Sermon Nuggets Week of May 24, 2010
Sermon Nuggets Mon May 24- Gifts
Theme- Gifts
Verses- 2 Kings 5:15-27
Gifts
Karl Rahner is quoted, "The number one cause of atheism is Christians. Those Christians who proclaim God with their mouths and deny Him with their lifestyles is what an unbelieving world finds simply unbelievable.
There has been repeatedly criticism of many Media ministers who use a high percentage of their time appealing for money. There are many people who believe many, if not most, ministers are doing what they do for money and benefits. It is easy to have the feeling that if you do not support a particular ministry that indeed you are not giving unto the Lord.
I read of an evangelist who took in 75 million dollars and showed all the property that he and his son owned. They had millions of dollars worth of assets. He claimed that all of it was received, not under false pretense, so he was entitled to do with as he pleased and how he spent his money was of no concern to his contributors.
I have reported in my blog, From Copes Computer, of the past investigation by Iowa Senator Charles Grassley into specifically six prosperity gospel ministries because of the opulent lifestyle of the ministers. The investigation is not so much how they use their money but whether there might be tax fraud. These ministers were Joyce Meyer, Benny Hinn, Gloria and Kenneth Copeland, Paula White, and Creflo Dollar.
They receive generous salaries and housing allowances and amenities as private jets, Rolls Royces, several homes they live in during the year, but claiming all is legal because they do not own them, the ministry does.
Most have turned over financial accounting to the investigators but Kenneth Copeland and Creflo Dollar refuse to cooperate and refuse to have any open files. Their tactic of stalling can buy years of court appeals while all the while they continue to plead for money on the air and have bizarre stories as to how God will bless you financially if you follow claiming and naming it principles.
Last week we looked at the healing of Namaan by God through the word that came to Elisha the prophet. This week I want to center on the gifts he wanted to give to Elisha and focus on four responses to gift giving.
The process of receiving and giving is part of our daily lives. Our hearts determine proper focus. How we look at and use money is a spiritual principle that also serves to enhance or block our growth in Christian maturity and trust.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Tues May 25, 2010
Verses -2 Kings 5: 15 Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, "Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. Please accept now a gift from your servant."
16 The prophet answered, "As surely as the LORD lives, whom I serve, I will not accept a thing." And even though Naaman urged him, he refused.
The Receiving of Grace.
We saw last week how God miraculously and marvelously healed Naaman of his disease of leprosy. As he searched for help it was found through the simple testimony of a little slave girl who shared what she knew of God and Elisha, the prophet of God.
With great wealth and influential letter he addressed the King of Israel. Elisha had the king send Namann over to him. But, instead of actually meeting Naaman, Elisha sent out his servant Gehazi to tell him to wash 7 times in the river Jordan. We talked about this important lesson in humility and submission to obedience and faith in God's word.
As Naaman came out cleansed of leprosy, he recognized this is God's work. He is the only true God.
All money, influence, power and position didn't help this man one bit. He believed and accepted the terms of the healing. He knew he didn't have many options, so at that point he acted. Now he desired to worship God, for God had graciously met him at his point of need. We've talked about his before but grace is something given that one does not deserve. The sinner did not deserve to be cleansed of sin, but by grace of God forgives. Naaman didn't deserve to be cleansed of leprosy, but he was. He received grace from God.
You cannot pay for grace or it wouldn't be grace. Naaman wanted to pay Elisha. Elisha realized Naaman needed to know that God was not impressed with our gifts. Indeed we must desire God's gifts. But his gifts are given out of love.
That is a picture of salvation of course. The cross of Jesus is a gift from above. Jesus died for your sin and mine. We are full of sin and have nothing of interest to offer God, but by grace he desires to have us respond by faith and obedience to cleanse us from all our unrighteousness. It is the grace of God to have Jesus take our pain and suffering and make us candidates for heaven. We can't pay for our salvation, we can't do enough good deeds; we cannot pass the offering plate enough to earn our way. The poorest and the most simple of people come to the cross the same way as the most wealthy and intellectual. We come recognizing God's grace and we receive it by faith.
I read an illustration- Longfellow could take a worthless sheet of paper, write a poem on it and make it worth $6,000 that's genius. Rockefellow could sign his name to a piece of paper and make that worth a million dollars. That's capital. Uncle Sam can take gold, stamp an eagle on it and make it worthy hundreds of dollars, that's money. A mechanic can take material that is worth only $5.00 and make it worth $150.00 that's skill; and an artist can take a cheap piece of canvas, and paint a picture on it and make it worth $l,000s, that's art. But God can take worthless, sinful life, wash it in the blood of Christ, put his spirit in it and make it a blessing to himself and to humanity that is salvation by grace.
Money cannot attain such a blessing; money is so limited. It cannot buy sleep, brains, beauty, healthy, happiness, and most of all it cannot buy salvation. Heaven is a free gift. God gives us himself. We must accept Him by faith.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Weds May 26
Verses: 2 Kings 5: 15,17-19,23
15 Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, "Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. Please accept now a gift from your servant."
17 "If you will not," said Naaman, "please let me, your servant, be given as much earth as a pair of mules can carry, for your servant will never again make burnt offerings and sacrifices to any other god but the LORD.
18 But may the LORD forgive your servant for this one thing: When my master enters the temple of Rimmon to bow down and he is leaning on my arm and I bow there also-- when I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the LORD forgive your servant for this."
19 "Go in peace," Elisha said. After Naaman had traveled some distance,
23 "By all means, take two talents," said Naaman. He urged Gehazi to accept them, and then tied up the two talents of silver in two bags, with two sets of clothing. He gave them to two of his servants, and they carried them ahead of Gehazi.
The Response of Gratitude
It goes without saying that Naaman was grateful to Elisha for being the instrument God used for his healing. He wanted to express his thanksgiving by given money and clothes and fine gifts to him. Is there anything wrong for accepting a fee for religious services? Is it wrong to be paid for doing the Lord's work?
God got Naaman's heart. Thanksgiving and gratitude was real. He was sincere. Part of giving is not only worship, but a heart of gratitude to the Lord and others who help in teaching and ministering.
I remind you that Elisha saw himself as only a go-between and a voice of the Lord. He didn't even go out to meet Naaman. He only gave the message that God had given to him. To Elisha Namaan was only a leper needing the grace of God. Elisha was only the servant. He got his material rewards elsewhere.
Now don't misunderstand what I'm saying. Elisha and Elijah did receive gifts from people who offered them to the Lord. We saw that in the stories of widow and Shunamite woman; so it wasn't out of character for Elisha to accept a gift. Only it is important to realize that the acts of God and man are separate. God's gifts are free.
It is my conviction that the handling of money and gifts be carefully done because of high suspicion of financial abuse in our culture. Most ministers like myself are paid a salary voted on and approved by the church members. I do not know what anyone gives. Everyone member, or non-member, can look in the financial report and know what happens with the money. The handling of money is done solely by the elected officials of the church.
I am glad for the practices such as the Billy Graham evangelistic association that have strict record keeping requirements when it comes to money. It seems to be a waste to have expensive audits by outside firms, but if it assures integrity and openness then it's worth it.
I feel that if gratitude is sincere it will show itself in wanting to give. I believe each person touched by grace should give to the Lord as a means of worship and to carry on the work. Many Bible verses talk about that clearly, but let us not confuse receiving grace for payment.
In giving his life to God Naaman did not have any more desire to worship the false idols and pagan deities. He wanted the dirt so he might have a spot in Syria on which he would be able to worship and offer sacrifice to the God of Israel. Naaman knew the Lord now and wanted to worship Him. He didn't want to even acknowledge idols, but he did have an unusual request. Naaman wanted the privilege of taking back some dirt so he could worship the Lord God Jehovah of Israel. He wanted dirt from Israel thinking that somehow that represented the soil that belonged to God. You can't believe all the artifacts that are still sold from the Holy Land making these trinkets of more value because they are from the land on which Jesus walked. He shared with Elisha the awkwardness of being with the King while the King worshiped the gods of Syria. I realize that in the world in which Naaman lived he paid respect to the King and respect to the culture of the kingdom by having to bow before the pagan God when in the presence of the King. He asked forgiveness in advance and Elisha told him to go.
Personally I am more impressed with the commitment of Shaddrach Meshach and Abendego I am more in keeping with the faith of Daniel that refuses to compromise even before kings they actions, not to mention their heart. But they had a spiritual maturity and lived as the people of God in Israel before their captivity. They would not do what Naaman requests, but weak faith saves too. Namaan did not believe in the deity, but part of his job was to stand and bow with the king in his official duties. I think new believers are in process, but so are we all. There are things I did in my early years that I would not do now. God is gracious. He knew the heart of this new believer.
God is gracious. I hope that 10 years from now I would be a stronger follower of Jesus and His spirit will work on other areas of my life because God isn't finished working with me yet. That too is exciting.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Thurs May 27
Verses -2 Kings 5:20-24 Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said to himself, "My master was too easy on Naaman, this Aramean, by not accepting from him what he brought. As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him."
21 So Gehazi hurried after Naaman. When Naaman saw him running toward him, he got down from the chariot to meet him. "Is everything all right?" he asked.
22 "Everything is all right," Gehazi answered. "My master sent me to say, 'Two young men from the company of the prophets have just come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two sets of clothing.'"
23 "By all means, take two talents," said Naaman. He urged Gehazi to accept them, and then tied up the two talents of silver in two bags, with two sets of clothing. He gave them to two of his servants, and they carried them ahead of Gehazi.
24 When Gehazi came to the hill, he took the things from the servants and put them away in the house. He sent the men away and they left.
The Reaction of Greed.
The focus today is on the greedy reaction of the servant Gehazi. He decides secretly to go to Naaman and gets something from him. He schemed, lied, stole the money, and hid it. It is almost sacrilegious to say, "As surely as the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him." He makes that sound like a vow and brings the Lord's name in his activity that is personal deception. Deceivers do that. Unfortunately, that action destroys the message that Elisha wanted to leave with Naaman.
Gehazi did wrong because it involved a serious injury to the cause of God's will. Elisha didn't want Naaman to think the blessing was related in any way to Namaan’s gift or works. He didn’t want to him to think it was because of his position, status or power. He needed to receive grace that he could not buy.
The material temptation became too much for Gehazi. It is easy to see what other people have, and desire more for yourself. It is easy to want more things.
This is true in our culture, which places so much attention on material goods and the value of being rich. Look at all sales of lottery tickets. The motivation is desire of lots of money with little investment. The more the winnings the greater number of people seek to get. Megabuck lotteries appeal to our greed. The world tells us we can have it all and do nothing to get it. It is a game. But friends it capture our desires and centers our hearts on the lust of money. I am continually fighting the personal battle of temptation of what I want and what I need. I need to ask is this how the Lord would have me spend my money? And many times, the wisdom of the world wins over contentment with what God has given to us.
Whatever we have, we think we need a little more. Our desire to get some thing is never fulfilled. Once we have purchased that great thing we thought would make us happy, soon or attention is on something else that we feel we must have. Desire is never satisfied. There is always something within that spirit of natural man that causes him to be unwholesomely competitive. We want more- a bigger house, better car, nicer neighborhood, another certificate or degree yet people are still unhappy.
In one study by Louis Harris and Associates they polled more than 5,000 children in public, private and parochial schools. They discovered that 65% of American high-school students say they would cheat on an important exam, while 53% would lie to protect a friend who vandalized school property. Unethical practices motivated by greed fill the philosophies around us.
Greed is on respecter of persons be it an unethical pastor, teacher, politician, or common thief. We see the abuse of greedy power with bankers and CEO’s of companies, not to mention the entertainment and sports field.
Psalm 37:4 is an often quoted verse "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." What prosperity gospel preachers fail to point out is the rest of this chapter is devoted to tell believers not to fret about the accumulation of things that evil people possess. The context of Psalm 37 indicates that God in his own good time will see that justice is done. "For the power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous" (v.17.
The actual desire of the godly heart is totally different than the desire of the worldly heart. Do you know what the desire of a heart is, if they delight in the Lord? The desire is more of God!! If I delight in God then I want more of God. I will want more of His will, His ways, His love, His power, His peace, and His wisdom.
Beware of how greed for worldly things captures your attention.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Fri May 28
Verses 2 Kings 5: 25 Then he went in and stood before his master Elisha. "Where have you been, Gehazi?" Elisha asked. "Your servant didn't go anywhere," Gehazi answered.
26 But Elisha said to him, "Was not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to take money, or to accept clothes, olive groves, vineyards, flocks, herds, or menservants and maidservants?
27 Naaman's leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever." Then Gehazi went from Elisha's presence and he was leprous, as white as snow.
Retaining Guilt
Elisha knew the secret the Jesus taught. We gain by giving. One who had no place to lay His head wasn't concerned for acquiring worldly wealth. He gave His life. There have been so many people who have been spiritually ruined by the pursuit of material gain.
So many want to make it rich and ignore their spirit and soul. Many are like the rich man build greater and larger barns, but he was called the fool for unexpectedly he died and had to meet the Lord. His soul was required and He was unprepared to meet God. He was living a selfish life and not a Christ centered life. God has given some people advanced warning, but for others there is no advanced warning. Jesus asks, "What does it profit a man if he gain the whole world, but lose his own soul?"
Friends, our goal in life is not to have God and have all the blessing of this world also. All we have belongs to the Lord. It is His before we came and His after we leave this world. The TV set belongs to God. Are you using it the way he wants? Your computer is His. Your children are His. Your library and magazines are God’s. Do you read what He wants you to be reading? Do you look at your gifts that way?
One problem of stealing is the failure to understand our sin is against God. It is the lack of trust on Him and the lack of understanding that He choose to give something to someone else.
The guilt we can carry is not just thinking things are ours, but the desire to accumulate without thought or appreciation of our dependency on what God provides as an outreach of His mercy and grace.
God did not give to Gehazi the money and clothing. He took it unto himself under false pretense. It does not come with the blessing of God, but the manipulation of man. He is guilty. He did not steal from Namaan. Namaan gave it as a gift. He did not steal from Elisha. Elisha knew it wasn’t his. Gehazi stole from God. He did not provide that as a blessing to Gehazi. God was robbed of His glory.
God blesses us that we might be a blessing to Him and to others. The important thing is not what we have, but how we use it.People who eat, sleep, talk and live for their possessions will die by them. "Where your treasure is there is your heart also." Someone said, "Be careful what you go after in life, chances are you'll get it--but that may be all you get."
Gehazi got what he wanted and something more. Judgment fell. He got leprosy. Gehazi believed that he could carry out his selfish plan and it would be forever kept a secret. He left God out of the reckoning. He did not take into account that the living God who had healed Naaman of his leprosy could also reveal his sin to the prophet. He that covers his sin shall not prosper, but he who forsakes his sin and confesses it, and finds forgiveness for his sin thorough Jesus Christ, shall be saved.
There are people like Gehazi who can work in the very center of religious activity but whose heart is not really for God but on gold silver, position, and fame. How many in the church lust after something that is not God's best?
There is a place we can come with our guilt and our shame. It is also at the foot of the cross. What He has to give is so far greater. It awaits you today.
Pastor Dale
