“All the Livelihood that She Had” (Luke 20:20-21:4)

“And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, 'Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had'”(Luke 21:1-4).

We don't give, until we're emptied of self, cast upon Christ, and made thankful and obedient. He said, “but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had”. We don't give out of what we have; we give from our heart, sacrificing and giving to God willingly, because of what He gives to us. Scripture says, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Cor 8:9). Grace is the motive of godliness, and until grace is received as “grace”, we'll never praise God acceptably.

The Lord was mocked and ridiculed. Many tried to trip Him up, but they failed. We read, “So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might seize on His words, in order to deliver Him to the power and the authority of the governor” (Luke 20:20), and again, “Then some of the Sadducees, who deny that there is a resurrection, came to Him and asked... 'in the resurrection, whose wife does she become' (Luke 20:27-33)?” Likewise, the rich, seeking to fool God and “appease” Him, gave from their wealth, to be seen of men, “for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty”. The widow, contrarily, SAW the Lord Jesus, so she gave her whole self, willingly and in love, and that's what salvation is; it is not giving a part of my life, a part of my time, but it is the surrender of me to Him, the yielding of SELF to the Son. We read, “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver”. This praise willingly comes from the heart of the redeemed.

I've pondered election and predestination, but not as anything other than a blessing; it isn't a doctrine to fight about and become proud in knowledge; it is the basis of salvation, that God made the light to shine in darkness. We read, “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor 4:6). God chose, God called savingly, and God, in spite of every evil in me and this world, will be praised for bringing me and all His own all the way to glory. Do you see salvation as glorious, as God giving you everything? If so, then you're like this widow, who “out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had”. Likewise, you give all to Him too.

“No Servant Can Serve Two Masters” (Luke 16:1-13)

“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and [money]” (vs13).

Our Lord teaches us to plan ahead. We aren't to live for money and this world; we're to use money and this world to serve God, so that we can be saved at the Judgment.

In the parable, the manager finds out that he'll be fired, so he plans ahead. He goes to his bosses debtors and collects partial payment, writing their debts as canceled, so that they'll receive him favorably when he's unemployed. Likewise, the Lord instructs us to use wisdom in preparing for the future. We read, “Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg. I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses” (vs3-4).

Thus, if a man heard that he'd be fired, and he buried his head in the sand, acting like it would “take care of itself”, you'd call him foolish. But, when he plans ahead, he is commended, and the people of this world are zealous to prepare for natural disasters and retirement, but they are unwilling to organize their soul's affairs, to die in peace. Our Lord said, “So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous mammon (deceitful riches, money, possessions), so that when it fails, they [those you have favored] may receive and welcome you into the everlasting habitations.” (vs8-9).

One thing matters, and Jesus CONTINUALLY stresses eternity. He lived for another kingdom, and He calls us to live for the eternal world, rather than the present. He says, by faith in Christ, Prepare for eternity. He teaches us to believe unto obedience of life, using all that we have for Christ, rather than using Christ – so we think – to enjoy this world.

Those who live for this world, for money, for pleasure in sin, will soon realize that they've lost everything eternal for the temporary and perishing. Don't be so foolish. Prepare for meeting God by trusting His Son, following Him by grace, and living that the gospel be glorified in the world.

Don't live for this world and think that you'll make heaven. There can only be one master in your life. It is either Jesus, or you'll perish have served something that can't save you, when the Savior was willing. I spoke to someone about obedience, not just saying, “I'm saved”, but actually obediently living by what the bible says, rather than what we think. This is an opportunity for you, as it was for them. You can have gone the wrong way, lived for self, and be recovered. Or, you can live for nothing. What else is there to live for but the soul's eternal good? What more important lesson can parents give to children? What's the most important thing that you and I can show others?

“The Lord Shall Be My God” (Gen 27:42-28:22)

(vs20-22) “Then Jacob made a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, so that I come back to my father's house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God. And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God's house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You”.

We shall love the Lord God, if He loves us, and we shall do His will willingly from the heart.

First, the wicked comfort themselves by harming God's people, even refusing, banishing, and murdering the Son (Gen 27:41-42). We read, “And the words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah. So she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said to him, Surely your brother Esau comforts himself concerning you by intending to kill you” (vs42). When the Lord healed the demoniac named Legion, casting many demons out of him, His holy power caused slavish fear and they requested that He depart from them. He did, and He does. We read, “Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid... then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region” (Mark 5:15-17).

The wicked, by lies, by murdering hands, and by pushing truth away, do all that they can to comfort themselves in this miserable life, because they know that God has blessed the Son.

Rather than obtaining mercy in the position of submission, rather than glorify God and His decisions, the rebel fights against God and proves the justness of his own destruction. God is blameless in His hatred of men. We read, “It was said to her, The older shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated”, for Jacob would be graced to want Christ, while Esau is punished for his own decisions” (Rom 9:12-13).

Bless God. We believe. The wicked hear the gospel and pervert it, persecute it, and stamp it out of their minds. We give everything that we have for it, cherishing Him above life and limb.

Secondly, if we're of God, then we're wise and obey Him (Gen 28:6-9). Children obey their parents, pastors FEED the churches, husbands love their wives, and we do those things that God says do. We read, “Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Padan Aram to take himself a wife from there, and that as he blessed him he gave him a charge, saying, You shall not take a wife from the daughters of Canaan, and that Jacob had obeyed his father and his mother and had gone to Padan Aram”.

Jacob was blessed and commanded. The blessing is sure, and the commandment is non-optional. Esau shows his rebellion and wickedness, for which he is punished eternally. We read of his compromising spirit, “Also Esau saw that the daughters of Canaan did not please his father Isaac. So Esau went to Ishmael [not Padan Aram, his family, as Jacob was clearly instructed] and took Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham's son [by bondage and without the spiritual blessing], the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife in addition to the wives he had” (vs8-9). Contrariwise, Jacob shows obedience and submission because he is eternally blessed. Do not disassociate obedience, which is for our good, and blessings, which insure that obedience comes.

Thirdly, it is fact, if God has blessed us, revealing Himself in mercies and promises, then He is our God indeed (Gen 28:20-22). Jacob vowed, “If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, so that I come back to my father's house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God” (vs20-22). We WORSHIP Him in return, even as Jacob gave a tenth of all he had.

Tithing isn't mandatory in the new covenant, but giving is, which is from a willing heart, according to what you have. We read, “For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints” (2 Cor 8:3).

Everyone who is saved WILLINGLY serves, so that grace produces devotion. We have freely received, so we willingly give ourselves to the Lord - our possessions, time, and talent. We make a return on Christ's grace, even as Paul said, “I am a debtor both to the Greeks and to the barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also” (Rom 1:14-15). The gospel makes the heart live for God.

Bearing Fruit with Patience (Luke 8:1-15)

“But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience” (vs15).

We must wait on the God who saved us to bring more fruit in our lives, serving Him from what we have, hearing and receiving His word.

First, we can only provide for the Lord from our substance, giving from what we have. We read, “And Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance” (Luke 8:3). He blesses us, we see it, and then we bless Him back tangibly.

Giving is the proof of love, proving the sincerity of the heart, that it is real and not pretend. He says, “For if there first be a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have” (2 Cor 8:12).

If you have been blessed with life eternal, then give from what you have, starting with yourself, and give tangibly to His cause.

Secondly, hear the Son. He has the words of life eternal, and all who believe on Him (for faith comes by hearing) shall be saved. He says, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (vs8). This Teacher has truth, He backed it with His blood, and He is come from heaven to teach us eternal realities, delivering us from death and God's wrath. He says, “You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (John 8:23-24). You and I must hear this Prophet, or we must pay the price.

Thirdly, if we'll bring fruit to perfection and truly be saved, we will need patience. Our Lord says, “But the ones that fell on good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience” (Luke 8:15). This good and noble heart believes God and receives GRACE to cover every sin. The issue with faith (for everyone believes in something) is the object (James 2:19). The object of our faith is the sin-conquering, grace giving God, that though we have failed, though we are attacked, and though we are weak and helpless, He will be with us. Micah 7 says, “Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; when I fall, I will arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me” (vs8). We believe in forgiveness, so we bring forth love. We believe His power, so we overcome sin. We believe His faithfulness, so when all appears lost, we hope in God.

Patience is REQUIRED because we can't do anything but wait on God, and He promises to bless all who wait on Him. He says, “Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; and therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him” (Isaiah 30:18). He will not forsake the helpless soul that believes on Him for salvation and waits for Him to do it.

Abraham and Sarah WAITED 25 years for Isaac. Isaac waited 20 years to have Jacob and Esau. And, we must wait to go to heaven, wait to grow, wait for God to solve our problems, and wait on Him for peace. Ephesians 5 says, “wives submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord”, and, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her”, but He doesn't tell the husband to make the wife submit, except by love, and He doesn't tell the wife to make her husband love her, except by submission. By this hope in God, we are fruitful, and thereby evidence salvation. We don't flee to another hope, which is no hope at all. Like Peter, we say, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).

“Willing to Share” (1 Tim 6:17-19)

We're to share what God gives us for the cause of Christ and glory of God:

“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” (1 Tim 6:17-19)

God is gracious and has given to you. So give to others from knowledge. Share with them because salvation is God's GIFT to you. Share because of thanksgiving and love at the grace of God.

The gospel is pure grace. It produces GRACIOUSNESS by REMINDING us of the gifts we freely receive as sinners, often. We are showered with grace, pardoned miraculously, and strengthened while others fall around us. Ps 91:7 says, “A thousand shall fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you”. 1 Tim 6:8-10 says, “And having food and raiment, we will be therewith contented. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have been seduced from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows”. It is GRACE alone that keeps us and has made us choice servants of God.

The gospel isn't an inferior motive than law; it is THE power of God to good works. Here, the rich are to GIVE and share, not being proud but useful (1 Tim 6:17).

He says, secondly, “That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share”, so that good works are mandatory, wise, and joyful to believers (vs18). To be GODLY isn't a task of burden; it is a highway of joy empowering you by the continued and eternal favor of Christ in the gospel. We are rich, so we are wise to secure ourselves the enjoyment of these riches by honoring and devoting ourselves to Christ. His cause, the gospel – (vs11-16) “(vs11-16) “But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.   Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.  I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate,   that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing,   which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords,   who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power”!

We are sharing with others what God gave us, nothing more. We are honored to be able to give, as executors and managers of the Lord's money.

Thirdly, this wisdom of life PREPARES you to meet God - “storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed” (vs19). Lay hold on the riches of Christ and use your life for Him, and you'll gain EVERYTHING the world will envy forever (1 Tim 6:20-21).

“His Unspeakable Gift” (2 Cor 9:8-10:5)

 “So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.  As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!” (vs12-15)

GIVING

God is servant to His creation, ministering to us food and gladness, and giving His church gifts of grace (Acts 14:15-17).  Now, you serve also, learning the grace of life.  He will give you grace to be gracious, to give financially, and in doing this, you will help others survive and increase their thankfulness to God.  You will manifest your love to Christ - “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:  (As it is written, ‘He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remains forever.’  (vs8-9)

The gospel isn’t selfish, but it changes us to God’s character, and His unspeakable gift is that sinners who are selfish and concerned for our own will be TRANSFORMED into saints who care for others sacrificially and willingly. We believe all we have in Christ, and thus we FREELY give- “Now He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness,  while you are enriched in everything for all cheerful giving, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.” (vs10-11)

MEEKNESS AND GENTLENESS

The gospel tactic is love, meekness, and gentleness. We don’t get people to obey God in the flesh, but in the Spirit. We MINISTER unto them, patiently bearing with their failures, so that they can be saved. God WORKS by faith - belief of the gospel - and love - belief of the gospel in handling others - “Now Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am courageous toward you: but I plead with you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence wherewith I reckon to be daring against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh” (2 Cor 10:1-2).

This meekness isn’t cowardice or compromise. He BOLDLY tells the truth of God, drawing a line in the sand, and then standing in love to minister to all that he is able.

Which way will you turn to change your neighbor? Will you try anger, pride, bitterness, and wrath? Or will you use the meekness of the gospel and wait on God - “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds)”, man’s refuge of lies, “casting down human thoughts, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every mind to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor 10:3-5).

We are OF God now, so we use His tactics, giving and serving others patiently.

Bountiful Sowing and Reaping (2 Cor 9:1-9)

The more put in, the more received

“But this I say, He which sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully.  Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9:6-7).

The Lord Jesus bids us to be cheerful and atonement motivated givers. We don’t give to GET God’s favor, but we give because all things are ours, both temporal and eternal, in Christ the Lord (1 Cor 3:21-23). He blesses us freely.

We give as a matter of duty, moved by the example of others, exhorted by the apostles, and to the proving of our own soul.  We reveal our love by our actions, and these actions are to be abundant, so we get the more.  We don’t get more physically but spiritually, and He cares for the physical too - “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may about to every good work: (as it is written, He has dispersed abroad; he has given to the poor: his righteousness remains forever)” (2 Cor 9:8-9).

Don’t make the boasting of others void concerning you.  Let the praise of the saints harmonize with your character, and let your gifts flow from love and not guilt or covetousness.  Don’t give with strings attached or from the wrong spirit. Give as obtainers of mercy; give as BEING blessed of God with heath, family, income, etc, and all that you have.  Like Job, He could take away all, so all that I have, I must be thankful and blush before Him.  The best way to live is GIVING God myself, so that I get more of Him as well.

(2 Cor 9:1-6) “For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:  For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.  Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:  Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.   Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness. “

“Proof of Your Love” (2 Cor 8:13-24)

“For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:  But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:  As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack” (vs13-15).

Everything is orderly, so give. There is no reason to be slow in your duties as Christians.  Give in the cause of Christ because the money is used, according to God’s will, for the good of the church. You don’t have to worry about it being wasted. Those whom you’ve found faithful will be faithful in this as well.  Prove your own love - “Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.  Wherefore show ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf”(vs23-24).

God uses the diligent. It doesn’t matter who has the most gifts; the Lord is KNOWN among those that obey Him by the obedience He gives. He reveals His favor by graciously bestowing upon others, not only gifts of speech but of character, so that what we do distinguishes us above others in faithfulness, though not in righteousness or merit - “And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you” (vs22).

We all obtain mercy, so we GIVE from the abundance of what we have, if the brother is in need. We are not moved by, “It’s mine” mentality, but receiving so FREELY, we give to the cause of Christ, taking enough for ourselves and using all else for His benefit and honor. This graciousness is God’s GIFT to us, as we’re transformed into His image - “But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you. 17  For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you” (vs16-17).

It is God’s glory that we lay down our lives for the sheep. It shows the honor of the Father that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, as we are in His likeness.  This upright love is not only honorable to God, but it also PROVES before men our sincerity - “Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:  Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men” (vs20-21).

Paul has been proving by BEHAVIOR that his ministry is real. Prove yours by giving - “And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;  And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind“ (vs18-19).

“Perform the Doing of It” (2 Cor 8:1-12)

“And herein I give my mind: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do [start], but also to be willing a year ago.  Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.” (vs10-11)

The Son teaches us to give as the proof of our love. He laid down His life, so lay down your lives, sacrificially giving, as He did for you.  He gives DAILY, being gracious to us, so let us believe that we’re to abound in being gracious also.  Don’t be negligent.

The gift of giving is from God who for Christ’s sake puts love in you, causing you to respond PROPERLY to His grace - “Moreover, brothers, we do you to know of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; how that in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their generosity” (vs1-2).  You give NOT because you want to get a blessing meritoriously but because you’re thankful for what you have. You have love in your heart FREELY because God’s done so much for you.  God is love, so He gives to us by the merit of Christ; we give back, seeing Christ, because we are loving now too - “For to their power, I bear record, yes, and beyond their power, they were willing of themselves; praying us with much urging that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the sharing in of the service to the saints.  And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God” (vs3-5).   

It doesn’t matter what you have, whether little or much: only do what you can, and it is plenty   The Macedonians didn’t have much, but they abundantly gave, helping others, proving their love, and encouraging the saints - “For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man has, and not according to that he has not“ (vs12). It isn’t if you have a lot of gifts but if you give a lot with what you have (Luke 21:4).

God’s grace isn’t feelings but feelings and deeds. It isn’t merely, “I’d love to help”, or, “I’d love to see a church in my area”, but it is GIVING to the cause, concretely obeying by deeds (vs10-11).

God’s love is not wishful towards you.  He doesn’t look upon you saying, “I’d love to help”, and do nothing about it. He laid down His Son’s life, He gave us the promises, He saves us by the Spirit, and He receives us continually as PROOF that His love is genuine.  Prove yours - “I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the diligence of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.  For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might be rich” (vs8-9).   Loves shows.  Don’t be negligent in any responsibility because you prosper in another area, but abound to every good work as laid before you in Christ - “Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.  Therefore, as you abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that you abound in this grace also” (vs6-7).

Be a generous DOER of deeds. Hold Christianity so truly and dearly that you obtain mercy to write the check, to organize the home, and to do everything HOVERING around the Center of Life.  “Because of Christ and for Him” is the motive of giving.

audio:   

http://www.sasolo.com/sermoninfo.asp?sermonID=8610121241

Refreshed By You (Rom 15:25-16:4)

Three things are clearly taught here.

1. We are to give
2.  Assurance and prayer work together
3.  Commend others

First, we are to give.  The gospel is moved forward by the gifts of the people. Paul said, “Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way there by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company”, if you love me and the message (vs24).  “But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. For it has pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem“, to help Christ‘s cause and those who believe (vs25-26).  “It has pleased them truly; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.  When there I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain” (vs27-28).  Paul writes elsewhere, “Let him that is taught in the word share in all good things with him that teaches” (Gal 6:6).

Secondly, we pray, even though we’re assured of things.

Sovereignty and prayer go hand in hand.  I can be assured of favor and yet pray that He bless me, too.  Paul wrote, “And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.  Now, I call upon you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’ sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; that I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints; that I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.  Now the God of peace”, the one Paul trusts to make obedience possible, “be with you all.  Amen”.

The gospel demands that we even pray that our love be received by the church, that brothers receive it in love and thanks to God.

Thirdly, we commend others - “I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: that you receive her in the Lord, as fits saints, and that you assist her in whatsoever business she has need of you“, her advancing the cause of Christ, “for she has been a helper of many, and of myself also.  Great Priscilla and Aquila my fellow-workers in Christ Jesus: who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles”, so that it is RIGHT to commend those who honor God, and we are RIGHT to help them serve, using our gifts to assist their’s, even as Pricilla and Aquila loved Paul enough to risk their lives for him, and thereby, the nations could be saved (Rom 16:1-4).

Lastly, we need and help each other, even as Paul was refreshed by the church whom he refreshed with his preaching.  Every member is important.

“Obedient by Word and Deed” (Rom 15:8-24)

The gospel produces obedience in us.  It is makes us loving to each other, so that others can be saved - “I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.  For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not worked by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, through many signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ” (Rom 15:17-19).

Jew and Gentile are redeemed to God and elected for salvation, so we are brothers, and we don’t let petty differences cause us disturbance, breaking unity - “Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to you among the Gentiles, and sing unto your name. and again, He says, Rejoice, you Gentiles, with His people.  And again, Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; and put praise on Him, all you people. And again, Isaiah says, There shall be a root of Jesse, and He that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in Him shall the Gentiles trust.  Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit” (vs8-13). We put small things aside because we share the same faith and God.

Thus, knowing His salvation, we are comforted and empowered to go into the world with the gospel, using God-given gifts to serve the elect - “And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.  Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, that I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit“ (vs14-16).

The glory of Christ has made us able to admonish one another, producing obedience and love in those that hear. We STRETCH out Christ to others by faith in the promise, using our gifts as individually commissioned in the cause of Christ, doing what we can. 

We are right to serve God by serving others, giving to the cause of Christ that they may be saved and comforted - “Yes, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man‘s foundation: but as it is written, To whom He was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.  For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you. But now, having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you; whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way there by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company“ (vs20-24).  He has made us helpers together in the work.

“Gifts to the Poor” (Esther 9:20-22)

“As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor” (vs22).

Justification by faith produces love to my fellow man. If I’m loved FREELY, then God’s power will make me love. He never JUSTIFIES without sanctifying too, so that FORGIVENESS produces a loving and forgiving people.

Will you change your character? Will you be better as husband or wife? Then look to justification FROM all of your sins, and get the Spirit’s power to honor God, and you’ll love, serve, and honor God in your conduct - “And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God“ (Eph 3:19). He LIBERATES us, so that we can serve Him. He SAVES us, so that we can save others in newness and freeness of life.  If you will be happy, then don’t do in your strength; get God’s strength to His promised children, and you’ll have power to treat people better than you do.

God’s gospel PRODUCES love - “And when they had nothing to pay, he freely forgave them both.  Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?  Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, You have rightly judged” (Luke 7:42-43). Do you have it? It comes by faith, it works by faith, and it is maintained by faith; faith is what keeps our works from becoming bondage and self-righteousness. We DO because we believe what we’ve been given by God.

thegospelchurch.com

“Lay Down Our Lives For the Brethren” (1 John 3:16-19)

 “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But whoever has this world’s good, and sees his brother have need, and shuts up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwells the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.” (vs16-19)

Do positive actions for the church, not merely loving in word and feeling, but in DEEDS. We must be DOERS of the word, or faith is meaningless, because God’s church has faith that WORKS by love and labors to save sinners / help saints.  God’s elect are born of God to make God known unto the world, so that their JOY might be full (1 John 1:3-4). Christ is the atonement preached in all the world, and living that men be SAVED is the heart of Christianity. Anyone that believes and loves God for His grace will also love  by CONCRETELY doing good unto the church; let us not be weary. Let us HELP brethren in need, rather than saying, “God is sovereign, and He’ll help”. Let us BE the extension of God, as we are, born of His Spirit, and used by Him to love people. God LOVES you and me THROUGH His elect church, who taught us Christ, and we’re to be zealous to SHOW our love with deeds.

Tolerate NO Christianity that doesn’t make you and me follow Christ in truth (sound, sovereign grace, Christ exalting worship) and deed (actions that show our faith and love by concretely helping others know God and helping the church in time of need) (Acts 11:29). Let our giving be regular, our attendance be motivated by love to others, and our assurance will be full, because we DO His will.

“Cheerful Giver” (2 Cor 9:7)

“Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver” (vs7).

This word “cheerful” is the Greek word “hilaros”, from whence we get “hilarious” or joyfulness to the extreme.  The root word for “hilaros”, however, comes from the Greek word “hileos”, meaning propitiation or appeasement, so that God is SATISFIED with Christ’s death for us, and being satisfied ourselves, or “cheerful”, we give.

Be sure your joy in God produces giving; we cannot have hilarious joy, if it doesn’t produce obedience. God cannot be worshiped in contradiction to His Person, so that JOY in God must be expressed in holy conduct, for REJOICING in God and sinning (murder, rape, thievery) are not the effects of the gospel. The gospel, when REALLY received, produces good works as assigned by God to PROVE the sincerity and reality of our love; where the works are absent, true godly joy is absent also (2 Cor 8:8). Joy and works ALWAYS are hand in hand, and yet we must be exhorted to obey in the gladness of Christ, so that REAL joy produces fruit.

Christians might avoid much trouble if they would believe that God is able to make them happy without anything else. God has been depriving me of one blessing after another; but as every one was removed, he has come in and filled up its place. Now when I am a cripple and not able to move, I am happier, than ever I was in my life before or ever expected to be. If I had believed this twenty years ago, I might have been spared much anxiety.

Dr. Payson


Nine Bible words in regard to giving
1. Grace (2 Cor 8:7)
2. Love (2 Cor 8:8)
3. Willing (2 Cor 8:12)
4. Proportion (1 Cor 16:2)
5. Everyone (1 Cor 16:2)
6. Bountifully (liberally) (2 Cor 9:5-6)
7. Cheerfully (voluntarily) (2 Cor 9:7)
8. Unto the Lord (Matt 6:1-5)
9. Forget not (Heb 13:16)

Henry Mahan

Your Heart is Where Your Treasure Is (Matt 6:1-21)

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust do corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust does corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (vs19-21).”

Religion is a heart matter. We are to PRAY, give, and fast in secret, so that God rewards us openly. He declares that our heart is the measure of the person. If our heart is on God’s grace through Jesus Christ, seeking the glory of God and the honor that God gives for Christ’s sake only, then we have salvation. God shall reward our faith, “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if you do these things, you shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (II Pet 1:10-11).

If our heart is upon being seen, popular, or ANYTHING other than God’s glory in Jesus Christ, then our heart is misplaced.

You can go through this world with a right heart, and when your heart is wrong, you can repent, give glory to God’s salvation, and start over.

1. God openly rewards those who seek reward from Him, “But when you do alms (good works), let not your left hand know what your right hand does: that your alms may be in secret: and your Father which sees in secret himself shall reward you openly” (Matt 6:4). You deal with God in Christ, and He rewards that faith with fruit following. He adds to your faith the increase that He sees fit, giving you love, growth, and visions of God.
2. God rewards those who secretly pray, “And when you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Truly I say unto you, They have their reward. But you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father which is in secret; and your Father which sees in secret shall reward you openly” (Matt 6:5-6). We don’t have to be seen by men because the God who answers prayer is mightier than men. We think, “I must influence so and so to make this work”, but REALLY, only God must be influenced – “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turns it wherever he will” (Prov 21:1). If He works on your behalf, then no human being can stop it. Man is like the moth before the flame.

God rules this world and to have His favor, which we have in Christ by faith, is TO HAVE the glory of the King whose ear is OPEN to you. The Psalmist said, “Bow down your ear, O Lord, hear me: for I am poor and needy”, and the Lord of glory condescends to help the afflicted, hearing the prayer of ALL that come in His Son’s name.

It doesn’t matter who YOU and I are; it only matters who Christ is and that we deal with God through Him. He is glorified when God is good to you who use His name!!

3. We are not heard because we talk a lot, live a lot, or do a lot; we are heard by FAITH in Jesus Christ, “But when you pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heath do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking” (Matt 6:7). We are not on a “pay as you go” plan or a system that needs EXTRA works on top of Christ.

Any gospel that needs more than Christ reduces His glory, for it says that He accomplished NOTHING without man’s help. The gospel of His grace EXALTS Christ for saving sinners and being ENOUGH cause to bless the wickedest human being alive.

I don’t have a reason in myself, no extra merit, no keeping of the law that is needed. Christ is enough for God to bless without us trying to IMPRESS Him (Heb 9:12-22). We may simply SPEAK unto God in the name of Jesus Christ. We want a clear trumpet sound among brethren, and we PRAY that we may be clear in speech (I Cor 14:13). But, God hears and discerns the simplest words of faith and love.
4. The glory and power are God’s: He does as He sees fit in this world, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. amen” (Matt 6:13). We need ONLY to please and honor Him, we need only to have His ear, and we have more than the KINGS of this world can offer.

Don’t lessen yourself courting the favor of men, shuffling and jiving your way in their presence, and living in fear, when God rules the king’s heart, and sets up kingdoms as He sees fit. When He comforts, none can disturb. Both friend and foe receive everything from the Lord. I don’t have to kiss your feet; I can kiss the Son, and He will make you do exactly as I have prayed, if it is His will and best for His church.

5. The bible doesn’t say much in the new covenant about fasting, but it is good - “Moreover when you fast”, Christ says (Matt 6:16). The scriptures speak of the spiritual fast, the new covenant fast, of Isaiah 58, that when Christ is gone because of sin and sorrow has set in, that we KNOW that we have His love, so we love others, even while we wait for Him to be near. We walk by FAITH and not feelings (Col 3:12-13).

Walking by sight is deception, for we judge God and His word by how we feel or how we’re doing, rather than EXALTING God’s grace to perform what He has commanded.

Rather than say, “I’m not that forgiven because I’m a big sinner”, we must say, “God is SO GREAT in mercy and Christ is SO GREAT in atonement, and the Spirit is SO GREAT to teach sinners that I have obtained mercy and the forgiveness of sins. I am not partially forgiven according to how I feel I deserve; I am forgiven in full according to the word of God, payment of Christ, and the sure confidence given to ALL that believe”. God is only judging us in Christ by whose name we come.

The physical fast of 1 Cor 7, where the husband and wife abstain from sex for a time is not commanded, it is done according to His will, and it is not something that we brag about to gain favor with others. Our religion is FOR God’s glory and seeks reward from God because we believe that there is One higher than the highest who sees.