{"id":3575,"date":"2023-10-09T13:32:26","date_gmt":"2023-10-09T13:32:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/?p=3575"},"modified":"2023-10-09T13:32:26","modified_gmt":"2023-10-09T13:32:26","slug":"live-like-god-can-use-me","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.firstpresvaldosta.org\/index.php\/2023\/10\/09\/live-like-god-can-use-me\/","title":{"rendered":"Live Like God Can Use Me"},"content":{"rendered":"

Live Like God Can Use Me
\nLuke 7:1-10 and Luke 8:16-18
\nOctober 8, 2023
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Last week in giving examples of Lectio Divina, and how we look at scripture on First Fridays during our Contemplative service, we read and considered a portion of the Philippians scripture, and I chose a couple phrases that might have stood out to you.\u00a0 Later, someone stated to me that I had not mentioned the phrase, \u201cin humility regard others as better than yourselves,\u201d which was something that spoke to her in reading the scripture.\u00a0 I too, had noticed this phrase when reading the scripture, and thought what a new take on saying, \u201cdon\u2019t think you are better than someone else.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In today\u2019s scripture of the centurion, he shows just this humility.\u00a0\u00a0 More on that in a moment.<\/span><\/p>\n

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First, with today being our stewardship kickoff Sunday, let\u2019s pause a moment to explore what Stewardship means.\u00a0 While we hear it all the time, it may be that we associate it only with being asked to give more money.\u00a0 While this is a part of stewardship in order to maintain church building and church staff, it is not the whole of how we are to live into the action of Christ.<\/span><\/p>\n

One science definition is noted as saying \u2018the concept of stewardship is a form of collaborative planning and responsible management of the environment through sustainable natural resource management practices that respect the ecosystem functions.\u2019\u00a0 Two take-aways from this definition are \u201ccollaborative planning,\u201d and \u201cresponsible management.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Now when we look at Christian stewardship, one definition refers to it as the responsibility that Christians have in maintaining and using wisely the gifts that God has bestowed upon us.\u00a0 God wishes human beings to be his collaborators in the work of creation, redemption and sanctification (declaring something holy).<\/span><\/p>\n

R.C. Sproul describes Biblical stewardship as the following:<\/span><\/p>\n

The concept in the New Testament that describes and defines what it means to be a servant before Christ.\u00a0 It refers to economics and the managing of resources, while a steward in the ancient world was a person who was given the responsibility and authority to rule over the affairs of the household.\u00a0 For example, Joseph became a steward over Potiphar\u2019s household:\u00a0 he managed everything in the household and was given the authority to rule over the house (Gen 39:1-6).\u00a0 In that role, he was responsible to manage the household well; he was not to waste the resources of the family but to make wise decisions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Foundations for stewardship, however, are found in the early chapters of Genesis.\u00a0 In Genesis 1:26-28, we read:\u00a0\u00a0 Then God said, \u201cLet us make man in our image, after our likeness.\u00a0 And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.\u00a0 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.\u00a0 And God blessed them.\u00a0 And God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over every living thing that moves on earth.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Human beings were commanded to be fruitful and multiply.\u00a0 This was a command of productivity, which has stewardship implications rooted in creation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fundamentally, stewardship is about exercising our God-given dominion over His creation, reflecting the image of our creator God in His care, responsibility, maintenance, protection and beautification of His creation.\u201d (R.C. Sproul, Reformed Theologian and Presbyterian Pastor)<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, that we have a better understanding of stewardship, let\u2019s look back to our First Reading of Scripture and consider the centurion and his interaction with Jesus, and think about how we live so God can use us.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the Roman army,\u00a0a\u00a0centurion\u00a0was a\u00a0commander<\/a> of a military unit of about 100 men.\u00a0 Centurions were promoted for being exemplary soldiers, expected to then become a strict commander of his subordinates, and to be in the front leading their troops by example. \u00a0Centurions often had important social status and held powerful positions in society.<\/span><\/p>\n

When I reflect back on being humble and not thinking of yourself better than others, it almost seems the opposite of what you would think of this centurion with all his authority.\u00a0 Yet, this centurion had compassion for his servant.<\/span><\/p>\n

Being in the Roman army and among the Israelites, he heard about Jesus, and in his compassion for his servant to be healed, he summons Jewish elders to go to Jesus to ask for his servant to be healed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The fact that these Jewish elders would even respond to this centurion is also remarkable and speaks to the centurion\u2019s character that he would have a good relationship with the Jews, enough so to call upon them for a favor.\u00a0 As the elders approach Jesus, we learn why there is a favorable relationship between these Jewish elders and the centurion, because he has built their synagogue.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hearing this, Jesus goes with the Jewish elders to meet the centurion, and as they approach the house, the centurion sends friends to stop Jesus from coming to his house, because the centurion does not believe himself worthy to have Jesus in his house.<\/span><\/p>\n

The centurion understands that he does not need to see Jesus for him to heal his servant.\u00a0 He does not need to have Jesus touch his servant, because he knows that Jesus can heal simply by giving the word that it be so.<\/span><\/p>\n

And Jesus, using this as a teaching moment, turns to his followers, and in his amazement of the compassion and humility of the centurion, he tells his followers, not even in Israel among his own people, has he found such faith as this centurion has displayed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Are we living with the same compassion and faith as this centurion?\u00a0 Are we asking ourselves, how can I live so God can use me?<\/span><\/p>\n

Luke goes on to tell us in our Second Scripture Reading, we are to listen, we are to pay attention.\u00a0 The centurion surely had been.\u00a0 Once we know the light of Jesus, once we experience it, there is no way to undo that experience.<\/span><\/p>\n

How do we live so God can use us?\u00a0 We don\u2019t hide the light of Jesus.\u00a0 We put it on a lampstand in our lives and we let it shine bright so that others, like the centurion, see it.\u00a0 So that others can listen and understand all they need is faith to know that Jesus can heal our brokenness, whatever weighs us down.<\/span><\/p>\n

We do not receive light to hide it.\u00a0 God did not give us light to put it out, rather to shine forth in all his glory.\u00a0 And what happens when we allow our light to shine?\u00a0 God provides more blessings to share.\u00a0 And here is where we have to be careful how we live with those blessings.\u00a0 If we horde them, if we keep them to ourselves and don\u2019t live with compassion toward others, those blessings will be taken away.<\/span><\/p>\n

How do we live so God can use us?\u00a0 Are we using the blessings that God has provided, or are they being taken away to be used where they are accepted somewhere else?\u00a0 When we think we don\u2019t have enough, are we missing the blessings that we are not sharing as good stewards of Christ?<\/span><\/p>\n

Compassion and Faith.\u00a0 God has given you your life to steward for his glory and your good.\u00a0 As the owner of everything, God desires for all things to be redeemed (Col. 1:20), including people, governments, businesses, and the arts.\u00a0 Said another way:\u00a0 God desires for everything to bring him glory.<\/span><\/p>\n

Are we living a life that amazes Jesus the way the life of the Centurion did?\u00a0 Isn\u2019t that an awesome thought!\u00a0 That we might could do something or accomplish something that would amaze Jesus.\u00a0 I\u2019m pretty sure last Sunday we did when we packaged 10,000 meals in 85 minutes with about 100 people from our congregation, sister churches, and friends.\u00a0 I have not heard the count from Presbytery, but the goal was 55,000.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure Jesus is amazed!<\/span><\/p>\n

I think of the light that went into packaging each of those meals, and the light that shines when each bag is opened!<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019m sure Jesus is amazed that we are able to feed 30-40 people Monday through Friday a hot meal that they otherwise would not have to eat through Break Bread Together volunteers.<\/span><\/p>\n

We can amaze Jesus in other ways, too.\u00a0 Like picking up mail for a member who is hospitalized, preparing communion month after month, relocating doors, moving candles, planting flowers to make our property look loved, and going to meetings that help take care of your congregation and this church.\u00a0 These are just a few of the wonderful acts that I see you doing in our church when being good stewards in our congregation and in our community.\u00a0 These are a few of the ways we are giving glory to God.<\/span><\/p>\n

Like the centurion, we don\u2019t have to see Jesus to know that he is alive and active in our lives.\u00a0 Let us continue to live so God can use us by being responsible with our resources, and let us continue to plan and collaborate so that Jesus can continue to be amazed by our faith and compassion.\u00a0 To God be the glory!<\/span><\/p>\n

*Cover Art used with subscription, Unsplash.<\/span><\/p>\n

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