Ordination Sermon

COMMISSION

V.2 = “For the work whereunto I have called them.”

V.3 = “They sent them away.”

V.4 = “Being sent forth by the Holy Spirit...”

The Greek word translated “called” is proskaleomai” and it means to summon, to invite, and to call to oneself.

God has called you to Himself. He commissions you to be His servant. Not the servant of the church. Not the deacons. Not the rich financiers.

If you do not lose sight of this, you will be in good shape. Gov. John Sununu, who served as Chief of Staff of the first George Bush’s White House, was once asked by a reporter, “Your job is very difficult, isn’t it?” He answered, “No, it isn’t.” The reporter thought John Sununu had misunderstood him, so he asked the question again. John Sununu answered more emphatically, “No, it isn’t. I only have one constituent.” He means, “I only have to please one person, the president.” It is the same with us, we only have to please God.

Secondly, our ministry is people, not programs. Unless the programs are simply tools in our ministry to people.

Our ministry is to bring people to God. They need Him. He is the answer to their needs. There was a song that highlights this truth in a very profound way. “Everyday they pass me by/ I can see it in their eye/ Empty people filled with care/ Headed who knows where/ On they go through private pain/ Living fear to fear/ Laughter hides the silent cries/ Only Jesus hears.// We are called to take His light/ To a world where wrong seems right/ What could be too great a cost/ For sharing life with one who’s lost/ Through His love our hearts can feel/ All the grief they bear/ They must hear the words of life/ Only we can share.// People need the Lord/ People need the Lord/ At the end of broken dreams/ He’s the open door/ People need the Lord/ People need the Lord/ When will we realize/ That we must give our lives/ For people need the Lord/ People need the Lord// (“PEOPLE NEED THE LORD” Words & Music: Greg Nelson/Phil McHugh; Sang by Steve Green).

Because our ministry is people, the results are eternal. Daniel Webster succinctly puts it, "If we work on marble it will perish. If we work on brass, time will efface it. If we rear temples, they will crumble to dust. But if we work on men’s immortal minds, if we imbue them with high principles, with just fear of God and love of their fellow men, we engrave on those tablets something, which time cannot efface, and which will brighten and brighten to all eternity.”

Thirdly, our commission is to preach the Word. The Word of God is our message. We are entrusted with it. There is no substitute to the Word of God. Preach the word in season and out of season.

The Word of God has eternal values. Don’t hide it. Broadcast it to the world. Fritz Kreisler (1875-1962), the world-famous violinist, earned a fortune with his concerts and compositions, but he generously gave most of it away. So, when he discovered an exquisite violin on one of his trips, he wasn’t able to buy it. Later, having raised enough money to meet the asking price, he returned to the seller, hoping to purchase that beautiful instrument. But to his great dismay it had been sold to a collector. Kreisler made his way to the new owner’s home and offered to buy the violin. The collector said it had become his prized possession and he would not sell it. Keenly disappointed, Kreisler was about to leave when he had an idea. "Could I play the instrument once more before it is consigned to silence?" he asked. Permission was granted, and the great virtuoso filled the room with such heart-moving music that the collector’s emotions were deeply stirred. "I have no right to keep that to myself," he exclaimed. "It’s yours, Mr. Kreisler. Take it into the world, and let people hear it."