The Fathers’ Business

 

Even early in the life of Jesus our Saviour we see him fully committed to the Fathers Business.

“Did you not know I must be about my Fathers business”

 

The zeal for the things of God the Father, his singular focus on his mission, is seen throughout the gospel.

He heals the sick, 

He feeds the hungry, 

He chastised money changers and finally he went to the cross. 

He died on the cross – Philippians, 2:8 – And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross

 

All this he did because he was about his Fathers business

And what was his Fathers business?

To save us:

John 3:17 reminds us, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

 

But Jesus before his departure says to us:

“As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you” John 20:21

We are saved and sent 

And what is our assignment

 

Matthew 28:18-20

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

 

The above is the answer to the decline of Christianity in our country 

We must be careful not to major in the minors

 

What happens when we do not go about the Fathers business?

Four things

The local church starts to fade

The church fades because Jesus is not present – read carefully the Great Commission – it says, and surely I am with you always – but Christ is only with us when we go.

 

The church becomes dysfunctional through in-fighting

——-

When those who are called to fish don’t fish, they fight.
When energy intended to be used outside is used inside, the result is explosive.
Instead of casting nets, we cast stones.
Instead of extending helping hands, we point accusing fingers.
Instead of being fishers of the lost, we become critics of the saved.
Rather than helping the hurting, we hurt the helpers.

When those who are called to fish don’t fish, they fight.
But note the other side of the fish tale: When those who are called to fish, fish—they flourish!
– Max Lucado

THIS IS WHY THE EPISTLES HAVE ALWAYS TALKED ABOUT UNITY

I1 Corinthians 1:10: Paul appeals to the church to end divisions and be “perfectly united in mind and thought”. [1]

Philippians 2:2: Paul asks the church to make his joy complete by “being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind”.

Ephesians 4:3: Paul urges believers to make every effort to “keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” 

It is impossible to be about our Fathers business as a church without unity. And unity does not exist in a church distracted from its assignment. 

We are unable to reach those whom God has brought our way

Those far from God, the atheist, the muslim, agnostic, the confused, the skeptic, etc

We must remember what we all have in common

• All made in God’s image
• All loved by God
• Christ died for all

 

And Finally, the fourth thing is this

 

May it be said of each and everyone of us on that day, well done good and faithful servant, enter into the rest of your master.

 

LET US PRAY

 

Online Giving (and thank you 🙂

CASH OFFERINGS – Please use the tall giving boxes at the front and back of the worship hall after the service.

GIVING DIRECTLY TO BANK

Custom House Baptist Church
Bank: Barclays
Sort Code: 20-67-88
Account No: 40926876

 

EGH Bank Details

Account Name: Custom House Baptist Church

Sort Code: 20-67-88

Account Number: 83021106

Bank: Barclays

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