Wheelbarrow Faith

 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

There is an old story, perhaps apocryphal, about a stunt man named The Great Blondin. As the tale goes, he gathered a crowd at one side of the Niagara Falls. He had stretched a cable across the mouth of the Falls. Ever the promoter, he asked the crowd if they thought he could walk across the falls on that cable. "Yes, yes, they replied". OK, how about if I do it blindfolded? "Go for it, Blondin". Well, how about if I am blindfolded, and pushing a wheelbarrow? By now the crowd was in a frenzy, "Yes, yes, we believe!". You do? Well, who is going to get in? Silence. No one believed enough to trust him with their life. 

So it is with our life in Christ, saints. We say we believe in His providence. We tell Him that we trust Him with our very lives. But do we, really? When push comes to shove, do we complain while we fall down, or do we praise Him while standing up in faith? Got to love old St. Peter. The winds and waves are buttressing his little boat. Christ, apparently, is elsewhere. But then he looks out onto the waters, and sees Him walking towards him on the sea. Peter can't believe his eyes. "Master, if this is really you, bid me come to you walking on the waters". "Come, Peter". And he does! As long as Peter is looking at our Lord, he also is walking on the water. Of course, the storm is still raging, and before long, he casts his eyes on the turbulence. And he begins to sink. He again calls on Jesus, and is immediately saved. 

What can we learn from this pericope? Surrounded by hostile armies, with no hope whatsoever of being saved, Hezekiah prayed, "we don't know what to do, so we are casting our eyes upon you". And indeed the LORD responded, "This is not your fight". He puts out the praise team in front of the army, and the LORD casts the enemy into confusion. 

We all face trials in our walk with the LORD. I recall a time in my life that it all seemed to be crashing down around me, with no hope of a reprieve. The enemy had cast us into the deep abyss and we were struggling to even live another day. But by God's grace, I was able to remember Jeremiah's testimony in Lamentations 3:21-23. His mercies are new every morning. Like Hezekiah, I called forth the praise team. Out on a walk by the Spokane River, we looked up, and there was a huge cross in the sky! The LORD was telling us, "I've got this one. It's not your fight, but mine". Indeed, He stretched out His hand, and lifted us out of the mire. The victory was assured once we got in the wheelbarrow. 

Our trials are NOT pleasant, saints. In no way did the pain of our trial ease when we cast ourselves on Him. The waters were still roiled. The waves were still crashing down. But we had placed our trust in Him, looking not to our adversity, but to our Deliverer. This is the power that breaks down strongholds of unbelief: Praising the LORD in the midst of the storm. Amen. 

Men and Women who give

 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7

Our theme for this month is "Men and Women who Give", but I might put it another way, "Men and Women who Invest". Jesus taught us a lot about stewardship of the resources He has entrusted to us. He tells us to "store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven". Also, He promised that whatever we give up for the sake of the Kingdom will be returned to us up to a hundred fold. How many of us would like to make an investment in the stock market that would pay off like that? The bank herein invested in is no earthly institution, but rather the first bank of Heaven. 

Sowing and reaping is a common theme in Jesus' teachings. To be sure, some have taken His counsel on giving, and have made it into a marketplace. Phrases like "seed faith" or "mustard seed" have been used to encourage giving to some ministers. The principle, though, is not wrong: Investing in the Kingdom DOES pay off - just not here on Earth, necessarily. It's not the teaching that is wrong, but the hearers. They are may be thinking of earthly rewards. Yet Paul says that what we give must be given without thought to any reward. 

Someone said if you want to know what a man really believes, ask his accountant, who knows very well how he is spending his resources. Yet I would not limit this principle only to finances, but all of our daily lives. Are our hearts focused on the things of this world, or do we see ourselves as "strangers and aliens" as regarding them? What attraction is there for us in the "lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life"? As the song says, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will go strangely dim, in the light of His glorious grace". 

So in conclusion, we give generously, not expecting any return. We do this not only with money, but our time as well. So focused on the Kingdom are we to be that we literally don't pay attention to our gift, our left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing. Perhaps it will come back to us to enable investing again in the Kingdom. Perhaps we won't see the reward until we reach the Judgment Seat of Christ. It does not matter. Our eyes are focused on that Heavenly City. This is our permanent home. 

 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. I John 4:6

Those who do not know Him cannot possibly understand the path the saint walks on. We are on a road that leads home, Phillipians 3:20. They are already home in this world. We face many trials and tests in this world, but we patiently endure, knowing that they are only temporary, and are preparing us for an eternal weight of glory, beyond all comparison, II Corinthians 4:16-18. They also have trials, but for those who do not know Him, there is no hope beyond this world. 

This results at least in misunderstanding, and, in many cases, violent confrontation. Why is there such offense? I suggest that our very presence in this world reminds them of their future. This is why the enemies in the spiritual realm persecute us. They also know that their future is bleak. The Light that is in us scatters the darkness. So they hide. Or strike back at us. We must be aware of the battle going on around us. 

OVERCOMING FALSE IDENTITY

 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 

I JOHN 1:5

In our study last night, a brother was sharing how he'd been ministering to a young lady who'd been caught up in the homeless life. He had been with her in some of the roughest patches of her walk. Tabitha knew well the message of the gospel, how Christ had died for her sins, and was giving her a new heart. But when she hit a rough spot, she reverted back to the street for comfort. As Proverbs 26:11 states, "Like a dog that returns to its vomit, a fool does the same foolish things again and again". How to understand this? Why do those who have heard the gospel, and have repented, still turn back to a destructive lifestyle when Satan turns the heat up? 

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life". Proverbs 4:23. I believe this verse is key to understanding why people turn back, even after coming to Christ. Yes, they have heard the message. They might well even be able to share a testimony about Him. But honestly, they don't yet believe that they are any different. They still believe the dark lies the enemy has imprinted on their hearts. They are still believing, deep in their most inward parts, that they are flawed. There is a false identity that traps them, casting them back into the old life. Perhaps this is like a computer program. One can certainly buy a new computer if the old one is no longer functional. It might have all the latest hardware. But if the software is transferred from the old computer, it too will sooner or later be as unusable as the old one. 

Well, then, what is missing? Even after hearing the message of the gospel, people revert to their old identity. If darkness has such a permeating cloak on their hearts, what must be different? LIGHT. Another testimony from last night was that of a five year old boy named Henry. Henry was visiting Maui with his grandma, and had signed up for Hope Chapel's sports camp. Yet having heard about what Christ had done for him, all he could say was, "this message is true for everyone else, but it's not true for Henry". Five years old, and so thick was the lie on his heart that he simply could not hear the truth. Two of the camp counselors took him into a dark room. Henry could certainly relate. Darkness was his world. But then they lit a match, and all of a sudden, light broke through the darkness. And Henry could see it! Not only was there light in the room, he now understood that there was light in his own heart, and he gladly received the LORD, and he was able to take a new identity back home to Florida with him. 

John is not telling us a story about a man who lived 2000 years ago. He is sharing the very Person of Jesus Christ, someone he knows intimately, and who is, indeed, the Light of the world. I am convinced this is the key. When we are sharing the Gospel, we are sharing the very same Light as John is sharing with us. We must listen to people's stories. Like Henry, they have been believing insidious lies about who they truly are. Like Henry, all they need is to see the Light. Saints, we most certainly are NOT that Light, but the Light certainly DOES live in us. By practicing the Presence of Christ, we are no longer sharing about Christ, but rather sharing the very Light that has come into the world. In Henry's case, a simple illustration from the natural world showed him the truth. Other times, with other people, He will show them other ways. John the Baptist insisted he was not the Christ, but was there to pave the way so that others could meet Him. Let this be our approach in ministering Light to those bound in darkness. 

Men and Women who Witness

 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. I John 1:3

Our theme today is men and women who witness. But what exactly is a witness, and how does our understanding of witness affect how we go about sharing the good news of Jesus Christ to a world who so desperately needs him? There is a clear difference between telling about someone you have heard about and introducing them to a Person who you know. As the handout indicated, being a "pitchman" most often turns people away. We would come across as trying to sell something. Often times we are in "presentation mode" trying to make a point. I had a young man come to my door last week. He launched into a presentation about pest control. No introduction. No informal talk. Maybe I don't really need his service? I tried to be polite, but there was no way I was going to trust him. It is no different when sharing the Gospel. We will not get anywhere by trying to sell an idea. But there is another way. 

John is writing to people not selling an idea, but inviting them to come to personally know Jesus. For me, it is helpful to remember that Jesus is indeed in me, and that I am only a vessel for His use. I may think I have the "answer", but I know my limitations. Jesus is the "Way, the Truth and the Life", not me. I am not telling someone a story about a man who lived 2000 years ago, I am sharing the very Presence of the Lord Jesus. 

So we begin with listening. The old proverb that God gave us two ears and one mouth so listen twice before you speak, is so true. I sat by a father who was watching his child on the playground. I listened to his story. Sure enough, when he was ready, our conversation turned into spiritual matters. I did not "close the sale" that day, but he gave me his number, and I sent some materials to him later. As Paul writes, one man plants, another waters, another reaps - but it is God that makes the crop grow. Maybe that man will contact me later. Maybe he won't. But I do believe he will be thinking about our conversation. 

Another proverb goes, "You're the only Jesus some will ever see". Do they see Jesus when they see us? Gandhi said he very much liked "our Christ", but was disappointed with Christians because they were so unlike "Our Christ". So really, our theme might well be better stated, "Men and Women who share the very character of our Lord with those who are hurting". They will not care how much we know until they know how much Jesus, in us, cares for them. But let no one become discouraged. I mean, being "like Jesus" is a pretty tall order. In fact, I am quite sure being like Jesus from our human effort is not possible. 

We become like Him, not by trying to live according to what we think he'd do, but by beholding Him: 

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18.

So we become like Jesus by spending as much time with Him as we can. Then we can, like John, invite others to do the same. 

Overcoming Life

I John 5:4, “Faith is the victory that overcomes the world”. 

II Peter 1:3-9

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

Brother, I think I see it now. There is no sin that Jesus Christ has not overcome. The reason we struggle is that we are not looking to Him, in faith, for the power to conquer our natural lives. The lynchpin, the foundation, is our faith. But as Peter says, we must ADD to our faith a chain of virtues that ends in Love. 

I believe faith must be like an emulsifying agent. All of the righteousness of Jesus Christ dwells in a believer, but we must activate it by faith. As we heard at the conference, we are not talking about some sort of works that make us at least more holy than we were before. Many have tried this. All have failed. Instead, there must be an APPROPRIATION of the life of Christ that is already in us. 

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live, Romans 8:13

What is Paul saying here? If we try to do this on our own natural power, we fail. But if we activate the power of the Holy Spirit in us, and TRUST him completely, victory is the result. 

Sweet Aroma or Offensive Smell?

 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. Second Corinthians 2:15

The LORD has created a world where there are many aromas. Once you catch a whiff of something cooking in the oven, you know immediately what is in there. Beef stew? Roast? Bread? Surely the pleasure of such smells is part of the reason we can enjoy life so. Of course, if the cook is careless, and leaves the food on the stove too long, the offensive stench of burnt food is a warning that if we don't do something quick, the next call will be 911! 

Thus it is with our spiritual lives. The Bible tells us that if any man be in Christ, he has become a new creation, that all of the old things have passed away, and the new life has taken hold. Where before, our aroma was that of death, now we have become sweet smelling. The fruit of our lives, which was formally "Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, heresies, envying, murders, drunkness, revelings and such", now has become "Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance". This has not been the result of our labor, but that of the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. 

However, this new life is offensive to some. We must understand that though we are being changed, "From one degree of glory to another", that change is bringing the presence of Christ into contact with those who do not want anything to do with Him. We are being changed, but not for the better, in their eyes. Jesus said, "If they hated me, they will hate you". This has been the history of the true Church throughout the centuries. Darkness hates the Light, and will go to any measure to suppress it. 

So, brothers and sisters, let's not give in to discouragement. If they hated Him, they will hate us. But for those whom God is calling to be saved, we will be that sweet, sweet aroma of the Jesus that saved us, and is calling them. 

Amen.