It's Time to Dig Ditches!

                                             All Saint's Sunday!              

Introduction:

A.   Today, we remember the saints who have gone on before us!

 

B.   Many of these people who we hold dearly and who may have been very influential in passing the gospel on to us, if asked, would probably have said their ministry was not very significant!

 

C.   As we shall see today, God uses insignificant people doing seemingly insignificant things to make a  significant difference in the world.

 

                            Prayer

                         II Kings 3:16

 

"and he said, 'This is what the LORD says: Make this valley full of ditches.'" NIV

 

I.   A Little Background.

A.   Israel was in a bad situation:

1.   They had had several mean and unGodly kings.

2.   As a nation, they were living far away from God.

3.   Mesha, the king of Moab, was out to get them!

 

B.   So the three kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom teamed up  together to go against Moab.

 

C.   They came together and decided to call Elisha to see what they should do.

1.   He told them that the Lord said to dig some ditches; so they did!

2.   This must have seemed pretty insignificant to them and a little unnecessary!  They were asking for instructions on how to win a war, and Elisha said "the Lord said to dig some ditches!"

3.   In the morning, after their offering, the ditches were mysteriously filled with water, supplying the necessary water for people and cattle!

4.   Besides this, when the Moabites looked down from their advantage point, the sun made it look red, and they thought it was blood!

5.   They assumed the three kings had fought each other, having a very bloody battle in the night!

6.   The Moabites rushed down the hill to collect the spoils, and being caught completely off guard by the very much alive Israelites, they were defeated!

 

II.  How does this apply to today?

A.   Sometimes, we think God is foolish in telling us to do some of the things God tells us to do!  We think:

1.   I can't do that!

2.   Surely with my education, God doesn't want me to do that!

3.   That isn't really important!

4.   Or even, somebody else can do it better!

 

B.   But God knows; God doesn't ask us to do things without a purpose!

 

C.   So we need to find God's purpose for us and dig in and  "dig some ditches!"

 

III. How can we find God's purpose for us?

A.   We need to get ready!

1.   Do what we can to get ready to be used of God!

2.   Study the Bible.

3.   Make good use of good Bible Study helps: commentaries, Bible dictionaries, Concordances, etc.

 

A word of caution here:  Commentaries are written by

People. People have biases.  If the commentary is

written by someone from a certain tradition, it will

have that bias.  Maybe use different commentaries

and make sure they all don’t have the same bias.

Sometimes it helps to use commentaries that are

written by a team of scholars instead of just one.

Being a United Methodist, try to pick at least some

commentaries that are written from a mainline

denominational tradition instead of fundamentalist!

 

B.   We need to be patient and listen to God; God will show us  the plan in God's time!

1.   We need to patiently consider why we think God wants  us to do whatever it is we feel God leading us to do.  This involves considering:

a.   how our doing this or not doing it will affect God's Kingdom overall.  Will it affect the  Kingdom of God positively?

b.   how our doing this or not doing it will affect other people in our lives.  Positively?

c.   how our doing this or not doing it will affect ourselves.  Positively?

d.   will our doing this show God's love?

2.   Our listening to God involves 2-way prayer:

a.   our speaking and pouring our heart out to God.

b.   and our listening for God's guidance in our lives!

c.   We tend to leave the latter out!

 

C.   If we do find God's purpose and dig in, what will happen?

1.   As a church, we will see people coming to God through Jesus Christ!

2.   We will see our young people grow up and assume spiritual leadership roles!

3.   God will see us through!

4.   Sometimes, God takes the little things and makes something great happen!!

 

Conclusion:

A.   Little things, everyday things are what make a difference!

1.   Assuming the task that God has for us, no matter how  small and insignificant it may seem at the time,and  doing our very best at it!

2.   Living for God faithfully every day!

3.   Being an instrument of God’s Love every day!

 

B.   IT'S TIME TO DIG SOME DITCHES!  LET'S DIG IN AND BE USED  OF GOD!

 

C.   Today, we are celebrating All Saint’s Sunday.  As you

entered today, you were asked to write a Saint’s name down

that has passed on and who has had an influence on you and

take a candle.

1.   Some of those people, if asked, would have probably

said their lives were pretty insignificant, but yet,

they influenced you!

          2.   We are going to remember them as Geraldo passes the

flame and the candle you have taken is lit in their

remembrance. I will then lead us in a prayer of

remembrance.

 

(Geraldo pass the flame while music is softly

 played.)

 

         

                        Prayer of Thanks for Saint’s

 

              We bless your holy name, O God,

                   For all your servants who, having finished their

course, now rest from their labors.

              We thank you for their influence on our lives!

              Give us grace to follow the example

                   Of their steadfastness and faithfulness,

                   to your honor and glory;

              through Christ Jesus our Lord.  Amen

                                  (Modified from BOW #415)

 

D.   As we encounter Christ at the table today, let’s ask God

to help us assume the task God/Christ has for us and do

it to the best of our ability!

 

Celebration of Communion