BY STEVE BUCHANAN
May 30, 2009
Well, Good Morning, Everyone! Dad just said I could have an extra five minutes, so I don’t know what to do with that [laughter]! I will try to quit on time.
I’d like to begin by asking you if you could turn to 1 John chapter 4. 1 John chapter 4, we’re going to begin by reading a few verses here that are very familiar to all of us. We are approaching, as Mr. Staggs referred to in his sermonette, the Feast of Pentecost. It’s a very important aspect of the plan of God when it comes to the changing of us to give us an opportunity into His Family and not just us but eventually all. But in chapter 4 beginning in verse 9, it says,
1 John 4:9. In this the love of God [or the agape
of God] was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into
the world, that we might live through Him.
That we might come to a point that we can actually do something different than what we already do. We have physical life now, but this life is something much different.
Verse 10,
1 John 4:10. In this is love [It’s agape!], not
that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the
propitiation for our sins.
In verse 19, it says,
1 John 4:19. We love Him because He first loved
us.
It’s obvious by these three verses here that we did not seek God out. God sought us out. God specifically chose each of us. And as the song we just sang and as Mr. Staggs referred to in his sermonette, it’s not because of anything we are. It’s not because of how smart we are, how strong we are, how fast we are. It’s because we are the weak of this world and it serves a purpose in God’s plan, not in ours.
But we were made aware of Them, and we were brought to Christ. That was a work They did. God’s purpose and desire for this extended back well before mankind’s existence. We understand that. We had that taught to us. This relationship between mankind and the God Family was predetermined prior to creation. The earth was renewed specifically to support life and serve God’s purpose for our preparation to enter Their Family. And not just enter Their Family, but serve a purpose. This is nothing new. We’ve heard these things. We understand them.
If you’d turn to 2 Corinthians chapter 3, 2 Corinthians chapter 3 and I’d like to begin reading here with verse 1. It says,
2 Corinthians 3:1. Do we begin again to commend
ourselves?
It’s almost like it’s a recurring problem. It’s a recurring theme or situation that the apostle Paul has to deal with.
2 Corinthians 3:1. Do we begin again to commend
ourselves? Or do we need, as some
others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation
from you? 2) You are our epistle written
in our hearts, known and read by all men;
3) Clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us,
It’s the purpose that Christ has originated and made possible this Church, but Paul and those like him were given the responsibility to serve, to minister, to work among them.
2 Corinthians 3:3b. written not with ink, but by the
Spirit of the living God,
And I’ll be quite frank. I think with the religions of this world, with even our many years of experience within the Church when we talk about the Spirit of the living God, I think that we tend to gloss over it because of familiarity with it, because it’s often mentioned. It’s often spoken. It’s a term that even the religions of this world can use freely. But it’s a very special thing this power of the Spirit of the living God that’s working in us.
2 Corinthians 3:3 cont. not on tablets of stone but on tablets of
flesh, that is, of the heart.
We’re going to be getting to the crux of some things today that I want to focus on. I just want to meditate on because I don’t pretend to stand here and tell you I know it fully. I don’t. I know it by experience in my own life. I know it by what God reveals through His Scripture, what He gives. There’s so much that we still don’t know that we strive to grasp at, but it’s a very important thing to God and His purpose that our heart is different than what it was when He first called us.
Verse 4,
2 Corinthians 3:4. And we have such trust through Christ
toward God.
And this is over time that this is able to be built, that we grow in this trust as we go through our problems and our trials and our circumstances, the sicknesses that we hear every week in announcements.
Verse 5,
2 Corinthians 3:5. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves
to think of anything as being from ourselves,
And just again meditate on that. Think about that because we’re going to focus on something that Christ said in His ministry that quite frankly until I started looking at things in this light, I really didn’t look at it like I do now. And we’ll get to that later.
Verse 5,
2 Corinthians 3:5. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves
to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is
from God,
Everything that we need comes from Him. It’s a gift. We’ve been given it for a purpose.
Verse 6,
2 Corinthians 3:6. Who also made us sufficient as ministers
of the new covenant,
So Paul here is going back to verse 1. He’s saying, “The ministration that we’ve been given, the responsibility we’ve been given, God gives us the ability to be able to do this.”
2 Corinthians 3:6. Who also made us sufficient as ministers
of the new covenant, not of the letter
Not just of words, not just of actions, not just of things that can be seen.
2 Corinthians 3:6b. but of the Spirit;
The Spirit of the Law is where we’re coming from. The heart, the motivation, what all of those things come from.
2 Corinthians 3:6 cont. for the letter kills, but the Spirit
gives life.
Paul knew he had been given a responsibility within God’s Church, but he knew that God made his understanding possible and the sufficiency that was necessary from Him possible for the purpose of serving someone else. Not just for himself!
Even though we have not been called to be an apostle, we have not been called to be a minister; we have not been called to change the face of the Church like so many that we read of in Scripture. As Mr. Staggs referred to, the words that are written here still live! They still breathe. They still have an impact and effect. It’s God that does that, but He used these men to write these words. Even though we have not been called to serve this grandiose role, this same realization in each of us has to be real. That we cannot focus on ourselves for any reason in order for God’s purpose and change in us to take effect. God is working. He has a purpose and we have come this far by what God has given, the sufficiency that He’s made possible to continue to serve as He intended from the beginning.
I’d like to go to 1 John chapter 3. 1 John chapter 3 and begin reading here in verse 1. It says,
1 John 3:1. Behold what manner of love the Father has
bestowed on us,
And again the emphasis in so many places in Scripture begins with the love that God has given to us. That we have felt. We have seen. It’s real. It becomes more real as time goes on.
1 John 3:1. Behold what manner of love the Father has
bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!
We are the weak and the base of the world. We don’t even measure up to the people that are alive today. If we just want to look at talents and abilities, looks, strengths, we don’t even measure up to that. But John is thinking here, “What a blessing! What love God has extended toward us that we are in the position of a begotten child of God! What a blessing!”
1 John 3:1b. Therefore the world does not know us,
because it did not know Him.
This is an aspect that I want to focus on as we continue. The world does not recognize us for what the purpose of God is. Never has and never will until God flips the switch! So God’s purpose includes us being in a situation to where we’re not recognized; we’re not treated as if we are any different than anyone else.
Verse 2,
1 John 3:2. Beloved, now we are children of God; and
it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is
revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
And again so many places in Scripture, it focuses on the love that God has extended toward us. As I read these words, to be like Him is to be filled with that, to be able to give that, to desire to give love and help and service to someone else.
Verse 3,
1 John 3:3. And everyone who has this hope in Him
purifies himself, just as He is pure.
We are given information. We are given knowledge. We are given truth. But it says here we still have something to do. It’s not just a matter of gathering knowledge, gathering technical information; we have to act on it.
And this hope has a part of the process to where we can be purified to be like Christ who is pure. How real is that? As we wake up each day and I ask myself the same question, “Do I wake up with this thought in mind that I’m called as a part of the purpose? I have things I need to be doing or am I distracted? Responsibilities of the day, things that can get in the way?"
We are in this relationship because of the God’s Family’s choice that we be here. Their purpose for us now includes us being in this world with those who are not yet called and don’t treat us with any kind of a difference than anyone else. They do not recognize God’s purpose yet, nor His working with us, just as those in Christ’s day did not recognize Him and did not respect Him and did not treat Him special.
Along with this, God has revealed His promise to us that our potential can be that to be changed to be just like Christ is! This hope—and I put this caveat in here for me—this hope if it is maintained, if it is kept, has a part of a process to where I have an opportunity to be purified just as He is pure. This must be maintained just as Christ maintained it.
If you’ll turn to John chapter 15—sorry, I have the wrong Scripture down here. The Scripture that I had to read was the persecution that Christ suffered while He was here on earth, that they persecuted Him. I can’t believe that I’ve got the wrong Scripture. Okay, well, we’ll go on.
Christ understood His purpose, just as ours is, that they would not recognize Him. We understand that they do not recognize us. Christ understood that they would persecute Him, that they would hate Him, that they would kill Him in a shameful death. He understood that, but according to what Christ understood, the hope that was in Him is what made Him perform. The joy that was in Him made Him continue. It was ever most in His mind.
There is none alive today with God’s Spirit who want to be a part of the Scripture that says that “There are many called, but there are few chosen.” What does that Scripture mean to you when you read it? “There are many called, but there are few who are chosen.” When I read that, when I think about that, again, I place the emphasis on myself. Is the urgency in me what it needs to be? Is my focus where it needs to be? There is none alive today who want to be part of those who are not chosen. And, as we sit here today, I don’t think there’s anyone here who would say that there’s anybody out there that they don’t want included in those who are not chosen. We desire that everyone who is called be a part of that.
What can we be involved in so that we can maintain and grow in God’s purpose for initiating a relationship with us? What is it that we can focus on, that we can work at maintaining that when we get up in the morning that the purpose of God stands first, that things don’t get in the way and it’s more than just things?
If you turn to Ezekiel chapter 36, Ezekiel chapter 36 in verse 26 it says,
Ezekiel 36:26. “I will give you a new heart and put a
new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and
give you a heart of flesh. 27) “I will
put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will
keep My judgments and do them.
Again, more than just technical information, more than just understanding what the truth is, but it’s a change that takes place in us that causes us to desire to keep it, to make it a part of us.
Verse 28,
Ezekiel 36:28. “Then you shall dwell in the land that I
gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God.
God makes very clear His purpose for His Spirit is to change who we are, the very being of who we are. It’s not just an outward change where this word changes and this action changes. But it’s coming to see who we are and He is the One and the only One who can give the sufficiency that it takes to change it.
All that God blesses us with is intended to result in keeping His truth and doing it. It’s not just pursuing information and technical knowledge only. That is a part. We have to have that part, but it has to lead to a deep change in us.
If you turn to John chapter 13, John chapter 13, one of the most familiar verses in Scripture, verse 34,
John 13:34. “A new commandment I give to you, that
you love one another [you agapao one another]; as I have [agapao-ed]
you, that you also love one another.
Again when we think of that word, what do we see? What part of the purpose we have for living, for reading the Scripture, for keeping the Sabbath and the Holy Days, what part does it play in the purpose for which we are here, the purpose for which God initiated this relationship with us?
Verse 35,
John 13:35: “By this all will know
And this is eventual; it’s not at the specific point in time. But
John 13:35: “By this all will know that you
are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
God has called us and begun work in us through His Spirit. That is how we have been begotten. That is how the truth and the abilities and the power is given from Him to us.
As Mr. Staggs mentioned, this is seventh Sabbath of our count from the Wave Sheaf Ceremony. Beginning at sunset this evening, the morrow after that Sabbath, the Feast of Firstfruits begins.
Today I want to ask a question. Considering just what few things we’ve covered so far, how are we doing in our part of God’s purpose that’s being worked out in us? Perhaps we can gloss over that question and say, “I’m doing just as good as everybody else.” That’s not what God says in Scripture should be our attitude. If our judgment was today between who is called and who is chosen—to make it very real—what would God’s judgment be of me? And what would it be of you? How much of John 13:34 has become part of us? That the agapao that Christ showed to us that we feel everyday if we really take the time to think about, how much a part of that do we express that change taking place inside of us that we are able to express to someone else?
The title that I have for this—I might give it a couple of times again, it’s kind of long—“What Does God Expect From His Gift Of His Holy Spirit?” What does He expect of me? What does He expect from you?
He’s given us so much, but it’s not without responsibility. It’s not without a purpose.
Turn to John chapter 6, John chapter 6. I’ll begin reading here with verse 38. It says,
John 6:38. “For I have come down from heaven, not to
do My own, but the will of Him who sent Me.
There was a purpose that Christ constantly kept at the
forefront of His mind. Please understand
we know the Scriptures that for the first time in His existence, Christ was
able to be tempted. As God, Satan’s
ideas and ploys had no impact whatsoever.
But He began to feel some things as He was now able to be tempted by
him.
John 6:38. “For I have come down from heaven, not to
do My own, but the will of Him who sent Me.
Something He had to keep in the forefront of His mind!
Verse 39,
John 6:39. “This is the will of the Father who sent
Me, that of all He has given Me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up
at the last day.
Notice His focus is not on Himself. It’s not on how great He is. But the focus is on service to someone else. It’s the love that He can express. It’s the love that He can offer, the relationship that eventually He’s going to make possible.
Verse 40,
John 6:40. “And this is the will of Him who sent Me,
that everyone who sees the Son
Who comes to an understanding that this is the Christ,
John 6:40b. and believes in Him
A change takes place. They begin to see and understand and believe and act on. It changes them.
John 6:40 cont. may have everlasting life; and I will
raise him up at the last day.”
Jesus Christ’s focus was zeroed in on His Father’s will. And His Father’s will was to establish this relationship that would end in an expansion of Their Family offering life, offering everything that we can possibly imagine that the Spirit offers. That it would be a possibility for people like you and me. This reflects a large part of what dominated Christ’s thoughts.
If we are to love others as He loved us, this has to dominate our focus and desire as well. That our will must be His will! Our purpose must be His purpose.
Christ’s priorities were perfectly aligned. Nothing was undisturbed. It was perfect. Ours needs to be growing closer to that, because, Brethren, if today our priorities are perfect, tomorrow they might not be.
Why do we seek these first? Not just to save the self or to make ourselves look good to others, but to serve others, to agapao others as they have agapao-ed us. This selfless love, this love that’s not pointed to the self that’s not intended to build the self up, helps to change who we are. Just because we know this though does not mean that we will always be successful in maintaining it.
In Revelation chapter 2, Revelation chapter 2, the very first era of God’s Church though some of which who may have witnessed Jesus Christ’s life, witnessed His ministry are talked about here. In Revelation chapter 2 and verse 2, it says,
Revelation 2:2. “I know your works, your labor, your
patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are
apostles and are not, and have found them [to be] liars;
We could read this verse and, if we want to get on off on a tangent, we could say that we were a part of a program had a television program that reached far across the world. We were a part of a work that published so many magazines. It’s not that those things are wrong or bad, but if you want to focus in on them, believe it or not your purpose can change.
Verse 3,
Revelation 2:3. “And you have persevered and have
patience,
Godly characteristics, godly teachings!
Revelation 2:3b. and have labored for My name’s sake and
have not become weary. 4) “Nevertheless
I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
Those priorities that Christ had perfectly aligned, even for the initial era of God’s Church, they got blurred. They began to go a different direction. The priorities got shuffled around. Our priorities, Brethren, are so important as we approach life.
Turn to Matthew chapter 19, Matthew chapter 19. And I want to begin here with verse 16. This is the Scripture, section of Scripture, that—I’ll be quite honest—is hard for me to understand. It has been up until now, at least looking at Scriptures the way I have at this point.
Verse 16 says,
Matthew 19:16. “Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”
Verse 17,
Matthew 19:17. So He said to him, “Why do you call Me
good? No one is good but One, that
is, God.
Now is there anybody here who wouldn’t call Christ “good”? Even knowing what we know? I would call Christ “good”. I understand how this person came to Him and called Him “good”. Christ did not sin, did not have a spot, but I can’t help but wonder and I can’t prove this, but I can’t help but wonder if this is His method of keeping those priorities solid in the forefront of His mind when He said, “There is only One that is good.”
He did not put the emphasis on Himself. No matter all of the healings, the resurrections, the casting out of demons, He didn’t emphasize that. He emphasized the power of His Father in heaven—even the One who never committed a sin! And I have to ask the question, “If anybody comes up to us and says, ‘What a good person you are!’ do we do this? Is it immediate? Or do we enjoy the pat on the back?” We enjoy that somebody thinks we’re okay!
This was Christ’s priorities. This was Christ’s focus. It was so real that even in just a statement like this He didn’t give in! He kept His focus and His priorities in line.
Matthew 19:17b. But if you want to enter into life, keep
the commandments.” 18) He said to Him,
“Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall
not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ “You shall
not bear false witness,’ 19) ‘Honor your
father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as
yourself.’” 20) The young man said to
Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” 21) Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect
[or mature], go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have
treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
This teaches us, Brethren, that we can do pretty good all the way through life. We can be involved in the process just like the Ephesians Era in Revelation chapter 2. And all of a sudden, we hold back. We don’t continue on. We don’t give our all for the purpose of God.
Matthew 19:20. But when the
young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great
possessions.
There’s something that caused him to pull back and say, “I don’t want to go any further.” If we want to be mature, spiritually mature, our focus has to be maintained. Our priorities have to be maintained.
Please turn to Luke chapter 9. Luke chapter 9, we’ll begin reading here with verse 57.
Luke 9:57. Now it happened
as they journeyed on the road, that
someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.”
And in our lives through the ups and the downs, the goods and the bads, haven’t there been times that we say these words? We mean these words. It’s not that it’s some show! We mean it.
Luke 9:58. And Jesus said to
him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have
nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
Again, I wonder if this verse is not meant to show this individual, “I’m involved in God’s purpose. I have my priorities straight. My Father’s will is top in My life. But I don’t have anyplace to call My own.” Is that important to you? Possessions? A place you can call “home”?
Verse 59,
Luke 9:59. Then He said to
another, “Follow Me.” But he said,
“Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”
60) Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and
preach the kingdom of God.” 61) Another
also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.” 62) But Jesus said to him, “No one, having
put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Each of these specific examples were where people began to pull back and began to pull away from where God was leading, to pull away from the purpose God had intended when He first called them.
Please turn to Matthew chapter 10. Specifically literally, we haven’t had those situations occur to us. Spiritually, we have! And it occurs every day. In Matthew chapter 10 in verse 37,
Matthew 10:37. “He who loves
father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me.
And again from the context of what we have covered, I want to focus in on our priorities and that’s what this section of Scripture concerns.
Matthew 10:37. “He who loves
father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me.
He’s not saying that it’s wrong to love father or mother. We know better than that. But this is not agapao. This is phileo.
Matthew 10:37. “He who loves
father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me
is not worthy of Me.
And this is a feeling that causes us to pull back, that causes us to stop following, that causes us to give in to a desire and an emotion within us and not continue to follow.
Verse 38,
Matthew 10:38. “And he who
does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
No matter what the situation or circumstance is, whether it’s a physical sickness. Kay and Mike have been going through so much as Kay’s lost her mother. I had the opportunity of working with Mike and I see the emotion and I see the “behind the scenes” feelings that’s very real.
But what God is saying, “All those things happen. They’re real. There’s a time to mourn. There’s a time to grieve. But eventually we must make sure that this purpose never leaves! That whatever it is that happens doesn’t take us off course. That our purpose becomes blurred and we are no longer on the path that God chose for us.
Verse 39,
Matthew 10:39. “He who finds
his life, will lose it, and he who loses [or gives it up] for My sake will find
it.
Please turn to Luke chapter 14, a similar Scripture, verse 26.
Luke 14:26. “If anyone comes
to Me and does not hate
Again speaking in priorities!
Luke 14:26b. [does not love
less] his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and
his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.
The relationship I want to begin to focus on here is the love for the self. More often than not, it is that that can cause us to be sidetracked, can cause us to have the purpose for which we were given to become blurred. We have not literally come to the point in our lives where we are required to literally give our life. But the question we have to ask: Is God’s will and purpose more important than that? Keep in mind that ten of the original twelve heard these words. Ten of the twelve were required to die a martyr’s death.
When they heard these words when Christ spoke them is as real as us listening to it right now. There’s no gun to our face. There’s no knife at our throat. How real can this be? I can’t answer this question. I can’t say that I will physically give my life if I’m required to do so! I hope and pray that I will, but I haven’t faced that yet.
But Christ’s command that we are to love others as He loved us is that more important than our own lives? Our ideas? Our desires? Our emotions? Our comforts? Our security? What we come to understand as our home, what we’ve built for our family? Would we be willing to give it up? Every aspect of it, if God required it?
By our examples is God’s way of life more important that any other purpose or activity that we’re involved in. We know that all of us—I know I have—we sinned since we’ve been called. Every one of us have! Our priorities get shuffled. Our purpose gets blurred. We venture off track. And we begin to, at times, say and do things that aren’t right. But God gives us this opportunity by His Spirit to bring us back to repent and to re-orient us and to stand us again and help us then to take another step and to continue on. Maintaining and growing in this and keeping that as our purpose is vital!
So there are points that I want to make sure. I know that we know these, but these are what we’ve established so far. And this is going to lead to something else.
Seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness—not just seeking to save ourselves, not just seeking to obtain eternal life, but seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness so that we will be able to serve others should be number one. It’s God’s purpose for us and it is to be kept in the forefront of our minds.
Two: Christ’s new command shows that just knowing the truth is not enough. Not in itself, but it must be the driving force in our lives in order to love others as He loved us.
And point three: We can never forget; we must recognize we do not have the sufficiency; we do not have the strength. No matter what we think we can do, God is the only One who can continue to give us the sufficiency we need for our purpose within His plan.
Now please turn to Romans chapter 8. I want to continue on at this point. Romans chapter 8, begin reading in verse 12:
Romans 8:12. Therefore,
brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.
And that’s at any point. We should never be sidetracked. It’s easy to say this. All of us have failed in this!
Verse 13,
Romans 8:13. For if you live
according to the flesh you will die;
The only people who could read these words are people that can understand them are the ones that God has given His Spirit to. There are many people in the world who can read this Book front to back and they don’t have that power that God has given, that understanding that God has given to us. This is a very real verse for us!
Romans 8:13b. but if by the
Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
“If you will believe Me, if you will follow Me, if you will put it into practice and let Me continue My change of you, you will live.”
Verse 14,
Romans 3:14. For as many as
are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
A Scripture, again, very familiar. We understand this. The question again that I want to ask: Am I recognizing and following God’s direction and producing what Christ purposed? Again, it’s easy to gloss over some things.
I want to go to Galatians chapter 5. This is where the fruits of the Spirit are listed. I want to get perhaps a little more in detail on some of these because it reveals more than just the definition of a word.
We have to remember that Christ was here at a time when no
one recognized Him. He was
persecuted. He was cursed. He was beat.
He was killed. And He tells us,
“Don’t be surprised if you’re persecuted.
I was persecuted. You will be
persecuted.” So within that framework,
those priorities need to be maintained.
Within that framework, everything still needs to be made clear.
In Galatians chapter 5 in verse 22,
Galatians 5:22. But the
fruit (Singular!) of the Spirit is [agape],
This is where the Spirit leads. This is what will be produced for those who recognize and follow the lead, those who will be a part and be producing what God expects. What’s listed after this is what I look at as stemming forth from agape. Agape is the motivating force. It’s that selfless love that Christ demonstrated in His life. That He would not even accept compliments. All of the attention goes back to His Father maintaining what had to be number one in His life.
His life was so important. And again, I don’t think that I can grasp the pressure that He could feel knowing that one slip up—just one—and He was spotted. He was not that perfect Passover lamb symbol. But that was the pressure He was under. And that’s why it was so important for those priorities to remain in the forefront of His mind.
Galatians 5:22. But the
fruit of the Spirit is love,
This is the fruit that needs to be beginning to be produced in us today. Not just our change and all of a sudden we have it. It begins today. It has to!
Mr. Armstrong expressed this—the best way that I have ever heard—as “the give way of life.” It’s giving to God. It’s giving to neighbor. It’s the outward expression for the benefit and purpose of someone else. It’s not incoming. It’s not praising the self. It’s not making the self feel good, but it’s outward.
Jesus Christ’s life, again, was the epitome of that. His life still to this day, as Mr. Staggs
referred to, His life still to this day jumps out of Scripture and it
breathes. It’s alive to those
that He gives the eyes to see and the ears to hear.
In Romans 5:8—you don’t have to turn there—but it says,
Romans 5:8. God demonstrates
His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for
us.
Christ served us. Again in the context of what we’re covering, that love we understand. We’ve read that verse so many times. That God expressed His love to us while we were still sinners. We understand that.
My question: If we
are to love others as Christ has loved, are we willing to do that? Are we willing to demonstrate our agape, our agapao to someone else while they’re still sinners while they may
be cursing us, beating us spiritually?
It doesn’t matter. God requires
us to live this way of life, the same priorities to be in the forefront of our
mind. Christ’s expression of agape was expressed to those who
rejected Him and persecuted Him and hated Him.
The next word listed here is “joy.” (Galatians 5:22) If you’d hold your place here, we’re going to be turning to several Scriptures, but turn to Hebrews chapter 12. Hebrews chapter 12 verse 2, our direction it says,
Hebrews 12:2. Looking unto
Jesus, the author and finisher of our
faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the
shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The agape that Christ had, that He showed, the joy, what gave Him joy was knowing that at the end of all of this—no matter what it was that He had suffered—He was providing a way for us. His love for us was expressed. And it was that joy that caused Him to continue as He did.
In Luke chapter 15, Luke 15 and verse 1,
Luke 15:1. Then all the tax
collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. 2) And the Pharisees and scribes complained,
saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” 3) So He spoke this parable to them,
saying, 4) “What man of you, having a
hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the
wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5) “And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders rejoicing.
6) “And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I
have found my sheep which was lost!’ 7)
“I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner
who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
At God’s throne today the joy that erupts at a time whenever we recognize our own faults; we acknowledge them and we repent that day!
Verse 8,
Luke 14:8. “Or what woman,
having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep
the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9) “And when she has
found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together,
saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’ 20) “Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in
the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
The purpose of God is very real and alive at the throne of God. How real is it to us? How much joy is it that motivates us, that aspect?
Back in Galatians 5 and verse 22. The next aspect is peace. It has the meaning of peace or rest in contrast with strife, denoting the absence or the end of strife.
Again, holding your place here, but turn to John chapter 14. John chapter 14 and I’ll just read verse 27. Christ speaking,
John 14:27. “Peace I leave
with you. My peace I give to you;
not as the world gives do I give to you.
Not the way the way the world understands what peace is. “But My peace is an eternal peace. It’s a peace of mind.”
John 14:27b. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
It begins to focus in on something that I want to begin to emphasize throughout from this point forward; this peace that Christ gives shows here that emotion can take us off track. And it says here that we “should not be troubled.” I think The Authorized Version has that “We should not [become anxious], neither let it be afraid.” These are feelings I’ve felt in this life. If I let them dominate, I begin to be concerned about the self. I begin to be concerned about me. The purpose that God has in mind is not in the forefront of my mind anymore. That quickly I can be sidetracked. That quickly, if it’s not repented of, if it’s not changed, if I don’t get back on track, it can continue.
Please turn to Philippians chapter 4, Philippians chapter 4. Begin reading here with verse 6. It says,
Philippians 4:6. Be anxious
for nothing,
Don’t get wrapped up in things like this.
Philippians 4:6b. but in
everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be
made known to God. 7) And the peace of
God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts through and
minds through Christ Jesus.
God supplies this peace. We are to make sure that it’s out of peace that we act.
Back to Galatians 5. The next aspect is longsuffering.
And as we go through these, as I have done, the question you have to ask: Is this part of us? Is this aspects that we show forth, that we produce? And if you’re like me, in every single one of them, there are times I don’t. I don’t. I wish I could say I did, but I don’t.
The next one: Longsuffering. This meaning it’s a self-restraint of the mind before it gives room to action or passion. This speaks of a person who has power to avenge himself, but restrains from exercising that power. Emotion can get in the way of this.
Please turn to 1 Timothy chapter 1, 1 Timothy chapter 1. We’ll begin reading here with verse 15.
1 Timothy 1:15. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all
acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am
chief.
This is not just words from Paul to Timothy, just a show, just religious words to appear like he’s righteous. He feels this.
Verse 16,
1 Timothy 1:16. However, for
this reason, I obtained mercy,
The longsuffering that God is showing.
1 Timothy 1:16b. that in me
first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering as a pattern to those who are
going to believe on Him for everlasting life.
Please turn to 2 Peter chapter 3. It’s obvious that that understanding has to be with us. 2 Peter chapter 3 verse 9, a familiar Scripture,
2 Peter 3:9. The Lord is not
slack concerning His promise, as some
count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any
should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
And again, referring back to John 13, as Christ loves us, we are to love others. Christ obviously is doing this for us now. Are we willing to do the same for one another? Or are we quick with emotion for retribution, vengeance, anger, whatever emotion we want to attach? And all of a sudden the purpose becomes blurred again, because we get wrapped up in that.
Ephesians chapter 4, Ephesians chapter 4 and in verse 1,
Ephesians 4:1. I, therefore,
the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which
you were called, 2) With all lowliness
and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love [in
agape]. 3) Endeavoring to keep the unity of the
Spirit in the bond of peace.
For many years now, there has been much bickering in the Church of God. I cannot believe that God looks down and is pleased with any of us. Not one! Because it shouldn’t be this way! We’ve read what God expects. This is the way we should be acting based on truth. I have to say, again, I failed. I have my part of the blame here.
Back to Galatians 5. The next word is kindness or gentleness. It is kindness which envelops the whole nature mellowing all which would have been harsh. Again, implying emotion involved.
Romans chapter 2, Romans chapter 2 verse 4, breaking into the thought, it says,
Romans 2:4. Or do you
despise the riches of His goodness, [His] forbearance, and longsuffering, not
knowing that the goodness [or the same word for kindness in Galatians 5] of God
leads you to repentance?
Feeling the impact of God, His love, to make sure that we’re given every opportunity to make the right choice, to learn, to grow in what He expects.
Back to Galatians chapter 5. The next aspect is goodness. And as best I can determine, the major difference between “kindness” and “goodness” is that goodness is active. It’s shown. It’s in actions that it’s shown.
The next term here is faithfulness. If you have The Authorized Version, it’s actually just faith. And many times in Scripture it’s defined as just faith. This is the God implanted truth that God has given us. And it’s our fidelity in keeping it in our lives.
If you turn to Titus chapter 2, Titus chapter 2 and in verse 9, it says,
Titus 2:9. Exhort bondservants
Or exhort employees.
Titus 2:9b. to be obedient
to their own masters [or their bosses], to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, 10) Not pilfering, but showing all good
fidelity [all good faith], that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior
in all things.
It don’t matter what the situation is that God’s Word, God’s truth, God’s purpose is first.
Back to Galatians chapter 5, verse 23 now. The word here is gentleness. In The Authorized Version, it is meekness. Mr. Staggs referred to this in his sermonette. This describes a person who is so much in control of himself that emotions never control him.
There are several Scriptures I want to turn to here. James chapter 1.
This attitude is something that is very important. In all of these things, all of these aspects, which agape can be expressed, is more a state of mind. And I think we need to think of it that way, rather than just an act or a word, but it’s a state of mind.
In James chapter 1 verse 21,
James 1:21. Therefore lay
aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness
the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
So this attribute, this frame of mind, is the attitude in which we are able to receive and learn from God.
In Galatians chapter 6, Galatians chapter 6 and in verse 1, it says,
Galatians 6:1. Brethren, if
a man is overtaken in any trespass,
If he is enveloped in sin, he’s walking down a path that he shouldn’t.
Galatians 6:1b. you who are
spiritual
Or you who still have your priorities straight, you still are able to see and understand and you’re able to serve and help.
Galatians 6:1 cont. restore
such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be
tempted.
That last phrase, again, I go back to what Christ said is, “Why do you call Me good?” He did not emphasize Himself. And this same attitude has to be a part of even this type of a situation.
But the gentleness, the meekness here is an attitude and frame of mind that we need to be in to apply discipline to a brother or sister to help them see.
2 Timothy chapter 2, 2 Timothy chapter 2 and we’ll read here in verse 25.
2 Timothy 2:25. In humility
It’s the same Greek word that’s translated gentleness or meekness.
2 Timothy 2:25. In humility
correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them
repentance, so that they may know the truth.
So for meeting opposition, this frame of mind needs to be present. And this is what we act out of.
1 Peter chapter 3.
There’s so many Scriptures we could turn to for each of these. I don’t have the time to do it. But how we need to be in these frame of mind in order to do things as God expects, it’s so evident.
In 1 Peter chapter 3 and in verse 15, it says,
1 Peter 3:15. But sanctify
the Lord God in your hearts, and always be
ready to give a defense to everyone
who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
Not as “I’m telling you what I know. You need to listen to me.” It’s this frame of mind of meekness and fear of God that we are there as His tools.
1 Peter 3:16. Having a good
conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers,
When they will persecute you,
1 Peter 3:16b. those who
revile your good conduct in Christ [might] be ashamed.
And that’s God who does that. That’s not our part.
And the last in Galatians chapter 5 verse 23 is self-control. The Authorized Version has temperance. I think we’ve covered that one enough. It’s the victory over fleshly desires and emotions.
Making these aspects part of our character is God’s work in us. We have our part to do. It’s not just a matter of God giving everything to us and we don’t have to worry about it. It takes work every day. Every single day we require to pour ourselves out as an offering to give up what we might want to do, what our emotions might spur us to do in order to continue to be on that path that God intended when He initiated this relationship with us. We are to be growing and applying what God reveals as truth. But from agape that God can give, it can produce in us. That’s agape that’s toward God and toward each other.
Again, we’ve tipped a lot of icebergs here. We’ve covered a lot of information. The question that I ask myself and you can
ask yourself is “How are we doing?”
These aspects are they prevalent in our life every day when we get
up? Let’s say we have sixteen hours of
waking time. Eight hours sleeping, but
sixteen hours of waking time. Is our priority
straight? Is God number one? His Kingdom and His righteousness to be a
part of us? That whether on the job or
at school that a light that we shine that there’s a possibility that God can
use either now or later? Is that
real? Or do the emotions of the stresses
of our day and time take hold?
We are so spoiled here in this country. That now when gas prices begin to go up, we’re ready to scream “bloody murder.” You go across the world; it’s still cheap here compared to what it is in so many countries. Believe I can make the small things big things. Our emotions will get involved. Our economy is in trouble. Our morals of this country is in trouble. It appears that we are heading toward what God prophesied would occur toward the end of these days.
If all of that happens, again as we reflect back on Christ that we are to love others as He has loved us. He did it while persecuted, while being called names, while being beaten. All of these attributes that we just tried to touch on was full in His life. And everything that He went about doing was for concern for someone else in fulfilling His Father’s will in His life.
Again, as we look at ourselves, how are we doing? We’re supposed to be what He was. Now all of us sit here. We know we’ve failed. We have our problems. We can’t do anything about what lays in the past. We can do something about what lays in front of us. We’re still going to make mistakes, but is our effort and our priorities going to be in place?
If you turn to Revelation chapter 20.
Making these aspects part of who we are, our character is what God intends to produce in the purpose for His gift of the Holy Spirit within us. We are to be growing and applying what God reveals as truth and agape toward God and neighbor. Is it possible that all of the difficulty that we have gone through serves a purpose? Is it possible that this purpose might be far greater than we have considered before?
In Revelation chapter 20 verse 4, this is a Scripture that’s read often at the Feast of Tabernacles.
Revelation 20:4. And I saw
thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them.
I want to stop there. Judgment. If we are able to continue, if we are part of the chosen, God’s judged chosen to enter His Family, as we sit here we look forward to that possibility, that potential. And judgment is given to us.
Can we say that the emotion, the anger, the fear, the vengeance is gone? This is what’s going to be required of the firstfruits here. They are going to be required to judge in righteousness.
I can’t help in reading this Scripture to think of the Scripture in Hebrews 4, if you’d turn back there please. Hebrews chapter 4 and verse 14,
Hebrews 4:14. Seeing then
that we have a great High Priest
This is talking from the perspective of us here now looking at our purpose.
Hebrews 4:14. Seeing then
that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the
Son of God, let us hold fast our
[profession].
And that is a large part of what we’ve been talking about so far today.
Verse 15,
Hebrews 4:15. For we do not
have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Now in this way we’re different from Christ. We are going to enter the Family as those who have been salvaged and have been saved. But I look at this aspect of being able to sympathize, being able to understand and judgment based on that.
I think of a situation that Mike and Kay are going through now and the suffering and hardship, the feelings of loss. And I think that probably all of us at one point or another in our lives have felt that, but it helps us when somebody else goes through the same thing. We’re able to love. We’re able to understand. We’re able to empathize with them.
And I can’t help but think that no matter how much we can grasp this in today’s society that if we’re able to be part of that chosen and we are there as the firstfruits of God that that feeling and that understanding is just going to increase thousands of times over. To be able to actually, from who we are, out of agape love desire to bring people into the Family of God! This is what we are beginning to learn now. This is the opportunity that God’s given us. It’s not something that we sought out. God’s given it.
For a final Scripture, turn to 1 Peter chapter 4.
This evening at sunset marks the fiftieth day from the Wave Sheaf Ceremony. What we’re going to be observing tomorrow, a part is history. We can read about that in Acts chapter 2. Part of it is yet to occur.
In 1 Peter chapter 4 verse 17, it says,
1 Peter 4:17. For the time has come for judgment to begin at the
house of God;
As the firstfruits we’re going to have the opportunity and be given responsibility to judge and to guide and to lead and to bring to repentance and to make a path possible though Christ for all to enter the Family of God. At this time it’s our turn to be judged.
1 Peter 4:17. For the time has come for judgment to begin at the
house of God; and if it begins with
us first, what will be the end of
those who do not obey the gospel of God?
18) Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly
and the sinner appear?” 19) Therefore
let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful
Creator.
God expects for us to receive what He provides through His Spirit, for us to learn to be motivated by it and to learn to act from it. It’s from our concern for others that all of those attributes of the Spirit are expressed.
Judgment that the firstfruits will be given is on us now. “Many are called; few are chosen.” Let us yield ourselves to the lead of God through that Spirit that one day we might be accounted worthy of the calling of which He gave us.
Transcribed by kb June 9, 2009.