Matthew 7:21-24 Party Crasher

Matthew 7:21-24  "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.  "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'  "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.' "Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock”. (NASB)

We’re having what could be considered a “National” meeting for the small group within the company for which I manage one commercial geography.  This year it is our turn to host the event so I chose to bring the group to California.  Last evening was the first official gathering of the group with a social welcome reception including hosted beverages and hors d'oeuvres before optional scattered dinners.  After gathering together for a bit the plan was to have our west coast business head make a few remarks

Here’s the twist … We had a crasher. 

From the time I arrived I spotted this guy with his computer backpack and clothes that weren’t quite up to “Business Casual” standards.  But, it had been a travel day and one of the other managers had asked if jeans would be okay for the evening to which I had replied they would.  So, the guy could have been legit; one of the new hires perhaps.  But who was he?  I started asking around and no one seemed to know him and no one introduced me to him.

Well, I got busy and started talking with others playing host but in the process found out this guy was supposed to be some University guy working on his doctorate at a local school.  Okay, go ahead and chit chat with a couple of our guys I thought, no big deal.  About forty five minutes into the reception though it came time for me to gather everyone up to have our business head make a few prepared remarks.   As I asked everyone on the patio to move inside, I figured the guy would move along but I was wrong; the guy slithers into the room with everyone else.  I send an emissary to nudge him out but by then I’m tinkling my glass and getting everyone’s attention.

No time

“Do I know you”? I said.  “This is a closed company meeting” and with that he gathered his backpack and moved along.

I have to tell you the experience rattled me a bit as a manager to have an interloper attempt to sit in on company business like that.  But beyond that, the situation serves to illustrate the Scripture from this passage in Matthew’s Gospel.

Our crasher had no business being at our function in the first place.  He wasn’t an employee, an invited guest etc.  He just sort of moved in and pretended to belong.  Later, others in our company and those on staff with the resort said they didn’t know he was a crasher.  But I knew.  I knew he was out of place from the moment I arrived and saw him there talking to one of our people.  I allowed him to stay and mingle, drink my drinks and eat my food.  That wasn’t a problem for me.  But when the real important time came, he was not welcomed.

Jesus says, “Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter” and again, “Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles”?  So those Jesus is talking about act just like our crasher in the Church.  They act the part; they play the church game and seem to fit in.

But they like our crasher do not fool the host.  When the important business is at hand the acute awareness that Jesus has not been taken for a fool is revealed, “I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.”

Jesus leaves us with these words regarding this parable and warning which need no further clarification from me, "Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.”  AMEN!

2 Corinthians 11:8-15 Pure Motives

2 Corinthians 11:8-15 “I robbed other churches by taking wages from them to serve you; and when I was present with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for when the brethren came from Macedonia they fully supplied my need, and in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and will continue to do so.  As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be stopped in the regions of Achaia.  Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!  But what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting.  For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.  No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.  Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds”. (NASB)

As a leader, credibility is of paramount importance.  If one loses credibility, who will follow?  This is the underlying issue for Paul as he writes to the Corinthians in this his second letter we have in Scripture.  Paul knows that the message that he has for these people cannot be compromised by their questions about him personally.  At this stage in his relationship with the church at Corinth it is especially important and he goes to the trouble of telling us why.

He starts in a rather peculiar way saying, “I robbed other churches by taking wages from them to serve you”.  So is Paul saying he was the early incarnation of Robin Hood?  No, he is using the dramatic “Robbed” to make the point that he was being supported by “Other churches” in order that he might “Support You”, the church at Corinth.  Paul in this sense was a missionary sent by these supporting churches to minister to the new church at Corinth.  Paul goes on to remind them that while he was there with them, “I was not a burden to anyone”.  In fact, when other believers from the Macedonia area came they, “Fully supplied my need” according to Paul.  The result was that, “Everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and will continue to do so”.

Why was this important?

Paul wanted to make it clear to those in Corinth when he was there ministering to them that he was not there for any reason other than that.  He had no personal gain or even the meeting of his immediate needs in mind while he was there.  The importance of this position for Paul was twofold.  First, by not taking any support much less profit from the church in Corinth Paul did establish his own credibility as one there to serve them.  No strings attached.  Second, Paul knew that others with less pure motives were in circulation and may well cross his path.  Paul wanted to be able to make the clear distinction between his motivation and theirs.

Paul is able to ask the rhetorical question about his motives, “Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!”  And Paul goes on to say that his activity will continue driving to that second purpose of drawing the distinction between his motives and others.  He says, “What I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting”.  Then he cuts to the chase, “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ”.

Wow!

And he’s not done.  Paul goes on to identify their motivation or motivator, “No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light”.  Satan is behind the actions of these false prophets who present a counterfeit gospel.  So Paul says as Satan goes so go his followers, “Therefore it is not surprising if his (Satan’s) servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness”.  Before moving on we do need to see the victory statement Paul makes in completing this section.  He reminds us that their, “End will be according to their deeds”.

But what is the point of all of this for us?  Well, as leaders in the church we need to emulate Paul as best we can especially when developing new disciples.  Our motives must be pure and they must be transparently so to those with whom we seek to have credibility.  In Paul’s case his discussion centers on financial support or the meeting of his physical needs.  He took the measure of taking that out of the equation to gain credibility with the Corinthians.  For us, there may be other steps of integrity we need to take to transparently reveal our true motivation.

The second message here is for those attempting to discern the motivations of their would be leaders.  Whether this is at the time a church is being sought or when a decision to support a ministry is being made.  What is the motivation of those who are ministering or intending to lead?  One of the requirements of eldership is to be, “Not fond of sordid gain” (Titus 1:7).  If a leader is in it to line his own pockets – WATCH OUT!

So Paul helps us to understand how to be leaders with integrity and as disciples of Christ one way to discern true motives.  Whichever position you are in leader or disciple remember both his model and his warning.  AMEN!

2 Peter 2:2-3 False Prophets will be Judged

2Peter 2:2-3  “Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep”. (NASB)

Have you ever wondered about those big cat TV preachers with their limousines, two thousand dollar suites and diamond encrusted Rolex watches?  While I’m not going to go so far as to claim they are all corrupt there have been enough scandals that we can say with certainty at least some are up to no good.  Maybe they started out in humble ministry and the fame just got away from them.  But maybe the situation is more sinister.  Regardless, you really have to wonder how flashing all that BLING brings glory to God.

In Peter’s second epistle he addresses the issue of false prophets.  That is teachers with “Another” gospel.  He smacks that kind of church leader right between the eyes with the reality that their devotion is to something else, not God.  In our verse today he says of these false prophets, “Many will follow their sensuality”.  That means that rather than resisting the desires of the flesh, they yield to them.  They yield to their sensual desires.  That may be an illicit affair of it may be over the top material wealth.  You know, BLING!

Peter says the affect they have on the gospel is damaging.  He says, “Because of them the way of the truth will be maligned”.  And that is in fact what we’ve witnessed over the years with the various high profile scandals that have brought shame to particular ministries and they have indeed “Maligned” the Church.  And the damage isn’t really confined to the TV preachers.  Look what has happened to the Catholic church with priests yielding to their sensual passions with young boys.  It’s just sick and it’s wrong and it hurts the Church.  It dishonors God and tears down rather than builds up.  Am I saying this danger is confined to famous preachers or the Catholic church?  No!  This kind of thing happens in smaller local churches too.  Maybe the reality of what has gone on is quieter but people in local communities know.  They hear things and it dishonors the Church just as the big high profile scandals do.

Well what does this false prophet tend to do?  “In their greed they will exploit you with false words”.  They’ll twist up Scripture to suit their own purposes.  Maybe they do it to justify their behavior.  Maybe it is to make themselves believe they are not in breach of their responsibilities to God and the Church.  Regardless, they are twisting words, deceiving those who rely on them for leadership and living up to the title, “False prophet”.  Notice that “Greed” can be applied to material wealth but also to immoral passions.  Their words seek to justify the unjustifiable.

The final phrase however is the warning to those contemplating such behavior and it is helpful understanding for us.  Peter reminds us that, “Their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep”.  In other words, their behavior is not surprise to God, he knew exactly how and when these false prophets would go astray from eternity past.  God in his wisdom (because I cannot fathom it) has allowed what he knew would happen to unfold bringing this tarnish to His Church.  Why?  Put it on my list of questions to ask when I see my Lord face to face one day.  I don’t know.  But we do know it is true.  God has the authority and the means to just zap them but he refrains.  Their judgment though has been also determined from eternity past and it won’t be pretty.  I don’t presume to know the punishment that awaits those sent to hell but I wonder whether there will be special punishment for those that have wreaked havoc in the Church.  Rest assured, “Their destruction is not asleep”.  That’s the final reminder that God will not forget to judge and punish this evil in the Church.

Well, what does all this mean to us?  As church leader we certainly need to be on guard against yielding to passions of the flesh.  When and if we fall into those passions our minds can become jaded and we could begin twisting Scripture just as depicted here.  A plurality of elders in a local church should work with one another to guard against this trap.  As church members we need to be in God’s Word.  We need to become familiar with the doctrine borne out of thorough study so we know the truth when we hear it.  When we know the truth, twisted Scripture will appear as a neon sign – WRONG!  WRONG! WRONG!  To clarify, I’m not talking about your “Feelings” or a “Sense” that something is wrong.  I’m talking about your own depth of knowledge of the Word at odds with what you’ve just heard taught or preached.

Now what you do next is tricky.  If you believe false teaching has been perpetrated you need to go to the pastor and ask him to clarify.  If he’s just been misunderstood that’s one thing.  It’s also not unheard of for a pastor to mis-speak.  He may have actually and unknowingly said something different than he intended.  In this case he’ll be grateful for you catching it and will hurry to make correction.  If he’s really twisting Scripture and pushes back you’ll need to take another brother – in this case I suggest an elder to privately seek to understand what he’s teaching and to point out why your study of the Word is revealing something else.  We’ll drop the process here but you can study Matthew 18 to see the entire process that should be followed.

The take home then is that there are evil leaders in a few churches but there is consolation in knowing God will deal with them.  Meanwhile we are all challenged to know God’s Word ourselves through study and meditation.  We are truly blessed to have God’s Word in written form – don’t let it just sit and collect dust on your bookshelf.  AMEN!

Romans 16:17 Watch Out for Trouble Makers

Romans 16:17 “Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them”. (NASB)

Have you been in a group that has that noisy trouble maker among them?  Have you been a part of a group that has a member that goes around behind the backs of others stirring up trouble?  This has and does happen in the local church as well.  Paul, as he wraps up his letter to the Romans addresses this problem.

We have to remember that Paul’s audience is the church members in Rome.  As he refers to them as, “Brethren” or brothers in Christ he addresses the group.  As “Brethren” they are to behave as a family of believers with unity.  A breach of this unity is what is risked if Paul’s words are not heeded.  Paul’s letter to the Romans is a very thorough treatise on the Christian faith sent because no Apostle established the church in Rome.  Rather, they came into existence as Christians migrated into Rome having learned of and accepting Christ elsewhere.

This verse is Paul’s warning then for the purpose of maintaining unity within the Church.  There is no direct indication this situation has occurred in Rome but Paul’s warning seems to be based on experience.  We know from Paul’s other writing that false teachers had risen up elsewhere so Paul feels compelled to issue this warning to those in Rome. 

He says to, “Keep your eye on…”.  By this means to watch them, scrutinize how they behave, what they say and the influence they wield.  He goes on to reveal what they are doing; “…Cause dissensions and hindrances”. 

So Paul says that the effect these people have is to cause two things.  First, “Dissensions” could be stirred up.  This would indicate that they may cause people to question the leadership of the church.  The Greek word used is dichostasia which means literally dis-union.  It can also be rendered division and sedition.  So this effect is the opposite of building unity among believers.

The second effect is referred to as “Hindrances” and these are, “Contrary to the teaching which you learned”.  The word used here is skandalon which as it sounds means scandal.  It also can be interpreted a trap, an offense, a thing that offends or a stumbling-block.  The idea then is that these people have the effect of stirring up scandals or setting up false rules that are then broken.  The key in Paul’s description is that these hindrances would be, “Contrary to the teaching which you learned”.  So Paul is saying you know the Truth – follow it rather than any new ideas from potential trouble makers. 

Paul completes his thought with, “Turn away from them”.  Clearly, these men would stir up trouble breaking down the unity of the believers and introduce false teaching contrary to what they had properly learned.

So what does all this mean to us?  As believers we each have a responsibility to read, study and learn God’s Word.  We are warned here and elsewhere that false teachers, those with an un-biblical twist will arise and in some cases infiltrate the Church itself.  We are to be on guard for these bearing a false gospel by being fully aware of the truth with the help of the Holy Spirit.  When these trouble makers are identified they are to be challenged, corrected if possible or run off.  So study God’s Word and be on guard.  AMEN!