Do you Hear what I Hear? John 1:14-18

On December 18, 2011, I preached a Christmas sermon at Leesville Road Baptist Church.  Today as I spent some time thinking about the story of Christmas, I kept coming back to these thoughts on John 1.  With that in mind, I decided to reprint those sermon notes (with some changes).  Feel free to leave some comments, I hope these notes are a blessing to you!  Here they are: 

Do You Hear What I Hear?
John 1:14-18

Introduction

What’s the good word?

Our world seems obsessed with communication. We have phones that are not for making calls only, but are also used to surf the internet, to send text messages, to even read books and watch movies!

All around us we are bombarded by some sort of communication—billboards, text messages, commercials, even pop up ads on-line.

We are a people drowning in information who at times seem to be longing for meaningful communication.

We want to hear a “good word,” something that is helpful or communicates hope. We want to hear some good news.

Have you ever noticed how often “words” play a role in Scripture?

1. In the beginning, God “said” or “spoke” and there was ______________

2. God spoke to Adam and Eve in the morning

3. God spoke the Law to Moses

4. God spoke to the Jews through prophets (Hebrews 1)

5. On the first Christmas, God spoke through dreams and angels

6. God speaks to us today through his Son the Word and through his written Word—Scripture

Whenever God wants to make something known, he speaks

God likes to communicate, he wants us to know what is going on

Three elements in communication—the speaker, the message, the hearer

For good communication to happen, all three have to function properly

What happens when God communicates?

God is the speaker, and he reveals himself to us by his message (i.e., his Word)

God is infallible, and his Word is perfect, so that puts the emphasis on the hearers

God speaks, but are we listening?

This Christmas, God offers us a Word—that Word is his self-disclosure, his speaking of himself through his Son

When God speaks, we should listen

Do you hear what I hear?

John 1:14-18

In this passage I hear God saying three things. Let’s see if we hear the same thing.

1. I hear that the Word is among us, vv. 14, 18 (The Word Among Us)

2. I hear that The Word is Before Us, v. 15 (The World Before Us)

3. I hear that The Word is full of Grace, vv. 16-17 (The Word of Grace)

First, I hear that the Word is among us, vv. 14, 18 (The Word Among Us)

a. The Word became “flesh”—when God spoke, it was personal and a bit messy. God spoke in these last days to us through his Son (Heb. 1:1-3). This “Word” takes on flesh (Romans 8:3). The word “flesh” here is not a pretty word. God doesn’t say that his “Word” became simply “human.” No, Jesus became “flesh,” he took on our situation; he identified with us; he was tempted like us (yet without sin—cf. Heb. 2:14-18; 4:14-16; 2 Cor. 5:20-21). Jesus got involved in our messy existence and by doing so offered a means to clean up our mess. By being one of us, Jesus healed and redeemed our situation. Do you hear what I hear?

b. The Word dwelt among us (tabernacle)—When God spoke, he didn’t do it from a distance. He came among us. In the OT, God’s presence among his people was signified by the tabernacle and its three chambers. The inner chamber (where God’s glory dwelt) was only accessible once a year by one person on the Day of Atonement. Jesus’ coming as God’s Word makes that glory accessible to all of us by pitching his tent (taking up his dwelling place) among us. He lives with us, he lives among us. He has not left us nor forsaken us. Do you hear what I hear?

c. The Word is full of glory—When God spoke, he made his glory known. When Jesus came, we saw God’s glory. In the OT, God’s glory was hidden (remember Moses and the Tabernacle), but with the birth of Jesus God’s glory now becomes obvious to all. God makes himself known in Jesus. Do you hear what I hear?

d. This Word was never seen before, but now we see him—He who was invisible has now become visible (Colossians 1:15-17; cf. Rom. 1:18-20). In Jesus we see the invisible attributes of God. Jesus makes God visible and known. Do you hear what I hear?

e. The Word has explained God—Jesus showed the way to God, he exegeted God. He explained God. Jesus made God understandable. What was inexplicable now is explained. What was inscrutable is now “scrutable.” In Jesus God is capable of being understood. Do you hear what I hear?

When God speaks, we should listen

Do you hear what I hear?

When God “spoke” in Jesus, he became one of us (flesh), he pitched his tent among us (tabernacle), he made visible his invisible glory (we saw his glory, that which no one had seen), he offered an explanation of God’s grace and truth, and our response is to witness his glory and proclaim it to others

Second, I hear that The Word is Before Us, v. 15 (The World Before Us)

a. He is superior to us because he existed before us (John 1:1-3; Phil 2:5-8)

i. Jesus’ superiority is explained in detail in the letter to the Hebrews

ii. Although the author of that letter dwells on Jesus’ superiority to many things and people (i.e., angels, Moses, Aaron, the Levites, the sacrifices, etc.), he also goes out of his way to remind us that Jesus is one of us (cf. Heb. 2:14-18; 4:14-16). He is not an alien. He is superior, yes, but in his humanity the child in the manger brings God’s glory to all people (remember the angels, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."—Luke 2:14)

Jesus is “before” us

Do you hear what I hear?

Because of his position, we are called to testify of his superiority and glory (this is what John does here)

b. But Jesus also lives “before” us in the idea of being right in front of our eyes. God is not hidden, he is in our midst. Jesus is known to us. Remember, what was unseen is now visible. The babe in the manger makes the glory of God known to all humanity. Jesus’ very existence has explained God to us all. He is right in front of us. Will we pay attention?

When God speaks, we should listen

Do you hear what I hear?

When God reveals himself, he sometimes uses the testimony of others (John), he reveals his superior nature (he is before us and existed without us), as a result he is worthy of our worship and our testimony

Third, I hear that The Word is full of Grace, vv. 16-17 (The Word of Grace)

a. We have all received from his fullness (full of grace and truth—cf. John 1:14; Col. 1:5-6)

i. Jesus is the fullness of God (Col 2:9-10)

ii. Christ is the ultimate expression of grace and truth

1. He is grace in that he was freely given for us all (John 3:16; 1 John 2:1-2)

2. He is truth in that he reveals clearly who God is and how to get to God (John 14:6)

b. Grace stacked up on grace (cf. Heb. 4:16)

i. The idea here is an endless supply of grace

ii. Like a warehouse with an unending supply of boxes stacked up against each other, so Jesus offers an ongoing and never exhaustible warehouse of grace

iii. He is grace beyond measure, He is grace yesterday, today, and forever

iv. His grace is never shallow and is trustworthy

c. Law reveals God, but Jesus brings grace and truth to reality (grace and truth “became” through Jesus, same word as “became” flesh)

d. We all receive his grace

i. 1 John 2:1-2 reminds us that Jesus is the propitiation for the sins even of the whole world (i.e., in 1 John 5, the “whole world” is described as those in the hands of the devil)

ii. The grace of God is available to all people by means of the incarnation as Jesus reveals and explains God’s grace

iii. The grace of God is effective in the crucifixion as the blood of Jesus is applied to the sins of humans

iv. The grace of God is sealed by the resurrection in which God declares his work completed and finished

When God speaks, we should listen

Do you hear what I hear?

When God “spoke” the word of grace, he provided an unlimited storehouse of the gift of grace, he made it available to all (we “all” received it), and he makes grace and truth a reality in Jesus, our response is to live God’s grace and truth as a tangible example of God’s Word spoken to us—we “incarnate” God’s grace and truth in our own lives

Application/Conclusion

a. Are we listening to God during this Christmas season? Are we paying attention to the “Word” he speaks in Jesus and the Incarnation? Do people see his “grace and truth” in how we live in response to God’s Word?

b. Have you experienced his grace? What a Christmas gift you could receive today if you yield yourself to God and receive his grace in Jesus Christ. John 1:11-13 reminds us that to those who receive him (i.e., put their trust in him) he gives authority to be called the children of God. (Give an overview of Gospel here, offer salvation to all).

c. For those of us who have experienced this wonderful gift, how can we respond to this “word” from God? Do you hear what I hear? If so, here are some suggestions for you:

i. This Christmas, testify of his glory in the “baby Jesus”

ii. Speak of his superiority

iii. Speak of his grace and truth

iv. Take opportunity to share the truth of God’s Incarnation during the Christmas season

When God speaks, people ought to listen

Do you hear what I hear?

Thanks for reading!

Psalm 138: Things to be thankful for from David

I was reading through my blog tonight, and I found the following post from 2009.  The list seemed rather appropriate for today, so I thought I'd share it.  Here are some things to be thankful for according to David.

Psalm 138
1 A Psalm of David. I will give You thanks with all my heart; I will sing praises to You before the gods. 2 I will bow down toward Your holy temple And give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word according to all Your name. 3 On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul. 4 All the kings of the earth will give thanks to You, O LORD, When they have heard the words of Your mouth. 5 And they will sing of the ways of the LORD, For great is the glory of the LORD. 6 For though the LORD is exalted, Yet He regards the lowly, But the haughty He knows from afar. 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me. 8 The LORD will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Your hands. 

 Since this is Thanksgiving, and since I seem to hear more complaints lately (most of them coming from my own heart), I decided to post a list of things I am thankful for based off of some words from David about Thanksgiving. Psalm 138 above describes a Hymn of Thanksgiving. With David, I'd like to remind myself to be thankful for the following:

1. There is no god like the God of the Bible. The Triune God is not a part of his creation, nor is his subsistence dependent on it. He is above all things, and by him all things exist. In fact, Paul tells us in Colossians 1 that Jesus holds all things together and is the author of creation. There is nothing outside of God's authority.

2. God's lovingkindness and truth are available to all of us. Jeremiah reminds us that God's mercy is new every morning. The Psalmist reminds us on numerous occasions that God is patient and longsuffering, showing mercy and lovingkindness unto many generations. His love is such that he gave us what he treasures most: Jesus, his only Son. His lovingkindness not only gave us life, but it also provides us with all we need to live this life and to obey his ways. His mercy is amazing! His truth is convicting. God does not lie. He reveals truth inside humans, but he also makes truth known in nature itself. Even God's very attributes are observable in nature around us. God has made Truth known, and he is the very essence of Truth. All truth points to him, and he alone knows all truth. His truth and lovingkindness lead to salvation.

3. God has given us a Word that will never fail. He has magnified, valued, advanced, enlarged, even exalted his Word above his own name. If the name of God is the name above all names, then his Word must be the Word above all words. He has revealed himself in Jesus who is the Logos, the Word of God in flesh, the exact representation of the image and character of God himself. The Word God has provided for us is active, alive, and powerful. It can bring knowledge, life, and salvation. God has given us his Word!

4. God answers prayer. When we call on God, he is faithful to respond. And his response emboldens us and gives us courage. Conversation with God leads to conversion of our souls. His response to our requests shows his presence, his love, and his great kindness towards us. He hears when we call, and he responds.

5. God is friends with the humble, but he is an enemy to the proud. I am grateful that even though our God is so exalted, yet he finds it satisfactory to dwell with those who are humble and lowly. He is not at home with those who think too highly of themselves, but he chooses to dwell with those who humble themselves to him.

6. God will be with us in trouble. There is no obstacle or problem that can separate us from God (Romans 8:28-39). His love for us is never ending and his reach cannot be blocked. No matter the circumstances in your life, God is faithful. He will walk with his child in the midst of problems and provide what is needed to live a life of godliness even in hard circumstances (Psalm 23). He does not always deliver us from trouble, but he never abandons us in it. Like the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace, God is with us in the midst of our trials, troubles, or problems. He bears them with us, he walks with us, he gives us his joy in spite of our trouble, and he never fails.

7. God will complete the task he has begun (Phil. 1:6). He will not forsake the works of his hands. He will accomplish all those things that pertain to me. He will not fail. He is constant, kind, considerate. He will finish what he starts and will bring to pass all that he has promised (Isaiah 66:9). His Word is true and he is faithful to complete it. Not a single stray mark of his Scripture will fail to happen. If God speaks it or if God begins it, it will be done in his time and by his outstretched hand. There is nothing too difficult for God, and he is worthy of our praise and our thanks!

Because of these things and so many others, I want to develop a grateful and thankful heart. May we all find comfort in God's character, Word, and love this season. May we give him the thanks and praise he deserves!

Thanks for reading!

A Blast from the Past: Our Stories Matter (More than We Think)

Hello y'all:

I was reading some notes from my blog today, and I came across a short article entitled "Our Stories Matter."  I thought it was about something else, so I read it.  As I read the post, I couldn't help but think how appropriate it is even today (almost 10 years later). So I thought I'd share it again (with a bit of editing).  Enjoy!

Proverbs 20:6-7
6 Many a man proclaims his own loyalty,
But who can find a trustworthy man?
7 A righteous man who walks in his integrity —
How blessed are his sons after him.
NASU

Frederick Buechner describes the Word of God as a portrait of a Lover pursuing his beloved, of God’s pursuit of all of us in love, of our failures and his successes. I’m sure that he is right. Once I find myself (by God's grace) to be participating in the biblical story (i.e., when it becomes MY story), then I in some sense begin to live out in real life the written word of God so as to complete the mission that Jesus started (and finished) so many centuries ago.

Didn’t Jesus say to us that he will send us in the same way that the Father sent him? Didn’t he tell us that we would do greater works than he did? Why are we so unwilling to enter the story, to become willing participants in the great work and story of almighty God?

We 21st century, post-modern humans are sometimes such idiots. We analyze and scrutinize the structure of everything from newspapers to movies, we even do the same to the Bible, and yet we are constantly missing the point! We are so out of sync with God’s story as to be totally missing his “Once upon a time” and “happily ever after.” John Eldredge is (to a degree at least) correct to point out to us our loss of story, our loss of God’s great epic being told even today. Take the verses quoted above—in today’s post-modern culture, the idea is to win at all costs no matter who may get hurt.

But if we live without faithfulness or without integrity, we are genuinely hurting the generation after us. Politicians may fume and fuss about this or that “personal situation” or whatever, but when our leaders (and we ourselves) show a remarkable lack of integrity, it sets the bar lower for the next generation. Guess what? The next generation will live down to our expectations if we continue in this outrage. Why? I’ll tell you why, it is because they have seen a remarkable lack of loyalty and integrity in us.

In other words, we will really reap what we sow.  If we continue to sow a life of pure selfishness; if we continue to sow lies and call it "transparency"; if we continue to sow a lack of integrity and loyalty and call it "success"; then in the end we will reap a crop (or a crop failure) that will not be what we hoped.  I really cannot expect others to live a life of transparency, honesty, or integrity if I am willing to push the "Easy" button in my own life and be a hypocrite just to gain whatever "success" the world claims is out there.  My story matters if for no other reason than the reality that my story includes hundreds of others whose stories somehow become intertwined with mine.  As they do, my failure has a negative impact on their story. 

Do I want the generation behind me to be transparent, honest, and compassionate?  Then I can't live as a hypocrite who lies and doesn't love others.  They will be infected by the virus of my lack of integrity and will marvelously fail at living to the standard I expect.  In other words, if I don't live it, then I really can't reasonably expect that they will.  How I live the story that God is telling in my life sets a standard for others.  It’s true, and in our honest moments we know it! It is the story of life.  So, how are we doing?

 Well, there it is.  I only want to add one thing:  Jesus never asked us to do anything he wasn't willing to do himself.  Why do I think I should set any other standard in my own life?  If I want to lead, I must serve.  If I want to be like Jesus, I must learn humility and love.  I must serve others.  If I don't, then why do I expect my children to do better?

I am sometimes a magnificent failure--of that I am sure.  Nonetheless, I know that God has called me to a life not of mediocrity but of excellence in his grace.  His kindness, his mercy, his humility beckons to me to come and die--to lay down my life for others that they might live.  Certainly this idea is counter-intertuitive, but it is also biblical.  "Unless a grain of wheat . . . "

So, I'll ask again:  Do we want integrity?  If so, are we willing to walk in it?  Desiring it and actualizing it are not the same thing.  "Integrity" has as one of its meanings "the state of being complete and undivided."  James 1 reminds us to avoid double-mindedness, and this chapter describes righteousness as pursuing with complete and undivided attention the things God values.  What does God value?  He does NOT value dishonesty, hypocrisy, arrogance, or pride.  So, how am I doing?  Do I want to be "whole" in Christ, or do I want to continue in double-minded hypocrisy?   How I live the story God is telling makes a difference.  How you live your story matters too.

May God forgive our hypocrisy and lack of integrity, and may he grant us the focus of Paul in Philippians 2 to pursue Christ's humble mindset with single-minded passion!  May Jesus become our one true obsession!  I long for that day.

Won't you join me in praying for and pursuing it?

Thanks for reading, dear pilgrim!  Keep pressing on to know the One who tells Epic stories! 

A Lesson from the Sermon on the Mount: Rich or Poor?

A few days ago I lectured on the Sermon on the Mount to my Life of Christ class at seminary.  Today I was reading through some old posts here, and I came across one that dealt with one of the statements in Matthew and Luke.  I wanted to share it again (it has been a few years since I posted this material), and I want to add some stuff too.  So, here is an old (and rewritten) post entitled:  "Rich or Poor?"

In the Beatitudes, Jesus states “Blessed are the poor” or “Blessed are the paupers” (or in Matthew:  "Blessed are the poor in spirit").  Jesus (especially in the Gospels of Luke and John) is quite concerned with the poor.  He speaks of them often and works with them regularly.  He encourages his disciples to show compassion to the poor, but he also reminds them that poverty will always be an issue in this fallen world.

Jesus also mentions rich people.  They don't fare quite as well as the poor in Jesus' words, but he shows compassion for them as well and wishes salvation and blessing for them as he does for the poor.  Jesus states in the Gospels that it is difficult for a rich person to enter into the kingdom of heaven. So, the "poor" are blessed, but the "rich" have a hard time entering heaven.  Have you ever wondered at the juxtaposition of those two thoughts?

I know the traditional interpretation of both sayings, and I am aware of the devotional literature that surrounds them as well. What I want to consider for a few moments today is the abject difference between the two.

The poor are blessed, but the rich have a difficult time entering God’s kingdom.

Why?

Most of us have been “poor” at some point in our lives. Oh, we may not have been as poor as the poorest of the world, but we had to do without due to our lack of means. Maybe our stomachs even growled and our heads hurt a little bit from hunger. Perhaps we even had to bypass the purchase of a particular item we desperately wanted or even needed. Yes, we have known some form of poverty. Did we feel blessed? Really?

Did you feel “happy” during those times of poverty? In all likelihood, we looked forward with some measure of pleasure/joy to the day when we wouldn’t suffer such setbacks. We prayed and wished for a time when we would have abundance and would not have to “do without.” We didn’t feel blessed, we felt miserable.

Some of us today are rich, or at least, we aren’t as poor as we used to be. In fact, the poorest people in America are still better off than the poorest people in other parts of the world.  I know that is no real consolation, but it shows how blessed we really are in this nation.  Nonetheless, many of us today are richer than we were in the past, and we can pretty much get what we want or need when we want or need it. We don’t have to “do without” unless we choose to do so. As an example, a few years ago I took my family to Walt Disney World, something I could never have done when I lived and worked in Waco, TX. I am no longer “poor"! Do I feel far from the kingdom of God? Do I feel unhappy or a lack of blessing? If I answer honestly, I'd have to say, "Not really."

What could Jesus mean then? Was he just speaking rhetorically or do these words tell us something important?

Matthew says “Blessed are the poor in spirit” as opposed to simply “Blessed are the poor.” I like what Oswald Chambers says in My Utmost for His Highest.

“The teaching of the Sermon on the Mount produces despair in the natural man—the very thing Jesus means it to do. As long as we have a self-righteous, conceited notion that we can carry out our Lord’s teaching, God will allow us to go on until we break our arrogance over some obstacle, then we are willing to come to him as paupers and receive from him. ‘Blessed are the paupers in spirit,’ that is the first principle in the kingdom of God. The bedrock in Jesus Christ’s kingdom is poverty, not possession; not decisions for Jesus Christ, but a sense of absolute futility—I cannot begin to do it. Then Jesus says—Blessed are you. That is the entrance, and it does take us a long while to believe we are poor! The knowledge of our own poverty brings us to the moral frontier where Jesus Christ works. . . . Jesus Christ never asks us to decide for him, but to yield to him—a very different thing.. . . If I know that I have no strength of will, no nobility of disposition, then Jesus says ‘Blessed are you,' because it is through this poverty that I enter his kingdom. I cannot enter his kingdom as a good person, I can only enter it as a complete pauper.”

In other words, as long as I think of myself as offering some gift or blessing to God, I cannot receive his free gift or blessing. Unless I recognize the poverty of my own will and spirit. the poverty of my own abilities to give God anything he needs, I cannot humbly receive what God has to offer. Like a little child, I must recognize my limitations in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. "Rich" people like us think we can buy or earn what we need or want, that somehow we can give God something without which he cannot possibly accomplish his plans. "Rich" people think that God needs them on his team, that God is "lucky" to have them on his side.

God says that the kingdom of heaven is for those who realize that they cannot enter on their own abilities or initiatives. God reserves blessing for those who know they do not deserve it. Faith in Christ starts with futility in self. To the degree that I think I can save myself, to that degree the blood of Jesus is ineffective for my salvation. If I think I can save myself, why do I need God? God's grace is free to those who realize their need for his kindness (it is his kindness that brings us to repentance, right?)

Thanks be to God for the grace to enter! Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift in Jesus Christ!

Thanks for reading!

Keep it Real: True Righteousness and Holiness (Ephesians 4:25-5:2)

A few weeks ago I preached at Leesville Road Baptist Church here in Lynchburg.  I've posted my sermon notes below if you want to see them.  Comments are welcome!  Thanks for reading!  

Keep it Real: True Righteousness and Holiness (or, What an “Authentic” Christian Looks Like)

Ephesians 4:25-32 (5:1-2)

Introduction—When Pastor Kevin asked me to speak, I asked him if he had a topic in mind.  He mentioned the idea of “authenticity” in the Christian life.  But as I looked in Scripture for a place that dealt with this topic I seemed to come up empty.  So, I did a quick search for the synonyms to the word “authentic.”  I found a host of words:  true, genuine, and valid, among others.  The one that struck me was the word “Real.”  You see, our society today puts a premium on the idea of “keeping it real.”  This idea means the opposite of being “fake” or “inauthentic.”  Let me illustrate:  I have a picture of John Wayne in my office, and it has an autograph on it.  I often have people ask me:  “Did John Wayne really autograph that picture?”  Well, not really.  You see, it is a reproduction of a picture that was “genuinely” autographed by John Wayne.  In other words, it isn’t “real” or “authentic.”  It is a fake.  (cf. Elvis impersonators, famous people “look a likes”)

That brings me to our passage today.  The letter to the Ephesians is written to a church that is made up of both Jews and Gentiles.  Paul is writing to them to describe what the “real” church is like in relation to Christ, the head of the body (which, of course, is the church).  In v 17 of chapter 4, Paul starts a teaching section in which he encourages the Ephesians to “put off” the old way of like and to “put on” the new life in Christ.  In verse 24, Paul tells the Ephesians to put on the “new man” created in the likeness of God in “true” righteousness and holiness.  Like 2 Cor. 5:17, Paul reminds them that in Christ they are a new creation, old things are passed away, and a new way of life has come.  In Christ, they are “real” or “authentic” and no longer fake.  In the verses we want to consider today, Paul outlines what this “new” or “true” life looks like, what comprises a “real” life of righteousness and holiness.  Paul gives us 5 items that describe the “real” or “authentic” Christian life.  These 5 items are given to us with the following aspects: Something to put off, something to put on, and a reason for doing these things.  They appear to be something that has been a problem for the Ephesians, but Paul offers an “authentic” way to deal with these issues.  With that in mind, let’s read Ephesians 4:25-32.  

1. v. 25 “Real” Truth—Authentic Christians Tell the Truth: The sentence starts with “therefore,” tying the information in the next few verses to the material that precedes it.  Paul is saying that “since we have this new nature, we ought to exhibit it in the way we live.”  Paul says that “authentic” Christians put off lying; they should speak the “truth;” because what we say has an effect on the church.   

Lying is “Saying something that is not true in a conscious effort to deceive somebody.” It is deliberate, a willful misrepresentation of the truth.  If I eat the last cookie, and someone says, "Are there any more cookies?"  I would be lying to say "Yes."  On the other hand, if someone made more cookies and replaced the one I ate, I would not be lying.  Here's another example:  If I didn't want to share the cookies, and I said "No" when asked, then I'd be lying.  Lying is an intentional misrepresentation of the truth with the inted to deceive someone.

 Christians should be truthful.  We should not operate in pretense. Ephesians 4:25 (from The Message) says:  "What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself."  When someone asks “How are you doing?” what do you say?  Do you respond with a “Fine” even though things are falling apart around you?  Do you pretend to be something you are not?  "Truth" speaking should not be done in an effort to protect our selfish pride or our personal space.  On the other hand, this is not permission to tell people “what you really think” in an effort to “make your point.”  That is also selfish.   

This is about keeping the integrity of the church in mind.  What you say reflects on the character of the body and bride of Christ.  How are you doing?  Remember Ananias and Sapphira?  Their speaking falsely led to problems for the church (and for them).  What we say also reflects on God’s character.  He wouldn’t lie, and when we do we do not reflect well on him.   

Let our speaking be with authenticity, with truth, with integrity and not selfishness.  This week, keep it real by speaking truth to one another.  Put selfishness aside, speak the truth.  A Real Christian speaks truth.  Of course, true righteousness and holiness doesn’t stop with the truth, it also has an impact on how we treat each other.  The next item addresses the issue of anger. 

 

2. vv. 26-27 “Real” Anger—Authentic Christians Get Angry, But . . . Paul now tells us that Authentic Christians don’t let anger lead them into sin; they work to quickly reconcile with others; because if we do then we won’t give the devil a foothold.   

We have every right to be angry at the sins committed against us, but we do not have the right to let that anger fester and become a grudge.  In other words, anger is not necessarily a sin, but how we respond to our anger may be.  When we let our anger lead to sin, we give a place to Satan kind a beachhead (remember WW2).  If we allow our anger to fester, Satan can take advantage of it (think of Cain or Moses—Kadesh Barnea. Read the example from Yancey’s What’s so Amazing about Grace?).   

Unresolved anger led to bitterness and led to the destruction of a family.  Just imagine what it can do to the church.  Let us live authentic lives this week, let our anger be real but not lasting.  Don’t let Satan get a spot in our lives.   Real Christians get angry, but they don’t give in to bitterness or sin.  But Paul doesn't stop dealing with relationships, rather in the next verse he addresses the goodness of labor and being selfless. 

3. v. 28 “Real” Work—Authentic Christians Work Hard  Paul says that Authentic Christians do not steal; they work hard to do good so that they are able to bless others with the fruit of their labor.  I doubt that many of us actually have a problem with stealing, but you realize (of course) that stealing isn’t necessarily taking property or stuff that isn’t yours, right?  Stealing from each other could be as simple as withholding from our brothers and sisters what they need (1 John 3:16-18; James 4:17).  Another point—God created us for work.  He didn’t create us to sponge off of others or to live a life of ease.  We ought to work so that we can use the results of our labor to meet needs.  Let us work at the jobs God has given us, and let us use the results of that labor to help those in need.  Real Christians don’t take from others (they aren’t selfish), but they work to give to others.   Continuing in the theme of relationship, Paul next addresses the issue of real communication.

4. v. 29“Real” Communication—Watch What You Say  These verses tell us that God is concerned about the words that come out of our mouths.  Why?  Jesus says that “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”  What’s inside us often comes out (whether we like it or not).  Authentic Christians do not engage in corrupt or evil conversation; they speak words of encouragement; so that they can bless those who hear.   

Our words have power:  they can build up or they can tear down.  If we want to be “real” Christians, we should avoid coarse or corrupt language such as innuendo, demeaning comments, or intentionally offensive statements.  Christians should speak fitting words for the moment, words that build up, words that create an environment of blessing and encouragement.  Be careful little mouth what you say!  

Let us temper our speech with grace, let us seek to build up instead of attack or tear down each other, and let us walk like him in whose image we are made.  Real Christians don’t tear down, they build up.  Now Paul goes from offering advice to meddling in our affairs when he addresses the issue of forgiveness.  Here the "real" need for selflessness and humility arises!  

5. vv. 30-32 “Real” Forgiveness—No bitterness Here Paul reminds us that Authentic Christians do not grieve God’s Spirit; they demonstrate God’s love to others by forgiving; because that what God did for us.  Paul tells us to put away a) unresolved anger and bitterness (a poisoned soul), b) wrath (angry tempest) and clamor (loud and abrasive speech), c) evil speaking (slander and gossip), and d )malice (evil intentions toward others).   

The point here is this: don’t bury anger but rather deal with it.  Let us learn to live gentle lives with grace towards one another.  Let us be sensitive to the needs of others. Let us forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgives us.  How did Christ forgive us?  He died for us!  Philippians 2:3-8.  To serve someone requires humility, to die for someone requires us to be selfless.  How far are we willing to go to forgive?  Will we go as far as Jesus? 

 Real Christians don’t blame others for their problems, they don’t carry bitterness or malice towards others.  Like their Lord, they are willing to lay down their lives in order to see others receive the grace of God and the power of God to be new creatures.  Real Christians do their best to help others know God as they know God.  So, how well do you know God?  How well is his image shining in and through you?  

Conclusion—Eph 5:1-2—Imitate God, Love like Jesus

1. Authentic Christians do not hang on to resentment, anger, hurt feelings, but rather they speak truth, they love, and they encourage one another.  This week find someone who is in need of building up, go out of your way to make it happen.  Encourage, encourage, encourage.

2. Authentic Christians do not regularly throw temper tantrums and pout.  They develop grateful hearts and work to bless others. 

3. Authentic Christians do not use loud, abusive, and profane language.  They speak words fitting for the moment and that reflect the true righteousness and holiness of God. 

4. Authentic Christians are kind and treat others as Jesus treats His Family.

If with God's help we can accomplish these things, who wouldn't want to be in our church family?