"I'M IN"
Sermon Blog 4/13/25: Pastor Jim McKinnies
Have you ever felt God calling you to release something you hold dear? To loosen your grip on what you consider yours and offer it freely for His purposes? This profound act of surrender lies at the heart of true discipleship and unlocks the door to being part of something far greater than ourselves.
Consider the story of Jesus preparing to enter Jerusalem for the final time. He needed a colt to ride upon, fulfilling ancient prophecy. Yet He owned nothing. So He sent His disciples with a simple message: "The Lord has need of it."
Imagine being the owner of that colt. You've worked hard, saved diligently, and finally acquired this valuable animal. It represents future income and opportunity. Then suddenly, strangers appear, ready to take it away with only those five words as explanation. No contract. No promise of return. Just "The Lord has need of it."
This moment encapsulates a powerful test of ownership and faith. Do we truly believe that everything we have ultimately belongs to God? Are we willing to release our perceived possessions when He calls us to do so?
The Scripture reminds us: "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it" (Psalm 24:1). We are stewards, not owners. Managers, not masters of what we possess. This shift in perspective changes everything.
During His earthly ministry, Jesus borrowed constantly – a boat to preach from, a room for the Last Supper, even a tomb for His burial. He owned little, yet He changed everything He touched. This serves as a powerful reminder that true impact doesn't come from what we own, but from how willing we are to offer what we have for God's purposes.
The colt's owners could have resisted. They could have demanded explanations, contracts, or guarantees. Instead, they simply released what was asked of them. That's what real stewardship looks like – recognizing that it all belongs to God anyway and willingly offering it back to Him.
This principle extends far beyond material possessions. God may call us to surrender our time, our talents, our comfort zones, or our carefully laid plans. The question is: are we willing to be "all in" for His vision?
Consider King David's example when preparing to build the temple. Though he knew he wouldn't live to see its completion, David gave extravagantly from his own treasures. He then inspired the leaders and people to do the same. The result? Joyful, willing sacrifice as the entire community recognized they were part of something greater than themselves.
God often gives us visions that require provision. He invites us to be active participants in His plans, not passive spectators. When we say "I'm in" to God's calling, we position ourselves to be part of the prophetic fulfillment of His promises.
This "all in" mindset isn't about equal giving, but equal sacrifice. It's not about the amount, but the willingness to release whatever God asks of us. A widow's mite or a child's lunch can become world-changing when placed in the Master's hands.
Remember, God doesn't need our resources – we need the blessing and protection that comes from being fully surrendered to His will. Our survival, our families' futures, and our spiritual growth are intimately tied to our willingness to be "all in" for God's vision.
Here are some powerful truths to consider:
The challenge before us is clear: Will we cling tightly to what we perceive as ours, or will we open our hands, releasing it all for God's purposes? Will we be content to watch from the sidelines, or will we step onto the field, fully committed to being part of His divine game plan?
God is moving powerfully in our world today. He's calling ordinary people to be part of extraordinary things. The question is not whether God can accomplish His will – He certainly can. The question is whether we will position ourselves to be used by Him, to be part of the story He's writing.
When we truly grasp that everything belongs to God anyway, it becomes easier to loosen our grip. We begin to see our possessions, our talents, and even our lives as tools to be used for His glory rather than treasures to be hoarded.
Imagine the impact a fully surrendered community of believers could have. Picture what might happen if an entire church decided to be "all in" – holding nothing back, offering everything to God for His purposes. The result would be nothing short of revolutionary.
As you reflect on this message, consider:
Remember, it's not about having great resources or abilities. It's about being willing to offer whatever we have, however small it may seem. God can do miraculous things with our "five loaves and two fish" when we place them in His hands without reservation.
The invitation stands before each of us today. Will we be spectators or participants? Will we hold back or go all in? The choice is ours, but the potential impact is immeasurable. Let us dare to be like those colt owners, willing to release what we have when we hear those powerful words: "The Lord has need of it."
Have you ever felt God calling you to release something you hold dear? To loosen your grip on what you consider yours and offer it freely for His purposes? This profound act of surrender lies at the heart of true discipleship and unlocks the door to being part of something far greater than ourselves.
Consider the story of Jesus preparing to enter Jerusalem for the final time. He needed a colt to ride upon, fulfilling ancient prophecy. Yet He owned nothing. So He sent His disciples with a simple message: "The Lord has need of it."
Imagine being the owner of that colt. You've worked hard, saved diligently, and finally acquired this valuable animal. It represents future income and opportunity. Then suddenly, strangers appear, ready to take it away with only those five words as explanation. No contract. No promise of return. Just "The Lord has need of it."
This moment encapsulates a powerful test of ownership and faith. Do we truly believe that everything we have ultimately belongs to God? Are we willing to release our perceived possessions when He calls us to do so?
The Scripture reminds us: "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it" (Psalm 24:1). We are stewards, not owners. Managers, not masters of what we possess. This shift in perspective changes everything.
During His earthly ministry, Jesus borrowed constantly – a boat to preach from, a room for the Last Supper, even a tomb for His burial. He owned little, yet He changed everything He touched. This serves as a powerful reminder that true impact doesn't come from what we own, but from how willing we are to offer what we have for God's purposes.
The colt's owners could have resisted. They could have demanded explanations, contracts, or guarantees. Instead, they simply released what was asked of them. That's what real stewardship looks like – recognizing that it all belongs to God anyway and willingly offering it back to Him.
This principle extends far beyond material possessions. God may call us to surrender our time, our talents, our comfort zones, or our carefully laid plans. The question is: are we willing to be "all in" for His vision?
Consider King David's example when preparing to build the temple. Though he knew he wouldn't live to see its completion, David gave extravagantly from his own treasures. He then inspired the leaders and people to do the same. The result? Joyful, willing sacrifice as the entire community recognized they were part of something greater than themselves.
God often gives us visions that require provision. He invites us to be active participants in His plans, not passive spectators. When we say "I'm in" to God's calling, we position ourselves to be part of the prophetic fulfillment of His promises.
This "all in" mindset isn't about equal giving, but equal sacrifice. It's not about the amount, but the willingness to release whatever God asks of us. A widow's mite or a child's lunch can become world-changing when placed in the Master's hands.
Remember, God doesn't need our resources – we need the blessing and protection that comes from being fully surrendered to His will. Our survival, our families' futures, and our spiritual growth are intimately tied to our willingness to be "all in" for God's vision.
Here are some powerful truths to consider:
- Everything we have ultimately comes from God. We are stewards, not owners.
- When God asks something of us, the appropriate response is "Yes, Lord," not "Why, Lord?"
- Being part of God's vision often requires sacrificial giving of our time, talents, and resources.
- Our willingness to be "all in" positions us to experience the fulfillment of God's promises.
- God invites us to be active participants in His plans, not passive observers.
- True impact comes not from what we own, but from how willing we are to offer what we have.
- Surrendering to God's will brings protection, blessing, and spiritual growth.
The challenge before us is clear: Will we cling tightly to what we perceive as ours, or will we open our hands, releasing it all for God's purposes? Will we be content to watch from the sidelines, or will we step onto the field, fully committed to being part of His divine game plan?
God is moving powerfully in our world today. He's calling ordinary people to be part of extraordinary things. The question is not whether God can accomplish His will – He certainly can. The question is whether we will position ourselves to be used by Him, to be part of the story He's writing.
When we truly grasp that everything belongs to God anyway, it becomes easier to loosen our grip. We begin to see our possessions, our talents, and even our lives as tools to be used for His glory rather than treasures to be hoarded.
Imagine the impact a fully surrendered community of believers could have. Picture what might happen if an entire church decided to be "all in" – holding nothing back, offering everything to God for His purposes. The result would be nothing short of revolutionary.
As you reflect on this message, consider:
- What is God asking you to "loosen" and release to Him?
- In what areas of your life are you still clinging to ownership instead of embracing stewardship?
- How can you practically demonstrate being "all in" for God's vision in your family, workplace, or community?
Remember, it's not about having great resources or abilities. It's about being willing to offer whatever we have, however small it may seem. God can do miraculous things with our "five loaves and two fish" when we place them in His hands without reservation.
The invitation stands before each of us today. Will we be spectators or participants? Will we hold back or go all in? The choice is ours, but the potential impact is immeasurable. Let us dare to be like those colt owners, willing to release what we have when we hear those powerful words: "The Lord has need of it."
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