“But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you…
Here in Luke 6 is Luke’s rendering of the beatitudes. I like the CSB translation here. Many translations say “hearing” but this is not passive, “I heard that” but it is akouousin = hear, listen to… but it’s in the present ACTIVE tense and is a “participle”.
That means it’s a “verbal adjective”… it describes what you are doing, not what you are. It describes the verb not the noun. You DO it, but you are ONE WHO Does it. The NLT renders it “willing to listen”
So, like a parent that says, “are you listening?” Jesus says, “I know you can hear, but if you actively listen, you will be doing something WITH what you hear.
Do What Lord? look at vv27+ and tell me what
Love your Enemies
Bless those who curse you
Give to those who ask
Do as you would like done to you
Go outside the Easy (anyone can do for those do do for you)
Love your Enemies, do what is good, lend, expecting nothing in return…
v35 Then Your Reward will be great and you will be CHILDREN of the Most High for he is gracious to the ungrateful and evil. 36 be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful…
Are we living up to the Family Way? Are we following our spiritual genotype?
It’s sort of what John says in 1 John 3… if you do not love, how can the love of God be in you. If we have his blood, we should follow his nature.
Then Jesus continues v37
do not judge, do not condemn, forgive, give and it will be given…
all of those are acts of Gracious Giving… so whether those are actions or are fiscal monetary acts…
give and it will be given… a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over… it will be poured into your lap
You can’t outgive God… But you can hinder him from giving… with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you…
Love, Doing, Lending – all expecting nothing back…
THEN – back there in v 35 THEN… it’s Conditional then your reward will be great…
It is THEN that we show the Family Resemblance. I’m not saying that any lending expecting a return, a payback, is wrong or out of place, but we are talking here about the purpose behind it when God leads us to it.
antimetreo — anti=against that… against what we do, is the measure that is given back to us… hold it up and see…
To Those Who Listened… Jesus made some great promises…
Francis of Assisi said, “They are truly peacemakers who, amidst all they suffer in this world, maintain peace in soul and body, for the love of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Sometimes we have on blinders or aren’t processing information with a full picture of reality or proper perspective… then, I saw this verse today, “Do you pursue great things for yourself?”, and I thought, “I’m supposed to right?”
Well, not necessarily… I need to First, pursue God, pursue his will, pursue his purpose, pursue his Kingdom… Matthew 6:33 immediately comes to mind… but I get ahead of myself…
Back there in Jeremiah 45, just a very short chapter between other statements, pronouncements, regarding the wickedness of Judah, in the midst of a time of judgment that is coming for their failure to follow and worship the Lord. There are long chapters and declarations from God, but only five verses right here in 45.
In the previous chapter, it talks about their false worship of idols and buring incense (prayers) to “the Queen of Heaven” which was a false goddess, Ishtar or Ashtarte. It also corrects the husbands for ignoring this and failing to lead their families correctly.
Jeremiah 44:22 The Lord can no longer bear your evil deeds and the detestable acts you have committed.
Then, the Lord comes to Jeremiah’s scribe – Baruch. In verse 1 we see that Jeremiah, as was his practice, was dictating the Word of the Lord to Baruch. Imagine this, as Baruch is writing down, right to left, just whatever Jeremiah says. So, Jeremiah is speaking, Baruch is writing, This is what the Lord says… to Baruch 3 You have said, “woe to me, because the Lord has added misery to my pain! I am worn out with groanings and have found no rest.”
Jeremiah is saying this, v1 says, he is dictating it to Baruch… and it’s ABOUT Baruch…
I wonder if Baruch is thinking, while he writes… “is he talking to me, about me? No, must be about Judah…”
But Jeremiah is speaking from God about Baruch’s private nightly weeping and crying over all that is happening. Perhaps Baruch had been praying from Psalm 6:6 “I’m weary from my groaning; with my tears I dampen my bed and drench my couch every night.”
v4, This is what you are to say to HIM: ‘this is what the Lord says: “what I have built I am about to demolish and what I have planted I am about to uproot – the whole land.
“Wait, is God speaking to Me?” (Baruch)
Then v5 But as for you… “oh he is talking to me” uh-oh
Do you pursue great things for yourself? “Is this a loaded question? Is this a trick question? I’m supposed to right?”
Then the Lord says, through Jeremiah, TO Baruch – Stop Pursuing! – This word means “to discover, attempt to do, possess, demand, require, search, request“. The Lord says, “Stop that!”
We need to know when and what God is saying. What do you seek?
Remember then Jesus in the “Sermon on the Mount” Matthew 6:25+ he says, Don’t worry about your life… what you eat… what you will wear… Consider the birds of the sky… Observe the wildflowers of the field… God clothes the grass… don’t worry… your heavenly Father knows that you need them… BUT Seek FIRST the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things(the stuff we worry about) will be provided for you… therefore do not worry about tomorrow… tomorrow will worry about itself…
Back to Baruch – he was shedding tears, groaning, and it seems wanting to take things into his own hands… Pursuing Great Things for himself… and God says, Stop Pursuing…
Seeking to achieve great things is not wrong or bad, but it can be useless if you don’t know what God is doing, and where things are heading. God says, “I am about to bring disaster on humanity… but I will grant you your life, protected like ‘spoils of war’ wherever you go.”
I got a picture in my head just know of trying to fix and lay out the most beautiful meal, or encampment, right next to the seashore where waves are crashing and tide is coming in, it might look good, but in a minute, it’s going to be washed away…
We need to pursue God first, his kingdom, and do what he says without fear, but don’t be caught in needless efforts stacking up “great things” where God may be about to send / allow a storm to wipe it all away.
He was telling Baruch… things are about to get tough, so don’t waste your energy in the wrong things, but know I’ve got you in the midst of it all.
skandalizo – even though I’m not a “Greek Scholar”, we can look at that word and get a good idea what it means. It looks like “scandal” – and literally means, “to put a snare in the way, cause to stumble, give offense”
Jesus asked the crowds in John 6:61 – Do I offend you?
Back track for a minute. Jesus had fed “the 5000 men” so probably 20,000 plus the day before. Now he was on the other side of the Sea of Galilee and they had come looking for him, but Jesus said, “you just want me to feed you, but I want to give you eternal life.”
Thus begins a very powerful discourse
In v28 they ask a good question: what can we DO to PERFORM the WORKS of God?
We often ask good questions, but sometimes don’t like the answer. I’ve wanted to do the “work of God” all my life.
Jesus answers: Thisis the work of God… Believe in the ONE he has sent.
Jesus had just fed thousands with a little boy’s lunch… and this was not the first event John had recorded as a “sign” of who Jesus was.
He has Turned Water into Wine in chapter 2 in a large public wedding
He had healed an Official’s son who was close to death in chapter 4, again in a large gathering… Interestingly the he commented in 4:48 unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.
He healed a lame man publicly by the Pool of Bethesda in 5:4 get up take your mat and walk
Then the great feeding of tens of thousands in chapter 6.
We come back to the good question, what do we do to perform the works of God? And these words – “do” – poieo = do, make (verb). and “perform” – ergazomai = work, labor, accomplish (verb), then “works” – ergon = work, deed (noun)…
These four signs (semeion) of Jesus have already been done by Jesus… all of these people in chapter 6 have seen at least the last one, and potentially all of them because they were all in the same area.
Jesus said, “believe” – pisteuo… but not in the action but in the PERSON… the ONE – ekeinos = that one
And do you see their response?
v30 – what SIGN, then are you GOING to DO, so that we may SEE and believe you? What are you going to perform?
WOW-O-WOW
He has Transformed water to wine, healed a boy on his death bed, made a lame man walk, and fed a multitude with a “sack lunch” – What SIGN does he need to DO so they can SEE and BELIEVE… what else must he PERFORM?
Seriously? What else does Jesus need to do for us to believe?
They were still focused on things and not on the ONE. We so often want something but not someone.
Isaiah 55:2 (CSB) Why do you spend silver on what is not food, wages on what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me and eat what is good…”
Jesus then makes another of his great “I Am” statements – v35 I Am the Bread of Life… no one who comes to me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in me will ever be thirsty.
Go read the rest of the statements that Jesus makes. He is saying, “It is me you need… come to me… I am from the Father.”
Their response? v41 started grumbling about him. And Jesus says, “stop grumbling” Then v45, everyone who has listened TO and learned FROM the Father comes to me. Remember, Paul wrote in Romans 1 that God has revealed himself to everyone… but what do we do with that revelation?
v47 anyone who believes has eternal life… 48 I am the bread of life…
He is saying again… “you want stuff, but you need me”. Then he tells them “Consume me”, my flesh is food… my blood is drink…
And THIS offended them – v60 this teaching is hard… who can accept it?
So in v61 he asks, Does this Offend you? v63 the words I have spoken are spirit and life.
Jesus offers us life, and we sometimes get offended because we wanted something else.
v66 is one of the saddest images I have in scripture… from that moment many turned back and no longer accompanied him…
Does the Lord “offend” us sometimes? Do we sometimes step back, pause, or even turn away?
I very much feel the humanity of this situation and the response of Jesus… I visualize this mass departure… and Jesus feeling it… and I picture the disciples standing behind him while this happens, and see him turn back to the 12 and ask, do YOU want to go away too?
Offense is often based on one or a combination of Fear, Pride, or Ignorance. What scares us offends us. What belittles us, offends us, what we don’t understand or know, offends us.
But Peter – Oh man… he didn’t always get it right… but SOMETIMES…
to whom will we go? I love that he doesn’t say, “where” but “whom”. to whom will we go (eperchomai – depart, go away) v68… you have the words of eternal life… 69 we have come to believe and know that you are the ONE.
YES PETER! – ding, ding, ding… Yahtzee – right answer
He says, we have already made a decision Lord. We believe in YOU – not in the stuff – where ELSE are we going to go… to whom else will we turn… we have come to believe (past tense) and know that YOU are the ONE…
Peter had been paying attention in v29… we pisteuo believe, and ginosko understand, perceive, know – we are committed to the work God requires… we believe in the ONE he sent… Lord we know you are the Holy One of God…
So, no offense, if the path is different, if the result is different, we believe in YOU.
When you are offended by Jesus… admit it, address the fear, confess the pride, ask for better information in ignorance, but keep your eyes on, heart toward, and face set on Jesus.
The traditional rendering of Psalm 46:10 is Be still and know that I am God. As a verse that is often quoted alone in that rendering, I think we miss the message.
If you think, “be still” you might think just, “be quiet” or “do nothing”, and while those are accurate statements / sentiments, the context is very important.
Sometimes the difficulty in our spiritual life is not knowing when/how to act and when to allow God to be God. We pray, we trust, but we keep trying to do and be more than we are…
So, as I read today the CSB, the rendering is “Stop Fighting“. I compared that to the “Young’s Literal” which says, “Desist” . That’s a old word that is from latin that means “down from” and “to stop”. “Stop Fighting” – the Hebrew is harpu = to grow slack, release, let go. And it’s in the imperative tense (a command)
Wow – Hello Parents… yelling to children fighting, “Stop it”, “Be Still”. Or to the worried frustrated child trying to fix something they cannot, “Stop it”, “Be Still”, “Let me”.
In my head now I’m hearing Fred Hammond singing, “God is my refuge”.
Interesting, this is not a Psalm of David, but a Psalm of the Sons of Korah – who played harp… One day in Glory, we can ask them to play it for us.
Go back then and read this Psalm:
God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble. Therefore, we will not be afraid though the earth trembles, mountain topples into the depths of the sea. Though its water roars and foams, and the mountains quake with turmoil – Selah
Let me stop there – that term Selah – is known simply as an interjection – what does it mean? We don’t really know. Most believe it might even be a musical term… but it’s use is always to pause – to stop – and I believe “think about that”… or “think about God”
there is a River – its streams delight the city of God…
Oh there is no river in Jerusalem, but the Lord is a river
5 God is within her; she will not be toppled, God will help her when the morning dawns
Wait – so sometimes I need to press in and wait during the “dark night of the soul”? Yes – God will help, but the only certainty is “when the morning dawns” – he may not always take it away, but he can take me through.
6nations rage… but evil will melt when he speaks… (Trust HIS timing)
7 the Lord of Armies is with us – the God of Jacob IS our stronghold – Selah
stop and think abou that
8 Come, see the works of the Lord (then he lists them)
Then – So – Because… we get to this verse we started with…
10 Stop Fighting, and KNOW
I am God
Exalted among the nations
Exalted on the earth
The God of Armies is With Us
The God of Jacob is our Strong Hold… Selah
Stop and Think about God
When God LEADS us into battle – Go… but when WE want to DO the fighting… we need to know that God is our Refuge / shelter / battle stronghold and he is our Strength, our helper… always FOUND, if we will look to, run to, in times of trouble.
Don’t fight out of fear, but only as led by Jehovah Tsaba – The Lord of Armies
I think the point here is that we often are fighting battles we aren’t capable of fighting. Many of the things listed here are outside our control, earthquakes, floods, waves, armies… I don’t have the capacity to fight those things.
I imagined a tornado coming toward my house, I can run around the yard trying to maintain my stuff, or I can get in the Storm Shelter.
I am not my own. I belong to my Creator. I belong to my Redeemer. I belong to my Rescuer / Savior. I belong to my Commission. I belong to my Co-habitant.
Why? 13:11 says, The time is short… salvation is nearer than when I first believed
The latter part of the Letter to the Romans – after Paul has made such a strong case for the Need of salvation, the Means of salvation, now he talks of the Result or the Matter, if you will. He says, let’s live in an honorable way and not hinder the gospel.
He talks in chapter 13 about good citizenship, being respectful, honorable, that people of love will naturally keep the rest of the commandments. He says, discard the deeds of darkness… walk in decency… put on the Lord Jesus Christ.
That ends chapter 13 and chapter 14 begins – “Welcome…” that word, proslambano = receive, accept, take aside.
We don’t have to read too much social media, or listen to come conversations, church included, to know that we place parameters on our acceptance.
Paul is particularly addressing how the church was arguing “non-essentials’ like what they ate or didn’t eat, how they lied out things like the sabbath or observance of holy days…
… And Paul says, welcome anyone who is weak in faith. I personally don’t even think he thought they were weak, but was saying “if they don’t do it how you do it, still accept them, but also recognize they are new at this.
Discipleship is all about training and development and is interactive and relationship oriented. Paul also recognizes that in non-essentials, “disputed matters” – that is areas that are not clear “black and white” issues, ultimately, they will answer to the Lord.
This doesn’t mean we ignore clear violation of clear scripture, but we go the route of relationship over religion.
As I lead a church, we recognize that membership vs attendance, may have different expectations.
v5b – “let each one be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 whoever observes the day, observes it to honor the Lord… eats for the Lord, since he gives thanks to God. Paul asks in 1 Corinthians 10:30, If I partake with Thanksgiving, why am I criticized because of something for which I give thinks?
So from this place, v7 – For (because of this) none of us lives for himself, and no one dies for himself
What does 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 say, you are not your own… for… you are bought with a price… so glorify God
So back to Romans – v8 if we live, we live for the Lord; if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
In relationship with those we want to disciples
Bring them to faith in Jesus – FIRST
Then walk with them in growing in faith. Be sure that instruction is based on scripture and seasoned with love and grace.
Regarding issues ask questions like, “what does the Bible say about this?” And “Have you prayed about this?”, and “what is God saying to you?” – I find that people who are seeking God, he’s already been telling them what to do, they just want to know if they should.
then v9 Christ died and returned to life for THIS: that he might be Lord over both the living and the dead 10 but you, why do you judge… why do you despise… all will stand before the judgment seat of God… says the Lord: every knee will bow to me (Isaiah 43:23)
Then v13 …decide never to be a stumbling block or a pitfall in the way of your brother or sister…
I am convinced that 1) many fail or are delayed in placing their faith in Christ because we try and “fix” them rather than lead them to Faith in Jesus. Then 2) many young believers get sidetracked from growth because we placed too much on them immediately, rather than helping them grow. It’s like slapping down a steak on the table in front of a newborn and saying, “eat up”, or taking a toddler and saying, “Run!” or “Carry this Load”.
I’d encourage you to read the rest of this chapter and look within first… but let’s commit to this today, “I do not live for MYSELF”. If I am the common denominator, maybe I need to rethink the hill I’m climbing or the hill I am fighting to capture or get someone else to climb.
I try and be reminded there are 3 different categories 1) Biblical Commands 2) Personal Convictions, and 3) Personal Preferences – each of those have increasingly different expectations for others. If the Bible clearly says it, it is true for all, but someone else mind need some love, help, and grace getting there. If it is a Personal Conviction from the Lord, then I AM responsible but someone else might not be. If it is a Personal Preference, well, that’s not always important for others.
Let’s go back to where I started
I am not my own
I belong to the Creator who Made me, he had a plan for me, am I on point?
I belong to my Redeemer – he bought me at a great price, I belong to him.
I belong to my Rescuer – Savior – gratitude should drive my from freedom to responsibility
I belong to my Commission – am I being a Witness? Am I giving love as love has been given to me?
I belong to my Co-habitant in the world and in the family of God? We are in this together. Are we moving toward Jesus? If they do not follow me, ok. But if they do not follow him, well let’s start there. I need to earn the right to speak into their life.
Then Paul closes out v19 So then, let us Pursue what Promotes peace, and what Builds Up one another. Three strong words of question / definers – Pursue / Peace / Build – Those Greek words – dioko, eirene, and oikodome – do mean, chase after, peace as the end, and build – but that word for building is compound – oiko = house and dome = roof –
So – Let’s ask, “What am I chasing here?” “Is there peace as the end game?” “Will this build the house, cover it with a sheltering roof?” or “will this tear it all down and leave them out in the cold?”
Come on Church Folks – if this didn’t matter Paul wouldn’t have talked about it. How DOES matter often as much as what or why.
Are you tired? Look up, Get Busy, Leave the “God-Stuff” to the throne.
Some of my most tired times are when I am trying to handle things I’m not intended to handle.
This life is short – Isaiah 40:6 “A Voice was saying, ‘Cry out!’ Another said, ‘What should I cry out?’ All humanity is grass and all its goodness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flowers fade when the breath of the Lord blows on them; … but the word of our God remains forever” (also Isa 55:11; 59:21)
Lots of “voices” tell us what to say and think – some say, “cry out”, others say, “I would but I don’t even know what to say.” But I do know that anything of worry in life is SHORT.
Then v9 – “go up on a high mountain and raise your voice loudly… raise it, do not be afraid… say… HERE IS YOUR GOD!”
Oh this is important with all the focus trying to steal us away. Say, “Here” – can you see the writer pointing, or holding up a hand and saying “Hinneh” = Behold, See, If”
Look, see, if this is true, if this is our God… In a world / life that is fading flowers or burning grass – keep your eyes on what lasts.
v10 – “The Lord comes with strength… power to rule – his wages are with him (Isa.62:11) We are so busy trying to get our “just due” but even that is just fading flowers and grass. Look – Adonai Yahweh – The Lord God is coming… and he has sekar – payment / wages and reward accompanies him… is with him.
Behold – the powerful ruling one – Look at God – each of these sections is going back to v9 and saying “Look” “Here”
v11 who protects his flock, gathers and even carries when needed
v12 who measures all the waters of the earth in the hollow of his hand – make a “cup” out of your hand… look at that… all the waters, every ocean, ever river or stream, every fountain or well – fits in the Lord’s hand. And it says he measures the heavens with the span of his hand. Go look at the Skies, the stars at night, the expanse, God measures that with his other hand.
v13 who directed that? who gave him counsel?
v14 who taught him?
Here is our God – Look
v17 Think about your concerns, my concerns for our nation and then look they are nothing … empty
v18 with whom will you compare God?
v19-20 points out that yet we will create false objects of worship from useless things
Here – Behold – Look
v22 God is enthroned so far above… we are like grasshoppers
v23 He reduces princes to nothing… when he blows on them, they wither
Then … we hear God’s Voice – he speaks into this conversation…
v25 To whom will you compare me… who is my equal? Asks the Holy One
I think we get Tired because we are looking at the wrong things… giving glory to Grass and Flowers – that fade and are burned up
Look up and see
v26 who created, who calls the stars out by number? He calls them by name. Because of his great power… not one of them is missing (Psalm 145:5-6)
Then God reminds us that sometimes, we erroneously think he doesn’t see or care… don’t believe that lie, same lie the deceiver told in the garden, saying that God’s word wasn’t true, and that he doesn’t care, and that we won’t die without him.
v27 why do you say, ‘my way is hidden… my claim is ignored by my God. That is the lie from the abyss… nisterah = concealed yaabor = passed over –
Oh child, oh Sheep of his pasture, nothing is ever concealed from God, he never skips over your concerns and prayers, even if he doesn’t ask as or when you want.
Behold
v28 Do you not know, have you not heard… This is not God’s “first rodeo” not his first day on earth… no The Lord is the Everlasting God (El-Olam) He created (bore) and he never gets tired, he has not limit to understanding. Oh I KNOW we KNOW… but we forget
Here… Behold
v29 Tired child know this… He gives strength to the faint (weary) and strengthens the powerless (absent of power or wealth) YES – we get tired… and yes we stumble even “face plant”… but…
Then comes the most famous verse in this passage, one of the most quoted and perhaps misunderstood in scripture…
v31 those who trust in the Lord – There is a Group here – those -those who get through the tiredness, who get through the struggle – Who are “they”? Those who are the smartest? Those who are the strongest? Those who are the most patient? No – Those who trust in the Lord
Behold – Look – See – Lift your Eyes… that word, depending on your translation, trust, wait, hope… the word is qavah – I have heard people talk about “wait” like a servant – and if we serve the Lord it renews our strength and there is a point to be made… but this word – qavah – eagerly wait, eagerly expect, eagerly hope, look intently – It means to set your heart, tune your ears, desire greatly the Lord. The root of the word carries the idea of a straight string or measuring line. It comes from a word that describe the weaving of a spider’s web. It means to listen for a sound, to twist around…
those who Hope, Trust, Wait – heart set, ears tuned, desires focused on THE LORD – those… will renew their strength… will soar on wings like eagles, run and not become weary, walk and not faith.
We often see it like a plan, walk, run, soar… but this is the other way because of who it is experienced.. Soaring happens because of the physics of wind and adjustment to external forces. Running happens because of training and ability given. But most of what we do is in the every day walking – halak = to go, walk, behave, vanish, die, pass away.
Some days, I “soar” on the winds of the spirit… I’m not doing it, I just adjust to it.
Some days, I run in the strength of the Lord and seems like I could go all day because of the work already prepared.
But every day, I walk… behave… go… until I pass away… without becoming exhausted … tired? sometimes… but not wore out… take another step, make another move.
I think about my grandfather, Lester Patterson. He was a pastor to Native American Churches most of his ministry life. He hadn’t been able to attend college and at 65 he enrolled at Southwestern Seminary extension. He graduated at 74! His mission organization finally stopped paying him in his 70s, but he kept on serving, pastoring, sharing Jesus. Then he had a couple of strokes in his 80s, that put him in a wheelchair and couldn’t use one side of his 6’3″ frame. But he kept it up. At 90 he completed a Doctorate of Theology from online work, listening to classes and turning in tests and papers. The week he passed away at 92 – he still recorded his weekly 15-minute radio devotion. Had someone take him to the hospital where he was a chaplain and he used one arm and one leg to push his wheelchair around and change out gospel literature and make some visits… and then he passed away.
Tired?
Look Up
Let God handle the “God-Stuff” and walk on, move on, heart set, twisted around The Lord our God.
I saw 1 Corinthians 9:16 yesterday and Paul says, “woe to me if I preach not the gospel”. If you look at the context, in 1 Corinthians 8 he talks about a misuse of “freedom”. Yes, we are not bound for salvation by a “do or don’t do list”… but says that many things can take the position of “lord” or “god” in our lives. Then 8:6, “yet, there is ONE God, the Father. All things are from him, and we exist for him. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ. All things are through him, and we exist through him.”
The decisions we make then are not based on a desire of gaining, or fear of losing, but on how does it reflect on our one God, one Lord, and then on the one God who lives in us to empower and guide us, the Holy Spirit.
So, when we sin, and when we use our “freedom” frivolously, we sin against Christ and we can wound others, Paul says.
Then we get to 9:1 and he says, “Yes, I am free”… yes, we can do many things in our “freedom”, but sometimes v12 Paul says, “… nevertheless, we have not made use of the right; instead we endure everything so that we will not hinder the gospel of Christ.”
Now Paul is teaching a principle here. Let me stop and say that Paul is talking here about “freedom”, but personally he is talking about his “rights” to demand financial support, or a better position, but that’s not what caught my attention as I read it this morning… v14 – “yes – those who preach the gospel should earn their living by the gospel… but v15 “for my part, I have used none of these rights… would be better to die than for anyone to deprive me of my boast.”
Paul is being a jokester her… he is saying IF I can boast about anything, it’s about NOT getting paid… that’s it. I can’t boast about what I do…
v16 For if I preach, I have not reason to boast, because I am COMPELLED to preach, and woe to me if I do NOT preach the gospel 17 If I do it willingly, I have a reward, but if unwillingly, I am entrusted with a Commission
What this is what has my attention.
What has God called you to? Do THAT… willingly or unwillingly, doesn’t matter, still do it. Willingly is happier, but unwillingly we still must do because we have a commission, a call to carry out.
We are ALL told in Matthew 28:19-20 to “Go” – most literally the understanding is as you go … make disciples, baptize, teach… the nations
We are all told, You will be my witnesses… Acts 1:8
We are all told, Love one another, as I have loved you… by this they will know you are my disciples – John 13:34-35
Willingly or Unwillingly – DO.
Your way of doing and your opportunities will be different than someone else’s but do. Then, WOE – look out, danger ahead, if you do not do… willingly or not… do what God has said, do.
For Paul, for me, “if I do not preach the Gospel”… but for you that may be a different call… but do that, do it there where you are.
v19 I am free… I have made myself a slave to everyone, in order to win more people.
As simple for me sometimes if I’m on a golf course playing alone, someone may be there and ask, “do you want to play together?” I then in my heart as the Lord, “do I need to play together with this person?” I ask because if the Lord says “yes”, then it will affect how I play. A conversation is going to come up, “what do you do for a living?” When I tell them I’m a pastor, conversations begin. Sometimes I just want to play golf, “Lord what do you want me to do.”
Then Paul finishes this passage with words that mean much to me these days…
v24 Run in such a way as to win the prize
v25 everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything… to receive… a crown
v26 I do not run like one who runs aimlessly…
v27 I discipline my body… so that… I will not be disqualified
I sort of went a long way… but I’m a runner, I’m training for Marathon #4, but MY race is different that others. I’m running MY race, so I do what is necessary to finish MY race… and woe to me if I do not. I have a training plan… I have a treadmill for when the weather won’t allow the training outside. I work the plan, as best I can, because the race is Coming. I run the miles, outside if possible, but on a treadmill if not. Why? So I don’t disqualify myself from completing the race when the day comes.
I seek to become what I need to become to do what I’m called to do.
What are you called to do? Woe to me, if I do not…
I’ve identified with John 13 for many years. Jesus washed his disciples feet and said, “I’ve given you an example… you should do also…” Then he says, “I give a new command – love one another…” How? “Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another… but this (love) everyone will know that you are my disciples that you love one another.”
Love doesn’t mean that you ignore evil
Love doesn’t mean accepting all actions
Love means accepting people and seeking their best
“As I have loved you…”
How did HE love US?
Emptied himself
took up the nature of a servant
came to where we are
became one of us
sacrificed himself to bring us to God
So, 2026 can be year when we lay down our lives… Lay down our rights to be honored, worshipped, and seek to be servants, love people, bring them to God.
Ask, “who do I need to love this year?”
Draw near to them
Become one of them
I’ve spoken and written on this passage many times – it is so human – They were busy wanting to know if they were “big time”, asking “can we sit with you in the Kingdom”. Here Jesus is talking love and mentions he is leaving, they can’t come… but they are focused on where and not the what. Peter says, “I will lay my life down for you.” Jesus responds, rather tongue in cheek, “will you lay your life down for me? You will deny me three times before the rooster crows.”
Then we break chapters from 13 to 14 – often stop reading… but Jesus is still talking as they leave the upper room and going toward Gethsemane, and says, “don’t let your hearts be troubled… I’m going to prepare a place for you… will return so that where I am you may be…”
Then 14:12, “the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do… even greater works than these… because I am going to the Father.”
In the power of the Spirit, according to the name and commands of Jesus, by the will of, and for the glory of God… Let us set our heart, mind, hands, and feet to this task for 2026.
In this season of Advent, I found myself in the letter written to the Hebrews about the wonder of the Coming of Christ and how it was unlike anything else and changed all.
Jesus in his high priestly prayer in John 17:19, “I sanctify myself for them, so that they also may be sanctified by the truth.”
Sanctification is a decision of God, an action of Christ, which becomes ours by the condition of entering into Christ. It is then a process as we surrender to the provision provided.
Hebrews 10:9 says he came to do away with sacrifices in order to accomplish the will of God that we become a people set apart for God by God through the Son.
10:10 – we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all time.
For nearly 1500 years, The Law had been practiced and innumerable sacrifices of appeasement had been offered.
v11 “… day after day the same sacrificestime after time, which can never take away sins…”
v12 “But this man… offering one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God.”
v13 “He is now waiting until his enemies are made his footstool”
v14 “by one offering he has PERFECTED forever, those who are sanctified.”
It is Finished… this word is from the same root as the words of Christ on the cross… “it is finished…” And so in Christ it is Finished, and yet, it is BEING finished. God has forgiven, declared us righteous, and yet in the plan of God, he is processing us, perfecting us. He is allowing us the process of becoming sanctified.
Here is the promise of Jeremiah 31:33-34
v16, I will put my laws on their hearts and write them on their minds”
Now – In Christ, I don’t always do right – but because of Christ, I don’t feel what I felt, I don’t think what I thought – I am being transformed… then in the meantime…
v17 “I will never remember their sins” – Certainly, my actions do
matter, but now, in Christ, it is about a relationship, not about guilt or fear.
v18 “where there is forgiveness… no longer an offering for sin…”
v19 “Therefore since we have boldness to enter… through the blood…”
v20 “he has inaugurated / opened (ratified, inaugurated, opened) a new (enkainos=new different genus/species)a new and Living Way.
Very interesting – prosphatos – new has a root phen = to slay, kill – Christ did away with the old way, it is freshly slain, that a new and living zao – alive, real life holding way has come…
So
v22 let us draw near…
with a true heart
full assurance – conviction of faith
sprinkled – there is the blood
washed in pure water – Ezekiel 36:25 – “I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols”
So
v23 let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful… 24 … provoke one another to love and good works
So, I said all that to draw us to The Advent of Jesus, God in the Flesh, Emmanuel.
Let us remember why he came, what he has done, and what he is doing.
Then, free from guilt by faith in the blood of Jesus, let us move forward finishing what is already finished and encourage someone else to do the same.
We are Children of God – and the “we” John 1:12 tells us are those who Receive him, and because we believe in his name… we are given the right to become the children of God. There is then a Dual Condition – lambano = take recceive, and pisteuo = believe, both are action points. Because God has made it possible, we then have the exousia = authority to become children of God with all of it’s rights and privileges. We become children of God because we follow the conditions to receive, to believe. So John 1:13 says we aren’t born of natural descent or the will of the flesh, not of man, but of God.
So – where I started reading this morning was James 1:18, “by his own choice he gave us birth by the Word of Truth, so we would be a kind of firstfruits“. God made a way, offered an opportunity, if we would believe and receive we become something supernatural, children of God. We then have been reborn, new creatures. While sanctification is a process, it is surrender to the new nature, not like working up to something physical, but surrendering spiritually, mentally, emotionally.
Then James 1:19 says, Understand this… oida = know, perceive, appreciate, become learned, conscious of… And here is the supernatural natural expectation – everyone – (two words – pas anthropos – all, every, each, – man, child, everyone). Everyone should be Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak, Slow to Anger, 20 for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.
Well, I’m going “from preaching to meddling” here.
In reverse there, Dr. Gary Chapman teaches that “anger” is a natural response based on us being created in God’s Image. God gets angry when something is not holy (right) and/or not love. We by nature do the same thing. However, we don’t always have correct understanding and so sometimes our anger is “definitive” (justified) and other times it is “distorted” (unjustified) based on our perception. Dr. Chapman also teaches that God’s anger moves TOWARD us In LOVE for CHANGE… we then must do the same.
Because of our human nature, we need to be twice slow and only once quick making sure those are in correct categories.
Listen, Speak, Anger/Action – Two Slows, One Quick
Slow – bradys = slow – and is in the nominative meaning we must become it… surrender to it
Quick – tachys = faster, quickly, soon – and is also nominative
These both require surrender
When one is out of order, they all get out of order. If I am quick to speak, or quick to anger, then it feeds the other, and it stunts the third, I do not listen. But if I am quick to listen, hear, understand before being understood, it slows down the response of speak and action toward anger.
Now just stop right there and spend some time. Maybe reread that. We are talking about surrender to our Spiritual Rebirth – our New Nature
Human anger doesn’t accomplish righteousness
Interestingly, that word translated, Human, in its simplest form is masculine, man, husband… Men – our “macho” anger doesn’t take us to theos – God’s righteousness, justice, perfecting power.
Then v21 therefore, get rid of moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, humbly receive the implanted word which is able to save your souls.
WOW – we aren’t talking about receiving salvation here a response to the new birth we have in salvation. “Receive” – dechomai = receive, welcome. We need to welcome the implanted word. When we believe and receive (John 1:12, Ephesians 1:13-14) – then we have been reborn, received the Holy Spirit – become a New Creation (2 Corinthians 5:17); so, welcome the New Life and like Colossians 3:18 says put away anger, malice, slander, language… Flip the Script – Follower of Christ.
Slow to Anger – Slow to Speak
Quick to Listen – akouo = hear, listen, heed – did your parent ever say, “did you hear me? Are you listening to me? Then do what I said.
Then from the proper “quick” and “slow” we become v22 Doers of the Word and not Hearers Only – which is the worst kind of deception.
As I read over this and was writing my thoughts, I could have written so much more – but I’ll stop with v25
But the one who looks intently into the perfect law… and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer, but a doer who works – THIS PERSON will be blessed in what he does
Pastor Goforth 