Church history records what we now know as the reformation, which led to the concept of the priesthood of the believer. For many years, denominal religion taught that a priest had to be an intermediary between the individual and God. With the reformation came a return to a reliance on biblical authority for the basis of theology and doctrine. The Bible tells us that Jesus is the great high priest. When Jesus died, the veil in the tabernacle was torn from top to bottom, symbolizing the removal of the barrier between the individual and the presence of the Lord. There is an additional implication of this access, and that is that there is a degree of sanctification available to us that was not available before Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. When we receive the Holy Spirit, we are sanctified, and that setting apart becomes part of us in all aspects of our life, not just when we are in church.

In the old testament, the furniture and utensils of the tabernacle were the sanctified things used in service to God, but the new testament makes us set apart and used for a specific benefit to God. Our text lists men to whom He gave skills and abilities to use in the service to the tabernacle. Similarly, God entrusts skills and abilities to us to use in the service to the kingdom of God. Using these talents is a form of stewardship to further the kingdom of God.

This applies to all aspects of our lives. Our life is our ministry, and the Bible is clear that the work we do, even that done outside the church, is part of our ministry and a reflection of God.

Our talents and abilities are from God, and the idea of being good stewards of what God has given us extends to everything we do.

Church history records what we now know as the reformation, which led to the concept of the priesthood of the believer. For many years, denominal religion taught that a priest had to be an intermediary between the individual and God. With the reformation came a return to a reliance on biblical authority for the basis of theology and doctrine. The Bible tells us that Jesus is the great high priest. When Jesus died, the veil in the tabernacle was torn from top to bottom, symbolizing the removal of the barrier between the individual and the presence of the Lord. There is an additional implication of this access, and that is that there is a degree of sanctification available to us that was not available before Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. When we receive the Holy Spirit, we are sanctified, and that setting apart becomes part of us in all aspects of our life, not just when we are in church.

In the old testament, the furniture and utensils of the tabernacle were the sanctified things used in service to God, but the new testament makes us set apart and used for a specific benefit to God. Our text lists men to whom He gave skills and abilities to use in the service to the tabernacle. Similarly, God entrusts skills and abilities to us to use in the service to the kingdom of God. Using these talents is a form of stewardship to further the kingdom of God.

This applies to all aspects of our lives. Our life is our ministry, and the Bible is clear that the work we do, even that done outside the church, is part of our ministry and a reflection of God.

Our talents and abilities are from God, and the idea of being good stewards of what God has given us extends to everything we do.

Church history records what we now know as the reformation, which led to the concept of the priesthood of the believer. For many years, denominal religion taught that a priest had to be an intermediary between the individual and God. With the reformation came a return to a reliance on biblical authority for the basis of theology and doctrine. The Bible tells us that Jesus is the great high priest. When Jesus died, the veil in the tabernacle was torn from top to bottom, symbolizing the removal of the barrier between the individual and the presence of the Lord. There is an additional implication of this access, and that is that there is a degree of sanctification available to us that was not available before Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. When we receive the Holy Spirit, we are sanctified, and that setting apart becomes part of us in all aspects of our life, not just when we are in church.

In the old testament, the furniture and utensils of the tabernacle were the sanctified things used in service to God, but the new testament makes us set apart and used for a specific benefit to God. Our text lists men to whom He gave skills and abilities to use in the service to the tabernacle. Similarly, God entrusts skills and abilities to us to use in the service to the kingdom of God. Using these talents is a form of stewardship to further the kingdom of God.

This applies to all aspects of our lives. Our life is our ministry, and the Bible is clear that the work we do, even that done outside the church, is part of our ministry and a reflection of God.

Our talents and abilities are from God, and the idea of being good stewards of what God has given us extends to everything we do.

When reading scripture, it is essential to understand the context. In our text today, Jesus had been invited to a feast provided by a religious leader of the day. The pharisee were the keepers of the law and the enforcers of the rules related to those laws. All eyes were on Jesus that day to see how He would respond or react to the situation. Jesus tells the story of a man who planned an elaborate feast and sent out invitations to attend. On the banquet day, various people offered excuses for why they could not attend. The host sends his servants out to pull in the poor and maimed. He then states that no one who was invited but declined would ever be asked again. This is a startling statement. What do we miss because of the excuses we make? We hide behind reasons that can hurt us significantly and cause us to miss so much. Most of our excuses are founded on someone or something else, but the reality is that they are self-limiting. Excuses become the ruts in which the mind becomes stuck. These ruts keep us from enjoying the banquet that God has prepared for us. Excuses can become a crutch that we use to limp through life. Excuses can cause us to miss an opportunity that, once gone, will be too late.

When reading scripture, it is essential to understand the context. In our text today, Jesus had been invited to a feast provided by a religious leader of the day. The pharisee were the keepers of the law and the enforcers of the rules related to those laws. All eyes were on Jesus that day to see how He would respond or react to the situation. Jesus tells the story of a man who planned an elaborate feast and sent out invitations to attend. On the banquet day, various people offered excuses for why they could not attend. The host sends his servants out to pull in the poor and maimed. He then states that no one who was invited but declined would ever be asked again. This is a startling statement. What do we miss because of the excuses we make? We hide behind reasons that can hurt us significantly and cause us to miss so much. Most of our excuses are founded on someone or something else, but the reality is that they are self-limiting. Excuses become the ruts in which the mind becomes stuck. These ruts keep us from enjoying the banquet that God has prepared for us. Excuses can become a crutch that we use to limp through life. Excuses can cause us to miss an opportunity that, once gone, will be too late.

When reading scripture, it is essential to understand the context. In our text today, Jesus had been invited to a feast provided by a religious leader of the day. The pharisee were the keepers of the law and the enforcers of the rules related to those laws. All eyes were on Jesus that day to see how He would respond or react to the situation. Jesus tells the story of a man who planned an elaborate feast and sent out invitations to attend. On the banquet day, various people offered excuses for why they could not attend. The host sends his servants out to pull in the poor and maimed. He then states that no one who was invited but declined would ever be asked again. This is a startling statement. What do we miss because of the excuses we make? We hide behind reasons that can hurt us significantly and cause us to miss so much. Most of our excuses are founded on someone or something else, but the reality is that they are self-limiting. Excuses become the ruts in which the mind becomes stuck. These ruts keep us from enjoying the banquet that God has prepared for us. Excuses can become a crutch that we use to limp through life. Excuses can cause us to miss an opportunity that, once gone, will be too late.

Our text today is about the four men who are determined to get their friend into the presence of God. The man was lame and unable to move about on his own. The Bible says Jesus looked up and saw their faith. Their collective faith created an atmosphere for the miraculous. Jesus responds to this collective faith: "Be of Good Cheer.” The faith of these friends combined with the miraculous presence of Jesus is an unbeatable combination.

Our text today is about the four men who are determined to get their friend into the presence of God. The man was lame and unable to move about on his own. The Bible says Jesus looked up and saw their faith. Their collective faith created an atmosphere for the miraculous. Jesus responds to this collective faith: "Be of Good Cheer.” The faith of these friends combined with the miraculous presence of Jesus is an unbeatable combination.

Our text today is about the four men who are determined to get their friend into the presence of God. The man was lame and unable to move about on his own. The Bible says Jesus looked up and saw their faith. Their collective faith created an atmosphere for the miraculous. Jesus responds to this collective faith: "Be of Good Cheer.” The faith of these friends combined with the miraculous presence of Jesus is an unbeatable combination.

What if? These two words can change someone's life. What if this dream could change things from how they are to how they could be? What if can be scary. What if it doesn’t work? What if I fail? God knows our what ifs and wants to move us to action. One little if can change the destiny of our life. What if we start praying? What if we share our testimony? What if we volunteer to teach a bible study? What if we decide to be the most joy-filled person on our job? We must guard against the negative what if and focus on what God has in store for us.