Habits of Faith #6 - Gratitude

 “Gratitude is foundational to healthy faith!  It is the ingredient that changes everything and I believe it is the thread that should be woven through every fabric our being if we’re going to have a healthy faith.” – Ps. Garett King

“Gratitude is an offering, precious in the sight of God, and it is one that the poorest of us can make and not be poorer, but richer for having made it.” – A. W. Tozer

(Psalms 100:1-5). 

A Psalm of Thanksgiving. Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.

Gratitude is defined as the quality of being thankful.

Sonja Lyubomirsky in her book, The How of Happiness, performed a thought experiment on what determines happiness. 

Most people would think that circumstances would most likely determine happiness, but according to Lyumbomirsky, Genetics (A disposition toward happiness passed to us by our parents) accounts for 50% of what makes us happy.  Life circumstances (Outside influences on our lives) accounts or only 10% of what determines happiness. Intentional activities (Our thoughts and actions – our attitude) account for 40% of what determines happiness.

“What we believe would make a huge difference in our lives, actually, according to scientific research, makes only a small difference, while we overlook the true sources of personal happiness and well-being.” – Sonja Lyumbomirsky

By studying happy people Lyumbomirsky compiled a list of Habits consistently found in people who are considered happy:

1.        They practice gratitude

2.         They practice optimism

3.                They are physically active. 

It’s not surprising that more optimism, more gratitude and even more physical activity can lead to greater happiness.

(Romans 12:2)

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Think about this:  Our sinful nature has been passed to us by our parents.  If genetics accounts for 50% of what makes us happy.  That sinful nature is redeemed by salvation. In addition, our thoughts and actions are renewed, (made new) which accounts for 40% of our happiness.  If you do the math, this makes it possible for a committed Christian to be able to make use of 90% of what makes us happy.  So, the 10% that comes from our circumstances should be irrelevant in the eyes of a believer. So, whatever circumstances we’re going through shouldn’t affect our gratitude.  In any circumstance we have the ability to rejoice in Christ. 

“It’s not happy people who are thankful; it’s thankful people who are happy. – Janice Kaplan author, The Gratitude Diaries

The Bible commands us to rejoice in our circumstances:

(Deuteronomy 26:11)

So you shall rejoice in every good thing which the LORD your God has given to you and your house, you and the Levite and the stranger who is among you.

(Psalm 5:11)

But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You.

But that can never happen unless gratitude pervades every aspect of our lives.

(Psalm 100:4)

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

The key or the password to enter into His gates is thanksgiving (gratitude). 

Paul writes from prison, to declare to the church in Philippi 

(Philippians 4:4).  

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 

The word gratitude has all three tenses associated with it.  There’s always something to be grateful for:  Something God did; something God is doing; and something God will possibly do in the future.

Why Aren’t We More Grateful

If we know that the key to a happy life is gratitude then why aren’t we all living a life saturated with gratitude. Here are some key reasons:

1.        The Mentality of Entitlement – Seems to be the spirit of our age.  Free this, free that – It’s my right as an American.  I’m Entitled.  Pastor Alfredo Barron as he was being made an American Citizen was overwhelmed by the thought that he was about to become an American citizen and partake in freedoms that, in his words, “to which I shed not one drop of blood to gain these freedoms that are now being freely given to me.” He was grateful that he was being given this freedom and didn’t have to pay for it.  Gratitude!

The same is true of our salvation.  We didn’t shed one drop of blood for Salvation, but so many look at our salvation as an entitlement. We take it for granted. Look at the Price that was paid for it.

(Matthew 27:27-31)

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him. And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.

(Mark 15:33-37)

Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which is translated, "MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?" Some of those who stood by, when they heard that, said, "Look, He is calling for Elijah!" Then someone ran and filled a sponge full of sour wine, put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink, saying, "Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to take Him down." And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last.

Crucifixion is the most brutal form of execution created by man.  He suffered that for us!

2.       A Bad Memory About the Good Things – Sometimes we can forget the bad and remember the good, or we can forget the good and remember the bad.  It depends on your thinking.  This is why Gratitude has to be a habit, you can’t be passive with it.

God warned the Israelites about this.

(Deuteronomy 8:17-18)

then you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.' "And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

Remember the Lord your God…gives you the ability to produce wealth.  It’s not howe good a businessman you have taught yourself to be, it is God who gives you wealth!

James said every good thing comes from God. 

(James 1:17)

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

Everything we have is a gift from God but without the habit of gratitude we can forget that.

(Psalm 100:3)

Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Reminding us that He is God, we are not God.  Gratitude is an expression of your dependence on God.

Ingratitude is a sin. 

(Psalm 106:6-7)

We have sinned with our fathers, We have committed iniquity, We have done wickedly. Our fathers in Egypt did not understand Your wonders; They did not remember the multitude of Your mercies, But rebelled by the sea—the Red Sea.

What did they do wrong?  They forgot.  They forgot all that God had done to bring them out of Egypt.  They forgot that God had delivered the.  They forgot that God had mercy on them.

(Romans 1:21)

because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Iniquity flows from the thankless heart.  Ingratitude is a root of all sin.

“Sin is cosmic ingratitude.  It gives the delusion that you have the ability to conduct and hold your life together.” – Tim Keller

(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Three spiritual imperatives.  Three things that affect your attitude and reflect your concept of God.  We are commanded:

1.       Rejoice always – Can you, have you always lived this out?  The only way to rejoice always is by the grace of God.  In bad times only by His grace can we rejoice.

2.       Pray without ceasing – How do we do that in our modern world?  Prayer is the means by which we rejoice, a continual conversation with God.

3.       In Everything give thanks – In Everything?  Even the bad stuff?  If we don’t have that habit of gratitude, it’s easy for our prayer lives to become nothing buy grumbling and complaining.

The habit of gratitude guards your prayer life.  It is the thing that allows you to face the difficulties and disappointments of life.

Jonah runs from God’s calling to Nineveh.  God stops him with a storm.  The sailors throw him into the sea and fish swallows him.  While he is in the belly of the fish Jonah begins to pray.  Look at his prayer:

(Jonah 2:9) 

But I will sacrifice to You With the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD."

He is giving God thanks for deliverance while he’s still in the belly of the fish.

How could he give thanks while he’s stillin  the belly of the fish?  Because he knows that he would have drowned had God not sent the fish.  God delivered him from drowning by interceding with the fish.  So, he knows that God will deliver him from the fish also.  So, he is able to thank Him by faith.  That faith is expressed by gratitude.

Hebrews 13:15 (NKJV)
^13:15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

Good advice.  Developing an active habit of praise is essential for a committed Christian.

Habits of Faith #5 - Scripture Memory

 (Psalms 1:1-3)

Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

(Joshua 1:8-9)

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

(John 1:1-5)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

(John 1:14)

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

(Revelation 19:11-16)

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

This is the God we serve. 

In the last class we discussed the study of the Word of God; reading and meditating on the scriptures.  This class we will discuss the “Habit of Scripture Memory.”  Why is it important to memorize God’s word? When we practice this habit of scripture memory the word is embedded in our spirits.  We become ambassadors, representatives of Christ.

When we memorize the Word, we not only know God but we can live like Christ. We Can exhibit grace, mercy, love, wisdom, truth and comfort as God’s ambassadors.

Scripture memory takes effort.  It requires discipline.  It requires an understanding of the God we serve.  We serve the Living Word made flesh; that is the premise of the Word of God. 

The habits of Faith in this series are tools to open awareness of God’s presence in our life so we can become more like Christ.

[Scriptural] memorization is fundamental to spiritual formation; the process whereby the innermost being takes on the quality and character of Jesus, Himself.  – Pastor Warner

Understanding the God of the Living Word

(John 1:1-3)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

In the beginning was the Word the Word was with God and the Word was God.…

Look at the genealogies.  Matthew goes all the way back to Abraham to show the Jewish Messiah.  Luke goes all the way back to Adam which shows the Savior of mankind.  But in this scripture, John goes all the way back to the beginning.  “In the beginning WAS the Word. It shows that Jesus isn’t a created being.  He was always there, there is no time in eternity when Jesus wasn’t.

Jesus is the Living Word, (Logos).  The Word becomes Flesh…God comes to man!  He makes the bridge to mankind. 

The Word was God, the Father was no more or no less divine than Jesus.  They were/are coequal.  This is the God of the Word. 

Jesus is the Word, the creative power.  In Genesis, when God said, “Let there be light”…when He said “Let there be animals and birds of the air…” He spoke life into existence.

The Bible is a book.  It is a physical thing, bindings, cover, and pages.  It is JUST a book.  What counts is what’s inside the book.  The words, the scriptures are the living Word.  The living Word is what counts and this is what we need to extract from the Bible.

(John 1:4-5)

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

…the darkness did not comprehend it.  Darkness has no place.

In the Word is life, and that life was the light of men.  But as we have a sinful nature that darkness dwell in us.  In darkness we can’t understand the spiritual things.  The light brings understanding.  The Word brings light and understanding.

Illustration:  As a young man I lived near some old coal mines.  We would go down into those mines, marking which way we went so we could find our way out.  When we had gone in a certain distance we would stop and turn off our flashlights.  The cave became so dark that you could feel the darkness on your face.  There was absolutely no light in that place.  I gripped my flashlight so that I wouldn’t drop it.  If it rolled away, I’d never find it and never find my way out of there.  But there is a law of light.  If you turn on a light in that darkness, the darkness is dispelled.  Darkness cannot exist when there is light.

(John 1:14)

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

He dwelt among us!  He came down from Heaven and became the tabernacle of God.  In the Old Testament the tabernacle was the place where the presence of God resides.  Now Jesus comes down and He has become the living tabernacle on the earth.

Why Should We Memorize Scripture?

Jesus memorized scripture.  In fact, He quoted 24 books of the Old Testament.  In addition to Jesus’ example, the Bible also commands us. Jesus memorized scripture to have something in a time of need.

In Matthew 4 Jesus is tempted by the Devil three times and what did He say each time? “It is written…” He quoted scripture.

1.        The Devil tells Him to turn stone into bread.  Jesus answered “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God

(Deuteronomy 8:3)

So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.

2.       The Devil says throw yourself off the temple, the angels will take care of you. Jesus answers, “You shall not tempt the Lord your God.”

(Deuteronomy 6:16)

"You shall not tempt the LORD your God as you tempted Him in Massah.

3.       The Devil takes Him up to the highest mountain and shows Him the wealth of the world, and promises them to Him if Jesus will worship him.  Jesus answered, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him alone you will worship.”

(Deuteronomy 6:13-14)

You shall fear the LORD your God and serve Him, and shall take oaths in His name. You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are all around you

In Matthew 22 the Pharisees ask Him what is the greatest commandment?  Jesus answers with, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”

(Deuteronomy 6:5)

You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

Scripture Memory:

(Proverbs 7:1-3)

 My son, keep my words, And treasure my commands within you. Keep my commands and live, And my law as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart.

Psalms 119:11 (MSG)
^119:11 I've banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won't sin myself bankrupt.

When we bank something, we deposit it for a future withdrawal.  That’s scripture memory!  We bank the Word of God, so that we can draw on it when we need it.  If we believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, why wouldn’t we spend more time digging into it and memorizing it.

Because the devil distracts, discourages, defeats and deceives us.  He understands the power of us knowing and being able to call on scripture, and wants us to remain ignorant of God’s Word, so that we may be defeated and destroyed by sin.

(2Timothy 3:16-17)

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

“That the man of God will be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

 Benefits of Memorizing Scripture

1.        They strengthen my faith and make God’s Word readily available.

You can easily take the Word of God wherever you go.  If you have scripture memorized you have the Word of God, to witness, to encourage and to strengthen yourself and others.

2.       Helps me to see things the way God see them.

When we have scripture embedded in our spirit, we can see the world the way Jesus sees the world.  We can view people in the same way God views people.

3.       Guards my mind and helps me to overcome temptation and sin. 

What do we use to overcome sin and temptation?  Intellect? Education? Willpower?  It should be the “Sword of the Spirit,” which is the Word of God.  The enemy is trying to get you to believe a lie about God and/or yourself.  Knowing the Word of God helps defeat that strategy of Satan.

4.       Provides a Biblical Framework for Christian living. 

It is a basis for living our lives in a Godly manner.

5.       It’s helpful in Evangelism.

An example is the “Roman Road.”

(Romans 3:23)

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

(Romans 5:8)

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

(Romans 6:23)

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(Romans 10:9)

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

6.       Ministering to others in a time of need.

Comforting others, helping them through hardship and difficulty.  It provides inner peace and changes our state of mind so that we can respond like Jesus.

(Philippians 4:4-5)

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

(Philippians 4:8-9)

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

“Meditate on these things…The God of Peace will be with you.” 

In these times we have so many tools to study the word of God.  Computers, all of those things that make it quick to study.  Before all of these things, study was in books.  You had to dig and search and read and take in the scripture.  It was like a fine meal, that takes time to prepare.  You can savor every flavor in the dish.  Using the computer is like a microwave meal.  It’s quick, and it’s easy.  You can get the job done, but often you miss the finer details of the food you’ve prepared. 

Memorization of the scriptures forces you to slow down and meditate on the scripture, so you can understand God’s Word and apply it to your life.  So, you can use it to help others in their timer of need. Finally, it can be a guardrail in our lives to keep us from the abyss of sin and on the narrow road.

Habits of Faith #4 - Bible Study

 2 Timothy 3:15-17 (NKJV)

^3:15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

The Bible is Amazing

Personal Bible Study cannot be stressed enough!  It’s the Bible:  It’s 66 books, 40+ authors took 1,500 years to write. The Bible is a book but it’s also a “living spirit.” Let’s look at what Paul is saying in verse 16:

¹⁶ All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,

What does he mean by that? 

(Psalm 119:97-98)

Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me.

(Psalm 119:105-106)  

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. I have sworn and confirmed That I will keep Your righteous judgments.

In Psalm 119 all of these writers are talking about The Word of God. They’re talking about the Old Testament.  Paul is talking about the Old Testament…about the law.  They weren’t talking about the New Testament, because it hadn’t been written yet.  They were meditating on the Old Testament.

(Psalm 119:103)

How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth!

(“sweeter than honey in my mouth”) There is a Jewish tradition that as children were being taught to study the Torah, a bit of honey would be spread on a page, so that they could lick it off.  This was to illustrate that the Word of God is sweeter than honey.

The Bible is a book of miracles; the Bible itself is a miracle.

In 1924, Charles Mallory, a mountaineer and early explorer of Mount Everest, was asked the question, “Why do you want to climb Everest?”  His answer was, “Because it’s there!”  The Word of God can never be exhausted.  The Word of God speaks to human nature, not just in the past but today. So, when some people are asked why they study the Bible, they will answer in the same way Mallory did…because it’s there.

The Bible is timeless! In the year 367 the Bishop of Alexandria wrote a letter to the other churches.  In that letter he mentions the 27 books of the New Testament…The reason that’s important is because those 27 books are the same 27 books we read today.  The Word of God has not changed and it can apply to life in the 21^st century as it did in the 3^rd century.

The Bible’s Foundation

(Psalm 89:14)

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face.

What is the foundation of the Bible? It’s the Old Testament; it’s the Jewish Bible.  The temple was destroyed 40 years after Jesus died.  So, the Jewish experience changed from a location (the Temple) to a religion based on words.  It went from the Temple to the synagogue, from the priests in the temple to a rabbi (teacher).  As a result, the Jews created what we recognize as modern religion, based on the written scriptures. The 24 books of the Jewish Bible (Torah) are the same as the 39 books of the Protestant Bible.  The same information but organized in a different way.  Example, the Jews have the Book of Samuel.  We have the same book but have broken it up into 2 parts, 1^st and 2^nd Samuel. 1930 years of shared canon. (Canon means reed, used to measure.  In this case the measure or study of the Old Testament.) All of this is to say That what we study to day is ancient and unchanged from those days.  God has not changed from ancient times to now.

(Malachi 3:6)

"For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.

   If God hasn’t changed it’s safe to say that His Word and His commands haven’t changed either.

The Bible IS the Word of God

All scripture is indeed God-breathed. 

(2 Timothy 3:16)

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

So Paul is talking to Timothy about the Old Testament.  Paul is saying that these Christians were living out the Old Testament as they were living IN the New. They adhere to the Old as they live in the new.

(Matthew 24:35)

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

Illustration:  I was once asked to show someone where it says in the NEW TESTAMENT that we should tithe.  Obviously, he was looking for an out to tithing.  But what did Jesus say?

(Matthew 5:17)

"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.

Basically, I didn’t come to change the law or the words of the prophets I came to fulfill them.  So, we are still subject to Old Testament commands, like tithing, or obeying the 10 commandments.

The Old Testament is the foundation as we live out the New Testament.

(2 Timothy 4:13)

Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.

He’s talking about the scriptures (the scrolls).  He’s telling Timothy that those things are important to him. He’s speaking to us as well.

It’s important to study our Bibles. It’s important to gain understanding of what the Bibles says to us in 21^st century.  The Bible is still all the things Paul said.  It’s profitable for doctrine (a proper understanding of God’s words and commands), reproof (conviction of sin), correction, and instruction in righteousness (living a Christian lifestyle.)

There is treasure hidden in the Bible. 

(Matthew 13:44). 

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

The question is what do we do with that treasure when we find it. Do we go back to it.  Do we allow that treasure to be hidden in our hearts, where we can return to it over and over?  To lock it into our lives, and become a part of who we are?  Do we use it for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness?

(John 20:22) “He breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’”

Paul said:  Amplified Version

2 Timothy 3:16 (AMP)
^3:16 Every Scripture is God-breathed…

While the Old Testament is the foundation of the Bible, the New Testaament is equally important for us to study.  In it we find the words and teachings of Jesus written by eyewitnesses of Jesus’ ministry.  The things He did, the words He spoke. (The Gospels)  The Book of Acts shows us the Christian lifestyle. In the epistles we can see applications of Jesus’ teachings, and application of Old Testament stories.  Finally, in Revelation the prophecy of the last days is revealed. 

How Can the Bible help You?

Let me show you how the Bible can help us:

 Scripture Protects us. 

 (Ephesians 6:17)

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

 The word of God is like a sword.  It is both a defensive weapon and an offensive weapon.  We can use the Word of God to protect us against the assaults of Satan:

 (Luke 4:1-4)

Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry. And the devil said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." But Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE, BUT BY EVERY WORD OF GOD.' "

So here the devil tries to tempt Jesus to put His flesh before the things of God.  Jesus tells Him that IT IS WRITTEN – man doesn’t live by bread alone BUT by every WORD of GOD!  The Word of God is the key to LIFE.

(Luke 4:5-8)

Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, "All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours." And Jesus answered and said to him, "Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND HIM ONLY YOU SHALL SERVE.' "

Now, the devil tries to tempt Him with wealth and power.  You can have everything the world has to offer if you worship me.  You can be a king and not have to suffer.  It’s a shortcut to your kingdom.  Jesus answers “IT IS WRIITEN,” and quotes the scriptures to Him.

(Luke 4:9-12)

Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. For it is written: 'HE SHALL GIVE HIS ANGELS CHARGE OVER YOU, TO KEEP YOU,' and, 'IN THEIR HANDS THEY SHALL BEAR YOU UP, LEST YOU DASH YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.' " And Jesus answered and said to him, "It has been said, 'YOU SHALL NOT TEMPT THE LORD YOUR GOD.' "

Now the devil tries to trick him by quoting scripture out of context.  He tries to get Him to sin through presumption.  I know what God will do.  That makes a situation where you are making your will God’s will.  But Jesus knows the written word of God and again uses it to defeat the temptation.  Then this happens:

(Luke 4:13)

Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.

The devil retreats from Him until He can catch Him off guard.  If you want protection from temptation and sin STUDY the Word of God.

You can defend yourself against his attacks by ruminating on the word of God.  To ruminate means to bring up and chew over again.  Like Cows do.  They eat some grass and then they bring it up again and chew it over again.  That’s called chewing their cud.  We can do that by reading our Bible in the morning and then throughout the day, meditating on what we read.  This helps us to avoid temptations.  We can also bring up verses that help us to turn back temptation.

Finally, what is the best way to study the Bible?  The best way to study is the way that you will actually do.  It’s like exercising, what’s the best workout?  My doctor tells me that the best workout for me is one that I’ll do.  He didn’t say running, or weight lifting or Pilates or whatever.  He said which one will you do?  Do that one.  It doesn’t do me any good to choose a workout method, if I won’t ever do it.

The main point is to have a regular, consistent time spent studying the word of God.  Time where you can read and ruminate on God’s Word.  Think about the meaning, apply it to your life, honestly.  (Does what I’m reading expose some sin in my life?  Does it convict me?) If so, then change according to God’s word. 

Habits of Faith #3 - Hospitality

Hospitality: (Definition)

1.       the friendly reception and treatment of guests or strangers.

2.       the quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way.

 

We often make the mistake of thinking that hospitality is a “Better Homes and Gardens” type of thing.  That everything has to be perfect; all the right place settings, the perfect ‘look’, all of that.  But is that what Biblical hospitality is?  Tonight, we’ll examine what true Biblical hospitality means.  (Hint:  It’s not about being the perfect hosts.)

1 Peter 4:7-10 (NKJV)
^4:7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. ⁸ And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins." ⁹ Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰ As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

 

The Enlarged Scope of Hospitality:

According to Jeff Christopherson, biblical hospitality flips the camera lens from a selfie to a wide-angle, pointed outward toward the lives of others, warmly inviting them into ours.”

Our focus shouldn’t be on impressing others, Biblical hospitality focuses on blessing our guests.  Everyone has struggles, disappointments and hurts.  Hospitality is an opportunity to show them the grace of Jesus; to encourage and to edify!

Hospitality means to reach out to people that are not like us.  People who we may not be comfortable with.

One obvious way of showing hospitality is to invite others to your home for a meal or Bible study. Hospitality is not limited to having people in our homes. This automatically expands our thinking about hospitality

Jesus demonstrated hospitality often but said this:

Luke 9:58

And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."

Look at how often Jesus displayed hospitality to others:

Matthew 9: 9-13

As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, "Follow Me." So he arose and followed Him. Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, "Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" When Jesus heard that, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I DESIRE MERCY AND NOT SACRIFICE.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."

Jesus said, “Follow me, we’re going to your house…”

Jesus called people to Himself through hospitality:  Zacchaeus:

Luke 19:1-7

Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house." So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner."

Jesus invited Himself to Zacchaeus’ house.  He became the guest in order to reach him. Hospitality isn’t just inviting people into our homes…it’s inviting them into our lives.

Titus 1 – the qualifications of a bishop include being hospitable.

We can show hospitality by greeting a visitor – telling them, “Hey, I’m glad you’re here today.” CHURCH HOSPITALITY

 

The Hindrances to Hospitality:

The Hindrance of the Pandemic

If we look at the hindrances to hospitality we can start with a recent one that our church experienced:  The Covid Pandemic!  Remember the CDC regulations?  (Stay at home, wear a mask, social distancing.) These things hindered fellowship, communication, and gathering in a church service.

Many of us got used to living an isolated lifestyle.  One of the devil’s strategies is to isolate us from each other and the lost.  We become comfortable in our “cocoons”.

Cocooning means to surround one’s self in a protective way.  The thought of entertaining others, venturing outside became a challenge during the pandemic.

Our text is written in the context of the last days. 

1 Peter 4:7-9

But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "LOVE WILL COVER A MULTITUDE OF SINS." Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.

We all tend to gravitate to our comfort zones.  The thought of being in the community doesn’t always appeal.  We can easily become introverted.

The Hindrance of Perfection

We sometimes think that our homes ort our lives are not where they need to be to minister to people. Hospitality isn’t about perfection – It’s about having love towards others. 

1 Peter 4:8

And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "LOVE WILL COVER A MULTITUDE OF SINS."

You don’t have to have a perfect home.  You don’t have to be perfect, God is more concerned with availability.

We become vulnerable when we invite people not only to our homes, but also into our lives.  If people get to know you, they might see you snap at your spouse, or get frustrated at another driver. 

You might be afraid that that would cause them to turn away from God, but often, it might make them say, “This person isn’t perfect, but God still uses them.  Maybe He can use me too.”

1 Peter 4:10

As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Verse 10 says we each have a gift that we can minister to others.  We all have something we can give to others.

The Hindrance of Performance

Not every venture into hospitality will go as you hoped. Here’s an example from the Bible:

Luke 7:36-39, 44-47

Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee's house, and sat down to eat. And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, "This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner…(Luke 7:44-47) Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little."

Look at the different responses to Jesus being in someone’s house: sometimes indifference or sometimes dramatic love.

Not everyone you follow up on, is going to live for God. Parable of the Sower – Some seed fell on hard ground, some stolen by bird, some multiplied 100, 60, 30 fold.

The Hindrance of Self-Preservation.

There is a risk to investing in someone.  Jesus spent three years investing in Judas, and yet Judas betrayed him for 30 pieces of silver.  At some point you will experience betrayal; how do you react? Reacting with isolation and self-protection will Cause you to miss what God is going to do next.

Maybe you hinder hospitality by the preservation of your possessions. Great story in the Bible:

Mark 2:1-5

And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you."

Here’s God working a miracle in someone but it cost somebody his roof. Can you imagine?  Verse 9 says “without grumbling…” Hospitality can include things getting broken and carpets stained.

The POTENTIAL of Hospitality

An example of the potential of hospitality: Pastor Warner and Sister Burgess.  If pastor Warner couldn’t have found a place to liver in Prescott, there may have never been the Tucson Church.

Hebrews 13:2

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.

Do not forget. 

Luke 22:15-16

Then He said to them, "With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God."

His greatest desire was to show hospitality before He died.

Acts 2:44-47

Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Hospitality played a major role in moving the Gospel forward.

Acts 16:14-15

Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay." So she persuaded us.

The Gospel opening up in Europe began with hospitality.

The Philippian jailer in Acts 16 saw the miracle of God through hospitality. Paul and Silas were thrown in prison.  Look at what happened:

 

Acts 16:26-34

Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, "Do yourself no harm, for we are all here." Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. And he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.

Showing hospitality opens up OUR lives to the miracle of God.

Look at what Jesus says in

Matt 10:40-42: 

"He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward."

Hospitality is not an option, if we are going to become a growing thriving church in the last days.