“Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.
For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’
But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren.
Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.
And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ.
But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
- (Mt 23:1–12)
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BIBLICAL LIVING 101 – Relationships (Concept of) – Part 1
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We pick up our series again this week, and this time we will deal with the topic of Relationships. Not just the dating variety, we will look at relationships in depth - probably THE MOST VITAL topic we will be discussing ever (!!!) - because of how fundamental it is to life and the plan of God itself! If you never take anything away from this Page or our posts, please take this!
Relationships are CORE to God’s plan for you. Why?
1. God IS Love.
That is who the Word says He is right? Well, Love never exists in isolation. We use the term to refer to and describe a relationship between subject and object. Relationship is enshrined in the very nature of God! In eternity past, the 3 persons of the Trinity enjoyed this unique and perfect loving relationship amongst themselves. We are so glad they decided to share their joy by creating other beings and creatures -- so that they could manifest their love to them, as well as rejoice in seeing them manifest love to each other! Man exists because God decided to create and Love Him!
Love is the first and PRIME relationship.
2. You were created in His Love Image, and designed to Love too!
You were created from dust (genetics) contributed by your parents, but it was God who gave His life giving Spirit to animate that embryo. He loved you before you were born, and drew you to Himself with cords of love. He wants a LOVE RELATIONSHIP with you, individually – that’s why He was gracious enough to give the knowledge of Himself, the One True God, and Jesus Christ, whom He sent.
So here is the first lesson. The relationship with God must be as genuine as the relationship that gave birth to you. Just as you need your parents for everything and grow to have a loving relationship with them (or not… we will talk about that too). To understand the relationship, consider this.
This is the God that reboots you from sleep every morning (if He didn’t you would be dead), gives you food, shelter, clothing, work, entertainment, beauty etc. You DO use all this in your daily life don’t you?
How often during the day do you ask for His help, advice, or submit to His guidance for your thoughts and actions? Yeah… sobering isn’t it? He is FAITHFUL to keep up His part of the bargain even though you may be in a phase of active disobedience, or be ignoring Him altogether! He continues to draw you to himself though the sin in you fights that process tooth and nail.
You CAN ask God to help you with EVERYTHING---we waste so much time and effort by not involving Him in everything right from the beginning! If we are stuck, we can pray for that too! Forgetting that you have an INFINITELY powerful helper is a habit you have to learn to break -- and another thing to take away from this post --- ASK GOD FOR HELP WITH EVERY LITTLE THING, BECAUSE NOTHING IS BIG WHEN IT COMES TO GOD!
YOU CAN NOT DO LIFE WITHOUT GODS HELP. And that help only comes if He knows YOU, individually, personally, and in a covenant relationship with His grace.
3. You are commanded to Love God, Man, and tend His Creation>
Completely consistent with His character, God now asks you to love your fellow man in turn, just as He does.
That means ‘Caring’ about people. The opposite thing to this is Apathy.
Apathy doesn’t give a hoot if your neighbors house is burning down, or if he/she is sick etc. What’s that to do with me? I am focused on my stuff, with no time for others, because nobody has time for me either. If I don’t take care of my business, it’s not going to get taken care of…. Sound familiar (millennials I am talking to you) ?
So now, can a mega-church or a country-club church truly individually and personally care for people? Does your church have a pastor or deacons come give you communion when you are sick, have friends who come around you when you have troubles, and people that minister to you for your spiritual and physical needs?
A lot of people do not, because this has started not being a priority for churches anymore…however, in God's plan, the ORIGINAL design for the church was for members to bear EACH OTHERS BURDENS. That WAS the original design. In the book of Acts, all the new disciples pooled their wealth, and gave to everyone, as they had need. They worshipped in their houses, and ---GOD--- did great miracles and signs amongst them.
Why has this disappeared from our churches? Why have we replaced caring for people with singing/”worshipping”, doing “ministry”, nodding sagely at the weekly sermon ? Is all we can hope for – “We are praying for you brother/sister”…. when go to the church with a problem? Are there no people who will come out to help? Its why the Tabernacle has always maintained that we need to build home fellowships that enable members to PRACTICALLY grow and love each other!
Which brings us to our text …. A strange one to begin this topic of relationships but you will see why we picked it…………………
1. The context: Christ is giving advice on people how to do “religion”! “, and He makes a remarkable statement that would be overlooked if you don’t pay attention.
In a nutshell, His advice is : Do what the priests tell you, but DON’T copy their lifestyle and actions! Ha... it would be funny if it wasn't so sad.
The Pharisees and Scribes spent time with the Law to know it -intimately- from an -intellectual- perspective, which is why they were qualified to teach it. However, they --completely--- missed the spiritual/practical application bit. It’s why their walk and talk were not the same (and their walk was not recommended by Christ) – AND it’s typical of most Christians.
We can talk a GREAT game about love or theology, but when it actually comes to doing………………….. OUCH!!!! The only comfort we can take is that if this was true of religious folk in Jesus’ day, how much more so true today? It is why Christians are rightfully accused of hypocrisy by non-Christians!!! Now you know why – we talk more about loving people rather than simply doing it!
So what do you think Christ thought was more important?
Easy - care more! Its why He healed on the Sabbath, forgave an adulterous woman, forgave sins, healed people, taught them! His WHOLE LIFE was one big LOVE STORY!
2. We close with a last bit of application from our text. Christ tells the people – don’t call anyone on earth Rabbi/Father/Teacher/Teachers etc…. you have One Father, One Teacher etc. and YOU ARE ALL BRETHREN. Now, this was said to point out the issues with the Scribes/Pharisees, but there is a broader application.
This is the RELATIONSHIP aspect. This earthly life and process brings us into contact with our parents, friends, co-workers etc. – but the real relationship is the one God wants with YOU! He wants to Love you with the same Love that He loves the other Persons of the Trinity. Its why He wants to be UNITED with you in Spirit and Body - not just that - He wants to make you a CO-HEIR with Him of Everything!!!! Wowsa.....
And because it’s the same for all saved, we are ALL BROTHERS/SISTERS of CHRIST/GOD! That was His design from the get go, and loving others is what we are sent on this planet to learn!!!!
And that’s the practical application for Christian living….. START TO CARE ABOUT THE PEOPLE AND THINGS IN YOUR LIFE! You probably do for some subset, but the challenge is to love more. And its not hard, won’t drastically remove you from your comfort zone – but it will set you on the path to wholeness.
Doing things for other people at our expense……… what a concept! Imagine if everyone did this………. So, start caring today…………………………
Hallelujah!