RLCF Sermons

Paul offers this final caution to Timothy as he closes his first letter to him — beware of riches! The greatest enemy of godliness is wealth! When Jesus returns in glory He will separate the world into: goats — those who loved Mammon and spent their lives acquiring riches for themselves on this earth; sheep — those who loved God and spent their lives acquiring riches for themselves in heaven by doing good to others (Matthew 25:31-46, I Timothy 6:18-19). The love of money will turn your zeal for God into legalism. The Pharisees were an example of this (Luke 16:14). The love of money will turn you from being a co-worker with God to a deserter. Demas is an example of this (II Timothy 4:10). The love of money will turn your church with all its revelation on spiritual truths, ministries, perseverance, discernment, etc., into one from which Jesus removes His light. The church in Ephesus is an example of this (Ephesians, Revelation 2:2,5). The only people about whom Jesus said it is very hard for them to enter the kingdom of God is the rich! A rich man: fixes his hope on riches which are uncertain; is proud, arrogant, and contemptuous of others; lives for this present” world, acquiring things for himself, praying “my kingdom come, my will be done”; lives a life that leads to death (Luke 12:13-21); (I Timothy 6:17-18). A man rich toward God: fixes hope on God, Who is certain; is rich in good deeds toward others; lives for the world to come; lives a life that leads to life indeed (I Timothy 6:18-19). The richest person in heaven is the one who obeyed the Father the most in doing good and being generous (I Timothy 6:18-19). If there is a lack of blessedness and joy in your life, it’s because you still like to get things more than you like to give (Acts 20:35). If you claim to be born again but continue to willfully live with Self as the center of your “universe”, rather than Christ, then you are deceiving yourself! Jesus is building His Church today out of disciples who can say, like He did, “The Prince of this world is coming and He has nothing in Me” (John 14:30) Jesus is not looking for rich businessmen who will go into partnership with Him, but for disciples who have forsaken all to follow Him. Your love for God will grow cold when your love for His opposite (Mammon) grows hotter!

Who will see God?: the pure in heart (Matthew 5:8); those who have pursued sanctification (Hebrews 12:14); those who love one another (I John 4:12); etc. Revelation is to the eternal, what sight is to the natural. We see throughout God’s dealings with His people that His purpose has always been to give Man eternal rest (Exodus 33:14; Hebrews 4:9). The “wise and intelligent” find rest in earthly things and therefore never come to the place of being spiritually weary and heavy-laden. The “babes” are those who have grown weary of the earthly and come to Jesus for rest (Matthew 11:25,28). Most of the world is too “wise and the intelligent” to see that the easiest and most exciting life is the way of being yoked to Jesus in gentleness and humility (Matthew 11:25-30). “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me! Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to have real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30 MSG)

Paul repeatedly exhorts Timothy, a man of God, that the godliness of our life must correspond to the doctrine we preach (I Timothy 5:7,14, 6:1-3). God’s Name is reproached most by Christians who preach the doctrine, but don’t demonstrate godliness in their everyday life. The Immorality of the Workplace: The immorality of the workplace is this mindset: “What I do to earn a living isn’t important to God. So: I will do as little work as possible for as much money as possible.” The consequence of an immoral attitude toward work is that: we avoid work as much as possible (II Thessalonians 3:10); work loses its purpose because it’s only a means to an end; we think that work is of the world, so we treat it as a place of compromise. John Wesley taught: “Earn all you can (I Thessalonians 4:10-12)… save all you can (I Timothy 5:8)… give all you can (II Corinthians 9:6-8).” The Idolatry of the Workplace: The idolatry of the workplace is this mindset: “Money is my god. So: I make all of my life’s decisions based on how they will impact my opportunities to make more money.” When dealing with mammon, remember: even if you buy it, you still don’t own it (I Corinthians 10:26); learn to be content with food, clothing, shelter (I Timothy 6:8); even God took a rest from His work (Genesis 2:2-3). You can tell a dog’s master by whom he responds to. So also, you can tell a man’s master by whom he responds to (Matthew 6:24)! If you’re anxious, it is a sure sign that you love money (Matthew 6:24-25). Work was a part of God’s plan before the Fall (Genesis 2:15). Mankind is designed to work, because we are created in the image of the Master Workman (Genesis 2:2-3). God shows us the process for work in Genesis 2: He creates (v4), we cultivate (v5), He causes the growth (v9). If you are bored with or complain about your work here on earth, you will be out of place in heaven.

The way God establishes authority in the church is the exact opposite of the “pyramid schemes” used by the world to establishes authority in its organizations (Marks 9:35, 10:44). Jesus set us the ultimate example of how to be a ruler in God’s kingdom by humbling himself to the point of death (Philippians 2:5-9). The church needs plurality of elders for leadership because: the elders must set an example of submission to the flock, by submitting to each other; there must be a balance of vision and administration through the elders; the elders must share the burden of responsibility, lest they burn out; the elders must have accountability; this is the example that the apostles set out in the first century. 1. Elders must rule well (I Timothy 5:17). 2. Elders must live above reproach, because they incur the greater judgment from God (I Timothy 5:19). This is also why an accusation of an elder by an individual must never be received. 3. Elders must instill the fear of God in the church by rebuking sin (I Timothy 5:20). 4. Elders must be impartial (I Timothy 5:21). 5. Elders must keep free from every appearance of sin (I Timothy 5:22). 6. Elders must not be legalistic (I Timothy 5:23). 7. Elders must fight against every form of hypocrisy (I Timothy 5:24-25). Once someone chooses to submit to authority in the church, they must obey their leaders. The elders then have responsibility for those who submit to them (Hebrews 13:17). Elders must be considered worthy of double honor. God gives permission to those who preach the gospel to earn their living from it. Those who, like Paul, understand their obligation to the gospel, and are under compulsion, as having stewardship before God, will not use the right to earn a living from the gospel so that they cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ (I Corinthians 9:12-17).

If you are serious about building the Body of Christ, God will give you family that is closer than your own immediate family. The gate into the church must never be anything other than this : have you forsaken all to follow Jesus Christ? When the church begins to help people without truly ascertaining whether there is a genuine need, the result is that people become: idle, house wanderers, gossips and busybodies, given to wanton pleasure; this brings reproach to the name of Christ (I Timothy 5:3,6-7,11-13). This is the danger of the “social gospel”. All human compassion is as far away from the compassion of God as heaven is above the earth (Isaiah 55:9). The secret to seeing the practical needs of people around us met, is to get them gripped with the message of being a disicple of Jesus Christ. The reason Jesus was able to accomplish everything that He was suppposed to do even in the short 33 years, is because He only did what the Father commanded — no less, no more. Jesus is the perfect example that if we walk in step with the Father through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can accomplish within our lifetime, everything that the Father has intended for us to do on earth. As a church it is vital for us to be sure that the work we are doing is that of gold, silver, and precious stones (I Corinthians 2:12-13) — that it is from God, through God, and to God (Romans 11:36). Before someone receives assistance from the church he/she must: have a good testimony in marriage and home, have a reputation in good works, have shown hospitality, have been a servant to the church, have assisted those in distress, have devoted themselves to every good work; this gives the enemy no occasion for reproach (I Timothy 5:9-10,14). Before a church provides assistance to someone we must remember the Scriptural principle that immediate family has the first responsibility: children must provide for needy parents, and parents provide for needy children (I Timothy 5:4,16). When we provide for our immediate family, it’s an indication of our fear of God, and it pleases God (I Timothy 5:4). The “Corban” mentality (Mark 7:6-13) will cause you to neglect the responsibility that you have to your immediate family. Such a person has disowned the faith and is worse than an unbeliever (I Timothy 5:8). When will the Devil want you to read the Bible? When doing so prevents you from doing that other thing that God wants you to do! This is how he comes as an angel of light. If you are a person requiring assistance from the church: fix your hope on God, and continue in entreaties and prayers night and day (I Timothy 5:5). If you truly believe the church is your family, you will: treat church resources as if they are your own; be frugal with church money so that genuine needs can be met; be a steward who is both faithful (not cheating) and wise (not wasting).

There are ‘Santa Claus’ Christians, ‘Plan B’ Christians, and ‘Abandon’ Christians. Which one are you? You can count on this. Take it to heart. This is why we’ve thrown ourselves into this venture so totally. We’re banking on the living God, Savior of all. Cultivate these things. Immerse yourself in them. Keep a firm grasp on both your character and your teaching. Don’t be diverted. Just keep at it. Both you and those who hear you will experience salvation. (I Timothy 4:9-10, 15-16 MSG) When you start to act out of fear – because of your expectations (that others will fail you) or your reputation (that you’ll look like a fool), you will then start to make excuses to fulfill your physical needs (money, health, etc.); your emotional needs (past hurts, loss, sorrow, etc.); and your relational needs (family, friends, etc.) – Luke 9:57-62. This is the path to becoming a ‘Plan B’ Christian. Paul become an ‘Abandon’ Christian after receiving this commission from Jesus: “Wake up! I have spoken to you for this purpose: to appoint you as an ambassador – of the things which you have already seen, and the things which I will yet show you. While delivering you from the world, I am sending you to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the dominion of Satan to God, in order that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance among all the others who have been made pure by faith in Me.” Paul served the church in Ephesus with complete abandon (Acts 20:13-38). “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear… we love because He first loves us” (I John 4:18-19). We abandon ourselves to Him because He first abandoned Himself to us.

Our mission at RLCF: Building a local church as an expression of the Body of Christ. 1: The Holy Spirit is looking for spiritual virgins — ones who are absolutely chaste — through whom He can form the Body of Christ (Luke 1:26). 2: The Body of Christ is conceived only by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35-37). 3: The Body of Christ is formed through those who have the attitude of a bondslave (Luke 1:38-55). The local church must be propagating “Christ-mas” (Christ’s mission) every day through the lives of its members. It is as impossible for you to build the Body of Christ, as it was for Mary to conceive Jesus on her own. The Holy Spirit must do it! To be a bondslave is to bear the “reproach of Christ” – that means: not identifying with the world; choosing to endure ill-treatment with the people of God; valuing the reproache of Christ more than money (Hebrews 11:24-26). You know the Body of Christ is truly being formed through you, when you can rejoice in the benefit others will get from your sacrifice (Luke 1:46-55, Phil. 2:3-8) and suffer inconvenience without complaining (Luke 2:35).

The deadliest form of evil to beware of, is that which has the appearance of good. The deception of a demonic doctrine is that it appears to lead you toward holiness, but eventually leads you astray. The Devil is a smart enemy. Demon-possession is repulsive. Demon-teaching, however, is attractive to the flesh, it tickles the ear. What the Serpent offered Adam and Eve was evil in the appearance of godliness. There is a “being like God in knowing good and evil” that will kill you (Genesis 3:4,5,22). The Devil’s deception is to present a way to “godliness” that still allows you to live for your Self. If we believe his lie, we end up with a form of godliness, but lacking real power against him. It’s like trying to fight him with a paper sword. When you try to earn godliness by offering God something other than the sacrifice He desire — i.e., your body as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1) — then you’re trying to offer a “replacement sacrifice”, which He cannot accept. There is only one sacrifice that God accepts now — the perfect sacrifice of His Son Jesus. So, you must be united with Jesus in His death in order for God to accept your body as a living sacrifice. “Just as you trusted Christ to save you, trust Him, too, for each day’s problems; live in vital union with Him” (Colossians 2:6 TLB). Not the labor of my hands can fulfill Thy law’s demands; could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow; all for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and Thou alone. Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross I cling; naked, come to Thee for dress; helpless look to Thee for grace; foul, I to the fountain fly; wash me, Savior, or I die. Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee.

Jesus was made lower than the angels so that He might deliver us human beings (who had fallen lower than the angels) from slavery (Hebrews 2:5-18). Jesus appeared on earth for the sake of you and redeemed you with His precious blood. Now, if you call Him Father, be holy like Him, and live your whole life in fear. (I Peter 1:15-19) If you can sin casually, you haven’t seen the real value of the blood of Jesus, that it is far more valuable than even gold and silver. (I Peter 1:18-19) If you want the devil and his agents to be upset at you, proclaim that Jesus is standing at the right hand of God. Be warned, however, that it might kill you! (Acts 7:56-60) A Jesus at the right-hand of the Father is greater than a Jesus on earth (John 14:12). The secret to coming to an overcoming life is to come boldly to God’s throne to ask for mercy and grace in your time of need (Hebrews 4:14-16), knowing that Jesus is seated at the right-hand of that throne of power (Luke 22:69, Mark 16:19), and that He is making intercession on your behalf because He can sympathize with your weakness (Romans 8:34). Jesus has already Himself been glorified. But, when He returns He will be glorified in the persons of His Holy ones (II Thessalonians 2:9-12).

God wants our love more than anything else. So, He has hidden the deeper mysteries of Himself, to see if we will search them out (Proverbs 25:2). The secret to living a godly life is getting revelation that Jesus Christ came in flesh like mine. This is the revelation that Jesus, as God, lived on earth as a man, facing all the types of temptations we face (Hebrews 2:17-18) and was proved spotless and pure in spirit (Hebrews 4:15). The secret to freedom from sin is grace (Romans 6:14). Jesus never sinned because He was under grace — from birth (Luke 2:40), to death (Hebrews 2:9).When God said, “If you [disobey] you will die”, the Devil deceived with, “You shall surely not die” (Genesis 3:3-4). Likewise, when God says, “If you live after the flesh you will die” (Romans 8:13), the Devil deceives many so-called believers with the same lie that they will not die. Most churches are preaching this “another Jesus” (II Corinthians 11:3-4). The reason God called you is to follow Jesus’ example of godliness on earth (I Peter 2:21-25). That’s far greater than His simply calling you to forgive your sins! To truly follow Jesus is to live with the same mentality that He had when He lived on earth, that I can’t afford to sin even once, I can’t afford to be outside of the Father’s Will for even one second. To live like Jesus lived you must be as desperate for that life of holiness as Jesus was — He cried out with loud crying and tears and feared God (Hebrews 5:7). When we neglect the mystery of godliness and disobey God it results in spiritual deafness. If we progress down that part we won’t be able to hear the Spirit speaking anymore (Hebrews 5:11). Having received revelation on the mystery of godliness, when we obey God in faith, He will establish us (Romans 16:25-27).