Thursday, April 26, 2012

The Right to Lay Down Rights

God's People Must Be United and Growing in Holiness

As preached at Rolling Hills Church on Sunday, April 22nd, 2012

1 Corinthians 9:1-18[1] 

1 Corinthians 8-10 is one subject that the Apostle addresses in response to the request of someone in the Corinthian church; "Now concerning food offered to idols". Last week we read 1 Corinthians 8 and we learned this: When love for our brothers and sisters is ignored for our knowledge and rights, knowledge is not enough. Love leads a Christian to lay down his rights. This same conversation continues from the end of chapter 8, so let me read that last verse. "13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble." Love led Paul to lay down his rights. We move on today and we find yet another reason to lay down one's rights…

1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord?

2 If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

3 This is my defense to those who would examine me.

4 Do we not have the right to eat and drink?

5 Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?

6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living?

7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk?

8 Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same?

9 For it is written in the Law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain." Is it for oxen that God is concerned?

10 Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop.

11 If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?

12 If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.

13 Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings?

14 In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.

15 But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting.

16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!

17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship.

18 What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.

We'll tackle this chapter in two messages; this week I think we can grasp this truth from chapter 9You have the right to lay down your rights. Future reward can lead a believer to lay down present rights.

Let's look at Paul's rights. "Rights" (exousia, eks-ü-sē'-ä) would be defined as his 'power, power of choice; leave, or permission'[2].

Paul has the right of respect due to an apostle of Jesus (v 1-2). To the church of Corinth, which he had started, and many of whom he had likely led to believe in Christ. They were the seal of his apostleship. In Paul's day the wax seal on the outside of a scroll or letter verified the authenticity and integrity of the scroll – it had not been tampered with. The very fact that they had believed the gospel under his preaching HAD to mean something to them! In other words – you of all people ought to know my calling.

Paul has the right to expect provision for and from his gospel labor (v 3-4.) He was correct to be able to expect compensation for his labor of preaching and teaching the gospel to people as he had opportunity, praying for the church, and making disciples.

Paul has the right to expect provision for a wife to travel with him (v 5-6). It is not good for a pastor, preacher, apostle, or an evangelist to be gone from his wife and family for too long. If the children are old enough and the wife is thus freed up from her responsibilities in the home, it is a good thing for those benefitting from the ministry of Christian leaders to fund the travels of the wife as well. Peter and the other apostles used this right, as did most other visiting gospel ministers of the day.

What is the source of these rights?

The law of Moses (v 8-10, 13). Deut 25:4 says very simply, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain." The priests and temple workers from the Old Testament were given food from the sacrifices offered (v 13). These verses are not quoted as authoritative law for the church but as a principle the law models that Jesus acknowledges. Yet when an apostle brings OT principles into NT writing, it is now NT truth for the church.

The command of Christ (v 14). The Lord sent the apostles out with this thought: "And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages." (Luke 10:7). Paul refers to this when he is teaching the church.

Common courtesy and cultural norms also offer such rights (v 7, 10-12). As Paul points out, soldiers, farmers, and shepherds rightly expect to get paid for their labor, and not have to work a job on the side in order to self-fund their work. There is not time or energy for such! Note this in verse 12 – they paid other pastors or preachers for their labor in the church! Paul wanted Corinthian church to see this; he willingly laid down these rights for their sake! How could they refuse to lay down rights for the sake of others!

Paul's great pride was that he laid down these rights. He refused to seek pay for gospel work among un-reached peoples. He was supported by established churches or else he worked with his hands. This is an example chapter, but there are other things we see here…

Let us hold Scripture over tradition. Peter, as primary figure for the Roman Catholic Church, took a wife with him. He also had a mother-in-law that Jesus healed. And Jesus had brothers. Any and all parts of Christianity should hold fast to God's Word over man's opinions. Pastors and leaders should marry; it avoids many troubles.

Let us meet the needs of gospel ministers. 1 Tim 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

This verse tells pastors to provide for their families. No options. My responsibility.

1 Tim 6:10-11 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.

OK so in 5:8 pastors must provide for their families. In 6:10-11 they can't focus on, demand, or love money – it can't be the sole motivation for ministry. How then do we live? Answer… 1 Tim 5:17-18 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages."

In other words, it is on you to meet the needs of gospel ministers to the church. The weight on the pastor is to trust God and make his needs known and/or work if those needs can't be met. But this isn't about needs, it is about rights – and laying those down. So we close…

Let gospel ministers forego those needs and reach the lost with the gospel! We give to send, and we send men who will work to pay their way – both are God's plan of spreading the good news about Christ horrible death and beautiful resurrection. How can they repent if they don't learn of their consuming, burning, God-defying sin? How can God's grace wash them unless they believe in Christ? How can they believe unless they hear?

Someone needs to look to their future rewards. You have the right to lay down your rights. Future reward can lead a believer to lay down present rights.



[1] All Scriptures, unless otherwise noted, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (via E-Sword Software) © 2001 Crossway Publishing. All Rights Reserved. I paste them in red for distinction.

When Knowledge Isn't Enough

God's People Must Be United and Growing in Holiness

As preached at Rolling Hills Church on Sunday, April 15th, 2012

1 Corinthians 8:1-13[1]

Knowledge is good. There is a very good reason that I am continually encouraging us to read, study, listen to, and pray through the Word of God – these words are life! Knowledge of God's will is good. Ps 119:11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Knowledge is good.

Freedom is good. God gave us To choose my own freedom out of sound knowledge is fine; it is good. There is so much legalism abounding today, with people adding to what God's Word says, etc., that I want to continually commend the freedom with have in Christ, church family. Gal 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Freedom is good.

Love is good. God is love. Christ loved us. We are to love one another. Love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Cor 13:13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. Love is good.

Knowledge is good. Freedom is good. Love is good.

In 1 Corinthians 8 Paul raises a serious question about these three things – how do I decide when freedom, knowledge, or love should be the trump card?

Let's read the text, humble ourselves in prayer, then let God's Spirit help us learn this truth from Paul's teaching today.

1 Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that "all of us possess knowledge." This "knowledge" puffs up, but love builds up.

2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know.

3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.

4 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that "an idol has no real existence," and that "there is no God but one."

5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth--as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"--

6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

7 However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.

8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do.

9 But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.

10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols?

11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died.

12 Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.

13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

This is the second question Paul answers in this letter. 7:1 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.", and now,  "8:1 Now concerning food offered to idols:".

Here is what God begins to show us today in this passage, church family:

When love for our brothers and sisters is ignored for our knowledge and rights, knowledge is not enough. Love leads a Christian to lay down his rights.

Here was the setting in Corinth: Temples to idols often doubled as meat-markets and restaurants. Like furniture stores and funeral homes used to here. Sacrifices had spread from the Garden to many cultures  - but to idols, not to Jehovah God out of faith. Some believers were very confident in their knowledge that idols didn't exist, so they were free in their minds to eat there. Knowledge and freedom.

First, let's see what it is that Paul about knowledge…

What we know...

"All of us possess knowledge". Knowledge puffs up. Arrogance. He said, "an idol has no real existence", and, "There is no God but one". Now Paul again incorporates some sarcasm here, but folks - These are good things to know! We have knowledge, that there are really no false gods, no idols – they don't exist. And God DOES exist: there is only one God, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. If you're confused about that because of the proliferation of religions in the world, let Paul set your mind at ease – there is only One God.

What we should know...

Not all possess this knowledge. Some who were idolaters will defile their conscience if they eat meat sacrificed to idols in a temple. You have the right to eat meat; food doesn't commend you to God.

Take care. Don't sin against Christ by causing a weaker brother to wound their conscience and stumble in their faith.

Command: Use Caution!

Take care that this 'right' of yours doesn't cause a weaker brother to stumble. Why? Because you sin against Christ when you sin against as weaker brother by causing them to re-engage in idolatry.

Therefore, Paul applies this inferred command to himself - "If food cause my brother to stumble [into idolatry], I will never eat meat, lest I cause him to stumble." What is so serious about causing a brother to stumble – shouldn't they just grow up?

Matt 18:but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

It is serious because God loves these people, enough to give His Son for them.

Here was the dilemma - a brother with freedom and knowledge seen eating in an idol's temple by a brother with a background in idolatry and a weak conscience. Who should give, flex, or be willing to lay down their right? For us… Alcohol. Bars with restaurants. Music. Movies. Sports or other entertainment things that others might have had hugely ugly past experiences with.

Guiding principle we learn here is this: When love for our brothers and sisters is ignored for our knowledge and rights, knowledge is not enough. Love leads a Christian to lay down his rights. We exist through Jesus Christ and for God the Father. Let that ownership, purpose that we enjoy guide us; that and love for the body.

 



[1] All Scriptures, unless otherwise noted, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (via E-Sword Software) © 2001 Crossway Publishing. All Rights Reserved. I paste them in red for distinction.

Fully Devoted to The Lord

God's People Must Be United and Growing in Holiness

As preached at Rolling Hills Church on Sunday, March 18th, 2012

1 Corinthians 7:25-40[1]

25 Now concerning the betrothed, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy. (1 Tim 1:12)

26 I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is.

27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife.

28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that.

29 This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none,

30 and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods,

31 and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.

32 I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord.

33 But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife,

34 and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband.

35 I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.

36 If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry--it is no sin.

37 But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well.

38 So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better.

39 A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.

40 Yet in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.

Here is the message for this week: We are instructed to manage our lives during stressful times in such a way as to stay fully devoted to the Lord.

Paul's authority to teach: this is indeed from God, and inspired by God. He was sent by Christ, 1 Timothy 1:12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service,

Paul's instruction is to young betrothed (engaged), and to widows.

Paul's purpose in this instruction: to secure our undivided devotion to the Lord, in a difficult time for the church.

"In view of the present distress", and "the appointed time has grown short". Is the apostle telling them to sell their goods, share the gospel and wait outside for the return of Christ? No, not exactly; there is too much instruction in this book which involves continuing on in life here – on marriage, morality, collections for the poor, travel plans, what to eat at dinner, etc[2]. Not any more than Jesus taught against having children…

V 26, "in view of this present distress" Matt 24:19 And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days!   Luke 23:28-29 But turning to them Jesus said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days are coming when they will say, 'Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!' Jesus is not saying having children is against God's will; He is warning Israel that during Titus' destruction of Jerusalem it will be very, very difficult.

What Paul evidently saw was a time of persecution then, or soon coming to the church in Corinth, and he wanted them to consider life in light of such things. Did he believe the Lord was returning soon? Yes! So did Peter and John.

Present form of this world: this world is ever changing, and it is not generally improving. We are wise, as believers, to remember that. Eternal things trump temporal things. Always. Hold in your hands loosely the things of this world, lest they get too firm a place in our hearts. These hearts must be set on things above.

This is addressed to potential husbands, not fathers of potential brides. Betrothed are young couples who have been set apart to one another, and Paul speaks to the young man. He is not speaking to the fathers. Here's why:

-       The context of this section is marriage, not parenting

-       The immediate context is to those who either marry or remain single, and

-       The concession to marry if you can't exercise self-control would only apply to potential husbands, not fathers

-       The logic of giving your daughter away now that she is past the flower of her youth doesn't make sense; it would make sense if it were she were TO the flower of her youth

Therefore the phrase (word, hyperakmos) in verse 36 which is translated in some versions, "if she is past the flower of her youth" is better translated as, "if his passions are strong".

HOWEVER: if it was to fathers, the same teaching applies; in light of this present distress, we must secure undivided devotion to the Lord.

Paul is consistent in his teaching to the church that it is easier, during times of distress, to serve Christ single than married. He commends singleness but also acknowledges that few have that gift, and most should marry.

What is taught about singleness? It is easier to serve Christ and live sacrificial when single.

What is inferred about marriage? That you must seek to please and care for the one you are married to. This is not an ungodly distraction; it can be done 'as unto the Lord', as Paul teaches in other places. It is good to be married! Let me share this story to help you understand how Paul is thinking…

On January 25th, 1544, James Rauleson, along with three other men and his wife, were accused by friars in Scotland of heresy against the church deserving death. They were brought before Archbishop David Beaton. Rauleson was accused of mocking the cardinal's hat; he had built a house and on the fourth stair he had carved a three-crowned diadem of Peter. His wife, Helen Stark, was accused of not calling on the Virgin Mary during childbirth; she had only called to God through Jesus Christ. They were also accused of eating goose on all-hallows-eve.

The men were bound and beaten, with Helen begging to be bound and beaten with them; she was not allowed. She cried out to James, "Husband rejoice, for we have lived together many joyful days; but this day we must die should be most joyful to us both, because we must have joy together forever… in the Kingdom of God." Then men were taken to the place of execution and, while calling upon the Lord and encouraging one another that they would join the Lord for supper in His kingdom, they were killed, with Helen begging to be killed alongside her husband.

After the men died, the friars took Helen to be drowned, with a baby nursing at her breast. When they arrived at the water she commended her children to good people in the town, she sealed up the truth by her death.[3]

How hard it must be to watch your spouse suffer for his or her faith! And yet, God gives grace for such – when it comes, not before.

What is taught to widows?

First that marriage among believers (v 10) is to the death.

Second is that they could stay single and serve Christ; but in every passage Paul reiterates – marriage is fine, it is good. He gives the bottom line…

We are instructed to manage our lives during stressful times in such a way as to stay fully devoted to the Lord.



[1] All Scriptures, unless otherwise noted, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (via E-Sword Software) © 2001 Crossway Publishing. All Rights Reserved. I paste them in red for distinction.

[2] From footnotes in The ESV Study Bible, Copyright © 2001-2012 Crossway. All rights reserved.

[3] From chapter 10, "The Martyrs of Scotland", in Foxe's Book of Martyrs, published by Whitaker House, Springdale, PA. Copyright © Whitaker House 1981. 

Devoted to Christ - As You Are

God's People Must Be United and Growing in Holiness

As preached at Rolling Hills Church on Sunday, March 11th, 2012

1 Corinthians 7:17-24[1]

17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches.

18 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision.

19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God.

20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called.

21 Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.)

22 For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a slave of Christ.

23 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.

24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.

Here is the message I see in this text, and hope to unpack for us now:

We are called to be devoted to Christ – just as we are.  In this section Paul teaches the Corinthian church about the gospel call and contentment.

The Call of God

Effective calling is an act of God the Father, speaking through the human proclamation of the gospel, in which he summons people to Himself in such a way that they respond in saving faith.[2]

Remain Just as You Are

In regard to the Old Testament Law. Circumcision is nothing; uncircumcision is nothing. Obedience to God's commandments is the focus, and both Jew and Gentile, circumcised and uncircumcised should obey God. Having come to Christ, it would be no better to be Jew or Gentile, so why seek to change that, either socially or literally? Some Jews, under Roman rule, did reverse the circumcision to fit in when visiting the public baths. One Roman encyclopedia writer gave a detailed description of the surgery in the first century A.D.

In regard to your legal position: slave or free. Some believe that up to half the population in Paul's day were slaves; many were well educated, and some were skilled accountants, doctors, teachers, and other professionals. Of course some were poor and mistreated[3]. But slavery was so ingrained into the culture that most would no more think of changing that than we would think of changing Officers and Enlisted positions in the military, or management/labor in the work place. I am not comparing slavery to those: I am saying they accepted it as normal, just as we accept those positions as normal. I know we can't comprehend that, but it is simply the way it was. Why else would the apostle give instruction on how to live as slaves and masters?

Eph 6:5-9

5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ,

6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,

7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man,

8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

9 Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.

Paul said if you can get free then do so, but not to FOCUS on that, or to think that you couldn't serve Christ UNTIL you were free.

Whatever condition you were called, remain with God. This is stated three times; verse 17, verse 20, and verse 24.

Remain in the condition God called you in.

What condition were you in? This is the application for us; we don't necessarily have to change our vocation, our situation, or our location when we come to faith in Christ.

What government system do we live in when we are saved? Be a Christian in that situation. Social change may come as a result of Christians living differently, but I don't see the Bible teaching us to FORCE social change as much as to LIVE our Christian faith.

If we can help or change people, of course we should! We have led in orphanages, hospitals, etc. But folks, Americans think upward, improvement, and change; that can be good, but it is not necessary to follow and obey Christ. THAT must be done WHEN God calls us.

Is this to remain in sin? No, we died to sin. Should Paul have continued persecuting Christians as a representative of the Sanhedrin? No! Should temple prostitutes or homosexuals or thieves have remained in the condition they were called in? By no means! God's call is a call to believe in and follow Jesus Christ. We have to change from flagrant disregard of God and disobedience to God to faith in Christ and obedience to God.

Some have said we must bloom where we've been planted. This is a good statement concerning our faith in Christ.

We are called to be devoted to Christ – just as we are. 

 



[1] All Scriptures, unless otherwise noted, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (via E-Sword Software) © 2001 Crossway Publishing. All Rights Reserved. I paste them in red for distinction.

[2] Wayne Grudem's definition in Bible Doctrine, published by Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids. Copyright © 1999 by Wayne Grudem. All Rights Reserved.

[3] As provided by The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: 1 Corinthians, by John F. MacArthur. Copyright © 1984 by The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago. Published by Moody Press, Chicago. All Rights Reserved.