A Christianity That Works

Preached by Rev. Ed Brouwer at The Gathering Place, Osoyoos
Pulpit Series Volume 18, Issue 14, May 18, 2008

Part 11 “How To Quit Playing God”

In James 4:11-12, James says that anytime I judge you, anytime you judge me, we're playing God. It's only God's responsibility to judge other people. James says we’ll be a lot happier if you learn how to deal with this issue.

Romans 2:3 “So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them, and yet do the same thing, do you think you will escape God's judgment?”

Paul says one reason we tend to judge other people is to excuse our own faults. We think by pointing the finger at somebody else, we don't look so bad.

Proverbs 26:22 “Gossip is so tasty. How we love to swallow it.” When somebody is gossiping, usually we are all ears!

The sin of judging other people is really a self righteous attitude of putting others down, being critical and judgmental. Jesus condemned it more than almost any other sin.

Church goers call it by other names but it is slander none the less. “I'm sharing this with you so you can pray about it with me.” A prayer request can turn into gossip very quickly.

James gives 3 reasons why we shouldn't judge other people.
1. It is unchristian verse 11
“Brothers, do not slander one another... anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law.”

Actually when it says “judges him”, it mentions the word brother again. “Brother” is used three times in this passage. Why? In the first place, we shouldn't judge one another because we're all part of the same family.

Notice it says, “Brothers, do not slander”. The word ‘slander’ and the word ‘devil’ are the same word. The word ‘devil’ means slander. The Bible calls satan the accuser of Christians. He's the slanderer of Christians. What does this mean?

The devil's number one activity is going around and putting people down, to slander them and malign them. We are most like the devil when we slander. When we speak against somebody else (including all kinds of criticism, maligning, judging) we're doing the devil's work for him. That's what the devil's job description is. Revelation says he's the “accuser of brothers”. It's unchristian to judge other people.

I heard about a guy who came to a pastor one time and said, “I don't have but one talent.” The pastor asked, “What's your talent?” The man said, “I have the gift of criticism.” The pastor was wise and thought about the parable in the Bible and said, “The guy who had only one talent went out and buried it. Maybe that's what you ought to do with yours.”

2. It is unloving
We shouldn't judge others because it is unlov- ing. “...who judges speaks against the Law.”

What law is it I'm breaking? James 2:8 “If you really keep the Royal Law found in Scripture love your neighbor as yourself.”

James says if you do this, you're doing right. When I judge you, I'm breaking the Royal Law. The law of love - “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

3. It is unjustified
“There's only one lawgiver and one judge.”

The word “lawgiver” is used six times in the Old Testament and once in the New Testament each referring to God.

Only God has the right to judge. One of the greatest weaknesses in people is we tend to generalize people by just one mistake. If they make one mistake we write off their whole personality. We tend to judge in other people, things we dislike in ourselves. What we see is usually just a mirror of self.

WHEN IT’S WRONG TO JUDGE OTHERS
The Word does say that we are to judge certain things. We're to judge ourselves and we're to judge certain matters. But there's seven times it says, don't do this.

Romans 2:1-3 “You therefore have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else. For at whatever point you judge others you're condemning yourself for you who pass judgment do the same thing.”

1. It's wrong to judge other people when I'm practicing the same sin.
“He who is without sin cast the first stone.”

Matthew 7:3-5 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite! First take the plank out of your own eye and then you can see clearly to remove the speck in your brother's eye.”

2. It's wrong to judge when it blinds me to my own faults.

If judging you causes me to not look at myself realistically, then it's wrong. We are great speck analyzers, nitpicking specks when we have a logjam in our own eye.

3. It's wrong to judge others when you draw conclusions based on outward appearance. Ouch!

We tend to make our impression of people in the first 15 seconds and most of that is the way they look. By their face, clothing, hairdo.

In I Samuel 16:7 we read that God doesn't look at the appearance, God looks at the heart.

John 7:51 “Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?”

4. It's wrong to judge when you condemn somebody before you hear the facts.

Colossians 2:16 “Don’t let anyone judge you by what you eat, drink, or in regard to religious festivals, new moon celebrations or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the thing to come. Reality, however, is found in Christ.”

Paul is saying it is wrong to judge people, their spirituality, on the basis of externals, religious observances. You can't tell a person's walk with God based on their outward external observances - “by what you eat or drink or if you worship on Saturday or Sunday. These are just a shadow of the things to come. Reality is found in Christ.”

Verse 13 says “Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.”

There are principles here: Whatever you do, have a clear conscience about it. Don't offend other people. Don't judge each other.

Verse 22 says “So whatever you believe about these things, keep them between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves.” Happy is the guy who's got a clear conscience.

If your faith doesn’t allow you to watch TV, you better not watch it. Whatever is not of faith is sin. Keep it between you and the Lord, don't flaunt it. Enjoy the liberty you have but you don't flaunt it. You don't judge each other and don't use it to be a stumbling block.

Verse 20 says “Don't destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean but it's wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It's better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else to cause your brother to fall.”

5. It's wrong to judge when it causes you to speak evil about another Christian.

Anything that causes me to speak evil about another Christian, maybe to ruin their reputation, is wrong. We are to hate wrong but we're to love people even when they are doing wrong.

Ephesians 4:29 says we're always to speak positively, speak only those things that build up and encourage. Christians ought to be known for their encouragement.

We’ve no right to judge other people's motives. Nobody really knows what's in somebody else's heart. You can guess but you don't know.

I Samuel 17

I have a hard enough time just trying to figure out my own motives, much less making a good guess at yours.

BREAKING THE HABIT OF JUDGING OTHERS
1. Realize that I'll be judged by the same standards I use to judge other people. What you dish out will be dished back to you. What you sow you're going to reap.

2. Realize that each of us is accountable to God. Every one of us will have to give an account of himself to God. So then, let us stop judging one another.
One day we’ll stand before God, and then, God knowing our motives will judge us honestly, fairly and truthfully. It won't be based on rumors or third hand passed down stuff.

3. Realize how much God has been merciful to me.

James 2:13 “Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

Matthew 18 is the story of the unforgiving servant.

A Christianity That Works

Preached by Rev. Ed Brouwer at The Gathering Place, Osoyoos
Pulpit Series Volume 18, Issue 13, May 11, 2008

Part X “How To Avoid Arguments”

Avoiding arguments James 4
James gives us both the reason and the remedy for arguments. James doesn't beat around the bush, he gets right to the point. Chapter 4:1 “What causes fights and quarrels among you. Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?”

Sparks fly when my wants conflict with your wants. They say “love is blind, but marriage, opens your eyes”. All marriages go through three stages:
1. Happy honeymoon
2. The party’s over
3. Let’s make a deal

Basically in any human relationship, you have to learn how to avoid arguments because there will be conflicting desires.

Scripture reveals that there are three basic desires that cause conflict. These may be legitimate desires, but out of control,
even God-given desires will cause conflict.

I THE DESIRE TO HAVE
4:2 “You want what you don’ t have ... you long for what others have.” God created things to be used and enjoyed, not to drive us with the need to obtain more.

Someone asked Howard Hughes one time, “How much does it take to make a man happy?” He replied, “Just a little bit more.”

If you decide to base your life on comparing it to other people, you will never be happy no matter how much you get. Just the time you catch up with the Jones’ they refinance.

II THE DESIRE TO FEEL
I want to feel good, to be comfortable. According to James 4:3 “You want only what will give you pleasure.” It's not wrong to enjoy life as we see in I Timothy 6:17 “God made everything for our enjoyment”, but when pleasure becomes my number one goal, I’m asking for conflict.

III THE DESIRE TO BE
This is pride, power, popularity, the need to be number one. It's the desire for “me first”.
Proverbs 13:10 “Pride leads to arguments.” Why…..because I'm too proud to compromise and that causes conflict.

Have you ever been in an argument where you knew you were wrong, but you wouldn't admit it. Why? Because of pride.

James 4:2-3 “You don’t have, because you don’t ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives.”

Here James tells us two reasons why our desires aren't fulfilled.
1. We don't ask God. We look to people to fulfill our needs instead of looking to God.
2. When we do pray, we have wrong motives, being selfish.

Philippians 4:19 “My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Pride also affects how we pray. Why don't I pray? Do I think I don’t need God? The more I depend on God, the more I'd pray.

Oh what peace we often forfeit,
Oh what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry,
everything to God in prayer.

James goes on in verse 6 that “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble”. God declares war on selfishness.

Have you noticed that God has a unique way of engineering circumstances to pop our pride? Just when you think, “I've got it together”, God puts you in your place.

THE CURE FOR ARGUMENTS IS HUMILITY
James 4:6-10 “God gives grace to the humble. Humble yourself before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

Grace is God's power to change. You can't change it on your own. You need God's power and that's called grace. There is only one way you get grace and that is you have to humble yourself.

God gives grace when we come and say, “God, I need your help” That's where we get the power to make changes.

James then gives four specific actions you can use to diffuse a conflict.

GIVE IN TO GOD
“Submit yourself then to God.” This is the starting point. In verse 1, James says that conflict happens with other people because you have conflict on the inside.

If you're in charge of your life, anytime someone comes along that doesn't go the way you want to go, you get uptight, you get irritable and upset.

Colossians 3:15 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart.”

When we have the peace of Christ in our hearts, we'll be at peace with other people.

The turning point comes when you give up. Tell God that you can't do it without Him. Start praying, “Lord, change me.” Let Him work on you and watch what happens. Learn to say, “Thy will be done”.

GET WISE TO SATAN
Be alert. Understand where conflict comes from. Understand that the devil wants to destroy every good relationship. Loving conflict, the devil wants to cause stress, hurt feelings, disappointment, anger, and chaos.

“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” The word “resist” is a war term. It means to be prepared, to stand against. James says you've got to give in to God and then take some defensive action. You resist the devil.

Perhaps the reason some folk never
run head on into the devil, is that
their going in the same direction.

II Corinthians 2:11 “In order that Satan might not outwit us, we are not unaware of his schemes.” Paul says, smart’n up!

The devil plays on our pride, particularly wounded pride. He whispers in our ear, little thoughts, suggestions, and ideas. When you're in the middle of an argument, he starts whispering in your ear, things like “You don't have to take this kind of stuff. Who do they think they are? Show 'em who's boss.”

Resist the devil, in the same way Jesus did, by quoting scripture.

Proverbs 13:10 “Pride leads to arguments.” The next time you get into an argument, bring that to mind. Stop and think, “What am I not willing to admit? Why am I unwilling to compromise?”

A great promise:
Give in to God, Resist the devil and he’ll flee.

GROW CLOSER TO GOD
The more time you spend alone with God, the better you get along with other people.

Isaiah 26:3 “He will keep him in perfect peace all those who trust in Him, whose thoughts turn often to the Lord.”
Have you noticed how people only draw close to God when they're in trouble? They only pray when they are in need. Do you ever wonder if that is why God allows trouble to come because He wants you to spend time with Him?

The more you spend time with the Lord, the more you're going to enjoy the rest of your time. It will be more productive, more beneficial. There is a great promise here too, when you move toward Him, God moves toward you.

BE WILLING TO ASK FORGIVENESS
If you want to stop the conflicts in your life, if you want to get along with other people, avoid arguments, learn to ask forgiveness from God and from those you hurt. Verse 8 “Wash your hands, purify your hearts.”

Our hands represent our conduct and our hearts represent attitudes.

He's saying, clean up your act. Verse 9 “Let there be tears for the wrong you've done.” Don't minimize what's happened, take it seriously. Be sorry for your self-centeredness.

If someone says you've hurt them, you've hurt them. It may not be a big deal to you, but it was to them.
Be willing to ask forgiveness.

Maybe they are 95% wrong and you're only 5% at fault, but you take care of your 5% and let God handle the other 95% in their life. Their response is their response.

“I know we've had our differences and I know I haven't always been thoughtful. A lot of times I've thought more about myself than your needs.” How humbling that would be….right!!!
Remember God gives grace to the humble!

If you want to change, the only way you're going to change is to be humble, and the only way to be humble is to go and ask forgiveness.

Maybe this week you need to write a letter, make a call, make some restitution even to that person who's irritated you.

The way to honor is humility. The Bible says that God lifts up the humble and the more honest we are about our weaknesses and our faults, the more God honors us.

A Christianity That Works

Preached by Rev. Ed Brouwer at The Gathering Place, Osoyoos
Pulpit Series Volume 18, Issue 12, April 27, 2008

Part IX “How To Relate Wisely To People”
Every day you encounter many different kinds of people. Some are delightful, some difficult. Some are inspiring, others irritating. I read a bumper sticker that said, “The more time I spend with people, the more I love my horse”.

The fact is, a lot of the problems we have in life are because of personality conflicts. It's very important that we learn how to get along with other people. Again, we look to James for some practical advice.

James 3:13-18

Verse 18 is the key verse. “And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness.”

James says, every day, in every relationship, you're planting seeds. Seeds of anger, jealousy, peace, confidence, insecurity.
You will inevitably reap what you sow in your relationships.

We need to learn how to be wise in the way we act toward people. In verse 13 James says, that wisdom is a lifestyle.

It has nothing to do with your intelligence. It has everything to do with your relationships and your character. “Who is wise and understanding among you. Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in humility that comes from wisdom.”

Not a matter of what you say with your lips, but a matter
of what you live with your life. Not a matter of your words, but of your works. How you get along with other people shows how wise you really are.

Wisdom has more to do with character in relationships than it has to do with education and intelligence. James says lack of wisdom causes problems - all kinds of problems. Verse 14 says “If you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart don't boast about it and deny the truth. Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, even of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition there you find disorder and every evil practice.”

Lack of wisdom causes all kinds of disorder and problems. In verse 17 James lists the characteristics of wise people.

“But wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all:
· pure
· peace loving
· considerate
· submissive
· full of mercy and good fruit
· impartial
· sincere

1. If I’m wise…..I WILL NOT COMPRO- MISE MY INTEGRITY

“The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure.” Pure means uncorrupted, authentic, genuine. If I'm wise, I'm not going to lie to you, I'm not going to cheat you, I'm not going to manipulate you. I'll be a person of integrity because all relationships are built on trust and respect.

The man of integrity walks securely, because he doesn't say one thing to one group and something else to another group. If I am wise I will not compromise my integrity.

2. If I’m wise…..I WILL NOT ANTAGO- NIZE YOUR ANGER

I won't make you angry. Wise people work at maintaining harmony. “Wisdom is peace loving”. Have you ever met someone who is always arguing, always looking for a fight?

Proverbs 20:3 “Any fool can start arguments. The wise thing is to stay out of them.”

Three things can cause arguments:
a) Comparing
“Why can't you be like …”
“When I was your age…”
“My first husband…”

b) Condemning
“It's all your fault”
“You should be ashamed”
“You always, You never, You ought to, You should.., You shouldn't..”

Someone said, “You can bury a marriage with a lot of little digs.”

c) Contradicting
How do you like to be interrupted in the middle of a sentence? It's irritating.

It has been said that “the secret of wisdom is knowing what to overlook.”

3. If I am wise…..I WON'T MINIMIZE YOUR FEELINGS

“Wisdom is considerate” meaning “mindful of the feelings of others”.

Proverbs 15:4 “Kind words bring life, but cruel words crush your spirit.”

Typically when we react to people's emotions, we say things that hurt. Often we belittle their feelings. Feelings are neither right nor wrong, they are just feelings. When my wife has a feeling, it's valid, whether it's logical or whether it makes
sense. The fact is she feels it. If I'm wise, I'm not going to minimize that.

“My day can beat your day”! A husband comes home worn out and starts complaining. “The traffic was bad, my boss got upset, the air conditioning went out.” The wife says, “Oh, yeah! Well Junior dunked the cat down the toilet and the beans burned.”

The fact is they both had a tough day. Wisdom is considerate. Allow your spouse to be tired without having to say, “Well, I'm more tired that you are”. The fact is, you're both tired.

4. If I’m wise…..I WON'T CRITICIZE YOUR SUGGESTIONS

A wise person can learn from anybody.
· He's not defensive, but open to reason.
· He's not stubborn but willing to listen and learn. “Wisdom is submissive”.

This word submissive really means reasonable, willing to listen, willing to be open to ideas and suggestions. The RSV says, “It's open to reason”. The LB says, “It allows discussion”.

Are you open to suggestions? Or are you like those who say, “Don't confuse me with the facts.” “When I want your opinion, I'll give it to you."

Most of us are too oversensitive. If somebody makes a suggestion we take it as a personal criticism and we become very defensive. James says that's dumb. A wise person can learn from anybody.

Proverbs 12:15 “A fool thinks he needs no advice. A wise man listens to others.”
If it's true, listen and learn from it. If it's false, ignore it and forget it. If I'm wise, I'll be open to reason. I won't criticize your suggestions but instead I'll listen to them.

5. If I’m wise…..I WON'T EMPHASIZE YOUR MISTAKES

“Wisdom is full of mercy and good fruit.” Do you jump on people every time they make a mistake? Cut them some slack.

Some people just hound you about your past. If I'm wise, with mercy I'll give you what you need, not what you deserve.

Two long-lost buddies meet at a convention they attended with their wives. The two guys sat in the lobby all night talking. When they realized the time, they knew they’d be in trouble with their wives. The next day they happened to see each other. “What did your wife say?” “I walked in the door and my wife got historical.” “Don't you mean hysterical?” “No, historical. She told me everything I ever did wrong.”

Proverbs 17:9 “Love forgets mistakes. Nagging about them parts even the best of friends.”

If you're wise you don't rub it in, you rub it out. You forget it.

Wisdom is full of mercy and good fruit (kind actions). It's something you do.

You don't just show sympathy. You don't just say, “I feel for you” but you do something about it.

6. If I’m wise…..I WON'T DISGUISE MY OWN WEAKNESSES
A mark of a wise person is they don't try to hide and disguise their own weaknesses.

Proverbs 28:13 “You’ll never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins.” It's dumb to pretend that you have got it all together, because nobody does.

When you start telling people what your weaknesses are they're not going to be shocked because they already know.

To get wisdom you look up.
· Knowledge comes from reason. Wisdom comes from revelation.
· Knowledge is something you learn. Wisdom is a gift.

James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God.”

A Christianity That Works

Preached by Rev. Ed Brouwer at The Gathering Place, Osoyoos
Pulpit Series Volume 18, Issue 11, April 20, 2008

Part VIII “How To Control Your Mouth”

We are looking at what James says about managing your mouth. We love to talk. Everybody has something to say. The average Canadian has 30 conversations a day. You'll spend 1/5 of your life talking. In one year your conversations will fill 66 books of 800 pages a book. The average man speaks an average of 20,000 words a day, a woman speaks 30,000 words a day.

Nothing is opened more wrongly at the wrong time than our mouths. Our mouths get us into a lot of trouble.

James talks more about the tongue than anybody else in the New Testament. Every chapter of James says something about managing your mouth. James says, if you can control your mouth, you're perfect. He's not talking about sinless. "Perfection" in Greek literally means "mature, healthy".

When you go to the doctor and say, “I'm not feeling well,” the first thing he says is, "Stick out your tongue." Your tongue reveals what's going on inside of you, not just physically but spiritually.

I was tempted to title this sermon "Don't Let Your Tongue Lick You."

WHY MUST I WATCH WHAT I SAY?
It's only words; I'm just kidding." Three reasons we have to learn to manage our mouth.

1. MY TONGUE DIRECTS WHERE I GO: Look at your conversation. What do you like to talk about the most? We shape our words and then our words shape us.

James says, “The tongue is small, it's tiny”. And because it's tiny we think it's insignificant. But it has tremendous power. v. 3 Consider a bit in a horse's mouth. You've got a 12 to 1500 pound horse and a 95 pound jockey on his back. The jockey can control the mighty horse by a little piece of metal stuck strategically over his tongue. Likewise your tongue controls the direction of your life wherever you want to go, and a little word or phrase can influence the total direction of your life.

Then he says, “Consider a ship”. The Queen Mary has 3 acres of recreational space. The anchor is equal to the weight of ten cars. Yet a relatively small rudder directs the huge ocean liner out in the middle of the waves and winds and seas. A little rudder keeps it on course. Our tongue is like that.

Our tongue is like a rudder that steers us. Ships: "... they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go."

If you don't like the way you're headed right now, change the way you talk. Many people think, if the tongue has such influence maybe it's best to say nothing. Not talk at all, be silent. (A guy joined the Trappist monastery. For three years he was given a probation period where he was not to speak at all, but at the end of each year he could say two words. The first year at the end he said, "Bed hard." At end of the second year he said, "Food cold." At the end of the third year he's about had it. He comes in and says, "I quit". The head priest says, "That doesn't surprise me. All you've done is complain since you got here.")

2. MY TONGUE CAN DESTROY WHAT I HAVE v. 5 James gives another illustration. Imagine a beautiful forest -- tall beautiful trees everywhere. Now imagine it in one minute up in smoke, completely destroyed instantly with a little tiny match. It only takes a spark to get a fire going. A careless camper can destroy an entire national forest overnight. A careless word can destroy a life overnight. Gossip is like fire. It spreads quickly and it wrecks havoc.

I wonder how many people because of a careless word have destroyed their marriage, or their career, or their reputation, or the reputation of another, or their church, or a friendship. The tongue not only has the power to direct where you go but also to destroy what you have if you don't learn to control it. Have you ever met a verbal arsonist? Their words are always inflammatory. You can burn people with what you say.

Fire and words under control can give tremendous warmth and light, but fire and words out of control can be devastating. Proverbs 18:20 (Good News) "You have to live with the consequences of everything you say."

Words can create a chain reaction. You can say something that you didn't mean to have any harm, but it can have devastating effects that are beyond your control. Just a few inflammatory statements set off a chain of events that we now look back on and call World War II.

A couple comes in for marriage counseling. "I said this and then she said that, then I said this..." Then what happened? "All hell broke loose". Our words can cause "all hell to break loose." James says you've got to learn to manage your mouth, not only because it can direct where you go but it can destroy what you have. You can loose your family, your kids, your career simply by what you say. It's like a fire.

Proverbs 21:23 "If you want to stay out of trouble be careful what you say!" James uses another illustration. “All kinds of animals ... have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison." (vs.7-8) No man can tame the tongue, humanly speaking. He says it's restless. That means it's always liable to break out at any moment. You can assassinate somebody with your words.

3. MY TONGUE DISPLAYS WHO I AM
It reveals my real character. It tells what's really inside of me. First James points out how inconsistent we are in our speech. v. 9 "The tongue we praise our Lord and Father and with the same tongue we curse men who've been made in God's likeness. From the same mouth come praise and curses. My brothers, this should not be."
Cursing here doesn't necessarily mean profanity. It means any kind of put down.

This really bothers me, how is it possible that we can be loving to people we love -- our kids, wives, husbands -- and the next moment be harsh, cold, mean to them? How is it possible in one minute to be talking in gentle, loving tones and the next minute be mean and hurtful?

My problem is not really my tongue. My problem is my heart. What's inside is what comes out. My mouth eventually betrays what is really on the inside of me. I can fool you and pretend but eventually my tongue is going to catch me. It's going to let you know what's really inside.

Have you heard someone say, "I don't know what got into me. It's not like me to say that. I don't know why I said that. It's totally out of character.”

James would say, “Yes, it is. It's just like you. You meant it. Quit kidding yourself. What's inside is going to come out. It's a natural law: what comes out of the well is what is inside of it.”

Jesus said in Matthew 12:34 "For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." My tongue directs where I go. It can destroy what I have. But most of all, it simply displays what I am. It reveals my character.

If you've got a problem with your tongue, it's more serious that you think. You have a heart problem.

A person with a harsh tongue has an angry heart.

A person with a negative tongue has a fearful heart.

A person with an overactive tongue has an unsettled heart.


A person with a boasting tongue has an insecure heart.

A person with a filthy tongue has an impure heart.

A person who is critical all the time has a bitter heart.

On the other hand, a person who is always encouraging has a happy heart. A person who speaks gently has a loving heart. A person who speaks truthfully has an honest heart.

WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?
Get a new heart
You've got to get a new heart, that's the problem.

Ezekiel 18:31 "Rid yourself of all the offenses you have committed and get a new heart and a new spirit!"

Painting the outside of the pump doesn't make any difference if there is poison in the well. What I need is a fresh start. We need to pray like David prayed in Psalm 51 "Create in me a clean heart, O God" because what's in my heart is going to come out in my mouth.

Ask God for help every day.
You need supernatural power to control your tongue. You can't do it on your own.

Psalm 141:3 "Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips." Great verse to memorize and quote every morning.

Think before you speak
Engage your mind before you put your mouth in gear.

James 1:19 "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." If you're quick to listen you will be slow to speak. If you're slow to speak, then you will be slow to become angry.
What does it reveal about you?
If we were to play back a tape of every conversation you've had in this past week, what would we learn about you? God hears it all.

Our tongues display who we are.
What direction is your tongue leading you?

Some people say, "I'm just sick all the time" or "I can never do anything", "Things are just getting tougher and tougher" - what direction are they headed? Folks lets start speaking things like … this is great but the best is yet to come!

A Christianity That Works

Preached by Rev. Ed Brouwer at The Gathering Place, Osoyoos
Pulpit Series Volume 18, Issue 10, March 30, 2008

Part VII “How To Have Real Faith”

James 2:14-26 “What does it profit, my brethren, though a man say he has faith and has no works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say to them, Depart in peace, be warmed and filled; notwithstanding you give them not the things they are in need of, how does that work? Even so faith, if it has not works, is dead, being alone. Yes, a man may say, you have faith, and I have works: show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God; you do well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But will you know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son on the altar? See how faith wrought with his works and by works faith was made perfect. And the scripture was fulfilled which says, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. You see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”

The apostle Paul throughout the New Testament teaches that we are saved by faith alone. “By grace, through faith, we are saved.” Then James comes along and says, “It's not just faith, but faith and works.” Who is right, James or Paul?

Actually they are both right, because they are talking about different things.

Paul addresses legalism while James deals with carelessness saying “It doesn't matter what you do as long as you believe.”

When Paul uses the word “works” he's talking about Jewish laws. James on the other hand is talking about the lifestyle of a Christian.

Paul focuses on the root of salvation, what happens internally. James focuses on the fruit of salvation, what happens on the outside.

Paul is talking about “how to know you’re a Christian.” James is talking about “how to show you’re a Christian.”

Paul is talking about “how to become a believer”. James talks about “how to behave like a believer”.

I appreciate that James actually shows us five ways to tell if you’ve got real faith.

1. Real faith is not just something you say
Verse 14 “What good is it my brother if a man claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such ‘faith’ save him?”

It doesn't say he actually has faith, he just claims to have it. He talks about it.

Real faith is more than just talk. Jesus said, “Not everybody who says to me ‘Lord, Lord’ is going to enter into heaven.”

2. Real faith is not just something you feel It’s more than emotions. You can be emotionally moved and never act on it.

Verse 15 “Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him ‘Go, I wish you well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?”

If, after church, you’re getting into you car and you happen to slam your fingers in your car door, and as you’re standing there in agony, bleeding on your shoes, I walk up and say, “Man, I really feel for you!” Does that help? Real faith is more than just sympathy, feelings and emotion. Real faith takes action.

Know that James is talking about Christians here. When you become a part of God’s family, you take on some family responsibilities. A true believer cares about other believers.

I John 3:17 “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?”

· Who can count on you in a crisis?
· How many Christians have the freedom to call you up in the middle of the night if they are in an emergency?

I John 3:14 says that one of the proofs of salvation is that we love other Christians.

Real faith, James says, must lead me to share with others.

Verse 17 “In the same way, faith by itself if it's not accompanied by actions is dead.” If I don't feel like helping other Christians, my faith isn’t sick, it’s dead.

James is laying it on the line. He says, your faith has to be more than just something you say or feel.

3. Real faith is not just something you think For some people, faith is an intellectual matter to be studied, debated, talked over and discussed.
James imagines someone saying, “You’re into faith, I’m into works”. “Show me your faith without deeds and I will show you my faith by what I do.”

Real faith is visible. If you are a Christian, people should be able to see it. James says, “Show me”. Somebody said, “Faith is like calories. You can't see them but you can sure see the results.”

If you claim to be a Christian, I’ve a right to ask you to prove it by looking at your lifestyle.

It doesn't matter what I say. What counts are my actions. Real faith is more than just something you think. You can point it out and see it in people’s lives.

II Corinthians 5:17 “Any time a person becomes a Christian he becomes a new person inside, the old things have passed away. All things become new.” Not necessarily overnight, but they start becoming new.

How can somebody as big as God enter your life and it not change you?

4. Real faith is not just something you believe “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that, and shudder.” The Greek word is actually ‘to bristle’ - meaning ‘their hair stands up on end’.

There are a lot of people who have strong beliefs in God, the Bible, about Christ. They recite creeds and catechisms. James says, “big deal”! Just saying you believe in God is not enough to get you to heaven. Even the devil believes.
A lot of folks are going to miss heaven by 18 inches. They’ve got it in their head but not their heart.

5. Real faith is something you do
Verse 20 “You foolish men. Do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar. His faith and his actions were working together. His faith was made complete by what he did.”

You probably know the story. It was the ultimate test where God asked Abraham to give up his own son. He took his son up, cut the wood, built the altar and was ready to sacrifice his own son. But Abraham had said to his servant, “We will return”.

His works proved his faith. He held nothing back from God.

Our faith is not determined by
what we do or say,
it is demonstrated by what we do.

In a very real sense God is saying, talk is cheap. Put your money where your mouth is. Our faith is demonstrated by our actions. Actions speak louder than words.

An old boatman in Scotland had the job of taking passengers across a lake in his rowboat. One day, a passenger inquired concerning the oars the boatman was using. One oar had the word FAITH carved on it and the other WORKS. The old man said, “I’ll show you.” He put one oar into the water, the one marked FAITH and began to row. The boat just went in circles. Then he took the oar out and put in the one marked WORKS and began to row. The same thing happened only in the opposite direction. Then he picked up both oars, FAITH and WORKS placed them in the water and began to row. As he pulled these oars together, the boat began to move forward in a straight line. To the passenger who questioned the oars he said, “That is the same way in the Christian life - one is no good without the other.”James is not saying you work your way to heaven. Nor is he saying works bring salvation. But what he is saying is that works demonstrate our faith.

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, for a life of good works God has already prepared for us to do.” He has a plan for your life.

A Christianity That Works

Preached by Rev. Ed Brouwer at The Gathering Place, Osoyoos
Pulpit Series Volume 18, Issue 09, March 16, 2008

Part VI “How To Treat People Right”

Read James 2:1-13

Your biggest problems and mine, are people problems - getting along with other people. To dwell above with those you love, that will be a glory. But to dwell below, with those we know, that's another story.

James gives us the principle, the problem and the application.
James 2:1 “My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism.” Whenever James starts out with “my brothers” he's getting ready to nail you. Count on it!

I. THE PRINCIPLE
Favoritism: prejudice, partiality.
The New English Bible calls it “snobbery”. “Never treat anybody in a different way according to their outward appearance.” (Good News Bible)

Common areas of discrimination
Appearance: We judge people on their appearance, how they look and dress. Even Christians get caught up in this dress for power, dress for success. People seemed to be concerned with what's in and what's out, what's hot and what's not.

Ancestry: We judge people according to their race, nationality and ethnic background. Church goers judge according to their denominations…..ouch!

Age: You're too young or too old.

Achievement: Society gushes over winners. Success and status are key.

Affluence: This is the area that James picks out above the others - Economic distinction.

James 2:2 “Suppose a man comes to your meeting wearing gold rings and fine clothes and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say ‘Here's a good seat for you’ but say to the poor man ‘You stand over there’ or ‘Sit on the floor at my feet’, have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?”
James doesn't criticize the guy for being wealthy; he criticizes the members for being partial to him. The usher takes the rich guy to the front row and seats him. “Here, take this nice place. We want everybody to know you're here. We want to take care of every one of your needs.” Then he says to the poor man, “You can stand over there in a corner or you can sit on the floor.”

Literally, in the Greek it's “under my footstool”. It's the ultimate putdown. He treats him carelessly.

James says there are three problems with favoritism.
1. Favoritism is unchristian
If you want to be like Jesus you can't play favorites. This word "favoritism" is used only three other times in the Bible. Each of those refers to God and it says, “God does not play favorites.” Romans 2:11
Jesus treated everybody with dignity.

Peter had to learn this lesson before he went to Cornelius. God loves everybody. If there is one place in the world where there shouldn't be any kind of discrimination, it ought to be in the church. There is discrimination everywhere else in the world, but there ought to be one place no matter who you are or what your background is, that you're welcome.

2. Favoritism is unreasonable
In James 2:5-7 he says it's illogical, it doesn't make sense. “Has not God chosen the poor to be rich in faith and inherit the kingdom?”

He's not saying that it's good to be poor and bad to be rich. Nor is he saying that only the poor will be saved.
· Your salvation isn't based on your savings account?
· Wealth in itself does not deserve any special treatment.
· Your value is not based on your valuables.
· Don't confuse your net worth with your self-worth.
James says, why cater to the rich? “Are not the rich exploiting you?” In New Testament times it was the Roman nobility who were feeding the Christians to the lions. It was the upper crust (a bunch of crumbs held together by their own dough) that were persecuting the Christians, judging and insulting the Christians, throwing them to the lions.

3. Favoritism is unchristian
Showing favoritism is unchristian and unreasonable, however, James says the primary reason you shouldn't show favoritism is that it is unloving. “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’, you're doing right.”

How we relate to other people shows how much we really love God. I John 4:20 “If a man says he loves God and hates his brother he's lying. How can you love God whom you haven't seen if you don't love your brother whom you have seen?”

How I relate to you proves how much I love God.

“If you show favoritism you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.”

· How many laws do you have to break to be a lawbreaker?
· How many crimes do you have to commit to be a criminal?
· How many links do you have to break to break a chain?

You may think favoritism is just a small sin, but James says, if you break one part of God's rule, you’re guilty of breaking it all.

James 2:12 “Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom because judgment without mercy will not be shown to anyone who has been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

· Love treats people with mercy.
· Love gives people what they need, not what they deserve.

How do you treat people?

THE PRESCRIPTION: Typically in analyzing reasons for growth in a church, the focus has been on such factors as pastoral leadership, attractiveness of facilities, location, liberal or conservative theology, evangelical fervor. But there is increasing evidence that none of these influences a church's growth or decline as significantly as how much love and acceptance people experience when they attend.

You love them into the kingdom of heaven.
How do you do that?

Three steps:
1. Accept everybody
There's a big difference between acceptance and approval. You can accept somebody without approving of his lifestyle. “Accept one another just as Christ accepted you.” Romans 15:7

That's a start - acceptance.

At the Gathering Place, we are trying to cultivate an attitude of acceptance. The church is a hospital for sinners, not a hotel for saints. If you're perfect, you don't belong here.

This is a church where people are growing. This is a church for people who don't have it all together.

It doesn't matter where you've been, it matters where you are now.

This is a church that believes that Jesus really lived, that He really died on the cross and that He really rose again on the third day. We cannot and will not water down that message. But in the non-essentials we have liberty and in all things we have charity.

If we can't learn to get along together here on
the earth, what makes us think we'll get
along together in heaven?

2. Appreciate everybody
This goes further than acceptance.
Philippians 2:35 “Do nothing from selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourself. Each of you should look not only to your own interest but also the interest of others.”

Appreciate everybody. Find something you can like, not just accept. Tell them so. With some people, this may require a little creativity. Maybe you just need to value their uniqueness.

3. Affirm everybody
Give everybody a lift whenever possible.
I Thessalonians 5:11 “Encourage one another and build each other up.”

When people stumble, don't criticize, sympathize. Be an encourager not a condemner. Treat people like you would like to be treated. Give a welcome handshake, a smile. The ministry of greeters in church is crucial. You only have one chance to make a first impression.

The church that accepts, appreciates and affirms people is the church that God blesses.

Absolutely nothing can stop the church that's filled with love. It doesn't happen accidentally. It requires an all out effort by each of us. Everybody needs to contribute.

Would people come back to this church
because of you?
Together we need to make a commitment that this church will receive people unconditionally.
· We don't expect people to act like believers until they are believers.
· Love draws outside people in.

I want our church to have a reputation for love.

I believe that God is just waiting for a church that will love people unconditionally. He can use that kind of church to spark a spiritual awakening in this valley that all the forces of hell can not stop. It would change the climate of this community for Christ. Nothing can stop a loving church.

It was said of the New Testament church, “See how they love one another. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples that you love each other.”

A Christianity That Works

Preached by Rev. Ed Brouwer at The Gathering Place, Osoyoos
Pulpit Series Volume 18, Issue 08, March 9, 2008

Part V “How To Be Blessed By The Bible”

Bibles are everywhere. They come in all sizes, shapes, translations, versions, leather bound, paperback. Last year there were 500 million Bibles published in the world in 18,000 different languages. We have the Word of God on the radio, TV, in books and magazines. It's everywhere! Yet millions of people still miss the blessing of the Bible. Why?

Because it's not automatic.
The Bible is a book of blessing, promising comfort, strength, hope, wisdom, joy, power, and purpose. But just because you have a Bible doesn't mean you're going to get its benefits.

James shows us a key to being blessed by the Bible. “The man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard but doing it, will be blessed in what he does.” James 1:25

1. ACCEPT GOD'S WORD
“Accept the word planted in you” verse 21. Circle the word
“accept”. This word in Greek is a hospitality term which literally means “to welcome”.

We must welcome the word into our lives.

James says we must receive the Word with the right attitude.

A careful attitude
“Be quick to listen…” verse 19. When I'm talking, I'm not listening. Many of our problems are caused because we're quick to speak rather than quick to listen. An article in Reader's Digest said when you listen, it actually lowers your blood pressure, whereas talking raises it.

A relaxed attitude increases receptivity. What is your emotional state when you come to church on Sunday morning? Do you come with a calm attitude? Sunday morning in many homes is pretty hectic. Then we come in our stirred up state expecting to hear a word from God.

There are several things we need to do in preparation to receive the Word.

Be Clean
“Get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent…” verse 21. The word “filth” James uses, is actually the Greek word that means “earwax”.

This reminded me of a prayer I use to pray. “Please find me willing to hear what you have for me to learn. Heal me of my pre-conceived ideas and opinions. Remove the wax of worldly knowledge from my ears. Heal me of dull hearing and open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of your word.”

Be Compliant
Teachable, yielded, humble, willing to be changed. He says “humbly accept the word of God.”

2. REFLECT ON THE WORD OF GOD “Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and after looking at himself immediately goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like." verse 23

James says God's word is like a mirror. The purpose of a mirror is to evaluate us. We look in a mirror to assess the damage from the night before. Then we do something about it. What good is a mirror if we don't do anything about what we see?
“To Hear the Word and Not Act upon it, robs us of
understanding and effectiveness!”

To reflect on the Word of God…
· Read it.
“The man who looks intently into the perfect law” verse 25. He's actually talking more about researching than reading.

There are two ways you look at a mirror. You gaze at it or you glance at it. All of us have done both. It's human nature that you can't walk by a mirror and not look at it. When you glance at it, you immediately walk away and forget what you've seen. It didn't do you any good. Many people try to have a devotional time that way.

· Review it
“...and continues to do so…” verse 25. That means over and over and over. The Bible calls this meditation.

If you know how to worry, you can meditate. Take a negative idea and think about it over and over, and it's called worry. Take God's Word and think about it over and over and it's called meditation.

Jesus said, “if you continue in My word, then you're truly My disciples.”

The Sword & Trowel I give you each week is so you can review it during the week.

· Remember it.
“...not forgetting what he has heard” verse 25.
Nothing will do more for your spiritual life than developing the habit of memorizing Scripture. “Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee.”

The United States Air Force did a study and found that we forget 95% of what we hear within 72 hours. I spend all week preparing a message to give you on Sunday. By Wednesday, you've forgotten 95% of what I've said unless you've written it down.

3. RESPOND TO THE WORD OF GOD
I must do something about it, act on it, live it, practice it. “Don’t merely listen to what the word says and so deceive yourselves” verse 22.

I hear, I forget.
I see, I remember.
I do, I understand.

I need to practice it and apply it in my life. James said, “To him who knows to do good and doesn't do it, it's sin.”

Illustration: Let's say you all being concerned about your pastor's health, come to me saying, “Ed, as you move into the older years, we want to help you stay in shape, so we took up an offering and bought you Aaron Brouwer’s Fit To Save A Life Book. This book can change your life. It's fantastic. It has changed the lives of millions of people. Read this book. It will change you.”

I say “great” and I go away for 6 months and then come back and I'm the same. You say, “What happened? Didn't you read the book?” I tell you “I did and I loved it. I even underlined portions of it and memorized sections of it and even started a group study of the book.”

How often do we do that with the Word?

If you want to be blessed, you've got to “do” the Word of God, not just read it or hear it or even know it.

Each week I try to present it in a clear and “doable” way. I try to make it simple so we can put it into practice.

I heard about the guy who came to church late. He walked in just as the service was completing. He said to an usher, “Is the sermon done, yet?” The usher was wise and said, “The sermon has been preached, but it is yet to be done.”

I pray The Gathering Place will develop the reputation of being doers of the word.

James says, “The man who puts the law into practice wins true happiness.”

Three practical ways to practice the word:
· A controlled mouth “If any one considers himself religious and does not keep a tight reign on his tongue he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.”

· A caring heart “Religion that our God accepts as faultless is this....to look after orphans and widows in their distress.” .
· A clean mind “Keep from being polluted by the world.”

In order to do the word, find a place of ministry where you can get involved.

Impression without expression leads to depression: If you're always taking in, one study after another, and never get out in ministry, it's going to dry up your spiritual life.

James proves that the blessing of the Bible comes when we start living it.

Heavenly Father, You've told us to be doers of the Word. I ask for the courage to act on what we’ve heard today. Help us to do the right thing!

A Christianity That Works Part IV

Preached by Rev. Ed Brouwer at The Gathering Place,
Pulpit Series Volume 18, Issue 07, March 2, 2008

“How To Handle Temptation”

Temptation: Man's oldest problem; we all eventually face it.

There are two different kinds of testing; Trials and Temptations.
1. Trials are situations designed by God to help us grow.
2. Temptations are designed by the devil to cause us to sin.

Today’s question is, “How do you handle temptation?” James, being the practical writer that he is, gives us five principles.

1. Be Realistic: You will be tempted. When tempted ... not "if” tempted. Everybody's tempted. You're tempted. I'm tempted. Every day we're tempted. You never get too old for it. You never spiritual enough. Everybody's tempted. The more you grow in the Lord, the more you’ll be tempted. It's a fact of life.

I Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man." Circle "common to man" -- that means we're all in the same boat.

It is not a sin to be tempted. It is a sin to give in to temptation. Hebrew 4:15 Jesus was tempted in all points like as we are yet he sinned not.

Temptation proves you're human, not that you're evil.

2. Be responsible Accept responsibility. Don't blame others for your problems. We love to blame people, even God. v13 When tempted, no one should say, `God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.

Some people say, "It must be God's will or He wouldn't have let it happen." That's called blaming God.

God does not tempt. He never contradicts His word. God isn’t going to tell you one thing and have the Bible say something different.

If the Bible says something and you say something different, you're wrong.

The fact is I bring most of my problems on myself. I need to quit making excuses.

3. Be ready Peter says, "Be on your guard." Jesus said, Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation. Paul said, Put on the whole armor of God.

Be ready. Be prepared. Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desires, he is dragged away and enticed. Don't be deceived dear brothers. Circle "deceived"

· How do you prepare for temptation?
· How do you get ready for it?

II Corinthians 2:11 In order that Satan might not outwit us, we are aware of his schemes.

God wants you to know the devil’s method of operations. He's been using the same old bag of tricks for 2000 years and longer.

Temptation is a process, not a one-time act.

James outlines four steps the devil uses in order to tempt you.

DESIRE: v14 "Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desires..." It's an inside job. Any desire out of control becomes destructive. Satan loves to take routine desires and turn them into runaway desires. You become consumed, obsessed by it.

Legitimate desires when out of control become a problem.

If it wasn't for the inward desire you wouldn't be tempted.

DECEPTION: v14 "He is dragged away and enticed ..."

Literally - "snared in a trap". Enticed is a fisherman’s term, "lured by bait". The secret of great fishing is in the bait. The right kind of bait for the right kind of fish.

What kind of bait does the devil use for you?
He knows your hot button, your weakness. He knows you inside and out. He knows what turns you on. He knows what you will fall for. He hides his hook in his bait and the bait appeals to your weakness.

Crazy thing - even if we see the hook and know it's a temptation we keep right on nibbling.

Temptation always looks better than it really is. Desire turns to deception and deception turns to disobedience.

DISOBEDIENCE: v14 "Then after desire has conceived it gives birth to sin."

The battle starts with your thoughts. It moves from your thoughts into actions. If the devil gets your attention he’ll eventually get you to commit the action.

People say, "What's wrong in a harmless fantasy?"

What starts in your mind eventually comes out in your life. What you flirt with, you will fall for. That's the whole purpose behind television advertising. What starts in your mind eventually comes out in your lifestyle. Desire leads to deception, deception leads to disobedience. Disobedience leads to death.

If you overcome temptation you get the crown of life, but the wages of sin are death -- spiritual separation from God.
James says we are free to choose any way we want to live. God gives you and I freedom of choice. We however are not free to choose the consequences of those choices.

In order to overcome temptation, I've got to be realistic and admit I have a problem. Then I've got to be responsible, not blaming anybody else and quit making excuses. Then I get ready by understanding what happens during temptation so I can learn how to avoid it.

All of a sudden in verse 17, James switches gears. First he's talking about something negative then he's talking about something positive. He's refocusing our attention on something else. Why? Because that's the next step in overcoming temptation. Be realistic, be responsible, be ready, then be refocused.

REFOCUS v17: If temptation begins with our inner thoughts then changing what we think about is the key to overcoming it. The key to overcoming temptation is not to fight temptation but simply refocus your thoughts. Change your attention.

Instead of looking at what you're being tempted by, look somewhere else. Philippians 4:8 says "Think on these things, things that are good, positive, just, honest."

Focus your mind on the goodness of God. Why? Whatever gets your attention, gets you.

Focus on God’s goodness, "This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad." It's a choice.

"I will bless the Lord at all times ... His praise will continually be in my mouth ... I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

When temptation calls, drop the receiver. When you refocus, it may mean physically removing yourself from the situation. If you don't want to get stung, get away from the bees. Maybe you need to change the channel on the TV, or walk out of that movie. Maybe you need to change friendships or jobs. Maybe you need to stay off of the internet.

I Corinthians 15:33 "Bad company corrupts good character."

The single most important principle in getting control of your life is to let God have control of it. Get Him in your life so He can start changing your character.

Being born again gives you a new capacity to resist temptation. Begin a relationship with Christ. Trust Him to help you make the changes.

You will not be able to say no to temptation until you first say yes to God. You need His power in your life.

· Where are you most vulnerable?
· What is your weak spot?
Is it your temper? Your appetite? Your spending? Your words, or lustful thoughts?

What is your hot button? Figure it out and then admit it to God. Get free of the past. Get forgiveness.

I Corinthians 10:13 God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so you can stand up under it. What a great promise!

God says, "I will make a way out if you trust Me."

Don’t bother praying "Lord, lead us not into temptation" if, at the same time, you're flirting with
temptation. You've got to co-operate.
Martin Luther said, "We cannot keep the birds from flying over us, but we can keep them from making a nest in our hair."

Resources you need in order to fight temptation:
1. Fellowship with other Christians.
2. Get into God's word.

A Christianity That Works Part III

Preached by Rev. Ed Brouwer at The Gathering Place,
Pulpit Series Volume 18, Issue 06, February 17, 2008

"How To Make Up Your Mind"
How do you make decisions?

Do you struggle making choices?

Life is basically a series of choices. Everyday we contemplate, evaluate, perhaps even hesitate and then we draw conclusions. However, we don’t always know how to do that.

It has been said, “We make our decisions and then our decisions make us.”

Q. What is the secret of business success?
Wise decisions.
Q. How can I learn to make wise decisions?
Experience.
Q. How do you get experience?
Dumb decisions!

Read James 1:5-11

THE PROBLEM: INDECISION
Verse 8 “A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.”

Double-mindedness is translated ‘confused”. James says if you can't make up your mind it produces instability. He says in fact, all your ways will become unstable. Constant turmoil.

Three ways indecision makes you unstable:
Unstable emotions
You worry and fret wondering if you made the right move, made the right decision or choice. Second guessing. You can't sleep or eat.

You go to a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist asks, “Are you indecisive?”" You say, “I used to be, but now I'm not sure.”

Unstable relationships
When parents say one thing, then say another thing it causes instability with the children. Never being certain about decisions being made, “Are we going or not going?” Will you or won’t you?” Hard to live like that.

Some people use up more energy deciding what to do than it would take to just do it.

Unstable spiritual life
Verse 7 “That man should not think that he'll receive anything from the Lord.”

Indecision keeps God from giving and you from receiving. Some folks wonder why God doesn’t answer their prayers. Perhaps they are not specific enough. Perhaps they’ve never really decided what it is they want. No clear-cut goal.

Pilgrim's Progress talks about a man, Mr. Facing-Both-Ways. He wanted to do his will and God's will at the same time.

THE SOLUTION: “Get wisdom”. James says, "If any of you lack wisdom, ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to him."

Then he gives three practical steps.
You Admit, You Ask, You Anticipate.

Admit your need.
verse 5 “If you lack wisdom”.

Wisdom is different from knowledge in that wisdom is knowledge put into practice.
Proverbs 11:2 “When pride comes then comes disgrace. But with humility comes wisdom.”

Pride blocks wisdom
Hard to learn anything if you think you know it all. The key to wisdom is to admit that you need wisdom.

Ask for wisdom
“If any man lack wisdom he should ask God.”

Proverbs 2:6 “It is the Lord who gives wisdom, from Him comes knowledge and understanding.” Wisdom comes from God.

James 4:2 “You have not because you ask not.” Could it be that simple? The reason we don’t have wisdom is we didn’t ask.

Twenty times in the New Testament it says, “Ask and it shall be given”. This phrase literally says, “keep on asking, be persistent”.

As your pastor, I wouldn't dare to lead our church without continually asking God for wisdom. I pray this prayer every day and sometimes 100 times a day.

In our new work especially, my spiritual responsibility as the Shepherd is to discover what God wants to do in this His body.

Anticipate it
Expect an answer in faith when you pray. “If any of you lacks wisdom he should ask of God who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to him. But when he asks he must believe and not doubt.” Circle ‘not doubt’.


If you want wisdom…..
First you must ask the right person.
Then you must ask the right way (in faith, believing, not doubting)

Perhaps we are looking at the problem rather than at the Lord, the solution.

“He who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”

Sadly, many of God’s children are victims of their circumstances. If you want any help from God you've got to believe in advance you're going to get it. That's faith!

Hebrews 11:6 “Without faith it is impossible to please God. Anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”

THE PROMISE: GOD WILL GIVE IT!
“If any man lacks wisdom he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

God wants to give you wisdom. Just like it pleased God when Solomon asked for wisdom, it pleases God when we come to Him and say, “I haven't got a clue as to what I'm supposed to do.”

It is God's nature to give. Look how James says God will give wisdom:
Continually….“Ask God who gives”
Literally keeps on giving in a continuous tense.

Generously…..His resources are unlimited. He has enough resources for everybody.

Without finding fault…..God gives cheerfully. God doesn’t resent you asking for wisdom, it actually pleases Him.

Have you ever received a gift from someone who gave it to you begrudgingly? Kind of takes the joy out of it, doesn’t it?

God does not want to nor will He make the decision for you. He wants you to make the decision, based on His wisdom.

Perhaps we need to confess that we are poor decision-makers. Admitting that we don't know which way to turn, opens the door to God’s intervention.

God's wisdom is found in His Word.

Psalm 119:105 “God's word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”

Don’t leave it up to chance - choose to trust God. That may be the deeper issue here, an inability to trust God.

The most important decision you can ever make is to build a relationship with Jesus Christ.

As your relationship with Him grows, it will produce incredible stability and as you lean on Him moment by moment you'll find guidance in every other area of your life.

A Christianity That Works Part II

Preached by Rev. Ed Brouwer at The Gathering Place, Osoyoos
Pulpit Series Volume 18, Issue 05, February 10, 2008

"Profiting From Your Problems" It is good to have you with us again. In today’s session we are going to discover the secret to enable us to profit from our problems. For our Information source we will look again to the book of James. This has got to be the most practical book in the New Testament.

When you write a letter you normally figure that the guy is going to warm up and ease into his subject. But, James drops a bomb in verse 2. He announces who he is and then he says, Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds

How would you like to get a letter like that? "This is a letter from me... You got problems? Be happy!"

How? There's no way I could be happy. You don't know my situation. The key is the phrase "because you know". "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance."

Your attitude is determined by your understanding.
Rejoicing is not just positive thinking - it is based on some facts of life.

FOUR "FACTS OF LIFE" YOU NEED TO KNOW
1. Problems are inevitable Scripture doesn't say, "If you encounter problems" it says whenever -- in other words - count on it, you are going to have problems.

If you don't have problems, check your pulse. It is a fact of life. Jesus said "In the world you will have tribulation." Peter said, "Don't be surprised when you have problems." Count on it. Problems are not an elective in life. They are a required course.

2. Problems are unpredictable. He says, "...whenever you face problems ..." The word "face" in the Greek it literally means "to fall into unexpectedly".

Problems are unplanned and unpredictable. We don't plan to get sick or have a flat. That's what makes a problem a problem.

3. Problems of many kinds They come in all shapes and sizes.

"Many kinds" literally means "multi colored". They vary in intensity and in duration. Some are minor inconveniences. Some are major crises.
Problems definitely come in more than 31 flavors.

4. Problems are purposeful

Problems purify my faith. He uses the word "testing", as in testing gold and silver. You would heat them up very hot until the impurities -- the dross -- was burned off.

Job said "He has tested me through the refining fire and I have come out as pure gold." The first things trials do is test our faith. Christians are a lot like tea bags. You don't know what's inside of them until you drop them in hot water.
Then you know.

Your faith develops when things don't go as planned.

Your faith develops when you don't feel like doing what's right. It purifies your faith.

Christians are like steel; when they're tested they come out stronger.

We've been in a test for over a year.

We've been in a course on character development. God is much more interested in building disciples than He is in building buildings.

Problems purify our faith.

Problems fortify our patience. ...the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

James is talking about staying power, not a passive patience, but staying power, endurance. The ability to keep on keeping on, hanging in there.

The Greek here is literally "the ability to stay under pressure."

People don't like pressure and they do everything they can to avoid it. They run from it, take drugs, drink alcohol, go to Disneyland, anything to get away from pressure.
But God uses problems in our lives to teach us how to handle pressure, how to never give up.

There was a time in my life I prayed for patience, and the problems got worse. Finally, after a while, I realized I was a lot more patient than when I first started out.

How does God teach you patience?

By everything going your way? No. God teaches you patience in traffic jams, grocery lines, the waiting periods of life.

Problems sanctify my character.
They make me like Jesus.
They help me mature.
They help me to grow.

"The testing of your faith produces perseverance that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

That's God's long range goal. His ultimate purpose is maturity. In the Christian life, character is the bottom line.

So many Christians have absolutely no idea of God's agenda in their life. They don't know what's happening and as a result they are overwhelmed by their problems.

God's number one purpose in my life and in your life is to make you and I like Jesus Christ.

God is much more interested in building my character than in making me comfortable.

If God is going to make me like Jesus, He's going to take me through the things Jesus went through. There were times when Jesus was lonely, tempted to be depressed and discouraged.

So many Christians say, "Everything was going great when I first became a believer. Then all of these problems came. Maybe God doesn't love me. Maybe I'm not a Christian.
You are exactly where God wants you. You're in a character course. He's making you like Jesus.

Romans 8:28 "We know that all things work together for good" [not all things are good but they work together for good] if we love God and are called according to His purpose."

The secret of Romans 8:28 is 8:29 "For whom he did foreknow He did predestine to become conformed to the image of the Son of God."

Q. Why do all things work together for good?
A. In order to make me like Christ.

How does God teach us the fruit of the spirit? By putting us in the exact opposite situation.

If God wants to teach you love, He puts you around unlovely people. If He wants to teach you peace, God puts you around chaos.

HOW TO HANDLE YOUR PROBLEMS

(The 3 Rs) Rejoice Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials... He's not saying, Fake it.

God never asks you to deny reality. He's also not talking about masochism. "Good! I get to suffer! I just love to suffer! I feel so spiritual when I feel bad!"

We don't rejoice for the problem, we rejoice in the problem. We don't thank God for the situation we thank God in the situation. I Thessalonians 5:18 In everything give thanks for this is the will of God concerning you in Christ Jesus. It does not say, "For everything give thanks." It says "In everything give thanks." Why?

It means we can thank God because we know that He can even take the bad in our lives and turn it around and bring good out of it. The source of your problems doesn’t really matter.

God can use them for your growth and His glory.

What makes a difference?
Your attitude. It says, Consider it pure joy...

Consideration is a choice.
Although I cannot control the circumstances, I can control how I respond to them.

Psalm 34:1 I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

You'll either be bitter or better. The difference between bitter and better is the letter "i".
I make the difference -- my attitude.

Request Pray. v. 5 If any of you lack wisdom, you should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to him.

You ought to pray for wisdom so you won't waste the opportunity to grow. If you don't learn it this time there’ll be one more lap around the mountain! O’ God make me a quick learner!

Wisdom is seeing life from God's point of view. Pray for wisdom to understand the problem.

Relax Trust God to know what's best for your life. Co-operate with His purpose, don't short circuit the process. Relax, let God work. (that’s faith)

God sees everything you're going through. He's got your number! The very hairs of your head are numbered. God has the power to do something about your problem. He could change it in a snap. He's a miracle working God. So why doesn't He? Because there's a greater purpose. The greater purpose is what He wants to do in you.

God is more interested in building your character than in making life comfortable.

There is a fantastic promise in v. 12 "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial. When he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." God says there will be a reward.


Prayer: Heavenly Father, we know You care about us and are allowing these situations in our lives, not to break us but to make us. Not to destroy us, but to develop us. Lord, help us to be triumphant under trials. Help us to learn how to profit from our problems.

Work in our lives for our growth and Your glory. Thank You for Your Word. Thank You that it is clear. It is relevant. It applies to our lives. It helps us. Lord, encourage us this week as we meditate on this message in Jesus' name. Amen

A Christianity That Works Part I

Preached by Rev. Ed Brouwer at The Gathering Place, Osoyoos
Pulpit Series Volume 18, Issue 04, February 3, 2008

"The Marks Of Maturity"
This will be a 15 part mini series out of the Book of James. Judi and I are convinced that this wonderful book is a “must” study for all believers. It is our prayer that this series of messages will bring about a Christianity that works in the real world.

Perhaps the number one cause of problems in the world is immaturity. We get ourselves into all kinds of problems by saying immature things, making immature decisions, acting in immature ways. We just need to grow up.

In Hebrews 6:1 it says, “Let us go on to maturity”. God says grow up! That's why one of the purposes of our fellowship is to help everybody grow spiritually, emotionally, mentally, in every way and have balanced Christian living.

What is maturity?

WHAT MATURITY IS NOT: It has nothing to do with how long you've lived or how long you've been a Christian. You can be a Christian for fifty years and not be mature.

Maturity is not appearance. Some people just look mature, or more spiritual than the rest of us. Looks can be deceiving.

Maturity has nothing to do with what you accomplish. You can accomplish a lot and still be very immature. You don't have to be mature to make millions.

Maturity has nothing to do with how many degrees or how much education you have. You can have so many degrees they call you Dr. Fahrenheit, but that doesn’t make you mature.

God says maturity is all about attitude.

God wants you to grow up and have Christlike attitudes. Do not compare yourself to other people, rather compare yourself to God’s Word.

The book of James (a manual on maturity) gives 5 marks of maturity.

A MATURE PERSON IS POSITIVE
UNDER PRESSURE

James 1:2-4 “Consider it pure joy, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance and perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything.”

How do you handle trials?
The first test of maturity is how you react to problems. Do they blow you away? Do you get uptight or negative? Do you grumble and gripe?

Christianity is a life, not a religion. IT’S A LIFE! Jesus said, “I've come that you might have life”. Life means problems and part of life means solving problems and facing them with the right attitude.

Q. What is your natural attitude?
A. Your natural or normal reaction when things go wrong and you're irritated.

Are you negative or are you positive? Are you basically a supportive person or are you a skeptical person? Is your life filled with gratitude or gripping? Are you affirmative or angry most of the time?

James says, “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.”

You can be great in the knowledge of the Bible and be cantankerous as all get out!

A MATURE PERSON IS SENSITIVE TO PEOPLE

“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, `Love your neighbor as yourself' you are doing right.” James 2:8
A mature person is sensitive to people. He doesn't just see his own needs, he sees other people's needs. He understands their hurts. He's not just interested in himself.

Children, when they're immature, only see themselves. “I want this or that! I don't care about anybody else.” God says that being interested in others, is a mark of maturity.

How you treat others is a test of maturity.

Matthew 25 shows the one thing we will be judged for, and that is how we treated others.

A MATURE PERSON HAS MASTERED HIS MOUTH

James 3:2 “We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.”

The first thing a doctor will say when you go for a check up is “Stick out your tongue”. He uses your tongue to check your health. God does that spiritually, too.

Definition of gossip: hearing something you like about somebody you don't.

James 3 gives several illustrations. He says a little bit in a horse's mouth allows us to control the direction of the horse. A little rudder on a boat can control the direction of the boat.

Your tongue, which, by size is very insignificant, controls your life. What you say directs your life. What you say brings life or death. It can encourage or discourage.

Have you ever heard anyone say, “I just say what's on my mind”?
That may not always be acceptable. Maybe what's on their mind shouldn't be said out loud.

Frankness may simply be immaturity. We could do with a bit more tactfulness.

Ephesians 4:29 “Do not let any negative talk come out of your mouth but only what is helpful for building up others according to their needs.” Circle the word “any”.

When you talk, say things to build other people up. If it doesn't build somebody else up, don't say it, even if it's the truth. That's a mark of maturity.

A mature person manages his mouth. No matter how long you've been a Christian, if you can't master your mouth, you've missed the point. James 1:26 “If anyone considers himself religious, yet doesn’t keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself, his religion is worthless.”

A MATURE PERSON IS A PEACEMAKER NOT A TROUBLEMAKER

James 4:1 “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?”

He's talking about conflict here. He says there are inner quarrels and fights and they come from our inner desires. You want something and you don't get it. You kill and covet but you can’t have what you want.

Are you a peacemaker or a troublemaker?
Do you like to argue?
Do you get defensive easily?
Do I hurt other people's feelings?

Paul told the Corinthian church, “You guys are a bunch of babies”. They argued about everything. They argued about the Lord's Supper, gifts, leadership, everything. That's a mark of immaturity.

Why is there so much conflict in the world?
Why is there conflict between former friends?
Why is there conflict between Christians?
Why is there conflict between me and God?
Why is there conflict?

James says, the first cause of conflict is selfishness. 4:11-12 “Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. There is only one lawgiver and judge, one who is able to save and destroy. But, who are you to judge your neighbor?”

Proverbs 13:10 “Only by pride comes contention.” Pride guarantees conflict at work, church, home, wherever.

Another source of conflict is judging others.

God says, “Don't judge people”. If you do this you're asking for a fight. You're always finding fault, always stirring up strife, always spreading rumors. Don't judge!

When you judge somebody it's playing God. Only God has all the facts, you don't and neither do I.

When I judge someone, I don't have all the facts. I don't know the motives, and you don't either. You can't tell what's in somebody's heart. Only God does.

A MATURE PERSON IS PATIENT
AND PRAYERFUL

James 5:7,11 “Be patient then, brothers, until the Lord's coming.” Many times God will say to you, “Not yet”. He doesn't mean “no”, He just saying, “You've got to wait, I want you to develop, to grow”.
So here are the tests:

1. How do you handle problems? Are you positive under pressure?

2. Are you sensitive to other people? Do you pray for others?

3. Can you manage your mouth? Do you only say things that build up others?

4. Are you a troublemaker or a peacemaker? Do you stir things up?

5. How long can you wait for an answer to prayer without giving up?

"Go For The Gold"

Preached by Rev. Ed Brouwer at The Gathering Place, Osoyoos
Pulpit Series Volume 18, Issue 03, January 27, 2008

Jerusalem was attacked by Shishak, king of Egypt, leaving Judah ransacked and barren. I Kings 14:25-26 “Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem: And took the treasures of the house of the LORD and the treasures of the king's house; he took everything he even took the shields of gold which Solomon had made.” I Kings 10:16

These shields weighed 3 lbs each, worth about 6.3 million dollars. They hung in the king’s palace. II Chronicles 9:16 “And they were taken down by the king’s guard when he went to the Temple to worship.” The guards would line the avenue leading up to the Temple; 150 guards per side, each holding a solid gold shield, as Solomon and Rehoboam made their way into the Temple to worship. Can you picture it?

Pretty bad to lose these sheilds but a worse thing was done afterwards. I Kings 14:27-28 “And king Rehoboam made in their place brass shields.”

When the shields are stolen, Rehoboam orders the metal workers to make 300 new shields of brass. When polished, the brass shields would gleam like gold, but when the king passed between the rows of these shields, he knew and the guards knew that they were nothing but a poor substitute for the missing shields of gold.

Instead of facing the people of Israel and telling them that the golden shields were gone, King Rehoboam tried to deceive them by making an inferior substitute.

Instead of gathering his army to go and recover what the enemy had taken, he chose to compromise. He did this to save face .

The shields were for more than decoration, they represented PURITY, INTEGRITY, and EXCELLENCE.

Rehoboam, rather than risk all to gain back the golden shields, made the decision to replace them with “brass” shields.

When polished they looked like gold, but they weren’t! They were a good substitute, but substitutes like brass begin to tarnish.

Today many people use substitutes. “You can imagine the hyena's surprise when he caught the tofu wildebeest.”

Constantine embraced Christianity and the church joined hands with the world!

Christianity has since become a lifestyle (form of godliness) rather than a life of faith (power)!

Upon seeing the splender of the Vatican’s treasures, the pope remarked to a visitor, “You will observe that the church no longer has to say, silver and gold have I none.” The visitor answered, “Neither can she now say, “Rise and walk!”

My dear friends, never was there a time when the church had more members than today; at no time has she had more money than today, or more preachers and teachers, or more oppurtunities than today, but there was a time that she had more power than she has today!

At least the young prophet of Elisha’s day upon losing the head of his axe was smart enough to stop swinging and look for the lost axe head!

You may think a brass shield is better than no shield at all, but why accept anything less than gold, when gold has been provided?

Especially when that gold represents Integrity, Purity and Excellence.

Brass reminds me of those commercials that promise freedom from social disorders by taking this pill 12 times a day. However, the possible side effects may include: Bleeding gums, partial paralysis, numbness or blurred vision, loss of hearing, gas with oily discharge, increased bowel movements and an inability to control your kidneys, insomnia, liver or heart failure, sweating, dry mouth, sleepiness, tremors, yawning, sexual side effects in men and women, decreased appetites, muscle aches, nausea, heart disease, watery eyes and post nasal drip.

Much church activity today is simply brass, trying to shine as gold!

I fear that if we continue on in this course the next generation may know nothing of what it means to experience the presence of God.

But before we come down too hard on old Rehoboam and the church, perhaps we need to examine our own hearts?

Are we not often guilty of giving God brass instead of gold?


When we do less than our best for God, compromising His standards of excellence, are we not giving Him brass for gold?

When we know we are not where the Lord wants us to be with Him; and we pretend all is well, are we not falling short in the integrity department, thereby guilty of giving Him brass for gold?

When we tolerate sin in our life, are we not compromising God’s call to holiness, and in fact, giving Him brass for gold?

Romans 8:5-11 (The Message Bible) “Those who think they can do it on their own end up obsessed with measuring their own moral muscle but never get around to exercising it in real life.
Those who trust God's action in them find that God's Spirit is in them - living and breathing God!
Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life.
Focusing on the self is the opposite of focusing on God. Anyone completely absorbed in self ignores God, ends up thinking more about self than God. That person ignores who God is and what He is doing. And God isn't pleased at being ignored.
But if God Himself has taken up residence in your life, you can hardly be thinking more of yourself than of Him.

Anyone, of course, who has not welcomed this invisible but clearly present God, the Spirit of Christ, won't know what we're talking about.
But for you who welcome Him, in whom He dwells - even though you still experience all the limitations of sin - you yourself experience life on God's terms. It stands to reason, doesn't it, that if the alive-and-present God who raised Jesus from the dead moves into your life, He'll do the same thing in you that He did in Jesus, bringing you alive to Himself?
When God lives and breathes in you (and He does, as surely as He did in Jesus), you are delivered from that dead life. With His Spirit living in you, your body will be as alive as Christ's!
Go for the GOLD!

"Jesus Style"

Preached by Rev. Ed Brouwer at The Gathering Place, Osoyoos
Pulpit Series Volume 18, Issue 02, January 20, 2008

I love the practicality and simplicity of Jesus’ teaching. It was clear, relevant and applicable. He aimed for application because His goal was to transform people, not merely inform them. Consider the greatest sermon ever preached: The Sermon on the Mount: Jesus began by sharing eight secrets of genuine happiness. Then He talked about living an exemplary lifestyle, controlling anger, restoring relationships, and the issues of adultery and divorce.

Next He spoke of keeping promises and returning good for evil. Then Jesus moved on to other practical life issues like how to give with the right attitude, how to pray, how to store up treasure in heaven and how to overcome worry. He wraps up His message by telling us to not judge others, encouraging persistence when asking God to meet our needs and warning us about false teachers. And finally, He concludes with a simple story that emphasizes the importance of acting on what He taught or putting into practice what you’ve just learned!

This is the kind of preaching that we need in churches today.

It changes lives! It’s not enough to simply proclaim, Christ is the Answer. We must show the unchurched how Christ is the Answer.

Sermons that exhort people to change without sharing the practical steps of how to change, only produce more guilt and frustration. The deepest kind of teaching is that which makes a difference in peoples day-to-day lives.

D.L. Moody once said, “The Bible was not given to increase our knowledge but to change our lives. The goal is Christ-like character.”

Jesus said, “I have come that you might have life”. He didn’t say, “I’ve come that you might have religion”. Christianity is a life, not a religion, and Jesus was a life-application preacher.
When He finished His teaching to the crowd, He always wanted them to go and do likewise.
Christ-like preaching explains life to people. It produces a changed lifestyle.

Life-related preaching doesn’t just inform, it transforms. It changes people because the Word is applied to where people actually live. Sermons that teach people how to live will never lack an audience.

Let’s look at The Sermon on the Mount... The Beatitudes

When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.
For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Same portion of scripture but from The Message Bible.
When Jesus saw His ministry drawing huge crowds, He climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to Him, the committed, climbed with Him. Arriving at a quiet place, He sat down and taught His climbing companions. This is what He said:
You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and His rule.
You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
You're blessed when you're content with just who you are - no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.
You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full’, you find yourselves cared for.
You're blessed when you get your inside world - your mind and heart - put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.
You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.
Not only that - count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens - give a cheer, even! For though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.
Salt and Light
Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand - shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.