Learning Our Limits – Part 2: Know Your Limits
In a troubled world of too many needs, it’s wise for Christians to know their ministry limits. Being able to help one individual doesn’t mean I can help his three friends. Resolving one person’s problems doesn’t necessarily make me qualified to help everyone who comes to me. Doing a good job serving on a committee doesn’t mean I will do well if I’m assigned to two or three more. Just because I played on the church basketball team in my thirties, that doesn’t mean my game is still good when I’m in my forties. After ten minutes I could end up flat on my back gasping for air. All of us need to learn our limits.
Even Jesus had to draw the line as to what He could and couldn’t do. There’s an interesting event recorded in Mark 1. It was early in our Lord’s ministry and the crowd’s response was outstanding. Verses 32-34 read: “That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons.”
The disciples knew from past experience that when the fish were biting, that was not the time to look for another spot. So they may have been baffled by what followed.
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for Him, and when they found Him, they exclaimed: ‘Everyone is looking for You!’” (vv. 35-37) That seemed to be true. The ranks of those wanting Jesus to touch them with His healing hands had certainly swollen. So the “merry men” in Christ’s band said in essence, “Get back to where You just ministered, Jesus. You can’t imagine how many people are there, and You’re keeping them waiting.”
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Sunday’s coming. Do you have your sermon ready? Is it relevant? Will it effectively motivate your congregation to walk more in step with the Master? What about that Sermon Series you’ve been thinking about?
Or, if you’re someone who plans well ahead, have you asked yourself what you will preach for your Easter Sermon, your Advent Sermon, your Christmas Sermon?
David Mains and Mainstay Ministries can help. We offer a wide variety of Sermon Starters and Full Sermons that will give you Sermon Ideas to help you prepare for regular Saturday or Sunday sermons, Mid-week Bible Sermons, and Sermons for special occasions.
We also offer assistance as you create Topical Sermons, Sermons Series, and sermons for special times of the year. We have resources available to help you with Advent Celebrations, Advent Sermons, Christmas Sermons, Easter Sunday Sermons, Patriotic Sermons, and more.
For more information on how to create better Bible Sermons and how to turn Sermon Ideas into Sermon Outlines, and then into effective, meaningful Sunday Sermons, please click here to visit David Mains’ website.
You will also find a variety of resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries website. Just click here.
