Perspective

No man can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
Last week, we talked about perspective. Jesus said, “if your eye is healthy” – viz. if you have the right perspective, if you are seeing the world through heaven’s eyes, if you see what Jesus sees, then your body will be full of light. In other words, walking in the light is not dependent on your circumstances, it is dependent on your perspective. We’ve known people who’ve been dealt tremendous blows in life, and yet because they keep the faith, because they keep their testimony, their lives don’t look like dark lives – they look like difficult lives where light is shining very brightly!

Jesus places this statement right smack dab in the middle of two statements about money. Why? He knows that so much of our perspective deficiency is in the area of finances. We need the wisdom to see that heaven treasure lasts longer than earth treasure. We need the wisdom to see that Master Jesus is infinitely more valuable than master money, and we can’t follow both so we should follow Him. Even when the earth is shaking…we can trust Him.

Treasures in Heaven

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Spend spiritually.
Notice, these verses do not address spending (though other texts do) – but rather hoarding, “laying up.” There is a way to spend your money and still be investing in eternity. What about a family vacation? Do you take advantage of the change of scenery to get your children’s attention for devotions? What about a meal out? Sometimes our homes seem more like battlefields and we need to be together in a new context, even just for an hour. Even a date night – as it strengthens your marriage – should get you to the point that you see your marriage as a picture of the gospel and becomes an investment in eternity.


Give Liberally.God loves a cheerful giver. The New Testament criterion for faithfulness in giving is that it be both sacrificial and cheerful.

We should give liberally and sacrificially, but when we do spend, doing so with the goal of investing that money and time for eternity.

The Hardest King of Forgiveness

Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,
but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15

The most difficult kind of forgiveness. The hardest person to forgive is the person who admits no fault, refuses to apologize. Forgiveness is clearly commanded by our Lord, regardless of the circumstances. But how do I forgive someone who is not sorry?

Four Considerations:
#1 – Consider if they’ve really sinned. Just because you’re hurt doesn’t mean they have sinned. Psalm 141:5 says “let a righteous man strike me, it is a kindness. Let him rebuke me, it is oil for my head.”

#2 – Consider God’s forgiveness in your life. I talked earlier about perspective. Think about how many times God has forgiven you just today. There’s a line from one of our Resonate songs that says “If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.” Here I am sinking in an ocean of God’s grace – shall I offer a cup of that water to another? God has forgiven me more than I could ever forgive other people – He is infinitely forgiving.

#3 – Consider whether to tell them. Sometimes, saying, “I forgive you” simply inflames the situation. Often, it’s best to forgive them from your heart and just return to loving them. Cancel the debt. If down the road the person comes to you with an apology, instead of a debt paid, it’s a bonus you didn’t expect.

#4 – Consider the Examples in Scripture. Jesus, Stephen, David, Joseph, Moses… the list goes on.

William Arthur Ward said, “We are most like beasts when we kill, we are most like men when we judge, we are most like God when we forgive.”

Beware of Practicing Your Righteousness Before Others

Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people, in order to be seen by them. For then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and the streets, that they may be praised by others. For truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your giving may be in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:1 - 4

1. What’s your motive?One commentator said it’s, “Not the number of spectators, but the furtive glance of our eyes to see if they are looking at us, makes the sin.” Often our giving, or serving, or singing, or whatever, is going to be seen by others. It’s not wrong to receive affirmation, it’s wrong to seek it. It’s not wrong to hear a compliment, it’s wrong to need to hear a compliment. Proverbs says, “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth.” If someone praises you, let them. Just don’t join them on the chorus! I can remember many times over the course of my ministry, where I felt like a person was fishing for a compliment. The problem here is the compliment is given out of guilt and not love and heartfelt appreciation.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

2. What’s the better reward?The New Testament talks of 5 different crowns. The Crown of Life, the Crown of Righteousness, The Crown of Rejoicing, The Crown of Glory, The Incorruptible Crown. When we desire the here and now reward, we are turning down the better one. I’ve shared the illustration before about filling up on Big Macs and Pizza when the next line had Filet Mignon and Lobster Tail. Instead of waiting for surf and turf you fill up on junk and stunk.
Friends, let's hold out for the good stuff.

I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than world-wide fame,
I’d rather be true to His holy name.

Love Your Enemies

You have heard that it was said, you shall love your neighbors and hate your enemies, but I say to you love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For He makes His sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is perfect.

How do I love my enemies?
#1 – Find good examples of sons and be like them. I asked a seminary professor about another former student and about his character and my professor said, “he’s a prince.” Find a prince. Find that person who exemplifies son-ship. Romans says, "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." Find someone like Stephen who said lay not this sin to their account. Find someone like David, standing over slumbering Saul saying how could I harm God’s anointed? Find someone like Joseph, looking at his brothers and saying, you meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.


#2 - Think with heavenly perspective. David understood this when he wrote in the Psalms, “From Your presence let my vindication come! Let Your eyes behold the right!” God sees everything. He understands it perfectly. Let Him deal with it. You don’t have to figure out who to love and who to hate, you love everybody and let Him handle the justice part.
Proverbs says, Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

Romans 8:15, Acts 7:60, 1 Samuel 24:6, Genesis 50:20, Psalms 17:2, Proverbs 19:11

Divorce

Divorce
You have heard that it was said, if anyone divorces his wife; let him give her a certificate of divorce. But I say to you, that everybody who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery. And whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. Matthew 5:31-32

It was just yesterday that I heard the first stirrings of a possible divorce that is brewing in our church. One of the things that bother me most about divorce is our absolute unwillingness to fear God about it. Our feelings are more important than His holiness. Our happiness is more important than the beauty and glory and integrity of the gospel. And what about faith? We have faith that God will deliver us from devastating cancer. We’ve got faith that God will bring our loved ones to Himself for salvation. We have faith that God will reconcile any prodigal, but when it comes to our spouse, there’s just no hope. We believe the lie that “God won’t,” or even worse, “God can’t.”

In rare cases, divorce is allowed, but it is never commanded. In fact, Jesus Himself corrects the Pharisees (Matt. 19 – they say, why did Moses command, Jesus says Moses allowed). Consider Hosea, even in the case of an allowance, the Biblical standard is forgiveness and restoration.

For those who are remarried, please hear me say this: there is no condemnation for you. And regardless of what’s happened in your past, God can use your current marriage and that’s exactly what He wants to do.

For those contemplating divorce, decide first is it even warranted, biblically? Then, I think you must decide what you believe about God’s ability and willingness to change people. Not what you believe about that person, but what you believe about God.

For a case of abuse, while I would never recommend a wife keeping herself or her children in that situation, divorce is not biblically allowed. Don’t hesitate to call the police. If the man is a Christian, turn him over to the Church for discipline. Removing yourself and your children from the home is not the same as dissolving the marriage and in so doing giving up hope.

Awareness of Sin, Astonished by Grace

27“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell. – Matthew 5:27-30

If a person must be aware of their spiritual bankruptcy as the first step into the Kingdom of Heaven, then Jesus’ teaching here should point any person to that. He says, ok, so you’re not murdering. Ever hate someone? Ever insult someone? Survey says, “XXXXX!” Oh, so you don’t commit adultery? Ever look at a woman with lustful intent? You’re guilty. Any time you try to commend your righteousness to Jesus, He looks at your heart and sees exactly who you are.

I had a somewhat embarrassing episode which culminated this week. I appeared at the Fincastle Courthouse regarding a speeding ticket. I was not paying close enough attention to my speedometer, and got nailed. This is not my habit, but make no mistake, I was absolutely guilty. The officer who wrote my ticket, (interestingly a former Rainbow member), suggested I appear in court and with a clear driving record in Virginia, I would might get some leniency. I watched several other drivers try to defend themselves, and the judge was courteous and merciful, yet at the same time wise and unimpressed. When my turn came, the judge asked me about my driving record in Georgia. (I’d gotten a ticket, but it had been dismissed.) I fumbled for an answer. As I tried to sound like a perfect driver caught red handed in his first ever mistake behind the wheel, the judge assumed correctly that the defendant was less than perfect. He was kind enough to reduce my ticket and the sting of writing the check should keep me at a safer speed from now on. I learned my lesson, and was reminded of a spiritual one.

And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack…”

You see, just like the kind judge in Fincastle knew that there were no perfect drivers in his courtroom on Monday, Jesus looks right through the façades we put up and makes us aware of our spiritual poverty, and then to be astonished by His grace.

God, who is more holy than we can imagine, with love more extravagant than we can measure, redeemed people like you and me, who are more sinful than we will ever admit. - Ed Stetzer

Christ Came to Fulfill the Law

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Foundational
Jesus is laying the groundwork for what He is about to discuss. He is going to talk about, as we’ve said, some very difficult issues like divorce and adultery, and also some very common struggles like insults and swearing oaths. Jesus first affirms the Law and Prophets, then elevates them to a whole new level as He handles issues individually. This affirmation is a great reminder for us, as well, of the validity and necessity of the Old Testament – and in these words, Jesus Christ is saying to us, you need the Old Testament, it matters, it is eternal, and it is my inspired and authoritative Word. Period.

The Difficulty
The challenge I have is that so much of the Law no longer applies to us in the same way as when it was given. There were three branches of law given in the Old Testament. Ceremonial, Civil, and Moral. You might think we only follow the Moral law, which is true in a sense, yet Jesus says here, “not an iota, not a dot.” He explicitly states that all the law is eternal – everything from shellfish to sacrifice.

The Solution
We follow the purpose of the law more than the letter.
Jesus not only healed on the Sabbath, He seemed to prefer to do it on that day. What’s the purpose of the Sabbath? For rest, relief, and general well being of the people. To heal on the Sabbath – accomplished these ends. What about shrimp? The purpose of that law was the general health of the people, and their being separate from the pagans. God still wants us to be generally healthy, and separate from pagans. This law gets elevated by Paul, who teaches us that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. The Old Testament law says nothing about smoking tobacco, but this principle gives us direction. The Old Testament says nothing about eating four King Size Snickers every day.

We make the law a matter of the heart.
Hebrews 8:10 says, “I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts.” He says, in effect, instead of having to memorize 600 plus regulations and in your own power not only know them but do them, I’m going to give you a heart knowledge of my law. Who sits on the throne of a Christian’s heart? The Holy Spirit – Who will speak to you through the Word of God.

We always consult the Scriptures
If you want to know how to apply the sacrificial laws, read the book of Hebrews. It systematically shows how Jesus died once for all. If you need to know how to apply the food codes, look to Acts 10, and Peter’s vision. For Moral absolutes, we know these never pass away, but even they are often verified in the New Testament, like Romans 1 and Homosexuality.

The heart of the law endures forever, the application of the Law is only possible in the Spirit.

Galatians 5:25 – If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

Ye are the Light of the World

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father Who is in heaven.

We looked last week at the two functions of salt. Jesus says that as Christians we are the flavor and preservative in this world. Our lives should enhance the lives around us, and our influence is keeping this world from utter moral decay. It’s sad that moral decay has occurred, due in no small part to the weak influence of the Church. It should bother us – Christians often don’t add savour to lives around them, they’re known mostly for what they’re against.

The Beatitudes are the remedy for this. The Christian who is poor in spirit and unashamed to mourn it, who is meek – having completely surrendered “self” and hungers and thirsts only for the glory of God, becomes a merciful, pure, peacemaker. The opening beatitudes teach us what we are, and it is only then that we start to get at what we do.

You cannot walk up to home plate and take a swing for the Yankees until you are first on the roster. You have to be a New York Yankee before you can take the field for them. Martin Lloyd Jones says: “If our lips speak more than our lives, it will avail little.” He’s right.

This does not mean we do not use our lips, simply what we say must be consistent with how we live.

St. Francis said very famously, “preach the gospel, if necessary, use words.” That’s almost absurd. At least, the way we’ve interpreted Francis’ words in the contemporary church – preach the gospel through your life: attend church, do good deeds, and you don’t shove your message on people verbally. Maybe what St. Francis really meant was: Preach the gospel, when necessary, (as it inevitably will be), use words.

What we say must be consistent with who we are, and God says that part of who we are is people with something to say!

If you are authentically living the Christian life, your witness will be powerful in your sphere of influence.

Ye are the Salt

You are the salt of the earth. But if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.

Salt Preserves. Lloyd Jones says this verse, “implies rottenness in the earth; it implies a tendency to pollution and to becoming foul and offensive.” Isn’t that true! The same thing happens to a chunk of meat without preservative. My brother has done years of research with this. It will become more and more putrid, more and more disgusting.

Salt Flavors. As Christians, your life and my life should make a difference in the world. We are “the fragrance of the knowledge of Him,” and “the aroma of Christ to God.” My life should enhance the life of my neighbor. His life should be better, because he knows me.

The following story was in Macarthur's excellent commentary on Matthew...

Woodrow Wilson told the story of being in a barbershop one time. “I was sitting in a barber chair when I became aware that a powerful personality had entered the room. A man had come quietly in upon the same errand as myself to have his hair cut and sat in the chair next to me. Every word the man uttered, though it was not in the least didactic, showed a personal interest in the man who was serving him. And before I got through with what was being done to me I was aware I had attended an evangelistic service, because Mr. D. L. Moody was in that chair. I purposely lingered in the room after he had left and noted the singular affect that his visit had brought upon the barber shop. They talked in undertones. They did not know his name, but they knew something had elevated their thoughts, and I felt that I left that place as I should have left a place of worship.”

Father, whether I visit a barbershop, an auto shop, or any place, only that I would be salt.

Pentecost

As I was wrapping up my reading in 1 Corinthians 16 this morning, I came across something I had somehow missed before. Paul is basically giving his ministry calendar for the next several seasons, something he would today simply post to his website - apostlepaul.com, or a more clever url perhaps. Anyway, in looking over his "upcoming events" page, he mentions that he will "stay in Ephesus until after Pentecost." It seems this is a scriptural indication that the early Church celebrated Pentecost.

I'll admit that to celebrate Pentecost is not explicity prescribed in this text. He refers to it more as a reference point for his calendaring. At the same time, the fact that this holiday is mentioned in the New Testament makes it unique from Christmas, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, and pretty much every other holiday we observe to some degree in most Evangelical Churches. I'm not arguing against the Celebration of these days. I'm simply suggesting that we begin to add Pentecost to the calendar.

Francis Chan wrote a book recently called Forgotten God: Reversing our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit. In it he writes, "From my perspective, the Holy Spirit is tragically neglected and for all practical purposes, forgotten. While no evangelical would deny His existence, I'm willing to bet there are millions of churchgoers across America who cannot confidently say they have experienced His presence or action in their lives over the past year. And many of them do not believe they can."

I think he's right, at least in his assertion that churchgoers can't point to His presence or action in their lives. While celebrating Pentecost in the context of corporate worship alone won't reverse this problem, it certainly could be the catalyst to change it. I pray that it will!

Family Devotions

Last night, I passed out a guide for eight days of family devotions which go over the 8 beatitudes. I mentioned last night that these would work best when your children or grandchildren are 8 years old or so. If you are a parent like me, with toddlers, you might go through these together with your spouse. Find someone. Study these Beatitudes. Memorize them, if not verbatim, at least know them. They are essential. They are the first words, in the first sermon, from the most important Preacher who ever lived. They matter. Teach the epic words of Christ to your children.

I'll post the 8 devotions below, in case you missed them, but here is how you do it. First, the verse is provided here in the ESV. You're welcome to use your own Bible/translation and just open to Matthew 5. After that, there is a very brief word study provided of the key greek word. For instance, in the first study, you'll see a back ground for the word ptōchos. Jesus is talking about extreme poverty, not just a person living paycheck to paycheck with no bank account. So you share that. Then, there is "in other words" which basically restates the verse in common language with some amplification. Finally, "words of wisdom" is there, which takes a verse from Psalms or Proverbs. You can look this up together, read it, and then close in prayer.

The whole routine could take 4 minutes. Here's the devotions:
Day 1: Happy are the BROKE Matthew 5:3 – Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Greek for “poor” – ptōchos – extreme and shameful poverty, as a beggar hiding his face.
In other words: Happy are those who “own” the fact that spiritually, they are broke – bankrupt! ; for God will give them what they absolutely cannot earn or merit on their own.
Words of Wisdom – Proverbs 29:23
Day 2: Happy are the Criers - Matthew 5:4 – Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Greek for “mourn” – pentheō – mourning, wailing as over someone’s death.
In other words: Happy are those who cry about their sin, only they can receive God’s comfort.
Words of Wisdom – Psalm 34:18
Day 3: Happy are the Selfless - Matthew 5:5 – Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Greek for “meek” – praÿs – unselfoccupied, trusting God
In other words: Happy are those who love Jesus more than themselves, and trust Him with their reputation, vindication, and all provision. Though powerful, they don’t use their power for themselves, but to serve God.
Words of Wisdom: Psalm 37:11, Proverbs 25:27
Day 4: Happy are the Hungry - Matthew 5:6 – Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Greek for “hungry” – peinaō – craving ardently
In other words: Happy are those who don’t hunger for possessions or fame, but they are hungry for God - if you go to Him on empty, He’ll fill you up.
Words of Wisdom: Psalm 63:1, 5
Day 5: Happy are the Compassionate - Matthew 5:7 – Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Greek for “merciful” – eleēmōn – Helping the afflicted.
In other words: Happy are those who see and respond to people like Jesus does, for He is to us our faithful and merciful High Priest. (Heb. 2:17)
Words of Wisdom – Psalm 41:1
Day 6: Happy are the Holy - Matthew 5:8 – Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Greek for “pure” – katharos – free from corrupt desire; purified.
In other words: Happy are the ones who live holy lives, the more the sin gets out, the more they can really see God.
Words of Wisdom: Psalm 18:26
Day 7: Happy are the Ambassadors of Peace - Matthew 5:9 – Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Greek for “peacemaker” – eirēnopoios – founders and promoters of peace.
In other words: Happy are those who make God’s peace – God’s way. Not through compromise and tolerance, but through truth and righteousness. They are the royal sons and daughters of God.
Words of Wisdom: Psalm 85:10
Day 8: Happy are the Attacked - Matthew 5:10 – Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Greek for “persecuted” – diōkō - to be mistreated, suffer persecution on account of something.
In other words: Happy are those Ambassadors of Peace, who get attacked in response to their message of peace. Their reward is in heaven.
Words of Wisdom: Psalm 120:7