"Stop It. You're Giving Too Much"

"The people bring much more than enough for doing the work that the LORD has commanded us to do."So Moses gave the command, and the word was proclaimed throughout the camp, "Let no man or woman do anything more for the contribution for the sanctuary." So the people were restrained from bringing, for the material they had was sufficient to do all the work, and more." Exodus 36:5-7

Sadly, these are six words you will never hear a Baptist pastor say. We live in a secular humanist world today, especially here in the good ole United States of America. What do I mean? Secular humanist believe the world revolves around them. We are taught from a very early age that life is all about you. Your dreams. Your happiness. Your career. Your money. It's the mantra; get all you can get, can all that you get, and then sit on top of your can. Human secularism believes I am the center of my own universe. And this type of worldly thinking has kicked down the front door of the church and made its way into the pews, and preached from many pulpits. 

However, you will not find such thinking in the Word of God. Matter of fact, God's Word teaches the polar opposite, when Jesus said, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?" (Matthew 16:24-26). This goes back to the day of Moses, as well. God commanded Israel to give in order to construct a place where He could be ministered to. This place would be known as the tabernacle or the dwelling place of God. Yet, there were materials needed for the construction of the tabernacle. And like with any work of God there were expenses that needed to be covered. 

Therefore, God called His people to contribute to the construction of the tabernacle. It was here in Exodus, we learn about the generosity of God's people. Israel's giving went above and beyond what was expected. They gave so much all the needs were met and exceeded. Moses even had to command the people to STOP bringing their offerings. Moses took it a step further and restrained the people from giving. What a wonderful problem! 

What about you? One of the greatest blessings as a believer is to give to the Lord's work. Do you give cheerfully and generously to the Lord's work within the context of your local church first with your finances, time, or giftedness? What if you had to be restrained from our giving? What if you had to be told "Stop! You are giving too much?” What if we were all faithful to support God's work in this way? When is the last time you gave the Lord a raise with your offering? 

I’m not talking just about money, although that’s a great place to begin, but what about other areas of your life. When's the last time you asked the pastor how you could serve Christ by serving others? Ask the Lord to examine yourself in this vital area of worship. If each person was faithful to give to the Lord's work, then the church's needs, much like Israel, would be met and exceeded. 

"God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply."  [Hudson Taylor (1832-1905), China Inland Mission founder]-- 

"Proclaim Him"

“Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ” (Colossians 1:28).

     The Apostle Paul wrote the church at Colosse concerning the high view of Christ. He told of God’s fullness dwelling in Christ since he was God himself veiled in flesh. He exhorted them to be careful of those false teachers who would try to lead them astray by judging what they ate, drank, and the days of festivals and Sabbaths. However, Paul reminded the church that his task, along with the other elders, as well as each disciple of Christ was the proclamation of Jesus Christ. You have heard, "Preach the gospel. Use words if necessary." This is a false statement. You can not preach the gospel without words. The word "preach" implies speaking. Therefore, one must speak in order to preach, proclaim, or share the gospel. 

      The proclamation of Jesus Christ is not just a job for the preacher, but for every true follower of Jesus Christ. We have the distinct privilege and blessing to proclaim, tell, or share with others the good news of Jesus Christ. The good news of Jesus Christ is that God is Holy. Man is sinful, unholy, separated from God. Man is actively in rebellion against God. There is nothing about the natural man that desires God or His holiness at all. Yet, God in His grace sent His Son to take on flesh, live a perfect life, fulfilling God the Father's Holy Law, dying in the place of sinful man, and rising on the third day for our justification. This good news should be proclaimed and modeled in the local church from the pulpit each Lord’s Day. This is how the church worships, grows, and learns of God's goodness in Christ. This is what Paul means by “warning” and “teaching everyone" (disciples).

      There is also an evangelistic aspect to proclaiming Christ, which takes place as we go about our day. We are to proclaim Christ at home, work, school, restaurants, grocery stores, sporting events, or doctor’s office. This is also what Jesus meant when he gave his disciples the Great Commission. Jesus said, "Go into the world and MAKE disciples. He didn't say go invite them to church, to a singing or a potluck. He commanded his disciples (you and me) to make disciples. In other words, telling others the good news of Jesus Christ should be an everyday normal event of the disciple’s life, much like brushing our teeth. But, that seems odd, you say. True believers find the gospel glorious and majestic to the point it’s always on the tip of their mind and tongue. Hence, Paul would write, “If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth”  (Colossians 3:1-2). The sad reality is too many believers seek and have their mind set on the things of this earth and this is why it's so difficult to have spiritual conversations with others.

      However, as followers of Jesus, we must discipline ourselves to think on things that are above, namely the gospel. Why? In order that we may present everyone mature in Christ. As disciples of Christ, our goal and aim in life are to proclaim, teach, and share Christ in such a way that others will be greatly edified and perfected in Christ. This is what discipleship truly is; helping others follow Jesus better. And in order to do that we have to proclaim Jesus, there is no plan B. This takes intentionality, prayer, and the leading of the Spirit of God. I have found when I combine those three things in my life God always sends someone for me to proclaim Christ to either by conversation or by handing them a gospel tract.

      Will you pray and ask God today to send you someone to proclaim Christ to? Will you take an earthly conversation and look for a way to share Christ with that person? Will you pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ to have boldness as they share Christ with others? Will ask God who it may be you could build a relationship with around the gospel and begin to disciple him or her?  Do you have gospel tracts readily available to hand out to others, or leave at the gas station or wherever you go? This is how we truly grow in wisdom and maturity. SDG.;

"Take Heed Lest YOU Fall"

"Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

One person has rightly said, “Sin will take you further than you wanted to go; keep you longer than you wanted to stay; and cost you more than you than you wanted to pay.” Sin is serious. Sin kills. Regardless, if you think so or not, God takes sin much more serious than we do. Sin is disobedience to God's perfect will and Word for our lives. Sin is everything that refuses to conform to His perfect will. Sin is so serious that we as human beings have been separated from our Creator due to our parent’s sin in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). Sin is so serious that God the Son was forshaken by God the Father on the cross to make the way for sinners to be reconciled to Himself. We live in a culture today that doesn't even blush, let alone embarrassed over its sin. We live in a world today that is actively hostile toward God daily. I pray you sense the immense seriousness of sin.

Hence, the Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth to correct theological and ecclesiological (doctrine of the church) misunderstandings. Corinth was the heart of an important trade route in the ancient world. And like most cities that thrive on trade, Corinth was known for its sexual immorality, religious diversity, and corruption. The Corinthian culture was evil, wicked, and ungodly in every way much like our country today. Paul exhorted them to be watchful in the temptations that await them, not to be boastful in themselves lest they fall.

Therefore, Paul encourages them to abstain from succumbing to various sins by pointing them to the past. And he does this by showing them their father's sins in the Old Testament and how some even failed to please God and was "overthrown in the wilderness" (1 Cor.10:5). He reminded the Corinthians some of their relatives were not pleasing to God because of their sin. He pointed out the sins that can so easily consume them: "idolatry, sexual immorality, and the testing of God by grumbling and complaining." Paul wrote, "they were written down, in the Old Testament, as a reminder and instruction” for us not to sin in the same way as they did. Why? Because we are often easily persuaded since we are followers of Christ that we are good to go. I said the prayer, got baptized and joined the church. We escape hell and all is good. However, Paul warns them and us today, when you "think you stand" you better watch out! Because your fall could be right around the corner.

With that said; Here is a few questions we should ask ourselves concerning our standing before God: 

1. As a Christian, do you still need the gospel that you say saved you? 

The answer is "yes!" “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16).

The believer is still in need of God's gospel each day. Why? Because it's the gospel that reveals our sinfulness. It's the gospel that reveals the holiness of God, our wretchedness, and Christ's gracious act of substituting himself on the cross for sinners. It is the gospel which keeps us humble and on our knees. It is the gospel that reveals our right standing with God on the basis of His Son’s work on the cross and not something we do. Thus, Christians are to preach the gospel to themselves daily. "Take heed, lest YOU fall."

2. As a Christian, should my sins affect me on a daily basis?

The answer is "yes!" "And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment" (John 16:8). If God the Holy Spirit is not convicting you daily of your sins then you are not a Christian. For every true believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit as a gift of God’s grace to His elect. And the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin and conform us more into the image of Christ. If you are not bothered by your sin, regardless if it's idolatry, drunkenness, sexual immorality, gossiping, lying, stealing, or laziness then you have a bigger problem. It may be the reason you are not convicted is that you are not a believer. Your sin should convict you to where you confess your sin and flee to Christ forgiveness. “Take heed lest YOU fall.”

3. As a Christian, do you still need to repent daily?

The answer is "yes!" "If we confess (keep on confessing) our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). What is repentance? "Saving repentance is a gospel grace in which those who are made aware by the Holy Spirit of the many evils of their sin, by faith in Christ humble themselves for it with godly sorrow, hatred of it, and self-loathing. Repentance MUST continue throughout our lives, because of the body of death and its activities. So it is everyone's duty to repent of each specific, known sin specifically" (1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith: Repentance to Life and Salvation). In other words, Repentance is the life of every true Christian. The Puritan, Thomas Watson wrote, “Repentance is a grace of God’s Spirit whereby a sinner is inwardly humbled and visibly reformed.” If there is no inward humbling and outward reformation in your life than you are not a Christian. "Take heed, lest YOU fall."

4. As a Christian, is there an escape from the temptation of my sin?

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The answer is "yes!" Thankfully, Paul reminds us God provides "the way of escape" from the temptation of sin. William Hendriksen wrote, "God sets limits to human temptations and He himself comes to help his people during their trials." Thus, God becomes the believers way of escape. It is God's ever-abiding faithfulness that see His people through their trials and causes them to prevail. Paul says that with every temptation, God provides the way out. The question is; Are you looking for the way out or a way to indulge your flesh and enjoy your sin? "Take heed lest YOU fall."