BBC Sermon Cast

Learning about a mature Christian’s character, and that of an elder, is being able to think God’s thoughts about God’s words. Once we understand what these words and characteristics mean to the Lord, then we are in a better place to live them out.

The danger of spiritual complacency presents a clear and present danger which Christians all too often do not see clearly as a danger! So it was with the people of God to whom Amos ministered. Amos addressed their woeful complacency in chapter 6 by confronting it (vv. 1–7) and by condemning it (vv. 8–14). May God rescue us by empowering us to both repent and to resist the sin of complacency.

When Scripture says that an elder must not be a drunkard, it speaks to more than avoiding drunkenness. It calls us to have a mature and godly relationship with the good gifts God gives. This qualification reminds us that spiritual maturity involves self-control, gratitude, and wisdom in how we use God’s blessings. True Christian maturity is not found in abstaining from good things, nor in overindulging, but in enjoying God’s gifts rightly—with thankfulness, restraint, and dependence on him.

Matthew 5:43–48 record some of the most countercultural words in Scripture. Here, Jesus calls us to love like the Father—to love not only those easy to love, but to even love those we might otherwise consider enemies. The text contains three imperatives to help us love like our Father:

1. Reject the World’s Love (vv. 43–44)

2. Reflect the Father’s Love (vv. 45–47)

3. Reach for the Father’s Standard (v. 48)

To be hospitable is to be a soul winner. It is to draw or welcome a stranger so that you can invite them into the household of God. This is required of elders and is to be aspired to by all believers. Christians should work to overcome their hesitancy to reach out to strangers and and look beyond strange appearances to see and love strange souls.

The third commandment warns, “You shall not take the name of the Lord in vain” (Exodus 20:7). This prohibition applies to everyone, but especially to God’s people. Though often “at worship,” Israel was nevertheless guilty of taking God’s name in vain. She exercised plenty of “God talk” but it was empty talk. It was vain, empty, futile talk. And she would be judged for it. To her great surprise. We too can be equally guilty. Our passage addresses the problem of mere “God talk” under three broad headings:

1. God Talk Exclaimed (vv. 18–20)

2. God Talk Exposed (vv. 21–24)

3. God Talk Exiled (vv. 25–27)

Colossians 3:1–4 addresses how Christians can experience genuine spiritual transformation and victory over sin. Paul contrasts the bondage of legalistic false religion—characterised by empty rules—with true Christian freedom found in seeking and setting our minds on things above. Rather than focusing on earthly regulations or our own performance, lasting change comes from fixing our minds on Christ and the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden in him.

What will move a church to guard its unity and to walk worthy of its calling? What will keep a Christian believing in Jesus in the face of distraction or suffering? What will cause us to worship with joy and thanksgiving? Only what Paul prays for in Ephesians 1:15–23.

God is the one who appoints the times and events that happen in our lives. He appoints both good and bad times, so that we will come to know and fear him as Lord. We consider two broad truths from these verses:

1. Life is Bittersweet (vv. 1–8)

2. Life is Beautiful (vv. 9–15)

The book of Amos has a way of getting under our spiritual skin, revealing hypocrisy and mere formalism in our professed love for God. Amos is a powerful reminder that God knows whether our worship is faithful or a mere façade. In 5:1–17, Amos addresses this in terms of a funeral dirge. He declares to be dead that which professes to be alive and makes the earnest appeal to seek God and live.