Did you hear last week about the family that tried to auction itself off on the Internet website called E-Bay? E-Bay is a well-known site that auctions off thousands of items from the memorable to the ridiculous!
A family composed of a husband and wife and two kids, offered themselves to provide life-long friendship and support among other things. Bids went into the millions for the family. However, it is illegal to sell people in this country and so no bids could be accepted.
Sounds incredible and ridiculous doesn’t it? But, people pay money for peace and love and contentment, correct? Some of that money goes to things like drugs and alcohol. Some goes for various aspects of sex. Some goes into buying things to impress people and get friends.
People, and that includes you and me, need love, companionship, respect, honor, and a whole host of other things. But, the problem is that we turn to all sorts of sources but the primary source to meet these legitimate human needs.
Last week we looked at five Biblical characters as illustrations of what it means to be fully following persons of God by being decisive like Joshua, courageous like Esther, wise like Solomon, willing like Peter, and passionately committed like Paul. (Overhead 1)
This week we continue to discover what it means to be fully following persons of God by understanding that we express our commitment to people by being hopeful like David, holy like Joseph, authentic like Jeremiah, and celebrative like Nehemiah. (Overhead 2) But how do we do that? (Overhead 3)
In James 5:14-16, which was read a few moments ago, there are two ways that we faithfully and Biblically express our commitment to others. One way is clearly stated in the passage - prayer. The other way is implied in the process of prayer and confession - relationship.
As we read through this passage, it assumes there are good and trusting relationships in place. Otherwise why confess your sins and acknowledge your physical needs with corporate intercession and anointing?
Laced throughout this passage is an unspoken assumption that when the church is at its best as God’s people, meaningful relationships are in place that God uses to draw people closer to one another and to Himself. In other words, a very important avenue to being a fully following congregation is the avenue of standing with others during times of trial and difficulty - physically and otherwise.
But in this process of prayer and intercession, what do we have to offer? I suggest that what we have to offer is hope, holiness, authenticity, and celebration based on the acts of God through Christ as stated in the Bible and in our own lives.
In Psalm 40 we read these words, “I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be astounded. They will put their trust in the Lord.”
Time and again throughout the Psalms, David expressed hope in God as He came to work in the circumstances of David’s life.
People need hope and it is a hope that is not based on circumstances or things that are here today and gone tomorrow. It is a hope that is based on God. People need hope! People need the Lord!
Notice in this passage of scripture how David chose to respond to his situation. “I waited patiently for the Lord to help me.” The key word is patiently.
Something has created a troubling situation for David and he has a choice in how he is going to respond to it. He chooses to wait patiently. He chooses to wait patiently for the Lord to help him.
Waiting for God to act during difficult and stressful times is hard. Waiting patiently is even harder! But that is what David did!
Peter wrote in 2 Peter 1 verse 5 and following: “A life of moral excellence leads to knowing God better. Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance and patient endurance leads to godliness. Godliness leads to love for other Christians and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more you will become productive and useful in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
David demonstrates that patient endurance in his patient waiting because the other things Peter lists are also a part of his life. But, David also waits for God to act on his behalf because David has great hope in God!
This is illustrated through the written Biblical record of David’s life. I think that one of the best places that we see this deep and strong hope is when he takes on Goliath, the Philistine giant. The encounter is recorded in I Samuel 17.
When it finally comes time for battle and Goliath mocks David by cursing him by the names of his gods, David grounds his actions on a hope that God will act on his and his people’s behalf. And he does! And the giant came tumbling down.
Churches who are attempting to fully follow God express that commitment by caring for people due to a great hope that they have in God. In fact, as we read in I Peter 1, we are encouraged to remember and be ready to express the hope that is within you.
Peter also speaks of the need for moral excellence. Another name for moral excellence could be holiness. Now holiness is one of those “church words” that cause all sorts of emotional responses.
Many times we have defined holiness in negative terms with the word “don’t:” don’t smoke, don’t chew, and don’t go with those who do! Yes, God says that His people are not to do certain things.
But, moral excellence is also about some things that are positive and good and right. For example, honesty, integrity, loyalty, and commitment. And we see these demonstrated in the life of Joseph.
And the critical point in Joseph’s life that we see holiness expressed is found in Genesis 39:6-10:
“Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’t have a worry in the world, except to decide what he wanted to eat! Now Joseph was a very handsome and well-built young man. And about this time, Potiphar’s wife began to desire him and invited him to sleep with her. But Joseph refused. “Look,” he told her, “My master trusts me with everything in his entire household. No one here has more authority than I do! He has held nothing back from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.”
As the story goes on, Potiphar’s wife keeps pressuring him until he flees from her, as she grabs for him and rips his shirt off. She cries “rape!” And he is jailed.
But, notice holiness at work in this situation in two ways: his actions and his statement to her. Both are clear illustrations of how being holy is evidence of someone honestly trying to follow God fully.
His actions indicate someone who knows that God’s standards are higher than anyone or anything else. His standards are a reflection of His holiness and our God, the God of the Bible, is a holy God and He expects us to be more and more holy as the years go by.
But, Joseph’s statements are also indicative of someone who is trying to be holy as God is holy. What comes through in these statements however is an honesty and integrity that goes beyond the minimum.
Joseph is aware of the power and responsibility that he has been given and the level of trust that has been placed in his hands by Potipher and his understanding of this is evidence of a conscientious individual. Joseph is living with moral excellence. And God’s vision for us as fully following people means that we need to live lives of moral excellence like Joseph. People need moral excellence. People need the Lord.
A recent e-mail asked readers to reflect on the following questions: 1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world. 2. Name the last five heisman trophy winners. 3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest. 4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize. 5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress. 6. Name the last 10 World Series winners.
Then as we sit and realize that we don’t know the answers to these questions, another set of questions are asked: 1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school. 2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time. 3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile. 4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special. 5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with. 6. Name six heroes whose stories have inspired you.
The point of the e-mail is this: “The people who make a difference in your lives are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.”
That is clearly true in our primary text. Think of the people who have prayed with you over the years. Can you see the faces of those who have heard your confessions and your pain and your joy?
All of us need and continue to need people that we are honest with because one of things that fully following persons and people of God are characterized is an authenticity that creates credibility as we go through the days of our lives.
As we fully follow God on a daily basis, we build credibility with people by being honest and real. One of the things that we must offer is an authentic ness that is rooted in the grace and mercy of God.
The prophet Jeremiah is one who helps us learn how to express an authenticity that allows good relationships to develop with people. I like what Bill Hybels says about Jeremiah. “He didn’t deny his disappointments, but because he turned to God honestly in the midst of them and opened his heart to divine strength and encouragement, he was able to move from despair to hope. Despite the disappointments and thwarted expectations in his life and ministry, he never lost his confidence in the faithfulness of God. I wonder how many of us need to pray, “God, give me the emotional authenticity of Jeremiah,” so we can experience the authentic faithfulness of God.”
In Jeremiah 12:1-4 we read his honest words of frustration and complaint. “Lord, you always give me justice when I bring a case before you. Now let me bring you this complaint: Why are the wicked so prosperous? Why are evil people so happy? You have planted them, and they have taken root and prospered. Your name is on their lips, but in their hearts they give you no credit at all. But as for me, Lord, you know my heart. You see me and test my thoughts. Drag these people away like helpless sheep to be butchered! Set them aside to be slaughtered! How long must this land weep! Even the grass in the fields has withered. The wild animals and birds have disappeared because of the evil in the land. Yet the people say, “The Lord won’t do anything!”
How often do we feel this way? Quite often. Perhaps more often than we care to admit! But, in this day and age, words like this spoken public ally can cause all sorts of trouble. But, Jeremiah is not talking to the public, he is talking to God.
This kind of honesty sometimes scares us. We think, “How can I say such things?! I’m supposed to be loving and caring and not feel such things!” But we do, don’t we?!
People are looking for honesty these days. They are looking for friends and role models and mentors who live an authentic life. As fully following people of God, there must be an appropriate authenticity in our lives that builds credibility as to the power and place of our faith in our lives. People are tired of platitudes and clichés. Talk is cheap!
As we do our best to fully follow God there must be an honesty that deepens our faith and makes it credible to those who are making up their minds about it. People need authenticity and honesty! People need the Lord!
But, while we need to be hopeful, holy, and honest, we also need to be celebrative. We need to know how to party!
We need to laugh! We need to express joy! God has given us life - this life and eternal life! And it is to be celebrated and joyful! God is good! Amen?
Nehemiah led God’s people during a very challenging time - the rebuilding of the Jerusalem, especially it’s wall. The work was hard. The stress was tremendous. The opposition was strong.
That’s a good description of our lives isn’t it? It’s work, it’s hard at times, and there is conflict. But, there are also times of celebration.
And that’s what happened when the Wall was finished. Nehemiah 12 (27-29, 43): “During the dedication of the new wall of Jerusalem, the Levites throughout the land were asked to come to Jerusalem to assist in the ceremonies. They were asked to take part in the joyous occasion with their songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, lyres, and harps. The singers were brought together from Jerusalem and its surrounding villages and from the villages for the Netophathies. They also came from Beth-gilgal and the area of Geba and Azmaveth, for the singers had built their own villages around Jerusalem. Many sacrifices were offered on that joyous day, for God had given the people cause for great joy. The women and children also participated in the celebration, and the joy of the people in Jerusalem could be heard far away.”
Life is hard. Life is unfair. But God is good and God is fair. And we need to celebrate that truth on a regular basis. We need to celebrate the goodness and faithfulness and love of God in our lives.
The Israelites needed this celebration that we have just read of. They had worked in dangerous conditions. They were rebuilding their center of worship and God had been faithful to them in His protection and strength as they did their part. And it was cause for celebration!
People need to celebrate! People need the Lord!
How are we doing in these areas? Last week I asked us to evaluate ourselves with regard to our decisiveness, courage, wisdom, willingness, and passion. This week we need to ask ourselves about the level of hope, holiness, authentic ness, and celebration we express as fully following followers of God. (Overhead 4)
Ev’ryday they pass me by.
I can see it in their eyes.
Empty people filled with care.
Headed who knows where.
On they go through private pain
Living fear to fear.
Laughter hides the silent cries,
Only Jesus hears.
We are called to take His light
To a world where wrong seems right.
What could be too great a cost
For sharing life with one who’s lost?
Through His love our hearts can feel
All the grief they bear.
They must hear the words of life
Only we can share.
People need the Lord.
People need the Lord.
At the end of broken dreams
He’s the open door.
People need the Lord
People need the Lord.
When will we realize
People need the Lord.
© 1983 Shepherd’s Fold Music (a div. of EMI Christian Music Publishing) / River Oaks Music Company (a div. of EMI Christian Music Publishing)
CCLI License No.
People need the Lord! We’ve needed Him! We still do! And the primary mission of the church, a fully following and faithfully functioning church, is to help people connect with God through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and then help them live that commitment out in the rest of their lives. How are we doing? Amen.
Powerpoint overheads for this sermon are available by contacting the author at pastorjim46755@yahoo.com
