4.24.26 ~ Builder vs. Bystander, Part 5: Even Greater Things

I have had many father figures tell me, on frequent occasions, "I am proud of you." "That's impressive." "Nice work." "Great job." One of the worst things in the world is when a child does not hear their parent(s) or their spouse say, "I am impressed. I am impressed with you today." I do not know about you, but I am OK with hearing affirming words like this!

Noah built an ark against all cultural odds. Abraham built a family against some pretty significant odds (a barren wife). Moses built a nation against even greater odds. David built a kingdom. Nehemiah built a wall. Each person did what God said to do because God wanted them to do it.

Our God put Adam in the garden way back in the beginning. He did not actually say, "Pray more." He said, "Work." When God called Abraham, He did not actually hand him a door to walk through. He did not hand him a prayer book. He handed him a mission. He said, "Go build a family. Abraham could become a nation plus the world." And if you want to talk about builders, then we will talk about Yeshua the Builder. He did not just teach ideas or preach salvation messages; He also built something very real. He built a community. It was not just followers. They were people bound to each other, eating together, traveling together, and learning to function in the world together. He created something that was going to outlast His physical life. He trained people to live differently: how to handle money, how to treat enemies, how to resolve conflict, how to serve people without keeping score (that is a really difficult one)—practical stuff among all the other amazing things about what is coming in the future, groundbreaking ideas on life. He was a Builder who taught others to build, and there is proof in a parable called the Talents, right (Matt. 25:14–31)?

You remember the story: the Master gives each servant resources—money, actually—and leaves. When He comes back, He asks the very first question: "Now, how much did you pray while I was gone?" Well, not exactly. Actually, He said, "Where is the profit?" What did you do with what I gave you? What did you do with it? The bottom line is that it is about making disciples as our whole purpose on earth. It is one of your purposes on earth, but it is much more than making disciples. It is about being profitable—doing something with what you have been given, building, creating, multiplying, and overcoming barriers. Each one did something, but the one who did nothing with what he received gets condemned for doing nothing. This is interesting.

It says: "He also who had received the one talent came forward and said, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, gathering where you scattered no seed. So I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, have what is yours.' I built nothing. Have back what you gave me and go away."

I look at our God-given capabilities, our talents, and I see people who do not use them to make a difference—as if they bury them in the ground. And at the end, what are we handing back to God? "Here, God, You gave me this... You can have it back." This is the body He gave us, and we act like we are renting it. No way, José—you own it for your season of life. God built it for you, and He and Yeshua expect you to be working, building, taking what you have been given and making something of it.

At the end of Yeshua's ministry, He looks at these twelve guys and says, "Guess what, boys? Guess what you are going to do? Even greater things" (John 14:12).

I have always loved that passage: even greater things. Not "sit back and watch what is about to happen right here," but "get out there and do greater things, guys. I have given you the power to do it."

If He came back today, would He find you doing greater things—or would He find you saying, "Here you go, Master, here is what you gave me... enjoy"?

Happy Preparation Day!

Shalom,
Alan

Watch a Video: "The Inverted Bell Curve of the Christian Journey"

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