Look At This
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Intro - I remember after Bible College and Seminary I challenged some pastors on our “ordained” preaching style. Do we really have to just focus on one passage or can we synthesize them based on situations. After all, much of Jesus’ preaching and the epistles are a result of someone saying in effect, “hey…look at this”
TR: The situations that occurred in D.C. this past week offer us an opportunity to pause and reflect...
The Deceived
The Deceived
Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.
He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.
There is a desire in all mankind to rule…and it is not something that is evil
When we see the creation of man in Gen. 1:26-27, the nearest explanation we have of the “image of God” had to do with dominion
Yahweh created mankind to have dominion, cultivate creation, and have it yield its potential in a way that glorifies the Lord
This is the job…to take whatever, whoever, whenever and steward it in such a way so as to unwrap the majesty within.
Example of cultivating a garden this past summer. Had to build massive boxes over the garden beds to protect it so that it can grow without threat of destruction.
The method used to “unwrap” these things, discover people, or develop creation is found within Yahweh and His precepts.
This means that it’s not just the end itself that’s the goal but the means to the end.
God desires that we trust His way, His plan, His path as being the best method forward. As we read through the scriptures we see example after example of Yahweh offering access to Him through trusting His way over against the alternative way.
However, there is a great deception that’s occurring. The great deception that happened in the Garden of Eden was simply this…God’s way isn’t sufficient because there is another way that works better.
So as situations arise in life, as people come in and out, and as objects are gained, lost, or replaced…there is a designated opportunity in how to interact.
It has nothing to do with the end in and of itself, or really even the path to get there…it has to do with the trust that is involved.
The temptation was “you can either achieve this righteous, noble, glorious goal God’s way....or you can bypass God and just do it your way”
And mankind has been failing at that choice ever since.
Although many times, having noble intentions, because we aren’t God we aren’t able to anticipate or sometimes even concern ourselves with, the consequences of our actions.
We are being deceived…told that behind door number 2 there is hope when there is only pain...
The deceptions we have been fed are MANY!!!
That patriotism is the path to purity
That justice can be driven by malice
That SOMEHOW the Highway of Human Hatred will arrive at Heavenly Holiness…WE’VE BEEN DECEIVED! We’ve eaten from the TREE!! WE’VE ESTABLISHED OUR OWN WISDOM!!!
We have leaders of all shapes, sizes, colors, and creeds that pilfer libations of animosity toward “THEM”…and we drink it down to the dregs poisoning ourselves while waiting for them to die...
TR: However, there came someone who was devoted to Yahweh’s path, His way of doing things....it was Jesus...
The Devoted
The Devoted
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written,
“ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”
Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,
“ ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’
and
“ ‘On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.’ ”
Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,
“ ‘You shall worship the Lord your God
and him only shall you serve.’ ”
Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.
What is the temptation here?
It is the very thing that Jesus desired…to be FREE of suffering (stones to bread), display Yahweh’s provision (cast from temple), and implement Yahweh’s RIGHTEOUS RULE (bow down).
And there is a clear path to do it!!! No suffering, no pain, no dying, no betrayal...
Really think of all that Jesus chose to deal with here....he turned away from the path that the Adversary laid out before Him…and turned to a MUCH TOUGHER PATH to achieve the SAME THING!!!
Here’s what I’m getting at...
Over these past few years I’ve seen an increasing amount of people actively pursuing righteous causes in unrighteous ways.
I’ve seen fights for justice turn into hatred against white people and violence against law enforcement.
This past week I saw desires for truth and transparency turn to pilfering, murder, and rage.
We’re choosing wrong paths to get to our supposedly noble ends!
We must be DEVOTED…IN EVERY AREA OF LIFE NOT JUST TO THE TRUTH…BUT THE WAY!!!
We get this idea that somehow the path of the wicked is dark and gloomy…that you have to forsake all to take it.
Example of John Wick, lost the love of his life, even his adorable pet dog, and now he has nothing else to live for so he loses it and goes on an epic killing spree. We think the path of the wicked is like that…
It’s not that easily discernible…the path of the wicked is the deviation, the slight alterations, to the journey.
The exact same path that was laid out in front of the first humans was later laid out for Jesus.
Without question the righteousness of the cause was highlighted....YOU ARE THE SON OF GOD!!! YOU SHOULD BE PROTECTED!!! YOU SHOULD RULE!!!! YOU’RE YAHWEH IN THE FLESH AFTER ALL!!!
Passion doesn’t determine righteousness! A crime of passion is still a crime!!
Is there injustice in the United States in regard to race, police relations, abuse of authority? YES!!!
Was the past election corrupted in some way? To which I ask, “did humans participate in it?” if so then “yes!”
Should we fight against injustice and corruption? ABSOLUTELY YES! However, what path will you devote yourself to in order to do so?
Jesus was tempted…yet devoted Himself not just to the ends but also the means…
Even when it seemed like the path led him to hopelessness, humiliation, ridicule, and ultimately being unjustly murdered…He remained committed to it!
So tell me again what’s our excuse for jettisoning civility toward your neighbor?
TR: We are freed from the deception because of Jesus’ devotion…therefore we are called to be disciples...
The Disciple
The Disciple
There’s a couple of different types of disciples I’ve come across though that I’d like to point out...
The Draft Dodger
A draft dodger is someone that either flees, hides, or makes some excuse to avoid enlisting for battle.
In Christianity I’ve seen this take on two different forms:
First, the “that’s why I don’t get involved...” person
Second, the “I only preach the Gospel” person
To both I commit the entire book of James.
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
To which the Draft Dodger would say “AMEN!”
I just want to live a holy life, loving my family, enjoying vacations, not really getting involved or at most “I’ll just tell people they need Jesus and say He died for their sin but leave all the other issues out”
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
However, that person is “deceiving” themselves! And there is any question as to what he means by “doer of the Word”....he starts to unpack what to do.
Guess what! He doesn’t spend the next 5 chapters repeating the Gospel over and over again…instead he repeats the implications of the Gospel
What I mean is, BECAUSE Jesus died for our sin, how should we not only behave but what should we be concerned about....here’s what’s on the list!
Partiality for people…this would involve classism, sexism, racism, etc.
How to speak…this would involve the civility toward one another
How to pay employees, money, the approach to starting a business
And not the least of which that we must take care of widows and orphans!
So what do you mean you’re not going to get involved? That you’ll “only preach the Gospel”?
The NT addresses a multitude of things....and guess what?!
We’re living in a nation that is being torn apart and people are looking at you, as a disciple of Christ, seeing if God has something to say about it…does He?
Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.
Yes He does…He’s saying get involved, be active, BUT DO IT JESUS’ WAY!!
The Disciplined Soldier
And to that disciplined soldier that does get involved…don’t become immersed in this world
No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.
There is a balance…become involved but don’t get lost in it…what I’ve seen so much of is people that have lost sight of both the path and the goal.
DO YOU REALLY THINK THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS FAIR ELECTIONS??? DO YOU THINK THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS POLICE REFORM??? WORLDLY JUSTICE??? OR SECURITY OF THE CHURCH??
In Brazil there grows a common plant which forest-dwellers call the matador or “murderer.” Its slender stem creeps along the ground, but no sooner does it meet a vigorous tree, than it sends out an entangling tentacle, which cleaves and climbs up the tree, at intervals sending out arm-like tendrils that further entangle the tree. As the "murderer" ascends, these ligatures grow larger and their clasp becomes tighter. Up and up the rogue vine climbs until the last loftiest spire is gained and fettered. Then, as if in triumph, the parasite shoots a huge, flowery head above the strangled summit, and there from the dead tree’s crown, scatters its seed to begin its entangling work again.
See the concerns of this world have captured us…either by removing us from the public arena or by causing us to lose sight of what’s most important…yet our battle isn’t with the physical but the spiritual!!!
LAND IT LOUD
If we only knew the power that resides within us! The Spirit of God that illuminates the hearts of people and FREES THEM from slavery to sin and slavery to a fallen world!
Reflect on the peace that you have from God…Think of how you hear children’s laughter, birds singing, snow falling, hugs from loved ones....AND IT’S FAR RICHER and DEEPER because of your relationship with Jesus!
Think of the security you have, as situations turn to chaos, and yet you can remain unmoved because of your sure foundation!
Share it with others! Choose the path of Jesus! DON’T FALL PREY TO THIS WORLD!! To it’s wisdom, to it’s path that it says “this way to righteousness”…but it only leads to death
LOVE YOUR ENEMY!!! PRAY FOR THOSE WHO PERSECUTE YOU!…DO SERMON ON THE MOUNT STUFF…MATTHEW 5-7 STUFF…And watch as the Lord warms the hearts of those around you...