What Are You Contributing To The Lord's Kingdom?

Matt. 18:1-4 - At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."   NASU
 

• I Confess This Now 

As I look back over my ministry I believe I have made a very grave mistake. I was always very quick to point out what God was going to do for the sinner.
 
God was going to forgive you of your sins. God was going wash away your sins with the blood of Jesus. God was going to give you the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit to help you through this life. God was going to give you eternal life. God was, God was, God was.
 
While this all may be very true if I were starting my ministry today it would be very different.
 

• What's Your Contribution? 

I would be asking, "If God accepts your request to forgive you of your sins and not send you straight to hell upon your death, what contribution are you going to make to His Kingdom?

I am not teaching salvation by your works. I will always teach we are saved by the works of Jesus. What I would be teaching is what are you going to do to say "thanks" to God for saving you from an eternity in hell.
 
I believe by establishing the correspondence this way the new convert knows right from the start he is required to be active in the Lord's Kingdom.
 
As a minister of God's Word I have baptized more than one person and then spent way to much time trying to get them to honor their commitment to God, but wait a minute did they ever know they were making a commitment?
 
It appears all I did was inform them about what God was going to do for them.
 
I think I may have made it appear God was begging them to come and be a part of His team. May I tell you something? God doesn't need you or me on His team?
 
His team will win regardless if we are on it or not. We NEED to be on God's team.
 
Well, have you ever participated in a team sport? What did you have to do to be on the team?
 
Listen to and obey the coach's rules were probably great places to start.

• When Were You Converted? 

"Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven."

The Greek word for "convert" means "to change or to turn". So you see there will always be something for us to do. What "changes or turns" have you had to make in your Christian life? 

• Troy Steiner's Contribution 

In 1993 Troy wrestled for the University of Iowa, under the legendary coach Dan Gable. Troy told me coach Gable asked him to meet him at his office. Once in the office, Coach Gable informed Troy he was a very important component of Dan's plan to win another national title.
 
Troy was a National Champion at 142 lbs in 1992 and would have been odds on favorite to repeat at that weight.  Coach Gable asked Troy to think about going down to 134 lbs. in order to put Lincoln McIlravy in the lineup.
 
Troy's contribution was to lose 8 more pounds, which he did. The only difference instead of being a repeat National Champion he took 3rd place. He made a tremendous sacrifice or contribution for his team and Yes, his team won the 1993 NCAA team title again that year. (Used by permission from Troy Steiner)

• What Will You Contribute? 

What will you sacrifice or contribute so that others may hear the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ?
 
It is my prayer you will ask God what He desires you to contribute so you can be a part of His winning team.
 
What changes or turns do you need to be making so you will hear those words "enter in my faithful servant?" 

Think About This:
 
Brains and beauty are gifts from God; character is your own achievement.

Stay Pumped,
 
Gary A. Serago
 
Minister of God's Word
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