Are you making disciples? 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12

(Wikipedia)

A large manufacturing plant came to a town to produce shoes. The corporate management invested great sums of money and many hours among many people to produce the finest shoes possible. Investors spent money on salaries for the best staffing and management they could find. 

Digital sewing machinery was installed for shoe-making. Materials were purchased from all over and shipped in to make the shoes. The plant went into operation with several hundred employees busily working hard. Machines were running at full capacity. Activity was at a maximum.

Today the international president of the company arrives for an inspection and asked the production manager, “How many shoes have we produced so far?”

The King will reign in righteousness

There is coming a day when the Lord is going to right the wrongs in this world. 

He sees the employee that gets away with stealing and then gets promoted. He sees the children who are beaten and molested every day. He hears the cries of the victims of cancer and genetic diseases.  He hears the cry of the blood coming from the ground from aborted children. 

He sees the corruption in our government. He hears the cries for help from victims of human trafficking. He hears the pleadings of the persecuted church. He knows about

A note on 1 Cor. 15:29 "Baptized for the dead"

Folio 150 recto of codex of the beginning of 1st Corinthians (Wikipedia)

The Apostle Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 15:29 concerning those “baptized for the dead” (οἱ βαπτιζόμενοι ὑπὲρ τῶν νεκρῶν; τί καὶ βαπτίζονται ὑπὲρ τῶν νεκρῶν) has remained an enigmatic puzzle for scholars since the patristic era. Is the phrase a metaphor of some kind, or is Paul describing an esoteric custom of baptism by proxy in the Corinthian church? Marcionites and Mormons have had no trouble appropriating the verse for heretical purposes, but evangelical scholars have remained stumped over this verse dubbed one of the most difficult in the New Testament.[1]

In the last forty years, scholars have come to an exegetical impasse on the verse, frustrated by a lack of consensus. Fresh approaches have slowed to a trickle, and

Ephesians 2:11-22 - From Racism to Reconciliation

Pastors Michael Catt (l) & Daniel Simmons

Opening thought: 

This weekend the movie Courageous opened across the nation, a movie about men being the husbands and fathers God has called them to be. I urge you to see the movie which was was made by a Southern Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia, and pastored by Michael Catt. As a young white minister, Michael Catt was fired from a Mississippi church for quoting Martin Luther King, Jr. in the pulpit. He never forgot it.

“Getting fired … was really a pivotal, defining moment for me,” Michael Catt said.

Now 58, he’s the pastor of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, GA, and among a few churches taking steps to create – and maintain – the multi-ethnicity of Christ’s body nearly a half a century after King’s death.

When Catt became pastor of Sherwood Baptist in 1989, he noticed his predominantly white congregation was a stark contrast to the small city of Albany, whose population is about 65% black. He led the way in hiring its first black associate pastor. A tragic flood in Albany in 1994 eroded racial barriers even more and created a sense of unity that still exists today. Catt and his congregation reached out to the predominantly black Mt. Zion Baptist Church, which had been damaged by the flood.

There Catt met Senior Pastor Daniel Simmons, who is black, and the two forged a friendship and began swapping pulpits. Now, the two regularly preach at each other’s churches, and their congregations come together for those occasions.

Catt, Simmons and their mixed congregation are featured in the new movie Courageous, produced by Sherwood Baptist, ranked #1 in per theater ticket sales its first weekend.

“We learn from each other,” Simmons said of the two churches. “We mutually support and encourage each other.”[1]

Pastor Fred Luter

The Southern Baptist Convention a decade ago confessed the sin of racism and asked forgiveness. At the Convention this past June, messengers approved moving toward more racial diversity in its boards and committees. It also elected its first black First Vice President, Pastor Fred Luter of New Orleans, a position that traditionally prepares an SBC leader for the President’s chair.[2]

Contextual Notes:

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is an awesome study of the church of Jesus Christ. In chapter 2 we see that God formed His church of flawed human beings, but He formed it out of His great love for sinners of all kinds (Eph. 2:1-4). He takes those who are dead in their sin and makes us alive in Christ, recreating us to make us suitable for the good works He prepared in advance for us to do (Eph 2:5-10). That regenerating, recreating work closed the gap between Jews, who enjoyed a covenant relationship with God, and the Gentiles, who were locked out of that relationship (Eph 2:11-13). By bringing both Jew and Gentile to God through the Cross, Jesus settled the long-standing hostility between the races, removing its cause (Eph 2:14-18). As a result, Jew and Gentile are now “fellow citizens” of God’s household and together parts of a holy temple that God’s Spirit is building even today (Eph. 2:19-22).

Key Truth: Paul wrote Ephesians 2:11-22 to teach believers that believers are people of reconciliation through Christ’s blood, Christ’s peace, and in Christ’s household.

Key Application: Today I want to show you what God’s Word says about racism and reconciliation.

Key Verse: Ephesians 2:14

Pray and Read:  Ephesians 2:11-22

Sermon Points:

1.   We are all reconciled in Christ’s blood (Eph 2:11-13)

2.   We are all reconciled in Christ’s peace (Eph 2:14-18)

3.   We are all reconciled in Christ’s household (Eph 2:19-22)

1 Timothy 6:6-10 - The Problem with Gambling

Opening thought: 

“On Christmas morning in 2002, Jack Whittaker of Mount Hope, West Virginia, woke up to perhaps the biggest gift imaginable. Whittaker had won the Powerball lottery jackpot -- a whopping $315 million. It was a made-for-TV Christmas story, and Whittaker's hardworking family became celebrities overnight. Whittaker, his wife, Jewel, and granddaughter Brandi Bragg would become TV personalities. But as Whittaker celebrated, he had no way of knowing the coming tragedy and the loss of everything he held dear.

Whittaker now says that he regrets winning the lottery. "Since I won the lottery, I think there is no control for greed," he said. "I think if you have something, there's always someone else that wants it. I wish I'd torn that ticket up."

Whittaker gave away at least $50 million worth of houses, cars and cash. Suddenly, the man who won a fortune at Christmas had become everybody's Santa Claus.

Whittaker’s construction company he started had been doing $16-17 million in building, but less than a year after winning the lottery, the company’s success eroded under $3 million dollars in legal fees fending off over 400 lawsuits, because "everybody wants something for nothing."

Whittaker began drinking heavily at the local bars to console himself, and getting in fights over money. The luckiest man in West Virginia was friendless and lonely. It seemed as if everyone wanted a piece of his winnings except the one person Whittaker wanted to give it to – his granddaughter Brandi.

Whittaker bought and decorated an elaborate home for Brandi and her mother, gave her about $2,000 a week, and bought her four new cars. But the cars and cash began to attract the attention of some "bad people," including drug dealers.

Brandi started to use illegal drugs. Whittaker repeatedly tried to get her help and sent her to several treatment programs, but she couldn't stay clean. "She doesn't want to inherit the money; she just looks for her next drugs," Whittaker said. "She said, 'Pawpaw, all I care about is drugs.' It broke my heart."

Almost two years after Whittaker hit the jackpot, Brandi disappeared. After a frantic two-week search, on Dec. 20, 2004, she was found dead, wrapped in a plastic sheet, dumped behind a junked van. The cause of death was listed as unknown. Whittaker believes that the Powerball win had become a curse upon his family. "My granddaughter is dead because of the money," he said.[1]

In 2009, Brandi’s mother Ginger was found dead, too, in Daniels, WV, and Whittaker is being sued by Caesars Atlantic City casino for bouncing $1.5 million worth of checks to cover gambling losses.[2] But you know,” said the West Virginia Powerball winner, I just don't like Jack Whittaker. I don't like the hard heart I've got. I don't like what I've become."

But you know,” said the West Virginia Powerball winner, I just don't like Jack Whittaker. I don't like the hard heart I've got. I don't like what I've become."[1]

Because of a lack of Biblical preaching in the churches on the subject, there are three schools of thought on gambling and the Christian faith. The first position sees gambling on a small scale as a harmless social activity. This is the position of the Catholic Church. The second position sees no great harm in gambling but opposes legalization on a major scale. Many mainline denominations take this position along with many individual Catholics. The third position views gambling as a moral evil and therefore opposes it any form, public or private. Most evangelicals take the third view.

Despite that, gambling is fairly popular among church members of all stripes. When asked, 8 out of 10 Roman Catholics classify themselves as gamblers. 77 percent of Jews gamble, 74% of Presbyterians and Episcopalians, 63% of Methodists, 43% of Baptists, and 33% of nondenominational conservative Bible churches. While that figure sounds low when compared to the denominations, it means that 2 of 5 Baptists and 1 of 3 more conservative Christians seem to have no problem with gambling.”[2] So count down your row five people. Statistically speaking, two of them gamble.

Some people say, “Show me the verse in the Bible that says, “Thou shalt not gamble.” Well, there’s not one, but you can’t find “Thou shalt not take cocaine,” either. The Bible doesn’t say you shouldn’t drive 80 miles an hour in a school zone, either. The Bible does have a number of principles that teach us to stay away from gambling, and one of the most powerful is the warning Paul gives to Timothy about greed in 1 Timothy 6.

Contextual Notes:

In 1 Timothy 6, Paul continues finishes his advice to Timothy about relationships (1 Tim 6:1-2) and then launches into a blunt assessment of those who view religion as a way to get rich (1 Tim. 6:3-5), warning everyone against that desire to get rich. It is much better, Paul says, to learn the wisdom of contentment, because every kind of evil tens to spring up where money-love exists (1 Tim 6:6-10). Paul reminds Timothy to flee all this (1 Tim. 6:11-16), then reminds those who are already rich that money is a tool, a resource to enable those who are well off to do good with it. Wealth is a blessing when one is generous (1 Tim 6:17-19). Timothy is to focus on his mission and avoid the foolishness which has caused some to wander from the faith (1 Tim. 6:20-21).

Key Truth: Paul wrote 1 Timothy 6:6-10 to warn believers about the benefits of contentment and the dangers of greed.

Key Application: Today I want to show you what God’s Word says about gambling.

Key Verse: 1 Timothy 6:9

Pray and Read:  1 Timothy 6:6-10

Sermon Points:

1.   Godliness is contentment and great gain (1 Tim. 6:6-8)

2.   Greed found in gambling is a temptation and trap (1 Tim. 6:9-10)

Exposition:   Note well,

1.   GODLINESS IS CONTENTMENT AND GREAT GAIN (1 Tim. 6:6-8)

a.   Notice how Paul picks up on the last line of verse 5 and contrasts financial gain with the gain of contentment.

b.   Contentment (autarkeia) is a satisfaction with the situation God has ordained for you. This word occurs only one other time in the NT: 2 Cor. 9:8 where NIV says “having all that you need.”  The verb root is used by John the Baptizer to urge his listeners to be content with their wages (Luke 3:14), by Jesus who warned, “Guard against every form of greed” (Luke 12:15) and Hebrews which contrasts greed with contentment (Heb. 13:5-6)

c.   Then the reasons for contentment follow like a proverb (1 Tim 6:7) reminiscent of Job 1:21; Prov. 30:8; Eccles. 5:15; Luke 12:16-21. First, it is futile to concentrate so much energy on something that is of only such a temporal nature. Second, contentment really only requires the minimum of things – food and clothing (and we add shelter, 1 Tim 6:8). The Lord made the same assurances (Matt. 6:25-33). Third, greed and covetousness (wanting something somebody else has) has tragic results. We see in verses 9-10

d.   APPLICATION: Chuck Swindoll gives some of the benefits of contentment. First, contentment allows enjoyment now rather than constant striving. Because it flows from the heart, it allows us to enjoy those around us here and now and doesn’t rely on wishful thinking or circumstances.

e.   Second, contentment gives us the freedom to recognize and applaud others’ achievements without being eaten alive by envy. Contentment relieves us of unhealthy competition and comparison. When we are content, we can celebrate someone else’s successes without falling into jealousy.

f.    Third, contentment allows us to develop a genuinely grateful spirit. The uncontented do not know what thankfulness is all about. They lose sight of their many blessings because they are too focused on what they do not have. And thankless people make poor Christians. Ungrateful believers are embarrassing in their witness (1 Thess. 5:18; Heb. 13:15).[3]

2.   GREED FOUND IN GAMBLING IS A TEMPTATION AND A TRAP (1 Tim. 6:9-10)

a.   1 Tim 6:9 - Whenever we desire anything other than or more than a desire to follow God’s will, we create an awful conflict. Only by abandoning our desire for riches can we be free of the danger of making wrong or sinful choices in the hope of obtaining it. The lust for wealth is what is dangerous, not the wealth itself. Nothing at all should distract us from our commitment to God’s will.

b.   Gambling is wagering money on the uncertain outcome of a game, contest, or other event, whose outcome is dependent either wholly on chance or partly on chance and partly on skill, with a prize offered to a winner at someone else’s loss.” Therefore, there are three key elements in the definition of gambling: First, the betting of money or something else of value. Second, the winner is determined by a chance or uncertain event. Third, the gain of the winners is at the expense of the losers.

c.   Have you been in the gas station to pay for you fill-up and seen a line of people purchasing Lotto tickets? Have you looked at the people in the line? Do they look rich to you? Do they look smart to you? How many people have you heard just built a house with money they won at the sweepstakes in town? How many people do you know are going to vacation in Hawaii off their winnings on video poker? Why do you think those places stay open? Do you think they would if they were LOSING money? No. Rich people and smart people would be in the lottery line if the lottery was a real wealth-building tool, but the truth is that the lottery is a rip-off created by our government.

d.   "But Pastor, our state says the money is going to scholarships!" Yeah, as much as 33 cents on the dollar, they say, but guess who's getting the scholarships statistically? Kids in middle-class and upper-class ZIP codes—so poor people are sending middle class kids to school. How stupid is that?

e.   “But Pastor, someone has to win!" Do you know who’s winning? The divorce lawyers and bankruptcy lawyers are the ones winning. Did you know the divorce rate among Lottery winners is four times the national average? Did you know that 65% of Lottery winners are bankrupt within 15 years? Now who is winning and who is losing? I sure don't like that, and I bet you don't either.

f.    What gambling really is – it’s a tax on the poor and people who can't do math. Don't get mad. This is not even a moral statement. It is a mathematical, statistical fact. Studies show that the ZIP codes that spend four times what anyone else does on lottery tickets are those in lower-income parts of town. One recent report found that families who make under $12,400 spend about $645 a year on lottery tickets.[4]

g.   John MacArthur says “the success of gambling is based on certain sins.  If those sins didn't exist, gambling wouldn't either.  The sins that support gambling are materialism, greed, discontent, exploitation, laziness, distrust of God's provision, disdain for the virtues of labor, irresponsible stewardship and indifference to those in need… nothing frankly is more indicative of the corruption of our government than legalizing gambling.  And nothing is more characteristic of organized crime than illegal gambling.  Both provide legitimacy and availability to a sin that is very destructive of moral character and even of the fabric of a nation.  Our declining moral character, our dissolution as a nation is manifest through this epidemic of gambling.”[5] MacArthur gives five reasons that gambling is wrong:

h.   Because it denies the reality of God’s sovereignty (by affirming the existence of luck or chance) (Isaiah 65:11-12; cf. Baal-gad “Lord luck” Josh. 11:17; 12:7; 13:5; Num 13:10; God is sovereign. Psalm 103:19; 74:4). Isaiah 65:11-12 – ¹¹ “But you are those who forsake the LORD, Who forget My holy mountain, Who prepare a table for Gad, (Fortune, a pagan deity) And who furnish a drink offering for Meni (Number or Destiny, a pagan deity). ¹² Therefore I will number you for the sword, And you shall all bow down to the slaughter; Because, when I called, you did not answer; When I spoke, you did not hear, But did evil before My eyes, And chose that in which I do not delight.”

i.    Because it is built on irresponsible stewardship (tempting people to throw away their money) (Psalm 24:1; 50:10-12; Deut. 8:18; Parable of the stewards, Matt. 25:14-30; 1 Cor. 4:2).

j.    Because it erodes a biblical work ethic (by demeaning and displacing hard work as the proper means for one’s livelihood) (Gen. 3:19; Prov 12:11; 13:22; Eph. 4:28; 2 Thess. 3:10; 1 Tim 5:8)

k.   Because it is driven by the sin of covetousness (tempting people to give in to their greed) (Exod. 20:17; Deut. 5:21; Luke 12:15; Prov. 30:7).

l.    Because it is built on the exploitation of others (often taking advantage of poor people who think they can gain instant wealth) It violates the 8^th Commandment not to steal. It is fundamentally a violation of our Lord’s command to love your neighbor.  It takes money from others.  It strips families of resources.  It increases debt.  It leads to poverty.  It leads to suicide.  Twenty percent of addictive gamblers have attempted suicide, and the suicide rate of the spouses of compulsive gamblers is 150 times the national average.  Forty percent of white collar crime in America is caused by compulsive gamblers.  Gambling is pursuing prosperity at another's expense, exploiting the poor and the undisciplined.  It teaches greed and covetousness. It attacks the ethics of hard work, saving, self-denial, capital accumulation. It  exalts hedonism and on-demand gratification. Gambling is seductive.  It lures people in. Gambling destroys individuals.  It destroys marriages.  It destroys families.  It destroys society.[6]

a.   APPLICATION: Gambling on a slot machine is greed masquerading as entertainment. Gambling on a sports event is greed masquerading as team spirit. Gambling on card games is greed masquerading as friendship. Gambling on state lotteries is greed masquerading as good government. Gambling on charitable lotteries is greed masquerading as charity or community involvement. Some would say, “But it’s only a little money, and it is for a good cause. Is that such a big sin?” The issue is not the amount of money involved. The issue is the principle involved. Gambling is based on a set of pagan presuppositions, all of which are contrary to the Christian faith. At the very least, you are acting in a manner inconsistent with the Christian faith you profess to believe. The same is true for spending a dollar to buy a lottery ticket. In both cases, the money is not the issue. Great principles are at stake whether you spend a lot or a little.

b.   Greed is always involved in gambling, even in the nickel and dime variety. Good motives can’t remove the element of greed because greed is inherent in the system. When you decide to buy a raffle ticket, or when you bet twenty dollars on a round of golf, your motives may be noble and true and you may not feel greedy at all. But greed is always there. It’s built into the system every time you gamble. Take away the temptation to make some easy money and no one would ever gamble again. Proverbs 16:8 says, “Better is a little with righteousness than a great income with injustice.” This means that some things which a government might do in order to raise additional revenue would be better left undone because of the harm those things might do in society. It is a fundamental principle that the role of government is to uphold the welfare of its citizens. Legalized gambling is theft of the poor for the benefit of those better off.[7]

c.   Illustration: Dave Ramsey says that the odds of winning a lottery are literally about one in 125 million. You are 66 times more likely to die from a snake bite. You are 2,001 times more likely to die in the electric chair! You are 2,201 times more likely to die from a hornet, wasp or bee sting. You are 1,488,095 times more likely to die in a car wreck on the way to the gas station to buy the lottery ticket.[8]

d.   ILLUSTRATION: Russell Moore, one of the deans at Southern Seminary, a native of Biloxi, Mississippi, writes that “Every time I return to my hometown, I grumble as I drive down the beachfront. I grew up there on the Gulf of Mexico, and spent my life on those waters, under those stars. Now, however, the place is aglow with neon, as casinos dot the landscape, as far as the eye can see. I also remember trying to minister there, with so many people addicted to the casino life, throwing their earnings into that vortex.

e.   “Gambling isn’t merely a values issue or primarily a moral issue, in terms that we usually classify as moral values. It’s a social justice issue. Gambling is a form of economic predation. Those who offer gambling are economic predators, thieves really. Gambling grinds the faces of the poor into the ground. It benefits multinational corporations, governments, and the mob while oppressing the lower classes with illusory promises of wealth low-wage, transitory jobs that simultaneously destroy every other economic engine of a local community.

f.    “When the money’s gone, the casinos will leave. And they’ll leave behind a burned-over district with no thriving agricultural, manufacturing, or tourism economies. In the meantime, they create the wreckage of “check-to-cash” loan sharks, pawn shops, prostitution, and divorce courts, and more welfare. Most of the “market” for gambling comes from those in despair, seeking meaning and a future.

g.   We must understand that gambling is an issue of economic justice. We can’t really address the gambling issue if we ignore the larger issue of poverty. Evangelicals who don’t care about the poor can’t speak adequately to the gambling issues. Not simply caring about individual poor people but about the way social and political and corporate structures contribute to the misery of the impoverished (James 5:1-6). We will never get to the heart of the gambling issue if we don’t get at a larger vision of poverty and the limits of corporate power.[9]

h.   The church has to be faithful to address this disturbing sin.  The Church has stood against it in the past. The fourth century North African theologian, St. Augustine said, "The devil invented gambling."  John Calvin outlawed gambling in the entire city of Geneva.  Martin Luther said, "Money won by gambling is not won without self-seeking and sin."

i.     APPLICATION: You might wonder, “Pastor, what would our church do if someone put lottery tickets in the offering? Or someone gave their winnings to the church? Or someone tithed their winnings? Is it tainted money? Dwight L. Moody said the problem with tainted money is there tain’t enough of it, and many would agree, but this would be an issue the congregation should decide before the Lord. I would counsel our church to tear up lottery tickets since they exploit the poor and many negative side effects come with it. Deut. 7 and 1 Sam 13 & 15 teach us that there are some things that are so tied to the dark world that they should be destroyed, and lottery tickets fall into that category in my opinion. I would counsel the church to refuse lottery winnings, the bigger the more it would oppose them, because deciding what to do with the money would cause many more problems than not having it all. If someone tithed their winnings and did not tell the church, then it is their money to do what they want with it. But the church for principle and spiritual darkness that is connected to it.

j.    The early church certainly preached against it.  We have an anonymous sermon from the second century – the 100s AD – that was preached during the time of the Roman Empire in Latin in North Africa, probably near Alexandria, Egypt. The sermon goes like this, "Satan's temptations are numerous,… and of this number is gambling. The game of dice is an obvious snare of the devil.  He presides over the game in person, bringing to it the deadly venom of the serpent and even inducing ruin which when it is seen to be nothing, a great let down is brought about in the players.  I ask you, O Christians, why is the former the case?  This hand has been purified from its sins which were committed prior to conversion and the same hand has been admitted to the Lord's Table, having received by God's mercy that which concerns the salvation of the soul.  The same hand that rolls the dice is lifted up to the Lord in prayer.  What shall we say when the very hand with which we make the sign of the cross on our forehead and with which we consume the Lord's table is involved again in the devil's noose from which it formerly had been delivered?  I speak of this hand which is always given over to gambling, causing its own ruin and damnation.  This hand is accustomed to the unbridled passion of gambling because gambling is like the devil's hunting sphere and those who play the dice are wounded with an irresistible allurement.

k.   "I tell you, it is at the gambling table where one loses his possessions and enormous sums of money.  The loss leads him into court battles and insane passions of theft.  The gambling board is the devil's snare and the enemy's trap which indices greed but in actuality brings utter ruin.  By gambling men become poor, squandering their own riches.  Stop being a dice player and start being a Christian before Christ beneath the gaze of the angels and in the presence of the martyrs, cast your money upon the altar of the Lord, distribute your money to the poor before you allow it to be squandered by your unruly passions and trust your stakes to Christ who is always victorious.  Break away from these unruly customs and pursue being a self-controlled Christian.  Apply yourself to wisdom and teach yourself in the counsels of the gospel.  Lift pure hands to Christ, no longer look upon the dice.  Amen."[10]

Invitation:

[1] http://abcnews.go.com/2020/powerball-winner-cursed/story?id=3012631

[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Whittaker_%28lottery_winner%29

[1] http://abcnews.go.com/2020/powerball-winner-cursed/story?id=3012631

[2] Tom Watson, Jr., Don’t Bet On It (Ventura, CA: Regal Books, 1987), 64, quoted in http://www.keepbelieving.com/sermon/1991-07-25-Dont-Bet-On-It-Gambling-And-The-Christian-Faith/

[3] Charles Swindoll, “Contentment . . . and How to Miss it,” Excellence in Ministry: A Study of 1 Timothy (Anaheim, CA: Insight for Living, 1996), 130-7.

[4] http://www.daveramsey.com/article/gambling-offers-false-hope/lifeandmoney_other/

[5] http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/90-165#.TmLmE2p0iSr

[6] http://www.gty.org/resources/Articles/A157_Five-Reasons-Gambling-Is-Wrong#.TmLmFGp0iSr

[7] http://www.keepbelieving.com/sermon/1991-07-25-Dont-Bet-On-It-Gambling-And-The-Christian-Faith/

[8] http://www.daveramsey.com/article/how-the-lottery-can-ruin-your-life/lifeandmoney_other/

[9] http://www.russellmoore.com/2009/08/27/gambling-the-gospel-and-social-justice/

[10] http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/90-165#.TmLmE2p0iSr

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1 Corinthians 7:1-5 - God's Design for Marriage

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Opening thought: 

A young couple got married and left on their honeymoon. When they got back, the bride immediately called her mother.

"Well, how was the honeymoon?" asked the mother.
"Oh Mamma!" she exclaimed. "The honeymoon was wonderful! So romantic!"

No sooner had she spoken the words than she burst out crying. "But mamma . . . as soon as we returned, Sam started using the most horrible language. He's been saying things I've never heard before! All these awful 4-letter words! You've got to come get me and take me home... please Mamma!"

"Now Sarah . . ." her mother answered. "Calm down! Tell me, what could be so awful? What 4-letter words has he been using?"

"Please don't make me tell you, Mamma." wept the daughter. "I'm so embarrassed! They're just too awful! You've got to come get me and take me home... please Mamma!"

"Darling, baby, you must tell me what has you so upset . . . Tell your mother these horrible 4-letter words!"

Still sobbing, the bride replied, "Oh, Mamma . . . words like dust, wash, iron, and cook!"

Today we are going to talk about marriage and what one passage of Scripture says about its design.

Contextual Notes:

Paul’s letters to the Corinthians let us in on the tangled mess that was the Corinthian church. They were confused about Paul’s teaching on marriage, among other things. Some had taken his recommendation of celibacy as an apostolic ruling and either ended their marriages or its benefits.

Paul is not writing a treatise on marriage, but only responding to questions the Corinthian believers have asked him by letter for his advice (“Now for the matter you wrote about” 1 Cor. 7:1). Corinth might well have been the most lascivious city in the Empire, and this discussion is the natural next topic after dealing with the issues of immorality at the end of chapter 6.

Key Truth: Paul wrote 1 Corinthians 7:1-5 to teach the believers principles about marriage’s design as a mutually exclusive, affectionate, and physical male-female relationship.

Key Application: Today I want to show you what God’s Word says about marriage.

Key Verse: 1 Cor. 7:3-4

Pray and Read:  1 Corinthians 7:1-5

Sermon Points:

1.   Marriage is designed as a mutually exclusive male-female relationship (1 Cor. 7:1-2)

2.   Marriage is designed as a mutually affectionate male-female relationship (1 Cor. 7:3).

3.   Marriage is designed as a mutually physical male-female relationship (1 Cor. 7:4-5)

Exposition:   Note well,

1.   MARRIAGE IS DESIGNED AS A MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE MALE-FEMALE RELATIONSHIP (1 Cor. 7:1-2)

a.   The marriage questions are uniquely Gentile. The Jews have Genesis 1:28; 2:18. The rabbis taught that marriage is a man’s moral duty. 1 Cor. 7:1: “not to touch a woman”  – quoting a view current in Corinth, meaning a man being sexually involved with a woman. The verb haptomai “touch” here is used of wrestlers grappling in the ring, so Paul’s language is quite colorful and leaves no doubt what he is talking about.

b.   Hedge against immorality (porneia): Men with questions may be wondering about heterosexuality, homosexuality, and pedophilia. 1 Cor 7:7: Paul is not against marriage. Be “like me” does not mean only “be celibate” but “not distracted by sex.” Paul is teaching monogamy clearly.

c.   Paul has a high view of marriage – as a mystery revealing how Christ loves the Church (Ephesians 5:31-32; cf. Eph 5:22-33; Rom 7:1-4; John 2:1-11; 1 Tim 5:14; Heb. 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7).

d.   APPLICATION: A mutually exclusive male-female relationship means that the only persons involved in it are one man and one woman. That means there is no other person involved in it. It means a marriage where another woman is not involved. Where another man is not involved. Where a friend is not involved. Where a parent is not involved. Where a child is not involved.

2.   MARRIAGE IS DESIGNED AS A MUTUALLY AFFECTIONATE MALE-FEMALE RELATIONSHIP (1 Cor. 7:3)

a.   The marital duty is literally “debt” here (opheile) and are jointly shared by both husband and wife. Marriage not only fulfills the Godly purpose of procreation, and that should not be minimized, but it also fulfills the purpose of affection and companionship.

b.   Paul is moving them away from the Roman norm where the husband dominates the wife. In Christian marriage, Paul says there should be mutual affection and mutual giving and taking of one another.

c.   APPLICATION: Being affectionate means you sit and listen to her. She wants you to be her best friend. Serving each other. Helping each other. Considering the likes and dislikes of your spouse. Does it cross your mind what he likes? Does it ever occur to you what he needs?

3.   MARRIAGE IS DESIGNED AS A MUTUALLY PHYSICAL MALE-FEMALE RELATIONSHIP (1 COR. 7:4-5).

a.   Sex is not dirty in marriage. It is a wonderful gift for married people. It is essential in marriage, but it should not be used as a reward or withheld as punishment in marriage.

b.   Marriage is to be sexually satisfying (7:3-4). Paul is positing a shockingly modern idea for 1^st Century. In the 1^st Century, sexual satisfaction came in using other people, dominating them. Christianity is not anti-sex; it is pro-sex. It is God’s wedding gift to every couple.

c.   v. 4: belong, exousiazo – have authority. It is a radical idea for a Roman audience that a wife (legal chattel) could have a “right” to a husband’s body. Men felt free to take advantage of slaves, other women, girls, boys, or other men at will. Extra marital activity of any kind is unacceptable for Christians.

d.   Paul says, “Stop depriving one another, as you are doing” and do not stop normal sexual marriage relationship. It is a precious gift that is a fusing of two into one.

e.   Paul may be addressing the issue of married couples abstaining in light of the “present crisis” (1 Cor 7:26) of rising anti-Semitism and persecution. In the ancient world, the only effective form of contraception was to stop engaging in the activities that produce babies. In the 2^nd century AD, Soranus noted that “it is safer to prevent conception from occurring than to destroy the fetus through abortion.”[1] Paul reminds them that “coming together” should be a regular part of marriage – with a welcoming of any gift of a little one that He may provide in the process.

f.    APPLICATION: One could easily argue that our current national financial situation would not be nearly as bad if we had 40% more people who were taxpayers, consumers, home buyers, voters, entrepreneurs, volunteers to defend our nation against aggressors, and contributors to Social Security. But instead, we aborted them. Millions more were never conceived because their often otherwise pro-life Christian parents took forms of birth control that after their conception, made their mothers’ wombs inhospitable to that new person, and they were rejected and died.

g.   APPLICATION: Paul is talking about the deepest and most intimate way humans can express love to one another, two becoming one for the glory of God. You don’t use your body to control and manipulate your spouse. Beyond that there is a physical aspect to this beyond the marriage bed. She needs your physical body with her. She wants to know that she is the one in whom you confide. That she is your best friend and confidant. She wants to know that she is the most important person in your life. The best communicator of love to a man is your respect. Did you know that having his wife’s respect is more important to him than even having the physical body of his wife? It is, but built into the marriage act is also an issue of respect. Knowing that she wants to give herself to him is so important to him – respect is also a large part of the physical component of marriage. A man is not going to open his heart to a woman he doesn’t trust, and he won’t trust a woman who does not respect him. A woman is not going to open her heart and life to a man whom she doesn’t trust, and she will not trust him until she feels loved by him.

h.   Trust is that deepest and surest foundation of any relationship, and especially in marriage. Selfishness is what destroys trust. When you put yourself first over your spouse, you are damaging trust, and that is damaging to your marriage. Selfishness is the torpedo that sinks marriage more than anything else.

Invitation

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[1] Zondervan NT Background Commentary, 3:135.

Ephesians 6:1-4 - God's Design for Parenting

Opening thought: John and Mary had not been at church for several weeks. That was unusual. John was a new deacon, and Mary was involved with the small-group ministry of the church. The pastor dropped them a note to tell them he had been missing them and was praying for them. Then John and Mary showed up the next Sunday morning with their son Rodney in tow. They sought out the pastor between Sunday School and worship and were clearly in a hurry.

“Hi pastor, sorry to be in such a hurry, but Rodney has a ball game. We are not going to be able to stay for preaching. We’ll get the CD. I know we haven’t been too faithful lately, but that will change this fall. Rodney made the all-star baseball team, and most of their games are on Sunday. Some take us out of town, and we have to leave on Saturday night. We hate to have to miss church, but this is a great opportunity we didn’t’ think Rodney could miss. The coach tells us our son has real potential and may have a chance for a college scholarship if he focuses on his game. Who knows, maybe he’ll get a shot at the pros someday. You know I could have had a shot if I hadn’t been injured. Pray for us; he has a real talent from the Lord. We’ll see you in the fall.” And they sped to their car.

These earnest parents wanted the best for Rodney. Or did they? Whose best interests were they seeking? Was this a dad who as living out his dream through his son? Was “best” being measured from a biblical standpoint or from the standpoint of the world?

Rodney did indeed show real talent. He progressed through the ranks of Little League, Pony Baseball, and American Legion Baseball, all the time making the all-star ranks. As he progressed, John and Mary were less and less in church. After all, there were camps and clinics to attend that were essential to Rodney’s development. He had to be seen by the coaches and scouts if he was to have any chance to play at the next level. We stayed in touch, and they attended church once in a while. John felt he had to resign as a deacon since he had to travel so much with Rodney. It was, after all, important to keep the family together.

Rodney found it hard to make the transition from the children’s ministry to the youth group. He didn’t know the kids in the youth group very well and felt like an outsider when he attended. After all, he didn’t have anything in common with the other youth. He say them at school, but all his spare time was taken up with baseball. He really wasn’t interested in dating. He just didn’t have the time right now. Baseball was his first priority.

The youth pastor, Mike, was surprised but excited that Rodney had decided to go to youth camp. Mike had worked to develop a friendship with Rodney. He had attended several of his games and had begun to spend time with Rodney in prayer and bible study. He knew that Rodney found it awkward when the other youth talked about the Bible. After all, Rodney had missed much of the small-group study because of his busy schedule, and his parents didn’t feel  he should attend the Wednesday night youth explosion since he had little time to study, with practice every afternoon.

“Have to keep your grades up if you expect a college scholarship,” they would tell him.

But Rodney was showing a real interest in spiritual things, and Mike the youth pastor was willing to go the extra mile. Rodney had confessed to Mike that he was getting a little burned out on baseball. He really wanted to develop some friendships among the youth group. Most of his peers on the baseball team were a little wild, and he didn’t feel comfortable with some of the tings he was doing to win their approval. They were both convinced camp would be a good opportunity to develop some good solid relationships with other youth and grow spiritually.

Mike was speechless when John the father had made a scene at a parents meeting about the high cost of camp. The youth pastor had explained that it included the cost of transportation and three meals a day for five days. The church was paying for all the other costs. He was surprised that John had reacted so negatively since he had sent his son to baseball camps costing many times what the youth camp would cost. When Mike privately pointed this out to John, John exploded. “But baseball is my son’s career. Camp is just fun and games!”

Mike tried to explain that while camp was indeed a fun event the focus was on spiritual development of kingdom youth. John declared, “Rodney has plenty of time for that later. Right not he has to focus on getting that college scholarship!” The embarrassment on Rodney’s face spoke volumes. Mike was disappointed but not surprised when Rodney called to explain that he was not going to be able to go to youth camp after all. A big league manager had called and invited him and his dad to California for a ball game. They were going to sit in the dugout with the team. His dad believed this was too great an opportunity to pass up. There would be other youth camps. Sorry! Mike didn’t see much of Rodney after that summer. He seemed to lose interest in spiritual things. The door of opportunity seemed to close.

Rodney’s senior year was a disaster. He couldn’t’ seem to find his stroke. His batting average suffered. He couldn’t seem to maintain focus. His dad blamed poor coaching. No professional team was showing interest in their son, and they were shocked when no college scholarship was forthcoming.  Rodney went to a small college and walked on, but he was cut after a few weeks, and he went into a depression. John made an appointment to talk with the pastor. He was upset that Rodney had developed a relationship with a girl who was distracting him from his game. He and Mary suspected the girl was a bad influence on their son. They had smelled alcohol on his breath and were concerned he was trying drugs. They were now desperate to help their son. He was becoming detached and had no desire for church.

Now the parents sitting in the pastor’s office were devastated because their son not only wanted nothing to do with church but had embraced a lifestyle that had broken the hearts of his Christian parents. The child that grew up in the influence of the church has now rejected the value system of his faith and parents.

This story is not about keeping kids in church and out of sports. It is something much higher. What are we teaching our kids about priorities? What if we raise our children to gain the world but in the process they forfeit their own souls?

Studies indicate that 70% of youngsters from evangelical churches drop out of church within two years of high school graduation. How does it begin? What has caused the mass exodus? An even more important question is, What can we do about it?[1]

Contextual Notes: Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is a masterful explanation of how Christ’s salvation for us gives us the authority of a seat in the heavenly places, gives us power to walk in the Spirit in this life, and gives us the ability to stand against the devil’s schemes. At the end of Paul’s discussion of walking in the Spirit, Paul talks about walking in the Spirit in marriage (Eph 5:22-33), the family (Eph 6:1-4), and work (Eph 6:5-9). We will discuss the middle one today, the family.

Key Truth: Paul wrote Ephesians 6:1-4 to teach believers that children need to learn obedience and respect for authority in the home, and that fathers are responsible for taking the lead in that training.

Key Application: Today I want to show you what God’s Word says about parenting.

Key Verse: Eph 6:4

Pray and Read:  Ephesians 6:1-4

Sermon Points:

1.   Children need to learn obedience to parents (Ephesians 6:1).

2.   Children need to learn to respect authority (Ephesians 6:2-3).

3.   Fathers need to lead in training their children (Ephesians 6:4).

Exposition:   Note well,

1.   CHILDREN NEED TO LEARN OBEDIENCE TO PARENTS (Eph 6:1)

a.   Like the husband-wife relationship noted in chapter 5:22-33, the parent-child relationship is rooted in love and reverence for Christ. All members of God’s institution of the family must recognize the Lordship of Christ. Apparently Paul expects children to be present in the congregations where his letter will be read and not sequestered in another place because they “make too much noise.”

b.   Note that obedience to parents must be “in the Lord,” making it a part of one’s obligation to Christ. The fact that obedience is “in the Lord” makes it right. The Lord himself expects children to have an attitude of obedience to parents. This is proper and essential for a Christian household. Right out of the gate, Paul, like Moses in Deuteronomy 6:4-6, makes obedience a heart issue, not a behavioral issue.

c.   ILLUSTRATION: My good friend who is closer to me than a brother, Dennis Aggrey, a man of the unreached Lorma tribe from Liberia, West Africa, earned a master of divinity in 2000 at the Baptist school, Beeson Divinity School at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. Having grown up in the jungles of West Africa, Dennis had also become very knowledgeable in the culture of the American South as well. When Amanda and I lived in Liberia while working for Samaritan’s Purse, I asked Dennis what he thought was a major difference between American and West African cultures. Immediately he answered me: “In Africa, the parents tell the children what to do. In America, the children tell the parents what to do.” God’s design for parenting seems the Lord is more African than American these days.

d.   APPLICATION: Do what you say you will do. It teaches consequences for behavior. If you tell them you will take something away if they misbehave, take it away when they misbehave. When you don’t, you are teaching them that disobedience has no consequences and that you do not need to be obeyed. So think through what you are going to say or promise before you say it and be prepared to take the toy or the remote or the keys.

e.   Reward obedience. Most kids want to please you. By acknowledging them, you help motivate them to do the right thing for the right reasons.

f.    Live an obedient life yourself. When they see you stealing from work or choosing to disobey the law you are teaching them to disobey and to have no respect for authority.

g.   Teach them to obey from their heart, not just behavior. An Amazon search on parenting will call up about 60,000 books on parenting, and most of them, even the Christian ones, focus on behavior modification, a psychological term that does not work ultimately, because you are not dealing with their heart. Talk to them about sin and about what is right and why you want them to obey. Not because there is a prize at the end of the day, but because they love you.

2.   CHILDREN NEED TO LEARN RESPECT FOR AUTHORITY (Eph 6:2-3)

a.   The first command to honor parents is found in the Ten Commandments (Exod. 20:12; Deut. 5:16) and includes living in such as way as to bring honor on them in a godly society (Deut. 21:18-21). Honoring father and mother involves more than just obedience to a stronger person. It involves voluntary respect and appreciation.

b.    Some people get tangled up on “first commandment with a promise,” saying that the second of the Ten Commandments has a promise (Exod. 20:4), and therefore the fifth commandment has the second. But the commandment to “honor your father and mother” is the first commandment in the table of duties toward others (following the first four which deal with one’s relationship with God).

c.   What is needed here to better understand is a comma,[2] e.g., “It is the first commandment, with a promise…” That is, it is the first commandment by which parents can introduce children to God and His ways. The promise is generally true, though God’s providence orders otherwise. The point is that disobedience to parents is certain to bring about a troubled future for a child. If children respect parents, they will respond to their nurture, come to know God, and so “enjoy long life on the earth.”

d.   APPLICATION: What tone of voice do you tolerate from your children in your home? If it is the tone of voice used on the Disney Channel or Nickelodeon, then it is unacceptable. The tone should not be rude or sarcastic or disrespectful. When they are rude or sarcastic toward you, make them start over and use respectful language. Withhold what they are asking for until they can enunciate a proper respectful tone of voice. If they are talking to you in a disrespectful way as their parents, then they will talk in a rude and disrespectful way to their teacher or any authority – and that is dangerous for them as they get older. It will get them fired. It will get them put in jail. It will get them killed. You are doing this for their good. They need you, but they will not listen to you if you do not require them to talk to you and other adults with respect.

e.   What are you modeling for them from the way you talk about respecting authority? When they hear you bad-mouthing your supervisor, you are teaching them that authority doesn’t matter. When you chew out your spouse in front of them, you are teaching them that your spouse is not worthy of respect or commanding authority. When you curse the state trooper who pulled you over, you are teaching them to disrespect law enforcement’s authority. When you constantly complain about things at church and butcher the preacher in front of your children, you are teaching them that it is not important to respect the church or God or the Bible. When you curse the President or the Congress, you are teaching them that the government is not worth their respect. Watch your own mouth and listen to yourself talk. Are you teaching your children to respect authority?

3.   FATHERS NEED TO LEAD IN INSTRUCTING THEIR CHILDREN (Eph 6:4)

a.   The Bible teaches that the father is responsible for the child’s education and that discipline for children was corporal punishment. In the Greco-Roman world, standard punishment for children was heavy beatings. Paul here charts a new course among ancient writers in discouraging excessive discipline (Eph. 6:4). It is easier to be severe or indulgent in training children, but children need discipline and admonition combined with a gentle understanding of their needs and limitations.

b.   “do not exasperate”: In the exercise of authority and discipline, fathers are called to exercise sensitivity and moderation. Parents are not to make unreasonable demands of their children. Children who are exasperated by such demands may rebel, and rebellion leads to godlessness. A child who has been treated with harshness all the time without the gentleness of the Father above is very difficult to win back to the Lord. Fathers are to reflect the love of God the Father, are to be tenderhearted and considerate in dealing with their children. Why did Paul not address mothers here? Because most mothers are already nurturers by default. Fathers are more prone to be too rough and harsh with their words and actions.

c.   Fathers’ primary task is to train their children in righteousness and to exercise discipline in the home. The ultimate responsibility for nurturing children in the faith lies with the father. In many of our homes, fathers leave that to the mother and the father focuses on providing. That is an unwise way to run a family. Fathers (and mothers) must be concerned not just for their children’s physical health but also that they grow into mature people spiritually and psychologically/emotionally in the home and in the church. Most fathers, even Christian fathers, give that responsibility to the mothers, but it takes – not a village – but both a mother and father to raise a child.

d.   ILLUSTRATION: This rather well-deserved message appeared on facebook last night: “Early Father’s Day message: Steve, I am so glad that I live 3½ hours away from you so I don’t have to deal with your crap. I thank God every day that I didn’t turn out like you. I really wish I didn’t name my sweet daughter after you. You are a terrible person. Happy Father’s Day.” Steve smothered that first daughter with gifts. He put her above everyone else in the family, above her mother and her sister. She did no wrong, and she was never disciplined as a child or teenager. Their lives revolved around her and her ball games. When she was sixteen she got the car she wanted. Even though they had paid all her life into a 529 account for her to go to a state university, she wanted to go to a private college, and Steve, who is also a loud mouth, abusive, atheist, and adulterer, paid the difference so that she could go where she wanted. A friend commented on her facebook message saying, “I feel the same way about mine, too.”

e.   APPLICATION: Fathers, your kids want you to lead them, and your wife wants you to lead her. There is something about a father’s approval that kids crave. Hug and kiss them. There is something about a loving but firm boundary that Dad sets that gives a child security.

f.    Be an example. Lead in the way you treat your wife. Lead by praying at the table in the blessing. Let your children hear you pray for them. Lead by setting a time to do family devotions. Be around. Be available to them. Put your family before your job.

g.   Have a relationship with your children. Love them actively. If you have been absent from their lives because of work or family situations or just plain sorry-ness, a good starting point is to get to know your children. Know what they like. Know who their friends are. Find out their interests. Don’t leave all this to their mother. Don’t try to become their best friend. Still be their father, but take them out to lunch. Spend some one-on-one time with them. Get their attention by giving them your undivided attention.

h.   All this is about helping your children have a healthy relationship with their heavenly Father. If you can model for them loving boundaries, gentle love, strong tough love, and a providing heart, then you will set them up for a healthy relationship with their Father God.

Invitation:

Sources:

Clinton Arnold, gen. ed., Zondervan Illustrated New Testament Background Commentary, 3:334-5.

F.F. Bruce, gen. ed., International Bible Commentary, 1438.

Tokunboh Adeyemo, gen. ed., Africa Bible Commentary, 1437.

“Family and Marriage,” Christ Fellowship Miami, http://vimeo.com/24698181

Ken Hemphilland Richard Ross, Parenting with Kingdom Purpose (Nashville: Broadman & Holman), 2005, 1-7.

Craig Keener, IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, 552.

Larry Richards, Victor Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, 479-80.

Larry Richards, Bible Reader’s Companion, 802.

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[1] Illustration from Ken Hemphill and Richard Ross, Parenting with Kingdom Purpose (Nashville: Broadman & Holman), 2005, 1-7.

[2] Greek uses all capital letters with no spaces or punctuation.