Lights Burning (Heart Prep)

Luke 12:22–40

Before we attend to the MINISTRY of the individual disciple of the Lord, there needed first to be all that has already gone before us as a preparation of the heart.

Jesus addresses his disciples instructing them of where their hearts OUGHT to be before he speaks to them of their “loins being girded about, and your lights burning” in v 35. 

We cannot be servants of the Lord Jesus UNTIL our hearts have their place fully trusting the Lord, SOLD OUT FOR JESUS, rather than the stuff of this perishing life!

Luke 14:26–27 

26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 

Luke 14:33 

33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

That is spoken two chapters AFTER our consideration of this one, chapter 12. Jesus doubling down on our need to trust HIM fully. Doubling down on where the state of our heart OUGHT to be for ministry compared to our desires of this life.

The question I desire you might have in your mind as we go through this this morning, is, IF YOU TRUSTED THE BIBLE FOR YOUR SALVATION, and you now KNOW you are saved and have experienced all that pertains to it, why will you not trust the Bible completely everywhere?

In previous messages in this series, we have given to ourselves the consideration of the world and our lives in the giving up of a multitude of idolatries; The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life!

We spoke of the greatest of these being MONEY (Mammon) which brother Cody opened with in his sermon on the 10th of December last year, and I concluded in January this year. and I have never heard of so much push back on that topic as I have heard in this church before. 

People offended of being likened to those God called thieves. 

Offended at direct biblical links to behaviour and heart.

Offended that they ought to give ANYTHING financial for the sake of the Gospel, even excusing the vain notion that the pastor is looking to line his own pockets and hardly thinking for a moment that his motive was to share in the joy of being free from that IDOL and reminding us of our responsibilities.

But it was Jesus who first spoke saying, “ He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” Matthew 10:39

It is Jesus that speaks here in Luke 12 of where our heart OUGHT to be, and it is evident it wont get there without a fight against the flesh.

Those idolatries of our lives needed first to be vanquished while the preparation in our lives for the work of God would be the ultimate fulfilment of our joy, preparing us for true MINISTRY. 

We ought to be willing to lose our lives before we can find it.

Here in Luke 12 we have Jesus clearly expressing to his disciples that the absolute and perfect gain of their lives, the complete joy of all things is the total giving up of anything seen as valuable in this life for that which is eternal.

The very beginning of our Joy was when we gave our lives to Jesus for the salvation of our souls. 

So real was that, so valuable was that that, like the disciples of old, we were willing to give all for the kingdom of God, we had set our treasure in heaven respecting our souls at the first, that nothing we had in this life could compare to all that we understood was of value in eternity.

But as life goes on and our love begins to wax cold, so too did our affections for eternity begin to shift again to here and now.

The comfort and joy of heaven began to be replaced with the temporal affections of this life and suddenly we began to change storehouses. 

Little treasure set in heaven, as our heart returned to here.

The responsibilities we were to attend to here for the kingdom of God there, began to become of lesser value, as that which our eyes could see became larger in our hearts than that which “eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (1 Cor 2:9).

Beloved, our lamp dims as our love waxes cold.

But Jesus desires us to let…your lights be burning (v35)

It is a matter of interest that, at the first the disciples forsook their businesses, their jobs and all they had and followed him (Mt 4:20-22, 9:9), for Jesus promised them saying, “Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men” (Mrk 1:17), and the text does not go on to indicate the men questioned among themselves the nature of the deal. 

It doesn’t even indicate they were at all worried about leaving their businesses for Jesus, on the contrary, the passage tells us plainly “and straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him” (Mrk 1:18).

But it was not long into the work that they too began to ask “Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee: what shall we have therefore?” (Mat 19:27)

Because It was Jesus after all who said to them, “whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple” (Lk 14:33). 

It seems Luke 12 and Luke 14 are what 21st Century disciples think is “An hard saying and who can hear it” rather than the 1st century disciples contending with drinking the blood of Christ and eating his flesh in John 6 as the harder, incommunicable saying.

“whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple” (Lk 14:33). 

So, to prepare the heart for ministry in its fullness, Jesus tells his disciples in this passage; “Take no thought for your life”, Take no thought “what ye shall eat”, Take not thought “what ye shall put on”, why?

V12:30–31

30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. 31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Those who truly believe this to be the case, those who hold God accountable to these very words, those who have first trusted in him to save their souls for eternity and now trust him for their lives here, THEY ALONE HAVE SUCH JOY, WHEN     “all these things shall be added unto you”.

WHAT CAN I SAY DIFFERENT TO JESUS in this passage?

The first preparation of the ministry, the very purpose of your lives, is that of the heart..

Luke 12:33–37

33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 

The first preparation for the ministry, is that of the heart.

❖

Luke 12:30–33

30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. 31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. 32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

For our lights to be burning we must be able to trust him for his SUPPLY.

The oil in the lamps of the virgins who awaited for their Lord did not burn out for they had a ready supply with them, in other words, in their waiting for the bridegroom, there was never a point in which they had any fear of lack.

When the people of the Lord were instructed to journey from the relative comforts of Egypt, they may have lacked ‘the leeks and the onions and the garlick’ (Num 11:5), but he “satisfied them with the bread of heaven” (Ps 105:40), “man did eat angels food” (Ps 78:25).

When God has given to us a clear charge to “go and to preach the gospel”, with that also comes the provision of God for the work. God equips his saints with all they have need of to attend to the work, and all that is lacking in man is their willingness to trust him.

In this therefore he encourages his children, telling not to fear any lack in these things,  For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. 31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matthew Henry

(2.) It is needless for them to disquiet themselves with care about the necessary supports of life; for they have a Father in heaven who does and will take care for them: “Your Father knows that you have need of these things, and considers it, and will supply your needs according to his riches in glory; for he is your Father, who made you subject to these necessities, and therefore will suit his compassions to them: your Father, who maintainsyou, educates you, and designs an inheritance for you, and therefore will take care that you want no good thing.”[1]

How vital it is for us to decide if we are willing to trust him at all. We say that we trust him, but do we? 

Coming to the world in short order seems to be a manufactured famine by the elites of the world. 

Many of you have heard of it and many of you have seen the farmers rise up all around the world against their governments in protest, knowing that the rules imposed upon them will destroy farming and remove food production for the people.

Elites, purchasing massive allotments of farming properties around the world, to, like Pharaoh, king of Egypt in the Bible, will have control of the food supply to subjugate the people at least by the time Antichrist appears on the scene.

The Weekly Times December, 20, 2023

In Victoria one of the most ridicoulous bills that have ever seen the light of day is being considered that will ONLY motivate farmers to abandon Animal Husbandy for other less risky alternatives. In other words, a ridiculous bill that is based on a former ridiculous bill that the ignorant people of the state did not see coming.

This is what is says in the article;

Victorian farmers face having to comply with legally binding minimum care requirements for their animals for the first time, under a radical new Animal Care and Protection Bill.

The care requirements include, but are not limited to, ensuring animals enjoy “appropriate” exercise, ambient temperatures, noise levels, lighting, air quality, shade and shelter, food and water, as well as rest areas, space to stand, lie, stretch and change position.

The draft bill also demands that animals have “opportunities for appropriate interactions with humans, other animals and the animals environment, including ensuring that the interactions are conducted in a manner that minimises anxiety, fear, pain or distress for the animal”.

Such clauses reinforce one of the founding principles of the new bill: to recognise animal sentience for the first time – ie, the capacity to feel fear, stress and other emotions.

The key concern of this ridiculous bill is not only how impossible it is to afford such levels of “care”, but who it is that decides what is “appropriate”? How is it even measured? 

The article goes on to question how a farmer is able to give a defence to avoid paying the $24,000 fine, or the six months imprisonment or both for each breach.

The owner must prove they “took all reasonable steps to provide the care requirement for the animal”. But WHO decides what is “reasonable”? and how is it to be measured?

Beloved, this world is quickly coming to a close and how will you be able to trust the Lord if you are here while these things build up if you are NOT willing to trust him now?

Matthew Henry

1. “Sit loose to this world, and to all your possessions in it: Sell that ye have, and give alms,” that is, “rather than want wherewith to relieve those that are truly necessitous, sell what you have that is superfluous, all that you can spare from the support of yourselves and families, and give it to the poor. Sell what you have, if you find it a hindrance from, or incumbrance in, the service of Christ. Do not think yourselves undone, if by being fined, imprisoned, or banished, for the testimony of Jesus, you be forced to sell your estates, thought they be the inheritance of your fathers. Do not sell to hoard up the money, or because you can make more of it by usury, but sell and give alms; what is given in alms, in a right manner, is put out to the best interest, upon the best security.”[2]

❖

Luke 12:34

34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

All of this is a matter of the heart. 

If the heart is fixed on this world it will be fearful, it will suffer anxiety and it will be troubled no end.

The ancient Israelites were not without fear even though they had a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day to lead them in the way. 

Not all were originally troubled by fear, but all were sold by the false testimony of a handful of men who went to spy out the land and returned with an evil report.

It took ten men out of two million persons to turn the hearts of a multitude against God (Num 14).

The result was all but Josuah, Kalab and those under twenty years old at the time, perished in the wilderness (Num 32:11-12).

WHERE WILL YOU SET YOUR HEART beloved? 

If it is here, there is no good report, no good tale to tell, nothing I can encourage you in that has ANY lasting value. 

If it is heaven, if that is where your treasure is stored, then you provide yourself “bags that wax not old”, secure from thieves and cannot fail.

2. “Set your hearts upon the other world, and your expectations from that world. Provide yourselves bags that wax not old, that wax not empty, not of gold, but of grace in the heart and good works in the life; these are the bags that will last.” 

 It is treasure that will not be exhausted; we may spend upon it to eternity, and it will not be at all the less; there is no danger of seeing the bottom of it. (2.) It is treasure that we are in no danger of being robbed of, for no thief approaches near it; what is laid up in heaven is out of reach of enemies. (3.) It is treasure that will not spoil with keeping, any more than it will waste with spending; the mothdoes not corrupt it, as it does our garments which we now wear. 

Now by this it appears that we have laid up our treasure in heaven if our hearts be there while we are here (v. 34), if we think much of heaven and keep our eye upon it, if we quicken ourselves with the hopes of it and keep ourselves in awe with the fear of falling short of it. But, if your hearts be set upon the earth and the things of it, it is to be feared that you have your treasure and portion in it, and are undone when you leave it.[3]

What a sorrow it is when our lives are entangled with the affairs of this life when we are called not to be!

2 Tim 2:4

4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

Either our hearts are deceived by this world, or our eyes lust for the gain of this world. 

But is this right? 

Does our love for the world to whatever degree give us a clue as to where our hearts are at that present time? Is the Bible vague when it comes to the question of where the affections of the heart ought to be? 

Turn to

1 John 2:15-17

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

It’s incredible how we have trusted the clarity of Gods words when it came to our salvation, but when it presents the truth contrary to what we want to believe is true, we think it speaks in riddles.

We have a twisted hermeneutic. 

It is of supreme interest to me to see so many Christians, fighting against the world they know desires to impoverish them, still desire to retain the crumbs of this life, when the full bread of heaven is available to them if they would only prepare their hearts for the work!

Children perish around the world as they get older, never hearing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Why? because Christians are far too busy picking the crumbs of this life to sustain themselves. And while they are distracting themselves in vain personal pursuits, the leaders of the world come through with a broom every few years to sweep much of it away.  

In the last 100 years we had WW1 (1914-1918), the stock market crash of 1929, the Great Depression that followed it lasting ten years thanks to the governments of the world to 1939, the Second World War of 1939-1945, The Korean war of 1950-53, Vietnam War that lasted for 20 years from 1955 to 1975, double digit inflation of the 1970’s, then the Stock market crash of 1987 known as Black Monday and the “Recession we had to have” for the next two years till 1990, sweeping away the value of many peoples enforced superannuation at the time. (it began in 1983 and became compulsory in 1992)

The “Dot Com” bust of the year 2000, the same year people had realised they spent a fortune on the greatest financial scam in company history, knowns as the fictitious “millennium Bug”. 

The western world was changed a year later on the 11th of September, 2001. 

But no rest, The Subprime Mortgage Crisis scam in the USA in 2007 that led to the Global Financial crisis of 2007-8, (The net worth of families in the US alone dropped $13 thousand billion dollars ($13T or 20%)).

The last one was 2020-21….that was the disaster that piqued the interest of Christians around the world, and even brought many of you to Christ.

When is the next one? 2030?

Every single so called “Crisis” can be traced back to the Governments of the world that, at the very least, aided and abetted, if not facilitated the extent of every crisis to orchestrate change.

“Never let a good crisis go to waste” said Political advisor to Barak Obama, Rahm Emanuel after the 2008 GFC.

They sweep the broom through the crumbs we have worked for, and we sorrow with the world until those same leaders scatter even less crumbs before us, keeping our eyes firmly fixed on where they fell; and there is Jesus in heaven offering the full bread of life if ONLY we would look up.

Luke 12:34

34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

The Christians who’s hearts are here distract themselves with a mirage, while the Lost remain LOST.

What on earth are we doing brethren?

The promise of eternity for our souls we ONLY came to believe because it tells us in this book. 

We have now experienced the truth of it and KNOW for certain that the book concerning our souls is true, DO WE REALLY BELIEVE THE REST OF IT IS FALSE????

Where on earth are our hearts? Perhaps the better question is, where is our treasure?

Luke 12:34

34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

❖

Luke 12:35–37

35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; 36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. 37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

“Let your….lights be burning”

When our hearts are prepared for the ministry we are all called to attend to and do, then and ONLY then will the Lord truly reveal what we are to do.

FIRST: Our hearts OUGHT to be searching for the treasure of heaven.

We hold LOOSLEY to the things of this life, even trusting he should rain down manna from heaven into our back yards and balconies if need be.

THEN being prepared for the work of God with eyes and hearts fixed on heaven, he will show us what we are to do to keep our lights burning.

King David had a heart for the Lord while he cared for the sheep. 

After all his brothers were called to appear before Samuel, David was busy tending his sheep and called in. 

He was anointed King as a ruddy lad, then returned to his sheep until the appointed time years later.

God had much to teach him in this humble work, even though anointed king. Many trials he endured during his time as a shepherd. He was humbled greatly, learning to trust God alone, even to deliver him from the Lion and the Bear.

Be humble before the Lord, his first task is to prepare your hearts before you can be ready to do his work. 

Turn to;

 Isaiah 6:1–8

1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. 2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. 3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. 4 And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. 

5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. 6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: 7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. 8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

The recognition of Isiah of his own nature was pivotal.

“Undone, Undone”, “Woe is me for I am undone”.

Isiah was not a poor man; he was said to have been a man of means and the counsellor of kings. He was in their courts; in chapter one he tells of his service from Uzziah through to King Hezekiah.

So close to God and so far from holiness, Isiah was UNDONE.

He knew exactly where his heart was at, because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips.

This recognition of the state of our hearts before God is vital, for until this is acknowledged before HIM, he cannot use any of us.

God cleansed him, and he heard the question raised and was willing.

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Now he is ready, now he has his heart right and in this trust in God alone, he is ready to endure the hardship of the work until he expires.

Tradition tells us that Isiah was killed in the most barbaric way. For those who desire to look it up, do so. 

But what preparation must have been attended to in the heart for a man to be so willing to commit both his life and his death to the Lord?

Psalm 51:17

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

When this is attended to, you are ready for the Lord to reveal to you what it is that he will send you to do. 

Matthew Henry

 let your hearts be upon your work, and your great care how to do that well, and this will effectually divert your thoughts from inordinate care about things of the world. And let all that have souls to save seek the kingdom of God, in which only they can be safe. 

Mind the affairs of your souls with diligence and care, and then trust God with all your other affairs.”[4]

Until he comes.

Maranatha

[1]. Henry, M. (1994) Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume. Peabody: Hendrickson, p. 1867.

[2]. Henry, M. (1994) Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume. Peabody: Hendrickson, p. 1868.

[3]. Henry, M. (1994) Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume. Peabody: Hendrickson, p. 1868.

[4]. Henry, M. (1994) Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume. Peabody: Hendrickson, p. 1867.

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1 Corinthians 13:1–13

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 

8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 

The entire series on Faithfulness: The Key To Joy has been quite a challenge for us beginning from mid December last year. The tenants spoken of are SIMPLE Enough, but they are not easy. 

What God calls us to trust him for are all a matter of faith, and from his perspective, should have been the simplest thing in the world for us to understand…IF WE TRUST HIM. 

But we have found that, though the doctrines are SIMPLE, they are not EASY.

This says a lot about the state of our hearts.

Small Children trust their parents implicitly, Jesus said our own hearts need to be just like one of these little ones. 

How simple it is…yet how difficult for far too many children of God.

We knew from the first sermon on Relationships that the primary relationship, the “PROTO-Relationship” that must needs be reconciled is that between man and God. 

And while it is true that God has done it all, that God sent his son into the world to die for the sins of the world, and that man, through him might be saved, while that makes it SIMPLE, it does not make it easy. 

It calls for the stubborn prideful heart of man to be humbled. To realise that he cannot save himself.

Many of us had taken years to fall on our knees and pray that God may forgive our sins and save our souls.

Even having that done, being saved and reconciled through the blood of Christ, we are STILL CHALLENGED to seek his forgiveness for our temporal sins since we have been saved. 

Still stubbornly unwilling to bend the knee and come to him in humility.

Though the simplicity is given to us that “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 Jn 1:19), and yet how many of us do this each and every day? 

Not many of us find it easy to pray with King David;

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.  Psalm 139:23–24

Yet this is the key to every relationship in the world!

This is one of the greatest keys to joy.

It seems as if nothing is a greater key to our joy than humility in our relationships, the first is with God, the second with fellow man. 

You cannot have the second, until to have the first.

Have you ever wondered what it is that gets in the way? Pride. (Perhaps the Proto-sin)

The first sermon on Relationships was reconciliation with God.

The second sermon on Relationships the bible teaches is to Love Your Enemies…..

We go from one impossible doctrine to another…”Love our enemies?” Really? Yes really!

We showed the wonder of it when it is attended to by faith, trusting Jesus for the outcome. Loving our enemies and not hating them;

…. bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: Matthew 5:44–45

Now, just when we think we might be let up we come to a passage in the Bible that tells us if we don’t have Charity, we are nothing, at the very least of no value to the kingdom of God. We add nothing if we have not Charity

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

But then, after teaching us both what Charity is and what it is not, the passage wonderfully concludes with this confidence, that for all eternity, “Charity Never Faileth”

PRAY

1 Corinthians 13:1–13

The overall theme of the passage we are speaking of this morning is that of reproving the Corinthian Churches for the exaggerated employment of what they believed was a spiritual gift, most notably that of the revelatory gift of tongues. Chapters 12 through to 14 does all it can to address the matter.

But found directly in the midst of it all is this incredible passage that is employed in almost every Christian wedding in these days. Is is known to many as “The Love Chapter”.

Love Vs Charity

We need to do a little theology here for a moment and, due to the plethora of Bible versions out there, I need to answer an obvious question. 

Why have all modern versions replaced the word ‘Charity’ with “Love”?

All modern translations have removed the word “Charity” from the New Testament, other than a couple of places where it does not belong, in the book of Acts or Matthews Gospel. It does not belong there at all, because the meaning of the word as God has employed it, is not the same meaning we employ today.

I will explain shortly.

They have replaced it with the word “Love”.

I saw this many years ago and I got very curious. 

Because on the surface it seemed right. The Greek word translated is the word Agapi.Generally they are all translated into English as love. But only the King James Version and ancient Whycliff translation use the word Charity in most, or all of the verses it is found in the KJV. 

WHY?

The First thing I did was read all occurrences of the word Charity in the 24 different verses in the Holy Bible to see if there was any commonality. AND THERE WAS.

All 24 verses where we find the word “Charity”, instead of the word “Love”, is in the context of Christians toward one another. All of them were related to Christian gatherings, or something to do with brethren relating to one another in as the assembly, as the Ecclesia. 

This was not always so with the simple word “LOVE”.

So I did some more digging to try and understand it. 

These are some of the items I have found, which were curious to me.

New Testament

Love = 223 occurrences in 184 verses

The word love is all throughout the New Testament, in both the gospel accounts and the church letters and has a mix of forms.

The word “Love” has two forms of greek word behind it, the vast majority it is the word Agapao, as a verb in the neuter gender.

Rarely is it a noun, but sometimes. 

Rarely is it in the feminine form, but it is sometimes. 

Only a little more frequently is it in the masculine, it is mostly neuter in gender. 

And it is sometimes in the plural and sometimes in the singular.

The other word form translated “Love” is the greek word Phileo. 

No, there is NO DISCERNIBLE DIFFERENCE between the use of those two words, they are INTERCHANGEABLY USED in the New Testament. 

Any time you hear a preacher say the word Agape means Unconditional Godly love, and the word Phileo means friendly, brotherly love, YOU HAVE JUST BEEN TOLD THESE MEN DON’T STUDY ANYTHING FOR THEMSELVES, they teach ONLY WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN TAUGHT. 

Be careful. Pastors and teachers such as these are little better than Russian Doll, copies of their teachers. 

Ok, so the word LOVE in the English bible has many different forms. Mostly Masculine and mostly a verb, sometimes singular and sometimes plural depending on context.

And, this is important, it is found from the Gospels all the way through the New Testament.

Charity = 28 Occurrences In 24 verse.

The word “Charity” never appears in the Gospel accounts, only ever in the Church letters and pastoral epistles and once in Revelation related to the Church of Thyatira.

The Word Charity always has the Greek word Agapi (Not Agapeo, nor phileo) behind it. Therefore, It is ALWAYS IN THE FEMININE FORM.

IT IS ALWAYS IN THE SINGULAR FORM (Except for Jude where it is modified by the “Feasts” of Charity, the focus is not on Charity, but the “Feasts” which is plural).

It is ALWAYS A NOUN. 

Beloved, was there a Church when Jesus walked the shores of Galilee or climbed the mountains of Judea? No. 

When did the church begin? Acts 2.

So it stands to reason, we cannot be speaking of love between brethren, if there are no brethren to speak on.

What Gender is the Church? The word appears 114 times in 111 verses in the New Testament. 

It is always a noun, always in the feminine gender and always in the singular form unless speaking of the “Local Churches”.

Why does this matter?

It matters because WORDS MATTER, God wanted us to know that there is a DIFFERENCE between the LOVE brethren are to have one with another, and the love we have for everyone and anything else.

The link between Charity and the Church is also unalterable, unchanging, because the LOVE God has for the Church is Unalterable and Unchanging, “Charity Never Faileth”. 

Charity and the Church; Both are singular, both feminine, both nouns (Naming words), neither will ever fail, not even the gates of hell will prevail against them.

There is a peculiar love between brethren that ALL modern translations have demonstrably denied. 

John 13:35

35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

The love that occurs between brethren is a love that goes beyond the “feelings” based love that the world believes is love. 

The love between brethren resembles that of a bride and groom, a husband and wife, it is a SACRIFICIAL LOVE, one that is willing to do all it does to be retained FOREVER;

It is to match the love Jesus has for his church.

1 Corinthians 13:4–7

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Charity Suffereth Long:

It is long suffering, it is enduring, it does not quit easily, it is in the likeness of Christ, it NEVER gives up on people.

 Though it is tried, though it is tested and though there is suffering associated with this form of love, it continues unabated for a time that is seen as long. 

A Long suffering nature of this love is seen as a fruit of the Spirit of God;

Galatians 5:22

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Clearly what we witness here is not that such love is EASY to attend to, it is again as simple as making a choice, but it is not easy, there is trial associated with such love, just as Jesus is Longsuffering in his love toward us, so are we to be for the brethren.

It is THIS Charity, this form of love, that is given you and I, to cover our sins against our Lord, and so we give this same love that it cover sins against us. Turn to 1 Peter 4.

1 Peter 4:8–10

8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Just as you and I have received of God such grace, so too are we to administer it.

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; 

It is kind and not cruel, it considers those who are the object of charity, rather than itself. It is not love for loves sake, but love for the sake of the care of others. When it comes to the brethren, it is “Kind”, when it comes to our enemies it is to resemble the very nature of God on high;

Turn to 

Luke 6:35–36

35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Romans 12 

Romans 12:10

10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

In other words, preferring our love for another ABOVE any love for ourselves. 

This kind of love, this kind of affection and preference is one that CAN ONLY be naturally effected the more we come to know the Lord. 

IT IS NOT NATURAL.

The scriptures that says, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour AS THYSELF” in Lev 19:18, Lev 19:34, Mat 19, Matt 22, Mrk 12, Lk 10, Rom 13 Gal 5 & James 2, ALL of these passages presume we already naturally love ourselves.

We simply cannot love others AS we do ourselves, if WE ARE NOT GROWING in our knowledge and LOVE for God.

We certainly CANNOT place our love for others above ourselves, without trusting that God desires this of us, just as he had done for us.

Beloved, this is the reason why the first sermon on this series was FIRST. When we honour God FIRST IN ALL THAT WE DO, when we trust HIS word as the final authority for ALL matters, we grow in our faith and can not only love our enemies, but also love one another.

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; 

1 Corinthians 13:4–7

4…. charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Loving others is the opposite to loving ourselves, ENVY is the opposite of loving others.

It is ENVY in the heart that goes BEFORE the act.

It was the ENVY of his brethren that sold Joseph into slavery in Egypt (Gen 37:11 & Acts 7:9), it was for ENVY that the leaders of the Jews delivered Christ to be Crucified (Matt 27:18).

It is ENVY that identifies the Carnal Christian (1 Cor 3:3) & Envy that is associated with the damned soul that has rejected God (Rom 1:29) and Envy that perfectly describes our previous life (Gal 5:21).

Sadly beloved, it remains to be that it will be ENVY that in one form or another will be a cause that separates Churches;

2 Corinthians 12:20–21

20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: 21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.

It is envy that desires positions of prominence rather than the care and love of others. 

Paul wrote of this to the Galatians saying;

Galatians 5:26

26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

It was the apostle John writing to the Gaius, a pastor of one Church in 3 John, speaking of “Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among those in his Church, unwilling to receive the brethren of the Lord for the envy or authority he lusted after. (3 John 9-10)

The love of the brethren does not NEED to envy. 

Think on this beloved, to what end is there to envy if we already have the hope of eternal life and the treasures of heaven?

It can’t be, it cant be that the one who envies is thinking of eternity, he is thinking of the here and now. 

There are none in the world that can love the way a Christian is called to love his brethren,  for ALL THEY HAVE is HEAR AND NOW. But those who have been saved by Christ, STORE THEIR TREASURE IN HEAVEN. They should not ENVY!

They are not to beat their chest, are not vaughnt themselves; they don’t lust or envy others, for Jesus has given them all they need and their LOVE for him is GRATEFUL, and returns to others that which they have so graciously received.

In fact, the most noble in Scripture are those willing to give up all the temporal treasures for the eternal.

What is the NEED to envy?

Today, there are Christians who envy the homes and properties of other Christians, is this really LOVE?

I hate to tell you beloved, but every single person in this place has more than someone else that DOES NOT ENVY YOU!

O that we could have an attitude as the apostle who said;

10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. 2 Corinthians 6:10

No beloved, “Charity envieth not”

1 Corinthians 13:4–7

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

The love that brethren are to have one for another is not one identified by boasting of oneself, of attaining things or successes or acts one over another. 

A brother or sister in Christ does not show themselves as greater, it is not presented like the sons of Zebedee saying “Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. (Mrk 10:37) to the discouragement of their brethren. (V41).

Charity simply does not exalt itself, vaunt itself, is not “Puffed up” says the passage, boasting in achievements above their brethren. 

Such vanity and pretensions abound among too many Christians in these days.

Like the Pharisees of Old, Paul wrote to the Corinthians, saying;

 2 Corinthians 10:12

12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

Such as these present themselves and show themselves as vain to the brethren. They strangely think that they can be hid behind their mask of vanity, then they reveal themselves in often their manner of prayer. 

Much praying, but little content. Many high and exuberant words of holiness, but no heart behind them. “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof”; says the apostle, and “from such turn away” (2 Tim 3:5)

Beloved there is always the risk that you and I can be in this state of lovelessness. 

Our walk is moment by moment and we take great care in judgment of these things. We are to “prefer one another” wrote Paul (Rom 12:10).

 1 Corinthians 4:6

6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.

Turn to

Philippians 2:1–5

1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

1 Corinthians 13:4–5

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

There is one act that, not only Christians, but family members do one to another, that is near impossible to reconcile without utter humility. It is when one thinks evil against another.

It is by far the single most hurtful act of all when people are JUDGED for PERCEIVED wrongs as opposed to real wrongs.

When people “FEEL OFFENDED” rather than be actually OFFENDED AGAINST.

In families as in churches, this one act that begins in the mind and is ultimately expressed by the tongue, becomes a fire that sets the course of hell says James. (Ja 3:6)

James 3:6

6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

Thinking Evil, is one that PRESUMES MALEVOLENT INTENT. And very sadly, it is always, always, always done in Christian circles by individuals who have backslidden in their faith or are in the bond of iniquity.

Those who have a close relationship with the Lord, NEVER pretend to know what is in the mind of another person when a questionable act or statement is made. 

They presume otherwise until evidence is shown to the contrary.

The closer your walk with the Lord, the LESS INSECURE YOU ARE. 

There is a lack humility when people are going through times of insecurity. Insecurity is often REVEALED through pride!

Those who are puffed up are proud.

Paul wrote in 1 Cor 8:1 saying “knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth”. Those who are prideful, those who are puffed up are also the same as those who are insecure and they all despise having their belief respecting themselves deflated.

Interesting, I remember that Chuck Missler in quoting this verse by Paul said the greatest sign of insecurity are those with PHD before their names. He said that several times….until he got an honourary doctorate for his 80,000 word book, “Cosmic Codes”.

Unrepentant Sin in the heart of man is the single greatest cause of insecurity in ones life. 

The more sin you have that you have tried to hide from the Lord, the more you need to think more highly of yourself than you ought to think, the more highly you think of yourself, the more you need the affirmation of others and so you “vaunt” yourself, you ‘boast’ of all you do.

The more you are not CHECKED in this vanity, the more secure you become in self conceit, and the more emotionally insecure you are. 

You have esentially built up a Jenga tower for yourself.

People around you need to learn the dangerous, but futile act, of walking on egg shells, because at ANY MOMENT such a person will begin to think evil of you.

At any moment that tower of self conceit will fall on friends, relatives and brethren.

Sadly, the Bible teaches us that such will be the evident sign we are living in the last days church.

Turn to 2 Tim 3

2 Timothy 3:1–5

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

This is a description of the last days church, not the last days ‘World”. The world has ALWAYS been this way. Paul was writing a pastoral epistle to a Pastor, and this is what he speaks of concerning the behaviour of many in the time I believe we are now in.

Such as these behave in OPPOSITION to that described in 1 Cor 13, and prove perfectly verse 4-7 as anything but Charity;

 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

No beloved, such people as these are “easily provoked” and think evil against those whom they beleived has provoked them. They will not rejoice in the truth, they certainly can not bear all things, beleive all things, hope all things and last of all they shall not endure all things, but will be brought under great sorrow of heart.

They will not even endure sound doctrine.

God to chapter 4 of the same passage in 2 Timothy;

2 Timothy 4:1–4

1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

What a time to be a pastor!

1 Corinthians 13:4–8

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 

8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 

Charity Never Faileth…

Did you see that?

Never!

When your best friend hurts you, love them, they are not your enemy.

When your brother or sister hurts you, love them, they are not your enemy.

When your cousin, or work college hurts you, love them, they are not your enemy.

When your brethren hurt you….love them, they like you have been bought with a price. They like you have a wrestling with the flesh and have the devil walking about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour….love them, they are not your enemies.

Beloved, we live in the most incredible time of all history. More has been written of the days that we are living in than in any time of history in the Bible, short of the Captivity of Israel for those 70 years.

We do not wrestle against flesh and blood….if you can love your enemies, you can love and forgive your brethren when they sin against you, when they think evil of you.

The same love that purchased the Church has within it permanent love and perpetual grace that will last for eternity.

It may be true that some relationships that are separated today, will not be reconciled today. But the moment the doors of forever opens, and we behold that which no eye hath seen and no ear hath heard, and we see all that God hath prepared for those that love him, we will all enbrace one another for all eternity, forgetting the sillyness that drove us apart.

We will see all we have done in our temporal life, and know that there was only ever one that is good, and that is God.

Meanwhile, we have the love of Jesus Christ to share with a world that needs him. We have the eternal gospel to attend to until he comes…and he is coming very, very, very soon. 

Please, can I beg of you all to forgive the sins of your brethren, no matter how serious it was, it cannot compare with the hope of everlasting life that we can share with one more person.

Keep eternity in view, for it is ONLY the devil that wants you focused on hear and now.

The post Pt 10 Charity Never Fails appeared first on Hope Baptist Church.

Love Founded on Forgiveness 

(How much do you love Jesus?)

(Reading Luke 7:36-50)

“And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat. And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.” (Luke 7:36-50)

Introduction:

As a gospel message, today’s study though not intended fits somewhat into our Faith [The key to Joy] series. After all our faith journey begins at salvation and the forgiveness of sin. And continues as we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 

Out of this ought to come a deepening of our love for him…accompanied by greater obedience. 

The title of today’s message: Love Founded on Forgiveness 

As we read this passage, we should be probed by some uncomfortable questions. These are questions that we all need to ask ourselves…

Scripture is amazing in this respect because it doesn’t sugar-coat sin and the faults of those written about. 

We frequently have 2 opposites juxtaposed within a given text. It does this that we might see things in ourselves that we need to change

Two examples that come to mind:

Cain and Abel

Jacob and Esau

Today’s passage should greatly challenge our values and belief systems and hopefully [and ultimately] causes us to think deeply about and even question the depth of our love for the Lord. 

This is what makes this passage so noteworthy and probably a favourite of many believers. 

Our 4 points today are:

Love Sought through Opportunity 

Love Substantiated through Sacrifice 

Love Shown through Service 

Love Founded on Forgiveness 

Before getting into our 4 points today let me give you an overview of our passage:

We see:

Jesus is invited to a meal at the house of a Pharisee named Simon. 

A certain woman also attends; bringing an alabaster box containing ointment. She proceeds to stand behind Jesus; washing  his feet with her tears and drying them with her hair. 

She breaks open the box containing the ointment and anoints his feet.

We are given an insight into the heart of Simon the Pharisee, who reasons that if Jesus was a prophet he would have known that this woman was a sinner. 

[I actually find this reminiscent of  the words of Satan during Christ’s temptation in the wilderness: “If you truly are the Son of God”. Remember Jesus says that the Pharisees are of their father the devil. 

Jesus then proceeds to give Simon an illustration which makes the point of praising the woman’s actions and explains perfectly the motivation behind them.

[Keep your finger in the text]

Let’s Pray 

Love Sought Through Opportunity:

“And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment…Luke 7:37”

Through no coincidence, this woman was in the right place at the right time. And she made the most of her opportunity to meet Christ. 

She had obviously heard of Christ and the things that he had done. And It’s reasonable to suggest that she might have heard him speak. 

Scripture tells us to seek the Lord while he may be found…and this woman knew exactly where to find the Lord. 

What’s more is that she came prepared with a box of ointment. She wasn’t coming just out of curiosity or to see some miracle…she came with intent. 

From our story it’s hard to know the exact point at which the woman receives forgiveness…as it isn’t confirmed to her until the end of the passage.

Nevertheless, she came with intent and possibly: 

BRINGING FORTH FRUIT MEET FOR REPENTANCE 

If we look at the story of our own conversion…I’m sure there were conscious decisions made, in our quest to seek and to find the Lord and receive forgiveness. 

Should it be any different now…or

HAVE WE STOPPED SEEKING GOD

Seeking the Lord for wisdom

Seeking the Lord’s will for our lives

Seeking the Lord for forgiveness and sanctification 

Seeking the Lord for answers to prayer

We must be seeking the Lord daily. 

Just as the blessings for this woman were eternal…so will they be for us. 

Love Substantiated Through Sacrifice:

“…brought an alabaster box of ointment,”  Luke 7:37

The first thing we see in our passage today is the lengths to which this “certain woman” was prepared to go to in order to demonstrate her love for Jesus. 

Jesus indeed challenges us in the gospels to count the cost of following him. 

What lengths are we prepared to go…? And what are we prepared to give up in order to follow Christ? 

What are we prepared to sacrifice? 

Our time?

Our finances?

Our relationships?

Our worldly reputation?

Obviously its not things per se but our heart’s attitude [or affection] towards them. 

As for sacrifice we read:

“For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” (Psalm 51:16-17)

There’s an indication in a similar [yet different] account that such ointment had significant value. In giving of her substance, she obviously places great value on Christ and his ability to forgive her sins. 

HOWEVER: 

We shouldn’t think for a moment that she was attempting to buy the Lord’s love and forgiveness. THE LORD LOOKS ON THE HEART

True love understands that: You CANNOT put a price on love:

“… if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.”  Song of Solomon 8:7

The word contemned means to regard with contempt or to despise, disregard, or loathe. 

THE THOUGH OF BUYING LOVE ACTUALLY DEVALUES IT

Ironically, we are God’s purchased possession. We’ve been bought with the precious blood of Jesus.  

One thing that possibly isn’t tangible [in our story] is the potential humiliation that this woman was prepared to endure. Yet we know that she was labelled a sinner by the Pharisee (at least internally): 

“Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.”  

Luke 7:39

I’m sure that she would have felt the stares. The Pharisee was ready to condemn the woman:

Note that Jesus was guilty by association.

Whilst the Pharisee was ready to condemn the woman, we know that Christ came not to condemn the world but that through him, the world might be saved. 

What strikes me about this story is this:

One thing we don’t see in this story is a woman MADE to jump through hoops and perform a series of complex tasks such as sacraments or penance to receive forgiveness. 

One thing we don’t see is a woman made to sit through a bible college course to gain a qualification before she is forgiven and consequently accepted by Christ. 

One thing that we don’t see in this story is a 12 step program for the woman to complete in order to be made whole:

THIS IS CONTRARY TO WHAT CERTAIN CHURCH PROGRAMS WOULD HAVE YOU BELIEVE 

Rather than facilitating wholeness [and sanctification] they actually steer the participant away from the one who is able to make you perfect through his word. 

What does Paul say in regards to his own personal struggle with sin:

“I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord”. Romans 7:25

The sad reality is that all these programs do is to rehabilitate the flesh rather than crucify it. 

I’ve actually challenged people in regards to these programs; suggesting that as believers all we need areCORRECT DOCTRINES and the WORD of God. Sadly people would rather follow some gimmick designed to excite them about God instead of following sound doctrine.

THE USUAL RESPONSE:

“Whatever works for you”. 

WHAT WE DO SEE:

Is a woman prepared to forsake all and seek the Lord. And in the process receives the forgiveness of sin. This is something of immeasurable value and which cost her NOTHING in comparison to the gift of eternal life: 

It is by grace we are saved. It is a GIFT

This is perfectly expressed in the hymn “Rock of Ages”: 

“In my hand no price I bring, simply to your cross I cling”. 

WHAT WE DO SEE:

Is a woman who was prepared to risk potential and actual ridicule and who essentially was ridiculed by the Pharisee [and those present] in order to express her love for the Saviour. 

WHAT WE DO SEE: 

Is a woman who understood the SIMPLICITY which is in Christ.

***

In terms of potential humiliation [and this applies to us all]:

“…Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”  Romans 10:11

This begs the question then:

SHOULD  WE THEN BE ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST 

As I said earlier: Jesus asks us all to count the cost of following him:

“If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.”  Luke 14:26

Jesus isn’t advocating hate, of course: what he is saying is that our love for him must exceed our love for others… and even our love for own lives also. 

Further to this we have the commandment:

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”  1John 2:15

Just as there is perfect love within the trinity: 

GOD SEEKS TO PERFECT THAT LOVE IN US 

Love for the world is contrary to our love for God. 

Jesus also told us:

OUR LOVE FOR HIM WOULD CAUSE THE WORLD TO HATE US

This is exactly the response that the woman received from the Pharisee 

In following the Lord we are to present our bodies as living sacrifices and yield ourselves unto God as instruments of righteousness. 

It is only in doing so that we fully enjoy OUR new life in Christ: 

As it was for this woman, so it is for all who come to Christ: the sacrifice becomes irrelevant when you realize that there is nowhere else to go:

ONLY JESUS HAS THE WORDS OF ETERNAL LIFE

Love Shown Through Service:

“And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.” Luke 7:44-46

We all know the first commandment:

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. Mark 12:30

“…Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” (Luke 4:8)

We are commanded to love God and we can’t escape this fact. It is this commandment which defines our devotion and service to the Lord. Jesus said if you love me you will keep my commandments.

We are:

TO LOVE GOD WITH ALL OUR BEING

WITH THIS IN MIND:

What we see in our story is a woman committed to obeying this commandment through an act of service 

It is no coincidence that Jesus challenges our love for him and uses money and material objects as a tangible example of worth. We saw this in regards to the potential cost of the ointment and also the forgiveness of debt being equated with sin. 

Jesus understands the potential of material things to draw our hearts away from him when he said that you cannot serve two masters [God and mammon].

One thing we do know is this:

Serving God is the result of a transformed heart: 

[Turn to]

“What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” (Romans 6:15-18)

We have a choice:

Serve self and sin

Or

Serve God and righteousness

In our text we see that it was was the woman’s desire to please and to serve the Lord. 

And based on this, she acted accordingly. 

The bible teaches that we ought to bring deeds meet [suitable, appropriate] for repentance

And that it is godly sorrow which leads to repentance. 

In other words, by our actions we demonstrate that we have had a change of heart regarding sin. 

Just to clarify this: we don’t do deeds to GAIN forgiveness but rather BECAUSE of the forgiveness received. It should be our natural response to do those things which demonstrate that we are indeed forgiven. 

We can put it this another way:

Faith without works is dead and this woman showed her faith by her works.

In acknowledging the woman’s actions

Jesus says:

“…thy faith hath saved thee, go in peace” Luke 7:50

Within the text we see the quality of her love and devotion to the Lord….. 

At the same time we see the ACTIONS of “the certain woman” contrasted with the INACTION of Pharisee:

And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Luke 7:44-46

From what we see, the inaction of Simon, shows a total disregard for the Lord and in particular who he is and what he was able to do [i.e. forgive sins]. Even as a host he showed zero hospitality. 

As we examine the actions of this woman, AGAIN the one thing we notice in this story:

HUMILITY!!!

The position of servant automatically places her below her Lord. 

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.” (John 13:16)

The Lord Jesus himself is our example of humility:

He demonstrated this is two ways. Firstly when he washed the disciples feet. 

And by his death on the cross

“…being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:8)

“For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)

***

When it comes to our personal SERVICE towards God: 

Psalm 37 tells us to delight ourselves in the Lord and HE will give us the desires of our heart. In other words, when we spend time with the Lord, his desires become our desires. 

THIS IS WHERE DUTY AND DEVOTION MEET

When the Lord changes our hearts the lusts [desires] of our flesh will diminish. 

One thing is certain in this story, when examining our motives [both individually and as a church] is Jesus ought to be central to all we do. 

The apostle Paul said that whatever you do in word or deed, do it as unto the Lord. We realize also that we are his workmanship created in Jesus unto good works that we should walk in them. 

[We’ll deal with motive in our next point]

But

If Christ isn’t at the centre of our acts of service, as in our text today…the danger is portraying another Jesus and another gospel.

We know all too well the dangers of a social justice gospel; a Christ-less gospel is no gospel at all. And those that follow this are accumulating for themselves: wood hay and stubble and NOT laying up for themselves, treasures in heaven.

In giving to the poor and visiting those in prison it is spiritual poverty that we need to be addressing and it is the prison house of sin that people need to be freed from. 

This brings us back to the first commandment and probably the reason Jesus reminded his disciples when they asked. Remember also, that the Pharisees had the people jumping through hoops; teaching as commandments, the traditions of men. 

It is pretty simple theology really.

Love Founded on Forgiveness:

“Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.”  Luke 7:47

The illustration that Jesus uses in our passage today, centres around money and the forgiveness of debt. This is something tangible and easily understood. 

In today’s society, I don’t think we fully appreciate the nature and consequence of being in significant debt; especially when banks through their greed entice their customers to put themselves in greater and greater debt [as if it’s normal]. 

If you add to this understanding the fact that it is through debt that banks have actually made their wealth then you realize why the concept of un-payable debt is lost on a world that is in such a condition 

[Trust me I have used this illustration to no avail]. 

In today’s society you can declare yourself  bankrupt and virtually get off “Scott free”. Whereas in biblical times you could “sell yourself” to a master and work for him until the debt was paid. 

When [AND ONLY WHEN] you have a biblical understanding of debt, you can fully appreciate the illustration that Jesus is using. 

Jesus’ illustration and example has deeper implications of course and it seamlessly transitions to a lesson on the forgiveness of sin. 

Put simply: “The wages or payment for sin is death” and the only way to repay the debt is through death: the death of yourself; spiritually

 Or in the case of the believer: the substitutionary death of Jesus. 

It is only when a person understands his own spiritual impoverishment that he can fully understand the predicament that he is in and the cost required to attain that forgiveness.

The bible tells us:

“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”  1Corinthians 6:20

And it is only when we truly understand our predicament and the price that the Lord was prepared to pay. It’s only then that the free gift of salvation can be received and truly appreciated. 

THIS IS WHAT REDEMPTION IS ALL ABOUT

John Newton hit the nail on the head: 

 “How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed”. 

We could talk about the grace of God for all eternity and still be at pains to explain it.

Nevertheless it is pretty sad that our Lord has to compare the infinite and unsearchable riches of God’s grace with finite material things. The grace of God is not something we can see or measure; it is the invisible things of God which are eternal.

Jesus’ conclusion that those who are forgiven much, do love much is  perfectly summed up in John’s epistle and also shows God’s willingness to forgive.

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”  1John 4:10

LOVE IS INDEED FOUNDED ON FORGIVENESS 

AND THE THINGS WE DO FOR THE LORD SHOULD BE A REFLECTION OF WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR US

Such is the power of God’s forgiveness as the woman’s response clearly demonstrates.

Conclusion:

There are three central themes running through our text today…

LOVE: The love of God and love for God

FORGIVENESS: The forgiveness of God and forgiveness toward our fellow man. It is in knowing God’s forgiveness that we ought to and are able forgive others. 

SERVICE: Which ought to be motivated by the love and forgiveness of God through our Lord and Saviour. . 

So…the question 

HAVE YOU LEFT YOUR FIRST LOVE?

This was the charge laid to the church at Ephesus; a church which hated evil and by all accounts, did many good things. 

They had their doctrines down-pat and they were bold in professing the truth.

They were exposing darkness as was the exhortation given to Timothy [the first pastor of Ephesus]

They exhibited many fine character traits such as patience, perseverance and courage; labouring and fainting not. 

YET THEY HAD LEFT THEIR FIRST LOVE

Without expounding the whole of that passage in Revelation 2:1-7: 

We have to acknowledge the seriousness of the warning: which was to remove the candlestick from the church. This is to say that they would no longer be regarded as a church. 

If we don’t have a church [so to speak] what do we have then? 

A room full of people, professing to be Christians, doing Christian “stuff” [going through the motions as it were] and making absolutely NO difference in the lives of the brethren or the community at large. 

This would be UNTHINKABLE!!

THE LORD OFFERS A SIMPLE SOLUTION:

REPENT and DO THE FIRST THINGS

That is: read your bible and spend time with the Lord in prayer.

Before I conclude this message, I don’t want to leave you with the impression that love for God is some romantic notion or feeling; because it certainly is not. This is not to say that there is not a certain emotion attached to our relationship with the Lord. It is a relationship after all. 

First and foremost our love for Jesus is demonstrated and proved through obedience and not a feeling as he so plainly says:

If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15

Love is an action…

Prior to salvation the bible states that the unbeliever is an enemy of God and so it makes perfect sense that if man is to love God then he needs a change of heart. 

Before coming to Christ we didn’t even know who God was let alone love him. It is only through the atoning death of Jesus; upon accepting this sacrifice as the payment for our sins, the sinner is unblinded and able to see who God is and therefore to love him.  

Unbeliever: your first act of obedience needs to be to the gospel. 

THIS IS THE ENTRY POINT TO OBEYING ALL THE COMMANDMENTS 

Those who are born of God keep the commandments and they are not grievous to him. When you love someone, you don’t do it begrudgingly. 

When Jesus puts the challenge to Simon in regards to being forgiven: 

The obvious question which comes out of this passage is:

How much have I been forgiven?

The obvious answer is that we have been forgiven more than we can know. 

Hopefully, through the knowledge of our transgressions, sin had become “exceeding sinful” 

This is why we turn to Christ for forgiveness of those sins.  

You must realize that the infinite debt incurred because of sin is only payable by a sacrifice of infinite worth: 

 The death of our Lord on the cross

The next obvious question which comes out of this passage is:

How much do you love God? 

Is it directly proportional to the realization of your sin debt and God’s forgiveness towards you.

The promise to the church in Ephesus:

IS A REWARD TO THOSE WHO OVERCOME:

ETERNAL LIFE 

LET US PRAY

The post Love Founded On Forgiveness appeared first on Hope Baptist Church.

Matthew 5:43–48

43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

On the 16th of February 2023, the ABC published what could only been seen as a slanderous attack on Biblical Christians, aligning their belief system as the source of motivation for the deadly shooting of two police officers in Queensland on the 12th of December, 2022.

The headline said it all;

Queensland police say the Wieambilla shooting is a terrorist attack motivated by premillennialism.

The article went on to say,

“Christian extremist ideology has been linked to other attacks around the world, but this is the first time we’ve seen it in Australia.”

When requesting the commonality of the belief system, it was the associate professor of Politics at Deakin University in Victoria, Dr Josh Roose, who is also said to be an “expert on far-right and religious extremism” according to the ABC, that stated this incredible claim;

“This [belief] by no means represents Christianity, however, any extreme idea taken to its conclusion … when you’re talking about biblical or religious texts, effectively has the strong potential for violence.”

I was personally so shaken by this complete distortion of evident reality that I could not but write, both in complaint to the ABC for willing vilifying the broad view of Biblical Christians around the world, and also willing to distort all evident history, even so far as to claim that Islam is a religion of Peace, while now stating that biblical Christianity has a penchant for violent extremism.

On the 17th of February, in a complaint to the ABC,  I wrote;

“The most extreme view of anyone who follows the Bible literally is to “love your enemy”. I was astounded to see  that such an article could be justified that says the opposite, regardless of the eschatological views of Christians. There are three ‘Last-days’ views of ALL Christians, and ALL would be considered ‘extreme’ in the eyes of an anti-biblical worldview, yet NONE of them, taken to the extreme, could justify what those people did in Queensland, yet your news item tried to affirm the opposite.

The Golden rule to “Love God and love your neighbour as yourself” came from the lips of Christ and is certainly “EXTREME” if taken literally. It is the complete opposite, both of the world we live in today and the article this journalist wrote.”

I had then written to Dr Josh Roose whose email was published on the Deakin University Website. He is based in Melbourne.

My first email on the 17th of Feb, the day after the article appeared, simply requested a response as to whether or not the ABC had properly represented him.

I did not receive a response. But about a week later I had seen a similar affirmation of the belief of this Professor was given in the Guardian via a direct article. I sent him another email requesting a meeting with him;

Dear Dr Roose,

I have not as yet received a response from you respecting your representation on the ABC, but after seeing the article from the Guardian I understand that you were properly represented.

I am reaching out one more time in the hope that I might have a coffee with you respecting the issue, as I truly believe a great error has been promoted that terribly misrepresents Christians, and especially those who have long held the views castigated in the media of late, given fuel by your statements.

Perhaps you might see an opportunity to meet with and speak to a Pastor who might be considered by you as being one of the most “extreme fundamentalist Christians”, holding Premillennialism as that which the Bible teaches.

My hope would be you might find that, though fundamentalism in some religions may naturally lead to violence, only the precise opposite could be said of those who are charged to love their enemies.

I live in Melbourne and am happy to meet for a cuppa for a time and at a place that suits you.

Sincerely yours, Pr Edi Giudetti

I have never received a response from Dr Roose.

It was Richard Wurmbrand, the founder of The Voice of the Martyrs, who recalled what it was to Love your Enemies” and how it was that it was through this very effort and suffering, that brought him the closest to the Lord Jesus Christ.

In suffering some of the most excruciating tortures at the hand of the communists, and in the witnessing of barbarity so extreme he says it was impossible to reduce to writing for the offence it would cause and the memories it would bring up, Pr Wurmbrand wrote;

“It was in prison that we found the hope of salvation for the Communists. It was there that we developed a sense of responsibility toward them. It was in being tortured by them that we learned to love them.”[1]

Perhaps this becomes true for many Christians. Only through the sufferings aligned to Jesus may we finally understand what it is to love our enemies. Perhaps it is only through these kind of trials that we seek his face to learn of what to do.

“When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die”.

This is a quote from another martyr for Christ. Written several years before he himself fulfilled its calling.

In its context, Pr Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who was executed by the Nazis on the 9th of April 1945 at the Flossenburg Concentration Camp, without any evidence against him, with no records of the proceedings, but by witness of those who had seen the event, and only a fortnight before the camp was liberated by the US Army, Dietrich Bonhoeffer understood that to follow Jesus Christ was to go against all the common tendencies of naturalistic man that denies the reality of God and the plight of the Gospel.

In his 1937 book, “The Cost of Discipleship”, four years after Adolf Hitler became Chancellor and two years before the onset of the 2nd world war, Bonhoeffer wrote;

As we embark upon discipleship we surrender ourselves to Christ in union with his death—we give over our  lives to death. Thus it begins; the cross is not the terrible end to an otherwise god-fearing and happy life, but it meets us at the beginning of our communion with Christ. When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die. It may be a death like that of the first disciples who had to leave home and work to follow him, or it may be a death like Luther’s, who had to leave the monastery and go out into the world. But it is the same death every time—death in Jesus Christ, the death of the old man at his call.” ( Dietrich BonhoefferThe Cost of Discipleship, 99)

Beloved, the call to Love our Enemies is the single greatest and most exreme act in relationships that we are called to undertake. It is the “Death” of our old and natural tendencies to “hate our enemy”, and to instead love him for the sake of the gospel.

It is an act that BEST IDENTIFIES US WITH CHRIST.

The FIRST relationship we had to understand, was that respecting our direct relationship to God. This SECOND relationship is that relationship to our fellowman that KNOWS NOT GOD.

Matthew 5:43–48

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

Chapter 5 of Matthew is the beginning of the famous “Sermon on the Mount” just above Galilee. It has the view of all the area including Lake Gennesaret, also known as the Sea of Galilee.

It is the sermon that perhaps stunned the world in both its simplicity and its wisdom. It is a sermon that addressed in mankind, not the actions of mankind as does nine of the ten commandments, but the heart of mankind.

It speaks to those precious and most comforting matters of life that are the exact OPPOSITE to all we have the natural tendencies to think;

Matthew 5:3–12

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Never has mankind heard such things as these and never have such things been spoken of with such authority.

It tells of the future states of those who come to represent the character and nature of The LORD and the burdens and sufferings they endure through that likeness.

Poor in spirit, yet inheriting heaven.

Temporal mourning in life, yet comfort in the state of eternity;

meek and yet kings of the earth;

malnourished in Spirit, yet awaiting a future endowment that will see them filled….

Those who suffer for the sake of Christ and the fullest representation of The LORD, these are rewarded with the crowns of heaven, “for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you”.

Even the officers of the Temple recognises that “Never man spake like this man” (Jn 7:46).

So incredible were his teachings that he drew immediately the following of multitudes behind him. No matter how often he told people not to spread his name abroad, so much the more did those who heard him want to hear him again.

There was nowhere they would not go, even to the point of having no place to sustain themselves, they followed Jesus to hear his words.

He had no “education” from man.

He followed the teaching of no man.

He spoke with no other man as his authority.

They could not tell from whence he was.

Jesus came and caused in the hearts of many nothing but total confusion as to how he could speak with both authority and wisdom, having never learned!

And the common people heard him gladly (Mrk 12:37)

Now in our passage he speaks to the most extreme idea found anywhere in the world.

That man is to love his enemies.

In the first line in verse 43, we see the tendency of man that everyone can NATURALLY agree with.

We know it by nature and who is it that can deny it?;

Matthew 5:43–48

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

The natural tendency of fallen man in his most extreme end is hatred for his enemy. This is a representation of The Extreme Relationships Among Fallen Man.

It is a perspective of life that has THIS PRESENT WORLD, and happiness in THIS PRESENT WORLD, as its ultimate purpose.

If, “The pursuit of happiness” is the ultimate purpose of mankind in this world, then anything that disrupts or interferes with this pursuit is to be addressed with all levels of address at our disposal.

If our happiness in this life is the ultimate goal and the highest moral good, then it is difficult to deny the Marxist axiom of “The ends justify the means”.

Those who stand against our “happiness” can be rightly seen as our enemy, and hatred toward our enemy is the natural result.

Jesus spoke of that which was said before and believed among those in the world.

Indeed it was the pagan world who believed this to be the case, and the Jews, who yet did not understand who their neighbour was, believed the same ideas.

When the lawyer stood to tempt Jesus in Luke 10:25 respecting eternal life, Jesus asked him of the primary commandment of the law. And so the man answered saying;

27 ….Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. 28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. 29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?  Luke 10:27–29

It was from here that Jesus gave the parable of The Good Samaritan.

But this was not the view of the world Jesus entered, nor is it the view of the world around us, nor is it the natural tendency of us as Christians, though it ought to be.

Our natural tendency is summarised in the words of the ancient Roman Philosopher and Orator, Cicero AROUND 55BC, who rule was simply, “To injure no one, unless previously injured[2]”

That is, to “Do unto others what they have done unto you”.

From this point on, all wars and all the history of war and hatred stem. How far back do we go for the perceived injuries we have sustained and the hands of our fellow man? How many generations? ISLAM TEACHES no harm against the “INNOCENT”, yet claim none of the descendants of Crusaders of ancient times are “innocent”.

Today we have the exact same teaching in schools respecting “White Guilt” which has led to affirmative action efforts around the western world in their “collective” attempts to atone for the sins of the father.

IS this NOT the cause of the hatred boiling over around the world today?

Logically, where can this end but in the self destruction of all of mankind?

Matthew 5:43–48

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

I have an excerpt from a book I would like to read you. It is the true account of that which Jesus spoke of here in Matthew 5:44.

It demonstrates to us all that the love of Christ, that forgave us all our sins, is expected to be given to all who have sinned against us.

Scripture teaches us that we were the enemies of God BEFORE he died for our sins;

Romans 5:10

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Colossians 1:21

And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled.

This was you and I, enemies of God YET he gave his life for us;

Romans 12:20–21

Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

The testimony I am going to read to you is told by Richard Wurmbrand of the murderer of the entire family of his wife Sabina. It tells of her response upon being told that the man who killed her entire family, was in their living room.

When Romania entered the war on Germany’s side, a pogrom began in which many thousands of Jews were killed or deported. At Iasi alone 11,000 were massacred in a day. My wife, who shares my Protestant faith, is also of Jewish origin. We lived in Bucharest, from which the Jews were not deported, but her parents, one of her brothers, three sisters, and other relatives who lived in Bucovine were taken to Transmistria, a wild border province that the Romanians had captured from Russia. Jews who were not murdered at the end of this journey were left to starve, and there Sabina’s family died.

Sometime later our landlord, a good Christian, told me sadly of a man who was staying in the house while on leave from the front. “l knew him before the war,” he said, “but he’s changed completely. He has become a brute who likes to boast of how he volunteered to exterminate Jews in Transmistria and killed hundreds with his own hands.”

I went upstairs after supper to the landlord’s flat. Lounging in an armchair was a giant of a man whom the landlord introduced as Borila, the killer of Jews from Transmistria. When he rose he was even taller than l, and there seemed to be about him an aura of horror that was like a smell of blood. Soon he was telling us of his adventures in the war and of the Jews he had slaughtered.

The murderer proved to be not only a murderer. Nobody is only one thing. He was a pleasant talker, and eventually it came out that he had a great love of music. He mentioned that while serving in the Ukraine he had been captivated by the songs there. “I wish I could hear them again,” he said.

I knew some of these old songs. I thought to myself, looking at Borila, The fish has entered my net!

“lf you’d like to hear some of them,” I told him, “come to my flat—I’m no pianist, but I can play a few Ukrainian melodies.”

The landlord, his wife, and his daughter accompanied us. My wife was in bed. She was used to my playing softly at night and did not wake up. I played the folk songs, which are alive with feeling, and I could see that Borila was deeply moved. I remembered how, when King Saul was afflicted by an evil spirit, the boy David had played the harp before him.

I stopped and turned to Borila. “l’ve something very important to say to you,” I told him.

“Please speak,” he said.

“If you look through that curtain you can see someone is asleep in the next room. It’s my wife, Sabina. Her parents, her sisters, and her twelve-year-old brother have been killed with the rest of the family. You told me that you had killed hundreds of Jews near Golta, and that is where they were taken.” Looking into his eyes, I added, “You yourself don’t know who you have shot, so we can assume that you are the murderer of her family.”

He jumped up, his eyes blazing, looking as if he were about to strangle me.

I held up my hand and said, “Now—let’s try an experiment. I shall wake my wife and tell her who you are, and what you have done. I can tell you what will happen. My wife will not speak one word of reproach! She’ll embrace you as if you were her brother. She’ll bring you supper, the best things she has in the house.

“Now, if Sabina, who is a sinner like us all, can forgive and love like this, imagine how Jesus, who is perfect Love, can forgive and love you! Only turn to Him—and everything you have done will be forgiven!”

Borila was not heartless: within, he was consumed by guilt and misery at what he had done, and he had shaken his brutal talk at us as a crab shakes its claws. One tap at his weak spot and his defenses crumbled. The music had already moved his heart, and now came—instead of the attack he expected—words of forgiveness.

His reaction was amazing. He jumped up and tore at his collar with both hands, so that his shirt was rent apart. “Oh God, what shall I do, what shall I do?” he cried. He put his head in his hands and sobbed noisily as he rocked himself back and forth. “I’m a murderer, I’m soaked in blood, what shall I do?” Tears ran down his cheeks.

Borila fell on his knees trembling, and we began to pray aloud. He knew no prayers; he simply asked again and again for forgiveness and said that he hoped and knew it would be granted. We were on our knees together for some time; then we stood up and embraced each other, and I said, “l promised to make an experiment. I shall keep my word.”

I went into the other room and found my wife still sleeping calmly. She was very weak and exhausted at that time. I woke her gently and said, “There is a man here whom you must meet. We believe he has murdered your family, but he has repented, and now he is our brother.”

She came out in her dressing gown and put out her arms to embrace him; then both began to weep and to kiss each other again and again. I have never seen bride and bridegroom kiss with such love and purity as this murderer and the survivor among his victims. Then, as I foretold, Sabina went to the kitchen to bring him food.

Excerpted from In God’s Underground, pages 222-224.

Matthew 5:44–48

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

In the third message on this series on FAITHFULNESS: THE KEY TO JOY, I spoke of how we now ought to be THINKING DIFFERENTLY.

No longer should our thoughts and tendencies be aligned with the faithless world that thinks in purely naturalistic terms, but our minds ought to be geared toward knowing that there is a father in heaven who cares and loves us, who provided forgiveness and eternal life by sending his only begotten Son into the world, to die for our sins.

I spoke of the only purpose left us in life is to present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

No longer should we be thinking in the same terms we had thought before.

Our lives are not our own, we are bought with a price, all that we have is of the Lord and all that we should give should be for the salvation of even a single soul.

That was the mind and heart of the first century churches. It was the mind and heart of the 16 to 19th century churches, it is the mind and heart of the middle eastern Churches in this very day.

BUT we have not been living this way. Most Christians in the western world DO NOT LIVE THIS way, it is as if we have forgotten quickly all that the Lord has given us and done for us.

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

That is the nature of our father that is in heaven.

The pharisees were charged by Jesus to EVIDENCE THEIR FATHER;

John 8:44–45

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

Beloved, it is certain that in the manner in which we live our lives, we give testimony as to WHOM it is that we testify to.

The manner in which we behave respecting RELATIONSHIPS, testify to us who it is that we RELATE TO BEST.

While it may be that you stir within your seats at such a notion, but ask first if it be true in application to you. Please do not be asleep to sin, messages such as this are to awaken you to turn back to Jesus and see how you are to live.

To live with JOY, no matter the trials and afflictions you face.

Loving your enemies is the single most extreme behaviour a Christian can perform.

It is as contrary to our natural state as is possible to be. It is one that sees life completely differently, that thinks completely differently, that lives completely differently and that loves completely differently.

We are called to LOVE our enemies, and in doing so we show the world that we “be the children of your Father which is in heaven:”

1 John 2:15–17

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Matthew 5:46–48

For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

No person on this earth had demonstrated a greater love for his enemies than Jesus. In the world of men he was given a crown of thorns.

In heaven he is given the heathen for his inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession. (Ps 2:8)

The most perfect representation of God was naturally the Lord Jesus Christ. No man has ever loved as he loved, no man has ever endured the trials for that love as he endured, no person alive was more innocently convicted of breaking the law he came to fulfil.

Jesus set himself as our example, and he bids men to come and die, die to themselves and live unto Christ. To carry his cross and follow him, to love even his enemies.

And, having endured suffering for the sake of the lost, receive his prize.

Clearly there can be no prize warranted, no reward expected to love those which love you, who doesn’t do this?

Saluting your brethren is the same, everyone salutes those they know, but salute them you don’t know. Show love to them who seem unloving to you, love your enemies, then, then you do show that you are “the children of your father which is in heaven”.

Several weeks ago, and for the first time ever, I had a complaint from a family who came to this church for the first time and not a single person came to greet them. Beloved, where are we at?

The extremist fundamentalist Christian….is one who loves his enemies.

In the 1950’s, in an underground Church under Communist rule, a young girl was discovered by the secret police secretly sharing Gospel tracts and teaching young children. The police knew all about her but would not arrest her, at least not yet.

They planned for the day to arrest her, for the purpose of making it as agonisingly painful as they could. Her wedding day was three weeks away.

This is the account as written;

On her wedding day, the girl was dressed as a bride—the most wonderful, joyous day in a girl’s life! Suddenly, the door burst open and the secret police rushed in. When the bride saw the secret police, she held out her arms toward them to be handcuffed. They roughly put the manacles on her wrists. She looked toward her beloved, then kissed the chains and said, “I thank my heavenly Bridegroom for this jewel He has presented to me on my marriage day. I thank Him that I am worthy to suffer for Him.” She was dragged off, with weeping Christians and a weeping bridegroom left behind. They knew what happens to young Christian girls in the hands of Communist guards. Her bridegroom faithfully waited for her. After five years she was released—a destroyed, broken woman, looking thirty years older. She said it was the least she could do for her Christ. Such beautiful Christians are in the Underground Church.”[3]

Richard Wurmbrand, in his famous book, “Tortured for Christ”,  tells of the account of a Christian man who was sentenced to death;

“…, he was allowed to see his wife before being executed. His last words to his wife were, “You must know that I die loving those who kill me. They don’t know what they do and my last request of you is to love them, too. Don’t have bitterness in your heart because they killed your beloved one. We will meet in heaven.” These words impressed the officer of the secret police who attended the discussion between the two. He later told me the story in prison where he had been sent for becoming a Christian.”[4]

John 19:1–5

1 Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. 2 And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, 3 And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands. 4 Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. 5 Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!

[1]. Wurmbrand, Richard. Tortured for Christ (pp. 82-83). Living Sacrifice Book Company. Kindle Edition.

[2]. Henry, M. (1994) Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume. Peabody: Hendrickson, p. 1635.

[3]. Wurmbrand, Richard. Tortured for Christ (pp. 50-51). Living Sacrifice Book Company. Kindle Edition.

[4]. Wurmbrand, Richard. Tortured for Christ (p. 59). Living Sacrifice Book Company. Kindle Edition.

The post The Key To Joy Pt 8: Crowned To Love Our Enemies appeared first on Hope Baptist Church.

1 Corinthians 1:17–31

17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

“The preaching of the cross”, “Relationship THROUGH the cross”…

Never has there been a more divisive topic than the cross throughout all of history.

To tell the world around us that it is through the blood of the Cross of Christ that all men who were once alienated from God, now have reconciliation through his blood, the forgiveness of sins.

Relationship to GOD through the Cross, has not only been DIVISIVE, but, dare I say it, long thought of as foolish by man to be a means to save man from the condemnation of damnation.

To say that everyone on earth can have the full and unmitigated pardon for all there sin committed in the past, and grace for all yet to be committed in the future, simply by believing that Jesus Christ, God the Son, has paid for it all on a wooden cross some two thousand years ago; RELATIONSHIP THROUGH THE CROSS is most astonishing in the eyes of a fallen and lost world.

But to others, it is the power of God unto salvation!

That God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and …hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty, the base things… and… the things despised…to bring to nought the things that are” so “that no flesh should glory in his presence” is to some the wisest way of all to reconcile an irreconcilable relationship with God our maker.

RELATIONSHIP RECONCILED TO GOD is the first RELATIONSHIP to be reconciled that leads to the JOY we have spoken of.

As we move through this series on FAITHFULNESS, and we now come to that portion of RELATIONSHIPS, it is the VERTICAL relationship to God that takes precedence over the HORIZONTAL RELATIONSHIP with man.

What we will discover through this topic on relationships is, the same manner by which we have RELATIONSHIP to God THROUGH THE CROSS, we can enjoy relationship one with another.

Fix the Vertical and the Horizontal with follow.

When the union between man and God is mended, the union between man and man has the greatest opportunity.

Conversely, a good indicator of a poor relationship between brethren tells more about the reciprocal relationship with God than it does otherwise.

John wrote;

1 John 4:20–21

20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

Therefore; it is a RELATIONSHIP THROUGH THE CROSS that remains the central KEY TO JOY and the enduring message of the ages, to bring hope to a LOST WORLD.

Circa 500BC is a note written from the wisest secular philosopher to his teacher; Aristotle to Plato…

“I know it is for God to forgive sins, but frankly I do not see how”

An admission of ignorance as to the wisdom of God, and yet an acknowledgement of the greatest paradox of all, How to instigate judgement through grace.

You see it is simple enough to judge evil. The world is able to do this with ease in a just society; Charge the condemned, find him guilty, instigate the punishment to pay the price of the offence.

So too, it is thought, those who offend a holy God, the one that made them, crafted them, directing the fashioning of them in their mother’s womb, as a conductor does a symphony; he is able to both judge and damn, in fact, his righteousness demands justice!

But how does one both Judge and forgive?

If God created this entire universe FOR THE EXISTENCE of mankind, how does God have RELATIONSHIP with man in rebellion?

In our studies on faithfulness, RELATIONSHIPS is the next phase for our consideration. But before we come to the Horizontal relationships between each other, we MUST deal with the VERTICAL relationship between man and God.

The answer to that, is RELATIONSHIP THROUGH THE CROSS.

THAT IS, The Preaching of The Cross (The gospel)

“Lack of agreement or Harmony”

Amos 3:3

 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

In this passage in Amos, the people of Israel have long disdained their relationship with God by ignoring all he has told them.

They use the Bible like a smorgasbord, taking out what they want to use for their personal employments and discard the rest. They put on the religious garb but deny their religion. Or as Jesus put it most plainly;

Matthew 15:8

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

DISCORD: There is no agreement between them and God. There is no harmony, and “Can two walk together except they be agreed?”

No, two people at variance one with another cannot have fellowship with one another.

We understand this on a practical level, where there is NOT friendship there can be NO fellowship, and yet somehow so many believe that God would allow fellowship with those he has no friendship with.

But the denial and rejection of God, can’t presume fellowship with God.

The relationship FIRST needs to be mended, then and then ONLY is it possible to enjoy the fellowship that comes from friendship.

“two cannot walk together, except they be agreed!”

Man must MEND the relationship with God, BUT HOW?

“I know it is for God to forgive sins, but frankly I do not see how”

In the first place we need to know that there is DISCORD between man and God. This is the PROTO RELATIONSHIP, this is the most important relationship of all, it goes before all others, but if there is no acknowledgment that man is in DISCORD with God, RECONCILIATION IS NOT POSSIBLE.

Emptiness and purposelessness.

The accidental man is empty, a deep seated emptiness fills his soul, a longing for value and reason permeates his heart.

The Accidental Man has no intrinsic purpose.

The evolved man believed on by the agnostic world, has no intrinsic, ingrained need for relationship, such a need is simply not explained in the evolutionary scale of existence, and making the statement that it is only for the practice and benefit of advantage in natural selection, does NOT EXPLAIN this deep longing and emptiness.

Identifying DISCORD between man and his maker is deep in man, and the ACCIDENTAL MAN KNOWS IT.

Why is it that the main cause of sorrow in the world is not poverty, if it were it would be easily fixed with money;

THE main cause of sorrow in the world is not due to poor health, if it were it could be easily fixed with proper health care;

no, our main cause of sorrow in the world is due to poor relationships; One party has pained another or both have pained alike, DISCORD between people is the source, good relationships are ruined THROUGH DISCORD and become the cause of great sorrow. HOW MUCH DEEPER SORROW IS THE DISCORD WITH GOD?

We sorrow because we have offended a holy God, being created by him for his purpose, manifests that sorrow in a multitude of ways.

It is the one KEY element that is not understood by the secular psychologists of the world.

Their only recourse is either through the self esteem efforts of men such as Jordan Peterson, or Norman Vincent Peale before him (The power of positive thinking), or Victor Frankl before him (Mans Search for Meaning);

or through Pharmaceuticals which is all the rage today.

People need their “meds” and without them, they feel miserable.

This trend began with medicating the extremes that have their root cause in sin and guilt, but is now the ‘go-to’ solution for the slightest deviation of mental comfort.

The standard ‘ups and downs’ of emotions we all go through are no longer acceptable.

An unemotional plateau is quickly removing the “image of God” emotional sorrows that should be felt with tragedy strikes, or the “Image of God” emotional pleasures that should be felt when good things occur.

God is indeed an emotional being, and we are created in his image, but these emotions are being medicated away, and replaced with a dull apathy for life.

The agreement between the creature and his creator has been severed, and the sorrow for the offence of the one against the other is attempted to be treated like a bandaid over a haemorrhage.

So, the gloominess of existence without meaning or purpose in the Accidental Man is being NUMBED, man is slowly learning to feel NOTHING, let alone recognise any DISCORD, I pray that is not you yet!

“Can two walk together except they be agreed?” The answer is a resounding “NO”.

The “Vertical” relationship with God was broken by man, and man is CUT OFF from God forever for his sin against him.

1 Corinthians 1:17–18

17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

The Bible speaks plainly here that there are indeed those who perish, a PERMANENT DETACHMENT in those who think to themselves that the “preaching of the cross is …foolishness”.

The Accidental Man is DETACHED from reality respecting God and thinks RELATIONSHIP THROUGH THE CROSS is foolishness.

Surely, if there is a heaven, there must be more a man should do before he goes to heaven?

Surely if I am 51% good, God would let me into his home?

Surely, there is no God!

The answers we have from last to first are;

Psalm 14:1

1  The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

Psalm 14:3

3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Isaiah 64:6

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

O, but I have more questions Pastor;

In answer to your first question of the existence of God, is Romans 1:18-23

Romans 1:18–23

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

All of mankind are held accountable to KNOW God exists.

The so-called “invisible things” that are created in the world “are clearly seen”. How? Simple, they are “understood by the things that are made”.

I was at this very point for several years. I was not antagonistic against God, I was just ignorant. The greek word is “Agnostic”, I choose to use the Latin word for myself, “Ignoramus”.

Unlike the wilfully ignorant such as Dawkins, Harris, Dennett etc, I didn’t have an axe to grind. I wasn’t so obviously hypocritical as to say “I don’t believe in God, and I hate him”.

Mine was the old fashioned ignorance, I simply did not know and wanted to find out THE TRUTH about life and this universe.

       I never saw the point in just believing what I want to be true. I was not like the professor of Philosophy, Thomas Nagel of Princeton University (originally the top Theological University in America) who said;

 “I want atheism to be true and am made uneasy by the fact that some of the most intelligent and well-informed people I know are religious believers. It isn’t just that I don’t believe in God and, naturally, hope that I’m right in my belief. It’s that I hope there is no God! I don’t want there to be a God; I don’t want the universe to be like that.”  (Pg 130 in his 1997 book The Last Word)

The reality is, you cannot deny a MAKER for those things that are SO EVIDENTLY MADE. And we ALL know what something made looks and functions like.

The more you get into science, from the biggest things to the smallest, it is IMPOSSIBLE to continue to believe in the ACCIDENTAL MAN, and expect to retain any wisdom.

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

To the question you asked about, “How do we know if we have sinned against him?”

In other words, how do we KNOW we have a broken relationship with God?

The answer is; your life’s acts and thoughts are evil!

They are contrary to God’s very nature and as a result, there is NO AGREEMENT.

“BUT, HOW DO WE KNOW THIS PASTOR?”

Ok, Ok! Don’t get frustrated with me!

Turn to

Romans 3:19–20

19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

The Accidental Man does not have a basis for what is right and wrong, so the only way he can make any comparisons is HORIZONTALLY. We compare ourselves by ourselves, the Bible states this method is not wise by example;

2 Corinthians 10:12

12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

No, the comparison we ought to use is an ABSOLUTE STANDARD rather than an arbitrary standard. The Accidental Man has not absolutes and needs to rely on subjectivity, but where has that led us? Now, everything is subjective, even those things we thought we absolutes. Society has degraded into a self destructing downward spiral of a moral abyss with no foundation from which to turn around.

Modernism gave way to the Post Modern world when all truth is Relative, to the Post, Post Modern world when every individuals relative truth is absolute!

The absolute standard, by which ALL sinners are held to account, is Gods moral law, known as the Ten Commandments.

Ecclesiastes 12:13–14

13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

When is this judgement?

Hebrews 9:27

27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

Now, remember, following the Law of God as best as you can may indeed lead you to a blessed life, because that is the basic functional framework of the universe he created, BUT IT CAN NOT SAVE YOU!

It can only REVEAL your sin to you. Remember its purpose in that Romans 3 passage;

by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Exodus 20 contains the original moral law under which no man but Christ has kept.

If you truly desire to know If you are good, try to first BE GOOD and see how hard it is.

Just for a day, try to keep ONE of those commandments consciously. Just one of them, and see how you go. All people THINK THEY ARE GOOD, until they try to actually BE GOOD.

Try, not stealing. You know, time from your boss, taxes from the government, grapes from a supermarket. Does not matter how small. God is revealing our NATURE in this.

Try not lying, or gossiping, i.e. not “bearing false witness” or testimony.

JUST ONE DAY.

Have you tried it CHRISTIAN?

See if by the end of the day you are not your knees thanking Jesus for saving you from your sin.

Where is the Evidence for the existence of God?

How do we know if we have sinned against him?

How could I be reconciled?

1 Corinthians 1:18

 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

There are several who are going to be baptised today that have in them a testimony they will share through the public demonstration of their faith, that they are NOW RECONCILED TO GOD THROUGH THE CROSS OF CHRIST.

The ONE RELATIONSHIP THAT NEEDS TO BE RESTORED BEFORE ALL OTHERS, is the relationship to God.

You KNOW he is really by all you see around you testifying of it. Psalm 19:1 says;

Psalm 19:1

1  The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

You KNOW you have a broken relationship because “two cannot walk together except they be agreed”, your sin testifies to you that you do not WALK with God and are not RECONCILED TO GOD apart from Christ.

And it is Christ and what he has done, the Preaching of the Cross that I desire to preach this day. I pray you do not see it as foolishness, but as the wisdom of God to save the sinner.

The Son of God was promised from ancient times to come and to give his life as a ransom for many. He is the Son of God and God the Son. The bible presents not three Gods but ONE God as Three persons.

From the first verse in the Bible the word GOD is a PLURAL form and continues in that manner, a never ending source of confusion to the Jew.

But it is by verse 26 that we see it take full shape as God dresses himself saying;

Genesis 1:26

26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:

1 John chapter 5 brings the certainty saying;

1 John 5:7

7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

Sin must be judged, sin has a price that must be paid for. Hell was created, not for mankind, but for the devil and his angels, BUT OUR SIN places us in the same condemnation and has its associated cost; Crimes against God have their relative cost to crimes against society, each must be paid for before the criminal is reconciled.

The infinite value therefore, of the infinite precious blood of Christ is a sufficient atonement for the sin of the world.

Now we are part way to answering Aristotles dilemma. Sin is to be judged, and God the Son is paying for the sin of the world by receiving the judgment upon himself, paying for the sin of the world HIMSELF, as a ransom for many.

Does the Bible say that directly Pastor? Yes it does.

1 Timothy 2:5–6

5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

Jesus also said it himself while speaking to his disciples concerning himself;

Mark 10:45

45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

How is it them applied to the world? How is this “ransom” personally claimed?

It is first understood logically, then it is claimed by believing it applies personally to you.

Isaiah 53 tells the Old Testament version of it as a form of explanation of what was just preached;

Isaiah 53:4–6

4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Though I recommend you read the entire chapter, here in these few verses are the crux of the matter.

The sin, the substitution and the settlement are all seen here.

It was OUR griefs he boar.

Our sorrows, our transgressions, our iniquities and “the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed”.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Consider verse 10;

10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

The New Testament however shows how this gift of reconciliation is applied;

John 3:16–17

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

The post Pt7 Relationship Through The Cross appeared first on Hope Baptist Church.

What a wonderful joy and privilege it is to preach the WORD of the Lord Jesus Christ! What a blessing it is to see his word come alive in our lives. 

This morning will certainly be more encouraging than challenging, the passage before us is not one that is dealing with unfaithfulness but faithfulness. 

Last week the Lord was addressing the unfaithful in the congregation of God, and the tone of the sermon was to purposefully reflect the tone of the passage in the book of Haggai respecting giving to the Lord.

We see an incredible consistency with the Lord in the Bible when God deals with both  unfaithfulness and ingratitude. 

God never speaks in soft and smooth tones when addressing those who are rebellious in his congregation, saying in the first chapter of Isaiah.

Isaiah 1:2–4

2 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.

They knew who he was talking to, they took the rebuke personally and understood they were the reference of the passage, as a result, tradition tells us Isiah did not have a good end to his life.

Some receive the rebuke in humility, others harden their hearts in rebellion. Those two outcomes have always been before the Lord.

Hagia, like all the prophets of the Lord, did not coddled the congregation of the Lord, like many do today, quite to the contrary;

 As a result, Jesus rebuked the Jews for the blood that was shed “of all the prophets”, 

Luke 11:51

51 From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: 

I pray you may be careful beloved, with how you receive the rebuke of God in the scripture, be careful that you first identify if the teaching is biblically sound. If so, our task then is to humbly ask ourselves HOW AM I REFLECTED in the scriptures presented by the preacher! 

In false teaching we address the preacher, in sound teaching we address our hearts!

Nevertheless, Paul wrote of the last days saying;

 2 Timothy 4:3–4

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

If that is what you are looking for beloved, there are plenty of them out there today that will accomodate you. 

Psalm 34:18

18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

As promised last week, this morning’s message is to those who are doing their best to be faithful to the Lord and truly desire his blessings all the more in their lives. I pray it is an encouragement to you especially as you look to become a CHEERFUL GIVER.. 

Again, as the tone of the passage is, so too I desire to preach to you that the effect of Gods words will affect you as he intends.

We read all of chapter 9, and we could truly have begun in chapter 8 for that is where this discourse on the subject concerning the giving of the churches of Corinth begins. Nevertheless we shall settle on the last ten verses only and try to expound only the few that time allows, as we consider THE CHEERFUL GIVER. 

2 Corinthians 9:6–15

6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. 12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; 13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; 14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. 15  Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. 

PRAY

First we see that the cheerful giver is “Loved of God”

2 Corinthians 9:6–7

6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

Notice that it is not the grudging giver that is loved of God in this portion, it is not the one who gives of “necessity” that is identified as loved of God, but “God loveth a cheerful giver”.

It is not to say none else are loved, but it is to say that there is a particular blessed reception of God for those who give to his work “Cheerfully”. 

Who know the VALUE of the work, are grateful to have been the recipients of the work and so give to support the furtherance of the work.

Before we ask how one comes to give “Cheerfully”, we should first take a quick look at the manner in which we are NOT to Give.

NOT GRUDGINGLY.

There is no doubt those among the gentiles in this worldly church of Corinth whom Paul addresses, have at times given “Grudgingly”.

The gentiles, just like you and I, are not really used to this doctrine of giving to the ministry of the Lord for the sake of supporting the gospel of Christ, the Jews had understood it for millennia, but not the gentiles, and so there are invariably those who give grudgingly rather than Cheerfully.

They give, but feel they are forced to give.

They give, but do not see the value of their giving as God does.

They give, but in their heart are unwilling to give.

These are those who give Grudgingly, and God clearly does not value the gifts given to him in such fashion. The grudging heart taints the gift, it makes it imperfect, so too those who GIVE OF NECESSITY. 

Our gifts to God, just like our love for God, are to be VOLUNTARY and from a cheerful heart. It is tainted otherwise. The gift is not measured by the gift, but by the heart that gives the gift.

In the Old Testament days, the Lord was displeased with the “GRUDGING” giver of their flock, who spared to give of the BEST, but of the lame.

Turn to Malachi 1

Malachi 1:7–8

7 Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible. 8 And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.

More and more we see that it is not the amount that concerns the Lord, it is the state of the HEART that he desires. Those who give “Grudgingly”, or of “NECESSITY” do not please the Lord, it is not a gift “unblemished”, but one that feels an INJUSTICE is IMPOSED ON THEM, or are COMPELLED TO GIVE, and so they give. 

It is the HEART that pleases the Lord AND THE tainted heart defiles the GIFT.

“Value” in God’s economy is NOT identified by PRICE beloved! 

Turn to 

Mark 12:41–44

41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

Everyone has heard of The Widows Mite. You can go to Israel today and they have on sale in every store, one of the genuine original coins the widow gave into the treasury. 

 Compared those who gave of their “abundance”, the Love of Jesus extended more to this widow who gave of her “Want”, “all that she had, even all her living”.

There was no expectation of a widows pension beloved, a fortnightly deposit mysteriously appearing into her account was not something she looked for to be “reimbursed” of her gift. 

She had no husband to provide for her, no attested expectation of another source of income, with likely only the generosity of others while resting in the LORD for all her provision. 

You and I have an expectation, however frequently, but there were no WELFARE payments in the days of Israel 2000 years ago. Family love and provision was all she could potentially depend upon.

God was PLEASED with her, more so than the rich who gave of their abundance.

THE UPPER LIMIT

It is in the widow also that we have the UPPER limit to the amount we could give in the New Testament economy of God. When people ask, “how much shall we give”, the upper limit is simply “All that you have”.

Easy to identify an upper limit of our giving; easy it seemed in the first century church when many sold all their possessions and gave cheerfully, But it seems much more difficult in this last century in the prosperous west. What has changed?

The heart has changed.

It is the Cheerful Giver the Lord Loves most.

2 Corinthians 9:6–8

6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Beloved, this is an experience that only those who are the Cheerful Giver of 2 Corintians 9 can testify to.

Those who were willing to give even their lives to the ministry of the Gospel. 

Those who, would even choose “rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season” (Heb 11:25), a passage referring to Moses, brought up in the home of the King of Egypt, with all that affords him of the glory of that earthly kingdom, yet “refused to be called the son of Pharaohs daughter”.

The “CHEERFUL GIVER”, Has experienced the grace that abounds, and now having all sufficiency in all things; NOT rich with possession, but rich with sufficiency in the possessions he has, is truly living the blessed life filled with joy.

PERSONAL TESTIMONY

I never want to go back to loving money as I did. 

Never content. Always fearful of the next bill. The Next big cost. Watching my pennies and failing to give to those in greater need than I was. 

To be content in whatever state and trusting in the Lord alone is THE KEY TO JOY and money has ALWAYS been the obstacle for me….sorry, THE LOVE OF MONEY was always my obstacle. 

Turn to;

1 Timothy 6:5–10

5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 

9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

The passage is 100% True. I know it, I knew it for some 20 years. 

Temptation, snare, hurtful lusts, through which I was truly drowned in destruction and perdition. 

Coveting this evil more than anything else, dreaming of money while awake and asleep. 

Reading books, listening to recordings, filling my mind day in and day out on how to get more of it, UNWILLING TO ALLOW A CENT TO PASS through my fingers without a ready account.

I knew the PRICE OF EVERYTHING but the value of NOTHING.

And was “pierced through with many sorrows”.

I don’t refer to my lost condition. This continued another 7 years into my salvation before I volunteered it up, and laid it at his cross.

What changed?

Really? What changed?

Hagia chapter 1.

My bag had more holes than lining.

God blew upon that which I had.

I had to sell tools just to put food on the table and pay my mortgage. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong. 

A car that was given to me broke down on the Calder Hwy near Taylors Lakes….and I just left it there. I had no money to fix it.

Were you giving to God?

10% every week.

How was this possible?

My heart still loved Money, and I chose to believe a lie. I was not “a cheerful giver”, I was a SPECULATOR and expected a return on my investment!

There you have the fourth way you can give; and the third way that is wrong and that testifies to God desiring your motive more that your money.

Not Grudgingly, not or necessity, nor as James 4:3 puts it, “that ye may consume it upon your lusts”.

The Cheerful giver is no longer in love with money and he testifies to it by action and not word. 

He is satisfied, filled with the grace of God in his life, and his life (as well as his ministry) abounds.

It is a matter of interest for us to consider something beloved respecting the Love of Money.

A few weeks ago brother Cody preached on the choice we have respecting the masters we serve, and there are only TWO noted. Money (Mammon) and God.

Have you ever thought about this? Have you ever given consideration as to the competing interests respecting these two options. 

From the Love of one stems “the root of all evil”

From the love of the other comes “grace and life abounding”

Though the ACTUAL ends differ diametrically, it is the expected ends we desire that is the same;

That which we seek for in money, we find in God.

We love money because we THINK it will bring happiness.

We love money because we THINK it will bring security.

We love money because we THINK it will bring all sufficiency

We think it was provide for all our needs.

Give us comfort.

Fill our hearts.

Bring contentment.

Build in us confidence in life.

Make us feel successful.

Able to show off our “blessings” to others.

Gives us something to talk about.

To teach about.

Makes us enviable.

Bring us friends and popularity.

Open doors that would otherwise be shut (or so it seems).

Money. Lots of money, will provide for everything we think we need.

What a fascinating competitor to God. 

We looked for much and it came to little, (Hag 1:9)

We look at the promises of Money and readily accept its deception and are willing even to comparatively hate our father, mother, wife, children, brethren and sisters (Lk 14:26) in the hope of its absolute attainment….

But for the CHEERFUL GIVER who chooses to serve the Lord

 God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Money (mammon) takes, while God gives!

And Multiply Your Seed Sown

2 Cor 9:8-12

8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. 12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; 

A few weeks ago, when giving consideration to the topic of Faith, I thought I would settle in one night in reading some of the accounts of the famous George Muller in the late 18th century England. The book was called;

“A Narrative of Some of the Lord’s Dealings with George Muller, Vol 4”.

If you don’t know anything about George Muller, and you really desire to grow in your faith, I suggest you begin with his Autobiography.

Anyhow, On the first page of this volume I stopped reading when I read this passage of the account on May 4th, 1874 respecting his record of the receipts that came to him by a person who referred to himself as “Needy”.

April 1. £100. from a shipowner, instead of insuring his vessels.—£100. from a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven.—From Wales £100., with £36. for the support of the Orphans, being the receipt on New Year’s Day in a house of business, carried on on the ready money system.

May 4. From “Needy,” £6. 4s. 1d. This donor gives month by month similar amounts, as God prospers him. About eight years ago he sent a few shillings, I think 4 or 5, but continued to send, under the name of “Needy,” these small amounts. After some time they were somewhat enlarged, and after a year or two they became much larger. Now he sends about £60. a year, in monthly instalments, always varying; no doubt as God prospers him.[1]

What we have here in the May 4th account is a perfect reflection of what we also have as a fulfilment of our passage in 2 Corinthians 9:10-12.

Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. 12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; 

Does it not seem reasonable to you that, if God were able to find a man (or woman) who’s heart is inclined to be a CHEERFUL GIVER, and give “as God hath prospered him”, that he would not also have him abound all the more KNOWING that he will continue to give that same portion?

Now here we have two other parts to add to our understanding of Giving and that which pertains to our being a “Cheerful Giver”, and adding to what we already learned conserving that “Upper limit” we spoke of.

1. It is a portion of our income, “as God prospered”, verse 7 again says, “ Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”.

2. That those who “minister seed to the sower, is able to multiply your seed sown”, in other words, God is able to “increase the fruits of your righteousness”.

Does it seem an incredible thing that God is, not only ABLE TO replace to you that which you HONOUR TO HIM FIRST, but also PROSPER YOU FURTHER that you may then give all the more????

Beloved, Until you are willing to think differently about the economy of God, until that day comes that you will finally stop thinking as the world thinks and realise that Gods words are TRUE and you are not only READING the Bible, but TRUSTING the Bible; such ABUNDANCE WILL NEVER COME YOUR WAY. 

This all abounds to the CHEERFUL GIVER who’s “is not conformed to this world, but has been transformed by the renewing of his mind” (Rom 12:2).

You who do give, (for this message is addressed to you as you are doing all you can to be faithful of the Lord), do you do so GRUDGINGLY, OF NECESSITY OR COVETOUSLY, OR DO YOU TRULY GIVE CHEERFULLY?

Beloved, when you come to give cheerfully, know that you become the object of his love in this matter, and all the fullness of satisfaction, contentment, grace and all sufficiently abounds to your account. 

Know that you are indeed the blessed of the Lord and should truly expect him to provide all your needs.

WHY? Because you cheerfully choose to honour him first. 

You have the same expectation as did that famous Pastor of the late 19th Century, George Muller. He was NEVER let down and had written copiously of his blessing to pass down to our generation.

Here we go, here we go in answering the final question of all. 

How much shall we Give to the work of the Lord?

We have our upper limit, do we not? “All that ye have”. 

We see this exampled also in the New Testament with both the widow’s mite; the selling and then giving of all the goods of the people together; the statement of Jesus to the Rich young ruler together with his promise of eternal riches (Jesus seemed more than a little confident that this was a reasonable exchange).

2nd: We have a knowledge also that it should be a proportion of how God has prospered us. We also know it ought to be set aside accordingly. It ought to be in honour to God FIRST, rather than our left overs. In other words, it should not be based on what we perceive to be from our abundance.

Thirdly: We recognised its principal in both proportion and faith, that is “a tenth” in the Old Testament. And so we glean from that the truth of “as God prospered him” as well as a genuine step of faith and trust, a tenth is not an insignificant amount. 

1/100th takes no faith, but 10/100 certainly takes some faith.

And so we come to answer that final question as discover that the Lord has left to us a FREEWILL choice and also a promise, that you may determine for yourself.

2 Corinthians 9:6–7

6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 

What do we do with that??????

We know the passage is speaking of Giving for the work of God, we see its context even in the next verse that forms the title of the sermon this morning;

7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

All of chapter 8 and chapter 9 is speaking of the same subject, so it is without question that the sowing and reaping refers to the sowing of our money and the reaping refers to all the blessing that is described as provided to him who is a cheerful giver.

You will note that is is not limited to money, but everything identified to in the passage.

As for me, I am even more happy with Grace and contentment, and having food and reinment, “always having all sufficiently in all things, that I might ABOUND TO EVERY GOOD WORK. O, give me this only and the money to another and I am in pure bliss and joy!

(We have seen through the years the development of GOVERNMENT to replace the BENEVOLENCE OF GOD. Just as the LOVE of Money anticipated all the blessings only God gives, so too many people now rely on GOVERNMENT to provide “all sufficiency in all things”) 

It is not beloved that we should not be paid for our work, for a labourer is indeed worthy of his wages”, but we truly wish more that we would be content and have need of nothing.  

Take a look at Paul’s writing to the church of Philippians as he speaks of their provision to HIS Labours;

Philippians 4:10–14

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

We ought to remember that Paul wrote this from a prison cell!

Beloved, like the people of Philipi, you ought to Give to support the work of the Gospel, to “communicate” your love of Christ through your physical provision for the work of Christ.

IF YOU BELEIVE THIS CHURCH IS MINISTERING THE WORK OF THE GOSPEL FAITHFULLY, if it is providing to you as much opportunity as possible to grow in the Lord, if it is active in the preaching of the gospel, if it is doing so both within and without, if it is doing all it can to build up and challenge its congregation to attend diligently to their prophesied “first Love”, and if the preacher is seen as faithful, labouring in the word of God…THEN YOU OUGHT TO BE A CHEERFUL GIVER IN THIS PLACE.

IF NOT, then please, find a Church that is and communicate to them your love and faithfulness to the Lord. 

BUT PASTOR, this still does not answer the question of HOW MUCH SHOULD A CHEERFUL GIVER GIVE?

The answer is found ONLY in this question; What is the value of the Gospel to you?

Maranatha

[1]. Müller, G. (1886) A Narrative of Some of the Lord’s Dealings with George Müller. London: J. Nisbet & Co., p. 1.

The post Faithfulness Pt 6 The Cheerful Giver appeared first on Hope Baptist Church.

Luke 17:11–19

11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: 13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. 14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. 17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? 18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. 19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

10th of March 2020 the Victorian Government released its Pandemic Plan.

11th of March 2020 the Vic Gov announced the creation of a State Control Center to oversee the plan.

15th of March the Vic Gov announced a $100 million package to boost the Health System capacity.

18th of March, another $6 for “homelessness” for ‘pop up accomodation’. And the first restrictions of gatherings to a maximum of 100 people indoors.

19th of March, the Vic Government announced almost half a billion dollars for the Health system to respond to the pandemic. 

On the 21st march, another $1.7 Billion dollar “Economic Survival Package” was anounced to pay for the disaster the Victorian Government were creating.

Between 22nd and 24th more packages were announced as the Government instituted economic and liberty Leprocy began to touch the entire population of Victoria.

Stage 2 restrictions began on the 25th of March. All “NON-Essential Services” temporarily closed. Brothels and Liquor dealers however, were permitted to trade as usual.

Over $2.5 billion dollars had been allocated in Victoria, when not even a single death from this Dangerous disease was recorded.

On the 26th of March, the first person in Victoria was recorded as dying “With Covid”.

4 days later the Captivity of Victorians began.[1]

It ended one year and 208 days later on 26th of October, 2021[2]

For over 500 days Victorians were treated like Lepers. 

Throughout this time many Christians, and especially the Christians who are members within this Church, God had done so many marvellous works and faith grew to levels in hearts that were wonderful to behold.

Christians sought out this small Church as a refuge and we attended to so many wonderful things and we saw God move in ways that we have never seen before during a single period of our lives.

But how many have returned to give glory to God?

How many have forgotten his wonderful works and have become apathetic in devotion and ministry? 

Tithing is a reflection of our dependance upon God, our acknowledgement of him, our devotion to him, our trust in him and our OBEDIENCE.

While there is little doubt there are many in this Church so young in their faith that they are not aware of this responsibility, and while there are some who are continually faithful in this work, there are also many who have long known of this doctrine who have long excused it, to whom the passage in Hosea seems most suited.

Over the next couple of sermons you will learn of the doctrine of Tithes and Offerings. You will learn of its institution as far back as the first descendants of Adam, and its continuance after the death, burial and resurrection of the Saviour that cured our own Leprosy, that washed our Sins completely away.

You will learn of Tithing as a practical giving of thanks, particularly in the New Testament and how it differs from the Old Testament.

The People of Judah were taken into captivity for 70 years, now, during the time of Hosea, they have been home for at least a decade and they had forgotten all his wonderful works.

Few indeed had returned to give Glory to God, and now his house and ministry lay waste.

A perfect Picture of modern Christianity in these Laodicean days.

My question to you this morning is how many of those in this Church, including its members, align with the heart of the Laodicean Church of this time?

How many are numbered with the apathy of Judah, to permit the house and ministry of the Lord to lay waste?

How many could be described with the 9 cleansed that will not return to live in thanksgiving? 

For those of you who already are faithful in this ministry, I ask that you be patient and also confident that your faithfulness is well placed and rewarded.

For those of you who have never understood or known the doctrine of Tithes and Offerings, I do pray you will desire to hear and learn of how the Lord sees it and how it affects our lives.

For those who have long known of the doctrine, and refused God this ministry, learn of how the Lord sees your faithlessness and repent.

Please know of my love for you as I preach this message this morning. 

Please know of Gods love as he rebukes many of you. His desire is that you will live your life trusting him by faith, for it is the key to Joy.

Let’s look at the passage again so we have it fresh in mind.

Haggai 1:1–11

1 In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, saying, 2 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the LORD’S house should be built. 3 Then came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying, 4 Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste? 5 Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. 6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. 7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. 8 Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD. 9 Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house. 10 Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit. 11 And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labour of the hands.

The people of Israel have been in captivity for seventy years and have recently returned to the Land and began attending to the work of the Lord and then stopped.

They began thankfully and rejoicingly, even crying with joy and blessing to the Lord as they laid the foundation of the House of the Lord when they first returned, saying in Ezra 3;

Ezra 3:11–12

11 And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. 12 But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:

But it did not take long before the zeal and thanks they had for the Lord had dried up and, rather than persist in giving for his work, they feathered their own nests and attended to their own wants and desires.

…This people say, The time is not come, the time that the LORD’S house should be built. (V2)

From the time of Abraham through to this very day there is a principle set for the people of God to give financially and provisionally for the work of the Lord. This has never changed. It was indeed for all people since the Time of Adams life, evidently a principle set since the time of the Fall of Mankind when everything changed.

Sadly, the nature of most of God people has ever changed. From the time of Israel’s deliverance, to after our own deliverance, little has changed in the hearts of the majority.

There are ALWAYS some who faithfully and continually give to the work of the Lord, and there are always those who give every excuse imaginable to avoid their responsibility in this effort; they say with the ancient Israelites;

The time is not come, the time that the LORD’S house should be built. (V2).

The gratefulness of the ancient people of God for releasing them from seventy years of captivity for their past sin and idolatry was soon forgotten, so too it is for the modern people of the Lord who’s captivity to sin and death, who’s Leprosy, has been washed away the blood of Jesus of Jesus Christ.

We see the doctrine specific to tithing first appear when Abraham met, who could ONLY be described as a pre-incarnate figure of Christ, in a man named Melchizedek.

Genesis 14:18–20

18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. 19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: 20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

This continued through Jacob, the father of the twelve tribes of Israel in Genesis 28 when he had a vision of a ladder that extended to heaven and he concluded;

Genesis 28:22

22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

After-which, the entire Levitical priesthood received of the people of God their respective gifts throughout their generations. We see this commanded in Leviticus 27, the “Tithe of the land” (v30), the tithe of redemption with another fifth added (v31), the tithe of the herd and flock(v32).

It goes on into the book of Numbers 18 and Deuteronomy 12, 14, 26, extending into 2 Chron 31 and even until they returned from captivity in Nehemiah 10, 12, 13, Amos 3, Malachi 3.

In those many passages are presented examples of the doctrine of the people.

BUT there is ALSO presented the consequence to the people. 

Both the blessing for faithfulness and CURSING for unfaithfulness are CLEARLY, not figuratively, not subjectively, not arbitrarily, but CLEARLY presented. The people had NO excuse.

As an example of this lets look back at our passage in Haggai.

Haggai 1:4-6

 4 Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste? 5 Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. 6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. 

The passage here tells us that, due to the unfaithfulness of the people in contributing to the House of the Lord, they seem to sow much, but bring in little.

All this energy, but not much fruit for all their labor. 

They eat, but never have enough, drink but aren’t filled, clothed but not warm.

Then suddenly this portion of the passage would hit them.

he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. 

It seems God has a way of “Garnishing” the wages of the people when they refuse to give voluntarily. 

The Court systems of nations have the power to take directly from the pay packets of employees both that which is owed + Interest penalties against all who refuse to pay their respective obligations.

Its seems to almost have its origin in Haggai.

Not only is their work unfruitful, but they have no ability to be satisfied with anything they attempt, they eat away their sorrows but its not enough, they drink away their emptiness but never filled, and no amount of clothing will satisfy the chill in their bones. Yet it’s not until they try to keep their wages in store that God tears a hole in their savings.

But the passage does not yet end.

9 Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house. 10 Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit. 11 And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labour of the hands.

ALL EXCUSE for putting off faithfulness come flooding back while God garnishes our desires. 

Haggai’s writing is quite different to the Pentecostal Prosperity Gospel. There are some truths there, but not here. In this passage God rebukes those who KNOW better but refuse to give to his purpose.

The first message in this series respecting Faith as being our ONLY Key To Joy, was to Honour Him First.

So it is for the people of God here.

Another passage refers to them by Gods perspective in a startling way.

Turn in your Bibles to;

Malachi 3:8–9

8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

In this passage it is clear that it is to Gods own people he lays this charge.

The people of God have long known of their obligation to give to the Lord that which was due him, but have refused. 

The charge is laid at the feet of all people of God, who, like a shoplifter, excuse to pay for goods and services rendered with all the same excuses;

– I can’t afford to pay the shop keeper for x

– The shop keeper can afford the loss of it.

– The shop keeper will never know.

– I don’t think the shop keeper should get this much for that service.

– I’ll pay with some biscuits and paper cups.

– I’ll work in his shop at the end of the day for 20 minutes….

– I’ll pay ANOTHER shop for the service and good, not the one I receive it from.

Exchange “the shop keeper” for God and we are not far off the similarity of rationality between a shoplifter and that of a recalcitrant Christian. 

Rebellious Christians have long given a multitude of excuses for not giving to the Lord. The smile to the Shop keeper and tell him how much they appreciate his service, while they steal that which is due him.

Jesus said of such people;

7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. Matthew 15:7–8

In the passage in Malachi, God perceives the present, true state of the heart that refuses to give to the Lord that which is due him, that characteristic is evidently one of a thief.

Quite incredible, and a little frightening. And yet at the same time it is truly difficult to deny the logic.

IT IS GODS MONEY

First of all we see in this passage Gods claim that it is HIS TITHES AND OFFERINGS they are refusing to give.

Verse 8, 8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

Clearly therefore, there is at the very LEAST a percentage of the increase in the financial receipts of Gods people that belong to God, BUT the people are retaining it for themselves.

God could justly lay claim on it all, for it was BY HIM they prosper. 

Turn to the New Testament, 1 Cor 16 for a direct reference.

1 Corinthians 16:1–2

1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

In the OLD Testament, the principal was established as a “Tithe”, that is, at least a tenth of all God has given to his people is to be return to him for his specific purpose.

Those who retained it are referred to by him as THIEVES, because they (quote) “Rob God”, rob him of what? “In tithes and offerings”.

So too is the expectation in the New Testament, but it is even more challenging than that of the Old, as it is not LIMITED to a tenth, and I will explain that in detail in the next sermon. 

In short, the Principle of Law is seen in the Old Testament, the establishment of appreciation and thanks is seen in the New Testament.

The point however remains, the Principal of Giving back to God A PROPORTION, “as God hath prospered him” writes Paul, continues in the New Testament to our day. 

Therefore beloved, it is equally true that those who robbed God in the Old Testament, also rob God in the New.

I know for many of you this is challenging, and though I do not wish to temper the tone of the text too much to placate you, you must understand that the logic applied by God in the passage is the exact SAME LOGIC YOU APPLY in your own lives when you feel (quote) “Ripped OFF”.

How often have you checked your pay packet to ensure ALL the hours are accounted AND PAID FOR? 

A year ago this month, one million people protested in the streets of France when the Government stretched the retirement pension an additional 2 years from 62 to 64 years of age. WHY? Because they believed the Government was stealing their “Entitlements”.

Tell me beloved, why is it just for you and I to get angry when people steel from us that which is rightfully due, but not just for God to charge us with robbing from him?

If we are so ready to charge with sin, sinful agencies who care ONLY for their OWN profit, how much more right does God have who desires a return to him a PROPORTION OF that which he has PROSPERED YOU?

We do have a thief in the New Testament that THIEVED FROM GOD even more blatantly, and it is worth seeing if there are ANY similarities in attitude.

turn to;

John 12:4–6

4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him, 5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? 6  This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

Here is the thief among Gods people who complains to God how he should spend his money. 

I have spoken to Pastors even in the last few months respecting this very same tendency, that those who WILL NOT GIVE to God ALSO tend to have the loudest voices against how the Church should spend its money. 

There is no doubt the thieves of the Old Testament also hypocritically complain about how the assembly uses that for which they do not contribute.

Malachi 3:8–9

8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

“Cursed”. Here the passage in Malachi we have a meeting with our passage in Haggai.

This brings me to my final point, and the title of this sermon. Bags With Holes.

Beloved, it is time to think differently.

We have forgotten the blessing we have been so wonderfully blessed with. We have experienced the cure of our Leprosy and now we see the world through the TRUTH and REALITY of all that the Bible teaches.

All that we see around us today confirms the Bible as true, is not all that pertains to our money ALSO TRUE?

Now, far too many are putting their wages into bags with holes. God is able to close those holes, but before he does so we ought to honour him first.

Haggai 1:5-6

5 Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. 6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. 

In verse 9 the Lord testifies that the ALL people expected to bring home and keep for themselves would be blown away;

9 Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it.

Verses 10 and 11 he restrains the dew and restricts the earth from bringing forth of her fruit, even more than what was restricted after the fall in Genesis 3 it would seem. But MORE than that in verse 11, he calls for a drought, but not only upon the land, upon the corn and wine, the oil and even on men and cattle and last of which, “upon all the labour of the hands”,the implication related directly to your ability either to work, or to find work. 

To deny any gain in employments they may seek after, God sends a DROUGHT!

Whether that be due to poor health or poor economics, or the GOVERNMENT restricting their opportunities; whatever the means the Lord employs, he will employ to make the robber Malachi speaks of, pay for his theft of the Lord.

You and I are seriously limited in our ability to make the thief pay, God is not.

But PLEASE understand, the LORD does not purpose to impoverish, but to bless. 

The Lord desires repentance and it grieves him, as it does ANY father or mother when they chastise those they love. They desire hearts turned again and when the heart turns back to the Lord; he BLESSES THEM WITH ABUNDANCE.

We will indeed talk more about this blessing to encourage you in the next message. The ‘Instruction in righteousness’ portion of this topic is next, but for now we needed to hear the “doctrine, the reproof, and the correction” before “the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim 3:16-17) 

Though wages may now be placed into a bag with holes, there is within both passages of Haggai and Malachi the opportunity of blessing for faithfulness to all who repent.

We turn to the most serious of the passages we read this morning, that for which God has inferred thievery might encourage us most.

Turn to;

Malachi 3:10–12

10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. 12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.

Beloved, this is the principle of Tithing, and these are results of both unfaithfulness and faithfulness, this is both the doctrine and the reproof and the correction.

Fallow ground needs to be broken up before it is suited to planting that which will bear good fruit. 

Keys need to be cut before they are suited to unlocking a door, The Key to Joy is Faith. 

I only pray the the fallow ground of your hearts have been broken up a little this morning, that you might bare fruit. I truly do pray that the KEY of FAITH may have come a good way to being properly cut in you, that you may learn what real JOY is.

My calling to you dear brethren is not to keep you comfortable. I did not begin this Church seven years ago to placate and fluff the pillows of sleeping Christians. I do not side with the 9 who refused to give God thanks and I pray I never will.

For God has no desire to diminish your life, but to increase it…

Jesus said, in John 10:10;

I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Stop putting your wages into a bag with holes, and learn the pure JOY that comes from trusting Jesus with ALL THAT YOU HAVE.

Be the ONE that turns around to always give God thanks. He not only preserved us through an evil captivity, but cured us all from the Leprosy of sin..

AMEN

{$NOTE_LABEL}. https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp2021/Chronologies/COVID-19StateTerritoryGovernmentAnnouncements

{$NOTE_LABEL}. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/oct/17/victoria-covid-update-melbourne-lockdown-to-end-on-friday-as-state-reaches-70-vaccination-rate

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