Let us not weary in doing good - Gal 6

God is good… God does good… all good gifts come from God… God gives and then gives when we’ve given… (Matt 7:11; Luke 6:38; 11:13; James 1:17)

“...we do not have what we desire, because we do not ask, and even when we do ask we do not receive because our motives are wrong - we want to spend what we receive on our own pleasures…” (James 4:2-3)

We are capable of doing good because God has made us and because we were like Him - His image and likeness… and therefore, we can do good. But, we must see that doing good is not the aim, even being good, is not the aim.

When we say good, what do we mean?

● Good

● Intrinsically good

● Good throughout

● Because good is good it has little need to “be” good or “do” good because good is good and cannot help but be and do good - because (like God, who is good, and because He is good can do nothing but good, good, is just, good)

Being good is communing with Jesus, who is in us - as we are His and He is ours - we are His people...

And so...

...we who are in Jesus, are now, good… and good is what we are, and good is what we do, because we are good…

So what does it mean when what we do is not good, or the heart from which our attitude, speech and behavior come is not good? Or, in good stead?

Practicing good - is the confronting, the exposing, of our mind and heart to what is good - that is, truth - the Truth, Jesus. That He and we might work out together whatever is still in my soul - my mind and flesh - that which is not yet good, or been submitted to Him and His goodness, has not yet been infiltrated and influenced by Jesus’ Spirit (of truth - John 14:17; 15:26; Eph 5:18; 1John 5:6)

So let us do good…

Doing good, is the exercising of the good that is in me, that I am, that I might become the expression of the good He is and I am, together - being under the influence of the Holy Spirit as to bear the fruit of the Spirit, which is the righteousness, the goodness of Jesus.

● Jesus’ person

● Jesus’ ethic

● Jesus’ morals

● Jesus’ love

And all of this, in us by Him and His Spirit and the Spirit of the Father.

Galatians 5:22, 25 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law… Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”

Galatians 6:9-10 “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Jesus, tired… (John 4:6)

Be present

Be aware

Be willing

Be able, by being prepared…

...in view of God’s mercy, in view God’s mercy - Jesus… (Rom 12:1; Heb 12:3)

Hebrews 12:3“Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart”

...be generous - giving without expecting anything in return…

But, giving what?

He took his disciples away… Tired from the journey… He sat down… We get tired. Jesus got tired. Which is a student do though, it was we are good doing good. There are times when our souls desperately need to be refreshed, and in the midst of the refreshing, we are interrupted, I need arises, we are made aware of someone’s point of need… And we rise to meet it.

We are best prepared for these moments when we have spent time with Jesus. When we have kept her eyes and view of him, and his mercy, and all that he’s offered us and Dunn and us and for us and will do through us. We must be in constant communion with him

Take a moment, and consider where we are. Are we fatigued or tired? Is the Christmas season already seem to tap at seven? We are at in essence the halfway point. We look back and feel like it’s been going on forever, we look forward and feel like it’s never going to end. And if we remain in this state, our internal talk will be something like this please just let it be done let it be over. It doesn’t have to be this way. Instead, we can take each day as it comes, And approach it with it on vigor. Present, willing, prepared and able, to meet the figures of the day for what it is and to meet the needs as they are presented. And in the meantime get glimpses of what’s to come as we accomplish each thing God has prepared in advance for us to do.

Let them see your good works | Matthew 5:16; John 15:1-17 Titus 2; 1Peter 2

Matthew 5:16 – as Jesus is formed in us and we have now become a part of Him – we are good…

“13“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.16In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

James 2:18 – the proof of this miraculous truth is our goodness and the fruit of that goodness…

“But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.”

John 15:8 –and this is to God’s glory…

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

1Peter 2:12 – this is not only an expression of God’s love, but we become a proof text to God and His goodness – as are not just doing good, but we are, good… and this, because of Him

“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”

Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone…

John 10:18 "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good--except God alone.”

…It is the Father in me doing His work - Jesus wasn’t denying being God, neither was He saying (then) that He was not good. What Jesus was saying was “my Father and I, (and the Spirit) we are one, and the joy in what we do is that we to this - together - to love, honor, and glorify - bring joy, to the others”

John 6:57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of m

John 6:38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.

John 14:10-11 …The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.

And so, it is with us…

“There is nothing good that it is me… but Jesus”; and “...It is not I who live, but Christ who lives in me…” so, what was Paul then saying? Really, the same thing Jesus was. He is not saying that we are now just hollowed out tubes in which just Jesus resides and therefore it is He and only He that is doing the work through us - what He is saying is that we, He and I, do this together. In other words, “I have cleansed you of your sin, I have filled you with my righteousness, my Self, and we do this together - Me and you, Us and you, with one another – so now, choose to join me in good and enter into my joy, peacefully!”

Romans 7:18, 24-25 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out…24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

So, as I am now in Christ and He is formed in me I can join Jesus in humbly and joyfully saying…

John 14:11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.

And just so we understand how committed to us, and goodness, and that goodness in us God is, and just how excited He is for us to partner with Him in (His) goodness - He has given us His Spirit and…

Galatians 5:22-2322But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

...the fruit of the Spirit is… goodness. As we walk with, yield to, position and posture ourselves to be influenced by the Spirit that it is us, we, in union and cooperation with the Spirit, now, more and more, bear the fruit of goodness, being and doing the good that we now are - Jesus in and through us

The joy of doing good, the peace in being good. Why joy and peace? Because we are doing what we were – Gen 1;2; Proverbs 4:18; 22:18; 24:14; Eph 2:8-10

● Originally intended to do

● With Whom we were intended to do it

Made in His image and likeness – Genesis 1 and 2

● God as One - who is intrinsically good, and all He did was good: “it is good” - Genesis 1:1-25

● God as community - mutual love, admiration, edification, glorification: “we are good, let us do good - to one another and to all we have made” – Genesis 1:26-28

● God to man - “have life and breath, work with me, reign with me - dominion - and you, as I/we, do this together” and this, is, “very good” – Genesis 1:28-31

From the beginning… God invites into the partnership of good - being good and doing good - and experience the peace and joy that comes from it

Genesis 1:26-31 “26Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, a and over all the creatures that move along the ground… 28God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground... 31God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning…”

Renewed in the attitude of the mind - word, prayer, fellowship of believers – what is good

Romans 12:2Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Proverbs 2:199Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path.10For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

Maintained in the attitude of the mind - walk by the Spirit and think on these things (Gal 5)

Philippians 2:8-9 “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

Practice of the renewed attitude of the mind - do to others what you would want done to you according to your need, purposefully according to their need…

Matthew 7:10-11 “11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

"Why do you call me good?" Mark 10:18

Jesus answered. "No one is good--except God alone. Mark 10:18

Advent…

The Christmas season, for us, in our culture, begins with thanksgiving, literally, and, figuratively. And for what are we to be grateful? Good gifts, from a good and generous Father, who has bestowed upon His children, nay, all creation, a bountiful portion of His loving graces - and for this - we can, and ought to be, thankful.

Luke 11:13 “...If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

This attitude of thanksgiving, times perfectly to set our minds and hearts and spirits aright for the pinnacle of gifts, the gift from which all gifts come, the Gift before which all gifts bow - the Messiah.

This Gift is a gift of the gift Giver, prepared for in the hearts of mankind by all the gifts having been previously given which all point to this one Gift - it is why “grace”, an unmerited favor, or, gift, is how this Messiah is described, as grace is not merely the act of having been given life, but grace is Life Himself… …and all graces, good gifts, flow from Him… Jesus, from the Father, by the Spirit. The grace, the Gift OF God - Himself - to man.

John 1:14 14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Eph 2:8 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith… it is the gift of God”

And this is to His delight, or, “good pleasure”. Will we be pleased?

Luke 12:32-33 “...“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been p you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give…”

Good pleasure: it seems good to one, is one's good pleasure; to think it good, choose, determine, decide;

...with the included idea of kindness accompanying the decision: to do willingly - to be ready to, wanting and (God was) pleased to give; to prefer, choose rather - we thought it good

The pleasure, as with all good things, is in the tasting, savoring the gifts, the Gift, but mostly, the Gift Giver, the Giver of gifts, and being like Him, to give. For He is good and gives good gifts and these good gifts are a reflection of His goodness.

John 2:1-11 - the wedding in Cana…

Six jars… the incompleteness, the imperfection of the Law, changed, transformed, fulfilled – the perfect fulfillment, by the wine of grace - the gift of God’s loving mercies and life – joyful and super-abundant, enough to spare and share; sufficient, and more than sufficient… inexhaustible. (Luke 1:78)

“To the Jews”, John was saying, “Jesus has come to turn the imperfections of the Law into the perfection of grace. To the Greeks he said: ‘Jesus has really come and truly to do the things you only dreamed the gods could do’”

“...whenever Jesus comes into a man’s life, there comes a new quality which is like turning water into wine.”

W. Barclay

Psalm 34:1-15 - Psalm 34:8 - taste, and see… the Lord is GOOD

Attentive… paying attention, giving attention to (Nehemiah 8:3 “listened attentively” or “the ears of all the people listened” so that they would hear AND understand. Or in our case today “the tongues of all the people tasted” and their palates savored and discerned.)

Taste - to examine by tasting; taste, small amount, almost like nibble, as to perceive or experience its quality or goodness

· And this by the senses. To taste goes beyond knowing of or about, but experiencing

· To taste means to try and linger over, to dwell upon, tasting as something with depth and complexity or richness with hints of its attributes

· In this context, God implores us to “taste, even a little bit”

· His goodness is revealed in the tasting, the “testing”, the exploring, the lingering

o You cannot taste without apprehension

o You cannot taste by gulping or swallowing whole

· This tasting develops in the taster a discerning palate teaching the taster what is actually “good”

Good - pleasant, agreeable, good; beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, fair, favor…

· Fine, glad, gracious, joyful, kindly, kindness, loving

· Pleasant - pleasing, pleasure, precious, prosper, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well-favored

That all of these statements of “good” have in it, under it and through, those principles that are above - that are good, as what makes good, good.

34:9 - of God, Himself - for He is good, kind

34:10 - lacks no good thing

34:13 - welfare, prosperity, happiness

34:15 - do good, moral good

the beast of the field, fed by God (in time, by instinct Job) cry out forlorn in hunger and when fed tears and gulps its food as mere nutrition, not so God’s children. He can use such an analogy because, though He made call creation for His enjoyment, He has made us not only for that, but also, that we would enjoy - Him.

34:13 - welfare, prosperity, happiness

34:15 - do good, moral good

Therefore … taste and see… that the Lord IS good and that...

James 1:17 all good and perfect gifts are from the good and perfect God...

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

John 2 having tasted the gift of the Giver of the Gift...

“...but you have saved the best for last…”

Lamentations 3:21-26 He is good…

“21Yet this I call to mind

and therefore I have hope:

22Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

23They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

24I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;

therefore I will wait for him.”

25The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,

to the one who seeks him;

26it is good to wait quietly

for the salvation of the Lord.

Joy of the Lord - His Purposes Accomplished

Conviction and salvation; conviction and purifying John 1:1-5,9-14; 3:16-21; Nehemiah 8:1-12 - to hear the truth of God's truth, His commands that assure us of His mercy and grace in forgiveness and salvation, love and keeping, purification and making - as with so much else, joy and experiencing joy, is a matter of perspective… God’s perspective, His eternal perspective. (Psalm 39; Isaiah 40; John 4:1-42; Luke 10:1-3, 16, - 20-21)

“The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” 1Tim 1:5

“… from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2Tim 3:16-17

Unearthing joy, mining for joy*, experiencing the joy of our salvation

“8Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1Peter 1:8-9 “7Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.8Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.9Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. 10Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.11Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” Psalm 51:7-12

Joy is very often buried underneath everything this world has done to us, everything the effect of sin has done - as true joy is only found in the fulfillment of our true and real purpose - and this world, and our experiences in it, so often wars against knowing that purpose and experiencing that joy. Our purpose is only found as we discover why we were created - by whom, for whom, to whom we were created, and living that life’s joy that is in us by Spirit and Truth.

This purpose is discovered when we see God in the face of Christ, Jesus - and there, there is joy. Though the joy be there, it can sometimes feel fleeting…

Now, our experiencing that joy can be diminished by sin and its consequences - this does not mean our joy and its source are gone, but that we have often put ourselves in a position to have difficulty seeing and experiencing it - whether that be by the consequence of sin and the discipline that comes - as “no discipline is pleasant” (Heb 12:4-11) - but in the end it brings joy because when endured it produces “righteousness” which is, Christ-likeness.

Or by our perspective… Joy IS ever present and never removed - because it is the fruit of our salvation (Luke 10; 1Pet 3; Gal 5:22), yes, it is often blunted by sin and its consequences, BUT/AND ALSO, as well by the perspective our finite selves tend to have of our circumstances.

All of this is why “rejoice…” is commanded and exhorted all through the New Testament as it is - the writers of the scriptures, these letters of love, are imploring us to raise our eyes above the temporal to the eternal - knowing that that eternal perspective will shape the temporal, the now. And, vice-versa, that remaining in a temporal perspective will skew our understanding of God’s intentions and rob us of that eternal, God's perspective - the truth of what ACTUALLY is.

We’ve been created to know God, to be known by God, to enjoy God, and be enjoyed by Him (Jer 24:7; 30:22; 32:38-39; Ez 11:20; Rev 21:1-7,22-25; 22:1-5,14,17)

Therefore, joy is found in and through our sufferings, as our suffering is the mining for joy.

God knows, in order for us to truly be the expression of His glory, that which He intends us to be -the truth of who we are in Christ, we, what have been made to be, must be extracted from the lies that sin has made us. As by the truth of who and whose we are is revealed and made known, the lies are being removed and make way for the truth of who we are to emerge and be revealed. As this truth is made known we see the image of what we were by God’s first intention, having been “made in His image and likeness”*, and now are becoming in Jesus**, what we are being created to be emerges, and as it is revealed joy begins to rise - because when we are discovering who we really are in Christ, which is our purpose, we see we are becoming all that we were meant to be – like Jesus! (Rom 8:29; 1Cor 15:49; 2Cor 3:18; Phi 3:21; Col 3:10; 1Peter 1:3-9; 1John 3:2).

* ” …Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness…” Gen 1:26 ** “…For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Eph 2:10

The words of God are the tools of God’s mining and purifying in the hands of the Spirit.

As we were exposed to the truths embedded in His word, all of the impediments, the adulterations, the dirt, and dross, are exposed and brought to the fore (“light” John 1:1--5; 3:21). As the process of refining commences, the truth and the Spirit work together to strip away what does not belong causing the face of the miner, the refiner, to emerge in the pure gold, the pure silver, that we were meant to be - the image of the creator begins to take shape and form. (Psalm 66:10; 1Peter 1:3-9)

Psalm 66:10 “You have tested us, O God; you have purified us like silver.”

NLT 1Peter 1:7 “These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.”

God is most interested in bringing each, and all, of His children, to glory - into Him, for Him, with Him, in Him and to Him - and this, in the way that will do just that for (each of) them, as they have been made, and are known by Him. (John 17:22; Rom 8:28-30; Heb 2:10; 2Cor 3:18; Phil 3:21; 2Thes 2:14; Psalm 139; 1Cor 12) “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.18And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate a the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

Romans 5:1-5

Hebrews 12:4-13

The Joy of the Lord is Our Strength

Joy of the Lord - His purposes accomplished conviction and purification  

Nehemiah 8:1-12 - to hear the truth of God's truth, His commands that assure us of His love and keeping, purification and making - as with so much else, joy and experiencing joy, is a matter of perspective… God’s perspective, His eternal perspective. (Psalm 39; Luke 10:1-3, 16- 20-21)

Psalm 90:12  “So teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom.”

Psalm 103:14  “For He knows our frame; He is mindful that we are dust.”

Unearthing joy, mining for joy*, experiencing the joy of our salvation (1Peter 1; Psalm 51)

*or in the case of “wisdom” (which is knowing God and His truth and the joy of life in and with Him) “...look for it as for silver and search for it as hidden treasure…” Prov 2:1-11)

Joy is very often buried underneath everything this world has done to us, everything sin has done - as true joy is only found in the fulfillment of our true and real purpose - and this world, and our experiences in it, so often wars against knowing that purpose and experiencing that joy. Our purpose is only found as we discover why we were created - by whom, for whom, to whom we were created, and living that life’s joy that is in us by Spirit and Truth. 

This purpose is discovered when we see God in the face of Christ, Jesus - and there, there is joy.  

Though the joy be there, it can sometimes feel fleeting… Now, our experiencing that joy can be diminished by sin and its consequences - this does not mean our joy and its source are gone, but that we have often put ourselves in a position to have difficulty seeing and experiencing it - whether that be by the consequence of sin and the discipline that comes - as “no discipline is pleasant” (Heb 12) - but in the end it brings joy because when endured it produces “righteousness” which is, Christ-likeness.

Or by our perspective… The 3 people illustration - proximity and experiencing joy   

Joy IS ever-present and never removed - because it is the fruit of our salvation (Luke 10; 1Pet 3; Gal 5:22), yes, it is often blunted by sin and its consequences, BUT/AND ALSO, as well by the perspective our finite selves tend to have of our circumstances.  

All of this is why “rejoice…” is commanded and exhorted all through the New Testament as it is - the writers of the scriptures, these letters of love, are imploring us to raise our eyes above the temporal to the eternal - knowing that that eternal perspective will shape the temporal, the now.  And, vice-versa, that remaining in a temporal perspective will skew our understanding of God’s intentions and rob us of that eternal, God perspective - the truth of what ACTUALLY is. 

We’ve been created to know God, to be known by God, to enjoy God, and be enjoyed by Him (Jer 24:7; 30:22; 32:38-39; Ez 11:20; Rev 21:1-7,22-25; 22:1-5,14,17)

Therefore, joy is found in and through our sufferings, as our suffering is the mining for joy.

God knows, in order for us to truly be the expression of His glory that He intended and the truth of who we are in Christ, we, what have been made to be, must be extracted from the lies that that sin has made us.  As by the truth of who and whose we are is revealed and made known, the lies being removed, make way for the truth of who we are to emerge and be revealed.  

As this truth is made known we see the image of what we were by God’s first intention (“made in His image and likeness” Gen 2), and are now becoming in Jesus (“created in Christ Jesus…” Eph 2:10), what we are being created to be emerges, and as it is revealed joy begins to rise - because when we are discovering who we really are in Christ, which is our purpose, we see we are becoming all that we were meant to be – like Jesus! (Rom 8:29; 1Cor 15:49; 2Cor 3:18; Phl 3:21; Col 3:10; 1John 3:2).

The words of God are the tools of God’s mining and purifying in the hands of the Spirit.

As we were exposed to the truths embedded in His word, all of the impediments, the adulterations, the dirt and drawse, are exposed and brought to the fore (“light” John 1:1--5; 3:21). As the process of refining commences, the truth and the Spirit work together to strip away what does not belong causing the face of the miner, the refiner, to emerge in the pure gold, the pure silver, that we were meant to be - the image of the creator begins to take shape and form. (Psalm 66:10; 1Peter 1:3-9)  (Notes on “glory to glory”)

Psalm 66:10 “You have tested us, O God; you have purified us like silver.”

1Peter 1:7 “These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” NLT

Romans 5:1-5

1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we a have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we b boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we c also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Heb 12:4-13

4In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,

and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,

6because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,

and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” a

7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

12Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13“Make level paths for your feet,” b so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

There are so many ways God works

Matthew 20:1-16; 25:14-15

And every time it is in line with each person and their specific and unique needs. That is the grace of our Father and the good gifts that He gives - to each - and - to all - 1Cor 12:7, 11; Eph 4:7

7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, a and to still another the interpretation of tongues.11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

Be careful to not compare the Father’s provision or God’s caring for someone else to what He provides to you or how He cares for you

He loves you too much to just give you another’s gift of need. It doesn’t always seem fair - but, what is right or just or fair? It is in wisdom and “...the transforming of the attitude of the mind” that we can begin to discern God’s will, “...His good, pleasing, and perfect will” (Matt 20:1-16; Prob 1:3; 2:9; Rom 12:2) Is that a stone… or could it be bread? (Matt 7:9-11)

God is most interested in bringing each, and all, of His children, to glory - into Him, for Him, with Him, in Him and to Him

And this, in the way that will do just that for (each of) them, as they have been made, and are known by Him. (John 17:22; Rom 8:28-30; Heb 2:10; 2Cor 3:18; Phil 3:21; 2Thes 2:14; Psalm 139; 1Cor 12)

Rom. 8:28-30
28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who i have been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

2 Cor 3:18
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

And God’s care (for us and to us) is as unique to us as we ourselves are unique - and that’s grace of a good Father, our good Father - a gift - a good gift - to each according to the need of each (Eph 4:7; Heb 2:4; Rom 12:3-8; 1Cor 12:7-11;James 1:16-18)

So yes, there is a “peace that transcends understanding” - Phil 4:4-8 -

And this, is, God’s care, His provision, His good gift. But, that peace, our peace, is not contingent upon God’s removing the thing that is causing us stress, or anxiety, or fear, but to give us a peace that transcends it, that rises above it, that is there in spite of the circumstance… beyond understanding! See, that’s the point!

James 1:2-5 A matter of perspective… or, wisdom…

Trusting God in the midst of the storm to bring peace in, and through, and from, the storm!

God's ultimate goal is not that you have a “good” life here, but that you have life in Him, Jesus’ life, life eternally…. It is God’s intention that we would, by persevering…

· Grow in character and hope - Rom 5:1-5

· Faith and trust, rescaling Jesus person and character - 1Peter 1:3-6

· “Be mature and complete” ...growing in wisdom - James 1:2-5

· Grow in assurance and confidence - 2Peter 1:7-9

· That we would, in Him, by Him, from Him and with Him experience a “peace that transcends” these difficult times, guarding and renewing our mind, refreshing and strengthening our heart - Phil 4:7-8 (2Cor 10:3-5)

God does care, and he cares enough to treat you as you need and as you are where you are to get you where he wants you - a good place. James 1:16-18

Though each storm – trial, testing and temptation - we encounter is significant in its own right, very often, the storm we go through today is preparation for the storms to come, sometimes even deeper and more profound, that we will go through later. These things do not happen in a vacuum, but in fact, are intrinsically linked, one to another – and not only for ourselves, but that we might also comfort others going through much the same. (1Cor 1:3-7)

Suffering, sin, suffering having sinned

John 4…All suffering is because of sin, and though we suffer when we sin, not all suffering is because we’ve sinned.

Regardless of the reason for our suffering, we must understand that relief, real relief, may not be in being removed from the suffering or have the suffering removed from us, but having had the peace of God instilled in our hearts when we have encountered Jesus in our suffering, whatever the reason.

The weight of sin’s effect in this world is inescapable – as our bodies, souls, and spirits are constantly barraged by the ill effect of sin: weathering and weakening our bodies sapping our strength, vitality, and health; the temptation of sin, to sin – the weathering and weakening of our flesh, our soul – in an attempt to drag us down and discourage; and sin’s - the tempter’s - attempt to distract our spirit’s fellowship and worship of God and our obedience to God as sin calls to us to live for someone, something, other than the God of our salvation and the goodness of His call.

We need not be defeated, discouraged, or dismayed, but in fact, we can rejoice – knowing that Jesus loves us so much that He joined us here, suffered with us, and overcame this world. So that now, we, who are in Him, have and can overcome this world as He strides here with us, for us, giving us His victory…

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 4…

Even Jesus felt the weight… in Hebrews, it says that Jesus suffered and was “tempted just as we are”

Hebrews 2:10-11 “10In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. 11Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.”

Hebrews 2:17-18 “For this reason, He had to be made like His brothers in every way, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, in order to make atonement for the sins of the people. Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.”

Hebrews 4:15 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet he did not sin.”

But there is relief to be had – Jesus’ life in and for us – Jesus’s Spirit, a well of living water gushing up from within as we are forgiven, accepted, indwelled, empowered, and renewed; Jesus, the bread of life, feeding our soul’s longing for right standing with the Father, God, with a righteousness not of ourselves, but as a gracious gift love from God, in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:21 “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Suffering – the storms of life (Mark 4:35-41; John 21:15-21)

Temptation, trial, testing will come… and God will there in the midst – in the midst – and God cares, deeply, He does care, He does care for you… can we, will we rejoice?  How much does He care for each of us, who we are, to make us what He would have us be - the fullest, best, most complete version of who and what He has made - in Jesus - and each of us, all of us, together...

John 20:15-21

There are so many ways God works - And every time it is in line with each person and their specific and unique needs.  That is the grace of our Father and the good gifts that He gives - to each - and - to all

Be careful to not compare the Father’s provision or God’s caring for someone else to what He provides to you - He loves you too much to just give you another’s gift of need. It doesn’t always seem fair - but, what is right or just or fair? (Matt 20:1-16; Prob 1:3; 2:9; Rom 12:2) Is that a stone… or could it be bread? (Matt 7:9-11)

God is most interested in bringing each, and all, of His children, to glory - into Him, for Him, with Him, in Him and to Him - and this, in the way that will do just that for (each of) them, as they have been made, and are known by Him.  (John 17:22; Rom 8:30; Heb 2:10; 2Cor 3:18; Phil 3:21; 2Thes 2:14; Psalm 139; 1Cor 12)

And God’s care (for us and to us) is as unique to us as we ourselves are unique - and that’s grace of a good Father, our good Father - a gift - a good gift - to each according to the need of each (Eph 4:7; Heb 2:4; Rom 12:3-8; 1Cor 12:7-11; James 1:16-18)

So yes, there is a “peace that transcends understanding” - Phil 4:4-8 - and this, is, God’s care, His provision, His good gift.  But, that peace, our peace, is not contingent upon God’s removing the thing that is causing us stress, or anxiety, or fear, but to give us a peace that transcends it, that rises above it, that is there in spite of the circumstance… beyond understanding!  See, that’s the point!

James 1:2-5 A matter of perspective… or, wisdom… 

Trusting God in the midst of the storm to bring peace in, and through, and from, the storm!

God's ultimate goal is not that you have a “good” life here, but that you have life in Him, Jesus’ life, life eternally…. It is God’s intention that we would, by persevering…

·  Grow in character and hope - Rom 5:1-5 

·  Faith and trust, rescaling Jesus’ person and character - 1Peter 1:3-6

·  “Be mature and complete” ...growing in wisdom - James 1:2-5

·  Grow in assurance and confidence - 2Peter 1:7-9

·  That we would, in Him, by Him, from Him and with Him experience a “peace that transcends” these difficult times, guarding and renewing our mind, refreshing and strengthening our heart - Phil 4:7-8 (2Cor 10:3-5)

God does care, and he cares enough to treat you as you need and as you are where you are to get you where he wants you - a good place.  James 1:16-18

Though each storm – trial, testing and temptation - we encounter is significant in its own right, very often, the storm we go through today is preparation for the storms to come, sometimes even deeper and more profound, that we will go through later.  These things do not happen in a vacuum, but in fact, are intrinsically linked, one to another – and not only for ourselves, but that we might also comfort others going through much the same. (1Cor 1:3-7)

Bringing it All Home: The Least. Giving to the Least.

Matthew 25:31-46 “the least of these”...Matthew 5-7 bringing it all home: the least giving to the least

The extraordinary miracles performed by Jesus were not merely those things done for the body, but, as profound as those miracles were, maybe even more profound is what He did for the person, their soul, the dignity and esteem of their person.

There are many bodies that were not healed, that are not healed, that continue in their deformity.  In fact, every body, even if healed, will die. Hear again, every BODY will die. In other words, everybody’s body will die. But, not so the soul and spirit - the person.

Let us not misunderstand, what we do for the body is important, as when we do so, we are actually ministering to the soul and spirit that reside in the body - and this care, this rendering of aid, means something.  It means, as we interact with that person and there is a need for them - even the body - when we render aid, we are treating the person - the soul and spirit of the one who dwells in that body - as the body is the vessel, prepared by God, for each of us to engage with our world as well as those with whom we journey..

Every body represents the person who dwells in it… and, is the first thing we encounter that most often, gives us our first, and sometimes, most lasting impression… which can be sad… because that would mean that as we judge the person based on their body, we have kept ourselves from actually getting to know the person - the one who is, to a degree, shaped by what happens to them in the body, sometimes, by the body, or at least, because of the body - not them, themselves - the person who resides in the body.

So it is ours to see the body, and then, beyond the body.  Seeing beyond… the body. Theirs, ours, at all, and then, into eternity. 

When you did it to the least of these, you did it to… ME.  My Body. 

Bringing it all home: Jesus’ last recorded message to those who would listen.

This teaching of Jesus does not stand alone, in a vacuum, but is the culmination of sorts of all that Jesus had come to do, to say, to declare.

Whether this is to be interpreted as one’s actions toward the Jewish people, or a more general admonition in regard to all ought to be treated is moot in this context - the principle remains true: when you see someone… in any state of need - meet them where they are with what they need, mercy, grace, love and wisdom.

• How do we know that this is an overriding principle?  By the SHEEP’s answer vs. the GOAT’s answer: when… when did we see you and…?

• They were both oblivious because for each, their treatment of “the least” was an extension of their character, the nature of their being, a reflection of their particular King/king.

Developing the heart and character of the King we serve.  Be renewed in the attitude of our minds…

seeing Jesus for who He is and what He has made us to be  (Romans 12: being changed by God’s Spirit and Truth: Jesus and the Word).  If we are a new creation then let us be renewed - conformed - into Jesus and see others as Jesus sees me, them, us. (2Cor 5:16-21)

Seeing ourselves as the least helps us see “the least” for what they are - worthy.  

Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor (in spirit)...” when we recognize our poverty, and God’s great love expressed to us through mercy and grace, we are then, gladly, always looking up… at everyone, not just God.
 

As... 

• ...having been dignified, esteemed, I can now dignify and esteem.  

• ...having been given to and blessed, I can now give and bless.

• ...having been healed and made new, I can now be part of the healing and restoration.

• ...having been seen for who I am and loved, I can now see others for who they are and love…

Simply:

• If I have the means… because I have been given the means, it is my privilege to give the means… 1John 3:14-18; 4

• If I have the time… because I have been given the time, it is my privilege to give the time, and with it, the wisdom by which I have been treated… Eph 4:29-32

To whom? 

The least of these: here, there, and everywhere.  (why?) because it is the outgrowth of the character, the Spirit, that makes me what I am (as a person)

What are the means?

• Prayer 

• Resources 

• Presence 

• Wisdom and guidance

• Admonition and discipline

How determined?  

• Love and wisdom (see Proverbs 2:; Eph 4)

• Available resources, or not (Mark 8:5; Acts 3:5; James 2:12-26)

• “I know someone who knows someone” (taking them to Jesus: Matt 4:24; 8:5-8; Mark 2:4; 9:14-29; Luke 5:19; John 1:40-42 Naman’s servant girl

Corinthians 8:13

It is not our intention that others may be relieved while you are burdened, but that there may be equality.

2 Corinthians 9:12

For this ministry of service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanksgiving to God.

1John 3:14-18

14We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.

16This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

Jesus dignifying the person (among nearly every interaction Jesus had with those in need… (me too?)):

• Matthew 9:20-22

• Matthew 20:29-34

• Mark 5:25-34

• Mark 7:31-37

• Mark 9:14-29

• Mark 10:13-16

• Mark 10:46-52

• Luke 8:25-43

• John 2:1-12

• John 4

• John 8:1-11

• Hebrews 1&2

Like 8; Mark 4:35-41 “Don’t you care?!” | Peace in the storm, peace through the storm, peace from the storm

Like 8; Mark 4:35-41 “Don’t you care?!”  

Peace in the storm, peace through the storm, peace from the storm

Of course He does… 

“6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1Peter 5:7 

...but that’s just it, He cares for “you” and therefore His care looks different from person to person and circumstance to circumstance - almost never the same - because He cares - and because of that, we need to learn some truths about God’s care 

...and, His care, how He shows it, is not always what we would have imagined it to be… Jesus DOES calm the storm - He brings peace, He gives the seeker what they need, but, His answer, His provision, doesn’t always look the same... 

• Do not come under my roof - and at that moment to the servant was healed - from a distance - Matt 8:5-13

• Woman with bleeding - healed without knowing she was there - Mark 5:25-34; Luke 8:43-50

• Man by the pool - healed without being asked, maybe even with the recipient not wanting it - John 5:1-15

• Blind man - healed with hiccups - Mark 8:22-26

• Couldn’t, wouldn’t heal (Mark 1:35-39 - hometown; Mark 6:1-6)

Sometimes God just lets the body and the illness take its natural course or used common treatments to aid in the healing

• Natural function of healing -

  • Sick almost to the point of dying, got well, saved me sorrow upon sorrow - Phil 2:25-30

  • Timothy - no water, drink wine for your stomach - 1Tim 5:23

Sometimes, there was no apparent relief from the stressors at all... 

• No healing at all “My grace is sufficient for you” - All healed and some feelings. But not in his case, not in this case - 2Cor 12:9

• “The man went away sad… because had much” - Matt 19:22; Mark 10:22

Sometimes, it just seems as though God’s apparent will and purposes are just unfair… 

• “What about Him?!”  Jesus said “What is that to you? Would you follow me” - John 21:21

There are so many ways God works - And every time it is in line with each person and their specific and unique needs.

That is the grace of our Father and the good gifts that He gives - to each - and - to all

Be careful to not compare the Father’s provision for someone else to what He provides to you - He loves you too much to just give you another’s gift of need. It doesn’t always seem fair - but, what is right or just or fair? (Matt 20:1-16; Prob 1:3; 2:9; Rom 12:2) Is that a stone… or could it be bread? (Matt 7:9-11)

God is most interested in bringing each, and all, of His children to glory, and this, in the way that will do just that for (each of them) as they have been made, and are known, by Him.  (John 17:22; Rom 8:30; Heb 2:10; 2Cor 3:18; Phil 3:21; 2Thes 2:14; Psalm 139; 1Cor 12)

And God’s care (to us) is as unique to us as we ourselves are unique - and that’s grace of a good Father, our good Father - a gift - a good gift - to each according to the need of each (Eph 4:7; Heb 2:4; Rom 12:3-8; 1Cor 12:7-11)

So, there is a “peace that transcends understanding” - Phil 4:4-8  but that peace is not contingent upon God’s removing the thing that is causing us stress, or anxiety, or fear, but to give us a peace that transcends it, that rises above it, that is there in spite of the circumstance… beyond understanding!  See, that’s the point!  

Trusting God in the midst of the storm to bring peace in, and through, and from, the storm!

God's ultimate goal is not that you have a “good” life here, but that you have life in Him, Jesus’ life, life eternally. 

That we would, by persevering…

• Grow in character and hope -  Rom 5 

• Faith and trust, rescaling Jesus person and character - 1Peter 1

• “Be mature and complete”  ...growing in wisdom - James 1

• Assurance and confidence - 2Peter 1

• Peace that transcends these difficult times - Phil 4

God does care, and he cares enough to treat you as you need and as you are where you are to get you where he wants you - a good place