God’s Standard of Measure

2 Corinthians 10:12–18 KJV 1900

12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 13 But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you. 14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ: 15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men’s labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly, 16 To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s line of things made ready to our hand. 17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

Morris walks out into the street and manages to get a taxi just going by. He gets into the taxi, and the cabbie says, “Perfect timing. You’re just like Dave.”

2 Corinthians 10:12-18

“Who?”

“Dave Aronson. There’s a guy who did everything right. Like my coming along when you needed a cab. It would have happened like that to Dave.”

“There are always a few clouds over everybody,” says Morris.

“Not Dave. He was a terrific athlete. He could have gone on the pro tour in tennis. He could golf with the pros. He sang like an opera baritone and danced like a Broadway star.”

“He was something, huh?”

“He had a memory like a trap. Could remember everybody’s birthday. He knew which fork to eat with. He could fix anything. Not like me. I change a fuse, and I black out the whole neighborhood.”

“No wonder you remember him.”

“Well, I never actually met Dave.”

“Then how do you know so much about him?” asks Morris.

“Because I married his widow.”

https://sermons.faithlife.com/sermons/47629-comparing-ourselves-with-others

Comparisons based on our standards are not fruitful for the Kingdom of God.

Keeping up with the Jones’ can be frustrating and financially exhausting. There are those who create their own rod of measurement. We can not try to fit into another’s mold. Usually that rod of measurement is only to make themselves look better. They look at the surface and only at things that are temporary. We must always keep our eyes on the prize.

Philippians 3:14 ESV

14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

2. God has divided us to do different works.

1 Corinthians 12:6 ESV

6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.

1 Corinthians 12:6

Romans 12:4 ESV

4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function,

We work together. Each of us has a different passion; but God Almighty brings it together and we all work together to see His will accomplished. His will is for everyone to come to a salvation knowledge of Jesus Christ.

What did it take for the Good News to make it to each one of us? The Gospel had to travel over 6,000 miles, 6,571 miles to be precise. It is 6,571 miles from Jerusalem, Israel, to Holden, MO. Now it did not have to travel as far for me. You see, I was saved in Children’s Church in an Assembly of God church in Davenport, Iowa. That dropped the distance to 6,306 miles. Not only did the Gospel message not only need to reach North America, there had to be people who were willing to share the Good News. People whose hearts burned within them to hear the Word of God and then to share the Word of God. I am so glad that the Word of God is alive and powerful as much as it was 2,000 years ago.

I am so glad someone shared the gospel with me. I am so glad I have had the opportunity and privilege to learn about my Saviour and walk and talk with Him. To pursue developing my divine nature and seek out the power of the Holy Spirit. I am privileged to see the miracles and healings. To see our kids receive the Holy Spirit. To see how our prayer meeting on Tuesdays is so full of power. This is all because men and women and boys and girls were faithful to the burden for the lost that the Lord laid on their hearts. You and I would not be here today. I do not just mean in this building, I also mean alive today. Many of us would not be alive today if not more divine intervention. I was destined to die of a form of starvation because my body could not absorb nutrition, Mike was born blue with the cord wrapped around his neck, and all three of my children are miracles. There are many other testimonies I had the privilege of hearing of the divine intervention in your own lives.

1 Corinthians 15:10 ESV

10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

1 Corinthians

3. God has His own type of tape measure.

This world has their own way of measuring success. The world seeks to prosper itself. God measures us by how we prosper others. We prosper others by giving the greatest treasure. Sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. The only way to change our world is to change the hearts and minds of the nations. The only way to do that is with the gospel. The gospel is the only way to transcend cultures and divisions. That is exactly what Jesus did while He was on earth. He crossed culture barriers and reached out to the woman at the well. He extended mercy to the enemy by healing the Roman Centurion's daughter. He has His own type of tape measure. He called the most unlikely people to turn the world upside down. Just imagine what He could do through us. Let us allow Him to fill us with a passion to see the kidnapped royalty set free.

Luke 4:18 ESV

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,

Jesus spoke these words that were originally prophesied about Jesus the Christ in

Let us a line our measuring guide for ourselves with the one God uses. We do not have time to worry about the Jones’. We have a much greater task of doing the will of the Father.