You SHALL Be A Blessing

Have you ever heard the following statements?


“Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.”
      - T.H. Thompson and John Watson

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."
      - Plato

So my question is. . . Is it true?

Every time I have asked this question the answer has always come back, “Yes, it is true.”

As a minister was addressing a group of men, he took a large piece of paper and made a black dot in the center of it with a marking pen. Then he held the paper up before the group and asked them what they saw. One person quickly replied, "I see a black mark." "Right," the preacher replied. "What else do you see?" Complete silence prevailed. "Don't you see anything other than the dot?" he asked. A chorus of “No” came from the audience. "I'm really surprised," the speaker commented. "You have completely overlooked the most important thing of all – the sheet of paper." Then he made the application. He said that in life we are often distracted by small, dot-like disappointments or painful experiences, and we are prone to forget the innumerable blessings we receive from the hand of the Lord. But like the sheet of paper, the good things are far more important than the adversities that monopolize our attention.

So if it is true that we all struggle in many ways and as a result we tend to focus our attention on our personal struggles, how do we as Christians live “the blessed life” or receive blessings from the Lord – especially since we expect God to hear and to answer our prayers?

The Bible says:

         Gal 3:14 - He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus.

So how are we supposed to receive this blessing? Here was the original promise given to Abraham:

       Gen 12:2 NKJV - I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing.

It is interesting to note that grammatically the word “shall” is an imperative – which means it is a command. God is setting forth His way of blessing His people which is “You SHALL be a blessing.” Which is precisely what the rest of the Scriptures teach:

        Prov 11:25 MSG - The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.

        Prov 11:24-25 ERV - Some people give freely and gain more; others refuse to give and end up with less. Give freely, and you will profit. Help others, and you will gain more for yourself.

       Luke 6:35-38 – But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. 37 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.

It is a principle within the kingdom of God that His people initiate being a blessing to others and in return they are blessed themselves. The passage in Luke shows us that it doesn’t just work with giving financially, but in every area of our lives we are told to “do to others what you would have them do for you” (c.f. Luke 6:31).

But the teaching demands more than just a desire to be blessed. There is a command to be sincerely caring about the struggles of others.

       Phil 2:3-4 - Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

       1 Cor 10:24 - Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.

As Christians, I think most of us would agree that we have a responsibility to care about the needs of others and to show that concern in tangible ways, the problem is that our struggles are often the focus of our lives right now. We have dreams about making a difference in this world or in the lives of others as soon as our problems have gone away or at least subsided. But I am going to share with you an important truth:

          Eccl 11:4 TEV - If you wait until the wind and the weather are just right, you will never plant anything and never harvest anything.

It is true in principle that if you are waiting for the conditions of your life to be just right before you begin to obey God’s command to be a blessing to others – you will never do it and as a result you will not have a very blessed life. Look for it in the Scriptures whether it has to do with tithing (Mal 3:8-12); caring for the poor (Matt 25:31-40); having God hear our prayers (Isa. 58); each of these commands that result in us being abundantly blessed all have to do with us meeting the needs of others. We are responsible to those who we are aware of that are in need:

          Prov 28:27 - He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.

         Isa 32:8 NKJV - But a generous man devises generous things, and by generosity he shall stand.

In fact, the Bible asks, “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:17-18).

Notice that the Bible teaches that it cannot just be something we desire to do and just give lip service to doing we are expected to actually do it! Just as James states:

      James 1:26-27 - If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Now someone may question, are you trying to teach a “works” orientated salvation? Notice what the Scriptures teach:

          Eph 2:8-10 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Notice we are not saved BY works but being saved in Christ Jesus means we will do good works. If we do not understand this we miss the focus of what Scripture is trying to teach us:

           2 Tim 3:16-17 NKJV – All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

The end result of our Bible study should be that we are equipped to do good works. In fact, this is the primary focus of the teaching of a godly leader:

            Eph 4:11-12 - It was he (Jesus) who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

          Titus 2:13-15 NKJV - Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. 15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

         Titus 3:8 NKJV - This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

        Titus 3:14 NKJV - And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.

It is the reason that we gather together – to provoke each other to do good works:

        Heb 10:24-25 NKJV - And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

It is how we are to win the world to Christ:

        1 Peter 2:12 - Live such good lives among the unbelievers that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

        Matt 5:14-16 - "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

Tavis Smiley, TV talk show host, recounts, “Dr. Cornell West has this really powerful definition of leadership that he told me one day. So, we're sitting around literally eating hot dogs one day and Doc says to me, "You know, it's true Brother Tavis, that you really can't lead people if you don't love people, and you can't save people if you don't serve people."”

This is really true, we cannot save people – reach them with the gospel of Jesus Christ – unless we are willing to do what Jesus did, which is to serve others in love (Gal 5:13). Until we feel debtors to serving others we will not be walking in the will of the Lord for our lives and we will not know what it is to truly be blessed (c.f. Acts 20:35).

            2 Cor 9:6-8 - Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

The beautiful thing is that once we are committed to serving others God promises to provide all that we need to do His will (Heb 13:21). So as difficult as it may seem, let us all turn our eyes away from the storms of our lives and focus on Jesus’ will – the result will be miraculous.

Lord God, it is so difficult for us at times to do the things that are in our hearts to do. Sometimes we even say to You and others our intention to do well, but find we let the struggles of this life choke the word and keep us from becoming fruitful and actually doing the good work. Forgive us and give us a renewed commitment to be a blessing to others both in the church and also in the world that they may see our good works and glorify You. Let us not become weary in doing well and let us receive the harvest of righteousness that You have promised to those who obey You. In Jesus name, we ask it. Amen.

The God of the Cinderella Story

She was a mere servant, bound to fulfill the selfish desires of those who were supposed to treat her like family. Day after day she served faithfully without protest. Rather than complaining, within her heart was a song of hope that someday her life would radically be changed. When her life’s situation seemed to be at its worst, that’s when an unexpected opportunity came and she captured the attention of the prince of her country. She showed up at a ball (a party) that was designed for the prince to choose his bride. Beyond her physical beauty was the beauty of holiness and exemplary character. The crowd watched and complained as the prince chose her alone to dance with. With disdain and jealousy they asked, “Where did she come from? We have never seen her before.” She eventually married the prince and would become a queen. Those who mocked her and abused her were punished.



Lord, let those who read this hear with spiritual ears the symbolism of this story because this is your story and it is our story. You are the God of the Cinderella Story.

This was the fable that has inspired the phrase, “a Cinderella Story,” meaning that someone came out of obscurity and immense difficulty to achieve something great. But long before this story were the stories of the Bible that actually reveal the God of the Cinderella Story. In fact, Scripture teaches that this is God’s modus operandi.

Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world's eyes, or powerful, or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God deliberately chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose those who are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important, so that no one can ever boast in the presence of God (1 Cor 1:26-29).

This passage tells us that God deliberately chose those who were weak, those who were abused, despised, and rejected by those more powerful. He chose those who, in comparison to the well educated and wise of this world, seem foolish. God did it then and continues to do it to shame those who think they are wise and important so no one can EVER boast in God’s presence.

The Bible is replete with stories of the insignificant accomplishing great things. The old having children; a Hebrew slave becoming a ruler of the greatest nation of that time; a nation of wanderers displacing ten nations with giants, walled cities, and huge populations; a child defeating the largest giant of all recorded time; the timid that became brave and the weak that became victors like Gideon’s army of 300 that defeated an army of thousands; or like Jehoshaphat who defeated three armies that joined to destroy Judah a single tribe left in Israel. Or Hezekiah who trusted in the Lord in spite of the king of Assyria destroying every other nation it had attacked. The Lord caused the armies of Sennacherib of Assyria to be defeated by an angel. Time limits me of speaking of Daniel, Jeremiah, and the countless others.

Were ANY of these success stories a result of their own ability to become victorious over their situation? No, in fact in most cases, what they accomplished was impossible and unattainable through natural means. That is what I believe God is trying to get us to understand and why the Apostle Paul prayed that the eyes of our understanding might be opened that we would know what is the exceeding greatness of His power that works in those who believe (Eph. 1:19).

Sometimes we get it in our heads that only the strong survive. Or that only the educated are wise or that success is measured by how many possessions someone has. Sadly, this belief is found even in the church where it is believed that being financially endued is equated with godliness, or where a relationship with God is measured by how many degrees one has rather than a lifestyle that reflects godly behavior.

I think many of us buy into a naturalistic concept of the identity of God because we really fail to seek Him passionately enough to see His hand working in our lives. We substitute pragmatism for a legitimate move or revelation of God. We replace Spiritual gifts and God’s anointing with natural talents. We lean on our own understanding rather than believing for the miraculous and as a result we limit Him. To many of us, Christianity is a mere crutch that we lean on only when we need to. True Christianity on the contrary is a stretcher in which we lay our lives down, cease to do our own will, and rely solely upon the promises of God for strength and deliverance. God promises, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness," and that when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Cor 12:9…10).

Do we really believe that? Do we really seek and rely on God’s strength, His anointing, His wisdom, and His way over what we can accomplish on our own? How many of us seek to be weak, rejoice in our weaknesses, believing that in them is the greatest opportunity for God to show His power and control over all the situations of our lives?

How many of us “lean on our own understanding” instead of acknowledging Him (Prov 3:5-6)? We struggle so often to be in control of the situations of our lives and to live our lives in whatever way we think is right because we believe, “It is my life and my right to do what I want.” When problems come into our lives, we often question God’s faithfulness and love for us. But, God doesn’t want the difficulties, trials or temptations of life to cause us to fall under the weight of them; He wants us to come to Him to receive the way of escape (1 Cor 10:13). His plan is to use us as instruments of righteousness to accomplish something great, something unique, or something that reveals His presence (Mt 5:16).

In all the Cinderella Stories of the Bible, each one of them learned that the way to receive victory over whatever situation they faced was to go to God, explain the circumstance, confess their own weakness and inability to handle the situation, do whatever He said (even if it made no logical sense) and then put their trust in God to deliver them. I am persuaded that Jesus is the same today as yesterday and He still wants to do great things in our lives that testify of His presence. The Bible declares that God desires to do exceeding, abundantly above all that we can ask or think (Eph. 3:20).

Perhaps we need to be reminded that the greatest Cinderella Story in the Bible concerned a boy born to a poor family and was raised in a small town. He had to work hard to make a living. The Bible describes him as plain without the sort of attractiveness that would draw people to him. But he loved people and sought to do good for them with God’s help. When he was in his thirties, he dedicated his life to full time ministry. Out of nowhere he began to do the miraculous, healed the sick, and taught with great authority. Surprisingly, those around him began to question his teaching and claims. “How did he get these things?” They all asked and became offended with him (Mt.13:56-57). Out of jealousy they had him killed, but when a happy ending seemed impossible, he was miraculously raised from the dead and was exalted to the Father’s own right hand far above every ruler and all creation. Of course this is the story of Jesus Christ the greatest of all Cinderella stories.

If we are His, we will share in His ministry of weakness so that the power of God may manifest itself in us. He must increase and we must decrease (Jn 3:30, Zech 4:6).

What are we Thankful For? A Paradigm Shift

Are you part of a family that has each person give thanks for something in their lives as part of their Thanksgiving celebration? Typically there are thanks given for our lives, our families and the things we possess. It is only natural for us to be thankful for all the things that we perceive to be good. After all we would think that who in their right mind would be thankful for things that were unpleasant or difficult? Which begs the question, what if it seemed that there was nothing to be thankful for, could we still give thanks to God?

If we are Christians, but we are going through difficult times, have we lost the reason to give thanks? No, the Bible teaches that God’s will for us is that we would give thanks in every circumstance in our lives (1 Thess 5:18). Therefore what we need is a new paradigm for Thanksgiving. In other words, we need a new focus for the reason to give thanks.

Roget’s Thesaurus lists, as synonyms for the word thankful, the words contented and satisfied. The first step to giving thanks in every circumstance is contentment. What is contentment? Contentment is the knowledge that we possess all that we need. Discontentment is defined as dissatisfaction. We cannot be thankful if we are dissatisfied. The Apostle Paul said that he had learned the secret of being content in every situation (Phil 4:12).

Psalm 100 is specifically called a psalm for giving thanks. As we read this psalm, we can notice that the focus is on the Lord our God. We are His, not that He is ours. This tells us that we are subject to His will and not that He is subject to our wills. While some may balk at His sovereignty, the psalm goes on to reassure us that we need not fear His control because “the Lord is good and his love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.” His plan for us is ultimately a good one when we love Him and respond to His call and purposes (Rom 8:28).

While the Lord is good and His goodness and love faithfully endure throughout all time, we are sporadic at being good and loving at best and therefore we are not faithful. Because we are not always good, not always loving, and not faithful in every situation how can we be content? Is it not true that much of the world’s problems and even our own are caused by sin?

The Bible teaches that God understands who we are and remembers our character in dealing with us (Psalms 103:14). The Apostle Paul taught, “We are not fit, meaning qualified and sufficient in ability, of ourselves to form personal judgments or to claim or count anything as coming from us, but our power and ability and sufficiency are from God. It is He who has qualified us making us to be fit and worthy and sufficient” (2 Cor 3:5-6). More simply stated, we are flawed creatures in our thinking and actions but God has made us worthy and acceptable in Christ Jesus who died for us. Our worthiness is not based upon our personal goodness or on what we possess; our worthiness is based upon what Christ alone has done.

And so we have found the secret of Paul’s contentment as he stated in his epistle to the Philippians. He said, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Phil 4:11b-13).

The secret to Paul’s contentment was that he possessed Christ in his life and he realized that in Him he could do everything – that is whether it was to be in plenty or in want, or to be well fed or hungry. He found that in Christ Jesus were hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col 2:3).

The Bible makes this statement: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt 6:21). In this new paradigm for giving thanks, I would like us to understand that it is not only WHERE our treasure is, but also WHAT our treasure is that reveals the condition of our hearts. If our treasures are things like wealth, health, family, and possessions do we realize that eventually we shall lose all of these? It is not that these things are not valuable because if they are used to bring God glory they are. But if they are the focus of our desire and the reason for our thanks then dissatisfaction is inevitable because not only do thieves steal and things decay, but our health fades and our families leave us and eventually pass into eternity.

Paul realized this paradigm shift in his own life when he said, “Whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ” (Phil 3:7-8). Paul came to the realization that his treasure was Christ Jesus, both knowing Him and possessing Him. Paul tell us in another place, “God has chosen to make known . . . the glorious riches (treasure) of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col 1:27).

If we, like Paul, focus our desire and our praise on Christ and all that comes with Him, then it doesn’t matter if we suffer lack or we have this world’s good. We rejoice that our names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20). Like both Moses and Paul we can regard disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt (or this world), because we are looking ahead to our reward (Heb 11:26).

Like Paul, Moses and other Biblical examples, we have to choose to change our perspectives. The Bible tells us that “since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Col 3:1-4). This “setting” of our hearts and minds is a purposeful action.

As the old song says, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus . . . and the things of this world will grow strangely dim.” We can be content with what we have if we possess Christ because, God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Heb 13:5).

There is so much more to this paradigm. A Bible study on contentment and giving thanks will help fill in the blanks. This Thanksgiving holyday, be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly (be your treasure) as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Let us give thanks to the Lord for He is good and His mercy endures forever. In Him we have all that we will ever need.

What If...?

• What if I told you that unless you attended our religious affiliation, you cannot be saved but are going to hell?


• What if I told you that unless your children participate in a certain ritual done in our organization they are lost and going to hell unless God’s mercy would somehow intervene?

• What if I told you that you should pray to the dead to intervene in your life and your life’s circumstances?

• What if I told you that our religious leaders can make Jesus appear over and over again at will?

• What if I told you that it would be a sin that could cause you to lose your salvation if you took part in even similar religious ceremonies at another religious institution?

• What if I told you that you should not allow yourself or anyone else to question the beliefs our religion because our leaders alone speak for God?

• And what if I told you that in spite of many of our religious leaders committing crimes against children and that other leaders in our organization attempted to cover it up, ours is still the only way to heaven?

Would you still want to attend and financially support our organization? And would you make sure that your family members attended?

Wouldn’t you rather call such a religious organization a cult and want you and your family to be out from under these cultish practices as soon as possible? Oddly enough, many people make sure to attend this kind of religious organization every Sunday and special holidays fearing to question what they are being taught.

What I described to you in just some of the false teachings of the Catholic church. And while I think that it might be possible for individuals to be saved in that church organization (mainly because they love, believe and trust Jesus for salvation and are unaware of the specific teachings of the Catholic faith), it is obvious that these teachings contradict Scripture on many levels.

As a church that is called to bring the true Gospel of Jesus Christ to every person in our community, we must attempt to share the truth with those who believe false teachings because we love them and are concerned for their souls.

We believe in what is called “Sola Scriptura” that on the stage of truth the preeminent infallible truth is the Word of God – the Bible. Our stage contains truth that is not found in the Scriptures, such as: Science; Tradition; Culture; and Emotions.

You can see that if we adjust the position of these things on the stage of truth we can understand the perspectives of other belief systems. For example, the Catholic church believes what is called, “Dual Source” or more negatively “Sola Ecclesia” meaning they place Church Tradition or Papal authority alongside Scripture. It is said:

“Evangelicals believe that their personal interpretation of the Bible is more authoritative than tradition and Catholics believe that their traditions are more authoritative than the Bible.”

In reality neither would agree. Evangelicals would say that with proper exegesis, Scripture is more authoritative than tradition not their personal interpretation.

Catholics would say that Scripture and tradition are taught side by side in passages such as:

2 Thessalonians 2:15 - So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

But what this passage in reality is speaking of is that the Scriptural truths taught either in word or in letter they are to hold on to - NOT that any tradition can set itself up as equally true especially when it contradicts the teachings clearly set forth in Scripture.

Evangelicals do not believe in "Solo Scriptura" that the only truth able to be accepted is found in the Bible, rather "Sola Scriptura" means that where science, philosophy, or culture would contradict the Scriptures - we would reject such teachings but allow for anything accurate found in science, mathematics, history, etc. as in deed truth. We understand the Bible is not a science book for example.

In the community that I pastor 70% of the people attend church and 55% of this same community is Catholic. That tells me that over half of the people in my community do not have a proper understanding of even the basics of salvation and even worse they are being taught that their religious institution is the sole source of salvation - the only Church and the sole minister's of God's grace. Somehow as Evangelical Pentecostals we must reach out to this group of people in our community with love, with truth, and lift up the gospel and the Word of God above the teachings of men through tradition and the papacy. I don’t think we should ignore them.

Do you agree?

THE IDEAL CHURCH?

Here it is . . . the church that many of you have been waiting for. The sign on the outside of this church In North Jersey reads, “COMING SOON – A CHURCH THAT IS NOT AFTER YOUR MONEY – NO OFFERING TAKEN – FEATURING: BASIC CHRISTIANITY, SINCERE WALK WITH GOD, HYMNS.”

Those of us who have had bad experiences with churches or pastors that were only focused on taking advantage of the congregation financially most certainly can leave us embittered against the church taking offerings. The congregation gets upset when the pastor, staff, and building are the priority rather than the people both inside the church and in the community. The congregation and even the community in which the church is located get upset when such a church demands a percentage of the members’ income, when it promises wealth in return for giving, and when the pastor is living extravagantly at the expense of its members and their sacrifice.

The Scriptures warn church leaders not to be greedy or to take advantage of the people in their care. An example of such a warning is found in 1 Peter 5:2-3 which reads, “Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers — not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” Among the qualifiers for church leaders is that they must not be a lover of money and greedy of filthy lucre (see 1 Tim 3:3,8 and Titus 1:7).

Does this warning mean that the noble and right thing to do is to no longer ask for the congregation under their care to support the church in which they are a part of? While to some it may seem noble to attempt to run a church without money, I doubt that have not really considered what a church like that would look like. Such a church would not have a meeting place. Even if the meeting place was donated, look at the picture of the building closer – it needs maintenance and paint – not just for aesthetics, but also to prevent the much greater expense of replacing rotted wood and siding. Such a church would have to sing hymns that are rights free and use the King James Version or similar rights free versions. This church would have zero evangelism and impact on the community in which it is located. This church would not have a children’s program because it couldn’t pay for even the most miniscule items such as paper and crayons, children’s Bibles, it wouldn’t be a place that children would want to attend. It wouldn’t pay its pastor or have any support staff. The pastor would have to work outside of the church fulltime as a result he would not offer pastoral care, he would always struggle with preparing sermons for Sunday services and never be have the time to equip others for works of service. Such a church wouldn’t have a phone or way for people to contact the church if there is a need. They would not be able to help the poor in their community. Perhaps they would have a few financial backers who would control the purse strings of the church thus telling everyone else what it could do or what doesn’t meet their approval. I could go on, but I am sure that if one would only think about what kind of church this would be they would realize they would not want to be a member of such a church.

This kind of church would not give to missions and the spread of the gospel, this church would be self-focused and become arrogant. This church could never teach financial responsibilities to its people. This church would be afraid of its members and only cater to what they want to hear and do. No, this church would not be a good church at all.

Most of all, this church would be a disobedient church. The Bible teaches the body of Christ to give to the needs of others saying, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9:6-7). And, “Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else” (2 Cor 9:10-13). The Lord will divide sheep and goats on the very issue of giving to those in need (see Mt 25:31-46).

Some may say, “There is no specific command to give towards a building or meeting place!” Okay, in the New Testament there is not such a command – but in the Old Testament there most certainly was. Question about this may arise from the passage where Peter is asked if Jesus paid the temple tax. Here is the passage:

After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?" "Yes, he does," he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. "What do you think, Simon?" he asked. "From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes — from their own sons or from others?" "From others," Peter answered. "Then the sons are exempt," Jesus said to him. "But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours." (Matt 17:24-27).

Noteworthy first of all is that Jesus did pay the tax for himself and for Peter. The second thing is that Jesus’ main complaint seems to be that it was considered “duty or tax” imposed upon people. Lastly, it interpreted only in a couple of translations that this is the tax called for in Ex 30:13-16 and Neh 10:32-33 for maintenance of the temple. It seems more logical to me that when Jesus mentions the “kings of the earth” taking tribute he is not talking about the priests in the Temple. This maybe the event that was later misinterpreted by others who tried to trick Jesus into saying it was not right to pay taxes to Caesar (Mt 22:17). While it is true the early church often met in homes, it is also just as true that they continued to meet at the Temple till its destruction. Further, while it is true that during the persecution of the church the church also met in catacombs; once persecution subsided, the church did begin to build places of worship for the purpose of gathering, convenience, and evangelism.

Concerning the pastor the Bible teaches, “Don't you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel” (1 Cor 9:13-14). Again, “Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk? Do I say this merely from a human point of view? Doesn't the Law say the same thing? For it is written in the Law of Moses: "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." Is it about oxen that God is concerned? Surely he says this for us, doesn't he? Yes, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they ought to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?” (1 Cor 9:7-12).

Who would go to a church that didn’t receive offerings? Would not those that attend be selfish, personally greedy, and uncaring about the needs of others? Wouldn’t they be unconcerned about the spread of the gospel, reaching their community, and making sure their children have the gospel presented to them in a way that they would be understand it? Wouldn’t they most likely be unwilling to invest their time and talents to this church?

What at first glance may seem attractive and noble would end up proving to be dishonoring to God.

The Holy Trifecta

   Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love (1 Cor 13:12-13).

   Trifecta is defined as a series of three things, factors, or influences. The Holy Influences the Bible lists are faith, hope, and love. While the greatest of these is love, the root is hope.

There is a story from Our Daily Bread, December 19, 1996, that reads:

   The English poet Alexander Pope wrote, “Hope springs eternal in the human breast: Man never is, but always to be blest.” But where does man turn when hope dries up?

   The director of a medical clinic told of a terminally ill young man who came in for his usual treatment. A new doctor who was on duty said to him casually and cruelly, “You know, don’t you, that you won’t live out the year?”

   As the young man left, he stopped by the director’s desk and wept. “That man took away my hope,” he blurted out.

   “I guess he did,” replied the director. “Maybe it’s time to find a new one.”

   What was this young man hoping in? . . . The treatment? . . . His body’s ability to heal? . . . The skill of the doctors? . . ., Perhaps the Clinic’s reputation? . . . 

   Commenting on this incident, Lewis Smedes (professor of theology and ethics for twenty-five years at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California) wrote, “Is there a hope when hope is taken away? Is there hope when the situation is hopeless? That question leads us to Christian hope, for in the Bible, HOPE IS NO LONGER A PASSION FOR THE POSSIBLE. It becomes a passion for the promise.”

  The fact is that man’s hope does not spring up eternally. There are all sorts of times that we lose hope or feel hopeless. That is why medication for depression is on the rise. That is why the number two reason teenagers die is suicide. There is a reason why:

OUR HOPE FOR THE FUTURE IS BASED UPON THE FAITH THAT WE HAVE NOW.

   Thomas Aquinas said, “Faith has to do with things that are not seen and hope with things that are not at hand.” Restating this, hope deals with things in the future and faith is our beliefs in spite of our current circumstances. The Bible says, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for (Heb 11:1). In other words, the substance of our hope is our faith or, what you believe is the tangible reason for whatever hope that you possess.

WE NEED AN ETERNAL HOPE

   Job rightly said, “If the only home I hope for is the grave … where then is my hope? Who can see any hope for me?” (Job 17:13-15).

   Job had lost everything and he was extremely sick and in pain. He was saying that if we believe that this life is all there is then what kind of hope for the future is there for him? Do you see how what we believe now affects what hope we have for the future?

   Leo Tolstoy shares his testimony that when he was fifty years old, he found no purpose in life being a “fortuitous concatenation of atoms,” meaning an accidental compilation of matter. If one would think on this they would agree that life’s purpose needs to be more than living and dying.

   When you come to hear a sermon, I believe you come to find that there is hope for your life and your circumstances beyond what you would normally see. So it is my job to show you where that hope that springs eternal can be found.  

BIBLICAL FAITH IS THE ONLY PROPER BASIS FOR OUR HOPES

   Five different times in Psalms 119 David says, “I have put my hope in your word.” Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope. My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life (Ps 119:49-50).

  Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope (Rom 15:4). 

   A working definition of hope is - to desire with expectation of obtainment or to expect with confidence. The basis for our hope and expectations is found in God’s Word, the Bible. That is why the Bible teaches faith comes from the hope found in God’s Word:

So faith comes by hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the preaching [of the message that came from the lips] of Christ [the Messiah Himself] (Rom 10:17 AMP).

How shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him (Hebrews 2:3).

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints— the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth (Colossians 1:3-6).

WHY, CAN WE HAVE HOPE?

Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure (Hebrews 6:17-19).

A faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, [i.e. cannot lie – most other translations] promised before the beginning of time (Titus 1:2).

   We take hold of the hope that is offered to us. In other words, we believe what God has said that that gives us hope. What can we hope for in this passage?

Since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, "I will surely bless you and give you many descendants" (Hebrews 6:13-14)

He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit (Gal 3:14).

“I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David” (Acts 13:34).

NO LONGER A PASSION FOR THE POSSIBLE BUT PASSION FOR THE PROMISES

   You see; we can have great confidence for our hope when it is based upon God’s Word because He cannot lie and He has the power to bring about what He has promised. His Word is guaranteed. That is why God said:

Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (Matt 24:35).

My word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it (Isaiah 55:11).

The LORD Almighty has sworn, "Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand” (Isa 14:24).

THE NATURAL CONSEQUENCE OF FALSE BELIEFS WILL BE FALSE HOPES.

   If we have hope that is not based in God’s word when conflicting circumstances come to us we will fall into despair and lose hope.

Notice the story from Luke 24:13-27:

Now that same day two of them [referring to the disciples] were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things [what had happened that resurrection day] with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?" "What things?" he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."

Notice, because they believed the wrong thing their hope for the future was dashed.

He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! …And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

   Do you see their problem was a faith problem? The problem was they did not believe what the Scriptures had said. Without Biblical faith that comes from the Scriptures we will lose our hope.

   Some of us are only “hoping” for salvation because we have yet to find ourselves in the Bible. We have no security that way. The Bible says, all have sinned (Rom 3:23). That’s me and you; Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners (1 Tim 1:15). Since we are all sinners, Jesus came to save us! It is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast (Eph 2:8-9). We have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand (Rom 5:2).

   Some of us only hope for God to hear our prayers without understanding when God listens or why He refuses to do what we request.

The LORD said to me, "…, I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled" (Jeremiah 1:12).

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us — whatever we ask — we know that we have what we asked of him (1 John 5:14-15).

The phrase “hope against hope” is often defined as – having hope when there is no basis for that hope. But that is NOT what the Bible teaches about the subject.

Romans 4:18-25 says: Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be."   Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead — since he was about a hundred years old — and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness." The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness — for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

   Just as much as our faith is not baseless but there exist tangible reasons for what we believe so our hope is not baseless, it is based upon our faith in the promises of God. We have hope because God has given us hope in His Word.

WHAT COMPLETES THE TRIFECTA IS LOVE

We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. 3 We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3).

Since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet (1 Thessalonians 5:8).

LOVE MAKES OUR FAITH EFFECTIVE

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing (1 Corinthians 13:2-3).

You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love (Galatians 5:4-6).

For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers (Ephesians 1:15-16).

The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith (1 Tim 1:5).

Let me challenge you today to find some substance for your hopes by searching the Scriptures for the basis for your faith that your hope is built upon. Let love prompt your faith to do good works because “faith without works is dead” (Jas 2:26).

FROM THE FAMILIAR INTO FAITH

Mark 6:45-54 - Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.

47 When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. 48 He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, 50 because they all saw him and were terrified.

Immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." 51 Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, 52 for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.

53 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. 54 As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus.

Eph 3:20-21 - Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen

The Fourth Watch: The Jewish night is divided into four watches. The fourth or final watch is that time just before dawn, in the darkest hours. It was during the fourth watch that Jesus came to the apostles as they struggled against the storm in their boat on the Sea of Galilee. It will be in those darkest hours when Jesus returns for His people. Matthew 24:29 says, "The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light;" But, just when things are at their darkest, we know that "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky," (Matthew 24:30).Jesus will return. We do not know when, so we must keep watch (Matthew 24:42).

Romans 13:12 - The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

PETER WAS A FISHERMAN AND JESUS MADE HIM A FISHER OF MEN!

At least Peter took a step of faith, the rest of them were just Boat people!

Boat people just sit

Boat people just watch

Boat people just wait

Boat people just wonder

Why might people want to stay in the boat?

Fear – Storms are scary

Failure – this seems inevitable

Friends – Peer pressure; no one else is doing it

Fanaticism – Jesus told us to get into the boat originally

Familiarity – Even when things are not working often times we are more comfortable to stay where we are at then to step out in faith to do something new.

God calls us to leave the familiar – to the strange that He might use us for something great.

I can imagine the look in your eyes-that look caused by unimaginable pressure and grief; that look caused by helplessness and hopelessness; that look caused by incessantly rowing of a boat that isn't going anywhere. I see the look because I know the feeling.

Get out of the boat.

Granted, there is a sense of security in the boat. After all, it seems solid, gives at least some protection at times, and seems to be moving, even if only in a circle

But what I thought was security was actually an anchor pulling me to the depths, robbing me of confidence and beauty and love and health.

We may appear to be sinking at first, we get out of the boat and it seems like things are getting worse. What do you think was the reaction of those who stayed on the boat when they saw Peter begin to sink? I am glad that I stayed here. Peter, you misunderstood the voice of God. Peter, you are always so impetuous. The boat seems to always have naysayers.

Teddy Roosevelt said, “It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who have never known neither victory nor defeat.”

We are not told how far away Jesus was from the boat, but when Peter stepped out of the boat to walk to the Lord, even when he was sinking, he was closer to Jesus than the rest of them.

Neither are we told how deep the water is, but the fact is if you are already in over your head it does matter how much deeper the water is.

We are not told that Jesus carried Peter back to the boat. I believe that once Peter got himself righted, with the storm still raging, he and Jesus walked back together. We all have to walk to Jesus before we can walk with Jesus.

The rest were content to sit in the boat and wait for Him to get there. In v. 32 we read that the wind ceased once Jesus and Peter got into the boat, but what they missed out on was the opportunity to experience divine. Walking with Jesus allows us to do things that we could never accomplish on our own.

We need not fear because His arm is not too short that it cannot save us.

Isaiah 41:10 – So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

He holds us by our hand

Here is what God does - even in the midst of a storm:

Ps 94:13 MSG - Providing a circle of quiet within the clamor of evil,

Ps 94:13 AMP - That You may give him power to keep himself calm in the days of adversity.

Are you a risk taker or a comfort seeker?

Do you have any unopened gifts?

Goethe said, “Hell begins the day God grants you the vision to see all that you could have done, should have done, and would have done, but did not do.”

Unless someone gets out of the boat we will never get out of the storm. If everyone stayed in the boat they would have died because Jesus would have passed them according to the Scripture.

When God bids us to come into a place that is not in our comfort zone, He is already in that place. He would not tell us to go to a place that he is not present. In fact He is present everywhere but he bids us to get out of our comfort zones so that He can reveal Himself to us. He not only reveals Himself to us but He reveals what is in our hearts. Many of us have hidden fears that God wants to replace with faith.

Many might say that God does not take us to stormy places but that is not true, for Jesus himself was led into the wilderness by the Spirit of God to be tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1; Mark 1:12-13). It was a place of revelation for Jesus, for he was tempted to replace his trust in God in order to ease his flesh. In other words he was tempted to take the easy way out, but he stood firm on the word of God. He stood firm on what he knew about God. Luke 4:1 tells us that Jesus was full of the Spirit but from that place Jesus left with POWER of the Holy Spirit.

Do we fixate on sins of commission? Things that we do that we are not supposed to do. Do we never really consider sins of omission? Things that we should have done.

In the Seinfeld show finale, Jerry and the gang have to make an emergency plane landing in the small, fictional town of Latham, Massachusetts. While killing time in Latham, waiting for the plane to be repaired, they witness an overweight man getting carjacked at gunpoint. Instead of helping him, they crack jokes about his size while Kramer films it all on his camcorder, then they proceed to walk away. The victim notices this, and tells the reporting officer. The four main characters are then taken into custody for violating the Good Samaritan law that requires bystanders to help out in such a situation. Good Samaritan laws describe a legal requirement for citizens to assist people in distress, unless doing so would put themselves in harm's way. Citizens are often required to, at minimum, call the local emergency number, unless doing so would be harmful, in which case, the authorities should be contacted when the harmful situation has been removed. Almost a portent of the future judgment, they are all cast into jail.

I am convinced that the greatest regrets in life will come from regrets of inaction.

Cornell sociologists named Tom Gilovich and Vicki Medvec. Their research found that time is a key factor in what we regret. Over the short term, we tend to regret our actions. But over the long haul, we tend to regret inactions. They did a study and found that over the course of an average week, action regrets outnumber inaction regrets 53% to 47%. But when people look at their lives as a whole, inaction regrets outnumber action regrets 84% to 16%.

We need to be able to discern between faith and foolishness. Here is the easiest way: You can say I am going to step out in faith and do this or that which is foolishness, but faith is doing what Jesus has given you permission to do.

Gen 12:1 - Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee:

Mark 6:4 KJV - A prophet is not without honor, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.

God asked Abram to remove himself from the things that would prevent him from fully following after God. We will have to be willing to do the same. Jesus said, "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matt 10:37-39