ORDER

Do you recall hearing the phrase, “Too many chiefs and not enough Indians”? I understand that in today’s society somebody would no doubt become upset over the political incorrectness of the statement, but you understand the meaning quite well. Everybody wants to be in charge and nobody wants to do the work! Everybody wants to “appear” to be the boss, but nobody wants to take the responsibility of being in charge.

God has set up a structure within the Body of Christ. He is a God of order and has established hierarchies within the Church and within society.

HEAD

But there is one thing I want you to know: The head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. 1 Corinthians 11:3 (NLT)

AUTHORITY

Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. ²So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. ³For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. Romans 13:1 - 3 (NLT)

ORDER

The word order and it’s variations are listed 265 times in the New American Standard Bible.

He speaks of orderly worship in 1 Corinthians 14

There is an order to the Ten Commandments that begins with the importance of the exclusivity of God being the ONLY God.

LEADERS

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, ¹²for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; Ephesians 4:11 - 12 (NASB)

Notice it does not say that everyone in the church is an apostle or a prophet or an evangelist, pastor or teacher. Those positions equip the saints (that’s the rest of the people in the church) for service.

Let us rest in the fact that God knows best and be content with the gifts He has chosen to give us, acknowledging the leadership He has placed over us and, in harmony, win the world for Christ.

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD

GIVING

We are the richest people on earth. Some folks don’t have enough to buy a set of new clothes and yet we own several pairs of shoes, several shirts, pants, hats, and other various articles of clothing. That’s why James says,

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. James 1:27 (NLT)

He goes on in chapter 2 to explain that if we say we believe in God, and what He stands for, we will show it by the things that we do.

What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? ¹⁵If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, ¹⁶and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? ¹⁷Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. James 2:14 - 17 (NASB)

The disciples practiced this as a way of life…

And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; ⁴⁵and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Acts 2:44 - 45 (NASB)

God Himself led by example in this area. We needed a Savior and He gave…

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NASB)

Paul points out to the church at Corinth that they had been blessed and faithful in so many areas…there was just this one area left…giving to help others.

But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also. 2 Corinthians 8:7 (NKJV)

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD

TRUTH

Pilate, the Roman governor asked, “What is truth?” when Jesus, who was on trial in his court, told him, “I have come into the world, to testify to the truth.” (John 18:38).

“Compared to two years ago, just half as many Americans believe that absolute moral truth exists, dropping from 38% in January 2000 to only 22% in November 2001." George Barna of Barna Research.

“Only a minority of born-again adults (44%) and a tiny proportion of born-again teenagers (9%) are certain that absolute moral truth exists." William Lobdell, LA times.

It seems that even Christians now feel they can lay aside truth and create their own version. The attitude is that if I “feel that way” it must be true. It reminds me of a book title that James Dobson wrote several years ago, “Emotions, Can You Trust Them?” Of course, the answer is “No.” They are merely feelings, not facts. Just because I feel a certain way, doesn’t make it true.

What does God’s Word have to say?

Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Ephesians 4:25 (NASB) (Old Testament reference: Zechariah 8:16)

Notice he didn’t say, “speak some of the truth” or “speak your version of the truth.”

The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Truth in John 16:13. The Gospel of John says that speaking truth honors God.

Those who speak for themselves want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies. John 7:18 (NLT)

Even the courts in the United States of America include it in the swearing in of witnesses.

…the whole truth and nothing but the truth…so help me God.

Of course, maybe we could justify half-truths by saying “That’s worldly.” After all they make you swear to that in the secular court room!

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD