Resilient Rebuilders 8: Opposition from Within

Intro

Not all opposition to the gospel comes from outside the church. In fact, our greatest obstacles may be from within. It is critical that we look inside ourselves and ask, “what in me is out of sync with Christ and His kingdom? Is there anything I am doing which grieves the Spirit and holds back Christ’s church from accomplishing her mission?”

Jesus is building a holy church and He intends to return for a pure bride. Are we ready? Are we doing our part both together and as individuals?

Throughout the Scriptures we see a pattern emerge which shows us that the Lord responds either positively or negatively based on His people’s willingness to walk in His ways. Though His favor is not earned by our works, through good works we posture ourselves in a position which makes it more likely that we will experiance God’s favor.

When our actions are in oppositon to the Lord, the Spirit is grieved and when He is grieved we will often experiance the removal of his active presence on us.

Truth

I. We grieve the Holy Spirit when we are motivated by greed rather than by grace.

Acts 20:35 NASB 2020

In everything I showed you that by working hard in this way you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

We Americans tend to be a very self-oriented people. Rarely do we ask whether an action we intend to take is good for everyone or just for us as individuals. Our actions are rarely isolated in their effect. What I choose to do with my life effects everyone and this is especially true in church life.

Jesus points us to His example. Though He is God, He knelt down low to serve us.

When I am focused on personal gain over the well being of Christ’s church, I may exploit others rather than seeking to build them up and thus building Christ’s house.

Do my actions show that I am about building the kingdom of Christ, or do my actions show that I am about building my own kingdom?

II. We geive the Holy Spirit when we are heartless towards our fellow believers rather than merciful.

III. We honor the Lord when we prefer other believers over ourselves.

Romans 12:9–13 NASB 2020

Love must be free of hypocrisy. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor, not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

Gospel Application

Who is God? He is Holy, pure, righteous, true, and deeply cares about the purity of His people.

What has God done? He has opposed the proud, but given grace to the humble.

James 4:1–8 NASB 2020

What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is the source not your pleasures that wage war in your body’s parts? You lust and do not have, so you commit murder. And you are envious and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motives, so that you may spend what you request on your pleasures. You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says to no purpose, “He jealously desires the Spirit whom He has made to dwell in us”? But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God and He will come close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Who are we? We are God’s dearly loved children whom He has called according to His purposes.

What must we do? We must walk in faithfulness to Christ and His calling, showing preference to our fellow Christians and therefore honoring Christ with our lives.

Challenge

Resist “me first” Christianity by practicing “you first” Christianity.