PREACHER: We always like to say that we are having a potluck and there we will have ‘sweet fellowship’ but if “Fellowship” is the reason that God created Man, then Fellowship cannot simply be the same as socializing… (17 minutes into the sermon) And so you can see that God created Man for Fellowship with Him, and that fellowship is relationship with Purpose. It is not simply socializing with God, it is accomplishing God’s purpose. Let’s close in prayer, and then a few announcements…
MAN MAKING ANNOUNCEMENTS: Now don’t forget, everyone, today is our monthly potluck right after we dismiss, so be sure and join us for sweet fellowship…
Do you ever wonder sometimes why you bother? Does it really make any difference? Is God working through your efforts, or are you just making noise? Is there any point to any of this?
One time a young pastor told me that he had preached and preached to his people, trying to show them a better way, and yet nobody seemed to hear a single word he was saying. “Is anything I do ever going to make a difference”? he asked…
I can recall so many times that I taught classes of people. They seemed attentive enough, and yet I had the impression that I was talking to myself most of the time. I often ask myself if blogging is pointless. Does anybody read this stuff anyway? If they do, does it ever really matter what I say? Should I just shut it down and start-up something secular where I can just rant and ramble about whatever the latest trend is, or the news or sports?
What’s the point? Oh, by the way, I was the preacher at the top. When that guy made that announcement right after that sermon, using the exact words that I had used in the example, it was all I could do not to burst out laughing… are you kidding me? Were you here, were you listening, are you stupid!?
A fellow blogger mentioned one time in a private message that if they were changing lives in their blog, but they never heard about what their efforts had done, they’d get discouraged and quit. Ever think like that? Have you ever thought that just planting seeds for Christ isn’t good enough if you never get to witness the harvest? I’ve heard people say things like that Strangely, I haven’t thought that one myself; not sure why.
You may be wondering where this is going… if anywhere at all. These are all human thoughts, fairly common ones, in fact. When I have them, I usually start to re-thinking my methods. Do I know my audience, am I communicating effectively, how can I better reach this person… stuff like that.
Here’s one last story…
There was a guy who sat through classes I taught for a couple of years. He hardly ever said anything beyond “hello” and seemed not to be moved or impressed by anything that ever went on. It kind of bothered me because I was as sure as I’ve ever been that I just hadn’t reached him… what was I doing wrong?
All of a sudden, he stepped up to the plate and started playing a major leadership role in a ministry team. Nobody asked him, nobody said a word, but he saw a need and filled it. He did great work for the Lord! I approached him and thanked him for everything that he was doing, and told him how impressed I was that he had just stepped up and done so much. The guy seemed taken aback: “What are you talking about? I’m just doing what you taught in class, I should be thanking you; it changed my life.”
Now who was surprised?
Hang in there, gang, you never know what God may do with the effort you put in to ministry. Every once in a while, somebody might just tell you, but more likely they won’t, and maybe God has a reason for this, too. Keep doing your best in His service, not because you get acclaim and praise, but because you love God and you love your brother, and remember that there is only one praise that you really need to hear, and that is when the Lord Jesus says, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Life Project Blog 
We may never know this side of Heaven who we affect and maybe that’s for the best. I pray for encouragement from someone or something to continue and sometimes the simplest gesture can be exactly what I needed.
You are exactly right, REV! We don’t always know how things will work out, we can’t always see fruit, but when we do, it is wonderful! When we don’t, we still plg ahead, because we know that is what He would have us to do. Keep up the great work Rev!
As soon as I do, I rebuke it. I believe that God keeps these things to Himself to keep us from being prideful.
That’s always been my thought, but then I’ll only speak for myself!
We will all know in the sweet by and by.
Sometimes I wonder how many people I’ve put off.
(And if Fellowship isn’t socialising, what is it? I hate unanswered questions.)
It’s in the post: relationship with purpose 🙂
: )
You bring up a great point about the pot luck . . . lol, oh and blogging too! My husband and I trained for the ministry. The last 13 yrs has been a bit discouraging as my health declined. No one wants to be THAT graduate who had so much potential and failed to serve God on the mission field. So i flipped my thinking cap inside out before putting back on my head. Perphaps, some inside out thinking was required. As my blog has grown, my health has declined even more. i am now in bed most days waiting for meds to work and yet more answers for medical mysteries. in the mean time, God has given me the chance to minister to others while in bed. i have not been able to attend church since late May, but God continues to bring ppl and situations into my life. I never expected my little blog about my health would open doors to minister grace. Don, keep writing as ppl like myself need the Word and need encouragement too. I don’t get to see other believers face to face, but this is one way i stay “connected” with The Body of Christ.
I goes without saying that you’ll be in my prayers, and no doubt the prayers of many others! I was struck in reading this just now that your situation is possibly comparable to that of Paul, who while in chains, his literal, he wrote things that have a profound effect on us to this day, and who asked for prayers not that he be released, but that he would preach the gospel effectively where he was. What a testimony you have, to the glory of God! I’ll be praying for your full recovery of course, and also for you to have the strength to share in the mean time. Blessings to you and your family!
Thank you for prayers. I truly appreciate it. I have come to a place of acceptance, realizing that my health is severly impacted. I am also happy to remain thus, if this is God’s will, as I have had the chance to impact others for Christ more since May than i did in the last 3 to 4 years. We truly never know the impact until we stand before the throne.
Amen; thanks for all you do!
“stuff like that.” I love stuff like this!
It’s good stuff!
So true, so true. God isn’t interested in statistics, “likes”, or star-ratings. We do what we do since we feel Him asking it of us in our hearts.
Great point; we serve because we love God and love our brother
Reblogged this on Ascend In Him.
Good Post. Really True. May God use you mightily. Loved this post 🙂
Thank you Sharmila, I appreciate that!