In Paul's admonition to slaves (Eph. 6:5-6) he warns them about being people pleasers-something all of us are susceptible to. Yet, our focus should be upon pleasing God, not men. So how do we please God? Well, let's first consider how God looks at us.
The prophet Isaiah tells us: "We have all become like one who is unclean,and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment." (64:6) Wow! The most self-sacrificing act of service is like a polluted, unclean garment. In other words, it is unacceptable to the Lord. Why? Because, even in our best moments we fall short of the glory of God. Because of our sinful nature, we are not capable of a completely righteous and holy act. We are unaware of our condition because we compare ourselves with other people. Gray doesn't look so dark when you put it up against pitch black, but compare it with white and you gain a whole new perspective. So how do we please God?
God's explanation of His choice of kings helps us to understand how God looks at us: "For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." (1 Sam 16:7) If we please God, it will not be because of any act we have done, but because of our heart. The Bible says: "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." (Heb 11:6) And Paul wrote to the Galatians: "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love." (Gal 5:6)
How can we please God? We must believe in Him and love Him. What about works? If you love the Lord and trust in Him works will follow, but it is your faith and love that will please God. May you commit today to please the Lord, first and foremost in your life.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
Faith is the Key that Opens our Hearts to the Grace of God (Sermon: Acts 7:1-8)
The focus of the Sanhedrin was upon the temple building and upon the customs of Moses. What they failed to understand was that faith was the means of having a relationship with God. And so Stephen directed their attention to Abraham, a man who was not only the founder of the Jewish nation, but who was also a model of faith.
Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Eph 2:8-9). I believe that anytime we forget that faith is the instrument through which God saves us, we are inevitably tempted to depend upon our own works. We must realize that every good work and every act of sacrifice is to be offered to God as a thanksgiving for what He has done for us. We cannot help God pay for our sins, for even our most righteous acts are but filthy rags compared to the holiness of God (Is. 64:6).
The worship of God has always been through faith. It always will be through faith. Would you like to please God, then believe in Him.
Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Eph 2:8-9). I believe that anytime we forget that faith is the instrument through which God saves us, we are inevitably tempted to depend upon our own works. We must realize that every good work and every act of sacrifice is to be offered to God as a thanksgiving for what He has done for us. We cannot help God pay for our sins, for even our most righteous acts are but filthy rags compared to the holiness of God (Is. 64:6).
The worship of God has always been through faith. It always will be through faith. Would you like to please God, then believe in Him.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Challenging Established Religion (Sermon: Acts 6:8-15)
We see a trend throughout the Gospels and Acts of early believers and leaders challenging the established religious leaders of their day. Both John the Baptist and Jesus referred to the Pharisees as a brood of vipers (Mt. 3:7 and Mt. 12:34). Peter rebuked the Sanhedrin for crucifying Jesus (Acts 4). Stephen stood before the Sanhedrin and boldly proclaimed: "You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit" (Acts 7:51). But the trend isn't confined to the tensions between Jews and Christians, Paul also rebuked Peter for his hypocrisy in accepting the Gentile believers (Gal. 2:11-14).
So what does this trend teach us? Some would argue it teaches us that we should avoid established religion and just follow Jesus. The problem with this view is that is fails to take into account the fact that it was Jesus that established the church (Mt. 13:16-18). Further, scripture, which is of course inspired by God, commands us not to neglect regular participation in the church (Heb. 10:25). So what are we to do if we are not satisfied with the established church. Well, we could start a new church, a church in which all of our criticisms of the established church will be addressed. Yet, the irony is after a few years or maybe less the new church will itself be established. The reality is all of us who seek any type of corporate worship will become part of established religion at some point--it's unavoidable if we meet together in any way. But that is fine, because there is no sin in being established. The sin of the Pharisees, the sin of the Sanhedrin, and even the sin of Peter was not the result of their place in the establishment. It was the result of their unchecked sinful nature.
What we can learn from this trend of confronting leaders of the establishment has nothing to do with established religion itself, but with the susceptibility of all humans to sin. No matter how involved we are in the church, no matter what we have done in service for the Lord in the past, we are all capable of sinning against God. Secondly, don't ever let the sin of others discourage you from being part of the church. Jesus knew full well of the sin and hypocrisy of the Jewish leaders, yet He worshiped at the synagogue regularly.
Are there problems in your local established church? If it has actual human beings in it, I am sure there are problems. But the answer is not to rebel against the established church, but to give of yourself to help it to grow and mature. And finally, we must remember that the established church as we know it today, is a mere shadow of the wonderful love and fellowship that Christians will experience together in heaven.
So what does this trend teach us? Some would argue it teaches us that we should avoid established religion and just follow Jesus. The problem with this view is that is fails to take into account the fact that it was Jesus that established the church (Mt. 13:16-18). Further, scripture, which is of course inspired by God, commands us not to neglect regular participation in the church (Heb. 10:25). So what are we to do if we are not satisfied with the established church. Well, we could start a new church, a church in which all of our criticisms of the established church will be addressed. Yet, the irony is after a few years or maybe less the new church will itself be established. The reality is all of us who seek any type of corporate worship will become part of established religion at some point--it's unavoidable if we meet together in any way. But that is fine, because there is no sin in being established. The sin of the Pharisees, the sin of the Sanhedrin, and even the sin of Peter was not the result of their place in the establishment. It was the result of their unchecked sinful nature.
What we can learn from this trend of confronting leaders of the establishment has nothing to do with established religion itself, but with the susceptibility of all humans to sin. No matter how involved we are in the church, no matter what we have done in service for the Lord in the past, we are all capable of sinning against God. Secondly, don't ever let the sin of others discourage you from being part of the church. Jesus knew full well of the sin and hypocrisy of the Jewish leaders, yet He worshiped at the synagogue regularly.
Are there problems in your local established church? If it has actual human beings in it, I am sure there are problems. But the answer is not to rebel against the established church, but to give of yourself to help it to grow and mature. And finally, we must remember that the established church as we know it today, is a mere shadow of the wonderful love and fellowship that Christians will experience together in heaven.
Monday, February 4, 2008
The Value of Godly Leadership (Sermon: Acts 6:3)
If we need anything in the church today, we need godly leadership. Men and women who have a good reputation, who are filled with the Spirit and with wisdom. The apostles knew that the character of the men appointed to serve in the early church was vital to the success of their ministry. Instead of allowing popularity or charisma to determine who would be placed in leadership, the apostles lead the early church to seek only godly individuals whose reputation, spiritual life, and wisdom would be an asset to the church.
Instead of following the example of the early church, churches sometimes look for names to fill slots. After all, if we have a position, we must have a person to fill it, right? No! Placing the wrong person in the wrong place will never be the right thing for the church to do. The church of the Lord Jesus Christ must not settle for anything short of godly leadership. Where can we find such people? Jesus said: "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest" (Matt 9:37-38). Let us follow the command of Jesus and pray for our Father to send workers.
Instead of following the example of the early church, churches sometimes look for names to fill slots. After all, if we have a position, we must have a person to fill it, right? No! Placing the wrong person in the wrong place will never be the right thing for the church to do. The church of the Lord Jesus Christ must not settle for anything short of godly leadership. Where can we find such people? Jesus said: "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest" (Matt 9:37-38). Let us follow the command of Jesus and pray for our Father to send workers.
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