The Believer's Sacrifice

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The Believer’s Sacrifice

Hebrews 13:15-16 (NKJV) Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Introduction:

Every year I have tried to use this Sunday before Thanksgiving as a time to focus on giving thanks to God, and to include the communion celebration of thanks for the salvation provided by our Lord and Savior.

Today we again offer our thanks to God for His wonderful plan of redemption. I trust that the Lord will speak to us as we look into His Word for a little while and then share the emblems of His suffering in our communion service.

There’s a little story about a young boy that attended a birthday party for his friend, Johnny Smith. When he returned home, his mother did what all moms do, she asked him if he remembered to thank Mrs. Smith for the fun and the food. Her son replied, “Well, I was going to thank her, but when the girl ahead of me thanked her, Mrs. Smith said, “Don’t mention it.” So I didn’t.

Far too many of us easily forget to express our thanks for little blessings; especially for those we receive from God.

The Scripture lesson we want to consider for a little while this morning is about the importance of expressing our thanks to God, so let us turn our attention now to the passage that was read earlier in the service – Heb. 13.

Remember that the book of Hebrews was written for:

(Wuest's Word Studies) … professing Jews … who outwardly had left the temple sacrifices, and had identified themselves with those … people who were gathering around an unseen Messiah, the High Priest of the New Testament system who had at the Cross fulfilled the [Old] Testament system of typical sacrifices. These … Jews were under the stress of persecution, and in danger of renouncing their profession and returning to the [obsolete] sacrifices of the Levitical system (10:32-34).

The author of Hebrews, which many scholars think was the Apostle Paul, gives a number of arguments throughout the letter as to why the new High Priest is so much better than the former ones. He gives numerous examples how the New Testament (covenant) is far superior to the Old Covenant. In the immediate context of these verses the author has re-emphasized some of the distinctions between the old covenant and the new one. He has reminded them that they have spiritual and invisible benefits that the worshipers in the old covenant did not enjoy.

After making a brief comparison between the former sacrifice of atonement and Jesus experience of suffering outside the gate, he urges his readers to go “outside the camp” in order to identify with Christ, and follow Him, even to the point of sharing in His suffering. Some scholars believe that his use of the phrase, “going outside the camp” is a direct challenge for them to leave the camp of Judaism and put their faith in Christ alone.

Now, let’s take a look at verses 15-16, which is the focus of our discussion today.

After explaining all the reasons and benefits for leaving the old ways, the writer reminds them that there are still sacrifices they need to continue offering, but they are very different from the sacrifices they previously offered. We want to discuss the reason for their sacrifices, the duration of their sacrifices, and the substance of their sacrifices as described in vv. 15-16.

I.    The Reason for Their Sacrifices

“therefore” – makes a connection to the thoughts he just expressed.

Since Jesus has made the sacrifice of Himself once and for all;

Since they have been admonished to leave the “camp” of the old system and the old covenant;

And since we are seeking a “city” or spiritual community that is yet coming;

Let us offer the sacrifice of praise.

In light of all that Christ has done and all that awaits each of us, the only logical response is a sincere sacrifice of praise from our hearts.

II.  The Duration of Their Sacrifices

“continually” – This word is actually part of the verb to offer and it can be literally translated: “let us keep on offering up.”

Christ’s sacrifice of His own blood was a once-for-all, one-time event but its effectiveness is forever, and He continually makes intercession for us. Therefore, we should respond by continually offering up our praises.

There can be no end of our sacrifices that He is so worthy to receive.

When God ceases to be God, then we can end our praises.

When redemption is no longer effective, then we can end our praises.

As long as God lives and as long as He demonstrates His grace to us, then He deserves our praise, honor and glory.

III. The Substance of Their Sacrifices

(Tyndale Commentaries) Having expounded in great detail the priestly office of Christ, the writer here employs the same imagery to describe the function of believers.

A. Praise

The main content of their sacrifice was to be their praise to God.

“fruit of our lips” – There is a sense in which we can live our everyday lives as a sacrifice of praise to God. But, the author specifically mentions that the kind of praise he is talking about is the kind that requires our voices, i.e. singing and speaking.

There have been a number of times that I have emphasized the need to offer our praises to God. At the risk of being repetitious, let me admonish each of us again to give God the glory.

(Wuest's Word Studies)  The Rabbis had a saying, "in the future time all sacrifices shall cease; but praises shall not cease."

There is a song in our hymnal:

“To God be the glory” Great things he has done
So loved he the world that He gave us his son
Who yielded his life an atonement for sin
And opened the life gate that all may go in
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord!
Let the earth hear his voice.
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the people rejoice.
Oh come, to the Father through Jesus the Son
And give him the glory, great things he has done!

B. Benevolence

The sacrifice of praise with our lips is necessary and important, but that isn’t our only obligation. Believers are also admonished to “sacrifice to God” by “doing good” and sharing with others.

(Wuest's Word Studies)  … the recipients are cautioned that their obligations as priests are not exhausted with praise. Good deeds must also be included. The Greek word translated "communicate,"(KJV) koinoneo, in this context means "to make one's self a sharer or partner" with someone else in his poverty or need. That is, the saints are exhorted to share what they have of earthly goods with their fellow-saints who, undergoing persecution, have been brought to a state of poverty…

This is the same Greek word translated “fellowship,” “communion,” etc.

James 1:27 (NKJV) Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

Romans 12:13 (NKJV) distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

Philippians 4:16-18 (NKJV) ¹⁶ For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. ¹⁷ Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. ¹⁸ Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.

The genuine expression of gratitude is generosity.

When we give generously for the needs of those who suffer, we give pleasing sacrifices to God.

Conclusion:

Today and throughout this Thanksgiving season, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God as well as demonstrations of generosity to those in need.

As we prepare to share the communion of our Lord, let’s sing the hymn that is in your bulletin: Wounded for Me

The Privileges of Adoption

The Privileges of Adoption

Romans 8:14-17 (NKJV) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

Introduction:

Over a year ago I was doing a series of messages on the book of Romans and I preached a couple of sermons on the eighth chapter of Romans. In one of those sermons I spoke about our spiritual adoption into the family of God as a result of our salvation by the grace of God. Today I would like to revisit the subject from a slightly different perspective.

The concept of adoption is a tremendous subject to consider. A theologian by the name of J.I. Packer made a comment about adoption that I can’t exactly recall the way he wrote it, but he emphasized the point that if we truly could grasp the full meaning of being adopted by God, it would produce in us unspeakable joy and undying devotion.

When we think about adoption, we can understand that there are wonderful privileges offered to a son or daughter that were not available to them prior to the adoption.

When my parents were still living, there were various privileges that I had when I went home that were greater and better than what any other person experienced.

• Walk in anytime, lie down on couch, kick off shoes, etc.
• Go to the frig to get something to eat
• Kiss the cook!

It is the same way now with our own children when they come to visit us.

The same concept holds true when we are born again and are adopted by God as His child. There are many privileges available to the Christian that non-believers cannot enjoy or take advantage of. The Apostle Paul describes a few of those privileges here in Romans 8.

Before we talk specifically about the privileges Paul has mentioned, let’s remember that adoption is the experience of those who are living a life that is under control of the Spirit, rather than under the control of the flesh.

v. 14. “for” – conjunction, tying this statement in with the preceding information.

Let us study this well-known passage of Scripture together to discover three privileges offered to the sons and daughters of God. They are: A Constant Freedom; A Constant Witness; & A Constant Inheritance.

I.    A Constant Freedom (v. 15)

A. Negatively – not this… did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear

“spirit” – lit. breath, wind; mental disposition, attitude, vital principle

“bondage” – slavery, compulsory service

“fear” – alarm, fear, terror; same word from which we get the word “phobia.”

Paul has just been talking about living according to the flesh vs. living according to the Spirit. The bondage referred to here is the bondage and slavery to the impulses, desires and control of the fleshly appetites and drives, i.e. being controlled by them rather than having them under the control of the Spirit.

B. Positively – but this… but you received the Spirit of adoption

“Spirit” – same Greek word as previous use, but probably a reference to the Holy Spirit here.

“Adoption” – a compound word that includes the Greek word for “son” so it literally carries the idea of “sonship” or becoming a child of the one who is adopting.

1 Corinthians 2:12 (NKJV) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

Galatians 3:26 (NKJV) For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 4:4-6 (NKJV) But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!"

The adopted child had all the rights and privileges of any natural born child. The result is that we cry “Abba Father!” (lit. father, father; or dear father. Not a distant, merely transcendent being, but a dear, loving, father in heaven. Compare the Lord’s Prayer.

One of the blessed privileges of being a child of God is the victory He gives over the bondage to the flesh and the joy of knowing the sovereign God as “Dear Father.”

There is a clear analogy being implied here contrasting the life of a slave with the life of the master’s son.

II.  A Constant Witness (v. 16)

Romans 8:16 (NKJV) The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

(Wuest's Word Studies) “Beareth witness with" is summartureō, …"to bear joint-testimony with" some other person. "Our spirit" refers to the … human spirit energized by the Holy Spirit.

Denney says; … “Our own spirit tells us we are God's children, but the voice with which it speaks is, … prompted and inspired by the divine Spirit itself."

Alford's note is helpful: "What is this witness of the Spirit itself? All have agreed, and indeed this verse is decisive for it, that it is something separate from and higher than all subjective inferences and conclusions. But on the other hand, it does not consist in mere indefinite feeling, but in a certitude of the Spirit's presence and work continually within us. It is manifested, as Olshausen beautifully says, 'in His comforting us, His stirring us up to prayer, His reproof of our sins, His drawing us to works of love, to bear testimony before the world, etc.'

Our spirit confirms what we recognize as the activity of the Holy Spirit within our hearts and lives in ways that had not been true before we came to faith.

III. A Constant Inheritance (v. 17)

Romans 8:17 (NKJV) and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

Gal. 4:7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

As we stated earlier, the rights of the adopted child were equal to the full rights and status of a natural born child. Therefore, the adopted son is not shut out of the inheritance, but has legal right to all the possessions of the father.

“if indeed we suffer” – many believe that Paul is indicating that suffering is a pre-requisite for inheriting what God has reserved for His children. It seems that it could also be emphasizing this thought – even if we go through suffering for the sake of Christ and in the name of Christ, we will eventually inherit all the blessings of glory because we are adopted children of God. For, it is in times of suffering and adversity that the enemy of our soul comes in like a flood and tries to convince us that God is angry with us and has disowned us and is preparing judgment for us, but we must not give in and give up. It is in those moments of the enemy’s attacks that we must reaffirm our faith in Christ as the only hope of salvation; we must reaffirm our commitment to follow Him and love him; and we must reaffirm our faith in His words, “I will never leave you nor forsake you!”

The next paragraph in chapter 8 develops the idea of suffering now and glory then.

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard what God has prepared for those that love Him.”

Conclusion:

Are you a true child of God?

Have you really been adopted into His family by faith in Jesus Christ, and now enjoying the privileges available only to His children?

Are you experiencing freedom from the bondage of the fleshly nature and its desires?

Are you enjoying the witness of the Spirit that you are a child of God?

Are you anticipating the glory that awaits all of God’s children in eternity?

All of these things are offered to anyone who will be totally committed to Jesus.

Living Joyfully

Living Joyfully

Psalm 98:4 (NKJV) Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.

Introduction:

A couple of weeks ago I preached a message from the text in Psalm 16, which reads as follows, “…in your presence is fullness of joy, at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” We tried to convey the point that God desires to be the source of joy for every believer. He is fully capable of satisfying our souls and giving us a deep source of joy that cannot be duplicated or provided by any other source. Today, I would like to complement that previous message with another message on the topic of joy. My focus today will be concerning the responsibility we have as believers to intentionally rejoice in God and about all His wonderful attributes and His works.

We are going to be using Psalm 98 as the primary guide for our thoughts (Psalm 96 and other passages closely mirror the same message). As I was reading this Psalm and meditating on it, I detected three ideas the author expresses about rejoicing. Let us examine the verses in this Psalm to discover the command to rejoice, the means to rejoice and the reasons to rejoice.

I.    The Command to Rejoice

A number of years ago a couple of respected Christian authors wrote a book with the title, “Happiness Is a Choice.” (Minirth & Meier)

One of the authors wrote this comment in the book’s introduction, “In this book we will do the best we can to summarize ... and offer guidelines... for obtaining lasting inner happiness---if you choose it.”

Although I haven’t read the book, the general premise seems to be that there are factors which tend to lead to unhappiness and even depression, and there are other factors that tend to lead to happiness and peace. It is up to each individual to choose which factors they will allow to fill the largest role in their lives. In this same vein, joy, which we talked about two weeks ago, is a condition that has its roots and its foundation in a relationship with our Creator. When that relationship is strong and healthy, then joy can be experienced even in adverse circumstances.

In addition to this status or condition of joy, the Bible gives us various commands or instructions to purposely rejoice (express joy). Several times throughout Psalm 98 we find that the author uses verb forms that indicate imperatives (commands) to express joy.

See: v.1 – sing unto the Lord; v. 4 – make a joyful noise (shout joyfully); make a loud noise (break forth in song)

With these direct commands, the Psalmist is teaching us the importance of giving vent to joy and expressing our praises to the Lord.

I have often said that one of the best ways for a person to begin to feel happier and more joyful is to intentionally express thanks, praise and joy over who God is and what He has done. There definitely are times when a person doesn’t feel joyful or feel like praising the Lord. But if we do it anyway because it is the right thing to do then it isn’t long before our feelings begin to change. I believe that there is a direct connection between practicing praise or practicing joy and the feeling of joy. The more one practices rejoicing, the more one will feel happy and joyful.

There are plenty of reasons for us to rejoice, which we’ll talk about a little later. But we also need to rejoice because God has instructed us to do it.

1 Thess. 5:16 Rejoice evermore.

II.  The Means to Rejoice

There are three general means that are mentioned here for rejoicing and praising God.

A. With the voices (singing/shouting)

Ps. 98:1a (NKJV) Oh, sing to the LORD a new song!

Ps. 98:4 (NKJV) Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.

Ps. 98:5a (NKJV) Sing to the LORD with the harp,

If anyone asks, I would admit that it is possible to just live a life of rejoicing by the general attitudes we display as we go about our daily responsibilities, which doesn’t necessarily require saying anything with words. However, these verses indicate that the Lord wants us to use our voices, either in making music unto the Lord, or in making a “shout” or “noise” unto the Lord. Some commentators indicated that these references to singing correspond to the assignments that King David gave to the Levites to sing to the Lord in their service at the temple.

See 1 Chron. 16:7-10

Also compare 2 Chronicles 5:11-14 (KJV)
 And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place: (for all the priests that were present were sanctified, and did not then wait by course:  Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:)  It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD;  So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.

The classic NT example of people using their voices to sing praises to God is probably…

Acts 16:25 (KJV) And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.  

These men of God are following the commands given in Ps. 98. They are rejoicing and shouting praises to the Lord in spite of their circumstances and their suffering.

B. With instruments

Ps. 98:5b With the harp and the sound of a Psalm,

Ps 98:6  With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.

Just like the appointed singers, David also appointed people to praise the Lord with various instruments.

1 Chr.16:4-6 (KJV) ⁴ And [David] appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel: ⁵ Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obededom: and Jeiel with psalteries [probably lyres] and with harps; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals; ⁶ Benaiah also and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God.

Also verses 37-43

It appears from these Scriptures that the Lord delights in hearing all kinds of instruments making melody and beautiful music for the glory of God.

C. Through Nature

Ps. 98:7-8 (KJV) Let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. ⁸ Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together

In poetic terms, the Psalmist portrays the world of nature joining in the chorus to praise and rejoice over all that God is doing. The Psalmist appears to be overwhelmed with the joy of the Lord and he is urging everyone and everything to get involved in praising God and rejoicing in His blessings.

III. The Reasons to Rejoice

Ps. 98:1-3 (KJV) O sing unto the LORD a new song; *for he hath done marvelous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, *hath gotten him the victory. ² The LORD *hath made known his salvation: his *righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. ³ He *hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: *all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Ps. 98:9 (KJV) Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.

v.1 – marvelous things = victory; salvation; righteousness; mercy & truth; and justice

victory = salvation

righteousness = demonstration of mercy & truth (v.3); and judging with equity (v. 9)

If we meditate and think about each of these qualities of God, we can begin to understand why we are to rejoice. God is constantly at work carrying out His divine purposes and accomplishing His sovereign will. That may be in the form of securing victory over the enemies of His people, or it may be in executing justice and equity against the wicked and in favor of the righteous.

Sometimes people find fault with God’s actions as they interpret circumstances from our human point of view. But there is coming a day when every person will fully comprehend the righteous character of God and will agree that God’s justice is true and holy; without error or fault.

Salvation in the ultimate sense has already been accomplished and will be carried out to its final scene. For that He deserves the highest praise.

The words of this Psalm are very similar to some of the words uttered by the Prophet Isaiah.

Is. 44:23 (NKJV) ²³ Sing, O heavens, for the LORD has done it! Shout, you lower parts of the earth; Break forth into singing, you mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For the LORD has redeemed Jacob, And glorified Himself in Israel.

Is. 52:9-10 (NKJV) ⁹ Break forth into joy, sing together, You waste places of Jerusalem! For the LORD has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem.
¹⁰ The LORD has made bare His holy arm In the eyes of all the nations; And all the ends of the earth shall see The salvation of our God.

It doesn’t matter whether we are talking about God’s miraculous deliverances in Israel’s history or God’s miraculous deliverances in the future, God is all-powerful, without limitations in His strength, His knowledge, or His abilities.

Conclusion:

Dear friends, we may not completely understand all of the circumstances of life, but we can have a faith and confidence in God and in His righteous government over this creation. We may not understand what all is happening or why, but by faith we can still rejoice in our God and give Him the praise for who He is and all He is doing. And, I believe if we continue to honor Him by singing, shouting and playing instruments in continuous praise, then our hearts will fill with joy regardless of what our outward circumstances may be.

Let us conclude this service by singing a hymn of rejoicing: Rejoice the Lord Is King   

Messiah is Coming

(To download an MP3 file of this message, click on the title above.  To listen now online, click on the play button of the audio player.)

This sermon is based on Isaiah 7:10-17 and Malachi 3:1-3.

Messiah Is Coming!

Isaiah 7:14 (NKJV) Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV) For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Introduction:

The well-known pastor and radio preacher, Chuck Swindoll, shares the following perspective:

Take the year 1809. The international scene was tumultuous. Napoleon was sweeping through Austria; blood was flowing freely. Nobody then cared about babies. But the world was overlooking some terribly significant births.

For example, William Gladstone was born that year. He was destined to become one of England's finest statesman. That same year, Alfred Tennyson was born to an obscure minister and his wife. The child would one day greatly affect the literary world in a marked manner. On the American continent, Oliver Wendell Holmes was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. And not far away in Boston, Edgar Allan Poe began his eventful, albeit tragic, life. It was also in that same year that a physician named Darwin and his wife named their child Charles Robert. And that same year produced the cries of a newborn infant in a rugged log cabin in Hardin County, Kentucky. The baby's name? Abraham Lincoln.

If there had been [international] news broadcasts at that time, I'm certain these words would have been heard: "The destiny of the world is being shaped on an Austrian battlefield today." But history was actually being shaped in the cradles of England and America. Similarly, everyone thought taxation was the big news--when Jesus was born. But a young Jewish woman cradled the biggest news of all: the birth of the Savior.

Certainly the birth of Christ was the greatest event at that time, even though not many people were aware of it, and not many understood the significance of His coming until years and even centuries later. The birth of the Messiah has changed the history of the world and more importantly, the destiny of mankind.

The season of Advent is the time when we anticipate the celebration of Christmas. During this time we try to imagine some of the details of events leading up to His birth. What does it mean to say, “Messiah is coming?”

To help us in our understanding I will endeavor to share some details about messianic theology in the OT, then I want take the remainder of our time to speak about some of the mistaken notions about the coming of Messiah and apply them to our contemporary Christian culture.

I. Messiah in the OT

Most of us have heard so many messages about Christmas and about the Messiah that we can usually quote at least portions of many OT prophecies and their fulfillment described in the NT.

It is sometimes hard for us to remember that the truths about the Messiah were revealed through the prophets over a period of many years. But even more than that, the full realization of their meanings was not understood until the NT authors rendered more complete explanations in light of who Jesus was and what He accomplished.

Let’s notice some of the information the OT reveals about the Messiah.

(International Standard Bible Encyclopedia) The term most closely associated with the word Messiah is used in the Old Testament of kings and priests, who were consecrated to office by the ceremony of anointing. It is applied to the priests … and kings; …. Similarly in the Psalms the king is designated "mine," "thine," "his anointed." Thus also even Cyrus (Isaiah 45:1), as being chosen and commissioned by Yahweh to carry out His purpose with Israel.

It is to be noted that [the actual word] "Messiah" as a special title is never applied in the Old Testament to the unique king of the future, unless perhaps in Daniel 9:25f (māshīaḥ nāghīdh, "Messiah-Prince")….

Daniel 9:25 (NKJV) "Know therefore and understand, That from the going forth of the command To restore and build Jerusalem Until Messiah the Prince, There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; The street shall be built again, and the wall, Even in troublesome times.

The Messiah is the instrument by whom God's kingdom is to be established in Israel and in the world. … The Jews were a nation who lived in the future…. No nation ever cherished such strong expectations of a good time coming, or clung more tenaciously amid defeat and disaster to the certainty of final triumph over all enemies and of entrance upon a state of perfect peace and happiness….

1. The Messianic King:

The chief element in the conception of the Messiah in the Old Testament is that of the king.  Through him as head of the nation Yahweh could most readily work out His saving purposes…. The passage on which the idea of the Messianic king who would rule in righteousness and attain universal dominion was founded is Nathan's oracle to David in 2 Samuel 7:11ff.  

2 Samuel 7:11-16 (NKJV) ¹¹ ... Also the LORD tells you that He will make you a house. ¹² "When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom….¹⁶ And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever." ' "

The immediate focus of Nathan’s prophecy centered on Solomon, but verse 16 indicates the permanent nature of this promise.

In contrast to Saul, from whom the kingdom had passed away, David would never want for a descendant to sit on the throne of Israel.  

(1) Isaiah.

Isaiah is the first of the prophets to refer to an extraordinary king of the future….  

Isaiah 7:10-17 The kings of Syria and Israel having entered into a league to dethrone Ahaz … Isaiah announces to the king of Judah that while, by the help of Assyria, he would survive the attack of the confederate kings, but for his disobedience, Yahweh would bring devastation upon his own land the same nation who helped him survive the attack from Syria and Israel.

Isaiah 7:14 (NKJV) ¹⁴ Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

But the prophet's lofty vision, though limited … to his own time, reaches beyond Judah's distress to Judah's deliverance. To the spiritual mind of Isaiah the revelation is made of a true king, Immanuel, "God-with-us," who would arise out of the house of David…. [When taken with] Isaiah 9, would seem to point to the identity of Immanuel with the Prince of the four names, "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 9:6-7 (NKJV) ⁶ For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ⁷ Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

A similar description of the Messianic king is given by Micah, Isaiah's younger contemporary, who emphasizes the humble origin of the extraordinary ruler of the future, who shall spring from the Davidic house…. (i.e. a ruler who comes forth from Bethlehem.)

(2) Jeremiah and Ezekiel.

….By Jeremiah the Messiah is called the "righteous Branch" who is to be raised unto David and to be called "Yahweh (is) our righteousness”…. In Ezekiel he is alluded to as the coming one "whose right it is" (Ezekiel 21:27), and as Yahweh's "servant David" who shall be "prince" or "king" forever over a reunited people (Ezek. 34:23f; Ezek. 37:24).  

(3) Later Prophets.

After Ezekiel's time, during the remaining years of the exile, the hope of a preeminent king of David's house naturally disappears.  But it is resuscitated …. In prophecies such as Zech. 9:9, who pictures the Messiah as coming not on a splendid charger like a warrior king, but upon the foal of a donkey, righteous and victorious, yet lowly and peaceful, strong by the power of God to help and save.  

There are many other aspects of the messianic hope that is expressed in the OT such as: “prophet” and “priest,” but we will move on to talk about a couple of spiritual lessons or applications that stood out to me as I recently read in the prophets.

II. Spiritual Lessons

A. Judgment rather than blessing and rescue.

See Is. 7:14-17

In the same context with the promise of a miracle birth, a reference to a coming King, the prophet announces judgment for the sins of Judah.

Malachi 3:5 (NKJV) And I will come near you for judgment; I will be a swift witness Against sorcerers, Against adulterers, Against perjurers, Against those who exploit wage earners and widows and orphans, And against those who turn away an alien-- Because they do not fear Me," Says the LORD of hosts.  

Somewhat similar truth is given by the prophet Amos to the nation of Israel (the northern kingdom).

Amos 5:18 (NKJV) Woe to you who desire the day of the LORD! For what good is the day of the LORD to you? It will be darkness, and not light.

The “day of the Lord” is a different emphasis than the promises about Messiah, but the point is this…

The people of Israel and Judah longed for the rescue from their enemies and the sought God’s intervention, but they apparently weren’t willing to abandon their wickedness and idolatry. There was gross immorality and a multitude of ways that they had abandoned God’s will and His ways, yet they expected God to continue to pour out His blessings.

(See Amos 2:4-12)

We see the same kind of conditions in the church world today. People long and cry for the coming of Jesus. But far too many professing Christians have abandoned the principles of righteousness and biblical faith. They want God to intervene in this messy world, but they give the impression that they don’t want God to require them to change the way their living.

It astounds me at times how many people talk spiritual, and about how much they love God, but their life styles are full of cheating, lying, fornication, adultery, self-centeredness, etc., etc. God will answer our prayers, but it may not be in the way we expect.

B. God expects His people to act

Many of the prophets who gave glimpses of hope for the coming King, the Messiah, not only denounced the evil that was prevalent among them, but they admonished the people of God to start practicing the laws of God in a positive way.

Some weeks ago I remember pointing out that the law of God provided as a covenant with the people of God, demonstrated that God cared very much for the weak, the poor and the disadvantaged.

Listen to some of these verses:

Isaiah 56:1 (NKJV) Thus says the LORD: "Keep justice, and do righteousness, For My salvation is about to come, And My righteousness to be revealed.

Jeremiah 21:12 (NKJV) O house of David! Thus says the LORD: "Execute judgment in the morning; And deliver him who is plundered Out of the hand of the oppressor….

Ezekiel 45:9-10 (NKJV) 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Enough, O princes of Israel! Remove violence and plundering, execute justice and righteousness, and stop dispossessing My people," says the Lord GOD. ¹⁰ "You shall have honest scales, an honest ephah, and an honest bath. [not a tub for washing!]

Zechariah 7:9-10 (NKJV) "Thus says the LORD of hosts: 'Execute true justice, Show mercy and compassion everyone to his brother. ¹⁰ Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. Let none of you plan evil in his heart against his brother.'

The point that I get from these messages is this:

Even though these prophets I’ve mentioned all had something to say about the coming Messiah, yet they all proclaimed the word of the Lord concerning the responsibility of the people to carry out the deeds of kindness, compassion and justice that God cares about. They were not expected to “wait until the Messiah comes to set everything straight.” They were expected to be actively involved in correcting the terrible abuses that had become common in the society.

I believe we can apply this same thought to our culture and our context today. There are plenty of people who claim the name of Christ that are longing and pining for Jesus to return to straighten out the mess we are in. Well, I certainly agree that our world and our society will never be perfect until the Prince of Peace does return and establishes His kingdom of righteousness. However, I also believe that God wants His people to be actively involved in changing the culture and having a positive influence everywhere we can until He does return!

Conclusion:

As we move closer and closer to the day we celebrate the birth of the Messiah, I trust that we will remember these spiritual truths we have talked about today.

Remember that the prophets not only held out the prospect of hope for the future when God’s Anointed One would come, but they also admonished the people of God to rid themselves of all the actions and behaviors that were clearly in violation of God’s standards of righteousness.

Remember that the prophets urged the people of God to be proactive in the reforms and renewals that the nation needed so much.

We too must live with these attitudes as we anticipate the return of the Messiah as the King of kings and Lord of lords.

The song I’ve chosen to close with this morning is,

In His Time    

Jesus came the first time in God’s perfect timing, and He will come the 2^nd time at His time. While we wait, let us live righteous lives and follow His will.

Taking a Stand

(To download an mp3 file of this sermon, click on the title above. To listen now, click on the play button of the audio player here.)

This is a sermon that was given in recognition of the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. It speaks about the responsibility believers have to stand with their brothers and sisters who are persecuted for their faith.

Written Excerpts:

2 Timothy 3:12 (NKJV) Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

Introduction:

Since today is designated as the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, I wanted to bring a message today that relates to that issue. We may think that the persecution and suffering is not affecting us, so it’s not really our problem. However, I would beg us to take a deeper consideration of the subject.

I believe that it does affect us in at least two ways: 1) things are rapidly changing in our own country in ways that indicate we may be facing some kinds of persecution right here in the USA; 2) we are part of the body of Christ and the Bible makes it clear that when one part of the body suffers, we all suffer.

For a short time (hopefully) this morning I want to talk to you about what the Bible has to say about “taking a stand” in the face of persecution.

I want to consider two primary aspects of this subject. The first one is to discuss the principles and values that we must stand for, and support. The second one is to discuss the people that we need to take a stand with because of what they stand for.

1.   Things we stand FOR

When Jesus was preaching and teaching during his earthly ministry, he made it clear that those who followed him and became true disciples would have opposition and have enemies. He promised his followers that they would be hated, persecuted, imprisoned, and even put to death.

Matthew 10:16-22 (NKJV) ¹⁶  "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. ¹⁷  But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. ¹⁸  You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. ¹⁹  But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; ²⁰  for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. ²¹  Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. ²²  And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.

Why would Jesus make these kinds of statements? Because He knew that there were people who hated the principles and values He taught and if the disciples obeyed and followed His teachings, then they would be hated also.

See Luke 21:7-17

Apostles also preached the same kind of message to their audiences.

See Acts 14:22; 2 Tim. 3:12

We don’t have the time today to speak about all the core Christian principles that we believe are worthy of standing for in face of opposition and persecution. But, even to believe in Jesus and being willing to stand up and say, “Jesus is the only Lord,” was enough for the early Christians to be hunted, tortured and put to death. Rome would not tolerate any subjects “swearing” allegiance to any other king or Lord other than Caesar.

We have been hearing for many years now that there are religious leaders and political systems all around the world even today who will not tolerate or permit citizens to pledge their loyalty and allegiance to Christ alone.

Just as our brothers and sisters in other lands, we may soon discover that we too must decide what we are willing to die for, or what we are willing to lose our jobs for. We may have to decide whether we are going to keep surrendering our principles and our convictions or are we going to take a stand for truth and righteousness and end up losing property and other things that seem so valuable to us.

The Bible

One other brief example of a principle or Christian value that we ought to be willing to take a stand for is the conviction that the Bible is the written revelation of God to humanity. We ought to be willing to lay down our lives for the authority and reliability and uniqueness of the Bible as God’s Word.

2.   Those we stand WITH

Get your bulletin insert and take a look for a moment at some of the verses we read earlier in the responsive Scripture reading.

These passages clearly teach some of the implications that go along with the whole concept of the church acting as the body of Christ. Our Christian brothers and sisters, wherever they may be, are part of the same body that we are. Those early Christians were instructed to care for, pray for and defend one another. We must carry on the same principles today.

Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God… and the second greatest commandment is to love our neighbor as ourselves. How can we claim to love our neighbor if we do not at least pray for the plight of those Christian brothers and sisters who suffer today only because they love Jesus and try to live according to His Word?

Let us conclude our service by singing the closing song: Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus   # 730

The Believer's Source of Joy

(To download an mp3 file of this sermon, click on the title above. To listen now, click on the play button of the audio player here.)

This is a sermon based on Psalm 16:11 and it discusses the source of joy and pleasure God can be for the person who truly has an intimate relationship with Him.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

Some young people want life, liberty, and an automobile for the pursuit of happiness. — The Complete Book of Zingers

This verse in Psalms grabbed my attention several weeks ago as I read it during my devotional time with the Lord. I’ve read the verse many times and I’ve heard it quoted repeatedly over the years, but it truly spoke to my heart as I read it recently. As I read it, the question immediately rose in my mind, “Do I truly find fullness of joy in the presence of God?” If not, why not?

To you, dear friends, I ask the same question, “Do you really find full joy in the presence of God?”

St. Augustine, a church leader who lived in the 4^th century, had lived a wicked, immoral life before coming to faith in Jesus Christ and experiencing transforming grace. His conversion did not happen quickly, but was a process that developed over time as he gradually became more and more enlightened with the truth. At one point in his journey to faith and salvation, he penned these words directed to God, “I was astonished that although I now loved you… I did not persist in enjoyment of my God. Your beauty drew me to you, but soon I was dragged away from you by my own weight and in dismay I plunged again into the things of this world….” (John Piper, The Legacy of Sovereign Joy)

Augustine was still fighting an inward battle – complete abandonment to God, the source of genuine joy, vs. continuing indulgence in fleshly lusts, the source of passing pleasures. Thankfully, he reached the point in his journey that he did totally abandon the temporary pleasures of fleshly lusts and found the saving grace of God to be what his soul truly longed for. Augustine has introduced us to the concept that true fullness of joy can only be found in a relationship with God because we were made for Him and without Him genuine joy cannot be fully realized.

Transition: For the rest of our time today I want to seek the help of God’s Spirit as we explore together the concepts of joy, happiness and pleasure as they relate to spiritual life in Christ.

Proposition: I hope to explore this theme today by defining terms that relate to joy, by discussing some barriers to joy, and by challenging all of us to seek the joy that only comes from God.

I.     Terms that relate to joy

Joy – In the Old Testament: Besides joy in a general sense, as the response of the mind to any pleasurable event or state (1 Kings 1:40; Esther 8:17, etc.), joy as a religious emotion is very frequently referred to in the Old Testament. Religion is conceived of as touching the deepest springs of emotion, including the feeling of exultant gladness which often finds outward expression in such actions as leaping, shouting, and singing.

In the New Testament: The element of joy in religion is [even] more prominent in the New Testament. It is the appropriate response of the believer to the "good tidings of great joy" which constitute the gospel (Luke 2:10). In the four Gospels, especially Luke, this element is conspicuous. It is seen in the [songs of Mary, Zacharias, and Simeon recorded in] Luke 1 and 2.… (The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.)

Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. The [Hebrew] root [word] denotes being glad or joyful with the whole disposition as indicated by its association with the heart (cf. Psalm 19:8 ^(NKJV) The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart), the soul (Psalm 86:4 ^(NKJV) Rejoice the soul of Your servant, For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.); and with the lighting up of the eyes (Proverbs 15:30 ^(NKJV) The light of the eyes rejoices the heart…).

Taking all these definitions together we conclude that joy is a deep emotion that entails all elements of personhood; heart, soul, mind and body.

Happiness – Similar to idea of joy, but usually with the distinction that happiness at any given time is dependent on present circumstances, while joy can be present even in unhappy circumstances.

Pleasure – a sense or feeling of elation or even euphoria that occurs when certain chemicals are released in a specific area of our brain as we experience specific events.

Contentment – a sense of satisfaction; nothing is lacking.

All of these terms are related and often used synonymously. When considered as a whole, they seem to express what the Hebrew word, “shalom” intends to convey: i.e. the overwhelming sense of well-being and rest; all is as it should be producing harmony and peace.

The Psalmist is essentially saying that our deepest feelings of joy, happiness, pleasure and contentment are found in a relationship that brings us into the very presence of God, our Creator and our heavenly Father.

II.    Barriers that hinder our joy

A. Misplaced expectations

Some people have never truly experienced genuine joy because they have only sought for it in things that cannot produce it. I read the transcript of an interview that was once given by Pastor Ravi Zacharias, who is a pastor of a church near Cleveland, Oh.

In answer to one of the questions he gave this reply, There is always the sense that one more digit in my pay check will make a difference. One added home. One added car. One added excursion. One other vacation. We think by the simple act of change we will alter everything on the inside. So it has that lure to it. But at the same time pleasure, when it has delivered what it can, definitely does leave you empty. [Nowhere is this] more obvious than in the Hollywood world: the breakup of relationships, the breakup of homes, and the breakup of commitments.

He later went on to describe the relationship between happiness and joy. I remember in Bangkok once walking out of my hotel, and this guy was standing there announcing “Happy hour, happy hour.” So I stopped and said to him, “Are you only happy for one hour?”

Do I think [pagans / non-Christians] are truly happy? I think they have punctuated moments of happiness. I do not think true happiness is ultimately found unless you’ve got a relationship that is the [foundation] from which everything else is explained. And I don’t think ultimately [any] relationships will stand without that relationship with God. … So I would say there are moments of happiness. But as G.K. Chesterton said, they can be happy because the peripheral questions are answered for now, but they ultimately can’t have joy because the fundamental questions are not answered. So happiness is possible but it is not [complete].

Peripheral questions = employment/income, food, housing, entertainment, etc.

Fundamental questions = Who am I? Why am I here? Where am I going? These are the questions that can rob us of deep joy if we have no clue about their answers.

So, we learn that one of the barriers to possessing real joy is the fact that people look to the wrong things to provide it. True joy is only found in the bond of a deep relationship with God that provides meaning and fulfillment for all the rest of life.

B. Exhausted by pleasure

(G.K. Chesterton) Meaninglessness does not come from being weary of pain. Meaninglessness comes from being weary of pleasure.

Some people have been unsuccessful in finding true joy because they have diligently and even feverishly sought for pleasures until they’ve reached the point that nothing brings any genuine pleasure anymore. Life becomes dull, depressive, and meaningless when little or nothing produces real pleasure.

In my reading and preparation for this message I came across an article by a clinical psychologist on the faculty of Fuller Theological Seminary, Dr. Archibald Hart. In his article he explores the problem of how the constant pursuit of pleasures, excitement and thrills can actually desensitize the pleasure center in our brain that biologically gives us the feeling of pleasure.

We believe that joy comes from the Lord, but we need the “pleasure center” of the brain to appreciate the joy. But the pleasure center can be over-stimulated to the point that we can have difficulty finding real joy in anything.

Dr. Hart named three things that rob us of pleasure: depression, stimulating drugs, and over-indulgence in stimulating behaviors. He says that depression is often brought on by the breakneck pace of life that produces too much stress and leaves little or no time for meaningful rest and simple pleasures.

The use of stimulant drugs short-circuits the brain and sends an abundance of chemicals to the pleasure center, which produces an insatiable desire for more.

(Hart) The problem is, faced with the stress of modern life and the continuous flow of stimulation, we are "pushing the pleasure button" too frequently. So the pathway becomes obstructed, as if someone is building a barrier.

It is the same problem we used to talk about in addiction treatment. When someone takes a drug (alcohol) long enough their body builds up a tolerance to it and it takes more and more of the substance to produce the desired effects. Apparently the same principle works with the pursuit of pleasure. When we constantly seek after entertainment for  pleasure, we discover that it takes more and more stimulating experiences to provide the excitement and happiness we used to gain by the simple gifts in life.

The author warns parents and youth leaders against constantly pushing our children to pursue more and more pleasure-seeking activities. It not only robs them of the time to seek after God, but it builds up barriers against true pleasure until even the prospect of knowing God seems too boring and unexciting for them.

So we have learned that there are at least two things which can block out our joy: seeking joy in the everyday pleasures of life rather than in a relationship; and overloading our minds with a constant pursuit of pleasures (both legitimate and illegitimate).

III.  Seeking fullness of joy in God Himself

A. Creatures made for God

We human beings are creatures that were made by God for fellowship with God. We read in Genesis that Adam and Eve communed with God and walked with God. This fellowship and joy in knowing God was part of their “DNA.” When creatures that were created to fellowship and enjoy communion with their Creator seek to fill that need with all kinds of other pleasures, there can never be a complete sense of joy.

Chorus: If you want joy, real joy, wonderful joy, Let Jesus come into your heart. (repeat)Your sins He’ll wash away, Your night He’ll turn to day, Your life, He’ll make it over anew. If you want joy, real joy, wonderful joy, Let Jesus come into your heart.

B. Satisfying the spirit

The Bible tells us that joy is a fruit of the Spirit. If joy is a fruit of the Spirit, then it is something that is experienced in the spiritual realm rather than the realm of the flesh or material. It should be possible to be completely satisfied and full of joy in your spirit without relying on outward physical stimulation.

Spiritual truths and experiences can only be fully realized by the spirit. Material and fleshly stimuli cannot fully communicate spiritual realities. I think that this relates to a problem we talked about earlier.

Dr. Hart, whom I quoted earlier, said, I think the church is actually contributing to the problem. There has been a subtle shift in the last decade or so towards more of a stimulant-driven spirituality.

This also seems to be the point expressed by Dr. Ravi Zacharias.

When he was asked, “Do you think that worship can also be an escape for some?” He responded, Yes, I think the way we worship can be an escape. Sometimes I wonder about the evangelical world where worship to us has become so much noise. I often wonder how much that really couches the most important thing: for you to be still.

One of the problems that I think can result from various styles of worship is the clamor for things that are visible and exciting; things that stimulate and excite physical or fleshy desires.

Is your spirit sensitive enough to just enjoy the presence of God without outside stimulations or distractions? Can you find joy in knowing your relationship with Christ is real and up-to-date?

If joy is something that is truly communicated spiritually, and if it is a gift of the Spirit, then any experience that is accompanied with the anointing of the Holy Spirit should produce profound joy in our hearts, whether that is expressed in a lively and stimulating way through songs, and demonstrations of praise, or in an overpowering sense of awe and wonder that is expressed by a “holy hush” in which no one moves or speaks.

2 Chronicles 7:1-3 ^(NKJV) When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. ² And the priests could not enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD'S house. ³ When all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD on the temple, they bowed their faces to the ground on the pavement, and worshiped and praised the LORD, saying: "For He is good, For His mercy endures forever."

I don’t know about you, but I believe that this experience filled their hearts with a sense of awe and holy joy. It probably wasn’t the kind of joy that resulted in jumping and shouting, but a deeper knowledge that God had accepted their sacrifice and He was in their midst.

God has a level of joy available for each one of us that we’ve never known before if we can train our minds, our hearts and our entire being to seek its contentment in Him and Him alone. If we really believe v. 11 in Psalm 16, we understand that it is only in His presence that we can have fullness of joy.

When we possess an intimate relationship with God and have the abiding knowledge that His grace has freely forgiven us and His blood has covered all our sins, then enduring joy is bound to be the result.

Let us close the service by singing the chorus: In the Presence of Jehovah

Giving Like God

(To download an mp3 file of this sermon, click on the title above. To listen now, click on the play button of the audio player here.)

This is a sermon on the subject of Christian Stewardship, especially as it pertains to Christian attitudes toward financial giving to the Lord.

Written Excerpts:

2 Corinthians 9:7 (NKJV) So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

Introduction:

If you’re a first-time visitor or occasional visitor here this morning, this sermon might confirm what you’ve always suspected about church – i.e. “churches are always talking about money.” For those who are regular attenders, you might recognize that this may be the first or second sermon I’ve given on this topic since I came here six years ago.

I do not feel led to discuss this topic because our finances are in trouble here at Wayside. In fact, I’ve often thanked you all for the generosity this church seems to have, and I’ve been grateful for the generosity you’ve shown to Kris and me. I felt led to preach this sermon for a couple of reasons.

First, I recently was reviewing some articles that I had filed away for future reference and came across one article that was a critique of church giving in America in recent years, and I thought it was important for all church attenders to have a biblical view of charitable giving.

Secondly, I felt that this would be an appropriate time to talk about this subject because of our missions’ conference that is taking place next weekend – when we will be asking you to participate in giving funds for worldwide evangelization and charitable ministries.

Transition:

I would like to speak to you today regarding some of the reasons why people fail to give like God.

I.    They fail to realize the difference between ownership and stewardship.

(R. Paul Stevens, Regent Univ., The Complete Book of Everyday Christianity, ed. by Stevens and Banks.) The Greek word for steward (oikonomos, from which we get our word economy) means “one who manages a household.” Years ago persons called stewards, rather than huge financial institutions, were employed to manage the financial affairs and households of wealthy people. Their management included not only money but everything that makes a household thrive, not unlike the vocation of homemaking but on a large scale. A biblical example is Joseph’s work as steward of Potiphar’s house; his master did not “concern himself with anything in the house” (Genesis 39:8).

Stewardship is a term theologically related to service or ministry (diakonia). If service denotes the motivation for ministry—undertaking God’s interests for the pleasure of God—stewardship suggests the purpose of ministry: to manage God’s world in harmony with the owner’s mind.

Psalm 24:1 (NKJV) ¹  The earth is the LORD'S, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.

Psalm 50:9-12 (NKJV) ⁹  I will not take a bull from your house, Nor goats out of your folds. ¹⁰  For every beast of the forest is Mine, And the cattle on a thousand hills. ¹¹  I know all the birds of the mountains, And the wild beasts of the field are Mine. ¹²  "If I were hungry, I would not tell you; For the world is Mine, and all its fullness.

The subject of stewardship is one that we could preach an entire series of sermons on because it entails far more than just money or finances. We obviously don’t have time today to cover every aspect of the subject. But, I would propose that anyone who has a basic knowledge of the Bible probably has come to realize that God essentially owns everything. What we may possess is only loaned to us as His stewards to use for His purposes.

(Now, He doesn’t force us to use our possessions strictly in ways that glorify Him, and there are some people in the world that do not intentionally use any of their wealth or possessions for God’s purposes.) So the concept that all our possessions “belong” to us and we can do whatever we please with them is not a concept that should exist in the mind of a Christian or disciple of Jesus.

I certainly believe the Bible endorses the concept of personal property because the 8^th commandment says, thou shalt not steal, which implies a person in some sense has ownership. But… if you believe you are the ultimate “owner” of all your possessions, then whose will they be the minute after you die? And whose will they be when the new “owner” dies?

We only have our “things” for the short period that we live on this earth, then we’re done with them. Every Christian should be concerned about obeying God in every area of life including the area of stewardship. Every Christian should exhibit a desire to use their finances and possessions for the glory of God and to fulfill God’s purposes.

Many years ago I came across this little “parable.”

Once upon a time there was a man who had nothing, and God gave him ten apples. He gave him 3 apples to eat. He gave him 3 apples to trade for shelter from the sun and rain, and He gave him 3 apples to trade for clothing to wear. God also gave him 1 apple so that he might have something to give back to God to show his gratitude for the other 9 apples.

The man ate the 3 apples for food; he traded 3 apples for shelter from the sun and rain; and he traded 3 apples for clothing to wear. Then he looked at the 10^th apple, and it seemed bigger and juicier than the rest.

He knew that God had given him the 10^th apple so that he might return it to Him out of gratitude for the other 9. But the 10^th apple looked bigger and juicier than the rest, and he reasoned that God had all the other apples in the world… so the man ate the 10^th apple and gave back to God… the core.

I know that there are many people in the world who do not even give God the “core” of their “apple.” But sadly, this parable describes the behavior of many Christians who profess to love God and want to be considered as faithful stewards. (By the way, I think I know how to keep the 10^th apple from looking bigger and juicier than the other 9. Give it to God first before you even use up the other 9.)

(Illustrations Unlimited.) There was a knock on the door of the hut occupied by a missionary in Africa. Answering, the missionary found one of the native boys holding a large fish in his hands. The boy said, "Reverend, you taught us what tithing is, so here—I've brought you my tithe." As the missionary gratefully took the fish, he questioned the young lad. "If this is your tithe, where are the other nine fish?" At this, the boy beamed and said, "Oh, they're still back in the river. I'm going back to catch them now."

II.  They fail to cultivate biblical attitudes about giving.

There are several concepts presented in Scripture that characterize appropriate attitudes we should have about giving.

Generously – 2 Corinthians 9:6 (NKJV) ⁶  But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Notice the contrast between the words “sparingly” and “bountifully.”

Proverbs 11:24-25 (NKJV) ²⁴  There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty. ²⁵  The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.

Proverbs 22:9 (NKJV) ⁹  He who has a generous eye will be blessed, For he gives of his bread to the poor.

There is something about giving generously that is contrary to popular belief or opinion… The more generous a person is, the more God seems to bless them and they never seem to be in need or want.

Sacrificially – Luke 21:4 (NKJV) for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had."

It is possible for someone to be generous in their giving without being sacrificial. Someone has said that sacrificial giving is not measured by how much one gives, but by how much one has left.

Purposefully – 2 Corinthians 9:7a (NKJV) So let each one give as he purposes in his heart….

Cheerfully – 2 Corinthians 9:7b (NKJV) … not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

The reason these kinds of attitudes are encouraged and even commanded for the followers of Christ, is because they describe what God has demonstrated and displayed toward all of us. God is generous! God is intentionally good and gives blessings to us! Who can number all the generous blessings that God bestows upon all people, especially His children?

God gives sacrificially! What greater sacrifice has anyone given, than the sacrifice God gave when He sent His only begotten Son into the world for our salvation? God does all that He does with grace and favor, not “grudgingly.” God is a cheerful giver, so we should be too!

An organization named, Empty Tomb, Inc. does an annual report on church giving. In 2012, the latest year for which the numbers are available, church giving dropped to 2.2 percent of member’s incomes, the lowest percentage since 1968. (That’s definitely like giving just the core of the apple back to God.)

But, individual people are not the only ones who fail to live up to biblical attitudes about giving.

“Sylvia Ronsvalle, Empty Tomb’s executive vice president, told Religion News Service, ‘Churches on the whole are continuing to spend more on current members and less on the larger mission of the church and cutting back on missionaries.’” Ronsvalle says that this decline in outside giving is having devastating affects on poverty alleviation and other humanitarian services.

Churches are also guilty. As a church, we can become so preoccupied with our own wants and desires for comfort and security, that we fail to follow all of God’s will in funding the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ like we should. Churches and other religious organizations can become more interested in self-preservation than in outreach, if we abandon these biblical attitudes that God has given.

I’ve been pleased with the general attitude among our own church board members who have often expressed the idea, “God has blessed us so that we can be a blessing to others.” But, I want God to show us if we need to be even more generous and more sacrificial in our giving as a church.

III. They fail to properly appreciate all God has given to them.

I truly believe that another reason some people fail to give back to God in the same way God has given to them is because of a lack of appreciation or the sin of ingratitude.

I’m sure the whole “ownership” vs. “stewardship” issue comes into play here, but I don’t understand how someone can be stingy and fail to be generous if they really were thankful and appreciated the wonderful blessings they have received from God.

One biblical example of a person who demonstrated ingratitude is the story of the servant who was forgiven a huge debt that was owed to his master, then he refused to forgive another fellow servant of a small debt, and had him thrown in prison until the debt could be paid. (Matthew 18:23ff)

It seems to me that it would be a natural thing for a person to be generous, sacrificial and cheerful about giving to others and to the Lord if they were truly thankful for all God had provided for them.

IV. They fail to believe that God can use them or their gift(s) to bless others and advance His kingdom.

I’m convinced that many of us simply do not give generously to the Kingdom of God because we do not really have the faith to believe that our gift matters, or that God can use us to accomplish big things. If you have studied the Scriptures very much you know there are numerous passages that illustrate the things we miss because of a lack of faith.

One clear example that comes to my mind is the reference in the Gospels describing the visit Jesus made to His home town of Nazareth. Mark 6:5-6 contain these words, “He could do no might work there… He marveled at their unbelief.”

May the Lord help each one of us individually, and help all of us corporately to faithfully live as stewards who will one day give account to the Master Owner for how we used the possessions and funds He has blessed us with to glorify Him.

Let’s stand and sing our closing song: # 671, Something for Thee.