What More Are You Doing Than Others?

Mt 5:43-47

What a sobering question.  Jesus asked, "What more are you doing than others" while He was teaching a lesson on the high standard of loving our enemies.  He used the practical workings of the Law of Moses when He said, "eye for an eye..." Mt 5:38 In contrast to that He said, "love your enemies..." Mt 5:44  Wow, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.  That makes the question He asked even more sobering!  Remember, Jesus exemplified this teaching when He was on the cross. Lk 23:34  We must follow Jesus and imitate Him.  What should we do more than others, love our enemies and pray for those who persecute you.  This is essential to show our resemblance of our Father who gives to the righteous and unrighteous. Mt 5:45

Some say and think this is impossible for a human to accomplish.  It may be extremely hard, but not impossible.  Jesus makes it possible.  He does so by not just saying it, but by living it.  Paul says a similar thing when he writes the Romans and is instructing them to behave like Christians. Rom 12:17-21

In verse 46, Jesus said that even tax collectors love the ones who love them.  These tax collectors were commonly known for theft.  If a thief can love those who love them what praise is found in this kind of love?  NONE!  Listen to me now, a Christian should have a love that distinguishes them from sinners! Lk 6:32,33  Jesus asked, "What more are you doing than others?"  The answer He is looking for is,  "Loving others like the example you gave, my Lord."  Instead, we are trying to love others, like sinners.  A Christians love should distinguish them from sinners.   I once read about a father teaching his son about being a gentleman and said, "My son, speak kindly to everyone, even those who do not speak kindly to you.  You must remember to show courtesy to others not because they are gentlemen, but because you are one."   Jesus wants us to love, do good for, and lend to our enemies while expecting nothing in return. Lk 6:35  We must love our enemies not because of who they are, but because of who we are, Christians.

This question Jesus asked teaches that Christianity is of little value if it doesn't make us better than those in the world.  At their baptism, a Christian is raised up to walk in the newness of life (Rom 6:3,4) not the oldness of life.  At their baptism, a Christian has buried their old self and put on a new self. Col 3:7-10  This newness of life and new self is harder than memorizing book, chapter, and verse of God's Word.  It is hard to do!  The Pharisees were Law abiding men.  They tithed down to the mustard seed.  All of this wasn't sufficient.  Jesus said, our righteousness must surpass that of the Pharisees. Mt 5:20  If we memorize the entire Bible and give all we got at tithe and offering time but fail to love our enemies we are no different than the world.  

Jesus asked, "what more are you doing than others?"  Jesus is our standard not other people or denominations.  It's a shame that Jehovah's Witnesses circulate literature filled with error, we should circulate more to preach the truth.  If a Mormon can give ten percent to support error, we should give more to support the truth.  If a denomination can meet to worship in error for three hours, we should meet to worship for four hours in truth.  I know, now I have gotten personal.  Jesus asked, "What more are you doing than others?"  

Don't be caught up in the trap of being average!  Most people are satisfied when they have accomplished what is considered average.  Jesus didn't call us to be average!  The average was "eye for an eye" but Jesus demands more.  He demands love and not to resist an person who is evil. Mt 5:39  The average was "thou shall not kill"  but Jesus demands more.   He demands us to love our brothers. 1Jn 3:15; 4:20  The average says that "one faith is as good as another" but Jesus says worship can be in vain. Mt 15:9  One more, the average is "drink but don't get drunk" but God's Word says abstain forms of evil. 1Th 5:22  These examples vividly show that Jesus demands that we excel beyond average.  We were not called to be average.  We were called to be Christians!  We are called to follow Jesus' example even in suffering. 1Pe 2:21  Jesus leads us to the Father.  Jesus leads us home. Jn 14:6  

Jesus asked, "What more are you doing than others?"  May we never measure what we are doing to anyone other than Jesus.  Today, are we willing to love and pray for our enemies?  Are we willing to answer the call to go beyond average?  Are we ready to be a Christian?  Are we ready to follow Jesus?

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

We must hear the Word of God:  Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4

We must believe or have faith:   Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31

We must repent of our sins:  Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30

We must confess Christ before others:  Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37

We must be immersed into Christ (baptized) Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38

We must be faithful:   Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22   

I'm not a "Water Dog", I'm trying to be an "Obedient Dog."

Many people receive nicknames because of something they often did, or do, and thus earn a nickname.  You may have a nickname that was earned that has stuck with you for a very long time.  My mother was never really known for her birth name.  If I told someone I was Roberta's son they had no clue who I was talking about, but if I said I was Binky's son they knew exactly who I was talking about.  I always wanted the nickname "cutie" but that never stuck, and I think I know why.  However, the nickname "chatterbox" did stick for awhile and again, I think I know why.

I am a member of the Lord's Church.  I was added to the Christ's Church several years ago.  One of the many nicknames I have been called since then is "water dog."  Yet, you never hear anyone mention the obedience involved in that statement.  Consider some of the Old Testament and New Testament examples.

NAAMAN THE LEPER   2Ki 5:1-14

We read that Naaman was "captain of the army, highly respected, and a leper."    A young Israelite girl was taken captive and served Naaman's wife.  I want you to notice even though this young girl was was a prisoner of war in a foreign land she was not bitter towards her captors.  As a matter of fact, she was concerned about their welfare.  What a lesson we can learn from that young girl! Isa 11:6  I do not know her exact age but it is abundantly evident that she was taught about God and His prophet.  She was not afraid to tell strangers about them.  The Jews were diligent to teach their children the Law of God. Dt 6:1-8  Oh 21st century church, when we will we learn this lesson?  When we stop allowing the world to teach our children what defines marriage, murder, and morals?  Things will not change until we change that!  

Don't loose sight of the fact that, as often is the case, a correct report was not made in these verses.  The young Israelite servant told Naaman's wife, she told Naaman, and Naaman told his master that a prophet in Israel could cure Naaman.  The king of Israel received a letter that said, "you may cure him of his leprosy."  This was severely wrong.  We often credit man with the abilities that only God can provide.  Man cannot save you, only God can.  Man will fail you, God will not.  Man will break promises, God will not.  Confusion concerning God and His Word, in this instance, almost started a fight.  It is that very thing, confusion concerning God and His Word, that starts denominationalism today!  

So Elisha sets things straight and requests that Naaman be sent to him so the king of Aram would know that a prophet of God was in Israel.  Naaman was told, by a messenger sent be Elisha, to "go and wash" but this made Naaman furious.  He went away mad, still a leper, because he wasn't being healed the way he wanted.  He wanted the prophet to come to him, wave a magic wand, and say something special. Today we want the preacher to lead us in a special prayer and be saved the way we want.  Naaman said, "Are not Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?"  He wanted "Holy Water" to make him clean.  He wanted to be dabbed instead of immersed.  He wanted it  to be poured over him without entering the water.  He wanted to be healed and saved his own way but it doesn't work that way, my friends!  Listen to me, he was unable to see any connection between the act commanded and the result of obedience to the command that would be attained!  He knew there was no cleansing power in the water of the dirty Jordan river, and he was right!  The power that heals was what was behind the water, and that power is God.  The power of our baptism today is not in the water, but what is behind the water, and that is the likeness of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus the Christ.  How many people have their own idea as to how God should save them today?  Many are willing and waiting to be saved as soon as God adopts their method of saving.  Surely, no one thinks the dirty water of the Jordan healed Naaman.  If so, the Jordan would have people of all kinds of diseases in it 24 hours a day!  No, God healed Naaman, but not until he completely obeyed, regardless if he saw the full purpose of immersion into that water! 

I am not crying, "water salvation" by any means.  I am crying, "obedient salvation."  Jesus commanded baptism.  Mt 28:18-19; Mk 16:16  Like Naaman, you may not be able to see how baptism can have any connection with salvation, but if you truly desire salvation, you will obey Jesus' command, trust in God's promise, and rejoice in being immersed.  Take note that Peter says repentance must precede baptism. Acts 2:37-38  Philip says belief must precede baptism. Acts 8:35-38  Luke writes that faithfulness, even in struggles, must follow baptism. Acts 14:21-22

JESUS AND THE BLIND MAN   John 9

This is a man who was born blind.  Jesus spat on the ground, made clay by combining  the two, and applied it to the blind man's eyes.  He the said, "Go and wash in the pool of Siloam."  There is no doubt that this is an almost unheard of procedure.  I am glad because I don't want you making clay with your spit and smearing it on my face!  As far as I can tell, Jesus didn't indicate what the result would be when the blind man washed the clay off his eyes.   Jesus didn't say if anything would even happen.  He simply gave the commands "go" and "wash."  If Jesus did give him a promise it is unrecorded, but all we know is that the blind man had a spirit of obedience!  The blind man obeyed and came back seeing.  I am not crying "water salvation" or "spit and dirt salvation."  I am crying "obedient salvation."  Notice how the man explained what happened, "He applied clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see."  The Pharisees never for even a second thought the clay or water did the healing. The man who was born blind knew the clay and the water did not do the healing.  The man said, "He opened my eyes."  

Jesus says "...he that believes and is baptized shall be saved..."  Every who knows as much as the Pharisees and the blind man knows that the saving agent is not the water but the power comes from the power and authority behind the one giving the commands "go" and "wash."  

We show our confidence in our doctor be following his directions, even if we don't understand how the treatment will work.  Jesus is our physician. Mt 9:10-12

We show our confidence in Him when we follow His directions to heal us from sin, even if we don't understand how the treatment will work.  When we decide to set aside some of His directions as "unnecessary" and only follow those that we choose we show more confidence in ourselves than is our physician, Jesus the Christ.  We are trying to take our healing in our own hands.  A person shows confidence in his leader by his unquestioning obedience.  God requires whole hearted compliance with His will. Heb 5:8-9   No one questions that Jesus is the author of salvation.  The previous verses show that salvation is offered to those who are obedient.  You may ask, "Who are the obedient?"  Those who do God's will! Mt 7:21; 12:50   

Today, are you ready to be obedient to God's will, even if you do not see the connection of the command to the promise?  Are you ready to obey even if you don't know that a promise is attached to the command?  Are you ready to be an obedient disciple? 

What Is Christianity

Mt 25:34-40

When people are asked what is Christianity they usually respond with something that includes loving God, being a good person, trying to be the best you can, attending weekly services, or something like that.  I often think,  "Is that what we are trying to narrow Christianity down to so we feel better about ourselves because Christianity is a lot more than that?"

We live in a society that says, "If you don't worship like me, sing like me, or read the translation I like then you aren't worshiping right.  You better repent or you will go to Hell.  Until you repent go worship with another group of people."  We often times say, "Oh boy, that person has a terrible reputation, even worse mouth, and I think he/she may even be homosexual.  I don't want that person around me, in "my" church, or on my facebook."  Is that the proper Christian attitude?  I'm sure people will have a way to defend themselves if they think this way, but is it right?

We get so busy defending "our" faith, that we forget to defend "the" faith.  Jude 1:3  We get caught so up in defending our faith of making sure your at least a service once a week or you can or cannot have an instrument in the service, that we stop contending for "the" faith.  We force others to fit into "our" Christianity and not Christs.  We get so wrapped up in condemning a person who doesn't understand baptism or the Lord's Supper, so they don't do them, that we forget to teach them about those things.  

When has serving others and taking care of the needy disappeared from Christianity.  Do we have a pure and undefiled religion? Jas 1:27  We are to busy letting our tongues run wild and hurting others instead of building them up with love. Eph 4:29; Jas 1:26.  We shove doctrine at people before we show them love.  1Ti 1:5   I always say The Great Commission (Mt 28:19,20)has four distinct commands inside it and they are Go, Preach, Baptize, and Teach.  Today we are going and teaching commands and hoping people will visit to hear the preaching and be baptized.  We got it all wrong about "our" Christianity and "our" Great Commission.   

Today, let's take Christ's Christianity into the world.  Show someone you and the Lord love them without telling them.  1Jn 3:18  Today, let us "GO" and "PREACH" Christ crucified for the love of mankind.  Let us allow the facts of the Bible allow a person to understand the need and importance of "BAPTISM."  Then we can "TEACH" them what Christianity consists of by teaching them Christ's commands, "Let us love without hypocrisy."  Show others that Christianity is based on love that comes from the love of our Lord.  Let us visit, serve, love, and keep ourselves "unstained by the world."    Let's tell others that is what Christianity is all about.  Let us love others with J.O.Y.! Love in this order: Jesus Others as Yourself!!!  That is Christ's Christianity.

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

Hear The Word-  Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4

We Must Believe or Have Faith-  Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31

We Must Repent-  Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30

We Must Confess Christ Before Others-  Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37

We Must Be Immersed Into Christ (Baptized)-  1Pe 3:21; Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38  

We Must Remain Faithful-  Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22   

  

Bible Firsts

WHO WAS THE 1^ST?

 1.  WHAT KING HAD THE FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY?  ____________

 2.  WHERE WAS THE 1^ST BEAUTY CONTEST IN THE BIBLE, & WHO WON?  ____________

 3.  WHO WAS THE 1^ST CHRISTIAN MARTYR?  ____________

 4.  WHAT IS THE 1^ST DREAM MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE?  ____________

 5.  WHAT IS THE 1^ST WAR MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE?  ____________

 6.  WHO WAS THE 1^ST DRUNK?  ____________

 7.  WHERE WAS THE 1^ST PIGGY BANK?  ____________

 8.  WHO WAS THE 1^ST PERSON TO FALL ASLEEP DURING A SERMON?  ____________

 9.  WHAT IS THE 1^ST COMMANDMENT IN THE BIBLE?  ­­­­­____________

10.  WHAT IS THE 1^ST PURCHASE OF LAND IN THE BIBLE?  ____________

11.  WHAT IS THE 1^ST INSTANCE OF BOOK BURNING?  ____________

12.  WHO WAS THE 1^ST PSEUDONYM?  ____________

13.  WHO BUILT THE 1^ST CITY?  ____________

14.  WHO WAS THE 1^ST HUNTER?  ____________

15.  WHO WAS THE 1^ST MURDERER?  ____________

16.  WHAT IS THE 1^ST BOOK OF THE BIBLE NAMED AFTER A WOMAN?  ____________

17.  WHO IS THE 1^ST PROPHET MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE?  ____________

18.  WHERE DID JESUS WORK HIS 1^ST MIRACLE?  ____________

19.  WHAT WAS THE 1^ST OF THE 10 PLAGUES OF EGYPT?  ____________

20.  WHO WAS THE 1^ST KING OF ISRAEL?  ____________

21.  WHO WERE THE 1^ST FOREIGN MISSIONAIRES?  ____________

22.  WHO WAS THE 1^ST SHEPHERDESS?  ____________

23.  WHO WAS THE 1^ST SINGLE MAN TO BE EXILED?  ____________

24.  WHO WAS THE 1^ST JUDGE OF ISRAEL?  ____________

25.  WHO WAS THE 1^ST DISCIPLE CHOSEN BY JESUS?  ____________

26.  WHO WORE THE 1^ST BRIDAL VEIL?  ____________

27.  WHO TOLD THE 1^ST LIE?  ____________

28.  WHO WAS THE 1^ST PRIEST MENTIONED IN SCRIPTURE?  ____________

29.  WHO WORE THE 1^ST RING?  ____________

30.  WHAT WAS THE FIRST CITY CALLED?  ____________

31.  WHAT WAS THE 1^ST ANIMAL OUT OF THE ARK?  ____________

32.  WHERE WERE THE DISCIPLES 1^ST CALLED CHRISTIANS?  ____________

33.  WHO TOOK THE 1^ST CENSUS OF THE HEBREWS?  ____________

34.  WHO WAS THE 1^ST SHEPHERD?  ____________

35.  WHO WERE THE 1^ST EXILES?  _____________

36.  WHO WERE THE 1^ST TWINS?  ____________

37.  WHO CONSTRUCTED THE 1^ST ALTAR?  ____________

38.  WHO BUILT THE 1^ST JERUSALEM TEMPLE?  ____________

39.  WHO PLANTED THE 1^ST GARDEN?  ____________

40.  WHO WAS THE FIRST METAL CRAFTSMAN?  ____________

41.  WHO WAS THE 1^ST FARMER?  ____________

42.  WHO WAS THE 1^ST POLYGAMIST?  ____________

43.  WHO WAS THE 1^ST APOSTLE TO BE MARTYRED?  ____________

44.  WHO WAS THE 1^ST CHILD TO BE MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE?  ____________

45.  WHO WAS THE 1^ST DAUGHTER MENTIONED BY NAME?  ____________

46.  WHAT IS THE 1^ST COLOR MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE?  ____________

47.  WHO PLANTED THE 1^ST VINEYARD?  ___________

You can not earn salvation.

Eph 2:8,9

We are only saved by the grace of God!  THERE IS NO OTHER WAY!!  Acts 15:11      

 “By Grace” Understand grace contains 3 concepts:

1.   All human beings are unworthy of the salvation God provides

2.   It is impossible for mankind to achieve this salvation God provides on his own merit!

3.   The salvation bestowed upon people originated in the heart of God and that it flows out from God to people, being from God and of God alone.

This grace is offered to all mankind.  There is no "SELECT" group.  Tit 2:11

“Saved” This word doesn’t mean we will be trouble free!  This word literally means deliver from danger; spiritual and eternal salvation granted by God; God’s power to deliver from sin.   It says nothing about no struggles in this life! 

Accidental sin doesn’t disqualify us from this grace because we did nothing to earn it in the first place!  People think an accidental sin will send them to Hell!  No the blood of Christ, by the grace of God covers that. 

We can fall from grace in disobedience!  Scripture clearly teaches that a child of God can return to sin and fall from grace!   Heb 10:26,27; 38,39; 2Pe 2:20,21  

“through faith” It is no doubt that the grace is what saves and not the faith!  Although the faith in the grace is what causes the proper actions!

 Faith is the channel not the cause!  Faith is a full acknowledgement of God's revelation or truth; a personal surrender to Him; a conduct inspired by such surrender, 2 Cor. 5:7

This is referring to an active and living faith, not a mental decision we have made about our savior!  The explanation comes in the next part of the verse from the main text. 

 “not of yourselves… (v9) not of works” This is NOT referring to personal deeds or works!  THOSE ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!  People believe they can live as they want because they are “saved by grace” 

Jas 2:26  If our faith is dead, inactive, or lacks personal work it is a DEAD FAITH THAT DOESN’T SAVE!!  We are to have good works Tit 3:1,2

The works Paul refers to here in verse 9 is WORKS OF THE OT LAW!

ILLUS:  Heb 11 faith is always followed by a verb!  The only time faith is separated from deeds is when the faith is dead!

GOD SAVES US FROM THE POWER OF SIN IN OUR FAITHFULNESS.

OUR FAITHFULNESS PROVES OUR SALVATION, WE DON'T EARN IT!

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

Hear The Word-  Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4

We Must Believe or Have Faith-  Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31

We Must Repent-  Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30

We Must Confess Christ Before Others-  Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37

We Must Be Immersed Into Christ (Baptized)-  1Pe 3:21; Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38  

We Must Remain Faithful-  Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22     

Sword or butter knife?

Heb 4:12

     This verse is beautiful.  It has a lot to say about God's Word and its power and effectiveness.  We read yesterday that Peter referred to it as the "word of God which lives" in 1Pe 1:23.   Sharper than a two edged sword means it is able to cut in all directions.  What is cutting, you may ask.  The idea is that of piercing, or penetrating; and the meaning here is, that the Word of God reaches the "heart"; the very center of action, and lays open the motives and feelings of the man.

     The Word of God pierces or divides the "soul and spirit; joints and marrow."  Instead of defining each word used here just look at how powerful the words are describing the affect and power of God's Word.  God's Word can penetrate to the deepest part of man, convict him of sin, expose hidden agendas, and even be a "discerner" or judge.  Amazing thing we carry with us isn't it?  At least we should carry it with us.  We may forget a Bible going to service and blow it off, but don't let us forget a cell phone!!

     The Word of God is a discerner or judge?  We can read that we all will "appear before the judgment seat of Christ" in 2Co 5:10.  Sobering thought isn't it?  Well, it should be anyway!  What will the criteria we will be judged against?  On earth we have federal, state, and municipality laws that we are judged against.  What does the Bible say about it?  We are told Jesus' word will be the criteria in Jn 12:48

     Therefore, seeing the importance of this Bible we carry, study, and read I ask, "So you have a sword or a butter knife?"  We sharpen our sword with study and application of God's Word!  If you do not study, read, and apply the Word your weapon is most likely very dull!  I say again, "Do you have a sword or a butter knife?"

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

Hear The Word-  Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4

We Must Believe or Have Faith-  Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31

We Must Repent-  Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30

We Must Confess Christ Before Others-  Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37

We Must Be Immersed Into Christ (Baptized)-  1Pe 3:21; Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38  

We Must Remain Faithful-  Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22     

 

The Word is Everlasting!

1Pe 1:24,25

     Earthly seeds, earthly productions, and earthly generations, will fail and perish like as the grass and flowers of the field.  The seeds of this world can produce nothing that is everlasting.  Peter also says that this world will perish by fire.  2Pe 3:10   

     Mankind will also perish because we are born of a similar worldly seed.  Mankind is like the flower that fades away.  That is the reality of the lost world.  Thankfully man has been given another option.  We can be born of that everlasting seed, the Word of God.  1Pe 1:23 

     We can choose to obey this incorruptible and everlasting Word resulting in a new birth.  Jn 3:3-7   New birth and salvation is receivable, but we must choose to obey God's Word.  Take notice that Peter does not say we are purified when we "believe the truth" he says when we "obey the truth." 1Pe 1:22 We must deny ourselves and put God first.  Mk 8:34,35

Today, will you be born again, and obey that great Gospel call?

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED, (BORN AGAIN)?

Hear The Word-  Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4

We Must Believe or Have Faith-  Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31

We Must Repent-  Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30

We Must Confess Christ Before Others-  Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37

We Must Be Immersed Into Christ (Baptized)-  1Pe 3:21; Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38  

We Must Remain Faithful-  Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22