Covetousness Is Idolatry

I. Study Connections in the Mind of God

A. When God establishes a principle for His people, it frequently relates to more than one law. “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:” (Colossians 3:5)

B. Sabbath breaking may also be theft and dishonesty. “Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit?” (Amos 8:5)

C. Greed produces murder and suicide. “So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.” (Proverbs 1:19)

D. Corrupt motives yield unexpected consequences. “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (1 Timothy 6:10)

II. An Apple Cannot Be Cut into a Single Piece

A. When God requires or forbids, He implicitly requires or forbids the opposite. “If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honorable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” (Isaiah 58:13-14)

B. Notice how Jesus used an Old Testament prescription to illustrate this double-edged truth. “And [Satan] saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” (Matthew 4:9-10) “Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.” (Deuteronomy 6:13)

C. The violation of this principle is especially vicious when it is done in the name of virtue. “For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.” (Matthew 15:4-6)

D. Every heavenly promise carries an eternal threat. “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.” (Matthew 5:21-25)

E. Virtues and vices come in illustrative pairs. “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” (Ephesians 4:28)

III. Horizontal Principles also Apply Vertically

A. Principles, which govern individual behavior, have corresponding applications for cultures and nations; promises and threats always come in pairs. “At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.” (Jeremiah 18:7-8)

B. History demonstrates that nations rise and fall in harmony with their covenantal faithfulness, indicating that the rule given to individual people applies to cultural groups. “He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” (Psalm 24:4-5)

COMMUNION

Exodus 13:1-19; 1 Corinthians 10:1-33 / 1 John 1:1-10


I. Christians Have Fellowship With God


A. The Church has actual experience with God; Communion reminds believers that the elements of faith and practice have roots in historical experience. “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;” (1 JOHN 1:1)

1. Paul reminded the believers that Christianity is an historical religion with a long record. “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;” (1 CORINTHIANS 10:1-2)

2. When the ancients repudiated the truth that they knew from experience by turning to non-gods, they destroyed themselves. “Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” (1 CORINTHIANS 10:6-7)

3. Each period in redemptive history sheds light on the next. “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” (1 CORINTHIANS 10:11)

B. Communion reminds believers that the gospel message of peace with God depends on the incarnation which believers personally witnessed. “(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.” (1 JOHN 1:2-3)

C. The written record in Scripture is designed to be the ultimate confirmation of the account of the substitutionary atonement. “And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.” (1 JOHN 1:4)


II. People Who Fail To Live the Truth Live Lies

A. God is everything good. “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” (1 JOHN 1:5)

B. People who are not transformed by the light do not have the truth and are liars; Christians have changed lives. “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:” (1 JOHN 1:6)

C. Transformed lives demonstrate that the blood atonement has worked in the lives of believers. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 JOHN 1:7)


III. Confession Sets Life Right Through Christ

A. The gospel transforms life, but the first thing it does is expose the necessity for the substitutionary atonement; a person who does not know a savior is necessary does not have salvation in Christ. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 JOHN 1:8)

B. When people confess what the gospel has exposed, God forgives them. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 JOHN 1:9)

C. People who fail to acknowledge the necessity for the substitutionary atonement are eternally lost. “If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (1 JOHN 1:10)

SIN, MERCY, AND BLESSING

Psalm 41—In the era of Absalom and Ahitophel


I. God Blesses the Merciful

A. God delivers those who deliver the helpless [weakened in body or spirit]; there is an inherent connection. “To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.” (PSALM 41:1)

B. The Bible explains poverty management. “If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth. Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee. Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto. For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.” (DEUTERONOMY 15:7-11)

C. The helpless may have powerful resources they do not perceive and which no Christian would want to antagonize. “The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.” (PSALM 41:2)

D. Even the ultimate poverty of illness and death loses its power when God presides over life. “The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.” (PSALM 41:3) “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 CORINTHIANS 15:55)

E. A believer understands the need for mercy from personal experience with sin. “I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.” (PSALM 41:4) “I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.” (PSALM 32:5)


II. The World Is Not Merciful

A. Far from helping in difficult times, enemies will want to destroy the righteous. “Mine enemies speak evil of me, When shall he die, and his name perish?” (PSALM 41:5)

B. Even occasions for words of comfort and consolation lose meaning. “And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.” (PSALM 41:6)

C. The wicked look for times when people are down so they can kick them more effectively. “All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt.” (PSALM 41:7)

D. For the evil heart, sorrow brings opportunity. “An evil disease, say they, cleaveth fast unto him: and now that he lieth he shall rise up no more. Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.” (PSALM 41:8-9)

E. Jesus treated David’s testimony against Ahitophel as prophetic of His experience with Judas. “I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.” (JOHN 13:18) “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.” (JOHN 17:12)


III. Reflection Brings the Heart Back to God’s Mercy

A. God will do what is best. “But thou, O LORD, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them.” (PSALM 41:10)

B. A believer knows that, as long as the struggle continues, God is on the believer’s side. “By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.” (PSALM 41:11)

C. God’s mercy and His hidden objectives explain the survival of the righteous. “And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.” (PSALM 41:12)

D. The First Book of Psalms ends with the testimony that, at every turn of Providence, a believer encounters the message of God’s overcoming blessing. “Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.” (PSALM 41:13)

Called and Sent

Nehemiah 5:1-13; Mark 6:7-13 / Ecclesiastes 4:7-16

I. Jesus Assembled His Disciples

A. What follows no? The rejection in Nazareth could have been a disaster but Jesus seized the moment to evangelize. “And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;” (Mark 6:7)

1. “One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.” (Deuteronomy 19:15)

2. “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)


B. Jesus gave these first missionaries specific instructions for the mission; these were the rules for entering the Temple. “And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse:” (Mark 6:8)

C. Jesus demanded absolute simplicity; evangelism was to be clearly the only objective of the mission. “But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.” (Mark 6:9)

II. Jesus Delivered a Project Manual

A. “And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.” (Mark 6:10)

B. “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the Day of Judgment, than for that city.” (Mark 6:11)

III. The Disciples Did as They Were Directed

A. “And they went out, and preached that men should repent.” (Mark 6:12)

B. “And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.” (Mark 6:13)


“Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:1-6 AV)

“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:40 AV)

“Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.” (Matthew 25:45 AV)

Called and Sent

Nehemiah 5:1-13; Mark 6:7-13 / Ecclesiastes 4:7-16

I. What Follows NO ?

A. Decapolis had rejected Jesus. “And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.” (Mark 5:17)

B. Nazareth had rejected Jesus. “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.” (Mark 6:3)

C. Jesus was on business from His Father; He was not free to stop simply because people rejected Him. “Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.” (John 8:28)

D. Rejection at Decapolis and Nazareth could have been a disaster, but Jesus seized the moment to evangelize. “And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;” (Mark 6:7)

E. In another place, Jesus put evangelism in perspective. “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20)

II. Jesus Delivered a Mission Manual

A. Jesus sent the disciples in pairs; from the human perspective, paired evangelists have a natural advantage. “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9) “Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?” (Ecclesiastes 4:11)

B. Theologically, God demands multiple witnesses to establish truth. “One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.” (Deuteronomy 19:15)

C. Jesus instructed the disciples to observe the same rules which the rabbis taught for entering the Temple compound. “And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.” (Mark 6:8-9) At a later time Jesus would send the gospel messengers to the Samaritans and the Gentles.

D. Evangelism was to be the only purpose for the mission; here is the pattern for short-term missions. “And he said unto them, In what place so ever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.” (Mark 6:10)

E. Though this first mission was to the Jews, the pattern substantially influenced the mission to Europe under Paul; redeemed people want to share in the gospel project. “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.” (Acts 16:14-15)

F. Jesus told the disciples they were on important business, but to leave problems to His Father; Christian evangelism has nothing in common with the ways of the world. “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city.” (Mark 6:11)

III. Great Things Began To Happen

A. Repentance is the starting place for the gospel; people need to understand the danger inherent in sinful living. “And they went out, and preached that men should repent.” (Mark 6:12)

B. Jesus confirmed the gospel preaching. “And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.” (Mark 6:13)

C. Christian methods must conform to the Christian message; graciousness best conveys grace. “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:1-6)

Christian Business

I. God Uses Christians To Witness

A. As He was leaving, Jesus told His people that they would be equipped to carry His gospel everywhere. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

B. In the darkest moments of Biblical history, God reminds His agents that He supplies the power for the tasks He assigns. “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6)

C. Paul attributed His gospel triumphs, not to himself, but to the power of the Holy Spirit operating through him. “Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.” (Romans 15:19)

D. Jesus promised to make the work of His people effective. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” (John 14:12-13)

E. The greatest evangelist of the Apostolic Age put himself on a level with the newest and least educated witness; the power is always God’s. “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:1-5)

II. Everyone Needs the Gospel

A. No matter who a Christian approaches, that person either knows the gospel or desperately needs to know the gospel. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23)

B. The options are simple; sin kills and grace makes alive for eternity. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

C. There are no exceptions. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Romans 3:10)

D. Since all people need what God has given you to share and He has promised to take charge of the sharing, be ready to act when the Holy Spirit provides the opportunity. “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” (1 Peter 3:15)

E. Stay out of your own way. “Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.” (1 Peter 3:16)

III. Success Is Coming

A. God has His own schedule. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

B. As long as believers are faithful to Scripture, what they undertake will accomplish God’s objectives. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:9-11)

C. Expect success; God is not sold on excuses. “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” (John 4:35)

D. Just follow the instructions. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)

E. Leave all the heavy lifting to the Holy Spirit. “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.” (John 16:8-11)

God Speaks To All of Life

I. God’s Law Is Spiritual

A. God speaks from Himself, a Spirit, into all realms of reality. “For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.” (Romans 7:14)

B. Because God’s law is spiritual, it reaches into all realms of reality in ways which demand responses. “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” (Deuteronomy 6:5)

C. Jesus brought the reality of revelation’s force to bear on everything God had said; in the New Testament the Old Testament simply comes into sharper focus. “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” (Matthew 22:37-39)

D. Adultery is an excellent illustration of Jesus’ teaching; the attitude implies the act. “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28)

E. Jesus obliterated all the elegant philosophical excuses for violating the clear meaning of Scripture. “Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:” (Matthew 5:33-34)

F. Christians must live in the simple and obvious realm of Scripture on all levels; excuses are effectually confessions of guilt. “But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” (Matthew 5:37) [See Westminster Confession Chapter 22]

G. According to Jesus, the spiritual implications of revelation reach a magnificent summary in His command to love enemies; Christ always means more by what He says rather than less. “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” (Matthew 5:43-44)

II. Spirits Are Not Easily Contained

A. Consequently, spiritual principles may govern multiple realms of life; observe how Scripture ties together covetousness and idolatry. “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:” (Colossians 3:5)

B. Corrupt financial dealings and Sabbath-breaking can originate in a single mental sin. “Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the Sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit?” (Amos 8:5)

C. Greed and murder can be opposite sides of the same spiritual flaw. “So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.” (Proverbs 1:19)

D. Small sins often mature into great sins as they unfold. “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (1 Timothy 6:10)

III. The World Can’t Understand the Connections

A. People who have not been transformed by the Holy Spirit cannot think like the Holy Spirit; spiritual connections will be invisible for such people until it is too late for the information to be valuable. “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14)

B. Do not expect to excel in worlds which do not actually overlap. “Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” (James 3:12-16)

C. Jesus did not expect the unsaved to grasp gospel connections. “He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.” (Matthew 13:11-13)

Biblical Justice

I. Scripture Illustrates Genuine Justice

A. While justice may be difficult to find in the world, it is not in heaven; God will see that the wicked get what they have earned. “Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.” (Exodus 23:7)

B. God satisfies His own justice through Christ for believers so that they can become righteous even when they are not righteous in themselves. “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:3-4)

C. The transformation comes to believers through the substitutionary atonement with the result that believers have what amounts to a second chance. “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

II. Seek Justice in Small Things

A. When people side with the majority or judge according to who can pay, justice departs; look at the principles rather than the parties. “Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment: Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause.” (Exodus 23:1-3)

B. God demands genuine justice; avoid doing what will be reversed on appeal. “Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause. Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.” (Exodus 23:6-7)

C. Bribery extracts justice from courts; facts cease to be relevant. “And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.” (Exodus 23:8)

D. Delaying just payments is unjust; what is necessary for the employer is also necessary for the employee. “Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbor, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.” (Leviticus 19:13) “Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.” (Proverbs 20:10)

E. Taking advantage of the defenseless and deciding according to the status of the parties will produce injustice; God may not have been on Robin Hood’s side. “Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the LORD. Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbor.” (Leviticus 19:14-15)

F. A civil society must provide honest courts which operate through neutral rules. “Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment. Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.” (Deuteronomy 16:18-19)

G. Genuine justice extends beyond people to all things entrusted to people. Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn.” (Deuteronomy 25:4) “A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.” (Proverbs 12:10)

H. Failure to do what is just is to do what is unjust. “And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.” (Ezra 7:26)

I. Coming to the aid of those who cannot protect their own interests is an obligation for all Christians. “How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah. Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.” (Psalm 82:2-4) “And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.” (1 Kings 18:21)

J. Injustice in any direction is an abomination to God; such failures begin cascades of injustice. “He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.” (Proverbs 17:15) “These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment. He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:” (Proverbs 24:23-24)

III. Keep Two Simple Rules in Mind

A. Stop doing what is wrong. “Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.” (Psalm 34:14) “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:7)

B. Do what is right while the opportunity remains to do so. “Destruction cometh; and they shall seek peace, and there shall be none.” (Ezekiel 7:25) “They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.” (Proverbs 28:4)

NEW OR TRUE

I. God Is a Spirit

A. God must be approached as He reveals Himself to be. “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (JOHN 4:24)

B. A right human spirit is necessary for approaching the ultimate Spirit; the inner nature matters to God the Spirit. “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” (ISAIAH 57:15)

C. God will not accept any external approach to Him which does not begin with a redeemed heart. “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” (MATTHEW 15:8-9)


II. Three Facts Overwhelm All Doctrines about God

A. God is infinite. “Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.” (JOB 11:7-9) “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.” (PSALM 145:3)

B. God is eternal. “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” (PSALM 90:2) “Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.” (PROVERBS 8:25-26) “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” (REVELATION 1:8)

C. God is unchangeable. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (JAMES 1:17) “I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.” (ISAIAH 45:7)


III. Seven Features of God Follow

A. God is the ultimate being, making possible the existence of all other things. “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” (EXODUS 3:14)

B. Because God’s understanding has no limits, His wisdom is ultimate. “Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.” (PSALM 147:5)

C. God is all-powerful. “And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.” (REVELATION 4:8)

D. God is holy. “Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.” (REVELATION 15:4)

E. God is just; his values do not shift with the fads and fashions of the age. “And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,” (EXODUS 34:6)

F. God is good. “And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.” (EXODUS 20:6)

G. God is the truth. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (JOHN 14:6 AV)

Baptism

I. Baptism Begins in the Old Testament

A. The term baptism was old in Christian usage and practice at the time God directed the writing of the New Testament; Paul connected the sacraments of the two testaments. “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” (1 Corinthians 10:1-4)

B. Jesus made baptism an important feature of the gospel message and could have changed the definition if He had wanted to at the time of the Great Commission. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” (Matthew 28:19)

C. Just as circumcision marked entrance into the Kingdom of God, so does baptism today. “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Galatians 3:27)

D. Grace has always been the central feature of sacraments. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” (Titus 3:5)

II. God Established the Form of Baptism

A. Water is normally used in baptism; the form for baptism was described by John the Baptist who traced the power of Christian baptism to Christ, acting through the Holy Ghost. “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:” (Matthew 3:11) “And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.” (John 1:33)

B. The application of grace has always been by sprinkling blood; the water of baptism represents the blood sacrifice of Christ. “Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.” (Hebrews 9:10) “For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” (Hebrews 9:19-22)

III. God Determined Who Should Be Baptized

A. People who profess faith in Christ should be baptized. “And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.” (Acts 8:37-38)

B. The children of the faithful should also receive the sacrament; Abraham demonstrated the pattern and there has been no provision for a change. “And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.” (Genesis 17:7-10)

C. The outward sign is not the key factor; people are saved by grace alone. “So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.” (Galatians 3:9) “In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” (Colossians 2:11-12)

D. Christians walk in the steps of Abraham, the father of the faithful; imputation has always been at the heart of the subject. “And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.” (Romans 4:11-12)