October 2012 – The Wandering Shepherd

Strength for the Journey: "The Asp's Poison" – Numbers 5:11-31

Though you may have heard differently back in your school days – I have some news for you: Cleopatra probably didn’t die of an “Asp” bite to her bosom. According to modern toxicologists, “Cleopatra actually used a mixture of hemlock, wolfs bane and opium to end her life.” The name of the snake as an Asp is actually also inaccurate –it actually referred to an assortment of venomous snake species found in the Nile region – but would likely have been the Egyptian cobra – if she used a snake at all. It is true that in the end of dynastic Egypt and into the period of Roman domination, the asp was a decorative symbol of royalty in some court art – a mascot if you will. If that is how we mean it – then she died BIT by the throne itself – as did many rulers who tried to withstand the inevitable rise of Roman domination on their shores. That would not have been an inaccurate assessment.

It is also true that in both ancient Egypt and Greece, an asp posseses potent venom that made it useful as a means of execution for criminals who were thought deserving of a more dignified death than that of typical executions. According to the Platonist philosopher Plutarch (a younger contemporary of the Apostle Paul), Cleopatra tested various deadly poisons on condemned persons and animals for daily entertainment and concluded that the bite of the Egyptian Cobra was the least terrible way to die; the venom brought sleepiness and heaviness without spasms of pain. In 2010, a German historian along with a toxicologist came to the conclusion the old version of her death was highly unlikely. At the same time, that explanation will not quickly leave us, because it is the one so artfully explained in William Shakespeare’s writings by none other than Cleopatra herself in Act V, scene II of “Antony and Cleopatra” – and you know the “movie version” wins over the actual historical event most every time.

You may be asking, “Why are we discussing venomous snakes?” Because most all of us have suffered from the bite of one that slithered across our path more than once. He is not a cobra… but he possesses a deadly venom. He is a snake whose venom is jealousy. King Saul suffered from its pangs when he heard the people say: “Saul has killed his thousands, David tens of thousands..” It nearly drove him mad – and jealousy will do that. In today’s lesson we want to deal with an antidote that God gave for jealousy. Left to itself, the poison will kill you. It will poison you, and then poison the relationship – killing every good thing once found between you. Like bitterness – jealousy can be remedied alone (one can come to peace without another person’s help) – but it is much more difficult to do if a suspicion of violation in the relationship is not confronted and settled.

Remember that God’s instruction in the “Law of Jealousy” was part of a bigger picture that we began to sketch out in the previous lesson in Numbers 3-5. We saw the principle in our study that:

Key Principle: God placed specific barriers and fences to protect the people, and wanted the people to pay close attention to follow the Word He has given concerning contacts and divisions among people.

Before we look at the “Law of Jealousy”, let’s set the text well…Numbers 5 includes commands to three kinds of people. In today’s lesson we will briefly review the first two of them, and then focus on the third. The three kinds are:

1. People who needed to get out of the camp (5:1-4).
2. People who needed to get right with God (5:5-8).
3. People who needed to get straight with one another (5:11-31).

Each of these should be handled carefully, and separately…

First, there were people who were defiled by contact with the dead or by manifestations of bodily discharges. They needed separation.

In review, let’s pick up only five quick highlights of what we said in the previous lesson:

1. Passages like this can easily be dismissed as only pertaining to the health conditions of the ancient desert – but we should look more broadly to the principle behind the separation barrier.

2. In the Bible the term defilement isn’t necessarily about specific sin in the life of the person who is defiled. Defilement may mean that you aren’t ready to serve God in your function at that moment.

3. God knows that His people are not always wise concerning their own limitations. They are often tempted to keep going, even when we should stop. Ineligibility may help stem off burnout. Here were the reasons one was set aside in the text:

• Sickness: People who were are sick, especially with something that was “catching”..

• Discharges: People with an active blood seepage. Not due to specific sin, but due to a sinful state – it is a status problem, not necessarily a participation problem.

• Death of a loved one: People who are handling the burial of their loved ones. I believe there is a Biblical case to be made for suspension of service by ministry people who have lost their spouse. I think it is both unwise and in my view unbiblical for them to continue right away. A time of grief should be granted and enforced by those involved in leadership.

4. The ultimate point of all this was that people weren’t always ready to keep going – even if we thought we NEEDED to for the sake of others. God was introducing a condition to get them to slow down and look at life differently.

5. Finally, but very importantly, we made the point that we are not more compassionate than God – nor do we have a better sense of our REAL responsibility than He does. He made rules so that REAL compassion and true responsibility could thrive.

Second, there were people that were caught up in sin. They needed repentance, restoration and in some cases to pay restitution.

The text turned from those who were told to go away from others because of defilement, to others who were told that their actions had separated them from others and they needed to be restored.

Numbers 5:5: “Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 6 “Speak to the sons of Israel, ‘When a man or woman commits any of the sins of mankind, acting unfaithfully against the LORD, and that person is guilty, 7 then he shall confess his sins which he has committed, and he shall make restitution in full for his wrong and add to it one-fifth of it, and give it to him whom he has wronged…

Skipping a pebble across the text for a review, we should not forget four things we discussed:

• People who take from others what they have not rightfully earned need to be dealt with openly – but with a view toward restoring them. God instructed the way to make it right, not just angry discipline about wrong.

• It was necessary not only to give back what you took, but to go the extra mile and give back MORE.

• If we have wronged another, Jesus said it was more important that you make it right then you offer your gift to God at the altar.

• Become the honest worker you would want in someone YOU hire to work for you. Your testimony will increase, and God will use your faithfulness as a platform to reach others.

** NOTE: Numbers 5:5-8 relate to the sinner corrected, but Numbers 5:9-10 do not. It is a clarification of the ownership of gifts given to those in the priesthood. It says: 5:9 ‘Also every contribution pertaining to all the holy gifts of the sons of Israel, which they offer to the priest, shall be his. 10 ‘So every man’s holy gifts shall be his; whatever any man gives to the priest, it becomes his.’” This was a simple clarification brought up in light of the previous comments, and sought to make clear that all gifts passed to a priest became the property of that priest. It was given in the context of theft, so that it was clear that a gift constituted a change of ownership, and was irrevocable.

Now the text turned to where we began – our poisonous slithering friend, that strikes hard with the venom of jealousy…

Third, there were couples divided by jealous suspicion. They needed inspection, counsel and in cases without foundation – restoration (Numbers 5:11-31).

1: Accusations are costly, and need to be taken seriously.

Whether or not the spouse is guilty – the accusing spouse must present to the Lord both her and an offering. This cannot be frivolous, or he will lose valuable food supplies.

Numbers 5:11 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 12 “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘If any man’s wife goes astray and is unfaithful to him, 13 and a man has intercourse with her and it is hidden from the eyes of her husband and she is undetected, although she has defiled herself, and there is no witness against her and she has not been caught in the act, 14 if a spirit of jealousy comes over him and he is jealous of his wife when she has defiled herself, or if a spirit of jealousy comes over him and he is jealous of his wife when she has not defiled herself, 15 the man shall then bring his wife to the priest, and shall bring as an offering for her one-tenth of an ephah of barley meal; he shall not pour oil on it nor put frankincense on it, for it is a grain offering of jealousy, a grain offering of memorial, a reminder of iniquity.

Even suspicion is costly. Doubt robs the family. How much better for each of them to have maintained their inner heart and kept themselves both pure and uncompromised. In many cases, there is more to the jealousy than simply time unaccounted for – there is a deep mistrust that already exists and may have been fostered. Some time should be put into keeping clean accounts with one another.

The old saying is true: “Most of our suspicions of others are aroused by what we know about ourselves.” Often people who let their mind wander and heart go astray easily worry about their partner – because they know themselves.

Mark Hensley wrote that “Duke University did a study on “peace of mind.” The highest six factors found to contribute greatly to emotional and mental stability are:

1. The absence of suspicion and resentment. Nursing a grudge was a major factor in unhappiness.

2. Not living in the past. An unwholesome preoccupation with old mistakes and failures leads to depression.

3. Not wasting time and energy fighting conditions you cannot change. Cooperate with life, instead of trying to run away from it.

4. Forcing yourself to stay involved with the living world. Resist the temptation to withdraw and become reclusive during periods of emotional stress.

5. Refusing to indulge in self-pity when life hands you a raw deal. Accept the fact that nobody gets through life without some sorrow and misfortune.

6. Cultivating the virtues—love, humor, compassion and loyalty, etc.

The text of 5:11-15 do not presuppose guilt, but it is a foregone conclusion that before a couple would bring potential shame on their house – one would feel certain there was something to the accusation. There was a specific cost, and a specific person to take the problem to – because God initiated the Law. God isn’t happy with buried sin or open suspicion. There must be a remedy.

2: Sin puts a distance between God and man.

Confronting the accusation of sin needs to be direct between the sinner and God.

5:16 ‘Then the priest shall bring her near and have her stand before the LORD,

We have often declared it – but we cannot neglect to say it. Sin may affect others, but it is chiefly directed against God Himself. As a result, when I am wrong with another, I am wrong with BOTH them, and the God that made them.

Do you wonder why God didn’t direct the issue to a CIVIL authority as we would in our modern culture? The issue to God was that suspicion alone, let alone hidden guilt, would defile the whole of the congregation. You know how it goes. First, he suspects that she is cheating. Next, after sleepless nights his best friend asks him what’s wrong. Soon after, a whole group of people are speculating on what went wrong, who the offending party may have been, and what is wrong with the straying spouse. In a matter of a short time, some will weigh in as “experts” on the behavior of the two. The whole process has all the reliability of the shopping line magazine that proclaims there are “alien babies growing among us!” We live in a time of too much talk without substantial knowledge. America is swamped with experts on the inner thinking of celebrities and politicians – as though we truly know what they are doing, let alone thinking.

When a woman stood accused of infidelity, the priest brought her near to God. There she stood – alone for a time before God. Any resistance she may have had that hardens one’s heart – was challenged and softened before God’s face. If she were guilty, I suspect she would have been very apt to say so before the drinking of the water began.

Maybe that is our problem. Maybe we sin, and rather than get alone with God and face Him because of the way we have acted – we carry on the charade that we love and respect Him. We act like it surely must be someone else who is the cause of the disunity and disrespect for God in our time – surely it isn’t OUR FAULT.

Perhaps if believers took the time to get alone with God, to focus on His Divine inspection – they would recapture a sensitivity to sin in their life. For some of us, time alone with God suggests a chilly sense of sweeping guilt. For others, it is nothing of the kind. If we develop time with God, if we allow Him to step into our guilty presence and open ourselves to feel the warm wash of His cleansing – “alone time” will not be something to be avoided. The fresh feeling you had when you came to Jesus and He washed you thoroughly can be your experience all over again – but you must get alone with Him.

Get rid of religious distraction. Shut the radio and iPod off. Get far from everyone else in your heart. Really focus on placing yourself before Him. He wants to hear your voice – even in your guilt.

3: The defilement of hidden sin will deeply corrupt the worship place – defiling countless others who do not know why!

God used that place to indicate guilt or innocence. The first sip was water mixed with dust from the worship center is put into the water.

5:17 and the priest shall take holy water in an earthenware vessel; and he shall take some of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle and put it into the water.

Don’t forget that your personal sin has communal implications. A Sunday School teacher that is hiding lust is impacting the whole body of Messiah. An usher with an anger and bitterness issue is hindering God’s open flow of life in the local body. Our sin is not irrelevant – it is very powerfully affecting others – even if we cannot see it. The worship center was affected by DIRT brought in through sin, and the worship center’s DUST would be employed to deal with the problem.

If she is innocent, the water should be a sweet drink – for it will clear suspicion. God will vindicate what she has been saying – and suspicion should evaporate. It will be based on God’s power – not her honesty! Think about the sweetness of no longer hearing a whispering over her shoulder – because GOD declared her innocent.

Charles Bridges in his commentary on Proverbs explains the quiet whispers this way: “We may seem to make light of the tale brought to our ears, and wholly to despise it. But the subtle poison has worked. ‘Suppose it should be true. Perhaps, though it may be exaggerated, there may be some ground for it.’ The thought indulged for only a moment brings suspicion, distrust, coldness: and often it ends in the separation of chief friends.”

4: Even the accusation was a tarnish against God’s glory in her honor – the truth of innocence had to be cleared!

Letting her hair down, the priest and the woman will stand before God while an offering is submitted to God for His approval. Both her and her husband should avoid getting to this point if at all possible.

5:18 ‘The priest shall then have the woman stand before the LORD and let the hair of the woman’s head go loose, and place the grain offering of memorial in her hands, which is the grain offering of jealousy, and in the hand of the priest is to be the water of bitterness that brings a curse.

God referred to hair as symbolism on a number of occasions. In the Nazarite vow of Numbers 6 and in the vow language of Leviticus 14 – hair was symbolic, and shaving was symbolic. In the case of women, Paul made the point that her hair represented her GLORY (1 Cor. 11). Here, the accusation meant that a stain would stand over her life- unless God could rescue her and vindicate her. Her hair was let down before God.

In several idiom dictionaries, the phrase “let your hair down” had specific meaning. Look for a moment at these:

“Fig. to tell [someone] everything; to tell one’s innermost feelings and secrets. Let your hair down and tell me all about it. Come on. Let your hair” and “to relax and enjoy yourself without worrying what other people will think” as in: It’s nice to let your hair down once in a while and go a bit wild. (From the Online Idiom dictionary by Farlex).

It appears to me that both of these senses should apply. Standing before God, I should not be concerned about anyone else’s view of my life. His is the one that matters. I should be able to relax and tell the whole truth. Real intimacy with God forces pretense out. God wants to walk with you the way He did in the Garden BEFORE sin entered the world. You who know Christ are the only ones on the earth with which he can sojourn in that way!

5: Sin needed to be confronted and confessed or denied and rejected – and the wages needed to be made clear.

5:19 ‘The priest shall have her take an oath and shall say to the woman, “If no man has lain with you and if you have not gone astray into uncleanness, being under the authority of your husband, be immune to this water of bitterness that brings a curse; 20 if you, however, have gone astray, being under the authority of your husband, and if you have defiled yourself and a man other than your husband has had intercourse with you” 21 (then the priest shall have the woman swear with the oath of the curse, and the priest shall say to the woman), “the LORD make you a curse and an oath among your people by the LORD’S making your thigh waste away and your abdomen swell; 22 and this water that brings a curse shall go into your stomach, and make your abdomen swell and your thigh waste away.” And the woman shall say, “Amen. Amen.”

She confessed before God deliberately and completely. The woman verbally swore an oath before the Lord to ask for the curse or clean judgment. The woman must show that she clearly agrees to the God revealing the hidden – if there is anything hidden. If she is not guilty, this will be a simple matter. If she is guilty, perhaps she believes, as many people do, that either God is not real, or not able to see what she is truly doing.

It is a good and healthy thing to recite all the things that would result from a sinful choice BEFORE I engage in the activity.

Randy Alcorn wrote words to those of us in ministry, but the same words can be used for your life as well, in his article in Leadership Magazine: “What Happens When you fall”: The Consequences of a Moral Tumble:

• I grieve the Lord who redeemed me when I tumble.
• I drag His sacred name into the mud.
• I forget I will one day look Jesus the righteous judge in the face and give account of my actions. I will stand there without an answer.
• I begin my journey following in the footsteps of those who have gone before that have forsaken their ministries and caused me in the past to shudder.
• I inflict untold hurt on Nancy, my faithful friend and loyal wife. I lose Nancy’s respect and trust, hurting my beloved daughters, Rachel and Angie.
• I destroy my credibility with my children.
• If my blindness should continue or my wife should be unable to forgive, I may end up losing my wife and my children forever.
• I cause shame to my family.
• I lose my self respect.
• I form memories and flash backs that could plague future intimacy with my wife.
• I waste years of ministry training and experience for a long time, and perhaps permanently.
• I undermine the faithful example of other hard working Christians in our community.
• I would be bringing great pleasure to Satan.
• I would be heaping enormous judgment on the person with whom I was committing adultery.
• I could possibly bear the physical consequences of my sin with diseases such as gonorrhea, syphilis, clomidia, herpes or aids.
• I could even infect Nancy, or in the case of aids, causing her death.
• I would bring shame and hurt to fellow Pastors and elders: (Names).
• I would invoke life long embarrassment on myself.

The old adage is true: “Pure love and suspicion cannot dwell together: at the door where the latter enters, the former makes its exit.”

6: Every sinner hiding sin needs to know the weight of a LIE to God.

5:23 ‘The priest shall then write these curses on a scroll, and he shall wash them off into the water of bitterness. 24 ‘Then he shall make the woman drink the water of bitterness that brings a curse, so that the water which brings a curse will go into her and cause bitterness. 25 ‘The priest shall take the grain offering of jealousy from the woman’s hand, and he shall wave the grain offering before the LORD and bring it to the altar; 26 and the priest shall take a handful of the grain offering as its memorial offering and offer it up in smoke on the altar, and afterward he shall make the woman drink the water.

Another dramatic step of seeing the indictment in writing added solemnity to the occasion. Insuring the woman is fully aware of the weight of the moment, the priest wrote out the curse, and then washed the words into the water cup of bitterness. She would have to INGEST her words – to drink them in.

7: God loves to clear the innocent, but God will not withhold judgment on the guilty who are hiding sin. God worked in the woman’s body to prove her or curse her.

5: 27 ‘When he has made her drink the water, then it shall come about, if she has defiled herself and has been unfaithful to her husband, that the water which brings a curse will go into her and cause bitterness, and her abdomen will swell and her thigh will waste away, and the woman will become a curse among her people. 28 ‘But if the woman has not defiled herself and is clean, she will then be free and conceive children.

What a grand moment, when she would be set free from suspicion and God would show her word to be TRUE. Her husband would be silenced about this, and she would be blessed by God.

8: The truth is the beginning of the healing point. The purpose of coming before the Lord was to be absolutely sure nothing was left unanswered.

5:29 ‘This is the law of jealousy: when a wife, being under the authority of her husband, goes astray and defiles herself, 30 or when a spirit of jealousy comes over a man and he is jealous of his wife, he shall then make the woman stand before the LORD, and the priest shall apply all this law to her.

9: God holds us responsible to TRY to make things right before Him and each other. If you do all you can do to make it right, the sin is left on the other.

5:31 Moreover, the man will be free from guilt, but that woman shall bear her guilt.’”

The end sounds funny, but what the writer is trying to say is simple: If she was guilty – her sin would be her fault. Unfaithfulness isn’t always a two way street. If he walked through the steps and found her unfaithful – his heart would be broken. God does not heap the bad decisions and sinful choices of one on the record of the other.

I am not suggesting that sometimes we don’t play a negative role in the eye of our spouse – I am stating that my sinful choices are MY ISSUE – and so are yours. Don’t blame them. God knows your heart – and THEY are not the primary issue – your roaming and rebellious heart is!

God placed specific barriers and fences to protect the people, and wants believers to pay close attention to follow the Word He has given concerning contacts and divisions among people. When God placed specific barriers and fences – they were to protect the people and heal divisions among us. We dare not re-write the rules.

Postcards of Faith: "Seven Truths about the Truth" – The Third Epistle of John

Very few movies have offered lines to American life that are still well know more than two decades later – but Jack Nicholson, in one of his most famous roles, offered a speech about the truth that is still iconic and recognized. The year was 1992, and Tom Cruise starred beside Nicholson and Demi Moore. Writer Aaron Sorkin adapted the play “A Few Good Men” into a movie script, and the box office rewarded the efforts of all…The story was essentially a courtroom drama, a court martial of two U.S. Marines charged with the murder of a fellow Marine. The script unfolded some of the troubles of defense advocate Lieutenant Junior Grade Daniel “Danny” Kaffee (Tom Cruise) as he organized and presented a sound defense for his two Marines accused of conduct that lead to the death of a Marine in a hazing type incident. Kaffee is repeatedly stumped in presenting an adequate defense – until he stumbles on the truth at the heart of the case. The commanding officer, a Colonel Jessup (played by Nicholson) was a party to the problem, and was effectively covering up a plot. Kaffee managed to unnerve Jessep on the witness stand by exposing a flaw in his testimony. Under heavy pressure from Kaffee and unnerved by being caught in one of his own lies, Jessep indignantly shouted, “You want the truth? You can’t handle the truth!” In that moment on the silver screen, an iconic line was born. Jessup went on to dismiss Kaffee as disrespectful of a Marine doing his duty, but ultimately confessed that he had lied under oath. As Jessep angrily justified his actions on the basis of national security, he was arrested by Ross, and there was a verdict of not guilty on the charges for the accused Marines.

Key Principle: At its core, the TRUTH is stubbornly independent of individual bias – and uncovers the actual happening in the actual context.

I have in mind, of course, eternal truth – God’s truth; the real and absolute truth. In my definition, the Bible accurately reveals the perspective of the Holy One who Created us. His Words were not only given in truth, they were preserved in power. He not only Divinely revealed the secrets He desired to declare, He superintended their delivery to men, and their preservation for men.

Truth is under attack today. Never before have so many people been able to frame themselves as Christian, while at the same time openly declaring that the Bible is neither accurate nor definitive as truth. Celebrities, politicians and media pundits have said it so often it is now assumed – that one can be truly a Christian but not believe what Christ taught as revealed in the Gospels, or what Paul preached as revealed in the Epistles. Truth, in modern hands, holds no particular shape – it is malleable. It is subject to the ever-flexing ethical whims of modern men, who believe themselves of greater compassion than God, of greater understanding than their Creator and possessing a greater sense of social justice and sensitivity toward their fellow men than the Savior who died for mankind. They know better than a God who made Himself known through what they call an “opaque mythology” of Scripture. They are more secure in their own moral musings than His unchanging explanations of life’s origin, purpose and destiny. In the end, truth is subjected to the twisting of popular currents. Grand authority of our modern life has been moved from the Biblical foundations of old and fast wrested on the unproven hypotheses of self-serving leaders, hungry to re-write the script of acceptable morality based on their own appetites and sense of fairness. It is a grand experiment – a house built on sand.

In these days leading up to an election, there seems to be no end to the ways candidates and groups supporting them can bend the truth – but it is not so flexible as it would seem. There is an old saying: “Figures never lie, but liars figure.” In other words, when someone has a direct benefit, be a bit cautious about their reckoning of a situation. These are good days to speak about TRUTH.

When we look into the Scriptures themselves, what can we say for sure about truth? Tucked into the back of the Christian Scriptures is a small note – no bigger than a post card – from John the Apostle to a local church that is struggling with some reactions of people in the church. The post card is both warm and honest. The author Apostles like John, Peter and Paul knew when to encourage and commend – but they stood ready to defend truth and not gloss over difficulty. The letter essentially sets up a comparison of three men in light of how they are handling TRUTH.

First, there was a man named Gaius – a painfully common Roman praenomen (first name) that referred to this servant-hearted leader who PRACTICED WHAT HE WAS PREACHING WITH HIS LIFE.

How I admire that! How I desire that! When Paul wrote to Titus, he urged him to “so that in every respect they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour” (Titus 2:10). Paul wanted people about the Body of Messiah to exclaim: “if the Christian faith does this for them, it must be wonderful!”

One author wrote it this way: “I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day; I’d rather one would walk with me than merely show the way. The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear; Fine counsel is confusing but example’s always clear. And the best of all the preachers are the ones who live their creeds, For to see good put in action is what everybody needs. I soon can learn to do it if you let me see it done. I can watch your hands in action but your tongue too fast may run. And the sermon you deliver may be very wise and true, But I’d rather get my lesson by observing what you do, For I might misunderstand you and the high advice you give, But there’s no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.” (sermon central illustrations). I love those words, because they challenge me to live my faith and not just preach it!

Second, there was another man named Diotrephes – a very uncommon praenomen that was used primarily in the upper classes. Unlike Gaius, the record of the Word leaves little for me to long to emulate. He hindered others with his pride, and presented himself as an example of the arrogant and unteachable.

Diotrephes seemed to love himself more than others and was dismissive of traveling evangelists, though instructed by John to receive them. John had apparently taken the time to write to the congregation of Gaius and Diotrephes a message to be read aloud to the church, but he refused to acknowledge the John’s authority. Perhaps he felt: “I’m not going to be dictated to by that old Apostle John.” He held a position of responsibility in the church and used it for his own purposes. John suggested he loved the position too much – allowing his position to go to his head. As the big fish in a small pond, he pushed away any outside intervention, like that of John or other traveling speakers. When you have all the answers, you stop searching.

Consider, when you think about this man, the words of Paul to the Philippians (2:1-5): “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”

One author wrote the Unteachable Heart is:

–rebellious against any type of authority that would attempt to improve it attitude
-unchanging in its desire to maintain self righteous attitudes
-uncaring of the feelings of others, caring only that it is satisfied
-unconcerned about the pain of those around it, just leave me alone
-contentious with nearly any other voice
-critical of any other that performs other duties on a long term basis
-unable to recognize its own flaws
-unwilling to change because it believes that it is already doing what is right

Un-teachable Hearts will often love to be in the limelight and will step on or over others to get there. Then, they slowly destroy the Work of the Lord through their prideful, arrogant, know-it-all attitudes.

Un-teachable Hearts don’t like anyone else to have the limelight because they feel threatened. They don’t believe that anyone is as right as they and stand above accountability of other voices.

Un-teachable Hearts also love to speak out against anything good that someone else may be doing. They are stuck in their own rut and don’t want anyone else to accomplish what will make them look bad.

Un-teachable Hearts are stuck in the traditions of men, hate any kind of change and won’t allow God to move in any manner outside of their own limited paradigm.

Un-teachable Hearts refuse to accept anyone different from themselves and then condemn anyone else who does try to embrace anything or anyone different.

There are Un-teachable Hearts in every part of our world – even in the church of Jesus Christ. Diotrephes was an example of old – but he wasn’t the last one. (heavily adapted from sermon central illustrations).

Third, there was a man named Demetrius, a compassion man who attracted others to himself and the Gospel.

Like Gaius, Demetrius lived out his faith in his daily walk. John gave Demetrius a “two thumbs up” commendation. He probably ‘LIKED” his Facebook page regularly. In the commendation, which may be a recognition of his status as an approved teacher, John says: “Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone” (12). Normally this is not a desired characteristic – since leaders draw fire in a world that doesn’t like the truth. In this context, John wanted to suggest that he had won the hearts of believers that were walking in truth!

When all is said about these three men, what is obvious is that each handled the TRUTH differently. Each handled the Gospel differently, Each lived out faith differently.

Truth is under attack and how we live out our faith will go a long way to helping people see the reality of it. Long ago an author wrote: “We are constantly on a stretch, if not on a strain, to devise new methods, new plans, new organizations to advance the church and secure enlargement and efficiency for the gospel. This trend of the day has a tendency to lose sight of the man or sink the man in the plan or organization. God’s plan is to make much of the man, far more of him than of anything else. Men are God’s method. The church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men.” – “Preacher and Prayer” by E.M. Bounds (1916)!

The tiny letter reveals there is much we CAN and MUST understand about the truth. Here are seven truths John mentioned:

1: The TRUTH defines our relationship with each other. It is the authentic basis for LOVE.

1:3 John 1:1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. 2 Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.

I have often stressed the point that LOVE must be based on TRUTH. When lies are told in the foundation of a relationship, and then later discovered – the attachment is marred by the crack in the base. Gaius was LOVED by John. There was a tenderness in the well wishing of John that Gaius would prosper. Prosper is the term “euodóō”, a compound from eú, “well, good” and hodós, “a journey on a particular road” – properly, to go on a prosperous journey). John is quick to note that he desires both PHYSICAL HEALTH and INNER HEALTH.

The conflict in a church can cause real pain. We cannot avoid it, and therefore must regularly deal with differences between believers. We need to be loving, but that cannot mean that we sweep things aside. Conflicts take up more time in leadership than most any other issue.

This week I longed to get to see some among us that I know are sick. Because I am leaving for a short time to Europe, I wanted to “check in” on people that I believe need a visit. Conflict among believers (not local, but very important) sapped the time and emotional energy to get ready to go and at the same time see some of those who I love and want time together with. I am not complaining – I am trying to highlight a work of the enemy. If he can keep people stirred up – whether in the local church, or (as in the case this week) in spheres of influence that we are responsible for as leaders – he can keep us from building up those who hurt. If the volunteers are fighting as the water is rising, no one is filling the sand bags.

John loved Gaius IN THE TRUTH. That is, the fact that Gaius both believed in his heart and lived in his walk the truth of God gave John a platform of love upon which to build a relationship. That is what the truth does. If we are honest about it – truth shouldn’t divide. It is the only real and authentic basis of love.

2: The TRUTH is something we LIVE, not just something we theoretically BELIEVE.

1:3 For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. 4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth. 5 Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers; 6 and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.

It isn’t necessary to stress this more than to say simply this: People need to SEE the truth in our lives. Context defines the story. Let me illustrate from something Jim Luthy wrote:

It was a regular work day. There were six of us in a room—myself, two other men, and three women. One of the guys was talking about his vacation when one of the women handed him a knife and he stabbed me, right in the lower abdomen. The last thing I remembered before I passed out was the women working to control the bleeding. I woke up in a 5th floor hospital bed at St. Peter’s Hospital in Olympia. You wanna see my scar? …I think I better tell you the whole story. It was indeed a regular work day while I worked for the State Patrol, but I wasn’t at work. The room was a surgical room and the five other people in the room were my anesthesiologist, my surgeon, and three nurses. They were there to perform an appendectomy, which is why the doctor stabbed me in the gut. Fortunately, he had my best interest at heart and he was nice enough to sew me up when he was finished….You see, if you don’t hear the whole story, the act of a surgeon cutting into you with a knife can sound quite traumatic. Who would opt for that? But for someone who is sick and in need of relief, it is a welcome wound.

Truth needs a context. In the case of the Gospel, it needs a LIFE context.

3: The TRUTH creates TEAM.

1:7 For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.

John commented about the traveling itinerate speakers – that they needed the support from an APPROPRIATE source. They needed generosity of other believers, so the world would not be used to support them. John called openly for GENEROUS BELIEVERS – people that understood the need for team support. Team players cannot be selfish, or the team breaks down. Team members must all recognize they have a common ownership, or they will think of things the way a toddler does:

1. If I like it, it’s mine.
2. If it’s in my hand, it’s mine.
3. If I can take it from you, it’s mine.
4. If I had it a little while ago, it’s mine.
5. If it’s mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way.
6. If I’m doing or building something, all the pieces are mine.
7. If it looks just like mine, it’s mine.
8. If I saw it first, it’s mine.
9. If you are playing with something I want and you put it down, it automatically becomes mine.
10. If it’s broken, it’s yours.

Brothers and sisters, these are not just the property laws of a toddler. These are also the laws that some of us as adults have carried into our lives! We need to be generous and team minded because of the truth –it was designed to build a TEAM.

4: The TRUTH flushes out the FAKE.

1:9 I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. 10 For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church.

Too many people have become experts on Christianity today without living a commitment to Christ. We have popular preachers that have claimed a stake in the “EVANGELICAL WORLD” , yet do not believe in a literal hell for those who reject Christ. It is time for the TRUTH to be used to flush out those who claim Christianity, but know little of the truth of Christ. Christ is NOT the founder of a social ethic – but a Savior that affects all our ethical makeup. We cannot dismiss the story of the Gospel as myth and yet truly claim to be a follower of Christ. We are setting ourselves up for fakery.

A patient said to her doctor, “I wish you’d give me something to make me smarter.” Doctor, “Take these pills and come back next week.” A week later the patient returned and said, “I don’t think I’m getting any smarter.” The doctor replied, “Take some more of those pills I gave you and come back next week.” Another week passed and the patient returned and said, “Now I know I’m not any smarter. Are these pills candy?” The doctor replied, “NOW YOU’RE GETTING SMARTER.” (A-Z Sermon Illustrations).

5: The TRUTH places DEMANDS.

1:11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.

The term “imitate” is from the word from which we get to “MIMIC”. When we walk in truth, we learn behaviors from other who are already walking in truth. These behaviors include how to love God, how to pray, how to listen, how to help, how to love… and much more. It is part of the reason that TRUTH thrives in a community that is focused on discipleship.

6: The TRUTH reveals the FAITHFUL.

1:12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.

Demetrius wasn’t hiding behind others, he was commended BY others. His adherence to the Word of truth and his faithfulness of lifestyle became a sweet testimony. He was ready to be judged for word or deed.

“Many years ago a man conned his way into the orchestra of the emperor of China although he could not play a note. Whenever the group practiced or performed, he would hold his flute against his lips, pretending to play but not making a sound. He received a modest salary and enjoyed a comfortable living Then one day the emperor requested a solo from each musician. The flutist got nervous. There wasn’t enough time to learn the instrument. He pretended to be sick, but the royal physician wasn’t fooled. On the day of his performance, the impostor took poison and killed himself. The explanation of his suicide led to a phrase that found its way into the English language: “He refused to face the music”. (As cited by Max Lucado’s Just Like Jesus. Nashville: Word Publishing, 1998, pp. 110-11, from the following source: Paul Lee Tan. The Encyclopedia Of 7700 Illustrations. Rockville, Md.: Assurance Publishers, 1979, pp. 562-63).

I wonder how many of us are willing to be scrutinized in both word and deed. I cannot help but feel sorry for both our President and the Governor running against him. Every word scrutinized…who can stand up to such examination. Yet, our lives ARE being scrutinized – and the faithfulness will be noticed.

7: The TRUTH urgently recognizes ATTACKS.

1:13 I had many things to write to you, but I am not willing to write them to you with pen and ink; 14 but I hope to see you shortly, and we will speak face to face. 15 Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.

I stated earlier that truth is under attack. In his book Has Christianity Failed You? Ravi Zacharias addresses the attack in a positive way while he points to one of the greatest proofs for the truth of Christ and the reality of his resurrection – the changed lives of Christians. He writes:

“During the course of nearly 40 years, I have traveled to virtually every continent and seen or heard some of the most amazing testimonies of God’s intervention in the most extreme circumstances. I have seen hardened criminals touched by the message of Jesus Christ and their hearts turned toward good in a way that no amount or rehabilitation could have accomplished. I have seen ardent followers of radical belief systems turned from being violent, brutal terrorists to becoming mild, tenderhearted followers of Jesus Christ. I have seen nations where the gospel, banned and silenced by governments, has nevertheless conquered the ethos and mind-set of an entire culture.“

Then in his own words, Zacharias lists examples of Christ’s power to transform lives:

“In the middle of the twentieth century, after destroying all of the Christian seminary libraries in the country, Chairman Mao declared that…Christianity had been permanently removed from China, never to make a return. On Easter Sunday in 2009, [however] the leading English language newspaper in Hong Kong published a picture of Tiananmen Square on page 1, with Jesus replacing Chairman Mao’s picture on the gigantic banner, and the words “Christ is Risen” below it.

“I have also been in the Middle East and marveled at the commitment of young people who have risked their lives to attend a Bible study…I have talked to CEOs of large companies in Islamic nations who testify to seeing Jesus in visions and dreams and wonder what it all means. The British author A. N. Wilson, who only a few years ago was known for his scathing attacks on Christianity…celebrated Easter [in 2009] at a church with a group of other church members, proclaiming that that the story of the Jesus of the Gospels is the only story that makes sense out of life and its challenges. [Wilson said], ‘My own return to faith has surprised none more than myself…My belief has come about in large measure because of the lives and examples of people I have known—not the famous, not saints, but friends and relations who have lived, and faced death, in light of the resurrection story, or in the quiet acceptance that they have a future after they die.’

“Matthew Parris [a British atheist who visited Malawi in 2008] wrote an article titled “As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God.” [Parris wrote], ‘I’ve become convinced of the enormous contribution that Christian evangelism makes in Africa…I used to avoid this truth…but Christians black and white, working in Africa, do heal the sick, do teach people to read and write; and only the severest kind of secularist could see a mission hospital or school and say the world would be better without it.” -Ravi Zacharias, Has Christianity Failed You? (Zondervan, 2010), pp. 105ff.

At its core, the TRUTH is stubbornly independent of individual bias – and uncovers the actual happening in the actual context.

Broken Believers: "Repairing the Breach" – The Letter of Philemon

One of the realities of our modern world is that we see broken relationships EVERYWHERE in our society. Obviously, our first thoughts go toward the myriad of divorced couples that have become all too common in our lives. People speak of marriage highly, but many couples trade partners like two petty school children that pass notes and make new boyfriends each year in class. We all see the damage the no fault divorce legislation has done to America – and people were only too willing to accommodate the low view of marriage. Yet, divorce is only one way we see broken relationships. There are MANY. I have sat with parents that admit it has been years, decades sometimes, since they have had a conversation with their now adult child. The issue that caused the split may have been years ago, but the pain is still alive today. I know siblings that divided over an argument long ago, but they cannot seem to reconcile – no matter how much time passes. Is there any hope for people who have become so hurt by the past that they do not seem to be able to move forward?

Key Principle: Surrendered and obedient believers desire to rebuild the bridge of broken relationships– in part because the state of the body affects the health of our witness.

These believers will work hard to resolve and reconcile relationships if at all possible. They do so with the full knowledge that God forgave them of their mutiny and crimes, and they need to forgive others to please the Master.

There is no issue personally more painful to me as a Christian leader, or closer to my heart, than the break-up of relationships between believers. When Christians decide they can no longer live in harmony – there is a particular bitterness that I feel about the situation. One reason for that is simply this: they have made clear by their lives that their testimony of God’s wonderful forgiveness to them does not extend past their own discharge of other people’s guilt. They don’t feel they have to forgive another as Jesus forgave them. They apparently don’t truly believe, as demonstrated by their actions, that their sin before God was as bad as the sins perpetrated against them by the one refuse to forgive. Perhaps that is too bold. Maybe they simply judge themselves unable to rise to the level of a truly forgiving one – as Jesus did for them. In any case, when a believer decides they cannot live in harmony with another believer – the message of Jesus is negated in their life. Jesus came to reconcile broken man to a Holy God, and to give His followers a “ministry of reconciliation”. It is a fair question to ask how a man or woman of God can be used of God to bring a message of forgiveness of sin, when in the center square of their life they have refused to forgive another for sin done against them. Yet, forgiveness and reconciliation aren’t always easy. In fact, they are SELDOM easy.

Let me illustrate. In the first century, Paul was moving about the Mediterranean world preaching the Gospel and making disciples, forming them into small accountability and study groups called local “churches”. In the process, he met the people of Colossae, Hierapolis and Laodicea – and was greatly encouraged by their salvation and growth into communities of faith. In one of them, a man named Philemon was sharing leadership with others of the tiny church. He was a man of some means, and had household servants that were common in that time to one of his stature in the community. One of those slaves worked poorly, and did not attempt to fit into the household. Ironically, he was named Onesimus – the word that translated “profitable” – although he did not fit his name in deeds. Eventually Onesimus fled the home, apparently stealing some of Philemon’s personal possessions. Philemon was a believer, a leader in disciple making, and now the victim of theft and disrespect.

Several years went by. Onesimus was a man on the run, and ended up crossing the path of Paul. Apparently Paul met Onesimus in Rome while Paul awaited a hearing in Rome. The Apostle led the ex-con runaway to Jesus Christ and began discipling him. When the whole story became clear to Paul and the time was right, Paul sent him back to the man he wronged – back to Colossae and to Philemon. The occasion of this small letter was the return of the runaway slave – now an obedient and growing follower of Jesus Christ. He was guilty of theft and of unlawful departure, and now he was back. The normal Roman penalty of death lay upon his shoulders – and he brought with him a petition of Paul the Apostle. This is a record of that petition.

In the story, Paul petitioned Philemon to offer forgiveness and restoration to Onesimus who took advantage of him – robbed him of property and badly disrespected him in the past. This wasn’t a “he said, she said” case. This wasn’t a “two sided” case. One was wrong, the other wronged – and yet the one hurt was petitioned to restore the relationship. Paul did not make this request of one who had murdered someone in the family, nor of someone who had physically attacked the other – the context was property loss and disrespect. That context is important, or these principles can be unrighteously hoisted on a struggling and emotionally distraught victim of violence and physical abuse – and that isn’t the appropriate use of the passage. As believers, we forgive others, but we don’t always reconcile to others.

Why do we forgive others? Jesus made it clear that we were not only to ask for God’s forgiveness – but we were to anticipate that God would hold us to the same standard with each other.

• In the last days of Jesus’ ministry on earth, before the Crucifixion, He said: (Mark 11:24) “Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you. 25 “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. 26 [“But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions.”] **There is a manuscript argument about verse 26, but that doesn’t change the imperative of verse 25, about which there is no debate.

• The teaching does not stand alone, but echoes what is found in other Gospel places such as: Mt. 6:14: “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 “But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.

• The concept also clearly appears in the instruction to the Disciples on Prayer Jesus said: (Lk. 11:4) “And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us…”

In other words, Jesus said His followers were supposed to FORGIVE as they sought God’s forgiveness. Forgiveness is something I do in my heart – but reconciliation is something done BETWEEN people – and that isn’t the same thing. We should forgive others, or we will eat up precious time in our lives allowing anger and hurt to drain us. At the same time, we may or may not reconcile with another – that isn’t the same thing, and should not be PRESUMED. Let me explain:

People who have abused the trust of others are often the first to quote Jesus’ standard of forgiveness and expect unconditional reconciliation in the name of Jesus. Yet, Jesus never intended the need to forgive to be a “get out of jail free”. They aren’t truly quoting Jesus when they use His words apart from their context – they are misusing His words! If we are going to place the unqualified need to both forgive and reconcile on the shoulders of abused people by the word of Jesus, we need to set His word in the context of what He truly expected. There are cases in Scripture that Jesus would not have included reconciliation, for God granted other judicial solutions.

Listen closely, because this is the part of “the all-forgiving Jesus” the Hallmark card believer has forgotten. Under the law, for an example, a man who physically or sexually abused the children of their home would not be tolerated by society, and would simply be put to death. The children would have been encouraged to forgive the late memory of the offending parent, and the spouse that didn’t forgive was wasting their energy on pain if they didn’t learn to let it go. At the same time, forgiveness was helpful and reconciliation was NOT called for – because the offender was gone from this world. Essentially, a person who committed heinous acts in the family could be forgiven – but posthumously.

The Law was clear, and the judgment was real. If we use the words of Jesus in a “standard of reconciliation” without the legal limitations that would have been in the context of the time of Jesus, we torque the words of Jesus out of their proper context and forget the exceptions that were already clear to those to whom He was speaking. Individual forgiveness was instructed, but it was in conjunction with state justice. God’s solution to helping to ease the pain of a victim was the clear and unmistakable consequence the offender paid for their wrong. This helped the victim feel some level of resolution, and allowed forgiveness to begin to take root in their heart. When justice is slacked, forgiveness becomes all the more difficult. If someone hurts you and there is no consequence it is a lot harder to forgive them, is it not? Yet forgiveness will help you take your life back. Reconciliation with them is another story completely.

I am concerned that many well-meaning Christians have oversimplified the Bible on reconciliation. Our reconciliation to God only came AFTER judicial payment. Jesus DIED for the payment of the sin, and God didn’t declare you righteous without full and complete payment for your guilt PRIOR to His release of debt declared over you. We aren’t reconciled to God just because we asked, but because we asked AFTER the debt had been fully paid judicially by the Savior! Forgiveness happens when I release someone from their debt – but real reconciliation can only happen when they agree that they were wrong in what they did.

If someone hurt you, it is in your power to forgive them, even if they are not asking for it. It is NOT in your power, however, to truly reconcile the relationship that has been severed by the wrong, unless the offending party AGREES they were wrong, and DESIRES to make it right.

Be careful here. On the opposite side of this, some have categorized any awkwardness in their relationship as “abuse” and thereby think this will be their escape hatch to walk away from reconciliation – and they are wrong. I have heard the claim that “my spouse abused me because they were thoughtless about the sacrifices I made in our marriage.” I want to be clear – that isn’t abuse in the sense we are talking about. Their behavior may have been wrong, and it may have been painful. It may have been thoughtless – but it was not ABUSE – it was perhaps hard-heartedness or maybe just stupidity. We need to be careful deliberately avoid extremes – a “one size fits all” reconciliation is not called for in the Bible, nor is a super-sensitive “they hurt me so I have been abused and excused from reconciliation” – the Bible supports neither extreme.

• Jesus didn’t offer you a “free pass” from reconciliation on a broken relationship because you didn’t know Him as Savior when you made the relationship – that is covered in 1 Corinthians 7 and clearly has no bearing on your need to forgive and reconcile. If you believe that you don’t need to stay together, say as a couple, because you found each other before you knew Christ – you are flatly in error from a Biblical standpoint.

• Jesus didn’t say that if you argued incessantly for five years in your marriage, (or even much longer) that you could have an exception on the basis of “irreconcilable differences”. That term is a scar on a life reconciled to God. What bigger differences can be had then those found between a fallen man or woman and a Holy God? Yet God reconciled to you and I who know Christ. How can we now, in good conscience, act as though we are allowed to break a relationship in which we covenanted together?

I do not take theft and disrespect lightly, but our passage in this lesson is very applicable to instruct those who may have been economically and perhaps emotionally abused, though not physically beaten or sexually assaulted. They have a different path to resolution.

Here is an important question: “How could Paul expect the one who was taken advantage of by a thief to forgive?” Paul knew the conditions very well. He wrote a request for reconciliation and forgiveness, based on VERY SPECIFIC conditions…Paul taught an important truth that we need to recall in our “broken relationship racked” modern world. Now let’s look closely at the text and remember…

Remember, surrendered and obedient believers desire to rebuild the bridge of broken relationships– in part because the state of the body affects the health of our witness.

For the sake of clarity, let’s say up front that we will refer to Paul simply as the petitioner – since he is the one with the request to Philemon. Let’s also agree to call Philemon in this case the “petitioned” since a request is being made of him to accept Onesimus back into his home without the requisite penalty of death.

Conditions: The appeal to reconcile is best when offered where the right three conditions prevail:

First, the petitioner stepped into the situation with a solid testimony of following the Lord (1:1a).

Philemon 1:1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother…”

Don’t doubt the value of having a good public testimony – it may open doors to help people well beyond what you can easily see. Being known as a servant of Jesus that follows His Word will invite others seek you out. Not only will your life work better – but you will be seen by others as wise in life – because you follow the designs of your Creator.

A walk with God lends credibility to your attempts at dealing with other’s needs in a proper way. It is imperative that we get and keep our house in order before we try to get others to do so.

Second, there was a direct and solid relationship between petitioner and the petitioned (1:1b).

Philemon 1 :1b “…To Philemon our beloved brother and fellow worker, 2 and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:

Look at the descriptions Paul used of the other believer that he was making a request of – a beloved brother, a fellow worker; a fellow soldier.

Don’t doubt the value of developing and maintaining a wide net of believing friends in a local church context– it will allow God to use your voice in many more ways. God’s work is most often about relationship and connection. We can be used of Him to connect people to each other, or people to HIM.

Third, the appeal was being made to another believer who was serving the Lord with their life (1:3).

a. It includes the general knowledge of the salvation of the petitioned – Philemon 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

b. It also includes specific knowledge of the testimony of the petitioned believer – Philemon 1:4-5 I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints 6 and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake. 7 For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

Paul knew that both parties in the broken relationship were now believers. He knew the offender had come to Christ AFTER the offense – because Paul led the man to Jesus. He knew that the ex-servant desired to do whatever it took for God to reconcile his past. He anticipated that even an offended believer could be made to understand the place of all believers before God and each other.

Trying to get someone to do a right thing that does not know Jesus as Savior is much harder, because you don’t share a common ethical standard. Trying to get a believer that is NOT walking their faith is also incredibly hard. The best case scenario then, is to reach into a situation that is broken but has a party that is actively following Jesus Christ. The letter offers particular insight about how a believer who has both a testimony of walking with God and a relationship with two other believers who have “fallen out”, where one of the divided parties is mature in faith – but needs some assistance.

It may be possible to reconcile people who are not believers, or with people who are not living out the faith – but it is much harder. The approach would not differ much – but it would have to be adapted…

The principles of this little letter help most, then, when two parties now KNOW Jesus, and one believer wounded the other in the past before they were saved. The one who wronged the other had a desire to own up and square up – so reconciliation was possible.

Here is the model process we have from the text, along with some principles the process revealed.

1. Speak positively: Anticipate character and good result and don’t be afraid to say that! Paul said in 1:8 Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper…21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say.

Look at the word “confidence”. parrhēsía is from pás, “all” and rhēsis, “a proverb or statement quoted with resolve,” – properly, confidence (bold resolve), leaving a witness that something deserves to be remembered (taken seriously). Ask lovingly and warmly, but expectantly. Don’t talk DOWN, and don’t wade into the blame game – offer sincere encouragement and expectation.

2. Speak lovingly: Reach into their heart for you and for God’s work. Paul said in 1:9 “…yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— 10 I appeal to you …” Later in the letter you can hear the LOVE and friendship between Paul and Philemon: 1:23 “…Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, 24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers. 25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”

Paul and his companions were personally invested in one another. Distance didn’t deter them from commitment! Paul’s appeal was for LOVE’S SAKE. It was for the sake of the love between Paul and Philemon and between Philemon and His Lord. Cover over a hard request with love. This would be hard to swallow for a man who had others watching him. Philemon would be judged by all his neighbors and his servants for how he responded to Onesimus’ return. Paul knew it wouldn’t be easy, but it would be easier if it was said lovingly – after all, most things are easier that way!

3. Speak directly: Philemon didn’t know what happened to Onesimus, and Paul informed him that the runaway was now a brother in Christ. Paul said it this way in 1:10b “…for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment 11 who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me. Later in verse 17 he added: “…If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me.

Look at the details Paul offered:

• Onesimus is my spiritual son now. How critical this information would have been at the time – it probably saved his life!
• He wounded you before – and you were wronged. Think about this. Paul was acknowledging the wrong done to Philemon. You cannot truly reconcile a party that won’t admit wrong, and Onesimus clearly had admitted wrong to Paul.
• You will see the change I have seen in him – and you will be pleased with him. Here is a jewel of this little letter – the hope Paul placed in Onesimus’ clear and demonstrable walk with Jesus.
• Paul made his request CRYSTAL CLEAR – laying out exactly what he wanted Philemon to do with the information. There are times people share important pieces of information with me, but I don’t know WHY. I don’t know what I am supposed to DO with the information. Direct speech is not only informative – it is directive in nature.

4. Speak personally: By this I mean get the parties face to face – and attend the meeting if at all possible. Paul said it this way: 1:12 “I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart, 13 whom I wished to keep with me, so that on your behalf he might minister to me in my imprisonment for the gospel;

Paul made it clear that Onesimus was an asset to him, but the past needed to be resolved more than Paul needed a helper. He would have joined Onesimus on the journey, but he clearly couldn’t. When possible, settle disputes face to face. No email can convey reconciliation like a face to face meeting. Even “Skype” has its limitations, but it is the next best thing.

5. Speak respectfully: Paul didn’t take liberties in the request, but allowed the man his due. 1:14 but without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion but of your own free will.

When we were not a party to the pain, we don’t truly understand all the dynamic involved in reconciliation – so we need to proceed cautiously. It is important that we approach wounded people – even ostensibly mature wounded people – with caution, care and respect. Diplomacy is not just about the request, but about the tone.

Matthew Rogers wrote: “Have you ever noticed how when people are angry, things tend to get broken. As a teenager, my brother once stormed out of the house in an angry huff, slamming a door so hard that a window broke. Once when playing racquetball, I got angry over making a bad shot and slammed by racket against the wall. Harder than I meant to, because my graphite racket broke. A college friend of mine got into an angry disagreement with his girlfriend one night. In the morning he learned that after the fight she had gone into her room and broken a framed picture of him, by slamming it against her desk. (They’re happily married now, however most of their pictures are kept in rubber frames!) Someone throws a punch and a nose gets broken…Express too much anger when disciplining a child, and trust gets broken. Use angry words and perhaps a heart gets broken…because angry outbursts ruin many relationships…Church unity gets broken…Relationships get broken.

Jesus said stewing anger is as serious as murder – and a form of killing in violation to God’s standard. Clarence Darrow, probably the most famous criminal lawyer of his generation, once said, “Everyone is a potential murderer. I have not killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction out of obituary notices.”

We need to remember to speak respectfully. Many people in our world are desperate to receive a little respect. Let me illustrate: When Brennan Manning … was waiting to catch a plane in the Atlanta airport, he sat down in one of the many places where usually black men shine white men’s shoes. And an elderly black man began to shine Brennan’s shoes. And Brennan had this feeling inside that after he was done, he should pay him and tip him and then reverse the roles. And when he was finished, he stood up and looked at the black man and said, “Now, sir, I would like to shine your shoes.” And the black man recoiled and stepped back and said, “You’re going to do what?” He said, “I’d like to shine your shoes. Come on. You sit down here. How would you like them done?” And the black man began to cry, and he said, “No white man ever talked to me like this before.” And the story ends with the white Catholic with arms around a black Atlanta man, and they’ve only just met, tears flowing, reconciliation taking place. — Brian Buhler, “The Ultimate Community,” Preaching Today, Tape No. 146.

6. Speak prophetically: I don’t mean start telling of the end times. What I have in mind is sometimes called “silver lining” speech”. Direct them to what Heaven’s view may be! 1:15 For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever, 16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

I cannot read these words without going back to the room in Joseph’s house while his brothers were hearing him explain THEIR PAST. “You meant this for evil, but don’t worry, God meant it to preserve all our lives!” It is a wonderful moment when Heaven’s perspective floods the dark room.

George Mueller knew Heaven’s view of him when he wrote, “There was a day when I died, utterly died to George Mueller and his opinions, his preferences, and his tastes and his will. I died to the world, to its approval and its censure. I died to the approval or the blame of even my brethren and friends. And since then I have studied only to show myself approved unto God.” (John MacArthur Matthew 1-7, p. 336)

7. Speak with investment: show that you are willing to be a part of the reconciliation – even if it costs you something. Paul said in 1:17 “If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me. 18 But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account; 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand, I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self as well). 20 Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. 22 At the same time also prepare me a lodging, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given to you.”

Paul put his money where his mouth was. He wasn’t speaking from the sidelines, but taking on a DEBT if need be, to make it right. Perhaps the real principle here is “Don’t get involved unless you are willing to really stand behind the reconciliation with more than platitudes.” Paul was clearly prepared to pay, but I suspect he knew Philemon would quickly realize how inappropriate that would be – to charge Paul for past debts of Onesimus.

From the book Courage to Begin Again, Author Ron Lee Davis wrote: “Pastor Hayes a man in his middle forties, was well-loved by his congregation, and faithful to God and to his family. He enjoyed a successful ministry in an exuberantly vital, growing church. Just when everything seemed to be going well, a cloud came over this man and his ministry. Rumors circulated through the church that Pastor Hayes was guilty of moral misconduct. He had been seen at the home of Miss Morrow, a school teacher, just a few weeks before she resigned for “personal reasons” and moved to another city. Apparently someone in the church put two and two together-and came up with five.

Pastor Hayes was innocent, but the stain of the alleged scandal could not be erased. The rumors followed Pastor Hayes for years, seriously hampering his effectiveness as a pastor. It was difficult for him to endure the rejection, mistreatment, and misunderstanding caused by the false rumors. But it was even more difficult for him to witness the toll of these events on his wife and on his teenaged son.

It was ten years later-after his son graduated from college-that Pastor Hayes learned how the hurtful rumors began. One night a man the pastor had not seen for years appeared at his door. “Brother McLean!” said Pastor Hayes in surprise. “I haven’t seen you in…” “Eight years,” McLean supplied. “It’s been eight years since I left the church.” McLean had been an elder in the church, but left a few months after his term expired. Pastor Hayes studied McLean’s features. He looked older, and something was clearly troubling him. “Please come in,” the pastor invited warmly. “No,” McLean answered quickly, “I only have a few minutes to talk. I just had to tell you-I was the one responsible.” “What? I don’t….”

“The story about you and Miss Morrow,” McLean interrupted. “I was the one who started it all.” “You!” Pastor Hayes’ hands and voice trembled as old emotions flooded back. “But why? You knew I was innocent, didn’t you? Miss Morrow left town to care for her dying father. She called me to her house the day she learned of her father’s cancer. I went there to pray with her. How could you twist that into….”

“I know! I know!” Tears began to fill the other man’s eyes. “I was twisted, Pastor I twisted with jealousy! You see, before you came, I was a leader in this church. The previous pastor asked my advice on everything. People looked up to me. The programs I was involved in were flourishing.
“But when you came, a lot of new people came into the church. There were so many new programs and people didn’t listen to my ideas anymore. The church got so big-and it took a different direction.

I felt left behind. I was so angry and bitter against you. Pastor Hayes, I don’t expect you to forgive me, but I just had to tell you.” The pastor stepped toward the man who had deeply hurt him for ten years. He wrapped his arms around Mr. McLean and embraced him. There in the yellow glow of the porch light, McLean sobbed away years of pent-up sorrow and guilt in the arms of the man he had wronged. And Pastor Hayes held him with strong arms of forgiveness and unconditional love, saying repeatedly, “I forgive you, my brother. I forgive you.”

It isn’t easy – reconciling broken relationships – but it can be done. It must be done. Surrendered and obedient believers desire to rebuild the bridge of broken relationships– because the state of the body affects the health of our witness.

Strength for the Journey: "Making the Tough Choices" – Numbers 3-5

She meant well, she truly did. She brought home the wounded animal, and tried to nurse it to health. Well beyond her limited veterinary knowledge – she brought in the door a potential pet – but she had no idea what she was doing. You see, the animal she brought in the door was very sick, and the disease spread to all the other pets in the house. Her good heart indirectly caused the death of all of her other beloved pets. As one after another died of the same illness, she saw the problem: Good intentions aren’t enough – they need to be accompanied by right actions. Wanting to do good doesn’t mean DOING GOOD. The difference is found in the actual choices – not simply the INTENT.

I mention this because it helps to frame the chief lesson of our text. For God’s people to move forward in the heat of the wilderness THEY NEED MORE THAN GOOD HEARTS – they need His Word, and leaders that will offer His direction and discernment of His will. That is the reason why God specified the qualities and work of leaders before they left Sinai. There are many traps God’s people would unwittingly face, and leaders that followed His Word closely would soon be essential to success on the arduous path to the Promised Land. The problem is that God’s people can be moved from God’s path with simple emotional appeals to their warm-heartedness of the hurting, along with their desire to forgive and unify – even when that is NOT what God desires in a specific case.

On the face of it, unrestricted forgiveness always sounds Christian, but it is not. Leaders know that. They know that some people will say they are sorry to gain the advantages of restoration, but not truly believe what they are saying. Others bring danger to the community if too easily offered unconditional acceptance. God gave many commands about caring for one another, but He also gave commands to put distance between us and some, and to have fences around us to protect the community.

Key Principle: God placed specific barriers and fences to protect the people, and wants believers to pay close attention to follow the Word He has given concerning contacts and divisions among people.

Our story begins all the way back in Numbers 3, where we learned some principles about God’s establishment of the leadership before the tough standards of Numbers 5 were revealed. We five important truths about God’s selection process:

1: God chose the leaders He wanted for His people (3:1). Numbers 3:1 “…the LORD spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai.” Leadership is CHOSEN and GIFTED BY GOD.

2: God didn’t give enough leaders to do the work – but made them look to others. (3:2-5), They were named from the sons of Aaron. Numbers 3:2 These then are the names of the sons of Aaron… Leadership is TEAM DEPENDENT.

3: God appointed a third group to be brought into the practical maintaining of the ministry (3:6-9). We named them as the men of the tribe Levi. Numbers 3:6 “Bring the tribe of Levi near and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may serve him…Leadership is PRACTICAL.

4: The work was both profoundly serious and extraordinarily unique (3:10). Numbers 3:10 “So you shall appoint Aaron and his sons that they may keep their priesthood, but the layman who comes near shall be put to death.” Leadership is a DISTINCT CALLING.

5: God said His servants were His personal property in a unique way (3:11-13). He replaced the Levites with the need to have a firstborn redemption from among the people of that time and said: “… So the Levites shall be Mine. 13 “For all the firstborn are Mine; on the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I sanctified to Myself all the firstborn in Israel, from man to beast. They shall be Mine; I am the LORD.” Leadership is at God’s BECK and CALL.

If you read carefully the rest of Numbers 3 and 4, it becomes clear that God wanted to organize the leaders in each of the groups with specific tasks:

First, God told Moses to COUNT all those males who were from the specified families: Numbers 3:14 Then the LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying, 15 “Number the sons of Levi by their fathers’ households...

Next, Moses was told to divide the work four ways – 1) Aaronic family priests; 2) Kohathite Levites; 3) Gershonite Levites and 4) Merarite Levites.

AARONIC FAMILY PRIESTS: There were commands of priestly work to Aaron’s sons. When all was said and done, they lived for the work of the worship center and cared for every aspect of its operations on behalf of the people. There were four ways this was clear:

• They were to watch over the daily work in the Worship Center (3:32). Numbers 3:32 and Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest was the chief of the leaders of Levi, and had the oversight of those who perform the duties of the sanctuary. This included even the menial tasks related to the work (3:28). Numbers 3:28 “This is the service of the families of the sons of the Gershonites in the tent of meeting, and their duties shall be under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest…

• They were to prepare the most holy things for proper transport (4:15). Numbers 4:15 “When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects … the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them, so that they will not touch the holy objects and die. .

• They were to handle the oil and grain of the offerings that were necessary to the operation of the worship place (4:16). Numbers 4:16 “The responsibility of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest is the oil for the light and the fragrant incense and the continual grain offering and the anointing oil—the responsibility of all the tabernacle and of all that is in it, with the sanctuary and its furnishings.”

• They were to live ever watching over the worship center (live at the door) and keep their focus on worship, instruction and intercession for the rest of the nation (3:38). Numbers 3:38 Now those who were to camp before the tabernacle eastward, before the tent of meeting toward the sunrise, are Moses and Aaron and his sons, performing the duties of the sanctuary for the obligation of the sons of Israel; but the layman coming near was to be put to death…

LEVITES OF KOHATH FAMILY: There was the Levitical work of Kohath’s sons, who worked beside the priests: Those of the sons of Kohath that were NOT from Aaron were not priests, but they had a special call from God as ELDERS among the people. They focused on the worship center and worked beside the priests, but had some limitations the priests did not have. They stayed close to the priests and took their cue from the priests. They were there as godly men who would be ever ready to assist the priestly corps. They cared for the holy implements of the Tabernacle.

• They were to live near the worship center and make its care their primary focus (3:27-31). 3:27 Of Kohath … 29 The families of the sons of Kohath were to camp on the southward side of the tabernacle, … 31 Now their duties involved the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, and the utensils of the sanctuary with which they minister, and the screen, and all the service concerning them;

• They were to be tested and trained men, with enough experience to know how and not too much to be able to practically serve (4:1-2). Numbers 4:3 from thirty years and upward, even to fifty years old, all who enter the service to do the work in the tent of meeting.

• Their specific work was to take their cue from the priests, and when things were properly prepared, to move the objects of the Tabernacle, handling them with great care (4:4-15). Numbers 4:4 “This is the work of the descendants of Kohath in the tent of meeting, concerning the most holy things. 5 “When the camp sets out, Aaron and his sons shall go in and they shall take down the veil of the screen and cover the ark of the testimony with it; …15 “When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, when the camp is to set out, after that the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them, so that they will not touch the holy objects and die. .. They were to stay closely tied to both the priests and the other servants, and not to become too distant from either of them (4:17-20). Numbers 4:17 Then the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, 18 “Do not let the tribe of the families of the Kohathites be cut off from among the Levites. 19 “But do this to them that they may live and not die when they approach the most holy objects: Aaron and his sons shall go in and assign each of them to his work and to his load; 20 but they shall not go in to see the holy objects even for a moment, or they will die.”…

LEVITES OF GERSHON’S FAMILY: The men of Gershon were the “fabric masters” of the Tabernacle. They transported, maintained and washed the fabrics of the Tabernacle. These were men aged between 30 and 50, camping to the west of the Tabernacle, caring for the fabric needs of the Tabernacle.

• They took special care of the fabric coverings, camping behind the Tabernacle. Numbers 3:21 Of Gershon … 23 The families of the Gershonites were to camp behind the tabernacle westward…25 Now the duties of the sons of Gershon in the tent of meeting involved the tabernacle and the tent, its covering, and the screen for the doorway of the tent of meeting, 26 and the hangings of the court, and the screen for the doorway of the court which is around the tabernacle and the altar, and its cords, according to all the service concerning them….This was repeated in 4:24 “This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, in serving and in carrying: 25 they shall carry the curtains of the tabernacle and the tent of meeting with its covering and the covering of porpoise skin that is on top of it, and the screen for the doorway of the tent of meeting, 26 and the hangings of the court, and the screen for the doorway of the gate of the court which is around the tabernacle and the altar, and their cords and all the equipment for their service; and all that is to be done, they shall perform. 27 “All the service of the sons of the Gershonites, in all their loads and in all their work, shall be performed at the command of Aaron and his sons; and you shall assign to them as a duty all their loads. 28 “This is the service of the families of the sons of the Gershonites in the tent of meeting, and their duties shall be under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest…

LEVITES OF MERARI’S FAMILY: These men were given charge over the metal and wood work of the Tabernacle. These were men between 30 and 50, commanded to encamp north of the Tabernacle and care for wood, metal and rope.

• They lived on the north side of the Tabernacle, and were told to service the wood and metal equipment, along with the ropes. 4:33 Of Merari … 35 … They were to camp on the northward side of the tabernacle. 36 Now the appointed duties of the sons of Merari involved the frames of the tabernacle, its bars, its pillars, its sockets, all its equipment, and the service concerning them, 37 and the pillars around the court with their sockets and their pegs and their cords….

• They also were active from thirty to fifty years old. 4:29 “As for the sons of Merari, you shall number them by their families, by their fathers’ households; 30 from thirty years and upward even to fifty years old, you shall number them, everyone who enters the service to do the work of the tent of meeting.

Now counted and ordered, God again revealed truth to the people, but it was painful for them to hear.

God placed specific barriers and fences to protect the people, and wanted the people to pay close attention to follow the Word He has given concerning contacts and divisions among people.

Look at three kinds of people in the commands of Numbers 5. Today’s lesson will include two of them, the third will have a lesson of its own – because of the specific nature and length of the text:

People who needed to get out of the camp.
People who needed to get right with God.
People who needed to get straight with one another.

Each of these should be handled carefully, and separately…

First, there were people who were defiled by contact with the dead or by manifestations of bodily discharges. They needed separation.

Numbers 5:1 “Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Command the sons of Israel that they send away from the camp every leper and everyone having a discharge and everyone who is unclean because of a dead person. 3 “You shall send away both male and female; you shall send them outside the camp so that they will not defile their camp where I dwell in their midst.” 4 The sons of Israel did so and sent them outside the camp; just as the LORD had spoken to Moses, thus the sons of Israel did.

Passages like this can easily be dismissed as only pertaining to the health conditions of the ancient desert. Although I believe there is a connection to health, certainly, I would caution Bible students to look more broadly to the principle behind the separation barrier. Let me explain:

In the Bible the term defilement isn’t necessarily about specific sin in the life of the person who is defiled. Sometimes, God separated out people from ministry and even from dwelling together for a time for purposes that were not related to their specific behavior at all. The term “taw-may” translated defile can be used in a variety of ways. Sometimes it carries with it the sense of pollution of sin, as in sexual or idolatrous sin that “polluted the children of Israel”. In other cases, though, it was a marker of ineligibility for a specific service or use by God – not because of specific sin, but for other reasons. Levites that slept with their wives were not suited for eligibility of service for the next twenty-four hours (Lev. 22). If a Levite has a son that dies, he may bury him, but he may not immediately serve in his position (Lev. 21). The point of such commands included some health and cleanliness concerns, but they were focused also on the servant’s ability to concentrate on their work appropriately.

Defilement may mean that you aren’t bad, but because of something happening in your life, you aren’t ready to serve God in your function at that moment.

We don’t have such a standard today. We keep going, even when we should stop. I don’t know how many times I have counseled men in ministry that were in trouble in their life, and much of it stemmed from the same thing – the expectation that no matter what happened to them, they needed to be ready to keep going. Look at the three specific conditions of ineligibility:

• People with a communicable disease. When we are sick, it is related to the fall and sin in general, but not necessarily related to a specific sin we are engaged in. Sickness may remove someone from active service for a time, particularly if it is a sickness that can be spread by them. An usher with the flu on Sunday morning can thin out a Sunday night crowd! We seem to have this exception fairly well imbedded in our day, so we will move on.

• People with an active blood seepage. Under the Law, women were defiled during their monthly cycle as part of the Fall in the Garden of Eden. The accompanying pain and discomfort is a testament that mutiny against God has its price in everyday life – just as the experience of the man who breaks his body to plant in an unyielding field experienced. No woman is specifically SINFUL because of this ineligibility to be among her people – it is because she is a SINNER. Sickness, discharges and defilements are because we are all SINNERS, not because we have specifically SINNED in some area. It is a status problem, not necessarily a participation problem. Having said that, God did make the point elsewhere in Scripture that He may use sickness as a discipline to His people. Some people are held out of participation by a discharge or lesion that God intended to keep them from further contaminating the ministry with sinful practices. I have in mind the specifics of 1 Corinthians 11.

• People who are handling the burial of their loved ones. No place is the “Fall of Man” so powerfully recalled as at the burial site. Physical death is an illustration of separation from God – spiritual death – that took place when the mutiny of the Garden occurred. In the Bible, the dead were handled by their family and prepared for burial. The caring for the body, with all its health dangers, removed people from the camp for a time. At the same time, I would suggest there was another reason. Perhaps those involved in the process of burial were NOT READY to be back into the flow of their life, and the time away allowed them to put some time into healing from the loss – even though it would take much longer to truly heal. The first stages of grief, in this view, would eliminate someone from service. I believe there is a Biblical case to be made for suspension of service by ministry people who have lost their spouse. I think it is both unwise and in my view unbiblical for them to continue right away. A time of grief should be granted and enforced by those involved in leadership.

The point of all this is that we aren’t always ready to keep going – even if we think we NEED to for the sake of others. We can WANT to do the right thing, but that isn’t the same as DOING the right thing.

God may be introducing a condition to get you to slow down and look at life differently. If you are not well, you should take the time, away from others, to get well – particularly if what you have can be spread to them. If you are suffering from a loss or facing some condition that is messing with your body and emotional life – you may need to set aside some time for recovery – and get off the firing line. It is unwise to push past events and trauma of body.

God commanded the leper to be removed from the camp. That doesn’t SOUND very understanding! Why was He being so MEAN? What if, because we have compassion on the leper, we decide to keep him in the camp? What would happen? In short, the malady would spread and others would be hurt. Here is the point: We are not more compassionate than God. He made rules so that REAL compassion could thrive.

I constantly hear people in our day that for the sake of compassion re-draw God’s stated lines. We want to have compassion on the brutalized and victimized woman who was raped, so we make the exception in our stand on life – because we think compassion is defined by OUR WAY of looking at things – it isn’t. God introduced a baby on the planet through a vicious and despicable act – but the baby isn’t a disease to be destroyed or a monster to be slain – it is God’s answer to man’s sin sickness. That baby has the mark of blessing that can only be understood by one like Joseph of old who said “what another meant for evil, God meant for good.” Compassion misplaced is injustice allowed.

Second, there were people that were caught up in sin. They needed repentance, restoration and in some cases to pay restitution.

In direct contrast to some people who were told to go away from others because of defilement, others were told that their actions had separated them from others and they needed to be restored. Numbers 5:5: “Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 6 “Speak to the sons of Israel, ‘When a man or woman commits any of the sins of mankind, acting unfaithfully against the LORD, and that person is guilty, 7 then he shall confess his sins which he has committed, and he shall make restitution in full for his wrong and add to it one-fifth of it, and give it to him whom he has wronged. 8 ‘But if the man has no relative to whom restitution may be made for the wrong, the restitution which is made for the wrong must go to the LORD for the priest, besides the ram of atonement, by which atonement is made for him.

God made specific conditions of restoration for those who deliberately acted in a way that hurt another. When either a man or woman acted unfaithfully – meaning a deliberate act that broke the relationship, and when they were found to be guilty of that act – they were to ADMIT THEY WERE WRONG. Next, they were to give back what they took away (implying the primary sin in view here was one of theft). They were to add a 20% “markup” on the restoration and give that to the wounded party, or their estate. They were reconciled to the wounded one through this, but STILL NEEDED to be reconciled to God. That happened when they offered a RAM, a valuable asset that would have helped them secure themselves in the future.

Here is the point: People who take from others what they have not rightfully earned need to be dealt with openly, with a view toward restoring them. We are all sinners, and we all want things we shouldn’t want. We rationalize and justify in our own minds that we should have what others have. We covet another person’s good fortune, and we can easily rationalize taking. No one is exempt from the desire, but most don’t give into it. If you did – make it right. Don’t just give back what you took, go the extra mile and give back MORE. If you have taken too many breaks at work, do extra work and make it up – then do even more make sure you have repaid the full debt plus.

If you have wronged another, Jesus said it was more important that you make it right then you offer your gift to God at the altar. Don’t steal money and put it in the offering plate. It doesn’t belong there! Don’t cheat customers and think that by being CLEVER you will honor God and grow your business. For every gift to mission you make from stolen money, you wound someone’s ability to hear the Gospel right here at home.

Be the honest worker you would want in someone YOU hire to work for you. We have no right to complain about a mechanic doing a poor job on our car if we are doing a poor job in our office or factory. It is time for Christians to show their loyalty to Jesus Christ by becoming the BEST WORKERS on the job! We need men and women who will show up on time, work hard even when not watched, and give their best every day. Work is not the refuge of rest for the overactive recreation of your busy weekend. Go to bed earlier and get ready to be your best at work. Your testimony will increase, and God will use your faithfulness as a platform to reach others.

** NOTE: Numbers 5:5-8 relate to the sinner corrected, but Numbers 5:9-10 do not. It is a clarification of the ownership of gifts given to those in the priesthood. It says: 5:9 ‘Also every contribution pertaining to all the holy gifts of the sons of Israel, which they offer to the priest, shall be his. 10 ‘So every man’s holy gifts shall be his; whatever any man gives to the priest, it becomes his.’” This was a simple clarification brought up in light of the previous comments, and sought to make clear that all gifts passed to a priest became the property of that priest.

Third, there were couples divided by jealous suspicion. They needed inspection, counsel and in cases without foundation – restoration. That is our subject for the next lesson! (Numbers 5:11-31).

When God placed specific barriers and fences – they were to protect the people and heal divisions among us. We dare not re-write the rules.

Faith Work Out: "Response Time" – James 5:13-20

The words RESPONSE TIME are used in modern life in a number of different ways. Because we live in a technological society, one way to think of it is this: “In a data system, the system response time is the interval between the receipt of the end of transmission of an inquiry message and the beginning of the transmission of a response message to the station originating the inquiry.” About three people in the room really get what I just said, and even they are bored with it! The fact is that we aren’t only about technology – we are also a society “on the move”. For motorsports enthusiasts from Nascar to High Performance Racing, “response time” has to do with the speed and agility of the vehicle to respond to the movements of the driver. Sometimes it is about the time between increasing throttle power and forward velocity. A little closer to the essentials of life, let’s look at other ways it is used. For emergency responders in our society, “response time” has to do with the time lag between the call for help and the arrival of the emergency services. Finally, among some police officers, the term “response time” has a very specific meaning. It refers to the is the first forty-eight hour period from the discovery of the crime (as in someone finds a body) and the following of leads to suspects.

Technology, racing, saving lives and police work all have one thing in common – they require timely responses for success. A dead car remains at the starting line. A response-less computer that “goes out to lunch in cyberspace” has no value in solving a digital query. The unanswered or badly delayed answer to an emergency call can mean death. Each action requires a timely response for the action to have any meaning at all. In a strange way, James argued back in the first century that our faith, when posed in specific situation was also like that – it required a timely and proper response. People in the body of Messiah need care – and that care has a timely action associated with it.

Key Principle: God not only orchestrated and allowed challenges to come into the body of Messiah, He included instructions on our appropriate and timely responses to each challenge.

The basic question behind the passage is this: What are believers commanded to DO for one another? The emphasis of the passage is NOT on the person who is sick or suffering, but rather an instruction to the body of believers on “How to Handle…” in a series of very clear instructions about four kinds of people:

James 5:13 Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; 15 and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. 18 Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit. 19 My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

“Four People that Need our Help Among Jesus’ Followers”

The first step toward the church responding to each person that is a part of the fellowship is this: recognize that not everyone is on the same page. Some are hurting, while others are celebrating. Some are facing illness and physical exhaustion while others are restless and desiring to “sow the wild oats”. All may gather together on a Sunday morning, but they don’t all see things the same way, because they aren’t all in the same place. The response to one another should be underscored by a basic desire to “dwell together in an understanding way”.

Look around you. Many believers in the room where you worship may well be in secret pain. They may be disappointed when they look in the mirror. Some see AGE where they once saw a fresh youth. Others see a body that is slipping from their control. Some are worried about the direction of the country for their children and grandchildren. Some are young and full of life and promise. Some are in love, and the world couldn’t be prettier. Some are thinking about gain, others about loss…Yet we are all together. How should we handle some who are among us that we can see are in need of a timely and specific response?

1: PEOPLE IN PAIN

Our text opens with “people who are in pain”. The term suffering isn’t a simple one – because the experience of suffering isn’t a simple one.

Let’s be clear about what the text truly says:

5:13 Is anyone among you suffering? kakopathéō (from kakós, “bad; of a malicious disposition” and páthos, “pain”) –experiencing a painful hardship or suffering that seems to be a “setback” but really isn’t. (all definitions in this study are adapted from those of Dr. Gary Hill at Discovery Bible).

5:13b “…Then he must pray.” proseúxomai (from prós, “to bow toward or to exchange” and euxomai, “to wish, pray”) – properly, to exchange wishes; literally prayer in the interaction with the Lord by switching human wishes (ideas) for His wishes as He imparts faith (“divine persuasion”).

How should believers handle someone who is facing a disappointing and painful reversal in their lives? (5:13a).

James said: Are some of the believers in your midst facing apparent setbacks? Let them exchange those for God’s perspective on what is happening in their lives. The answer: The person must be aided and instructed to fall before God and exchange the view they have with the perspective of God on the issue.

Look carefully at the text and you will see three things.

• First, it is POSSIBLE for a believer to face a setback or reversal. There are those who teach that such things are NOT for the child of God – but that simply isn’t the case. Following God is no guarantee that hardship won’t come. In fact, the Bible record of men and women of God is the very opposite. God does not get the best from untested children – and the Word if filled with stories of men and women that have suffered and been hurt while following God. At the same time, the things we THINK are reversals are often God’s actual plan. Through the complex matrix of detours, the actual intended plan of God unfolds to tell the story of WHO HE IS.

• Second, the focus of the text appears to be on how the body must instruct those who suffer. The text isn’t just an individual manual on “what to do in suffering” – it is a corporate manual on “what we should instruct those who are suffering”. This isn’t a semantic issue, it has real implications. This isn’t a heartless response to sufferers– it is REAL HELP. When we instruct people to get before the Lord about their problems – we AREN’T ABDICATING our responsibility, we are FULFILLING it.

• Finally, the response of the person in pain wasn’t ALWAYS SUPPOSED TO BE COUNSELING. More often than not the answer was to get alone with God and hash out what He says about what is happening. This is NOT a popular approach in the modern church of the west, where counseling and therapy have largely replaced expository preaching and propositional truth – but it is nevertheless a Biblical idea. There is a time in the Bible to have many counselors in making plans. There is a time to have a shoulder to weep upon – clearly that is in view in the Bible. At the same time, much counseling has been aimed at labeling and diagnosis – and not at final solutions to deal with the problem. Let me offer this – if you take to your Maker the issues of trials of life – He will answer you and give you His perspective. James 1 made that argument about trials, and James 5 makes it again. We need DIVINE perspective in facing our issues. TRUTH comes from the Creator – and TRUTH is the only resolution to all things painful.

I have to admit something that I find a bit painful…I hardly ever have a conversation with any believer, no matter how old, who tells me they are content with their prayer life and excited about how it is working for them. What God designed to rescue us from the pain of disconnection from Him has become a source of guilt for many a follower of Jesus. How can this be? I suspect the problem is due, at least in part, to some misunderstanding of both the nature and purpose of prayer. The secret may be found in the term the New Testament writer chose to reflect prayer.

The Greek term “proseúxomai” is a compound word taken from “prós” – to bow toward or to exchange and the term “euxomai” to express a wish or desire. Added together, one very clear way of thinking about prayer is this: to interact with the Lord and exchange perspective. In prayer I give God my broken view of a situation or perceived need, and He exchanges it with His perspective on the situation. Prayer then, is neither to inform God nor change God – it is primarily focused on the exchange of my poor perspective with His Divine view. I am not suggesting that prayer doesn’t change outcomes. In Scripture, men prayed and God moved. I am suggesting the opposite – the first change that occurs is the one that happens inside the heart of the person praying. Prayer is accomplished when I leave with Heaven’s perspective of my situation.

“The definition of prayer I want to project is this: the deliberate submission of my heart to God for the purpose of exchanging my perspective with His.”

This isn’t its only meaning – but it is perhaps its most neglected meaning in our modern usage…

2: PRAISING PEOPLE

Not everyone is beat down in the church. Some have just met the future love of their life. Some have just landed the best job they could ever imagine. Some have just seen God break them free from the chains of addiction. Some have just seen God heal their marriage. Look at the text:

5:13b “…Is anyone cheerful? euthyméō (from eú, “good” and thymós, “passion”) – properly, to show positive passion or be of high morale.

5:13b “…He is to sing praises. psállō – properly, pluck a musical instrument (like a harp); used of “singing along with instruments”; “to make music,” or simply sing.

How should we instruct believers to handle times of positive passion and apparent victory? (5:13b).

James said: Are some among you excited about life right now? Let him break out in song and rejoicing. The answer: The person should be aided and instructed to cry out in rejoicing and praise before the Lord! Music is a great expression!

The short way to emphasize this truth is this: SHARE THE JOY OUT LOUD! We must not only be heard when things are somber, or people are hurting – there should be shouts of JOY when God breaks open a new moment of JOY in our midst.

When was the last time you really celebrated God’s goodness to you OUT LOUD? Thanksgiving was supposed to do that – but now it has become largely a celebration of gluttony and extravagance followed by shouts of competition as we watch the football game to follow. The church that is SO VERSED in pointing out SIN and DECAY in society must also learn to rejoice in every moment that God is doing happy work in us. All the work is His work – but some of it is designed to make us SING, SHOUT AND CELEBRATE.

• Prayer meetings need a praise section, not just a shopping list of physical maladies listed before God.

• Worship services need something rich and celebratory – because we serve a GOOD GOD. I want to be a part of a service that focuses me on God’s promises and power – not just sin’s problems and persistence.

A church is only as helpful as its instruction is practical.
It is only as caring as it is communally embracing.
It is only as supportive as it is inspirationally empowering.

Brothers and sisters – if what we preach is true – we are not happy enough. We do not display the faces of souls set free. We do not shine like those who have access to the King above all earthly kings. We have surrendered the sounds of rejoicing to the angry murmuring of a nation sinking. I do not ask you to say that our days ahead will be easy – I ask you to rejoice because the days ahead end with the King again enthroned – sitting exalted over His creation. They end with Jesus exalted high, and His arch enemy forever bound in the soupy Lake of Fire.

We may lose our earthly retirement funds – but not our eternal salvation.
We may lose our dollar’s worth – but not our true treasures above.
We may lose our temporal freedoms – but never our eternal home.

Jesus shall reign on earth – come what may in the short run. Ours is a faith destined to rejoice! Why not practice now, for the Lord God Omnipotent ALREADY reigns!

3: SICK PEOPLE

There is a group that cannot rejoice well, because their body has been broken under the load of the curse of the Garden of Eden. We must remember to deal sensitively with people – because we are ALL FRAGILE BEINGS. The most powerful man or woman in the nation is a few heartbeats from history books and a pine box. With that in mind, look at James 5:14-18. The question is clear:

How should believers handle the sick and physically weakened among them?

Three specifics are given, in accord with the parties involved (5:14-18):

First, there is the response of the sick themselves.

5:14 Is anyone among you sick? asthenéō – from asthenēs – which is a “without” and sthenos, “vigor, strength”) – properly, without vigor, living in a state of weakness (depletion).”

5:14b “…Then he must call …” proskaleó – from toward and to call – to summon. “…for the elders of the church” presbýteros – properly, a mature man having seasoned judgment (experience); an elder. “…and they are to pray over him…” proseúxomai (from prós, “to bow toward or to exchange” and euxomai, “to wish, pray”) – properly, to exchange a broken perspective for God’s view.

5:14b “…anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; literally: “having anointed him” aleíphō – properly, to rub or smear olive oil on the body. The word is the ordinary term used for physically anointing the body with (olive) oil. Anointing brought healing and relief and hence became synonymous with gladness (festivity). It was also the preparation for the contest ahead, in the metaphoric sense it was the renewal for future contest.

James said: Are some of you physically depleted? The one who is in such a state should call on the elders of the congregation to seek the Lord to exchange the heaviness for God’s future ministry for them. Having poured and rubbed oil upon the depleted one, they should seek God for that renewal and clarity. The answer: The one who has been knocked down physically and cannot regain strength should call on the elders to help them see God’s perspective in a time of prayer and symbolic seeking of healing. That is the word to the SICK or DEPLETED ONE.

Second, there is the work of those who care for the flock – the elders.

5:15 “…and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, pisteuo: faith is the perspective of truth always rendered by God when we see from His perspective the events of our world. It is distinct from human confidence, yet engages it. The Lord continuously births faith in the yielded believer so they can know what He prefers, i.e. the persuasion of His will (1 Jn 5:4), as in:

1 John 5:4 “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”

5:15b “…and the Lord will raise him up, egeiró: to awaken or rouse.

5:15b “…and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. Pepoikos: if he had manufactured or committed sin (sins of commission). They will be phíēmi (from 575 /apó, “away from” and hiēmi, “send”) – properly, send away; release (discharge).

James said: As the elders pray, that prayer offered in full perspective of God’s view will awaken or rouse the depleted one. If they have been guilty of sinful works, they will be released from any further physical penalty related to that sin. The answer: The elders should seek God for His perspective, and await His Divinely revealed wisdom. If specific sin is at the center – it should be openly confessed and the penalty released. That is the instruction to the elders.

Third, in a preventative way, all believers are to be instructed to stem off such illnesses.

5:16 “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, eksomologéō (from ek, “wholly out from,” intensifying homologéō, “say the same thing about”) – properly, fully agree and to acknowledge that agreement whole-heartedly; hence, to “openly declare” without reservation.

5:16b “…and pray for one another so that you may be healed. Iáomai: healing, particularly Divine healing that draws attention to the Lord Himself as the Great Physician (cf. Is 53:4,5; cp. Lk 17:15: “Now one of them [i.e. the ten lepers], when he saw that he had been healed (iáomai), turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice.” The term iáomai normally includes the notion that in the change attention is drawn to the Lord as the source of the healing – and it is beyond the physical healing itself and its benefits (as with therapeúō).

5:16b “…The effective prayer..” déēsis from dḗ (“really”) which likewise implies a felt need that is personal and urgent – deō is the form “to be in want, lack”; related to déomai, “praying for a specific, felt need”). This is a heart-felt petition, arising out of deep personal need (sense of lack, want). “…of a righteous man…” díkaios from dikē, “right, judicial approval” is properly, “approved by God” “…can accomplish much.” Energéō (from en, “engaged in,” which intensifies érgon, “work”) – properly, energize, like an electrical current energizing a wire, bringing it to a shining light bulb.

Think of the Biblical pattern: Elijah experienced the same feelings as other men of his time, but prayed that it would not rain -and the rain was withheld three and one half years. At a later time he again sought the Lord to open the sky, and the Lord did so, causing the crops to sprout again.

5:17 “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours…” The term “nature” is homiopathes: same feelings. “…and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. 18 Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.

The issue wasn’t the feeling of the praying one – it was the uniqueness of one who was judicially approved and held Divine perspective within him deliberately SEEKING GOD. The so called “prayer of faith” was the same as the prayer of the “righteous man” (5:16). That prayer was is in “middle voice”. As in a prayer GIVEN TO HIM. That is best translated, “the effectual fervent prayer of faith given to him avails much…” It was this kind of prayer God put in the mouths of effective prophets of old (5:17-18).

James said: As a result of the truth that such penalties can be discharged by complete agreement with God about the egregious violations admitted without reservation to one another, do so. When one shares such a confession, seek God to exchange the words for His Divine view – that the Lord may intervene and rescue overtly. The heart-felt petition of one who is approved by God in His judicious standard (sees it from God’s perspective) and who senses an urgent lack energizes the work. The answer: Believers are to intentionally open themselves to confess sin before one another, and seek God’s Divine healing of both the sin and its effects on their lives. The effective prayer will be GIVEN by God, just as the FORGIVENESS is given by God.

4: STRAYING PEOPLE

We have dealt with hurting, rejoicing and sick people – who else is left?

How should believers deal with straying Christians? (5:19-20)

5:19 “My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth planáō – properly, go astray, get off-course; to deviate from the correct path (circuit, course), roaming into error, wandering; (passive) be misled. This is the root of the English term, planet (“wandering body”). This term nearly always conveys the sin of roaming (for an exception – see Heb 11:38). “…and one turns him back…” epistrephó (from epi: back and strepho: return) – puts him back in place.

5:20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death…” psyxḗ (from psyxō, “to breathe, blow” the root of the English words “psyche,” “psychology”) –a person’s distinct identity (unique personhood), i.e. individual personality. This corresponds exactly to the Hebrew term for the direct aftermath of God breathing (blowing) – His gift of life into a person, making them an ensouled being.“…and will cover a multitude of sins.” kalýptō – properly, to cover or conceal pléthos, as in a BUNDLE OF sins.

James said: Brothers, if another from among us roams away from God’s stated truth and one intentionally works to turn him back to God’ standard, acknowledge the deed of the man who deliberately sought his brother’s return and remind him that he has helped preserve the person’s physical life, and put a cover over the growth of a whole bundle of sins. The answer: We shouldn’t let the wandering go without challenge.

Let me ever so clear: If you know Jesus as your Savior and you are a part of Grace – even on a cursory level – expect that we will challenge you to get serious about your faith in your life style. We will never be particularly popular for it – but the Scripture calls us to do so. We won’t make a list bigger than the text we are teaching, but we won’t make it LESS than the text either. It isn’t based on our preferences, or our personal abilities – but solely based on our undying commitment to teach the Word, cover to cover, to anyone who desires to learn it.

Let me finish our time with a simple look at one question: Did God Promise to Heal Every Sick Believer? Let’s draw some important conclusions-

The passage DOESN’T teach:

• God can only heal in this way, and will not heal in other ways.
• All sickness is as a result of the sinful actions or omissions of the sick person.
• God is obligated to heal every sick person that Elders anoint.

The passage DOES teach:

• God can use sickness as His own tool to discipline people (the leprosy of Miriam, the quail sickness in the wilderness).
• God can use death as a tool for discipline in the church (1 Cor. 11; Acts 5).
• Obedience is healthy and sin is dangerous both physically and spiritually (Dt. 6:24).
• God has numerous ways to bring about repentance in our lives, but He does not inflict pain without purpose.
• God is FOR us! He wants us to grow and produce. He wants us to bypass suffering and pain.

God not only orchestrated and allowed challenges to come into the body of Messiah, He included instructions on our appropriate responses to each challenge.

The Faith Work Out: "The Two Tables" – James 5:1-12

I was watching a YouTube of a courtroom the other day – it was fascinating. The professor that posted the split screen presentation was directing the viewer to notice the various facial expressions of the people at both the prosecution table and the defense table as evidence was offered. The faces gave away much, according to the professor. The same idea was heavily used in split screening the facial expressions of both participants in the recent Presidential debate. I think it is a fascinating idea to look at the body language and the facial expressions of people to try to read what is going on in their head and heart. It isn’t terribly reliable, I don’t think, but it is interesting. Watching the two tables – prosecution and defense – I became keenly aware of a truth about every believer I know.

Believers live a divided life – we live in split screen. We are both guilty and declared righteous. We are children of two worlds – Heaven and earth. We walk through life with a call to indulge in every earthly pleasure while that beckoning is restrained by the truth that this is only the beginning for us. We have eternity to taste of God’s goodness, and every pleasure and blessing we have ever heard of was ultimately orchestrated by His good hand.

Think about what is ahead for the follower of Jesus. There is no pleasure like that which brings no guilt. There is no dessert like that which brings no additional pounds. There is no delight like that which will not offend or bring pain to anyone – but rather will build up everyone around you. We live for God’s glory, but also get to anticipate Heaven’s joy! That truth bids us to recognize earth’s temporary nature – or at least it should. Heaven’s peace is God’s answer for earth’s turmoil – and that is why its description is expressed in His Word.

We end up on the guilty side of the screen when we begin when to pay more attention to delight in this world than approval in the next. This world parades a set of values that beckon to the core of the old man within, and we find ourselves tempted to trade what is best for what is immediately satisfying. We call the moral pull downward “temptation” but it is much more powerful than should be able to be expressed in a single word. Some of us have struggled and wrestled with it for years, being wounded by its venom a bit more with each strike of its fangs. When fully infected by its poison, we have staggered from right choices into headlong sin. It is in the moment of temptation we need a sobering reminder that we were not made for this world – and we will not find what we are looking for here. We were made for a perfect world, and that was marred by the catastrophic submission to the rebel prince that now leads men and women all around us. Since the fall of man, God called those who would follow Him to journey through the wasteland of this fallen existence and hold Him tightly until we reach His castle beyond. It is coming, and it has what we need.

What happens when a believer surrenders to the heat and intensity of the journey? What happens when they defect from their first love and move in rebellion to the sin-laden sirens about us? We give in to what some call “the moral short cuts”. They promise fast fulfillment and they pledge to cover over the damage they will bring – but the promise is a lie. When a believer falls into sin – they need the call to return to the priority of living for THEN and THERE, not HERE and NOW. James found it necessary to utter that prophetic call long ago, and it still helps to sober up compromised believers today. The text for this lesson can be easily broken into two – like the two tables at the front of a great courtroom. On one side there is the offender – on the other the offended.

Key Principle: When we walk with this world’s values, we show we do not understand the call God has given us. When we walk with Heaven’s values, we find it challenging not to strike back at those who take advantage of us in this life.

Look around you – you will see believers who fall into one of two categories – and BOTH are struggling in different ways…

Offenders: Call to repentance for believers who are wrong. (James 5:1-6)

Some believers are offenders. They are TAKING ADVANTAGE of this world, while subverting the values of the next. In the case of the early Jewish beleivers addressed by James, he argued that the wealthy followers of Jesus needed to change their view of life! It appear they were celebrating the wrong life. His words to them: “Sober up! Very soon you will see the end of all that you hold dear.” James 5:1 says: “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. 2 Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten.”

Here’s my question: “Why?” Why come down on people who are enjoying their life? Why should Christianity and its values be such a saddening experience? Look more carefully, because James explains:

• Their riches are MISTIMED: James argued they suffered from a bad sense of timing. James 5:3 goes on to explain: “Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure!” James remarks they should consider several things:

First, most things of this world won’t last beyond this world, and believers should recognize that. Second, if I tie up the resources on personal pleasures that God actually gave me to reach others and eternally change destinies – I will face greater judgment for my choices. Third, if I fail to recognize the hour is late in God’s economy – I will misread the calendar and feel at ease with wrong choices. Earthly treasures aren’t wrong – they are temporary. Earthly pleasures aren’t wrong – they are simply less important when rescue is the order of the day.

People who are drowning don’t care what the rescuer is wearing – they need help. Christians that are more concerned about gaining acceptance in the world and appealing to the world have forgotten the world is running out of time. They have forgotten that men and women are being swallowed up by Hell’s flames.

Note that James isn’t arguing the hour is late in the time of THEIR LIVES. It wasn’t late as far as nearing their LAST MINUTE of the earth…It was late in the game as far as the planet is concerned. The Church Age is the final age of God’s sowing of salvation to a doomed planet! Their casual attitude toward the souls of men is at the heart of the problem. Would James see the modern church of America differently if he were writing today?

• Their riches were UNFAIRLY EARNED: James said: “Your practices are unfair – because you have taken advantage of others to gain in unfair ways! Look carefully at James 5:4 “Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.”

James cried out: “LOOK”. That is the word “behold!” Take a good look! The workers that have made you what you are have been unfairly taken advantage of. The Lord of the Armies of Heaven hears the cries of those we have abused and over whom we have taken advantage.

o The payment of millions to a corporate CEO while pensions are left unfunded and retirees are left adrift is a symptom of a wrong-headed economy.
o A doctor or hospital that charges for a beds and treatments depending on what they can GET from an insurer, rather than on fair cost value plus reasonable markup is a symptom of a people that no longer are sensitive to gouging.
o A church that is content to spend all its money on ever expanding beautiful property while it closes down outreach dollars to missions has forgotten its calling.
o When we contract employment and then renegotiate after the work’s successful and acceptable completion, we show that we are unabashedly open about our greed.

The other night I sat with a man who did a job for a large contractor. The work was quoted at about $45,000.00. On successful completion of the job, the recipient of the work simply settled on $10,000 less than the final price. He was right up front – it would cost my friend that much to retain lawyers to get the rest owed, and that would be costly in time and money. I hope the man who did this is not sitting in a church this Sunday thinking God isn’t paying attention to his cheating. Let me assure you – He was in the first century when James wrote James 5:4 – and He is listening today. If you are cheating – He is watching.

If you are charging what is beyond what you are due – you are cheating, and both you and God know who you are. This is a message from Him: “I saw it. Make it right. No fooling around. I told the Pastor to tell you this… go back and make it right.” God hears the cries of those we take advantage of in our businesses and in our homes.

• Their riches were SELF-INDULGENTLY USED: James argued: “Your focus has been self – and the excesses have been exercises in lavish indulgence at the expense of things that are truly important!” James 5:5 You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.

Very soon the time to reach your neighbor will be gone. The time to send out another mission couple to the places far away will be finished. The use of every dollar spent on luxury while others perished will bring us a blush of embarrassment before the Savior.

I was watching a war movie not long ago, in which a group of soldiers broke into a liquor store in Germany during WWII. They were found lying around out back of the store, completely inebriated. The people who found them were nurses that had come to get the alcohol as the vital supply for both surgical cleaning and anesthesia for their wounded buddies. While the men lay about drunk, their friends and buddies underwent surgery with dirty utensils and suffered infections because of their indulgence.

I sometimes wonder what would happen if one single church would truly give until it hurt them to reach people. I wonder if we will ever know. We have been trained, all of us, to see ourselves as much more needy than we truly are. I am no exception. I have lived a spoiled life, and so have most of you – I suspect. We have more than we need. We need more than we should. We give less than He wants. And all God’s people said, “Ouch!”

Remember this: Gluttony comes in many forms. Americans have made gluttony acceptable long before they made sexual sin common. We should be, we must be deeply reflective about our selfish sinfulness.

• Their riches were UNJUSTLY PROTECTED: James said: “Your judgments are deceptively protected by slanted courts!”! James 5:6: “You have condemned and put to death the righteous man; he does not resist you.”

The courts are not the best refuge for the righteous. It is always been true that the rich get offered a different standard of judgment. In our society, when charged, many have the right to buy out temporary freedom with bail – the poor have no such option. In fact, the poor often need to show up at work even more to be able to keep their job. In our system, the highest interest rates are charged to those who own the least. I hear someone thinking: “Because, Pastor, they are a higher risk to us!” Really? Are you arguing that they are a greater risk than say, LARGE BANKS? How about MORTGAGE BROKERAGES?

Do you see my point? I have lived too long to believe that the money is based on real risk – it is based on access and access is based on MONEY. The problem is this: Justice isn’t justice when a rich person can buy a different brand of justice than a poor man. Believers cannot simply point to the fact that we have courts to protect the unprotected – because it isn’t true. We need to help those at the lower end of the economic spectrum because we can see past the dividing of America that is taking place. Christians should help because God called us to be used of Him. Let me ask you this: “Could it be that God gave you a raise so that you can help someone else with their burden instead of just spending it on yourself?” Is that possible? Have you ASKED HIM about why He gave it to you?

Offended: Responses of believers who are cheated by others (James 5:7-12)

Ok, that is enough of the offenders. Now look at the opposite table. Take a good look at the victims. How do I face God and remove a complaining spirit when I have been ABUSED? What do I do if I am being HURT by another? God has some words through James to you…

FOUR WAYS TO RESPOND WHEN WRONGED

First, trust God to make it right – because He will! (James 5:7-8).

You may not get to see the way God works in the life of the person who hurts you – but know that He misses NOTHING. James 5:7 says: “Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. 8 You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.” Notice five things about these verses:

• It is a command of God to patiently wait. This may not be your choice – but it is obedience. God commanded patience and trust, not anger and revenge. You won’t get the right result by trying to do God’s will YOUR WAY. It didn’t work for Moses and the Egyptian taskmaster that was beating a Hebrew, and it won’t work for you.

• It has a specific ending time. You will not be called on to wait forever – God will attend to business and fix things in His time. Live like you know that, and let that be enough for you. “Every dog has his day.” It is a truth of Scripture – and it helps when you live in the modern kennel we call America.

• It is the pattern of God’s design. You don’t have to look further than your nearby farm to see it – God works on a time schedule. He isn’t an INSTANT God, though increasingly He is the God of the INSTANT CHRISTIAN. We must get back in sync with a God who works through patience and quiet prayer – not just through activism.

• It will take inner effort. Waiting isn’t a vacation – it is exhausting. If you are financially being taken advantage of at work, days will seem like months. If someone is telling lies about you, the impulse to hurt them back will be enormous! Use your energy to grow your walk with God and care for others – not to plot to get even!

• It will not be forgotten. Practice saying what James said: “The coming of the Lord is NEAR”! When you are beaten down, remember that Jesus knows what it feels like to be abused and taken advantage of, and He will settle the account with that pain in mind.

Second, do not try to fix everyone – God will set what is wrong now right – but He will do it later! (James 5:9).

James kept hammering the use of the mouth through the letter – it is one of his most profound themes. He says in James 5:9: “Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door.”

• Use your time in building up others, but not insisting they come under your control. There is a difference between encouragement and manipulation – it is found in the motivation. Truly stop and gauge how much complaining you do – it is an interesting reflective study. How many of our conversations are truly motivated “to get it off my chest”? Maybe we are letting too much inside, and maybe we are directing too little upward toward God. At least we should consider the possibility.

• Keep your attitude above being drawn into condemnation. Complaining drains the speaker and the hearer. It is sometimes necessary, but seldom very productive. Correction is complaint with a view to helping. Complaining is griping with a view toward unburdening myself – an entirely selfish motive. Selfish motives beget selfish actions and even more selfish thinking.

• Remember all of us work for one Master, and He alone is the Judge. One problem Christians face is enthroning themselves in their own hearts. Another problem we face is wanting to enthrone ourselves in the hearts of OTHERS. We cannot understand why EVERYONE doesn’t see the truth through our eyes. We have to humble ourselves and recognize God is at work in others differently than in our heart. We aren’t the judge, just the messenger of God in a lost world. On my best day, I am a message carrier for a Great King.

Third, look back at the past – God has a track record of caring for His people! (James 5:10-11).

James reminded them that God didn’t just work with others that had patiently endured suffering before; He kept a record and told us how it looked in their lives. James 5:10 adds: “As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.” The two verses offer four CHOICES we can make to help us endure:

• Search the Scriptures for encouragement in the lives of witnesses for God in the past. You aren’t the only one that has faced this kind of trial – the Bible catalogues a host of others that we gain both insight and encouragement from reading and studying their stories.

• Remember how their endurance mattered in the outcome. Don’t just focus on the problem they faced, keep a keen eye on how they responded. Some responded impatiently – and that cost them. Others trusted God over the long haul of the story – and that led to their blessing. Remember, they were JUST LIKE YOU when it comes to impatience and temptation. They had all the failings you have. They even had LESS than you – because you have THEIR STORY to help prepare your response to troubles.

• Look at the outcomes of faithfulness in each story. Really look at them. There are short term benefits to faithfulness – but most of the benefits are actually LONG TERM. In many cases, it was several generations before the whole benefit was realized. God may be drawing YOU through trouble to bless you great-grandchildren. When you see Him, He will show you that it was worth it all!

• Carefully note the attributes of the Lord seen in each story. Don’t study the Bible strictly to watch the MEN and WOMEN – find God’s pattern, God’s work in the story. Real inspiration and encouragement comes from the God of all comfort – and knowing Him up close and personally.

Fourth, don’t make unjust deals – God will judge you by your honest response! (James 5:12).

James warned that a particular temptation presents itself before the victim of another’s abuses. We can try to avoid further pain by moral compromises in our mouths. He said: James 5:12 “But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment.” There are two specific situations you must be careful to avoid:

• Avoid the temptation to lessen the pressures in the wrong way. James warns the early believer not to “swear with his fingers crossed”. He is not to say that he will do something just to lessen the immediate pressure, when those words are meant to deceive. That isn’t God’s way to deal with trouble. Tell the truth! Don’t doubletalk your way out of trouble. Be straight about what you say, and what you mean.

Pastor Chris Appleby (a sermon central contributor) wrote something on this subject I want you to really consider: What images come to mind when you hear the eighth Commandment “You shall not steal” (Exodus 20:15; Deuteronomy 5:19)? You shall not take what doesn’t belong to you. If you are like me you might have an image of a masked thief in a stripped shirt climbing over a wall with a bag of loot over his shoulder. One writer on the Commandments suggests that from a biblical perspective, stealing means: “the desire to get as much as possible while giving as little as possible” (Colin Smith). …the Bible seeks to reverse this formula: instead give as much as possible while taking as little as possible. … while Jesus “reframes” many of the Commandments in his Sermon on the Mount, he doesn’t make any specific comment on the eighth Commandment. But we find something unusual in Paul’s farewell speech to the elders in the church at Ephesus, in the book of Acts, chapter 20. In Paul’s speech a saying of Jesus that isn’t recorded in the four Gospels. Paul says to the elders: “In all this I have given you an example that by such work we must support the weak, remembering the word of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said, ’It is more blessed to give than to receive’” (Acts 20:35). Paul encourages the elders to do what he had done and what Jesus had recommended: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” – in other words, the desire to give as much as possible while taking as little as possible. But we all sense, don’t we, that this is exactly opposite of what much of our society is saying to us? Look after number one! I want it all and I want it now! God’s message in the Bible which we find in the eighth Commandment and in the words of Jesus and of Paul is really “counter-cultural” isn’t it?.. If stealing is the desire to get as much as possible while giving as little as possible, then at work it might include things such as:

o Arriving late
o Stretching lunchtimes
o Taking extra breaks
o Texting friends on company time
o Expanding the work to fill the time available
o Avoiding the parts of our work we are paid to do but don’t like doing, or using work time pursuing our own projects.

The Pastor had a point, didn’t he? Integrity counts in TIME and in WORD. Sometimes it seems as though we have adopted such a worldly mindset that we truly defend that we should be MORE like the world than like Jesus.

• Expect to be judged when you break the rule and compromise truth. Don’t rationalize in your mind that you can tell a lie because they are doing it. Don’t try to trick the bank that is trying to trick you. Don’t play games with your promises and your reputation. Speak clearly and honestly. You HATE it when someone lies to you – so don’t do it to someone else. Honesty is God’s platform to blessing.

Truthfully, if you have been in the family of faith very long, you know that many believers don’t thing telling a lie is all that big a deal. Many don’t see the grievous nature of the sin as God describes it. In fact, most believers I know wouldn’t consider attending an overtly sexual film or “adult” movie house, but they will speak dishonestly and deceptively with a studied routine. Many have been trained to mislead others for the sake of their business. I heard a story about that recently: A store manager heard his clerk tell a customer, “No, ma’am, we haven’t had any for a while, and it doesn’t look as if we’ll be getting any soon.” Horrified, the manager came running over to the customer and said, “Of course we’ll have some soon. We placed an order last week.” Then the manager drew the clerk aside. “Never,” he snarled, “Never, never, never say we’re out of anything- say we’ve got it on order and it’s coming. Now, what was it she wanted anyway?” The clerk said, “Rain!” (A-Z Sermon illustrator).

It’s true! When we walk with this world’s values, we show we do not understand the call God has given us. When we walk with Heaven’s values, we find it challenging not to strike back at those who take advantage of us in this life.

Strength for the Journey: "The Call to Serve" (Part One) – Numbers 3

Despite the fact that some Christians are uneasy with discussing military service as an option for our young people, we are humbled and thankful for each young man or woman that chooses to serve in our armed forces. We support them through this sacrifice, and pray for them without ceasing. We also are particularly sensitive about the needs and work of the fine men in the “Chaplain’s Corps” of the US military. We believe their work to be more than important – we believe it to be essential….

One of the things anyone in the military will tell you is that they learn very early in their time the STRUCTURE of the service.

They know from the smallest of emblems the rank and accomplishments of others around them. They know when to stand for another person, simply because of their rank. They understand respect, and they learn the parameters of each job assigned to them. They are not taught to initiate, but to follow. Theirs is not normally a call to creativity – but to obedience. The military, perhaps better than anyone in modern society, is able to organize a rabble into a squad of accomplishers. Given a clear objective and a chain of command, they are able to carry out mission after mission. One thing is painfully clear about their work: without clear definitions and parameters, the whole system breaks down quickly. Painstaking work on organization in the boot camp saves lives on the field of battle. Under fire, it is too late to learn who is in charge, and how to accomplish team objectives – there simply isn’t time.

What is true about the physical fighting force of our military today was also true about the people of God in the wilderness long ago. They were given a short time at Sinai to organize into ranks before the journey from the Mountain of the Law to Mount Nebo – where Moses looked over the Promised Land before his death. The journey was perilous, and God’s organization and ranking was meticulous. The record of that organization is found in the text for today’s lesson from Numbers 3 and 4.

Before we look into the organization of the ancients, we again should pause and remember that the record of this organization was part of God’s training manual to believers throughout the ages. He intended that organization and preparation be hallmarks of His work in the world during every generation. In ours, it is no different. We are in a strange time in the life of the modern church. Even after churches have been planted in virtually every community of our United States, we find the populace virtually Biblically illiterate. We find believers living indistinguishable values to lost men and women around them. It is as if the army has lost its ability to recognize uniforms, let alone understand sleeve markers for rank. We need to re-examine what God wants from His followers.

Key Principle: Working together well requires defined expectations and structure. For God to be well served, believers must understand the standards for participation, the parameters of the work, and the leadership structure.

To help us understand the whole passage and the people involved, maybe it would be most helpful to recall an old story from the Bible, set at the time of the Patriarchs…

Our story began with a young woman named Leah who had a broken heart. She grew up in a home with a beautiful younger sister, and Leah was not as valued because, frankly, she wasn’t as beautiful as her younger sister Rachel. One day she met the most handsome man, and she longed to have him as her husband. Unfortunately, as was the story of her whole life, the man didn’t love her back – but fell deeply in love with her more beautiful, younger sister. Leah’s father made a deal with the young man to allow him to work for seven years in order to earn Rachel – his beautiful daughter’s hand – in marriage. At the end of the seven years, Leah’s dad switched the younger girl for our broken-hearted bigger sister. She slipped into the bridal chamber, and in darkness she drank in one night of romantic love with her new husband, believing in here heart, or at least HOPING, that if he would give her a chance, she would win him over. The morning sun revealed her face, and her new husband was angry over the switch. He felt abused by her father, and he took some of it out on her. Her charged out of the tent as she lay crying – her one night of acceptance and love sunk into a bitter pool of tears. Another deal was struck for her younger sister’s hand, and her new husband continued to work for his true love – all the while his first wife just wanted him to love her deeply – as she loved him. Would NO ONE understand her need for love? God opened her womb and she had a child and named him “Look a SON!” (Reuben) hoping to get her husband to see her as valuable and important to him. She bore him another child and called him “God has heard!” (Simeon) believing that her petitions to the Lord would bring her husband around as she gave him a future. A third child was born and she called him “Attached” (Levi) hoping that her husband would grow attached to her through this third son. It didn’t happen. She cried. She sought God some more, and then she learned her lesson – God gave her yet a fourth son, and she called him “Praise!” (Yehudah) because she was finally learning to get her self-worth and approval from God and not husband.

Those children grew up. We want to follow the sons of “Attached” or Levi. They went with Jacob into Egypt when Joseph saved their lives during a famine. The sons of Levi grew into a large brood, as did the sons of all of Jacob’s family. When Moses was used of God to lead the people from Pharaoh’s harsh hand, the sons of Levi left with the flock of Israel and journeyed to Sinai. This is where our text is set – at the Holy Mountain of God – as the children of Israel ready for the journey to the Promised Land.

Our story is about one Israelite family – that of Levi. They distinguished themselves on the journey when Moses went up onto the mountain, and the people began a terrible and sinful party around a “golden calf” set up to bear an image of their self-styled god. The Levites refused involvement, and were ordered to even kill others of Israel who were involved in debauchery (Ex. 32). The Levites acted so righteously in that exchange that God commended them in His Holy record: (Ex.32:29) and placed a special blessing on them. When we speak of Levi, by Numbers 3 and 4 he was long dead, but he had fathered three sons that became heads of significant households in Egypt: Gershon. Kohath and Merrari.

In the line of Kohath was the father of Moses and Aaron – Amram, son of Kohath, son of Levi. God set aside all the sons of Kohath that came from Aaron’s loins to be the priest of the Tabernacle. Other sons of Kohath were NOT to be priests, were special “Kohathite Levites” that handled the most holy parts of the Tabernacle. The rest of the Levitical family – sons of Gershon and Merrari – were given other important tasks in regards to the worship center of God in the camp of Israel. Our lesson is about the setting aside of each of their duties… but that is not ALL the text is about. It is about something much bigger – the principles of ORGANIZED WORSHIP AND SERVICE of the people of God.

Let’s remember that we are a part of a believing family that extends back generations. God has always had a people that was learning of His love, and attempting to walk with Him. He told us the story of our older brother Israel’s assignments to help us understand our own. Each principle is a timeless truth of an unchanging God – the same God that we serve today. In all the words, don’t get lost and forget the premise of all of this: working together well requires defined expectations and structure. For God to be well served, believers must understand the standards for participation, the parameters of the work, and the leadership structure.

Principles of God’s Worship Structure

1: God set up the system by His Word, and chose the key leaders to lead the team of servants for His people (3:1).

Numbers 3:1 Now these are the records of the generations of Aaron and Moses at the time when the LORD spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai.

God knows how He wants things done. His Word is specific as to who should serve in what capacity. It is not subject to culture or popular sentiment – it is based solely on God’s Word. The restrictions for the offices, the functions of those offices, and the call to those offices belong to God and are specified in His Holy Word. In ancient Israel, God spoke to Moses about which people were to be placed in which service – and it was based solely on their birth. God placed them in the wombs of their mothers, and the womb of a Levite gave birth to a Levite. They did nothing special to be better – they were CHOSEN.

Today, the work of God is carried out by people who were GIFTED BY God with spiritual enablings from their NEW BIRTH. When they came to Christ, they were given spiritual gifts that marked their service in the Body of Christ. They are not better – they are CHOSEN. Every believer was given gifts, and all of the gifts were designed to build the whole body. The point it this: giftedness was a birth issue, not an issue that made them somehow “holier” than others. When we function in our gifts, we will find that some among us are gifted for the operations of ministry.

Without moving far afield, we also need to recall that God placed the parameters on WHO got the specific call to do ministry tasks. He was not an “equal opportunity” leader. In the past, Levites from the family of Merari got certain tasks, but they were not to do the work of Gershonites. Kohathites were given special and important tasks – but not those of the family of Aaron, who alone bore priestly responsibilities. What if I felt God called me to be a priest, but I was not of the sons of Aaron? I would serve in the station God gave me with all my might, but I would not become another because I FELT I should be. God set the parameters. The same is true in Pastoral ministry today. I keep running into really well intentioned ladies who FEEL that God called them to do the work of Pastor. Biblically speaking, He didn’t. It isn’t unclear. We don’t have time to address all of the case for this in this lesson, but it is nowhere unclear in Scripture. How people feel about their service isn’t the point – God’s parameters are the ones that matter, and they are found in His Word.

2: The servant team cannot and will not be sufficient to accomplish the goals of ministry (3:2-5)

Numbers 3:2 These then are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 3 These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the anointed priests, whom he ordained to serve as priests. 4 But Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD when they offered strange fire before the LORD in the wilderness of Sinai; and they had no children. So Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests in the lifetime of their father Aaron. 5 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying…

Three important truths come from the few verses above. Each help us move in on God’s direction, and understand a problem God was caring for. The group of priests that came from the line of Aaron was FAR TOO SMALL to care for all the work, so they were given a portion of the work to accomplish, and the rest to oversee.

• Privileged: The men were marked by name (3:2).

God gave a special privilege to Aaron’s sons in service, and they showed themselves to be neither deserving, nor intrinsically better than the rest of the people. Serving God in intercession and leadership, shepherding and disciple building is a PRIVILEGE of weak and frail vessels. Pastoral ministry is not given to men that “glow in the dark”. It is given to men that God called – for no particular reason in themselves. Left to their own devices, they would not “deserve” any authority, and they would not exercise prudence and discipline. God granted the privilege, and they should hold ministry in their hands as something God enlisted them into, and God entrusted them for. It is a gift, not a problem. If a shepherd cannot honestly say that they sense their ministry as a gift of God – they need to recuse themselves.

• Tested: The men were held by God to a higher standard than their peers (3:3-4a).

In the case of Nadab and Abihu, it appears they became drunk on day, and failed to precisely follow God’s method of putting fire on the altar. Focus on their personal pleasure made them sloppy about caring for God’s work – and that is always a danger. One of the greatest applications of this truth in my lifetime has been the professionalism of ministry. Men in the work have begun to look at the service as an occupation more than a calling, and it shows up in a focus on what they can GET over what they are willing to SACRIFICE and how they are willing to SERVE. The standard is HIGHER for God’s under-shepherds. Their focus is supposed to be different.

• Limited: The men were too few in number to meet the needs of the community (3:4b-5)

The work was too great for the family of Aaron, and the work is still too great for the under-shepherds today. Pastors cannot reach a community, be at the bedside of the sick, pray without ceasing for the flock, disciple the young and care for the old. There are the same hour limits to Aaron’s sons as to the rest of Israel’s sons. The work was simply too much to effectively accomplish. The most important work was accomplishing the tasks God’s Word outlined for each specific office. No one office was to do the work of all. This is the reason that later in church ministry, God made intentional training and discipleship so important. The work of the under-shepherd today is to “train the believers to do the work of the ministry”, NOT to be the professional that does it for them. Good shepherds are working to fill the place with the next generation replacements, because the work will always be both too big, and last beyond the borders of our lives.

3: God appointed others to be brought into the practical maintaining of the ministry (3:6-9)

Numbers 3:6 “Bring the tribe of Levi near and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may serve him. 7 “They shall perform the duties for him and for the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, to do the service of the tabernacle. 8 “They shall also keep all the furnishings of the tent of meeting, along with the duties of the sons of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle. 9 “You shall thus give the Levites to Aaron and to his sons; they are wholly given to him from among the sons of Israel.

Because the work was too large for the priests, God laid out the plan as to how the work could be effectively accomplished. Again three important truths can be gleaned from the verses we just read:

• Appointed: God birthed servants into this privileged position (3:6).

God appoints, God’s leaders acknowledge. The Levites were placed into their position by God, but enlisted into operation by the acknowledgement of the leaders. The same is true today. Each believer is gifted to do part of the work of ministry – and each leader should be busy trying to identify God’s gifting of them so that we can properly train and equip them for that work. Failure to identify your gifting will keep you from participating in the work the way GOD MADE YOU. Failure of leaders to enlist gifted men and women into their work, and motivate them to stay at the task faithfully will burn out ministry staff. The God-given task for anyone in ministry is to search for, enlist, train and motivate those who God has gifted. If we lack those with the appropriate gifts, we should be seeking God in prayer asking for people with the right gifts.

• Practical: They serve in ways helpful to both the ministry staff and the congregation (3:7), sometimes in areas like furnishings and meeting places (3:8).

Notice the work these servants performed was for the benefit of the whole congregation, but the work was done for GOD. They served God by serving the people’s needs in worship. The work they did included much preparation – all this is and was HOLY WORK. It could not be haphazard, and it could not be a second thought. Their priestly attention to detail would make the whole congregation function better. They were to take their part of the work seriously, and do it with all their might.

• Blessing: They are given from among the people and a gift from God to make all things work – it is an esteemed mission (3:9).

I have had the privilege of training many men for shepherding ministry, and have participated, along with the whole congregation, in shaping them. What a blessing they are to us! It is an incredible privilege – to see the hand of God on a family and watch a man diligently prepare for service of the King. I am humbled over and over to be a part of it. It is exciting, and it is fulfilling work. We are blessed when God sends one of these trained from our midst to another place to work in His vineyard there.

4: The intercession work of the minister is distinct and must not be engaged lightly (3:10).

Numbers 3:10 “So you shall appoint Aaron and his sons that they may keep their priesthood, but the layman who comes near shall be put to death.”

God called Moses to single out and recognize His Holy choice for the shepherding group – the priests that would minister for Him. Three important truths ooze from verse ten:

• Recognized: The community will know who they are (3:10a).

The priestly function was important to God, so He had them marked for their work. It wasn’t that the work of the priest was intrinsically more valuable to God than the work of others – that wasn’t the point. All obedient work for the Master is important. The point was that it would HELP the congregation if they knew who was prepared and appointed to this work… Today I bear a title called “Reverend”. It is a funny titular leftover from a bygone era – a mark of ordination to ministry. It seems strange in our casual modern day, but it is important. It is important to ME because it reminds me that people will be watching. It is important to YOU because it marks those who we are expecting something from. What should we expect?

The priest was to be exacting in his work for God in ministry, ever diligent to understand God’s Words and commands better, and careful to find clear applications to his own walk, and the lives of those in the congregation. That is the job – knowing God’s Word, applying God’s truths, training God’s people. We take a title to help recognize that established and acknowledged calling.

• Responsible: They must do their work consistently (3:10b).

The word “shamar” is translated “keep” in the verse, but that is only one part of the word’s essential meaning. The term is also to “guard” to “defend” and to “keep watch over”. It is a word with strong preservation themes. The work of the priestly office was not only to keep up the Tabernacle’s sacrificial system – it was to guard against abuses of God’s Word.

Part of the work of the shepherding office is to guard the Word and the congregational understanding of it. This relates to why it is essential that there is both training and recognition of that training. If a man began to speak out the “word of God” in a way that was untrue, or to introduce immoral applications of it in the congregation, we expect the priests would have been involved. They would speak out.

Increasingly, this is misunderstood in the modern society that we live in. Now, if a political personality stabs badly at a moral issue, the clergy are warned to stand silent because that is now “political”. Let me be perfectly clear:

o If the government licenses same sex marriages, they will stand in violation of the Word of God – and I will not stand silent.
o If the politicians claim that they are able to segment human life into stages, and take the life of anyone who is not self-sustaining, I will not stand silent.
o The definition of LIFE is a moral and Biblical issue – because God created us. The parameters of “fair pricing” are a Biblical issue – or many Minor Prophets should be removed from the book because of their overt statements about that very practice.

Let me be clear: We live in a day when we are left to two choices: government takeover of vital areas of life with all its sloppiness and immoral underpinnings, or free market raping by a party that thinks no regulation is good regulation. This isn’t a Pastor reaching into politics, though the words impact political ideology. Christians have got to be unafraid to challenge both sides of the modern American political spectrum. It is particularly important for me to remind you, dear ones, during this political season – neither side has it right, because neither is deriving the foundational principles from God’s Word.

Republicans are red state people. Democrats are blue state people. Jesus the King’s color is PURPLE.

His definitions of morality are the ones His true church represents – not the other two. Each offer some very good ideas and some very bad ones. Each need to be challenged by God’s church, familiar with God’s Word – and not let off the hook.

We can get so afraid of one side taking control we forget the other isn’t God’s side either. His thoughts are in His Word – and they need to be again in His pulpits. We should not be silent, or cast aside and told we cannot speak because that is political. Nonsense! God’s Word speaks about fair pricing, and about the origins of life – and we need to be prepared to graciously but pointedly challenge from the Word anyone who says otherwise.

We need to speak to principles, while praying fervently for our leaders. We are blessed to have them, and we are blessed to able to choose them. Our President is a man, and he needs our prayers. Our Vice President is a man, and he needs us to intercede on his behalf before God. Our congressman and congresswomen are just people. They don’t see everything and how it will work out. They need our help NOW, and when they time comes our CHOICE later. Our critique must be factual and substantive, not personal and abusive – that isn’t a godly way to behave… but neither is silence from our pulpits.

• Respected: Their work shall not be handled casually (3:10b).

It is hard to read words about layman being “put to death”. It is hard to understand why God so abruptly made clear that He wanted those who were not in the position to recognize that truth. He made clear that ministry wasn’t a casual thing. Service to God isn’t a “spare time” pursuit of the marginally interested. God is looking for people who take what He is doing in their community very seriously, and work diligently to train the next generation to stand for God.

We measure all our work by one standard: “Will it help construct disciples that will make other disciples?” We could have comedy nights and barn dances – and that would make the church at the center of your social life. Is that the call of God to us? I would argue that it is NOT. We can have the occasional fun time, but that isn’t even CLOSE to our primary purpose. The work is serious and important, and requires those who will seriously train to do it.

5: God marked His servants as His special ones among men (3:11-13).

Numbers 3:11 Again the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 12 “Now, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the sons of Israel instead of every firstborn, the first issue of the womb among the sons of Israel. So the Levites shall be Mine. 13 “For all the firstborn are Mine; on the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I sanctified to Myself all the firstborn in Israel, from man to beast. They shall be Mine; I am the LORD.”

Let’s thank God for some great men and women that He is using and has used in our lives. Look at what the Word reminds:

• Chosen: God specially marked them as His own in a unique property (3:11-13a).

In my life, men like Dr. Ken Masteller who first explained the Gospel to me, or Dr. Jack Jacobs, who first taught me sound methods of Bible study will forever be important in my heart. National Pastors like Chuck Swindoll and his infectious laughter, or John MacArthur and his careful studies will always be tied into my own teaching. Dr. John Caywood, who taught me in a classroom proper study methods helped me more than he could ever know. Pastor Herb Mitchell was used of God in my life to show me practical aspects of ministry. I made my first, and some of my most classic ministry blunders under his ministry tutelage. My life has been blessed with literally dozens of men who have helped, some over the airwaves and others in the classroom of church service. It doesn’t matter – they all helped shape me in some way, and I want to celebrate them. I want to be on the list of other men as they go forward. It is a unique blessing to pass what has been passed to you!

• Separated: God pulled them from the many and made them unique in His eyes (3:13b).

You can hear it ever so clearly: “They are MINE!” We must be careful about how we criticize God’s choice servants. I have been ever so blessed to have many supportive and loving leaders around my life – that is the truth! At the same time, I am quite amazed at how some people speak of men in other ministry places. Remember: they are but men and they make mistakes – but it is a holy calling. I can only hope for those who go out from this place in training that they will be granted such affirming and lovingly supportive people as I have been surrounded with!

At the same time, the words “They are MINE” are sobering to me as I serve my King. I am His unique possession – and I cannot fail to prepare or sluff off in my duties, no matter the temptation to do so. It is essential that we make choices that honor Him, and remember He is watching in the study and preparation, as well as the delivery!

Today’s ministry seems like it is moving faster than ever before, but it may not be heading in the right direction. We need to consider this story:

Years ago in Dublin, Ireland a lecturer named Thomas Henry Huxley lurched out in a horse drawn taxi. It was toward the end of the nineteenth century and Huxley has offered series of blistering verbal attacks on Christianity in public lectures and writings, especially aimed at the “alleged resurrection” of Jesus of Nazareth. He was a devoted disciple of Charles Darwin, and felt his calling to destroy the church in Europe. He was a famous biologist, teacher, author, defender of evolutionary theory. He was bold, convincing and a self-avowed humanist. He had become a traveling lecturer. Having finished another series of public assaults against several truths Christians held sacred, Huxley was in a hurry the following morning to catch his train to the next city. He took one of Dublin’s famous horse-drawn taxis and settled back with his eyes closed to rest himself for a few minutes. He assumed the driver had been told the destination by the hotel doorman, so all he said as he got in was, “Hurry . . . I’m almost late. Drive fast!” The horses lurched forward and galloped across Dublin at a vigorous pace. Before long Huxley glanced out the window and frowned as he realized they were going west, away from the sun, not toward it. Leaning forward, the scholar shouted, “Do you know where you are going?” Without looking back, the driver yelled a classic line, not meant to be humorous, “No, your honor! But I’m driving very fast!” (revised from sermon central).

…I mention him because it seems it is time for our country to take a look out the window. Deficits are doubling, moral thinking is sinking. We are actually debating the morality of beastiality in the news. Our education system is one of the most expensive on earth, but our abilities are sinking. Our past strengths are giving way. We are moving fast in technology – but are we headed in the right direction?

Now look at the church as it is poised to answer the assault of our day… are we heading in the right direction? There is a Japanese saying, “A vision without action is just a daydream, but an action without vision is plain disaster.” (sermoncentral.com). Perhaps it is time to look out the window and evaluate the direction we are taking in the ministry of Jesus as well. Is our expectation of our church framed on Biblical concepts or popular modern notions?

We must remember, working together well requires defined expectations and structure. For God to be well served, believers must understand the standards for participation, the parameters of the work, and the leadership structure.

Key Principle: God placed specific barriers and fences to protect the people, and wanted the people to pay close attention to follow the Word He has given concerning contacts and divisions among people.

1. People who needed to get out of the camp (5:1-4). 2. People who needed to get right with God (5:5-8). 3. People who needed to get straight with one another (5:11-31).

First, there were people who were defiled by contact with the dead or by manifestations of bodily discharges. They needed separation.

Second, there were people that were caught up in sin. They needed repentance, restoration and in some cases to pay restitution.

Third, there were couples divided by jealous suspicion. They needed inspection, counsel and in cases without foundation – restoration (Numbers 5:11-31).

1: Accusations are costly, and need to be taken seriously.

2: Sin puts a distance between God and man.

3: The defilement of hidden sin will deeply corrupt the worship place – defiling countless others who do not know why!

4: Even the accusation was a tarnish against God’s glory in her honor – the truth of innocence had to be cleared!

5: Sin needed to be confronted and confessed or denied and rejected – and the wages needed to be made clear.

6: Every sinner hiding sin needs to know the weight of a LIE to God.

7: God loves to clear the innocent, but God will not withhold judgment on the guilty who are hiding sin. God worked in the woman’s body to prove her or curse her.

8: The truth is the beginning of the healing point. The purpose of coming before the Lord was to be absolutely sure nothing was left unanswered.

9: God holds us responsible to TRY to make things right before Him and each other. If you do all you can do to make it right, the sin is left on the other.

Key Principle: At its core, the TRUTH is stubbornly independent of individual bias – and uncovers the actual happening in the actual context.

First, there was a man named Gaius – a painfully common Roman praenomen (first name) that referred to this servant-hearted leader who PRACTICED WHAT HE WAS PREACHING WITH HIS LIFE.

Third, there was a man named Demetrius, a compassion man who attracted others to himself and the Gospel.

1: The TRUTH defines our relationship with each other. It is the authentic basis for LOVE.

2: The TRUTH is something we LIVE, not just something we theoretically BELIEVE.

3: The TRUTH creates TEAM.

4: The TRUTH flushes out the FAKE.

5: The TRUTH places DEMANDS.

6: The TRUTH reveals the FAITHFUL.

7: The TRUTH urgently recognizes ATTACKS.

At its core, the TRUTH is stubbornly independent of individual bias – and uncovers the actual happening in the actual context.

Key Principle: Surrendered and obedient believers desire to rebuild the bridge of broken relationships– in part because the state of the body affects the health of our witness.

If someone hurt you, it is in your power to forgive them, even if they are not asking for it. It is NOT in your power, however, to truly reconcile the relationship that has been severed by the wrong, unless the offending party AGREES they were wrong, and DESIRES to make it right.

Remember, surrendered and obedient believers desire to rebuild the bridge of broken relationships– in part because the state of the body affects the health of our witness.

Conditions: The appeal to reconcile is best when offered where the right three conditions prevail:

First, the petitioner stepped into the situation with a solid testimony of following the Lord (1:1a).

Second, there was a direct and solid relationship between petitioner and the petitioned (1:1b).

Third, the appeal was being made to another believer who was serving the Lord with their life (1:3).

Here is the model process we have from the text, along with some principles the process revealed.

5. Speak respectfully: Paul didn’t take liberties in the request, but allowed the man his due. 1:14 but without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion but of your own free will.

Key Principle: God placed specific barriers and fences to protect the people, and wants believers to pay close attention to follow the Word He has given concerning contacts and divisions among people.

Now counted and ordered, God again revealed truth to the people, but it was painful for them to hear.

People who needed to get out of the camp.

People who needed to get right with God.

People who needed to get straight with one another.

First, there were people who were defiled by contact with the dead or by manifestations of bodily discharges. They needed separation.

Defilement may mean that you aren’t bad, but because of something happening in your life, you aren’t ready to serve God in your function at that moment.

The point of all this is that we aren’t always ready to keep going – even if we think we NEED to for the sake of others. We can WANT to do the right thing, but that isn’t the same as DOING the right thing.

Second, there were people that were caught up in sin. They needed repentance, restoration and in some cases to pay restitution.

Third, there were couples divided by jealous suspicion. They needed inspection, counsel and in cases without foundation – restoration. That is our subject for the next lesson! (Numbers 5:11-31).

Key Principle: God not only orchestrated and allowed challenges to come into the body of Messiah, He included instructions on our appropriate and timely responses to each challenge.

“Four People that Need our Help Among Jesus’ Followers”

1: PEOPLE IN PAIN

“The definition of prayer I want to project is this: the deliberate submission of my heart to God for the purpose of exchanging my perspective with His.”

2: PRAISING PEOPLE

3: SICK PEOPLE

First, there is the response of the sick themselves.

Second, there is the work of those who care for the flock – the elders.

Third, in a preventative way, all believers are to be instructed to stem off such illnesses.

4: STRAYING PEOPLE

The passage DOESN’T teach:

The passage DOES teach:

Key Principle: When we walk with this world’s values, we show we do not understand the call God has given us. When we walk with Heaven’s values, we find it challenging not to strike back at those who take advantage of us in this life.

Offenders: Call to repentance for believers who are wrong. (James 5:1-6)

Offended: Responses of believers who are cheated by others (James 5:7-12)

FOUR WAYS TO RESPOND WHEN WRONGED

First, trust God to make it right – because He will! (James 5:7-8).

Second, do not try to fix everyone – God will set what is wrong now right – but He will do it later! (James 5:9).

Third, look back at the past – God has a track record of caring for His people! (James 5:10-11).

Fourth, don’t make unjust deals – God will judge you by your honest response! (James 5:12).

One of the things anyone in the military will tell you is that they learn very early in their time the STRUCTURE of the service.

Key Principle: Working together well requires defined expectations and structure. For God to be well served, believers must understand the standards for participation, the parameters of the work, and the leadership structure.

Principles of God’s Worship Structure

1: God set up the system by His Word, and chose the key leaders to lead the team of servants for His people (3:1).

2: The servant team cannot and will not be sufficient to accomplish the goals of ministry (3:2-5)

• Privileged: The men were marked by name (3:2).

• Tested: The men were held by God to a higher standard than their peers (3:3-4a).

• Limited: The men were too few in number to meet the needs of the community (3:4b-5)

3: God appointed others to be brought into the practical maintaining of the ministry (3:6-9)

• Appointed: God birthed servants into this privileged position (3:6).

• Practical: They serve in ways helpful to both the ministry staff and the congregation (3:7), sometimes in areas like furnishings and meeting places (3:8).

• Blessing: They are given from among the people and a gift from God to make all things work – it is an esteemed mission (3:9).

4: The intercession work of the minister is distinct and must not be engaged lightly (3:10).

• Recognized: The community will know who they are (3:10a).

• Responsible: They must do their work consistently (3:10b).

Republicans are red state people. Democrats are blue state people. Jesus the King’s color is PURPLE.

1. People who needed to get out of the camp (5:1-4).
2. People who needed to get right with God (5:5-8).
3. People who needed to get straight with one another (5:11-31).