Sermon: Death Wish
 by Chris Cumming                                     
 
Today is the day of Pentecost. Notice as I read from our doctrine on the Annual Holy Days.

Pentecost: Pentecost is the anniversary of the founding of the New Testament Church. It initiates God's plan of salvation for the world. Just as Pentecost marked the spring or first harvest, so Pentecost symbolizes the first small harvest of individuals through God's Church. In the salvation of the individual, Pentecost represents his receiving of the Holy Spirit after baptism. This Holy Spirit enables him to do what he could not do before, just as the disciples were able to go forward in spreading the gospel in a way totally impossible before the Holy Spirit came. An example is Peter's boldness in proclaiming the gospel so soon after clear cowardice when Jesus was betrayed. (A late Jewish tradition holds that ancient Israel received the law from God at Mount Sinai on Pentecost. This would make sense, since only through God's Holy Spirit can a person keep God's law in its true spiritual intent.). ~end quote

I now want to read from our doctrine on the Holy Spirit:

DOCTRINAL STATEMENT
The Holy Spirit is the essence, power, mind and spiritual extension of God. God begets Christians as His sons through this Spirit. It strengthens a Christian spiritually, converts his mind and serves as an earnest or guarantee of eternal life.

DOCTRINAL OVERVIEW
The Holy Spirit is described in the Bible as "the Spirit of God," "the Spirit of the Lord," "the Spirit of Jesus Christ," "the Spirit of truth," and "comforter" or "advocate." It is the power of God, the mind of God and the extended means by which God accomplishes His work throughout the universe. As such, the Holy Spirit is not a separate entity, it has no independent existence as an individual entity or person within the godhead.

It was through His Spirit that God created the earth (Genesis 1:2). It was through this Spirit that David received his moral strength (Psalm 51:10-13). ~end quote

Quoted verses:
Genesis 1:2
And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

Psalm 51:10-13
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

This year for the Day of Pentecost, I want to focus on a subject that seems to come up this time of year or when firstfruits contemplate the subject of the Holy Spirit.

This is a sermon about not feeling worthy.  It is a normal, natural, understandable and seemingly a perpetual feeling among firstfruits.  It is also extremely wrong.  It hinders the mind, it is counter-productive and can be destructive to the soul.

So what do these words, "worthy" and "unworthy" mean?  Are we worthy of anything on this planet?  Are we worthy of eternal life?  Is there anything God does with the concept of worthiness?  What does the Bible have to say about worthiness?

Today we are going to answer all these questions and more as I encourage all of us to eliminate feelings of unworthiness.

Eliminate feelings of unworthiness.

Let us first look at the definition of, “worth” from my dictionary:

1] Having adequate or great merit, character or value.
2] Of commendable excellence or merit; deserving.
3] A person of eminent worth, merit or position.

The opposite word is, “unworthy.”  This also from my dictionary:

1] Not worthy; lacking worth or excellence.
2] Not of adequate merit.
3] Not deserving.

A firstfruit feeling unworthy is very familiar with these second set of definitions.  What exactly is happening?

From my experience it talking with members over the years, these feelings of being unworthy are generated when the member sins, seems to be repeating the same sin over time or when they give in to a bad habit.  They suffer from feelings of guilt for any of these situations or when they feel they have entered into a backsliding situation.  Some feel they are unworthy of healing, friends, marriage or children…virtually everything or anything.

What do they usually feel they are unworthy of?  The list can be long but often includes the following:

The individual often feels unworthy of salvation, of their calling, of forgiveness, of blessings from God or His love.  They feel they have lost or are losing the Holy Spirit.

When I encounter individuals having these feelings, my dialog with them follows two lines of thought:

1] Nothing in the Bible supports firstfruits having these kinds of feelings.
2] A truly unworthy individual would never have these kinds of feelings.

Let us see what the Word of God has to say.

There was a time in which all of us were quite unworthy.
Romans 3:10-23
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
15 Their feet are swift to shed blood:
16 Destruction and misery are in their ways:
17 And the way of peace have they not known:
18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.
19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Then came your conversion and the giving of the Holy Spirit.  You became worthy.
1 John 5:19
And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

1 Peter 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Luke 12:32
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Galatians 1:4
Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

2 Timothy 1:6-7 [see Lesson]
6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Your conversion and the Holy Spirit were gifts.
Ephesians 2:5
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

James 1:16-18
16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Colossians 2:12 
Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

Philippians 1:29 
For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.

We should discuss the phrase, "but also to suffer for his sake."  Notice the commentary:

But also to suffer for his sake - Here it is represented as a privilege to suffer in the cause of the Redeemer - a declaration which may sound strange to the world. Yet this sentiment frequently occurs in the New Testament. Thus, it is said of the apostles Acts 5:41, that “they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name;” Colossians 1:24. “Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you;” 1 Peter 4:13. “But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings.  It is a privilege thus to suffer in the cause of Christ:

(1) because we then resemble the Lord Jesus, and are united with him in trials;
(2) because we have evidence that we are his, if trials come upon us in his cause;
(3) because we are engaged in a good cause, and the privilege of maintaining such a cause is worth much of suffering; and,
(4) because it will be connected with a brighter crown and more exalted honor in [the Kingdom]. ~Barnes Notes

Firstfruits are justified now. “Justified” is several steps above being worthy.
Matthew 20:28
Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Romans 3:24
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Romans 5:9
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Ephesians 1:6-7
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Ephesians 2:7-10
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Colossians 1:14
In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Now being justified, there are some things God wants you to do.

Deuteronomy 12:32
What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

Luke 4:4 [see sermon, "Ascendancy"]
And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

John 14:1
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

1 Corinthians 6:20
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Hebrews 12:14
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

1 John 2:6
He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

Matthew 6:33
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Notice the commentary on "seek ye first the kingdom of God."

But seek first the kingdom of God - Meaning either (it's both) the Gospel, and the ministration [act, work] of it; in which sense this phrase is often used, see Matthew 21:43 and which is diligently to be sought after, and into; to be constantly attended on, and to be preferred to our necessary food, to raiment, or riches, or any enjoyment of life: or else the kingdom of glory, which is prepared by God, and is his gift; for which he makes his people meet here, and will introduce them into it hereafter.  ~John Gill

Quoted verse:
Matthew 21:43
Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

Note: We see clearly that fruits [works] are imperative.  All these works done by the power of the Holy Spirit.

My preaching is almost entirely about the salvation process.  I do this under two primary headings:

1] Faith and Grace -being in the process
2] Invoking the power of the Holy Spirit in the form of fruits of the Spirit or principles of God [virtually the same thing as number 1]

Is there a passage in the Bible that speaks to this?

James 2:17-24
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

Examples of God’s servants feeling unworthy and more.

Four of God's greatest, strongest, and most faithful followers had a common desire: a death wish.

ELIJAH
Elijah was a discouraged prophet who was afraid and ran for his life and prayed that he might die. He said, "Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!" (1 Kings 19:4) He had just experienced two great victories. Often times discouragement does set in immediately after great spiritual experiences, especially those requiring physical effort or involving great emotions. Therefore, God let Elijah rest and the ravens fed him.

JOB
Job cursed the day of his birth. He said, "Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb?" (Job 3:1-2) Job never cursed God and died as his wife had suggested. Instead, he cursed the day of his birth because he felt it would have been better never to have been born than to be forsaken by God. Job was struggling emotionally, physically, and spiritually after his losses.

JEREMIAH
Jeremiah said, "Cursed be the day I was born! The day my mother bore me, let it not be blessed!" (Jeremiah 20:14) Jeremiah was weary. He had been preaching for 40 years with no visible results. He had received only persecution and sorrow. When he tried to withhold God's word, it became fire in his bones until he could not hold it back any longer.

JONAH
Jonah said, "It would be better for me to die than to live." (Jonah 4:8) Jonah had preached to Nineveh and after that city repented, he rested under a vine. When the vine withered, Jonah became angry and cried out his death wish. God ministered to him while Jonah was tired and still in a bad mood.

What did all four of these godly men have in common when they announced their death wish?

They were all TIRED . . . emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Our bodies and minds were made for rest as well as work. God rested on the seventh day. Jesus rested when He was weary. None of the four men did commit suicide because God interceded and ministered to them.

Life applications for us:

Rest your body and mind.
Rely on God to strengthen you in times of fatigue and stress.

Eliminate feelings of unworthiness.

Note:  There is one scripture that might shed some light on why a firstfruit might ever have a feeling of being unworthy:

1 Corinthians 1:26-27
26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.

Despite this fact, you are still to eliminate all feelings of unworthiness for the simple truth that God has called you, given you the Holy Spirit and taught you to do great works to confound the wise.

Now there are times you still might feel unworthy.  As I stated, this feeling is “normal, natural and understandable.”  Should any firstfruit get this feeling, read, contemplate and absorb the following:
John 14:1
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.

Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 8:16-17
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Ephesians 2: 4, 6
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

1 John 2:1
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

Eliminate feelings of unworthiness.

Let us add to these scriptures by stating it one more time: Firstfruits are justified.

God says that individuals in the salvation process are justified and sanctified by being in the salvation process and doing good works; both by the power of the Holy Spirit.  If this is true, how could any firstfruit feel unworthy?

Romans 2:13 
(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

Romans 8:30 
Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11
9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Galatians 3:24 
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Titus 3:7 
That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Note:
Doers of the law are justified.

Firstfruits are justified by the blood of Christ that made the salvation process possible.

Individuals called to the salvation process are justified and if one remains justified, they will be glorified.

God has washed you which makes you sanctified and justified.

Firstfruits keep the law which brought us to Christ, who put us into the salvation process [faith] and therefore makes us justified.

Firstfruits are justified by being in the salvation process [grace].

Firstfruits are heirs to eternal life.

Therefore how could a firstfruit ever feel spiritually unworthy?

On this important day of Pentecost that denotes the giving of the Holy Spirit, let us focus on this great gift God has given to us to make us, among many other things, bold before the throne of God.

Eliminate feelings of unworthiness.  

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