REVEALED...

If there was a person who could tell you precisely what to do so that you would successful, wouldn’t you like to meet him or her?

If there I was to tell you that there was the person that was able to introduce you to the President of the United States, Dr. Billy Graham, Third Day, the lead singer from Kutless or some other person that you held in high esteem, wouldn’t you be excited?

I know someone who can introduce you to the Creator of the entire Universe and all that is in it. Are you excited?

John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’” 16 From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. But the one and only Son is himself God and is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us. John 1:15 - 18 (NLT)

Jesus Christ is himself God…

And the word became flesh and dwelt among us… John 1:14

He has revealed the very nature and character of God to us…

And He (Jesus) is the radiance of His (God the Father’s) glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, Hebrews 1:3 (NASB)

Has God revealed Himself to you through the person of Jesus Christ?

Spend time in the Word, which He gave us so we could know His thoughts.

Spend time in prayer asking for understanding.

Previously, I talked of our testimony. Another way to think about that is simply sharing with others how God has revealed Himself to us.

God has revealed Himself through Jesus Christ and His Holy Bible. Open your heart, eyes and mind to receive what He has for you today.

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD…

TESTIMONY...

You’ve all seen it on Perry Mason, Justice, Shark or Judge Judy; someone gets up on the witness stand and gives their account of what happened, their testimony.

The testimony of the witnesses either frees or condemns the person on trial.

God sent a man, John the Baptist, 7 to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John 1:6-7

Now the light that John was referring to was Jesus. Jesus said in John 8:12,

I am the light of the world.

John’s task was to tell people about Jesus Christ so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. Some believed some did not. Some were condemned because of their disbelief and some were set free from their sin to receive eternal life offered by Christ.

Each of us that claim Christ as Savior is a witness for Him. Jesus himself said,

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (NASB)

We are a witness just by the way we live our life. Our life is a testimony to what we believe or do not believe. If we live according to God’s word, we are an effective witness for Christ. If we do not, people see us and find our actions do not line up with our words. So, our goal is to seek His help daily in living the way that he would desire us to in order to improve our testimony.

There is also a spoken testimony about Christ that each of us has. We can testify to what he has done in our own life. This is extremely powerful because it is testifying to actual events that we have been through. For example, I know that Christ is who he said he is, because after I came to accept, acknowledge and surrender to him, he totally changed and improved my life. My selfishness started to change to caring for others. He changed my self-destructive bad habits into a more positive life-style, a more positive testimony for Him.

Think about your testimony: both lived out in the flesh and spoken. If either needs to be improved, work on it. Use your testimony to be an effective witness for the One who saved you and the One that can save all who would believe.

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM…

SENT...

God sent John the Baptist

“to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony.” John 1:6-7

Then, God sent His son

¹⁶For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ¹⁷For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:16-17 (KJV)

And soon, He shall send His angels…

³⁰And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. ³¹And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Matthew 24:30 - 31 (KJV)

Meantime, He has sent us…

¹⁹Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: ²⁰Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:19 - 20 (KJV)

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM…

TELL...

When a situation is a matter of life and death, we are compelled to offer assistance. If we have the answer to the problem, we dare not keep it to our selves.

God sent a man, John the Baptist, 7 to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. 8 John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. 9 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. John 1:6 – 9 (NLT)

WE ARE TO TELL ABOUT THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD: JESUS

Jesus said, I am the light of the World (John 8:12). Later, in John 9:5 (NLT) he said, while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world.

Jesus shone brightly while here in this world because of the stark contrast of His perfection against the sinfulness of man. He exposed the religious system as being legalistic without following the spirit or intent of the law. Even as a young boy asking questions in the temple, we read...

And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. Luke 2:47 (NKJV)

As we know, He was put to death later and buried in a tomb for three days. However, we also know that He came back to life and appeared to many people. After speaking to His disciples, He left the world. Today, He is back in heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father.

Who is the light of the world now?

WE, THE BELIEVERS, ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

Jesus himself said…

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:14 - 16 (NLT)

Later Paul penned these words…

Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Philippians 2:14 - 15 (NLT)

We must tell the story of Christ and His gift of Salvation offering eternal life and hope to all who will believe.

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM…

FILLED...

Christmas is quickly coming and we want to make sure that people recognize it as the celebration of the birthday of Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, not just a holiday for giving and receiving presents. Those of us that claim Christ as Savior have the task of making this known to others. We are to prepare the way for the Lord.

We looked at the need for a spirit of joy in our lives as we take up this task. We briefly looked at a verse from the Gospel of Luke to see the joy in Zechariah’s life when he was obedient to God. Zechariah was the father of John the Baptist. Below is the rest of that passage:

He motioned for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s surprise he wrote, “His name is John.” 64 Instantly Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God. 65 Awe fell upon the whole neighborhood, and the news of what had happened spread throughout the Judean hills. 66 Everyone who heard about it reflected on these events and asked, “What will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was surely upon him in a special way. 67 Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy: Luke 1:63 - 67 (NLT)

A prophecy about the coming Christ and Zechariah’s son as the person who will “prepare the way for the Lord” follows this passage. Today, though, I want us to notice what happened to Zechariah after his joyfully praising God. Verse 67 says that he was “filled with the Holy Spirit.”

As we go about our task of helping people understand the Christ of Christmas, we need to do this in the power of the Holy Spirit. In our own strength, with our own words, we will not be effective. As the scripture says, apart from Christ we can do nothing (John 15:5).

The Holy Spirit filling us does not have to be some mystical, magical event, though indeed it is magnificent. When we accepted Christ as our Savior the Holy Spirit immediately took up residence in us. For the Holy Spirit to fill us we must be involved in a continuing, connected and close relationship with Him.

First, we must acknowledge that we need Him; that we are powerless without Him. The next step is to ask Him to fill us. Listen to Jesus’ own words in Luke chapter 11, verse 13,

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”

Our part is to ask and then accept the filling of the Holy Spirit by faith. How do we ask? That’s what prayer is all about, conversation with the Almighty God.

Do you want the Holy Spirit to fill you? Ask Him. Talk with Him. Walk with Him. When you do, showing forth the Christ of Christmas and the “reason for the season” will become an easy task.

In a spirit of joy, filled with His Holy Spirit, God will use you mightily.

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM…

JOY...

Now be honest and tell me, would you rather be around someone that is happy and full of joy or someone that is sad and depressing?

Well that’s a big, “DUH!”

Now I want you to think about when you are at church, at work, school or some other place where non-Christians are. Would they say of you that you are happy and full of joy?

Paul talks about the importance of this in Philippians 4:4 when he says,

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

People, including you and me, prefer to be around joyful people. It’s contagious!

In talking about this advent season as we prepare our hearts for the celebration of the birth of our Savior, we need to recapture that “joy of salvation.”

When Zechariah was able to speak again at the birth of his son the bible says in Luke 1:64,

He began praising God.

The very first thing he did was express joy and praise God.

When the angel was announcing the birth of the Messiah, he said,

“Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. ¹¹For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10 - 11 (NKJV)

When the Wisemen saw the star that would lead them to the place where the Messiah was,

They rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. Matthew 2:10 (NKJV)

Let us be of that same mindset in this advent season. Let people everywhere see in you the Joy of the Lord!

PRAYER…

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Psalms 51:12 - 13 (KJV)

PREPARE...

We are in what is known as the Advent season…

The word Advent derives from a Latin word meaning, coming. The Lord is coming. In Church history, it is the period of time 4 weeks before we celebrate the Lord’s birth. Its purpose is to bring meaning to the celebration as we remember Gods working in the lives of His people and His coming to earth in the form of a man. It is to PREPARE us for the blessed event.

John the Baptist was sent by God to PREPARE the people for Jesus’ birth. He said of himself in John 1:23,

“I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”

His statement was a reference to Isaiah 40:3-5,

³The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. ⁴Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: ⁵And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

You and I are to PREPARE our hearts for the celebration of His birth in the midst of the secular shopping frenzies.

Every valley lifted up…

Could we look at that which is low in our lives and lift it up to Jesus? Perhaps it is your self-esteem. Perhaps it is an area in your life that you need to improve. If you turn it over to the King of kings, it will be exalted or lifted up.

Every mountain made low…

Perhaps your mountain is a problem in your life. Turn it over to Jesus Christ and He will make it right. He will either remove it or cause you not to even consider it a problem anymore!

On the other hand, perhaps you are very proud of something. In the light of what Jesus has done, how great is it? Turn your pride over to Jesus and walk in humility.

We are also to PREPARE others for His second coming or advent.

Tell them what Jesus has done for you.

Tell them what He can do for them.

PREPARE THE WAY FOR THE LORD.

SILENCE?

Mr. Miller’s wife stood up and told the preacher he was simply wrong. Mr. Miller yanked on her sleeve and tried to quiet her but was unsuccessful. She finally sat down and then started, in quite a loud voice, to ask her husband if he agreed with her.

What is wrong with this picture? It is unruly, disruptive and just a tad rude. This is an example of what Paul was dealing with in his letter to the church at Corinth. Their obsession with “who had the greater gift” and “listen to me” mentality had gotten out of hand. Church meetings had become circuses!

Peace and unity were to be the rule. God was a God of order and he wanted them to act like it. That’s why he gave them some guidelines on how to run a church meeting (14:26-33). That is the context in which we are to read the next two verses:

1 Corinthians 14:34 - 35 (NLT) Women should be silent during the church meetings. It is not proper for them to speak. They should be submissive, just as the law says. 35. If they have any questions, they should ask their husbands at home, for it is improper for women to speak in church meetings.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary has this to say:

Paul then wanted silence on the parts of married women whose husbands were present in the assembly, but he permitted the participation of other women when properly adorned (1 Cor. 11:2-16). Such silence would express their subordinate (but not inferior) relationship to their husbands. This contrasts with a disturbance caused by their talking to their husbands during the service. (Copyright 1983, SP Publications, Inc.)

Since verse 35 says, “they should ask their husbands at home”, we can deduce that he is referring to married women.

Paul already mentioned in 11:5 that women could prophesy and pray as long as they had their heads covered.

But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head, for she is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved.

Can women participate in church? Of course they can, but within the context of God’s order and the authorities that He has set in place within that specific body of believers.

The point is God is not a God of confusion but of peace (14:33). Order promotes unity, which in turn promotes the proper functioning of the body, the Body of Christ.

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM…

READY...

When I used to play the French horn in a symphony, I had to practice. A lot! I was the section leader (first horn) and had a responsibility to make sure the horn section was ready. As a young leader, I made many mistakes by insisting that everyone be “as good as me.” As I grew older, I learned that the relationship with them was more important. I learned that getting along as people actually caused us to want to play better as a team. That took tact, respect, humility and patience.

We in the church are to “be a team” as the Body of Christ. We need to learn some of these same lessons of relationship, with God and with each other. When we do, we will find that unity “happens” and the Body of Christ functions as intended. Is it any wonder that Jesus said the two most important commandments were to love God and to love each other?!

1 Peter 3:15 (NASB) but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;

SET APART Christ as Lord – Let it be plain to all that He holds this position. Let there be nothing and no one else vying for that place in your life. Only Christ paid the price to claim the throne, has the ability to carry it out and has our best interest in mind to qualify for the position of Lord!

ALWAYS – every day, every minute – be ready. This shows the importance of studying God’s word, so that we can give adequate answers. We are not simply to respond, “Because I feel this way or that”. We are to respond as Jesus did when tempted by Satan, with the Word of God.

YET – and while we are to be ready we must do it with gentleness and reverence. We need to exercise love. Not all believers are going to be at the same stage of development that you are or that I am. The Spirit of God brings each of us along as He reveals truths to us through the Word.

Our job is to explain why we believe what we believe…why we have the hope of eternal life through Christ Jesus…so that others will want to accept Him as well.

With gentleness, humility and patience…

2 Timothy 4:1 - 2 (NASB) I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2. preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

Build each other up…

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT) So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

Aim for harmony…

Romans 14:19 (NLT) So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD…

Holidays can be a difficult time for people who have lost a loved one, whether it is death or a temporal situation like divorce. From our earliest childhood memories we pull out vignettes of happiness from being together with those we love.

The first Thanksgiving dinner without dad or without mom can indeed be difficult. The first Christmas gathering around the piano to sing carols without the one you loved can indeed flood the mind with memories.

And that’s OK! It is perfectly natural to miss these loved ones.

I want to share a couple of things with you today:

1. Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NLT)

Forever is a long time. We carry the love that we shared with those now gone in our hearts – forever. I look at a picture of my grandmother and grandfather, and I recall the incredible love for me and all the wonderful times we had together. Their faith in God is instilled in me – forever. The hope that one day I will be with Jesus in heaven is before me – until that day!

2. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b (NLT)

Jesus spoke these words. When loved ones are gone, when parents divorce, or when we find ourselves in broken circumstances, Jesus is ALWAYS with us. He will not leave our side. You can depend on Him for your every need.

Finally,

If you know someone who is struggling with loneliness or some type of separation during the holidays…share the love of Jesus with them. Jesus works through people. Allow Him to use you.

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM…

Sacrifice. Doesn’t that sound like something out of an Indiana Jones movie? You know, when the evil witch doctor dressed up in the wacky looking mask gets ready to plunge the knife into the heart of the pretty girl to appease the anger of the volcano god (or was it a snake god!)!

Well, to the Jew, sacrifice was a very real thing that kept peace with THE God in Heaven. It was not human sacrifice, but that of specific animals whose blood “covered” their sin. Perhaps it was the mere willingness to part with this animal when it could have instead been used for food.

When Jesus died for our sin, once and for all, He shed His own blood. Why? Because the bible says,

“In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.” Hebrews 9:22 (NLT)

So, what about today? Do we that believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior have anything to do with sacrifice?

By all means, yes! However, not physical sacrifices, instead, spiritual sacrifice.

WORSHIP

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Romans 12:1 (NASB)

PRAISE

Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. 16. And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God. Hebrews 13:15 - 16 (NLT)

SHARING or GIVING

At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. Philippians 4:18 (NLT)

We sacrifice fulfilling OUR desires and instead, do things that please God and other people. We sacrifice self. More easily said than done, but

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)

SEEK FIRST THE KINDGOM…

FOREVER...

O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever! Psalms 30:12(b) (NLT)

Wait a minute! Yesterday was Thanksgiving! What's this about?

All too often we "wait" for the holiday to thank God for how incredible He is or for what He has done for us. The verse is a reminder from King David's heart that we should indeed give thanks and praise to God always.

Each and every day that we wake up and draw breath is a gift from Him.

So in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the busiest shopping day of the entire year....

Take time to thank Him.

Thank Him today

and tomorrow

and the next day

and the next,

the next

FOREVER

Agree with David when he says,

I will praise my God to my last breath! Psalms 104:33(b) (NLT)

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM…

THANKSGIVING
Thank you for

the sun that brightens and warms our days

the Son that died that we might live always

the stars that point to larger things

the Christ that is my everything

the family that loves me in their own way

the Lord that loves me EVERY way

the friends that listen, the friends that share

the Father that knows my every care

this day that we can recollect

how much you've done for such a speck

of life that you have made complete

by your sacrifice did death defeat

Thank You Lord.

In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NASB)

THANKS...

Do you like to hear the words “Thank you” when you have done something for someone? Doesn’t it make you feel good? Even if what you did was time consuming, tedious and tiring, the words “Thank you” make it all more than worthwhile.

God has done so much for each one of us. We may feel we don’t have enough money, or complete health, or too many problems, but God is with us through it all. He alone has given us breath. Let us all be grateful to Him for everything He has done for us, the most important of which is Salvation through His Son Jesus Christ.

Psalms 111:1 - 10 (NLT) 1. Praise the LORD! I will thank the LORD with all my heart as I meet with his godly people. 2. How amazing are the deeds of the LORD! All who delight in him should ponder them. 3. Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails. 4. He causes us to remember his wonderful works. How gracious and merciful is our LORD! 5. He gives food to those who fear him; he always remembers his covenant. 6. He has shown his great power to his people by giving them the lands of other nations. 7. All he does is just and good, and all his commandments are trustworthy. 8. They are forever true, to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity. 9. He has paid a full ransom for his people. He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever. What a holy, awe-inspiring name he has! 10. Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever!

HAVE A GREAT THANKSGIVING!

Rejoice always; 17. pray without ceasing; 18. in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 - 18 (NASB)

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM…

TOGETHER...

Our physical bodies work best when all the parts are healthy and performing properly. We can limp along if a part becomes damaged, but who wouldn’t rather be in good health and functioning at 100%?

Each one of us that claims Jesus Christ as Savior received a gift(s) from the Holy Spirit to use for the good of all the members of the Body of Christ. If one of the members of the Body is not functioning properly or exercising that gift for the common good, the Body suffers.

Paul lays out in this passage of scripture how the Body is to worship:

1 Corinthians 14:26 - 33 (TMSG) So here’s what I want you to do. When you gather for worship, each one of you be prepared with something that will be useful for all: Sing a hymn, teach a lesson, tell a story, lead a prayer, provide an insight. 27. If prayers are offered in tongues, two or three’s the limit, and then only if someone is present who can interpret what you’re saying. 28. Otherwise, keep it between God and yourself. 29. And no more than two or three speakers at a meeting, with the rest of you listening and taking it to heart. 30. Take your turn, no one person taking over. 31. Then each speaker gets a chance to say something special from God, and you all learn from each other. 32. If you choose to speak, you’re also responsible for how and when you speak. 33. When we worship the right way, God doesn’t stir us up into confusion; he brings us into harmony. This goes for all the churches—no exceptions.

We are all to have an active part in the worship of our God. We are not to simply sit back in our chair or pew and observe (and critique!) a “performance”, whether it be by the musicians or the preacher, but rather we are to participate in the worship of the Almighty God using the gift(s) that we received from Him.

Together we have harmony. Together we have peace. Together we are the BODY OF CHRIST.

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM…

PREACH...
If you walked into a room of people that were all talking Swahili or some other language, you didn’t know and there was nobody there to tell you what they were saying…you might just feel a little out of place!

That’s what Paul is telling the Church at Corinth about speaking in tongues…

1 Corinthians 14:22 - 25 (NLT) So you see that speaking in tongues is a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for the benefit of believers, not unbelievers. 23. Even so, if unbelievers or people who don’t understand these things come into your church meeting and hear everyone speaking in an unknown language, they will think you are crazy. 24. But if all of you are prophesying, and unbelievers or people who don’t understand these things come into your meeting, they will be convicted of sin and judged by what you say. 25. As they listen, their secret thoughts will be exposed, and they will fall to their knees and worship God, declaring, “God is truly here among you.”

By everybody, desiring to speak in tongues (the flashier of the spiritual gifts), they were setting up a situation that was not only divisive but was not conducive to what they were supposed to be doing. They were thinking only of themselves and not of those who did not yet know Jesus as the Messiah.

Remember, our Message is not about ourselves; we’re proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master. All we are is messengers, errand runners from Jesus for you. 6. It started when God said, “Light up the darkness!” and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful. 2 Corinthians 4:5 - 6 (TMSG)

By desiring a gift that was not beneficial to others including their fellow believers, they were ignoring Jesus’ command to make disciples. One cannot make a disciple if one is thinking only of self and not speaking forth the Word of God.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20. teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19 - 20 (NASB)

We must carefully guard against being a community of believers that does not share the Word of God with others. We must be faithful to God’s command to share the Gospel story of Salvation with others. We must be faithful to God’s command to build each other up. When He says to edify (build up) the body, it not only includes encouraging and admonishing one another it includes adding to the body. To accomplish that, we must share His Word.

How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? Romans 10:14 (NASB)

That doesn’t refer only to somebody hired by a church to preach. It refers to you and me. Every believer is a “preacher” when they share God’s Word with someone else.

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM…

PURSUE

In chapter 12 of 1 Corinthians, Paul told us that all who believe in Jesus Christ receive a Spiritual gift. Not all of these gifts are the same, but they are all equally important.

In chapter 13, Paul explains that love (for others) is to take precedence over all of these gifts and to be the foundation of all that we do.

Now in chapter 14, he reemphasizes that both love and gifts are desirable as both are from God. However, he stresses love as preeminent over the gifts and the gift of prophesy as preeminent over its fellow gifts.

Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 1 Corinthians 14:1. (NASB)

The people of Corinth had been concerned not with how they could use their gift to help each other but were being envious of the “flashier” gift of tongues which, as Paul points out, is useful only to themselves and to no one else unless they were to interpret the message.

We have the same problem in this day, though perhaps more widespread. We see the “flashy” message of the movie stars, the rock music idols or the sports figures and are envious of their notoriety. We see politicians clamoring for positions by stepping on each other’s backs and yet, what an honor we regard it to be a senator, congressional representative or president!

Do we not have people in the church desiring to be “noticed” because of their musical abilities or perhaps the “position” that they hold?

The problems facing the church today are even more wide spread as the world system has wormed itself inside the doors and into the hearts of the people. And, I might add, without too much resistance.

We in the church must pursue love, as Paul puts it, and that primarily focused on the One who created us.

Matthew 22:37 - 40 (NASB) And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ^38. “This is the great and foremost commandment. ^39. “The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ^40. “On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”

We have to start at the beginning remembering why it is we call ourselves Christians and remembering what we are here on this earth to do. We are to be Jesus to the world, not to be the world and additionally claim Jesus.

Come out from among them. Be ye separate. Be holy as I am holy, says the Lord.

Pursue love. Chase after it. Work at it. Demonstrate it.

Love God. Love each other. Then…exercise the gift that God has given you to help your brothers and sisters in Christ.

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM…

NOW

1 Corinthians 13:12 - 13 (NASB) ¹²For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. ¹³But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Now our vision is cloudy, partial and limited because we DON’T KNOW EVERYTHING. We can’t know everything now. We have to accept that there are mysteries, deep mysteries that are beyond our comprehension now.

We can know everything that God has laid out in His Word, now. We can understand that when He says unity, peace, faith, love, hope, joy, etc. are qualities we should be exhibiting, that He means now…here on this earth.

It’s all practice for heaven. What’s the point in understanding deeper mysteries unless we can be obedient in what He has clearly laid out for us in His Word? So now, some things will be fuzzy. We accept, by faith, because of His incredible love demonstrated in the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, that He has our best interest at heart, now.

NOW…faith, hope and love are here. They are our operating parameters. Of these, love, as laid out in 1 Corinthians 13 and demonstrated by Jesus Himself, is the greatest.

Believe His Word. Obey His Word. Love. NOW.

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM…

SELFLESS

We live in a ‘me’ first world. Look out for ‘number one’ is the motto of the masses. I want it now. What’s true for me isn’t necessarily true for you. My needs are important. I am climbing the ladder of success. Look at me!

Paul was dealing with this very same problem in the church at Corinth. People wanted their own way. Some were bragging because they had a certain gift and others did not. The result was division in the church where unity in Christ was to be the rule. Paul proceeds to explain to the people of Corinth how important love is. In defining love for them, he gives not a simple definition, but a series of qualities. When examined closely these qualities all have a central theme. They are selfless.

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5. does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered

1 Corinthians 13:4b-5 (NASB)

Listen to how Eugene Peterson puts it in The Message:

Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, Doesn’t have a swelled head, 5. Doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t always “me first,” Doesn’t fly off the handle, Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,

This theme runs throughout the Scriptures. When Abraham was told to sacrifice his son Isaac, he had to think of what God wanted, not what he desired. When Jesus came to this earth, He thought not of Himself, but of you, me, and His Father in heaven.

Jesus could have exalted himself while on the earth. He could have simply wiped out the Pharisees for their wickedness. He could have snapped His fingers and eliminated the Roman soldiers sent to escort Him to the cross at Calvary. Instead, he chose to be obedient to His Father in heaven, to the point of death on the cross for your sins and mine. (Philippians 2:5-8)

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; Philippians 2:3 (NASB)

Love is something that we do. Most of us do not ‘feel’ like putting others first. It is a conscious choice that we must make in obedience to God.

1 John 4:8 - 11 (NLT) But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9. God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. 10. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. 11. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM…

JEALOUS...

When you were very young, you may have seen someone else get something that you wanted. You were jealous. As you grew older, you may have seen your boyfriend or girlfriend paying attention to someone else and you were jealous.

Perhaps, a friend had a higher paying job than you or a nicer car. You were jealous.

1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is NOT jealous

The Greek word, zēloō, is translated jealous in the King James Version and envious in other translations. It also has the meaning of covetous, which is mentioned as a negative action in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:17).

If you stop and think about this for even a second it makes sense. Why should love not be jealous, envious, or covetous?

The answer is because these are merely feelings or emotions. God’s kind of love is not based on feelings. God’s kind of love is an act of the will; it is something that you do.

God’s love for us is not conditional on how we behave, what we have, or even how much we love Him back.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (NASB)

Now that is unconditional love!

Yes, He desires our love in return and He has shown us the way to peace and eternal life with Him through His Son Jesus Christ. However, when we misbehave He does not stop loving us. He may discipline us as any good parent would do, but He does not stop loving us.

Our love for others is not to be based on feelings. Our love is to be like God’s love. It is to be an unconditional act of our will, powered by the perfect love of God through His indwelling Holy Spirit.

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM…