Sermon - June 28, 2015 - How should Christians Respond to the Supreme Court Ruling.

The Supreme Court ruled that same sex marriage bans are un-Constitutional this week. If you look at the news or social media you see arguments for and against the decision. People are either celebrating or condemning and many are calling anyone who says they believe in Biblical marriage a bigot.

The question before us today, is how should a Christ follower respond to the Supreme Courts decision?

Every word we say, every look on our faces, everything we type on Facebook, everything we do will be scrutinized to see if there is cause to call us hateful. How should we respond?

The first thing we need to do is understand where our beliefs come from. Why do we say Biblical marriage is between one man and one woman?

Genesis 2:22-24

“22 Then the Lord God made the rib He had taken from the man into a woman and brought her to the man. 23 And the man said:

This one, at last, is bone of my bone
and flesh of my flesh;
this one will be called “woman,”
for she was taken from man.

24 This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife, and they become one flesh.”

From the very beginning, a man and woman were to be joined and become one flesh.

Jesus references this verse and gives his own commentary on it.

Matthew 19:4-6

“4 “Haven’t you read,” He replied, “that He who created them in the beginning made them male and female,” 5 and He also said:

“For this reason a man will leave
his father and mother
and be joined to his wife,
and the two will become one flesh?

6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, man must not separate.”

Leviticus 18:22

“You are not to sleep with a man as with a woman; it is detestable.”

God created us a certain way and that is how it is supposed to be. If you read your Bible you will find many different verses that talk about marriage. Proverbs talks about it being a blessing for a man to have a wife of noble character, Ephesians talks about a wife submitting and a husband loving his wife, Malachi mentioned the marriage covenant, and 1 Corinthians mentions that a man should have his own wife and vise versa.

The Bible is clear, marriage is between one man and one woman. There is no other option.

Now we need to remember that we live in a sinful world and society does accept and celebrate things that are not Biblical. Abortion is legal, but is against what the Bible teaches. People practice other religions such as Islam, Hindu, and Buddhism which is legal, but as we know they are not the path to God.

Abortion is legal and it is against our beliefs, how should a follow of Christ respond? Are we supposed to attack those who have had an abortion. Absolutely not. Are we supposed to picket in front of the clinics with horrific pictures. No. Actions like these do not reflect Biblical teaching.

We know that these other false religions are not the path to God. Are we supposed to attack them or burn their places of worship down? No.

If we don't respond negatively to these worldly things that are against Biblical teaching how are we supposed to respond to society accepting same sex marriage?

The first thing we need to always do is pray.

1 Thessalonians 5:16

“Pray constantly.”

We need to pray. We to are sinners and we will respond in sinful ways. So we need to pray. I for one have been very selective on how I respond to others comments and even attacks. I pray about them and respond by choosing words very carefully. I want nothing that comes out of my mouth to interfere with the gospel. We also need to pray for God to move in others hearts. We cannot change their ways and our words will only inflame others if the Holy Spirit has not been working on them. Pray Constantly!

We need to remember that we are here on earth for two things. Love God and Love Others.

Matthew 22:37-40

“37 He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the greatest and most important command. 39 The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. 40 All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.”

1 John 4:7-8

“7 Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

We are to love everyone regardless of who they are and what they are doing. Remember Jesus died for every single person who has ever or will ever live. God wants none to perish, but all to have everlasting life. So, to have the opportunity to share that amazing message of Grace that we have been given we need to show love.

At times this can be very hard, especially right now. It seems if you are not accepting and celebrating same sex marriage you are a hateful bigot. Regardless of what happens we need to show love.

Matthew 5:39

“39 But I tell you, don’t resist an evildoer. On the contrary, if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.”

If you are attacked turn the other check, do not respond in kind. Hate breeds more hate and we don't want any part of it. It hurts your witness and the Gospel of our Lord Jesus. Respond in love instead.

Matthew 5:44

“44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”

Now I am not saying the LGBT group is our enemy in a traditional way. They just stand for something that we disagree with and that is un-Biblical. So following the teachings of our Lord Jesus we need to love them and pray for them. That does not mean we invite them to hold their marriage ceremonies in the church, it does not mean that I will be performing any same sex marriages, but it does mean that we treat them as we want to be treated.

We want to be accepted, we accept them, not their actions but them.

We want to be heard, we listen to them.

We want society to recognize our rights, we accept that they have rights.

Most importantly we pray for our enemies, we need to hit our knees every night in prayer. We pray for God to help us show love, we pray that God allows us to share the Gospel, we pray that the Holy Spirit opens their hearts, and pray that Revival comes.

Our responsibility is to stay true to what the Bible teaches and to love and pray for those that disagree with its teachings.

One thing that may help to love others even when they are living in sin is to remember that our sin is no better or worse then theirs.

1 Corinthians 5:9-10

“9 Don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s kingdom? Do not be deceived: No sexually immoral people, idolaters, adulterers, or anyone practicing homosexuality, 10 no thieves, greedy people, drunkards, verbally abusive people, or swindlers will inherit God’s kingdom.”

Sin is sin and if you are living in sin you will not inherit God's Kingdom.

Do you struggle with alcohol, drugs, porn, homosexuality, greed, stealing, lying, adultery, and the list goes on. All sin, except for one, are equal. Everything we are talking about today is no worse then the sin in any of our lives.

Romans 3:23

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Every single person alive today has fallen short of God's standard. Let me be clear that includes me, and everyone here. We are all sinners.

Romans 10:9-10

“9 If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation.”

Jesus is the only way for us to move past our sin, and belief that He is your Lord and Savior is the first step.

We are all equal without Jesus, we are lost.

We are all equal with Jesus, we are saved.

Sin is sin, but Grace is Grace.

My sin is no better than your sin and your sin is no better than than those in the world.

We are all sinners and we all need a savior. If our sin is equal we need to show the same love to the homosexual as we do the drunk and the same love we would like to receive. If they walk in the doors of this church we need to welcome them in. At the same time they need to understand that we preach the entire Word of God here and their will be times that they will not like what is being said.

Now some will tell us we are not to judge.

Matthew 7:1

“Do not judge, so that you won't be judged.”

That is only part of it.

Matthew 7:1-5

““Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged. 2 For with the judgment you use, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye but don’t notice the log in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and look, there’s a log in your eye? 5 Hypocrite! First take the log out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”

Jesus was not telling us not to judge, He was telling us not to judge hypocritically. We are not to judge as people who think we are better than others. Remember we are all sinners and hence all of us fall short of God's standard. We are no better than anyone else. That being said, if we know a brother or sister is sinning it is our Christian duty to lovingly and respectfully confront them about it. Our goal is to help them to realize their mistake in hopes of them repenting of their sin. Love not hate.

Now we need to remember the words of Peter when he was told not to teach in Jesus' name.

Acts 5:29

“But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.”

God has given us the definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman and that is what it is. The Supreme Court, society around us, or anyone else cannot change that definition. We need to follow God not man.

While we love everyone regardless of their sin we need to fight for our freedoms and fight for what is right.

Ephesians 6:10-13

“10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. 12 For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. 13 This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.”

This is a battle that will only be won through prayer and revival. We won't win anything by fighting with those who disagree with us. We need to pray, love, share God's grace, and prepare for revival.

1 Peter 2:11-12

“11 Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and temporary residents to abstain from fleshly desires that war against you. 12 Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that in a case where they speak against you as those who do what is evil, they will, by observing your good works, glorify God on the day of visitation.”

Remember we are temporary residents in this sinful world. Things are going to be hard, act honorably, act how God wants you to act, and let your actions glorify God.

My heart is heavy as this once great nation is in trouble. I wonder how our religious liberties are going to be impacted. I fear how this court ruling will impact our kids and future generations. Religious schools are already in the cross hairs, will churches be next?

I encourage each of you to hold strong to Biblical teaching, Pray for God's intervention, Pray for Revival, Pray for salvations, Pray for our political leaders, and remember in every action to show love especially to those you disagree with. 

Thanks for reading and God Bless,

Robert

Sermon - June 7, 2015 - James 4:1-12 - Conflict

Conflict!

Conflict has been around from the very beginning. Cain had a conflict with Abel, he did not handle it to well. King Saul had a conflict with soon to be King David, that one did not turn out to well either. The Old Testament is full of conflict. Wars, rebellion, false gods, were the results of all of this conflict.

There was conflict between the religious leaders and Jesus. There was conflict between Saul and Christians in the early church. There was conflict where ever Paul went and the Bible tells us there will be conflict as we approach the end times.

Conflict is something we are going to experience in this life. I for one have conflict at work. We have a group of people who are all working together to achieve the same goals, why would there be conflict? Simply because we are human, we have different thoughts on how to get things done, we work at different paces, heck it could be that someone had a bad morning before they even got to work.

As a Materials Manager I have conflict all the time. A supplier is late on a critical item, there is conflict. An employee does not want to follow policy, conflict. Another supplier asking for more money, big conflict. Quality issues, conflict. Disagreement on what we should be making, conflict. Conflict seems to be part of my day, pretty much every day, and that is not including the fact that I have teenagers at home. I wont get started on that one.

I am confident that I am not alone, all of us deal with conflict on a regular basis. It may be conflict with coworkers, your boss, customers, spouse, children, neighbors, and just about anyone else. We all have to deal with other people so we are going to have conflict in our lives.

History gives us a rather interesting account on conflict resolution. French novelist and playwright Alexandre Dumas once had a heated quarrel with a rising young politician. The argument became so intense that a duel was inevitable. Since both men were superb shots they decided to draw lots and the loser would shoot himself. Dumas lost the draw. Pistol in hand he withdrew in silent dignity to another room, closing the door behind him. The rest of the company waited in gloomy suspense for the shot that would end his career. They finally heard it. His friends ran to the door, opened it, and found Dumas, smoking revolver in hand. He said, 'Gentlemen, a most regrettable thing has happened. I missed.'

I guess that is one way to deal with conflict, but it really does us no good this morning. See for us to resolve the conflict in our lives we need to look into God's Word. James is as usual not to shy about saying what He thinks. In chapter 4 of his letter James is going to ask about conflict, tell us the causes, and help us understand how to minimize or eliminate conflict from our lives.

James 4:1-3

“4 What is the source of wars and fights among you? Don’t they come from the cravings that are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your evil desires.”

Once again, James speaks his mind. You want to know where the conflicts are coming from? The conflicts we deal with in our lives are due to us being more concerned with our own personal desires than God's desires. The cause of conflict is because we are not following God's desires we are following our own desires or wants. Kids create conflict easily when they do not get what they want, and while the rest of us like to think we are more grown up we do the same thing.

In marriage there is conflict on how to best use money, save it, buy a car or a house, eating out, and the list goes on. The husband and wife will not always agree on how to use their money, when someone does not get their way, the result is conflict.

At work when the boss wants something done a certain way and one of the employees wants to do it their own way. The result is conflict.

Two siblings may want to watch different TV shows or play different video games, the result is conflict.

It is easy for us to blame the other person in the conflict. We do it all the time. If we miss a key metric at work I need to explain it or assign fault. I have to place blame. They will not accept me saying I made a mistake or I goofed. They will not accept me saying, 'sorry we just missed it this month.' They expect I find the cause and place the blame. The supplier was late, or the machine was down for repair. Hence corporate America teaches us, that we need to place blame on others. Not that most of us need help learning how to blame others. We have been doing it since we were little kids.

James is telling us that we should not be placing blame on others. If we are involved in conflict we need to be looking within ourselves for the source. Each of us, myself included, need to be very honest with ourselves. We may be godly people, we may love Jesus, we may be Christ followers, but at the same time there is still part of that sinful being lurking inside of us. The dark and selfish side. No matter how long we have been a Christian, we are still human, and it is that sinful human that causes the conflict.

We all have dreams and desires. I am sure most of us have things we have wanted and did not get. After all we like it our way and in many ways we are driven by our pleasures, wants, and desires. The more we are driven by these things the more likely we will be involved in conflict.

Cain wanted what Abel had. King Saul wanted to hold on to the kingdom that God had given to David. They let themselves be driven by their own personal selfish desires instead of God's will for their lives. God warned Cain and Saul blew his chance by not following God's commandments.

In verse 2 James refers to coveting. Now Jesus used this word to say that He deeply wanted to have Passover with His disciples before He suffered. So coveting is not always bad. Most the time it is translated and used to refer to wanting something in a bad way. James is telling us that it is wrong to want something so much that it leads us to be angry or frustrated if we don't get it. It really does not matter if what you want is a good thing, it is the behavior that is viewed as bad. For example buying a house is a great thing for a family. It leads to stability and for many can be used to share God's message and love. Now if you want the house no matter what and are willing to do whatever you have to do to get it, then there is a problem. That is the sinful nature taking over. That is is not seeking God's wisdom or will.

In verse 2 James also states 'You do not have because you do not ask.' Those of you with an NIV Bible this morning will see the another word at the end of the sentence that should be pretty obvious. 'You do not have because you do not ask God.'

If you are like me, there are a lot of things in your day that you do not ask for God's help. I ask Him every morning to help me with my day, or to help me be who He wants me to be. Most of the day after that, especially at work, I move forward on my own as if God is not available to help me with my job. Here I am, a child of God, knowing fully that God hears and responds to my prayers but I do not pray over everything. Can you relate? How many things do you handle on your own instead of asking God?

James is telling me and each of you, those good things we desire, the things that will bless us and allow us to be a blessing to others, we do not have because we do not give the request to God. There are things that God wants to give us that we do not have because we have not asked. That should be an eye opener for every one of us. We would have more blessings in our lives if we only asked God for them.

Now, James is real quick to tell us that God is not going to give us anything and everything we want. God will answer prayers if we are asking with the right motives. We are entitled to bring any request to God, but out prayer must be in the same spirit as Jesus' prayer before He was arrested.

Luke 22:42

“Father, if you are wiling, take this cup away from Me – nevertheless, not My will, but Yours be done.”

Our prayers can be fairly selfish. We may think that we should be praying for everything, like the name it and claim it people. God wants us to bring our desires, but we need to be praying for His will to be done not our own.

You should be asking God to help you get that house you want or that new job, but you need to do it desiring for God's will to be done not just because you want it.

James 4:4-5

“4 Adulteresses! Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? So whoever wants to be the world’s friend becomes God’s enemy. 5 Or do you think it’s without reason the Scripture says that the Spirit who lives in us yearns jealously?”

I wonder if anyone questioned if James thought he was writing to fellow believers or the local Baal worshipers. Wow, he was not afraid to saw it like he sees it.

Normally adultery is referring to sexual sin and that is something that can easily happen to someone who is living life selfishly, but James is talking about spiritual adultery. Spiritual adultery is when someone is being unfaithful to God.

Remember during The Story we saw a trend with Israel and the prophets. The people of God would regularly fall out of favor with God because they stopped looking to Him. They would forget about God, His commandments, and start worshiping these little wanna be gods. They would start living their lives the same way that the others lived. The Nation of Israel would commit spiritual adultery, they turned their back on the God that called them out of Egypt and gave them the promised land.

In the New Testament we regularly read that Jesus is the bridegroom and the Church is His bride. So if we are Jesus' bride, if we are not looking to Him and His will for our lives we are committing adultery. When we desire the things of the world, we are being unfaithful to God. James reminds us that God is a jealous God. He created us out of love and does not want to share us with the world. Since Adam and Eve chose to take matter into their own hands, He has spent every moment trying to get us back,. He paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we could be restored to our rightful place by His side. God is a jealous God.

Now that we have hammered through where conflict comes from, how do we get through it.

James 4:6-10

“6 But He gives greater grace. Therefore He says:

God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
7 Therefore, submit to God. But resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, double-minded people! 9 Be miserable and mourn and weep. Your laughter must change to mourning and your joy to sorrow. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.”

As we know God wants us back. He wants us to be with Him and to live according to His will. He wants to give us grace. How do we get there if we are living in conflict?

First we need to submit to God. We need to truly turn from our own desires, our own wishes, our own selfish behavior and submit to God. We need to follow God and His will for our lives, instead of our own. If conflict arises within ourselves, with our coworkers, spouse, or friends and we are submitting to God, He will help us. He does not want us to live in conflict. Instead He wants us to see others as He sees them and to interact with them according to His desire.

You know that person who drives you crazy? All of us have at least one in our lives. You may want to ignore or bicker with them. God wants you to Love them. If you are submitting to God you will learn to Love them even when it is hard.

After submitting to God, we need to resist the devil. 1 John tells us 'One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.' We cannot resist him on our own, he is smart, cunning, and has had a lot of practice corrupting humans. But if we are submitting to God and seeking His will and wisdom He will help us resist the devil.

Look at verse 8.

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”

Do you believe that the Bible is the Word of God? Do you believe everything in this book is true? If so, than you need to take this promise to the bank. God wants to not only be with you when you die, but He wants to be very close to you NOW, He wants to walk with you. You can't walk down a path with someone without being close. God wants to be real close to you.

How do we draw near to God? We need to clean up our hearts. How do we do that? Spend time with God, talk to Him, read His Word, and apply it to your life. Confess your sins to God. Humble yourself. Seek God in every way and He will be very close to you.

James 4:11-12

“11 Don’t criticize one another, brothers. He who criticizes a brother or judges his brother criticizes the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. 12 There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?”

James ends this section telling us not to be critical of fellow believers. Talking bad about fellow believers only divides. Whether we are talking about people in this building or people from other churches or denominations. Jesus told us to love our neighbors as ourselves. If we are being critical of them we are judging them not loving them. Don't judge your neighbor, Love Them!

Conflict may seem like the natural way of things. It is part of our daily lives more than any of us would care to admit. Do you want to live at peace with others? Do you want to live at peace with God?

Take James' advice.

Submit to God.

Resist the Devil.
Draw Near to God.

Then love others as Jesus commanded.

Thank You for Reading and I Pray that God Richly Blesses You!

Robert