|
Home |
|
|
|
EdgemereBC |
|
|
Sermon Notes |
|
|
Oct 12 '08 |
|
|
|
Oct 05 '08 |
|
|
|
Sep 07 '08 |
|
|
|
Aug 24 '08 |
|
|
|
Aug 17 '08 |
|
|
|
Aug 10 '08 |
|
|
|
Jul 20 '08 |
|
|
|
Jun 22 '08 |
|
|
|
Jun 08 '08 |
|
|
|
Morning Sermons |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||
|
|
|
| ||
Sep 07 '08
(A Series of Sermons on Building Character in Your Life)
Rev. Erik O. Garthe, Pastor - Edgemere Baptist Church
Message #9 ... September 7, 2008
“It Makes Sacrifices to Help Others”
Romans 12:10
Read Matthew 5:38-42
38 "You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 "But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 "If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 "And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 "Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
• A second-mile response requires a heart attitude of genuine love for others. God used events to draw Israel to Himself, and He will use people, events, and circumstances to conform us into the image of Christ.
After God promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that they would become a great nation and that kings would bow down to their descendants, He used a famine to bring Israel down to Egypt where they stayed for more than 400 years, eventually in slavery to Pharaoh. Why did God do that?
It was actually a time of “child training” in the growth and history of the nation of Israel. When God delivered them from Egypt, He continually reminded them of the lessons that He had taught them in Egypt.
There is a parallel between the experiences of Israel in Egypt and events in the life of Christ. Both reveal the training that God gives to prepare His people for second-mile responses:
Both Jesus and Israel were born in the Promised Land but later went to Egypt for survival.
Jesus learned obedience to authority when He was a child. When His parents found Him in the Temple, Luke 2:51 records that He “went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them.” Israel learned obedience to their taskmasters, and they were humbled enough to cry out to God.
Jesus was baptized, and the Holy Spirit came upon Him and filled Him for service. Israel was baptized through the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, and a cloud came over them for guidance.
Jesus was tested for 40 days in the wilderness, before beginning His ministry among people. Israel was tested for 40 years in the wilderness before they reached the Promised Land.
Jesus received power to conquer evil and bring righteousness, and Israel was given power to overcome the pagan nations and establish God’s Law.
This kind of training in our own lives will help prepare us to respond with Christ-like love toward others. One of the most painful and difficult ways of sharing Christ’s love is to rejoice while personal insults are being inflicted by others.
When we are asked to go the first mile or are personally insulted, it is important for us to remember what Christ gave up and experienced in order to show God’s love to us.
Deference … is putting the welfare of others ahead of our own personal pleasures.
When Paul instructed believers to prefer one another in honor, he defined the essence of deference. See Romans 12:10
10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
o The Greek word there translated ‘preference’ is proegeomai, which means “to lead the way for others.” It is a strong word that describes commanding with official authority, to be chief and having rule. So, when we defer to others, we experience the paradox of Jesus’ words in Mark 10:44.
44 "And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.”
Deference is making personal sacrifices in order to help others be successful and putting off words, attitudes, or actions that would cause others to be offended or weakened. We should defer whenever it will benefit the cause of Christ. The concepts of deference and discretion work together.
Scripture contains many examples of those who demonstrated deference. The following are four keys to a believer’s effective walk with and witness to Christ.
1. Deference to Government, Matthew 17:24-27
24 When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, "Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?" 25 He said, "Yes." And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?" 26 Peter said to Him, "From strangers." Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are free. 27 "Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you."
2. Deference to Children, Matthew 18:1-6
1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 "Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 "Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. 6 "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
The conscience of a child is very sensitive. Words and actions which adults may be callous to can be very hurtful and offensive to children.
3. Deference to Believers, Romans 14:13
13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.
When new believers saw mature believers buying meat offered to idols because of its bargain price, they became offended, and a big controversy began in the early church. In this very delicate matter, Paul appealed for deference by those on both sides of the controversy. He appealed especially to those who thought it was right to eat the meat.
Note: The importance of deference can be seen in this narrative. Paul agreed with those who said there was nothing wrong with the meat. However, eating that meat is wrong if another believer is offended by it or if it is eaten in spite of an inward caution by the Holy Spirit.
4. Deference to the Word, 1 Corinthians 10:31-33
31 Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
Earlier, Paul explained how he personally demonstrated deference: “For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more;” (1 Corinthians 9:19).
Deference requires more than choosing to do things that are good. Deference requires that we choose things that are excellent, so that we don’t in any way hinder our walk with Jesus Christ, or the walk of others. See Philippians 1:9-10
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,
How Well Do You Show Deference to Others?
Do you offend others by the things that you say, do, or wear?
Do you keep your home free of things that could cause your children to struggle?
Do you justify activities that offend or weaken fellow Christians?
Do you offend people of other cultures by the words you use to describe them?
Do you make adjustments to accommodate those of other backgrounds?
Do you seek to understand and follow protocol when in other cultures?
 |