PRETENDERS
Gibeonites --Joshua 9
motivated by fear
pretension cannot be equated with love.
The deceit was used to make a league with Israel. The vow was unwise, but it was considered official and had to be honored.
A wrong relationship now has become obligatory and thus, will have its consequences.
IL.: The new member of the orquestra of the emperor of China.
He was afraid to face the music.
1 P. 1:22
22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: (KJV)
22 Habiendo purificado vuestras almas en la obediencia de la verdad, mediante el Espíritu, para el amor fraternal no fingido, amaos unos a otros entrañablemente, de corazón puro; (RVG04)
Ro. 12:9-13
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. (KJV)
9 El amor sea sin fingimiento. Aborreced lo malo, apegaos a lo bueno. (RVG04)
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; (KJV)
10 Amaos los unos a los otros con amor fraternal, en cuanto a honra, prefiriéndoos los unos a los otros. (RVG04)
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; (KJV)
11 Diligentes, no perezosos; fervientes en espíritu, sirviendo al Señor. (RVG04)
12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; (KJV)
12 Gozosos en la esperanza, sufridos en la tribulación, constantes en la oración. (RVG04)
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. (KJV)
13 Compartiendo para las necesidades de los santos; dados a la hospitalidad. (RVG04)
How should a christian show love? That is True Love.
1.) By abhoring (hating) evil (v.9) and all appearance of evil.
We must stand against evil; not be nuetral.
When good men decide to do nothing, then evil will triumph.
2.) Show honour one to another (v. 10).
IL.: Franz and Albert were buddies in Germany. They were poor, but both wanted to become artists. By a coin toss, it was decided that Albert would go to college while Franz worked in the coal mines to support him; then after four years, they would switch roles. Albert had great talents and his work was fabulous, even surpassing that of his teachers. After four years, he was a talented artist with contracts out for his works. He returned home, hosted a feast, and called on his friend, Franz, saying that now it was his turn. Franz began to cry. He said that there was no way he could do it, because he had hurt his hands and fingers so many times in the coal mines that he could not even hold anything steady in his hand. So Franz never got to become an artist. Albert drew many paintings that were sold at good prices, but the most popular painting was that of the hands of his friend, Franz. He had Franz hold his hands together while he drew them, showing every detail of injuries and scars that his friend had suffered. He named the painting, "Hands". Others renamed it, "Praying Hands" and it was in honour of his friend who made a great sacrifice so that he could become an artist.
3.) Love is shown through diligence and servanthood. (v.11)
It takes effort on our part.
IL.: Jim and Jack in South Africa. Jim had to have double amputation of his legs. It looked like he would lose his job with the railroad. Fortunately, they gave him a new position as a signalman at an outpost in a remote area. Jim was having some trouble recuperating, so Jim helped him keep house and tended to him. He went with Jack to the signal station and quickly learned the job of Jim. He began going and doing the work for Jim, switching the tracks, and fulfilling the duties required. He continued for the next 9 years, faithfully helping his friend, Jim, until he died of tuberculosis. The RR operations were done perfectly and without any errors for almost 10 years. By the way, Jim was not a person, he was a baboon.
4.) We love by sharing (v. 13)
Hoarders are a poor example of true christians.
Stingy usually translates into stinky.
The offering plate can be a good test of ones ability to demonstrate love.
Mt. 6:24
24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (KJV)
24 Ninguno puede servir a dos señores; porque o aborrecerá al uno, y amará al otro; o apreciará al uno, y menospreciará al otro. No podéis servir a Dios y a las riquezas. (RVG04)
