Archive for October, 2005

Using Your Shape

Sunday, October 30th, 2005
This entry is part 2 of 4 in the series Improving Your Serve

Read at beginning of service:

2 Corinthians 3:1-18 (NIV)

1 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? 2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. 3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. 4 Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. 5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant–not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 7 Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? 9 If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! 10 For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. 11 And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! 12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. 14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

INTRODUCTION

During experiments aboard the space shuttle “Columbia,” scientists discovered that there are twenty-six lakes underneath the Sahara desert. It?s heartrending to think of the people who are starving and dying of thirst because these hidden resources have not yet been tapped.

In a similar way, there a re a number of spiritual resources that lie untapped in our church and in our individual lives because we?ve simply not gone deep enough. My fear is that we?re missing out on what the Christian life is all about. Some of us are settling for something far less than what God intended.

During this series called, Improving Your Serve, we?ve been looking at some ways that we can ramp up our servanthood quotient. Last week we focused on four ways to become a servant:

Check our motives

Expect difficulty

Put others first

Follow the example of Christ.

Today, we?re going to see that in order to effectively serve we must make sure that we?ve surrendered to Christ and that we have a proper estimation of self. In other words, we must first go deep before we can go long. Today I?ll be speaking from Romans 12:1-8 ? if you have your Bibles you can turn to there and follow along this morning.

Fully Express Your Surrender to God

In verses 1-2 teaches that we must fully express our surrender to God. Before God wants your service He wants a guarantee that He really has you:

Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Whenever you see the word “therefore” in the Bible you should always ask what it?s there for. When we come to chapter 12 of Romans, Paul is making a shift from doctrine to practice. He follows a similar pattern in the books of Ephesians and Colossians when he establishes doctrine in the first part of the letter and then moves to application in the second half. Theology is never meant to be cold and lifeless. It must always have a practical application. It?s as if he?s saying, “Based on everything that I?ve just said, this is what you now need to put into practice.”

There are at least four “therefores” in the book of Romans:

Romans 3:20 is the “therefore” of condemnation:

Romans 3:20 (NIV)

20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.

Romans 5:1 is the “therefore” of justification:

Romans 5:1 (NIV)

1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Romans 8:1 is the “therefore” of assurance:

Romans 8:1 (NIV)

1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

Romans 12:1 is the “therefore” of surrender. Paul is saying that even though we are guilty and deserve to die, we have been declared righteous through faith in Christ and will never face condemnation. Based upon the entire argument in chapters 1-11, we should fully surrender our lives to Him.

The immediate context is the wonderfully deep doxology found at the end of chapter 11:

Romans 11:33-36 (NIV)

33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! 34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” 35 “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?” 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.

Based on all that God has done, Paul says, “I urge you, brothers?” Even though Paul could have used a command here, he instead makes an appeal. He does a similar thing in Ephesians 4:1,

Ephesians 4:1 (NIV)

1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

This word means to “call near” or “to invite”. Notice that he refers to them as “brothers”, indicating his affection for them as members of God?s family. He?s begging believers, not unbelievers, to do something that has not yet been done.

He makes this plea “in view of God?s mercy.” The original word used here for “mercy” is actually plural and refers to God?s multitude of mercies. He is not merciful just once but again and again. He is consistently and constantly full of mercy. John Calvin once said that we will never worship with a sincere heart or serve God with unbridled zeal until we properly understand how much we are indebted to God?s mercy. God has demonstrated so much mercy to us that we can?t help but respond by fully surrendering our lives to Him.

It?s interesting that Paul doesn?t? say, “In light of God?s grace” but instead focuses on mercy. Why is that? God?s grace is demonstrated when we get what we don?t deserve, whereas his mercy is what keeps us from getting what we do deserve.

Micah 7:18 (NIV)

18 Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.

That reminds me?

?of the man who stormed into a photo studio complaining about the quality of his photographs. He smashed his fist on the counter and fumed, “Sire, these pictures do not do my looks justice.” To which the photographer responded, “Sir, with a face like yours, you don?t want justice, you want mercy!”

(quoted in “Understanding your Shape” by Brian Bill)

Friend, even if you look good in pictures, be careful about asking for justice, because you might just get it! If I received what I deserved I?d end up in Hell, and so would you. It?s God?s mercies that we want.

Lamentations 3:22 (NKJV)

Through the LORD”S mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not

Paul then gives us three ways to fully express our surrender to God.

1. Offer Your Body

We are urged, in view of the many mercies of God “to offer our bodies as living sacrifices.” This word “offer” is a technical term that was used to describe the bringing and presenting of an animal for sacrifice on an altar. To “offer” means, “to present once and for all.” In the Old Testament worship included sacrifice. A live animal was brought to the priest and the owner would lay hands on the beast to symbolically say, “This animal takes my place.” The animal was then killed and the blood was sprinkled upon the altar.

This idea of a “living sacrifice” must have been a novel idea to the Jews of that day. This was something they had not heard of before, except perhaps in the case of Abraham offering Isaac upon the altar. They were used to offering dead sacrifices. Once a sacrifice is offered to God, you can?t take it back. When we are called to present our “bodies” to the Lord, we are exhorted to offer our total being to Him, not just bits and pieces. God does not just want to be a “part” of our lives; He wants to BE our life! As someone has said, the problem with living sacrifices is that they keep crawling off the altar!

God isn?t interested in beasts today; He?s looking for bodies of believers who will be sold out to Him. He wants us to be living sacrifices, not dead offerings. When an offering is made to God, it was set apart and was completely devoted.

A young boy came to church one cold winter day to get out of the blowing snow. He had been trying to sell newspapers but not a single customer had passed by because of the weather. He slipped into the back of the church, just hoping to get warm and catch up on his sleep. Thought the Sunday crowd was slim, the boy really paid attention to the sermon and was greatly moved by it. When the pastor was done, he called for the offering. The ushers went from row to row, and when the offering plate came to the boy, he stared at it for a while and then put it on the floor.

He then did something very strange and beautiful. He stood up and stepped right into the offering plate. By then, all the people had turned around and were staring at the boy. When he looked up, he had big tears running down his face as he said, “Pastor, I don?t have any money because I haven?t sold any newspapers today. But, if Jesus gave His life for me, then I will gladly give my life to Him.”

(quoted in “Understanding Your Shape” by Brian Bill)

The person who has nothing to give but himself is able to give the greatest gift of all.

Paul continues by saying that our life offering is to be “holy and pleasing to God”. Sacrifices were to be without blemish or defect. In like manner, we are to offer to God our best. When we give our best to Him, it will be pleasing, or agreeable to Him. This is then our “spiritual act of worship.” Worship is not just what we do here on Sunday Mornings. True worship is the presenting of our bodies as living sacrifices to Him and living holy and pleasing lives, every day of the week.

2.Offer your mind.

Verse 1 calls for a decisive commitment to full surrender. Verse 2 tells us how we can maintain that commitment by renewing our mind and not following the fashion and pattern of the world. As I mentioned last week, the world?s way of doing things is built on selfishness, not selflessness. The tense of this verse indicates that we must stop conforming, implying that this is something that we are doing. If we?re serious about surrendering fully to Christ, we must focus on being transformed, not being conformed to those things the world values. He who controls the mind, owns the person.

The word “conformed” is the word that we get our English word “scheme” from. It?s sometimes translated “fashioned.” Paul is urging us to stop begin pushed into the fashion of the world. Sometimes we are so conformed tot he world that there is little noticeable difference between Christians and non-Christians. A conformist is afraid to be different and feels a need to be like everyone else. A Christian is not supposed to be a chameleon!

Some of you are facing some incredible temptations right now. You feel yourself begin pulled to conform, to go along with the wrong way your friends are leading you. Don?t give in! Unfortunately, some of us have internalized the world?s values and fashions so much that we don?t even recognize it anymore. It?s like walking into a dark theatre in the middle of the day. When you first go in, everything is really dark. But after a while, you can see normally, that is, until you walk back outside. Some of you are in a similar situation today. If you spend enough time conforming to the world, you become so accustomed to the darkness that you think it?s now normal.

The word “transformed” refers to an inner change. WE get the word “metamorphosis” from this Greek word. A metamorphosis is not something we can do on our own. If we present ourselves as living sacrifices and reflect upon the mercies of God as evidenced in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit will transform our minds.

There is a fable told of a very ugly man with a hideous face. He was good and kind, but people were terrified of him and would not stay in his presence. As you can imagine, he was very lonely. The thing he wanted most was to marry the mayor?s pretty daughter and to be loved by her. So he decided to wear a mask of a handsome face so that he could win her love. He kept this mask on 24/7. Soon he was married to the mayor?s daughter and living the happy life he had always wanted.

After a number of years his wife began to notice that his handsome face was indeed a mask and asked him to show her his true face. And because he loved her, and could not bear to refuse her, he slowly took off the mask, bracing himself for the gasp of horror he knew would soon be coming. But instead of screaming, his wife just smiled. The man ran to a mirror and realized that the years of wearing the disguise had transformed his face into the handsome features of the mask.

(quoted in “Understanding Your Shape”)

When we put on Christ and wear His face, we find our lives transformed into His likeness.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)

18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

It is by the renewing of our minds ? trading the old pattern of selfishness for the new pattern of Christ?s kingdom values that we are transformed. I like how the Living Bible translates Romans 12:2

Romans 12:2 (Living)

2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how his ways will really satisfy you.

3. Offer Your Will

Notice the last part of verse 2,

Romans 12:2 (NIV)

? Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Isn?t it great that God allows us to test and approve His will for us? God will not force us into anything. He does not dominate our wills, but allows us to choose His will.

But it?s no use sitting around waiting to have the will of God revealed to us. This is an active verb. We learn His will by doing. When you wonder what God?s will is for you life, the first place to start is by living out Romans 12:1-2. Until you offer Him your body, your mind, and your will, you won?t understand His good, pleasing, and perfect will. We tend to focus God?s will on the what ? our occupation, or the where ? our location, but God is more interested in our transformation. Have you presented yourself to Him in complete surrender? The answer to this question will determine you ability to tap into God?s limitless resources.

Have a Proper Estimate of Self

The way to knowing God?s will also involves having a proper estimate of ourselves. Look at verses 3-5,

Romans 12:3-5 (NIV)

3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

1. Discern who you are (3)

Thinking more highly of ourselves than we should is one of the greatest problems in serving God. The Roman church may have struggled with the problem of self-importance because they were located at the heart of the Roman Empire.

That reminds me of the man who was driving down the expressway in rush hour traffic when he received a call from his wife on the cell phone,

“Honey, you need to be careful driving home because I just heard on the news that there?s a dork driving in the wrong direction on the same road you?re on.” To which the husband responded, “It?s not just one; there are hundreds of them!” (quoted in “Understanding your Shape” by Brian Bill)

Have you ever been around an individual who always thinks they are right? How does it feel to be around someone who boasts and brags about his or her abilities? It?s not a good feeling, is it? Never forget this truth: God uses us simply because He wants to. We?re to avoid thinking to highly of ourselves and we?re to avoid thinking too low of ourselves. We do that by focusing on God?s grace. Everything we are and everything we have and everything we can become is by grace. Let?s skewer our superior attitudes.

2. Celebrate diversity (4)

We must also remember that just as the different parts of our bodies have different functions, so too, in the body of Christ, each of us have been given different gifts and roles. We can?t do it alone. If God?s purposes are to be accomplished and His church is to grow, everyone of us is important. Nobody is a nobody in the Body of Christ. While no one can do everything, everyone can do something.

There are so many ways that we are different from each other. That?s how God designed us. A fully devoted follower of Christ understands and celebrates this variety in the Body of Christ. Let me use the acrostic S-H-A-P-E in order to demonstrate this diversity ? some of you will remember this from when we did the Purpose Driven Life Campaign last year.

S ? piritual Gifts (what you do)

H ? eart (where you do it)

A ? bilities (talents)

P ? ersonality (how you do it)

E ? xperiences (our spiritual resume)

I?m shaped differently than you, and you?re put together differently than I am. And that? s a good thing.

3. Recognize our dependency (5)

While we?re uniquely designed, we?ve been made to function in community with one another. Each of us belongs to one another. I might be strong in the area of my gift, but I am weak in the areas where others have been gifted. Thus, I must minister to others out of my strength, and be dependent upon the ministry of the rest of the body in my areas of weakness.

In order to understand our shape for ministry, we must stop thinking individualistically and begin to think corporately. WE cannot look at ourselves as an island, independent of all others. We must see ourselves as fully functioning members of the body of Christ, with certain gifts that are necessary to the equipping and ministry of the entire church family. There is individuality within the body, because there are many members, all with a different role to play. But there is no room for individualism, for we are interdependent. WE must rely on other members of the body just as they must rely on us.

I love watching how God moves people into ministries that are a perfect match for who they are. And, when team ministry happens great things take place!

Experts tell us that 85% of the success of people in the workplace is directly related to their interpersonal relationships. Bad attitudes hinder good relationships. Some of the most gifted people in the world struggle to get along with others. Let?s determine to follow the example of Christ by serving people and by considering others better than we are.

Did you know that you belong to the person sitting next to you? We?re on the same team with each of us playing different roles. Don?t get puffed up by your own importance and don?t? take yourself out to the game by thinking you don?t matter. We need each other because we belong to each other.

Completely Engaged in Service

We need to fully express our surrender to God. Then we must cultivate a proper estimate of ourselves. Finally, we?re to completely engage in service. WE see this in verses 6-8:

Romans 12:6-8 (NIV)

6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

This list of seven gifts is only a partial list. There are many others that are mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12, 1 Peter 4, and Ephesians 4. We?ll talk more about these specific gifts in the next message. Suffice it to say this morning that a spiritual gift is an ability given by the Holy Spirit to express our faith effectively for the strengthening of someone else?s faith.

Paul is making two points:

1. God has given gifts to us.

Paul calls them graces, and we have different gifts, according to the specific gift of grace that is given to us. I like that term for gifts because it indicates something about them. Gifts are graceful. Something graceful is a delight to watch in action

2. These gifts must be used.

If you have first given yourself to God, and you are seeking to obey Him in the strength He supplies, you will know what He has given you to do, and you will have the faith and the grace necessary to do it.

CONCLUSION

There are at least three benefits to being mobilized for ministry.

1. You will be FRUITFUL.

John 15:5 (NIV)

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

As you discover, develop and employ your spiritual gifts, you will see fruit. It?s a guarantee.

2. You will be FULFILLED.

Psalm 138:7 (NIV)

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me.

There is nothing more satisfying than to be used by God. God wants to do some amazing things in and through us ? when He does, you will be fulfilled beyond your wildest dreams.

3. The Church will be FORTIFIED.

Ephesians 4:12 teaches that the spiritual gifts are given “so that the body of Christ may be built up” As more people at Hanover Pentecostal Church put there spiritual gifts into action our body of believers will become stronger. A church that does not value gift-based ministry will not grow to maturity.

When Mother Teresa visited Australia several years ago, a young man was assigned to be her guide during her stay. He was thrilled at the prospect of being so close to such a godly woman but he became frustrated over time because even though he was constantly near her, he never had the opportunity to talk with her because there were always other people around.

When her tour was over she was scheduled to fly to New Guinea. In desperation, this young man came up with a plan and said to Mother Teresa, “If I pay my own fare to New Guinea, can I sit next to you on the plane so I can talk and learn from you?” Mother Teresa looked at him and asked, “You have enough money to pay airfare to New Guinea?” “Oh, yes,” he replied eagerly. “Then give that money to the poor,” she said. “You?ll learn more from that than anything I can tell you.”

Many of us would rather experience something than do something. We always learn more by doing because our gifts are given to be given.

Commit to personal growth through fully expressing your surrender to God.

Commit to this local body through a proper estimate of yourself.

Commit to ministry by completely engaging in service.

When we do, we?ll tap into the rich reservoir of God?s blessings

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Becoming a Servant

Sunday, October 23rd, 2005
This entry is part 1 of 4 in the series Improving Your Serve

Read at beginning of service:

John 13:1-17 (NIV)

1 It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. 2 The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” 9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” 10 Jesus answered, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. 12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

INTRODUCTION

Q. What do you call a chicken crossing the road?

A. Poultry in Motion

Q. What do you call a boomerang that doesn?t work?

A. A stick.

Q. What do you call four bullfighters in quicksand?

A. Quatro sinko.

Q. Where do you find a dog with no legs?

A. Right where you left him.

Q. What do you call cheese that isn?t yours?

A. Nacho cheese.

Q. What do you call a man who falls into an upholstery machine?

A. Fully recovered.

Q. What do you call a Christian who isn?t serving?

A. A contradiction.

This morning I?m beginning a new series called, “Improving Your Serve”. We?ve seen this morning that our church is saturated with servants, however, I?m making the assumption that each of us can ratchet up our servanthood quotient a notch. AS we?ll discover in the text for this message, our default setting is selfishness, not other-centeredness. In order to improve our serve we must seek the Savior and follow the model of the Master.

You and I have been redeemed for a reason. We?ve been converted to the cause of the Great Commission. Another way to say it is that we?ve been saved to serve. We are ordinary people who are part of an extraordinary plan ? a plan crafted by God ? and a plan that involves serving. One of the five purposes for why we exist as a church comes directly from Acts 2:45;

Acts 2:45 (NIV)

45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.

Let me just briefly summarize the five reasons for HPC. If someone asks you to describe the values and mission of HPC you can tell them that we are seeking to fulfill the Great Commandment and the Great Commission by:

Celebrating God?s Presence (Worship)

Demonstrating God?s Love (Ministry)

Communicate God?s Word (Mission)

Belong to God?s Family (Fellowship)

Educate God?s People (Discipleship)

4 Ways to Become a Servant

Please turn in your Bible to Matthew 20. We?re going to walk though this passage in order to learn four ways to become better servants. Let?s set the context. In the first part of chapter 20, Jesus told a parable about some laborers who were hired to work in a vineyard. The landowner decided to pay everyone the same wage, regardless of how long they worked in the fields. Those who were hired first started to complain because they didn?t think it was fair. Jesus concluded his teaching by saying in verse 16: “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

Verse 19 tells us that as Jesus was headed to Jerusalem to face suffering and death, He took the disciples aside and told them that He would be “mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day He will be raised to life.”

As we come to our text today, we?ll see that we?re really a lot like those first followers.

Check your motives (v 20-21)

20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. 21 “What is it you want?” he asked. She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”

In contrast to this announcement from the suffering servant we read that the mother of James and John came to Jesus with her sons, “and kneeling down, asked a favor of Him.” This mother?s name was Salome, who was likely the aunt of Jesus. When we compare this account with Mark?s version, James and John are eager to have their mom go to bat for them. Maybe they thought that they?d have a better chance with Jesus if she made the request for them.

The phrase of “kneeling down” is an act of homage or reverence. Some translations use the word “worship.” Salome is following a very common protocol. First, she respects and honors Jesus and then asks a favor of Him. She begins with a general request and then is ready with her answer when Jesus asks, “What is it you want?” She responds by saying, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”

Now, before we get too tough on Salome, Jesus did say in Matthew 19:28 that “at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” She got that part right but her methods were clouded because her motives were mixed up. While it?s perfectly understandable that a mother would want the best for her boys, she passed right over Matthew 19:30, “But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first” and Matthew 20:16, “So the last will be first, and the first will be last”. Warren Wiersbe comments, “Jesus spoke about a cross, but they were interested in a crown.”

It?s really easy for our motives to get out of whack. James and John were interested in glory, position and rank. They wanted to be the closest to Jesus and they wanted to be higher than anyone else. And their mother desired the best for them. She came in worship but she also secretly wanted something. She bowed but also begged. She knelt down and asked a favor. All three of them wanted their will done in their way.

If we want to improve our serve or even get in the game, we must first learn to check our motives. Have you ever noticed how difficult it is to have pure motivation? My motives are often misaligned, even when I try to keep them straight. In various things I have helped out with from time to time I have sincerely wanted to lend a hand but I also wanted people to know I was helping. My telling you this morning probably has an element of mixed motives in it. Even though I?m confessing my duplicity, my motive in telling you is probably to make you think better of me than I really am! It?s hard sorting out right motives!

As best as we can, we really need to get our reason for serving straightened out. It is the Lord God we serve. Don?t serve to impress others or to try to gain favor with God. Even the Apostle Paul struggled with this and told us about it in 1 Corinthians 4:4-5,

1 Corinthians 4:4-5 (NIV)

4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

When faced with this mother?s mixed up motives, Jesus asks a question to reveal what she was thinking: “What is it you want?” A truthful answer to this same question can help you and I in our serving as well. “What is it you want?” “Why are you doing this?” “Who are you serving?” “Who do you want to impress?”

Expect Difficulty

After Salome boldly makes her request, Jesus responds rather bluntly:

Matthew 20:22 (NIV)

22 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” they answered.

Jesus said, “You don?t have a clue what you?re asking!” The word “cup” was a symbol of suffering or affliction. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed,

Matthew 26:39 (NIV)

39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

In John 18:11, Jesus said to Peter,

John 18:11 (NIV)

11 Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”

Interestingly, both James and John answer this pointed question with complete confidence by saying, “We can.” I think they were a little to eager in their response. Jesus reinforces this when he says in verse 23,

Matthew 20:23 (NIV)

23 Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup?

They wanted glory but Jesus tells them to get ready for some grief.

While we don?t always know in advance how much we?re going to suffer, we do know that if we?re serious about following Christ and serving Him wholeheartedly, we will face difficulty.

Philippians 1:29 (NIV)

29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him,

James didn?t suffer long but he lost his life as the first of the twelve to be martyred (Acts 12:2). John lived to be about 95 but his life was filled with difficulty, culminating with his banishment to the island of Patmos.

Revelation 1:9 (NIV)

9 I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

Friend, if you?re serious about serving, then get ready to suffer. To “drink of the cup” has reference not only to suffering, but refers to remaining faithful to the end. This phrase was understood to mean to drain the entire cup until it was emptied. While you can?t beat kingdom service for it?s value?it will not always be easy. If you?re serving in a ministry right now, chances are that you?ve already experienced some difficulty. If you haven?t yet, you will. Many people have done a disservice by promising that the Christian life will be trouble-free and by promoting ministry as simple and a piece of cake. It will cost you to serve Christ! Are you willing to pay the price?

Ministry is often a struggle but it is worth it! If you sense yourself wanting to pull back or find yourself wondering if your ministry matters, allow the words of 1 Corinthians 15:58 encourage you:

1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)

58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

(next important way of becoming a servant?)

Put others first.

After checking our motives and expecting difficulty, the third route to becoming a servant is to put others first before yourself. In case you?re wondering how the other ten felt when they saw that James and John were trying to grab the power positions, look at verse 24:

Matthew 20:24 (NIV)

24 When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers.

The word “indignant” means, “to be greatly afflicted.” They were really mad that these two were using a relative of Jesus to get special treatment and they weren?t going to give up the top spots without a fight. They weren?t appalled by the brothers? lack of understanding of true servanthood; they were mad that these two got to Jesus first. The spiritual attitude of the ten was not any better than that of the two. Have you ever noticed how easy it is to be angry at the sin we see in others, while we indulge in the same ones ourselves? Why is it that we condemn in others what we excuse in our own lives?

Here we see that selfishness always results in dissension. When we think only of ourselves, community breaks down and unity is replaced with division and backbiting. That?s why one of the best things we can do as a church is to serve together. A church that serves together stays together.

I love what Jesus does next in the first part of verse 25:

Matthew 20:25 (NIV)

25 Jesus called them together?

That?s exactly what needs to happen when there is tension and strife. We need to come together. When Jesus calls them to Himself He does so with tenderness and familiarity. I picture Jesus calling a huddle and saying something like this, “Guys, please come here. Let?s get a circle going here together. Get a little closer so you can hear what I?m about to say.”

He knows their default nature is set on selfishness and so he calls them together. He doesn?t take the two brothers aside and blast away, nor does he slam the ten for being indignant. He brings them back to community and then gives them a lesson in how differently things are to run in His kingdom. There is a sharp contrast between the servanthood philosophy of the Savior and the world system in which they lived:

Matthew 20:25 (NIV)

? “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.

The world?s way teaches that we should spend all our energy to get to the top and then when we get there we can boss others around.

Verse 26 begins with a rebuke as Jesus reframes their understanding:

Matthew 20:26 (NIV)

26 Not so with you?

A Christ-follower must not operate this way. The meaning here is: “It shall not be,” or “It must not be.” In the family of God there is only one category of people: servants. Notice the rest of this verse and verse 27:

Matthew 20:26-27 (NIV)

26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave–

This was a counter-cultural and radical teaching for Jesus to define greatness in terms of servanthood because slaves were considered to be socially inferior. Even the few masters who believed that slaves were theoretical equals would not go as far as Jesus did when He inverted the role of the master and servant.

If the disciples wanted to be leaders in His kingdom, they first had to become servants. What is a servant? It?s someone who?s heart is intent upon, and whose will is bound to, the will and wishes of another. If I am your servant, then what you say goes. You have the last word.

One of the best biblical images of this single-minded resolve to put others first is found in Psalm 123:2,

Psalm 123:2 (NIV)

2 As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till he shows us his mercy.

When the master moves his finger in command, the servant simply obeys. A true servant is one who has learned to subdue the defiant autonomy of self and to subject the will to the wishes of another. What God says goes. When God says, “Jump,” we should say, “How high?”

Here?s the principle: If we want to become truly great then we must give up personal rights and serve others. WE need to be repeatedly reminded that our central ambition should be to minister to people, not to be admired by them.

Follow the example of Jesus

Jesus does not just shake up our self-centered motives and tell us to expect difficulties. He also challenges us to put others first. And, in case we?re wondering how to do this, He offers Himself as the perfect role model. Look at verse 28,

Matthew 20:28 (NIV)

28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

This verse has been rightly regarded as one of the most precious of Christ?s sayings. Jesus is both our example and our motivation.

He wasn?t focused on keeping His position and getting more. In fact, according to Philippians 2:3-7, Jesus left His throne in order to serve us:


Philippians 2:3-7 (NIV)

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

He served the needs of others and then demonstrated the ultimate act of servanthood when He gave His life as payment for our sins, so that we can be set free. The true standard of greatness is the Savior?s pattern of self-sacrifice.

Dave Thomas, the founder of Wendy?s, who died in the last few years, once appeared on the cover of their annual report dressed in a knee-length work apron holding a mop and a plastic bucket. Here?s how he described that picture:

“I got my M.B.A. long before my G.E.D. At Wendy?s M.B.A. does not mean Master of Business Administration. It means Mop Bucket Attitude.”

Dave got his M.B.A. from following the model of the Master.

CONCLUSION

Bucket Theology

Friend, DO YOU HAVE A BUCKET THEOLOGY? Do you remember what Pilate did when he had a chance to acquit Jesus? He called for a bucket and washed his hands of the whole thing.

Matthew 27:24 (NIV)

24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”

But Jesus, the night before His death, called for a bucket and proceeded to wash the dirty and dusty feet of His disciples. It all comes down to bucket theology. Which one will you use?

Pilate?s paradigm is alive and well today. He knew what he should have done but he took the easy way out. He passed on to others the responsibility that should have been his. Many people today pass the buck and wash their hands clean of everything they can.

Maybe it?s because we think Somebody Else will do it.

There?s a clever young guy named Somebody Else,

There?s nothing this guy can?t do.

He is busy from morning till way late at night,

Just substituting for you.

You?re asked to do this or you?re asked to do that,

And what is your reply?

Get Somebody Else to do that job,

He?ll do it much better than I.

So much to do in this weary old world,

So much and workers so few,

And Somebody Else, all weary and worn,

Is still substituting for you.

(quoted in “Becoming a Servant” by Brian Bill)

Far too many have been content to let Somebody Else do the work. The problem with this is that there aren?t that many Somebody Elses out there. And those there are have grown weary and tired. Pilate?s bucket is the wrong choice. It leads to death and destruction. But there is another choice.

In John 13:4-5 we see that Jesus and His disciples are sharing the Passover meal together when Jesus,

John 13:4-5 (NIV)

4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

Peter didn?t like that Jesus, as the guest of honor, was doing this. Have you ever stopped and wondered why Peter was so upset that Jesus was washing their smelly feet? It was because Peter knew it wasn?t Jesus? responsibility. Washing feet was the job of the lowest of all slaves. This was unheard of! Jesus was their teacher. If anything, they should be washing His feet!

Roads in Jerusalem were covered with a thick layer of dust. When it rained, they turned to liquid slush. It was the custom for the host to provide a slave at the door of his home to wash the feet of dinner guests as they arrived. The servant would kneel with a bucket of water and a towel and scrub off the manure and mud from foul feet. If a home could not afford a slave, one of the early arriving guests was to take upon himself the role of the house servant and wash feet. It’? interesting that none of the disciples had volunteered for the job! Chuck Swindoll writes,

“The room was filled with proud hearts and dirty feet. The disciples were willing to fight for a throne, but not a towel.” (Improving your Serve, Page 164)

Listen. Jesus is revealing that servanthood is in fact the responsibility of those who follow Him.

John 13:14-15 (NIV)

14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

Does this mean that foot washing is supposed to be a church ordinance today? I don?t have time to go into this now but I do want to say that this is a reenactment of heaven emptying itself for the sake of earth. At the very minimum Jesus is showing us that if the Son of God could humble Himself and serve, then we must do the same.

The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve. And we must do likewise. Like the disciples, we are often filled with a worldly spirit of criticism and competition as we try to position ourselves in the best light and maneuver things for our own gain. We desperately need this lesson in humility.

Obedience means personal involvement. We can?t serve from a distance but must get close enough to get our hands dirty. If we?re going to serve like Christ served, then we must learn to see others as He sees them. In John 13:17, Jesus tells us that if we do these things, we will be blessed. In the final analysis, happiness comes from doing the things that a servant does, managing our motives, getting ready for difficulties, putting others first, and following the example of Christ.

Peter never forgot this image of Jesus taking off His outer garments and replacing them with a towel to do the work of a slave. These outer garments represented His position as the great I AM, the King of King and Lord of Lords, but He willingly laid them aside in order to serve. This greatly impacted as you can learn when Peter wrote,

1 Peter 5:5 (NIV)

5 Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

D.L. Moody once said,

We may easily be too big for God to use, but never too small.

Proud Peter had learned his lesson.

Pilate uses his bucket to avoid his rightful responsibility. Jesus used His bucket to take on responsibility which most would say was not His in the first place. If we call ourselves Christ followers then we shouldn?t be looking for ways to wash our hands but instead we should be getting them dirty.

What are you waiting for?

After lightning struck an old shed, a farmer was relieved because now he didn?t have to tear it down. The rain cleaned off his car and that saved him from having to wash it. When asked what he was doing now, he replied, “I?m waiting for an earthquake to shake the potatoes out of the ground.” (quoted in “Becoming a Servant” by Brian Bill)

If we want to become servants, we can?t just wait for something to happen. Jesus said we?re blessed when we do something. Let me give you four action steps.

Serve whenever you can.

Serve wherever you can.

Serve whoever is in need.

Be willing to do whatever it takes.

Next week we?ll focus on how God has uniquely gifted each one of us so that we can serve in ways that are a perfect match for who we are.

I want to close with some helpful words from Richard Foster in his book called, “The Celebration of Discipline.”

Self-righteous service comes through human effort. True service comes from the whispered promptings of Christ.

Self-righteous service is impressed with the big deal. True service finds it almost impossible to distinguish the small from the large.

Self-righteous service requires external rewards. True service rests in hiddenness.

Self-righteous service picks and chooses whom to serve. True service is indiscriminate in its ministry.

Self-righteous service is affected by moods and whims. True service ministers simply and faithfully because there is a need.

Self-righteous service is temporary. True service is a lifestyle.

Self-righteous service fractures community. True service builds community.

Letters from the close of the 18th Century often ended with this standard description of service: “I am, with due respect, your obedient, humble servant.” But over time this closing shriveled into a mere formality: “Sincerely Yours.”

Friends, let?s leave this service and live our lives as obedient and humble servants. Don?t be a contradiction.

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The Great Divorce

Sunday, October 16th, 2005

Read at beginning of service:

John 15:1-5 (NIV)

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

INTRODUCTION

Andras Tamas is the name officials gave a certain man decades ago in a Russian psychiatric hospital. He?d been drafted into the Army, but the authorities had mistaken his native Hungarian language for the gibberish of a lunatic and had him committed.

Then they forgot about him for 53 years!

A few year ago a psychiatrist at the hospital began to realize what had happened and helped Tamas recover the memories of who he was and where he came from. He recently returned home to Budapest as a war hero, “the last prisoner of World War II”.

Not only had this man forgotten his real name, he hadn?t even seen his own face in five decades. So, according to one news account, “For hours, the old man studies his face in a mirror. The deep-set eyes. The gray stubble on the chin. The furrows of the brow. It is his face, but it is a startling revelation.”

(quoted in the message, “The Great Divorce” by Freddy Fritz)

Imagine looking at your own face in a mirror and not recognizing it. James says that is just what people are doing when they listen to God?s word but do not obey it. There, right before their eyes in Scripture, is an accurate reflection of themselves. But they don?t truly see ? with the eyes of their hearts ? what the Bible shows them. So, with that in mind, let?s read James 1:21-27:

James 1:21-27 (NIV)

21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it–he will be blessed in what he does. 26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

PRAY

The American novelist William Faulkner toiled for years as an unknown writer in the rural Mississippi town of Oxford before he gained recognition. When he won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1950, his acclaim grew.

When approached later about the literary people and authors with whom he associated, Faulkner shrugged his shoulders and said he didn?t know any famous literary people. He said, “The people I know are other farmers and horse people and hunters, and we talk about horses and dogs and guns and what to do about this hay crop or this cotton crop, not about literature”. (quoted in “The Great Divorce” by Freddy Fritz)

Faulkner befriended real people. Unpretentious people. People who were honest about life rather than those who simply talked about it. The kind of people whose talk was backed up by their walk.

These kinds of people are rare these days. And at the root of it all is the problem of divorce. I?m not talking about the kind of divorce you normally think of, the tragedy that has broken up so many of our homes. I?m talking about an even greater divorce, a divorce that results not in broken homes but broken lives. And that is the divorce between our knowledge and our practice.

Author and Pastor A.W. Tozer once wrote:

“There is an evil which in its effect upon the Christian religion may be more destructive than Communism, Romanism and Liberalism combined?It is the glaring disparity between theology and practice among professing Christians. So wide is this gulf which separates theory from practice in the church that an inquiring stranger who chances upon both would scarcely dream that there was any relation between the two of them. An intelligent observer of the human scene who heard the Sunday morning message and later watched the Sunday afternoon conduct of those who heard it would conclude that he had been examining two distinct and contrary religions. It appears to me that too many Christians want to enjoy the thrill of feeling right but are not willing to endure the inconvenience of being right. And so the divorce between theory and practice becomes permanent in fact. Truth sits forsaken and grieves till her professed followers come home for a brief visit. But she sees them depart again when the bills come due.”

It is because of this problem that James makes a special point in James 1:21-27 to show you how to build a faith that really works, to show you how to overcome this great divorce between your knowledge of God?s Word and your practice of it.

In today?s lesson, James shows you three steps in building a faith that really works.

I. You Need to Have a Prepared Heart (1:21a)

The first step in building a faith that really works is that you need to have a prepared heart. Before you can even receive the word of God into your lives, James tells you that you must “get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent?” (1:21a)

The image is that of a farmer who knows that he must first get rid of all the weeds before he plants new seeds. Weeding comes before seeding. Before you can rightly receive God?s word there must be a weeding from your life of those attitudes and actions that choke out the influence of God?s word.

Sin in your life will plug up your spiritual ears. The person who comes under the teaching of God?s word with moral filth and evil in his life will never get the same message that the clean heart will get. That?s the way God has designed it. That?s why you must take time for confession and repentance. You need to repent and turn from your sin. You need to confess all that you have done wrong.

Your preparation needs to be more than the few moments of confession made available in the worship service. You need to take time to do business with God. You need to take time daily in the quiet of your home in order to examine your life and repent and confess your sin to God.

One of the great Puritans, William Gurnall, wrote these words:

“Pray not only against the power of sin, but for the power of holiness also. A haughty heart may pray against his sins, not out of any inward enmity to them, or love to holiness, but because they are troublesome guests to his conscience. His zeal is false that seems hot against sin, but is key-cold to holiness. A city is rebellious that keeps their rightful Prince out, though it receives not his enemy in.”

If you are not taking time to confess and repent, that could be one of the reasons why God?s word seems to be having such little impact on your life these days, why there is such a great divorce between what you hear and what you do.

So, the first step in building a faith that really works is that you need to have a prepared heart.

II. You Need to Have a Receptive Heart (1:21b)

The second step in building a faith that really works is that you need to have a receptive heart. In verse 21b James goes on to say: “And humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”

The Greek word translated “accept” is the same word that was used of a woman welcoming her husband back from war. The soldier had been off fighting in a Roman Legion for months. There was very little mail service in those days. She had not heard from him in a long time. Now Ronnie (or Romulus!) finally comes marching home. When she sees him from a distance she can hardly contain herself. She runs toward him and accepts him with open-armed enthusiasm. That is how James is saying you ought to accept the word of God.

This word “accept” was also used of people who listened to the reading of a will. What a difference it would make in many churches when the people arrive to hear the message if they would listen that way. Imagine that a wealthy member of our church died. This person left a fortune, and each church member was going to receive a large amount of money. It would be different for each person, depending on their relationship to the now-deceased member. And let?s suppose that, on next Sunday, instead of a sermon, the will was to be read telling you what was to be yours. How do you think you would listen that day? I guarantee that no one would drift off to sleep. No unnecessary trips to the bathroom. You would listen with rapt attention to se what was yours.

James says that is how you should listen to the word of God. You ought to listen like a person who listens to the reading of a will who has vested interest in the disbursement of that will.

The word translated “humbly” is a word that means “with gentleness.” The idea is that of having a teachable spirit. It is the person who says, “Lord, help me to be teachable. Regardless of who is teaching, I am ready to accept it, to receive it.”

Christians say things like, “Oh, I don?t? like that. I don?t? like the way he says, ?God.? Or, he doesn?t talk loud enough for me. Or, short enough. Or, long enough (that?s rare!). Or, he doesn?t tell enough stories. Or, he tells too many stories. Or, he doesn?t tell me enough of what the Hebrew or Greek really means. Or, I wish he wouldn?t talk about the Hebrew and the Greek so much.”

Why are you to give God?s word the proper response? James answers that at the end of verse 21. There he tells you it is because that word is the word “which can save you.” That word can save you not only from sin?s penalty but from sin?s damaging power as well.

The world in which you live is like a minefield. There are dangers on every side. God?s word is like a map to guide you through it safely. If you will live in humble submission to God?s word, you will be delivered from the damaging power of sin.

So, in order to build a faith that really works you need to have a prepared heart, and, second, a receptive heart.

III. You need to Have an Obedient Heart (1:22-27)

The third step in building a faith that really works is that you need to have an obedient heart. This is the most important of the three. For this process doesn?t end once the word has been implanted. Verses 22-27 talk about the proper response once you have accepted the word. James gives you a command, an illustration, and an application.

A. The Command (1:22)

James says in verse 22: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

The best way to communicate the meaning of “merely listen” is to liken it to the activity of an academic auditor. An academic auditor is one who “audits” a course in a university or college. If you have ever audited a class, you know that you are the most relaxed one there. Why? Because all an auditor does is take notes. They don?t do any assignments. They aren?t required to do any homework. Take any tests. An auditor is just there to take in information.

Perhaps there are some of you here today who are auditors. Some of you have notebooks full of notes. Or Bibles full of little writings in the margins BUT you would be hard-pressed to show God, or your closest friend, any real significant change in your life since you first started as a Christian. This isn?t to say that notebooks full of notes or Bibles full of writings in the margins is not good but that?s just the first step?don?t just listen but do what it says!

James says that if you really want to prove yourself, then prove yourself not as one who merely audits the course but one who is a doer.

B. The Illustration (1:23-25)

In verse 23-24 James illustrates the forgetful hearer: “Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.”

This is the picture of a man who looks into the Scriptures, and after having been exposed to the truth, closes it and goes his way, quickly forgetting what God has said.

Now, verse 25 illustrates the effective doer: “But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it ? he will be blessed in what he does.”

Dr. Howard Hendricks, professor and author, once responded to the question of whether makeup was really proper for a Christian woman to wear. His response was simply, “Lady, now don?t overdo it, but for heaven?s sake, if the barn needs painting, paint it!” (quoted in “The Great Divorce” by Freddy Fritz)

When you look into a mirror, it doesn?t play any games with you. What you see is what you are, like it or not. When you fight that early morning battle of mind over mattress, stumble into that bathroom, go over to the mirror and take a look. That?s you!

Men, those nubs sticking out of your chin, that?s you, every last nub.

Women, those hair rollers that make you look like you?re trying to get a message from outer space ? that?s you!

What kind of person would get up in the morning, turn the bathroom light on, go over to the mirror and say, “Oh no!” and then turn off the light and leave for church? That?s absurd!

But some of you do that spiritually, don?t you? You open the word. You say, “What a magnificent truth. How profound. How powerful and moving. How true! Boy, I really need to be like that or do that?” And then it makes no difference in your life.

James is saying that the Bible is like a mirror. It shows you who and what you really are. And when you look in that mirror and are unhappy with what you see, you have just a few options. You can smash the mirror. Many today who attack the Bible are doing just that. Or you can just ignore the mirror. Or, as James suggests, you can use it to make some much-needed corrections.

Notice God?s promise at the end of verse 25 to those who choose this last option. He writes that such a man “will be blessed in what he does”

For some years now I have been listening to people?s comments about my sermons after the Sunday worship service. It?s always encouraging to hear people tell me that the message was a blessing to their lives. And yet, when I think about it, I?m not so sure whether you can know that soon whether a message you have just heard was truly a blessing to you or not. James says that it is not until you do what the word of God says that you can know if it has been a blessing to you. It is not a blessing until you actually practice it!

The story is told of a man who was late for worship one Sunday. He wanted to make it at least in time to heart he preaching of God?s word. But at the very moment he arrived, the pastor finished his message. Huffing and puffing he ran into the church building and asked the usher, “Is the sermon done?”

The wise usher responded, “No my friend, the sermon still has to be done!”

(quoted in “The Great Divorce” by Freddy Fritz)

It is in obeying the word of God that blessing is received.

C. The Application

What then are some specific examples of truly authentic Christianity? James says, “I?m glad you asked. I have three here on the tip of my pen.” We will close with a brief look at these.

In verse 26-27 James pictures a man who thinks he is religious. He is sure of it. But James says the real test of faith that really works is not found in the fact that he goes to church or acts religious, but in three areas of his life.

First in his words. In verse 26 James makes clear that if there is no divorce between the truth and your tongue, you?ve got the genuine item. James writes, “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.”

Second, in his acts of kindness. There is no divorce between the truth and the needs of others. James writes in verse 27, “Religion that our God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress..”

The phrase “orphans and widows” is almost a technical term in the scriptures for those who are destitute. And the phrase “to look after” means “to get personally involved.” James says if you are doers of the word, you see evidence not only in the way you talk but in acts of kindness you do. And the thing that marks your acts of kindness is that you are kind to those who cannot pay you back; people like orphans and widows.

This is not some sort of social gospel! This is real Christianity. It?s saying that you don?t mind becoming involved in not only words but in real deeds meeting real needs.

Third, in what marks him. At the end of verse 27 James writes, “and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” As a Christian you are to be a marked person. You are to be marked not by the world but by the word.

In John 15:3 Jesus said, “You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.” In Romans 12:2 the apostle Paul says to “not be conformed to the world but be transformed by the renewing of our minds.” Paul knew that for you to have a transforming influence on your world for Christ, you must first have your mind cleansed and transformed by the living word of God.

Consider the difference between a strong and a weak cup of tea. The same ingredients of water and tea are used for both. The difference is that the strong cup of tea is the result of the tea leaves being immersed in the water longer, allowing the tea more time to get into the water. The longer the steeping process, the stronger the cup of tea.

In the same way, James is saying that the length of time, you spend in hearing and applying God?s word to your life will determine how deeply you (1) get into the word, and (2) how deeply the word gets into you.

CONCLUSION

Remember this principle found here: Just like the tea, the longer you are in the word, the “stronger” you will become, and the weaker will be that great divorce between your knowledge and your practice.

God uses a three-step process to help you develop a faith that really works.

First, you need to have a prepared heart.

Second, you need to have a receptive heart.

Third, you need to have an obedient heart.

May God help us all build a faith that really works. Amen.

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A Call to Prayer

Sunday, October 2nd, 2005
This entry is part 4 of 4 in the series PrayerPak: Lessons on Powerful Prayer

Read at beginning of service:

Acts 4:23-31 (NIV)

23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: “?Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One. 27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

INTRODUCTION

Psalm 32:1-6a (NIV)

1 Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 2 Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. 3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Selah 5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”?and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah 6 Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found?

A certain person couldn?t find the right posture for prayer. He tried praying on his knees, but that wasn?t comfortable; besides, it wrinkled his slacks. He tried praying standing, but soon his legs got tired. He tried praying seated, but that didn?t seem reverent. Then one day as he was walking through a field, he fell headfirst into an open well. Did he ever pray! (quoted in “A Call for Prayer” by Tony Searles)

For the last 3 weeks I?ve been preaching a series of messages entitled Prayer Pak: Lessons on Powerful Prayer. I?ve got to confess to you this morning that from the very beginning I?ve seen these messages all leading up to this morning. In the previous messages I?ve been talking about the nature of prayer, some of the how?s and some of the why?s and I believe that many of you have been embracing some of the challenges posed by what God has been speaking to us on prayer. I hope you?ve been hearing what has been I believe one of the underlying themes of these messages.

This theme? I believe the Lord is calling us to a prayer life which is consistent, fervent, sincere, Spirit-powered, and life-changing. In my spirit, I sense a strong need for us as a Body of Believers to step forward into the realm of prayer – into the realm of powerful effective prayer that is not found in the crisis management of a person falling into an open well but is found in the daily individual and corporate activity of a person who is passionate for God.

There were many times throughout the Old Testament when leaders found that their armies and people were at a crux in their lives both individually and corporately that this call came forth for prayer, consecration, and worship towards God. There was a need for the people to prepare for what was about to happen, and call out to “make ready” and gain perspective for the future, so that God?s Will would be accomplished and released in their midst.

In the New Testament Jesus called his disciples to prayer before they were to launch out in the work he had prepared for them in building the kingdom. And as a result of their “waiting on God” and praying in the upper room they were empowered by the Holy Spirit and given a Godly boldness that ignited a revival wherever they set foot.

In stories of revivals and mighty moves of God down through History into modern day the common characteristic found among the people experiencing and living in the midst of God?s blessings was their reliance on and practice of prayer.

And today I sense that same call for us today in this church. You?ve heard me say many times before that I feel that we are on the brink of something great that God wants to do in our midst and something special in which the Lord is preparing to do in us and through us. I feel as though we are gaining perspective and vision for what this is but there is one thing that God is waiting for in our midst. And I believe God is waiting for us to as a church step up into the realm of spirit-filled prayer. I believe God is calling His people to communicate with Him on a level they?ve never attempted before. And as your Pastor today I am speaking that call into our midst. I am echoing the challenge for you to become a part of HPC?s prayer team. People who are committed to turning the heat up a notch in prayer, people who together take a more serious approach to prayer, people who will be willing to seek the Lord in prayer more fervently in their personal lives, and also as a part of the church as a body.

I am calling you as a church to pray and seek God together for what He wants to do in and through us. I am calling you as a church to come out to our Saturday night Oasis ? where we pray and seek the Lord. I am calling you as a church to actively participate and embrace the challenge of God to pray and seek His face for every area of your lives.

Do you want more? Do you Hunger for more of God? Do you want to see the Kingdom of God grow with new believers? Do you want to see the sick healed? Do you want what God has in store for our church for our community? Do you want to know Jesus, the Father, the Holy Spirit more? Are you ready to pay the price?

These things and more will come, I believe will ONLY come, when we ? as a body ? answer the call to prayer!!

Are you ready? Are you willing?

I?m saying this today because?

Prayer initiates and sustains life-giving change

Most of us have seen a stagnant pond in a swamp or in the middle of a field. Some of these ponds have some surface beauty -?I mean there may be water lilies, or colorful plant-life living on the surface of the water. But then as you look closer you?ll find that the water it self is murky and full of algea. Really these ponds are simply stale puddles of water ? they have little or no fresh water flowing into or exiting out of them and because of this the only life that you find is outside the water not inside (at least the kind of life you see). Have you ever had the desire to swim in such a pond? (yuck!)

Think, on the other hand, about a nice fresh water stream. On a hot summer day such a stream is so inviting and the thought of swimming in its cool water is refreshing. The water is fresh, cool, and crystal clear.

Now lets liken this picture of these two examples to your own life? Are you a pond or a fresh water stream? The difference between the two is life! When the currents flow and there is an intake and outflow of fresh water then the water is pure and clear and brings life. While the surface of a pond may for a time show the signs of life eventually, as the stagnant water sits the surface life will pass away too until what?s in the surface reflects what?s been in the water all along.

I believe God wants His church, wants His people to be a river of life not a pond of death! And it is through prayer that the life-giving currents of change flow through his people.

God wants us to be living the words of a song that is sometimes sung, “I?ve Got a River of Life”? (quote lyrics)

But instead many Christians are living lyrics of,

I?m a pond of death, won?t you come see me

I may be blind and lame but at least I?m free

I?m happy where I am so don?t move me

If I ever have to change I will charge a fee.

2 Chronicles 7:14-16 (NIV)

14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. 16 I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.

I?ve referred to this scripture many times but as we look at it today I want to point out the example found here that prayer initiates and sustains life-giving change.

Prayer releases life-giving change into your situation, your circumstances, your future?

  1. “if they turn from their wicked ways” turning from death to life comes as a result of prayer. Turning from our resources and the resources of the world to righteousness and God?s resources is the fruit of prayer. Prayer is the surrendering of what we can do to what God will do!
  2. God says that He will forgive their sins. There is a song that includes the line, “what a wonderful change in my life has been wrought, since Jesus came into my heart.” There is no greater change intiated by prayer than the prayer of confession and acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour! For in that change is found the joy of experiencing Jesus Christ as your life! By His spirit He flows in and through us!!
  3. Finally, a third life-giving change found in this passage is a healing in their land. Oh God! Let this occur in our church and in our community. This is a significant phrase folks. Because in the ancient times “the land” was a type or figure of prosperity and life to the people. In fact people were identified by “the land” in which they lived. When God said, “Then will I heal your land” He is saying, “I will bring life, and prosperity, and restore you as a people”!

Reading further we find the Father speaking to Solomon and saying that in response to Solomon?s prayer God?s eyes and heart will always be” in the temple that Solomon dedicated. Lay a hold of that promise as you answer the call to prayer this morning! Prayer initiates and sustains life-giving change?

prayer determines closeness to the source of life

Jeremiah 29:11-13a (NIV)

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “?

Such an incredible promise that God made through Jeremiah to the Israelite people. That when they seek Him with all their heart ? they will find Him. There is this incredible reminder here that sincere prayer is the path to connecting with God, the source of life!

Deuteronomy 4:29 (NIV)

29 But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV)

7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

James 4:8-10 (NIV)

8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Church the promise is true, prayer is the vehicle through which we draw close to God.

Challenges are conquered through prayer

You can see this statement modeled in the life of Jesus. When He faced the challenge of the cross, He went to His Father in Prayer. The challenge of the cross had to be me head on and it was the will of God ? Jesus prayed as he had so many other times in His ministry on earth, “Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done.”

This statement is also modeled in the life of the disciples. They faced the challenge of the call to ministry. In Mark 9 a man brought his demon-possessed son to Jesus and Jesus healed the boy. In asking Jesus to heal his son the man had made mention that he had already gone to Jesus? disciples but they weren?t able to do anything. When the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked Him why they weren?t able to cast out the demon Jesus replied with something very important,

Mark 9:29 (NIV)

29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”

And there is yet another example of a challenge being conquered by prayer in Acts 16:25-26

Acts 16:25-26 (NIV)

25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose.

As Paul and Silas sat in the prison amongst the other prisoners they met their challenge by praying and worshipping God. The result is that God came and met them in their need.

Church throughout the scriptures there are examples where challenges were persistent, but God was faithful. Each challenge was met with a great faith that was planted firmly in a sincere prayer life and intimacy with God. Whether there was prayer offered at the moment, or an investment prior to the fact, the results were that God was glorified in all these things!

Challenges are conquered in prayer!

CONCLUSION

I?d like to conclude with the words of Isaiah this morning,

Isaiah 55:6-7 (NIV)

6 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

I believe this simple, yet profound scripture is for us today! Pray to God! Be reconciled to Him! And once reconciled, to Him pray! Right now in His patience, God is waiting for your response! His word is calling out to You! The Holy Spirit is striving with us, and wooing us, to call upon the Lord? for this is a call to Prayer!!!

Charles Haddon Spurgeon stated this about prayer and the church?

The condition of the church may be very accurately gauged by its prayer meeting. So is the prayer meeting a grace-o-meter, and from it we may be judge of the amount of divine working among a people. If God be near a church, it must pray. And if He be not there, one of the first tokens of His absence will be a slothfulness in prayer. (quoted in “A Call For Prayer” by Tony Searles)

What does our gauge say? If you were on the outside looking into our church, what would you say? Are you adding to that answer? Are you a part of prayer? Maybe you are privately, but now we must pray as a body, publicly. There is a scriptural principle that holds true when we gather together to pray.

Acts 12:5 (NIV)

5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

The book, Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire relates an awesome modern day testimony of the power of prayer and the blessings that fall on a church that prays. In the beginning of the book, the pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle, Jim Cymbala relates the struggles he faced in pastoring a dying church in the middle of New York City. In the midst of some time away from the church to recover from an illness that crippled his voice Jim prayed this simple, heart-broken prayer,

“Lord, I have no idea how to be a successful pastor,” ? “I haven?t been trained. All I know is that Carol and I are working in the middle of New York City, with people dying on every side, overdosing from heroin, consumed by materialism, and all the rest. If the gospel is so powerful?”

I couldn?t finish the sentence. Tears choked me. Fortunately, the others on the boat were too far away to notice as they studied their lines in the blue-green water.

Then quietly but forcefully, in words heard not with my ear but deep within my spirit, I sensed God speaking:

If you and your wife will lead my people to pray and call upon my name, you will never lack for something fresh to preach. I will supply all the money that?s needed, both for the church and for your family, and you will never have a building large enough to contain the crowds I will send in response. (Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, p. 25)

Did you hear that? Friends, Jim Cymbala obeyed the call to prayer and his church answered this call to prayer and as a result Brooklyn Tabernacle has reached thousands of people and participated in ushering thousands of people into the kingdom of God.

Now this call has been extended to you. And friends, I know God has spoken those same words into my life. And friends this call is a vital one to all of us here at HPC. From now on the barometer of the health in this church will be Oasis on Saturday night. This is our night for prayer. Scripture teaches us and history teaches us that any revival in this community is going to be birthed in prayer. And I believe God wants this church to be the spark that ignites that revival. But it?s only going to happen through prayer! It?s time for a transformation in this church, it?s time for a Holy Spirit transformation in this community and there are thousands who need to be reached for the kingdom of God ? and this will only happen as we answer the call to prayer!

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