A Sermon of Attitudes (pt. 8)

The previous character trait or attitude discussed was that of a peacemaker, which gives us some insight as to “counting the cost” of the Christian life (Lk. 14:28). The type of persecution under consideration is that which comes from a life faithful to God.

Jesus along with the apostle Paul wrote of the real possibility of persecution: “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12, KJV); “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword” (Rom. 8:35, NKJV).

Persecution comes about in various ways and forms: physical violence, sharp tongues, angry pens, rejection from family, friends, etc., socially out casted, etc. Yet, whatever form it may show, we must learn to properly respond with a joyful and glad heart (Mt. 5:12). Jesus reminded us that we stand in good company: “for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” The kingdom of heaven is that for which Christ “suffered” (Heb. 5:7-8) and “tasted death” (Heb. 2:9) for each of us. He is our example (2 Pet. 2:21); therefore, we must follow in His steps. First, we must know that we, too, will face persecution, as did He. Second, we must face persecution as He has taught. These attitudes or character traits that are to be found in the man approved of God are those which were new to the Jewish economy, but would continue to this day in the church of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

What follows the Beatitudes are those verses teaching that we are, in fact, “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world” (Mt. 5:13-16). Therefore, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which his in heaven.”

- Wayne Rodgers

A WAKE UP CALL FROM JESUS

by Scott Shifferd

“Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation”, said Jesus as He returned from prayer in the garden (Lk 22.46). Jesus told His disciples to pray that they not enter into temptation, but now, an armed crowd came to arrest Jesus. When is an inopportune to time to listen to Jesus?

Many people do not listen to Jesus, and they think they are heaven bound. They reason that good people go to Heaven. If good people go to Heaven, then who needs Jesus and who needs God? Regarding being good, Jesus said, "No one is good but One, that is, God" (Mk 10.18). He also said, “I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance” (Mk 2.17b). If we have not been sinners, then we do not need Jesus. Jesus was asked, "Lord, are there few who are saved?", and to which Jesus replied, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able” (Lk 13.23-24).

If we need to repent, then we need Jesus. Do our consciences tell us that we need to be relieved of guilt and regret? Jesus said,

“What comes out of a person, that defiles a person. For from within, out of the heart of people, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, extramarital sex, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, cursing, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man” (Mk 7.20-23).

Are we innocent or guilty? If we not guilty of some sin and evil, then we do not need Jesus. Christ said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin” (Jn 8.34). He also stated, “And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (Jn 8.32).

No one wants to believe that God would send us to Hell, but those, who are guilty, are condemned (Jn 3.18-20). Jesus stated,

“The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth” (Mt 13.41-42).

Jesus was clear about those, who practice lawlessness, saying,

“Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? 'And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Mt 7.21-23).

Jesus stated, “But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!” (Lk 12.5, cf. Mk 9.43).

See, Jesus taught, "The Son of man has come to save that which was lost" (Mt 18.11, cf. Lk 19.9-10, Jn 3.17, 12.47). For Christ prayed,

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (Jn 17.1-3).

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6, cf. 10:9).

Jesus tells of what must be given for eternal life saying, “He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (Jn 12:25), and Christ said in Mark 8.34-35, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me and the gospel's will save it” (cf. Lk 9.24ff, Mt 10.37-39). Therefore, Jesus wants us to be like Him. Jesus showed the world the greatest act of love as Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends” (Jn 15.13).

Do you truly believe Jesus Christ? Jesus said, “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven” (Mt 10.32-33). Jesus said that He would build His Church on the confession that He is the Christ (Mt 16.18). Therefore, Jesus instructed that one must believe that He is, who He says that He is, the “I am” (Jn 8.24, 58, Is 9.6, 48.16).

Do you truly love Christ? Jesus said, “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me” (Jn 14.21). Jesus warned of dying in sins saying, “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Lk 13.3, 5). Therefore, Jesus taught, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (Jn 3.5). Jesus spoke of being born of the water and the Spirit when He said, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mk 16.16, cf. Mt 28.19).

Knowing that Jesus said that all can be freed from sin by the Truth, that Truth is God's Word (Jn 8.32, 17.17). Therefore, Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed” (Jn 8.31). The disciples of Christ within His Church can be clearly seen. Jesus preached, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God” (Mt 5.6-8). Jesus also stated, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn 13.35, cf. 1 Jn 3.16). Concerning man-made worship and the worship that David brought to Jerusalem, Jesus said,

“believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father […] the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (Jn 4.21-24).

These are characteristics of Christ's followers, who form the Church that He built.

When is an inopportune to time to listen to Jesus? “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, unless you enter into temptation”. Listen to Him now. Christ warned and instructed,

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Mt 7.13-14, Lk 13.23-24).

Jesus invites you,

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Mt 11.28-30).

~Scott Shifferd

Scott’s bio:  Scott Shifferd is a native of Montgomery, AL. He has served as a minister for 12 years, and for 6 years been ministering by preaching at the Dean Road church of Christ in Jacksonville, FL. Scott married Rachael Christine Sullivan of Tallahassee, FL after they met in Jacksonville and dated at Freed-Hardeman. They have a daughter and two sons. Scott has a B.A. in Biblical Studies from Faulkner University. Scott has written hundreds of articles for his website for over 7 years at GodsBreath.Net that reaches 18,000 readers a month from around the world.

Links:

http://godsbreath.net

http://www.deanroadchurchofchrist.org

Be Careful What You Say (Text, Post, Comment, Share, etc.)

This past week’s news revealed a story about a man who’s text cost him $53,000!  Wow!  We might want to pay attention to what we say, type, text, comment, or reveal to others. The article as posted by Tero Kuittinen on Apr. 10, 2014 on http://bgr.com/2014/04/10/text-message-evidence-court-law/ reads as follows: 

One careless text message ended up costing a Buffalo, NY-area man $53,000, Buffalo News reported earlier this week. Louis J. Billittier Jr. dumped his fiancee with a terse text message, breaking off the engagement. Apparently trying to calm down the situation, he then sent a fateful text: “Plus you get a $50,000 parting ring. Enough for a down payment on a house.” Each of those 90 characters ended up having a price tag of roughly $600. 

New York state law usually sides with men, giving them the right to demand back an engagement ring if a wedding never takes place. But the man’s text message using the term “parting ring” term seemed to clearly indicate that his former fiancee is entitled to keep the 2.97-carat diamond ring. 

When the man changed his mind and started demanding return of the ring, the damage was already done. 

“The text messages … have persuaded this court that it is highly probable that a valid gift was given to her after the engagement was terminated” noted State Supreme Court Justice Russell P. Buscaglia, the judge presiding over the civil case.

Our words should be truth. The Bible plainly teaches that our words mean something: our “yes” should be “yes” and our “no” should be “no.” (Matthew 5:37). In other words, we should mean what we say or even what we text as it were the case mentioned above. This is a difficult lesson to learn and sometimes a costly one.

Our words should be those which would edify, encourage, strengthen, and teach. This includes our words spoken or texted even our posts or comments on social media and shared posts. Too often our forms of communication are used in tearing individuals down. Paul wrote: 

Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet- smelling aroma (Ephesians 4:25-5:2, NKJV).

Our words should be pleasant and influencing for good. Paul spoke of “speaking the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15) and that we are to “walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:5-6, NKJV).

Again, this includes our words spoken, texted, emailed, posts and comments made on social media sites. It is an unfortunate side effect of texting and social media that we have come to believe that just because we are not face to face with someone that we can say whatever we want with no consequences. But, that is just not the case! Some folks even take on a completely different personas behind the cloak of their phones and computers. There are however still those who do not even need to hide behind a computer and still say whatever they want to say having no concern for the feelings of those with whom they communicate.

So, whether our words are spoken, written, typed, texted, posted, or shared publicly or privately let us remember who we are and what we are.

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:13-16, NKJV).