"TELL THEM, THE FAMINE IS OVER"
TEXT: 2 CORINTHIANS 5:11-6:2
INTRODUCTION
[read text]
Ben Hadad, king of the Arameans mobilized his entire army and marched against and laid siege to the city of Samaria. There presence caused there to be a great famine in the city. Things were looking real bad for the city, food was scarce and hope was at a desperate low ebb. The little food that was there was unclean and was highly priced, a donkeys head sold for $50 dollars and doves dung for $3 dollars.
Things were so bad that one day when the King of Israel was making his daily inspections of the city’s walls, he was taken back by the cries of a woman for help, he assumed that she was seeking relief from the pangs of hunger. But when he inquired to her problem she told him how a woman had made an agreement with her for food. The woman had told her, "GIVE UP YOUR SON SO WE MAY EAT HIM TODAY, AND TOMORROW WE’LL EAT MY SON." The woman told the king that she had cooked her son but the next day the other woman had hidden her’s.
At the news of this King Jehoram tore his clothes and mourned.
Now while all this was going 4 lepers got together at the entrance of the city gate. They began discussing the terrible situation that they found themselves in. "WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? WHERE ARE WE GOING TO GO? OUR OPTIONS ARE NOT THAT GOOD. IF WE GO INTO THE CITY, THE FAMINE IS THERE AND WE WILL DIE. IF WE STAY HERE AT THE GATE WE WILL DIE. THE ONLY OPTION WITH EVEN A REMOTE POSSIBILITY OF OUR SURVIVING IS TO GO OVER TO THE CAMP OF THE ARAMENAS AND SURRENDER. IF THEY SPARE US WE LIVE AND IF THEY KILL US WE DIE, COME ON IT’S WORTH A SHOT."
So they waited until night fall to go, into the camp because in the daytime the Israelites on the walls of the city would have shot them with arrows as traitors. When the 4 lepers finally made it to the camp, they went into the camp to surrender expecting to find thousands of soldiers. But when they got there they found the camp completely empty, not a man was there. The 4 lepers didn’t realize that in the middle of the night the Lord has caused the army of the Aramenas to hear the sound of chariots and of a large army approaching, hearing this they fled at great speed, running for their lives. Leaving behind all except their horses.
When the men went into one of the tents they found a great feast just sitting on the table they ate and drank and had their fill. Then the carried off clothes silver and gold and hid them. And as they were running around taking care of themselves making sure they were well taken care of, suddenly their thoughts and eyes went back to the city which was still in a famine. And they said to each other, "WE’RE NOT DOING RIGHT. THIS IS A DAY OF GOOD NEWS AND WE ARE KEEPING IT TO OURSELVES. IF WE WAIT UNTIL DAYLIGHT PUNISHMENT WILL OVERTAKE US. LET GO AT ONCE AND REPORT THIS TO THE ROYAL PALACE." And they went and reported the news to the city.
This exciting account described for us in 2 Kings chapter 7 contains a parable for the Lord’s people today. WE too like the lepers were living in a world/city that was under siege. Satan and his army of sin had surrounded our city. Leaving inside starving people, confused, full of despair, hurting and looking for a reason to go on, to have hope. The city is still under siege today. And many, including many of us here today, have ventured into the enemy camp and found that in the middle of the night Jesus Christ had completely defeated Him, they have discovered that the war is over. We have food to eat and drink to drink, so that we will never go hungry or be thirsty again.
But have we like the 4 lepers in our desire to get all we can for ourselves, forgotten that in the city, in the world we just left, people are still starving, still confused, still full of despair, still anxiously waiting the news that the famine is over -- that they don’t have to live like this any longer -- that there is indeed a reason to have hope. That there is eternal life.
My friends the world needs to know that the FAMINE IS OVER...
And we, you and I, need to tell them... We need to tell the people we work with, live near, go to school with... we need to tell the starving about Jesus.
The last words of Jesus to his disciples as recorded by Matthew are words we are very familiar with. Jesus said to them, "ALL AUTHORITY IN HEAVEN AND EARTH HAS BEEN GIVEN TO ME. THEREFORE GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER SON AND HOLY SPIRIT AND TEACHING THEM TO OBEY EVERYTHING I HAVE COMMANDED YOU. AND SURELY I AN WITH YOU ALWAYS, TO THE VERY END OF THE AGE." WE call that passage the great commission. I think if we are honest with ourselves each of us would have to admit that we could do a better job at this commission, I know that I can.
It’s not always easy to share Jesus with those we know sometimes it seems awkward, but friends we have enlisted in His army and these are in fact, our marching orders.
Today as we study our text, 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2, we will discover 4 keys that will enable us to be more effective at sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.
I. WE MUST BE GENUINE (5:11)
Paul in this verse says that "HE TRIES TO PERSUADE MEN." And that is what we are trying to do when we share Christ, trying to persuade men to accept the Good News of salvation in Christ.
And one of the necessary keys for this is for us to be genuine, to be real, to be transparent. Did you notice what Paul
said in verse 11, "WHAT WE ARE IS PLAIN TO GOD, AND I HOPE IT IS ALSO PLAIN TO YOUR CONSCIENCE." Paul say’s what I am is plain
to you. There is always a temptation for us to try to cover who we really are, to be deceptive to pretend we are something when we are in fact not that at all.
READERS DIGEST CARRIED A STORY ABOUT A WOMAN WHO TRAVELED 5O MILES TO VISIT A FRIEND. WHEN SHE WENT TO THE CAR TO GO HOME, SHE DISCOVERED SHE HAD LOCKED HER KEYS IN THE CAR. SHE DIDN’T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO, SO SHE CALLED HER HUSBAND LONG DISTANCE. HE WAS ANGRY WITH HER, BUT SAID, "YOU JUST STAY THERE, AND I’LL DRIVE OUT AND BRING MY KEYS TO YOU." THE WOMAN WENT BACK OUT TO THE CAR AND FOUND THAT ACTUALLY Y ONE OF THE CAR DOORS WAS OPEN. SHE RACED INTO THE HOUSE AND TELEPHONED HER HUSBAND, BUT HE HAD ALREADY LEFT.
"WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WHEN YOU HUSBAND ARRIVES?" HER FRIEND ASKED. "HE’S REALLY GOING TO BE MAD WHEN HE FINDS OUT THE TRIP WAS UNNECESSARY."
SHE SAID, "I’M GOING TO DO WHAT ANY RED-BLOODED AMERICAN WIFE WOULD DO" AND SHE WENT OUT AND LOCKED THE DOOR AND SLAMMED IT SHUT.
Sometimes it is hard to admit our faults/our imperfections, to be ourselves but if we are not genuine with people they will see right through our attempts to persuade them. Some Christians try to cover up who they are to the world pretending that they have no faults, never fail and have all the answers. And the world can see right through that phony fascod. And as they do they will tune them out as soon as they open their mouths.
If we want to share Christ effectively we need to genuine --be who we are -- be ourselves. Don’t cover up the fact that you don’t have all the answers, admit that you are not perfect -- but that you know someone who is.
Not only do we need to be genuine about who we are but we also have to be genuinely concerned about the person we are sharing with. You’ve heard this saying before and I feel it applies here as well, "PEOPLE DON’T CARE WHAT YOU KNOW UNTIL THEY KNOW YOU CARE." If we are sharing with someone to boast our on ego, to get another notch on our Bible or another buck for the church and not because we really care and are concerned about them, they will see right through us -- and the message we share, will fall on deaf ears.
TO WIN SOULS FOR CHRIST WE NEED TO BE GENUINE AND
II. WE NEED TO BE CONVINCED (5:14,15)
PAUL SAYS IN VERSE 14 THAT, "CHRIST’S LOVE COMPELS HIM."
Christ love compels Paul to share the Gospel, to persuade men about Jesus Christ. And why does Christ’s love compel Paul? THE ANSWER IS FOUND IN VERSE 14, "BECAUSE HE IS CONVINCED THAT ONE DIED FOR ALL...."
At one time in Paul’s life persuading men to follow Christ was the furthest thing from his mind. But then he saw the light, he saw the Lord Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus....
And he left that road that day physically blinded because of that bright light. But he saw more in this blindness, then he had in all of his previous years of life. Paul was convinced about Jesus and His Gospel.
And what is that message -- "THAT ONE DIED FOR ALL." That Jesus Christ died for the sins of the world --That "GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONE AND ONLY SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT PERISH/WILL NOT DIE, BUT WILL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE." I love the words of Paul in Romans Chapter 5, "YOU SEE AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME, WHEN WE WERE STILL POWERLESS, CHRIST DIED FOR THE UNGODLY. VERY RARELY WILL ANYONE DIE FOR A RIGHTEOUS MAN, THOUGH FOR A GOOD MAN SOMEONE MIGHT POSSIBLY DARE TO DIE. BUT GOD DEMONSTRATED HIS LOVE FOR US IN THIS. WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS CHRIST DIED FOR US."
And Paul goes on to say in our text that we also die, "BECAUSE WE ARE CONVINCED THAT ONE DIED FOR ALL, AND THEREFORE ALL DIE"
What does Paul mean when he says all die? What kind of dying is he talking about here? Does this mean all Christian’s are dead? And if so when do we die? WE must understand that....
Paul is not talking about physical death here, he is talking about another kind of death, a death he describes in Romans Ch 6
[Roman 6:2-7]
In our baptism we die to sin, the thing that is condemning us. WE are buried with Christ, our sins are washed away by his blood and we are also raised with him, clean and forgiven so that we may live a new life. It is in our baptism, that we die, and we are born again.
This is the message that Paul was convinced of, and he was convinced that everyone, without exception needed to hear it. Because all have sinned and have fallen short, of the glory of God. Paul was convinced: that the message was true, that he had the only cure for the world’s disease, the only solution to the world’s problem -- The Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Are we? Are you? Convinced that the Gospel is true, that the only way to God is through Christ? And are we convinced that everyone, without exception, needs this message whether they realize it our not? Are we convinced that "WE HAVE A STORY TO TELL TO THE NATIONS, THAT SHALL TURN THEIR HEARTS TO THE RIGHT; A STORY OF TRUTH AND MERCY, A STORY OF PEACE AND LIGHT"
BEFORE WE WILL EVER BE EFFECTIVE IN WINING LOST SOULS FOR CHRIST, WE MUST BE CONVINCED THAT WE HAVE THE MESSAGE THE WORLD NEEDS. IF WE ARE CONVINCED, WE WILL SHARE THE MESSAGE. DOES IT MAKE ANY SENSE TO BE CONVINCED -- BUT NOT SHARE?
WE NEED TO BE CONVINCED --- WE NEED TO BE GENUINE -- AND
III. WE MUST HAVE OUR FATHER’S EYES
We must no longer see people from a worldly point of view. Listen to Paul’s words in verse 16, "SO FROM NOW ON WE REGARD NO ONE FROM A WORLDLY POINT OF VIEW."
What does it mean to view people from a worldly point of view? How does the world view people? The Word of God as always gives us the answer.
In I Samuel chapter 16, the prophet Samuel was sent by God to the house of Jesse to anoint the next King. When Jesse’s son Eliab came into the room and Samuel saw him, he said, "SURELY THE LORD’S ANOINTED STANDS HERE BEFORE THE LORD." Apparently Eliab was quite an impressive looking individual. But the Lord said to Samuel, "DO NOT CONSIDER HIS APPEARANCE OR HIS HEIGHT, FOR I HAVE REJECTED HIM. THE LORD DOES NOT LOOK AT THE THINGS MAN LOOKS AT. MAN LOOKS AT THE OUTWARD APPEARANCE, BUT THE LORD LOOKS AT THE HEART." The Lord views people definitely then the world does. And since as Paul says in verse 17, "IF ANYONE IS IN CHRIST, HE IS A NEW CREATION, THE OLD IS GONE, THE NEW HAS COME." WE are to view people as Christ does. People who has worth, have value, people who were worth enough to Christ, that he died for them.
We are not to view them by their outward appearances, height, weight, color, economic status, education, looks ...etc. We are not to look at some and say , "we don’t want that kind in our church, they are not like us." And we are not to look at some who in their present condition are far from the kingdom, and say that the Lord can not do anything with them (so why bother) -- we are not to do that because we realize that Christ has the power to transform individuals, he transformed Paul "the chief of sinners" and he transformed many of us. I am sure glad someone did not look at me as a 19 year old and say, "Let’s not waste our time on him, he is definitely not kingdom material."
To see people with the eyes of God is to see people (PEOPLE YOU WORK WITH, GO TO SCHOOL WITH, LIVE NEAR) to see them, as individuals who God deeply loves and people who God can dramatically change and transform, to see people who have great potential for God and the Kingdom -- if only someone who is GENUINE, someone who is CONVINCED, someone who sees them through the EYES OF THE FATHER would share the Good News of Jesus Christ with them. Someone who also has:
IV. A DEEP SENSE OF URGENCY [5:18-6:2]
18, "us" personalize it
19, God does not count our sins against us, but HE has, committed to us/ he has entrusted us, with the ministry of reconciliation. The ministry of reconciling the lost sinner with God.
6:1 don’t accept Christ grace in vain, don’t accept it and then tell no one else about it. Don’t accept it and continue living for only yourself -- but rather, live for HIM.
Two statements of Paul’s in the verses we just read underscore the urgency of the ministry of reconciliation.
"WE IMPLORE YOU ON CHRIST’S BEHALF BE RECONCILED TO GOD."
"I TELL YOU, NOW IS THE TIME OF GOD’S FAVOR, NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION."
I want you to imagine yourself walking by your neighbors yard. It’s hot and you glance over at their yard and see their little 2 year old in the pool and it is obvious to you that she can not swim. What would you do? Would you look at your watch and say, "this really isn’t a good time" and walk on by.
Or look at your clothes and say "I’m not really prepared for this". What would you do? Most of us with hearts pounding, fully aware of the urgency of the situation would run to the pool and do something. Many people we know, many people you know and I know, are drowning in the pool of unforgiven sin and they need someone to toss them a life preserver -- Jesus Christ.
Now is the time we need to share, because there may not be a tomorrow. If you don’t believe life is fragile go sit in a Cardiac waiting room -- and see the many faces, families who have a loved one on the edge of death --- and the faces change everyday.
If we are convinced of the message’s truth -- we will also be convinced of it’s urgency. Individuals, need to accept Christ now/today, because there are no guarantees of Tomorrow. And w/o Christ, they will die in their sins, and spend eternity separated from God.
And Christians, need to share Christ now, because a more convenient time may not come.
MARTIN NIEMOLLER WAS A LUTHERAN PASTOR WHO WAS IMPRISONED BY THE NAZIS DURING WW II. HE TOLD OF A HORRIBLE DREAM HE HAD ONE NIGHT IN THE CONCENTRATION CAMP. HE HEARD THE VOICE OF GOD ASK, "WHAT’S YOUR EXCUSE?" AND A VOICE BEHIND HIM ANSWERED, "NO ONE EVER TOLD ME ABOUT JESUS."
NIEMOLLER AWAKENED IN A SWEAT. HE RECOGNIZED THE VOICE OF THE RESPONDER AS ADOLF HITLER. NIEMOLLER REMEMBERED THAT IN THE MID THIRTIES HE HAD BEEN SEATED IN A BANQUET WITH HITLER RIGHT BESIDE HIM FOR SEVERAL HOURS, AND THEY JUST MADE SMALL TALK ALL NIGHT.
HE THOUGHT MAYBE HE WOULD JUST BEFRIEND HITLER AND TALK ABOUT THE LORD AT SOME OTHER, MORE CONVENIENT TIME, BUT THAT MORE CONVIENENT TIME NEVER CAME.
WE NEED TO SAHRE CHRIST WITH THIOSE WE KNOW, WITH THOSE WE COME IN CONTACT WITH. WE HAVE NO IDEA THE DIFFERNCE THAT AN INVITATION TO CHURHC OR A BRIEF WORD ANBOUT THE LORD CAN DO FOR SOME ONE. IF WE HAVE FOUND IN THE MIDST OF THE FAMINE IT IS RIGHT TO KEEO ALL TO OURSEKVES? IF WE HAVE FOUND HOPE AND LIFE IS RIGHT NOT TO SHARE IT?
IF WE ARE CONVIONVED OF THE MESSAGE -- HAVE A SENSE OF URGENCY WE WILL SEE PEOLE THROUGH OUR FATHERS EYES AND GENUINELY SHARE THE GOSPEL WITH THEM.
CONCLUSION
"MY FRIEND"
MY FRIEND I STAND IN JUDGEMENT NOW, AND FEEL THAT YOU’RE TO BLAME SOMEHOW.
ON EARTH I WALKED WITH YOU DAY BY DAY, AND NEVER DID YOU POINT THE WAY.
YOU KNEW THE LORD IN TRUTH AND GLORY, BUT NEVER DID YOU TELL THE STORY.
MY KNOWLEDGE THEN WAS VERY DIM, YOU COULD HAVE LED ME SAFE TO HIM.
THOUGH WE LIVED TOGETHER HERE ON EARTH, YOU NEVER TOLD ME OF THE SECOND BIRTH.
AND NOW I STAND THIS DAY CONDEMNED, BECAUSE YOU FAILED TO MENTION HIM.
YOU TAUGHT ME MANY THINGS, THAT’S TRUE, I CALLED YOU "FRIEND", AND TRUSTED YOU.
BUT I LEARNED NOW THAT IT’S TOO LATE, AND YOU COULD HAVE KEPT ME FROM THIS FATE.
WE WALKED BY DAY AND TALKED BY NIGHT, AND YET YOU SHOWED ME NOT THE LIGHT.
YOU LET ME LIVE AND LOVE AND DIE; YOU KNEW I’D NEVER LIVE ON HIGH.
YES, I CALLED YOU FRIEND IN LIFE AND TRUSTED YOU THROUGH JOY AND STRIFE.
AND YET, ON COMING TO THIS DREADFUL END, I CANNOT NOW, CALL YOU "MY FRIEND."
THE TWO GREATEST STATEMENTS WE’LL HEAR IN HEAVEN WILL BE, "WELL DONE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT.." AND THE SECOND WILL BE TO HEAR OUR FRIEND TELL US, "THANK YOU, IF IT WASN’T FOR YOU I WOULDN’T BE HERE.
THE FAMINE IS OVER! LET’S SPREAD THE NEWS!
IF YOU ARE HERE TODAY STILL LIVING IN THE FAMINE STRICKEN CITY OF SIN -- WE HAVE GOOD NEWS FOR YOU... THERE IS A WAY OUT, THEIR IS HOPE, JESUS CAME DEFEATED SIN AND OFFERS LIFE,
