Part 2
12/04/18 10:05
11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.
(2 Corinthians 9:8-13)
I’ve even been personally told that a poor Christian is a bad witness to the non-believer. Where is that in Scripture? The lack of love is a poor witness. And this Scripture makes it very clear that it’s the love shown, through the care of someones need, that we give and THAT is a witness. In fact, it specifically says that it's through our charitable giving, and not hoarding up for ourselves a bunch of needless worldly junk, that is the big witness to the unbeliever; because it accompanies our confession of the Gospel of Christ. What kind of witness is a Christian who has much? It’s believed that it’s evidence that God gives to those who follow Him. Is that why we want to follow God? If your following God for what He will give you, your following for the wrong reason.
This is how we know what love is:Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person
(1 John 3:16-17)
The very comment Christ made of the hundredfold, in Matthew, is paralleled with His statement in chapter 6:
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,... 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also
(Matthew 6:19-21)
This passage explains that the very fact that we fatten ourselves with an abundance of food, pamper ourselves with designer hair, nice jewelry, and clothing, we ride in plush cars (much more than needed) or live in plush homes (much larger than needed), while we largely ignore those in need says that our heart is wrapped up in the things of this world.
Because of a demonic prosperity message being given, the majority of professing christians think that God wants us to enjoy the riches of this world, and take pleasure in the things of it. This is a belief that is so far removed from Scripture, it’s not even funny. John says,
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world
(1 John 2:15-16)
John’s statement is explaining the very same thing we are hearing echoed through all of Scripture. If we rather spend our money on the things of this world than in the work of God that is commanded, we don’t love our brother. And if we don’t love our brother, the love of God does not abide in us.
Paul’s love was so strong that he said, “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.
3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, 4 the people of Israel” (Romans 9:2-4)
That is crazy!!! Have you ever thought about that? Is there anyone you can think of that you love so much that you’d be willing to give up eternal life for? When you look at all of what Paul says, he’s saying, “Look, what I’m getting ready to say is SOOO Crazy that you're not going to believe it. But, I’m telling you the truth, I’m not lying, my very conscience bears witness to God, that I love them SO MUCH that I’m willing to give up my own eternal life if they could grab hold of this truth of Christ”
“I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit” (Romans 9:1).
Can we really say we love that much? I dare say that no one comes close. In fact, by the actions of the majority of professing Christians, and comparing with what Scripture says, I’d say we don’t love - we hate. Because, if we really loved, and really cared, we couldn’t sleep comfortably at night knowing we have family and friends on their way to hell. We couldn’t sit down to a hefty meal and fatten ourselves knowing there are so many within just a few miles of where we live, that don’t know where their next meal is coming from.
Everything we do on Earth determines whether or not we have reward or regret after our time here. So we have an extra thousand bucks. We could buy some nice things here, but what about the end? We’ve all bought things we regretted buying, “that was a waste of money” (repeat two more times). What are we going to be saying at the end and standing before God? Are you going to regret the car you drove, regret the house you lived in, regret the clothes you wore? Are you going to regret the time you waisted? Are you going to say, “I’m so glad I spent that time watching 2000 movies, and 40,000 hours of TV shows.”
What happened; how did we get here? Y’shua explains it in the parable of the sower. When I look at the fullness of the story of when He told this parable, and I look at the church of today, I’d say that almost no one, in America especially, would go to the church that Christ would be the pastor of. Look at this account of this parable. A multitude traveled from the surrounding cities. Most of the people walked back then so it probably took some of them an hour, or two, or more, to come hear this great speaker.
While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable
(Luke 8:4)
So, Y’shua comes out and says this:
“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. 6 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”
When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear”
(Luke 8:5-8)
Think about this is modern terms. You get up, get the family up, everyone gets ready - we’re all excited about going to see this dynamic preacher. We travel for a few hours, so excited about what he’s going to say. We get there, try to get a good seat so we can hear well. A man comes up and says, “This man who’s about to speak is such a good speaker; His message is so convicting” Then Christ steps out and says, “A farmer was sowing some seed and some fell on the path and people stepped on it and the birds ate it up. And some of the seed fell on the stone and it sprouted but as soon as the sun came out it withered and died. Some fell in the thorns and grew, but the thorns choked it out. Yet, some fell on fertile soil and it grew to produce fruit. If you get it - you get it”
That was such a crazy message that the disciples followed up behind him and said, “What was that?” He said, “It’s for you to know the truth. Because you cared enough to know that the message meant something and you followed up to find out the meaning. But for them, they will not know the truth”. He then says one of the most profound statements that Y’shua could say.
I grew up hearing that parables were told for a better understanding, but that’s not what Christ said. He said he purposely confused them. Yeah, they may see me, but they don’t really see me. And, they may hear me, but they are not going to understand. Y’shua wants a people who care enough that they know that everything He says has a deep meaning - and they are willing to follow up behind and find out that meaning - those who follow up are the fertile soil.
America lies in the soil that was sown in the thorns. Because of the cares of this world, and the searching of the riches and pleasures of this world, they create their own gospel and the truth of the Kingdom is choked out.
Paul prophesied of this church in America, “Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God”; because we are more concerned with that little bit of life on earth than we are with the work that God has appointed for us. We’re ever learning, knowing portions of Scripture, even knowing what we are supposed to do, and possibly convicted of not doing it, but we don’t come to the knowledge that we are supposed to actually do it. God says it’s not good enough to know, He wants doers. But again, we are too worried about our comfort here now.
Paul said,
“I am ready to give up all things for the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, which is more than all:for whom I have undergone the loss of all things, and to me they are less than nothing, so that I may have Christ as my reward” (Philippians 3:8)
We should be living a life that is worthy of the Gospel. If Christ returned and I’m sitting down at a $20 dollar meal while there are so many out there hungry - man, I don’t know how I could explain that - that’s not worthy of the gospel; and in His purity, all our garbage will be revealed. Or if He returns while I’m watching TV, or observing Facebook, spending $20 a person at the movies. How do we explain that? Do I deserve it? The only thing any of us deserve is eternal death, but Christ gave up what He had to suffer on the cross for us and we feel fine with Him returning and we’re not about His work? We feel fine buying expensive clothes, exotic cars, and homes because we THINK we deserve it?
Man, I’m guilty!!! I believe I’ve heard pastors elude to me in saying that I think I’m perfect because I don’t eat pork, and I keep the Sabbath, and such. I don’t think I’m perfect. I believe we should take the Bible, and what God said, seriously. The eating of pork and keeping of Sabbath was just the easy thing for me. Most of us know the truth. But we only want to obey that which is easy to obey. We believe that we can’t afford the money or time for God’s service. Most of us can afford it; but can we afford it and still be able to live a life WE want to live?
I really pray that we get ahold of this truth of Scripture. This is that statement by Paul in 2 Timothy 3; that statement that so many says looks like the church, but no one want’s to admit it's them; when actually, it’s virtually every professing Christian in America. It’s the reason that so many are echoing that the church in this country needs to repent. Look in the mirror - you're the church.
Please grab this!!! Many will cry Lord Lord.
12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.
(2 Corinthians 9:8-13)
I’ve even been personally told that a poor Christian is a bad witness to the non-believer. Where is that in Scripture? The lack of love is a poor witness. And this Scripture makes it very clear that it’s the love shown, through the care of someones need, that we give and THAT is a witness. In fact, it specifically says that it's through our charitable giving, and not hoarding up for ourselves a bunch of needless worldly junk, that is the big witness to the unbeliever; because it accompanies our confession of the Gospel of Christ. What kind of witness is a Christian who has much? It’s believed that it’s evidence that God gives to those who follow Him. Is that why we want to follow God? If your following God for what He will give you, your following for the wrong reason.
This is how we know what love is:Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person
(1 John 3:16-17)
The very comment Christ made of the hundredfold, in Matthew, is paralleled with His statement in chapter 6:
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,... 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also
(Matthew 6:19-21)
This passage explains that the very fact that we fatten ourselves with an abundance of food, pamper ourselves with designer hair, nice jewelry, and clothing, we ride in plush cars (much more than needed) or live in plush homes (much larger than needed), while we largely ignore those in need says that our heart is wrapped up in the things of this world.
Because of a demonic prosperity message being given, the majority of professing christians think that God wants us to enjoy the riches of this world, and take pleasure in the things of it. This is a belief that is so far removed from Scripture, it’s not even funny. John says,
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world
(1 John 2:15-16)
John’s statement is explaining the very same thing we are hearing echoed through all of Scripture. If we rather spend our money on the things of this world than in the work of God that is commanded, we don’t love our brother. And if we don’t love our brother, the love of God does not abide in us.
Paul’s love was so strong that he said, “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.
3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, 4 the people of Israel” (Romans 9:2-4)
That is crazy!!! Have you ever thought about that? Is there anyone you can think of that you love so much that you’d be willing to give up eternal life for? When you look at all of what Paul says, he’s saying, “Look, what I’m getting ready to say is SOOO Crazy that you're not going to believe it. But, I’m telling you the truth, I’m not lying, my very conscience bears witness to God, that I love them SO MUCH that I’m willing to give up my own eternal life if they could grab hold of this truth of Christ”
“I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit” (Romans 9:1).
Can we really say we love that much? I dare say that no one comes close. In fact, by the actions of the majority of professing Christians, and comparing with what Scripture says, I’d say we don’t love - we hate. Because, if we really loved, and really cared, we couldn’t sleep comfortably at night knowing we have family and friends on their way to hell. We couldn’t sit down to a hefty meal and fatten ourselves knowing there are so many within just a few miles of where we live, that don’t know where their next meal is coming from.
Everything we do on Earth determines whether or not we have reward or regret after our time here. So we have an extra thousand bucks. We could buy some nice things here, but what about the end? We’ve all bought things we regretted buying, “that was a waste of money” (repeat two more times). What are we going to be saying at the end and standing before God? Are you going to regret the car you drove, regret the house you lived in, regret the clothes you wore? Are you going to regret the time you waisted? Are you going to say, “I’m so glad I spent that time watching 2000 movies, and 40,000 hours of TV shows.”
What happened; how did we get here? Y’shua explains it in the parable of the sower. When I look at the fullness of the story of when He told this parable, and I look at the church of today, I’d say that almost no one, in America especially, would go to the church that Christ would be the pastor of. Look at this account of this parable. A multitude traveled from the surrounding cities. Most of the people walked back then so it probably took some of them an hour, or two, or more, to come hear this great speaker.
While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable
(Luke 8:4)
So, Y’shua comes out and says this:
“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. 6 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”
When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear”
(Luke 8:5-8)
Think about this is modern terms. You get up, get the family up, everyone gets ready - we’re all excited about going to see this dynamic preacher. We travel for a few hours, so excited about what he’s going to say. We get there, try to get a good seat so we can hear well. A man comes up and says, “This man who’s about to speak is such a good speaker; His message is so convicting” Then Christ steps out and says, “A farmer was sowing some seed and some fell on the path and people stepped on it and the birds ate it up. And some of the seed fell on the stone and it sprouted but as soon as the sun came out it withered and died. Some fell in the thorns and grew, but the thorns choked it out. Yet, some fell on fertile soil and it grew to produce fruit. If you get it - you get it”
That was such a crazy message that the disciples followed up behind him and said, “What was that?” He said, “It’s for you to know the truth. Because you cared enough to know that the message meant something and you followed up to find out the meaning. But for them, they will not know the truth”. He then says one of the most profound statements that Y’shua could say.
I grew up hearing that parables were told for a better understanding, but that’s not what Christ said. He said he purposely confused them. Yeah, they may see me, but they don’t really see me. And, they may hear me, but they are not going to understand. Y’shua wants a people who care enough that they know that everything He says has a deep meaning - and they are willing to follow up behind and find out that meaning - those who follow up are the fertile soil.
America lies in the soil that was sown in the thorns. Because of the cares of this world, and the searching of the riches and pleasures of this world, they create their own gospel and the truth of the Kingdom is choked out.
Paul prophesied of this church in America, “Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God”; because we are more concerned with that little bit of life on earth than we are with the work that God has appointed for us. We’re ever learning, knowing portions of Scripture, even knowing what we are supposed to do, and possibly convicted of not doing it, but we don’t come to the knowledge that we are supposed to actually do it. God says it’s not good enough to know, He wants doers. But again, we are too worried about our comfort here now.
Paul said,
“I am ready to give up all things for the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, which is more than all:for whom I have undergone the loss of all things, and to me they are less than nothing, so that I may have Christ as my reward” (Philippians 3:8)
We should be living a life that is worthy of the Gospel. If Christ returned and I’m sitting down at a $20 dollar meal while there are so many out there hungry - man, I don’t know how I could explain that - that’s not worthy of the gospel; and in His purity, all our garbage will be revealed. Or if He returns while I’m watching TV, or observing Facebook, spending $20 a person at the movies. How do we explain that? Do I deserve it? The only thing any of us deserve is eternal death, but Christ gave up what He had to suffer on the cross for us and we feel fine with Him returning and we’re not about His work? We feel fine buying expensive clothes, exotic cars, and homes because we THINK we deserve it?
Man, I’m guilty!!! I believe I’ve heard pastors elude to me in saying that I think I’m perfect because I don’t eat pork, and I keep the Sabbath, and such. I don’t think I’m perfect. I believe we should take the Bible, and what God said, seriously. The eating of pork and keeping of Sabbath was just the easy thing for me. Most of us know the truth. But we only want to obey that which is easy to obey. We believe that we can’t afford the money or time for God’s service. Most of us can afford it; but can we afford it and still be able to live a life WE want to live?
I really pray that we get ahold of this truth of Scripture. This is that statement by Paul in 2 Timothy 3; that statement that so many says looks like the church, but no one want’s to admit it's them; when actually, it’s virtually every professing Christian in America. It’s the reason that so many are echoing that the church in this country needs to repent. Look in the mirror - you're the church.
Please grab this!!! Many will cry Lord Lord.
