Friday, December 23rd, 2005
Edition 4 of the End of the World Dream
The three things:
- Is there a fact to believe here?
- Is there a promise to trust?
- Is there a command to obey?
Topics:
- Doing the Right Thing
- Motivation & Preparation
- Help Others
Acts 2:42-47
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Verse 45, it says they sold their possessions and goods. When I here the word “goods,” it’s like that of a business… and then they gave to those who had a need. I am reminded of a story where this little girl had a necklace, fake pearls that she was really proud of. Her father asked her for it, for her to give her the necklace and she wouldn’t give it to him. This went on for many weeks until finally she decided she would give it to him. And when she did, he in turn gave her a necklace of real pearls, far greater than what she had given. She gave up what she loved and in return got something far better than what she had. Am I willing to give up my prized possessions, even without knowing if I will get something in return? When she gave up her necklace, she didn’t know she was going to get a better one back. And the great thing about this is I know if I give, I will get “brownie points” with God. That’s my reward right there… I’m pleasing him and that should be enough. But is it that way with my heart? Is it enough to know that I am pleasing God in my heart? Do I give up the fake pearls and want something better right then and there? Consider Ecclesiastes 5:8-10 which says 8 If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still. 9 The increase from the land is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields. 10 Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. Am I satisfied with our income? Do I have enough money?
Luke 16:13-15
13 "No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."
14 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15 He said to them, "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight.
What is it that I am valuing? Do others value it as well? A nice house, new cars, the best computer, and the best schools for my children… the pagans go after these things. Do I run after the prettiest church with the best stained glass windows and gold leaf all around? Am I trying to please god or people with these things? Jesus himself said that men justify themselves with these kinds of purchases. God doesn’t look at the outward appearance, but he looks at the heart. (1st Samuel 16:7 but the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.") He knows the heart. He KNOWS the heart.
1st Corinthians 12:27-31
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But eagerly desire the greater gifts.
The ability to help others is a gift in itself. To be blessed to help others is a blessing all its own. So, do I have the ability to work miracles? Yes. Do I have the ability to heal? Yes. Do I have the ability to speak in tongues. No. Do I interpret. No. But do I desire these gifts? I do now. Now, let me explain the above… because I am sure if I don’t some will ask later, and others will greatly wonder without asking. Do I have the ability to work miracles… and I said yes, because I have a source of income and thus bless someone with a miracle in their eyes. And it can be from Mr. Anonymous, as I prefer. Do I have the ability to heal? I said yes. I have the ability to go those who can heal, or at least get the process started. Chemical Recovery in itself is the process of healing addictions. What gifts do I desire? Do I even use the gifts I have? Am I helping others… with the Christmas holiday here, I have considered a program “Socks for Souls” in response to a Sunday service a few weeks ago. It would be supplying socks for homeless, since that is a big need for them… I mean a pack of socks at the store is, what, a few dollars? And it’s a huge need for the homeless… If every month, we supply a package of socks, everyone brings an unwrapped package of socks to church, the need would dissipate greatly. And then we can begin to work miracles in others lives.
Matthew 25:37-40
37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Lord, when did I see you needing clean socks and clothed you? “See a need, fill the need” as the saying goes. Again, have a Merry Christmas.
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