Just Jump In!

Church this morning opened with the singing of "Power in the Blood," rock 'n' roll version. Wasn't too enamored of it. Team redeemed themselves later, though, by leading the old hymn "And Can It Be?" in the manner to which I am accustomed.
As it was Commencement Sunday, youth leader and congregation honored the graduates.

Pastor Keith's sermon was entitled, "Just Jump In!" This is the second in the series "Living Beyound Myself." The scripture lesson was Romans 12:1 - 6. We won't know how good things are until we jump in, so come on in, the water's fine.
1. Do I want to jump in? Do I really want to get involved?
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10
We are created to do good works.
What matters is not the duration of your life, but the donation of your life.
I need all the others. (v.5) We are all pieces of the puzzle. A missing piece = an incomplete picture.
God made us unique, and your uniqueness is not for your benefit.
"As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." I Peter 4:10
My purpose in life is to serve God by serving others.

2. How do I jump in?
Evaluate yourself.(v.3) "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."
Each person has a special divine gift.
Find out where you need to be involved. (v.6a) "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us."

It might be noted that among persons, there are different measures of the same gift; and note, too, that God may call you in a totally different direction from the one you perceive as your strongest gift, or perhaps not. Note the disciples who were fishermen. Jesus called them to be apostles, writers and preachers. And Paul, though, a scholar and logician, was called to serve in that very area as a scholar for Christ.

3. Just Jump!
It is really about trust. Are you going to trust God?
"Trust and see that the LORD is good." Psalm 34:8