11/9/13

From Ben Fronczek.... Jesus Said, “Don't Worry”

Jesus Said, “Don't Worry”

Jesus Discusses Worry

Read Matthew 6:25-34

I read something about worry this week that I thought was interesting. It made a lot of sense. Someone wrote this. “Worry is a thin stream of fear that trickles through the mind. If encouraged it cuts a wide channel that drains away all other thoughts.” Isn’t that so true? If you allow that worry to linger and if you encourage that worry in your heart, then all other constructive thoughts are taken out of your mind. So, the Lord tells us not to worry. Even though the Lord says we are not to worry the fact of the matter is we do a whole lot of worrying, don’t we?

But then there is another side: I heard this story: A young boy was driving a hayrack down the road when the wagon fell over in front of a farmer’s house. The farmer came out, saw the young boy crying and said, “Son, don’t worry about this, we can fix it. Right now dinner’s ready. Why don’t you come in and eat with us and then I’ll help you put the hay back on the rack.”
The boy said, “No, I can’t. My father is going to be very angry with me.” The farmer said, “Now don’t worry, just come in and have some lunch and you’ll feel better.” The boy said, “I’m just afraid my father is going to be very angry with me.”
The farmer and the young boy went inside and had dinner. Afterwards, as they walked outside to the hayrack, the farmer said, “Now, son, don’t you feel better after that great meal?”
The boy said, “Yes but I just know that my father will be very angry with me.” The farmer said, “Nonsense. Where is your father anyway?” The boy said, “He’s under that wagon.”

I guess some things are worth worrying about. Surveys have been taken and they reveals that only 8 out of a hundred thing that we worry about are really worth our concern. But people in our society today are worried about everything. Fear has gripped people’s hearts and paralyzed them.

People are anxious about:

- How they look – What they are wearing

– How much money they have in the bank

– Rising gas prices

– Falling stock prices

– falling home values

– Foreclosures

–Job security

– Even, Are their children going to turn out right

They worry about:
- The government

-Their Health

– Who they will marry

– If they are married, how long it will last

– even the end of the world.

This has led to all sorts of health issues:
Sleeplessness

– Tension headaches

– Frustration

– Irritability

– High blood pressure

– Ulcers

– Heart disease

– Inability to relax.

How unfortunate that Christians have joined the ranks of those who worry and fret about everything. We have taken our cue from the world around us.
We have allowed Satan to defeat us and cause us to stumble. Instead of trusting in the power, provision and protection of our sovereign God we have grown use to living anxiety plagued lives. In our text, Jesus’ command is meant to keep his followers from getting hurt. Worry hurts. It affects people and their relationship. It strangles us. It chokes us. It destroys faith. It leads to a lot of trouble.

In Matthew 6:25 Jesus said,

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?”

The Lord Jesus is emphatic in trying to get this point across to His children. Throughout this section of Scripture He commands that we are not to be anxious. Over and over He says, DO NOT WORRY {OR BE ANXIOUS}

Medical doctors will tell you that worry inflicts both physical and psychological damage. What’s far worse than both of those outcomes is the fact that worry is sin. When we worry we are displaying unbelief in our Heavenly Father’s ability to care for us. Jesus is saying, “Stop Worrying!” Literally: “Do not even start!”

In our text, what does Jesus tell us not to worry about? Food, or what we will drink, What we will wear, how long we are going to live, our future. In out text Jesus provides three suggestions for a worry-free life. Notice that these suggestions require attitude, life, and value adjustments. It requires repentance, seeking divine help, and an honest to goodness evaluation of our lives.

1. So first of all one needs to MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION. WHO YOU ARE GOING TO SERVE

The “therefore” in verse 25 refers back to what Jesus said in the previous text.

In verse 24 He said

, “²⁴ “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

So first of all we need to make a decision who we are going to serve. Ultimately, who we serve will determine whether we turn out to be worriers or worshippers. A worry-free life is first of all the result of making the right decision as to who and what is going to be the most important and primary focus in my life. If you trust in your material possessions and money you are going to have a life full of worry and concern because there is no stability when you build your life on things that are here today and can be gone tomorrow.

2. WE NEED TO TRUST IN THE FATHER (6:26, 32) Someone once wrote, wrote, “Worry is the warning light that God is really not first in my life.”

Twice in the text, Jesus points to the heavenly Father as reason for not worrying. God and His love and ability far exceed our ability and understanding and offers security.

Prov. 3:5-6

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; ⁶ in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

If you think about it having Father in Heaven who is God of the universe, and always being worried sick about everything is silly. Why should we worry when our heavenly Father owns all and controls all? Jesus points out the obvious, “worry is useless.” It is a futile exercise, a total waste of time, of effort, of energy. What does he say in verse 27? He said you can’t add a single hour to your life by worrying. We need to believe God’s Word and trust His promises He has given us:

In Phil. 4:19 Paul writes,

“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

Do you believe that? I think that there are many followers of Christ who need to re-discover Father God. He is not like some of our earthly fathers who were flawed, uncaring, unable, maybe even undependable. Our Father in Heaven is not like that. He know you and loves you and promises to work all things out for the benefit of those who love Him (Romans 8:28) In this text Jesus lets us know that He knows exactly what we need. He said ‘Don’t you think that if the Father cares for the birds of the air and the plants of the field that He not going to take care you and me; His sons, and daughters who are created in His very image?’ We need to wake up to the reality that we really have a God and Father in Heaven who cares for us and our needs.

#3. And then WE NEED TO GET OUR OWN PRIOERITIES RIGHT (6:33)
In vs. 6:33 Jesus tells us that instead of worrying about food, water, clothes and the like, we should seek out God’s kingdom and righteousness. This is not a new theme that Jesus introduces here, rather we find this throughout the Sermon on the Mount. To care for God’s business and understand His ways will assure us that God will take care for you. So again, Jesus raises the bar. He said, ‘People who do not know God run after and worry about these other things, but you are different. Pursue God’s kingdom, make it a priority, make it your ambition, make it your goal..’

So what does it mean to seek His kingdom above all?
I think first of all we need to wake up to the reality of God’s kingdom. That there is more to life than what we can hears, see, touch, taste, and smell. There is a whole spiritual realm that is infinitely more broad and complex than our little world. And our God and Father is lord over it all and wants us to enjoy it’s blessings; if we will only open our eyes and seek Him. And He made it all available to us thru Jesus and what He did on the cross. We can become a active part of that Kingdom if we accept Jesus sacrifice for us, allow Him to remove our sin in the waters of baptism, and continue to trust Him as Lord. To seek God’s righteousness involves wanting God’s righteousness. It is a gift He offers us. As a Christian we should want it. We should want it to please God and help ourselves become what we were meant to be. We should want to see God’s righteousness demonstrated in our own life as we ministering to the poor, the weak, those sick. I should desire that every department of my life be placed under His care, direction, and plan; my home, my marriage, my family, in my work, my relationships, my finances, future, and so on.

Conclusion:

Worry is attitude unbecoming of the child of God. Worship is better. To fret is a useless endeavor. To believe is better. If you have lived in worry, it is time to make some important changes. Make the right decision. “When you take care of God’s business you can rest assured God will take care of your personal business.”

For more lessons click on the following link: http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?page_id=566

From Jim McGuiggan... Paul's Use of the Term "Israel"

Paul's Use of the Term "Israel"

Does Paul use the word Jew or Israel to speak of non-Jews? I don't think he does. Let's take a look at the book of Romans. "Jew" occurs eleven times, "Israel" occurs eleven times and "Israelite" occurs twice. Out of these twenty-four occurrences only two are disputed. They're in 2:28-29 and 11:26. There is 9:6, of course, which has a varied history in the dispute.

I'm of the opinion that when Paul uses either word he means a physical descendant of Abraham through Jacob. But there are some Jews (as just defined) who have the faith of Abraham and have faith in Jesus Christ and some that have neither. A Messianic Jew is a physical Jew that has faith in Jesus Christ. He is an Israelite. The non-believing Jew is also an Israelite.

9:6 says that not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. There are some that have descended from Israel (Jacob) who are not Israel. He doesn't say, "physical Israel isn't Israel." He says, "not all physical Israelites are Israel." But notice that he is speaking of physical Jews!

The word "Israel" is understood by many to mean "true Israel" by which they mean the non-ethnic, cosmopolitan Christian church. But this is out of touch with Paul's aim in chapters 9—11, which is to vindicate God's faithfulness. The claim is that God made promises to physical Israel and if Paul's gospel is true then God has been faithless. And why is that? Because according to Paul the mass of Israel is unsaved. Part of Paul's response is 9:6. He insists that not all physical Jews are part of Israel because it takes more than Jacob's flesh to constitute (true) Israel. Not all Abraham's descendants were his children (9:7-8). A true Israelite is a descendant of Abraham through Jacob that has the faith of Abraham. Acts 3:22-23 says that Jews who reject the Messiah will be "cut off from among his people."

Paul agreed with his Master (John 8:31-44) that there are Jews and Jews, Abraham's children and Abraham's children. Christ said he knew his critics were Abraham's children and then he goes on to deny that they are Abraham's children and that someone else was their father. Gentiles are nowhere near either John 8 or Romans 9:6-7.

This lays the groundwork for Romans 2:28-29. The real Jew, Paul insists, is the Jew that lives out the meaning of circumcision. We need to remember what Paul is doing in this section of Romans. He has shown that the Gentiles are under condemnation for sin and now he is bringing Israel under judgement. In this section he is showing that Israel, physical Jews, have bragged on possessing the Torah, the Sabbath and circumcision but it was all external to them because they didn't have the torah written on their hearts. In this section when Paul implicitly denies their Jewish status it's on moral and spiritual grounds. The prophet Ezekiel insisted that his Jewish peers were Amorites and Hittites (16:45). They were Israel but they weren't "true" Israelites. Neither the prophet nor Paul was saying that others were Israelites. They were denying that external Israellites were (true) Israelites.

The other text in dispute is Romans 11:26. In 11:2 Elijah appeals against Israel and in 11:7 what Israel sought she failed to get. In 11:11 God brings in Gentiles to make Israel jealous and Paul calls them his "own people" in contrast to Gentiles (11:14). Gentiles are warned not to dismiss Israel because God hasn't jettisoned them. He would do the same to Gentiles if they turned to unbelief and he will save Israel if they come to faith (11:13-24). And how does he explain in 11:25-26 the Jewish rejection of the Messiah and the consequences that flowed from it? "Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved." (See 11:7 on the hardening of Israel.) 11:28-31 continues to contrast Gentiles with "them".

To accept that "Israel" all the way through this section speaks of physical Israelites and then to make 11:26 a figurative, non-ethnic and cosmopolitan church is too difficult to swallow. And when we remember that "all Israel will be saved" is part of Paul's defense of God's faithfulness to his promises to Israel (see 9:1-6) we must allow "Israel" to be "Israel".

For Paul "Israel" was divided into two. Those who were Israel after the flesh and who rejected the Messiah and those who were Israel and had the faith of Abraham who believed that God could give life to the dead (see Romans 4:18-25). The non-believing and believing Israel were both Israel as you can see simply by reading the texts.

So what does he mean when he says, "all Israel will be saved"? Scholars like N.T. Wright say that "Israel" in that text is the New Covenant people regardless of ethnic background. I don't think that's correct. The Gentiles are tempted to arrogance, believing that God has dumped the people he made promises to (Israel—9:1-5) just to let them in (11:19). Paul insists that God has never been faithless to Israel and that not a single Israelite would be lost because the Messiah came from them to save them (11:26-29). But the true Israelite was an Israelite that was not only physically kin to the patriarchs but one who had their faith (see 9:5). All of these—without exception—will be saved. More on this later with a brief look at Galatians 6:16. See All Israel will be saved (1).

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Mark Copeland... Spiritual Maturity In Christ (Colossians 2:1-8)

                     "THE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS"

                  Spiritual Maturity In Christ (2:1-8)

INTRODUCTION

1. In Col 1:28-29, we saw that Paul's primary goal in his labors was to
   "present every man perfect in Christ Jesus."  That is, that they be
   "spiritually mature in Christ."

2. This being the case, we are not surprised to find Paul now writing to
   the Colossians of:
   a. His great concern for them - Col 2:1-3
   b. The reason for this concern - Col 2:4-5
   c. Some exhortations in light of his concern - Col 2:6-8

3. From these eight verses, there are a couple of things we can glean
   concerning the subject of "Spiritual Maturity In Christ"

[First, from verses 1-5 we can take note of several...]

I. INDICATIONS OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY (1-5)

   A. A DEEP CONCERN FOR OUR BRETHREN IN CHRIST (1)
      1. Remember that Paul is an example of spiritual maturity and thus
         worthy of our emulation - 1Co 11:1
      2. We see that he had a concern for his brethren (notice 2Co 11:
         28-29 also), even for those he personally had not seen!
      3. Epaphras likewise demonstrated this "mark" of maturity - Col 4:
         12-13
      4. Do we have such concern for our brethren?

   B. A HEART THAT IS ENCOURAGED (2)
      1. The KJV uses the word "comforted"
      2. It is the Will of God that we serve Him with hearts that are
         full of comfort and encouragement
         a. Such was the concern of Jesus - Lk 21:34; Jn 14:1,27
         b. Such was the frequent prayer of Paul - 2Th 2:16-17
      3. A "troubled, anxious heart" is not the mark of a mature
         Christian!
      4. Consider the example of Paul in facing impending death - 2 Ti4:6-8,17-18

   C. A HEART KNIT TOGETHER IN LOVE WITH OTHER CHRISTIANS (2)
      1. I.e., a love similar to that experienced by David and Jonathan 
         - 1 Sa 18:1
      2. The brethren at Colosse were well on their way in this regard 
         - Col 1:4
      3. How about us?  Are we developing hearts "knit together in
         love"?

   D. A FULL ASSURANCE OF UNDERSTANDING (2)
      1. Similar to having hearts that are encouraged, we need to have a
         strong assurance concerning ourselves and our salvation!
      2. Of course, this assurance comes as we increase our
         "understanding" concerning the basis of our salvation
      3. Indeed, the Word of God was so written to increase that
         understanding, and provide the assurance of our salvation 
         - 1Jn 5:13; 3:19; note also Ro 15:4
      4. As one matures in Christ, this "assurance" will increase, and
         it is indeed one of the "riches" we have in Christ!

   E. A KNOWLEDGE OF THE MYSTERY OF GOD (2)
      1. I.e., an understanding of the gospel, which once was hidden,
         but has now been revealed - cf. Ep 3:3-6; Ro 16:25-26
      2. Thus, a good knowledge of the gospel of Christ is essential to
         maturity in Christ
      3. Are we increasing in this knowledge?

   F. GOOD ORDER AND STEADFASTNESS OF FAITH (5)
      1. The word "order"...
         a. From taxis {tax'-is}, a military term, suggestive of men
            marching in proper order and precision, as in a drilling
            exercise
         b. This suggests that a mature Christian is one whose walk as a
            disciple is in proper line with what is expected
      2. The word "steadfastness" is a word which goes right along with
         this idea of marching in a straight line
      3. What is our "life of faith" like?
         a. Are we progressing in order, steadfast in our progress?
         b. Or are we wavering constantly?

[These are but a few indications of spiritual maturity.  If they are 
found in our lives, it is a good sign that progress is being made!

From verses 6-8, we can also learn of some...]

II. STEPS TO SPIRITUAL MATURITY (6-8)

   A. RECEIVE CHRIST AS "LORD" (6)
      1. This the Colossians had done
      2. Today, many seem to want Jesus just as a "Savior," but not as
         "Lord"
      3. That is, they profess to want Him as "their personal Savior,"
         but then do not obey Him in what He commands them
      4. Yet God has made Him both! - cf. Ac 2:36
      5. Until we enthrone Christ as Lord in our lives, we cannot hope
         to become "perfect" (complete, mature) in Christ
      6. Again, Paul provides a good example - e.g., Ga 2:20

   B. WALK IN CHRIST (6-7)
      1. Having received Christ as Lord, we must now "walk" (or live)
         in Him
      2. Verse 7 explains what it means to "walk in Christ"
         a. "rooted" - Christ must be the FOUNDATION and SOURCE OF
            NUTRITION in our lives (like tree depends upon its roots)
         b. "built up in Him" - allowing ourselves to become the kind of
            building He would have us to be
         c. "established in the faith" - well taught and grounded in the
            teachings of Christ, and living by them
         d. "abounding in it with thanksgiving" - ever overflowing with
            an attitude of gratitude

   C. BEWARE... (8)
      1. To grow spiritually, we must beware of dangers which would
         hinder our spiritual growth
      2. Otherwise, in our zeal to grow we can easily be misled by false
         doctrines which promise an easy route to spiritual maturity,
         but do not deliver on that promise!
      3. Thus the need for "negative preaching" as the occasion may call
         for it

CONCLUSION

1. Our next lesson will look at some of those false doctrines those at
   Colosse were facing which promised much, but gave nothing of true
   value

2. For the moment, let's close by asking two questions:
   a. Why should we even be concerned with growing in spiritual maturity
      in Christ?
      1) Because in Him "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and
         knowledge" - Col 2:3
      2) Because He has warned of what will occur if we do not mature
         and "bear fruit" - Jn 15:1-2
   b. How does one initially receive Christ as Lord?
      1) By doing what He says, i.e., the Father's will - Lk 6:46; Mt 7:21
      2) This includes the command to repent and be baptized, for in so
         doing one receives the remission of sins as they also "put on
         Christ" (i.e., "receive Christ") - Ac 2:36-38; Ga 3:26-27

From Gary... Sometimes you win and other times....

Yesterday was a bad day for the munchies. As we watched TV, Linda decided that she was going to have a snack, and then another one and when she brought a third one in the living room, I asked for some of it (popcorn, that is). Now, I try my best, but, OH, HOW GOOD THOSE LITTLE WHITE POPPED THINGS SMELLED!!!! Fell off the wagon yesterday, but today is another day!!! I guess that I will have to be more careful today and anticipate her snack needs. Perhaps I will just have to watch HER, so that I can anticipate HER needs, so that they don't become MY NEEDS!!! So, we come to the picture. Bad news!!! If I wanted to continue to attend weight watchers, I think I would find another meeting to go to. This one just has too much temptation associated with it. Face it, we all have things that are harder to resist than others, but we must do the best we can. Consider this 1st Peter passage for a moment...

1 Peter, Chapter 2

1 Putting away therefore all wickedness, all deceit, hypocrisies, envies, and all evil speaking,  2 as newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the Word, that with it you may grow,  3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious:  4 coming to him, a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God, precious.  5 You also, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.  6 Because it is contained in Scripture,
“Behold,^*n1 I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, chosen, and precious:
He who believes in him will not be disappointed.”

  7 For you who believe therefore is the honor, but for those who are disobedient,
“The stone which the builders rejected,
has become the chief cornerstone,”

  8 and,
“a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.”

For they stumble at the word, being disobedient, to which also they were appointed.  9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:  10 who in time past were no people, but now are God’s people, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.  11 Beloved, I beg you as foreigners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;  12 having good behavior among the nations, so in that of which they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they see, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Look, we all screw up!!! I did, just yesterday!!! The thing is... not to keep doing it; not to follow a pattern of weakness, but to do the right thing!!! Like the situation in the picture, find a way out (another meeting place)... do something different and do not blow it again. Today, I am going to have that extra piece of fruit for my second breakfast, and enjoy an extra large bowl of cabbage soup AFTER I have used up my points. And I hope to do it late enough in the day to avoid the "treats" of the evening. Anyway, THAT IS THE PLAN!!!

11/8/13

From Ben Fronczek... Treasure Saved In Heaven Is a Better Deal

Treasure Saved In Heaven Is a Better Deal

Treasure In Heaven

Introduction: Please begin by clicking and and watching the following Video (Scrat’s Gone Nutty)

In Prov. 23:5 Solomon wrote

“Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings, and fly off to the sky like an eagle.”

We may not be all consumed with acorns, but we have other things which we like to accumulate, and even hoard. There is even a TV show called ‘Hoarders.’ And people have so much stuff, they can’t fit it in their homes and have to go out and rent a storage unit to store their material posessions.

It is amazing the way greed and materialism can consume us.

–James Patterson and Peter Kin, in their book The Day America Told the Truth, reveal how far people in the United States would actually go for money. At first they asked people what they would you do for $10 million and then asked people if they would do the same for $5 million and then $2 million. After $2 million the percentages came down drastically. However for at least $2 million, people responded they would do the following things for money:

a. (25%) Would abandon their entire family for $2 million..

b. (23%) Would become prostitutes for a week or more

c. (16%) Would give up their American citizenship

d. (16%) Would leave their spouses

e. (10%) Would withhold testimony and let a murderer go free

f. (7%) Would kill a stranger

g. (3%) Would put their children up for adoption

Can you imagine that? Jesus warns us in Luke 12:15 –

“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

And here in our text, in Mt. 6:19-21 Jesus said,

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

In our text today Jesus again raises the bar by telling His disciple that they should not be all consumed with treasures of this earth, but rather they should focus more on laying up treasure in heaven.

But how does one store up treasures in heaven?

–Bill Hybel’s lists three important we should deposits in our heavenly bank account:

#1 Worship (that is genuine heart-felt worship)
–“ Worship is never wasteful in the eyes of God. Every act of private and corporate worship is a deposit in your heavenly bank account.” He also adds, “Not only does worship move and delight the heart of God, it helps restore our perspective on what is truly valuable in this life.”

#2 Become Christ-like Character
–“The Bible clearly teaches us that if we want to lay up treasure in heaven, one of the best investment strategies is personal character development. We should make every attempt to strengthen our character in a way that honors God. Each time we do this, it is a deposit in our heavenly bank account.

In 1 Peter 3:8-9 he writes,

‘Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”

Every time we choose love over hate, kindness over harshness, empathy over insensitivity, truth-telling over lying, forgiveness over grudge-bearing, a polite spirit over rudeness, silence over slander, wisdom over foolishness, purity over immorality, faith, or generosity over stinginess, we delight the heart of God and add to our heavenly portfolio.”

#3: Expressions of Generosity
Illustration: Mr. Baker, a wealthy Christian man gave away millions of dollars to kingdom ministries. During the depression he lost all of his wealth. When one critical reporter asked him if he regretted giving money to one Christian college he said, “Whatever I gave away to God I still possess for eternity.” That is the way giving to the Lord works, we give but we never lose – we only gain.

–“Every time we show an act of compassion, we build up our treasure in heaven. It might seem like a small act of kindness, but it counts! Others might look on and chuckle at our efforts. They might even say that we can’t make a difference. But Jesus calls us to express His love, kindness, and compassion to those in need. When we do, we are storing up treasures in heaven where rust can’t corrupt, moths can’t eat, and thieves can’t steal. It’s a great investment plan!”

Do you remember what Jesus told His disciples who will enter the Kingdom of heaven?

In Matthew 25 when He said,

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ And when those disciples asked when they did that for Him He told that that when they did those things for their fellow man it was like they were doing it for Him.”

I want to add one more deposit to that list – # 4: Leading others to Jesus Christ
When you get to heaven, what a joy it will be to see all of those with whom you shared the gospel. It might be your children, your friends, your neighbors, other relatives, even the lady who waited on your table at your favorite restaurant or the fellow behind the counter at the convenience store.
Won’t it be a grand time to hear: “I’m here because you shared your love of Christ with me.”

1 Pet. 1:4 calls our deposits

“an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you…”

SO WHERE DO YOU FOCUS YOUR ATTENTION

In Mt. 6:22-23 Jesus said,

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!”

I think Jesus chose an interesting analogy—connecting materialism with the function of the eye. – A “good” eye is a metaphor for how we look at life. –A “good” eye views life as an investment opportunity for heaven.

B. We need to focus on the light rather than the darkness, to set our vision toward Christ instead of material things.

–Heb. 12:2a tells us to,

“fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…”

1. In 2 Corinthians Paul says to focus on what will last. In 2 Cor. 4:18 he tell us to, ‘fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.’

For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.’

Isn’t that what Jesus was saying when He said that moths and rust destroy and thieves steal?

2. Whatever captures the attention of our eyes in time will magnetically draw us to it. 1 Jn. 2:15-17 –

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” “ He goes on to say, “The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.”

In Mt. 6:24 Jesus goes on to teach

“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”

Whatever owns or consumes your life is what you will serve. Are you like that about anything? Money? things? your business? Do you own it or does it own you? Look at poor Scrat.

Someone once said: “Money is a wonderful servant, but a lousy master.” I think we can say the same thing about a lot of things. Scrat could have said the same thing about acorns.

If you are serious about laying up treasures in heaven then it starts here on earth. –Heavenly living begins here and is completed in heaven

CONCLUSION: A. Don’t misunderstand Christ’s words in our passage today.

1. His admonition is not about wealth; it is about greed and materialism.
– You can be on food stamps and be more sinful through your envy, jealousy,
covetousness and desire for material possessions than a millionaire who is generous and finds hope in God.

2. What is your priority? –Where is your heart?
Jesus said,

“What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?” (Matthew 16:26)

Dr. Raymond Ortlund, Jr. once wrote “Picture yourself standing with Jesus on the sidewalk of a commercial park somewhere here in town. He points to a building on one side of the street: ‘Don’t invest in that company — Earth, Inc. Their security system is inadequate. People are hacking into their computers. Their physical plant is aging. In fact, their site is condemned. But look over here on this side of the street — Heaven, Inc. Their assets are secure, backed up by the Lord of the universe. Their security is infallible and their performance impeccable. They have never lost one single dime. Every dollar invested with them has repaid big-time.”

Many procrastinate about putting money aside for their future, investing in their retirement. At least I have. My encouragement today is not to procrastinate about investing in the true riches we talked about today in this sermon. Invest in His eternal Kingdom each day and you will never be sorry!

For more lessons click on the following link: http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?page_id=566

From Jim McGuiggan... Natural Theology in Romans 1?

Natural Theology in Romans 1?

In Romans 1:16 Paul speaks of God's faithfulness as it comes to focus in Jesus Christ; but the background to God's faithfulness is human faithlessness (1:18-3:20). Romans 1:18-32 is a description of the moral darkness of the Gentile world and its condition under the judgement of God. He's describing Gentile unfaithfulness (and he will go on to describe Jewish unfaithfulness). Paul isn't making a rational argument, such as, design to Designer or creation to Creator. Nor is he saying that such an argument can successfully be made. That isn't his point—it has nothing to do with what he is working with. He isn't saying, "They could look at the heavens and reason from there and know that idolatry is abominable." To isolate 1:19-23 from the rest of that section is to confuse the issue.

These Gentiles suppressed (and suppress) truth. They suppress truth that God had made known to them (1:18-19). God had revealed himself as Creator and in their moral darkness the Gentiles suppressed that truth and turned to idolatry. What a piece of nonsense it was too, Paul indicates, since from the very beginning the creation proclaimed God's everlasting power and divinity—animals indeed (1:20-25)!

Given revealed truth, those that worship sticks and stones and crawling things and even people (yes!) defy the very heavens above them and the earth beneath them. Such people are inexcusable.

Their behaviour was not inexcusable because there was "natural theology" available. Their inexcusable behaviour included the immorality and unrighteousness that characterised them. These people knew the moral law of God (1:32) and they knew that those who behaved as they behaved deserved God's judgement. You can't—via unaided reason—come up with the moral strictures in this chapter. These Gentiles didn't learn the essential content of the Torah by inferring things from creation (see 2:12-14).

Some non-believers would like to think that we can establish moral law independent of special revelation but others more forthright (though inconsistent in practice) agree with Russell, Flew, Sartre, Kaufmann and others who say that moral law is a question of preference buttressed by prudence and self-interest.

Some believers become impatient when the issue of moral authority and content is raised. "Look, everybody knows it's wrong to 'steal' or 'murder' or such." And how do they know? "They just know!" But that's not good enough! I think we make a serious mistake when he minimise our dependence on special revelation.

But does Paul not say that the works of the flesh "are obvious" (Galatians 5:19-21)? Yes he did; but this is a man who has been taught by God and he's speaking to people who have committed to God in Jesus Christ. To such people we can generalise and say the evils that rise from our inner evil "are obvious". But they aren't "obvious" to all. [It hardly needs saying that even Christians have to be instructed about what is evil ("Do you not know…?" or "Are you ignorant?" and such phrases).] The truth about God's moral/ethical requirements are taught and from the foundational truths other truths are learned by extension. For those called by the gospel the situation is even more specific since their ethical response is to be modelled on the life (Jesus) that has been revealed to them.

This much is clear, the Gentile world of which Paul spoke knew God's righteous decree and knew how God felt about flagrant and impenitent perversion and ungodliness (Romans 1:32). Look at the long (but not exhaustive) list of vileness—this is part of what Paul had in mind when he said they were inexcusable (2:1). These weren't things they could deduce from the design of the human eye or celestial mechanics.

The central thrust of the above can be exposed as inadequate if we can make an "unaided reason" argument stick. Maybe someone will frame the argument without leaning on scripture; that would do it.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Mark Copeland... Paul As A Minister (Colossians 1:24-29)

"THE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS"

Paul As A Minister (1:24-29)

INTRODUCTION

1. At this point in his epistle, Paul provides some insight into how he
viewed his work as a minister of the gospel of Christ - Col 1:24-29

2. This passage can be of value to both:
a. Preachers of the gospel, in giving them insight as to how they
view themselves and the work they are to perform
b. All Christians...
1) First, to give them a better understanding of the work of a
minister and what to expect from them
2) And second, since all Christians are to imitate the example of
Paul (1Co 11:1), to learn those attitudes we should have
toward our brethren whether we serve as "full-time" (i.e.,
fully-supported) ministers or not

[With that in mind, we notice first of all that...]

I. PAUL TOOK GREAT JOY IN SUFFERING FOR HIS BRETHREN (24)

A. PAUL HAD SUFFERED GREATLY THROUGHOUT HIS MINISTRY...
1. As he outlined in his second epistle to the Corinthians - 2 Co 11:23-29
2. In this, he was not much different the rest of the apostles
- 1Co 4:9-13

B. YET, IF THIS SUFFERING WAS FOR THE SAKE OF CHRIST AND HIS
BRETHREN, PAUL WAS GLAD!
1. As he said, "I now rejoice in my sufferings for you" - Col 1:24
2. He expressed the same thoughts to the Philippians - Php 2:17-18
3. Remember, at the very time he wrote both of these epistles he
was suffering as a prisoner at Rome in service to Christ and to
them!

C. WHY WAS PAUL SO JOYFULLY WILLING TO SUFFER?
1. One reason is given in this passage: "to fill up in my flesh
what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of
His body, which is the church."
a. This is not to suggest that there was anything lacking in
the atoning value of Christ's sacrifice! - cf. Col 2:14; He 10:12,14
b. The following quotation I have found helpful: "We should
bear in mind that although Christ by means of the
afflictions which he endured rendered complete satisfaction
to God, so that Paul is able to glory in nothing but the
cross (Ga 6:14), the enemies of Christ were not satisfied!
They hated Jesus with insatiable hatred, and wanted to add
to his afflictions. But since he is no longer physically
present on earth, their arrows, which are meant especially
for him, strike his followers. It is in that sense that
all true believers are in his stead supplying what, as the
enemies see it, is lacking in the afflictions which Jesus
endured. Christ's afflictions overflow toward us."
(Hendrickson, New Testament Commentary, Exposition of
Colossians and Philemon, p. 87)
c. Passages offered in support of this interpretation are Mt 10:25; Mk 13:13; Jn 15:18-21; Ac 9:4,5; 2Co 1:5,10; Ga 6:17; Php 3:10; Re 12:13
2. Paul gives another reason elsewhere he suffered joyfully for
his brethren: for the same reason parents joyfully suffer for
their children! - 2Co 12:14-15
a. Children are the parents' "pride and joy", and the parents
will gladly sacrifice for their children!
b. So Paul viewed his brethren - 1Th 2:19-20; Php 4:1

D. DO WE IMITATE PAUL IN THIS REGARD?
1. Not only are we willing to share in the afflictions of Christ,
but are we willing to suffer gladly for our brethren?
2. Do we consider our brethren as a source of great joy and pride?
3. Are we willing to joyfully expend time, energy, even "blood,
sweat and tears" in serving them? - cf. 1Jn 3:16
4. Can we truthfully say "yes" if we...
a. Won't make the effort to assemble with them every
opportunity that is available?
b. Won't try to encourage them when they are weak in the faith,
or admonish them when they stray from the faith?
c. Aren't willing to love them, to patiently endure them, to
quickly forgive them, even when they offend and sin against
us?

[Let the example of Paul be our model, for in reality he was simply
following the example of Christ (cf. 2Co 8:9).

Next, we notice that...]

II. PAUL CONSIDERED HIMSELF A SERVANT AND A STEWARD (25-27)

A. HIS VIEW OF HIMSELF WAS REALLY QUITE A HUMBLE ONE...
1. The word "minister" is diakonos {dee-ak'-on-os}, and means
"one who executes the commands of another, esp. of a master; a
servant, attendant, minister"
2. This is exactly how Paul viewed himself and other preachers
- 1Co 3:5-7
3. How different from views held today by some preachers and their
brethren, who exalt preachers above their brethren!
4. In particular, Paul considered himself a servant...
a. Of the church - Col 1:24-25
b. Of Jesus Christ - Php 1:1
c. Of the gospel - Ep 3:6-7

B. AS A SERVANT, HE CONSIDERED HIMSELF A "STEWARD"...
1. He had received a "stewardship" (KJV, dispensation) from God
a. The word used is oikonomia {oy-kon-om-ee'-ah}
b. It means "the management of a household or of household
affairs; specifically,the management, oversight,
administration, of other's property"
2. He had been entrusted with the gospel of Jesus Christ!
a. Which is called in this passage a "mystery", for it had been
hidden for ages
b. But has now been revealed to His saints (Col 1:26), indeed
to all nations (Ro 16:25-26)!
c. What is this "mystery"? To paraphrase Paul: "It is Christ
in you (the Gentiles), the hope of glory" - Col 1:27
3. Paul considered it his duty as a "steward" to faithfully share
that gospel to the nations - cf. Ep 3:8-9; 1Co 4:2

C. HOW ABOUT US?
1. Do we consider ourselves "servants"? We should! - cf. Mk 10:42-45
2. Do we serve one another? We should! - Ga 5:13
3. Do we consider ourselves "stewards" of the gospel?
a. That we have been entrusted with the riches of the gospel?
b. That to be faithful we must share them with others?

[Whether or not WE view ourselves this way, it is how GOD views us, and
we will be judged by how we have served as stewards (cf. Mt 25:14-30).

The third and final point we can glean from our text is that...]

III. PAUL HAD PRIMARILY ONE GOAL IN LIFE (28-29)

A. WHICH WAS: TO PRESENT EVERY MAN PERFECT IN CHRIST!
1. He was not out just to preach, just to make converts
2. He wanted to make mature disciples, who had become complete in
Christ

B. TO ACCOMPLISH HIS GOAL, HE USED EVERY APPROPRIATE MEANS...
1. He preached Jesus Christ!
a. He proclaimed the good news of Jesus Christ
b. His life, His teachings, His death, His resurrection
-- Only by so presenting Christ to the man, can a preacher hope
to present the man to Christ as complete and mature - cf.
2Co 3:18
2. He warned when necessary!
a. His preaching was both positive and negative!
b. Yes, there is a place for "negative preaching"
1) Cf. The Ten Commandments; also, the "reproof" and
"correction" mentioned in 2Ti 3:16
2) Negative preaching serves as "restraining rails" on the
strait and narrow path to life!
c. Of course, it must be properly balanced with positive
preaching
1) Otherwise, we will simply bounce around and get hung up
on the "restraining rails", never making progress in our
journey
2) Positive preaching will assure that we keep progressing
on the right track!
3. He "taught" as well as "preached"!
a. He did not limit himself to the public forum
b. He taught with private instruction as well - Ac 20:20
c. To present every man "perfect in Christ Jesus", there is
often a need for personal instruction that one does not find
in the public assemblies of the church
d. Of course, wisdom helps to determine when - Col 1:28
4. He expended effort and emotion!
a. He "labored" toward this one goal of his
b. He "agonized" in doing so (the Greek word is agonizomai
{ag-o-nid'-zom-ahee}, to endeavor with strenuous zeal,
strive)
5. He depended upon God in his labors!
a. He realized that without God he was nothing, and could do
nothing worth lasting - 1Co 15:10
b. So he always looked to God for help in accomplishing his
goal - 2Th 3:1; Col 4:3-4

CONCLUSION

1. In concluding this lesson, again I seek to make application by
asking:
a. Are we imitators of Paul?
b. Are we concerned about whether or not our brethren and others are
being presented "perfect in Christ"?
c. Are we willing to expend the effort and the emotion necessary to
reach this end?

2. If we will...
a. View our ourselves as Paul viewed himself, as servants and
stewards
b. Consider our suffering for our brethren a great privilege and
source of joy
...then I am convinced that we gladly devote ourselves to the same
goal Paul had!

3. Let's think on these things, and consider what we can be doing to
"present every man perfect in Christ Jesus"!

For those who have not been obedient to the gospel of Christ, perfection
in Christ begins with that first step of faith...