A Wise Investment
🗣️ Speaker: Pastor Derrel Strickland
Pastor Strickland gave a profound sermon on the value of making wise investments in the kingdom of God. He highlighted that true investments go beyond material wealth, focusing instead on how we use our talents, time, and treasures to serve God and others. Drawing from Matthew 6 and parables in both Matthew and Luke, he reminded us that real treasures are laid up in heaven, not on Earth. The biggest takeaways were the importance of giving to missions and youth ministries as these are investments that have eternal rewards. He encouraged us to prioritize God's kingdom in our lives, promising that these heavenly investments are guaranteed and never fail. Pastor Strickland concluded with a powerful message about God's faithfulness in rewarding those who invest in His kingdom.
Additional Info
The info below was generated by an AI from the audio recording of the sermon.
Introduction to Wise Investments in the Kingdom
In today's world, the concept of investing often revolves around financial markets and material possessions. However, there exists a different perspective on investment, one that centers around spiritual growth and contributing to the greater good. Investing in the kingdom—through missions and nurturing youth and children—is one of the most impactful choices one can make. This notion of wise investment transcends financial gains and taps into eternal significance.
Understanding Bad Investments
We've all made decisions that did not pan out as we hoped. Whether in stocks or personal endeavors, bad investments can lead to regret. A common refrain among those who venture into investing is the acknowledgment of losses. For many, the reluctance to engage in the stock market stems from the fear of losing hard-earned money. Instead of tangible assets, consider investing in something that cannot fail—our spiritual legacy and contributions to the kingdom..
Matthew 6:19-21: Treasures in Heaven
The Bible encourages the faithful to focus on heavenly treasures rather than earthly ones. In Matthew 6:19-21, it is stated that earthly treasures are susceptible to decay and theft, whereas treasures stored in heaven are eternal. By prioritizing the things that matter to God, believers invest in a future that brings lasting rewards. Jesus emphasizes that where our treasures lie, so too does our heart.
The Importance of Giving
When we give, it is essential to do so sincerely and quietly, without seeking recognition. As stated in Matthew 6:2, our acts of kindness should reflect a genuine desire to help others, not a quest for praise. The promises made in scripture assure that such giving will be rewarded by God, who sees all acts of generosity. It’s not about how much we give, but the spirit in which we give it.
Church's Commitment to Missions
At Oxford Assembly, the commitment to missions exemplifies an unwavering dedication to investing in the broader community. The church allocates a significant percentage of its income to mission work, showcasing the belief that investing in God’s kingdom should be a priority. This practice not only enriches the lives of others but also cultivates blessings for the church itself.
Investing in Youth and Children
The generation of tomorrow deserves every opportunity for growth and faith development. By investing in children's ministry, the church ensures that young hearts are nurtured with love and truth. Initiatives like community outreach programs and bus ministries invite kids to experience the love of Christ, fostering future disciples and leaders. It’s an investment in lives, communities, and ultimately, God’s kingdom.
Biblical Parables: Lessons in Investment
Two critical parables highlight the importance of smart investing. In Luke 19, Jesus shares a story of a nobleman who entrusted his servants with mina—money to engage in business until his return. Similarly, in Matthew 25, the parable of the talents speaks of a man who gave his servants different amounts of wealth based on their abilities, urging them to invest wisely. Both parables emphasize that God expects a return on the investments He provides, whether that investment is time, treasure, or talent.
Malachi: Prioritizing God's Work
The biblical books of Malachi and Haggai reinforce the principle of prioritizing spiritual endeavors over earthly concerns. They address the complacency that can set in when external circumstances are challenging. The message is clear: true fulfillment comes from engaging in God’s work regardless of situational difficulties. As believers, it’s vital to act in faith and choose to build God's kingdom now.
Conclusion: The Ultimate Investment
When reflecting on investments, one must consider their eternal value. The investment in God’s kingdom surpasses any earthly gain and creates a legacy that endures beyond one’s lifetime. Accepting Jesus into one’s life is the most significant investment one can make. As Jesus sought the lost, so are we called to reach out to others, reminding ourselves that our actions today shape the future of countless lives.
Encouraging Further Action
Moving forward, consider how time, talents, and resources can be utilized in service to others and the church. Engage in ministry, support missions, or foster the next generation. Investing in the kingdom is not just a charitable act; it’s a transformative experience that enhances both the giver and the receiver's souls. Let’s fully engage in this noble cause, laying up treasures in heaven where they will never fade.
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Use the questions listed below as a launching point to discuss the sermon points together as a family. These are great for dinner table discussions and small groups.
Reflect on Priorities: What does "laying up treasures in heaven" mean to you? How do you currently prioritize your time and resources based on this principle?
Talents and Time: Can you identify specific ways you have used your talents and time for God’s work? Share stories of how these investments have impacted others or yourself.
Mission and Ministries: Why do you think Pastor Strickland emphasized giving to missions and youth ministries? How can our group contribute to these areas?
Cost of Discipleship: Discuss a time when committing something to God's work felt like a risk. How did God show His faithfulness through that situation?
Clocking Your Heart: Based on the verse, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also," what does your investment say about your heart?
Investing for Impact: Share ways you can invest in the congregation or larger community this coming month. What action steps can you take individually or as a group?
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In Pastor Strickland's sermon, he mentioned verses from Matthew 6, Malachi, Luke, and more. Understanding the historical context provides greater insight into these texts:
1. Matthew 6: This chapter is part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, a major teaching moment where He outlines God's expectations for righteous living. Set in 1st-century Judea, this message was countercultural, emphasizing spiritual wealth over material wealth during a time of Roman occupation where economic disparity was prevalent.
2. Malachi: The book of Malachi was written during a time when the Israelites were returning from Babylonian exile, around 430 B.C. The Israelites were struggling to restore their relationship with God and relearn the statutes of the law. Malachi challenges them to realign their priorities and return to faithful worship and tithing.
3. Luke 19 (Zacchaeus story): Set in the region Jericho during Roman rule, this story about Zacchaeus exemplifies Jesus' mission to save the lost—calling even the tax collectors, who were despised in society, as symbols of new life and transformation.
4. Haggai: Written around 520 B.C., Haggai aimed to motivate the Jews to resume the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. Their priorities had shifted to personal comfort due to a period of drought and hardship, indicating a time when focusing on God's house was crucial for the restoration of national identity and faith.
These texts reflect times of economic struggle, social upheaval, and spiritual revival, underscoring the timeless message of pursuing God’s kingdom above all.
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The Greatest Treasure Hunt
Once upon a time, there was a group of friends who loved treasure hunts. One sunny morning, they heard from Pastor Strickland that there was a very special kind of treasure—not the kind made of gold or jewels, but one that was stored in heaven!
Curious, the friends asked Pastor Strickland how they could find this treasure. He said, 'Simple! Just be kind, help others, and do good deeds every day. When you help someone or share what you have, you’re collecting treasures up in heaven where they never go away! Isn’t that exciting?'
So, the friends decided to go on this new treasure hunt. Every time they helped at home, shared toys, or said a kind word, they knew they were finding heavenly treasures. They couldn’t see them, but they felt so happy inside, knowing they were making God smile.
And that’s the story of how they went on the greatest treasure hunt ever!
The end.
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I looked ahead and saw that we were going to be having a missionary and a baby dedication on the same morning. And I just felt prompted to think about the idea that this is the best way in the world to invest.
I said, to invest in the kingdom. What better way to invest in the kingdom than through missions and through youth and children? And so today, I want to share with you the thought. A wise investment. Have any of you ever made a bad investment?
Now, ladies, I'm not talking about your husband. I'm talking about a bad investment. Chances are, if you've been involved in the stock market or any other type of investments, you probably have had a time. You said, man, I messed up. I should have, or I shouldn't have.
And whatever choice you make was the wrong one. That was not a wise investment, or I should have invested. Now, I've never invested in the stock market. I'm not against it. I'm not against it.
I want you to understand that. But I've never invested in the stock market for two reasons. I didn't know enough, and I didn't have enough. Okay? Because one of my dear friends, who was one of the wisest men I knew, he said, you do not invest in stocks unless you can afford to lose it.
And I never had any that I could afford to lose. So I haven't invested. So I invested in stocks and barns. I had some cows because I knew cows, and I could buy them a little cheaper. But amazing things that, looking back, I would.
I missed it. I would have loved. I should have invested in property in Oxford 40 years ago. Huh, Gator? You should have invested in property in Pedro 40 years ago.
But guess what? We didn't do it. Now, I want some of you. Relax. We're not receiving another offering.
I do encourage you to give for our missionary as you leave today. But I want to talk to you about a wise investment. What if I told you this morning that I can give you a tip to give an investment that was guaranteed not to fail. I'm going to tell you the tip that some of these politicians have invested in. In four years, they became multimillionaires.
I'm just just saying, I don't know if you've noticed that or not, but some of them had nothing. All of a sudden, they got everything.
But that's not the investment I'm talking about. I'm talking about an investment a lot secure than that. A lot secure than that. See, I've got a heavenly accountant. Some of you got good accountants, but I've got a heavenly accountant that's never made a mistake.
He's never missed on any investment that I sent up ahead. And there's sometimes it's very minimal, but I guarantee you that he's keeping record of it. And it's an investment that cannot fail. So today I want us to talk a little bit about a wise investment. A wise investment.
And I'll tell you, if you will listen fast. I'll talk fast, and I'll still let you get out in time to beat the Baptist to the restaurant. Matthew, chapter six, verse 19, says this.
Matthew 619, do not lay up yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys. And where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasures treasure is, there your heart will be also. He also told us earlier in that chapter, chapter six, verse two.
Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you that they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And look at this. And your father, who sees in secret, will reward you.
He's going to give you the biggest dividends that's ever been recorded. He's going to reward you for everything that you have done. And again, we're not going to receive a special offering this morning, but I'm so glad that we can invest in the kingdom. Many people have asked me, many of my pastor friends, they said, pastor, how can Oxford assembly afford to give so much to missions?
And you know what my response is? We can't afford not to. We can't afford not to because that's the investment. For those of you that may be just visiting this morning, you will never see us putting pressure on people to give. We don't believe in it.
We just give you an opportunity to invest in the kingdom. In this church. Last year, 20% of their income went to missions. Praise God. Glory to God.
Yeah. I can tell you that that's the reason that we don't owe a penny on this church, that God has blessed us because we made some heavenly investments, and God took care of that.
Then other people say, well, pastor, why are you so interested in children's ministry and youth ministry? And I asked the question, what greater thing to invest in? I mean, what greater thing to invest in than the kingdom and kids? Let me just go ahead and put in a plug here. Most of you know that we've been doing a walk program that's went our community to Christ for a number of years.
And last year, we determined we would have to cut back on the number. And we thought we had. This year, we reduced the amount of time signing up, and we wanted 120. We got 175.
Yeah. So if you could enjoy working with kids for about six or eight weeks on Wednesday afternoons, we can use your help. Cause it's very difficult for me to tell some kid, you can't come, that you're not important, because they were important enough that Jesus sent his son or he came to this earth to die for them. And we need to do as much as we can. Amen.
Now, as Jesus approached the end of his earthly ministry, he shared with his disciples the coming end of time. Now, I don't know about you, but I personally think we're getting close to that time. We're getting close to payday. And he shared two parables that were similar, but they had a couple of distinct characteristics. I want to go first of all to the Book of Luke.
Luke. And I just want to point out a couple of facts here. In the Gospel of Luke. It's recorded in chapter 19. It was after he had met with Zacchaeus, and he gave.
In verse nine, he gave his assignment. He told Zacchaeus, he said, today salvation has come to this house, since he also is the son of Abraham. For the son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost. That was Jesus assignment. I said, he came to seek and to save that which was lost another place.
He said he didn't come for the well because the well don't need a physician. He came for those that were lost. And how many knows that that's. Everybody in the world was lost. And they needed a savior.
And Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost. And then he goes into a story. He proceeded to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. Now, see, they thought when the Messiah came, he was gonna set up an earthly kingdom. And Jesus was trying to tell them, no, it's not now.
It's not now. So then we read in verse twelve, he said to them, therefore, a nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return, calling ten of his servants. He gave them ten minas. Ten minas. Now that's about three months wages.
I'd like to have three months wages. How about you? But how many knows that? That's not a whole lot when you're talking about eternity. Three months wages.
He gave each one three months wages. And he said this. Engage in business until I come. The King James version said, I want you to occupy. Occupy.
But that word literally means. It's a banking phrase. A banking phrase. He said, I want you to invest. I want you to invest in the kingdom.
And he gave each one of those a minor different amounts according to their ability. And again he said a minor was about three months wages. Now go back with me to the book of Matthew. Flip back to Matthew, chapter 25. Matthew, chapter 25.
A very familiar, similar story, but with those different points.
It talks about chapter 24 in Matthew. What was it talking about? The end times. Talking about the end times. And then in chapter 25, verse 14, he tells us the parable of the talents.
For it would be like a man going on a journey who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one, he gave five talents. Now remember, the other word was a minor, which means three months. A talent was equivalent to 20 years salary. How many knows?
There's a big difference there. Three months or 20 years, it's a big difference. And he gave them according to their ability. Now, I think that's important, but I wanted to remind you of something, that if we look over this building today, every one of us that are different phases of our life, some of you can understand that three months salary is a bunch. Some of you, 20 years salary, that's more.
But the reality is, every one of us has got different amount to invest.
How many knows? We're not talking just about money. We're talking about time. We're talking about treasures. And we're talking about talents.
We're talking about abilities. And he says, each one was given according to their ability. So every one of us here have a different level of the ability to invest. And I can tell you something, God will never ask you to invest something you don't have. But he said, wait a minute, he called me to do something.
Listen, if he calls you, he will equip you, okay? I said, if he called you, he will equip you. I stand in amazement of what God has allowed me to do in my ministry. Not because I was something special, but because God called me and God equipped me, but each one of us according to our ability. A number of years ago, I had one of the men in church, good man, good man, came to me and said, pastor, I had an idea.
He says, why don't we buy one of the show pigs down at the Sumter county fair and have a church barbecue? And he says, I'll give a substantial offering to help that. And I called him by, I said, you know, that that's a good idea. That's a good idea. But as I checked into it, you know, things like that just don't fall into place.
You have to do some planning. Got to figure out who's going to cook the pig, got to figure out a lot of things. But anyway, he approached me again, said, pastor, I've been thinking about that. I tell you, if you will buy that pig, said, I'll donate $20.
Now we chuckle, because some of us, $20 is nothing. But how many know, for somebody that's on a small monthly income, $20 is a lot of money. And he was willing to invest it to give it to promote the kingdom, to help kids, to help youth. So what I'm saying I brought all that is we have to understand that for some of you this morning, you might have a minor, you may have a little bit, little bit of talent, a little bit of treasure, a little bit of time, while others have unlimited time. Now, the reality is none of us know how much time we got.
Huh? None of us know how much time we got. But we also know that God says, I want you to invest your treasure, your talents and your time because I've got a job for you to do. What's that job? The same thing.
Jesus said, I've come to seek and say that was lost. It's a major responsibility he entrusted to them according to their own ability. We don't have the same ability. We don't have the same time nor the money. But if we invest what we have in the kingdom, that is a wise, wise investment.
I was thinking of Tommy Barnett. Tommy Barnett has been one of my heroes for many, many years. And I remember going to one of his classes 45 years ago. Yeah, that's a long time, 45 years ago. And Tommy Barnett was talking about the bus ministry because his first church was built primarily off of a personalized ministry and bus ministry.
And he was sharing with us how it worked the process of, if you went on on Saturday, spent so many hours, how many kids you could plan to get? He said he had a formula, and I can't remember the formula, but I'm just going to give you an instance. He said, if you work 2 hours, you got four kids. Now, again, don't hold me to those numbers. If you work 4 hours, you get eight kids.
If you work 6 hours, you get twelve on down the line. And he said, how many would you get if you had 20? If you had 10 hours? And everybody said 20? He said no.
Said, if the world's gonna pay overtime, God will too. Hey, listen, God will reward you for your investment. And if we expect God to do it or expect our men to do it because we put in extra time, how many knows that God's keeping record, he's keeping track. He knows what you're doing. He knows what ability you've got.
And some of you is going to be shocked because you've done more with your ability than some others that have more. Didn't Jesus share that when a woman gave out of her poverty, and Jesus said what she gave was more than what he gave, because she gave out of her want, he gave out of his abundance. God will reward us. We were laying up treasure in heaven. What a wise investment.
Now, Malachi and Haggai give similar messages, and they were close together, really about 25 to 40 years apart, and they give the same message. See, Haggai tells us that the people had stopped working on the temple. They'd started, they got excited, they'd come back, and they stopped. Now, if you're reading Ezra, Nehemiah and all that, this is the same time frame, and this is the message that Haggai gave to them. They had quit working, and they said this.
Verse two, chapter one. Thus says the lord of hosts. These people say, their time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord. They said, okay, that's future. Now, what was the issue?
I don't have time to read all that. But the issue was that it was hard times.
They were having a famine, they were having a drought, and they were struggling because they were in an aggregarian area. It was all dependent upon agriculture. And when you got a drought, it's hard to make money. And they were making their money or they trying their best, and they were basically saying, when everything falls in place, then I will do something for God. Friends, if you're waiting for everything to fall in place, it'll never happen.
I said, it won't happen. And this was what Haggai was telling them. Listen, it's time to get off your duffs and go build the house of the Lord. They had become selfish. They had become selfish.
Now, this morning, as I was leaving the house, I picked up a piece of paper on the floor. It was a little note that I had made to myself. It was a quote from somebody and I'd use it as a bookmark. But this little piece of paper said this. Humility is not thinking less of yourself.
It is thinking of yourself less. Now, let me read that again because you might have missed it. Humility is not thinking less of yourself. See, God doesn't want you to think less of yourself. You're made in his image.
We're something special. We're the king's kid. He wants you to think well of yourself. But we need to think of ourselves less.
Why? Because we got an assignment. We got a responsibility.
And verse six says, let's go back to five. Now, therefore, says the lord of hosts, consider your ways. You have sown much and harvest a little. You eat, but you never have enough. You drink, but you never have refill.
You clothe yourself, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes. Friends, when we're doing things, it's like putting money in a bag with holes. It's like having a. I know for you ladies, if you like my wife, all of her purses, if she drops something, it's like a black hole.
It never comes out. I mean, you can't find it. Say, would you give me that? I can't find it. I know I put it in my purse, but how many of you guys, you knew you had a hole in your pocket and you said, I'm not going to put anything in there.
But guess what? You did, and all of a sudden disappears. Disappears. That's the way it is when we do things with self motivation, when we invest in earthly things. I hope nobody here thinks that I'm talking against investments.
I'm not speaking anything about not saving. Bible tells us that he that doesn't prepare for his family is worse than infidel. So we're not talking about that. We're just talking about if you really, really, really want to make a wise investment, invest in the things of God. I've lived right here by the cemetery for 35 years.
I've never seen a hearse pulling a U Haul.
I said, I've never seen a hearse pull in Uhaul. Because you know what? They're going to leave it all here. We can't take us with us, but we can make an investment in the kingdom. We can lay up treasures.
And it's not like putting money in a pocket. It's got holes. Now, let's drop over to Malachi. I know some of you say, Malachi, he's going to talk about tithing. How many knows that Malachi's got more than just tithing in it?
See, Malachi was the same thing. It teaches about tithing good, but it's much more that. It's a book, really, about priorities.
Priorities.
How many knows that God's all into priorities? I said he's all about priorities. See, malachi, chapter two, verse 17, says this. You have wearied the Lord with your words. But you say how we wearied him, by saying, everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delights in them.
Or by asking, where's God of justice? In other words, we look around and see all the needs if we're not trying to do something about helping them. And the priorities, our priorities are wrong.
And then he goes down into chapter three. Chapter three, verse three. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver. And he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them with gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord. Offerings of righteousness.
I'm going to tell you, if you can't afford to give anything to God, that's okay. If you don't have it, you can't give it. But you can give him an offering of righteousness. You can't give him an offering of love. You can give him an offering of what you have.
Then it goes on to say, verse six, for I, the Lord, do not change. Therefore, you, o children of jacob, are not consumed from the days of your fathers. You have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the lord of hosts. But you say have.
How shall we return? Will a man rob God? Yet you're robbing me. But you say, have we robbed you and your tithes and your contributions? You are cursed with a curse for your robbing me.
The whole nation of you. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food and the house, and thereby put me to the test. What's this saying? Put God to the test. Check him out.
He doesn't mind being tested. That's right. He said, you know what you're supposed to do? Now, I know some of you are going to say, well, pastor, tithing is old testament, okay? If you want to go new testament, go new testament says, I want it all.
Huh? That's why the book says so. I don't mind paying my 10th. And I can tell you what I can tell you, church, that God has allowed me to know that the 90% that he blesses is better than 100% that he doesn't bless. It's like putting money in a hole pocket.
And I've seen a while ago about this church's missions. I'm amazed at what God has allowed us to do. I'm amazed at the favor that God has allowed us in the community. I'm glad. I'm amazed when I tell people that we are allowed to pick up 175 kids from the public school pulling in the public parking lot and loading up 175 kids with the schools.
Not just allowance, but approval. God has blessed us. I said, God has blessed us. See, we read from Matthew chapter six earlier about laying up treasure. Guess what?
Jesus closed that chapter out with Matthew chapter six. Some of you can quote these two verses. It says this, but seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. And all these things will be added to you. Therefore, because, listen, God's in control.
Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow. Now, what in the world does that mean? That means don't sweat it. That means don't worry.
See, some people just enjoy worrying. I can tell you that worrying is like rocking in a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but that's about all. You're not going anywhere. You're not going anywhere.
So it says, be not anxious for tomorrow, for sufficient is the days of its own trouble. In other words, God's. There's enough out there that we don't need to worry about tomorrow. But when we've invested in the kingdom. So how do we do it?
How do we do it? How do we invest our time? We invest our treasure. We invest our talents. And I can tell you that's a wise and great investment that's always going to pay great dividends.
Paul said it this way, I will most gladly spend a and be spent for your souls.
See, many Bible scholars, and I don't consider myself a Bible scholar, but I believe that Paul was quite wealthy. He remembered the Sanhedrin. He was educated by one of the highest educators of his day. And yet after he became a Christian, he said, I'm willing. Didn't just say willing.
I most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. And then we know the words that he gave to Timothy, some of his last words written from already being poured out as a drink offering. And the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race.
I have kept the faith. And because of that, because of that, that's what henceforth means. And because of that, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day. And not only to me, but also to all those who loved his appearings.
Most of us can probably say we've had a few investments that failed to make it, and we regretted it, but those financial gains, we'd leave behind anyway. But I'm thankful that I've made the greatest investment. When I made Jesus Christ my lord and savior, when I made Jesus Christ my lord and savior. And some of my greatest moments are not when someone gives me a gift, financial gift. I appreciate that, of course, but that's my greatest moments.
My greatest moments. Gators, when someone says, you remember the time that you came to the hospital room? And most of the time, I have to say, I don't have a clue. I don't remember it. But they do.
And you know what? If they do, guess who else remembers it made a difference. Jesus knows it. And when I get to heaven, I hope I get to meet the people that I've never personally met. Now, I'm not talking about those I've known and couldn't remember who they were.
But though I've never met, I've got a book here that if any of you can read it, I'll give it to you, because it's one that James Davis wrote, and we paid to have it translated into the balkan language.
We paid for it so that people over there could read his book on connections. How many knows that connection is what it's all about, connecting with the kingdom.
I think when we get to heaven, some of you may come and say, hey, didn't you go to Oxford assembly? Y'all bought that book. You printed that book. You printed that book. I think we'll meet some people that read a fire Bible in a language that you paid to have it translated into a language that they can understand.
I think we'll meet some people, some of our cuban family gator that we've sent groceries to, that we've loved on, we've invested in. They've impacted the kingdom. Laying up treasures. That's what we're doing. We're reaping from a wise investment.
You don't know how proud I am of our children's ministry. But what makes me prouder is the lady that leads. That used to be one of our bus kids. Amen. Huh?
Hallelujah. Some of the white kids that are here are faithfully attending. God is so good. Why? Because we made an investment.
Greatest investment is when you accept the gift that Jesus offered. I've come to seek and to save that which was lost. How many knows that? That's a pretty good investment. Now, he left heaven.
Now, I'm going to tell you something. As much as I like Oxford, if I had a chance to stay up there in the garden of Eden or come down here and fight traffic, guess where I'd be? I'd be walking in the river. Life, huh? But Jesus left it and made an investment in you.
And if you've never accepted that investment, that's not his fault because he's made it. But then he wants us to receive that investment in us and then share the investment with others. And that's an investment that will never, never, never fail. Well, what if the economy fails? Hey?
If God can afford to pave the streets with gold, he can take care of you investing in the kingdom. Bow your heads in prayer. Heavenly Father, we thank you.
God, I rejoice today not over what I've done, but what you've allowed me to be a part of. What a blessing. What a blessing. And, God, I pray today that you've touched some lives here, maybe some that have not become a christian yet. And they don't understand why we serve you.
But you've saved us. You redeemed us, you've purchased us. And I pray that there would not one person leave here today without knowing you as their personal savior. Then, Father, there may be some that have been thinking about themselves more than thinking about you. We need to make an investment with our time, with our talents, with our treasure and God that you minister right now.
As we celebrate you, as we worship you, as we praise you and God, we just thank you for it. Thank you for it.
