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.

Understanding God's Love for You

Preached at Northwest Christian Church

David P. Kautt

Sunday Morning, August 29, 2010

1 John 4:7-12: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.”

One of the main messages of Scripture that I believe we can never exhaust, and certainly never get enough of, is the love of God. Along side His infinite holiness, and His everlasting faithfulness, and His perfect righteousness, and His unadulterated goodness, God’s love – His eternal love – designed, not only to express His tenderness toward those He has made, but also to be the solution to our greatest need: the salvation of our souls. God’s great love is what we need to hear about and know about day-by-day.

The love of God – poets and play-writes, songwriters, psychologists and philosophers, the world over has observed that man – mankind – folks like you and me are searching for something! And, in our search, we will look high and low, we will go to incredible lengths and spare almost no expense to find it – to grasp what we’re looking for. And yet, often times, and for many, many people, the search is misguided, improperly aimed, and therefore, unsuccessful.

What are we talking about here? You know what we’re talking about here. We’re talking about man’s desire for, his hunger for, his passionate thirst and longing for love…

The Word of God, the message of God, delivered to us this morning through the apostle of ‘Love’, as he has often been called, the apostle John, the Word, the message of God for us today is a message about Love…

And what is that message? Well, first of all, it is a message that takes all of us, seeking, searching, striving to find this precious commodity, somehow, somewhere, God’s message to us today is an arrow, a bright, flashing, neon arrow, a huge billboard sign stating, “Here it is! This is where you will find where you’re looking for!”

1 John 4:7 – “Love…” It’s what I’ve been searching for. “Love…” It’s what I’ve spent all this money, used up all this time reaching for… I can’t believe it! It’s been here all along! “Love… is… of… God!” “Love… is… of… God!”

Now, my friends, you understand what those four simple words mean, don’t you? Clearly, plainly, they mean that, “love… is… of… God!” They mean that He is its source. Oh, sure there are a lot of shoots and stems, and leaves and blossoms, and petals and fruit on this ‘plant’. But listen, there would be NONE of that! None! If it wasn’t for the Root! God - not your husband, not your children, not your momma, not your boy friend, not your puppy - but God is the Root, the Source of true, pure, righteous, holy, love! Your search needs to go no further! Like Isaiah exhorted the people of his day, “Hey – listen – are you thirsty? Come to the waters, to the well-spring! To the fountain head! And, why keep on spending your money on what doesn’t satisfy? Listen, listen to me, please! Eat what is good, and let your soul be truly and fully satisfied!” (See Isaiah 55:1-3).

“Love… is… of… God.” For very simple, yet oh so powerful words! Four words that describe the unique origin of love.

But, then, in verse eight of our text, three more short, but incredibly strong words are supplied for our consideration. What are they? 1 John 4:8, “God… is… love!” “God is love.”

Before we explore the depth of those three simple words, allow me to remind you that those three words are very much like these three words: “God… is… Light.” “God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all,” (1 John 1:5). And, they are very much like these three words, “God… is… Spirit.” “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him, must worship Him in Spirit and in truth,” (John 4:24). And they are very much like these three words, “God… is... Faithful.” And like these three words, “God… is… just.” (1 John 1:9) And, like these three words, “God… is… holy.” (Isaiah 6:3) And, yes, they are even like these three words, “God… is… fire.” (Hebrews 12:29)

Okay, okay. So what are we trying to say here? What is it that the Word of God wants us to see and know about God, and about love?

What a timely message for all of us this is, my dear ones! A timely message, why? Because not only are many, many folks looking in the wrong places to find love – looking in or to the shoots, the stems, the blossoms, but not the Root – “Love is of God…” Not only are countless folks looking in the wrong places to find love, just as many are also looking for love in the wrong forms! “This is love… That is love…” Soccer is love…” “A DQ Blizzard is love…” “Friday night at the movies is love…” “Singing karioke is love…” No! Look. 1 John 4:8 – “God is love…” God… is… love…”

Those three words, we can say them and spell them – but do we understand them? Allow me to suggest to you that what John means here by these three words, what the Spirit of God wants us to understand about love, and about God through these three words is this: first of all, “God is love.” In other words, whatever He is, it is! Whatever God is, love – true, pure, agape love – is. He defines it! It does not define Him!

Secondly, please keep in mind, we must keep in mind, as we search for this precious commodity – love – that knowing Him is the way to know love! “God IS love!” To know Him, is to know, to find, to experience it! God... is... love! Then what?

1 John 4:9 – We've look at the uniqueness of love as to its origin, its root, and as to its definition - “Love is of God” and “God is love.” Now, let's consider love's extent, the reach of God's love, and the results of God's love – it's aim.

1 John 4:9-10 – Read them again with me, if you would.

1 John 4:9-10, “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

Think it through with me, will you? 1 John 4:9-10 – When God loves... When God, who is light, and spirit, and holy, and faithful... When God, who IS love, when He loves, what does He do? Does He merely say it?

“Hello, down there, all you people, made in My image! Hello, down there... I love you! I... love.. you!”

When God loves, does He just say it? No! 1 John 4:9 – HE SHOWS IT! “In this the love of God was manifested – shown, made know to us – that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him!” God doesn't merely say He loves you! No! No! He purposes to life His dear Son up, to lift Him high upon a cruel cross – why? So that we might see it!

In other words, God when He loves, He does so because He has a Revelatory purpose, to use a theological term. He does so, in that lift-Christ-up-on-a-cross sort of way, so that we might see it! (See John 3:14-17; Numbers 21:4-9) And, then what? What happens when we see it? When, like those Israelites of old, who were bitten by snakes in the wilderness, what happens, when we, with eyes of faith look to the Son, lifted up like that bronze snake Moses lifted up in the desert? What happens when with genuine faith we SEE God's love, right there at calvary? You know it! We are saved, we are saved by it! God's revelation of His love becomes, proves also to be His wonderful act of redemption. I see His love, yes! But, much more, I am changed by His love! The dead, this dead man, dead in his transgressions and sins (Eph. 2:1-10), God manifests His love toward me, why? So that I might LIVE through Him! And, this man, dead because of his sins, but also 'dead meat', because of his sins, under God's wrath because of his sins, what does God do for me, in this revelation of His love? In this amazing act of redemption?

1 John 4:10 – He propitiates my sin, He moves me to the safest places of all: under His precious Son's blood!

The love of God... He is its Source! Whatever He is, it is! He has shown it! And, through it by faith you and I can be changed. But, so what? “I mean, God, we're really glad you're that way, that's really great! But, listen, we've got to move onto other things...” Do we? Do we?

No! Stop! If you and I claim to be God's children, loved by God, begotten and born anew by His love and privileged to relate to God as a result of His love for us, then what?

Love – agape love – listen, it not only is unique as to its origin, its extent and its aim, but it is also unique and powerful as to its claim, its claim on our lives, and, as to its impact THROUGH our lives!

1 John 4:11 – If you and I claim to be God's children, loved by God, begotten by His love and relating to God as a result of His love – then what? We are obligated , indebted, not just to love Him, that's the easy part, perhaps! But, also to love every other child of His.

1 John 4:11 - “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

God's love for us also has placed certain requirements upon us, we are obligated, indebted to that love. And the only way we have to respond to that duty, is to love each other!

But, then? What happens when we respond to that debt, that obligation the way He desires us to respond? 1 John 4:12 – Think of the impact! God and His love is revealed yet again! The unseen One is seen – how? Pull out your mirrors and look! The unseen One is seen – through us!

And, where does all of that lead? 1 John 4:12 - “No one has seen God at any time. But, if we love one another, then God abides in us. [He is seen through us.] And, His love is perfected in us!”

“His love is perfected in us.” What does the apostle John mean by that? Here's what he means. God, the One Who IS love, the One who DEFINES love and Who is the SOURCE of love... When He shows His love, at Calvary, when with eyes of faith, we SEE His love, and are redeemed, transformed, changed, by His love to the point that we pursue the fulfillment of our obligation – because of that love, then what? God's love reaches its goal! God's love reaches it goal! The goal, not only of it affecting our lives, but the goal, the lofty, heavenly goal of God's love reaching and touching the lives of every one of those folks who are still looking for it in the wrong ways and in the wrong places!

When, because of God's love for us, we, by His strength and His gracious Spirit, love each other – God's love reaches it's goal! “It is perfected in us!”

“Love is of God.”

God's Valentine

Of all the valentines ever sent, none is more significant than the love message from God in John 3:16.

 “For God so loVed the world,

         that He gAve

             His onLy

             begottEn

                  SoN,

                      That whosoever

        believeth In Him

          should Not parish,

       but have Everlasting life.”

My dictionary says a valentine is “a note containing a message of sentimental love.” But God's valentine is more than emotional sentiment. It expresses tenderness, of course, but it also offers God's solution to man's greatest need, the salvation of his eternal soul. God's message of love was in His heart before creation and, according to Romans 5:8, “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” God's valentine is not for those who think they are good, but for those who admit they are needy sinners.

If you receive God's valentine with repentant heart of faith, His love will fill your heart and life with great joy and lasting peace. His valentine expresses love that will never end!

Don't Fall for Fool's Gold!

Preached at Northwest Christian Church

David P. Kautt

Sunday Morning, August 22, 2010

1 John 3:23 – 4:6, “And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Several generations ago in the history of our country, as settlers moved further and further west across this vast land of ours, a phenomenon known as the 'gold rush' began to take place. Word quickly spread that there were riches to be found in the rivers and streams of places like California and Nevada, and many set off on what they hoped would be the adventure of a lifetime. However, if you know your American history very well, you know that, though there were some who came back from such excursions with wealth untold, more often than not, the gold diggers came back empty handed, as least as far as the 'real stuff' is concerned. Why is that? Well, likely we could come up with a number of explanations for the fact that many, if not, most did not find gold. But, perhaps the best answers to the question, 'why didn't they find it?' relates to what they did find instead...

Anybody have any idea what I'm talking about here? The reason most gold-diggers, most pan-handlers came home just as poor as when they left home, comes back to this one factor: there is such a thing as 'fool's gold'. “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world...”

My friends, did you know that there is such a thing as 'fool's gold' spiritually speaking? And did you know, do you realize that not everything that claims to be Christ, that is labeled with the word 'Christian', IS Christian?!

Like it was in the days of the pan-handlers and gold-diggers, there are many in our day who are looking for riches, spiritual riches, and there are many folks out there who claim to know where you ought to 'dig' to find those riches. But be careful! Be forewarned: there IS such a thing as spiritual fool's gold, and there are many out there who'll be more than happy to sell it to you!

1 John 4:1-6 – What do we have in this passage? Take a look... As you scan across these verses that the Spirit of God led the apostle John to write, what do we have here in this text?

Well, among other things, it seems to me that what we have here is, first of all, a declaration of doctrine. It is a straightforward declaration of doctrine of another of John's tests, another of his son-ship signposts, this pertaining to what one believes about Jesus!

Secondly, as I examine the overall message of this passage, what I detect here is an explanation of one of the fundamental principles of discipleship! That principle, simply put, is that genuine discipleship, or perhaps I should use the term, 'disciple-making', is not long distance, but up-close and personal!

Thirdly, what I see here, and what I'm sure you see here is the obvious fact that, through his words supplied here, the apostle John is putting forth a warning, an admonition for all potential gold-diggers. He gives a word of caution to all who are searching for spiritual wealth, and what is that warning? 'Be discerning! There is such a thing as 'fool's gold'! There are false teachers and phony prophets out there, so be discerning!' Let's look at these aspects of this passage together.

Fool's gold – I'm no expert on this stuff, but I can just imagine how it was, can't you? From the bank of a small river or stream, a pan-handler looks ever so intently into the water, hoping he'll see something shiny and gold-colored... As he looks, he notices something down stream from him, and near the opposite side of the river that is glistening ever so brightly. Indeed, it's 30 or 40 feet away, but he's just sure it's gotta be what he's looking for... 'Eureka!' 'Eureka!”, he shouts, as he wades across to it, stumbling to get there as fast as he can! Then, he reaches down into the water, and pulls it up quickly, and... and... *sigh* “Fool's gold, fooey!”

Changing the metaphor from metallurgy to agriculture for a moment, let me ask you to consider what Jesus meant when He said, “by their fruit, you shall know them”?

Take a look with me at the two places where he says this, would you?

First of all, Matthew 12:22-37. We won't take time to read that entire passage, but I do want you to take note of the context behind Jesus' words about 'fruit-inspecting'. And, then, to consider what principles with which we need to come away from this passage.

First, the background, verses 22-30. Jesus heals a demon-possessed man, a man whose blindness and in-ability to speak was caused, ultimately, by a demon spirit oppressing and possessing him. And, the response by the multitudes to this wonderful miracle is: “could this be the Son of David?” Could Jesus of Nazareth be the Messiah we've been waiting for? 'Nah! No way!' Retort the Pharisees! 'No! This fellow is casting out demons by way of Beelzebub, the prince of demons!'

Now, you think about the logic, or, should I, 'LACK of logic' behind that statement, and you'll understand why Jesus says what He says, about kingdom's dividing against themselves. And, you'll know the reason why Jesus comes down hard on these religious leaders – in verse 31 and 32 – in warning them not to be guilty of the unpardonable sin of blasphemy of the Holy Spirit!

Now, all of that in the background, the context behind Jesus' words, about fruit-inspection. Or, in the language of the pan-handler and gold-digger, how you can tell the difference between fool's gold and the real stuff! Verses 33-37.

Matthew 12:33-37: “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

Now, think it through with me, will you? What are we to learn from this text about fruit inspection? Number one, as the apostle John makes clear in our main text from 1 John 4, one of the key indicators that Christian should use to determine the difference between a false prophet and a true one is the indicator of words. Words. What a man says, a man's words, what are they, according to Jesus? They are the 'fruit', the overflow of his heart. The old times used to say it like this: “Yeah, ole so-and-so, he sure does speak his mind!” How are you and I going to be able to tell the difference between fool's gold, false prophet – and the real thing?

Listen! No, not like you do to the music on the elevator! But, listen, and like the Bereans of Acts 17 did, check out what you're hearing again THIS Book, the Bible! (See Acts 17:10ff)

2 Timothy 3:14ff – Please look it up with me, will you? And as you do, ask yourself, “why did God give us His word? What is the PURPOSE He had in mind for it when He gave it to us?”

Acts 17:10ff indicates that the Bereans were more noble, more fair-minded than the Thessalonians had been. How do we know that? What signals were there to that effect? Acts 17:11 – Number one, they received the Word through the apostle Paul, “with readiness”, eagerly and willingly. But, then, the text says, “they also searched out what Paul had told them, in the Scriptures, to find out whether what he was telling them was true or not...” Can you imagine that? They double-checked the apostle Paul!

How do you know, how CAN you know, the difference between fool's gold, false prophets, and true? You've got to listen - really, listen! And, you've got to look! Just like the Bereans did with Paul, you've got to look, and search the scriptures!

Now, why is that? What is it that's in this Book, that's really that important when it comes to this matter of spiritual discernment?

2 Timothy 3:14 – 4:5, “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."

Here's what makes not only the listening, but the LOOKING so important – this Book – what God has done for us in speaking HIS mind, right here in the Bible, is this: He has provided a way for us to attain the wisdom we need to SAVE US. He has supplied, in this Book, not other so-called, 'inspired' writings, but in this God-breathed Book He has given to us what we need to be “complete, and fully-equipped to do all the good He wants us to do!”

But, listen, think it through with me. Look it up, right here in this passage with me. What happens to us when our listening is driven more by an 'itch', an 'impulse', a 'lust', than by what drove the Bereans to listen and look?

2 Timothy 4:3 – Sound doctrine, the REAL thing, goes out the window, the truth is rejected, and false teachers and their box loads of fool's gold move in to take their place!

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By their fruit, the overflow of their hearts, by their words, you will recognize a false teacher!

Now, there's a second way we need to know about, that Jesus says is crucial to fruit-inspection. A second way that false teachers, and true teachers display who they really are. What is that second way? Matthew 7:15ff – The second way according to Jesus, in Matthew 7, is by way of their actions!

Matthew 7:15-23: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn-bushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”

What is Jesus' point in this section of teaching? And, what is His point through the famous parable of the wise and foolish builders, that follows? “By their fruit, their words, “Lord, Lord, look what I did in Your name', is that how you can tell the difference between a wooly-clothed, hungry wolf, and a real sheep? No! The final test, what we might call the litmus test must be applied to their deed, their actions! You see, not only do false prophets speak their mind - not only do their words, when lined up in comparison with Scripture - prove them to be fool's gold peddlers, but much more, so do their actions! And, where are their actions most easily discerned? Matthew 7:21 – Take a look at that verse again, and think with me once more about what I called the 'alignment principle'.

One's prayers - and the real, I mean the deep down, honest-to-goodness, real desire of one's heart – is it, “not my will, but Thine be done”? Or, is it, in fact, “not THY will, but mine be done”? You can know he's a false prophet, you can tell she's fool's gold, by watching what they do!

Not everything that claims to be Christian IS Christian! Back to 1 John 4 – One key principle for discerning the difference between false prophets and their fool's gold, and true prophets: Doctrine!Doctrine – And, the person and work of Jesus of Nazareth! Way back in Deuteronomy 18, Moses the lawgiver foretold of a day when God would send a prophet like him, like Moses, yet far greater than Moses to take his place. And, in Acts 3:22-23, the apostles Peter and John inform the people who had gathered around them in the temple, that that day had come. God HAD, in fact, already sent that Greater-than-Moses-Prophet. Now here's the $64,000 question: who was He? What is the name, the identity of this Greater-than-Moses-Prophet? Anybody know?

Matthew 17:1 – 7: “Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.”

Who IS the Greater-Prophet? Moses was there, on that mountain, with Peter, James and John – and Elijah was there, too!

But, suddenly, a bright cloud enveloped them, and, faster than a blink of an eye, Moses and Elijah had vanished. I mean, they were gone! So, Who's left? Oh, sure, Peter, James and John are there. Certainly. But, Who is the One whose face is shining like the sun? Who is the One whose clothes are as bright as the light? Who is the One the voice from heaven is referring to, when He says, “This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well-pleased. Hear Him! Listen to Him!”

Doctrine! And, the Person, the Identity and work of Jesus of Nazareth! In saying that fool's gold and false prophets can be discerned based upon what they say, what they claim and confess, or don't claim and confess about Jesus – what is the apostle John leading up to?

If a prophet, a preacher, an evangelist, a teacher, a so-called 'Christian author', or 'movie-maker' does not ultimately take his listeners or readers or viewers back to THE Prophet, the One the voice from heaven told Peter and the rest to HEAR, then guess what? Fool's gold! False prophet!

1 John 4:1-6: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”

How to Pray with Confidence

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1 John 3:16-24 – “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

Audience survey time… How many of you are certain that God hears you when you pray? How many of you fell hesitant, maybe even bashful when you open your heart before God in prayer? How many of you wish that there was some way to be able to approach God with great openness and confidence when you pray?

It is amazing to me, in fact, I suppose you could say that I never ceased to be amazed at how very practical and up-to-date the word of this Book are… Being able to pray more freely, more openly, more confidently, from our little audience survey it would seem that that is a desire of many of our hearts. And yet, perhaps like me, you wonder how? Is it possible for me to be able to pray like that, to pray like Jesus prayed? And, if so, what steps must I take for it to happen?

Confidence, boldness, openness – think of it, will you, my loved ones? Confidence, boldness, openness, as verse 20 of our text indicates, before the God Who is greater than our hearts, and Who knows our hearts! Is that possible? Can you and I really experience that, or – is it merely a pipe dream? I want to know, how about you? I need to know, I do – how about you?

Confidence, boldness, openness before God, in prayer. Before we go any further, allow me to point out this one very crucial fact, that we all must keep in mind – confidence before God is NOT a servant’s privilege! It’s not!

Rather, confidence in prayer, being able to address the God of the universe by the tender name ABBA, is strictly and only a son’s privilege! A daughter’s privilege! And so, though this may be a rather unusual place to be discussing it, you know, at the beginning of the message rather than at the end, at decision time – right up front, what you and I need to be completely aware of and understanding of is this simple, but foundational fact pertaining to prayer: confidence, boldness – yes, even openness – before the Father is a privilege reserved only for son and for daughters! If God is not your Father, by way of the New Birth, then simply put, you don’t have that privilege. But listen, my friends – don’t change channels just yet! If you are not a child of God, if this is not your prayer privilege, it can be! It can be! That’s what the cross of Christ is all about! That’s what Resurrection Day, the Lord’s day, the first day of the week is all about! It is! It is all about slaves to sin, prisoners to guilt and shame – who, outside of Jesus Christ have not standing, on opening, no access to the God of the universe - receiving that precious gift of son-ship, and with it, access to God through faith in Jesus Christ! Confidence before God is prayer, don’t switch channels on me just yet, will you? This message can be for you, too!

1 John 3:16-24, and the theme, the subject of confidence, boldness, openness before God in prayer – is this a pipe dream? Is it a make a wish and blow out the candles sort of thing? Or, is it really conceivable, that you and I could really experience this privilege?

Beloved, I’m looking at this passage, I’m looking at the words in this Book given to us by the Holy Spirit, and you know what I’m seeing? I’m seeing that it IS possible! That children of God really can call upon their Father without fear or shame, and with confidence!

But, how? How? Well, before you and I get very much deeper into this subject, allow me to point out something to you right up front – being able to come to your Father in heaven with boldness and openness – what picture do you have in mind when you think of what we’re discussing here?

Well, allow me to paint a picture in your minds for just a moment. Imagine yourself at Wal

Oh, we know he’s sitting in that cart, ever so quiet, minding his own business – right? No! He’s standing on his tippy toes, stretching out to the shelf, and screaming, “Daddy, can I have it? Can I have it, Daddy? Can I, huh?” “Settle down, Tommy,” the little guy’s daddy exhorts – still half way looking at something else. “Daddy, can I have it?” You know the little fellow wasn’t going to take Daddy’s response as his final answer – right? “Can I have it, Daddy? Can I, huh?” “Settle down, Tommy!” Back and forth it goes for 3, 4 maybe 5 minutes, until finally, after several more whiny, pouty, crying outbursts, Daddy gives in. Little Tommy gets what he wants!

Okay, You’ve had your opportunity to use your imagination, now let’s come back to reality, and ask: is that kind of scenario – spoiled brat kid and push-over daddy – what we’re looking at here in the Word of God?

Before I answer that straightforwardly, allow me to direct your attention to the text here, that we might see what God says is necessary to experience confidence before Him in prayer: number one – what must I do, what do I need to ask myself, if I would enjoy boldness and openness with my Father, my ‘Abba’?

Number one – I must ask myself, “Am I loving my fellow Christian the way Jesus loves me? Am I loving like Jesus loves?”

Great question, right? A question that pertains to what we have called the Social or Relational test of our commitment to Christ. “Am I loving like Christ loves?” Great question, but where am I to find an answer to this question? 1 John 3:16ff – Read it again with me, would you?

1 John 3:16-21: ““By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.”

Do you want to enjoy, not the pouty, whiny Wal-Mart shouting match, but confidence, boldness – yes, even openness – before God in prayer? Then, here’s how: you and I must be loving our brothers and sisters in Christ the way Jesus loves them – He laid down His life for them! We ought to do the same! He loved in deed, and in truth, opened up a gracious heart to them in their time of need, we must do the same. We must do the same, if we would enjoy this boldness in prayer!

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Secondly, if you and I really want to be able to confidently approach our God, our King, our Father, in prayer, take note – then we must OBEY Him, like Jesus did! We must obey our Father, our Daddy, like Jesus did!

I want you to think for a moment about two of the high points, two of milestones made known to us in Scripture that occurred during the years Jesus walked on this earth. I’m talking about Him baptism in the river Jordan at the hands of John the Baptist, and His transfiguration before the eyes of Peter, James and John, on top of that mountain. Think about both of those milestone events in Jesus’ life, and ask yourself – what stands out? What stands out in those events?

To me, perhaps more than all the other aspects of those events, what stands out is this one major part: the Voice from heaven! The words spoken by the Father, about His Son, “This is My Beloved Son, in Him I am well-pleased!” Now, friends, let’s ask ourselves – what was it that prompted God the Father to say all of that about God the Son? “Whaa! Whaa! Can I have it, Daddy, can I have it? Can I have it, huh?” Is that what caused God to say what He said about Jesus? Spoiled-brat kid and push-over Daddy? No! What prompted the Father to be pleased with the Son was His obedience! Obedience! My Loved Ones, we want to be able to approach our Heavenly Father with boldness, don’t we? But, how?

1 John 3:19-22: “And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.”

Confidence before God – am I obeying Him, like Jesus obeyed Him?

Then, thirdly, what steps must I take to avail myself to the bold and unhindered access to God’s throne of grace in prayer? Take a look again at verses 20 – 23. So far we’ve learned that to be confident before our Father in haven we must LOVE the brethren the way Jesus loves! Not merely in word or in tongue, but in action and in truth! Then, next, we observed that to have an assured heart, an open and shame-free heart before God, we must DO what Jesus did! We must keep God’s commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight! The step of obedience must also be taken, the moral or behavioral test, as it is called, must be passed!

But, what else? There’s one more step we must take if we would enjoy confidence before God in prayer. It pertains to the third signpost of son-ship. Do you remember what it is?

1 John 3:19-23: And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.

The third and final step on the path to confident prayer is faith! We must trust in and believe on the name of God’s Son Jesus Christ! To put it bluntly, the unbeliever, he has no such confidence before God! In fact, in effect, he has set himself up as God!

Confidence, boldness, openness in prayer – do I believe in, trust in, the One in whom God says I must trust? That’s the step of faith, the Doctrinal Test. Step two – am I loving my fellow Christian as Jesus loves them? That’s the step of love – active, need-meeting love, the Relational test. And, then step three – am I obeying my Father in heaven, as Jesus obeyed Him?

Confidence in prayer – it sounds so simple, you know, step one, step two, step three. But, listen, before we close, allow me to remind you of two underlying principles that, without them, we could have one step or a zillion steps, and still not experience that confidence before God in prayer.

What are those principles?

Principle #1 – It’s one I call the Principle of Alignment. When I was an elementary school student, we used to play a game called ‘Follow the Leader’. It was a game, if you’ve ever played it, of imitation. Whatever the leader did, the followers in like manner were to do.

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It was a fun game, and a game that would go along quite smoothly until, some freckle-faced, curly-headed little boy, would get the bright idea that he wanted to do things his way! Then, before you know it, the whole game would fall apart! The Principle of Alignment and the underlying ingredients of submission and humility, what are they? They are what hold the Follow the Leader game together. More importantly, those words spoken from a truly humble submissive heart, those alignment words, “Not my will, but thine be done,” what are they? They are what hold this thing called confident payer together!

The Alignment Principle, the confident pray-er is the person [1 John 5:14] whose heart’s desire is that of Jesus, “Father, I’m asking this in faith, yes, but I’m also asking this in accordance with Your will.”

Then finally, let us also always remember, not only the Alignment Principle, but the Intercession Principle. What do we mean by the Intercession Principle? You know it, don’t you? Hebrews 4:14-16 – “We have a great High Priest, Who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God.” Yes, we have a High Priest Who truly can sympathize with our weaknesses because He was tempted in every way that we are tempted – yet He remained sinless. He didn’t falter or fall into sin. So what? Listen to what comes after the THEREFORE in Hebrews 4:16 – We have a great High Priest in heaven, Jesus the Son of God. And we have a fully sympathetic High Priest, because when He was on earth He was fully tempted, but remained faithful all the way through – so what? So, THEREFORE, “let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we might obtain mercy, and find grace to help us in our hour of need.”

Confidence, boldness, openness before our Father, our Abba, in prayer – is it possible? It IS possible, in keeping with two principles.

Number one, the Alignment Principle – 1 John 4:17.

“But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” – 1 John 4:17

And, in keeping with principle number two: the Intercession Principle. We have a great High Priest Who has gone through the heavens and is seated at God’s right hand - Jesus Christ the Righteous.

To Love or Not to Love?

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Preached at Northwest Christian Church
David P. Kautt
Sunday Morning, August 1, 2010.

1 John 3:10-24: “In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.  For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous.  Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you.  We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.  Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.  But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?  My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.  And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.  For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.  Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.  And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.  And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.

Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

To be or not to be…  A long time ago an old play write suggested that that is the question, the big issue of life.  “To be, or not to be…”

Well, my friends, as we look not to the words and ways of poets and play writes, but to the Book of books, the Bible – God’s Holy word, a lamp to our feet and a light to our path – as we look to THESE words for all things that pertain to life and godliness we discover that the question, the big issue of life is not “to be or not to be…”, but “to love or not to love…” 

Several weeks ago, as we began our journey through this portion of the word of God – the first letter written by the Apostle John – I suggested to you that among other things, what we might find here in this letter would be three ‘tests’, three ways of evaluating ourselves to see if we truly are in the faith.  Three sign-posts or distinguishing marks of true Christians that, hopefully, are evident in each and everyone of our lives.  Do you remember what they are? 

Well, first of all, there is the doctrinal test, that sign post, that distinguishing mark of a true Christian that pertains to what he or she believes about Jesus of Nazareth.  Of course, as the apostle John makes clear throughout this letter, in places like 1 John 2:20-23 and 1 John 4:1-3 and 1 John 5:1-5, the point of discussion pertaining to Jesus, revolves not around whether He was good man, a good teacher or a good moral example, but whether or not He was – and is – the Christ, the Son of the living God, who indeed came to this world in human flesh.  That’s the doctrinal test, the test of belief, and those who confess, who agree with God’s testimony as to Jesus’ identity, do so because they are truly born again, born of God. 

But, then, there’s test number two.  How can I know, as John implies in his words in 1 John 5:12-13, that I have truly received God’s gift of eternal life?  Sign post number 2 – I need to look at my behavior.  Not just what I believe about the identity of Jesus of Nazareth, but I need to honestly evaluate my behavior – is it in keeping with the nature and character of God and of Christ?  This is what some have called the ‘moral test’, the signpost of son-ship that pertains to the issue of righteous living.  1 John 1:5ff – Take a look again at that passage with me.

The nature and character of God, and my day-to-day behavior - am I seeking to match up my behavior, the way I conduct myself day in and day out, with the nature and character of God?  “God is light” and “there is no darkness at all” in Him, the apostle John declares in 1 John 1:5.  But to walk in sin – particularly un-confessed, un-repented of sin, is to walk, not in light as He is in the light, but is to walk in darkness, is to lie, is to fail to practice the truth.  Is that my lifestyle?  Does that description, walking darkness rather than practicing righteousness, depict my behavior?

The doctrinal test, the distinguishing mark that pertains to what I believe about Jesus – how am I doing with respect to this signpost of son-ship?  Or, what about the moral test, the sign post of son-ship that has to do with my day-to-day behavior – how am I doing with respect to that distinguishing mark of a Christian?

That’s two of the tests John points us toward, that we might examine ourselves.  But, what’s the third one?

In the passage we read from a moment ago, 1 John 3:10-24, the apostle John lays out for us test number 3, the one that has been called the ‘social’ or ‘relational test,’ the one that everything to do with the question: “to love or not to love.”

Before we jump off into this deep, theological water, allow me to point out two or three things going in, that we ought to keep in mind, as we study this subject, and as we examine ourselves in view of what we will learn. 

Number one: the idea of loving one another, though it is explained and portrayed in its fullness in and through the Cross, in and through what Jesus Christ, God’s Son, did for us at Calvary – even though the idea of loving one another came to its ultimate fruition THERE, this idea, this concept, this Biblical teaching is not a new or novel addition that the apostle John is sticking in ‘late in the game’ so-to-speak.  No!  Rather, as he makes clear with his words in verse 11, ‘this message [the message, the command to love one another] is a message that has been proclaimed and taught “from the beginning”.  The beginning of what?  The beginning of Jesus’ ministry, for sure.  But look next at verse 12 for a powerful answer to that question.  The apostle John, in verse 11, says that the message “we must love one another” has been proclaimed “from the beginning”.  And the beginning he has in mind, at least if his illustration in verse 12 is any indication, is the beginning of human relationships.  “Love one another,” it’s not a Johnny-come-lately teaching – no!  It is a foundational teaching that pertains to what God had in mind for human relationships from the very outset! 

Secondly, please notice with me a definition, a description, a picture beside the entry in God’s heavenly ‘dictionary,’ next to the word ‘love’.  Verse 16 – “John, you’re telling us and teaching us about love, and loving one another.  What do you mean by that?  What does love, this kind of love, look like?”  Read it again with me, verses 16 through 18 and as we do, let’s remember what Calvary looks like!

1 John 3:16-18: “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.  But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.”

My loved ones, before we dive off into this teaching pertaining to the question, “to love or not to love” we need to – we must – keep in mind these two things.  Number one, the command to “love one another” is not new!  No!  Verses 11 and 12, it goes all the way back to God’s creation design!  Secondly, the word, the concept, the idea of love and loving one another described here is every and always defined in light of the Cross!  That is what the apostle John means by love!  And, that model, that illustration is what we are called and commanded to imitate! 

Okay, now back to this passage and its deep waters, as we contemplate our answer to the question “to love or not to love”, and as we see whether we pass or fail on this third ‘test’ of our Christian profession.

How many of you have ever stopped to look at the photographs on the wall of Wal-Mart of the missing children?  And, how many of you have ever recognized one of those children and, after almost fainting, saying to yourself, “I know whose child he is!”  “I know whose child she is!”

Whose child are you?  “Oh, I’m Johny and Faye Kautt’s son.  Born in June 1961…”  Whose child are you?  All of us could answer in a way similar to the way I just answered that question.  But, that’s not the direction the apostle John is trying to steer us with his words in verses 10 through 12.  Whose child are you?  My loved ones, did you know that our answer to the question, “to love or not to love” has everything to do with the question, “whose child are you?”  Read it again with me.

1 John 3:10-12: “In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.  For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous.”

The first thing we need to realize about this third signpost of son-ship, this third examination test, is that whether or not we love each other speaks volumes about who our parent is!  I didn’t say parents, but parent!  “In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God (that, by the way, has to do with signpost #2 – the moral or behavioral test), nor is he who does not love his brother!”  Whose child am I?  My answer to the question “to love or not to love” is the answer to the question about my parentage!

Secondly, my answer to that question “to love or not to love,” says a great deal about my most basic affiliations! 

I mentioned Wal-Mart a minute ago, now I’m going to mention Sam’s Club.  How many of you are a member of Sam’s Club?  We found out as we were preparing for our vacation trip that not only could we get fuel for Joel’s suburban cheaper at Sam’s Club, but also, because we are affiliated with Mr. Sam Walton’s elite ‘group’, we could get a better motel rate, too!

To whose group do you belong?  Ever been asked that question before?  My friends, did you know that our answer to that question “to whose group do you belong” has everything to do with our answer to the love question?  Verse 13 – Am I a part of God’s group or, am I a member of this world’s club?  Is there a way to find out for sure?  Yes, there is!  Verse 13 – if I love the brethren, the world’s gonna hate me!  I won’t be a part of their group, if I love my brothers and sisters in Christ.  Oh, but listen, if I don’t love my fellow Christians, then where is my basic affiliation?  With them!  With the world!

“To love or not to love” – Truly, these are deep, deep waters!  Deep because they deal with our parentage, and deep because they address our most basic affiliation.  But, also deep, because they speak to our location, because they confront as with the question: “what’s our address?”  I know most of your addresses, and most of you know my address.  In fact, we regularly receive mail from one another, don’t we?  But, what the apostle John is talking about here, in this discussion of the love question, is not what is our house number or what is our P.O. box number; but where is our ABODE?  Verse 14 – “We know,” that, by the way, is a statement of certainty, “We know, we are sure, that we have passed from death [one dwelling place] into life [another, a vastly different, dwelling place].”  How do we know that?  One way!  “Because we love the brethren.” 

Do you see it my friends?  “To love – to love your fellow Christian with that kind of love (Christ-like) is one way to signify that you have, indeed, changed your address!  I’m not living any longer at 666 DEATH Street!  No!  By God’s grace, through the out-pouring of God’s Spirit into my life, and by His Spirit, His love, I don’t live there any longer!  No!  My new address is 777 LIFE Avenue! 

What is so important about the love question?  It has everything to do with where you live!  But then, finally, please note with me, that all of that is true – whose child I am, to whose group I belong and what is my address – all of those questions ultimately force me to go back one more time to this ‘Mirror’, God’s Word, and ask, “Who am I?”  “What is my nature?”  Verse 15 – This is one of those ouch verses, isn’t it?  Have you ever hated a fellow Christian?  Have you ever failed to love a fellow Christian?  Notice those two sides to the same coin in verses 14 and 15.  Our answer to the question, “to love or not to love,” not only does it speak to our parentage, and to our affiliations, and to our location, but most importantly, it confronts us - like a right-out-of-bed, first-thing-in-the-morning look in the mirror confronts us with our messy hair and our sleepy eyes – our answer to the love question confronts us with who we are!  With our nature!  Verse 15 – “Whoever hates his brother,” look at the next word, only two letters, but extremely significant, “whoever hates his brother IS a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him!”

“To love or not to love…”  What do we see when we look into this ‘Mirror’?  More crucial: what will we DO in light of what we see?