I Can’t, He Can

As we continue our Real Followers sermon series at Pine Valley United Methodist Church, Thursday night kicked off, “Serve Like Jesus”.  I was reminded of how often we do not feel capable of serving.  In 1996 I was asked to give a talk at a spiritual retreat weekend for ladies.  I kindly told the lady I would not be able to and thanked her for calling.  Then her next words haunted me - "You don't have to give me an answer now, I want you to pray about it.  I'll call you next week."  Pure panic struck me.  But then I remembered, just like I had done since eighth grade, I did not need to worry about it because I was not going to do it anyway!  And that is how I handled middle school, high school and college!  With my fear of public speaking, I knew I would never do it so there was no need to be nervous! 

But this was not just a school assignment.  This was different.  All week I heard over and over, "You don't have to give me an answer now, I want you to pray about it.  I'll call you next week."  And it continued hourly for the next week!  And I cried over it.  What was wrong?  I had never cried over this stuff because I knew I was not going to do it.  My dad said, "Jill, you are fighting God and when you quit fighting and commit I believe the tears will stop."  You see, I had given my life to Christ - for the most part. Pretty much everything except public speaking.  God absolutely laid my name on her heart and gave her the words to say to me.  

I was lukewarm because I had one foot in the life of faith and one foot still in the world.  Revelation 3:15-16, "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.  So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth."  Obviously, God did not want me lukewarm!  I could not do this.  It took me a while to realize that I was right - I could not do it myself.  But God could!  I am telling you there was not a drink or a drug that could have made me get up and speak in front of those 50 women.  And then the devil worked on me for the next six months that I was not good enough.  That talk consumed me for six months!  The dread!  He reminded me how dumb it would be.  What could I talk about that would interest others?  John 8:44, "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies."  I wallowed in his words.  

When I cried out to God, He showed me that I am anointed.  This anointing is God’s power over my flesh to do what only God can do. If you have been born again, then Christ (the Anointed One and His anointing) lives inside of you. All you have to do is believe the anointing is in you.  I had always thought that Mother Teresa and Billy Graham were anointed by the Lord and they were righteous but not Jill!  You may have felt or feel the same but as children of God, we are anointed!  Mother Teresa, Billy Graham, you and me!  1 John 2: 27, "But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him."

God gave me a task that was bigger than what I could do in my natural power.  He also gave me knowledge and wisdom that was not limited to the world.  The Holy Spirit guided me.  I realized I was anointed for Christian ministry while I live in this world.  You, also, have been anointed for Christian ministry while in this world.  During this time of stewardship, let’s remember that we  have been enabled, entrusted and empowered to accomplish God's will.  God always proves Himself faithful beyond belief!  

We are God’s hands and feet.  Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” You have been given a gift by God, and you are incredibly valuable to Him and the church. Ephesians 4:7-9, 11-13, “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.  This is why it says: ‘When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.’  So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,  to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

Matthew 20:28, “...just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  Let’s be in prayer about where we can serve here at PVUMC!  God will be right there to help you!  Remember, you were created to do good works which God has already prepared for you.  Will you be God’s hands and feet at PVUMC?

Jill Jarrell-Newsome