Doers of the Word    (May 9, 2010)

SERMON:  Romans 14:19 - 15: 7 ("Not to please ourselves").  We also hear about and pray for a new home repair ministry being spearheaded by Mike Powell under our deacons.

SUGGESTED FAMILY DEVOTIONAL TEXT:  Psalm 69

ADULT CLASSES, 9:30am:  Last week of Spring Session.  Be sure to sign up for one of our two Adult Class offerings beginning next Sunday, May 16th:  NT Survey taught by Brian Sanders or Minor Prophets taught by Carvel Holton.  

HYMNS:  ~ Of the Father's Love Begotten (Trinity 162)
                  ~ Blest Be the Tie that Binds (Trinity 359)

SONGS:  come and find out!

DEVOTIONAL:  Doers of the Word

We continue along in Romans 14 and 15, and discover that Paul's main concern in defending Christian liberty is to promote a selfless love which maintains unity within the Church despite our many differences.  We have an opportunity to see that church unity displayed this week as one of our members will volunteer his time and gifts to help those in need across our church.  And more than that, to help those we know outside the church as a practical demonstration of Christian love.  You will hear more about it this Sunday.

But what I want to point out is that this is right in keeping with one of our main goals this year as a church which is to increase our works of mercy as a necessary fruit of the Gospel's work in our lives.  How can we not show mercy to others when God has shown so much mercy to us?   It is what James says in his letter, when he writes, "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father is this:  to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world" (1:27).  We need to keep looking and praying for opportunities to care for the needy in their affliction, that they might see Christ's love in us, and perhaps have their hearts softened to the Gospel.

But it starts in the Church, in the way we love one another, across cultural and generational divides.  We need to be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, again, as James says (1:22).  And so one might rightly ask a question of me:   why is it that I don't give more practical pointers from the pulpit?   Why is it that I don't give the congregation a list of suggestions each week of how to apply mercy or how to raise their children or how to specifically share the Gospel with a co-worker (you know:  bring a tract, take him or her to lunch, make sure you have good breath, etc.).

The reason comes from my conviction about what the Pulpit is meant to do.  All those items above are fine to consider, but are more fitting for a small group or Sunday School class where there can be give and take -- and room allowed for Christian Liberty in the specifics.  And in fact, we may offer a Sunday Evening sermon discussion this Fall when we do just that.

But the Pulpit is different.  The Pulpit is where we see Christ -- or ought to.  In this regard, it is no different than the Lord's Supper.  One does not partake the bread and the wine in order to gain some practical list of things to do or not to do.  One partakes of the elements in order to partake of Christ Himself.  To have more of Christ, by faith.    And then, by His Spirit, He gives us strength and guidance through the week to work out the specifics.

So it is with the Sermon.   The Sermon expounds God's Word so that we see Christ therein.   And grasping onto Christ by faith through hearing, we then open ourselves up to the Spirit's work to apply the Word to our lives.   We will then become authentic doers and not hearers only.  

But if we skip that central step -- of seeing Christ -- and I simply give you a list of things to do to show mercy or to be a "good Christian" throughout the week, you might do it, but it very well may be done in your own flesh and not by Christ within you.   And that profits nothing.  That is my fear.  That and because I don't really know how to apply things specifically to any given person without long sessions of first listening and getting to know your particular situation.  But that is called counsel and discipleship, not preaching.   When we preach, we preach Christ.   From that, the Spirit brings forth application.

So, yes, we must be Doers of the Word, and not hearers only.  We must love one another and show mercy to our neighbors.  So jump right onto this new ministry we are introducing Sunday.  That and many others.   Let our hands show forth the faith we confess.  But do so in the context of the Christian Liberty Paul defends -- that we are each free to choose the good God calls us to do.  It is not the preacher who has prepared beforehand the good works for each of you to walk in, but God Himself.  You are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do those good works (Eph 2:10).  So drink of Christ this Sunday, and then go find those works God has prepared you to do.  See you then!  ~ Pastor H