August 10, 2010

"Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you." James 5:1-6

If God doesn't have a problem with riches, then why does He sound to upset in this portion of Scripture?

God gets excited about people who know how to handle riches correctly. They understand:

1) Righteousness is more important than riches.

2) Relationship is more important than riches.

Apparently, these Christians James is writing to had forgotten these truths. Or, at least some of them had. Their actions and attitudes were downright sinful. They were disgracing their God, their faith, their church and themselves.

They had succumbed to the temptation of trusting in their wealth more than trusting in God. As a result they were hoarding their money and riches instead of helping the less fortunate or giving to the Lord or honoring their obligations to their emloyees. In an effort to protect their wealth, these rich people had become miserly and miserable. Rather than investing their money in God's purposes and God's people they were spending it on personal pleasure and possessions and tempting to gain power over God's people.

What this portion of Scripture proves and what these people illustrate is that when your cash on hand exceeds your character the result is usually corruption. When you love your money more than you love your Master, you are on a road to ruin.

God is committed to the development of your character and He knows how much wealth you can handle without it corrupting your character. Being the God of unlimited resources and unlimited grace He would delight in being able to pour out abundant material blessings on His preople. But His generosity toward you is limited only by the capacity of your character to handle wealth without it corrupting you.

If you are spiritually weak or lack maturity and if your character is still being developed you may be as wealthy as God can trust you to be right now. Draw closer to Him. Cleanse your hands and purify your heart. When God has your heart then He can trust your wallet. His desire is to pour blessings on you so He can pour blessings through you. He wants you to be a pipeline not a reservoir.

The condemnation on these believers was that they had become stagnant reservoirs rather than pipelines of blessing.

How would you characterize your attitude toward money and wealth? Is it the driving force in your life? As you trusting it as the source of your security? Is it more important than your relationships? Is it more important than your righteousness?

August 9, 2010

"Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you." James 1:5

Does the Bible have something against rich people? Did Jesus! Should we?

Certainly, it is easy to pick on the rich if, for no other reason - envy. I don't think I have ever met a person who did not want to be rich. All of us wish we had more that we have. Rich people would like to be richer.

The founder of our movement, John Wesley once said in regard to money, "Make all you can, save all you can and give all you can." That doesn't sound like someone who was against having money. But he also said, “When I have money, I get rid of it quickly, lest it find a way into my heart.” Obviously, he was aware of how easily money can corrupt us.

Jesus undestanding the nature of the human heart and the lure of money had much to say about money:

*Jesus talked about money more than He did Heaven and Hell combined.

*Jesus talked about money more than anything else except the Kingdom of God.

*11 of 39 parables talk about money.

*1 of every 7 verses in the Gospel of Luke talk about money.

Preachers often get resented and criticized for talking about too much about money but it IS such an important and practical topic that Jesus dwelt on it. How can a pastor be Biblical and not talk about money when the Bible focuses on it so much?

This week we will be studying James 5:1-6 where James has some rather harsh things to say regarding wealthy people and the use of their money. So, to set the stage for that, let's spend a few moments considering the lure of money. Why is it so powerful?

1) Money brings security and who doesn't desire to have more security!?

2) Money brings power and who doesn't want to feel more powerful?

3) Money brings privilege and opportunity and who doesn't welcome more options?

4) Money brings popularity and esteem. Who doesn't want those things?

5) Money can allow us to gain possessions and having stuff makes us happy.

So, the bottom line is this: It is okay to have money but you cannot allow money to have you! God is faithful to provide for you as much as you can handle.

Think about it, when you have your heart and head right in regard to money then you will give tithes and offerings. That benefits both you and Him, so why wouldn't He want to bless you more?

Are you handling your money or is it handling you? Are you allowing money to be your god or are you trusting God to help you with your money? What do you need to do differently in regard to your finances?

August 8, 2010

"Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor? Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins." James 4:11-17

“FAITH THAT WORKS OUT”

Week Seven – “Faith Works Out In Humility” James 4:11-17

Last week we ended up with the verse, “Humble yourself before the Lord and He will lift you up.” James 4:10b

Oh Lord it's hard to be humble when you're perfect in every way,I can't wait to look in the mirror cause I get better looking each dayTo know me is to love me I must be a real swell man.Oh Lord it's hard to be humble but I'm doing the best that I can.

It’s obvious that this guy doesn’t understand humility, but how can it be measured? How is it defined? What can you do to get it and keep it?

James gives clear instruction on that this morning!

I. HUMILITY NEVER PRE-JUDGES, Vv. 11-12

Driving to the office this morning, I noticed a woman driving 65 mph with her face up next to her rear view mirror, putting on her eyeliner! I looked away and next thing you know she was halfway in my lane, still putting on her makeup.

As a man, I don't scare easily. But she scared me so much, I dropped my electric shaver, which knocked the donut out of my other hand. In all the confusion of trying to straighten out the car using my knees against the steering wheel, it knocked my cell phone away from my ear which fell into the coffee between my legs, ruined the phone, soaked my trousers, and disconnected an important call. All because of that crazy woman driver!

How many would say that fellow might be acting a little judgmental?

This whole issue of judging is widely misunderstood within the faith, so I think it is worth spending some time clarifying this.

(VISUAL ILLUSTRATION WITH THREE PEOPLE)

Judging does not mean you cannot form an opinion about someone. There is no way you can avoid that. You have intelligence and you have your value system and those just naturally kick in when you meet someone. We all prejudge others – it is human nature. But it becomes wrong when you refuse to make an effort to get to know that person and choose to keep that person bound by your PRE-judging.

In his little book Illustrations of Bible Truth, H.A. Ironside pointed out the folly of judging others. He related an incident in the life of a man called Bishop Potter. "He was sailing for Europe on one of the great transatlantic ocean liners. When he went on board, he found that another passenger was to share the cabin with him. After going to see the accommodations, he came up to the purser’s desk and inquired if he could leave his gold watch and other valuables in the ship’s safe. He explained that ordinarily he never availed himself of that privilege, but he had been to his cabin and had met the man who was to occupy the other berth. Judging from his appearance, he was afraid that he might not be a very trustworthy person. The purser accepted the responsibility for the valuables and remarked, ’It’s all right, bishop, I’ll be very glad to take care of them for you. The other man has been up here and left his for the same reason!’"

PRE-judging gets worse when you impose your opinions and judgments of a person to another who has not been given the opportunity to form his own opinion about that person. You impugn one person’s character and you rob another person of an opportunity to form his own opinion toward them. In so doing you are spreading your prejudice. That is wrong!

You want the opportunity to let others get to know you before they form their opinion of what you are or what sort of person you may be. Since you want that chance for yourself, you are oath-bound to extend the same grace to others.

There are at least three types of judging:

1) Correct evaluations from a heart of love

“Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment." John 7:24

“Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?" John 7:51

2) Correct evaluations but with a negative attitude (Vindictive/Grudge)

3) Incorrect evaluations of other people (Prejudice

“Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.” James 4:11
The key Greek word, “KATALALEO”, here is translated "speak against." It has the idea of "evil speaking" or someone being slanderous. This deals with intentionally and maliciously attempting to destroy the reputation of another person and prejudice others to believe your characterization of them. You do this to make yourself look better or you do this seeking revenge on them or you might do this trying to be divisive.

(WATER IN WILDY’S GAS)
People who do this are not operating out of humility. They are showing pride and prejudice. They are disruptive and destructive to the unity of a church fellowship.

Morris, the loudmouth mechanic, was removing the cylinder heads from the motor of a car when he spotted a famous heart surgeon who was standing off to the side, waiting for the service manager to come take a look at his Mercedes.
Morris shouted across the garage, "Hey Doc! Is dat you? Come on ova’ here a minute."

The famous surgeon, a bit surprised, walked over to where Morris the mechanic was working on the car. Morris straightened up, wiped his hands on a rag, and asked argumentatively, "So, Mr. Fancy Doctor, look at dis here work.

I ALSO open hearts, take valves out, grind ’em, put in new parts, and when I finish dis it will purr like a kitten. So how come you get da big bucks, when you an’ me is doing basically da same work?"
The surgeon leaned over and whispered to Morris the loudmouth mechanic, "Try doing it with the engine running."

HUMBLE PEOPLE DON’T SHOW PREJUDICE!

II. HUMILITY NEVER PRESUMES, Vv. 13-17

During the US civil war Abraham Lincoln met with a group of ministers for a prayer breakfast. Lincoln was a man of deep, if at times unorthodox, faith. At one point one of the ministers said, "Mr. President, let us pray that God is on our side". Lincoln’s response showed far greater insight, "No, gentlemen, let us pray that we are on God’s side." If we want to know what God wants us to do, then we must first strive to live a life of conformity to Him.

It is easy to presume upon God because He is so patient and gracious. But humble people understand WHO HE IS and WHO THEY ARE and keep each in their proper place.

Last week’s message ended at verse 10 taking about humility. These verses show several illustrations of humility.

Let's start with the big picture. It makes a difference when you look at life from an eternal perspective. Don't you agree that it influences your thinking and decision-making when you understand you are going to live somewhere forever? It absolutely does!

First, it changes how you look at yourself and your spiritual condition. If your eternal destiny is at stake and dependent upon what you believe and how you behave that will impact your decisions and your actions. And it should!

Second, it impacts how you look at others. If they are eternal and you are eternal and how you treat them has eternal consequences it ups the ante, doesn't it? When you understand that your slander or accusations about another person could possibly influence what happens to him eternally, that causes you to be more careful!

Third, it should determine how you relate to time. Since how you spend your time determines how you spend your eternity, be very wise about how you spend your time! You will understand that people of faith don't spend time - they invest in it! Planning is paramount! But planning must be done with the humble recognition that God is in charge of time and He must be vitally involved in how you think about planning.

So, properly relating to time and eternity will necessarily result in an attitude of humility. Humility looks like someone who lives, loves and plans backwards - from eternity to today. If you were to live today from an eternal perspective, what would you do differently?

There was an officer in the navy who had always dreamed of commanding a battleship. He finally achieved that dream and was given commission of the newest and proudest ship in the fleet. One stormy night, as the ship plowed through the seas, the captain was on duty on the bridge when off to the port he spotted a strange light rapidly closing with his own vessel. Immediately he ordered the signalman to flash the message to the unidentified craft, ’Alter your course ten degrees to the south.’ Only a moment had passed before the reply came: ’Alter your course ten degrees to the north.’ Determined that his ship would take a backseat to no other, the captain snapped out the order to be sent: ’Alter course ten degrees--I am the CAPTAIN!’ The response beamed back, ’Alter your course ten degrees--I am Seaman Third Class Jones.’ Now infuriated, the captain grabbed the signal light with his own hands and fired off: ’Alter course, I am a battleship.’ The reply came back. ’Alter your course, I am a lighthouse.’

No matter how big or important any of us think we are, God’s Word stands forth as an unchanging beacon. All other courses must be altered to His.

HUMILITY NEVER PRESUMES ON GOD.

Humility results from knowing your purpose.

Humility results from knowing your place.

Humility results from knowing your perspective.

How do you measure up?

How can you humble yourself?

August 7, 2010

"Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him." Psalm 127:3

Matt  and His Son, Payton

The phone call came thirty-five years ago today. Those were the days before ultra-sound so when I received the news that the child we were hoping to adopt was a son, I was thrilled!

Three days later we received him into our lives and we have never been the same! I gave him my last name and he has given me many first joys. We bonded quickly. We were inseparable for those first several years until his sister and brother showed up and divided my attention a bit.

Choosing a name for him was simple. "Matthew" means "gift from God" and that is what he is!

One of the first things I noticed about Matt was that he was very co-ordinated. He walked early and could catch and throw a ball before he was two. He was late in getting his hair and his teeth so he was like a little old man running around playing catch with his dad.

Actually, Matt has always excelled at anything he set his mind on. But being a high energy boy, his focus was prone to wander. He was an all-star baseball pitcher as a youngster and though he was a bit small for football, did well in that sport, too.

The only limitations on his growth and development were probably my deficiencies as a dad. There were some difficult years during the adolescent and teen years, but several years in the Army shaped him and tappen into the potiential I knew was there.

Since he lives in the Minneapolis area I don't get to see him nearly as often as I would like. It has been way to long since we have been together. But through the marvels of technology we keep in close contact.

Matt has become a good husband, a great dad of four daughters and a son, and he is highly successful in his business. As you can tell, I am very proud of him.

On this, his 35th birthday, I want to thank God for allowing me to be Matt's dad and want to pay tribute to Matthew, our true "gift from God"!

Happy Birthday, son! I love you and I am very proud of you!

August 6, 2010

"Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.' Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." James 4:13-14

We are talking about humility. What is it? What does it look like? How do you know when you have it?

First, you learned that humility does not prejudge others and discussed what that means.

Now you learn that humility does not presume. Presume on what? On God and specifically, regarding time. In other words, it is not humble to think that you have all the time in the world. Certainly then, it would not be humble to act like time is under your control.

So, does that mean you cannot plan? It that presumptious? Are you presuming on God when you make your plans for the future? Is it wrong to plan? If not, then what DOES it mean?

When you presume on time you are acting as though you can control the clock and the calendar that measure the span of your life. In fact, you don't. You are not guaranteed the next day nor the next hour. Understanding that should be humbling.

Humility comes from your understanding of your place in relationship to God. Humility puts Him in His proper place as the judge and as the master of time. Humility removes you from assuming or presuming on those roles. You are not the judge of others nor are you in control of the future. When you understand that you facing eternity and that you are accountable to eternity that is extremely humbling. When you stand in judgment of others it has eternal consequences. That attitude could negatively impact your eternity and that act of judging could jeopardize the eternity of others.

Humility does not prejudge and humility never presumes on the future.

Those are two very clear measurements of humility.

How do you measure up in the humility quotient? Can you identify any judgmental attitudes or tendencies? When you make plans do you think, "If God be willing"?

August 5, 2010

"But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?" James 4:12b

I remember one time I was playing a golf match against an opponent from the club where I belonged at the time. That day I was playing very well and beat the daylights out of him. As we walked off the eighteenth green we shook hands and as I was turning to walk away he said, "You want to know what you were doing wrong?"

I said, "I beg your pardon."

He replied, "Do you want to know what you were doing wrong in your golf swing?"

While I am fully aware that my golf swing is far from perfect, I wasn't interested in taking instruction from a guy I had just beaten like a rented mule so I politely refused his well-intentioned offer. Who was he to criticize me when I had handled him so easily? Why should my golf game be judged by him?

Now if someone like Jack Nicklaus wants to give me some golf tips - I'm there!

That is what I think of when I read this portion of Scripture about judging. Who am I to pass judgment on someone else when my game is far from perfect? Shouldn't I rather keep trying to improve my game? Wouldn't it be better for me to set a good example for other by the way I live rather than imposing my opinions upon them?

Who are you to stand in judgment of another person? Would your thoughts and energies be better served perfecting your own walk?

Which would you rather be part of, a church where everyone is telling each other how to live and criticizing one another personally and privately OR how about a fellowship where each believer is seriously seeking God to become a more excellent follower of Christ?

Me, too!

Granted, it is easier to analyze and criticize others instead of confronting our own glaring weaknesses but it is also destructive. It is certainly more consistent with human nature to pull someone else dawn rather than working hard to be lifted up. But believers are called to live under the supernatural not human nature.

How about you? Are you playing the role of Monday morning quarterback finding fault with others from the cheap seats?

Why not be a team mate that is practicing hard to improve your game and a coach to help others get better?

Which do think would please God? Which do think will build a stronger fellowship? Which will you choose?

August 4, 2010

"When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it." James 4:11b

There are laws everyone knows. For example, the law of gravity. If you jump off the roof gravity is going to win and you will lose. The only people who didn't know that one are no longer with us as they discovered it the hard way.

Then there is the law of double chocolate fudge nut brownies. Choosing to enjoy their addictive delightfulness will result in the expansion of your waist-line. That's just the way it is!

James refers to THE LAW in this portion of Chapter 4 with the assumption everyone knows what he is talking about. And they do. They know he is referring to the Law given to Moses, the Commandments.

When the Law was first given, God gave one law - "don't eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil". Everything else was in play, there was just this one thing they couldn't do.

After they broke that one law and sin entered the equation life became more complicated because that is what sin does - it complicates life. Therefore, more laws were needed and God gave Moses the ten. By the time the Jewish religious leaders got done with their amendments and codicils there were 632 rules to observe. Wow!

So, when Jesus arrived He reduced the Law to just two commands, love God completely and love your brother as yourself. Those two laws satisfied the spirit of the Ten given Moses. And it is to this law of love that James is referring. He knew it and it was clear to them!

You need to understand that God is the Law-Giver so that you can also comprehend why He must also be the Judge. It is not for you to pass judgment on any other person. It seems simple enough doesn't it?

Well, unfortunately there was a lot of judging going on in the church so James had to upbraid them with this reminder.

Which would you rather be part of, a church where everyone is looking for reasons to criticize and condemn you OR a fellowship where people give the benefit of the doubt to others, judge themselves carefully by the Word, and leave the rest to God? Okay, take some time and think about it. I know it is a tough choice.......

The very heart of the Law of Love is that you love God which requires putting Him first in all you do. Therefore, let Him be the judge! Also, it demands that you love your neighbor as yourself. If you don't want another passing judgment on you then you must not judge others.

If you REALLY must judge - American Idol has a couple of openings!