are you a vine-grower?

Pastor Josh Matlock's sermon this week was titled
Stewards of the Kingdom
Mark 12:1-12

This passage of scripture discusses the Parable of the Vine-growers. The Vineyard represents the Kingdom of God, and those who have put themselves under God's rule are the Vine-growers.

God Entrusted His Kingdom to Israel
* What is their future?
Romans 11:25-29[25] For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery, lest you be wise in your own estimation, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles has come in; [26] and thus all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, "The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob. [27] and this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins." [28] From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God's choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; [29] for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Matthew 21:43 Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you, and be given to a nation producing the fruit of it.

The Vine-growers are those that are under God's rule and:
- Follow Him
- Obey His commandments
- Are a priesthood, a blessing to all nations


The Kingdom is Now Entrusted to Us
* What kind of tenants are we being?
Honestly, statistics are showing that we [protestants] are doing a bad job. For the first time, Protestants will be the minority by the end of the year!!!
Americans...
50% Rarely or never attend worship services
59% Say all religions are equally valid
The number of Christians has declined 12% since 1990, and is not 76%
Nearly a quarter of Americans in their 20's profess no organized religion
Athiests and Agnostics are at less than 1% each
Young people raised in the church...
64% Believe Christ came to earth to teach bad people to live better
63% Do not believe Jesus is the Son of God
58% Believe all faiths teach equally valid truths
57% Do not believe Jesus rose from the dead
70% Believe there is no absolute moral truth
74% Say they do not have life figured out (There's Hope!!!)

Jesus is the Cornerstone of the Kingdom
* Are you a Christ-follower?
* Does your heart break for what His did?
If we hang with Jesus will we have His passion? And will our passion rub off on others?

What are you doing to make a difference in the lives of others? Your life is a witness to those around you...are you living righteously? Are you striving to live Christ-like? I know that I fail constantly, and don't always live like I should. Its hard sometimes. But I do realize that my life is an example to those around me, and if I make bad choices and unbelievers see that, how will that look? Will they see Jesus living through me, or will they see the world? We need to be reminded daily, when we wake up in the morning, to live each day to glorify God! Let His light shine through you!! Make wise choices, follow Him, obey His commandments, and be a blessing to those around you!

We will grow and see great things in America if we find that passion and share it with others!!!

This reminds me of a song I sang as a child (shortened version)...
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine
Hide it under a bushal, NO! I'm gonna let it shine
Won't let satan blow it out, I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Psalms 103:19The Lord has established His throne in the heavens; and His sovereignty rules over all.