Sunday's Message + Legacy Offering
You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. (Matthew 5:14)
In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your
good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)
Church of the Highlands does something every year called the Legacy Offering. Basically with the money we give, they build all these amazing places and resources to bring God to the lost. When I walked into service this morning, I was handed the Legacy brochure full of the numbers. The churches we've built, the average number of inmates attending a weekly church service provided by us in prisons around Alabama, the people reached in China and India through OneHope, etc. They even showed the Legacy video talking about all the things we've done to spread God's word and what our church truly means to us. I can't even say I didn't cry. One of my co-workers from Highlands Kids (HK) said she knew was going to cry before the video even started but I cried more than her! There's something so moving about how just an offering of whatever we can give does so much and change so many lives.
The thing I really want to talk about is the message we had this morning. Yes, we talked about giving because it's in the spirit of the season but also because we know giving should be a year-round thing. Pastor Chris said, "the value of your life isn't determined by how much you achieve or accumulate but by how much you give away." How is that all of us tend to overlook that one fact daily? We are worried about all the material things we can buy someone. Worried if we are going to get that one special gift that we've been begging for from our families and not realizing something, these things are expendable. They are not everlasting and they may not always bring us joy.
In HK we discussed what unconditional meant. The gift of God's love for us is unconditional, meaning it is eternally ours. It will never diminish or fade. It is everlasting and precious.
So what gifts should we really be focused on? Our gifts of time, love, and our journeys. "Even your tragedies, mistakes, and failures are leverage to bring someone closer to God." I honestly could not tell you how true this statement is. I have been moved by so many people and everyone's story is different. This is why it's so important for us to be vulnerable at times and fearlessly share our story. Share it with a friend, a family member, honestly I'm sharing mine on our tour next year. Maybe it won't bring anyone closer to God but if there's a chance, I'm taking it. It's worth the risk. Pastor Chris then discussed the two questions that will be asked when we face God. Basically, when we're at those glorious gates, this is how we'll be judged. One is the judgment of heaven or hell. The other is simply a judgment of reward.
1. What did you do with Jesus? Before all of you think this is the work you did, what you gave, how many times you went to church, just stop. That is not the right answer. The correct answer is something you have to strive for, something that nobody else can truly help you with. Your relationship with His son, Jesus. "I met your son. I know your son. I had a relationship with your son. I love your son." This is the right answer. You can't just say this though. You have to believe it. You have to work for it. You have to have those talks with Jesus, pray with Jesus, and worship. You have to let him into your life with open arms and let him guide you.
Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord!' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but [only] the one who does the will of My Father in heaven. On that day many will say to Me 'Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in Your name, drive out demons in Your name, and do many miracles in Your name? Then I will announce to them, 'I never knew you! Depart from Me, you lawbreakers!' (Matthews 7:21-23)
2. What did you do with what I gave you? This is the work we do for God with what He gave us. "My life is to give my life away." This is using your resources, your talents, your time to spread His word and His love.
"For it is just like a man going on a journey. He called his own servants and turned over his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; and to another, one --- to each according to his own ability. Then he went on a journey. Immediately the man who had received five talents went, put them to work, and earned five more. In the same way the man with two earned two more. But the man who had received one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master's money. " After a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. The man who had received five talents approached, presented five more talents, and said, 'Master, you gave me five talents. Look, I've earned five more talents.' " His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master's joy!' " Then the man with two talents also approached. He said, 'Master, you gave me two talents. Look, I've earned two more talents.' "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master's joy!' "Then the man who had received one talent also approached and said, 'Master, I know you. You're a difficult man, reaping where you haven't sown and gathering where you haven't scattered seed. So I was afraid and went off and hid your talent in the ground. Look, you have what is yours.' " But his master replied to him, 'You evil, lazy slave..." (Matthew 25:14-26)
"Your view of God determines how you live your life." - Pastor Chris. Did you see what happened when the servant with one talent came back with one talent because he thought God was a difficult man? Do you see that our perspective on God dictates our life? Think about the last time you used what God gave you to do something good. To change a life, to do better, to be selfless.
Do not give back this season because you feel obligated. Do it as a random act of kindness.
Counting my blessings while you count yours,
Cydney
P.S. Here are a few other verses preached about during today's service: 1 Chronicles 29:9-13, 29:14, 29:18, 29:20; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:10, 14:12; Matthew 16:27; + Revelation 22:12.