Sunday Sermons
The List
In 2007 The Bucket List was released and the film follows two terminally ill men who set out on a road trip to do various things before they "kick the bucket". On the way they go race car driving, sky-diving, climbing the Pyramids, and experience an African safari. I never saw the film, yet the thought of having a list of things to do before one dies is an intriguing idea. God's List As I read the Bible I find that God is into lists. We have many lists that detail a genealogy of someone in the Old Testament or Jesus (Matthew 1), we find lists of the faithful (Hebrews 11), moral qualities (2 Peter 1:5-11), or sins (Romans 1:29-31; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10), and various lists of all the great things that God has done for His people (Psalm 106; 135). Before we put on our list various places we would like to visit or things we might want to experience, it would be wise to take a look at a list that the Creator put together. For example, compare God's list with the "The Bucket List": Grow These Qualities in my Heart The Bucket List Galatians 5:22-24 Love Witness something truly majestic Joy Help a complete stranger for a common good Peace Laugh till I cry Patience Drive a Shelby Mustang Kindness Kiss the most beautiful girl in the world Goodness Get a Tattoo/Skydiving Faithfulness See the Pyramids Gentleness Visit Stonehenge/Rome/The Louvre Self-control Get back in Touch (Hunt the Big Cat) The Wisdom of God's List Instead of giving us a list of cool places to see or things to do, God gives us the essential qualities we need our character so that we can actually enjoy whatever we do or wherever we travel. The vast majority of our experiences and travels are not to famous or exotic places; rather most of life is experienced in the ordinary and daily events of living. God has given us a list of qualities that will enable us to enjoy not only a Safari, but also spending a quiet evening with the family, cleaning the house, organizing the garage, making dinner, or preparing a report at work. God not only tells us what should be in our lives, He also gives us a list of things that we should remove from our lives (Galatians 5:19-21), and thus God's list will perfectly fit everyone. God gives us many choices concerning where we travel and what we experience. In fact, God is very tolerant in the area of morally neutral choices — He does not micro-manage our lives. He only gives us the essentials. A List of Obligations to be Fulfilled One common mistake when writing a "kick the bucket" list is that such lists tend to focus on the individual making the list, and forget about everyone else. May I suggest that our list needs to include not just ourselves (Philippians 2:3-4). As one reads the epistles it is clear that Paul had definite future goals, one was to visit Rome and preach the gospel in that city (Romans 1:15; 15:23-24). Paul said at the outset of the letter to the Romans, "I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish" (Romans 1:14). Before Paul left this earth, he desired to discharge the obligation or what he felt he owed others. If I was putting together a list of things I wanted to accomplish in this life before I die, the list should naturally include wanting to "pay back" (in a good sense) what I gratefully feel that I owe people, especially those who have really assisted me in significant ways. This lesson applies to all of us, not just those who are older. Getting serious about fulfilling obligations very early in life (Ecclesiastes 11:9-10; 12:1) is essential because we are all mortal men and women; all of us have an expiration date (Hebrews 9:28), and a limited amount of time to do it. Obligations to be Fulfilled Obligations to Parents Obeying them with honor, that is, with a respectful and positive attitude (Ephesians 6:1-2), which includes trying to make it easier for them to parent. Taking care of them in their old age (Mark 7:9-13). Remembering the family stories they taught me, and remembering the cost they have paid in becoming and remaining a faithful Christian. Being a faithful guardian of the family history, especially, the spiritual history. Such things as, "Who in our family history was the first person to obey the truth?" And "What circumstances led to their conversion?" Remaining faithful so that I can bring them joy in their later years, "I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth" (3 John 4). Obligations to a Spouse Being a happy husband or wife (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Being the husband or wife that I promised to be (Ecclesiastes 5:4,6 "When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it, for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow... Do not say in the presence of God that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry on account of your voice and destroy the work of your hands?"). Have we forgotten our vows, or are we very late in paying or fulfilling various promises made to our groom or bride on our wedding day? We might want to dig into our book of wedding memories and pictures and recommit ourselves to loving our spouses in a way that will leave no regret. Remaining a faithful Christian and helping them stay faithful (1 Peter 3:7). Listening carefully when they talk about their hopes and dreams and doing what we can to make some of those dreams come true. Obligations to Siblings Being a good example to my brothers/sisters. Keeping the family chose during the years at home and especially keeping the family chose after mom and dad are gone. Bringing my children up in the discipline of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4) so that all the cousins have a common faith (Jude 3), and so that family reunions are times of spiritual refreshing and edification. Obligations to Myself I need to save myself! (Acts 2:40) This would include overcoming a chronic/habitual sin. If we have struggled with a sin for most of our lives, then we owe it to ourselves to finally overcome that temptation. Not that we never think about it, but that we at least stop the outward manifestation. We also need to beat such sins for the benefit of those following us. When our children or new Christians ask us how to overcome a similar situation, we need to have a practical, useful, and detailed answer. We need to have a strategy that we can hand to the next generation. This would include: (1) Accepting the fact that sin never keeps me happy. (2) Temptation is always a lie. (3) I have needs that only God can fulfill. (4) All I have to worry about is overcoming this sin "today". (5) There is always a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). (6) My desires are not too strong; rather, they are too weak. Focusing on the spiritual growth that I still need to achieve, and identifying those areas in which I presently am lacking. This list would include not only what I still need to add (diligence, faith, knowledge, virtue, self-control, brotherly love, love: 2 Peter 1:5-11), but also what I need to finally remove (immorality, impurity, evil passions, greed, anger, wrath, malice, slander, abusive speech: Colossians 3:5-9). Obligations to the Lost Make a list of places where you want to evangelize. Think of a fresh approach to reach a friend that needs saving, or an old friend of the family, or old acquaintances that helped you in years past. Obligations to Children Take the time to write a list of vital lessons that you need to impart to your children. This could include lessons about what really makes a person happy, the value of service and sacrifice, the evidence for God's existence and the integrity of the biblical text. Begin to write letters to your my children — letters about your life, the lessons that you learned, the things that you prayed for concerning your children, the happiness they gave you, your desires for their future, and the times that God came through for you. Obligations to God To sum it up, to be useful to Him: "Therefore, if a man cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work" (2 Timothy 2:21).
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