Impossible Jobs—Part 2

1 Timothy 6:1-10

I. The Rewards Are Worth the Effort

A. Christian contentment is actually incredibly valuable. “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6)

1. Physical exercise brings immediate and valuable benefits but they are not long term like spiritual benefits. “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” (1 Timothy 4:8)

2. A Christian ought to let God decide what is best rather than attempt to out provide Heaven. “For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” (Psalm 84:11)

3. Jesus promised that those who look to God will get what they need from Him. “(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:32-33)

B. Learn to measure realistically. “A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.” (Psalm 37:16)

C. 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)

D. Job understood life and blessed God. “And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” (Job 1:21)

II. Only Faithfulness Is Essential

A. 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)

B. Remember how God provided for Israel in the Wilderness. “And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years.” (Deuteronomy 8:3-4)

C. Pretty trinkets snare people just as lures catch fish; the trinkets are dangerous but not essential. “Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.” (Proverbs 30:8-9)

III. Do Not Clutch at Clouds

A. 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)

B. Lot chose what he could not keep while Abraham kept searching for the eternal city. “And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.” (Genesis 13:10-13)

C. 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)

Hard Times

Jeremiah 1:1-10; Mark 13:1-13 / 1 John 4:1-6

I. The Establishment Seems Entrenched

A. As Jesus was leaving the Temple, never to return, the disciples commented on how impressive the Temple appeared. “And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!” (Mark 13:1)

B. Jesus erased the illusion of stability and power; the entire establishment would be swept away. “And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” (Mark 13:2) “And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband.” (1 Samuel 4:21)

C. The apostles wanted the rest of the story. “And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?” (Mark 13:3-4)

II. Avoid Being Distracted

A. Difficult times provide charlatans opportunities to deceive people. “And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:” (Mark 13:5)

B. The claim to be Christian or to come from Christ is no guarantee that someone does; deceivers frequently make the claim. “For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” (Mark 13:6)

C. Cataclysmic tragedy will come, but disaster is no guarantee that the end has come. “And when ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.” (Mark 13:7)

D. Disaster introduces yet more suffering, but it does not determine the end of time; labor pains indicate that birth approaches, but they do not indicate how long the delivery will take. “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.” (Mark 13:8)

E. Shaking and dislodging the rebellious entrenched powers of the world prepares for the end of the age of sin but disaster for the world system does not mean God is ignoring the welfare of the redeemed. “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)

III. Individual Believers Must Endure Faithfully

A. Just as the world’s smiles ought not to attract believers, the world’s frowns ought not to discourage believers. “But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.” (Mark 13:9) “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18)

B. World-wide success of the gospel is a better sign that the end is approaching. “And the gospel must first be published among all nations.” (Mark 13:10)

C. Do not become overwhelmed by hard times; the Holy Spirit will guide believers in the difficult times. “But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.” (Mark 13:11)

D. Some people will break under pressure and betray their closest relatives and friends; truth divides. “Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.” (Mark 13:12) “Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:” (Luke 12:51)

E. People who hold up under pressure will endure and triumph. “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” (Mark 13:13)

F. As the old system crumbles, believers should take comfort that they will emerge from the chaos as the establishment of the eternal order. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” (1 Peter 2:9-10)

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)