A sermon preached at Hebron Baptist Church, Denham Springs, LA on August 2, 2009 by Pastor Joe Alain.
Scripture Reading: Romans 1:16-17
INTRODUCTION
The Blessing of Mutual Encouragement (vv.8-12)
In the opening sections of this chapter, Paul describes how he has longed to share with the believers in Rome. They have been in his prayers (vv.9-10) and Paul has desired to be with them in person. He wants to impart to them “some spiritual gift to make” them strong (v.11). The gift that he desires to bring to the Roman believers is the gift of sharing and encouragement (v.12). Paul envisions that when he arrives in Rome and begins to share with them, both the believers in Rome and Paul will be encouraged by each other’s faith.
That’s how it works among believers and that’s why sharing God’s word and our faith together is so important. As we share with each other and serve alongside with one another, we encourage one another. In what ways are you sharing with other believers? Studying God’s word together? Praying together? Encouraging your fellow believers? Serving in a ministry together? All of these things bring the blessing of mutual encouragement.
Seeing God’s Purposes and Timing (v.13)
Even though Paul has been prevented from coming to share with the Romans, he is not discouraged. He sees this as working out for God’s greater purpose. He knows that God is in control and that having to wait sometimes is for God’s greater glory and for our good. Paul knows that these delays are only going to bring about a greater spiritual harvest when he does come to Rome (v.13).
It’s important for us to understand God’s purposes and His timing. We see unfulfilled dreams, delayed answers to prayers, roadblocks in ministry as hindrances – something that should not be in our lives. But God is at work and we need to grasp by faith that He is in control. Maybe you’ve been dreaming, praying and waiting and you wonder if God is hearing and working. I can assure you that He is. Stay strong in the Lord and keep your eyes on Christ. He will show you His greater purpose and it will always be for His glory and your good.
An Obligation to Preach the Gospel (vv.14-15)
Paul was saved by grace through faith, but Paul felt a deep sense of obligation to serve in the Gospel. The Gospel, the Good News of Christ that He paid for your sins and took your punishment and rose again is complete and the benefits of what God has done are freely given to you by grace through faith. But trusting in Christ leads to a life of gratitude and living out
God’s grace.
Paul said in Philippians 2:12 that we are to continue to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Not “work for” but “work out.” In other words, God’s salvation is a gift, but our lives our to be grace-filled and lived out in continual gratitude to God for His great gift. This is the new direction of our life – we have been changed on the inside and given a new power to please Him. Paul was saved completely by grace and he lived in complete wonder of that event. However, Paul sensed a deep obligation to all people, “both Greeks and non-Greeks” (v.14). Because of this deep sense of obligation, Paul was eager to “preach the gospel” (v.15).
Paul’s passion for the Gospel is especially seen in our text today (verse 16) when he says, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel.” Why was Paul not ashamed? Because the Gospel “is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” The Gospel is God’s power to save! By trusting in the message of the Gospel, God makes us righteous, something that we are unable to do ourselves. This is why Paul says, “I am not ashamed.” Instead, Paul is saying “I glory in the Gospel and I feel a deep sense of obligation to share its life-changing message with all people.”
As we look at these verses, there are some key words that we need to understand. These words are found throughout the book of Romans and in Paul’s other writings as well.
Key Terms
Gospel – The Gospel is the good news that God Himself has rescued us from our sin and its punishment through Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection. See 1 Cor. 15:3-4.
Salvation – Means to heal, to rescue, specifically to rescue us and free us from our sin which holds us captive. Barclay: Salvation means to rescue from danger (Matt. 8:25), from life’s infection (Acts 2:40), from lostness (Lk. 19:10), from sin (Matt. 1:21), and from God’s wrath (Rom. 5:9).
Righteousness – In the Hebrew mind, righteousness was a legal term and had to do more with legal status than a moral quality. It means to be in the right in relation to God and His law. The same form of the word is found at Matt. 5:20; Gal. 2:21; 3:21; 2 Cor. 5:21. To be righteous is to enter into a new relationship with God, a relationship of love and confidence and friendship, instead of one of separation and enmity and fear. This right relationship with God is a result of a person casting himself on the amazing mercy and love of God.
Note: God’s righteousness is “Revealed” (v.17), a pres., passive, indicative (also at 1:18) which indicates that this righteousness comes from God alone. Man did not come up with the biblical idea of righteousness, it is revealed or unveiled from God.
Faith – Belief, total acceptance, absolute trust. A firm belief in God and His word.
GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS REVEALED (vv.16-17)
These verses form the heart of this chapter and the theme of the book of Romans. Behind the truth of this passage are several realities. The first reality concerns sin, a universal problem.
I. Sin: A Universal Problem
Paul had a world-wide outlook because he knew that sin was a universal problem. The Gospel is universal (for “everyone”) because the need that the Gospel addresses is universal. All people need the Gospel (Rom. 3:10, 23). What we found on our recent mission trip to Nicaragua you will find in every corner of our town and the globe – the universal problem of sin. This is why Paul is not ashamed of the Gospel, it is the answer to man’s problem. We too should not
be ashamed.
To compound our sin problem, we are faced with a second reality; that is, we are totally unable to do anything about our sin.
II. Human Effort: An Insufficient Cure
As intelligent as the human race is, we still have yet to find a cure for what ails the human heart. We’ve learned how to contain evil doers and enact external laws to keep people in some sort of check through human power. But man has still not yet figured out how to deal with the problem of the human heart. We are powerless to cure ourselves but that doesn’t stop us from trying.
How do people attempt to deal with their sin problem? There are some of course who deny the reality of sin. What we call sin is termed a sickness, a psychological problem, some deficiency that can be explained by medical science. Other people simply are swallowed up by sin. They know they have a sin problem but they have resigned themselves to being overcome by it. Then there are others who know that sin is a problem and they try to deal with it in some religious way. For example, . . .
* By keeping the 10 commandments or living a moral life.
* By doing good or living a good life.
* By undergoing some type of religious observance such as baptism or communion.
* By joining a church.
These things are not bad, they are good things. However, none of these things can do what Paul says God’s power can do; mainly, rescue us from sin and make us right with God.
What’s Wrong with a Salvation by Human Effort?
1. Assumes man’s efforts are what is required. I am making salvation a work, something that I do to please God, when just the opposite is true. God is pleased with the work of Christ on the cross. He simply wants me to trust in that finished work.
2. Assumes sin is an external problem. I wrongly assume that when the outside appearance (problem) is fixed, the work is done. Only stressing outward acts does nothing to address the inward heart but that is exactly where the problem lies. Common sense tells us that. You can take a pig out of the pigpen and clean him up and 10 minutes later he’s back in the pig pen. Why? He’s still a pig, you’ve only cleaned him up on the outside. His basic nature has not changed.
3. Limits God’s salvation. A salvation by works by its very nature limits salvation to those who are able to “do”something or measure up to some artificial human standard. What about the rest of us who don’t measure up to that standard? Is there no hope for us?
4. No faith or God is required. If I can fix my problem I certainly don’t need faith. No need for a crucified savior here! And even worse, I don’t need God. A works salvation breeds pride, hypocrisy and a check list mentality of salvation. Remember Jesus and the Pharisees?
The third reality brings us back to the truth of our passage. God’s power contained in the Gospel is the only cure for our condition.
III. The Gospel: God’s Power to Save
This word “power” (“dunamis” also at 1 Cor. 1:18) is an interesting way to express God’s salvation, especially since Paul is in Rome, the supreme earthly “power” of the ancient world. In Rome as now, the cross was offensive, it was a stumblingblock. Why? Because the cross glorifies the weak, the powerless, the foolish. People might understand a man who would give his life for some honorable and good person, but not a person who would give his life for a sinner. That’s what Jesus did. The world then and now views power as the right to control others or the power to destroy, but from God’s perspective, creation is the measure for power. The Gospel, the death and resurrection of Jesus, rescues us from sin and creates a new relationship and a new nature inside (2 Cor. 5:17).
What Takes Place in Salvation? These verses highlight two very important aspects to what occurs when we believe the Gospel.
1. God Rescues Us from Our Sin, “Salvation”
This is the heart of the meaning of the word “salvation.”
2. God Initiates a New Standing, “Righteous”
This is the heart of the meaning of the word “righteous.” But the question is raised, “How can the Gospel be good news when the righteousness of God (or rather my unrighteousness) is our problem? My unrighteousness is why I am separated from God and under His wrath. So how is this good news – that the righteousness of God is revealed in the Gospel? Here’s the answer: John Piper writes, “What is revealed in the Gospel is the righteousness of God for us that He demands from us. What we had to have, but could not create or supply or perform, God gives us freely, namely, His own righteousness, the righteousness of God. This is how God saves us. God reveals as a gift in Christ Jesus what was once only a demand.”
Another Question: Why then did God chose to reveal His righteousness in the Gospel? Why this way, through a cross?
1. So that Salvation Is Completely of the Lord. If you and I are going to be made right with God, He is going to have to do it and He will!
2. So that Salvation Would be by Faith. This is what Paul is emphasizing in these verses. “Everyone who believes” (v.16) and “The righteous will live by faith” (v.17). A better translation is, “He who through faith is righteous shall live,” (v.17). God wants us to relate to Him on a personal level, that’s why it’s by faith because faith involves believing God, trusting in Him.
3. So that Salvation Would be Possible for All People
The ground at the cross is truly level. Because righteousness comes by faith in the Gospel, its message is available to all people for all times.
When Does Salvation Take Place? The Paradox of Power
The paradox of power is that God’s power to save is only activated or realized when we realize our utter inability to save ourselves. Literally, we must become powerless, so that God’s power may be experienced. The problem is that we want to help ourselves or help God out. However, His power contained in the Gospel is only activated when we cease trying to save ourselves through human effort.
William Barclay writes about the Steps in Faith: He says that Faith begins with receptivity, then leads to mental assent, and ultimately absolute trust. The ability to be receptive, give mental assent, and ultimately absolutely surrender is from God Himself. See Acts 3:16, “The faith that comes through Him.”
Two Practical Applications
1. Gratitude for God’s Grace
Look what He’s done for us! If you are a believer, God has rescued you from your sin and He has initiated a new relationship with Him. The realization of this should move us to a great sense of gratitude to God. If that sense of gratitude is not present in your life, have you truly believed in Christ? Or are you trusting in something else? Is God perhaps moving in your heart today to give you the faith to believe in Him? Your receptive and your giving mental assent to what God is saying, now go the distance – fully surrender to Him!
2. Burden to Share God’s Gospel
As Paul, we are obligated to preach the Gospel to all people. Like Paul, we too should never be ashamed of the Gospel for it is God’s power to save! We are God’s heralds of the good news of the Gospel, the message that God will rescue people from their sins and make them right with God. While in Nicaragua, I observed open bed trucks going through the city streets announcing something over the loudspeakers set up on their truck. I asked our group leader what they were saying. He told me that since they do not have any mass way of communicating news, this is how they announce the death of someone. Think about it. You and I have a message to announce, to preach, to teach, to share, to shout from the housetops (or even flat bed trucks), but it is not a message of death, but a message of life! This is why we are not ashamed of the Gospel, for it truly “is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” This is both our burden and our joy!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Christians That Make God Sick, To the Church In Laodicea
A sermon preached at Hebron Baptist Church Sunday, June 7, 2009 by Pastor Joe Alain.
Scripture Reading: Revelation 3:14-22
If the title of my message today seems extreme, it is! But it is stern because the message to the Laodicean church was stern. The title is based on verse 16 which tells us that the Laodiceans were living in a way that made God sick. Opposite of the city of Laodicea stood Hierapolis famous for its hot springs. It may be that similar springs were located south of Laodicea and affected the water temperature of the water supply. “I am about to spit (lit., emesai, ‘vomit’) you out of my mouth” seems to allude to the lukewarm water. The Laodicean Church has the grim distinction of being the only church of which the risen Christ has nothing good to say! Their sin was that of being lukewarm.
Their condition was serious. Drastic measures would need to be taken. Their condition could be reversed if they would turn fully back to Christ. They could leave their lukewarmness behind and be passionate for God again. We too do not have to be satisfied with a lukewarm lifestyle, halfheartedness, and lack of passion. We too can renew our passion for God and being His disciples. Will you and I have ears to hear what God is saying today? Will we as a church have ears to hear what God is saying to us?
This message contains an introduction (3:14); two main sections: our condition (3:15-17) and God’s counsel (3:18-20); and concludes with a promise and a plea to hear what the Spirit of God is saying (3:21-22).
I. Introduction (3:14)
The letter is addressed to the church in Laodicea.
1. It was a great banking and financial center. In A.D. 17 the city was destroyed by an earthquake. However, the city was so wealthy that the citizens refused help from Rome to rebuild
their city.
2. It was an important center of trade. Their sheep were famous for their soft glossy black wool. They also produced an inexpensive outer garment.
3. It was famous for its school of medicine; and a special ointment known as “Phrygian power,” famous for its cure of eye defects. They also manufactured ear ointments. So it’s medical school was famous for two things throughout the world, ointment for the ear and ointment for the eyes.
In this introduction we see that the letter is from the risen Christ who is described in a three-fold way: As . . .
“The Amen” (See Isa. 65:16, “God of truth”) Amen was often put at the end of a statement to guarantee its truth. It means the acknowledgment of that which is sure and valid. If God is the God of the Amen, he is totally to be relied upon.
“The faithful and true witness” Jesus fulfills all the biblical requirements for being a reliable witness. (1) He must have seen with his own eyes that of which he tells. (2) He must be absolutely honest, so that he repeats with accuracy that which he has hear and seen. (3) He must have the ability to tell what he has to say, so that his witness may make its true impression on those who hear. Jesus Christ perfectly satisfied these conditions.
“The ruler of God’s creation” The word “ruler” in the biblical language, “arche” has the idea of “source” or “origin.” Christ is the both the source of all creation and as a result, He is the Lord or ruler of all His creation. See Colossians 1:15, 18;
John 1:3. When Christ addresses a church that is failing in loyalty and obedience, He is to them the “Amen” and the “Faithful and true witness.”
II. OUR CONDITION (3:15-17)
Their condition stated is that they are “neither cold nor hot” (v.15). Instead they are lukewarm (v.16). Jesus is not saying that it would be ok if the Laodiceans were “cold” or lost. Both of these word used together point to the lukewarm condition of the church. That is to say, according to Christ they were useless because they were complacent, self-satisfied, and indifferent to the real issues of faith in Him and of discipleship.
Lukewarmness can mean halfheartedness or self-satisfied (vv.15-16). Halfhearted – “lacking heart, spirit, or interest” (Webster’s)
Helpful for us to know is “how did they get in this condition?” The deeper problem in the Laodicean church was not simply their indifference. It was their ignorance of their real condition. They viewed themselves as rich in material possessions and self-sufficient. The spirit of the surrounding culture had crept into the congregation and had paralyzed their spiritual life.
They said “We’re rich, we’ve acquired all this wealth, and we do not need a thing!” (See v.17). They trusted in their financial wealth. They were the Wall Street of their day. They trusted in their manufacturing and trade. They were the Paris of their day. They trusted in their medical technology. They were the Mayo Clinic of their day.
Pelts, Health, and Wealth – In “Need of nothing.” But how did God view them? (v.17). As Broke, Blind, and Barren! What was the real condition of the church in Laodicea? “Wretched” “Pitiful” “Poor” “Blind and Naked” Christ’s revelation of the Laodicean’s actual situation shatters their illusions and calls them to repentance.
III. GOD’S COUNSEL (3:18-20)
1. Seek Christ! “Buy from me” (v.18).
What do spiritually destitute people need? “Gold refined in the fire, so you can be rich” True spiritual riches!
What do spiritually naked people need? “White clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness” True righteousness!
What do the spiritually blind people need? “Salve to put on your eyes, so you can see” True spiritual sight!
True riches, righteousness, and sight is found in a living relationship with Jesus Christ! The Laodiceans are trusting in their riches, in their righteousness, in their vision. But what they have done has led them to lose interest, to lose their heart and passion for God.
1. Seek Christ
2. Repent from Lukewarmness (v.19) “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.” We need to understand something here that is very important in the Christian life. God isn’t mad and He doesn’t hate the Laodiceans. On the contrary, He loves them very much! God disciplines His children (See Heb. 12:5-11) because He loves His children. Our response to God’s discipline is to accept His counsel and “repent” of the sin that has brought about our lukewarm condition.
Have you lost interest in becoming a disciple of Jesus? What has brought about this condition of halfheartedness? Have you become distracted? Have you become comfortable? Self-satisfied? Are you like the Laodiceans in “need of nothing”? What action or attitude has allowed you to become lukewarm? We must be “earnest and repent.” We must understand the discipline of God and turn from that which is causing us to stumble in our Christian walk. It might be a spirit of pride, self-sufficiency, selfish desires, or an unteachable spirit. Repent – turn away from it.
3. Accept God’s Invitation to Restored Fellowship (v.20)! Christ is standing at the door of your heart and He is knocking. He is doing that right now even as I speak. God is the seeker of men. God’s invitation is extended to . . .
“Anyone” who “hears my voice” Do you hear God speaking to you? Is He knocking on the door of your heart? Is He pointing out some areas in your life that He wants to work in? Some areas that need to be brought under His direction and Lordship?
“And opens the door” It’s not enough to hear God, after all, we hear from Him all the time. The question is, am I going to open the door? Am I going to put away the attitudes and actions that are leading me into a state of lukewarmness? Are you going to do what He is telling you to do? Christ cannot help the person who refuses to open the door. There is the element of human responsibility.
But, if you will open the door, Christ will “come in” a reference to the indwelling nature of Christ. What the half-hearted Christian needs is a fresh touch from God and that is what He gives to us. If you’re not as close to God as you once were, He desires to “come in” in a fresh way to bless you with His presence. The meal mentioned here was the “deipnon,” the evening meal, the main meal of the day in which people lingered over it, for the day’s work was done. This verse speaks of a renewed relationship with Christ.
While many commentators have taken this invitation as addressed to half-hearted Christians, the context may suggest that these Laodiceans were for the most part mere professing Christians who lacked authentic conversion to Christ, which is the essential prerequisite for true discipleship. Maybe if there’s no desire to worship, to learn from Jesus and follow Him, it may be because there is no relationship with Christ. I never desired to be discipled until my relationship with Christ began. If that’s you, you too can open the door and Christ will come in.
IV. A PROMISE AND A PLEA (3:21-22)
A Promise – “Sit with me on my throne.” Believers who suffer with Christ even to the point of death will share in the honor of Christ’s exalted position. A Plea – “Hear what the Spirit says” To individuals – “you” and to churches “us.”
Invitation
Are you lukewarm? Are you lacking zeal for God and the things of God? Is your passion for God what it once was? Does it still thrill you to worship Him because you have a living relationship with God? Are you deeply interested in becoming a true disciple who is growing and becoming like Christ? Have you become less interested in the things of God?
If not, God calls you to rekindle your relationship with Him through Christ. Seek Him! He calls you to be earnest and repent, turn away from the sin that has entangled you and brought you down the path of lukewarmness. Name it to God this morning. Ask Him for strength to follow only Him. Accept God’s invitation to restored fellowship. Open the door of your heart once again, let Him in. Don’t hold back. He cannot work where He is not wanted.
And if you’re here today and you have little interest because you have no relationship with God, then open your heart to Him today. Our gracious Savior is waiting! Turn your eyes upon Him!
For His Glory!
Pastor Joe
Scripture Reading: Revelation 3:14-22
If the title of my message today seems extreme, it is! But it is stern because the message to the Laodicean church was stern. The title is based on verse 16 which tells us that the Laodiceans were living in a way that made God sick. Opposite of the city of Laodicea stood Hierapolis famous for its hot springs. It may be that similar springs were located south of Laodicea and affected the water temperature of the water supply. “I am about to spit (lit., emesai, ‘vomit’) you out of my mouth” seems to allude to the lukewarm water. The Laodicean Church has the grim distinction of being the only church of which the risen Christ has nothing good to say! Their sin was that of being lukewarm.
Their condition was serious. Drastic measures would need to be taken. Their condition could be reversed if they would turn fully back to Christ. They could leave their lukewarmness behind and be passionate for God again. We too do not have to be satisfied with a lukewarm lifestyle, halfheartedness, and lack of passion. We too can renew our passion for God and being His disciples. Will you and I have ears to hear what God is saying today? Will we as a church have ears to hear what God is saying to us?
This message contains an introduction (3:14); two main sections: our condition (3:15-17) and God’s counsel (3:18-20); and concludes with a promise and a plea to hear what the Spirit of God is saying (3:21-22).
I. Introduction (3:14)
The letter is addressed to the church in Laodicea.
1. It was a great banking and financial center. In A.D. 17 the city was destroyed by an earthquake. However, the city was so wealthy that the citizens refused help from Rome to rebuild
their city.
2. It was an important center of trade. Their sheep were famous for their soft glossy black wool. They also produced an inexpensive outer garment.
3. It was famous for its school of medicine; and a special ointment known as “Phrygian power,” famous for its cure of eye defects. They also manufactured ear ointments. So it’s medical school was famous for two things throughout the world, ointment for the ear and ointment for the eyes.
In this introduction we see that the letter is from the risen Christ who is described in a three-fold way: As . . .
“The Amen” (See Isa. 65:16, “God of truth”) Amen was often put at the end of a statement to guarantee its truth. It means the acknowledgment of that which is sure and valid. If God is the God of the Amen, he is totally to be relied upon.
“The faithful and true witness” Jesus fulfills all the biblical requirements for being a reliable witness. (1) He must have seen with his own eyes that of which he tells. (2) He must be absolutely honest, so that he repeats with accuracy that which he has hear and seen. (3) He must have the ability to tell what he has to say, so that his witness may make its true impression on those who hear. Jesus Christ perfectly satisfied these conditions.
“The ruler of God’s creation” The word “ruler” in the biblical language, “arche” has the idea of “source” or “origin.” Christ is the both the source of all creation and as a result, He is the Lord or ruler of all His creation. See Colossians 1:15, 18;
John 1:3. When Christ addresses a church that is failing in loyalty and obedience, He is to them the “Amen” and the “Faithful and true witness.”
II. OUR CONDITION (3:15-17)
Their condition stated is that they are “neither cold nor hot” (v.15). Instead they are lukewarm (v.16). Jesus is not saying that it would be ok if the Laodiceans were “cold” or lost. Both of these word used together point to the lukewarm condition of the church. That is to say, according to Christ they were useless because they were complacent, self-satisfied, and indifferent to the real issues of faith in Him and of discipleship.
Lukewarmness can mean halfheartedness or self-satisfied (vv.15-16). Halfhearted – “lacking heart, spirit, or interest” (Webster’s)
Helpful for us to know is “how did they get in this condition?” The deeper problem in the Laodicean church was not simply their indifference. It was their ignorance of their real condition. They viewed themselves as rich in material possessions and self-sufficient. The spirit of the surrounding culture had crept into the congregation and had paralyzed their spiritual life.
They said “We’re rich, we’ve acquired all this wealth, and we do not need a thing!” (See v.17). They trusted in their financial wealth. They were the Wall Street of their day. They trusted in their manufacturing and trade. They were the Paris of their day. They trusted in their medical technology. They were the Mayo Clinic of their day.
Pelts, Health, and Wealth – In “Need of nothing.” But how did God view them? (v.17). As Broke, Blind, and Barren! What was the real condition of the church in Laodicea? “Wretched” “Pitiful” “Poor” “Blind and Naked” Christ’s revelation of the Laodicean’s actual situation shatters their illusions and calls them to repentance.
III. GOD’S COUNSEL (3:18-20)
1. Seek Christ! “Buy from me” (v.18).
What do spiritually destitute people need? “Gold refined in the fire, so you can be rich” True spiritual riches!
What do spiritually naked people need? “White clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness” True righteousness!
What do the spiritually blind people need? “Salve to put on your eyes, so you can see” True spiritual sight!
True riches, righteousness, and sight is found in a living relationship with Jesus Christ! The Laodiceans are trusting in their riches, in their righteousness, in their vision. But what they have done has led them to lose interest, to lose their heart and passion for God.
1. Seek Christ
2. Repent from Lukewarmness (v.19) “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.” We need to understand something here that is very important in the Christian life. God isn’t mad and He doesn’t hate the Laodiceans. On the contrary, He loves them very much! God disciplines His children (See Heb. 12:5-11) because He loves His children. Our response to God’s discipline is to accept His counsel and “repent” of the sin that has brought about our lukewarm condition.
Have you lost interest in becoming a disciple of Jesus? What has brought about this condition of halfheartedness? Have you become distracted? Have you become comfortable? Self-satisfied? Are you like the Laodiceans in “need of nothing”? What action or attitude has allowed you to become lukewarm? We must be “earnest and repent.” We must understand the discipline of God and turn from that which is causing us to stumble in our Christian walk. It might be a spirit of pride, self-sufficiency, selfish desires, or an unteachable spirit. Repent – turn away from it.
3. Accept God’s Invitation to Restored Fellowship (v.20)! Christ is standing at the door of your heart and He is knocking. He is doing that right now even as I speak. God is the seeker of men. God’s invitation is extended to . . .
“Anyone” who “hears my voice” Do you hear God speaking to you? Is He knocking on the door of your heart? Is He pointing out some areas in your life that He wants to work in? Some areas that need to be brought under His direction and Lordship?
“And opens the door” It’s not enough to hear God, after all, we hear from Him all the time. The question is, am I going to open the door? Am I going to put away the attitudes and actions that are leading me into a state of lukewarmness? Are you going to do what He is telling you to do? Christ cannot help the person who refuses to open the door. There is the element of human responsibility.
But, if you will open the door, Christ will “come in” a reference to the indwelling nature of Christ. What the half-hearted Christian needs is a fresh touch from God and that is what He gives to us. If you’re not as close to God as you once were, He desires to “come in” in a fresh way to bless you with His presence. The meal mentioned here was the “deipnon,” the evening meal, the main meal of the day in which people lingered over it, for the day’s work was done. This verse speaks of a renewed relationship with Christ.
While many commentators have taken this invitation as addressed to half-hearted Christians, the context may suggest that these Laodiceans were for the most part mere professing Christians who lacked authentic conversion to Christ, which is the essential prerequisite for true discipleship. Maybe if there’s no desire to worship, to learn from Jesus and follow Him, it may be because there is no relationship with Christ. I never desired to be discipled until my relationship with Christ began. If that’s you, you too can open the door and Christ will come in.
IV. A PROMISE AND A PLEA (3:21-22)
A Promise – “Sit with me on my throne.” Believers who suffer with Christ even to the point of death will share in the honor of Christ’s exalted position. A Plea – “Hear what the Spirit says” To individuals – “you” and to churches “us.”
Invitation
Are you lukewarm? Are you lacking zeal for God and the things of God? Is your passion for God what it once was? Does it still thrill you to worship Him because you have a living relationship with God? Are you deeply interested in becoming a true disciple who is growing and becoming like Christ? Have you become less interested in the things of God?
If not, God calls you to rekindle your relationship with Him through Christ. Seek Him! He calls you to be earnest and repent, turn away from the sin that has entangled you and brought you down the path of lukewarmness. Name it to God this morning. Ask Him for strength to follow only Him. Accept God’s invitation to restored fellowship. Open the door of your heart once again, let Him in. Don’t hold back. He cannot work where He is not wanted.
And if you’re here today and you have little interest because you have no relationship with God, then open your heart to Him today. Our gracious Savior is waiting! Turn your eyes upon Him!
For His Glory!
Pastor Joe
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
"I'm Praying for You," The Prayer of Jesus
A sermon preached by Pastor Joe Alain at Hebron Baptist Church, Denham Springs, LA on May 24, 2009.
Scripture Reading: John 17:6-26
Introduction
* This section rounds-out the Upper Room Discourse that formally began in chapter 14.
* Here we have the real Lord’s Prayer!
* Jesus first prays first for Himself, then He prays for
His disciples.
Before we look at the specifics of Jesus’ prayer, we are told some things about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.
1. The disciple is given to Jesus by God (v.6). What does that mean? It means that the Spirit of God moves our hearts to respond to the appeal of Jesus. Jesus spoke of the fact that God “draws” us to Christ (6:44). Notice that Christ reveals the Father (v.6), the disciples are those who obey God’s word (v.6), and the disciples arrive at a certainty about Jesus (v.8). All of this is initiated by God and that is why salvation is by God and for His glory!
2. Through the disciple, glory has come to Jesus (v.10). The people that Jesus has saved bring honor to Him. Honoring Christ by obeying His word and Spirit brings glory to Him.
3. The disciple is a person who is commissioned to a task (v.18). We are a “sent” people. “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you” (Jn. 20:21). We bear not only God’s image, we bear His burden – to bring the message of salvation to our world. Jesus prays for his people in order that they may be such as to win the world for Him.
Jesus’ Prayer for His Disciples (“I pray,” vv.9, 20)
It is a remarkable thing to realize that Jesus is praying for us! After the resurrection came the ascension of Christ – His return to the right hand of the Father. There He lives forever to make intercession or to pray for us (See Heb. 7:23-26). What forms the content of Jesus’ prayers for us? What is He specifically praying for?
1. Jesus Is Praying for Our Protection (vv.11, 15)
Notice that Jesus did not pray that the disciples should be taken out of the world (v.15) but that they would be protected in the world as they carry out their mission. Jesus never prayed that they might find escape; he prayed that they might find victory. But even though it is true that the Christian is not of the world, it remains true that it is within the world that Christianity must be lived out. The Christian must never desire to abandon the world, but always desire to win it. We are in the world but not of the world so that we might win the world.
Jesus was specific in that He prayed that God would protect His disciples from the attacks of the Evil One (v.15). The Bible is not a speculative book; it does not discuss the origin of evil; but it is quite certain that in this world there is a power of evil which is in opposition to God. It is a great knowing that many times God is protecting us, shielding us from our enemy Satan.
2. Jesus Is Praying for Our Sanctification (v.17)
The basic meaning of the word “sanctify” is “different” or “separate” or “set apart.” Believers have been “set apart” by God for a special and holy task – that of honoring Him by living our lives for the kingdom of God. Even as we observe the Lord’s Supper today, we are reminded of the missionary aspect of our calling to follow Jesus. To take of the bread and the juice is to be reminded of who we are and who we belong to and even why we’re here. Just as Jesus came into this world to seek and to save that which is lost, so that is our mission as the hands and feet of Christ. Jesus is praying that we understand that about our relationship with Him. We are here for God’s purposes to be fulfilled in and through us. We are not our own, we’ve been purchased with a price! “Therefore honor God with your body” (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Jesus is praying that we would understand that holy task and that we would be equipped with the qualities of mind and hear and character which are necessary for the task.
And just how are we equipped for this task that Jesus has for us? We are sanctified “by the truth; your word is truth” (v.17). All of life is discipleship training, allowing the Spirit of God to shape us by the living word of God. Bible study is not an end in itself – there is a purpose in studying God’s word – God’s word of truth is sanctifying us, preparing us for our mission.
Part of our mission as a church is to help equip you for the work of ministry. “To prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Eph. 4:12). We are praying and working towards developing a plan for allowing this to be more of our focus.
3. Jesus Is Praying for Our Unity (vv.21, 23)
This is a major aspect of Christ’s prayer. Why? Because where there are divisions, where there is exclusiveness, where there is competition between the churches, the cause of Christianity is harmed and the prayer of Jesus is frustrated. The Gospel cannot be preached in any congregation which is not one united fellowship of believers. Jesus said that unity was essential to our mission of sharing Him. Christian unity accurately portrays the character of God. Unity expressed communicates the reality of our God. If unbelievers see disunity, how then can they believe in the reconciling power of God?
What we observe today in the Lord’s Supper is a powerful testimony of the unity of the fellowship of believers. In the Upper Room as they observed that first supper, the disciples were to remember what Jesus did for them in redemption. The disciples were also to recognize that they too had a redemptive purpose to accomplish in the world. For this to occur the disciples would have to be unified around the person of Jesus Christ and His purposes.
This is still true today. We remember the price that was paid for our sins but we also unite around God’s kingdom purposes. We remember that we are part of God’s community – His people on mission. Unity is not uniformity as in the idea that we must all look alike and act alike. Scripture says that there is “one” body but “many” members in the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12). Unity is realized in a person – Christ! He makes us one body (v.21). Unity begins when we all come under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. This is the heart and center of true Christian unity.
Is this unity necessary? According to Jesus, it’s pretty important! Jesus even once said that a kingdom divided can not stand (Matt. 12:25). The same goes for a church. A church divided is an oxymoron! It is a contradiction of the character of Christ! “Is Christ divided?” Paul asked the Corinthians. Of course not! Paul also appealed to the Corinthians and all of God’s churches “that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought” (1:10).
Unity in the body of Christ is so important that it is a prerequisite for worship (See Matt. 5:23-24). Paul says that you should not even participate in the supper if you’re not willing to make things right with your fellow brothers and sisters. “For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgement on himself” (1 Cor. 11:29).
The context of this passage is clear as to what the problem is. There were known divisions in the church (v.18). The division seemed to be that there were some in the church that had total disregard for their fellow believers in the church (v.21). When they came together, the divisions were all the more apparent. This is why Paul said “A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup” (v.28). So this examination is not just internally, “is there some sin in my life that is harming my fellowship with God?” We should also ask, “is there some sin in my life that is causing a rift in the fellowship of the church?” Unity in the church is very important to God.
Examination
As we prepare for the Lord’s Supper we should examine ourselves. And what do we ask of ourselves?
1. Am I a disciple? A believer? A follower of Jesus?
2. Am I in fellowship with my Christian family?
3. Am I in harmony with the purposes of God’s church?
Let’s Pray about this and ask God to search our hearts today.
For His Glory!
Pastor Joe
Scripture Reading: John 17:6-26
Introduction
* This section rounds-out the Upper Room Discourse that formally began in chapter 14.
* Here we have the real Lord’s Prayer!
* Jesus first prays first for Himself, then He prays for
His disciples.
Before we look at the specifics of Jesus’ prayer, we are told some things about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.
1. The disciple is given to Jesus by God (v.6). What does that mean? It means that the Spirit of God moves our hearts to respond to the appeal of Jesus. Jesus spoke of the fact that God “draws” us to Christ (6:44). Notice that Christ reveals the Father (v.6), the disciples are those who obey God’s word (v.6), and the disciples arrive at a certainty about Jesus (v.8). All of this is initiated by God and that is why salvation is by God and for His glory!
2. Through the disciple, glory has come to Jesus (v.10). The people that Jesus has saved bring honor to Him. Honoring Christ by obeying His word and Spirit brings glory to Him.
3. The disciple is a person who is commissioned to a task (v.18). We are a “sent” people. “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you” (Jn. 20:21). We bear not only God’s image, we bear His burden – to bring the message of salvation to our world. Jesus prays for his people in order that they may be such as to win the world for Him.
Jesus’ Prayer for His Disciples (“I pray,” vv.9, 20)
It is a remarkable thing to realize that Jesus is praying for us! After the resurrection came the ascension of Christ – His return to the right hand of the Father. There He lives forever to make intercession or to pray for us (See Heb. 7:23-26). What forms the content of Jesus’ prayers for us? What is He specifically praying for?
1. Jesus Is Praying for Our Protection (vv.11, 15)
Notice that Jesus did not pray that the disciples should be taken out of the world (v.15) but that they would be protected in the world as they carry out their mission. Jesus never prayed that they might find escape; he prayed that they might find victory. But even though it is true that the Christian is not of the world, it remains true that it is within the world that Christianity must be lived out. The Christian must never desire to abandon the world, but always desire to win it. We are in the world but not of the world so that we might win the world.
Jesus was specific in that He prayed that God would protect His disciples from the attacks of the Evil One (v.15). The Bible is not a speculative book; it does not discuss the origin of evil; but it is quite certain that in this world there is a power of evil which is in opposition to God. It is a great knowing that many times God is protecting us, shielding us from our enemy Satan.
2. Jesus Is Praying for Our Sanctification (v.17)
The basic meaning of the word “sanctify” is “different” or “separate” or “set apart.” Believers have been “set apart” by God for a special and holy task – that of honoring Him by living our lives for the kingdom of God. Even as we observe the Lord’s Supper today, we are reminded of the missionary aspect of our calling to follow Jesus. To take of the bread and the juice is to be reminded of who we are and who we belong to and even why we’re here. Just as Jesus came into this world to seek and to save that which is lost, so that is our mission as the hands and feet of Christ. Jesus is praying that we understand that about our relationship with Him. We are here for God’s purposes to be fulfilled in and through us. We are not our own, we’ve been purchased with a price! “Therefore honor God with your body” (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Jesus is praying that we would understand that holy task and that we would be equipped with the qualities of mind and hear and character which are necessary for the task.
And just how are we equipped for this task that Jesus has for us? We are sanctified “by the truth; your word is truth” (v.17). All of life is discipleship training, allowing the Spirit of God to shape us by the living word of God. Bible study is not an end in itself – there is a purpose in studying God’s word – God’s word of truth is sanctifying us, preparing us for our mission.
Part of our mission as a church is to help equip you for the work of ministry. “To prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Eph. 4:12). We are praying and working towards developing a plan for allowing this to be more of our focus.
3. Jesus Is Praying for Our Unity (vv.21, 23)
This is a major aspect of Christ’s prayer. Why? Because where there are divisions, where there is exclusiveness, where there is competition between the churches, the cause of Christianity is harmed and the prayer of Jesus is frustrated. The Gospel cannot be preached in any congregation which is not one united fellowship of believers. Jesus said that unity was essential to our mission of sharing Him. Christian unity accurately portrays the character of God. Unity expressed communicates the reality of our God. If unbelievers see disunity, how then can they believe in the reconciling power of God?
What we observe today in the Lord’s Supper is a powerful testimony of the unity of the fellowship of believers. In the Upper Room as they observed that first supper, the disciples were to remember what Jesus did for them in redemption. The disciples were also to recognize that they too had a redemptive purpose to accomplish in the world. For this to occur the disciples would have to be unified around the person of Jesus Christ and His purposes.
This is still true today. We remember the price that was paid for our sins but we also unite around God’s kingdom purposes. We remember that we are part of God’s community – His people on mission. Unity is not uniformity as in the idea that we must all look alike and act alike. Scripture says that there is “one” body but “many” members in the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12). Unity is realized in a person – Christ! He makes us one body (v.21). Unity begins when we all come under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. This is the heart and center of true Christian unity.
Is this unity necessary? According to Jesus, it’s pretty important! Jesus even once said that a kingdom divided can not stand (Matt. 12:25). The same goes for a church. A church divided is an oxymoron! It is a contradiction of the character of Christ! “Is Christ divided?” Paul asked the Corinthians. Of course not! Paul also appealed to the Corinthians and all of God’s churches “that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought” (1:10).
Unity in the body of Christ is so important that it is a prerequisite for worship (See Matt. 5:23-24). Paul says that you should not even participate in the supper if you’re not willing to make things right with your fellow brothers and sisters. “For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgement on himself” (1 Cor. 11:29).
The context of this passage is clear as to what the problem is. There were known divisions in the church (v.18). The division seemed to be that there were some in the church that had total disregard for their fellow believers in the church (v.21). When they came together, the divisions were all the more apparent. This is why Paul said “A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup” (v.28). So this examination is not just internally, “is there some sin in my life that is harming my fellowship with God?” We should also ask, “is there some sin in my life that is causing a rift in the fellowship of the church?” Unity in the church is very important to God.
Examination
As we prepare for the Lord’s Supper we should examine ourselves. And what do we ask of ourselves?
1. Am I a disciple? A believer? A follower of Jesus?
2. Am I in fellowship with my Christian family?
3. Am I in harmony with the purposes of God’s church?
Let’s Pray about this and ask God to search our hearts today.
For His Glory!
Pastor Joe
Monday, May 11, 2009
Bearing Fruit, Honoring God, John 15:1-8
Sermon preached at Hebron Baptist Church on May 10, 2009 by Pastor Joe Alain.
John 15:1-8
Here are some things that their mothers might have said:
“David! I told you not to play in the house with that sling! Go practice your harp. We pay good money for those lessons.”
“Cain! Get off your brother! You’re going to kill him
some day!”
“Noah! No, you can’t keep them! How many times do I have to tell you, don’t bring home any more strays.”
“Gideon! Have you been hiding in that winepress again? Look at your clothes.”
“James and John! No more burping contests at the dinner table, please. People are going to call you the sons of thunder.”
“Judas! Have you been in my purse again?”
“Jesus! Be careful with that hammer; you don’t want to put a nail through your finger.”
Here are some things that God says about mothers: Read Proverbs 31:10-12, 25-31.
And here are some things that God says about our relationship with Him: Read John 15:1-8.
John 15:1-8 deals with the intimate relationship that believers share with Christ. We as God’s branches are vitally connected to Christ. As a result, we draw our life from Christ – without Him we can do nothing. But in an abiding relationship with Jesus, we bear much fruit. This life-connection that allows us to bear much fruit brings glory to God our Father.
All of us are not mothers, but all of us share a deep connection with our mothers who birthed us into this world and who nurtured us as only a mother can do. That nurturing process began in our mother’s womb. The wonder of God’s doing is expressed by the Psalmist “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place . . .” (Ps. 139:13-15a).
This intimate and deep connection with our mothers is the kind of intimate and deep connection that we have with Christ, who is our creator, redeemer, and sustainer. Through the Holy Spirit we are birthed into the kingdom of God and we are nurtured continually by Christ who is the vine. We draw our life from Him as Paul said, “‘For in him we live and move and have our being’” (Acts 17:28).
As we consider this passage, of first importance is verse 8. Here we discover what brings honor to Him. “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (v.8). If bearing fruit pleases God, I need to know (1) what this fruit is and (2) how it is produced in my life. First, what kind of fruit is Jesus referring to? Spiritual fruit is what is produced in the life of the Christian who is abiding or remaining in Christ. This spiritual fruit is most clearly described in Galatians 5:22-23. Here you have the character of spiritual fruit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
This list of nine qualities is merely representative of the kind of fruit that is produced through the believer’s life. The question then is “how is this spiritual fruit produced in my life?” In this discipleship text, Jesus reveals how spiritual fruit is produced in our lives, fruit that will honor God our Father.
Spiritual fruit is produced through . . .
1. Connection to Christ the True Vine (v.1)
Common sense tells us that oranges do not grow on apple trees and strawberries are not produced from pear trees. It’s terribly frustrating trying to live the Christian life if you’re not one. We do need to make sure that this relationship with God that he initiates has begun in our lives. It is imperative that I am connected to Christ, “the true vine” (v.1).
The fact that Jesus calls Himself the “the true vine” implies that there are other ways that a person might try but that they are false rather than true. Proverbs 14:12 tells us that there is a way that seems right to a man but its end is death. If you were to ask the average person on the street, “What is required to get to heaven?” you probably will here a variety of “ways.” For example, be a good person, keep the 10 commandments, be baptized, join a church, etc. All these are good things, but they are not the life-producing vine – Jesus. Any other way but God’s way in Christ will not lead to spiritual fruit and growth. So be sure that you are in Christ, who is the true vine and source of life.
Spiritual fruit is produced through . . .
2. Commitment to the Fruit-Bearing Process
This process of discipleship, bearing fruit might be described in both negative and positive terms. Negative only because bearing fruit can sometimes be a painful process. Just as a mother giving birth and nurturing her child can be a painful process, so discipleship, the process of becoming like Christ is sometimes a painful process. Bearing much spiritual fruit means that certain things will need to happen in my life.
According to Jesus, what does the fruit-bearing process look like?
(1) Bearing Fruit Requires Spiritual Pruning (v.2)
Spiritual fruit is produced and maximized in your life over time through the process of spiritual pruning (v.2). Here is something that from a logical standpoint does not make sense. “Every branch that does bear fruit he trims clean so that it will be even more fruitful” (v.2). You would think if a branch is bearing any fruit, leave it alone, that’s great. And how often do we become satisfied with our low-yielding fruit trees? We bear a small amount of fruit and we become satisfied with less than God’s best. But God is not content for us to bear a little fruit, he wants you to reach your full potential.
If a branch bears no fruit there is nothing else you can do except remove the branch. There’s no hope for a dead branch. The only branches that can be improved are the branches that are producing fruit. So if you are being spiritually pruned, that’s good news. That means God is at work in your life removing all that does not look like Jesus. In pruning, God removes the diseased and dead wood from our lives. We often think (wrongly so) that the primary goal in life is for us to be happy and for everything to be going great in our lives. No pain, no stress, no burdens. Yet, this is a false picture of the Christian life.
If you’re not going through some occasional spiritual pruning, your spiritual growth and the resulting joy will be stunted. Happiness is temporary, joy is eternal. No pruning means no life – it means that there is no fruit being produced in your life. So rejoice in the spiritual pruning that God is working in your life. It will lead to more fruitfulness.
Spiritual pruning is for your benefit. It will bring more fruitfulness in your life. The word here translated “clean” or “prune” (v.2) is related to the verb “katharizo,” – to cleanse as in the cleansing of a disease or making one pure. This word is used in the following ways: Matthew 8:3; Luke 17:14, 17 – lepers who are declared cleansed (Aorist, passive, indicative). Hebrews 9:14, 22 – of the blood of Christ that cleanses us (Future & Present act. ind.). 2 Corinthians 7:1 – Out of reverence for God, we are to purify ourselves from all contamination (Aorist, active, subjunctive).
Consider this: If cleaning (spiritual pruning) means removing that which is diseased and harmful to your spiritual growth, is that not a good thing? When the surgeon cuts out the cancerous tissue from your body, is that not a good thing? Of course it’s good! So it is with spiritual pruning. In pruning, God is removing the diseased and dead wood from your life. It’s all for His glory so that you will be able to produce more fruit.
Being committed to the fruit-bearing process means we understand what God is doing in our lives. It’s for our benefit and for His glory! Bearing fruit requires spiritual pruning.
(2) Bearing Fruit Requires Remaining in Christ (v.4)
The pruning is God’s part. He’s the gardener and He alone knows what branches need pruning in our lives (vv.1-2). Our part is to “Remain” in Christ (v.4). Here’s the key: Discipleship is not a passive process. God does the pruning but your part in the process is to remain or abide in Christ.
An important distinction: The language used in this word “Remain in me , and I will remain in you” means to continue in a relationship that has already been established. Jesus is talking to people who are in Christ. In fact He reminds them in verse 3, “You are already clean” signifying that they are already in a vital relationship to God the Father through Christ. Jesus is not saying, I want you to keep on establishing a relationship with Me as if our relationship with Christ was “on again” and “off again.”
God is saying continue in the relationship that has already begun (It’s an aorist, active, imperative). For example, if you are married and I say remain in that marriage, I’m not saying get married, you’re already married. I’m saying continue in that state, develop that relationship. That’s what Jesus is saying to us. Remain in me, continue, develop this relationship that has begun. Jesus says to us. If we will do that, we will bear “much fruit”.
There’s another aspect to this remaining in Christ. To remain in Christ involve practical action on our part. To remain in Christ is to participate in the body of Christ – His Church. To be connected and remain in Christ is to be connected to other believers. You cannot remain in Christ and be disconnected with other believers any more than you can be married and not ever speak or relate to one another. You probably wouldn’t be married long.
This is why the whole argument of “I’m a Christian, but I don’t need the church” argument is really bad theology. The truth is, as a believer you are connected to Christ which means His followers and it is impossible to live a fruitful life in isolation. Show me a Christian who is living a fruitful life, and I will show you a Christian who is connected in meaningful ways with other believers. How else are we able to learn how to love others, how to have patience, how to serve, etc. unless we do so in the context of living in connection with others? This is why John will say in his first letter, “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen” (1 Jn. 4:21).
If this is true, why are we failing in large part to follow God’s plan for bearing fruit? I think there are a couple of reasons. First, relationships are hard work. They take time to develop, they require give and take, you have to get our of your comfort zone and it’s just not easy to develop relationships with people, especially if you have no particular desire to do so. The church is made up of imperfect people, but relationship building in the body of Christ is our training ground for heaven. After all, we’re going to spend eternity together! Second, Christianity today unfortunately is largely portrayed in the media and from the pulpit as a self-driven, self-help psychobabble cult. Christianity has become “what can God do for me. How can God help me. How can I do what I want and still be blessed by God.” That kind of inward focus thinking destroys fellowship instead of creating fellowship. Everything in our society points toward contraction rather than connection.
For you to mature, to grow spiritually, you need a commitment to the fruit-bearing process and bearing fruit requires remaining in Christ. We need a commitment because bearing fruit is conditional. “If you remain in me” (v.7). Here the word for “remain” is an aorist, active, subjunctive which opens the door to the idea that even though we are in Christ, we have a choice as to whether we are going to remain in Him by allowing Him do His pruning work and remaining connected in the body of Christ.
Will you recognize God’s spiritual pruning work in your life? Will you chose to remain in Christ by connecting with others in meaningful relationships? How will you connect with other believers this week. You can begin to do that by becoming involved in one of the small group studies that we host each Sunday morning. As you interact with other believers, you are going to see fruit produced in your life. You can remain in Christ by participating in ministry with other believers.
Finally, let me ask you, “are you connected to the vine – Jesus?” He is the source of life and with Him you can experience life as God meant for it to be, but without him you can do nothing. You become connected to Christ, the true vine when you believe (trust) in Him and repent (turn away) from your sins.
For His Glory!
Pastor Joe
John 15:1-8
Here are some things that their mothers might have said:
“David! I told you not to play in the house with that sling! Go practice your harp. We pay good money for those lessons.”
“Cain! Get off your brother! You’re going to kill him
some day!”
“Noah! No, you can’t keep them! How many times do I have to tell you, don’t bring home any more strays.”
“Gideon! Have you been hiding in that winepress again? Look at your clothes.”
“James and John! No more burping contests at the dinner table, please. People are going to call you the sons of thunder.”
“Judas! Have you been in my purse again?”
“Jesus! Be careful with that hammer; you don’t want to put a nail through your finger.”
Here are some things that God says about mothers: Read Proverbs 31:10-12, 25-31.
And here are some things that God says about our relationship with Him: Read John 15:1-8.
John 15:1-8 deals with the intimate relationship that believers share with Christ. We as God’s branches are vitally connected to Christ. As a result, we draw our life from Christ – without Him we can do nothing. But in an abiding relationship with Jesus, we bear much fruit. This life-connection that allows us to bear much fruit brings glory to God our Father.
All of us are not mothers, but all of us share a deep connection with our mothers who birthed us into this world and who nurtured us as only a mother can do. That nurturing process began in our mother’s womb. The wonder of God’s doing is expressed by the Psalmist “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place . . .” (Ps. 139:13-15a).
This intimate and deep connection with our mothers is the kind of intimate and deep connection that we have with Christ, who is our creator, redeemer, and sustainer. Through the Holy Spirit we are birthed into the kingdom of God and we are nurtured continually by Christ who is the vine. We draw our life from Him as Paul said, “‘For in him we live and move and have our being’” (Acts 17:28).
As we consider this passage, of first importance is verse 8. Here we discover what brings honor to Him. “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (v.8). If bearing fruit pleases God, I need to know (1) what this fruit is and (2) how it is produced in my life. First, what kind of fruit is Jesus referring to? Spiritual fruit is what is produced in the life of the Christian who is abiding or remaining in Christ. This spiritual fruit is most clearly described in Galatians 5:22-23. Here you have the character of spiritual fruit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
This list of nine qualities is merely representative of the kind of fruit that is produced through the believer’s life. The question then is “how is this spiritual fruit produced in my life?” In this discipleship text, Jesus reveals how spiritual fruit is produced in our lives, fruit that will honor God our Father.
Spiritual fruit is produced through . . .
1. Connection to Christ the True Vine (v.1)
Common sense tells us that oranges do not grow on apple trees and strawberries are not produced from pear trees. It’s terribly frustrating trying to live the Christian life if you’re not one. We do need to make sure that this relationship with God that he initiates has begun in our lives. It is imperative that I am connected to Christ, “the true vine” (v.1).
The fact that Jesus calls Himself the “the true vine” implies that there are other ways that a person might try but that they are false rather than true. Proverbs 14:12 tells us that there is a way that seems right to a man but its end is death. If you were to ask the average person on the street, “What is required to get to heaven?” you probably will here a variety of “ways.” For example, be a good person, keep the 10 commandments, be baptized, join a church, etc. All these are good things, but they are not the life-producing vine – Jesus. Any other way but God’s way in Christ will not lead to spiritual fruit and growth. So be sure that you are in Christ, who is the true vine and source of life.
Spiritual fruit is produced through . . .
2. Commitment to the Fruit-Bearing Process
This process of discipleship, bearing fruit might be described in both negative and positive terms. Negative only because bearing fruit can sometimes be a painful process. Just as a mother giving birth and nurturing her child can be a painful process, so discipleship, the process of becoming like Christ is sometimes a painful process. Bearing much spiritual fruit means that certain things will need to happen in my life.
According to Jesus, what does the fruit-bearing process look like?
(1) Bearing Fruit Requires Spiritual Pruning (v.2)
Spiritual fruit is produced and maximized in your life over time through the process of spiritual pruning (v.2). Here is something that from a logical standpoint does not make sense. “Every branch that does bear fruit he trims clean so that it will be even more fruitful” (v.2). You would think if a branch is bearing any fruit, leave it alone, that’s great. And how often do we become satisfied with our low-yielding fruit trees? We bear a small amount of fruit and we become satisfied with less than God’s best. But God is not content for us to bear a little fruit, he wants you to reach your full potential.
If a branch bears no fruit there is nothing else you can do except remove the branch. There’s no hope for a dead branch. The only branches that can be improved are the branches that are producing fruit. So if you are being spiritually pruned, that’s good news. That means God is at work in your life removing all that does not look like Jesus. In pruning, God removes the diseased and dead wood from our lives. We often think (wrongly so) that the primary goal in life is for us to be happy and for everything to be going great in our lives. No pain, no stress, no burdens. Yet, this is a false picture of the Christian life.
If you’re not going through some occasional spiritual pruning, your spiritual growth and the resulting joy will be stunted. Happiness is temporary, joy is eternal. No pruning means no life – it means that there is no fruit being produced in your life. So rejoice in the spiritual pruning that God is working in your life. It will lead to more fruitfulness.
Spiritual pruning is for your benefit. It will bring more fruitfulness in your life. The word here translated “clean” or “prune” (v.2) is related to the verb “katharizo,” – to cleanse as in the cleansing of a disease or making one pure. This word is used in the following ways: Matthew 8:3; Luke 17:14, 17 – lepers who are declared cleansed (Aorist, passive, indicative). Hebrews 9:14, 22 – of the blood of Christ that cleanses us (Future & Present act. ind.). 2 Corinthians 7:1 – Out of reverence for God, we are to purify ourselves from all contamination (Aorist, active, subjunctive).
Consider this: If cleaning (spiritual pruning) means removing that which is diseased and harmful to your spiritual growth, is that not a good thing? When the surgeon cuts out the cancerous tissue from your body, is that not a good thing? Of course it’s good! So it is with spiritual pruning. In pruning, God is removing the diseased and dead wood from your life. It’s all for His glory so that you will be able to produce more fruit.
Being committed to the fruit-bearing process means we understand what God is doing in our lives. It’s for our benefit and for His glory! Bearing fruit requires spiritual pruning.
(2) Bearing Fruit Requires Remaining in Christ (v.4)
The pruning is God’s part. He’s the gardener and He alone knows what branches need pruning in our lives (vv.1-2). Our part is to “Remain” in Christ (v.4). Here’s the key: Discipleship is not a passive process. God does the pruning but your part in the process is to remain or abide in Christ.
An important distinction: The language used in this word “Remain in me , and I will remain in you” means to continue in a relationship that has already been established. Jesus is talking to people who are in Christ. In fact He reminds them in verse 3, “You are already clean” signifying that they are already in a vital relationship to God the Father through Christ. Jesus is not saying, I want you to keep on establishing a relationship with Me as if our relationship with Christ was “on again” and “off again.”
God is saying continue in the relationship that has already begun (It’s an aorist, active, imperative). For example, if you are married and I say remain in that marriage, I’m not saying get married, you’re already married. I’m saying continue in that state, develop that relationship. That’s what Jesus is saying to us. Remain in me, continue, develop this relationship that has begun. Jesus says to us. If we will do that, we will bear “much fruit”.
There’s another aspect to this remaining in Christ. To remain in Christ involve practical action on our part. To remain in Christ is to participate in the body of Christ – His Church. To be connected and remain in Christ is to be connected to other believers. You cannot remain in Christ and be disconnected with other believers any more than you can be married and not ever speak or relate to one another. You probably wouldn’t be married long.
This is why the whole argument of “I’m a Christian, but I don’t need the church” argument is really bad theology. The truth is, as a believer you are connected to Christ which means His followers and it is impossible to live a fruitful life in isolation. Show me a Christian who is living a fruitful life, and I will show you a Christian who is connected in meaningful ways with other believers. How else are we able to learn how to love others, how to have patience, how to serve, etc. unless we do so in the context of living in connection with others? This is why John will say in his first letter, “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen” (1 Jn. 4:21).
If this is true, why are we failing in large part to follow God’s plan for bearing fruit? I think there are a couple of reasons. First, relationships are hard work. They take time to develop, they require give and take, you have to get our of your comfort zone and it’s just not easy to develop relationships with people, especially if you have no particular desire to do so. The church is made up of imperfect people, but relationship building in the body of Christ is our training ground for heaven. After all, we’re going to spend eternity together! Second, Christianity today unfortunately is largely portrayed in the media and from the pulpit as a self-driven, self-help psychobabble cult. Christianity has become “what can God do for me. How can God help me. How can I do what I want and still be blessed by God.” That kind of inward focus thinking destroys fellowship instead of creating fellowship. Everything in our society points toward contraction rather than connection.
For you to mature, to grow spiritually, you need a commitment to the fruit-bearing process and bearing fruit requires remaining in Christ. We need a commitment because bearing fruit is conditional. “If you remain in me” (v.7). Here the word for “remain” is an aorist, active, subjunctive which opens the door to the idea that even though we are in Christ, we have a choice as to whether we are going to remain in Him by allowing Him do His pruning work and remaining connected in the body of Christ.
Will you recognize God’s spiritual pruning work in your life? Will you chose to remain in Christ by connecting with others in meaningful relationships? How will you connect with other believers this week. You can begin to do that by becoming involved in one of the small group studies that we host each Sunday morning. As you interact with other believers, you are going to see fruit produced in your life. You can remain in Christ by participating in ministry with other believers.
Finally, let me ask you, “are you connected to the vine – Jesus?” He is the source of life and with Him you can experience life as God meant for it to be, but without him you can do nothing. You become connected to Christ, the true vine when you believe (trust) in Him and repent (turn away) from your sins.
For His Glory!
Pastor Joe
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Shepherds Needed! (Psalm 23; John 10:11-16)
A sermon preached at Hebron Baptist Church on Sunday, May 3, 2009 by Joe Alain, Pastor.
Scripture Readings: Psalm 23; John 10:11-16 (Pew Bible, pp. 376, 723)
I’m dealing with two primary texts today that have as their theme, God as our shepherd, Psalm 23 and John 10:11-16. Psalm 23 expresses confidence in God’s goodness – in this life and in the life to come. The universal appeal of this psalm lies in the comfort it gives to those who have confronted the most difficult periods of life. It is a psalm of God’s strength and grace for all ages.
In John 10:11-16 Jesus identifies Himself as the “good shepherd.” Israel had long understood that the good shepherd or the shepherd king spoken of in Scripture was a reference to the coming Messiah (see Is. 40:11; Ez. 37:24). As the good shepherd, Jesus is committed to the well being of the sheep, even unto death.
I want to develop this picture of God as a Shepherd using these two primary texts as well as others. Big Idea: God is a good and faithful shepherd to us. As His followers, we too are called to shepherd His flock. What does that look like? There are three key areas that help us define what it means to be a good shepherd.
I. The Compassion of the Shepherd
Shepherds need compassion. The compassion of the shepherd is especially evident in the text in John. In John 10:16, Jesus said that He had “other sheep” and that He “must bring them also.” Speaking mainly to the Jewish disciples, presumably Jesus was making a reference to the larger community of Gentiles who would also respond to His voice (His Message) and follow Him. The point here is that God is not content to only show compassion on a few, He will not rest until His “one flock” is completed.
God’s compassion for the lost sheep drives Him to seek out the lost sheep. God will not rest until His flock is complete. The heart of a shepherd is illustrated in the familiar story Jesus told as recorded in Luke 15: 3-7. You probably remember it. Jesus told of a shepherd who had a 100 sheep. So great was his love and care for the sheep that he left the 99 in search of the one lost sheep. Read Luke 15:3-7.
The shepherd does not rest until he finds his one lost sheep. Nothing deters the shepherd from his mission. This story powerfully illustrates how far God will go to reach the lost. There is nothing more important to Him than seeing the lost found. Theologically, we do not pursue God, He pursues us! And when He finds us (salvation) there is rejoicing in heaven. This too is to be our heart – to see the lost sheep found, to see the lost introduced to the great and good shepherd – Jesus. Shepherds are needed in the church, shepherds who have the same compassion for the lost that God has. Shepherds who will not be content with the 99. Shepherds who will not rest until the lost are found.
II. The Character of the Shepherd
Compassion is God’s character. Further though, we see the character of the shepherd and how he relates to his sheep in Psalm 23. If we were to seek to find one word that would describe the character of God as our shepherd, it would have to faithful or trustworthy. In every aspect of life, we can have complete confidence and trust in the Lord. This confidence is available to all who are able to call the Lord “my shepherd” (v.1). This language highlights the truth that knowing God, the Great Shepherd is a personal relationship.
There are three things specifically that the shepherd does that makes him a good and faithful shepherd. Notice how our great shepherd takes care of us – His sheep! What inspires our confidence in God as our shepherd?
1. He Guides
The good shepherd leads the sheep to the “green pastures” and “beside quiet waters” (v.2). The good shepherd guides the sheep in the right paths, the “paths of righteousness” (v.3). If we will follow His word, listen to His voice, His presence within us, we will stay on the paths that lead to righteousness.
2. He Provides
God our shepherd guides and He provides. As His sheep we “lack nothing” (v.1). How did the shepherd provide for his sheep? By leading into the “green pastures” and “besides the quiet waters.” The context when this Psalm was penned is not know with certainty, although it has traditionally been ascribed to David when he was fleeing Absalom in the wilderness. What do you need in a barren wilderness most of all? You need food and water. In the barren places of life, God provides for us and “He restores [refreshes] my soul” (v.3).
The grass is not greener on the other side of the fence, it’s greener or more abundant when you follow the Lord our shepherd! Together these two blessings point to an oasis in the desert. All of this is the equivalent of experiencing God’s abundant life (See Jn. 10:9-10).
3. He Protects
God our shepherd guides, provides, and protects His sheep. His presence comforts and encourages us even when we “walk through the valley of the shadow of death” (v.4). This valley would be a dark place in the uninhabited desert. There is even an area in Israel near the Dead Sea that is termed the area the David might have been referring to.
There is an important truth in this Psalm about difficulties in the Christian life and that is, we all will go through some. It’s not a matter of “if” but “when.” All of us will face some dark valleys. David knew what valleys were like.
* King Saul was out to kill him and he lived for years as a fugitive (1 Sam. 18; 19). * David’s sin of adultery and the trouble it brought his family was a valley (1 Sam. 11). * David’s marriage crumbled (1 Sam. 12:11). * Several of his children died (1 Sam. 12:14), one of them Absalom was murdered (2 Sam. 18:14). And yet David could say, “I will fear no evil for you are with me” (v. 4).
We too face valleys in life – low points, griefs, disappointments.
* We face family troubles. * Prolonged illness. * Difficult and stressful circumstances – caring for a sick child, an aging parent or relative. * The search for significance in life and dealing with disappointments. * Worries over financial needs – home, job. * Life sequence changes and growing older, facing death.
We will face many valleys in life but through them all, God’s presence will be with us. Walter Brueggeman in his book “The Message of the Psalms” begins his commentary of Psalm 23 with these words: “It is God’s companionship that transforms every situation. It does not mean that there are no deathly valleys, no enemies, but they are not capable of hurt! Psalm 23 knows that evil is present in the world, but it is not feared. Confidence in God is the source of a life of peace and joy.”
In the wilderness the shepherd protects the sheep with his “rod” and “staff.”The rod would be used to ward off intruders – the wolves and other beasts that would seek to destroy the sheep. The staff would be used to guide the sheep and it was a sign of comfort. When afraid, the shepherd would gather his sheep and stand in the midst of the sheep with his staff held high. The sheep would know that the shepherd was near – they were safe!
Even in your darkest valley you need not fear because God is there and is capable of meeting any challenge from your enemies. God not only protects and defends us, but also shows us favor in the presence of our enemies (vv.5-6). You would not expect to find or receive hospitality in a barren and hostile environment such as a valley, but that’s exactly what God does for us. In the valleys, surrounded by enemies God anoints our heads and prepares a great feast for us. Even in tribulation our cup runs over! God is more than sufficient – He exceeds our needs!
God’s blessings are not just for this life, His blessings are also future tense: “Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (v.6). His goodness will never end! If we could only grasp that truth in the midst of trials! What a declaration of trust to say that goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives.
We have seen the compassion of the shepherd – His heart is for the lost sheep, and his character – He guides, provides, and protects, now I want us to see . . .
III. The Commitment of the Shepherd
This is especially brought out in John 10:11-16. In this passage, there is a contrast made between the false shepherd and the good shepherd. The “good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (v.11). The hired hand “when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away” (v.12). As a result of his abandonment of the flock, the flock is destroyed by the wolves. Why does the hired hand act this way? Because “he cares nothing for the sheep” (v.13). It’s just a job. But shepherding is more than a job – it’s a calling, it’s a commitment.
How this all relates to Home Coming
Home Coming is a time to praise God for our past – God has been and is the faithful Good Shepherd to us. For the past 172 years, He has been faithful to guide us, to provide for us, and to protect us. He has shown compassion on us. The other side of Home Coming is that it is also a time for us to renew our commitment to being good and faithful shepherds of God’s flock. The best way to honor our past is to insure that the godly seed continues to prosper. To honor your past, honor God in the present and you do that by living to glorify Him.
Symbolically, spiritually, you are a shepherd, you have a mission. God calls you to show compassion to reach the lost. He calls you to help guide, to help provide and meet needs, to protect the flock. This is the responsibility of every member of the body. God is looking for some faithful shepherds and the question for us today is, “Am I like the hired hand, just in it for what I can get from it? Like the hired hand who abandons the sheep in time of trouble?” Or “Am I like the good shepherd who cares for his sheep, who guides, provides, and protects them?”
Because the hired hand abandons his post, the sheep are decimated – they suffer greatly. Think about this: You as a shepherd have a responsibility, a commitment and if you abandon your post as a shepherd, what’s going to happen to the sheep? When believers abandon their post, by ceasing to seek after the lost, by not guiding, providing, and protecting the flock, the flock suffers greatly. It’s time to be a shepherd, a shepherd who is willing to lay one’s life down for the sheep. That means sacrifice, service. Are you willing to do that? That’s what good shepherds do. Like our country, Hebron is in a spiritual recession, but there are many needs and “Shepherds Are Needed!” Take God’s word to heart this day, this Home Coming and apply it to your life.
This is how you become a part of the solution. This is how you insure Hebron’s greatness will prosper and many people will be reached with the Gospel. You make a commitment to be what God wants you to be. God is faithful, He is trustworthy. The question is, “Can God trust us?” “Will we shepherd God’s flock?” “Will we sacrifice for the flock’s well-being?” If we will be good shepherds, God’s flock will remain healthy and God will expand our flock.
For His Glory!
Pastor Joe Alain
Scripture Readings: Psalm 23; John 10:11-16 (Pew Bible, pp. 376, 723)
I’m dealing with two primary texts today that have as their theme, God as our shepherd, Psalm 23 and John 10:11-16. Psalm 23 expresses confidence in God’s goodness – in this life and in the life to come. The universal appeal of this psalm lies in the comfort it gives to those who have confronted the most difficult periods of life. It is a psalm of God’s strength and grace for all ages.
In John 10:11-16 Jesus identifies Himself as the “good shepherd.” Israel had long understood that the good shepherd or the shepherd king spoken of in Scripture was a reference to the coming Messiah (see Is. 40:11; Ez. 37:24). As the good shepherd, Jesus is committed to the well being of the sheep, even unto death.
I want to develop this picture of God as a Shepherd using these two primary texts as well as others. Big Idea: God is a good and faithful shepherd to us. As His followers, we too are called to shepherd His flock. What does that look like? There are three key areas that help us define what it means to be a good shepherd.
I. The Compassion of the Shepherd
Shepherds need compassion. The compassion of the shepherd is especially evident in the text in John. In John 10:16, Jesus said that He had “other sheep” and that He “must bring them also.” Speaking mainly to the Jewish disciples, presumably Jesus was making a reference to the larger community of Gentiles who would also respond to His voice (His Message) and follow Him. The point here is that God is not content to only show compassion on a few, He will not rest until His “one flock” is completed.
God’s compassion for the lost sheep drives Him to seek out the lost sheep. God will not rest until His flock is complete. The heart of a shepherd is illustrated in the familiar story Jesus told as recorded in Luke 15: 3-7. You probably remember it. Jesus told of a shepherd who had a 100 sheep. So great was his love and care for the sheep that he left the 99 in search of the one lost sheep. Read Luke 15:3-7.
The shepherd does not rest until he finds his one lost sheep. Nothing deters the shepherd from his mission. This story powerfully illustrates how far God will go to reach the lost. There is nothing more important to Him than seeing the lost found. Theologically, we do not pursue God, He pursues us! And when He finds us (salvation) there is rejoicing in heaven. This too is to be our heart – to see the lost sheep found, to see the lost introduced to the great and good shepherd – Jesus. Shepherds are needed in the church, shepherds who have the same compassion for the lost that God has. Shepherds who will not be content with the 99. Shepherds who will not rest until the lost are found.
II. The Character of the Shepherd
Compassion is God’s character. Further though, we see the character of the shepherd and how he relates to his sheep in Psalm 23. If we were to seek to find one word that would describe the character of God as our shepherd, it would have to faithful or trustworthy. In every aspect of life, we can have complete confidence and trust in the Lord. This confidence is available to all who are able to call the Lord “my shepherd” (v.1). This language highlights the truth that knowing God, the Great Shepherd is a personal relationship.
There are three things specifically that the shepherd does that makes him a good and faithful shepherd. Notice how our great shepherd takes care of us – His sheep! What inspires our confidence in God as our shepherd?
1. He Guides
The good shepherd leads the sheep to the “green pastures” and “beside quiet waters” (v.2). The good shepherd guides the sheep in the right paths, the “paths of righteousness” (v.3). If we will follow His word, listen to His voice, His presence within us, we will stay on the paths that lead to righteousness.
2. He Provides
God our shepherd guides and He provides. As His sheep we “lack nothing” (v.1). How did the shepherd provide for his sheep? By leading into the “green pastures” and “besides the quiet waters.” The context when this Psalm was penned is not know with certainty, although it has traditionally been ascribed to David when he was fleeing Absalom in the wilderness. What do you need in a barren wilderness most of all? You need food and water. In the barren places of life, God provides for us and “He restores [refreshes] my soul” (v.3).
The grass is not greener on the other side of the fence, it’s greener or more abundant when you follow the Lord our shepherd! Together these two blessings point to an oasis in the desert. All of this is the equivalent of experiencing God’s abundant life (See Jn. 10:9-10).
3. He Protects
God our shepherd guides, provides, and protects His sheep. His presence comforts and encourages us even when we “walk through the valley of the shadow of death” (v.4). This valley would be a dark place in the uninhabited desert. There is even an area in Israel near the Dead Sea that is termed the area the David might have been referring to.
There is an important truth in this Psalm about difficulties in the Christian life and that is, we all will go through some. It’s not a matter of “if” but “when.” All of us will face some dark valleys. David knew what valleys were like.
* King Saul was out to kill him and he lived for years as a fugitive (1 Sam. 18; 19). * David’s sin of adultery and the trouble it brought his family was a valley (1 Sam. 11). * David’s marriage crumbled (1 Sam. 12:11). * Several of his children died (1 Sam. 12:14), one of them Absalom was murdered (2 Sam. 18:14). And yet David could say, “I will fear no evil for you are with me” (v. 4).
We too face valleys in life – low points, griefs, disappointments.
* We face family troubles. * Prolonged illness. * Difficult and stressful circumstances – caring for a sick child, an aging parent or relative. * The search for significance in life and dealing with disappointments. * Worries over financial needs – home, job. * Life sequence changes and growing older, facing death.
We will face many valleys in life but through them all, God’s presence will be with us. Walter Brueggeman in his book “The Message of the Psalms” begins his commentary of Psalm 23 with these words: “It is God’s companionship that transforms every situation. It does not mean that there are no deathly valleys, no enemies, but they are not capable of hurt! Psalm 23 knows that evil is present in the world, but it is not feared. Confidence in God is the source of a life of peace and joy.”
In the wilderness the shepherd protects the sheep with his “rod” and “staff.”The rod would be used to ward off intruders – the wolves and other beasts that would seek to destroy the sheep. The staff would be used to guide the sheep and it was a sign of comfort. When afraid, the shepherd would gather his sheep and stand in the midst of the sheep with his staff held high. The sheep would know that the shepherd was near – they were safe!
Even in your darkest valley you need not fear because God is there and is capable of meeting any challenge from your enemies. God not only protects and defends us, but also shows us favor in the presence of our enemies (vv.5-6). You would not expect to find or receive hospitality in a barren and hostile environment such as a valley, but that’s exactly what God does for us. In the valleys, surrounded by enemies God anoints our heads and prepares a great feast for us. Even in tribulation our cup runs over! God is more than sufficient – He exceeds our needs!
God’s blessings are not just for this life, His blessings are also future tense: “Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (v.6). His goodness will never end! If we could only grasp that truth in the midst of trials! What a declaration of trust to say that goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives.
We have seen the compassion of the shepherd – His heart is for the lost sheep, and his character – He guides, provides, and protects, now I want us to see . . .
III. The Commitment of the Shepherd
This is especially brought out in John 10:11-16. In this passage, there is a contrast made between the false shepherd and the good shepherd. The “good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (v.11). The hired hand “when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away” (v.12). As a result of his abandonment of the flock, the flock is destroyed by the wolves. Why does the hired hand act this way? Because “he cares nothing for the sheep” (v.13). It’s just a job. But shepherding is more than a job – it’s a calling, it’s a commitment.
How this all relates to Home Coming
Home Coming is a time to praise God for our past – God has been and is the faithful Good Shepherd to us. For the past 172 years, He has been faithful to guide us, to provide for us, and to protect us. He has shown compassion on us. The other side of Home Coming is that it is also a time for us to renew our commitment to being good and faithful shepherds of God’s flock. The best way to honor our past is to insure that the godly seed continues to prosper. To honor your past, honor God in the present and you do that by living to glorify Him.
Symbolically, spiritually, you are a shepherd, you have a mission. God calls you to show compassion to reach the lost. He calls you to help guide, to help provide and meet needs, to protect the flock. This is the responsibility of every member of the body. God is looking for some faithful shepherds and the question for us today is, “Am I like the hired hand, just in it for what I can get from it? Like the hired hand who abandons the sheep in time of trouble?” Or “Am I like the good shepherd who cares for his sheep, who guides, provides, and protects them?”
Because the hired hand abandons his post, the sheep are decimated – they suffer greatly. Think about this: You as a shepherd have a responsibility, a commitment and if you abandon your post as a shepherd, what’s going to happen to the sheep? When believers abandon their post, by ceasing to seek after the lost, by not guiding, providing, and protecting the flock, the flock suffers greatly. It’s time to be a shepherd, a shepherd who is willing to lay one’s life down for the sheep. That means sacrifice, service. Are you willing to do that? That’s what good shepherds do. Like our country, Hebron is in a spiritual recession, but there are many needs and “Shepherds Are Needed!” Take God’s word to heart this day, this Home Coming and apply it to your life.
This is how you become a part of the solution. This is how you insure Hebron’s greatness will prosper and many people will be reached with the Gospel. You make a commitment to be what God wants you to be. God is faithful, He is trustworthy. The question is, “Can God trust us?” “Will we shepherd God’s flock?” “Will we sacrifice for the flock’s well-being?” If we will be good shepherds, God’s flock will remain healthy and God will expand our flock.
For His Glory!
Pastor Joe Alain
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!
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
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
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