By Wayne Jackson
The Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard once raised the question as to what would happen if there were no preachers. He concluded that the only thing remaining would be the lives of Christians. And so he wondered: “What kind of sermon would you be preaching?” A poet once expressed it somewhat like this: You are preaching a gospel day by day; by the things you do and the words you say. These may be many, or maybe just few; but say, what is the gospel according to you? What does the world see as they observe the children of God? I would like to suggest the following. Calmness In a world that seems to be coming apart at the seams, the Christian needs to radiate calmness. Someone has written: Said the Robin to the Sparrow: “I would really like to know, why these anxious human beings rush around and worry so.” Said the Sparrow to the Robin: “I think that it must be, that they have no heavenly Father such as cares for you and me.” Do we live in fear? Are we constantly fretting over material things? We should “relax” in the Lord and enjoy our Christian lives. People can tell whether we are contented or not. We ought not to portray a frustrated image. Courtesy In his letter to the church at Philippi, Paul admonished: “Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice. Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand [near by]” (Phil. 4:4-5). The term “forbearance” (ASV), or “moderation” (KJV) is probably obscure to many. The rendition “reasonableness” (ESV) is some better. I like the expanded “sweet reasonableness” which expresses the meaning of the original. The idea is that of courtesy or graciousness. Unfortunately, some people are known as professional grumps. They are ever poised to “tell off” someone—the waitress, the bank clerk, the grocery checker. I was visiting in the South a few years ago (where people generally are known for excellent manners). A gentleman invited my wife and me out for an evening meal. He was so belligerent and rude to the waitress that I was greatly embarrassed. I seriously questioned his spirituality. Compassion It was said of Christ, on a number of occasions as he saw the crowds in distress, that he had “compassion” on them. The Greek word for compassion is related to a term that has reference to one’s inner organs. Metaphorically it denotes a deep inner feeling for someone. When we see folks suffering, we should feel for them and strive to help them as we are capable. When we see the bereaved, do we “feel” their pain—as much as one can for another? It seems the world is growing increasingly cold. The problem is not global warming; it’s global cooling. It’s a dog-eat-dog environment (significantly undergirded by the evolutionary philosophy). We cannot help everyone of course; nor can we solve all the world’s problems. The Christian does need to show compassion in his daily demeanor. Courage John F. Kennedy wrote a book titled Profiles in Courage, in which he applauded this quality. Courage is a virtue. David once said to the Lord: “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you” (Psa. 56:3). The noblest courage of all is that derived from faith in God. Courageousness is not pugnaciousness. It is not the disposition that is loud-mouthed, or that runs over others. Courage is quiet confidence while doing what is right. Courage is a quality people admire; it is not that of which they are fearful or that by which they are intimidated. Yes, people are seeing your sermons every day. Make sure they are clear and meaningful for good. When folks observe your life as a truly Christian sermon, they may just want to hear about what it is you have—that they might need! Scripture References Philippians 4:4-5; Psalm 56:3
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By: Brian A. Yeager
Are you counting on others to tell you when you are right or wrong with the Lord? Do you think if no one is correcting you that you must be doing everything right? Have you considered that people may not see in you, what you know about yourself? Have you considered that others may be more involved in their own self-examination than to think about everything you say or do? I am not trying to downplay the importance of brethren correcting one another. If a brother or sister errs, we are commanded by God to correct them (Galatians 6:1-2 and James 5:19-20). We do have a responsibility toward the salvation of one another (Hebrews 3:12-13). However, your salvation is not everyone else’s primary concern. The word of God says: “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). The Apostle Paul could not be everywhere all of the time. He wrote epistles. He sent evangelists (I Corinthians 4:17, Philippians 2:19-23, etc.). He made it a significant goal to see brethren but was often hindered (i.e. I Thessalonians 2:18). In his absence, as we have read, he instructed the brethren to work out their own salvation. No person, including the beloved Apostles, could ever personally make sure any other person was fully faithful to God. No one can be in your life and mind 24/7, except you (I Corinthians 2:11)! The word of God tells us the following: “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway… But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another” (I Corinthians 9:27 and Galatians 6:4). You need to first be concerned about your soul, as I too must have my soul as my first concern. Frankly, you cannot even begin to teach another if your life isn’t right anyway, for that is the sin of hypocrisy (Matthew 7:1-5). Brethren, we must take the time to be critical judges of ourselves. Judging Ourselves In a context wherein Paul was teaching about the proper observation of the Lord’s Supper (I Corinthians 11:16-34), we read this: “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world” (I Corinthians 11:31-32). The inspired Apostle Paul showed the way for us as Christians not to be condemned by the Lord. The instruction, as you have read, is to judge ourselves. We should be able to search and try our ways (Lamentations 3:40). If we are failing, we need to urgently turn back to God (Psalms 119:59-60). Words, which show us how much thinking is involved, are important. Consider what it means to “consider yourself” (Haggai 1:5 and Haggai 1:7). However, what about people who are strangers to themselves? Know Yourself Some people do not know who they are, whose they are, and what they are. Some have convinced themselves that they are someone different than who they really are (Proverbs 30:12-13 and Galatians 6:3). So, knowing yourself is going to start with being honest with yourself. Can you step back and consider your ways without putting a spin on what you see in yourself? If you can take an honest look at yourself, using the Scriptures as a mirror that will reveal the real you (James 1:21-25), think of how that can help you properly judge yourself. Who can know you, better than you, outside of God? Obviously, no one can know you better than you if you are honest with yourself. Consider, for a moment, an application to this point. If you have internal concerns about your spiritual well being, what does that tell you? Here is the Scriptural answer to that question: “For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God” (I John 3:20-21). One passage of Scripture on this subject matter has, for a long time, stuck in my mind. The Psalmist said: “Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still” (Psalms 4:4). Another Psalm speaks in a similar manner. Notice: “I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search” (Psalms 77:6). Think about what it means to “commune with your own heart”. The Hebrew word used there appears 4338 times in the Old Testament (Strong’s # 559). It is translated, in different ways, such as “said”, “speak”, “command”, “tell”, etc. Therefore, we are left to understand these verses show one needs to communicate with him/herself. In the New Testament we read: “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates” (II Corinthians 13:5)? There are a lot of things to consider in this one verse. First, self-examination is the point we have been addressing throughout this whole study. Secondly, knowing whether or not you are in the faith. Most are deceived in this point alone (Matthew 7:21-23 and II Timothy 3:13). Then, we found we are to prove [test] ourselves (Ephesians 5:10). It is amazing to me how many realize they are to test others (Matthew 7:15-20 and I John 4:1), but they do not apply such to themselves. Don’t be that person! Then, we read Paul question if they knew their own selves. Think on that for a moment. Put that question to yourself. Do you know you? If you have not examined yourself, communed with your heart, and opened the Scriptures up as mirror to see the true spiritual state of yourself; what are you waiting for? The Parable of the Lost Son (Luke 15:11-32) shows a man who came to himself and returned to his father. What if your “wake up” moment is too late? Know who you are, whose you are, and what you are (I John 3:1-10). Conclusion We are all INDIVIDUALLY going to stand before the Lord on the Day of Judgment (Romans 14:11-12). We are all INDIVIDUALLY going to be judged based about our actions during this life (II Corinthians 5:10). You have the standard we will be judged by (John 12:48). Use that standard in the here and now so that you are not condemned there and then! By: Brian A. Yeager
We often consider how we will be judged for the things we do and the things we fail to do (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, Matthew 25:1-46, John 5:28-29, and II Corinthians 5:10). Thinking along those lines are right. However, sometimes we are too limited in our thinking. We can consider what God wants and doesn’t want us to do. We can consider what rewards and punishments we could receive. What if we don’t consider though the immediate responsibilities we have and the immediate consequences of failure in those things. Consider, from the following inspired statements, that God has trusted us with something very important: “But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts… O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen” (I Thessalonians 2:4 and I Timothy 6:20-21). We are not Apostles. What Paul stated about being trusted with the Gospel doesn’t directly apply to us. Paul, as an Apostle, was an ambassador for Christ with authority to speak on His behalf (II Corinthians 5:20). We are not ambassadors for Christ and have no authority to speak for Him. Yet, one thing we do have in common with the Apostles, as the body of Christ, is that we have been entrusted with the word of God. The church is the pillar and ground of the truth (I Timothy 3:15). Therefore, the things stated by Paul and about Timothy being trusted with the Gospel apply to us in similar ways. Like Paul, we are earthen vessels that carry the word of God (II Corinthians 4:7). No other group of people on earth currently has that task. Consider that for a moment or two. What pressing, current ramifications, are there if we fail at the task God has entrusted us with? Without a faithful congregation on the earth, where would people look to for a group of people that have the truth (I Thessalonians 1:7-8)? The work of teaching the Gospel to the lost certainly requires having faithful evangelists (II Timothy 2:2, II Timothy 4:1-5, and Titus 1:1-3). Yet, without faithful congregations, there would be no evangelists at work. The Scriptures teach that local churches sent (Acts 13:1-4 and Acts 15:40-41) and supported evangelists (I Corinthians 9:1-14, II Corinthians 11:8, and Philippians 4:11-17). Faithful preachers need faithful congregations. In addition to the needs of preachers, consider the needs of Christians physically and spiritually. Without a faithful congregation on the earth, with whom would someone assemble to properly worship the Lord (Hebrews 10:23-25)? The local church edifies and comforts the faithful (Ephesians 4:16 and I Thessalonians 5:11-14). The local church also helps truly needy saints (I Corinthians 16:1-4). If we fail, those immediate needs are not met. If We Fail With What We Are Entrusted To Do Since the body of Christ is the pillar and ground of the truth (again; I Timothy 3:15). We are, in a sense, stewards of the word of God. We have been entrusted to uphold and support the truth. As people trusted with a task of management, such as a steward, it is required of us to be faithful (I Corinthians 4:1-2). Now, that goes far beyond just teaching the truth. We can teach the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth; and still be found unfaithful (Revelation 2:1-7). If we (collectively and individually) are not sound in living the truth, what good is there in teaching the truth? Let’s say we teach a person the unadulterated truth of the Gospel. That person is converted to Christ. Yet, we are hypocrites in that we say the right things but do not do them (Romans 2:1-29). Where is this new convert going to worship? Isn’t he or she expected to assemble with faithful saints (Acts 20:7)? What happens to this new convert when they have fellowship with us if we are erring in the faith (II John 1:9-11)? If we (collectively and individually) are not properly walking in Christ, how do we even have the right to teach the truth? Doesn’t any time of unfaithfulness among us need to be spent fixing ourselves (Matthew 7:1-5)? If we are busy doing that (James 5:19-20), how are we succeeding in being a faithful group of people to look to for the truth and for fellowship in Christ? Are we succeeding, if we are fixing our sins, in helping others to be right with God? Clearly, the answer is NO! If we (collectively and individually) are not learning and growing spiritually, how can we be looked to for answers? Our Bible studies often emphasize personal growth (II Peter 3:18), but if we only focus on personal growth we are missing our task as vessels of the truth. People need to be able to look to us for answers. They should not look at us and get more questions because of ignorance on our behalf. They should see people that are fruitful and increasing in knowledge (Colossians 1:10). In addition to that, they should see people who live what they preach. Paul instructed Timothy to be an example of believers (I Timothy 4:12). That point does not only apply to evangelists (Philippians 2:14-16 and I Peter 2:9). If we fail in these things, we do more than just fail ourselves. If we fail to do what God has trusted us to do as His people we fail everyone. We fail to build on the foundation left to us by the faithful before us (Ephesians 2:19-22). As we’ve already covered, we fail all the lost people of the present. We also fail the next generation. My children, your children, etc. are all depending on us to carefully continue to build (I Corinthians 3:9-11) on the faithful foundation of old. Whether or not this congregation exists in five years, ten years, fifty years, etc. (assuming the world still stands); depends on whether or not we do what God has trusted us to do. Conclusion This subject matter is one I have harped on locally. I don’t plan on stopping. Much more can and needs to be said. It is selfish to just think of ourselves when we consider salvation. The faithful are not selfish concerning salvation (Romans 9:1-3). Our unselfish service to God and our fellow man means we have to accept the responsibilities God has given us and we need to fulfill them. Let’s be careful to maintain good works (Titus 3:8 and Titus 3:14). In Mt. 6:33 Jesus stated in the great sermon on the Mount, “But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” What is the context for this statement?
In Mt. 6:19-34 the whole point is made. (v.19) “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal; (v20) but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (v21) for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also.” Here Jesus teaches a lesson on the heart which emphasises the importance of one’s heart toward God and the most important thing in life, what man was put on earth for. Too many peo;e are interested in carnal things of life. Jesus teaches the spiritual things such as treasures in heaven are much more important. Carnal things don’t last long compared to spiritual things which are for eternity. Too many people seem to think riches are the most important thing in life, much more important than the spiritual things like serving God and growing spiritually. Mt. 6:33 plainly teaches to put the spiritual FIRST. Few believe it, however, and do not believe it denies what Jesus said. V.24, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”; Some may try to serve two masters equally, but it is impossible. The verse teaches you love one MORE than the other. Which is it, GOD or MAMMON (def. “riches”)? As our children grow up we need to teach them WHICH is the more important, and we do that by being an example to them of which really is the more important. GOD! (v25) “Therefore I say unto you, be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, which ye shall put on. Is not the life more than the food, and the body than the raiment? (v.26) Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value than they? This teaches the providence of God. If we love God and keep his commandments, God will surely care for us. God cares for the birds and we are more important than birds. In Psa. 37:25, David made this observation. “I have been young, and now am old; Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread.” This implies God’s providence for His people. v28, “For the lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever; but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.” This again shows how God loves His saints. In Romans 1:6-7, “among whom are ye also, called to be Jesus Christ’s: to all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be SAINTS; Grace to you and peace from God or Father and Lord Jesus Christ.” When we put God first in our lives, it seems the Bible teaches God will be with us and things will work out to have faithful lives serving God and a good life in this world. God loves the whole world Jn. 3:16. TRUTH IN LOVE, Vol. 6, No. 12 December, 2013 John King
There is an old saying that those who do not learn from the mistakes of the past are doomed to repeat them. I would add that those who do not learn from the mistakes of the present are doomed to commit them, also. Consider this: Teachers, today, are expected both to teach and to raise our children. Such things as family values, courtesy, work ethics, and many other responsibilities of parents now fall on the shoulders of educators. Parents feel that the paying of school taxes relieves them of much responsibility. Similarly, in Ephesians 6:4, Paul says that fathers are to raise their children in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Parents always have had the individual responsibility of teaching their children the word of God. However, this responsibility has been “bought off” also. Today, many parents hold the congregation responsible for educating their children. I once heard a parent state, “My kids have been coming to this congregation for several years and haven’t learned a thing.” A responding elder reminded them that the congregation was just supplemental Bible study and that the main classroom was at home. Again, similarly, how many Christians have “bought off” their individual responsibilities by the hiring of a preacher? In the New Testament, I see congregations being started by Paul and others. Paul then moved on, sometimes leaving a helper behind for a short time only. Then, the congregation with its elders would grow and prosper through their own efforts. We do not read of located preachers as we have today. I am sure we preachers today have a role to play in the kingdom of God, but I am equally sure that we cannot be used to relieve Christians of their personal responsibilities. |
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