What Good is that?
Notes
Transcript
What happened to the Christian faith?
What happened to the Christian faith?
Over the decades, the church has focused on the benefits of Jesus’ ministry and teaching. Christian teaching has become anemic. It is no longer the anecdote for healing those in despair.
One of my closest friends in ministry said, “isn't it interesting, in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, we do not see any faith healers. In the face of a global economic decline, we have heard very little of the prosperity gospel.”
An anemic gospel has no value. Jesus had no material possessions. He moved around like a vagabond and associated with the poor. He would not allow anyone to impose glory upon him. He changed reality by going beyond convention and redefining true faith in God and true love for humanity. He delivered a powerful, rugged faith that defied convention and transformed reality.
Jesus Christ has made God’s requirements clear and plain. His word separates God's people from everyone else. His teaching is impossible for the carnal mind. The church cannot attain to Jesus’ truth without the Holy Spirit.
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.
I have not mastered the Christian life. Actually, I find myself responding more like the sinner than the saint. When I can lend to the wealthy, I feel proud. I've gained their approval. When I Love those who are capable of giving love, I feel valued. I will receive what I’ve given. When I do good to someone who does good to me, I feel a part of the esteemed group. Jesus Christ disqualifies this model of spirituality.
I also struggled with the message because it stands in opposition to the current mindset. Some would even blame for the delay of justice again racial equality on Jesus’ teaching because it leaves justice to God.
I make not excuses or offer any justification for Jesus’ commands. Children of God are called to a higher ethic. This way of living compels others to believe in Jesus Christ. It inspires others to reach for what is most noble and pure within themselves. This breaks down the hardest heart and tears down the walls of racism, prejudice and injustice.
THERE IS NO QUID PRO QUO.
THERE IS NO QUID PRO QUO.
“Quid pro quo” is a Latin phrase used in English to mean an exchange of goods or services, in which one transfer is contingent upon the other; "a favor for a favor".
If you only love those who love you, if you only do good to those who treat you well, and if you only lend to those who can pay you back, What have you benefited? How have you changed the world? What have you gained? How have you grown spiritually, and finally, What does it matter to God?
God is not impressed with good works. There is no eternal reward for doing things with the exception of personal benefit. Loving your friends, lending to the wealthy, honoring VIPs offers no reward or identification with God.
Those who are not spiritual live this way. “Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.”
I need to treat enemies well despite how they treat me. I need to lend without any expectation of return. I need to serve without any recognition of reward. Then I can expect The Almighty to reward me and I will be a child of God Most High.
What good is the anointing without Christian ethics?
What good is the anointing without Christian ethics?
We want the power to heal the sick, raise the dead and cast out demons, but we want God to punish our enemies and hold accountable people who mistreat us. Do you see the irony.
but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?”
You cannot desire the power of the Holy Spirit and abandon the Spirit when someone mistreats you or you see someone in need.
When you Lend to those who cannot repay you, you are living by faith. God is Jehovah Jireh. The Lord himself is your portion and cup. He is your spring of living water and your source of true riches.
When you do good to someone who is doing wrong to you, you recognize the mercy God has shown you.
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
You love your enemies because they became your enemies when you became a disciple of Jesus Christ. Your faith in Jesus Christ created the enmity. So, Christ in you can bring reconciliation.
The Holy Spirit enables you to do the hard things.
The Holy Spirit enables you to do the hard things.
Anyone can do the easy things… Here are some examples.
Jesus going through Samaria. The Jews despised the Samaritans. Jesus went through Samaria because God’s people do not avoid hard conditions. They do not recoil from working in hard environments. They do not allow racial stereotypes lead to dismissing the other part of God’s family.
Saul converting to Christianity. Paul left his faith and his people. He was cast out by the Jews and hated by the Christians. Those who he considered enemies and unworthy of God’s blessings became the very people God sent him to.
It is not hard to say, “I am not racist! It is much harder to welcome someone from another race to eat at your table, wash in your bathroom and defend them before your family and friends.
Barnabas supporting Saul of Tarsus.
Jesus eating with Simon the leper
The goal is bring the Kingdom of God.
The goal is bring the Kingdom of God.
We are saved to bear witness to the Living God. One writer said, “Never reserve anything. Pour out the best you have, and always be poor. Never be diplomatic and careful about the treasure God gives. This is poverty triumphant.”
God is merciful.
But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
God is Long suffering. Is. 30:18
Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!
God is generous.
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,
again, Rom. 8:32
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
God does not give people what they deserve. We all deserve to be cast out from God’s presence; instead, He sent his son Jesus.
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
This is why we love our enemies, do good to them who mistreat us and lend to those who give us nothing in return.
Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.