THE TREASURE IN JARS OF CLAY

Last summer my wife and I bought a great number of pots in order to separate an aloe plant that was growing crazy. As we headed back home I had to make one quick stop. After I dropped her and the kids off at home I went to take some materials to the county fair. I forgot that these pots were round and might roll around a little bit in the back of my Suburban. When I opened the back hatch, they came tumbling out on top of me. The one very large pot that my wife like so much (it was the last one in the store) rolled out first and broke on the concrete drive. And just like that I had a mess and a pot that, I thought, was beyond repair.

When I got back home I was a little hesitant in telling my lovely wife of 16 years that I broke this pot. But I could not in all good conscience blame the kids, so I told her. She went out to the vehicle and retrieved the damaged goods and actually was able to salvage the one that she liked so much. Now you might ask, how did she do that, and did it not look awful? Maybe at first, but once she cut away at it and then placed a plant into the pot, no one noticed. The reason that no one ever noticed was because of the life or treasure inside the pot.

This reminds me of what Paul wrote to the church at Corinth in 2 Corinthians 4:7, "we have this treasure in earthen vessels." That treasure is the preaching of the gospel of Christ. What is more important, the gospel or the person? Paul argues that the most important is the gospel. He writes, "For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord," (2 Corinthians 4:5). I have heard preachers talk more about themselves in a 30 minute lesson then that of the gospel. This is a sad commentary on that preacher. He needs to re-read 2 Corinthians 4:5. Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and that you may glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). Jesus did not say that we shine our lights to glorify self. In fact the light is not even of us. John wrote, "God is light..." and that I must walk in that light (1 John 1:5-7).

So, let us always remember that we have a treasure on the inside of the jar of clay. When we preach this then we are ministering with the message of God.

I WOULD LOVE TO SHARE MY TALENTS WITH YOUR CONGREGATION!

Every person has some sort of ability or talent that they can use to glorify God. The problem is that many are not using that talent or have become ashamed of their talent. It reminds me of the parable of the talents in Matthew 25. Each one of the men was given a portion of the master's wealth to invest. But each one of the men was not given the same amount. Why? The reason being that they all did not possess the same ability to handle the responsibilities given.

We have abilities that God wants us to use. But not all of us have the same talents. God does expect us to use these abilities to further the gospel of peace into the world. I feel that it is very important for me to get out there and use mine.

Here are some of the areas that I know I can assist you in your growth process:

1. Spiritual Growth - This is a seminar on the different levels of spiritual growth that we all go through. And it teaches us to watch out for the pitfalls that will hinder that growth. Also, how to recognize these different levels in your church family. And how to help everyone grow to the ultimate level of our ability.

2. Ministry Development - Many congregations have struggles developing different programs of work. This program helps the congregation to look for and develop the talents that each member has and use that ability to evangelize their community. Developing programs such as: Outreach; Youth Ministry; College Ministry; Senior Ministry; Visitation Programs, Foreign and Domestic Missions and etc.

3. Personal Evangelism Seminar - We give the congregation the understanding that Personal Evangelism is not as difficult as once thought. We share tools, i.e., door knocking, DVD ministry, home bible studies, correspondence courses, and etc. Confidence is key in developing these types of evangelism.

4. Financial Seminar - With a B.A. in Economics and experience as an Accountant for a Bank, I will share with your members the simple ways to help organize their finances from balancing a check book to getting out of debt.

5. Community Outreach - This is a "how to" seminar. We take a look at your community and the events, demographics and needs, then develop ideas and a game plan to reach out with the gospel. Some of the possibilities include but are not limited to; Fair booths, community meals, panty/food banks, advertising an event, youth rallies, campus ministry, and etc. Also included in this seminar are ways to look beyond the normally used outreach programs and create ways to get into places that others have not thought about.

6. Solving Congregational Problems - The saddest event in a congregation's history is when problems arise that lead to a division. But if you were to investigate the root of this problem it seems to be an inward struggle. I heard a preacher once say, "It is not the woodpecker that destroys a house but the termites from within." If we would continually inspect for "termites" in the church, then we might be able to rid the varmints before they destroy. This is why I am putting together a team to come in to your congregation and inspect for termites and help rid you of your problem before it gets too severe. We only come in to mediate the situation in the absence of elders.

7. Marriage and the Family - This seminar is aimed at the newly married, engaged couples and those of college age (18-25). This program will set out the Biblical guidelines to marriage, and how to handle some of the major difficulties that couples face, i.e.; birth control, children, the in-laws, financial issues, communication and etc. I am not a marriage counselor (even though I have done marriage counseling), but having been married for over 16 years and raising 2 children, I have the experience to discuss how to overcome rocky points. How couples can head off problems before they surface.

8. Church Growth - A seminar on different ways to grow the congregation. This is not just numerical growth but more importantly spiritual growth (which leads to numerical growth). This series of lessons combines the outreach with solving internal problems. Also, it dives into the development of church organization, programs, and the essential elders and deacons. The minister's responsibility to the growth process as well as each member's responsibility.

9. Youth Events - One area that I enjoy, is speaking to young people and teens. We need to encourage our youth to remain faithful to God. I speak on topics such as "The Three D's: Dating, Dancing, and Drugs," "Overcoming Discouragement", "Teaching Teens Outreach", "Leadership Training (Boys only)" "Remaining Pure in an Impure World" among others.

10. College Events - I was a Campus Minister for over 6 years. I know that this area of work is being neglected in many areas of the country. Some churches have a major university in their back yard and either are unwilling or unknowing to start the work. There is a misunderstanding about Campus work. Some think it is all play. I am here to tell you that it is very hard work and needs the total support of the leadership of the congregation. But with a successful organized work you can reach hundreds if not thousands. I love to speak to college students many who are coming to your Bible Studies not because they have to but because they want to. They are searching for the truth.

If you would like me to come to your congregation then please contact me at smellchristlike@gmail.com. God's continued blessings as you minister to those around with the message.

RUN THE SPIRITUAL MARATHON WITH GOD

Can you imagine running a marathon, coming in first place and then being told that you were disqualified because you broke the rules? Of course I have trouble imagine running to the mailbox nonetheless running a marathon. But before I get off topic, this actually happened recently. Scott Downard ran in the Cowtown Marathon in Fort Worth, TX and won the event (at first) until it was revealed that he never really entered the event. He put on the number for his friend Jerry Faulkner who was unable to compete that day. Now I will say that Downard never tried to deny the truth and was stripped of his first place trophy.

Another example of an athlete not competing by the rules happened in England. Rob Sloan started the race and then dropped out part way through it. He then boarded a bus that took him further up the course. Finally he jumped from the bus and reinserted himself back into the race and was crowned third. Again the rule breaker was found out and stripped of his third place finish.

The final example is most likely the most famous of all. Rosie Ruiz crossed the finish line in the 1980 Boston Marathon in what appeared to be a first place finish and a world record. But the truth quickly came out that she actually only joined the race in the last mile or so. She of course was also stripped of her crown.

The obvious similarity is the not competing by the rules. We have so many people in the world that are not competing by God's rules. There are some that truly believe that their actions are valid and pleasing before God. But at judgement day they will be shown for what they really are; rule breakers. Paul wrote to Timothy, "An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules" (2 Timothy 2:5, ESV). A spiritual athlete is not crowned unless he/she competes according to the rules of God. We can look around us and see so many groups that call themselves Christian who are not competing according to the rules that God set forth.

One major example of this is what the denominational world preaches about salvation. There is a pattern or rules in the Bible that one must follow in order to get to heaven. This is not earning your salvation but competing in the race the way that God wants. We find one passage that shares the pattern of sound words, Mark 16:15-16. Mark writes, "And He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.'" The gospel is the good news that Jesus came to this earth and died, was buried and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). We must share the gospel ("Go...preach") with those in the world so that they may also complete the race victorious. Then those that have heard the gospel must believe that it is true (He who believes...). Next, obey the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ through baptism (Romans 6:2-5) ("and is baptized will be saved").

Now, you are in the race and must run according to the rules in order to get the crown. Jesus said in Revelation 2:10, "Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." In other words, "run the race by the rules and you will be victorious." Finally, this race is an enduring one. Paul told the church at Corinth, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58). And then as Paul was nearing the end of his "race" told Timothy, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing" (2 Timothy 4:7-8 emp. jer).

What race are you running? The race that is set before us by God or the one that satan has lead so many into? Minister to the world with this message...