As we look at the last verses of Matthew 7, I am reminded of all the recent natural disasters that have overwhelmed our nation in this last year. Tornadoes, fires, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, etc., all have been apart of our lives, and have reminded us how truly insignificant we as humans are in this vast universe. I have been through several major storms in my life, including tornadoes, and I can say that when one is facing those type of powerful storms, there is a sense of fear and stress that surrounds our minds and hearts during those events. The apostle Matthew gives us the last metaphor that Jesus uses to expose the truth and helps distinguish real Christians verses fake Christians. This metaphor is of two foundations, one being made out of rock (vs. 24-25), and the one made our of sand (26-27). Both foundations and homes built on those sites face a great storm, yet the end result is the house built on the rock stood firm, while the one built on the sand was destroyed.
A true believer will face all sort of storms and troubles in life. As John Hayes writes, "Give us fewer books with titles like The Power of Positive Thinking and more books with titles like Failing but Still Surviving. The true calm in the storm, the true relief from the stress of this life comes when we know on what foundation we are building our life and the lives of our family upon. Jesus makes a power statement when describing the unshakable foundation, he states that this firm foundation are "My Words." If you build your life on God's Word, the Bible, then you will stand forever (which includes heaven); but those who live their lives according to any other set of blueprints, will experience a great collapse during the storms of life, including death itself. Jesus' teaching is clear, there is only two choices one can make in life, and only one correct way to heaven. When you choose Jesus, the only way (John 14:6), then you will have a less stressed life. Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Having a Kingdom Attitude 21
As we come to the close of the Sermon on the Mt., Jesus has been teaching His disciples what it means to live on this earth with a Heavenly Kingdom mindset, and thus ensuring a less stressful life. In Matthew 7:13-27, Jesus will conclude His teaching by helping us see the difference between authentic and fake Christians. On this earth we are confronted by many who call themselves "followers of Christ" but their actions do not mirror their words. Jesus will use four metaphors to help us better spot the real from the fake Christian: two gates, two trees, two works, and two foundations. The whole lesson can be summed up in one sentence: "An authentic Christian walks in God's path, while producing good fruit cultivated by obedience to the Father."
In the first session (7:13-14), we see that authentic Christians persevere on a costly path. While the major chose the wide gate, few will take the small, narrow, unpopular way. Lk 13:23 tells us "to strive to enter the narrow door..." It is a choice for a man or woman to take the road that the majority of people refuse to walk. It is a costly and lonely road, but yet it is the true way to heaven (John 14:6). The second session (7:15-20) teaches us that authentic Christians produce good fruit. Note, the emphasis is not on "no fruit" but rather "bad fruit." We know that lost people bear no fruit, but the bad fruit is a direct reference to those who say they are one thing but their fruit shows otherwise. In the third session (7:21-22), we learn that authentic Christians practice Godly obedience. There will be many who have performed "works of obligation" and yet the Savior will say that they were "worthless works". The only good works are works of obedience. Just knowing God's name or doing good works will not get anyone into heaven. Salvation is only through the work of the cross and our acceptance of that work for the forgiveness of our sin. When we seek to enter heaven any other way apart from God's righteousness, then we are labeled as "fake Christians." Next, week will will look at the final metaphor, the two foundations. Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.
In the first session (7:13-14), we see that authentic Christians persevere on a costly path. While the major chose the wide gate, few will take the small, narrow, unpopular way. Lk 13:23 tells us "to strive to enter the narrow door..." It is a choice for a man or woman to take the road that the majority of people refuse to walk. It is a costly and lonely road, but yet it is the true way to heaven (John 14:6). The second session (7:15-20) teaches us that authentic Christians produce good fruit. Note, the emphasis is not on "no fruit" but rather "bad fruit." We know that lost people bear no fruit, but the bad fruit is a direct reference to those who say they are one thing but their fruit shows otherwise. In the third session (7:21-22), we learn that authentic Christians practice Godly obedience. There will be many who have performed "works of obligation" and yet the Savior will say that they were "worthless works". The only good works are works of obedience. Just knowing God's name or doing good works will not get anyone into heaven. Salvation is only through the work of the cross and our acceptance of that work for the forgiveness of our sin. When we seek to enter heaven any other way apart from God's righteousness, then we are labeled as "fake Christians." Next, week will will look at the final metaphor, the two foundations. Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Calvary For Clunkers!
Let me pause this week from my series on having a Kingdom attitude to that of a subject that has gotten my attention these past few weeks. We have seen a certain government program get to be very popular to the American people, so much so that it has run out of money long before it was intended to. As we know, this program is known as "Cash for Clunkers." The government has invited Americans to trade in their old gas-guzzling car for a brand new, efficient running machine. Those who trade in their old car will then get a $4500 rebate toward the purchase of a new car; and boy have the old clunkers been turned in to the trash heap for the promise of something new.
As I thought about this program, I could not help but think that God Himself had a program already in place that was very similar to our government. In fact, the plan by God, offered to all mankind, gives us far more than any government program can offer, i.e. salvation from our sins and eternal life in heaven. Now I know some might think that the word "clunkers" is not a very nice word to describe man, but I would disagree. The apostle Paul could have very well used this word when saying, "Oh wretched (clunker of a man) man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?" (Rom. 7:24) Or the prophet Isaiah could have meant "clunker" when he declared in Isaiah 6:5 - "Woe is me, for I am ruined (a clunker)...!" Man is not naturally good, we are all born into sin, broken down clunkers. We run very shakily at best, and we are all truly guilty of being polluted by sin and polluting this word with our sinful actions and desires our whole life (Ps. 51:5; Rom. 3:23).
Yet the good news is this - God is offering us His best deal - "Calvary for Clunkers." God stepped out of heaven to this earth, and took on the form of man. Jesus lived a sinless life and willing went to the cross of Calvary to die for our sins; to take our place in death. Is. 53:12 states that He died for our sins on the cross. He was buried, and three days later rose from the dead (1 Cor. 15). He now offers this gift to all mankind - "Calvary for Clunkers." He has promised that when we turn in our old self, He will forgive us our debt and will make us a brand new creature in Christ. No longer do we walk in the path of sin (pollution), but we are to walk in newness of life in righteousness (Rom. 8). Isn't this a great program? Yet make sure you take advantage of this heavenly offering, because there is coming a day in each of our life that it will be too late to trade in your "clunker for Calvary."
As I thought about this program, I could not help but think that God Himself had a program already in place that was very similar to our government. In fact, the plan by God, offered to all mankind, gives us far more than any government program can offer, i.e. salvation from our sins and eternal life in heaven. Now I know some might think that the word "clunkers" is not a very nice word to describe man, but I would disagree. The apostle Paul could have very well used this word when saying, "Oh wretched (clunker of a man) man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?" (Rom. 7:24) Or the prophet Isaiah could have meant "clunker" when he declared in Isaiah 6:5 - "Woe is me, for I am ruined (a clunker)...!" Man is not naturally good, we are all born into sin, broken down clunkers. We run very shakily at best, and we are all truly guilty of being polluted by sin and polluting this word with our sinful actions and desires our whole life (Ps. 51:5; Rom. 3:23).
Yet the good news is this - God is offering us His best deal - "Calvary for Clunkers." God stepped out of heaven to this earth, and took on the form of man. Jesus lived a sinless life and willing went to the cross of Calvary to die for our sins; to take our place in death. Is. 53:12 states that He died for our sins on the cross. He was buried, and three days later rose from the dead (1 Cor. 15). He now offers this gift to all mankind - "Calvary for Clunkers." He has promised that when we turn in our old self, He will forgive us our debt and will make us a brand new creature in Christ. No longer do we walk in the path of sin (pollution), but we are to walk in newness of life in righteousness (Rom. 8). Isn't this a great program? Yet make sure you take advantage of this heavenly offering, because there is coming a day in each of our life that it will be too late to trade in your "clunker for Calvary."
Monday, August 3, 2009
Having a Kingdom Attitude 20
In our next passage, Matthew 7:7-12, we read one of the most important commands given to us by Jesus; and this command guarantees that we have a less stress life. Verse 12 is know as "The Golden Rule" - "Do for others as you would have them do for you." This verse may be familiar to us today, but in Jesus' day this kind of thinking was unheard of. The motto back then was like today's, "He who has all the gold makes all the rules." The "religions" and "philosophies" in Jesus' time taught the negative form of the Golden Rule. The Jewish rabbi Hillel said, "What is hateful to yourself do not to someone else." Confucius taught, "What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others." Do you see that the negative form focuses on self preservation? Yet Jesus turns man's selfish thoughts upside down by stating that a true child of God will be proactive, doing good for others in the same way they would want to be served.
In this passage Jesus gives us three reasons we are able to live out the Golden Rule in a fool's-gold world. First God has given His children His personal promise that if we are persistent (keep on) and progressive (ask...seek...knock) with our prayers then God will give us what we need (7:7-8). But if we are unwilling to show love to our fellow man, why should God answer our prayers? Second, we can live out the Golden Rule because God lived out the Golden Rule for us(7:9-11). God did not wait for man to do good to God, but rather He being the very definition of love, initiated goodness by providing the very best for us, Himself. This is exactly what He requires of us. Lastly, God's purpose for His children demand living the Golden Rule (7:12). When God's children live out the Golden Rule, they are imitating very the best quality of their heavenly Father. They are also living obediently to Scripture. The Golden Rule is not only a New Testament message, it is the very foundation for the 39 books in the Old Testament. Jesus' message to us is this: Kingdom living is only possible if you are a child of God. It is a supernatural calling that can only be accomplished by the Holy Spirit. Yet, when we practice the Golden Rule, it releases the love of God in our lives and in our world, to enable us to help others, even those who have hurt or hate us. When we walk in God's power, we can do for other's as we would like done for us; and in return live a less stressed life. Until next time, keep walking close with Christ.
In this passage Jesus gives us three reasons we are able to live out the Golden Rule in a fool's-gold world. First God has given His children His personal promise that if we are persistent (keep on) and progressive (ask...seek...knock) with our prayers then God will give us what we need (7:7-8). But if we are unwilling to show love to our fellow man, why should God answer our prayers? Second, we can live out the Golden Rule because God lived out the Golden Rule for us(7:9-11). God did not wait for man to do good to God, but rather He being the very definition of love, initiated goodness by providing the very best for us, Himself. This is exactly what He requires of us. Lastly, God's purpose for His children demand living the Golden Rule (7:12). When God's children live out the Golden Rule, they are imitating very the best quality of their heavenly Father. They are also living obediently to Scripture. The Golden Rule is not only a New Testament message, it is the very foundation for the 39 books in the Old Testament. Jesus' message to us is this: Kingdom living is only possible if you are a child of God. It is a supernatural calling that can only be accomplished by the Holy Spirit. Yet, when we practice the Golden Rule, it releases the love of God in our lives and in our world, to enable us to help others, even those who have hurt or hate us. When we walk in God's power, we can do for other's as we would like done for us; and in return live a less stressed life. Until next time, keep walking close with Christ.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Having a Kingdom Attitude 19
One of the most common statements heard in society is the following phrase, "Jesus say not to judge me!" Well, it is true that Jesus tells His disciples not to judge, it is clear that most quote this verse (Matthew 7:1, "Do not judge so that you will not be judged") wrongly. It is used to justify their sinful living rather than giving corrective exhortation. In Matthew 7:1-6, Jesus will uses the word "judge" to confront the idea of "judging the motives of other people" - an impossibility for man to do. The judging spoken of deals with a critical view of others while holding to an arrogant view of one's way of life. Jesus shows us that when we see people through our standards and our righteousness, we will be guilty of false judgment. Yet read carefully, Christ is not forbidding his disciples to distinguish between good and evil, truth and error (note 7:6). In this passage, Christ is mainly dealing with the motives behind the actions of the person judging. To judge without mercy, forgiveness, and love is to be a hypocrite.
In this passage Jesus makes two main points. First, judgment begins with a self-evaluation of personal motives (7:1-5). Before we point a finger to the other person to look inward before pointing outward. When we practice self-judgment, it will do three things: It will prepare us for our future judgment (2), it will prepare us for our present judgment (how we live today), and it prepares us to serve others. When we see ourselves as sinners, forgiven and saved by God's grace, then we can better help with humility those who have fallen as well. Second, judgment ends with self-discernment for the Gospel (7:6). In this verse it is clear that Christ's disciples are to make a judgmental choice with the Scriptures: Don't waste the gospel riches on antagonist and on abominations. Jesus warns His followers to be discerning on how they give out God's precious Word; none of us deserve God's Word, and yet there are some that through the constant rejection of God's Word forfeit the right to hear any longer (2 Peter 2:1-3; 12,22). All judgment on our part must begin by a humble examination of ourselves before God. When we take care of self we can be better suited, with the right attitude, to help those around us who are off track doctrinally, ethically, and morally. If we remember this command, then we will experience less stress in our dealings with our fellow man. Until next time, keep walking close with Christ.
In this passage Jesus makes two main points. First, judgment begins with a self-evaluation of personal motives (7:1-5). Before we point a finger to the other person to look inward before pointing outward. When we practice self-judgment, it will do three things: It will prepare us for our future judgment (2), it will prepare us for our present judgment (how we live today), and it prepares us to serve others. When we see ourselves as sinners, forgiven and saved by God's grace, then we can better help with humility those who have fallen as well. Second, judgment ends with self-discernment for the Gospel (7:6). In this verse it is clear that Christ's disciples are to make a judgmental choice with the Scriptures: Don't waste the gospel riches on antagonist and on abominations. Jesus warns His followers to be discerning on how they give out God's precious Word; none of us deserve God's Word, and yet there are some that through the constant rejection of God's Word forfeit the right to hear any longer (2 Peter 2:1-3; 12,22). All judgment on our part must begin by a humble examination of ourselves before God. When we take care of self we can be better suited, with the right attitude, to help those around us who are off track doctrinally, ethically, and morally. If we remember this command, then we will experience less stress in our dealings with our fellow man. Until next time, keep walking close with Christ.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Having a Kingdom Attitude 18b
As we continue to look at Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus is teaching His disciples that a life of worry is an enemy, a thief to the Christian life. Jesus teaches us that the more we worry, the more stress we will have in our physical and spiritual life; and the more we worry the more power we give the enemy to rob us of the joy that comes from walking in close fellowship with Christ. Let me list two more precious treasures that a life of worry will steal from the child of God (besides our perspective, worth, and faith). Worry will steal your testimony (6:31-33), it will make you look like a hypocrite and an idolater to the world. A Christian is to be one who depends on God for all their needs. We sing about it, we talk about it, we teach it....and yet most of us do not live what we are preaching. A worried attitude says to the world, "I don't believe God is truly over all, and I don't believe I can trust God completely." Bishop Fulton J. Sheen stated, "Worry is a form of atheism, for it betrays a lack of faith and trust in God." Jesus tells us not to worry over food, fashion, and life, because that attitude is the attitude of pagans who worship false gods.
Lastly, worry will steal your today (6:34). You may say, what do you mean "stealing my today." Jesus teaches us that each day has enough trouble, so worrying about tomorrow is not profitable for the work that needs to be done today. God will take care of our tomorrows. Work today for God's kingdom. Stop wasting time fretting over things that have not happened. We cannot work in tomorrow, we are only promised today. As the psalmist writes, "This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." With this passage, we can sum Jesus' teaching with this statement: "Worry is a sin that steals our perspective on material needs, it devalues us as God's precious creatures, it compromises our faith, it harms our testimony, and it takes away the joy afforded to us each day to pursuit God's kingdom and His righteousness. When you have God's perspective of life, you will have a less stressed life. Until next time, keep walking close with Christ.
Lastly, worry will steal your today (6:34). You may say, what do you mean "stealing my today." Jesus teaches us that each day has enough trouble, so worrying about tomorrow is not profitable for the work that needs to be done today. God will take care of our tomorrows. Work today for God's kingdom. Stop wasting time fretting over things that have not happened. We cannot work in tomorrow, we are only promised today. As the psalmist writes, "This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." With this passage, we can sum Jesus' teaching with this statement: "Worry is a sin that steals our perspective on material needs, it devalues us as God's precious creatures, it compromises our faith, it harms our testimony, and it takes away the joy afforded to us each day to pursuit God's kingdom and His righteousness. When you have God's perspective of life, you will have a less stressed life. Until next time, keep walking close with Christ.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Having a Kingdom Attitude 18a
Our next passage is Matthew 6:25-34, and our subject is worry. The cause of most of our stress in life is what we choose to worry about in life. When you look at all of God's creatures, who are the only ones that worship other gods, especially the gods of money and wealth? The lure of wealth and money has created a characteristic only seen in humans - worry and anxiety; and it is from worry and anxiety we have all sort of physical, mental, and emotional sickness. Jesus mentions the word "worry" six times in Matt. 6:25-34. The word worry or anxious speaks to the heart of self concern. The word in the Greek has implications of being pulled or drawn in different directions (very stressful). John MacAuther states, "Worry is a sin of distrusting the promise and providence of God and yet it is a sin that Christians commit perhaps more frequently than any other."
In this passage, Jesus teaches us that Christians will not be overwhelmed by worry when they always seek to live according to God's kingdom rules. Let us look at this passage and note what worry does to our lives; or rather what worry takes away. First, worry steals our perspective of what God's best is for our lives (6:25,27). To God, our lives are more important that food and fashion; yet we fall into the sin of worry when we try to take control of our own lives. Second, worry steals our worth (6:26,28-30). The Bible states that we are more valuable to God than birds or flowers; in fact the Father values His children above any created thing. Worry distorts the way you understand your worth to God. Third, worry steals our faith (6:30b). Worry says of God, "I don't think I can trust you with this matter in my life." Worry also chokes out spiritual growth (Matt. 13:22) and is an enemy to humility. Peter writes, "Therefore humble yourself under the mighty hand of God...casting all your anxiety on Him..." (1 Peter 5:6-7) We can learn to depend on Christ for all our needs, or we can choose to live a stressed-fill life. Next time we will look at two other areas of our life that worry tends to prey on. Until then, keep walking close with Christ.
In this passage, Jesus teaches us that Christians will not be overwhelmed by worry when they always seek to live according to God's kingdom rules. Let us look at this passage and note what worry does to our lives; or rather what worry takes away. First, worry steals our perspective of what God's best is for our lives (6:25,27). To God, our lives are more important that food and fashion; yet we fall into the sin of worry when we try to take control of our own lives. Second, worry steals our worth (6:26,28-30). The Bible states that we are more valuable to God than birds or flowers; in fact the Father values His children above any created thing. Worry distorts the way you understand your worth to God. Third, worry steals our faith (6:30b). Worry says of God, "I don't think I can trust you with this matter in my life." Worry also chokes out spiritual growth (Matt. 13:22) and is an enemy to humility. Peter writes, "Therefore humble yourself under the mighty hand of God...casting all your anxiety on Him..." (1 Peter 5:6-7) We can learn to depend on Christ for all our needs, or we can choose to live a stressed-fill life. Next time we will look at two other areas of our life that worry tends to prey on. Until then, keep walking close with Christ.
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