Friends,
Happy New Year! What a wonderful start to the year it has been for us in worship. Yesterday I preached from Matthew 2.1-12, the story of the Magi, or Wise Men. It is a familiar story, but as I read it this past week, it struck me that after they brought their gifts, they are never heard from again. I’m not attempting to put them down, they certainly fulfilled their prophetic purpose. But, there are so many other stories within the Gospels where a person or group has a singular encounter with Christ, and then we never hear of how their lives were changed.
This got me thinking, what can be told of our story after our life-changing encounter with Christ? As much as there is a need for us to continue to bring others into the family of God through evangelism, I believe we also need a greater level of commitment and perseverance in faith.
After watching the horde of people at the Y exercising on Saturday I wondered…how many of these were starting their year off strong but would fade as the year continues? Likewise, Christians often begin their faith or a new year off great in terms of Bible study, prayer, tithing, missions, and worship. But how often do we fade in one of these areas?
Our Father God is faithful, and never fades from that commitment to us. Likewise, we should seek to be strong in our commitment to Him. What are you doing with your time/talents/finances? Have you kept the faith? Thinking about your original life-changing encounter with Christ, where are you now? The wise men came and brought their gifts, never to heard from again. Don’t be a wise man.
Scriptures Referenced:
- Matthew 2.1-12
- Deuteronomy 7.9
- Matthew 9.37
- Matthew 25.14-30
- Mark 15.21, Acts 13.1, Romans 16.13
- Luke 9.23
- Acts 2.42, Acts 20.31-32
- 1 Peter 4.19
Your thoughts? Share them with us!
#1 by Dorothy on January 12, 2009 - 4:34 pm
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I believe that we don’t always want to hear or acknowledge God. We put our trust in the things of this world, and hold back on the whole total commitment that God wants from us. I don’t pick up my cross everyday, though I try and I love Jesus but as a human I tend to fail from time to time. I need to keep my faith and belief alive, but I also need to live in the reality of the world around me. Am I where I need to be? Yes in the sense that my walk with God has become stronger, and no because it could be stronger. I need to also keep my daily choices obedient to Gods word. I keep leaning on the fact that God is the strength of my life, so I am striving to fulfill my calling as a servant of God.
#2 by Pastor Bryon on January 16, 2009 - 10:30 pm
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Dorothy,
I think your thoughts are good, but I would like to steer you in a different direction. A major goal of my sermon was to point out how we often start off well in a hobby, ministry, passion, project, etc., but that we tend to fade in our commitment over time. I would want every Christian to find their calling and passion in ministry, and then stay committed to that over time. Thinking about your own calling, how are you doing in following that commitment? I think this would be a good question for all of us.
blessings…Pastor Bryon
#3 by Christian Giving on September 9, 2011 - 10:42 am
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“The wise men came and brought their gifts, never to heard from again. Don’t be a wise man”. Powerful, thank you for sharing. I will be using this Sunday.