Faithfulness & Generosity, 29 September 2024
30 09 24 Filed in: Sermons | Words of Life: Jesus on the Ten Commandments
Faithfulness & Generosity—Commandments 7-8
Words of Life: Jesus on God’s Top 10
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
September 29, 2024
Exodus 20:14-15
Series Big Idea: Jesus had much to say about God’s Top Ten list.
Big Idea: Remain faithful to your spouse, if you have one, and always be generous.
Scripture Reading: Exodus 20:1-2, 14-15
We’re a few weeks into the football season now, but I often think about the late Vince Lombardi, the legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers. The Super Bowl trophy is named after him, and he said a curious thing every year at the beginning of training camp: “Gentlemen, this is a football.” (I know more of the world would disagree!)
In many ways, I feel like the Ten Commandments are that basic, that simple, that “duh!” But in a world with new gadgets and gizmos, trends, changes, and innovations, there’s nothing like going back to basics.
This is not an ordinary series on God’s Top Ten, but rather Jesus’ reflections on it. Jesus is fully God, but also fully human. He models for us how to live an exciting, abundant life that no Hollywood actor, thrill seeker, or billionaire could touch. We’ve noted in previous weeks how the Ten Commandments boil down to just two: love God and love your neighbor as yourself (which includes your enemies!). Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment.
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40)
The first four commands are about loving God. No other gods. No idols. Don’t misuse God’s name—in word or deed. Indulge in sabbath rest.
The final six are about loving others. Last week we looked at honoring parents and the murder prohibition. Today we’re looking at faithfulness and generosity. The two commands are short and simple:
Ex. 20:14 “You shall not commit adultery.
Ex. 20:15 “You shall not steal.
I want to pause for a moment and highlight one of Jesus’ greatest teachings. It is quoted by Christians and non-Christians alike. Allegedly the Golden Rule can be found in most ethical traditions in some way. God spoke in the Old Testament and said,
“ ‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD. (Leviticus 19:18)
Jesus is quoted in the book of Matthew as saying,
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12)
and in Luke simply,
Do to others as you would have them do to you. (Luke 6:31)
Paul affirms this in Galatians 5:14 and Romans 13:8-9.
The Golden Rule is so basic. It’s almost too simple, like NFL players being taught by their coach the name of the ball they use every day in their profession.
Why is it so hard to practice? In a word, pride. I want to suggest that pride is the original sin, the one that got satan kicked out of heaven, the one that was used to lure Eve and then Adam to rebel against God in the Garden of Eden, and the one which destroys relationships. Let’s be honest, we are naturally selfish creatures. You never have to teach selfishness to children! Thomas Jefferson enshrined our personal pursuit of happiness in the Declaration of Independence, and today I think it has replaced “in God we trust” as our national motto.
So when we look at these two short verses—don’t commit adultery and don’t steal—consider how you would feel if you were the victim of adultery or theft. Many of you know the feeling from experience, tragically, and I’m very sorry.
Adultery is a subject related to faithfulness, or rather unfaithfulness. Marriage was God’s design, a lifetime commitment between a man and a woman. Jesus affirmed the sacred institution when he was tested by some Pharisees—religious leaders—about divorce:
“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” (Matthew 19:4-6)
Adultery—becoming one flesh with a married person who is not your spouse—may be the greatest form of unfaithfulness, the greatest destroyer of trust, the greatest threat to a marriage, and for good reason. It violates God’s design.
I mentioned this last Sunday. God designs things perfectly and we are prone to do things “our way,” to ignore the user manual we call the Bible, to live in rebellion toward our Creator. How’s that working out for us?! Our sexuality is a beautiful gift from God to be used exclusively in the context of marriage. I once told our son it’s like fire in our fireplace. In the fireplace, fire is wonderful, warm, and useful. If it strays even a few inches, it could be destructive and even deadly.
Jesus always raised the bar on the Old Testament law, not making it easier, but making it more challenging, thus emphasizing our need for his grace, mercy, and forgiveness. In the most famous sermon in history, Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matthew 5:27-28)
Well, that knocks out most of us, if not all of us. Jesus is saying you can keep your pants on and still commit adultery! Contrary to popular opinion, intimacy is not just a physical thing, something you just do. It involves the union of two people in mind, body, and soul. This is why so-called emotional affairs are real…and become a real problem. Jesus gets at the heart, what is on the inside…and he can see what’s on the inside!
Single people, embrace your marital status. Paul said it is better not to marry (1 Corinthians 7:8). Jesus never married (contrary to some pieces of fiction!). Honor God with your body, keeping yourself pure.
Married people, be faithful. Love one another. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Serve one another. Celebrate your marriage. This does not mean endure abuse of any kind. If that’s you, get help. If your marriage is in trouble, get help. There are great resources available. Contact the church office for more information.
One more thing: if your marriage is in trouble, I want to encourage you. Our God is a god of miracles, and I’ve been witness to them. The most amazing marital miracle I saw involved very close friends of ours. The husband had lied for decades about layers of infidelity with many people including some “professionals,” if you know what I mean. The wife was devastated, trust was shattered, they had children, and they presented as the perfect family each Sunday at church. Watching the horror of adultery right in front of me was exceeded only by the miraculous healing of the marriage. True repentance—turning away from sin—occurred and today our friends are thriving together. They are wounded healers, helping others in serious marital trouble. So I have hope for your marriage, no matter how hopeless it may seem today. Your story is not over. Our God is awesome!
Finally,
“You shall not steal.” (Exodus 20:15) or to quote The Street Bible
“You won’t thieve, nick, life, blag, fleece, half-inch, swipe or get sticky-fingered.” (Exodus 20:15, The Street Bible)”
Have you ever had something stolen? How did it make you feel? Violated. Insecure. Fearful. Angry.
I love sports. I’m too slow to be very good in playing them, but I follow several and trading cards peaked my interest in several, including baseball. As a kid, I would bring cards to school and trade with friends during recess. One day I discovered the cards I put in my tote tray had been stolen. I was upset, and knew who did it. He was a neighbor and when I visited his house, I saw my cards in his collection! I told the teacher and she gave me some of the worst advice I have every received:
“Why don’t you mark your cards with a dot or something to identify them as yours?”
Do you know how many valuable cards I destroyed with a ballpoint pen? A double loss for me!
There are, of course, many ways to steal, to cheat someone materially. One of my late father’s favorite painters, Norman Rockwell, depicted two people trying to get what did not belong to them. Stealing may involves robbing a bank, cheating on taxes, or a host of other things.
The opposite of stealing is…generosity. Every good thing we have is a gift from God. We are merely stewards…of our health, our wealth, our education, our freedom, our relationships, our stuff. Do you have possessions or do your possessions have you?
Jesus said,
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. (Matthew 6:24)
It seems we always want more, and many are willing to steal to get more, whether it’s robbing a bank, hacking an account, or simply shoplifting a pack of gum.
The secret to destroying the money monster that says you need more is to simply be generous. Here’s Jesus on generosity:
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38)
I can tell you from experience it really is more blessed to give than to receive…or steal! My favorite monthly payment is not to the credit card company or the electric company, it’s to College First Church of God! This isn’t a pitch for money, but an invitation to invest, to declare war on the money monster that says you don’t have enough when God owns it all!
So What?
Love God. Love your neighbor as yourself. Remain faithful to your spouse, if you have one, and always and be generous. Doing so will bring joy and contentment to you…and glory to God.
Words of Life: Jesus on God’s Top 10
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
September 29, 2024
Exodus 20:14-15
Series Big Idea: Jesus had much to say about God’s Top Ten list.
Big Idea: Remain faithful to your spouse, if you have one, and always be generous.
Scripture Reading: Exodus 20:1-2, 14-15
We’re a few weeks into the football season now, but I often think about the late Vince Lombardi, the legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers. The Super Bowl trophy is named after him, and he said a curious thing every year at the beginning of training camp: “Gentlemen, this is a football.” (I know more of the world would disagree!)
In many ways, I feel like the Ten Commandments are that basic, that simple, that “duh!” But in a world with new gadgets and gizmos, trends, changes, and innovations, there’s nothing like going back to basics.
This is not an ordinary series on God’s Top Ten, but rather Jesus’ reflections on it. Jesus is fully God, but also fully human. He models for us how to live an exciting, abundant life that no Hollywood actor, thrill seeker, or billionaire could touch. We’ve noted in previous weeks how the Ten Commandments boil down to just two: love God and love your neighbor as yourself (which includes your enemies!). Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment.
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40)
The first four commands are about loving God. No other gods. No idols. Don’t misuse God’s name—in word or deed. Indulge in sabbath rest.
The final six are about loving others. Last week we looked at honoring parents and the murder prohibition. Today we’re looking at faithfulness and generosity. The two commands are short and simple:
Ex. 20:14 “You shall not commit adultery.
Ex. 20:15 “You shall not steal.
I want to pause for a moment and highlight one of Jesus’ greatest teachings. It is quoted by Christians and non-Christians alike. Allegedly the Golden Rule can be found in most ethical traditions in some way. God spoke in the Old Testament and said,
“ ‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD. (Leviticus 19:18)
Jesus is quoted in the book of Matthew as saying,
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12)
and in Luke simply,
Do to others as you would have them do to you. (Luke 6:31)
Paul affirms this in Galatians 5:14 and Romans 13:8-9.
The Golden Rule is so basic. It’s almost too simple, like NFL players being taught by their coach the name of the ball they use every day in their profession.
Why is it so hard to practice? In a word, pride. I want to suggest that pride is the original sin, the one that got satan kicked out of heaven, the one that was used to lure Eve and then Adam to rebel against God in the Garden of Eden, and the one which destroys relationships. Let’s be honest, we are naturally selfish creatures. You never have to teach selfishness to children! Thomas Jefferson enshrined our personal pursuit of happiness in the Declaration of Independence, and today I think it has replaced “in God we trust” as our national motto.
So when we look at these two short verses—don’t commit adultery and don’t steal—consider how you would feel if you were the victim of adultery or theft. Many of you know the feeling from experience, tragically, and I’m very sorry.
Adultery is a subject related to faithfulness, or rather unfaithfulness. Marriage was God’s design, a lifetime commitment between a man and a woman. Jesus affirmed the sacred institution when he was tested by some Pharisees—religious leaders—about divorce:
“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” (Matthew 19:4-6)
Adultery—becoming one flesh with a married person who is not your spouse—may be the greatest form of unfaithfulness, the greatest destroyer of trust, the greatest threat to a marriage, and for good reason. It violates God’s design.
I mentioned this last Sunday. God designs things perfectly and we are prone to do things “our way,” to ignore the user manual we call the Bible, to live in rebellion toward our Creator. How’s that working out for us?! Our sexuality is a beautiful gift from God to be used exclusively in the context of marriage. I once told our son it’s like fire in our fireplace. In the fireplace, fire is wonderful, warm, and useful. If it strays even a few inches, it could be destructive and even deadly.
Jesus always raised the bar on the Old Testament law, not making it easier, but making it more challenging, thus emphasizing our need for his grace, mercy, and forgiveness. In the most famous sermon in history, Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matthew 5:27-28)
Well, that knocks out most of us, if not all of us. Jesus is saying you can keep your pants on and still commit adultery! Contrary to popular opinion, intimacy is not just a physical thing, something you just do. It involves the union of two people in mind, body, and soul. This is why so-called emotional affairs are real…and become a real problem. Jesus gets at the heart, what is on the inside…and he can see what’s on the inside!
Single people, embrace your marital status. Paul said it is better not to marry (1 Corinthians 7:8). Jesus never married (contrary to some pieces of fiction!). Honor God with your body, keeping yourself pure.
Married people, be faithful. Love one another. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Serve one another. Celebrate your marriage. This does not mean endure abuse of any kind. If that’s you, get help. If your marriage is in trouble, get help. There are great resources available. Contact the church office for more information.
One more thing: if your marriage is in trouble, I want to encourage you. Our God is a god of miracles, and I’ve been witness to them. The most amazing marital miracle I saw involved very close friends of ours. The husband had lied for decades about layers of infidelity with many people including some “professionals,” if you know what I mean. The wife was devastated, trust was shattered, they had children, and they presented as the perfect family each Sunday at church. Watching the horror of adultery right in front of me was exceeded only by the miraculous healing of the marriage. True repentance—turning away from sin—occurred and today our friends are thriving together. They are wounded healers, helping others in serious marital trouble. So I have hope for your marriage, no matter how hopeless it may seem today. Your story is not over. Our God is awesome!
Finally,
“You shall not steal.” (Exodus 20:15) or to quote The Street Bible
“You won’t thieve, nick, life, blag, fleece, half-inch, swipe or get sticky-fingered.” (Exodus 20:15, The Street Bible)”
Have you ever had something stolen? How did it make you feel? Violated. Insecure. Fearful. Angry.
I love sports. I’m too slow to be very good in playing them, but I follow several and trading cards peaked my interest in several, including baseball. As a kid, I would bring cards to school and trade with friends during recess. One day I discovered the cards I put in my tote tray had been stolen. I was upset, and knew who did it. He was a neighbor and when I visited his house, I saw my cards in his collection! I told the teacher and she gave me some of the worst advice I have every received:
“Why don’t you mark your cards with a dot or something to identify them as yours?”
Do you know how many valuable cards I destroyed with a ballpoint pen? A double loss for me!
There are, of course, many ways to steal, to cheat someone materially. One of my late father’s favorite painters, Norman Rockwell, depicted two people trying to get what did not belong to them. Stealing may involves robbing a bank, cheating on taxes, or a host of other things.
The opposite of stealing is…generosity. Every good thing we have is a gift from God. We are merely stewards…of our health, our wealth, our education, our freedom, our relationships, our stuff. Do you have possessions or do your possessions have you?
Jesus said,
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. (Matthew 6:24)
It seems we always want more, and many are willing to steal to get more, whether it’s robbing a bank, hacking an account, or simply shoplifting a pack of gum.
The secret to destroying the money monster that says you need more is to simply be generous. Here’s Jesus on generosity:
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38)
I can tell you from experience it really is more blessed to give than to receive…or steal! My favorite monthly payment is not to the credit card company or the electric company, it’s to College First Church of God! This isn’t a pitch for money, but an invitation to invest, to declare war on the money monster that says you don’t have enough when God owns it all!
So What?
Love God. Love your neighbor as yourself. Remain faithful to your spouse, if you have one, and always and be generous. Doing so will bring joy and contentment to you…and glory to God.