Jump Start # 4106

1 Timothy 4:12 “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.”

I’ve noticed in the news lately a number of “pastors” who have been fired or arrested for inappropriate sexual behavior. Some committed adultery while they were married. Some have been involved in sexual activity with underaged young people. Warren Berkley in one of his books about preachers stated that he knew of more than fifty gospel preachers that had been involved in adultery. I don’t know as a “profession” if preachers have a higher rate of unfaithfulness than attorneys, or athletes or plumbers. Those of the world, who live by the standard of self, aren’t shocked by these things. Those of faith are. We are more shocked by the trouble within our fellowship. Too close to home. They ought to know better. Something is wrong.

Here are some thoughts:

First, the steps toward adultery begin with a heart that is not committed, focused nor intent upon the Lord. Preachers need to listen to their own sermons. What is missing are the daily spiritual habits of faith that keeps one connected and close to the Lord. Our faith can easily turn into a church building, Sunday morning external event that is left at the building when we go home. Sunday worship is just one part of our faith. It is not all of our faith. Those daily disciplines are a must to keep one in the lane that God wants us to be in.

Young Timothy, from our verse today, was to be a model of faith. Young people CAN do it. Speech. Conduct. Love. Faith. Purity. Inside of you, outside of you, alone or with others, your faith in Christ is what must be real, alive and active.

Second, we must realize that the devil knows us. He knows what buttons to push. He is a master at temptation. Away from home. Tired. Late at night. Those are all the proper settings for Satan to start pumping thoughts into our minds that are not wholesome, pure and right. Toss in some movies or videos that we ought not to be watching, and now temptation is pounding on the front door of your heart.

It’s time God’s people become honest, open and aggressive about pornography. It’s tearing hearts away from the Lord, ripping apart marriages and leaving a trail of ruined lives. Pornography is NOT grounds for divorce, even though some around us are proclaiming that. Yet, that does not mean porn is innocent and ok. It’s not OK. And, stats now show that women are into porn about as much as men are.

Paul told the Corinthians, “We are taking every thought captive for the obedience of Christ.” The Philppians were told to let their minds dwell upon what was pure. Impure actions come from minds that are thinking impurities. The battle for faithfulness sexually begins with the battle within our minds. Allowing yourself to become weak spiritually not only hurts yourself, but it hurts your family and it hurts the congregation. Be strong, the Ephesians were told. Resist the devil, is what James said.

Recognize the moments when you are vunerable. Know when the devil is coming after you. Wars are rarely won by one single battle. It’s a series of skirmishes. One after another. Keep yourself pure today.

Third, don’t put yourself in situations that will compromise your faith. Don’t do that. Preachers, if a woman wants to talk with you, include someone else. Meet in a public place. Tell others what you are doing. Give no reason for someone to question what you are doing. Being naïve, clueless or thinking nothing would ever happen is just the way Satan wants you to be. Take that away from him. Don’t put yourself in harm’s way. I’d much rather others think that I am an old fuddy duddy than to come across as a flirt. But that’s not enough. Others may come flirting towards you. And, here is where I believe many of the preachers and “pastors” of the world get into trouble. We love attention. Tell us how great we are. Feed the ego. And, like that, we drop our guard and love the praise and adoration that comes our direction. Like screaming fans at their favorite rock stars, preachers who are not settled in their faith nor understand their role in the kingdom, are swooned into the arms of someone that they are not married to. Deep inside they know this is wrong, but they don’t get that kind of attention at home. A moment crosses the line of decency and right and wrong and just like that sin takes place. Satan smiles and the deception, lies and cover up begins.

Long before any of this happened, humbleness was lost. Some preach because of the thrill that they get each week from members fanning over them. Their heads swell because they have believed that they have become the greatest thing since the apostles. The problem is not sexuality. It is understanding that you are just one of God’s  many tools. You can’t walk on water. You are not one of the chosen. You are just one avenue to help people see Jesus. Instead of hiding behind the cross, some have come out and stood in front of the cross. We now can’t see the cross because the preacher is standing in front of it. All we see is the preacher.

Humble yourself. Quite thinking about yourself and focus upon the Lord. These things are a faith issue.

May we do better. It begins at home. It begins in our hearts.

Roger

Jump Start # 4104

1 Timothy 6:17 “Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.”

Many of the very first Christians were poor. Several were slaves. The appeal and thirst for riches is often seen as an escape to a better life. “If we only had…” is the dream of many people. And, even today, with all of our energy drinks and bottles of water that people carry around, the thirst for wealth is alive and very strong. Many a young athlete dreams of making it to the big leagues for no other reason than the wealth that comes with that.

Our verse is written almost like a Proverb. Layered deeply within these words are a series of contrasts. It’s easy to miss them, but they are there.

First, there is the message of “the present world” in contrast to the “next world.” Paul addresses those who are rich now. What really matters is being rich later. The later is not later in life, but in the next world. Lay up for yourselves treasure in Heaven is how our Lord put it. Being rich eternally is the thrust of the apostle’s words.

Second, there is the layer about hope. Those who are rich now have their hope in their riches. Their wealth is going to see them through. They don’t need because they have wealth. Things will be ok, because we’ve got the money. They have “fixed their hope” on their wealth. This is in contrast to those who have fixed their hope on the Lord. The Lord will get them through. They have hope, not because of what is in the bank, but because of Who is in Heaven.

Third, there is a contrast between the uncertainty of riches and the certainty of God. Riches come and go. The stock market rides like a roller coaster. As long as it’s going up, happy days are here. But when it plummets downward, the sky is falling for many. A warehouse full of goods seems wonderful until the fire department calls and the warehouse is burning to the ground. The rich farmer in the Lord’s parable had a fine future planned on paper. Bigger barns. Relax. Take like easy. All looked great except he was scheduled to die that night and he didn’t realize that.

Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Certainty. Always faithful. Always available. Always true. Jesus is someone that you can count on. He will be there tomorrow. Riches? Who knows?

What is shocking about the apostle’s words are that most of us would not classify ourselves today as being rich. But in contrast to the world Paul lived in, we do things that they couldn’t even dream of. In a moment, these words I am typing will be sent across the world. We can control the temperature of our cars and our homes. We can cook food in minutes not hours. Our homes are large. Our pantries are full. Our closests are stuffed. The first century citizen would have thought that you and I were kings, the way we live.

And, if you have traveled to a third world country, you understand the contrast. I have seen a man lying on a blanket under two large palm branches. That was his home. I’ve seen a river that people were washing their clothes in, while down stream someone was doing their dishes, while further down stream someone was bathing. All in the same water. We are rich. Admit it, we are.

The points in this passage is not get rid of you’re your riches, but get your heart right. Trusted in riches, bering conceited because of your wealth impacts your heart. It changes you. It makes you believe you are better than others, that certain things do not apply to you and that you are fine because of your wealth. That’s the warning. Wealth opens doors to some and it generates special opportunities. But, we need to see what a blessing and advantage wealth can be if used correctly and rightly.

Here are some thoughts:

First, do not demand nor expect discounts from the services of brethren. I’ve known some who got very upset because a brother worked on their house or their car and they expected the services to be nearly free. I’d rather pay a good brother full price because I know he will not abuse the money I give him. Now, if the brother wants to give you a discount, that’s up to him, but don’t blow a gasket because he doesn’t. Word gets around and before long, he’s doing work for nearly nothing.

Second, having riches can be a blessing to a congregation. Give generously. Help out others who do not have much. I’ve known brethren who paid the way for high school graduates to go to college. I’ve known brethren who on their own have supported the preaching of the Gospel, paid the way for some to travel overseas to preach, help brethren in a crisis and help fund the building of church buildings. What a blessing these folks have been to the kingdom of God.

Some only use their wealth for themselves. Selfish, they do not want to share. They earned it, they believe, so it belongs to them is the way some think. Never realizing that the Lord has blessed them.

Third, how we handle our wealth and what it does to us can be a test of our faith. Some want to separate faith and finance, but the two go together very neatly and very nicely. One impacts the other. The greater the faith, the more generous one will be. Socialism wants to force equality in wealth. Faith in Christ, will build the bridges for all to cross upon.

All around us are opportunities to serve the Lord with our talents, our time and our treasures. Be careful that stuff doesn’t change you. Conceit and jealousy are the next door neighbors to riches. Those who have it can be conceited. Those who don’t can be jealous. Neither one makes for good neighbors.

Paul’s next words to the rich are: do good, be generous, be ready to share and be rich in good works. That’ll take care of those contrasts from the previous verse. Generous. Sharing. Doing good. Nothing beats that. And, when this life is over, I doubt you’ll be talking about the car you always wanted to get but never did. Nope. What you’ll be doing is hugging the brother that you helped out and are so glad to see Him on the right side of eternity.

Instruct is how our verse begins. This is stuff one doesn’t get in business class in college. We have to learn this and we preachers must teach this. Don’t let your stuff keep you from Heaven. Don’t be defined by what you have. Be known by your faith in the Lord.

Roger