Mid-Term Exam

Dr. Marty Baker / March 26, 2006

                        Good morning and welcome to the Creek!  In your program this morning, you may have received one of these.  How many of you have ever seen this blue book?    Keep it handy.  We will talk about it in a little bit.

                        A few days ago, Patty mentioned to me that our oldest son had called from college and said that he was dropping Western Civilization from his schedule.  When I heard that, I cringed a little.  I donŐt believe in dropping classes. I sent him a quick e-mail that basically said, ŇDonŐt drop it. Sit toward the front of the class. Go talk to your teacher. Put in some extra time studying, etc.Ó  You know the drill. 

                        The next morning, he sent me a copy of his mid-term exam. The exam was in two parts.  The first one was a take home essay-type exam and the second part was an in-class fill-in-the-blank.

                        The essay question was intimidating.  It was one question that was a half page long.  You really needed an advanced degree to understand it.  I took one look at the question and I thought, ŇYou need to drop the class.Ó  But, I am a fighter and do not like to give up especially when I know that class cost me $1,000.00.  I dissected the question into thirteen separate questions and told him to answer each question and he would do fine on his mid-term.

                        When you are faced with a daunting challenge, itŐs best to break the challenge up into manageable sections.  Whether you are faced with mid-term exam at school or a difficult project at work.

                        When I was in college, it was not uncommon for the teacher to give us a date for the exam and then tell us to pick up a blue book.  Today, that's what we are going to do.  It's test time at The Creek.  Midterms are here.  Midterms are important because they have a way of preparing you for your final exam.

                        One day we will stand before God and give an account of our very own life.  I want to prepare you for that day.  Today is your mid-term.  Many of my college professors would write the questions on the board and we, as students, would write the question down and then answer it.

                        Take out your booklets.  Here's the first question:

Mid Term Exam Questions

1.            If God were to ask you, "Why should I let you into heaven?"  What would you say?

                        People in our culture have several different answers to this question. Take a moment and write down what you feel is the answer to this question: Why Should God let you into Heaven?

                        As I said, midterms are designed to help you on the final.  I am going to take it one step further and give you the answer.

                        Most Americans believe that if you live a decent life, try to help people, and do the best that you can do, you will go to Heaven.

                        Perhaps some would say that they had given their money to good causes, that they had gone to church or chapel regularly, and that they had been a good neighbor.

                        The truth of the matter is that being a good neighbor will not get you into heaven. All of these answers -- and many more like them -- reveal one very sad and important thing about those who believe that these things will see them through the gate's of heaven -- they believe that good works will save them from hell. But what does the Bible say?

Titus 3:5

He saved us, not because of the good things we did, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins and gave us a new life through the Holy Spirit.

                        Salvation can never be obtained by trying to live a good life or keeping the Ten Commandments. The only way to get to heaven is by following Jesus Christ. 

John 14:6

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Are you a Christ follower?

                        God's Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, left heaven and came into this world to save those would could never save themselves. He was crucified on a Cross in order to take the wrath of God in the place of sinners like you and me. He was crucified on a cross for our sins.

Isaiah 53:5

But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed!

                        Not only do you need someone who can take away the punishment of God for your sin, but you also need someone who can make you perfectly righteousness in the eyes of a holy and just God.  Jesus Christ is the answer to your dilemma. He will save you. 

Acts 4:12

There is salvation in no one else! There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them."

Call on Jesus. Call upon the Lord Jesus Christ right now where you are. Confess to Him that you are indeed a sinner that deserves to be punished. Ask Christ to have mercy on you and save you from your sin.  You can be confident that he will.

John 6:37

.... whoever comes to me I will never drive away.

You will become a member of his spiritual family. Well, today's the day.

2 Corinthians 6:2

For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you."  I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

                        Some of you have been waiting for this moment all of your life. Your life is about to change.  If you have never made a decision to follow Christ, I want you to pray this prayer with me.

Are you ready to pray? Pray this prayer with me.

"Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be. I pray this in your name. Amen.

Song:               I Surrender

                        Now we are in the middle of a mid-term exam.

Paul, in the New Testament section of the Bible said this:

2 Corinthians 13:5

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.

David, in the Old Testament prayed:

Psalm 26:2

Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind;

Jeremiah said these words.

Lamentations 3:40

Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD.

Here's the second question.

2.            If God were to ask:  "What did you do with what I gave you?"  How would you respond?

                        I believe that God will ask us two questions when we stand before Him.  The first one is, "Why should I let you in?" The answer is "Because I have trusted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and I have made a decision to follow Him."

                        The second question is a question of stewardship:  "What did you do with what I gave you?"

                        Whether you realize it or not, God has given you so much.

 One day you're going to stand before God and He's going to say to you, "What did you do with Jesus Christ?" and then, "What did you do with what I gave you?Ó

                        What will you say?   Take a moment and write down your answer.

                        HereŐs what you should not say: "Well, God, I was a little busy. I never got around to serving You." God's going to say, "What were you thinking? Do you think I put you on earth to live for yourself? I put you here to serve Me by serving others."

Hebrews 6:10

For God is not unfair. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other Christians, as you still do.

                        This question is a question of stewardship.  Through the years, many of us have heard stewardship discussed using the alliteration of time, talents and treasure.

Stewardship Explained

Ÿ            Time

                        LetŐs talk about time.  Every one of us has been given twenty-four hours in a day and seven days in every week.  I believe that God will ask us, ŇWhat did we do with what He gave us?Ó  Did we use our time wisely?  Did we serve others?

                        There are scores of people here at Stevens Creek who volunteer their time every week so that GodŐs message can be communicated and GodŐs love demonstrated.   Take a look at this video. 

Video:  Volunteers at the Creek

                        This video represents only a sampling of what so many of you do.  I want to say thank you for all you do.  ItŐs making a difference.  One of the newest ministries at the Creek is our video team.  Did you know that over 1600 people watched our services on the web last month?  People as far away as Japan (Hello Trent and Michelle Smith) and Germany (Hello Scott and Linda MacDonald).

                        Some of you volunteer in ministries that are not front-and-center but they are making a world of difference.  I think about the nursing home team that demonstrates the love of Christ in practical ways. I think about the landscaping team.  You may think that no one knows what you do on a regular basis, but God knows.

                        WeŐve been given so much; itŐs time that we give back.

Ÿ            Talents

                        God gave you gifts, talents, abilities, and experiences because he wants you to serve others. Your talents are not for your benefit. Your purpose in life is to be what God made you to be. You are called to serve Christ and His Church.

Serving means three things:

1.                  Being available

If you want to be used by God, if you want to serve God, you must be willing.  You must be willing to be interrupted.

2.                  Being grateful

Jesus was very appreciative of the opportunity that he was given to serve. We should be grateful for the same opportunity. We are born to be blessed and born to be a blessing to others.

3.                  Being faithful

                        Being faithful means you don't give up. You keep on going. You don't quit in the middle of your assignment.

                        We have a lot of faithful people serving and volunteering here at the Creek.  They are having the time of their lives. Using your talents can be fun.  Take a look at this.

Dance:

What did you do with what I gave you?  Time, Talents, Treasure.

Ÿ             Treasure

                        Our treasure focuses on our financial resources.

Deuteronomy 8:18

Instead, remember that the LORD your God gives you the strength to make a living. That's how he keeps the promise he made to your ancestors.

                        God places financial resources in our hands and then asks us to return a portion of it to serve His purposes. 

1 Corinthians 16:2

On every Lord's Day, each of you should put aside some amount of money in relation to what you have earned and save it for this offering.

                        The Bible teaches about the percentage-giving plan.  We are to bring the first ten percent of our earnings and give it to the LordŐs work. God uses money to test our faithfulness to Him.

Deuteronomy 14:23

....  The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to fear the LORD your God.

                        Tithing is GodŐs simple way to determine if you trust Him.

                        Tithing is a test of your trust.  Do you trust God with your finances?  God said, ŇBring the tithe.Ó

Malachi 3:10

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do," says the LORD Almighty, "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you!

                        When you fail to bring the tithe, then you are living in disobedience to God.  When you disobey God, your actions become a barrier that hinders the blessing of God in your life.   If you have never tithed, I challenge you to trust Christ with your life and your finances.

I never met anybody who said, "Dear Heavenly Father, I really don't want you to be involved in my finances."

                        If you consider yourself to be a Christ follower and are not faithful in bringing the tithe, then you have a serious heart problem.  You need a check-up.  You need to examine your heart and repent of your sin.

                        We serve a generous God who has given us everything that we need for life and godliness. We need to be like Him. Generosity is an invitation for God to be involved in our personal finances. Trust him in this.

                        In a few weeks, we are going to break ground on a new facility. I am asking everyone one of you to step up to the challenge.   I am asking everyone one of you to join together and bring your tithe and a Ground Breaking offering. 

                        In addition I am asking every one of you to pray about making a monthly pledge that will be designated toward our One Life Building Campaign.  You will be joining with others who have already made a faith commitment to the LordŐs work here at Stevens Creek.

                        You need to know that it is not just about building a new building; it's about leveraging what God has given us together. It's about yielding our lives to God. It's about reaching people for Christ. It's about joining together in unity. It's about God doing a new work in our midst. We can do so much more together than we can do alone. Will you join with us and influence this community for the cause of Christ. The future of our families, our neighbors and our coworkers are at stake.   LetŐs believe God for a miracle in our midst.

                        Now itŐs time to bring the tithe.  Let the ushers come forward and let the congregation worship.

 

Offering Prayer  / Worship Song