Tuesday, March 17, 2009

"Going the Second Mile" March 15, 2009

Scripture Passage: Luke 6:27-38 A successful businessman, approaching retirement, was asked the question, "To what do you owe your success?" "Any success," he replied, "I have achieved in my public or private life I owe to three little words. Those words are and then some." He went on to explain, "Early in my life I saw the difference between those who achieved success and those who did not. The winners, the achievers, did what everyone else did and then some. They worked as hard as others and then some. They were as dependable as others and then some. They did their job just like everyone else and then some."

American corporations are spending millions of dollars today to teach their employees the secret of this “and then some” philosophy. Seminars and best selling books that teach the magic of these words are touted in every business magazine. It seems the sports world has known the secret for years. Often the coach has said, "For us to win this game our players will have to perform at one hundred and ten per cent!" That is, they will have to give everything they've got and then some!
The principle is widely known today, at least, in theory. Its practical application to life, however, is more difficult. There is within us a strong tendency to look for an easier way, to look for a short cut. Our eye is easily caught by the approach to life that appears more casual and less costly. We want the dividends of a dedicated life but we want to make as little investment as possible. We may be like the person who was confronted by a door to door salesman. "Sir," he said, "I've got a labor saving device that will cut your work in half." "Great," he replied, "I'll take two of them!"

When Jesus shared these words found in Luke 6:27-38, a shock wave must have gone through the crowds. He was calling His followers to live 1. A Radical Lifestyle Radical meaning “Marked by a considerable departure from the usual or traditional.” Listen to the kind of radical lifestyle that Jesus calls us to (Read Text). Jesus was challenging his listeners to take a quantum leap in attitude and lifestyle. He was attempting to take them to a plane of life they had never considered, indeed, never knew existed. But Jesus never said it would be easy to follow Him. He never promised a problem-free life, a life of comfort and ease. The people hearing these words for the first time had been carefully taught an approach to life that said "eye for eye," "tooth for tooth," tit for tat, do it to me and I'll do it to you! Do what is expected, what comes naturally, what makes logical sense. Jesus said, "But I tell you..." With this word of contrast, "but," Jesus was about to introduce these people to a revolutionary and unheard of approach to living. He laid it before them in the most practical of terms.

For instance, "Anyone can love those who love them in return. Do that, and then some. Love those who hate you." This is not a feeling or desire, but an act of the will. "Anyone can loan to those who will pay them back with interest. Do that, and then some. Loan to those who will never pay you back." "Anyone can bless those who bless in return. Do that, and then some. Bless those who curse you in return." "And if someone takes your coat let him have it and then some. Give him your shirt also."

In the parallel passage, Matthew 5:41 (Also in the Sermon on the Mount), Jesus said, "If someone forces you to go one mile, do that, and then some. Go beyond the first mile. Go two miles!” The background of that particular statement is significant. The land of Israel was occupied by the military forces of the Roman Empire. One of the malicious military privileges afforded the soldiers was that they could, by law, demand that a Jewish male, twenty one years of age or older, carry the soldier's pack for a distance not to exceed one mile. Unbelievably, Jesus was demanding that the Jews, not only endure this demeaning practice, but double it by going beyond the first mile.

In this passage, Jesus was not talking about carrying backpacks and He was not talking about a single isolated act. Jesus was calling for His disciples to live A Second Mile Lifestyle. Jesus was calling for a revolutionary change, a totally new and radical approach to relationships and social behavior. This radical style of living would characterize his followers and easily distinguish them from the rest of humanity. His disciples would be a people who lived their lives beyond the first mile! Jesus has called us (His disciples) to live our lives daily beyond the first mile. Jesus has called us to live beyond the minimum standards of the world. So how are we doing?

2. A Reciprocal Lifestyle By reciprocal I mean “To return in kind or degree.” In the world we say, “What comes around goes around.” But in the Bible, specifically, in verse 38 Jesus gives the kind of faith action that leads to great blessings, "Give, and it will be given to you." Unfortunately, this verse is rarely quoted except in the context of a message on money. To apply this remarkable statement only to dollars and cents is to tragically undervalue its meaning. Jesus, here, refers to a biblical and spiritual principle alluded to dozens of times in his teaching ministry. This principle goes beyond dollars and cents to touch every area of human experience.

The Principle of Giving and Receiving is woven into the very fabric of God's creation. The basis of the "Golden Rule," found in Luke 6:31, is the Principle of Giving and Receiving. The treatment we give to others determines the treatment we receive from others. Jesus elaborates, "If you go through life showing mercy to others, you will receive more mercy than most people." "If you go through life forgiving others you will receive more forgiveness than most people."
We see this principle at work all the time. Which student gets the most out of the educational experience? Is it the one who goofs off, neglects homework, and doesn't prepare until the cram session before the final exam? Not usually! The student who receives the most from school is the one who throws himself or herself into the work, who does the work assigned and looks for ways to earn "bonus points."
Who gets the most from their job? Is it the employee who arrives late, leaves early, and uses every excuse to avoid or delay getting the job done? Never! That employee makes himself miserable trying to do as little as possible. "Doing nothing" is the most tiring work of all. The employee that receives blessings and satisfaction from the job is the one who does everything expected "and then some."
Who gets the most out of their church life? Is it those whose involvement is only on the fringes and margins? No, the best of the church experience and fellowship is for those who give themselves to the life of the body, the church. The more you give, the more you receive. That’s why we see the early church experiencing such incredible joy even in tough times. They were the fellowship of the second mile.
The powerful truth underlying the Principle of Giving and Receiving is that it gives us a measure of control in what we get out of life! We can exert some control over what we get out of life by what we give along the way. Jesus is teaching, "You can affect what you get out of life!"

This message is everywhere! Just look around! The sun gives. The clouds give. The earth gives. The plants give. My nose is telling me the trees and the flowers have been giving quite a bit lately! All creation is caught up in a frenzy of giving. This should not surprise us. Creation is simply reflecting the Creator! God is a Giver. That is His nature. That is why Luke 6:35 says that those who give will be known as "children of the Highest," that is, they behave as their Father. It is a family characteristic. It is in the family DNA! When we give we are practicing a family tradition! It put us "in sync" with creation! And, when we are selfish and withholding of ourselves we are violating a principle and pattern of the universe.

We affect what we get out of life by what we give. It’s true! If you go through life smiling at others you will receive more smiles than most people. But if you go through life frowning, you will probably receive more frowns than most people. If you go through with a positive attitude, you will receive positive affirmations. But if you go through life with a negative attitude, you will probably live as a negative person. If you go through life forgiving, you will receive forgiveness. But if you go through life bitter and angry, you will probably receive more anger and bitterness in your life. What you give is what you get! It’s amazing! Going the second mile works!

God has so constructed creation that you do not lose by giving. It is impossible to give yourself away. It really is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). And when we begin to give ourselves away, not holding back, we discover joy and we discover those rich rewards promised those who go beyond the first mile. But God has also so constructed creation that you do lose when you try to withhold. Fruit not picked rots on the tree. Water not allowed to flow becomes stagnant. Jesus said that the person who tries to hold on to their life will eventually lose it (see Matt. 16:25). He also taught in a parable (the story of the talents, Matt. 25:14-30, esp., v.29) that the person who is not a faithful steward of life will lose everything he has and it will be given to someone else who is faithful. Strong warnings about the foolishness of trying to hold on when we should be releasing.
Living a second mile lifestyle is really just following the life of Jesus. When we go the second mile we are imitating Christ who everyday of his life lived beyond the minimum standard. He took no short cuts. He cut no corners. He held nothing in reserve. He lived His life and finished His race. Remember when he fed the five thousand with five loaves and two fishes? Everyone's need was met and they had twelve baskets of food left over. That is meeting need and then some! Remember when He told the disciples to cast their nets? They couldn't pull them in for the quantity of fish! That is meeting need and then some! Remember when Jesus turned the water into wine? He filled six water pots with one hundred and eighty gallons of wine! That's meeting need and then some!

That's the way Jesus lived every day of his life. And, that's the way He died. The Cross at Calvary lies far beyond the first mile marker. His sacrifice was real and it was costly. He did it all for you! Now, He calls "Come, follow Me!" Live as I have lived. The power to live as Christ lived comes from His living presence in our lives.
3. A Rewarding Lifestyle
Jesus does not call us to Life Beyond the First Mile to make our lives more difficult. Just the opposite is true. Jesus wants us to experience and enjoy those blessings and benefits that are found only beyond the first mile. Life's greatest lessons are learned when one journeys beyond the minimum standards where the majority seldom venture. Many people never learn those lessons, nor enjoy those blessings, because they never do more than they "have to do." People are always surprised with the discoveries they make beyond the first mile. Beyond the first mile lies a land of spiritual adventure and achievement. What can we can anticipate when we aspire to Life Beyond the First Mile?

When we move beyond the first mile we discover joy which is much different than happiness. We experience a deep sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. We feel a deep sense of investment and significance. Our lives take on a new meaning and purpose because we have become associated with something greater than the usual. A noted American psychologist spoke of "the first layer of fatigue." Most people work until they get tired and then quit. Thus, all they know of work is getting tired and quitting. The joy of great achievement is never theirs because they never venture beyond the first layer of fatigue. They never do more than the average. They never do more than the others. They never do more than expected. They set no goals. They win no victories because they fight no battles. Life for these people is totally predictable.

They remind me of a pioneer who built his cabin beside the first water hole he discovered. But the spring produced so little water that the pioneer's primary work every day was drawing enough water to meet that day's requirements. His life, of course, was filled with a sense of "sameness" and boredom. The greater tragedy, however, was that if he had ever journeyed just over the next hill he would have discovered a vast crystal clear lake teeming with resources. The pioneer never knew such a place existed because he journeyed no further than he had to. Joy is discovered when you go the second mile.

Medically, it has not been proven, but distance runners commonly speak of getting their "second wind." They say that after an initial period of running it gets easier. Their breathing becomes more rhythmic and their stride becomes more relaxed. Many of us might satisfy ourselves with a short little jog and never enjoy the phenomenon of "the second wind" known by the serious and committed runners who push themselves beyond "the first layer of fatigue."

The moment we move beyond the first mile our first discovery is joy. When you look at the early church, you find a people who were living second mile lifestyles. They loved, they forgave, they were merciful, they were different, they were like Jesus, they also had joy and peace. Paul, the Apostle, wrote Philippians, the book of joy from prison!

Response 1. How am I living? Do I practice the bare minimum? Do I love, accept, forgive, show mercy to, etc. only those who first to it to me? Do I get little out of life because I’m not putting much into it?
2. What will it take for me to live a second mile lifestyle? Be more accepting, more forgiving, more merciful, more patient, more like Christ? Will I go beyond my circle of friends? Will I show forgiveness first? Will I tame my tongue? Will I go the second mile? The question is, “am I really serious about being like Jesus?”

And if so, “What will need to change in my life?” My attitude? Do I have the attitude of Christ? My priorities? My desires? My schedule? The company I keep? It’s hard to fly like eagles when you’re living with turkeys.

When the church is the church, when believers are committed to Christ and one another, then we will go the second mile and then we will see God do some pretty amazing things!

Sunday, March 1, 2009

"Of Gold and Goat's Hair" (Exodus 35:4-9, 20-29)

Preached March 1, 2009 by Joe Alain, Pastor of Hebron Baptist Church in Denham Springs, Louisiana

It has been suggested that Americans spend seventy-five percent of their time relating to money. That includes earning it, spending it, thinking about it, investing it, and worrying about it. Yet most of us are very uncomfortable talking about it. This discomfort is magnified when we are inside the church building. This is peculiar when you consider how frequently Jesus, the One in whose name we gather, talked and taught about money. It was one of his favorite topics. He talked more about money than He did about heaven, hell, and prayer combined! A significant number of His parables refer to financial resources and how we handle them. Yet, when the topic is introduced most of us begin to feel, at least, some measure of anxiety.

We might feel like the young country boy who moved to the big city. On Sunday he visited the first church he saw. As fate would have it, it was Pledge Sunday and they handed him a pledge card. He thought he would probably want to join this church and he wanted to make a good first impression so he completed the card pledging to give $100 over the year.

The next Sunday the country boy returned to the church and was surprised to see his name listed in the church bulletin as a $10,000 contributor. After the service he notified the minister of the mistake. The country boy asked what could be done to correct the obvious mistake. The minister hemmed and hawed for a moment or two and then replied, “Well, I guess we can make a correction in next week’s bulletin and say that you are NOT giving $10,000.”

Given no face-saving alternative the country boy did not know what else to do but to say, “Just leave it as it is and I’ll try my best to give $10,000 this year.” The minister seemed quite happy with the boy’s decision and said, “We will take your picture and hang it in the hallway with the pictures of all our other $10,000 contributors. We have quite a lot of them!” The minister continued, “And you can choose your favorite verse of Scripture to place under your picture.” The young man needed to think only a moment and said, “Beneath my picture as a $10,000 contributor please place this verse, ‘I was a stranger and you took me in.’”

When the topic of money or giving or stewardship is mentioned in church, some members begin to suspect that someone is preparing to take them in. I can assure you than no such plans have been laid during our time of stewardship emphasis. This series of messages will deal with money matters because money is important, because the Bible is filled with financial instruction, and because we can never fully and faithfully follow Christ apart from personal stewardship.

This message will address a few of the most basic questions that might be asked about our stewardship emphasis.

The first question is this: Is Raising Money an Appropriate Endeavor for the Church?
The first recorded occasion of God’s people raising funds is found in Exodus 35:4-9. The people’s response is noted in Exodus 35:20-29. The results of the effort are seen in the chapters that follow. Obviously, what we are doing is not a new experience for the people of God. This is the first occasion of God’s people gathering funds, but it would not be the last. Extensive fundraising efforts would be conducted for the construction of Solomon’s Temple, and later, for its rebuilding. The early church in the Book of Acts raised funds to meet special needs.
The Bible is filled with a variety of gifts and ways to give but when you look at biblical giving from the broadest perspective you see there are only two categories of giving.

1. One category of biblical giving is regular, ongoing, and systematic. We see it in the Old Testament and in the New Testament. We generally refer to this regular kind of giving as “Tithing.” These are the funds that have always sustained the work of God among His people. There is, however, another broad category of giving presented in Scripture. 2. In both testaments we find occasions when the people of God were confronted with special needs. They responded with a special kind of giving, “Special Offerings.” This special giving was generally for one specific need and was short term in its duration.

It is this special kind of giving in which our church is now involved. We are asking for sacrificial gifts over a three-year period of time to meet a specific need in the life and ministry of our church. Since this Exodus passage is the first pattern given for this type of effort we should use it to answer some other questions. This then is God’s prototype for special giving programs. What Are the Characteristics of Special Giving?

1. The People Gave More than Enough (36:3-7)
This first effort was remarkably successful. Moses issues the call to bring gifts and everyone goes away. Then, people began to return bearing gifts for the construction of the Tabernacle. And they continued to bring gifts. It appears that they brought not just one gift per person but that the people continued day after day to bring more and more. Gifts and resources began to pile up. We see that the construction crews could not do their work because all the gifts cluttered the construction site and there seemed to be no end to the offering. They complained to Moses who “restrained” the people from giving more. They had to force the people to stop giving, imagine that! They gave more than enough.
2. Their Was Widespread Participation (35:4, 20, 22, 29)
This was not the program of a few of the leaders or only the wealthy. Although no specific numbers are mentioned, the passage repeatedly refers to “all the men” and “all the women.” From the lengthy list of gifts it certainly appears that everyone or nearly everyone participated in this giving program. If we are to achieve success in our campaign, we must have widespread participation. We cannot accomplish our purpose unless we see ourselves as one body, one family, doing a job that no fewer than all of us can do. To meet our great challenge, our great people must tune in to one drumbeat and march to it.

3. The People Gave Willingly
The key throughout this giving campaign was that it was spearheaded and sustained by people who had willing hearts. See 35:5, 21, 22, 29, “freewill offering.” See also the example of the Corinthians (2 Cor. 8:12; 9:6-8). When God’s people give willingly, great things can happen.

What Is the Motivation for Special Giving? Why did these people in the desert respond so wonderfully, so positively? They were just getting acquainted with personal freedom and personal wealth. For generations these Hebrews had been slaves who had not one thing to call their own. Now they were beginning to get some “stuff.” Now they could dream of acquiring “the good life.” And now they are called on to give. What would motivate them to do so?
Their Hearts Were Moved to Give. Throughout the passage, time and time again, you read that they responded because their hearts were stirred and their spirits were moved. There was no external pressure, no arm-twisting. These people were responding to something going on deep in their hearts. Their hearts were filled to overflowing with gratitude to God and that gratitude had to find a way of release. The gratitude of their hearts gushed out in extraordinary expressions of gift giving.

For what were they so grateful? They were free from the evil Pharaoh. They were free from their daily lives as slaves. They were free from a land where they did not belong. Their daily needs were being met by God. Everything they had was from God and they were grateful. If these Hebrews gave so lavishly and sacrificially for their physical deliverance, how much greater should our hearts and hands respond to the spiritual and eternal deliverance that is ours because of God’s great gift of His only begotten Son?

What Kinds of Gifts Were Received in this Offering? Of course, we might ask, “Where did these gifts come from?” When they left Egypt, they left with many of the possessions of the Egyptians (See Ex. 3:21-22; 12:35-36). An extensive list of gifts is recorded in Scripture (35:22-29). The gifts vary in kind and value. They range from gold to goat’s hair. It’s helpful to visualize the scene. Moses has issued the call for everyone to give. The story says that the people went away, not an unusual reaction to sermons about giving! But then, the people begin to return. As they return they brought their gifts. In appears that the people brought one gift and then thought of other possessions they could give. There’s much activity as ever willing-hearted man and woman scurry to and from the construction site excitedly finding and bringing gifts for the construction of the Tabernacle.

They were creative and imaginative in their discovery of gifts. Some brought very valuable gifts of gold, silver, and precious stones. Obviously, these gifts would be needed to build an acceptable place of worship. Not so obviously needed, someone brought a gift of acacia wood. The acacia tree is a gnarled tree that grew in the wilderness. I see a young man who has a heart to give but he has no gold or silver. What can he give? Looking across the wilderness landscape he sees a distant tree on the horizon. He realizes that wood will be required for the Tabernacle. Eagerly he journeys across the rugged terrain to the acacia tree. Through the long hot hours under the desert sun the young man struggles to free the tree from its deep root system. Finally, the hardened soil gives way and the young man wrestles the tree to the ground. He lifts the heavy timber to his shoulders and journeys back to the construction site. Arriving, he drops his heavy load to the ground and in the mist of the billowing dust he declares, “Here is my gift to God.” The strength of his youth and manhood had been mobilized by the desire of his heart and his gift was of great value to God’s plan and purpose.

Someone else brought “goat’s hair.” Now this must have a most imaginative person. I see any aged woman. She has no gold or silver. She has no strength of youth. But she had a heart eager to give and she may have thought long and hard to find a gift. She realizes that fabrics, ropes and cords of all kinds will be needed in this portable place of worship. There would be an essential need for thread and twine. Perhaps she saw a nearby herd of goats. She could provide goat’s hair. Perhaps she was so poor that she didn’t even own a goat. I can see her asking a friend, “Can I borrow your goat for the day?” “No, he will be fine. In fact he will look better when I bring him back.” Where do you get goat’s hair? You brush a goat. She had a heart filled with willingness and she found a gift of value and significance that she could bring.

Now, a theological question: which gift was more pleasing to God, the gold or the goat’s hair? It is a foolish question, of course. Goat’s hair is as pleasing to God as gold when it is the expression of a heart that is in love with God. The value of the gift is not found in its intrinsic wealth but in the willingness of the heart. This is why being “a cheerful giver” is one of the most important aspects of our giving.

Why Does God Call Us to Give? This is a very basic question. Why does God ask us to give? He gives to us and asks us to give in return but why? Does God need the money? God is not broke. God does not need our resources. Does God like new buildings? Is that what impresses Him? If God wanted these Hebrews to have a Tabernacle where they could worship why didn’t God just give it to them? God had parted the Red Sea. He had given them water from a rock and manna from heaven. Dropping a tabernacle from heaven would have been an easy solution. Instead God calls the Hebrews to give and verse after verse, page after page, God gives instructions on the meticulous construction of the Tabernacle.

Why did God have the Hebrews to build the Tabernacle? God is not primarily concerned with breaking ground for a place of worship but with brokenhearted people who will worship. External and physical buildings, renovations, and renewals must always be outward reflections of what is happening in the spirits of God’s people.
From gold to goat’s hair, we can all bring gifts. No one need be left out. Everyone can participate. When it comes to giving, It is never a matter of wealth but a matter of willingness. It is right to look at your resources, your savings, your checking account, and your investments. But, the gift or gifts you bring will be determined by what is found in your heart. We give from a heart that overflows with God’s amazing grace.
(Personal Testimony of Our Plan for Giving)
This message has been focused toward Christians. If you are not a believer today, God is not asking anything from you. In fact, He has a gift for you – it is the gift of His Son, Jesus. It is the gift of forgiveness from your sins. It is the gift of a new life and a new beginning. As a gift is only able to be received, so God’s gift to you of salvation can only be received. With hands open to God this morning, why don’t you now receive God’s incredible free gift of salvation? Experience the joy and freedom that God gives when He is in control of your life!

For His Glory!
Pastor Joe