Combining Resources – Part 3: Combining Resources
It’s exciting to see this starting to happen in many settings. Sure, it means we’ll be stretched in terms of trust. We may find ourselves joining forces with a person whose skin is a different color, or a minister we’d swear was spiritually blind, but love will find a way because we’re talking about survival. Wouldn’t it be something if we could realize that on our own, none of us really have a whole lot to contribute, but that together we can become a powerful team, capable of bringing in a prize-winning harvest?
When I think about combining resources in the church, what I have in mind is not as radical as the Acts 2 and 4 passages where major properties are sold and the proceeds are distributed to those in need. Instead, I’m thinking of simple ideas, such as sharing outgrown children’s clothing or maternity clothes.
I remember the clothes exchanges we had every so often in the church I pastored for ten years in inner-city Chicago. One Sunday after the morning service I saw someone who I thought was my wife, Karen, standing with her back to me, talking with someone. I walked over and put my arm around her, but it wasn’t Karen! It was someone the same size wearing a dress of Karen’s she had gotten in the clothes exchange the week before. No idea is perfect!
Why learn to combine resources? The first reason is that most of us are far too independent. We’re part of a culture where people say, “I don’t want to be a burden to anybody; I don’t want to be dependent on somebody else; I don’t like feeling obligated.” Maybe that’s OK in an era when everyone has adequate resources. But that’s not true of this country as much anymore.
Here’s another reason to learn to combine resources. Jesus said, “Do not tum away from the one who wants to borrow from you” (Matt. 5:42). Such a simple directive can be upsetting for someone who feels, “What’s mine is mine, and you have no right to ask for it. That’s true not just about big things like my car, that’s how I feel about my books and my CD’s and my videos and certainly my clothes. Just leave my stuff alone!”
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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.
