5 June 2006

FOR THE GOOD OF GOD’S NAME
(Taught To Brothers At Nairobi Singles Workshop, Sunday 28 May 2006)

The World Cup is kicking off soon, and as usual it promises to be thrilling, exciting and gripping. In it new stars are born and new heroes arise. It is an event for which almost the whole world stops in order to pay it homage, honour and reverence.

And there is another event. It wasn’t broadcast live across the world, and in fact few people knew of its occurrence at the time. No star was born, but one hero died. That event is the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

While the Cup is exciting, the Cross is life-changing – if we allow it to be.

As the slogan of FIFA (the body that organizes the World Cup) is “For The Good Of The Game,” the title of this message is “For The Good Of God’s Name.” In all that we do, purpose and plan as singles, let us do it for the good for God’s name.

1. DYNAMIC DATING

a. Initiate

We each must be and feel free to initiate ideas for fun and spiritual things that can be done in the ministry, rather than always wait for the leaders to plan and announce events. We all have great, creative ideas. And there is room for most of them.

1 John 4:19
God loved us first. He initiated.

b. Include Others

Let us seek to organize great group dates rather than one-on-one dates. In many cases sisters have not enjoyed one-on-one dates. It is true that some are quite capable of organizing good one-on-one dates, but even then it is good to seek advice as we do so.

Group dates allow you to pool the resources and ideas of many and have dynamic outings.

We need to include others also by seeking input. Input is advice, correction, instruction, direction, guidance, etc.

Proverbs 13:13,18
If honour and reward are you goal, then following instruction and commands will be your strategy.

Example: Naaman in 2 Kings5 – as long as he had a fixed mind he was unable to access the power of god, but once he opened up to the instruction and direction given, God’s power worked wonders in his life.

c. Inspire And Interest

Colossians 4:6
Our conversation on dates should be building and interesting, not gossip and hearsay, e.g. “who likes who, who do you like.” Take an interest in the person and get to know them.

d. Involve God

Psalm 37:5-7
Pray to God about your dating and trust him. Pray for your dates to be pure and fun. Pray for creative ideas.
If you desire to go steady, pray about it and trust God. Trust God’s choice and his timing (verse 7a)

2. EXCELLENT EVANGELISM

Colossians 4:3,4
Q. Is it your passion and purpose to make disciples?

It is as true today as it has ever been that:

Jesus came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10)
Jesus called us to make disciple-makers (Matthew 28:19,20)
We glorify God by bearing fruit (John 15:8)
Jesus called us to bear fruit that will last (John 15:16)

As singles we have opportunity to use greater amounts of time in reaching out to people than those who have families they must go home to every evening.

3. GODLY GIVING

Colossians 4:17
We are to complete what we have promised and begun, including our pledge and commitment to God to give sacrificially to him and his cause.

Luke 21:1-4
Here is a single who gave. She didn’t give 10% or 20% - she gave all. This is godly giving – sacrificial giving.

Q. How do you feel about regular, special and benevolent giving?
Q. Are you planning and praying about your giving?
Q. Do you give? Do you do so sacrificially?

Colossians 2:6
Continue in Christ and do it all for the good of his name.

My vision for every single is life in its fullness, my prayer for every single is the will to make it so.