1. A Contrast
Six humans trapped by happenstance in bleak and bitter cold, each one possessed a stick of wood, or so the story goes. Their dying fire in need of logs, the first man held his back, For on the faces around the fire he noticed one was a man whom he considered an enemy. The next man looking across the way saw one not of his church and couldn’t bring himself to give the first his stick of birch. The third one sat in tattered clothes He gave his coat a hitch. Why should his log be put to use to warm the idle rich? The rich man just sat and thought of the wealth he had to store, And how to keep what he had earned From the lazy, shiftless poor. The angry man’s face bespoke revenge as the fire passed from his sight, For all he saw in his stick of wood was a chance to spite the others. The last man of this forlorn group did naught except for gain. Giving only to those who gave was how he played the game. Their logs held tight in death’s still hand Was proof of human sin. They didn’t die from the cold without they died from the cold within.
Compare
In July 2002 in an incident that the news-media called "The Miracle at Quecreek," nine miners were trapped 240 feet under-ground for three days in a water-filled mine shaft. You probably remember, you were no doubt holding your breath with me as they were down in that flooded mine shaft without food and light and drinking water. After they were rescued, they were interviewed about what happened down there. They said that they "decided early on they were either going to live or die as a group."
The 55 degree water threatened to kill them slowly by hypothermia, so according to one news report "When one would get cold, the other eight would huddle around the person and warm [them], and when another person got cold, the favor was returned."
Miner Harry Mayhugh told reporters after being released from Somerset Hospital, "Everybody had strong moments, but any certain time maybe one guy got down, and then the rest pulled together. And then that guy would get back up, and maybe someone else would feel a little weaker, but it was a team effort. That¡¦s the only way it could have been."
They faced incredibly hostile conditions together-and the world marveled when they all came out alive together. [Bill White, Paramount, California; source: adapted from "Teamwork Helped Miners Survive Underground," CNN.com (7-28-02)] from www.sermoncentral.com
2. James 5.19-20
3. James reminds us of our interrelated responsibility
I. See the Possibility (5.19)
A. Knowing Truth is More than Knowing Facts
1. Seen in Lifestyle
a. No doubt in Trials
b. Caring for the helpless
c. Patience in Persecutions
d. Rescuing the Wanderers
2. “Knowing” is Incorporation of Facts into Action – Ezra 7.10
B. It Is Possible (for all of us) to Wander
1. 1 out of 99 sheep (Luke 15)
2. Abram lied about Sarai – Genesis 12
3. David and Bathsheba – 2 Samuel 11
4. Peter’s Denial – Matthew 26.69-74
5. Be on guard – 1 Corinthians 10.11-12 (Israel at Sinai):
11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.
II. Seize the Responsibility (5.20)
A. We Are a Community of Believers – NOT Lone Rangers
1. Jesus (Yeshua) built his church (Matthew 16.18) – correlated to congregation in Exodus 12
a. Community of faith that bears witness to world of one God
Isaiah 44.7-8 – you shall be my witnesses
7 Who is like me? Let him proclaim it.
Let him declare and set it before me,
since I appointed an ancient people.
Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen.
8 Fear not, nor be afraid;
have I not told you from of old and declared it?
And you are my witnesses!
Is there a God besides me?
There is no Rock; I know not any.”
2. Seen in Jerusalem – Acts 2.42 – serious to study word –
Stop going to church – assemble as church have teaching/fellowship/prayers/
Word molds us into what we should be as God’s people
B. We Are Responsible to One Another – Galatians 6.1
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
1. Healing/Restoring/Bring Back/Encouragement
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, Hebrews 10.24
2. If We Fail our Responsibility Due to:
a. When we are unsure of OUR walk
b. We fear of appearing “self-righteous”
c. Feel it is none of our business
d. Fear Confrontation
3. Responsibility is Based on Relationship – Can’t know if some wander if we are uninvolved with each other
C. The Return to the Right Path
1. Not by Manipulation or Force
a. God governs by the consent of the governed – does not force us to follow
b. We have the same choice as the disciples – John 6.66-69
66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”
2. Comes with Spirituality, Gentleness and Love (Galatians 6.1)
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
Stonewall Jackson:
On 5.2.1863 T.J. “Stonewall” Jackson was accidentally shot by his own sentries. He later died of pneumonia and complications following the amputation of his left arm. When RE Lee visited him, he said, “You have lost your left arm, I have lost my right.” – “Friendly fire” – sometimes WE shoot our own, especially when they are down and out.
a. We may tend to be harsh and plan on straightening out others – Note Galatians 6.2
2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Begins with us:
Lou Gehrig played 15 years at first base for the New York Yankees. He played 2130 consecutive games! He has been called the "the iron man of baseball" for a good reason. After he retired they X-rayed both of his hands and found that every finger had been broken at least one time, YET HE NEVER MISSED A GAME! He played even though he was hurt! He didn’t make any excuses! He bore his own burdens!
b. It takes GOOD News
1) Grace Orientation (chesed)
2) Golden Rule (Matthew 7.12)
3) In a spirit of love – Ephesians 4.15
4) With persistence – 2 Peter 3.9
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
III. Seek the Probability
A. The Danger of “Death”
1. Adam’s “Death” -- but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die. Genesis 2.7
“Clothes make the man. Naked people have little influence on society.” Mark Twain
2. Impact of sin – Romans 6.23; 26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Hebrews 10.26-27
3. Rescue of Alimentation from God
B. The Warmth of Welcome
1. God Reaches to ALL of Us
2. Prodigal Son
C. The Covering of Sin
7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
and whose sins are covered;
8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.” Romans 4.7-8
1. Day of Atonement
2. Blood of Christ
3. An Expression of “Forgiveness”
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered. Psalm 32.1
D. The Receipt of Rewards
1. Salvation for the Wanderer
2. A Blessing for the Encourager – Ezekiel 33.9:
But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.
Matthew 6:7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy."
Conclusion
1. An airline company was disturbed over a high percentage of accidents so they decided to eliminate human errors by building a completely computerized plane. "Ladies and gentlemen," came a voice over the PA during the initial flight, "It may interest you to know that you are traveling in the world’s first completely automated and computerized plane. Now just back and relax because nothing can go wrong....go wrong....go wrong....go wrong....." Wanna bet? THINGS DO GO WRONG IN LIFE! And you don’t have to live very long in this world to find this out. And for some people, things seem to go wrong more often than not.
Romans 8:18 "I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us."
2. Anonymous Letters of Criticism
Many years ago preacher Henry Ward Beecher went to pulpit to preach and found an anonymous letter containing one word, "Fool." He calmly, quietly announced the contents of the letter to the congregation, saying, "I have known of people writing a letter and forgetting to sign their name to it. BUT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE EVER SEEN SOMEONE SIGN THEIR NAME AND FORGET TO WRITE THE LETTER!"
Brethren, Christians should be in the business of helping one another, bearing one another’s burdens. BUT SOME CHRISTIANS ARE MORE CRITICAL THAN THEY ARE CARING! They are more of a hindrance than a help!
3. God Showed Up IN PERSON to Save Us – John 3.16-17
4. He gave us the example in reaching out to others
5. Success is built on relationship – discipleship
