PRACTICAL LIVING IN A PAGAN CULTURE Session 8: Begin a Healer

Session 8: Bearing – Being a Healer

INTRO: This is the last session of Summer Wednesdays 2015: Practical Living in a Pagan Culture, Being Jesus to a World that Doesn’t Care.  I assure you the world is watching.  They are looking to see how we treat each other!  They are concerned about how we treat them, but they are really looking to see how we treat the weak and struggling in our churches!

It has been said that ‘the church is the only army that shoots its wounded’!  The world is looking to see if that is true.  They do not want to join something or someone that kills you if you mess up.  Let’s look at our text for tonight.

Romans 15:1-2 (NKJV) We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. ² Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.

Romans 15:1-2 (Phillips) We who have strong faith ought to shoulder the burden of the doubts and qualms of others and not just to go our own sweet way. Our actions should mean the good of others—should help them to build up their characters. 

A great way to demonstrate Christ to a pagan world is to be a burden bearer.

Weak believers are like children; they make messes, they stumble when they walk; they need to be changed and fed; often they need to be carried!

Here is a poem that describes how we feel sometimes…

One night I had a wondrous dream,
One set of footprints there was seen,
the footprints of my precious Lord,
But mine were not along the shore.

But then some stranger prints appeared,
and I asked the Lord, "What have we here?"
Those prints are large and round and neat,
"But Lord they are too big for feet."

"My child," He said in somber tones,
"For miles I carried you alone.
I challenged you to walk in faith,
but you refused and made me wait."

"You disobeyed, you would not grow,
the walk of faith, you would not know.
So I got tired, I got fed up,
and there I dropped you on your butt."

"Because in life, there comes a time,
when one must fight, and one must climb.
When one must rise and take a stand,
or leave their butt prints in the sand."

This poem is funny, but not true.  God will never leave us or forsake us.  Aren’t we glad!

We should be the same way! We don't criticize and walk away disgusted; we help!  This is true of good parents and good believers, good friends, brothers and sisters.

Galatians 6:1–2 (NKJV) Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. ² Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:1-2 (Phillips) Even if a man should be detected in some sin, my brothers, the spiritual ones among you should quietly set him back on the right path, not with any feeling of superiority but being yourselves on guard against temptation. Carry each other’s burdens and so live out the law of Christ. ....

So we can testify to the world by how we treat each other.

1.  Husband and wives

2.  Parents and children

3.  Extended family

4.  Others in the church

5.  Others in the workplace

Who is our example?  Jesus Himself!

Romans 15:3 (NKJV) For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on Me.” (Psalm 69:9)

Philippians 2:1-8 (NKJV) Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Romans 15:4-6 (NKJV) For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. ⁵ Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, ⁶ that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Now there are different types of edification.

1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 (NKJV) Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

Discern the Four Levels of Friendship

Many people lack a clear understanding of the levels of friendship, which involve specific freedoms and responsibilities, depending on the closeness of the relationship. The four levels of friendship are (1) acquaintance, (2) casual friendship, (3) close friendship (fellowship), and (4) intimate friendship.

1. Acquaintance

This level of friendship is characterized by occasional contacts. Regard each introduction to a new acquaintance as a divine appointment. Learn and remember his name and greet him by name during your next encounter.

Be prepared to ask him general questions that will provide “public” information. For example, you might ask a person, “Where do you work?” or “Where do you go to school?” Your questions will demonstrate your acceptance and sincere interest in him.

Questions can be like arrows in a hunter’s hands: Take a question out of your “quiver” and guide it to its destination. If you miss the target, that is, if your question does not help you get to know the person better, take another question out of your quiver and try again. When you are prepared to ask good questions, you are free to concentrate on what the other person says and then use additional questions to maintain the conversation. Be a good listener as your new acquaintance responds to your questions.

  

2. Casual Friendship

A casual friendship can develop quickly, even during your initial contact with an individual. As you discover common interests, activities, and concerns, you may be given freedom to ask more personal questions. For example, you could ask questions about his goals, wishes, or opinions.

As your casual friendship develops, it is important to discover your friend’s strengths and praise him for positive character traits that you observe. A good friendship will build Godly character in both your lives. Be honest about yourself and acknowledge your own weaknesses when appropriate.

Be a trustworthy friend. Learn about his hopes and goals in life; show interest and sincere concern if he shares problems with you. Pray for him.

3. Close Friendship (Fellowship)

A casual friendship involves oneness of the soul (the mind, will, and emotions), but a close friendship—fellowship—reflects oneness of spirit. We can have many acquaintances and casual friendships with both believers and non-believers. However, true fellowship requires that both persons share the same life goals.

The Lord instructs us to “consider [observe fully] one another to provoke [incite] unto love and to good works” (Hebrews 10:24). This third level of friendship carries with it the responsibility to picture true achievement for one another, exhorting “one another daily . . . lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13). Discuss specific goals in your lives; identify potential hindrances to achieving those goals; creatively design projects to help you reach your goals.

Fellowship is “walking in the Light.” “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. . . . If we walk in the light, as he [Christ] is in the light, we have fellowship one with another . . .” (I John 1:5, 7). Your fellowship should include investments in projects that will equip you to achieve your life goals.

4. Intimate Friendship

The fourth, and deepest, level of friendship should be based on a commitment to generously invest in one another’s lives with the goal of helping each other mature in Godly character. Honesty, humility, and discretion are requirements of an intimate friendship. Comfort one another through trials and sorrows; pray diligently for one another.

At this level, friends have freedom to correct one another and point out each other’s blind spots. Don’t simply point out character deficiencies; discern their causes and suggest solutions. Search the Scriptures for keys to solutions, and be a faithful, loyal friend as you encourage one another to pursue spiritual maturity.

Paul continues with some encouragements during the process…

1 Thessalonians 5:16-25 (NKJV) Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

25 Brethren, pray for us.

Now notice something… When we treat each other right, who benefits?

Romans 15:7-13 (NKJV) Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God. ⁸ Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, ⁹ and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written:

 “For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles,

And sing to Your name.”

¹⁰ And again he says:

“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!”

¹¹ And again:

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles!

Laud Him, all you peoples!”

¹² And again, Isaiah says:

“There shall be a root of Jesse;

And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles,

In Him the Gentiles shall hope.”

¹³ Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

When we minister to each other, those far away from God see and benefit.  They will be drawn to the Kingdom because of the way we treat each other in the church!

We used to sing this old song…

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord

And we pray that our unity will one day be restored

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love

Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love

Acts 11:25–26 (NKJV) Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. ²⁶ And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

STATE OF THE UNION Session 3

STATE OF THE UNION

Session 3: Our Response to Government

In our last sessions we looked at the direction of our country and answered specific questions about some of the current issues. We talked about our responsibility to clean up our own house.

Today I want to look at our response to government when it may move away from Biblical standards.

Some of the preliminary material I covered in our Wednesday night series “PRACTICAL LIVING IN A PAGAN CULTURE Session 5 Humility - Being a Blessing”. I was not able to preach that night, but the full transcript is on our sermon blog: rfsermons.blogspot.com.

Allow me to reprise some of that material.

Romans 13:1-4 (NKJV) Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.

God created three institutions: family, church, government.

Psalm 22:28 (NKJV) For the kingdom is the Lord’s, and He rules over the nations.

Psalms 75:7 (NKJV) “But God is the Judge: He puts down one, And exalts another.”

Psalms 103:19 (NKJV) “The LORD has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all.”

Proverbs 8:15–16 (NKJV) By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice. 16 By me princes rule, and nobles, all the judges of the earth.

Daniel 2:21 (NKJV) “And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding.”

The Function of Human Government—According to The Open Bible, the general function of human government, as instituted by God, may be said to be threefold: to protect, to punish, and to promote.

The Function of Protection: the moment Adam sinned it was obvious that civilizations would need some form of restraint and rule to protect us from ourselves.

The Function of Punishment: duly appointed human officials are to be regarded as God’s servants to “bear the sword,” that is, to impose punishment upon criminals.

The Function of Promotion: government is to promote the general welfare of the community where its laws are in effect.

What is our Responsibility to Human Government?

Romans 13:5-7 (NKJV) Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

Titus 3:1–2 (NKJV) Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.

Our responsibility to human government is threefold.

a. We recognize and accept that the powers that be are ordained by God.  How this is accomplished is up for debate.  Does God actually pick the individual leaders or does He allow a process to take place?  Dr. Rusas J. Rushdooney has said that “people get the kind of government they deserve!”  For today it will suffice to say that God created civil government.

This truth applies even to atheistic human governments. In fact, when Paul wrote Romans, Nero was on the throne! The Greek words used here speak of a soldier’s absolute obedience to his superior officer. Scripture makes one exception to this command: when obedience to civil authority would require disobedience to God’s word.

Exodus 1:15-17 (NKJV) “Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of one was Shiphrah and the name of the other Puah; and he said, “When you do the duties of a midwife for the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstools, if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.” But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive.”

Daniel 3:16-18 (NKJV) “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.””

Daniel 6:10 (NKJV) “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.”

Acts 4:18-20 NKJV “So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.””

Acts 5:26-29 NKJV “Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!” But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.”

b. We are to pay our taxes.

Matthew 17:24-27 (NKJV) “When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?” He said, “Yes.” And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?” Peter said to Him, “From strangers.” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.””

Matthew 22:15-21 (NKJV) “Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the tax money.” So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

c. We are to pray for our leaders.

I Timothy 2:1-2 (NKJV) “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.”

We are not citizens of this world.

John 15:19 (NKJV) “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”

John 17:14 (NKJV) “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.”

John 17:16 (NKJV) “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.”

John 18:36 (NKJV) Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”

We are on a journey.

Hebrews 11:13 (NKJV) “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."

I Peter 1:1-2 (NKJV) “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.”

1 Peter 2:11-17 (NKJV) Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims,

Strangers: alien, foreigner

Sojourners: someone passing through

Pilgrims: temporary resident

The problem with most of us is that we live as citizens of this world, not as pilgrims; we have taken up residence, not just passing through.

Let’s look closer at what Peter writes about how we should live as citizens.

1 Peter 2:11-17 (NKJV) Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Live a holy life.

13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.

Live a law abiding life.

15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men-- 16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.

17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

Live an honoring life.

Christians should seek good for the country they live in. Even if it ungodly!  Think about God’s command to Israel before their captivity in Babylon.

Jeremiah 29:7 NKJV “And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace.”

We see our response to government illustrated so beautifully in the life of Daniel…

Carried away captive...

Set his heart...

Became famous...

Served four kings: Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius, Cyrus...

Heart was to serve the nation of Babylon in accordance with God’s command...