12, March 2006
Dakota Community Church
That’s Not Fair
One of the things that we are almost all highly developed in is the awareness of what is fair or unfair about life around us.
Those with children will recognize one of the first and loudest whines is, “Hey, that’s not fair!”
We try very hard these days to create an artificial world for our children where everything is fair and even.
We don’t keep score at the hockey games.
Nobody is held back a grade at school.
Everyone is taught to be politically correct in thought word and deed. There is only one problem.
Life is not fair. And God does not seem overly concerned that it isn’t on many levels. In fact He seems to be more concerned about how we respond to the unfairness of life.
1Corinthians 10:12 (Amp)
However, when they measure themselves with themselves and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding and behave unwisely.
How do we get over the unfairness of it all?
1. Do not be envious because of God’s generosity.
Read - Matthew 20:1-16
Matthew 20:15-16
Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’
"So the last will be first, and the first will be last."
That’s not fair!
- He can eat anything he wants, you get fat just passing the buffet.
- He can make money while he is asleep, you always have to much month left over at the end of the pay.
- They can just pop out children, you try and try and it just won’t happen.
- She is unbelievably good at sports, a natural, you can’t fall into bed.
- They have a fantastic marriage; you treat each other like garbage
- She has a great family life; you are the poster children for dysfunction.
- They can learn so quickly, you have to study so hard.
It’s all so unfair!
Questions:
If the last will be first and the first last, why are we all wearing ourselves out to get to the top?
Do you think we really believe the teachings of Jesus?
Deuteronomy 24:17-22
Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this.
When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this.
That’s not fair!
Matthew 5:43-45
"You have heard that it was said, ’Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
That’s not fair!
2. Quit keeping score.
By keeping score, by tracking fairness and injustice done to you, you are showing that you don’t get what God has done for you.
Luke 14 12:14
Then Jesus said to his host, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
- Nazareth vs. Seppharus
- The political and economic Roman system.
It is about chucking the scorecard with others because God has chucked the score card with us.
If you are still keeping score, you are showing that you don’t get what God has done for you.
Luke 22:42-43
Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
3. Go ahead and lose.
Luke 9:23-25
Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?
We are commanded to extend to others what He has extended to us. So lose your life.
Luke 15:23-30
Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ’Your brother has come,’ he replied, ’and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
"The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ’Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
Hell is being miserable in presence of Gods goodness.
Have you been refusing to celebrate any of the unfairness?
I invite you to renounce your scorekeeping.
I invite you to celebrate God’s generosity to others.
I invite you to take up your cross and lose your life.
I invite you to celebrate the unfairness of life.
Now as you go, who will you be unfair to this week? Who will you imitate God to this week?
Go in Peace.
PowerPoint available on request - dcormie@mts.net
