Emory Baptist Church

What Does That Church Believe: Methodists?

 

Where did they come from?

• Around 1729 at Oxford University, John (1703-1791) and Charles (1707-1788) Wesley began methodically meeting with a group of students at a stated time for “prayer and religious exercises.”  They held to a strict regiment of prayer, fasting, Bible reading, and ministry.
• John was ordained a deacon in the Church of England and eventually a priest in 1735.
• On May 24, 1738, on Aldersgate Street in London, England during a Moravian worship service, John experienced a religious awakening.  He remembered, “About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed.  I felt I did trust in Christ; Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me, that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.”  As a result of his revival, he began to preach all over England to anyone who would listen.  He was the instrument of revival throughout the country. 
• In 1766, Philip Embury organized a “connection” of Methodist societies in New York.  These societies quickly formed in other states also, including Pennsylvania and Maryland.
• In 1769, John Wesley sent his first missionaries to America that included Francis Asbury (1745-1816).
• In 1773, the first annual Methodist conference was held in Philadelphia.  In 1784, the Methodist Episcopal Church was formally organized as a body separate from the English Methodist structure.  Asbury and Thomas Coke (1747-1814) became bishops in authority over the new church.

 

Charles Wesley’s Writings

• And Can It Be
• Christ the Lord is Risen Today
• Rejoice, the Lord is King
• Blessed Be the Name
• O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing

 

What are their beliefs?

• The Apostles’ Creed
• 25 Articles of Religion
• The Doctrines and Discipline of the Methodist Church

 

What makes them unique?

• Strictly Arminian and a strong emphasis on human free will

• The possibility of “falling from grace” or losing one’s salvation: see John 6:37-40, 10:27-30; Romans 8:31-39, 2 Timothy 1:12; 1 John 2:19.  What are the implications in believing that a believer can “fall from grace?”

 

Questions to Consider:

1. What is the difference between Methodism and Wesleyanism?
2. What is the difference between Perkins School of Theology and Asbury Theological Seminary?
3. Why do Methodists baptize infants?

 

 

 

 

Name	Founded	Members	Congregations	Website
African Methodist Episcopal Church	1816	1,857,186	7741	www.amecnet.org
Congregational Methodist Church	1852	14,738	187	www.congregationalmethodist.net
Free Methodist Church of North America	1860	61,202	971	www.freemethodist.org
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church	1870	850,000	2980	www.c-m-e.org
Evangelical Congregational Church	1928	21,463	168	www.eccenter.com
Southern Methodist Church	1939	7686	82	www.southernmethodistchurch.org
The Evangelical Methodist Church	1946	8615	105	www.emchurch.org
The Evangelical Church of North America	1968	12,475	164	www.theevangelicalchurch.org
The United Methodist Church	1968	8,298,145	24,162	www.umc.org
Wesleyan Church	1968	114,211	1887	www.wesleyan.org

 

Just Say No to Steaks and Beer!

Last Sunday morning, we began looking at Romans 14 and the first of a three sermon series on what the KJV calls “doubtful issues” and the NKJV calls “doubtful things” and the NASB calls “opinions.”  I referred to these issues as “gray areas” or “preferences.”

 

What are we talking about?  We are talking about issues that the Bible doesn’t clearly address one way or another or even at all.  We are talking about issues that are to be left up to the conscience and or conviction of each individual believer.

 

We saw in Rome that there were divisions in the church between what Paul called “weak in faith” Christians and “strong in faith” Christians.  The weak in faith were probably Jewish Christians.  The strong in faith were probably Gentile Christians, but both groups were definitely followers of Christ. 

 

These two groups were divided over diets and days.  Many of the Jewish Christians were vegetarians so as not to run the risk of violating the Mosaic Law’s dietary codes.  Specifically, they tried to avoid eating meat that had been sacrificed to idols.  The Gentiles felt the freedom to eat whatever and felt no obligation to the OT Law unless Jesus had repeated it in the NT.

 

These two groups were also divided over days or the celebration of religious festivals and holy days.  The Jews were strict observers of the Sabbath.  The Gentiles were clearly not.  They only observed the Lord’s Day or Sunday.

 

There was one main point from last Sunday’s message, and it was addressed to both groups.  That main point was to receive or accept one another in spite of differences of opinions.  Don’t try to change to convert or change to your opinion or preference.  Simply receive or accept one another. 

 

Remember that there are some issues that don’t fit this category of “doubtful things” or “gray areas.”  Sexual immorality of any kind, drunkenness, stealing, lying, and divisiveness are not doubtful issues.  However, the following are: alcohol use, Bible translations, dress, gambling, piercings, tattoos, and music.   

 

Today, we will add another more guidelines for addressing doubtful issues or gray areas in the life of a believer.  My message this morning is “Just Say No to Beer and Steaks!”

 

 

15. Don’t hinder your fellow Believer as a stumbling block, Romans 14:13-15.

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.  14 I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died.

 

Paul began where he left off last week.  Instead of judging one another, the Roman Christians should determine not to be a stumbling block.  The NKJV says “resolve.”  The NIV says “make up your mind.”  The NLT says “decide.”  We must make a conscious decision not to hinder or bring down our fellow brothers and sisters by being a stumbling block.

 

Stumbling block can be defined as an example that leads another Christian to sin.  In this verse that Paul uses the phrase “stumbling block” and the word “cause” or “obstacle.”  Stumbling block is meant to represent unintentionally leading a Christian astray.  Obstacle means intentionally leading a Christian astray. 

 

Regardless, his admonition is to resolve or decide or determine, make a conscious decision, not to be a stumbling block, intentionally or unintentionally for any brother or sister in Christ.

 

Jesus gave a strong warning about stumbling blocks or offenses in Matthew 18:7.

 

Matthew 18:7, “7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!”

 

Yes, stumbling blocks will come, but don’t you be a stumbling block or else suffer the consequences.  When it comes to doubtful issues, determine not to be a stumbling block.

 

In verses 14-15, we see the rationale for not being a stumbling block.  We must keep others in mind.  Paul acknowledges that nothing is evil in of itself.  However, something might be evil to an individual. 

 

In verse 14, Paul seems to even acknowledge that he personally would identify more with the strong in faith when it comes to eating meat.  After all, nothing is unclean in and of itself.  That is exactly what Jesus said to Peter in Acts 10:15.

 

Acts 10:15, 15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.”

 

However, some meats may seem to be unclean to some Christians.  Therefore, if your eating certain meats hurts another brother or sister in Christ and you refuse to stop, you are no longer walking or treating them with love. 

 

Christ died for these weak in the faith brothers and sisters.  Don’t you destroy them with your freedom in Christ.  Paul is saying here that our actions affect others.  Don’t you think otherwise.

 

Don’t hinder your fellow believer as a stumbling block.

 

 

18. Don’t bring down the Kingdom of God with your freedom, Romans 14:16-18.

16 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.

 

In verse 16, Paul spoke of our good.  What was that?  Most of this second half of Romans is for the Gentile Christians, those strong in the faith.  They felt like their freedom in Christ allowed them to eat any meat and only observe the Lord’s Day.  Their freedom was their good.

 

However, Paul exhorted them to consider how their treatment of other Christians looked in the eyes of the world.  Don’t give the world any ammunition against the church.  Don’t give the world any evidence that you treat your brothers and sisters in Christ in any other way than with love. 

 

After all, isn’t the kingdom of God more than eating and drinking?  Obviously, the answer to that is yes.  The kingdom of God is more than our own opinions.  The kingdom of God is more than personal preferences. 

 

Did you notice that he appears to introduce a third cause of division?  Look also at 14:21.  We saw last week that eating meat had caused a division.  Observance of the Sabbath had caused a division.  Now, it appears that drinking wine had caused a division.

 

Again, the kingdom of God is not about eating and drinking but about righteousness, peace and joy.  All of those are fruits of the Holy Spirit and essential for a healthy body of Christ.  Own opinions are not.  Personal preferences are not. 

 

When we walk in love rather than hurting our brothers and sisters in Christ, we are accepted by God and approved by men.  We give the world no cause or ammunition to speak evil of the church when we walk in love by determining not to be stumbling blocks.

 

 

• Don’t hinder your fellow Believer as a stumbling block, Romans 14:19-23.

19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. 21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. 22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.

 

Here now is a third piece of advice regarding doubtful issues, but it actually is our first thought for today but important enough to repeat.  Let us have a desire to pursue peace and building up of one another within the body.  Let us eliminate the divisions over doubtful issues by pursuing peace, and here’s the imperative…don’t destroy the work of God.  In other words, as we each are the work of God, don’t hinder your brother or sister by engaging in that which is a stumbling block to them. 

 

After all, its just food.  It’s just a day.  It’s just a drink.  It’s just a lottery ticket.  It’s just a piercing.  It’s just a tattoo.  Yes, all things are clean in and of themselves, but not every person understands that, and until they do, desire peace and the good of the body rather than what you want to do personally.

 

 

Conclusion

The last three verses show us how series Paul is in thinking of the other person and not being a stumbling block.  If eating meat causes others to stumble, don’t eat meat.  If drinking wine causes others to stumble, don’t drink wine.  Delete these practices from your life for the sake of the peace and unity of the body.

 

Verse 22 says you don’t have to change your preference, but keep that between you and God, but as he said previously, change your practice.  Whatever, you do, if you doubt, don’t do it.  When we doubt, that is a sure sign our actions are wrong.  Doubting is the governor of the soul that is intended to keep our actions in check.

 

Finally, what happens or what do you get when you determine not to be a stumbling block for Christians by walking in love, desiring peace, and deleting doubtful issues in your life?  Look back again at Romans 14:18, 22b.

 

18 For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.

 

22b Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.

 

1. You serve Christ.
2. You are accepted by God.
3. You are approved by men.
4. You are happier than if you had continued be a stumbling block.
5. You avoid condemnation.

 

 

Invitation

If you are here today and you are Christian, my invitation is for you to take an honest look at your life.  Are there any doubtful issues in your life that are creating stumbling blocks for other brothers and sisters?  If yes, then I am asking you today to delete them.  I am asking you today to walk in love toward other believers and sacrifice your own personal preferences for the peace and unity of the body.  Would you serve Christ today by doing just that?  Would you let go of music or movies or piercings or alcohol or smoking for the sake of others?

 

If you here today and you are not a Christian, Christ did this very thing that we have been talking about today for you.  He laid aside his own will and did what was best for the world.  He did what was best for you.  That is dying on the cross for our sins, your sins, and if you will confess Him as Lord and Savior today, He will forgive you of your sins and cleanse you from your unrighteousness and save your soul and reserve for you a place in heaven.  Will do that this morning?

 

What Does That Church Believe: Seventh-Day Adventists?

 

Where did they come from?

• William Miller was born in 1782 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts; saved during the Second Great Awakening in 1816; fervent student of the Bible with special interest in prophetic portions such as Daniel and Revelation; thought the Bible should contain the exact date of Christ’s return; cited Daniel 8:14 as his answer; formulated date from 457 BC, Cyrus’ command to rebuild Jerusalem (Ezra 1:1-2) to 1843 or 1844; nothing happened and there was great disappointment.
• Ellen G. White emerged in 1845 from New England; unlike Miller, White interpreted 1844 to be when Christ cleansed the heavenly sanctuary and began heavenly judgment, and this judgment will end prior to the Second Coming.

 

What do they do?

• Operate 92 sanitaria and 52 publishing houses and branches.
• Reported 17,313 evangelistic workers laboring in 213 regularly organized mission fields and distributing literature in 195 languages. 

 

What do they believe?

• Authority: the Bible and the writings of Ellen G. White; her writings are considered by church members to be authoritative, especially concerning the workings of heaven.
• Church government: presbyterian; each local church is part of a local conference, local conferences combine to form regional conferences, and all these are subsumed under a general conference.
• Investigative judgment: in 1844, Christ moved from the Holy to the Most Holy Place in the heavenly sanctuary and began the work of investigative judgment; this judgment reveals who among the dead are asleep in Christ and who among the living are abiding in Christ; these belong to God’s kingdom.
• Day of Worship: should be on the Sabbath or seventh day of the week, which is Saturday.
• Hell: the wicked spend a definite period of time here and then are destroyed or cease to exist; hell as punishment is not eternal.

 

Worship Should Be on the Sabbath	Worship Should be on the Lord’s Day
God made the Sabbath at creation for all peoples.  Genesis 2:2-3, Exodus 20:11	New Testament believers are not under the OT Law.  Romans 6:14, Galatians 3:24-25, Colossians 2:16
Christ observed the Sabbath (Mark 1:21) and is the Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:28).	Jesus was resurrected and appeared to some of his followers on Sunday.  Matthew 28:1
The apostle Paul preached on the Sabbath.  Acts 17:2	Jesus made continuing resurrection appearances on succeeding Sundays.  John 20:26 John had his apocalyptic vision on a Sunday.  Revelation 1:10
Gentiles worshipped on the Sabbath.  Acts 13:42-44	The descent of the Holy Spirit took place on a Sunday.  Acts 2:1
Matthew, Mark, and Luke, writing after the resurrection spoke of the Sabbath as an existing institution.  Matthew 24:20, Mark 16:1, Luke 23:56	The early church was given the pattern of Sunday worship and continued to do regularly even today.  Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:2

 

 

 

 

Annihilationism or Conditionalism or Conditional Immortality: the teaching that after death unbelievers suffer for the penalty of God’s wrath for a time, and then are “annihilated,” or destroyed, so that they no longer exist.

 

For: meaning of perish and destroy.                                       Against: Matthew 25:41, 46; Mark 9:42-48.

 

 

Name	Founded	Members	Congregations	Website
Advent Christian Church	1860	26,264	303	www.adventchristian.org
Seventh-Day Adventist Church	1845	More than 12 million	51,086	www.northamerica.adventist.org
Seventh-Day Adventist Reform Movement	1925	More than 24,000	Unknown	www.sdarm.org

 

Rhodes, Ron, “The Complete Guide to Christian Denominations,” Harvest House Publishers, 2005.

 

The First Vegetarian Church of Rome

If you have your Bibles this morning, please take them and find Romans 14:1.  Today’s message will be the first in a 3-part series with our study in Romans on “gray areas” or doubtful issues.  Please try to be here these next three Sundays. 

 

These are issues that can be incredibly divisive and have even divided the Roman Church.  These are gray areas that some want to make black and white.  These are issues on which the Bible doesn’t clearly speak or even at all.  They are doubtful issues or literally scruples. 

 

As we begin to look at Romans 14, it ok if we disagree.  It is ok if we have a difference of opinion.  It is ok if have different preferences.  The Lord values and encourages our unity, but that does not mean uniformity.  God’s people are a diverse group.  Therefore, can there be unity in our diversity.

In order for you to understand today’s text and this situation that we will be dealing with for the next three Sundays, we need to understand some contextual background.  Apparently, the Roman Church was divided, and there were at least two sides.  There were those who were weak in faith and those who wear strong in faith.  However, I need to clarify these terms.  Weak in faith means that your faith will not let you participate in certain activities.  While strong in faith means that your faith will let you do almost anything within reason.

 

Even though it is not crystal clear, it appears that the weak in faith were Jewish Christians who were insistent on keeping portions of the Old Testament Law.  However, the strong in faith would have been Gentle Christians who felt zero responsibility to keep any of the Old Testament Law that wasn’t repeated by Jesus.

 

Furthermore, we will also see that not only were these two groups divided on eating meat, they were also divided on remembering and celebrating certain holy days.  The Jewish Christians felt the need to celebrate many holy days.  The Gentile Christians probably only celebrated Sundays, and then you had these two groups judging and condemning each other regarding their specific practices.  The Jewish Christians through the Gentiles were liberal pagans.  The Gentiles thought the Jews were self-righteous legalists.  However, we need to remember that both groups were genuine, born-again Christians because of their faith in Christ alone!

 

 

1. The Exhortation to Receive One Another, Romans 14:1

1 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.

 

The one main point of this text is for Christians to receive or accept one another.  Paul began this discussion by addressing the stronger Gentile Christians.  They were to accept these weaker Jewish Christians, but they were not, and I repeat, not to accept them with the hope of changing them down the line.  They were to accept them purely because of who they were in Christ. 

 

Again, the particular issues in questions are what our translation calls “doubtful things.”  The NASB translates the phrase “opinions.”  I’m calling them “gray areas.”  The Bible doesn’t speak to them clearly one way or the other or in some instances, not at all.

 

Therefore, receive one another!

 

 

1. The Illustrations of Receiving One Another, Romans 14:2-3, 14:5-6

2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him.

 

5 One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.

 

In these verses, we now find out the two gray areas or doubtful issues or opinions or preferences that were dividing this church.  The first issue was diets.  In 14:2-3, we see that the strong Gentile Christians felt the freedom to eat anything including meat that the Old Testament had declared unclean including meat that had been sacrificed to idols. 

 

However, in keeping with the strict Old Testament dietary laws, the weak Jewish Christians only ate vegetables, and Paul warned the strong Gentile Christians about showing contempt to the weak and the weak judging the strong.  This was a matter of opinion…not absolute biblical principle.

 

The second issue is in 14:5-6 and was days.  The Jewish Christians were very particular about remembering and celebrating certain holy days including various festivals and the Sabbath.  However, the Gentile Christians did not celebrate those same festivals and didn’t feel compelled to worship and or rest on the Sabbath. 

 

Regardless, in verse 6, we see that each group was eating and observing unto the Lord and for the Lord and because of the Lord. 

 

Therefore, Paul’s exhortation was to receive one another!

 

 

• The Justification for Receiving One Another, Romans 14:3b-4; 14:7-9; 14:10-12

for God has received him. 4 Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.

 

7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

 

10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.”  12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.

 

In today’s text, Paul gave at least three justifications or reasons why we are to accept one another even though we may have different opinions or personal preferences.

 

1. The first justification is found at the end of 14:3 and goes into 14:4. We need to accept one another because God has received us.  Furthermore, we do not serve one another.  We serve God.  He is our Master.  I am not your master, and you are not my master.
2. The second justification is found 14:7-9 and is an assumption. The assumption is that Christians are trying to please the Lord in whatever they do.  When it came to eating meat or eating only vegetables, both groups were trying to please the Lord.  One group was trying to celebrate freedom.  The other group was seeking to be holy.  Both were right.  When it came to celebrating certain days, the assumption was that both groups were trying to please the Lord.  Therefore, don’t condemn or judge another group who is different from you, but nonetheless, trying to please the Lord.
3. The third and final justification is found 14:10-12. We should not judge each other because God is the only rightful judge, and we will all be judged by Him.  Don’t miss that at the end of 14:10 and 14:12. Every Christian will give an account to God of his or her life.  Paul talks about this in 2 Corinthians 5:10. God is the only rightful judge.

 

2 Corinthians 5:10, 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

 

Therefore, Paul’s exhortation was to receive one another!

 

 

 

1. The Application of Accepting One Another.

 

I rather suspect that most of us, if not all of us, here today are meat eaters.  Furthermore, I also suspect that we don’t have many different opinions regarding festivals or holy days.  Therefore, how are we to apply this message of accepting one another?

 

Let me first of all, be very clear where this text does not apply.  This text does not apply to issues that are crystal clear in the Bible.  Here are at least five (5).  This text does not apply to sexual immorality of any type.  It is clearly wrong every time whether you are talking about premarital sex or extramarital affairs.  This text does not apply to drunkenness, stealing, lying, causing division or anything else that is clearly prohibited in God’s Word!

 

However, let me give you at least ten (10) doubtful issues where I believe this text does apply.

 

1. Bible translations: KJV only?
2. Dancing
3. Music: secular or Christian and music in church: familiar or unfamiliar
4. Movies: R-rated or PG-rated
5. Dress: skirts and dresses for women
6. Tattoos
7. Piercings
8. Social drinking
9. Gambling
10. Smoking

 

 

Conclusion

As I draw this message to a close, let us not be guilty of the mindset of this pithy prose:

 

Believe as I believe, no more, no less; that I am right, and no one else, confess;

Feel as I feel, think only as I think; eat what I eat, and drink but what I drink;

Look as I look, do always as I do; then, and only then, will I fellowship with you.

 

Brothers and sisters, let us receive one another regardless of gray areas, doubtful things and personal preferences.

If You Believe Jesus is Returning, Your Behavior Ought to Prove It!

What Does That Church Believe: Baptists?

Living as a Citizen of the State While I'm Actually a Citizen of Heaven...

Today’s text is not for the faint of heart.  Today’s sermon will not be an easy sermon to hear or preach.  Today’s sermon will have far reaching consequences to the past and the present and the future.  Today’s sermon will have application for you as residents of Emory, Rains County, Texas, the United States of America, and for those Christians on the other side of the world.

 

Romans 12 transitioned from the more theological to the more practical.  Theology drives our practice.  Doctrine determines our ethic.  Belief decides our behavior. We have seen how Christians are to relate to other church members.  We have seen how Christians are to relate to our enemies last week with Bro. Ronnie.  Today, we look at how Christians are to relate to all governments.

 

Before we read Romans 13:1-7, let me encourage you in this regard.  During and after reading this text, our very nature will tempt us to ask 1,000 different questions that begin with these words, “Well, what about…?”  My encouragement to you today and my appeal to you this morning is that before you ask all those questions, that you seek to understand the most basic, simplest, and clearest meaning of today’s message.

 

 

1. The Responsibility of Every Christian, Romans 13:1-2

1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

 

Notice how 13:1 begins, “Let every soul.”  Does this leave any Christian out?  It doesn’t appear to do so.  Every Christian is to be and live in subjection to his or her governing authorities. 

 

To what governing authorities?  To those under which you live.  What about Romans?  That was Nero.  What about 18^th century England and the Church of England who murdered Christians for following the Bible?  What about communist Russia?  What about 21^st century USA under the presidential leadership of President Obama or President Trump?

 

The responsibility of every Christian is to live under subjection and in submission to the local, state, and national governing authorities as individuals and as individuals who are merchants. 

 

Why?  Because God is the One that at the very minimum with His permission who established all government.  There is no government or authority that has not been established or abolished by God.  Government is God’s institution.  And the questions begin, “Well, what about…?”

 

Jeremiah 27:1-6, In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, 2 “Thus says the Lord to me: ‘Make for yourselves bonds and yokes, and put them on your neck, 3 and send them to the king of Edom, the king of Moab, the king of the Ammonites, the king of Tyre, and the king of Sidon, by the hand of the messengers who come to Jerusalem to Zedekiah king of Judah. 4 And command them to say to their masters, “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel—thus you shall say to your masters: 5 ‘I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are on the ground, by My great power and by My outstretched arm, and have given it to whom it seemed proper to Me. 6 And now I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, My servant; and the beasts of the field I have also given him to serve him.

 

Daniel 2:19-21, 19 Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. So Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

20 Daniel answered and said:

“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,

For wisdom and might are His.

21 And He changes the times and the seasons;

He removes kings and raises up kings;

 

Daniel 4:17, 17 ‘This decision is by the decree of the watchers,

And the sentence by the word of the holy ones,

In order that the living may know

That the Most High rules in the kingdom of men,

Gives it to whomever He will,

And sets over it the lowest of men.’

 

Daniel 4:25, 25 They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.

 

John 19:11, 11 Jesus answered (to Pilate), “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above.”

 

And what if we as followers of Christ do not submit to governmental authority?  We are opposing the ordinance of God and risk the condemnation of the governing authorities. 

 

And Just so you don’t think that this responsibility might be exclusive for Christians at Rome, see Titus 3:1.

 

Titus 3:1, Remind them (in Crete) to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work.

 

And just so you don’t think that Paul was some lunatic, see 1 Peter 2:13-15.

 

1 Peter 2:13-15, 13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.

 

 

4. The Role of Every Government, Romans 13:3-4.

3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.

 

Now we turn to 13:3-4 and the role of every government.  According to 13:3 and following, the first role of every government is to punish evil.  If you engage in evil, you ought to be afraid of the government.  You ought to be afraid of the government acting as a minister of God in bringing wrath on the one who practices evil.  God gives the government the authority to bear the sword, and it is my conviction that includes capital punishment for capital crimes.

 

The second role of every government is to reward good.  On the other hand, if you do good, the government ought to praise you.  Notice at the beginning of 13:4 that the government is for our good.  We should have no fear in doing good, and we should be praised when we do good.

 

 

• The Reasons for Every Act of Submission, Romans 13:5-6

5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing.

 

In these two verses, Paul essentially gave two reasons why every Christian is to be submissive to every government.  Notice this is the second time that he said be subject or submissive to the government.  The first was in 13:1.

 

The first reason is because of the governing authorities’ wrath.  If you don’t do what the government tells you to do or requires you to do, then you are more than likely going to experience their wrath.  As we saw earlier, if you do evil, expect wrath.  If you do good, expect reward.

 

The second reason is because of conscience’ sake.  What does that mean?  It means that we are to submit to the government for the Lord’s sake because the Lord is what or actually who should be molding and shaping and determining and informing our conscience.  Again, remember 1 Peter 2:13-15.

 

1 Peter 2:13-15, 13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.

 

Then Paul put feet to his reasoning and rationale in 13:4 in when he said that is why you pay taxes.  You pay taxes because the God-ordained government is the servant or deacon of God.

 

So again, be subject to our government, brothers and sisters so you don’t get punished and so you don’t disobey God.

 

 

7. The Rendering of What is Due to those in Authority, Romans 13:7.

7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

 

This last verse hits us in the pocket book as Christians are to give to the government what is due them.  What is that?  First of all, taxes on income are due them.  Secondly, customs or revenue or taxes on goods and services are due them.  Thirdly, fear or respect is due them.  Finally, honor is due them.

 

In this text, Paul, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, makes no room for 1^st century Rome under Nero.  He makes no room for 18^th century England and a state church and taxation without representation.  He makes no room for the 19^th century Union and the war against northern aggression.  He makes no room for Nazi Germany, communist Russia or 21^st century United States of America under whichever president you like the least!

 

Before you let your mind wander with 1,000 “Well, what if…?” questions, don’t neglect the most basic, simplest, and clearest meaning of this text.  Christians are directed by Scripture to submit to local, state, and national government wherever you live and whatever kind of government it is.

 

John Piper, “Whether we live in Boston or Baghdad, Northern Ireland or North Korea, this text has implications for war and peace, dictators and totalitarianism, concentration camps and gulags, revolts and revolutions, laws and law enforcement, political activism and civil disobedience, elections and lobbying, voting and paying taxes, speed limits and seat belts, stop signs and baby seats.”

 

And above all else, this text says to every Christian, be submissive!

 

 

1. Four Reprieves from Obeying our Government

 

Very quickly, there at least four biblical reprieves or exceptions to this absolute command to be submissive to government.  Three are from the Old Testament, and one is from the New Testament.

 

Exodus 1:8-22, 8 Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. 9 And he said to his people, “Look, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we; 10 come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and it happen, in the event of war, that they also join our enemies and fight against us, and so go up out of the land.” 11 Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh supply cities, Pithom and Raamses. 12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were in dread of the children of Israel. 13 So the Egyptians made the children of Israel serve with rigor. 14 And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage—in mortar, in brick, and in all manner of service in the field. All their service in which they made them serve was with rigor.  15 Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of one was Shiphrah and the name of the other Puah; 16 and he said, “When you do the duties of a midwife for the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstools, if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.” 17 But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive. 18 So the king of Egypt called for the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this thing, and saved the male children alive?”  19 And the midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are lively and give birth before the midwives come to them.”  20 Therefore God dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied and grew very mighty. 21 And so it was, because the midwives feared God, that He provided households for them.  22 So Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, “Every son who is born you shall cast into the river, and every daughter you shall save alive.”

 

Daniel 3:1-18, Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its width six cubits. He set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. 2 And King Nebuchadnezzar sent word to gather together the satraps, the administrators, the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 3 So the satraps, the administrators, the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered together for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 4 Then a herald cried aloud: “To you it is commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, 5 that at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, you shall fall down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up; 6 and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.”  7 So at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, harp, and lyre, in symphony with all kinds of music, all the people, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the gold image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.  8 Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and accused the Jews. 9 They spoke and said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever! 10 You, O king, have made a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the gold image; 11 and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. 12 There are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego; these men, O king, have not paid due regard to you. They do not serve your gods or worship the gold image which you have set up.”  13 Then Nebuchadnezzar, in rage and fury, gave the command to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. So they brought these men before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up? 15 Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?”  16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”

 

Daniel 6:1-23, It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, to be over the whole kingdom; 2 and over these, three governors, of whom Daniel was one, that the satraps might give account to them, so that the king would suffer no loss. 3 Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm. 4 So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. 5 Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”  6 So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: “King Darius, live forever! 7 All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. 8 Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.” 9 Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.  10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.  11 Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. 12 And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king’s decree: “Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?”  The king answered and said, “The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.”  13 So they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”  14 And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. 15 Then these men approached the king, and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed.”  16 So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” 17 Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.  18 Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep went from him. 19 Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”  21 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! 22 My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”  23 Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.

 

Acts 4:13-22, 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 saying, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.”  18 So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” 21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done. 22 For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.

 

Acts 5:17-32, 17 Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, 18 and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. 19 But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”  21 And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught. But the high priest and those with him came and called the council together, with all the elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.  22 But when the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported, 23 saying, “Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!” 24 Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be. 25 So one came and told them, saying, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!”  26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!”  29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

 

 

Conclusion

Christians are to always obey their governments unless it is a sin to do so, either a sin of commission like murder or sin of omission like not worshipping, not praying, not preaching, not sharing the gospel.

See-Saws and Merry-Go-Rounds

Life in the Body, Part 2: What Does Love Without Hypocrisy Look Like?

This morning as we continue in Romans 12, we are going to continue to look at what our behavior should look like in the Body of Christ.  Romans 12:1 sets the stage for us with the admonition to present our bodies as a living and holy sacrifice unto the Lord.  We are not just to put our offering envelopes or checks or cash in the offering plate.  We are to put our whole self in the offering plate.

 

As for what that looks like in the church, we are not to think more highly of ourselves, but we are to think soberly and of the other person first, and we are to use the gifts that God has given to us to serve faithfully one another within the body.

 

In Romans 12:9-13, Paul continued with that thought of how we are to treat others in the body of Christ or in other words…how we should treat brothers and sisters in our church. 

 

How do we know that?  Notice verse 10 uses the phrase “brotherly love.”  Verse 13 speaks of meeting the needs of the saints.  These words tell us that Paul is giving us instruction about life in the body.

 

Notice the beginning of verse 9.  The big umbrella that will cover all we hear this morning if the umbrella of love without hypocrisy or genuine love. 

 

Our word “love” is interesting because we use it in so many ways.  I love my wife, but I also love my daughters but differently.  I love EBC, but I also love TAMU but differently.  I love sports, but I also love steak but differently. 

 

The language of the NT is more precise than our English language.  Consequently, they have multiple words that we would translate love today, but what I want you to think about this morning is that Jesus commanded His followers to love.

 

John 13:34, 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

 

And not only is that a command, that is also how the world will know us.

 

John 13:35, 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

 

So we are commanded to love and we will be known by our love, and that is the same love that Jesus demonstrated toward us.

 

John 3:16, 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

 

And this love is to be true of us and how we treat others within the church, and it should be without hypocrisy or genuine.

 

What comes next is what you might call Ten Commandments from the New Testament.  In these 5 verses, Paul in effect, gives us ten commandments that will demonstrate our love for those within the body of Christ.

 

 

1. Abhor evil.

 

Your translation my say hate.  The world say we aren’t supposed to hate, but God’s Word says we are.  We are to hate what is evil: acts not people.

 

2. Cling to good.

 

Cling is to cleave or glue your self or cement your self to what is good.  How do we know that is evil and what is good?  The Bible is the only objective and absolute standard. 

 

3. Give preference to others first.

 

We are prone to think about self first, but in the body, with kind affection and with honor, give preference to others first. 

 

That may mean sitting in a different seat if someone else is sitting there.  That may mean learning a new song that others know but you don’t.  That may mean parking a little further away for others to park closer.  

 

4. Be fervent in spirit.

 

Literally, this command means to be on fire for the Lord.  Your walk with Jesus ought to get as energy and effort as your job and your sport and your hobby. 

 

5. Serve the Lord.

 

And we know from the logic and the relationship behind the commandments to love God and love your neighbor that one of the best ways that you can serve the Lord is by serving your neighbor.  And if you’re not serving your neighbor, you’re not serving the Lord.

 

6. Rejoice in hope.

 

As a follower of Christ and regardless of our particular season of life, we are to always be looking ahead to hope of Christ’s return, and that is reason to rejoice.

 

7. Be patient in tribulation.

 

This life is full of trials and tribulations, and the follower of Christ is to be patient. Literally, we are to persevere.  God never promises to protect you from trials or even rescue us from trials, but He does promise never to leave us or forsake us.

 

8. Continue steadfastly in prayer.

 

Always be praying.  Be persistent in talking to God about others.

 

9. Distribute or give to the saints.

 

As is true today, it was true in first century Rome.  There will always be brothers and sisters in Christ who are in need.  We are called to help if we can.

 

The story of George Muller is familiar to some.  He was known at one time to have over $8,000,000 to his name in 19^th Century England.  However, after spending his life caring for over 10,000 orphans, he died with less than $1,000 to his name. 

 

10. Be hospitable.

 

In other words, be welcoming and accommodating to others with your words, actions, and attitudes.

 

 

Conclusion: 2 Samuel 9

Now David said, “Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”  2 And there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba. So when they had called him to David, the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?”  He said, “At your service!”  3 Then the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, to whom I may show the kindness of God?”  And Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan who is lame in his feet.”  4 So the king said to him, “Where is he?”  And Ziba said to the king, “Indeed he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo Debar.”  5 Then King David sent and brought him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo Debar.  6 Now when Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, had come to David, he fell on his face and prostrated himself. Then David said, “Mephibosheth?”  And he answered, “Here is your servant!”  7 So David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.”  8 Then he bowed himself, and said, “What is your servant, that you should look upon such a dead dog as I?”  9 And the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “I have given to your master’s son all that belonged to Saul and to all his house. 10 You therefore, and your sons and your servants, shall work the land for him, and you shall bring in the harvest, that your master’s son may have food to eat. But Mephibosheth your master’s son shall eat bread at my table always.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.  11 Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king has commanded his servant, so will your servant do.”  “As for Mephibosheth,” said the king, “he shall eat at my table like one of the king’s sons.” 12 Mephibosheth had a young son whose name was Micha. And all who dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants of Mephibosheth. 13 So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem, for he ate continually at the king’s table. And he was lame in both his feet.

 

Life in the Body, Part 1

In November 2009, I was attending the Arkansas Baptist State Convention that was meeting FBC Benton, AR.  That is a suburb of Little Rock. 

 

The conference’s keynote speaker was Dr. David Uth, pastor of the FBC Orlando, FL and one of my predecessors at FBC Camden, and in his message said, “In every church, you only have two kinds of members: those that wear a bib and those that wear an apron.”

 

“To wear a bib” is a phrase that would be specifically indicative of a baby, but in this context, accurate of someone who was all about being served instead of serving.

 

“To wear an apron” is a phrase that would be and is indicative of a servant.

 

From my own experience as pastor, I can verify Dr. Uth’s evaluation is accurate.  In every church I have served including EBC, there are those who spiritually wear bibs.  It is all about them and what I and everybody else can do for them.  They are under the false impression that this is their world and everybody else lives in it to serve them.

 

However, there are also those who are regularly serving the Lord Jesus by serving His bride, this local church.  Today, we talk about life within the Body of Christ and specifically serving one another from Romans 12:3-8.

If you weren’t here last Sunday, we began this more practical section of Romans talking about presenting all of who you are and all that you have to the Lord as a spiritual act of worship.  I even put before you the image of putting your self into the offering place.  That was Paul’s one request and what we are called to do and obligated to do according to Romans 12:1-2.

 

Now, Paul is going to move on to talk about how you and I are to relate to one another within the local body of Christ, the New Testament Church, and he is going to give us two action points.

 

 

3. Think Soberly, Romans 12:3.

3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

 

Paul began by reminding us of his authority as an Apostle.  There was grace given to him, and he is passing along a message from the Lord.

 

We are to think soberly.  Your translation may say soundly or sensibly. 

 

Notice that this action point is for everyone in the body of Christ.  Verse 3 says to everyone who is among you.  Therefore, it was for everyone in the Roman Church, and it is for everyone in the Emory Church. 

 

Notice also what comes before think soberly.  We are not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think, and the reason we have to be told this specifically is because by nature, we all think first of self and highly of self. 

 

However, as a follower of Christ, one that has repented of his or her sins, received Jesus as Lord and Savior having been born-again, we are to be known less for our thinking of self or pride and more for thinking of others or humility. 

 

As a matter of fact, the Word of God has plenty to say about the evils of pride and the righteousness of humility.

 

Pride

Proverbs 8:13, The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.

 

Proverbs 11:2, When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.

 

Proverbs 16:18, Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.

 

Proverbs 29:23, A man’s pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor.

 

 

Humble/Humility

Proverbs 15:33, The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility.

 

16:19, Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

 

18:12, Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility.

 

22:4, By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches and honor and life.

 

At the end of verse 3 is one more consideration about to think of yourself and how to think of others.  Remember that Jesus is your standard. 

 

Paul said we are to think soberly, not more highly of our selves, but as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.  Who is the measure of our faith?  Is it the pastor?  No.  Is it the deacons?  No.  Is it those sitting around you?  No.  It is the Lord Jesus. 

 

If your standard is ever me or Ronnie or any church leader or any other human, you will always fail and be sorely disappointed.  If you are a follower of Christ, your standard in all of your behavior is the Lord Jesus, and Jesus thought more of me and you and less of Himself as evidenced by His going to the cross on our behalf.

 

As it relates to others in the church, think soberly. 

 

 

 

 

 

8. Serve Graciously or Faithfully, 12:4-8.

4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

 

Not only are we to think soberly, but we are also to use the spiritual gifts that God has given us serve graciously or faithfully.  Notice verse 6.  The gifts given to us are to be used.

 

Before we look at those gifts individually, look back at verses 4 and 5.  Notice that in every body, there are many members.  Therefore, there are many gifts. 

 

However, notice in verse 5 that even though each body has many members, each body has one purpose or goal and that is to serve one another.  Notice the end of verse 5 doesn’t say that we are individually members of it, the body, but we are individually members of one another. 

 

You heard my say this two week ago at Back in the Game Sunday.  You’re first loyalty and allegiance and team should be Emory Baptist Church before it is the community and the deer stand and the lake and camping and sports.

 

When you are not here on Sunday morning, you can pray, and you can read your Bible, and you can listen to a sermon.  However, you cannot serve one another, and yet, that is God’s purpose for you in this church and in any church. 

 

Now, look at 12:6.  Paul spoke of the spiritual gifts that are given to Christians.  If you received the Holy Spirit at salvation, then you also received at least one of His gifts, and even though different church members have different gifts, we are all to use them accordingly or in other words, serve graciously and or faithfully by serving one another. 

 

Then Paul gave a representative list of spiritual gifts. I say “representative” because the New Testament contains other gift lists, and all are different, and none are exhaustive.  You can find gift lists in 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 4.

 

1. Prophecy: not necessarily telling the future but speaking on behalf of God; preaching the Word of God. The one who has that gift is to prophesy according to the faith.  He is to preach the faith of the Apostles handed down to him.
2. Ministry: this ministry or service behind the scenes without need for recognition or reward.
3. Teaching: related specifically to mining the depths and treasures of Scripture.
4. Exhorting: is to encourage and build up and comfort.
5. Giving: is related to financial giving and that person is to give liberally or generously to the work of the ministry.
6. Leadership: this person is to lead and do it with diligence, working hard.
7. Showing mercy: is to be done with cheerfulness not sadness.

 

 

Applications and Conclusions

First, remember the words of Dr. David Uth and take off your bib and put on your apron.  Think soberly and serve graciously and faithfully.

 

Second, this text dismisses any thought, notion, or mindset of “Lone Ranger Christianity.”  That is an oxymoron.  Why?  Because this text teaches that you were saved in order to serve others in a local church.  That is one of God’s purposes for Christians. 

 

Therefore, to not be active or connected to a local church is outside of God’s will for any and every Christian.  Today, if you are looking for a church home, and the Holy Spirit is leading you to EBC, I invite you to come today.

 

Finally, you cannot be part of this local church without being part of the universal church which means to be saved.  If you’ve never been saved, I invite you to call on the name of the Lord this morning to save you and forgive you of your sins and begin living a life of serving the Lord and serving others.