The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
Matthew 20, Mark 10:32-52, Luke 18:31 – 19:27
Act 3: God’s New Covenant People
Scene 2: Christ’s Ministry; God’s True King Manifests His Kingdom
Background Information: Matthew 20, Mark 10:32-52, Luke 18:31 – 19:27
“Did I waste my life?” a man asked from his deathbed, a few hours before his death. He had come to Christ just days earlier. It is a complex question. On the one hand, the answer is “no.” He came to Christ late in life, but he did come to Christ. If he had labored in the field of faithfulness for many years, he would have received the same gift of eternal life that he did in his very short walk with Christ. The nature of grace is such that we receive more than what we deserve. On the other hand, in some ways, he did waste his earthly life. He missed all of those years of investing his life in others for the gospel. What we have been given by God is a gift to invest, not to keep for ourselves. The King invests in us, and he expects us to multiply that investment for his glory and the good of others. Our lives are a gift not to be kept, but to be given away. A life can be wasted or it can be spent, but it cannot be saved. One of the many ways to waste our lives is to make it largely about self. Some of the disciples foolishly jockeyed for position in the kingdom. They wanted key cabinet positions with Christ in the age to come. They had no idea as to the true nature of God’s kingdom or their places in it. The King incarnate came to serve, not to be served. He would allow himself to be killed on a cross for the good of others and for his Father’s glory. The disciples could not have been any farther off in their thinking than they were. It has been said that the best time to plant a tree is ten years ago, and the second-best time is today. Live today for God’s glory. Live today to serve those around you. Do not waste time mourning lost opportunity. Today is your opportunity; make the most of it.
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Pray for our worship gathering tomorrow. Ask God to speak to us through the message. Pray for those who attend who do not know Christ to turn to him and repent.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call someone now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.