Salutation and Gratitude

“I Glow For Glory Not My Glory But God’s Glory”

Introduction:

Two friends met for dinner at a seafood restaurant.

Each requested filet of sole, and after a few minutes the waiter came back with their order.

Two pieces of fish, a large and a small, were on the same platter.

One of the men proceeded to serve his friend.

Placing the small piece on a plate, he handed it across the table.

"Well, you certainly are selfish!” said his friend.

"What's troubling you?" asked the other.

"Look what you've done," he answered.

"You've given me the little piece and kept the big one for yourself." "How would you have done it?" the man asked.

His friend replied, "If I were serving, I would have given you the big piece."

"Well," replied the man, "I've got it..."

There are times in the Christian community when we struggle with selfishness.

Selfishness is a self-centered concern for oneself, without due regard to the needs of others.

Scripture treats selfishness as an aspect of sin and urges believers to care for others as well as themselves.

Dictionary of Bible Themes (8827 selfishness)

One of the keys to Christian living is selflessness.

The best example we have of selflessness is Jesus Christ.

Romans 15:3 (NLT)

3 For even Christ didn’t live to please himself.

According to Scripture,

Being selfless is one of the most important traits any Christian can have (Mark 12:31).

Got Questions Ministries. (2002–2013). Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered. Logos Bible Software.

God has given us the keys to unlock the biblical principles of Christian living in the community of faith.

Lord willing, for the next several weeks, I am sharing with you some of these keys.

They can help you unlock the principles of godly living.

As we continue in this new sermon series, we are going to look at the practical portion of the letter to the Ephesians.

There it teaches us how to be a community worthy of the gospel.

In the midst of interpersonal conflicts, the apostle Paul reminds Christians that we are one “in Christ Jesus,” no longer strangers to God and no longer alienated from each other.

Because of this new life in Christ we are experiencing a radical transformation of our identity—as individuals and as a community.

The letter to the Church at Ephesus shows us what it look likes to live together rooted in reconciliation—with God and our fellow believers.

Kelley, J. M., ed. (2016). A Preacher’s Guide to Lectionary Sermon Series: Thematic Plans for Years A, B, and C (First edition, pp. 132–133). Westminster John Knox Press.

Purpose:

Today I’m going to talk about the self-centered sin of stealing, so that you are equipped with some more keys, in order for you to unlock the principles of Christian living.

[Please stand and turn…]

Scripture:

Ephesians 4:28 NIV84

28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

Series/Sermon Title:

UNLOCKED - Pt2 “Keys To Living in the Community of Faith”

Prayer

Theme:

The Scriptures provide Christians with the keys to living in the community of faith.

[As we consider the text…]

Background:

The writer of this letter continues to instruct the church on how they should live as a Christian community.

Central to that is how they should avoid conflict—a difficult thing for any group of people attempting to live and work together.

The section we read today offers some very practical advice for how to keep the peace by speaking the truth, avoiding bitterness, sharing and giving, encouraging and forgiving one another.

By doing these things, we can live in unity in the Christian community.

Kelley, J. M., ed. (2016). A Preacher’s Guide to Lectionary Sermon Series: Thematic Plans for Years A, B, and C (First edition, pp. 138–140). Westminster John Knox Press.

Last week I gave you some keys that had to do with honesty.

This week I want to share with you some keys that have to do with selflessness.

When I first came across this passage, I wondered why verse 28 was stuck between verses 25-27 and 29-32.

It seemed to be out of place.

Why would the writer talk about a thief to the church?

Then it occured to me that there were those in the community of faith who were stealing.

So the apostle Paul gave them some keys to unlock the biblical principles on this matter.

The thief in the text represents someone who is selfish.

They are someone who only looks out for himself/herself.

They are predominately self-focused.

The apostle reveals that the only way a thief can really change is to start focusing on others.

By changing their focus they can then change their conduct.

The change in the their conduct can lead to a change in the their character.

When their character goes from self focus to caring for others it benefits both them and the community of faith.

Instead of being self-focus they become God focus.

Instead of self-centered they become Christ-centeredness.

Instead of only caring about them self they start caring and sharing with others.

[As we look at this verse the Paul says…]

Teaching

Christians Should Stop Stealing...

Ephesians 4:28 (NIV84)

28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer

Stealing - to steal v. — to take without the owner’s consent...

Those who are stealing should stop stealing because it is a sin...

The sin of stealing was still being committed by the members of the Ephesian church...

Wuest’s Word Studies in the Greek New Testament

Stealing in the early church was a sin problem and it still is...

Those who are stealing should stop stealing—especially from God.

When you take what belongs to God that is stealing...

The Bible says that the Tithes and Offering belong to God...

Malachi 3:8 (NIV84)

8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ “In tithes and offerings.

When you hold back tithes and offering you are stealing from God...

The tithes refers to 10% of all your income—the gross not the net or before taxes not after.

The offering refers to a voluntary contribution beyond the tithes (2 Cor 9:7)...

The tithes and the offering belongs to the Lord (Lev 27:30 holy)...

When you don’t bring what belongs to the Lord there are consequences...

In Acts 5:1-11 Ananias and his wife, Sapphira were members of the church in Jerusalem.

They held back what belonged to God.

They lied about the sale price of a piece of property that they had sold.

They withheld some of the money while acting as if they had given the right amount.

They were both struck dead when confronted by Peter for lying to God the Holy Spirit...

The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Ananias of Jerusalem)

Those who are stealing should start bringing the whole thing to the Lord.

Malachi 3:10 (NIV84)

10 Bring the whole tithe...

The whole thing belongs to the Lord (Ps 24:1)...

The whole thing—the tithe—10% of your income and the offering—belongs to the Lord...

The whole thing is what some in the community of faith hold back from the Lord...

Holding back what belongs to the Lord is keeping something without the owners consent...

Holding back what belongs to the Lord is selfish...

Holding back what belongs to the Lord is dangerous…

Instead of holding back what belong to the Lord bring it to Him...

Bringing is different than giving...

Bringing means to take something somewhere...

Bringing the tithes and the offering from your house to house of the Lord (Mal 3:10 my house)...

The next time you come to the house of the Lord bring your praise, bring your prayers, but bring the tithes and the offering too (Ps 96:8)...

If you came here with what belongs to God you shouldn’t leave His house with it...

For those who bring Him what belongs to Him, He promises that He will take care of you...

Malachi 3:10 NIV84

10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

If you bring the whole thing we will be able to pay off the church mortgage and do more ministry in the community...

If you bring the whole thing we will have enough to do God’s work and you will have more than enough...

If you bring the whole thing we will see the Lord will open up the floodgates of heaven and pour us out a blessing...

Somebody who believes it today shout, “Bring It...”

[In addition, the apostle says not only should Christians stop stealing but…]

Christians Should Start Working...

Ephesians 4:28 (NIV84)

28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands,

Work - to toil v. — to do wearisome labor, or labor unto extreme fatigue...

Christians have to do work in the ministry...

We do our ministry work through the Magnificent 7 Teams.

They are the hands and feet of the St John MBC ministry.

They are the Outreach Team, First Impressions Team, Shock and Awe Team, The Music and Worship Team, The Care and Follow Up Team, The Children and Youth Team, and The Small Groups “Glow Clubs” Team...

We showcase our Magnificent 7 Teams every 4th Sunday so that you are encouraged to join the work...

We work together for the same vision, purpose, process, and mission.

We work together to make more disciples for Jesus Christ.

We work together to GLOW for God’s glory...

Christians have to do work in Church according to their their spiritual gifts...

We all have been gifted to work in the Christian community (Romans 12:6-8)...

Some of us have gifts of exhortation, giving, leadership, mercy, prophecy, service, and teaching (Rom 12).

Some of us have gifts of administration, discernment, faith, healing, helps, knowledge, miracles, prophecy, teaching, tongues, tongues interpretation, and wisdom (1 Cor 12).

Some of us have gifts of serving and speaking (1 Pet 4:9-11).

All of us have gifts because all of us have work to do...

Christians have to do work in the Christians community to benefit all of us.

It is beneficial to work.

Work provides for a person’s material needs.

Work gives us something useful to do.

Work enables one to help others materially...

The Bible Knowledge Commentary

It is beneficial to the community of faith to do work.

That is why the apostle Paul says that the thief must stop stealing and do something.

God has given you something to do...

God has given you something to do in the Christian community that only you can do...

God has given you something to do that the community of faith needs you to do...

Somebody say, “Do Something”...

[Lastly the apostle Paul says…]

Christians Should Start Sharing...

Ephesians 4:28 (NIV84)

28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

Share - to apportion v. — to give out as one’s portion or share...

The Lord wants you to share what you have...

Share accordingly to meet the needs of others in the family of faith...

You can only give what from what you have...

It is equal sacrifice not equal giving (giving proportionally)...

You may have to share from your lack...

In 2 Cor 8:3 the Macedonian Church didn’t have much but they gave as much as they were able and beyond...

You should share from your abundance...

In 1 Tim 6:18 Paul told Timothy to command “the rich” to be generous and willing to share...

The Lord wants you to share so we can meet needs...

Our Church’s Benevolent Fund is a good place to share.

There are so many people are in need.

Our Benevolent Fund enables us to meet needs.

If you share we can meet financial needs, food needs, and clothing needs...

The Lord wants you to share in order to change your focus...

There are so many who come to get from the Lord.

But I want to challenge you to share for the Lord (Heb 13:16)...

Sharing reveals that your focus is to please the Lord.

Sharing says that your focus is not only on yourself.

Sharing tells us that your focus has shifted from self to others.

It is easy to share your faith if you never share what you have...

But if you share what you have you will experience a shift...

If you want to experience as shift—shift your focus—Share What You Have...

[As I close…]

Application/Conclusion

Living in a Christian community requires a change of focus.

It is easy to only focusing on yourself—your needs, your wants, your things.

But in the family of faith you have to focus God and others...

[As I consider Calvary…]

Invitation

That is what Jesus did.

When He was hanging on the cross He was still focused on God and on others...

When He was mocked and stripped of His close He said, “Father forgive them”...

When He was asked by a thief, Remember me, He was focused on others—He said “Today you will be with Me”...

One Friday He went to the cross because He was focused on others...

He brought as a sacrifice to God for others...

He was nailed in His hands and His feet for others...

He died on an old rugged cross for others...

He died…He was buried…But early Sunday morning…Gospel

Benediction

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14) AMEN