We looked at several passages where an underlying theme is that one group is approved and one is not approved. What can we learn from these groups of people?
Matthew 25:31-46, Deuteronomy 23:3-4
What is expected?
- Help those in need: the stranger, the orphan, the widow. The rebuke here is against those who did not do what they were supposed to, even knowing that they were supposed to do these things.
Parable of the talents - The sin here is what the servant did not do rather than what he did. The master told the servant that he knew the ways of his master and should have done something to earn interest on the money, even if just leaving it with moneylenders.
Parable of the virgins - All members of the wedding party were initially prepared, but only the wise ones remained prepared. We need to have a similar attitude - live in preparation for Jesus' coming.
Ways we can help corporately:
- Pool resources to provide for needs of people.
- Local Church bodies often have a benevolence fund where a portion of the general budget (as well as designated giving) is set aside specifically to meet the real needs of people. Steve gave a specific example recently where several families had a need to extra heaters in their house with the cold weather coming up. This was a real need for these people and the deacons helped by providing space heaters.
- Lots of people together can help out more effectively than separately. We can each use our gifts differently to help the Body. Separately, our gift may not do much on its own, but when each person uses their gifts/talents in unison, we can do the work God wants us to do.
Randall reminded us that prayer is work. It is not just sitting around doing nothing. It is essential for doing the work of God.
Luke 13:22-30, Matthew 7:21-23
What is expected of us?
- Enter through the narrow gate.
- Our lives as Christians are to be more than just spending time doing "church-y" things. We are called to truly follow Jesus in all aspects of our lives.
The tradition at this time was for house doors to be open all day and locked at night. When the door is locked, it is too late to gain entry to the house.
Randall pointed out an apparent contradiction - few will be saved. Then around Matthew 8:11 - that many will come to the banquet table.
Putting this into context, the teaching of the day was that all children of Israel will be saved. However, some Jews remembered that not all of the Israelites reached the Promised Land. Jesus speaks to the Jews here when He says that not all Jews will go to heaven. This is a wake-up call for the Jews. They have kept God to themselves rather than being the blessing to all of the nations they were called to be.
Personal Application - We need to use our time wisely. We don't know when our time is going to be over on earth. Randall brought up the idea that some people just drift along from situation to situation, going with whatever comes along. We need to be on board with God's plan and actively working towards those goals He has given us.
Here, a Roman Centurion wants healing for his servant.
What do we know about the Centurion?
- He is commended for his faith. Jesus "marveled" at his faith and indicated that He did not find this faith in Israel.
- The centurion has authority because it was given to him. He understands that everything he commands is obeyed because Rome gives him authority. However, that power is not enough over death. He needs one who has authority over sickness and disease.
- We see that he has humility. Luke indicates that he had sent servants because he was not worthy to go himself. He also acknowledges that all of the authority given to him is not enough to overcome this trial.
- He has great compassion for servant. Servants no longer able to fulfill their duties due to health or other concerns were normally disposed of in that day.
How can we develop some of these characteristics?
Humility - God brings trials to humble us. Circumstances in our lives reveal that we are not in control as much as we think we are.
Servant Leadership - People come into our lives as examples. Scripture is revealed to us. We are humbled in our current leadership positions. Sometimes we are brought into a leadership position in order to learn how to serve others through the position given to us.
Can we be saved by our works?
A common theme throughout many parables is that those who are cast out are told that Jesus never knew them. Deeds are not enough. Those deeds need to flow out of our relationship with Jesus. If we fail to do the good that we can and know we should do, that is sin as well. It's easy to hear the commendations, the "Well done, good and faithful servant." But in order to get those words of praise, we need to actually follow God's commands and love others. This is not done out of a legalistic obligation to earn our way into heaven, but done out of love and a changed heart. The price of our sin has been paid in full and our good works should flow out of gratitude for that redemption.
Final Thoughts
We need to know Jesus and follow Him. That implies the need to spend time with Him in order to know His voice and His desires.
When we hit a scripture that is not familiar, we need to take that to heart even if that is not familiar to us. We are human and often want to stay with the comfortable way of doing things. We don't really trust God when He shows us a new, better way to live.
We will be touching on some unfamiliar scriptures in the upcoming weeks, starting with Deuteronomy 6.
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