Sermon for 4/25/2004
1 Thessalonians 5:14-23
The Heart that God Uses
HoHum:
A young mother went to her doctor for an appointment. She took her little five-year-old son with her and made no attempt to restrain him from ransacking an adjoining room. Finally, after hearing a bunch of bottles being rattled, she said to the doctor, “Doctor, I hope you don’t mind little Johnny being in the next room.”
The doctor replied, “No, its okay. He’ll be quiet when he gets to the poisons.”
That little boy’s behavior was bad. And, of course, any mother who would allow such behavior is not performing her motherly duties either.
Bad behavior is not a good thing! It is not good in the world or in the Lord’s church!
WBTU:
A. Be at peace among yourselves vs. 13. Didn’t discuss a lot last week. A Brother gave me some good thoughts last week on this. Church strife destroys leaders physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It makes leadership a great chore instead of a delight and this is no advantage to us. We are to be peacemakers. However, if all that an elder is doing is putting out fires between warring Christians, it is a difficult task. It is like trying to break up a fight. The one trying to break it up usually gets hurt.
B. Vs. 14
1. NKJ- Warn those who are unruly. NIV- Warn those who are idle. Amplified- those who are out of line [the loafers, the disorderly, and the unruly]; Idleness does lead to being unruly. However, the word literally means from the Greek those who are unruly, insubordinate, careless, and out of line.
a. It is applied to a soldier who would not keep rank but insisted on marching his own way.
b. While the loving atmosphere of the church family encourages individual development, there are some things we all must do in the same way. If we do not have rules and standards in the family, we have chaos.
c. Rules and traditions in a family must never be so overemphasized that creativity is stifled. But it is a sorrow to see a child rebel against the rules, abandon traditions and standards, and think that this kind of life-style shows freedom and maturity.
d. This kind of attitude in the church family causes arguments and splits.
e. It reminds me of those who rebelled at my college against simple rules. Have to get on some about hair, clothing styles, etc. Some left because of these rules.
2. NKJ- comfort the fainthearted. NIV- encourage the timid.
a. When the going gets tough, these people don’t get going, they quit.
b. All of the persecution may have caused them to be tempted to quit the whole thing.
c. We must get close to them and encourage them. Not yell at them from a distance. Make things worse.
3. Help the weak
a. This can refer to any weakness: physical, moral, or spiritual.
b. The emphasis here seems to be upon the spiritual. These needed help to develop strong spiritual muscles.
c. Don’t let them fall! Help them to stand and teach them how to walk.
4. Be patient with everyone.
a. It takes patience to raise a family. That weaker member who demands much help may one day be a choice leader, so never give up.
b. Everyone needs warning, comforting, encouraging, and help from time to time.
c. However, there are some who never seem to grow up. I thank God for such people. Those people help to enlarge us and make us stronger in our faith. They test us and try us and they do this for years and years, those outside and inside the church. It is wonderful to have them because they develop Christian character in us. It is a shame for them but it is a wonderful way for us to grow in self-control, perseverance, godliness (think of what God puts up with from us), and brotherly kindness.
d. We do not want to be unruly, giving up, and weak for all of our lives. WE don’t have to be.
C. God has given us a new heart through Jesus Christ. (Ezek 36:26 NIV) I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. (Ezek 36:27 NIV) And I will put my Spirit in you. Through Christ and the salvation he brings, we have a new heart.
D. He is still working on us to make us what we ought to be. However, to have a new heart is the start.
E. We want to be a heart that God uses. WE want to be God’s instrument to warn the unruly, to comfort the fainthearted, and to help the weak. We don’t want to be on the receive end of this. We want to be used by God to do His will.
Thesis: What kind of a heart does God use?
For instances:
I. A caring heart (vs. 15)
A. For many people, thoughts of retaliation immediately come to mind following an attack upon them.
B. Maybe some Thessalonian Christians were seeking revenge against their persecutors. Perhaps church members were lashing out against one another. Either way, the Christian ideal is kindness to each other (fellow Christians) and to everyone else (people at large).
C. To turn the other cheek is neither a popular concept nor an easy one. It takes self-control only given through the Holy Spirit.
D. (Rom 12:17 NIV) Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.(Rom 12:18 NIV) If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.(Rom 12:19 NIV) Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.(Rom 12:20 NIV) On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."(Rom 12:21 NIV) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
E. As we minister to others, they reject us and even oppose us. Often they show no appreciation. We should always serve in love, and be ready to forgive.
F. Enemies to become friends. Do we care?
II. A Joyful Heart (Vs. 16)
A. I like what the Amplified says here- Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually
B. One of Max Lucados books is called, Traveling Light.
C. Don’t take yourself or others too seriously.
D. We are all normal until we get to know each other.
E. The joy of the Lord is your strength- Nehemiah 8:10.
F. Things may be going terribly around you, but we can still have joy in our hearts. We are going to heaven. We know Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit lives within us. Why so downcast, O my soul, put your trust in God?
G. I have the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart to stay. I’m so happy, so very happy; I have the love of Jesus in my heart.
III. A Prayerful heart (vs. 17)
A. We have to pray in a sacred place away from everyone with our heads bowed and our minds totally focused on God. This is good but this is not the only time and place to pray.
B. Let us pray, let us pray, everywhere and everyway, every moment of the day it is the right time.
C. Nehemiah was known as a man of prayer and most of the prayers we have recorded are only one sentence.
D. One thought, Lord help me, Lord strengthen me, etc.
E. While you are driving down the road, while you are sitting in the parking lot, while you are watching the news.
F. We are to keep the receiver off the hook and be in touch with God so that our praying is part of a long conversation that is not broken.
G. Daniel prayed three times a day.
H. Christ prayed all night and had little bullet prayers all day around people. Christ prayed without ceasing.
I. If we do this we will be able to deal with difficult people and keep the joy of the Lord all day.
IV. A Thankful heart (Vs. 18)
A. We should not be guilty of the sin of ingratitude. God has done so much.
B. If you only had those things that you thanked God for, how much would you have?
C. What about bad things?
1. God works all things for our good. (Rom 8:28 NIV) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
2. With this attitude we can glory in tribulation. (Rom 5:3 NIV) we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;(Rom 5:4 NIV) perseverance, character; and character, hope.(Rom 5:5 NIV) And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
3. We can rejoice in persecution. (Mat 5:10 NIV) Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Mat 5:11 NIV) "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. (Mat 5:12 NIV) Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
4. We can even rejoice in trials. (James 1:2 NIV) Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, (James 1:3 NIV) because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
5. (Phil 4:6 NIV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace….
6. I like what the Amplified says here, Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus
7. Thankful even for those people who are not thankful. Thankful even for those people who are difficult.
V. An Open Heart (Vs. 19-21)
A. In the New Testament world there were prophets (Like Paul here) who gave the Word of the Lord for the people. They did not have scrolls and many could not read.
B. However, in our day we have the completed Bible. There are no new words from the Lord.
C. From a different perspective, there are people who have the gift of discernment. They take the Word, the Bible and have the ability to point out sin in our lives. This was the main job of a prophet. We do not need to despise these people when they point out something lacking or wrong in our lives.
D. Some people are fools and despise those who warn them and try to correct them. (Prov 12:1 NIV) Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. (Prov 15:10 NIV) Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die. (Prov 15:32 NIV) He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.
E. We need to test all things. Some things people have brought before my attention were unbiblical or unimportant. However, others have brought things to my attention that were very helpful in my life and in my teaching.
F. We also need to have an open mind to those who hold to different theological persuasions. Many times they have good things to say.
VI. A pure heart (Vs. 22)
A. There are things in society that appear evil and things that appear good.
B. Some people have said that things like movies are always evil. Said that Yahtzee is evil because it uses instruments of gambling. Rook is a card game and this is evil because cards are used in gambling and in houses of immorality. TV is evil.
C. Several years ago, one preacher said that we can tell the houses of the godly from the houses of the wicked because the houses of the wicked have rabbit ears.
D. All forms of mixed bathing (swimming) are evil. The list could go on and on. (Titus 1:15 NIV) To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.
E. Are we doing this with pure motives or with evil motives?
F. (Mat 5:8 NIV) Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
G. As far as the appearance of evil, do not do things to give people something to talk about. However, if you are doing things out of pure motives and a pure heart, then don’t let the judgments of men stop you. WE will be judged by God.
VII. A Ready Heart (vs. 23)
A. (Heb 12:14 NIV) without holiness no one will see the Lord.
B. Am I ready to be with the Lord? Do I need to repent of something? Do I need to seek forgiveness or reconciliation with someone?
C. No one is ever pure enough to go to heaven. Only through the blood of Jesus are our bodies, souls and spirits ready for his coming.
D. There are three things to consider with sanctification (holiness).
1. There is initial sanctification. When we were baptized for the forgiveness of our sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit, we were set apart for God and made holy.
2. There is practical sanctification. Daily dealing with our sins.
3. There is perfect sanctification. This is when we see Christ and become eternally like him.
E. We must be doing the first two to have the last one.
G. Have we been baptized? Are we living the Christian life and dealing with our daily sins? Invitation time.
