Public Ministry

by Joe Hons

This verse contains a principle that is badly needed today. Without commitment a person’s thoughts have no anchor. One of the consequences of lack of commitment to the LORD is the mind is adrift and tossed around. What you are is the double minded man in James 1 and 4.

Your way says I need to get my head straight and then I’ll be able to do right. The Lord says do right and your head will be right.

Psalm 119:165

Philippians 4:6-8

David is an example of a man who does this in Psalm 4. It’s a song he writes because of an answer to prayer and to highlight his trust in the LORD.

Plea for the Almighty God to hear (vs 1)

David has no right to approach God. He does not assume God turns His attention just because David attempts to talk to Him. David asks the LORD to hear his prayer.

David implores the LORD based on God’s righteousness; God of my righteousness.

David recalls how the LORD has helped him in the past. When he felt like the walls were closing in on him and the pressure was on – David was stressed – then the LORD made room for him. The LORD removed the walls that were closing in on him; enlarged me when I was in distress. This is the experience David has had with the LORD and the reason David is so confident in this Psalm.

David still approaches God from the basis of His mercy. (Paul does the same thing in Romans when he beseeches others by the mercies of God)

David begins his prescription for his enemies (vss 2-5)

When will it end?; How long…how long…

Personal devotion to the LORD does count for something (vs 3)

David is confident of the LORD’s help

Answers to prayer based on behavior like James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

Be careful and not hasty in what you’re about to do (vs 4)

Watch what the LORD does.

Do the right thing. Quit listening to the crowd. It’s going to come back and bite you.

Fulfill righteousness and trust in the LORD (vs 5)

Or put it this way, trust in the LORD by working out God’s prescribed righteousness.

The scoffers are many, LORD show them your work as I reflect on your goodness (vss 6-8)

Joy of the LORD is not circumstantial (vs 7)

This joy is not circumstantial or seasonal.

Rejoice in the Lord alway and again I say rejoice

In my time of trouble I’ve experienced greater joy than when things were all going right.

Sweet fellowship with the Lord that only comes in distressing times where He gives you a peace that passes all understanding.

Peace that comes from the Lord (vs 8)

Both lay me down in peace though danger is around me, AND sleep.

This chapter is the climax or everything that’s gone on in Abraham and Sarah’s life. Leaving their home for a land that God will show them. Being given land by God, but no heir, then asking the LORD for an heir. The LORD purposely waiting until they could not have children to give them a child born by the power of the word of God. That child, Isaac, being Sarah and Abraham’s only child together, the sole heir of the promised land, is now going to be put on the altar. This is the ultimate qualifier for Abraham’s faith.

Faith on Trial (vss 1-2)

Whatever people believe, whether they believe the Bible or Islam or whatever it is, the test of one’s beliefs, which is their foundation, is how that belief is lived out. Faith animated by flesh and blood is real.

Let me take an extreme example. If a Muslim suicide bomber blows himself up because the Quran says in chapter 9, surah 5 When the sacred months are over slay the idolaters wherever you find them. Arrest them, besiege them, and lie in ambush everywhere for them. If they repent and take to prayer and render the alms levy, allow them to go their way. God is forgiving and merciful.

Work of faith (vss 3-14)

Works of the law are not works of faith.

Hebrews 11:17-19 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

Your talk talks and your walk talks, but your walk talks louder than your talk talks.

Actions speak louder than words.

Now I know…

James 2:14-26 these works are not the same works as Romans 3:28, 4:2, 6

Puts God’s resurrection power on display. John 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

It allows the spirit of Christ to work.What is precious that comes out of this trial is that God the Father will see Christ the Son as a result of the trial.

Faith can be justified many times in someone’s life, in fact every time one is obedient to the LORD faith is justified and faith has life.

Blessings because of obedience (vss 15-19)

The LORD is able to work and to bless in a work of faith.

Look at verse 16, because thou hast done this thing… So this is now the cause of the multiplied blessing of God. Abraham has given the LORD one of the biggest platforms to work on.

James 1:12

How to honor/dishonor the words of God

Deuteronomy 6:4-15 are God’s words to His national representative, Israel. Same God in the New Testament says that your home will be a place where the words of God are learned, applied, and honored, or where the words of God are forgotten and replaced by other gods.

Notice this isn’t a sunday school commandment; it’s for the home.

Notice it’s not a commandment to the children. It’s for dad and mom to put into practice. Dad needs to learn how to honor God’s words as a dad. Mom has to learn how to honor God’s words as a mom.

2 Timothy 1:5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also…3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

What obedience/disobedience feels like

I use the phrase “feels like” on purpose because obedience is about getting control of your emotions. Things God says to do you don’t always feel like doing. Things dad and mom say to do you don’t always feel like doing. Obedience is doing what you don’t feel like doing.

Learned he obedience by the things which he suffered…

The LORD Jesus Christ obeyed His parents and honored the authorities in his life even though He was God manifest in the flesh.

So a bribe isn’t obedience. It may be control and manipulation, but it’s not obedience.

Proverbs 1:7-9 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. 8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: 9 For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.

You’ll also learn what disobedience feels like.

If dad, mom, grandma, grandpa, are barking out orders they don’t intend to enforce, you’ll learn disobedience has little consequence.

Proverbs 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

More often than not we spare the rod and continue to make threats, count to whatever number, raise our voice, make more threats.

If children don’t respect dad and mom because you’ve fostered this disrespect in your home, honestly, putting them in a sunday school class that’s going to teach them to honor God is useless.

They’ll learn obedience or manipulation and then apply that to God.

What love looks like

It will either be a godly demonstration of love or some warped sense of love.

Children watch how dad and mom love each other.

Very young children will also assume that love looks like whatever you’re doing to them. Let that sink in a minute. Early on children assume how you treat mom, how you treat dad, how you treat them, is love.

What’s also true is that you assume what you’re doing is love.

It’s not just for children. Husbands LOVE your wives even as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it; dwell with them according to knowledge. You’ll learn how to apply love the way Jesus Christ did for the purpose of sanctifying it.

Your love is supposed to improve her.

Even wives and moms must be taught love. This seems counterintuitive at the surface, but it’s not. Titus 2:3-5 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

What responsibility feels like

To men

1 Timothy 3:1-10

Owe no man anything: don’t be late on your payments, don’t be late on your honor, don’t be late on your fear. Children are told to honor their parents. Children who disrespect their parents may be told they OWE their parents respect. Meaning you’ve defaulted on this “payment” of honor so to speak and it’s going to cost you more to restore what’s lost. Elders who labor in the word of God are said to be worthy of double honor.

The LORD says live your life in such a way that you don’t force someone else to carry your lack of responsibility. But when it comes to loving others, live as though you owe others. And not just live like it, the reality is you’ve broken the law because you failed to love others like yourself.

In this sunday school, let’s consider how the debt of love is challenged. Jesus said it’s easy to love people who already love you. Not that it’s not genuine love, but it’s just easy to do. What about when it’s challenging?

What are some ways love gets challenged?

Psalm 116:11 I said in my haste, All men are liars.

Matthew 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. As sin abounds, as persecution ramps up, people stop trusting their neighbors and allowing themselves to care for other people. Read some of the accounts of people living through persecution whether religious or political like Alexander Solzhenitzyn’s Gulag Archipelago.

Sometimes cynicism is a result of other people.

You’ve either been hurt by people enough to clam up, or you just don’t allow anyone to affect you. So you’re not being hurt by anyone, but you’re also not loving anyone. In either case, cynicism has protected you from pain but also paralyzed you from loving. Look at a couple verses that talk about this.

Can you be loving while distancing yourself from others?

Absolutely. Sometimes it takes a wall to help people love each other. Consequently, you end up cynical about people, but more importantly unkind.

You can lovingly say, “No.”

Is it possible to love without getting hurt?

Isaiah 53:3-5

1 Corinthians 13:4

So how do you adjust your expectations? My only expectation is to love them.

What are some ways love doesn’t look like love?

The world cannot identify true charity or love. For instance, the world thinks fornication is love. But it’s lust, not love.

How about discipline of children? Proverbs 13:24. It doesn’t even FEEL like love. But I owe it to my children to love them.

Back to Romans 13. My sin is the result of either not loving God like I should, or not loving others like I should. And I’m a sinner, so my relationship to God’s law is that I’ve defaulted on these two things. I was tempted and led away to transgress because it got hard to love God and love others, or I was tempted and led away because I forsook loving God and loving others for something I thought was more pleasurable. As a result I am in debt to love others. And if I lived my life with this attitude that I have a debt of love, the LORD would be free to work in my life and free to bless my life because there would be no accusation against me.

Reputation preached by Ben Boatman

Proverbs 14:15 says a prudent man looketh well to his going. You probably do at least some research, due diligence, before making a big purchase. Marriage is a big decision. It would be foolish to enter into a decision you hope to only make once in your life without regard for things that could give wisdom to your decision.

I’m going to give you four “F”s before marriage. The hope is not just have a marriage, but have a marriage that honors Jesus Christ. Have a marriage that God can bless. You might want to write them down. And even if you’re married, these may be things you want your kids or grandkids to know and think about.

Finances

Job situation? Is he able to support her?

Is there any debt? How will you handle that? Is there a budget?

Spending habits, gambling habits, money habits that are hidden because they’re a problem?

Do you own a home? Are you living at home? Is there a plan to move out on your own?

Do you have any saving habits? investing habits? giving habits?

Family

How does she treat dad? How does he treat mom? Manipulative or loving? It’ll be an indicator of how you’ll be treated in this marriage.

Is his/her family large/small? How do they interact? Only child?

Do you want kids together? How many? How will they be disciplined?

What do you want your marriage/family to look like in a year? 5 years? 10 years? 20 years?

Is there trouble in your family that you’ll be bringing into the marriage? Trouble with parents? Trouble with kids? Trouble with siblings?

Faith

Is he/she actively serving God? (I wouldn’t waste time asking about salvation. If you have to ask them because it’s not obvious, then that’s probably all you need to know.) If you truly believe that your life and your decisions have consequences in this life and in eternity with the LORD, then trying to marry someone who doesn’t have those things in mind clearly won’t help.

How are you going to raise your kids?

Who do you want to bless this relationship?

If you want a marriage blessed by the state, it’s not that difficult. The state has a couple qualifications and some paperwork and the state will sanction your marriage. But if you want a marriage blessed by God, then you do it God’s way.

(Why get married in a church with a pastor if the LORD isn’t a part of your life? What’s the purpose of bringing God into something you haven’t wanted Him involved in up to this point?)

Is there any plan to serve God with your lives? What is the plan?

Do you pray together? Do you read the Bible together? Do you serve God together outside the home? Is he/she able to pray or help you appreciate the LORD more?

Fun

How does he/she have fun? Is he/she on drugs? Is he/she a drunk?

Is there time for fun? Working always?

How will you schedule your fun together?

When it comes to eternal life, people associate eternal life and fellowship with God with being good. Are you going to heaven? Answer: “I think I’m a good person.”

Is there a difference between good and righteous?

The first mentions of being good are inanimate objects in Genesis 1.

Work can be classified as good, meaning the job is being performed successfully.

What is the difference between good and righteous?

Good: 3) Complete or sufficiently perfect in its kind; having the physical qualities best adapted to its design and use; opposed to bad, imperfect, corrupted, impaired. We say good timber, good cloth, a good soil, a good color. 4) Having moral qualities best adapted to its design and use…

Righteous: Just; accordant to the divine law

Why is the difference important?

The main reason is that it is a nearly universal belief that “goodness” is the vehicle to eternal life.

The rich young ruler asks about what good thing he needs to do to get eternal life. Jesus’ answer immediately dismisses the description of “good” as having to do with eternal life.

Proverbs 11:4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

Proverbs 12:28

Matthew 5:20 except righteousness exceed… ye cannot enter the kingdom of heaven

How do you get righteousness? How do you get goodness?

Daniel 9:7

Jeremiah 23:6

Ephesians 2:8-10 created unto good works

Romans 4:5-9

2 Timothy 3:16-17

Let’s go back to the first thing we said. You ask someone about eternal life, heaven or hell, and the answer is “I think I’m a good person.” Now, knowing goodness is not the vehicle to eternal life, but righteousness is, how does this change how you might reason this with people?

What about your view on salvation or maintaining good works to stay saved?

I heard Bro Knox say in his Mental Health Series a few years ago, You do not have access to a glorified, holy body right now. In fact, you’re told you won’t have access to a sinless body until this body is dead or changed. BUT you do have access to a glorified, holy mind.

Glorified mind is the lowly, meek mind

…made himself of no reputation…form of a servant…obedient unto death…made in the likeness of men…

Isaiah 53 … a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief…

Put Himself into the pit with humanity.

Risked being hurt in loving people.

Humbleness of mind (Colossians 3:12)

Allow the LORD Jesus Christ to do your thinking

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus… (vs 5)

To turn a sinner into a servant of God, the mind has to be corrected. And more so, for that servant of God to faithfully stay in the race to the end of his life, the thinking has to change. It’s called renewing your mind.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Quit letting the world think for you.

We have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16) – So you may not have access to a glorified body, but you do have access to a glorified mind in the pages of scripture.

Armed with the mind of Christ (1 Peter 4:1-2) Prepare for battle with the world, the flesh, and devil to either pressure or pleasure you away from the LORD

The reward of Christian Psychology

It is the mentality of Christ that leads to the exaltation of Christ.

Highly exalted him, Given a name above every name, All knees will bow, Every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord

1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Ready mind (1 Peter 5:1-2)

There are aspects of blessings that are not often thought about.

Food and energy are needed to increase

Maintenance is required for increase

Clean up is required for increase