Good Christian Intentions - July 25th, 2003

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Former Pastor Jack Cohen
Moore's Chapel United Methodist Church

Good Intentions

It has been since last December when I was able to put together a Power E-mail.  I thoroughly enjoy putting these together and I always had the best intentions in trying to get things done.  However, everything seemed to pick up and go faster at the beginning of the year.  Regardless, I realize that no matter how great or little time we do have in life, we often make time for the things that seem important to us.  For instance, how many of us are too busy for vacation?  How many are too busy for work?  How many of us are too busy to cut grass, drive in our cars, to go out to eat, to shop, to watch the television, etc.  What about doing that which God has called you to do?  I truly believe that we cannot know the fullness of Christianity unless we give out of our valuable time to God. 

As we read in James 2:14-18 the brother of Jesus writes, “14What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.”  I truly believe that we have lost the action of Christianity in the “GO-ing,” the “DO-ing,” the “MAK-ing” that occurs when we put our faith in action.  Far too often it has been replaced by the complacency of the church as a whole.  We’ve been disconnected to the urgency of sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ in place of our own enjoyment and entertainment.  We have forgotten that it is the God of the Universe that we are serving when we give our time and talents to the ministry of the church. 

In 1 Peter 4:11 it states, “If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

 When we speak as Christians, we must do it as prophets (those who reveal the words of God to the people).  When we serve we DO NOT do it as people who are exhausted from being overworked, underpaid and sleep depraved; we do it with the strength that God gives to us for the simple reason that God is praised through Jesus.  I believe my greatest challenge in ministry today is get individuals serving God where they are gifted and wanting to serve.   

We can all have GOOD INTENTIONS, but that still leaves God’s work undone.  I have had GOOD INTENTIONS on getting this Power E-mail and in order to do so, I had to make time, set time and even rearrange things, but I believe God desires this ministry.  What about you?  Is God calling you to an area of service in the church that may take a little time and effort to participate in?  Has God gifted you with being able to do PowerPoint; design web pages; to speak; to teach; to prepare meals for others; to read the Bible in church; to participate in choir or praise team; to assist in the various ministry teams (committees); to pray; to lead a Bible Study, etc.?    Whatever it is, God has called you to do in order to strengthen the church “so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. ” (And in you!)

Just For Fun

 Doing this great deed