A powerless profession [1 Corinthians 13]

A powerless profession [1 Corinthians 13]

“A profession of holiness without love is like a well without water, like a stove without fire, a tree without fruit.” [B.T. Roberts]

1.         “You cannot be filled with love to God and man without being a blessing to others.” [BTR]

            a.         No feeling of envy or jealousy.

            b.         No attempt to cripple others influence by lowering them in the estimation of others.

            c.         Rejoice with those who rejoice.

2.         Compassion not anger will be the rule towards those who are not Christian.

            a.         If they have wronged you, what else can you expect?

            b.         Don’t keep them at a distance (some fear pollution).

            c.         Be a witness.

3.         Problems:

            a.         Lack of usefulness… generally followed by fault finding.

            b.         Giving strong prescription to others when we see a weakness…

4.         What we need:

            a.         “Seek then, first of all, for a baptism of pure, perfect love upon your soul.” [BTR]

                        1.)        Be honest: is there fruit of this love?

                        2.)        Own your need and ask earnestly to have it supplied.

            b.         It’s not about zeal… it’s about love.

                        1.)        Consecration of talent, time, property…

                        2.)        Confession of unloving disposition…

Love is the key to the entire Christian life.  God’s love shed abroad in our hearts…  Our love for God and others.  Howe we live our lives under the influence of this love.

In with the good

Colossians 3:12 – 17

In with the good!

 

I.          High-caliber character. [v 12]

 

A.        “Compassion”

 

1.         This is a word picture, literally “spleen of mercy”

 

a.         Why “spleen?”  The Greeks believed the spleen was the seat of bad temper and the source of spite.  [Oxford]

 

b.         Direct contrast to “anger” [v 8]

 

2.         Jesus demonstrated compassion.

 

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. [37] Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. [38] Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” [Matthew 9:36 – 38]

 

B.        “Kindness”

 

1.         How does one be kind?

 

a.         The word used here conveys the idea of “usefulness.”

 

b.         Kindness shows up in our actions as well as our attitudes about others.

 

2.         We see a direct contrast with “malice” [v 8]

 

C.        “Humility”

 

1.         Problem: “Humility is an impish virtue.  Let it have enough reigns and it will think of itself god-like, tighten it down and it will gloat over its holiness.  Humility is a gift and desire but so often it comes gift-wrapped in the arrogance of its practice.” [Calvin Miller]

 

2.         Essentially humility is the contrast to “slander” [v 8].

 

a.         We “slander” people, tear others down, to build ourselves up.

 

b.         “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.” [Romans 12:3]

 

D.        “Gentleness”

 

1.         Typically translated “meekness.”  One dictionary defined “gentle” as: mild or kind; not rough or violent.  2) not harsh or severe.  3) archaic noble or courteous. [Oxford]

 

2.         Contrast with “filthy language” [v 8].

 

E.         “Patience”

 

1.         The idea here is to be able to suffer/tolerate indignities, delay, or trouble.

 

[Ill.] Sign that says, “there are three virtues in life: patience, patience, and more patience.

 

2.         This is often contrary to our personalities.  Some are very judgmental with the ability to make quick judgements and are often unmovable.

 

II.        High-compliance conduct (Like Jesus).

 

A.        “Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” [v 13d]

 

1.         Parable: Matthew 18:23 – 35

 

a.         Nothing anyone can do to you will ever come close to the debt you owe God.

 

b.         Holding something against someone is ultimately an act of arrogance

 

2.         Promise and Warning: “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. [15] But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” [Matthew 6:14 – 15]

 

3.         A story: Luke 7:36 – 50

 

B.        “Love”

 

1.         What do you have if you practice virtue without love?

 

a.         In speech you get noise, in smarts there is only nonsense, when sacrificing the is no gain.

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. [2] If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. [3] If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.” [1 Corinthians 13:1 – 3]

 

b.         “Disorientation, fragmentation, and stagnation” [LAB]

 

2.         Love holds everything together.

 

III.       High-impact compass.

 

It is said we live life by the calendar (task) or the compass (direction)...  Problem is we think doing something is progress.  Fact is doing something without a plan/direction/purpose can exhaust us and become counter-productive.  What sort of compass does God give us?

 

A.        Peace.

 

1.         The word “rule” is a word that came from sports: “referee.”  Legally it meant an “arbitrator.”

 

2.         Things peace does not mean:

 

a.         Peace does not mean tolerating bad behavior.

 

b.         Peace does not mean eliminating differences.  Instead it means using differences in love and trust.

 

c.         Peace does not allow open conflict or mutual silence.

 

3.         How does peace work?

 

a.         When feelings and desires clash the tendency is to take “the path of least resistance” or the one with less pain.  THIS IS MENTAL ILLNESS NOT PEACE.

 

b.         Peace is something God gives:

 

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” [Philippians 4:7]

 

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” [John 14:27]

 

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” [Romans 5:1]

 

B.        God’s word. (“Word/message of Christ” v 16)

 

1.         The Bible is the only reliable life compass available.

 

2.         Walking in the ways of the Bible will lead us, eventually, to thankfulness.

 

C.        The name of Jesus.

 

1.         We are representatives of Jesus because what we do and say is in the name of Jesus.

 

a.         In America we do not understand group shame anymore... e.g. if a child behaved badly, it reflected poorly on the parents/family.

 

b.         It was motivation to not embarrass our family, group, or country.

 

[BTW, this is why terrorist do not distinguish between a military target and civilian target... if you are part of the whole you are guilty by extension.]

 

2.         “We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.” [2 Corinthians 5:20]

 

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This it the way, walk in it.

Isaiah 30:19 – 22

This is the way, walk in it”

Israel’s Problem:

 

            1.         They were STUBBORN.

“Woe to the obstinate children,” [Isaiah 30:1a]

 

                        a.         The word translated “obstinate” literally means “unmanageable” [BDB]

 

                        b.         In other words, they had willfully chosen to NOT be lead.

[Ill. The TV show “The Apprentice.” Strategies to be “unmanageable” and not get caught or the blame... “Passive – Aggressive” is one way to be unmanagable.]

 

            2.         The made PLANS WITHOUT GOD.

“...to those who carry out plans that are not mine...” [Isaiah 30:1b]

 

                        a.         The plans made did not include God.

“In the school of church growth, there is no room for the Holy Spirit.” [Dr. George Hunter III]

 

                        b.         Here is a test: If you can accomplish it with your own strength, understand it with your own mind, resource it with your own labor.... It’s not from God.

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” [Isaiah 55:9]

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; [6] in all your ways SUBMIT him, and he will make your paths straight.” [Proverbs 3:5 – 6 TNIV]

 

            3.         They made ALLIANCES.

“forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit” [Isaiah 30:1c]

 

                        a.         Resources their plans...

 

                        b.         Fuel their unmanageable disposition.

[This was a political problem... in psychology there are “enablers” who in some form help the bad behavior. One way to “enable” is to keep silent.]

 

            4.         The COMPOUNDED SIN.

“heaping sin upon sin.” [Isaiah 30:1d]

 

                        a.         Sin is addictive and blinding.

“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. [“desperately wicked” KJV] Who can understand it?” [Jeremiah 17:9]

 

                        b.         In other words, “you can’t change.” It is willful and habitual.

“Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.” [Psalm 19:13]

RESULT: “This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.” [Isaiah 30:15]

*****The natural human tendency is the habit of NOT listening to God.*****

God’s solution to our habit of NOT listening is GRACE and COMPASSION.

“Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you...” [Isaiah 30:18a]

 

            1.         This is the “grace” and “mercy” complex.

 

                        a.         Grace is getting what we do NOT deserve.

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” [2 Corinthians 5:21]

 

                        b.         Mercy is NOT getting what we deserve.

“He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.” [Psalm 103:10]

 

            2.         Patience to God means something different than it means to us.

 

                        a.         Patient is not inactivity.

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” [2 Peter 3:9]

“But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” [Isaiah 40:31]

 

                        b.         Patience implies we have a choice of destiny.

“But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...” [Joshua 24:15]

“For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do--living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.” [1 Peter 4:3]

Why then do we behave the way we do?

 

            1.         Being SELFISH is easier.

 

                        a.         If all we have to consider is our own self, our self-interests, our self-wants... it’s simpler than having to consider others.

 

                        b.         We want to do what we want to do, when we want to do it, the way we want. It is the willfulness of a child. (“Woe to the obstinate children,” [Isaiah 30:1a])

“For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.” [Romans 1:21]

 

            2.         Being IGNORANT is easier.

 

                        a.         Knowledge implies responsibility or a call to action. Neither are comfortable.

“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. [20] Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. [21] But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.” [John 3:19 – 21]

 

                        b.         If we KNOW God is right... the we are faced with the choice of allowing God to be right about everything and follow God’s directions.

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it.” [Isaiah 30:21]

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. [25] Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” [Galatians 5:24 – 25]

 

            3.         Being NEGLECTFUL is natural.

“We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. [2] For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, [3] how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. [4] God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” [Hebrews2:1 – 5]

 

                        a.         Spiritual drifting, it is a slow, casual, movement away from God’s truth. It is the systematic (deliberate or otherwise) deafness we develop.

 

                        b.         Another sure sign of spiritual neglect is the ignorance and non-exercise of spiritual gifts. (We are going to be talking about this early next year.)

 

            4.         God meets these with “adversity” [literally “narrow” “tight”] and “affliction” [oppression, distress, and pressure]

 

                        a.         When God narrows our choices or makes us feel like we have no choices (as opposed to us feeling comfortably in control) then we had better be listening.

 

                        b.         God wants the best for us.

“This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.” [Isaiah 30:15]

What do we need to do about this?

 

            1.         Pray for God to give us a new heart.

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” [Ezekiel 36:36]

 

                        a.         Everything reflects relationship with God.

 

                        b.         If you can live our lives without God, you are in serious trouble.

“You say, `I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. . . . [20] Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” [Revelation 3:17, 20]

 

            2.         Deal with your idols.

“Then you will defile your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, "Away with you!” [Isaiah 30:22]

 

                        a.         Maybe you are “unmanageable.”

 

                        b.         Maybe you have no place for God in your plans.

 

                        c.         Maybe you have acquired the necessary resources to put God on a shelf.

 

                        d.         Maybe you willfully add sin to sin.

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Where Faith and Action meet

James 2:14 – 26

Where Faith and Action meet.

 

I.         Many of us are comfortably in control.

 

            A.        My personal background.

 

                        1.         Control was an absolute, most of the rules were designed around strict control.

 

                                    a.         No alcohol (drugs, etc...) because alcohol relaxes a person and causes them to lose control. (Changes personality, date rape drug of choice.)

 

                                    b.         No dancing because dancing is designed to encourage lust. (Dad pulled me form my elementary school’s spring program because the school planned a “square dancing” section.)

 

                        2.         Control can make us oblivious to need.

 

                                    a.         I was not trained to sympathize or empathize with others because these would give others leverage and possible control.

 

                                    b.         Essentially my family training made me blind to see others needs.

 

                                                1.)       I miss or am offended by subtlety and hints. (And sometimes directness.)

 

                                                2.)       I have to be deliberate to sympathize or empathize.

 

                                                3.)        I have to turn on my “radar” to pick up on needs.

 

            B.        This is a general problem: Needs make us think.

 

                        1.         Thinking helps us to stay in control.

 

                                    a.         James’ illustration:

“Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. [16] If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?” [James 2:15 – 16]

 

                                                1.)       This assumes the ability to see the need and the ability to do something about the need.

 

                                                2.)       The meeting of physical needs is part of James’ definition of religion and faith.

“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.” [James 1:27]

 

                                    b.         Jesus also had a similar definition. [Matthew 25:34 – 46]

 

                                                1.)       So does that mean our eternal salvation depends on what we do and do not do with the needs of others?

 

                                                2.)       According to Jesus, yes. (This was in context of the story of the Master giving talents (unit of money) to his servants and what they did with them.

 

                        2.         If we allow ourselves to feel any compassion we are in danger of losing control.

 

                                    a.         Compassion requires our time and resources (which God gave to us to invest... see the story in Matthew 25).

 

                                    b.         Compassion is not comfortable but it is critical.

 

II.       When we become disturbed by need we do something.

 

            A.        Typically we like to wait for the thing to become critical.

 

                        1.         In other words, we wait until we become annoyed, alarmed, or angry enough to do something.

 

                                    a.         We might see a need but want someone else to do something about it.

 

                                    b.         Problem is that it builds a certain frustration level that is expressed in unhealthy ways like complaining, being critical, holding grudges.

 

                        2.         This is our version of living day to day.

 

                                    a.         “Today has enough trouble to keep me busy.”

 

                                    b.         Anything that breaks into “today” is unwelcome.

(Ill.) Wisdom from the mission field: If you get one thing done from your to do list, you’ve had a good day. If you get nothing done on your to do list, you’ve had a better day. (Why? Because you got something done on God’s to do list.)

 

            B.        James talks about faith and works.

 

                        1.         We tend to put them on opposite polls.

 

                                    a.         No one can be saved by works (as opposed to grace)

 

                                    b.         The Bible is clear: no one can be saved without producing works (sometimes called “fruit”)

“Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” [Matthew 3:8]

“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.” [John 15:4]

“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. [19] In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” [1 Timothy 6:18 – 19]

“For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” [Ephesians 2:10]

 

                        2.         Reality: they are compliments on opposites. Trouble is we have theological traditions that emphasize to the probable exclusion of other important elements of faith. (Source: Dr. Muholland)

 

                                    a.         “Head” religion, emphasizes TRUTH. (“conservative”)

 

                                    b.         “Hand” religion, emphasizes COMPASSION. (“social gospel” and “liberation theology”)

 

                                    c.         “Heart” religion, emphasizes FEELING (and sometimes relationship). (“charismatic” and “holiness”)

***** The existence of someone doing something else and seeing salvation differently questions our existence and means of salvation. *****

 

            C.        What about Paul’s grace and James’ works?

 

                        1.         Paul is addressing grace and faith as a means of salvation (beginning). However, Paul understood judgement to be based on our works (result).

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” [2 Corinthians 5:10]

(Also see Romans 2:5 – 8, 1 Corinthians 3:8)

 

                        2.         James addresses works and faithfulness as the exercise and result of salvation. (Another word for that is sanctification.)

 

III.      We must allow faith to open our eyes to circumstance.

 

            A.        “Broken Window” theory.

 

                        1.         Circumstances (and physical context) not belief or knowledge is the main determination of behavior.

 

                                    a.         Belief becomes situational, fluid, depending on our rationalizations.

 

                                    b.         Control becomes the determining factor.

 

                        2.         Two types of belief:

 

                                    a.         Belief = knowing.

 

                                                1.)       “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder.” [James 2:19]

 

                                                2.)       Knowing is not changing or choosing obedience.

 

                                    b.         Belief = doing.

 

                                                1.)       “Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? [22] You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.” [vv 21, 22]

 

                                                2.)       In other words: “You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.” [v 24]

(The other side of this is that works without faith is just as dead.)

 

            B.        James’ point is that faith is practical.

 

                        1.         Jesus said, above everything else, the true believer must get two this right.

 

                                    a.         Love God and love others. [see Matthew 22:37 – 40, Mark 12:30 –31, Luke 10:27]

 

                                    b.         James implies that service is love.

 

                        2.         The “love language” of service is the only one the community understands.

(Ill.) Missionary in Taiwan talking to a group of people. They did not have a high opinion of Buddhist monks because “they do nothing to help us.”

 

                                    a.         Our problem is we are results oriented rather than people oriented.

 

                                    b.         We check the “bottom line” (buildings, bodies, and budgets) rather than eternal impact. (Often confuse the two thinking they are the same.)

 

IV.      Somehow we need to let God have control.

 

            A.        Greek ideal: “apathetic”

 

                        1.         Stoics believed in the destruction of emotional attachment and involvement.

 

                        2.         Epicureans believed in abandoning themselves to the pleasure of the moment.

 

                        3.         Both had the ultimate goal of “apathy.”

 

            B.        Christian ideal: “action”

 

                        1.         If you notice a need and have the means, you are required to act compassionately on that need.

 

                        2.         If God is at work in you, you are required to act on faith.

 

                                    a.         Look past the circumstances.

 

                                    b.         Faith = action

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