Every Good Gift

“Every Good Gift”

Refection for Sunday November 19, 2023
Churchill and Gilford United Churches

Krista Moore
Judges 4:1-7 The prophetess Deborah guides the Israelites
Matthew 25:14-30 Jesus’s parable of the Talents

Introduction to the Scriptures
DEBORAH was sitting by a palm tree in the northern part of the
kingdom. The Israelites were being beaten by the local king and his
many armies with their iron chariots.
Deborah was not worried.
She had a GIFT, and she was NOT afraid to use it!
DEBORAH was a PROPHET.
God would speak to DEBORAH, and she would advise the people
what God said for them to do.
Soon all the people respected her wisdom.
She was a real leader. A JUDGE for the people seeking counsel,
wisdom or JUSTICE. Her words carried WEIGHT.

Then a local Israelite military leader, BARAK asked her what to
do as Israel was being oppressed and outnumbered.
Deborah told him, God said, GO FIGHT and bring your 10000
troops. And you will defeat the opposing king with his 900 000 iron
chariots.
He had so little. It seemed IMPOSSIBLE.
Barak told her he wouldn’t go without her.
So Deborah went. She led them to battle.
And Deborah’s prophecy was right. And her courage won the day.

In one of Jesus’s last parables of the Talents, he prepares the
disciples and followers to be FAITHFUL when he is gone.
Like a master of a house who was going away and leaving his
servants in charge, Jesus gives them charge over the WORK:
like:
– heal the sick,
– feed the hungry and clothe the poor,
– uplift those in need;
– preach the GOOD NEWS of Christ everywhere

He says, while I’m away (and you are waiting for the Second Coming)
WORK HARD for the kingdom. Be FAITHFUL.
Don’t give up. Don’t waste the gifts I’ve given you.
And then your gifts will increase, and you will meet your reward.

SERMON
STORY: CHRISTMAS FOR KIDS Beginnings
Back in 1996, a local school principal had an idea. There was a
need at Christmas for local families experiencing hardship, and she
wanted to help. So she asked one of the parents if she would be willing
to get support for 4 local families who were struggling as Christmas
approached.
The parent said YES, and went to WORK immediately.

SCRIPTURE

In Jesus’s parable of the Talents, he is preparing the disciples for
when he will die, be resurrected, ascend to heaven, and return someday.
But they don’t know when.
Like the Master in the story, the Landowner, who will be away and
return unexpectedly. He gives a portion of his estate to three of his
servants to manage while he is away.

He gives his servants TALENTS, which are an ancient form of
money, 1 Talent is a great deal of money – but also with it comes
responsibility – like being a good steward in the church.

A TALENT is also an ancient form of measurement; it is the
heaviest WEIGHT a person can carry – weight in this parable could
literally mean a burden or RESPONSIBILITY.

The more gifts God gives us, the more RESPONSIBILITY.

So, the FIRST and SECOND servants INVEST what they are
given and DOUBLE it when the master returns. They use their
TALENTS well. They INCREASE the value and grow the Master’s
estate.

But the LAST servant only has 1 talent, and he is afraid to use it,
so he buries in in the ground and does nothing at all.
THIS IS A BIG MISTAKE.

You would think he kept it safe so he should be rewarded.

But JESUS is saying the kingdom of heaven requires people who
are COURAGEOUS, and FAITHFUL to God. Who will DO the WORK
to bring about the kingdom of heaven – who are responsible and
trustworthy with the teachings and other gifts God gives them.
So, instead of giving them riches, Jesus gives the disciples (and us)
TALENTS or BLESSINGS to do the WORK of God FAITHFULLY.

Like:
Blessing the poor,
feeding the hungry,
healing the sick,
preaching
serving at meals
caring for widows and orphans,
sharing the Good News or Gospel of Christ

If we do our part, God will increase our efforts and we will receive
a great reward.

STORY: CHRISTMAS FOR KIDS GROWS

That parent I spoke of earlier had a mission. She agreed to help out
at her local school and find support for 4 families who were struggling at
Christmas.
First she had the support of the Anglican church in Churchill, then
in Cookstown; after a year or so, the United Churches of Churchill and
Gilford hopped on board.
As she gained more support, she formed a team.
At first the project was called simply, “Adopt a Family.”
Then in 2006, “Adopt a Family” got a new name, “Christmas for
Kids.”
By 2012, they had grown to become “Christmas for Kids All Year
Round” a registered charity that could outreach to other community
partners, like the Innisfil Community Food Bank and other schools and
organizations.

Myrlene Boken has a TALENT or a GIFT for helping people.

She also has a gift for NUMBERS. She studied statistics. And she
knew poverty in our area was rising. Many more families needed
support – and the need went far beyond Christmas.

Soon the project grew. And it grew and it grew and it grew…

There was Thanksgiving, Back to School Backpacks… Warm Coats
and Boots in the Fall…

Then the pandemic hit, and families really struggled to make ends
meet. And the numbers continue to rise…

But Myrlene was not discouraged. She went into the storm with a
positive attitude and many skills to KEEP GOING.

But one person cannot do it all, no matter how good they are.
Part of wisdom is knowing that you need a team (it’s the same
with a church) – in this case, it takes months of preparation and an
ARMY of local partners, schools and VOLUNTEERS to sort donations,
food, clothing, and prepare them for each family.
( If you’ve ever been to the Stroud Arena during the Christmas for
kids RUSH, it’s nothing short of a MIRACLE. If you would like to
volunteer let Bev or Anne Kell know!)

It all started with one school. And 4 families.

But Myrlene had a gift of VISION. Like Deborah. She was not
afraid to roll her sleeves up and rally the troops.
Now Christmas for Kids serves almost 200 families, that’s over
500 clients all across Innisfil.

Myrlene took a BLESSING, GIFT or TALENT and grew it to feed
and clothe an entire town at Christmas, and ALL YEAR ROUND.
Now that’s a good and faithful servant.

CLOSING – HOW RELATE TO US

Jesus says we can all be good and faithful servants.
Each of us has a unique gift to serve God and others.
God gives us certain talents, blessings, which include
RESPONSIBILITIES. That is why we are called the BODY of
CHRIST.
We embody the GIFTS of Christ in the world.
If you doubt this – think of all the people who make up this
church:

– People who clean
– People who welcome
– People who bake cookies and pies (thank you!)
– People who decorate the sanctuary
– People who serve at dinners
– People who count the money and are good stewards
– People who help out whenever someone needs a hand
– People who drive others around
– People who preach and give sacraments
– People who study the Word of God
– People who call or visit those at home or in hospital
– People who sing or play an instrument
– People who donate or help us generate donations to
expand our reach in Innisfil and beyond
– People who have TECH abilities – We WANT YOU!

Whatever you have, God needs you to use your talent or skill.
Jesus is saying, while I am away: Be FAITHFUL. Do not be afraid to
reach out and do something with what you’ve got. No matter how little
you think it is.

Do not waste it. USE it to increase the kingdom – share God’s love
with the world.

Whether we have leadership skills like DEBORAH and Myrlene or
like to hang out in the background and serve quietly – ALL GIFTS ARE
NEEDED to bring about God’s kingdom – on earth as it is in heaven.

Krista’s Three Things:
So what can we do to use our talents, gifts or blessings more.
1. Count Your Blessings! – see how much God has given you.
2. Find out where you can use or give your gifts to serve others, in
your family, work, school, church or community.
3. Whatever you are doing or giving, just give a little more. Like
when God asks us to TITHE a portion of our time, talent or
treasure. All of it increases the outreach of the church and expands
Christ’s mission in the world.

FINAL MESSAGE

Every gift of God is good.
Even if you have 1 gift or talent, USE IT wisely,
Don’t be like the third servant – don’t hide it, SHARE It
TRUST that whatever you do or give, it will make a difference,
Even if it starts out small like Christmas 4 Kids. God will make up
the difference. And Your gift might become someone else’s miracle.

AT the end of this journey, I pray that we all meet our Master,
JESUS and hear him say:

“WELL DONE, my Good and Trustworthy Servant.

Enter into the JOY of your master.”
May we all feel our gifts are well used in this life and enjoy a peaceful
and joyful reunion with Christ.

MAY IT BE SO.
Amen.