What Can The Church, God, Do For Me?

What He did for You?

I have heard this question, in various ways, by various people, over the years. "What can the Church do for me? Seriously. What can God do for me?" Sometimes, this question come from those that have money. Those that have a great Job. Those that seem to have figured out the "Game of Life."

Sometimes that question, or variation of, comes from someone hurting. Perhaps they heard that God Loves them. Perhaps they even heard that famous Passage...

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." {John 3:16}

However, they lack the understanding of what that actually means. They Prayed for God to help them out of their situation, but have not seen the results they wanted to receive. Or even worse yet, they lost a Loved One and they blame God for that.

Then sometimes that question comes from someone in the Church itself. Someone that feels entitled. "I am a Child of God. I need not go through Trials and Tribulations. I am far better than those Sinners over there. Why is God not Blessing me? Is this all just a waste of time?"

Let's look at this question a little more in depth. Is it actually the question you should be asking? As a Child of God, that may get asked this question, is it this question that you should be answering?

"I have money. I have a big House. I have a Great Job. I have a nice Family. What can the Church do for me? What can I possibly gain from going to Church?"

"The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."{Luke:12:16-21}

Do you not know?

"For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."{James 4:14}

You are not here long, but you will live on. So?

"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" {Mark 8:36}

What you have here and now, can be gone tomorrow. Look at Lot. A Rich Man, who had everything he could have ever wanted. He lost everything. Look at people of today. Millionaires today, jumping out of windows tomorrow. All that you have, is just stuff. It will pass away. Not to mention, that old faithful saying? You can't take it with ya. Remember what Jesus told us of the Rich man in Hell?

"But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented." {Luke 16:25}

Actually, let's look at this more closely..

Luke 16:

19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:

28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Jesus told us that we must make a choice. He said..

"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." {Matthew 6:24}

Paul wrote to Timothy, another famous saying..

"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." {1 Timothy 6:10}

What does this mean? Simply put, if Money is all you love, and all you strive to achieve, you will fall into all kinds of Sin. People will Lie, Cheat, Steal, and even Murder, to obtain, or keep, Money. Not to mention...

"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." {Luke 12:34}

Can that New Shinny Red Sports Car Save you? Can your Bank Account Save you? Can you hide from death in that big House? When the time comes, will your Banker, or any of your Rich friends, actually lay down their lives for you? The Answer is No. But one did. His name is Jesus.

You know the story. You most likely saw it as a child. Now catch it every now and then. That Famous Cartoon called Charlie Brown? Comes on just before Christmas..

"And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." {Luke 2:4-14}

Isn't that a sweet Story? Seriously. Just like John 3:16. That God loved us so He gave us the ultimate gift. We sing , or at least hear all the sweet songs. Silent Night. Oh little Town of Bethlehem. Jingle Bells, Santa is Coming to Town.. oh, wait. Well, you get the point. But what does it all mean?

It means this. He, God, The Alpha and Omega, the Creator of all that is, was, or ever will be, including you, Created US. We gave our Authority over to the Evil One. So He wiped out Creation save one Faithful man, and his Family. We continued to Sin in the Flesh. So He gave us the Law. We ignored it. So He sent us Prophets and Teachers. We mocked, ignored, and even killed some of them. We contniue to live for, in, and all about, the Flesh.

Having no other option left. God stood up. He laid down His Godhood. He set aside His Power and Authority, and came to Earth as a Little Helpless Child Himself. I have three kids. Those of you who are Parents, or anyone that has held a Child, knows that they are completely innocent, and completely helpless.

Jesus grew up with the same Growing Pains, Temptations, Trials, and Sin surrounding Him as we do. But out of His abundant knowledge of Reality and Truth, He was able to overcome all Sin. But here is the thing that makes what Jesus did for us so completely indescribable. Here is something that is not taught often. It may even be a Revelation to you. He came, lived as us, and allowed us, His creation, to abuse, torture, and kill Him. For OUR own sake. We did not kill Him, He laid down His life for us..

Matthew 26:

52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

He could have stopped it at anytime. He rebuked Peter who cut off Malchus's ear, when they came to take Jesus. Jesus then turned and healed Malchus, and then willingly walked to His abuse and death. He allow himself to be put to death. It would be like a bunch of Ants telling you they will kill you. All you would have to do at any time is step on them. Instead, you willing walk to where they want to kill you, you lay down, and allow them to kill you. Knowing the whole time, you could destroy all of them with little to no effort. That is the Love Jesus has for us. That God has for us.

He made it simple for all to receive this Gift. Just accept what Jesus did for you, and you will be Saved. It is that simple. It does not matter who you are. It does not matter how Rich, Poor, Black, White, Male, Female, Christian, Jew, Muslim, or anything else. All you have to do is accept God's Gift. It is NOT exclusive. It IS all INCLUSIVE. Accept the Key, walk through the door. There is no other way.

You cannot buy your way into happiness. You cannot buy your way into God's Grace. You cannot buy your way into Heaven. This is why Jesus tells us to..

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." {Matthew 6: 19-21}

The question is not, "What can do for me?" He already did it. The question is, "Will you accept what He already did? Will you accept Him?" Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray..

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A new Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. {2 Corinthians 13}