We're All In This Together

 

We’re All In This Together

Steve W. Reeves

 

INTRODUCTION:

A. Each of us struggles with the tension that exists between our rights and our
     responsibility.
     1. On one hand I like for others to agree with me. I like for others to talk like I talk,
        think like I think, act and do the things I like to do. At church I like it when we sing
        songs that I like. I like it when people are doing things with which I am
        comfortable. If only everyone would do what I want to do life would be amazing.
     2. However, there are some knuckleheads who do not agree with me. I call them
        “weaker brothers” because I am the “strong brother.” They use a different version
        of the Bible than I use. They are obviously Biblically illiterate. They do not sing the
        songs I like. They have poor taste. They do not dress the way I dress. They have
        no fashion sense. I wish they would change and be like me.
    3. Though I intended for these words to be facetious the fact is that there is more
        reality in them than I want to admit. I hope you see how destructive this type of
        thinking is to the body of Christ.
B. This is not a new struggle. It was taking place between Christians in the first century
     when Paul was writing to the church in Rome. There were Jewish believers who saw
     themselves as the “heir-apparent” to God’s promises. There were non-Jewish
     believers who had been trained in human wisdom and philosophy and thought their
     wisdom was superior to the Jews. All of them had come to believe in Christ but that
     did not stop them from considering themselves to be superior to others.
     1. Does this help you understand why the New Testament contains so many
        admonitions like these?       
        a. In Corinth, where there were so many disagreements concerning marriage, the
            eating of meat sacrificed to idols, spiritual gifts and the resurrection, Paul said, “I
            show you a more excellent way (1 Corinthians 12:31). What was this more
            excellent way?” Love (1 Corinthians 13:1-13).
        b. In Philippi, where two women, Euodia and Synteche, were embroiled in a
            dispute, Paul wrote, “Make my joy complete by being of the same mind,
            maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. ³ Do nothing
            from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another
            as more important than yourselves; ⁴ do not merely look out for your own
            personal interests, but also for the interests of others. ⁵ Have this attitude in
            yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:2-5).
        c. What was the “mind of Christ?” From the Sermon on the Mount, ““In everything,
            therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the
            Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12).
        2. Paul’s instruction to the church in Rome was completely consistent with the
            teaching of Jesus.
C. Romans 15:1-7 emphasizes a reality we must all recognize. “We’re In This
    Together.”
 
I. FORBEARANCE (Romans 12: 1).
     A. In Romans 15:1 Paul wrote, “Now we who are strong ought to bear the
        weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.”
        1. Here is the test for being a “stronger brother.” Are you willing to bear the
            weakness of another person without forcing your will upon them?
       2. The “stronger brother” is not the one who uses manipulation, threats, and force
           to get their way.
       3. Notice that Paul included himself in “we who are strong.” How did Paul treat
           others?
            a. 1 Corinthians 9:19-21 – “For though I am free from all men, I have made
                myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. ²⁰ To the Jews I became as a
                Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the
                Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are
                under the Law; ²¹ to those who are without law, as without law, though not
                being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win
                those who are without law. ²² To the weak I became weak, that I might win the
                weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save
                some.”
            b. Paul was saying, “It is not about me. It is not about my wants. It is not about
               having my needs met. It is not about me- it is about others.”     
         
II. EDIFICATION (Romans 12:2).
    A. In verse 2 Paul wrote, “Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his
        edification.”
    B. The word edify means to “build up.” This theme is repeated throughout the New
        Testament.
        1. 1 Corinthians 12- the purpose of spiritual gifts was not for personal boasting but
            for building up the church.
        2. Romans 14:19 – “So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the
            building up of one another.”
        3. Hebrews 10:23-25 –  ^“And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love
            and good deeds, ²⁵ not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of
            some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day
            drawing near.”
    C. Do you remember Jesus’ definition of “neighbor” in Luke 10:30-37?
        1. The “second commandment” is to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew
            22:38; Luke 10:27).
        2. It is not always easy to edify your neighbor. You may be like the person who
            wrote, “To live above with those we love, Oh, how that will be glory. To live
            below with those we know, now that’s another story.”
    D. How do you treat your neighbor within the body of Christ?
        1. Ignore. They are so caught up with themselves they ignore others. They choose
           to ignore others like the priest and Levite in Jesus’ parable.      
        2. Incite. Have you ever known a church member who was always trying to pick a
             fight and stir up trouble? Paul said, “But avoid foolish controversy” (Titus 3:9).   
        3. Inspire. We should seek to build others up instead of tearing them down.
 
III. ACCEPT (Romans 12:7).
    A. Why should you accept a brother who doesn’t agree with you?
        1. Thirty seven years ago I was in my first year of preaching. I preached for a small
            town congregation in Arkansas with less than 100 members. There were two
            elders and one deacon. One of the elders and the deacon had a different
            opinion about whether or not there should be a kitchen in the church building.
            They would not speak to each other. If one exited the building out the back door
            the other would go out the side door.”
        2. In Nashville, Tennessee, a young boy attended church one morning and
            witnessed an argument among church members that became so heated a
            sheriff’s deputy was called to the scene. Over fifty years later he still
            remembered the scene. He was my father.
    B. Romans 15:7 states the matter clearly, “Therefore, accept one another, just as
       Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.”
 
CONCLUSION:
A. When Sir Edmond Hillery embarked on his expedition to become the first man to
    climb Mount Everest, he hired a Nepali guide named Tenzing Norgay. During their
    expedition Norgay and Hillery were attached to one another by a rope. If one slipped
    the other would serve as an anchor. In one perilous passageway Hillery lost his
    footing and began to slide toward a precipice. Norgay held firm, the rope held and
    Hillery was saved. Afterwards at a press conference people were calling Norgay a
    hero. He humbly said, “I’m no hero. Climbers naturally help one another.”
B. Our goal as Christians should be two-fold. First, we should want to make the summit.
    Second, we should seek to encourage and admonish as many people as we can to
    stand with us. May we assist you in obeying the Gospal of Jesus Christ today through
    faith, repentance and baptism?

Taxes, Tribute and Theology

 

Taxes, Tribute and Theology

Steve W. Reeves

 

INTRODUCTION:

A. Arthur Godfrey was a well known radio and television host many years ago. He once
    said, “I’m proud to be paying taxes in the United States but I could be just as proud
    for a lot less money.”
    1. Albert Einstein said that the most difficult mathematical equation he ever
       encountered was the federal tax code.
    2. Will Rogers said, “The difference between death and taxes is that death doesn’t
       get worse every time congress meets.”
B. When the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Rome he was addressing people who
    lived under a very dominant government. In the book of Romans, described by some
    as the “Constitution of Christianity,” it would have been surprising had Paul not
    addressed the Christian’s relationship with civil government.
C. Today (April 15^th) is a good day to consider what God says about “Taxes, Tribute and
    Theology.”  
 
I. THE HISTORY OF GOVERNMENT
    A. In the pages of Scripture we can trace the early history of government.
       1. In the beginning there was no need for government.
           a. In a sinless world God enjoyed a personal relationship with man and woman.
               They had no need He did not fulfill. There was no violence. There was no
               need for laws to provide protection and order. All of that changed when sin
               entered the world.
           b. After the fall of man there was jealousy, selfishness, hatred and violence.
               Brother rose up against brother.
       2. As the world was populated God allowed people to form cities and governments.
           In Genesis 11 people built a city with bricks and said, “Let’s make a name for
           ourselves.” God responded by confusing their language.
       3. As the book of Genesis progresses you read of more cities and kingdoms along
           with kings and rulers. 
     B. When God chose Israel to be His chosen people He gave them laws to govern
       both religious and civil matters. Whenever the people chose to rebel
       against God’s laws the result was chaos. Judges 17:6 – “In those days there was
       no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes.”  Eventually the
       people of Israel wanted a king like other nations. God was disappointed. He told the
       judge, Samuel, “they have not rejected you but they have rejected me from being
       king over them” (1 Samuel 8:7). 
    C. As you read of the kings of Israel you discover that there was infighting, treachery,
       deceit and immoral behavior. When the kingdom divided the northern kingdom
       never had a righteous king. The southern kingdom had only two righteous kings
       (Hezekiah and Josiah).
   D. Eventually other countries like Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome
       rose up and conquered Israel. It was under the rule of the Roman government (who
       allowed limited local authority) that Jesus was born.
 
II. THE PURPOSE OF GOVERNMENT
    A. There are two texts in the New Testament that help us understand the purpose of
       government. They are Romans 13:1-7 and 1 Peter 2:13-17.
    B. In Romans 13 Paul wrote about the three purposes of government.
       1. Authority.
           a. In Romans 13:1-2, Paul wrote, “Every person is to be in subjection to the
               governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those
               which exist are established by God. ² Therefore whoever resists authority has
               opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive
               condemnation upon themselves.
 
               He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men
               And knowledge to men of understanding. God sets up government.”
           c. Paul wrote in Romans 9:21, “For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very
               purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate My power in you, and that My name
               might be proclaimed throughout the whole earth.”
           d. In John 19:11 Jesus told Pilate, “You have no authority exceot that which
               comes from above.”
           e. Authority is not a bad thing. Can you imagine playing a football or basketball 
               game without referees to enforce the rules? Can you imagine the World Series
               being played without umpires? What if there were no authorities to enforce
               building codes on our highways or in our homes? What if we had no
             authorities to enforce our laws?
       2. Protection.
           a. Paul continued in Romans 13:3-4 – “For rulers are not a cause of fear for good
               behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is
               good and you will have praise from the same; ⁴ for it is a minister of God to you
               for good.”
           b. I am thankful for those in our military who provide security for our nation. I am
               grateful for local officials like police officers and firemen who protect us from
               harm. This is a God ordained function of government.
       3. Punishment.
           a. Paul went on to say in Romans 13: 4, “But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for
               it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger
               who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.”
           b. Peter said government officials are sent by God to punish evil (1 Peter 2:14). 
 
III. THE CHRISTIAN AND THE GOVERNMENT
    A. From the beginning of the church until now Christians have lived under many
       different forms of government.
       1. Some governments have been apathetic to Christianity. When the church was
           established the Roman government provided a great deal of latitude for people
           throughout the empire to practice their own religious beliefs. They viewed
           Christianity as a sect of Judaism.
       2. During the reign of Nero from 54 to 68 A.D. the situation changed dramatically.  
           There was a rumor that Nero was responsible for a fire in which a large section
           of Rome was destroyed. To divert attention away from himself Nero blamed
           Christians.
           a. Christians lost their civil rights.
           b. They were beaten and brutalized. Some were murdered.
           c. Early Christian writers like Tertullian and Origen said that Peter was a
               victim of Nero’s persecution of Christians.  
    B. Christians have a fourfold responsibility to government.
       1. Pay.   
           a. Romans 13:5 – “Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because
               of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.”
           b. Titus 3:1- “Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient,
               to be ready for every good deed.”
           c. 1 Peter 2:3 - “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution,
               whether to a king as the one in authority.”
           d. Romans 13:6-7 – “For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are
               servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. ⁷ Render to all what is
               due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear;
               honor to whom honor.”
           e. Jesus was a tax payer.
               1.) In Matthew 17:24-27 Jesus and His disciples came to Capernaum where a
                    tax of two drachma’s was collected. Jesus instructed Peter to catch a fish,
                    look into its mouth to find a shekel and pay the tax.
               2.) In Matthew 22:15-22- “Then render to Caesar the things that are
                    Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.                  
       2. Pray.
           a. Paul instructed Timothy, “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers,
               petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, ² for kings and all
               who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all
               godliness and dignity. ³ This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our
               Savior, ⁴ who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the
               truth” (1 Tim.2:1-4).
           b. Prayer can be a game changer! When Peter was imprisoned in Acts 12 the
               church came together to pray. Peter was released.
       3. Praise.
           a. 1 Peter 2:17,- “Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the
               king.”
           b. The consistent message of the New Testament is that Christians should strive
               to practice good citizenship. There may be times when we must choose to
               obey God and not man (Acts 5:29), but  the teaching of Jesus and the
               apostles was that we should live in submission and obedience to earthly
               authorities,.
       4. Persuade.
           a. People of God can make a difference.
           b. Consider Nathan to David; Elijah to Ahab; Daniel to Nebuchadnezzar; 
               Moses to Pharaoh and John the Baptist to Herod.
 
CONCLUSION:    
A. In the summer of 1787 at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, 81 year old
    Benjamin Franklin said, “Have we now forgotten this powerful Friend? Or do we
    imagine that we no longer need His assistance? I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the
    longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: that God governs in the
    affairs of man. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it
    probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the
    sacred writings that except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. I
    firmly believe this.”
B. Concerning the Son of God, Isaiah said about Him. “For a child will be born to us, a
    son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name
    will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace”
    (Isaiah 9:6).
C. My hope is not in human kings but in the One who is King of Kings. Will you come to
    Him today?
 

What Does The Resurrection Mean To You?

 

What Does The Resurrection

 

Mean To You?

Steve W. Reeves

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

A. Can you imagine someone being buried seventeen times? As strange as that sounds
    it is exactly what happened with the body of President Abraham Lincoln. For a variety
    of reasons, including a plot to steal the late president’s body and hold it for ransom,
    Lincoln’s body was moved from place to place until, in 1901, it was finally interred in a
    steel cage ten feet deep and encased in concrete. Prior to the final burial the coffin
    was opened, thirty five years after Lincoln’s assassination, to make sure the body
    was still inside. Twenty three men witnessed this event including Mr. Lincoln’s son,
    Robert.
B. In stark contrast to Lincoln’s tomb the tomb of Jesus was opened and was empty.  
    Lincoln had been assassinated but his body was still in the grave. Jesus was
    crucified on a cruel Roman cross, was buried in a tomb donated by Joseph of
    Arimathea and was raised from the dead. Why is the resurrection so significant?
    1. It was significant in the teaching of Jesus.
       a. Matthew 16:21 – “From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He
           must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests
           and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day.”
       b. Mark 9:9 – “As they were coming down from the mountain, He gave them orders
           not to relate to anyone what they had seen, until the Son of Man rose from the
           dead.”
       c. John 2:19-21 – “’Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’ ²⁰ The
           Jews then said, ‘It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up
           in three days?’ ²¹ But He was speaking of the temple of His body.”
    2. The resurrection of Jesus is significant in history.
      a. The British educator, Thomas Arnold, wrote three great volumes on the history of
           Rome.  “I know of no one fact in the history of mankind that is proved by better
           and fuller evidence of every sort to the understanding of a fair inquirer than the
           understanding of the great sign that God has given us that Christ died and rose
           from the dead.”
       b. Theolog ian, Dr. Brooke Foss Wescott, wrote, “Taking all evidence together it is
           not too much to say there is no historic incident better supported than the
           resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
       c. Dr. Paul Myer, Professor of ancient history at the University of Western
           Michigan-, wrote, “If all evidence is weighed carefully and fairly it is indeed
           justifiable according to the canons of research to conclude that the tomb in which
           Jesus was buried was empty on the third day.”  
    3. The apostle Paul wrote that Christianity stands or falls on the validity of the
       Resurrection. In 1 Corinthians 15:13-17 He wrote, “But if there is no resurrection of
       the dead, not even Christ has been raised; ¹⁴ and if Christ has not been raised, then
       our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. ¹⁵ Moreover we are even found to be
       false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ,
       whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. ¹⁶ For if the dead are not
       raised, not even Christ has been raised; ¹⁷ and if Christ has not been raised, your
       faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.”
C. May I ask, “What does the resurrection of Jesus Christ mean to you?” How does it
    impact your life on a daily basis? What difference does it make in the way you live?
    From Matthew 28:1-1, I there are four profound lessons we should learn from the    
    resurrection of Jesus.
 
I.  COURAGE.
    A. The great certainly of life is that all of us will die. The only exception to that will be
       those who are living when Christ returns. With just a few notable exceptions
       mentioned in the Bible (Enoch and Elijah), everyone who has lived has died.
       1. Psalm 90:10 – “As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years,
          Or if due to strength, eighty years, Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow;
          For soon it is gone and we fly away.”
       2. Hebrews 9:27 – “It is appointed unto man to die and after this the judgment.”
       3. You and I are one heartbeat away from death. Several years ago The New York
           Times reported that a 28-year-old Brooklyn woman, Amelia Lynch, was killed
           when she was struck on the head by a flower pot that had been knocked off an
           eighth-floor ledge, apparently by a bolt of lightning.”
    B. Notice what happened the morning of the resurrection.
       1. There was a great earthquake as an angel of the Lord descended from heaven
           rolling away the stone. The angel sat upon the stone. It had the appearance of
           lightning and its clothes were white as snow. The guards were so frightened they
           became like dead men.
       2. The angel told the women, “Do not be afraid.”  The tomb was empty. Death was
           no longer present. It had been replaced with life.
       3. Because of the resurrection death no longer has the final verdict. 
    C. In verse 10 the women saw Jesus and He told them, "Do not be afraid.”
       Because Jesus lived, died and lives again, seated at the right hand of God
       (Hebrews 12:2) we do not have to fear death.
       1. David wrote, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
           I fear no evil, for You are with me (Psalm 23:4).
       2. The apostle Paul said, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians
           1:21). He found himself facing a great dilemma according to verses 22-24,” I do
           not know which to choose. ²³ But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having
           the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; ²⁴ yet to
           remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.” From where did this
           courage come? Notice Philippians 3:9-11 – “And may be found in Him, not
           having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is
           through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of
           faith, ¹⁰ that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship
           of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; ¹¹ in order that I may attain to the
           resurrection from the dead.” His courage came from the resurrection!
 
 II. CONQUEST
    A. The angel told the women in verse 6 - “He is not here.” The tomb was empty.
       1. The stone was not moved so Jesus could get out. It had been moved so the
           women could see that the tomb was empty. Jesus had defeated death.
       2. This was His ultimate purpose.
           a. Jesus was a wonderful teacher – but that was not His primary purpose.
           b. Jesus lived a sinless life and provided a wonderful example – but that was not
               His primary purpose.
           c. Jesus healed many people who were sick, gave sight to the blind and made
               the lame walk – this was not His primary purpose.
           d. Jesus fed the hungry and ministered to the poor – this was not His primary
               purpose.
           e. His primary purpose was summed up in Matthew 20:28 when He said, “The
               Son of man did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life as a
               ransom for many.” He came to conquer death.
    B, In the country of Hungary is a tomb sealed with a large stone slab. It is the tomb of
       a Countess who did not believe in the resurrection. She thought the large slab
       would keep her tomb sealed for infinity. Somehow a small acorn became wedged in
       that slab of rock and an Oak tree began to grow. Over many years as the tree grew
       it caused the slab of rock to crack until finally it broke into pieces.  That is exactly
       what Jesus did. He shattered death. Paul said it like this. “Death is swallowed up in
       victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”  The sting of
       death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the
       victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).
 
III. CONFIDENCE
    A. The angel said, “He is risen just as He said.”
      1. The resurrection was the fulfillment of the things Jesus had said.
       2. We live in a world of broken promises.
           a. Politicians say they will do something and end up doing something else.
           b. Advertisers promise a product will perform in a certain way and it doesn’t.
           e. Tragically, people promise, “I do,” and then “don’t.”
       3. When God makes a promise He keeps it. Jesus was not in the tomb. He was
           risen “just as He said.”
    B. Sir Earnest Shackleton, a famous British explorer in the Antarctic, was
       preparing a trans-Antarctic journey when his ship, Endurance, became lodged
       in ice. The crew disembarked before the ice eventually crushed the ship.
       Shackleton went for help while the crew camped on the sea ice. Every day the
       commanding officer would tell the crew, “Get up and stow your gear men.
       Today may be the day Sir Ernest returns. We must be ready. “They waited for
       weeks and weeks but eventually Shackleton returned just as he said.  If you ever
       wonder about resurrection from the dead and eternal life remember that those
       words, “He is risen, just as He said.”
 
IV. COMMISSION
    A. In Matthew 28:7 the angel told the women, “Go quickly and tell His disciples that
       He has risen from the dead.”
       1. Jesus was gone! They were to go!
       2. What would happen if you went to the cemetery to visit the grave of a loved one
           and when you arrived there was a hole in the ground with nothing there? Would
           you say to yourself, “I guess I’ll come back later?” You would undoubtedly tell
           someone.
    B. Each of the four gospels contains some type of commission for the disciples of
       Jesus following the resurrection. In Matthew and Mark it is the commission to go,
       teach, preach and baptize. In Luke it is the commission to preach repentance. In
       John it was Jesus’ commission to Peter to “tend my lambs.” The resurrection leaves
       us with a responsibility.
    C. “Will you not tell it today?”
 
CONCLUSION:
A. In today’s “Family News” is the story of Phillip, a nine year old boy with Down’s
    syndrome. One Easter the Sunday school teacher gave her students a plastic egg,
    took them outside and asked them to put something in the egg that represented new
    life. When they came back to the classroom they shared their treasures. Some had
    flower blooms, others had sprigs of grass or new green leaves. When it was Phillip’s
    turn he opened his plastic egg to reveal – nothing. The other children began to tease
    him and make fun of him but Phillip responded. My egg is empty because Jesus’
    tomb was empty.”
B. There is no greater picture of eternal life than the Empty tomb. There is no greater
    power in life that the empty tomb. There is no greater promise in life than the empty
    tomb. The one who has been raised from the dead invites you to come to Him in
    faith. He invites you to confess Him before others, to repent of your sins and to be
    baptized into a relationship with Him today. Claim His power!