This segment will highlight the general outline of both messages with some additional content.
Sunday’s sermons were “Identity Crisis,” from John 8:37-59 and “Marriage and the Single Life,” from I Corinthians 7.
“Identity Crisis” explored the discussion that Jesus had with the Jews who “appeared” to believe on Him (30). The three significant details of the heart which Jesus highlighted calls for us to give considerable attention to our profession of faith.
I. There are only two identities upon which men believe (7:37-41). The Jews had identified their eternal security in Abraham’s seed, and according to Jesus, genuine security was acquired by believing the truth of God’s Word.
II. True members of God’s family exhibit the character of God (7:42,43,47) A) by showing love for Jesus (7:42; I John 5:1,2), B) by listening to His Word (7:43) with understanding to obey Him, to be saved, and to be set apart from the world unto Jesus Christ (7:47; James 1:19).
III. False believers exhibit the character of Satan (7:44-50; Romans 8:7-8). These Jews revealed lust, murder, lying, unbelief, stiff-necked (7:47; Jer. 17:23), and resorted to name calling (48-50).
Jesus concluded His lesson with them (7:51-59) by calling them to true faith.
The evening message, “Marriage and the Single Life” from I Corinthians 7:6-9; 25-35 taught that marriage is to be held in high esteem, as well as singleness. One of the many advantages to the single life is that ministry for Christ can be a focal point without family distractions. There were five lessons given that every believer should observe.
I. Cautiously enter temporary abstinence from physical intimacy mutually (7:6) - (for the purpose of prayer-7:5).
II. Consider the gift of restraint (7:7). Paul stated that he had the gift of restraint and encouraged others to consider if they had the gift as well. Paul was not imposing celibacy within a monogamous marriage relationship. Neither was Paul advocating singleness over marriage. However, there were those in the Corinthian congregation who were single (either never married, separated, divorced, or widowed) who Paul wanted to encourage remaining single, only if they had the ability to exercise self-control, as he (7:8-9).
III. Christian marriage is good and great when entered into seriously, wisely, and prepared.
IV. Choices given to the unmarried (widower) are offered (7:9).
V. Cases regarding virgins were reviewed (7:25-25). There were problems in the world to consider (25-28). There was Christian service to be considered (7:32-35). Marriage can distract from “worry-free” service for Christ. Singleness has fewer responsibilities and potentially frees the believer for “worry-free” service to Christ (the widow woman in Mark 12:44).
Divine Help for a Critical Spirit Luke 6
After quickly skimming through Luke 6, you will discover that this week’s lesson, like last week, covers several incidences which has some bearing on our personal lives. Due to the limited space below, our focus will be only verses thirty-seven through forty-two.
The greatness of God from last week’s lesson is what will guarantee each one of God’s children victory over a critical spirit. Note how Jesus begins…”Judge not…, condemn not…, and forgive….” What does all this mean? What follows is as intriguing and insightful.
What is being prohibited is not the exercise of judgment in courts or in church discipline matters, but the criticizing of others tied with finding fault in others. Does each of us have our finger on our pulse, yet? We must take action on this matter. One commentator put it this way, “[this] forbids a Christian from finding ‘status by negation.’” There is no room for criticizing others to make ourselves look better. Jesus put this in the imperative (commandment) form – “Stop doing what is presently being done.” The promise Jesus included at the end is “you will not in any way be judged.” For Christians there is judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10), but we will be judged mercifully. Next, “Do not condemn” is similar to “do not judge (criticize).” Repeating the same idea adds to the emphasis that Jesus made earlier. Stop giving unfavorable opinions as if they were absolutes, stop pronouncing unjust sentences based on wrong or twisted evidence in order to construct a favorable opinion from others. A critical fault-finding spirit violates the lesson from verses twenty-seven through thirty–six – “love one another.”
Neither of these two commands disqualifies believers from making judgments. The wrong spirit and the selfish purpose for the judgments is what Jesus is calling His disciples (and us) to stop immediately. Sin must be judged. Disobedience must be judged. Wrong relationships, actions, ministries must be judged or how else could we recognize a wrong yoke (2 Corinthians 6:14-17)?
The next imperative (command) is “forgive…give.” These are two commands to be done in tandem continuously. Forgive the guilty. Forgive those who have sinned against you. Forgive those who have caused you personal injury and injustice. Jesus promised that when we forgive we will be forgiven. When we obey the Lord and stop the unforgiving spirit, critical words and thoughts, God promises like the grain given in Jesus’ day it will be given in good measure filled full and pressed down, shaken so that all the space will be filled with the good grain, holding as much as the container can possibly hold and then a scoop more on the top (running over). God will bless believers not just to the proportion in which we give forgiveness to others, but extravagantly more. The picture then shows in verse thirty-eight that this full, heaping measurement of grain will be poured into your container, which was a part of the outer garment between the shoulders and the belt. It would be taken off and used as a container in which the measurement could be poured. Who does this pouring? God!
How we treat others is how God will act toward us. “Human generosity is rewarded with divine generosity.” Doing all we can for others will be rewarded by God doing more for us. Not necessarily in God giving us things but God giving us joy and people who will act kindly toward us.
Does it sound like it is worth stopping the critical spirit, prejudiced judgments, withholding forgiveness and begin to deliberately love others as we are loved by Christ, and give to them? I think we are getting the better end of the deal when we give our all in this matter. As well, God gets the glory when His disciples exhibit the life of the Lord Jesus. Ask God to help your thinking of others and yourself transform. Extend forgiveness (Matthew 18:23-35) to those who you have withheld forgiveness, and give to them what God has freely given to you – forgiveness. You will never run out or regret that you did.
The Blessing of Pardon
Mark Guy Pearse once told this story at Chautauqua: There was a young musician in the royal band of Hanover. He was a remarkable lad for his age, and his superior playing won much praise for him, and he liked to march at the head of the troops discoursing martial music. But when war came on and he had to lie in the trenches all night he could not stand it, and one night he deserted and fled to England.
Now, it is a serious thing for a soldier to desert. The penalty is death, and is usually inflicted when the deserter is caught. But this man was not caught. He became a great organist, but his heart was in the stars and he was a still greater astronomer. With infinite pains he constructed a telescope, and then he scanned the heavens night after night, until one night he actually discovered a new planet. He was awed. He verified the discovery and then received the applause of the whole world. He was sent for by the king and went to Windsor Castle. But the king was George, of Hanover, the sovereign to whom his life was forfeit for his old desertion. The king knew him, too; and what would he do?
Before the king would see him he was requested to open an envelope containing a royal communication. He did so, wondering what the king was going to do with him. It was his pardon as a deserter. “Now,” said King George, “we can talk, and you shall come up and live at Windsor and be Sir William Herschel.” The wonderful grace of God is sometimes reflected in human hearts.
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