Romans 8
There is no condemnation for those in Christ. And though people or even our own heart try to condemn us for our previous wrongdoing, we must continue focusing on who we are today in Christ. If we turn back to look at who we were, we might experience disappointment, sadness, anger, embarrassment, and hopelessness. Then we would stop moving in Christ and wallow in our past.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. —Matthew 13:47-50
In this parable, Jesus is describing the kingdom of heaven. The net is cast into the sea and collects sea creatures of every kind. After coming ashore, the good and bad were separated. In like manner, the kingdom of heaven is shared with many people around the world. And many people will come to Jesus, the church, etc. At the end of the world, the angels will come and separate the just from the wicked.
1. God drew you. The just and the wicked will be separated, but the beauty of this parable is that the just and the wicked are gathered together. The wicked has an opportunity to become just.
Philippians 4:10-13 – But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
1. Throughout our lives, there will be many ‘lemons’ that come our way. The lemons may represent sour relationships, troubling finances, difficult bosses, etc. Maybe we’re impatient with our current situation. We’re in one location and want to be in another. We’re up, when we want to be down…then when we get down, we wished we were up again. We want hot to cold, cold to hot. What we have never seems to be enough.
What is Doctrine?
Doctrine is considered an instruction or teaching that can be learned or developed through experience. Doctrine is associated with a person’s beliefs; the way they ‘see,’ perceive, or relate to the world around them. Each person has a countless number of doctrines on the issues, people, and situations they experience on a daily basis. The number of doctrines a person has is countless and continues to be shaped and expanded throughout a person’s lifetime.
Within Christianity, sound biblical doctrine is based on the biblical teachings, experiences, pastors, ministers, and interactions with fellow brothers and sisters in the local church community. Within the context of this message, doctrine will encompass God’s Word. God’s Word is the foundation of good sound doctrine:
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
We were made for the Lord’s glory and to show forth His praise upon the earth (see Isaiah 43:7, 21). In discipleship, we are pupils and learners of Jesus, obedient to His commands (Matthew 28:18-20). Disciples reflect the example of Jesus they have purposefully studied.
God conforms us into the His Son in word and deed (Romans 8:29). Disciples will think and act like Jesus, and even accomplish greater works (John 14:12). This fact is evident throughout Acts as the disciples healed, taught, and proclaimed Christ. When before the many leaders at Jerusalem in Acts 4, they understood Peter and John to be unlearned and ignorant, but they knew they had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13). They were like Jesus, sharing in His sufferings, in order to bring glory to the Father.
Proverbs 30:8-9 – Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.
Here are the words of Agur…a prayer unto the Lord to live with integrity (and balance) in His presence. When many people are asking God for more success, money, and power, Agur prayed that he have neither poverty nor riches and to be fed with food that’s convenient for him. When many people are waiting for their ‘overflow’ of blessings, Agur desired to remain in a state where he would neither deny the Lord or take His name in vain through His actions.
Matthew 20:25-28 – But Jesus called them [unto him], and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
In reading Matthew 20, after Jesus explains how the last will be first and the first last (in comparison to servanthood), the mother of Zebedee’s children comes to Him and asks a question. She asks for her sons to be given the right to sit on the left and right of Jesus in His kingdom. He tells her that those places will be given to those whom the Father has already prepared. (This is a paraphrase.) Now, based upon Jesus’ response to James’ and John’s mother (Mark 1:19), her reasoning for placing them to the right and left of Him was for them to be in positions of authority over people in His kingdom. Jesus then brought His disciples together and told them that they were not to exercise dominion over people. He gave the example of the princes of the Gentiles and those over them (the great)…and how they exercise authority over the people and one another. The disciples were not to live over people in such a manner. The great and chief among the people must be a minister and servant among them.
Growing up, most of us can remember a Candy Lady being in our neighborhood. In the heat of the summer months and after school, we would look forward to homemade snacks, Chili Fritos, fruity ice cups, Jolly Ranchers, Now-a-Laters (as we called them), and Grab Bags. Somehow as adults, many of us desire some of the same ‘sweets’ within our homes, workplaces, and ministry. We want the best of sweetest of what life has to offer without any of the bad. We want to be told that we’re the best, great things are on their way, and we can have it all.
2 Timothy 4:3 – For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
As we mature in Christ, we must grow beyond wanting the delicate ‘candies’ of life. We must grow past wanting people to tell us what we want to hear rather than what we need to hear. We must live above tendencies that are a detriment to our health.
May 9, 2009
Being Born Again
John 3:1-7 – There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
As Nicodemus conversed with Jesus, He explains that a man cannot see the kingdom of God unless is he born again. Though Nicodemus considered the physical aspect of being born again (enter the second time into his mother’s womb), Jesus had another meaning altogether…
Hebrews 11:1 – Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
1. Faith proves what you believe. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. For those mentioned in Hebrews 11, the substance of what they were hoping for was the eternal city (Hebrews 11:13-16) and the evidence of what they were hoping for was their obedient life. They were living as if they believed they would receive entrance into the eternal city (eternal life). Their lives proved (gave evidence) of what they hoped for.
2. Faith doesn’t fill in the blanks. The path the Lord desire you to travel upon (before reaching eternal life) doesn’t come with complete instructions. There will be times when the Lord will not tell you where money will come from, where you will live, who will help you, or what will happen tomorrow. You must believe that He will never leave or forsake you as He promised.
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