One of the greatest things a person can achieve within their lifetime is graduation. I do not care if it's from high school, getting your GED, community college, a four-year college or university, graduate school, medical school, seminary, or any other school, it lets you know that the years of hard work paid off and you are standing on top of the mountain. I am reminded of December 15, 2007, when yours truly ascended to the mountaintop of having bestowed upon him his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering. After four and a half years of doctoral study, tests, preliminary defenses, dissertation defenses, and dissertation writing, God blessed me to survive and make it! One of the greatest realities of that day was the day after and what had to be done. With a Ph.D. in hand and a job, I knew that the work had only begun. Within our Christian walk, God wants us to understand this as well, that as He has raised us to higher heights that the work has only begun. Today's text provides insight to this thought.
The Gospel according to Luke provides the back drop for today's main scripture. Luke, along with Matthew and Mark, wrote what is considered "The Synoptic Gospels". The term synoptic means "similar". The episodes of Christ's life told were similar, but each of them placed their own "flavor" in how they delivered their respective Gospel accounts. Luke, being a physician, emphasized the healing power of Christ throughout his account. Within this particular chapter, Christ provides warnings and encouragement (verses 1 - 12), tells the parable of the rich fool (verses 13 - 21), provides encouragement on why you should not worry (verses 22 - 34), be watchful (verses 35 - 48), discusses division not peace (verses 49 - 53), and how to interpret the times (verses 54 - 59). Today's main scripture falls under the subject heading of being watchful. As stated in the introduction, this scripture will provide clarity on why the work has only begun.
The portion of today's text we are focusing upon begins with "Great gifts mean great responsibilities". In the New International Version of the Bible, it says "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded". Brothers and sisters, God, at one point or another within your lifetime, has elevated you to a greater depth/level in Him, your education, your occupation, your business, or any other entity. As He has done this, He is looking for more from you! In other words, you cannot go down the mountain you came once you reach the summit! There's a higher mountain God wants you to climb! There are people are who are climbing the rough side of the mountain and those people need your help! God has blessed you with more money via a promotion and/or raise, what are you going to do with it? Spend it frivolously or bless others and the Kingdom of God? God has blessed you with the vehicle you desired, what are you going to do with it? Floss to the world that you have the vehicle or give God the same praise before you got it? What are you going to do when someone places you over a ministry or something? Are you going to gloat about it or are you going to work harder? At the end of the day, when God has elevated you to something higher, the work has only begun!
The text concludes with a greater emphasis on the previous point when it says, "Greater gifts, greater responsibilities". The New International Version says, "from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." One of the greatest examples of this portion of scripture is Manny Pacquaio. For those of you who may not have heard of Manny Pacquaio, let me give you a brief history on this superstar boxer. He was born in the Philippines, in a poor area, known as General Santos City. Before he became a superstar in the sport of boxing, he had already won a world title at 112 lbs. Under the guidance of trainer Freddie Roach, a former boxer himself, Pacquaio burst onto the scene to become a last minute substitute in a world title fight at 122 lbs. and went on to blow out the champion in six rounds. From there, through his diligence and hard work, Pacquaio became a champion at 126 lbs., 130 lbs., and 135 lbs. He really came into the limelight when he stepped up to 147 lbs. and fought Oscar De La Hoya. After eight one-sided rounds, Pacquaio made De La Hoya quit and eventually sent De La Hoya into retirement. After destroying Ricky Hatton at 140 lbs. and Miguel Cotto at 147 lbs., Manny Pacquaio has assumed the throne as boxing's pound for pound king. Because of his greater gifts, he knew greater responsibilities came! Because of his increased celebrity, he has still kept his hand to the plow and put on great performances in the ring! God has allowed some of you to possess some tremendous gifts and because of those gifts, you are expected to do more! It would be hard for me to ask a 2 year-old baby to preach the Gospel versus asking a seasoned preacher to preach the Gospel! Why? Because the seasoned preacher possesses greater gifts and thus, is capable of preaching the Gospel! Because of the greater anointing that's on your life, the work has only begun because greater responsibility is placed on you!
In closing, I was thankful to go to North Carolina A&T for 10 years and obtain three degrees in one of the roughest areas to study, Mechanical Engineering. I thank God the most because I know, because of Him, once I finished those degrees, the work of my life had only begun! Just like me, many of you possess awesome gifts and great anointing. God is calling you to great and greater responsibilities! Do not be afraid, He's there with you! He did not place more on you than you can bear! Are you willing to flex the muscle that God has placed on you to better His Kingdom? Are you willing to recognize that the work has only begun?
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