Planted by God

Exodus 20:17

I. Adapt to Providence

A. The Tenth Commandment instructs Christians to be satisfied with the situation God has given them. “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.” (Exodus 20:17)

B. Ahab’s coveting the field of Naboth the Jezreelite prompted Ahab’s wife Jezebel to commit judicial murder and that in turn led to the overthrow of Ahab’s dynasty; the story appears in 1 Kings 21:1-19. “And it came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money. And Naboth said to Ahab, The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee. And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.” (1 Kings 21:1-4)

C. Rebellion against Providence shuts doors in the world and in eternity. “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” (Ephesians 5:3-6)

II. God Planted You

A. God purposely plants His people; the end result is always eternal prosperity. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” (Psalm 1:1-3)

B. Whatever a believer’s situation may seem to be, ultimately everything works together for his good. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

C. The world is a violent and terrifying place, but it has limits; nothing is so strong as the love of Christ. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:35-39)

D. The story of Joseph, from being sold into slavery to delivering God’s people from famine, illustrates the larger providence of God; no human event makes sense until the heavenly plan unfolds. “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” (Genesis 50:20)

III. Christians Grow Content

A. Transplanting stresses trees, but that is what makes them prosper. “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” (Hebrews 12:11)

B. The apostle Paul illustrated the process of coming to terms with Providence and the way in which it matures into contentment. “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Philippians 4:11)

C. Trials themselves are the perfecting instruments in life. “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:” (1 Peter 1:7-8)

D. The riches which count with God flow through contentment with His providence. “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6)

E. God keeps those who will go to heaven from being weighed down by the world. “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” (James 2:5)

Religious Operatives

Psalm 110:1-7; Mark 12:35-44 / 2 Corinthians 9:1-15

I. God Can Look Out for Himself

A. The detractors had done their best and now Jesus turned the contest back on them; Scripture is loaded with mystery for unbelievers. “And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David?” (Mark 12:35) “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. Jesus took the debate right back to the words of Scripture; God knows His Word better than His enemies can ever know it. “For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.” (Mark 12:36)

1. When the people of God refuse to listen to Scripture, God hands them over to their enemies; the destruction of Jerusalem loomed in the distance. “Yet many years didst thou forbear them, and testifiedst against them by thy spirit in thy prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore gavest thou them into the hand of the people of the lands.” (Nehemiah 9:30)

2. God always triumphs in the end and it is He, not we, Who will triumph. “For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.” (1 Corinthians 15:25)

C. When the topic turns to the emperor’s new clothes, most reasonable people can understand the direction the conversation is taking. “David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly.” (Mark 12:37) “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” (James 2:5)

II. Be Skeptical of Religious Operatives

A. False teachers are ambitious—Christ directed people to be skeptical of people who delight in showy things that resemble the trophies of unredeemed people. “And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,” (Mark 12:38) “When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” (Luke 14:8-11)

B. False teachers are proud—People who value power and position do not understand the fundamental mindset of Christ. “And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:” (Mark 12:39) “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?” (James 2:5-7)

C. False teachers are greedy—Something ungodly motivates people who deny in practice what Scripture plainly teaches; bad behavior negates assertions of solid doctrine. “Which devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.” (Mark 12:40) “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” (James 1:27)

III. A Poor Widow’s Faith Went Further

A. The dispute was taking place at the Temple; this is the last place on earth where someone could plead ignorance of God’s demands—rich people were making the treasury trumpets sing. “And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.” (Mark 12:41)

B. The woman who caught Jesus’ attention was acting from abject poverty rather than abundance, and it certainly wasn’t for show; the coin receptacles gave away what she was giving by the sound they made. “And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.” (Mark 12:42)

C. In God’s evaluation, the widow gave more than anyone else donating at that time. “And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:” (Mark 12:43)

D. The gift expressed a sincere and total reliance on God. “For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” (Mark 12:44)

E. The religious operatives missed what the poor widow understood; salvation is by grace alone. “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” (Ephesians 2:5-8)

Impossible Jobs

1 Timothy 6:1-10

I. Always Live and Teach the Truth

A. Even when life is entirely out of control, a believer can communicate truth through integrity; people study people they observe facing overwhelming adversity. “Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.” (1 Timothy 6:1) “Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant.” (1 Corinthians 7:21-22)

1. A small slave girl stolen from her home in the time of Elisha changed the world in part because her behavior made her believable to her captors; Naaman was prepared by a nameless girl to trust God. “Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper. And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman’s wife. And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy.” (2 Kings 5:1-3)

2. The gospel faith of that nameless slave girl is the only variable in the story. “And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus [Elisha] the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.” (Luke 4:27)

B. Seize the opportunity Providence provides; it is both easy to complain and sinful to do so. “And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.” (1 Timothy 6:2)

C. The gospel displays a reality superior to the presumptions of unredeemed people; teacup tyrants misunderstand how the world works. “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:26-29)

D. Stay out of God’s way; Christians are secret agents working enemy territory. “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” (Romans 12:19) Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.” (Romans 12:17)

II. Always Teach Right Doctrine

A. Identify anyone in the believing community who differs from the faithful heritage. “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness.” (1 Timothy 6:3) “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” (Romans 16:17-18)

B. People who depart the historic faith yield bad behavior; doctrine and behavior are related processes. “He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings.” (1 Timothy 6:4)

C. Heresy has a way of working back to money; bad doctrine often originates in unsanctified self-interest. “Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” (1 Timothy 6:5) “Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matthew 7:17-20)

III. The Rewards Are Worth the Effort

A. Christian contentment is actually incredibly valuable. “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6) “A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.” (Psalm 37:16)

B. Be realistic—the treasures of this world are temporary. “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” (1 Timothy 6:7)

C. All believers really need from the world is enough resources to be faithful to God. “And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” (1 Timothy 6:8)

D. One wrong path leads to many more wrong paths; bad choices cultivate bad choices. “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.” (1 Timothy 6:9)

E. When self-interest becomes more important than faithfulness to God, only bad things follow. “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)

What Do You Say?

I. God Loves Truth

A. The Creator leaves His mark on Creation. “But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” (Isaiah 64:8)

B. Truth is ultimately expressed in Jesus. “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)

C. The future is bright for those who turn to Jesus and all that He represents. “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” (John 10:9) “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)

II. Satan Is the Father of Lies

A. Satan lied and murdered from the start. “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” (John 8:44)

B. Satan shares in every human disaster, but falsehood is not so strong as truth. “From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:1-7)

III. Your Allegiance Will Reveal Itself

A. Jesus set a pattern; speak the truth for those who unable to speak the truth for themselves. “Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.” (Proverbs 31:8-9)

B. Believers will take up the cause of those who are unable to do so for themselves. “These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:” (Zechariah 8:16)

C. Doing unrighteousness to yield righteousness has nothing to do with Christ. “Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.” (Leviticus 19:15)

D. There is no way to mix truth and lies; ultimately there is no safe way to side with evil. “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.” (1 John 3:8-12)

E. Satan seeks recruits; take nothing for granted. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (1 Peter 5:8)

F. Will you share in the triumph of truth? “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” (Proverbs 4:18)

Close to Correct

Deuteronomy 6:1-25; Mark 12:28-34 / Proverbs 21:1-31

I. What Matters in Life?

A. An intellectual asked Jesus to identify the foundation of Christianity; where does the religious journey begin? “And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?” (Mark 12:28)

B. The question reminds a thinker of the Shorter Catechism--What is the chief end of man? “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)

II. The Answer Begins with God

A. The priority of God is the starting point for life; this insight is a pervasive feature of the Old Testament. “And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:” (Mark 12:29) “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39) The Shema is recited twice daily.

B. Genuine love of God will fill every realm of life; heart refers to the center of all intellectual activity. “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.” (Mark 12:30)

C. Just as the cross has both vertical and horizontal dimensions, the love of God has two dimensions. “And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:31)

D. Disrespect for the image of God, man, is inherently disrespect for God; a believer who loves God must consequently love the image of God. “Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” (James 3:9-10)

III. The Intellectual Was Pleased with Jesus

A. The intellectual approved of monotheism; Jesus had the right answers. “And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:” (Mark 12:32)

B. Being right from the start is far better than repairing what has failed. “And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” (Mark 12:33)

C. God demands comprehensive devotion at every level; everything in life flows from how a person interprets reality. “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)

IV. Close Is Not Enough

A. While the man had the right idea, something was missing. “And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.” (Mark 12:34)

B. The exchange demonstrated that right answers are not enough; only God can give new life to the dead. “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” (Romans 3:20) “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Romans 3:10)

C. Jesus was about to demonstrate on the cross exactly what these two commandments meant. “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:7-12)

D. Fulfill these two commandments in your own life by seeking and nurturing the signs of a transformed life in yourself and others. “And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.” (1 John 3:23-24)