“First, love.”
Date: 10/7/18
Zach Backues
It’s easy to go to church, read your Bible, and feel overwhelmed by the “duties” of the Christian life that come from the teachings of Christ and the Apostles. There is this expectation we feel God is placing on us and the weight of it makes us uncomfortable, so we take comfort in teaching or phrases like, “it’s not about rules, it’s about relationship.” It is totally correct that God want’s relationship with us, but as a Pastor I have seen this phrase lend toward being off-base in terms of practice in many people’s lives. When taken at face value (rules vs. relationship statement) can imply that the rules don’t matter…which opens up a door to irresponsible grace. This understanding of grace says that “I could never be perfect, so Jesus came so that I don’t have to be.” Once again, a true statement, if you are talking about your works/performance apart from Christ being able to save you or atone for your sin. But, if you are saying that sin doesn’t matter anymore and that the God that you are in relationship with isn’t expecting anything from you in terms of good works…then my friend, you have stopped reading the Bible and following Jesus a long time ago.
- We have to move into a place of understanding responsible grace, which says that “You weren’t just saved from something, you were saved for something.”
If you are desiring to be grow in your relationship with Christ you have examined your life and said, “man, I am failing in this area or that area.”
Look at the things Jesus said:
- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
- Lose your life so that you can find it (Take up your cross.)
- Take care of the poor/needy/orphan/widow
- Love your enemies.
- Don’t let the unction to sin into your heart (not just keep it out of your visible behavior)
- Don’t be anxious…don’t be afraid.
What about Pastor Duane’s two list he gave us conceding our parenting…
- I promise to…
- I promise not to…
The common response to identifying failure is to try harder, to will ourselves into it.
- We want to do something in the natural that will increase our “Christ-like” productivity.
- We want to take comfort in building a good resume that we can present to God.
Jesus writes a letter to a church who has taken on this mindset…
Revelation 2:1-5 (ESV)
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.”
Jesus has some interesting things say concerning this in Matthew 7…
Mtt. 7:15-20 (ESV)
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
Now, this passage immediately precedes this one…
Mtt. 7:21-23 (ESV)
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
Focus points:
- Jesus uses the word fruit to talk about our works. (Healthy or Diseased)
- Jesus says “I never knew you”
- Knew implies intimacy = fruit can only come from intimacy.
- A machine can be productive, but fruit only comes from something that is alive.
What God is looking for in our lives isn’t productivity, it’s fruitfulness.
John 15:1-11 (ESV)
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Any area of our lives that we aren’t seeing fruit is where we need his love.
Before you can do the work that God desires of you (loving others), you have to let him work in you.
- Abiding is not visiting or spontaneously experiencing.
- Abiding is intentional and deliberate, necessary and stubborn.
- Secret place/quiet time.
- Myth of “me time.”
- S.O.A.P.
- Prayer Guide
- Bible App reading plans
- App or Podcast
- Secret place/quiet time.