Workshop of Wonders: Walk with God [Video]

Workshop of Wonders: Grow with God [Video]

Workshop of Wonders: How NOT to Build with God [Video]

Workshop of Wonders: Imagining with God

Workshop of Wonders: How NOT to Build with God

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Preached by David Kautt

Community Christian Church, Durant, Oklahoma                            

Sunday Morning, July 6, 2014

Matthew 16:13 -18, “When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”  So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”  Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

God is the Consummate Builder.  Like me, when I was in high school, some of you fellows may have tried your hand in building a desk, an end table or a lampstand.  And, some of you ladies may be skilled in building in other sorts of ways; using fabric and thread or needles and yarn; or even using clay.  Still others of you may have entered into the huge project of building or rebuilding your own home - that one will change your life, won’t it?

Most of us like to build, in one way or another, and some of us are actually pretty good at it.  But, whatever ability we have in building - we must remember – comes from God.  And, even the best of builders, whoever they may be, well, none of them can compare to God.  He is the Consummate Builder, the Best of the best! 

Maybe you’ve never looked at it this way before, but as Creator, God displays His ability to build. 

When I set out to build the one and only piece of furniture I’ve ever fashioned, I did what every other furniture builder does.  I went to the lumber yard to get the supplies I needed.  I utilized what someone else offered to supply to build my desk… But, did you know that God, when He began to build the heavens and the earth, the galaxies and stars, the birds and fishes, the trees and flowers, the beasts and the bumble bees, He began with NOTHING!  Hebrews 11:3 puts it like this: “the worlds were framed by the word of God… the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible!” 

God, the Consummate Creator, the Best Builder of all, simply spoke, and it was done! 

God also manifests His amazing building abilities in how He has gone about building covenant-connections with people - specific people He selected for His purposes, people like Abraham and Moses and David, and groups of people like the Nation of Israel and the tribe of Judah.  Yes, as Relator, Re-lator, God is the Consummate Covenant-Builder! 

Most important of all, as the text we read a moment ago indicates, God, in His Son Jesus Christ, is all about building His Church!  He is intent on carrying out a New Creation building plan, and His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, through nails – not that He drove, but that were driven through Him, through His hands and feet – God’s Son, Jesus Christ is bringing that plan to a reality! 

God is the Consummate Builder!  Whether it be as Creator, Relator or Savior, He is the Better Builder, who offers a Better Blueprint (His Word) and who always builds using the best – the ONLY true – foundation: His Son, Jesus Christ. 

God is the Consummate Builder, we’ve said that already, two or three times, haven’t we?  But, here’s the amazing part, the ‘It’ll blow you away’ part: God, the Consummate Builder, He wants you and you and me to ‘go into business’ with Him!  His invitation to us, in other words, is for us to come, and build with Him…

Now, you’d think, wouldn’t you, that this would be the easy part for us, right?   I mean, after all, He’s the CONSUMMATE Builder! He doesn’t have to go to Lowe’s for nails and 2-bys.  Yes, He’s the Consummate Builder – Better Blueprint, Better Foundation, Better plan – and all of that… 

But, you know me, don’t you?  And, yes, I know you . . . We’re both like that carpenter Jesus described in Matthew Chapter 7. Do you remember the one I’m talking about?

Jesus’ profile of this carpenter – as He read His ‘ad’ in the Jerusalem County Shopper – went something like this:  “He hears these words of mine”.  Jesus says, “This carpenter listens to Me. He hears My instructions on building, but then he goes and does what he wants to do. Instead of using a rock-solid foundation, set and formed, following My instructions, he does his own thing. He starts every one of the homes he builds the very same way – with a sand pile for a foundation.”

Yes – you know me. And, I know you. And whose blue print do we tend to want to follow?

And, you know what Jesus, the Consummate Builder calls that, don’t you?  Foolish!  Foolishly trying to build – without God!

Brothers and sisters, oh, how we need to drive home this one, simple principle as a take-away from Jesus’ words there in Matthew 7.  It relates to building. Believe me, it does.  Here it is:  we learn - we listen to the Consummate Builder – in order to DO what he says!  We read His blue print, this Book, in order to follow it!

Yes, we can build WITH God, or we can build WITHOUT Him!

Take for example, the farmer Jesus told about in Luke chapter 12. This is that parable about the farmer, whose crops went “Eureka!”  One hundred fold-plus…every plant.  In fact his harvest that year was so abundant that he was faced with a dilemma.  “Do I let some of it, maybe even a lot of it, go to waste, because I don’t have a place to store it? Or… do I tear down my smaller barns, and build bigger ones?”

Wouldn’t you like to have that dilemma for once?  But, listen….

According to Jesus, the Master Builder, this was not just an agricultural-strategy moment, a John Deere moment.  No!  This was a test – a spiritual crossroads moment, a Homer Depot moment for this farmer! Was he going to build with God – for God, or, was he going to build just for himself?  You know, Sit back. Relax. Eat. Drink and be merry.  After all, you’ve got more than enough stored away.  You won’t have to work again for years!”

What was God’s one-word assessment of this man’s decision to build – only for himself – and neglect to be rich toward God?

Luke 12:20:  “Fool!  You fool!  Tonight your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have stored up?”

Building WITH God.  What‘s the financial principle that pertains to building WITH God, that Jesus drives home through this parable?  You know it, don’t you?

God prospers us, not for the sake of BIGGER BARN BUILDING, but for the sake of kingdom of God advancing!

Building – without God.  Carpenters sometimes do it.  I can listen to Jesus. After all, I really do like what He has to say!  I can hear His words. But, when it comes to doing them. Well, don’t count on it.  I’ve got my own blue print to follow!

Then there’s the prosperous, those who do well financially – like the farmer in Jesus’ parable. They can be tempted to build without God also, can’t they? Can’t we?

“God, I’ve made it big this time!  Like Peter and his fishing buddies.  This time…what a haul!  I mean the boats are overflowing with fish!  And, You say You want me to leave all of this, and follow You so I can learn to fish for men?!”

Yes, the prosperous can have those spiritual-crossroads moments, when the choice is between building our empires, and building God’ Kingdom!  Which will we choose?

Building with God – or, yes, building WITHOUT Him.  Which will it be?

Did you know that the Church, yes, even this church is or can be torn in these two different directions?  Let me show you what I mean.  The book of Revelation, Chapters 2 and 3 – the 7 churches of Asia Minor.  Yes, they were real, historical congregations, in actual ancient Greco-Roman cities during the life and ministry of the apostle John. And, yet these churches in many ways portray what churches of today are – or can be. 

For example, there’s the church of Ephesus, addressed in Revelation 2:1-7.  Like with virtually all the rest of the seven churches, Jesus commends this congregation for some good things He observes in it. Hard working, tough on sin and false teachers, persevering. But, there’s one big problem: Verse 4 “you have left your first love.”  “You shall love the LORD your God, with all your heart, soul, mind and strength….”

Undoubtedly, these folks knew that command of Jesus.  But, for whatever reason, they had left it, neglected it.  Left, and forsaken Him!

What kind of church is a church that’s being built that doesn’t have Jesus at the center – as its first love?  Is it one that has the preacher’s name in lights.  Or, one that revolves around a favorite elder or teacher or youth worker? Nothing wrong with honoring those people, especially if they are worthy of honor.  But, listen.  Who’s our FIRST love, really?  Who really IS worthy of honor and adoration?

Are we building with God? Or building a “personality cult”?

How about the churches locate in ancient Pergamos and Thyatira.  Revelation 2:12-17 and 2:18-29.  Once again, Jesus commended them for the good He saw in them. But then He confronted the wrong, and called them to repent.  They were allowing teachers and teachings that permitted and promoted idolatry and sexual immorality into their midst: the doctrine of Balaam, the doctrine of the Nicholaitans, then a prophetess referred to as Jezebel.  What kind of church were the congregations likely to be or become, if they continued to tolerate such things?  Would they be building with God, or without Him?

Do you know the answer?

God – the Consummate Builder. Jesus, the Chief Cornerstone.  What kind of church do they want to build? A pleasure-seeking church?  One whose teaching and teachers are leading people to stray into immorality and idolatry?  The answer is “No!”  God intends to build a pure Church, a spotless Bride, and He intends to use His truth, His Word to do it!

Once again, are we building WITH God?  Or, building a church like the ones at Pergamos or Thyatira?

Move across to Revelation, Chapter 3.  And to what Jesus says about the church in Sardis.  Revelation 3, verses 1-6.  This church, oh my!  Along with the church at Laodicea, this church Jesus has absolutely no word of commendation for it! None!  Why not?  I mean – after all – they had a name – a REPUTATION – for being very much ALIVE.  That was the word around town about them, you know what I mean?  But listen – does anybody here know what it means to just sort of GO – THROUGH – THE – MOTIONS?  Does anybody here understand what it means to PLAY CHURCH? 

Revelation 3, one and two:  “These things says He who has the 7 Spirits of God and the 7 stars:  ‘I know your works, that you have a reputation for being alive – but you are dead!  Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.’”

Listen, my friends – how can a church build with God if it’s on LIFE SUPPORT and the VITAL SIGNS are fading fast?  PLAYING CHURCH – JUST GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS – is NOT – is NOT – what it means to build with God.

Neither is being LUKEWARM – neither hot nor cold.  Remember the church at Laodicea?  Talk about Building WITHOUT God – this church – this MINDSET – on the part of someone who CLAIMS to be a Christian – may be the worst of all.  Revelation 3, verse 17:  It’s the PERFECTLY SELF-SATISFIED Church.

Listen to how this church talks about itself:  “I am rich – I have become wealthy – I DON’T NEED ANYTHING!”

I guess at that church the song, “I Need Thee Every Hour” had been removed from the hymnal!  Building WITHOUT God – is that the kind of church we are?  Are those the kind of Christians I am – or am becoming?

Building WITH God:  Perhaps – as I wrap up this message – I ought to give you the title of it.  Here it is:  Building WITH God – How NOT to Do It!

You want to build WITHOUT God?  Listen – just listen – but never DO what Jesus says!

You want to build WITHOUT God?  Be rich toward yourself – bigger barns and all – but be skimpy with God.

You want to build WITHOUT God?  Those 5 churches of ancient Asia Minor.  Look at them – closely.  Look at Jesus’ words to them – words, by the way, that were meant for EACH, INDIVIDUAL MEMBER – not merely to the group as a mass!  Look at what Jesus says to them – then, ask yourself, “What kind of church MEMBER am I?”  And, remember – Jesus KNOWS what kind of church member each one of us is – He does!

Listen, my Loved Ones – Jesus intends to Build HIS Church – and believe me – nothing – NO ONE – can prevent Him from doing so.  He WILL build HIS Church – HE WILL!

How about if we help Him?  Let’s help Him, shall we?

Works and Good Works - Labor Day 2010

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Preached at Northwest Christian Church

David P. Kautt

Sunday Morning, September 5, 2010.

Ephesians 2:8-10: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

The subject of work and good works is a subject that, every once in a while, at least, ought to appear on every preacher's sermon schedule. It's a subject that has deep Scriptural roots, going all the way back to God's grand design for mankind in Creation – Genesis chapter two - and also a subject, therefore, that has broad application, as each one of us, as human beings, and as Christians, are called and commanded to work, and to pursue and produce good works.

Even though recently I have been leading you in a study of the first letter of John, I wanted to take this opportunity today, on the Lord's Day, before that holiday we call 'Labor Day', to examine this two-fold subject, work and good works. I trust that our time today in doing so will be well spent.

First of all, to lay the groundwork for this study, and, to remind you of what I trust you already know and are convinced of, take a look at what our Scriptural starting point has to say regarding this matter. Ephesians 2:8-10.

Number one, work or good works, human effort or achievement – '[our own] works of righteousness which we have done” - as Paul describes them in Titus chapter three, verse five, none of these things have the ability to save us. God's powerful grace has that ability, our wholehearted trust in that ability of God unlocks the door, activating that ability. But work, our good works, don't enable us to attain to or achieve salvation. Why? Simply put, because it is God's gift to us! Why? Because if it was, if salvation was the result of our work or good works, who would get the glory? Who would receive the praise? We would! We would undoubtedly boast that we – WE – had saved ourselves!

Salvation is not of works, we didn't effect I or bring it to pass! No! Ephesians 2:10 – everyone who truly is a Christian, go that way because of the workmanship, the new creation in Christ Jesus workmanship, of God Himself! The praise belongs to Him, and Him alone!

Nevertheless, look at the remainder of that tenth verse with me, will you? Though you and I are saved by our God, who is “rich in mercy” (Ephesians 2:4), even though our salvation is an expression, a marvelous demonstration of the “exceeding riches of God's grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” - Ephesians 2:7. Notice with me what the rest of verse 10 has to say about good works. We are not saved BY good works – no! But, we are saved FOR good works!

In other words, included in God's eternal plan to save us, is a plan to USE us to carry out His work here on earth! “For we are God's workmanship - His handiwork – created in Christ Jesus, for good works.” That is God's new creation in Christ purpose for saving us – “for good works... that we should walk in them.”

Now, having laid that foundation, let's take a look at what God's Word has to say about this subject. Colossians chapter three – How many of you enjoy the look and, perhaps, even the feel and the smell of a new set of clothes? More than once I have been the unsuspecting recipient of a fellow Christian servant's generosity in this area of clothing. “David, it's time for you to have a new suit of clothing,” they'd say. And off we would go to the clothing stores in order to out-fit this preacher from head to toe!

Colossians chapter 3 – Did you know that there's a 'clothing store' by the name, 'Put on Christ'. The 'Put on Christ Clothing Store' – (see Galatians 3:26-27, Ephesians 6:10-20, Romans 13:11-14). Take a look with me at what awaits you and me there.

First of all, notice that at this 'store' there is a 'changing room', a place, a sacred place before the God who made you, and who, in Christ, is remaking you into the image of His Son (Romans 8:29), to 'take of' and forever leave behind your old 'clothing'.

Colossians 3:8,9 - “But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds.”

The 'changing room' is a place to take off the old 'clothing' that pertains to the 'old you'. And 'old you', by the way, who died – yes, died – (Colossians 3:3) and who is to be put-to-death, executed, along with all that has anything to do with him.

Colossians 3:5-7 – In this place called the 'Put on Christ' and 'Put on Christ-likeness Clothing Store,' where all those who enter are charged and challenged to “seek those things which are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God,” and to “set their minds on things above, not on earthly things.” In that place, where all who enter must do so, having first DIED to the old way, to an old life and the wicked works that go with it, you and I, if that IS the case with us, what do we find in that place? And, how are we to be dressed once we leave that place? Colossians 3:12-14 – Would you read it with me, please?

Colossians 3:12-14, “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

Beloved, what is the point of this passage? You see it, don't you? We are saved FOR good works. That's one of the purposes God had in mind when He sent His Son to Calvary. But now, realizing that that is what God had in mind for us, what are we to do? Colossians 3 - We're to make a trip to the 'Clothing store', we're to enter the 'changing room', we're to PUT ON good works, and the Christlike qualities that are the ingredients that are necessary for good works!

Go with me now to Acts chapter nine, and the record of the resurrection, the restoration to life of a woman named Tabitha.

Acts 9:36-42, “At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.

Now, you may be wondering in this sermon about work and good works, why we would stop to read and study this passage. My Loved Ones, we read it quickly, but look at it once again with me. Ladies, what does this passage tell us about this woman, this follower of Christ named Tabitha? Verse 36 – It says that she was, “full of good works!” That her life overflowed with the “charitable deed which she did.” Now, listen. Those two statements about this woman tell us a great deal! They do! But, listen... Who was it that knew the truth of those descriptions about her? Verse 39 – the needy! The helpless! The hurting! “Then Peter arose and went with them,” the text says, “[and] when he had come, they brought him to the upper room. [And there in that upper room] stood all the widows weeping, and showing [Peter] all the tunics and garments which Tabitha had made...”

Do you see it, Ladies? Do you see it, Fellows? This rather unknown Christian woman, WAS known, at least in and around her hometown of Joppa. And it wasn't for being a gossip or a busy-body! No! She was known! Tabitha was loved and appreciated because she was “FULL of good works!” Ladies, that's a reputation, with the good Lord's help, for which we all should strive! Amen? Amen!

But, how do you and I get that way? This passage that illustrates what Paul means in his instructions to Christian women in places like Titus 2 and 1 Timothy 5 – how is it that you and I are to come to be known for living lives FULL of good works?

Titus 2:11-14 - “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”

You see that flow of thought, the order of things Paul lays out for us here, don't you? Good works – to be like Tabitha – what a model! What an example she is to all of us, man or woman! To be FULL of good works, as Tabitha was, we must first be zealous for good works. The things that God enabled Tabitha to fill her life with, these kinds of things must be what we eagerly desire and pursue! But, how is that possible?

Earlier, I suggested that you and I must travel to the 'Put on Christ Clothing Store', and that we must enter the 'Changing Room' so as to PUT ON good works! In this passage, however, the directives, though similar, go about describing the process of becoming zealous, eager for good works, like this... Verses 11-14 – Instead of entering the 'changing room', so to speak, in this text Paul exhorts us to join God in His 'Saving Grace Class Room!' “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.”

To be and become “zealous for good works,” we must, first of all, be ready, attentive 'STUDENTS' of God's grace. Learning the lessons His saving grace is meant to teach us. Lesson like saying, 'No! No!' to ungodliness and worldly lusts, and, 'Yes! Yes!' to a life that is lived soberly, righteously, and in a godly manner – a life redeemed FROM, bought out of slavery TO lawless deeds, and a life prepared and purified FOR God – zealous – eager to do His will!

“Zealous, fervent and eager, for good works!” That's what God's 'Saving Grace Classroom' has as it's 'learning outcome' – it's 'curriculum goal'!

Work, and good works – there's a great deal more to study and learn regarding this subject. But, allow me to wrap up what we need to know in this way. Work and good works.

This book – this Holy Book, breathed and inspired, as it is, BY God - to the end that God's people might be “thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) – what does it tell us, what does it teach us about the subject of work and good works? Three things: number one – Colossians 3:17, Work and good works are to be performed in Christ's name! “And whatever you do in word or in deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him!” (See Ephesians 6:5-8).

Second – work and good works, how do they come about? Ultimately, how do these kinds of works come about? Oh, that's easy! It's my muscle, my mind, and my money that makes it happen! Right? Right? Take a look at Philippians 2:12-13.

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”

Work and good works – my muscle? My mind? My money? No! “It is God who works in us both to will (them) and to do (them), for His good pleasure!” Which, leads us, then to number three – last thing we must always remember regarding this subject: Philippians 1:9-11. Paul's prayer for the Philippian believers and for us. What does He ask God to do in us and through us? By the way, beloved, that right there ought to be a huge clue, correct? What does Paul ask God to do in us, and through us?

Verse 9 – He asks God to cause our love to abound in knowledge and all discernment. Verse 10 – He asks God to help us prove and a-pprove the things that are excellent, that we might be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ. And... And – verse 11 – that we might be, Paul asks God to fill us with the fruits of righteousness. Good works – the “fruits of righteousness” - How? And, why? Good works – the “fruits of righteousness which are BY Jesus Christ” - that's the how. “To the glory and praise of God” - that's the why?

Work and good works – Allow me to close with this benediction taken from Hebrews 13:20-21.

Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.