This morning's service will be somewhat different from the normal Sunday morning service. Today is a very special day for our church. This morning we have the privilege of sending the Walcott family out into the field of service representing our church as they labor for the Lord.
I want you all to understand that we are not sending them away; we are sending them out! There is a major difference in those two phrases. Not everyone who knows them understands why they are doing this. I hope to help us all gain a better understanding of the significance of this day.
God brought this family into our church a few years ago, and they immediately became an active part of this ministry. Serving the Lord with willing hearts in a variety of ministries. We have grown to love them and their boys as members of our own family. So I understand a little bit about the emotions that this day will bring to our hearts.
Jason and Ronica have surrendered to a unique ministry. A number of years ago realizing the need of new churches to be able to build buildings, the BBF Builders were established. Families who travel this country building churches and saving these new ministries hundreds of thousands of dollars while providing facilities that enables them to reach their communities with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
But why Jason and Ronica? Isn't that the question we have asked ourselves? Why would they sell their home, leave a successful business, put all they have in a fifth wheel RV, and head out with five little boys to work for folks who cannot pay them? There is only one answer to that question…only one reason they would be willing to give up all they have known as a family. The answer is the call of God. On their prayer cards, Jason and Ronica have a theme verse from the book of 1 Chronicles.
(1 CHRONICLES 28:10) TAKE HEED NOW; FOR THE LORD HATH CHOSEN THEE TO BUILD AN HOUSE FOR THE SANCTUARY: BE STRONG, AND DO IT.
This verse is a challenge from King David to his son Solomon. David knew the work would be great and he sought to encourage and challenge his son to accomplish something great for God. By application, everything we do for God is a great work! Consider with me several phrases from this verse as we apply it to the work Jason and Ronica have surrendered to do for God.
I. Take heed now…
A. This simply means we need to pay attention.
B. What is about to be said, is of extreme importance and value.
C. Noone should ever minimize the work of God.
D. Jesus spoke of ministering to others in as simple a way as giving a cup of water in His name.
E. Some may consider the ministry for which God has chosen Jason and Ronica to be something less than a 'real' ministry like preaching or going to the mission field…but that would be a serious mistake.
II. Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee…
A. Did you catch that?
1. The Lord hath chosen thee!
2. This isn't a whim or a scheme or anything else!
3. The is the result of the God of the Universe reaching down and calling this couple to serve Him in a very unique way!
B. The calling of God is an awesome thing.
1. The Bible tells us that God makes no mistakes.
2. I certainly thought the Lord had made a mistake when He called me!
3. I suppose nearly everyone I am aware of who has answered the call of God has been humbled by the thought that God could use them to do ministry.
4. But that is the way God works!
(1 CORINTHIANS 1:26) FOR YE SEE YOUR CALLING, BRETHREN, HOW THAT NOT MANY WISE MEN AFTER THE FLESH, NOT MANY MIGHTY, NOT MANY NOBLE, ARE CALLED:
5. Why is that? God gets all the glory! v29
6. I want you to understand that it isn't because Jason is an accomplished carpenter…
7. It isn't because of his experience and background that he has been called…
8. It is because God saw a couple that He could use…who would give Him the glory for all that they will accomplish.
C. Make no mistake about this…the Lord hath chosen Jason and Ronica to serve Him!
III. Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary…
A. God is very specific when He calls…
1. Solomon was instructed on exactly what it was that he was to build.
2. The same is true for Jason and Ronica.
3. They will not just become gypsy carpenters traveling the country looking for construction jobs.
4. They have been called to build churches!
5. Sanctuaries, if you will, places of worship.
6. What a great work! To go to a small congregation and help them to establish themselves in a community with a building to honor God.
7. A building from which the gospel will be preached and many souls won to Christ.
B. Eternal investments!
1. The Lord instructs us on where to invest our time, effort, and funds.
2. He told us not to lay up treasures on this earth…
3. But to invest in the kingdom of God.
(MATTHEW 6:19-20) LAY NOT UP FOR YOURSELVES TREASURES UPON EARTH, WHERE MOTH AND RUST DOTH CORRUPT, AND WHERE THIEVES BREAK THROUGH AND STEAL: BUT LAY UP FOR YOURSELVES TREASURES IN HEAVEN, WHERE NEITHER MOTH NOR RUST DOTH CORRUPT, AND WHERE THIEVES DO NOT BREAK THROUGH NOR STEAL:
4. Investments made for the Lord will reap eternal returns!
5. Only eternity will reveal the souls that will be saved because of the willingness of this couple to heed the call of God upon their lives.
IV. Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it.
A. David knew the scope of the task God had called his son to accomplish.
1. Understanding the difficulty of the this task.
2. David offered encouragement to his son.
3. He said, 'be strong and do it'!
4. No ministry for the Lord is 'easy'.
5. But the difficulty of the calling is no reason to be discouraged.
6. David was way ahead of NIKE…He tells his son, just do it!
7. If David was a redneck, he may have said, 'Git 'r done!'
B. God has not called Jason and Ronica to a perpetual vacation.
1. To some, it may seem exciting to travel the country in an RV… and it will be.
2. To others, it may seem foolish with the increased cost of fuel…but God has promised to provide.
3. Where God leads…He will feed!
4. Paul reminds us that we can count on the Lord to provide for every detail and every need we may have.
(PHILIPPIANS 4:19) BUT MY GOD SHALL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEED ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN GLORY BY CHRIST JESUS.
5. I am just 'foolish' enough to believe what God says, He will do!
C. David understood that it would take strength to do the work.
1. It will take strength…not just physical strength…but emotional and spiritual strength…for Jason and Ronica to do the work God has called them to do.
2. There will be times when Satan will tempt them to quit…to give up…he will whisper in their ear that it's just not worth it!
3. But listen to God's promises, and don't give up!
(JOSHUA 1:9) HAVE NOT I COMMANDED THEE? BE STRONG AND OF A GOOD COURAGE; BE NOT AFRAID, NEITHER BE THOU DISMAYED: FOR THE LORD THY GOD IS WITH THEE WHITHERSOEVER THOU GOEST.
(PHILIPPIANS 4:13) I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHICH STRENGTHENETH ME.
(GALATIANS 6:9) AND LET US NOT BE WEARY IN WELL DOING: FOR IN DUE SEASON WE SHALL REAP, IF WE FAINT NOT.
4. Be strong in the Lord!
(1 CHRONICLES 28:10) TAKE HEED NOW; FOR THE LORD HATH CHOSEN THEE TO BUILD AN HOUSE FOR THE SANCTUARY: BE STRONG, AND DO IT.
This challenge has primarily been addressed to Jason and Ronica concerning their ministry, but let me ask you, 'What about your ministry?' What is it that God wants you to accomplish for Him? Are you willing to follow the Lord's leading in your life?
If you have never trusted Christ as your personal Savior, it is God's will that you do so today!
(2 PETER 3:9) "THE LORD IS …NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH, BUT THAT ALL SHOULD COME TO REPENTANCE."
(2 CORINTHIANS 6:2) "…BEHOLD, NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME; BEHOLD, NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION."
(ROMANS 10:10) "FOR WITH THE HEART MAN BELIEVETH UNTO RIGHTEOUSNESS; AND WITH THE MOUTH CONFESSION IS MADE UNTO SALVATION."
If you have not committed your life to serve God in whatever capacity He might choose, you need to do so today!
(ROMANS 12:1) "I BESEECH YOU THEREFORE, BRETHREN, BY THE MERCIES OF GOD, THAT YE PRESENT YOUR BODIES A LIVING SACRIFICE, HOLY, ACCEPTABLE UNTO GOD, WHICH IS YOUR REASONABLE SERVICE."
Perhaps you need to come and spend time in prayer, don't put it off. Come now whatever the need.