Defective and False – Holiness Ephesians 4:24

Defective and False – Holiness Ephesians 4:24

“True holiness implies there is a false.” [B. T. Roberts]

“Holiness in man is often defective.” [BTR]

I.          What is defective and false holiness?

            A.         “Much of the current holiness is wanting in spirituality.” [BTR]

                        1.         It is worldly… acquired what is fashionable in appearance or form.

                        2.         In other words it appeals to the flesh (and the world).

            B.         “Much of it is wanting in loyalty to God.” [BTR]

                        1.         God is nominally acknowledged… self, society, or church is the primary focus.

                        2.         God is first unless it interferes with worldly interest.

            C.         Sometimes it is the church that hinders holiness.

                        1.         It ignores the claims of justice… for convenience.

                        2.         “Treason to God” to stand by a church and its leaders when they are clearly in violation of Scripture. (Heretic or reformer)

“False holiness… is built upon a false assumption.” [BTR]

            D.         False assumption… maintain a respectable standing in a respectable church.

                        1.         Problem: love the world.

                        2.         Problem: friendship with the world.

(These friendships take priority over Christ.)

II.         What do we need?

            A.         Pardon… under condemnation.

                        1.         Reason: they walk after the flesh not the Spirit.

                        2.         Roberts claimed these people were NOT saved. (Question: how good to you have to be to go to heaven?  Is salvation by grace or works?)

            B.         “Live holiness!” [BTR]

                        1.         Caution: don’t try to convince them they are better or more secure than the Holy Spirit is showing them.

                        2.         If a person is substituting popular religion for the Word of God… then they are in danger.

            C.         Courage

                        1.         Don’t close your eyes to popular sin.

                        2.         Without courage to follow God’s Word, we become prey to the artful and the designing… logic of others.

            D.         Discernment

“Give your endorsement to nothing that will not stand the test of the judgement day.” [BTR]

                        1.         “There is no end to counterfeits.” [BTR]

                        2.         Example: the belief that the “condition” of the believer is sanctified and the change of character (behavior) is not required.

III.        What is the belief?

            A.         In a nut shell:

                        1.         Souls at conversion are sanctified, but not wholly. [1 Thessalonians 5:23 – 24]

                                    a.         “Already/not yet”

                                    b.         Sanctified in standing but not in experience.

                        2.         Entire sanctification is subsequent (after) to justification.

                        3.         Entire sanctification is God’s work done by the Holy Spirit.

                        4.         Entire sanctification brings body, soul, and spirit into a blameless condition. 

(You cannot be preserved blameless until you are made blameless.)

                        5.         Entire sanctification is attainable BECAUSE God will do it.

                        6.         Entire sanctification is attainable NOW.

                        7.         Entire sanctification CAN be permanent.

            B.         Sanctification is NOT a “form of godliness” which “denies the power.”

Free to be sons, not slaves

Romans 8:15
Free to be sons, not slaves.

Wesley noted there were three spiritual states a person can be in: the natural (no fear or love of God), the legal (under the law without love for God), those that loved God. Looking at Romans, we see these three spiritual conditions.

I. What spiritual conditions are there?

A. There are people who are “amiss.” (The word “sin” originally was an archery term that meant to “miss the mark.”) [Romans 3:10 – 18]

1. Paul runs many verses from the Old Testament together to paint a picture of how bad we actually are...

a. We are not righteous in our own efforts.

b. We do not understand or seek God on God’s terms. (Which is why we have so many versions of “god” in this world.)

c. We are on the broad path leading to destruction and not the narrow path.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. [14] But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” [Matthew 7:13 – 14]

2. The natural state of humanity is “lost.”

a. No fear or love of God.

b. No desire for spiritual things, no concept of holiness.

c. It is at rest because there is no sense of danger and is not troubled by sin.

d. Life is measured externally: an illusion of happiness and liberty.

***** The fact is that every human is polluted by the natural state of sin. It is our “human nature.” *****

B. There are people who are “ambivalent.” (Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone. – Oxford) [Romans 7:14 – 25]


1. The progression of Paul’s argument, and the use of the first person “I” indicates this can be the conflicted state believers.

a. Want to do good... but fail.

b. In fact, Paul recognizes “sin” as a spiritual law “living in me that does it.”

c. Sin, as a spiritual law wages war in his mind and makes him a “slave” and a “prisoner.”

d. He sees “sin” as a separate body, one that is dead and decaying, strapped to him.

2. Self-effort, trained by the law (list of “do this not that”) will only get us so far.

a. We can see God as “loving” and “merciful” but “angry” at our failures.

b. We can understand there is right and wrong, and struggle with it.

c. We can become frustrated because we never seem to be good enough...

Symptom: Thinking good things “reward” are from God and bad things are “punishment” from God.

(Ill.) Woman TV evangelist preaching on getting what you want from God... if you don’t get it then “it is because you are not ready for it yet.” She told the story of wanting a new fur coat, asking God. Friend came over and showed her a new fur coat that just happened to show up unexplained on her door step. She said, “I thought the angel had delivered it to the wrong house.”

[Context: This was aired the day before the earthquake in Haiti. I dare you to go to Haiti, with a cold bottle of water in your hand and tell someone who is suffering with thirst, the reason they do not have a cold bottle of water in their hand is “because you are not ready for it yet.”]

***** There are two problems here. First, we measure ourselves against someone else (the Bible says that person is a fool). Second, sin and repentance comes in cycles. *****

C. There are people who are “adopted.” [Romans 8:15 – 17]

1. Children KNOW beyond any doubt their relationship.

a. The key for the believer is the Spirit... Holy Spirit.


b. Children do not have to make an effort to maintain relationship of being the child.

2. Children LOVE.

a. It’s not a matter of effort, it is a matter love (relationship) that motivates.

b. Love generates obedience.

II. What are the honest problems we have?

A. We think religion is about our effort.

1. We create ritual that help us focus or attention. They are good unless they distract us from the reality.

2. We turn the Bible into a list of “do this not that.” The Bible makes many moral demands on us. There are many “do this not that” requirements... many things please God... many things displease God. They are good unless we replace the doing with genuine relationship.

3. Our effort will only take us so far. “Not enough.”

B. We think we can measure relationship in concrete terms.

1. Imagine if a parent starts a chart of bad things a child does with a line. When the child reaches that line, then we buy them a bus ticket and wish them luck. NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!

2. Yes, there are consequences to our actions... but grace is not an accountant that weighs things against one another.

C. We think that performance creates relationship.

1. Some people are givers, others are takers... but keeping track of points is deadly to a relationship.

2. Why? Because we *always* give ourselves massive bonus points and extra credit. We tend to give others massive negative points they can never make up.

3. This reasoning is backwards... and possibly abusive.



III. What is the reality?

A. Here is what we know from the Bible:

1. If you are outside God’s grace when you die you are eternally separated from God...

2. If you are convicted by God’s grace, and feel uncomfortable about your spiritual destiny; it means God is awakening you. You must chose because the window of opportunity is limited.

3. If you conflicted after you have chosen to accept God’s grace, it means you will struggle with self-effort and cycle between failure and repentance.

4. If you have, through the Spirit of God, accepted your adoption by God’s grace you will be in love with God.

IV. How do you make the transition?

A. To move from being “amiss” to becoming a child of God, you must believe.

“and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” [Romans 3:24]

1. Believe means you accept that you can be redeemed (saved) ONLY through Jesus.

2. The issue is trust. Do you trust God’s grace or do you trust your own effort, a church, a ritual?

B. To move from being “ambivalent” to becoming a child of God, you must fail.

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, [2] because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.” [Romans 8:1 – 2]

1. The failure of your “self” must be so complete you have no choice but to be dependent on Christ Jesus.

2. While the “law of sin and death” may be active, God has intervened with the “law of the Spirit of life.”

C. To be “adopted,” you must trust the Spirit of God, who produces the condition of adoption.


“For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, [14] because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” [Romans 8:13 – 14]

1. What’s this going to look like?

a. We trust only on God’s mercy given to us through Jesus Christ.

b. The reign of sin is broken, we not only struggle against sin but we win.

c. We keep in step with the Spirit of God.

d. We live in joy.

e. We love.

“The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” [Galatians 5:6b]

Restoration and Spirituality

Psalm 51:10 – 13

Basic spiritual life

This Psalm has been called “the sinner’s guide” (William Plumer) because it can guide a fallen believer back into relationship with God.

It is the first Psalm to use “spirit” in reference to the Holy Spirit.

The notable part of this Psalm is that true repentance is not satisfied with know forgiveness. True repentance desperately throws the person on the mercy of God seeking renewal and restoration.

I. David’s situation:

A. David has committed adultery and covered it up by murder. (Magnified by his position as King.)

1. “One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, [3] and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, ‘Isn't this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite?’ [4] Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her...” [2 Samuel 11:2 – 4a]

2. “In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. [15] In it he wrote, ‘Put Uriah in the front line where the fighting is fiercest. Then withdraw from him so he will be struck down and die.’ [16] So while Joab had the city under siege, he put Uriah at a place where he knew the strongest defenders were. [17] When the men of the city came out and fought against Joab, some of the men in David's army fell; moreover, Uriah the Hittite died.” [2 Samuel 11:14 – 17]

B. David admitted his guilt.

1. “Then David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the LORD.’ Nathan replied, "The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. [2 Samuel 12:13]

2. “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. [4] Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight...” [Psalm 51:3 – 4]

II. Basic things in a right relationship with God:

A. A consecrated relationship with God. [v 10]

1. God must create something new and pure because sin has destroyed it.

a. Fake repentance wants relief. True repentance wants something new beyond cleansing or purity.

b. This newness must be created by God, it can not be achieved by us because of the utter hopelessness and total deception of the our desire to sin.

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

2. God must restore a right/steadfast spirit because once you develop a weakness it must be guarded forever.

a. Steadfast does not mean “stubborn” it means not influenced buy weakness or temptation.

b. This is a spiritual attitude that understands the sense of sin and longs for holiness.

B. A constant realization of God. [v 11]

1. Sin gives us the “worst case scenario” because it separates us from God.

a. Imagine being thrown away as something worthless. No covenant relationship, made a complete stranger, deprived of God’s favor.

b. Imagine God removing any and all sense of Himself.

2. Sad part is that we live this way all the time and seldom know or feel what we are missing.

a. Jesus’ greatest agony on the cross: “And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’--which means, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” [Mark 15:34]

b. Why and how did Jesus feel this agony? “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]

C. A correct response to God. [v 12]

1. Only God can give joy but only AFTER “pardon and purity.”

a. Sin forfeits the joy of salvation. Salvation and joy are two ends of the same stick.... if you have salvation then you have joy. If you don’t have joy then you need to examine yourself.

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?” [2 Corinthians 13:5]

b. Many lack joy because they have placed something sinful between themselves and God.

“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” [Psalm 32:3 – 5]

2. Only God can sustain those who are willing.

a. A willing spirit is one that wants to obey. This will take consistency, perseverance, and God’s protection.

b. Why do we do what we do? Because we want too... (traditional theory)

D. A candid responsibility for those God wants to reach.

1. Everyone who is in a right relationship with God has a desire to draw others toward God.

a. Modern world emphasizes educational degrees as a validation for position or ministry. But God has only one degree that is valid... It’s not an M.A. or an M.Div. It’s not a Ph.D. It is an “S.S.” (Sinner Saved).

b. The pardoned sinner speaks sympathetically and humbly knowing where they came from:

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, [2] in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. [3] All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.” [Ephesians 2:1 – 3]

2. A grateful heart returns service to God in deeds not words. (Worship is not a complete spiritual diet... without action/service, its empty of substance and dead.)

a. How do you teach others?

1.) Through your experience: Tell your story.

2.) Through your understanding: Ask questions.

3.) Through your knowledge: Share what the Bible says.

4.) Through your walk: Invite company on your journey.

b. The idea is for others to turn back to God because there is only one way and God’s love compels you.

“For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.” [2 Corinthians 5:14]

III. What do you need to do?

A. Talk to God.

1. Use the word of Psalm 51:10 – 14, make them your own.

2. People in strained relationships don’t talk very well to one another because its just hard.

B. Trust God.

1. When you talk to God, rely on His mercy.

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.” [Psalm 51:1]

2. God will not turn away those who are sincere.

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” [Psalm 51:17]

C. Tell someone!

1. The real exercise of faith is shared in community with others.

2. The real exercise of faith is shared outside the walls of the church so others have hope.

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Spirituality #3: How do I meditate?

Psalm 1

Spirituality #3: How do I meditate?

When I say “meditate” what images does that bring to mind? The Bible says, “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.” [Psalm 1:2]

There are two words in the Old Testament that are translated meditate. The one means to rehearse (suach), the other means to mutter (hagah). “May the words of my mouth and the meditation (hagig) of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” [Psalm 19:14]

You already know how to do this: Ever get a song stuck in your head? Ever get a mental picture you could not forget? Ever worry? Then you know how to meditate... you do it naturally.

So let’s take a Biblical look at what it means to meditate.

 

I.         Meditation is directed toward God.

 

            A.        We are often confused about “meditation.”

 

                        1.         Sometimes, meditation is considered to be simple relaxation technique.

 

                                    a.         There is great debate over the necessity, value, and validity over the technique needed to “relax.”

 

                                                1.)       There are postures and breathing techniques that are supposed to help people relax.

 

                                                2.)       Old fashioned hard physical labor will also help a person’s muscles and mind to relax.

 

                                    b.         The real danger is when other religions make in-roads by selling themselves as something they are not.

 

                                                1.)       One false religion attempted to remake itself by giving modern America specific relaxation techniques. It claimed to be a non-religious/trans-religious technique.

 

                                                2.)       Many Christians buy into some forms of yoga (meaning “union”) which is Hindu and cannot be made Christian.

It has been tired... it is called “syncretism.” The idea is to mingle or borrow concepts of other faiths. Sometimes this is deliberate, sometimes it comes from unconscious cultural pollution. For instance, early Christians picked up Greek philosophy. The veneration/worship of Mary... Even the “church growth movement” has distinct non-Christian roots.

 

                        2.         The discussion about meditation is colored by a lot of false religious concepts and frightens us. How do we make the distinction?

 

                                    a.         Question #1 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism: What is the chief end of [every person]? Answer: “[The] chief end is to glorify God, (a) and to enjoy [H]im for ever. (b)”

(a). Ps. 86:9; Isa. 60:21; Rom. 11:36; I Cor. 6:20; 10:31; Rev. 4:11 (b). Ps. 16:5-11; 144:15; Isa. 12:2; Luke 2:10; Phil. 4:4; Rev. 21:3-4

 

                                    b.         The reality is a relationship with God. Not a specific technique.

 

                                    c.         Jesus Christ is in the believer.

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” [Galatians 2:20]

“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” [Colossians 1:27]

 

                                    d.         The believer is in Jesus Christ.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” [2 Corinthians 5:17]

 

            B.        Sometimes this discussion exposes serious spiritual problems.

 

                        1.         Relationship with God requires a certain level of purity (holiness).

 

                                    a.         Divided hearts and dirty lives find it difficult to be in the presence of the living God (whom we do not control).

“Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.” [Psalm 24:3 – 4]

 

                                    b.         Even “holy” people find the presence of God uncomfortable. (Which raises an interesting red flag on feel-good worship.)

“Woe to me! I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.” [Isaiah’s reaction to seeing God, found in Isaiah 6:5]

“When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.” [The Apostle John’s reaction to seeing Jesus, as recorded in Revelation 1:17]

 

                        2.         Relationship with God requires us to not be self-centered.

 

                                    a.         We are required to seek God.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” [Hebrews 11:6]

“God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.” [Acts 17:27]

 

                                    b.         We are required to depend on God’s grace. (Grace does not exclude effort, it excludes earning...)

“When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.” [Acts 13:43]

 

II.       What can we meditate on?

 

            A.        We can meditate on the characteristics of God.

 

                        1.         “Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.” [Psalm 48:9]

 

                        2.         “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.” [Psalm 136:1] (His love endures forever occurs 26 times in Psalm 136)

 

            B.        We can meditate on the Bible.

 

                        1.         I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.” [Psalm 119:15]

 

                        2.         “I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees.” [Psalm 119:48]

 

            C.        We can meditate on God’s promises and actions

 

                        1.         “My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.” [Psalm 119:148]

 

                        2.         “I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. [12] I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.” [Psalm 77:11 – 12]

 

III.      Are there any other ideas on how to meditate?

 

            A.        We must “wait” on God.

 

                        1.         “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.” [Psalm 37:7]

 

                                    a.         The idea of being “still” runs contrary to our “need” to be busy. Maybe we are busy because we are running from God.

 

                                    b.         Mental and emotional chaos hinders us from being in God’s presence. It’s a form of idolatry, because its more important than God.

 

                        2.         “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” [Psalm 46:10]

 

                                    a.         As we direct our minds and emotions towards God there is a trust that settles into our souls.

 

                                    b.         There is also a joy that matches the realization of knowing God.

 

            B.        We must “hope” in God.

 

                        1.         “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. [30] Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; [31] but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” [Isaiah 40:29 – 31]

 

                                    a.         As we wait (KJV) and hope on the Lord, our strength is renewed.

 

                                    b.         Sometimes we get drained. The only thing that will revive us is to reconnect to God.

 

                        2.         “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” [Psalm 42:11]

 

                                    a.         Ever get “down” or “disturbed”? When we are self-centered, we do not have much to encourage us or energize us.

 

                                    b.         As we hope in God... we praise Him. We get over ourselves.

 

IV.      What you do with the Bible points toward your eternal destiny.

 

            A.        Lessons from Psalm 1:

 

                        1.         “Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character.” [1 Corinthians 15:33] “A person is known by the company they keep.” [American proverb from Aesop’s fables]

 

                                    a.         The godly are NOT guided by ungodly counsel (advice, planning, ruling, principles).

 

                                    b.         The godly are NOT on the same moral path that influences behavior as the ungodly.

 

                                    c.         The godly are NOT in close chosen company with those who mock or scorn God, the Bible, Jesus, salvation, etc...

The godly do NOT “keep in step” with wicked/ungodly. “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” [Galatians 5:25]

 

                        2.         The godly are unmistakably marked by an irresistible attraction to God’s Word (the Bible).

 

                                    a.         If sin is distinguished by self-will/rule then godliness are focused on a right relationship with God and making God’s will their will.

 

                                    b.         This is done by prayerfully reading and absorbing as much of God’s Word as possible.

“Acts fix habits, habits settle character, and character determines destiny.” [Unknown]

 

            B.        It’s a choice.

 

                        1.         What environment do you want to be in?

 

                                    a.         Influenced by those who do not know God. (Result: “They are like chaff that the wind blows away.” [see Psalm 1:4])

 

                                    b.         Influenced by God. (Result: “He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” [Psalm 1:3]

 

                        2.         What eternal harvest do you want?

(Reference to “God” is no a generic “god” but God Almighty, Creator of the Universe... Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.)

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The First Principle

Exodus 15:22 – 16:8

The First Principle

“Spirituality” has become the main search for Americans. This topic sells more books than diet and self-help books combined. American Christianity has become a smorgasbord of all sorts of spiritual practices and exercises. There is a deep longing for more. We want more than an experiential theology of “worship” popular in the more charismatic element of the American church. We want to connect with God in a meaningful, authentic, and personal way.

But to enjoy a deeper life, a Christ-life, we must have a solid foundation. Scripture teaches us truth that cannot be replaced by an experience, tradition, or reasoning process. (See the Wesleyan Quadrilateral which argues for a basis of Scripture informing experience, tradition, and reason.)

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” [Proverbs 4:23]

If I were to ask you what is the first principle in the Bible... the very first foundational truth about being God’s people, what would your answer be? Fact is, we just read it in Exodus 15:25 – 26.

Let’s look at the situation. The people has just celebrated crossing the Red Sea and total victory over Egypt. Verse 22 says, “Moses led...” This is what is known as a “gloss.” The KJV says “So Moses brought...” Maybe the best way translation is the ESV, which says, “Then Moses made...”

It’s easy to loose sight of the journey when we are enjoying a victory. Sadly, in three days march the people when from “And when the Israelites saw the great power the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.” [Exodus 14:31] to “So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, "What are we to drink?"” [Exodus 15:24]

Three days, that’s roughly the difference between Sunday a.m. kudos for a great sermon to Tuesday night’s board meeting. It’s all the difference between the cross and the empty tomb. Three days is a very long time to change an attitude.

Notice the word “grumbled.” It has been translated “murmured” and “complained.” It means “to stop (usually over night); by implication to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense) to be obstinate.” [Strongs] Not only was there the sound of the complaining but it was a symptom of a heart attitude.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” [Proverbs 4:23]

This is the record of the third and fourth time the people grumbled against God... and took it out on Moses. Let’s see what’s really happening here:

 

            A.        God leads us into the desert to make us His people.

 

                        1.         The desert is a place where there are no distractions, it’s the place where God led His people to test them.

 

                                    a.         They had gone from victory to disappointment when they were “trapped” between the Red Sea and the Egyptian chariots. There is nothing like self-preservation to get us complaining. (God had told them His idea was bait the Egyptians and end their threat permanently... see Exodus 14:1 – 4. The people did not listen... see Exodus 14:10 – 12)

 

                                    b.         They went from disappointment to rejoicing when the crossed the Red Sea on dry land and the Egyptians didn’t make it through.

 

                                    c.         They went from the comfort of victory to the disappointment of thirst. They hadn’t learned their lesson...

 

                        2.         There seems to be the fact that any lesson you don’t get, you will get again and again... until you do.

 

                                    a.         You can’t move to step two until you have the first step down.

 

                                    b.         (Ill.) In college on summer, our college hosted a group meeting. I was attempting to play “ping pong.” Notice the main word “attempting.” One of the visitors offered to give me lessons on how to play. We started with my mechanics. Anyway, our college ping pong champ noticed the lessons and came over started to heckle my teachers strange methodology. After he became a major distraction, the grandmother type finally allowed our champ to play her. Needless to say, he lost 21 – 0. He never saw one of her serves and her returns had so much spin on them he was always swinging on the wrong side of the table.

 

                                    c.         Once again, the people are tested... will they TRUST God?

 

            B.        God uses legitimate concerns to test us.

 

                        1.         Notice the water was “bitter.” That’s another way to say it tasted bad.

 

                                    a.         (Ill) One of the places I lived in growing up filtered their water through “potash and lime stone.” I have no idea what that is but it tasted so bad it was considered undrinkable. My Great Uncle had a well, the water smelled like rotten eggs.

 

                                    b.         The “bitter” water was not satisfying. It would sustain them but it would not satisfy them. (It’s how many of us practice our “spirituality.” We turn our nose up at what will sustain us...)

 

                                    c.         Food and water is so basic that if we don’t have those, nothing else will matter.

 

                        2.         While water and food was the flash point, it was not the real issue.

 

                                    a.         Spiritual matters are often disguised in physical ones. Like the couple that fights over money. It typically is not about the money, its about control, or fear, or deep philosophy.

 

                                    b.         Anger, disgust, and despair quickly formed in response to the need.

 

                                    c.         Attitude of the heart is the real issue.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” [Proverbs 4:23]

 

                        3.         Notice they seem to be enduring through the same lesson (with different details).

 

                                    a.         Unless you get the basics down, unless you get step one down, nothing else will matter much.

 

                                    b.         (Ill.) of learning to play ping pong at college from a grandmother. Our school ping pong champ challenged her but she didn’t want to play only teach. His attitude finally got to her... they played. Well at least she did. He lost 21 – 0. He never saw her serves and the spin on her returns had him swinging wildly. Funniest serving of “crow” I’d ever seen.

 

                                    c.         We crave, expect, and seek our own good. Then we complain when what we get does not live up to our expectations... God comes and has to humble us to get our attention.

(Ill.) A cartoon of a quiz show. Two contestants. One is a person, the other depicts “God.” The score: person zero, God 3 billion...

 

                                    d.         God said: “In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.” [Exodus 16:4b] God wanted a special people who would represent Him and impact others for Him...

 

            C.        God is looking for four things: “The First Principle.” [Exodus 15:26]

 

                        1.         “Listen carefully.”

 

                                    a.         There is a new test that is supposedly at least 80% accurate in predicting if a child will develop Autism. Give the child something to do, when the child is absorbed in the activity, call their name.

 

                                    b.         God wants people who will “listen carefully.” If you cannot, or don’t want to listen, or are distracted by what the world is saying, there is no spiritual practice or exercise that will fill that void.

 

                                    c.         Listening is a skill. Jesus was concerned that we learn it and used it.

“He who has ears, let him hear.” [Matthew 11:15, 13:9, 13:34, Mark 4:23, ... tag line to the seven church in Revelation]

 

                        2.         “Do what is right.”

 

                                    a.         “Volition” is the ability or power to uses your own will.

 

                                    b.         When you willfully do something you know is not right or fail to do what you know is right, that is called “presumptuous” sin. (This is the context of our church verse!)

“Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. [13] Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. [14] May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” [Psalm 19:12 – 14]

 

                                    c.         The sequence: willful sin rules over us... we become slaves to willful sin... inability to exert will to resist.

“It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, ... if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance...” [Hebrews 6:4a, 6a]

“If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left.” [Hebrews 10:26]

“No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. ... This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.” [1 John 3:6, 10]

 

                        3.         “Pay attention.”

 

                                    a.         The people’s problem was their attention was not on God... it was on their discomfort and need.

 

                                    b.         The spiritual discipline is to pay attention to God’s commands and decrees (principles).

(Ill.) When we first got our dog, I took him out for “attentiveness training.” Basically you put the dog on a 15 foot rope and walk in a square for about three days... (15 minutes if you have a smart dog). As you get to the corner of the square, you give a sharp whistle. The idea is to get the dog’s attention. When they dog hears the whistle, it knows to look to see what you are doing. Those who know my dog, know that didn’t work.

This last summer he tore my shoulder up and I had to have surgery right after Christmas. Jason suggested a “Gentle Leader.” I purchased one, put it on the dog and watched him try to get it off... The show was worth the price of the contraption. We’ve taken him on two walks. On the second one, he saw the “Gentle Leader” and put his nose in because he loves to walk. If you didn’t know the dog, you would be impressed how well “trained” he is walking beside me. He now pays attention...

 

                                    c.         Pay attention to God’s commands. To pay attention to them, you must first know them. Without knowing them, your spiritual quest/journey will go astray.

 

                        4.         “Keep all... decrees.”

 

                                    a.         Again, to keep them, you must know them. (BTW, “God helps those who help themselves” is not one of them...)

 

                                    b.         The real issue here is “trust.” If we do not trust that God knows the master design, that God can read the blue prints, that God has engineered life to work a certain way... then we will “make this up as we go.”

 

            D.        Ultimately the pattern of grumbling eventually exacts a heavy penalty.

 

                        1.         It caused Moses to disobey God at a critical moment.

“So Moses took the staff from the LORD's presence, just as he commanded him. [10] He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, "Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?" [11] Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.

 [12] But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them."” [Numbers 20:9 – 12]

 

                        2.         Its contagious nature of grumbling cost the people their dream.

“But the men who had gone up with him said, "We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are." [32] And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored...” [Numbers 13:31 – 32]

That night all the people of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. [2] All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, "If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert! [3] Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn't it be better for us to go back to Egypt?" [4] And they said to each other, "We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” [Numbers 14:1 – 4]

“The LORD replied, "I have forgiven them, as you asked. [21] Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the LORD fills the whole earth, [22] not one of the men who saw my glory and the miraculous signs I performed in Egypt and in the desert but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times-- [23] not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it.” [Numbers 14:20 – 23]

 

                        3.         Grumbling is ultimately a symptom of unbelief.

“So, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you hear his voice, [8] do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert, [9] where your fathers tested and tried me and for forty years saw what I did. [10] That is why I was angry with that generation, and I said, `Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.' [11] So I declared on oath in my anger, `They shall never enter my rest.'” [Hebrews 3:7 – 11]

“Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? [17] And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the desert? [18] And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? [19] So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.” [Hebrews 3:16 – 19]

***** Time to be honest with yourself. Do you grumble? Spread bad reports? (It’s called gossip.) React to things in anger?

Here’s the cure: First, trust God for your salvation. Second, learn the Bible so that it directs your attitudes and behavior. Third, establish the reflex that when something goes wrong... go to God.

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