Things not to discuss in polite company
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· 27 viewsThere is a common maxim that you when in polite company you should never discuss. Religion, Money or Politics. As believers we have to engage in all three. This message looks at the repeated pattern of Know and Do that we are caled to apply across all areas of our life.
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Armistice Sunday
Armistice Sunday
11:00 - 2 minutes Silence.
Armistice prayer
Armistice prayer
Prayer
Ever-living God
we remember those whom you have
gathered
from the storm of war into the peace of
your presence;
may that same peace
calm our fears,
bring justice to all peoples
and establish harmony among the nations,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Things not to discuss in polite company.
Things not to discuss in polite company.
Adherence to this has led to a society that struggles to discuss Religion, Money and politics without it becoming and argument or damaging relationships. Proving the old BT advert it better advice than this maxim - as British telecom advises it is good to talk.
Adherence to th
Despite you being polite company I want to touch on all three of those things to day.
So lets start with religion -
Religion
Religion
In this world where there seem to be no hard truths, and everything appears to be based on feeling and option - We need to understand what we believe
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
We sang the creed earlier.
The Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.
We have to know what we believe, if we know what we believe we know how to act.
Do you know that the bible has a repeated pattern:
Know and do.
Know and do
Moses - Know me as God of your fathers - lead the Israelites out of slavery
Jonah - Know me as just and compassionate go to Nineveh and warn the people
Simon and Andrew - Know me as teacher and follow me follow me
Criminal on the cross - know me as king and join me today in paradise.
Know and do a repeated pattern.
James sums up the relationship as ....
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
It is not enough just to know we need to make our beliefs change the way we live, our priorities, our loves, our attitudes - we need the word, our beliefs and the holy spitit to transform us, every part of us - we need to know that all riches come from me and give me your first fruits...
And that brings us to the next thing the we don’t speak about...
Money
Money
Some people try to get out of the Know and do cycle...
Some people try to live under the lie that
1. God cares more about my heart than what I do with my money.
1. God cares more about my heart than what I do with my money.
God certainly cares about the condition of our hearts. And yet there’s a “faith and works” connection with money that can’t be ignored. A heart transformed by the gospel will result in changes not just to what we believe about money but also what we do with it. God cares about our money because he cares about our heart.
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
Money is a big deal in the Bible. We’re given more instruction in the Bible about money (more than 2,000 verses) than almost anything else. Jesus told many parables about it, and the apostles had a lot to say about it. We’re told to avoid the love of money
()
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
and to choose God over money (),
13 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
so we can be generous and ready to give (, , ) and put our trust in God, not riches ().
2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.
5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.
16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
As well as giving to God we are we are also encouraged to plan and save ()
20 The wise store up choice food and olive oil,
but fools gulp theirs down.
and look after the needs of our families and others (; ).
8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
God cares for us and as his creation we are expected to know his will for us to take care of ourselves, and others but to always place him first -
Jesus points to the greatest commandment. ---
36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:
The bible makes it very clear that we are to act on what we believe (know and do), we are to live our lives in accordance with our beliefs (know and do). It is fitting that this message is given on Remembrance Sunday where we think about the sacrifice of so many that acted in accordance with their beliefs.
Edmund Buke
amongst others Edmund burke have been attributes as saying :
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men should do nothing.”
the same can be true of finance - the only thing necessary for the triumph of Poverty, hunger, is the good men should keep there purses shut.
God does not give us all the same level of finance, and I am afraid to say that neither does he promise to give you money if you are just faithful enough, just believe enough, just do enough - it doesnt work like that.
God in his sovereignty gives some people more, and others less, to steward on his behalf (; ).
7 The Lord sends poverty and wealth;
he humbles and he exalts.
11 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.
How and why he does so is his business, not ours. Mature believers may be either rich or poor ().
2 Rich and poor have this in common:
The Lord is the Maker of them all.
Neither does the Bible suggest that you have no part in stewarding your money sensibly. - That we can sit back and be lazy expecting God to provide.
God promises to take care of his children (; )
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
But he also instructs us to take responsibility (and action) for our situation ().
4 Lazy hands make for poverty,
but diligent hands bring wealth.
5 He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son,
but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
When it comes to finances, we have to do our part.
In light of his promises, we can be free from worry since we know God will take care of us. And given the wise instruction we’ve received, we need to resist passivity and inaction, which presume on God’s kindness.
26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
, ).
What is clear is that whether we are blessed with much or with little God expects us to put our money where our mouth is.
So how much to give…
This is where it gets tricky.
we get in to Tithing or not.
Some Christians and churches hold to the the idea that the first ten percent of income goest to God. Others say we’re free to give as little or as much as we want based on how we “feel led,” because we’re free from the “legalism” of the tithe.
There’s little disagreement among Christians that giving is encouraged, even commanded, in Scripture (; ; ). But when we start talking about “how much,” things get tricky.
It is true that New Testament giving shouldn’t be legalistic.
[Check out this two-part TGC Asks series on the question, “Are Christians today required to tithe?”: 7 Reasons Christians Are Not Required to Tithe and The Bible Commands Christians to Tithe]
But Jesus and the apostles taught proportional (the widows might & setting aside) and even sacrificial generosity from a heart of gratitude and worship. If you are following that two strnaded pattern of knowing Gods will and doing. (know and do) you giving may be more than a tithe. When God places the burden of giving on your heart you may wish it was only 10%
Some say we’re free to give as little or as much as we want based on how we “feel led,” because we’re free from the “legalism” of the tithe. It’s true that New Testament giving shouldn’t be legalistic. But Jesus and the apostles taught proportional and even sacrificial generosity from a heart of gratitude and worship, which for some may be more than a tithe (; ; ).
(; ; ).
41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.
; ; ).
5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.
5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
Some of you are looking uncomfortable, this is not about condemnation. This is not even about getting more money in the basket. This is about getting all of us to think, when it comes to my wallet am I living in accordance with my belief or is my wallet yet to be saved?
Debt is common these days; all forms of consumer debt are on the rise. Some debt may occasionally be necessary, but most kinds can be avoided with careful planning and discipline.
Scripture doesn’t explicitly prohibit lending and borrowing, but it does teach that debt is a form of “bondage,” since it makes the borrower a slave to the debt payment itself (). It also makes the borrower a slave to the lender in the sense that the lender has partial “ownership” of the time the borrower must work to pay the lender back.
Unless there’s an overwhelming need to borrow, we shouldn’t put ourselves under the bondage of indebtedness. At a minimum, we shouldn’t frequently borrow, and we should always pay off debt as soon as possible (which is the wise thing to do regardless).
4. God will prosper me financially if I work hard and have enough faith.
4. God will prosper me financially if I work hard and have enough faith.
Historically there have been two perspectives on financial prosperity and the Christian life. The first teaches that because love of money is the root of all evil (), the more money you have, the less righteous you can be. The second teaches that God wants all Christians to be prosperous and wealthy. If we aren’t prosperous, it’s because we don’t have enough faith.
A more accurate biblical perspective is that God in his sovereignty gives some people more, and others less, to steward on his behalf (; ). How and why he does so is his business, not ours. Mature believers may be either rich or poor ().
5. God has promised to take care of me, so I don’t have to worry about money.
5. God has promised to take care of me, so I don’t have to worry about money.
God promises to take care of his children (; ). But he also instructs us to take responsibility (and action) for our situation (). When it comes to finances, we have to do our part.
In light of his promises, we can be free from worry since we know God will take care of us. And given the wise instruction we’ve received, we need to resist passivity and inaction, which presume on God’s kindness.
Money is an important part of our lives, so it’s important that we clearly grasp what the Bible teaches about it. Take time to study the Scriptures for yourself and see how they apply to your situation. Read good books on biblical stewardship. Above all, strive to be a faithful steward of all that your King has entrusted to you ().
Politics
Politics
The final topic that we don’t discuss is
I don’t know if you have noticed but we are going to have a general election.
You may have heard something about it in the news
“October 6, 1774
I met those of our society who had votes in the ensuing election, and advised them
1. To vote, without fee or reward, for the person they judged most worthy
2. To speak no evil of the person they voted against, and
3. To take care their spirits were not sharpened against those that voted on the other side.”
― John Wesley, The Journal of John Wesley
Great advice but as Alan pointed out to me point one is a little problematic judging who is most worthy.
And who to vote for is debate that I am not going to enter into. partially out of not wanting to turn this into a political rally but mostly out because I haven’t a clue either.
What I do want to touch on though are someobservations about our response to the political debate.
Forgiveness is not enough.
Forgiveness is not enough.
Forgiveness is not enough.
If you have been following the news you will be aware that several candidates have stepped down or have their credentials to stand as an MP questioned not because of something they are doing but some thing they have done in the past.
Something they have said, something they have posted on social media, people they have been associated with.
I am not going to comment on the allegations and certainly I won’t defend some of the actions and comments some of these people have made. But I do think it shows an increasing trend in the world
A trend that shows that forgiveness is a concept that is lacking in the world
As followers of Jesus we should be familair with the concept of forgiveness. We know that God is a God fo forgivness. That is the main focus of the cross.
if we know that forgiveness we should do forgiveness.
We should be practicing forgiveness.
Jesus clearly warned that God will not forgive our sins if we do not forgive those who sin against us (; ). It’s not that we earn God’s forgiveness by forgiving; instead, God expects forgiven people to forgive ().
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.
29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’
30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
but you know sometimes forgiveness is not enough
Forgiveness is not enough.
Forgiveness is not enough.
Just as the sacrifice of Jesus on that cross reconciled us to God we are called be be reconciled with those who hurt us, those we hurt and to be instruments of peace where we see the need for Reconciliation
Reconciliation
Reconciliation
Forgiveness is very different from reconciliation. It’s possible to forgive someone without offering immediate reconciliation.
In many cases, even if an offender confessed his wrong to the one he hurt and appealed for forgiveness, the offended person could justifiably say, “I forgive you, but it might take some time for me to regain trust and restore our relationship.” The evidence of genuine forgiveness is personal freedom from a vindictive or vengeful response (), but not always an automatic restoration of relationship.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
The process of reconciliation depends on the attitude of the offender, the depth of the betrayal, and the pattern of offence. When an offended party works toward reconciliation, the first and most important step is genuine repentance on the part of the offender ().
3 So watch yourselves.
“If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them.
Where there is not genuine repentance, than reconciliation can not take place and we are not expected to live in abusive relationships, or have to endure repeated patterns there is a point where reconciliation can not happen, and the bible is clear that we should have little to do with those that are unrepentant.
Such language reveals an unrepentant heart. Don’t be manipulated into avoiding the step of confirming the authenticity of your offender’s confession and repentance. It is advisable in difficult cases to seek the help of a wise counselor, one who understands the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation. Such a counselor can help the injured person establish boundaries and define steps toward reconciliation that are restorative rather than retaliatory.
It is difficult to genuinely restore a broken relationship when the offender is unclear about his confession and repentance. We should strive to be as certain as we can of our offender’s repentance—-especially in cases involving repeated offenses. Even God will not grant forgiveness to one who is insincere about his confession and repentance. The person who is unwilling to forsake his sin will not find forgiveness with God ().
**** Forgiveness is one sided and is not optional*** but reconciliation requires work form both sides. Reconciliation is generally about two parties, but God demands even more. He demands something of the whole community - something that seems to be increasingly missing in the world.
Of course, only God can read hearts; we must evaluate actions. As Jesus said, “By their fruit you will recognize them” (). We must not allow superficial appearances of repentance to control our responses. Displays of tears or appearing to be sorry must not become substitutes for clear changes in attitude and behavior.
We live in a world where memories are long.
We live in a world where digital memories are even longer
A world where past mistakes come back to haunt you. A world where things said in one context and time frame are judged by a new framework of belief. But God takes a different stance.
Not only is he a God of Forgiveness and of reconciliation but he goes further he is a God of restoration.
Restoration
Restoration
1 “Come, let us return to the Lord.
He has torn us to pieces
but he will heal us;
he has injured us
but he will bind up our wounds.
Hosea
if we know God as a restorer we as individuals and as a community are called to be restorers too.
1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.
Like reconciliation restoration is based on genuine repentance.
It reflects the impermeability of the sacrifice of Jesus, that once sins are forgiven they leave no stains
18 “Come now, let us settle the matter,”
says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.
isaiah 61:7
Gods forgiveness is complete, his restoration is bountiful
7 With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”
7 Instead of your shame
you will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land,
and everlasting joy will be yours.
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jesus treats you as what you are destined to be not as you are.
25 “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—
the great locust and the young locust,
the other locusts and the locust swarm—
my great army that I sent among you.
26 You will have plenty to eat, until you are full,
and you will praise the name of the Lord your God,
who has worked wonders for you;
never again will my people be shamed.
joel
All of this is founded in grace.
When we look at our prospective politicians, leaders, pop stars, media personalities we need to apply some of this and recognise that non of them are perfect - but where does their hearts lie. - this how we must look to vote as John wesley said
1. To vote, without fee or reward, for the person they judged most worthy
Not a licence for sin.
Not a licence for sin.
Warning
Grace is no license to sin. As creatures, we are made to serve our Creator. In the absence of truth, we will serve somebody or something. It’s an essential part of our nature. Our only choice is this: whom will we serve? At one time, we all served sin and grew weak under its deadly power over us. Now, through God’s grace, we have become servants of obedience that sets us right with God, each other, and ourselves. We must daily decide whose servant we are and offer Him our hands, our feet, our hearts, our eyes.
We have to know and do.
Pray
Pray
those that feel unforgiven and need reconciliation and restoration
those that need to forgive to reconcile and restore
The church and general resotroation
Those that need to assess the match between their knowing and their doing
Those that need to know.