—168 hours a week. The only question is, “How am I investing it?” I don’t think you want to be like the guy in Isaiah 49:4 who said, “I’ve worked for nothing. I’ve nothing to show for a life of hard work.” Ephesians 5:15-17 is going to help us out here.
Ephesians 5:15. Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise.
Paul wrote this letter to Christians. This very practical section is a caution about how we live in the world. Perhaps the wisest thing you can do today is to…
Joy is a gift from God. You cannot create it in yourself. Either you have this gift or you do not. It is a gift given by God to every believer. But your joy can be lost or weakened through lack of use.
What you are is God's gift to you. What you make of yourself is your gift to God. Have you checked your attitude lately? Each morning is your attitude, “Good God it’s morning,” or “Good Morning God”? Do you see each day as a chance for something new and exciting to happen? Do you see God in your day?
When Paul told us to live “not as unwise but as wise,” he assumed two things: one, Christians should be wise people, and two, Christian wisdom is practical wisdom because it teaches us how to behave, and how to live our lives as God’s children.
Some of us have lost the joy of our salvation. We haven’t used the godly wisdom available to us. You can recognize this in yourself by how you look at life—do you rejoice in it or complain about it?
Everything worth doing requires care. We all take care over the things that matter to us—our job, our education, our home and family, our hobbies, our dress and appearance.
And as Christians we must take care of our Christian and church life. It is in your Christianity and your church family that true joy comes. You are not going to find this God-given joy in the things of the world. When you neglect your spiritual life, you will lose the joy of your salvation.
And then what happens? We start blaming God. We wonder where He’s at. Old joke: Wife says to husband in the car, “We used to sit close together.” He replies, “I haven’t moved.” Christ hasn’t moved. If you are a believer He is always with you. But maybe you’ve moved. Have you moved away from God? To whom are you committed? Self or Christ?
If you have the right attitude and you are committed to Christ and His church, I daresay you are living a joyful life because your priorities are right.
But if you are not taking care of your Christian life; if church attendance has become a chore and drudgery; and if you are trusting the things of this world for your joy and contentment, you are not going to have a life of joy.
There are indicators that tell you that you have gotten off track. When you have lost your commitment to Christ is one. When you have no desire to grow in Him and to serve Him is another. If you have no interest in Bible study, or have no desire to hear the Word of God preached is a pretty good indicator also.
I am always amazed by those who say, “I’ve been a Baptist all my life and there’s nothing else I need to learn.” How boring your life must be. You know the scriptures and your denomination so well, that you are completely indifferent to any new insights God might want you to know. He might as well kill you now and take you on home.
If you are intolerant and impatient with others is another indicator. If you find yourself constantly complaining and griping about something, you know you have gotten off track with God.
If you constantly talk about the happenings of your church by saying, “They are doing….” Instead of “This is what we are doing…” then you are not a part of the united body. In verse 16 Paul also tells you what you need to do.
Ephesians 5:16, Making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil.
The participle form here means that as you travel through life with all its ups and downs, be constantly making the most of your Christian opportunities.
The scripture is not talking about getting ahead in life. It is talking about your Christian life. Be filled with Godly passion so that you can make the most of every opportunity.
I hope you are not interested in yawning your way through the rest of your life. You have a great opportunity right here to make an eternal difference in many lives. Things may change a little. Church as usual is no more. Get a godly excitement about what God is doing here.
Let your passion and enthusiasm spill out onto the people in the church who don’t seem to care about anything. Give them a spiritual kick in the pants. Infuse them with your passion.
In everything you do be filled with passion for God. Let your life glorify Christ. Be filled with a passion for people. Minister to them in the name of Christ, and when the opportunity comes, tell them about Jesus. Make the most of every opportunity. Time is very precious.
Of all people, we Christians should know this. Time is passing. Time is short. The days we live in are evil. So we must seize every opportunity while it is here, for once it has passed, even the wisest person cannot recover it.
Here are some characteristics of Passionate Christians: Passionate Christians understand that the opportunity to make a difference is now. Passionate Christians do not need to be continually prodded or pulled along. Passionate people want to get the job done. They step up to the plate ready to do whatever God asks.
Passionate Christians get really motivated when they study the Bible. Passionate Christians always anticipate a personal word from God when they hear it preached. Passionate Christians see the world through the eyes of Jesus. Passionate Christians never think we are doing enough.
Finally, in v. 17 Paul says…
Ephesians 5:17. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
“Foolish” refers back to the “wise” and “unwise” words in verse 15. In the broadest sense God’s will for our church is to reach our world for Jesus. For us to do that we must…
Nothing in life is more important than to discover and do the will of God. We believe God’s will for us is stated in our mission statement: We are a united body of believers committed to grow in Christ and to reach others for Christ.
It would be wonderful for us to be pushed to the very limits of our abilities and strengths in the pursuit of trying great things for God. I don’t think we’ve even scratched the surface yet.
Teddy Roosevelt said: It is far better to dare mighty things to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much because they live life in the gray twilight that knows no victory or defeat.
I have never understood it when someone says they need a break from church. I have never understood those who say, “I’ve done my part. Now it is someone else’s turn.” Aren’t you thankful that God doesn’t take a day off from loving us!
Folks, rather than taking time off we should be consumed with attempting great things for Christ. Where did we come up with a concept of “time off” any way?
Is there any time for which we aren’t accountable to God? Is there any time during which God doesn’t care what you are doing? No Christian ever has “time off.” You may have some time off from your job. You may stop working for a time to refresh yourself, but no Christian ever has time off from living like a Christian.
Christ told us to go into the world making disciples. That’s a big assignment. As we attempt great things for Christ, I guarantee you that we will experience failures and disappointments. Not everything is going to work.
Thomas Edison tried several hundred ways to make a light bulb work before he succeeded. He saw every failure as a learning experience in that he found one more way that wouldn’t work.
What we don’t need to hear in those times are those naysayer’s and complainers saying, “We told you so.” What we so desperately need today is a passion for Christ, and a can-do spirit that moves on to attempting great things for God.
As we consider our Christian lives, let this quotation from Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family inspire you: When I reach the end of my days, a moment or two from now, I must look backward on something more meaningful than the pursuit of houses and land and stocks and bonds. I will consider my earthly existence to have been wasted unless I can recall a loving family, a consistent investment in the lives of people, and an earnest attempt to serve the God who made me. Nothing else makes much sense.