Holy Manners: Encouragement

Posted by David on May 17, 2007 under Bulletin Articles

In an earlier work, I spent years teaching, counseling, urging, associating with, and encouraging people seeking recovery. They came from all levels and involvements in life. All they had in common was a desire to recover.

This weekend I was in the mall late Saturday afternoon. I did not see one person I knew in the hour I was there. Nor did I identify with anyone in the sea of humanity flowing by me. I had the same feeling I had in the past when in a culture I did not know.

My point: if you asked people in either situation to name the top five sources of encouragement in our society, the church would not appear in their lists. I know so in my first example. I have specific memories of encouraging tearful people to come into a church building to a group meeting. Why were they crying? In their minds, church buildings were places they associated with pain, not for help with their struggles.

I confess at times I wearied of hearing about the thoughtless things Christians did or said in “the name of Christ.” I also find it troubling to read of Jesus spending time with people who lost hope. Helping struggling people is always complex. Yet, God cares about those we are often tempted to “write off.”

It is difficult to be a godly person in this society. Because of persecution? No! There is little persecution here. In this society (1) it is easy to be self-centered; (2) it is easy to substitute society’s emphasis for God’s values; and (3) it is easy to do both. In spite of all the New Testament’s examples of sufferings and hardships, it is easy to conclude that “going to church” will result in having a “good life” (as defined by the individual).

The church in Thessalonica had significant problems. (1) They misunderstood Christian suffering (3:3). (2) They needed to grow in love for each other (3:12; 4:9, 10). (3) Some were sexually immoral (4:3). (4) They needed to improve in their treatment of unbelievers (4:12). (5) They misunderstood the meaning of death (4:13). (6) They misunderstood when the end would come (5:1-11). (7) They did not respect spiritual leaders as they should (5:12, 13).

The interesting thing was Paul’s solution. It was not “sweep house and rid yourself of troublemakers.” Paul’s solution: “encourage the struggling.”

All of us have moments and situations of discouragement. God never gives up on us. Please may we not give up on each other. When we struggle, we do not need added discouragement. We need encouragement! May we as God’s people be known for our ability to encourage others! May the weak look to you for strength (Romans 15:1).

Thank all of you who are involved with things like the Hope Chest, CURE, tutoring, youth work, college work, mission efforts, the sick, visitors, and the timid. Investments in people are eternal. May we all arrive in heaven because of each other, not in spite of each other. May your holy manners be many people’s spiritual strength!

Godly Behavior (Part 1)

Posted by David on May 15, 2007 under Sermons

There was a time when the sense of "community" and the sense of "family" were powerful. In this time, it was not unusual for a person to allow each of these to affect his/her behavior. The bond with one’s community or the bond with one’s family was more powerful than selfishness. Thus a person might restrict his or her personal behavior because he or she did not wish to reflect poorly on the community or on one’s family. The primary issue was not, "What would I like to do?" but was, "How will this affect people who are important to me?" Was that not one of the major points of Jimmy Stewart’s classic movie, "A Wonderful Life."

In our society, there has been a significant shift. This shift occurred for many reasons, not just one. One prominent influence in this shift has been [and is] a shift in what is important to us. Self has emerged as the most important consideration in many people’s thinking. With the emergence of self there has been a corresponding loss in the sense of community or the sense of extended (and too often immediate) family.

One illustration. In many past generations, most people lived quite close to their place of birth. It took a major emergency to motivate people "to leave home." For many who left, the "other place" was viewed as a "temporary" situation that existed only to take care of the emergency. There was only one geographical place that was "home," and the common plan and intent was to return "home."

Today, people live in many places. They all are "home" because "home" is where you live. I, myself, have lived in seven places that were "home" at the time I lived there. The "community" I was in was "my" community. I had no intention of leaving and no plan to return anywhere. When I took a trip, I was always glad to get back "home."

Today I know a number of people who commute long distances in their jobs. "Home" is not where their job is. "Home" is where their immediate family resides. Because of job demands, they often move significant distances. The job may dictate a move, but job never defines "home." "Home" is defined by where the immediate family is. When the job demands a move, rarely is there any intent to go back. Rarely is there any intent eventually to return to one’s area of birth unless some emergency demands a return.

In our mobile society and loss of roots, we pay significant prices. (1) Selfishness continues to escalate. (2) Our sense of community has been lost. (3) Our sense of family is quite restricted and very fragile. (4) Our basic past concepts have changed radically.

In none of this am I implying that the past was perfect and situations were not abused.

First, I want to suggest that the church of today suffers enormously because of these shifts.
1. One adverse effect: some are convinced that we as a church would solve all our problems if we would just return to the past.
  1. In the first place, that is not possible.
    1. We, and most everyone around us, live in the now, not in the past–if we are to reach others we have to function in the now or they cannot relate to us or to the message we share with them.
    2. The only way to retreat to the past would be to build walls around us and be preoccupied with defending ourselves.
  2. We would have to deny our identity and our mission to retreat to the past.
    1. Jesus wants us to be light and salt in an existence filled with darkness and ignorance of God.
      Matthew 5:13-16, "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."
    2. Jesus prayed this about the 12 and us the last night of his earthly life.
      John 17:14-20, "I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word …"
    3. We cannot live for ourselves and be the spiritual influence Jesus wants us to be by retreating to the past.
2. A second adverse effect: Often younger adults do not feel the commitment to the Christian community that older adults feel.
  1. It is always difficult to make this point without offending Christians who have no reason to be offended.
    1. I am deeply grateful for and encourage all the people in this congregation of all ages who are active in or involved in our many activities here.
    2. A number of the young adults invest major time and major energy to make many of our activities possible.
  2. However, too many look at the congregation in the same way people look at an institution or a civic club.
    1. Often we look at institutions and clubs in this way: "I am glad it is here; I like to use it; my basic question is how it can benefit me?"
    2. The congregation is a community of Christians, a family of people who recognize God as the Father and Jesus Christ as the older brother.
    3. Christians do not look at a congregation as "existing for my benefit" but as "existing for my involvement."
    4. As the concepts in society of community and family diminish, congregations suffer.
  3. Often I hear people say, "Who is going to fix the meals? Who is going to visit the suffering? Who is going to give and attend the showers? Who is going to teach? Who is going to provide leadership? Who is going to organize things?"
    1. Good things do not just happen.
    2. When good things happen, several "someones" work hard and give time.
3. Adverse effect three: Christians are changing the concepts on which a congregation is built in fundamental ways.
  1. We live in a consumer society.
    1. If we do not like the way you do business, we will not do business with you.
    2. If we do not like the way you provide service, we will not let you serve us.
    3. If we do not like the product you produce, we will not buy your product.
  2. Too often we make the congregation a consumer institution.
    1. Come hear our preacher; he is good!
    2. Come to our youth program; it is wonderful!
    3. Come to our Care Groups or Life Groups; they will be concerned about your needs!
    4. Come to our programs; they cannot be beat!
    5. So people come until they get a better deal offered to them or their family.
    6. Congregations contribute to the problem when they compete with other congregations on a consumer basis.
People who follow God in every age have the faith of commitment combined with the courage to face adversity.
1. I want you to consider (briefly) three Old Testament men you likely know: Abraham, Moses, and David.
  1. If you know these men, you likely think highly of them.
  2. You probably assume everyone in their day thought highly of them.
  3. Not so!
2. Consider Abraham:
  1. God said in Genesis 12:1-3,
    Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you; and I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing; and I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”
  2. If you think that is a "no brainer" covenant, you need to consider it closely.
    1. Would you leave the known for the unknown? It is considered crazy now; it was considered more crazy then.
    2. Would you dream of your descendants becoming a great nation if you were 75 and had no children?
    3. Would you leave the only security you had (the security of an extended family) on the basis of promises from a God your family did not know?
    4. Would you dream of blessing every person who lived in the future when you were 75 and childless?
  3. In Abraham’s day what Abraham did was considered stupid.
  4. If you did the same thing Abraham did, most people who know you today would consider you stupid.
3. Consider Moses:
  1. Moses had it made!
    1. He was born a slave.
    2. He grew up as royalty.
    3. All he needed to do was sit pat, and he was a rich man who belonged in the highest circles of the greatest nation on earth.
  2. Moses risked everything to help his people.
    1. His people did not appreciate his effort.
    2. He was fortunate to escape with his life.
    3. He lived in exile as a shepherd in the remotest place he could find.
  3. When God asked him to return to Egypt, he was extremely reluctant to go.
    1. His former royal family wanted him dead.
    2. His people did not appreciate him.
    3. He would have to abandon the security of his exile.
  4. He finally went because God was persistent.
  5. Even after he went, he lived a hard, lonely life in a wilderness with a mass of griping people.
  6. Would you call that a wise choice?
4. Consider David:
  1. He helped King Saul in wonderful ways: killing Goliath when no one else would face the huge man; playing music to the king when the king became depressed; fighting the king’s enemies–the Philistines; making the king’s rule more secure.
  2. His payment was the king’s distrust and jealousy.
    1. The king took his wife.
    2. The king forced him to live as a fugitive.
    3. The king chased him so hard the he forced David to turn to the Philistines.
    4. The king forced David to relocate his parents in Moab (1 Kings 22:3).
  3. Twice David could have killed King Saul and refused to do so.
  4. Never was King Saul in any danger because of David.
  5. In this period of David’s life, would you consider him a wise man?

Following God in any age has never been popular. Having the courage to do God’s will has seemed an act of stupidity in every age. Such is seen as wise only by people who know God.

Godly behavior has never been accepted nor popular. It will not be today.

Holy Manners: Unselfishness

Posted by David on May 10, 2007 under Bulletin Articles

Though the Philippian Christians seemed untroubled in a casual reading of Paul’s letter, evidences in the letter suggest they had interpersonal relationship problems as Christians.

The challenge to behave worthy of Christ’s gospel (1:27-30).
Paul’s plea in the above text (2:1-4).
The sending of Timothy to check on their condition (2:19).
Paul’s explanation for his personal commitment (3:1-17).
Recognition of the “enemies” in the congregation (3:17-21).
The congregational conflict involving Euodia and Syntyche (4:2, 3).

In the context of internal rivalry, consider Paul’s admonition concerning proper conduct:

“If you want to give me genuine cause for joy as I am under arrest, be of one mind (toward each other), preserve Christian love(that brought you together in Christ), be united in spirit (Jesus Christ’s spirit that produced your salvation), have a common purpose (determined by Jesus Christ’s objective).”
“Never function in selfishness or empty conceit in the Christian community.”
“Function in humility with high regard for other Christians.”
“Consider the interests of other Christians as superior to your own interests.”

Paul based the example of appropriate Christian conduct on Jesus’ example in yielding to God, coming to earth, and living a life of surrender as a creature he helped bring into existence (2:5-8). He (as should we) let God magnify him (2:9-11), which God did.

One of the more difficult challenges every Christian confronts: determining appropriate behavior when a fellow Christian does not share our values, come to our conclusions, or behave like we want him or her to behave. Those moments make Paul’s injunction to contending Christians in Romans 14:10-12 extremely difficult to understand and follow. It is hard to leave such matters in God’s hands!

We understand that we practice good manners in physical matters to preserve civilized behavior. Good manners are not practiced because such are deserved. When people fail to practice good manners, civil behavior unravels. More is threatened than the moment!

Religiously, Christians practice holy manners to preserve Jesus Christ’s influence in the Christian community. Failure to do so threatens our spiritual family. Always, more is threatened than the moment! God’s influences advance with godly manners! God’s influence suffers when Christian’s use ungodly manners in His family.

The Agony of Change (Part 4)

Posted by David on May 3, 2007 under Sermons

We all know the power of being upset. I doubt there is a single one of us who has not been upset at something. Sometimes people get upset for reasons that do not merit such a powerful emotional reaction. Sometimes we all get upset because something that really matters happens.

The key to being properly upset is being honest with yourself. When you are upset, are you emotionally reacting to yourself, or are you focusing on concern for others? What is your motive? Are your emotions actually about you, or are they about helping others?

When those emotions are about you and your personal concerns, those emotions will betray you. Those emotions will deceive you as they justify actions that should cause you shame. Years later you will look back and wonder how you could ever do such things. You will be amazed later when you realize that you thought it was about God when it was actually about you.

Nothing is more likely to upset us than helping a person escape an addiction only to witness the same person return to a form of the same addiction. Your concern is not for "all the work I did." It is for the needless tragedy the addicted person is certain to experience.

If you understand that form of "being upset," you understand Paul being upset in his letter to gentile Galatian Christians. Please take your Bibles, turn to Galatians, and follow with me.

Let’s begin with a brief review of our past lessons.
1. We noted how much it took to convince the Jewish apostle Peter to share salvation in Jesus Christ with a gentile audience. (Acts 10)
2. We noted the reaction of Jewish Christian leaders and "the circumcision" to Peter’s decision to even associate with (have a meal with) gentiles. (Acts 11:1-17)
3. We noted the resentment of some Jewish Christians (the circumcision group) because gentiles were becoming Christians before being proselytes to Judaism. (Acts 15:1,2)
4. We noted the Jerusalem council’s devotion to forming an appropriate response to the concern. (Acts 15:5-29)
5. We noted the problem these Jewish Christians caused by lying about Paul’s work. (Acts 21:17-22)
6. We noted the responses to those lies. (Acts 21:23-26)
7. Add to these things this understanding:
  1. There were a group of baptized Jewish believers who devoted themselves to creating confusion among gentiles believers who responded to Jesus Christ.
    1. They were convinced that their work was God’s work.
    2. They did not oppose gentiles becoming Christians IF they became Jewish proselytes first.
    3. They insisted on the importance of circumcision.
  2. They especially made Paul’s life miserable by doing two things.
    1. They devoted themselves to destroying Paul’s reputation as a Christian.
    2. They devoted themselves to destroying Paul’s work with gentile people.
    3. They were convinced this was the proper, godly thing to do!
The opening of Galatians suggests (pointedly) how upset Paul was.
1. Paul typically opened a writing to even a deeply troubled congregation with messages of encouragement. (See Romans 1:7-15; 1 Corinthians 1:4-9; 2 Corinthians 1:3-11; Ephesians 1:15-23; Philippians 1:3-11; Colossians 1:3-8; 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12).
  1. No such encouragement is found in the Galatians opening.
  2. Paul immediately begins discussing his disappointment and their problem.
  3. Obviously, Paul did not like what happened!
2. Look at a brief flow of Paul’s thoughts in his communication with gentile converts to Christ.
  1. First, he expressed his disappointment in 1:6-10.
  2. Second, he declared his commission from God to teach the gentiles (God’s commission is superior to the Judiazers’ concern). (1:11-17)
  3. Third, he discussed the reason for his first visit to Jerusalem. (1:18-24)
  4. Fourth, he discussed the reason for his visit to Jerusalem 14 years after his conversion, and the leadership’s response to his work with gentiles. (2:1-10)
  5. Fifth, he affirmed (a) his spiritual stature by his confrontation with Peter (Cephas) concerning gentiles, and (b) affirmed salvation is through Jesus Christ. (2:11-21)
  6. Sixth, the vehicle for righteousness in God has always been faith in God. (3:1-14).
  7. Seventh, God’s covenant is based on Jesus Christ, not the law. (3:15-22)
  8. Eighth, the purpose of the law was to lead people to Jesus Christ. (3:23-29)
  9. Ninth, Paul’s first illustration was to emphasize the ineffectiveness of law. (4:1-7)
  10. Tenth, Paul’s urgings: (4:8-20)
    1. Salvation is not found by changing "systems" (going from the "system" of idolatry to the "system" of Judaism).
    2. Paul’s affirmation of a personal relationship and concern for them.
  11. Eleventh, Paul’s second illustration was to emphasize salvation is through Christ. (4:21-31)
    [Paul’s transition: "Because you are, as gentile Christians, free from the Jewish system and the law, does not mean you are free to live as you please."]
  12. Twelfth, Christ did not free you to become the slaves of a different system. (5:1-12)
    1. You were freed to choose to serve others. (5:13-15)
    2. You were freed to escape your old lifestyle and accept a new lifestyle. (5:16-24)
    3. You were freed to be guided by God’s Spirit instead of self-centered passions. (5:25, 26)
  13. Thirteenth, Paul’s admonitions about appropriate Christian conflict in regard to proper treatment of others (a) who are tempted, (b) who are deceived about the purpose of physical existence, and (c) who think spirituality is primarily a physical consideration. (6:1-16)
Things I ask you to note.
1. The Judaizing teachers, Jews who believed in Jesus and were baptized, successfully created doubt and confusion among gentile converts.
  1. They were the "experts" who knew the way God worked chronologically before these gentiles became Christians.
    1. "We know more than you know so we must be right."
    2. "You should not trust Paul–he used to be one of us!"
    3. "Admit your ignorance and trust our history!"
    4. "We know what we are talking about!"
  2. Paul’s message, though from God, was quite different.
    1. Jewish Christians like Paul, Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, Aquilia, and Priscilla were the exceptions among Jewish converts, not the typical majority.
    2. The teaching that God, from the time of Abraham (and before), prepared to provide a solution through Jesus Christ rather than through the Jewish nation, was strange to most Jewish people.
    3. It was easy to believably declare Paul and his message of faith being superior to the law false, because that concept was foreign to the Jewish concept, even among most Jewish Christians.
  3. Please understand that from the beginning of Christianity there was conflict and difficulty because Christianity meant change.
    1. If your concept of early Christianity was this ideal existence where every Christian was at peace and in harmony with all other Christians, I urge you to listen to scripture and change your concept.
    2. The conflict between Jewish Christians and gentile Christians is one of the dominant themes of the New Testament.
      1. What God wanted was for all to be saved in Christ.
      2. However, that is not what many people wanted.
      3. If it was suggested that God produced salvation through Jesus Christ in ways they (people) did not like or want, many were offended.
      4. The fact that this concept came from God meant almost nothing to many.
      5. People’s preferences too often are more powerful than God’s revelation–and that includes people today!
2. The solution:
  1. The solution today is the same as the solution was in the first century: mutual love and respect.
    1. Neither are simple; both are extremely difficult.
    2. I may not agree with you, but I am your brother, not the judge of your eternal destiny.
  2. If you are in Christ, I must kindly respect you because you are in God’s family–not my family.
  3. We are siblings to each other, and neither of us is the other’s parent.
  4. When believers in Christ who have repented and been baptized treat other believers in Christ who have repented and been baptized with hate, false accusations, and contempt, the whole family of God suffers.
  5. When Christians treat Christians with contempt, we ridicule ourselves in the eyes of those who are not in Christ–we destroy our credibility and are looked upon with contempt.
I would like to close with some readings–would you listen and silently pray for God’s family.
- Galatians 5:13-15,
  "For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another."
- Romans 14:13-23,
  "Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this-not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way. I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin."
- Romans 15:1-6,
  "Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."
- Romans 12:9-16,
  "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation."
- 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12,
  "Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need."
- John 13:12-17,
  "So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them."

Help us make it obvious that the church is composed of people who seek to be God’s family who respect and love others. You do not have control over everyone. Yet, only you control yourself. In all circumstances and situations, control yourself.

Holy Manners: Love (part 2)

Posted by David on under Bulletin Articles

As I share these thoughts, I am not one who has it all figured out. No human, man or woman, “has it all figured out.” Humans encourage. God through Jesus Christ models. Appreciating human examples of godly influence is appropriate. However, Christians revere only one model: God’s actions and behavior through Jesus Christ.

The powerful affirmation of God’s love for us is found in Romans 5:8. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

While we were everything God is not, before we committed to any solution God gave for our salvation, before we pledged to transform our emotions or behavior, God paid the full price for our forgiveness at enormous cost to Himself. God loved us while we were His enemies. In the same context, Paul asked, “How can you doubt His commitment to you when God loved you enough to forgive you prior to your commitment to conversion?”

The relevant point to Christians as we define godly love is this: If God loves us that much, how much should we love other Christians? How much should we love people?

Love is not a weak emotion and behavior! It is infinitely challenging! To love believing, penitent, baptized Christians with whom we disagree is an enormous challenge! It is extremely difficult to understand that Christians cannot represent God’s truth by attacking people! Such does not reflect the way God in Christ functions!

In the Ephesians scripture, note Paul’s concepts. (1) There is a fitting and unfitting way for Christians to behave. (2) Fitting Christian behavior includes humility, gentleness, and patience. (3) Godly patience forbears [endures each other’s faults]. (4) Such humility, gentleness, and patience are possible in Christians because [like God] their love for one another is greater than the faults they observe. (5) These qualities preserve unity and bind Christians together in peace.

They are not unified because they conform. They are unified because their love for each other comes from God’s love for all of them. They do not live in peace because they agree on everything. They live in peace because God’s love is the source of their peace.

Anyone can live in unity and peace with those who agree with them. Only the godly can live in unity and peace with those who do not agree with them.

The #1 holy manner in Christians is to act with love-even when we endure the unlovable!

The Agony of Change (Part 3)

Posted by David on May 2, 2007 under Sermons

Perhaps among the most difficult spiritual analysis to make is the analysis of the anatomy of faith. What is faith? Most Christians are more proficient at telling people what faith is not than they are at telling people what faith is. I often fear, with all of us, our concept of faith is more a reaction to faith concepts we reject instead of a concept of faith arising from understanding scripture.

Faith always, at its foundation, speaks to our personal relationship with God. Faith believes God is. Faith believes God acts. Faith believes God rewards those who trust Him. Faith trusts God to keep His promises. Faith understands God is the source of human hope that is greater than death.

The essence of faith involves God’s character. Jesus came as a human because of God’s character. God made Jesus the Christ in his death and resurrection because of His character. Salvation and its incredible forgiveness exists because of God’s character. The church, God’s family on earth, exists because of God’s character. Hope exists because of God’s character. God’s promises may be trusted without doubt because of God’s character. Christians will never be abandoned by God because of God’s character.

The beginning of faith involves the person’s conviction that God knows what He is doing. Even when we do not understand what God is doing, He knows what He is doing. Even when we question what God is doing, God knows what He is doing. Even when we are distressed by God’s actions, God knows what He is doing.

Humans often question God’s acts. Humans are often distressed by God’s acts. God rarely, if ever, does things as we would like them done.

The person who has faith never reaches the point that he or she understands everything God does. The person who has faith never reaches the point that he or she is never distressed by God’s actions. The contrast between a person of faith and a faithless person is seen in this fact: the person of faith trusts that God knows what He is doing; the faithless person has no confidence in the fact that God knows what He is doing.

All of us form perceptions of what God should or should not do. When God’s actions fit those perceptions, people of faith are not troubled. However, when God’s actions do not fit our perceptions of what is appropriate behavior for God, people of faith are deeply troubled.

If you understand this, you grasp what a quandary the salvation of gentiles outside of Judaism placed Jewish Christians in.
1. For 2000 years, Jews understood from God they were His people. (See scriptures such as Exodus 19:1-6; Deuteronomy 7:6-8; and such related scriptures.)
2. The dividing line between them and other nations was that they were not to be idolatrous (See Exodus 20:1-6).
  1. The first thing delivered to Israel was this understanding about God: He could not be represented by any form of idol.
  2. He was the Deliverer, the only God.
  3. Idolatry must be totally rejected.
3. It took God many generations to get idolatry out of the Israelite people!
  1. How then could God save people who worshipped idols without using Judaism to get idolatry out of them?
  2. How could people who worshipped idols go immediately from idolatry to salvation in Jesus Christ?
  3. Was not Christian existence threatened by a people who went from the moral systems of idols to the moral system of Jesus Christ without understanding God’s character as did the Jews?
4. If someone was to go from idolatry to salvation in Jesus, he (or she) must yield at least to the basic concepts of Judaism! (Remember the insistence of converted Pharisees in Acts 15:5?)
  1. The fact that God produced gentiles’ salvation by (a) paying their redemption debt in Jesus’ death (blood) and by (b) providing them hope that deserved confidence through Jesus’ resurrection was beyond these Jewish Christian’s comprehension!
  2. What God did in Jesus’ death and resurrection attacked these Jews’ concept of obedience.
  3. The fact that God provided the salvation that did not depend on culture, nationality, past revelation (scripture), or past human acts defied their understanding. (Remember how difficult it was for Peter to grasp this truth in Acts 10?)
  4. God either did not know what He did, or Jewish people who claimed such things (like Paul) misrepresented God.
  5. This is the background of the Jewish council in Acts 15.
The thought is astounding.
1. People could come from any culture or any background and be saved Christians because of God’s accomplishments in Jesus’ death and resurrection.
  1. So Jews could be Jews and be Christians saved in Jesus Christ.
  2. In the same way, gentiles could be gentiles and be Christians saved in Jesus Christ.
  3. That is considered by us to be an astounding but wonderful concept as long as we refer to a situation about 2000 years ago.
    1. Jews did not have to become gentiles to be saved.
    2. Nor did gentiles have to become Jews to be saved.
    3. Each could retain their culture and traditions of origin (that did not conflict with God’s ethics) and be in Christ.
2. Many of us have no difficulty with that concept if we are talking about what happens in other nations, especially cultures in struggling nations.
  1. When we do foreign mission work, we stress the truth, "God can save you right here right now–you do not have to do things American-style to be saved."
  2. Thus, men can sit on one side and women on another in a worship assembly, and it is okay.
  3. Two adults can control everyone’s children in an assembly, and it is okay.
  4. Buildings can wear the marks of the culture that denotes the building as a church building, and it is okay.
  5. Baptisms can occur in different settings than in America, and it is okay.
  6. Women can dress quite differently from American women, and it is okay.
  7. Christian men can conduct church business quite differently from Christian American men, and it is okay.
  8. The church can meet the legal requirements of the culture by having proper registration with the national government, and it is okay.
  9. Most of us would affirm without difficulty that people do not have to become Americans to be saved.
3. If you understand those realities, you understand the background of Acts 21:17-26.
  1. First, consider the pre-Christian background of the Christian we know as the apostle Paul.
    1. Consider what he said about himself in Galatians 1:11-17.
      "For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions. But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus."
    2. Consider further what he said about himself in 1 Timothy 1:12-16:
      "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life."
    3. Consider still further what he said about himself in Acts 26:9-12:
      "So then, I thought to myself that I had to do many things hostile to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And this is just what I did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, but also when they were being put to death I cast my vote against them. And as I punished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to blaspheme; and being furiously enraged at them, I kept pursuing them even to foreign cities. While so engaged as I was journeying to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests …"
    4. Before his conversion, this man did anything he could do to destroy Christianity.
      1. He regarded Christianity to be a heresy that composed the greatest threat in existence to Judaism.
      2. He agreed to the execution of Jews who believed Jesus was the Christ.
      3. It was this violent, hostile, accomplished Jew who became the apostle to the gentiles.
  2. Now consider what a problem he was to Jews and Judaising teachers after becoming a Christian and converting gentiles.
  3. Look carefully at Acts 21:17-26.
    1. Paul reported in detail to the Jewish leadership what he did as he converted gentiles to Christ.
    2. The leadership understood and were happy.
    3. However, Paul’s presence in Jerusalem presented a problem.
      1. Paul’s work in evangelizing was often controversial (see Acts 13:16 and chapter 14 as an example).
      2. Most Jewish Christians did not abandon Jewish religious ways (21:20). The moral/ethical expectations of Judaism and the moral/ethical expectations of Jesus Christ are frequently the same.
      3. Paul’s evangelism was falsely reported–Jews in other places said Paul taught Jews to stop Jewish practices (21:21). Paul did not teach Jews who were converted to cease Jewish practices.
      4. The problem: how were they to correct this misrepresentation of Paul?
      5. Conclusion: let Paul do a very Jewish thing to prove Paul was Jewish in his personal Christian preferences–he just did not teach gentiles to do things in Jewish ways. (There was a distinction between what you were culturally and nationally, and what you were religiously).
      6. Paul did not have to become a gentile to teach gentiles.
      7. Gentile salvation did not depend on a gentile doing things as Jews did them. It depended on faith in Jesus Christ.
      8. Paul and the Jerusalem leadership understood that distinction, but most Jewish Christians did not.
    4. If your immediate reaction is a negative emotion, note the first recorded place two apostles went after the conversions of Jews and proselytes in Acts 2 was to the temple to pray (Acts 3:1).

There are two enormous temptations in this matter among American Christians in American congregations.

Temptation one: to declare submission to preference is a declaration of loyalty to Jesus Christ.
Temptation two: to confuse preference with teaching from God.

All Christians are entitled to live by their preferences. No Christian is entitled to impose his or her preferences on other Christians. Read Paul’s affirmation of this fact in Romans 14.

We all need an improved understanding of Romans 14:22:
"The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves."

This is not a statement to impose "my" preferences on "your" convictions, but an encouragement to live by your convictions while preserving unity in the family of believers.

In the next lesson as we conclude this emphasis, I urge you to read the letter to the Galatian Christians. I urge you to read it once, but read it more than once if possible.

The Agony of Change (Part 2)

Posted by David on May 1, 2007 under Sermons

Everything changes! Ask anyone 60 or above, and they will confirm that truth. For generations, the American elderly have talked about "the good old days." Mostly, when we talk about "the good old days" we talk about pleasant childhood memories.

With serious, honest reflection, the old days were not so good from one perspective. What is good about outhouses, no running water (of any temperature) in the house, wood-burning cook stoves, houses with little or no insulation, long hours of hard work, no safety rules, very limited medical help, lower life expectancies, and a constant struggle against poverty?

I am not a big fan of technology. Computers mystify me. Modern vehicles confuse me. I still understand repairing instead of throwing away and getting a new one. I am freaked out by systems that understand me better than I understand them. The availability of far more information than I can master intimidates me.

Do not get me wrong! I love microwaves! I greatly enjoy fast hot water! The comfort of modern vehicles is astounding! Our current standard of living is wonderful! Air conditioning is awesome! Quick information is addicting! Medical options are incredible!

When change occurs, it always is a combination of the desirable and the frightening. Religious change always challenges Christians to be a people of faith in God rather than a people of anxiety.

Have you ever taken the time to consider the changes confronting Christians in the first century?
1. Consider the Jews who became Christians.
  1. They came from a focus that said the nation of Israel is all that concerned God to an understanding that all people were of concern to God (consider Genesis 12:3–all families of the earth; Jonah 4:10, 11–Should I not have compassion on Ninevah; Isaiah 42:6, 49:6–a light to the nations or Gentiles; Matthew 28:19–all the nations).
  2. They came from the concept of holy geography [the city of Jerusalem from the time of Solomon] (Deuteronomy 12:5, 11, 13, 14; 1 Kings 9:3) to the concept that the whole world is God’s and appropriate for worship.
  3. They came from the concept of a priesthood (Exodus 28:1-4; Numbers 18:7) to the concept of a community of priests (1 Peter 2:9, 10).
  4. They came from a controlling high priest (Leviticus 16) who represented them before God to Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:11,12).
  5. They came from a temple which was the only site of sacrifice and a place of prayer (see 1 Kings 8:27-53) to the concept that their bodies were God’s temple (see 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20).
  6. They came from a concept of national worship in one geographical place (Deuteronomy 16:16) to a concept of personal worship with no national center (Revelation 3:4).
  7. They came from an emphasis heavy on structured ways to an emphasis on committed hearts.
  8. Those are enormous changes!
2. Consider the idolatrous gentiles who became Christians.
  1. They came from a faith that there were many gods to acknowledge and not offend, to an understanding there was only one actual, living God (Acts 17:22, 23; 1 Corinthians 8).
  2. Most of them came from understandings that regarded anger, lying, drunkenness, stealing, and sexual exploitation as morally acceptable to an understanding that declared all those things were immoral.
  3. They came from acknowledging all temples as sacred places to an understanding there were no physical temples or sacred places.
  4. Those are enormous changes!
3. Many changes that create in us great anxiety are small in comparison to those changes!
  1. Learning how to combine gentile believers in the resurrected Jesus Christ with Jewish believers in Jesus Christ was an enormous challenge!
  2. To increase our understanding of their problem, it would be as demanding as combining former Caucasian adulterers, former African-American pimps, and former Hispanic alcoholics into an established congregation that ignored members who used meth.
    1. The variety of needs would be enormous!
    2. The only common thing all those people would have is faith in Jesus Christ.
    3. The challenge would be enormous–and only possible through God’s grace!
Again, if you think this is an exaggeration consider carefully Acts 15:1-29.
1. Paul and Barnabas just returned to Antioch (a gentile congregation) that sent them on their journey into principally gentile areas (Acts 131-3)
  1. Often in their work, they first went to a synagogue (the Jewish place of Sabbath assembly) and then to the gentile community.
    1. For an example, consider Acts 13:16-49.
    2. The "men of Israel" were Jews.
    3. "You who fear God" were gentiles.
    4. Gentiles engaged in serious study of Judaism were welcome to attend Jewish synagogues.
  2. What Paul and Barnabas found upon returning to Antioch shocked them.
    1. Some Jewish Christians from Judea told the gentiles Christians in Antioch that they could not be saved (forgiven of sins) unless they were circumcised as a Jewish religious practice.
    2. Paul and Barnabas strongly confronted these Christians, but they could not settle the issue.
    3. All decided the matter must be referred to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. The first recorded instance of using outside resources?
  3. On the way from Antioch to Jerusalem, Paul and Barnabas reported in gentile areas the conversion of gentiles.
    1. They reported in detail.
    2. The end result was "great joy."
  4. In Jerusalem, Paul and Barnabas reported all God did through them to the apostles and elders.
    1. Some converted Pharisees insisted that gentile converts had to be circumcised and observe the law of Moses in order to be Christians–it was "necessary."
    2. The apostles and elders called a meeting to be dedicated to discussing this issue of gentile conversion (the Jews [before Jesus] converted gentiles to Judaism–such was known as making proselytes. See Matthew 23:15.).
  5. The meeting:
    1. The meeting resulted in "much debate"–it was an emotional, contested matter that definitely contained two strong opinions.
    2. Finally, James quoted from the Old Testament prophets verifying God’s interest in the gentiles.
      1. He declared it was not necessary for gentile Christians to be circumcised and keep the law of Moses.
      2. He said gentile Christians should observe four Jewish standards–not to eat things given to idols, not to commit fornication, not to eat strangled things, and not to eat blood.
      3. He affirmed Jewish Christians should not be concerned about the teachings of the law of Moses because those teachings were emphasized every Sabbath in synagogues.
      4. As Paul affirmed (15:11), gentiles must depend on God’s grace for salvation just like Jews must depend on God’s grace for salvation.
    3. A letter was sent to gentile congregations verifying the Jerusalem decision not to place Jewish practices on gentile Christians.
      1. Gentiles were saved by God’s grace just as were Jews.
      2. Gentiles did not have to accept Jewish practices to be saved.
As you will see from scripture, this Jewish decision in Jerusalem did not end this highly controversial, highly emotional issue–Jewish converts to Christ and gentile converts to Christ were just too different in their behaviors. (Their cultures and backgrounds clashed.)
1. The Jerusalem Christian Leadership understood more about God’s concerns than did many Jewish converts.
  1. Just like today, a decision made by informed people with evidence from scripture did not end the matter.
  2. Just like today, personal preferences and expectations were superior to God’s intent stated by scripture.
  3. Just like today, there were people more concerned about their fears than God’s declarations.
2. Solutions are never as simple as making an announcement.
  1. We do not quickly turn loose of matters we feel passionate about.
  2. There is no substitute for understanding God’s character and concerns in reforming our passions expressed in our desires.
Consider some things you should notice in Acts 15:
1. Paul, Barnabas, and the Christians at Antioch felt no shame in seeking help beyond themselves when they could not resolve a matter.
2. The meeting the Jerusalem elders called was open to all factions and views–it was not an announced decision enforced on uninformed people.
3. It was a meeting dedicated to one matter.
4. James, who was in charge of the meeting:
  1. Recognized God at work where God was at work–even when God’s work was unpopular with one group of Christians.
  2. Understood God’s purpose and kept the focus on God–not human preferences.
  3. Refused to let anxiety determine the outcome and the course taken.
  4. Asked gentiles to exhibit their faith in Christ by their behavior–live consistently with their new moral understandings.
  5. Included the "whole church" in the decision to send a letter to gentile congregations.
  6. Focused on the positive and the encouraging.

In every generation there will be something to learn and understand. The problems and challenges of one generation will not be the problems and challenges of the next generation. The conclusion of any age group that says: "We already addressed that so it does not need to be discussed or understood," or "Just accept the conclusions of the past and you will not have that problem," solve nothing.

The solution to challenges must always arise from mutual respect because we all are in Christ. Never seek a solution by questioning and destroying people’s confidence in Christ. The effects of character assassination produce consequences that last a long, long time.

Holy Manners: Love (part 1)

Posted by David on April 26, 2007 under Bulletin Articles

Godliness’ foundation manner is “agape” love. The Greek language (the primary, original language of the New Testament) used four words for love. The English language has only one word for love.

The Greek word often used in the New Testament is some form of “agape.” Its uniqueness is this: It is not based on feeling (emotion), but on intent. One treats others as he or she wishes to be treated. This treatment is not based on how the Christian is treated, but on how God and Jesus Christ would behave.

Four scriptures come to my mind quickly when I consider the loving Christian.

“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:46-48).

Even if I do not feel positively toward you, I treat you with respect as does my God.

“So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith” (Galatians 6:10).

A Christian seeks good for all. He or she “goes beyond the anticipated” in doing good to other believing, repenting, baptized Christians.

“By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).

The ability and willingness to show love’s respect is the primary mark of discipleship among Christians.

“… We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies” (1 Corinthians 8:1).

Few care what we know until they see what we know affecting our behavior, making us better people. Until a Christian’s knowledge leads to love, it produces arrogance.

Two of these statements were made by Jesus. Two were made by Paul. All four address extremely difficult situations: (1) the treatment of those you do not like; (2) the treatment of weak Christians who fall to temptation; (3) the understanding that service is superior to control; (4) idolatry [that affected most gentile Christians].

For 2,000 years horrible things have happened in God’s family when Christians have failed to understand the manners of love.

The Agony of Change (Part 1)

Posted by David on April 24, 2007 under Sermons

I almost named this series, "The Agony of Failed Expectations." Among us as a church, things are not at all what we expected them to be. If fifty years ago people knew for a fact that the 2000’s would begin with: (1) more financial worth in buildings, parking lots, and property than we ever knew as a church in America, (2) the best-trained men in the ministry that we as a church have ever had, and (3) the most projects we as an American church have ever had, I wonder what anticipation and expectations those adult Christians would have held? Whatever their anticipation and expectations, such would not reflect the reality of today in the church.

Change always has been difficult for Christians! In every age those who dare to be Christians have some among them who are certain: (1) they understand, and (2) they have collected everything that is true. They are so certain of this that they will either confront or attack anyone or anything that is not in total agreement with their conclusions. The result is that they often fight against the Bible to defend what they are certain are Bible teachings. The irony: such Christians oppose the Bible to defend the truth of the Bible.

In every generation, human expectations demand conformity to those expectations. When Christians think they have found and understood all truth, they confront a major temptation. That temptation arises if they decide to tell others, "You do not need to understand scripture. You just need to accept and believe what you are told. Our understanding is correct and needs nothing other than what we know."

We need to begin with some basic understandings that are critical to grasping what happened in the period of the New Testament when the church was born and spread.
1. Understanding one: The Jewish people including Jewish Christians thought they had God correctly "figured out."
  1. They were certain they had "changed enough" just by understanding that God sent Jesus to be their Christ.
  2. To understand that God sent Jesus to be Savior of the world, not just the redeemer of Israel, was a huge transition in Jewish thinking!
  3. The Jewish people had known the Living God since the lifetime of Abraham.
    1. Certainly, there were times when they failed God terribly.
    2. But even in bad times, they knew God existed.
    3. After all, they always had the scriptures.
    4. From Solomon’s time they had the temple.
    5. The prophets arose from them and most of the prophets spoke to them.
    6. From the beginning of their existence as a nation, God gave them His law.
    7. God had never given anyone what He gave them!
    8. They, and they alone, were God’s people!
    9. Nobody knew God like they knew God!
2. Understanding two: Jews thought gentiles had no understanding and no access to God.
  1. The Jewish people considered any person or people who were not Jewish to be gentile.
  2. A person could become a part of the nation of Israel in two ways.
    1. The person could be born of a Jewish mother (Acts 16:1-3).
    2. The person could be a proselyte [convert] to Judaism [the Jewish religion] (Acts 2:10).
      1. This person learned Jewish ways, traditions, and morals.
      2. This person, after lengthy indoctrination, went through a conversion process.
  3. Most people who were gentiles grew up in families who worshipped idols.
    1. Almost all of the world known to these people was idolatrous.
    2. They commonly had moral values that were quite different than Jewish people.
    3. They commonly lived and acted quite differently than Jewish people.
  4. Jewish Christians did not oppose gentiles being converted to Christ–they just opposed gentiles becoming Christians before they became Jewish proselytes.
    1. It was essential that gentiles learn Jewish ways of doing things.
    2. It was essential to get those idolatrous ways out of them before they entered the church.
    3. If a person did not know how to do things the ways Jewish people did them, he or she did not know how to belong to God.
    4. It was necessary to get all the idolatry out of them before you could put Christ in them.
3. Understanding three: devout Jews and gentiles were radically different.
  1. They had almost nothing in common.
  2. Jews had scriptures they studied in synagogues; most gentiles had no scripture in any form.
  3. Jews worshipped in the temple of the Living God; most gentiles worshipped numerous gods in pagan temples or in private settings.
  4. Jews morally were not to steal; many gentiles could steal and be moral.
  5. Jews morally were not to get drunk; many gentiles could get drunk and still be moral.
  6. There commonly was a striking difference in the lifestyle of a devout Jew and a gentile–their worlds and lives were quite different.
If you think I am exaggerating Jewish Christians’ rejection of gentiles, consider the reaction to Peter’s visit to and baptism of Cornelius in Acts 10.
1. The most desirable gentile (to the Jews) was a "god-fearer" gentile.
  1. This gentile knew and respected the Living God of the Jews as unique.
  2. This gentile also respected Jews and Jewish ways.
  3. This gentile had adopted Jewish ways religiously–the primary thing he lacked in becoming a proselyte was circumcision.
2. Cornelius was a "god-fearer." (Acts 10:1-2)
  1. He helped Jewish people in need.
  2. He prayed to the God of the Jews continually.
  3. Indication is that he prayed at the Jewish times of public prayer.
  4. He influenced his family and servants to know and worship God.
  5. Luke called him a "devout" man.
3. The amount of "convincing" it took to get Peter to accept his visit to a gentile is amazing!
  1. First, Cornelius spoke to an angel and received a message just for him. (Acts 10:3-6)
    1. He understood the message was from God.
    2. He was told his prayers and charitable acts were a memorial to God.
    3. He was told to send for Peter.
    4. He was told where Peter was.
    5. He immediately sent two household servants and a loyal soldier to Peter.
  2. Second, before Cornelius’ commissioned men arrived the next day, Peter had a dream just before noon when he was hungry.
    1. A sheet was lowered to Peter filled with unclean creatures. (Acts 10:9-16; Leviticus 11)
    2. Peter was instructed to kill and eat some of the creatures.
    3. He refused saying he had never eaten a forbidden creature.
    4. This happened three times.
  3. Third, Peter awoke from his trance just as the men arrived. (Acts 10:17-23)
    1. Peter was thoroughly confused by his dream.
    2. The men asked if Peter was there.
    3. The Spirit told Peter to go with the men in full confidence because "I have sent them."
    4. When Peter asked the men why they were there, the men told him about the kind, Jew-approved Cornelius and the instructions of the holy angel.
4. The next day Peter accompanied the men to Cornelius.
  1. He found Cornelius, Cornelius’ family, and Cornelius’ friends waiting for Peter to come.
  2. He understood something he never understood before.
    "Opening his mouth, Peter said: “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him" (Acts 10:34, 35).
    1. Until that moment, Peter did not fully understand why he was sent to Cornelius!
    2. Understanding that God wanted to save all people–including non-Jewish people–was a major insight!
  3. The Holy Spirit fell on his audience.
  4. He baptized them.
Now I ask you to pay careful attention to the reaction of the Jewish Christian community to Peter’s visit to Cornelius. The reaction is found in Acts 11:1-18.
1. The information of what Peter did got back to Jerusalem to the apostles and brethren before Peter did.
  1. "Those who were of the circumcision" would be Jews [remember that author is a gentile writing to a gentile].
  2. They "took issue" with Peter’s decision and actions.
    1. More is at stake than just Cornelius’ acts of conversion.
    2. Peter did things with gentiles that no devout Jew could or should do–he went into their house and ate with them.
  3. He told of his vision, and those Jewish Christians were not touched.
  4. He told of his heavenly instructions, and those Jewish Christians were not touched.
  5. He told of the message of the Spirit, and those Jewish Christians were not touched.
  6. He told of the men’s message, and those Jewish Christians were not touched.
  7. Only when they heard about the falling of the Spirit on those gentiles did the Jewish Christians quiet down.
2. Consider:
  1. Before this incident, Peter was the most popular Christian in Jerusalem–he was the important Christian, a man of significant status in the Christian community!
  2. Cornelius did not worship idols!
    1. He knew and respected God!
    2. He was kind and helpful to the Jewish people!
    3. He was, by their standards, a good man–a choice prospect for conversion!
    4. But he was a gentile, not a proselyte–therefore he was unacceptable!
  3. Note that both of these men were prominent–this incident did not involve a couple of nobodies who were doing something silly!

We would be tempted to think this was the end of the matter, but it was not. As we shall see in coming lessons, this was a major problem in the early church.

When people are so certain they understand absolutely all of God’s expectations, it is hard for them to learn anything different–even when God Himself tells them.

The Lord Speaks

Posted by David on April 23, 2007 under Sermons

God always has communicated His desires in a manner that the listener and seeker could understand. In times past, there have been occasions when God communicated directly with individuals or bodies of people. For example, God spoke directly to heads of households with such people as Adam, Noah, and Abraham.

Through Moses and Joshua, He spoke to the nation of Israel.

Later, God spoke through prophets. Sometimes God spoke about specific persons, circumstances, or conditions through the prophets. Sometimes He evaluated, sometimes He illustrated, sometimes He compared, sometimes He declared assurances and blessings, and sometimes He expressed anger and displeasure.

In one instance, God spoke directly to Christians in the New Testament through the resurrected Jesus Christ. He addressed the churches in Asia Minor in Revelation 2 and 3 through John. In those messages to specific congregations, God through the resurrected Jesus was specific about what was happening and about His reactions to those events.

How would you like for God to address us individually or as a congregation so directly today? Initially, some might think it would be nice, but I do not think the majority would even initially desire that to happen. That would terrify most of us!

Whether God speaks to us directly or not, He knows what is happening in our lives and in our congregations. How He communicates to us has no bearing on His knowledge of us. Hebrews 1:1, 2 reminds us: "God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world."

God’s word, the Bible, repeatedly declares itself to be "alive."
1. It is not a dead book with a dead message from dead men.
2. It is the source of spiritual truth that frees, sanctifies, and purifies.
3. Regardless of how alive it is, how much power it has, or how it can bless, it cannot and will not significantly bless a person if he or she does not study it.
With that understanding, I would like to ask you as a Christian, why do you study the Bible?
1. Different people study for different reasons.
  1. Some study for purely academic reasons.
    1. It is an ancient writing.
    2. They study it as a book from antiquity that had a profound impact on people for centuries.
    3. They study to seek an understanding of why some people acted as they did (and do).
  2. Some study to discredit its message.
    1. They resent the Bible’s influence.
    2. They see it as a destructive hoax.
    3. They search for flaws in an attempt to destroy its influence.
  3. Some study to find trivia information.
    1. They are committed to finding the small, the obscure, and facts of little significance.
    2. What was Adam’s last name?
    3. Where was Moses buried?
  4. Some study to fulfill a requirement.
    1. They do what they were told to do–read the Bible.
    2. They were told Christians had to read the Bible, so that is what they do.
    3. They read to be able to say they read.
  5. Some study to sharpen arguments.
    1. They had rather argue than teach or confront than share.
    2. They study to strengthen their position or weaken another’s position.
    3. They especially seek ways to counter arguments that weaken their position.
  6. Some study in search of correct doctrine.
    1. They want to know which teachings are right and which teachings are wrong.
    2. While such a search is proper, unfortunately, it is the only reason they search.
  7. Some study to grasp God’s purpose.
    1. They have studied enough to know God has a purpose.
    2. They want to understand God’s purpose better.
  8. Some study because they want to understand proper Christian conduct.
    1. They understand God through Christ wants them to be a specific kind of people.
    2. They know they were re-created in Christ to be new creatures.
    3. They know this new life is expressed in the way they live.
    4. They want to know who they are and how they should live.
  9. Of all those reasons for studying the Bible, one reason combines the best of all the positive reasons.
2. To me, that reason is declared in Hebrews 4:12:
  For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
  1. Again, God’s word is alive, just as it was when it was first spoken.
  2. It is neither powerless nor passive in our lives–it is instead active, powerful, and dynamic.
  3. It was like the sharpest instrument they knew–the double edged sword.
    1. It cuts in any direction it moves.
    2. It can make the finest distinction imaginable, distinguishing between soul and spirit.
  4. To the serious student, it will expose private thoughts, motives, and intentions.
3. I have seen people moved by ignorance and conscience to become more serious in their Bible study.
  1. I have watched some grow and develop spiritually.
  2. I have seen some quit because their lives were too full.
  3. I have seen some stop primarily because they were afraid to learn.
4. It seems to me that the fear of learning discourages many from Bible study.
  1. Scripture does three things to the serious student:
    1. It reveals who you are.
    2. It takes you apart.
    3. It puts you together again.
  2. Too many people do not study enough to let scripture bless them by putting them together again.
5. We think we can hide "who we really are" from everyone and from God!
  1. We think we can deceive people about our true intentions.
  2. All of us (definitely including me) stand amazed when the Bible begins to reveal us (personally) to ourselves.
    1. When I get aggravated with other people’s attitudes, the Bible reveals mine to me.
    2. When I get frustrated with other people’s weakness, the Bible reveals mine to me.
    3. When I am hurt by other people’s inconsiderate words or acts, the Bible reveals my inconsiderate words and acts to me.
  3. When you study with a godly attitude, the Bible will work on you more than anyone else.
6. When we truly understand who and what a Christian is, we study because we want God to take us apart and put us together again.
  1. God knows who I am all the time, and He is 100% correct.
  2. Jesus Christ knows who I am all the time, and He is 100% correct.
  3. The person least likely to know who I am is me, and what I know about me is never 100% correct.
  4. I study because:
    1. I want to know accurately who and what I am.
    2. I want to know what is wrong with me.
    3. I want to know what is correct with me.
    4. I want to know what needs attention in my life.
    5. I want to know what God would change in me.
    6. I want God to show me how to change me.
  5. If I do not know those things accurately, I am the only one who is ignorant.
  6. I want to learn now while I can give attention to those things.
7. If you are afraid to study because you fear finding out about yourself or discovering God’s view of you, you need to change your perspective.
  1. God and Jesus already know about me and you–truthfully, accurately!
  2. You can discover what you need to know about yourself while there is opportunity to change.
  3. Or, you can find out in the judgment when it is too late.

I wish I had an effective way to help us all understand that God’s purpose, Jesus’ purpose, and the Bible’s purpose are to change us. God did not send Jesus to teach us how to hide from Him. Jesus did not come to teach us how to hide from God. God sent Jesus and Jesus came to teach us the blessing of coming to God. Changing to belong to God is a good thing, not a bad thing!

Our purpose in Christ is to allow God to make us new creatures, His new creation, by understanding righteousness. The Lord speaks now. Are you listening to Him?

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