“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. (Matthew 6:19-20)
I congratulate all of us today on our 2015 Adult Harvest Thanksgiving and thank God who has made it possible for us to witness this day. Preparation goes with an expectation or anticipation of a future event that one has to be equipped for. Lack of preparation leads to vulnerability, failure, punishment, and defeat, while being prepared produces victory, reward, blessings and commendation when the expected event comes to fruition. The Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ is a major and set event that will surely come to pass, which all humanity must prepare for. It does not matter whether we believe in it or not, Christ is coming again to judge the world, as ordained by God from creation and our preparation for that event, now that we are still alive, would determine on which side of the divide we shall be on. It is either condemnation or a crown of glory for battle won. In John 9:4 Jesus says “We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work.” We must prepare, now that it is day for eternity with our creator before night comes when we can no longer work.
In the parable of the talents, Matthew 25:13-40, Jesus is drawing our attention to the various and different skills and resources, God has deposited with every one of us to progress the work of His kingdom. His expectation, as outlined in the parable, is for us to prepare for His return by investing the talents, that God has given to us and becoming profitable/fruitful through winning souls to His kingdom. Unfortunately many people chose to invest these gifts of God only in building treasures here on earth, which are not profitable and have no value and do not amount to any capital for the kingdom of God. This harvest season gives us another opportunity to invest our resources towards accumulating treasures in heaven. But it does not stop with only financial resources it also involves most importantly, submitting our lives to Jesus Christ and allowing the Holy Spirit of God to direct our being.
Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8:12-14 thus, “ So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh – for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” God has done great things for us by making our preparation for eternity not burdensome through the price Jesus has paid for our sins. All that is now required is for us to yield to the Spirit of God that is available to us and flee from the dictates of the flesh. Sin separates us from God and submitting to the dictates of the flesh enslaves us to sin. But God’s Spirit dwells in us for the express object of being called upon by us to put to death the doings of the body. That will in turn empower us to live holy lives, acceptable to God and making us children of God. And as God’s Children we live through life with confidence – confidence that He will take us through the various situations that come our way as He is our Shepherd (Psalm 23) and an ever-present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46).
Beloved, as we live through the empowerment of the God’s Spirit and as we present our substance to God today and always, His promise is an abundant harvest of God’s blessings in this life and in eternity.
Have a joyful celebration and a bountiful harvest as you invest in the new earth and the new heaven.
Your brother, Vicar & Archdeacon
S.Igein Isemede