Sermon: The Package
by Chris Cumming
As you read your Bibles, what is one of the hardest things about being
a firstfruit? Well, if you do a bit of, “line upon line and precept upon
precept [Isaiah 28:10, 13], you will find that virtually every true
Christian is going to encounter fiery trials, infirmities, reproaches,
persecutions, necessities, distresses, tribulations and temptations.
Notice:
Fiery trials: intense encounters or struggles; bursts of anger,
grief, or lust
1 Peter 4:12
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as
though some strange thing happened unto you.
Infirmities: physical limitations and illnesses
Reproaches: ridicule and rejection because of your faith or holiness
Persecutions: harassment and oppression due to religious convictions
Necessities: wear and care of daily responsibilities
Distresses: disappointments and deep hurts
2 Corinthians 12:10
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in
persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I
strong.
Tribulations: unusual pressures and challenges
Acts 14:22
Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the
faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Temptations: opportunities to yield to
our sinful nature
James 1:12
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall
receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
I have a procedure for you for handling every one of these situations. Listen
carefully, as I obtained this procedure from the Word of God.
Three-Step Procedure for
dealing with trials
1] take the event in all its physical, mental, emotional and spiritual elements,
put them into a box and wrap it up in plain brown paper. Tie up the bundle in
string.
2] never attempt to look upon those elements again.
3] place this package at the throne of God.
The purpose of my sermon today is to encourage all of us to wrap up our trials
and tribulations in plain brown paper.
Give the package to God.
The Benefits of Brown Paper Packages
1] you take ownership of the trial.
2] you contain the trial in the limited space of the box.
3] the brown paper wrapping puts the trials out of sight and ultimately the
mind.
4] the string secures the box and the paper.
5] you have something tangible to put before God. Giving it to God is an
absolute action step.
6] you can now claim specific promises of God regarding all trials.
7] you have opportunity to add to your spiritual character by the power of God,
the Holy Spirit.
I told you I got this 3-step procedure from the Word of God. Let us see it in
scripture. In James 1 I read, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation.”
Notice 1 Corinthians 10.
1 Corinthians 10:13
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is
faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will
with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
God is giving us much here:
1] God is faithful. He is always there to guide us and take away the problem.
2] He promises us that we will not suffer more than we are able.
3] He promises that we will be able to bear it.
4] He promises us a way of escape from the temptation. That is, He focuses our
eyes elsewhere.
In Acts 14 we read that we must go through much tribulation before we enter the
Kingdom and eternal life. Notice how He does this in Romans 5
Romans 5:3
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation
worketh patience.
1. God has us focus on the glory of the Godhead and not the tribulation.
2. He works it so that the tribulation becomes a tool to develop spiritual
character in us and once again forcing us to view something other than the
tribulation itself. God provides the plain brown paper.
Start looking up
I have a concern that when firstfruits enter trial and tribulation they
sometimes put their focus on the problem and not God. If we are focused on the
problem, just when are we going to put that problem into a box and cover it with
string and plain brown paper?
Giving the package to God is pure indication that we are looking on God much
more than the trial. It means that we are not putting total focus on the
details of the trial.
Put your focus on the Will of God
When you go to God in prayer, especially when the topic is your trials and
tribulations, you are free to ask Him anything you wish. Be as specific as you
wish. Having said this, all things are done according to God’s will.
Ephesians 1:11
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to
the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
If God does everything after the counsel of His own will, including answering
all prayer, we should go to the throne of God with focus on that will. Can we
know how His will works? I just gave you Ephesians 1:11; go back to verse 8:
Ephesians 1:8-9
8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good
pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Notice the commentary on "the mystery of his will."
Having made known to us the mystery of his will - The word “mystery” means
literally something into which one must be “initiated” before it is fully known
(the word means, "to instruct"); and then anything which is concealed or
hidden. We commonly use the word to denote that which is above our comprehension
or unintelligible. But this is never the meaning of the word in the New
Testament. It means there some doctrine or fact which has been concealed, or
which has not before been fully revealed, or which has been set forth only by
figures and symbols. When the doctrine is made known, it may be as clear and
plain as any other. ~Barnes Notes
Note: God, in everything He does with us, is instructing us in His
will. He will deal with every fiery trial, infirmity and necessity we have by
His will. The more instruction we receive on this, the more we will be going to
the throne of God looking up to and seeking His will rather than putting our
focus on the situation. This is another reason why we wrap the package in plain
brown paper.
Let's look at scriptures that speak to trials and tribulations and the
encouragements to use plain brown paper.
2 Timothy 1:8 [see
Lesson]
Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his
prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the
power of God;
Notice the commentary on the last phrase, "according to the power of God."
According to the power of God - That is, according to the power which God gives
to those who are afflicted on account of the gospel. The apostle evidently
supposes that they who were subjected to trials on account of the gospel, might
look for divine strength to uphold them, and asks him to endure those trials,
relying on that strength, and not on his own. ~Barnes Notes
Note: We never rely on our own strength, thoughts or inclinations in our
tribulations. We look to God and His power. Notice that phrase again in this
commentary, “look for divine strength.” If one is looking for divine strength,
he or she is not putting all their focus on the problem.
Let us go to our elder brother, Jesus Christ and witness again how He told God
about His situation and then put all His focus on God the Father's will.
Jesus is in a terrible trial of death and He bows to the will of God. He gives
it all to God.
Matthew 26:39
And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my
Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I
will, but as thou wilt.
Matthew 26:42
He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup
may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
Mark 14:36
And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup
from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.
Luke 22:42
Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my
will, but thine, be done.
Note: Jesus was clear in stating His emotions but He constantly puts all
things into God's Hands and His will.
I now want to look at scriptures that show God working with us to do things
according to His will
Psalm 138:8
The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for
ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.
That last phrase is speaking to firstfruits imploring God to never forsake the
work He is doing with us.
Hebrews 13:21
Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is
wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and
ever. Amen.
Note: God clearly wants us to do and think everything according to His
will.
Psalm 16:7
I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in
the night seasons.
Notice the commentary on this verse:
The Lord - Hath inspired that wisdom into me, by which I have chosen the Lord
for my portion, and am so fully satisfied with him.
Reins - My inward thoughts and affections, being inspired and moved by the holy
spirit. Instruct - Direct me how to please God, and put my whole trust in him.
Night seasons - Even when others are asleep, my mind is working upon God, and
improving the silence and solitude of holy meditations. ~John Wesley Notes
Related to this verse is Proverbs 8:14. In Proverbs 8, we find Wisdom talking.
Proverbs 8:14
Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
Notice the commentary.
Counsel is mine - Direction how to act in all circumstances and on all occasions
must come from wisdom: the foolish man can give no counsel, cannot show another
how he is to act in the various changes and chances [situations/opportunities]
of life. The wise man alone can give this counsel; and he can give it only as
continually receiving instruction from God: for this Divine wisdom can say,
Tushiyah, substance, reality, essence, all belong to me: I am the Fountain
whence all are derived. Man may be wise, and good, and prudent, and ingenious;
but these he derives from me, and they are dependently in him. But in me all
these are independently and essentially inherent. ~Adam Clarke
And sound wisdom - this means essence, substance, reality; the source and
substance of good. ~Adam Clarke
I have strength - Speaking still of wisdom as communicating rays of its light to
man, it enables him to bring every thing to his aid; to construct machines by
which one man can do the work of hundreds. From it comes all mathematical
learning, all mechanical knowledge; from it originally came the inclined plane,
the wedge, the screw, the pulley, in all its multiplications; and the lever, in
all its combinations and varieties, came from this wisdom. And as all these can
produce prodigies of power, far surpassing all kinds of animal energy, and all
the effects of the utmost efforts of muscular force; hence the maxim of Lord
Bacon, “Knowledge is power,” built on the maxim of the tushiyah itself; Mine Is
Strength. ~Adam Clarke
Note: so in wisdom is counsel, sound wisdom and strength to get us
through all our distresses and tribulations.
Philippians 2:13
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Note: This verse is stating that via the power of the Holy Spirit, God is
working with the converted person to acclimate to His will and therefore, do His
good pleasure. Notice the commentary:
Both to will and to do of his good pleasure - God works in converted men a will
to that which is spiritually good. ~John Gill
Where to Direct Your Eyes
God wants our eyes on Him and seeking His will. Let us look at scripture that
speaks to this.
Proverbs 4:25
Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
Let thine eyes look right on - To the path of truth and holiness, without
turning or looking to the right hand or left, as it is afterwards expressed; to
the word of truth, as the rule to walk by; to Christ, the author and finisher of
faith, from whom all grace, and the supplies of it, are to be had; and to the
mark, for the prize of the high calling of God. ~John Gill
And thine eyelids look straight before thee - to the precepts of the word, to
observe them; to the promises of it for encouragement; to the examples of
the saints gone before, as motives to excite diligence, and to exercise
patience, faith, and hope; to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal
life, and to the blessed hope laid up in [The Kingdom]. ~John Gill –
[emphasis mine]
Right on - Direct all thine actions to a right end, and keep thy mind fixed
upon that way which leads to it, and neither look or turn aside to the right
- hand or the left. ~John Wesley Notes – [emphasis mine]
Psalm 119:37
Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.
Notice the commentary:
Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity - Vain things; wicked things; things
which would be likely to lead me astray from what is real and true. Compare
Isaiah 33:15; Job 31:1. Margin, here, as in Hebrew, “make to pass.” Make my eyes
to pass rapidly from such objects, that I may not look at them, may not
contemplate them, may not dwell upon them. There is danger in looking on sin
steadily; in surveying its features; in returning to contemplate it. An ugly
object loses much of its deformity when we look often upon it; and this is a
benevolent law, lest we should be miserable when we are under a necessity of
looking on it. Sin follows this general law, and is to be avoided altogether,
even in its contemplation, if we would be safe. A man should be thankful in this
world that he has eyelids; and as he can close his eyes, so he should often do
it.
And quicken thou me in thy way - Endow me with life, energy, vigor, that I may
walk in thy way. ~Barnes Notes
Quoted verses:
Isaiah 33:15
He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain
of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth
his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil. –
[emphasis mine]
Job 31:1
I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?
– [emphasis mine]
Note: The principle here is to look upon nothing that would lead to sin
or that would detract us from God or bring us sorrow. Make a covenant with your
eyes and cover the package in plain brown paper.
Trials and tribulations do not bring peace. By wrapping them up and giving them
to God, we are edified and can therefore edify others.
Romans 14:19
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things
wherewith one may edify another.
If we focus on the trial, we are walking by sight. God encourages another way.
2 Corinthians 5:7
(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
Work spiritual processes in your life that keep fiery trials away from us.
Ephesians 4:31
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put
away from you, with all malice:
Hebrews 12:14-15
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the
Lord:
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of
bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
After you deliver your brown paper packages to God, who gets the praise?
2 Peter 3:18
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To
him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Quotes for your Meditation
"What consumes your mind controls your life."
“Don’t focus on your adversaries. Focus on God’s possibilities.”
True faith is keeping your eyes on God when the world around you is falling
apart.
“Instead of thinking about how hard the test is, we can instead focus on asking
the Lord to enlarge our understanding.”
“The more you focus on yourself, the more distracted you will be from the proper
path. The more you know Him and commune with Him, the more the Spirit [power
of God] will make you like Him. The more you are like Him, the better you
will understand His utter sufficiency for all of life’s difficulties. And that
is the only way to know real satisfaction.”
So go now and get in a good supply of plain brown paper and wrap those packages
before you give them to God.
Give those packages to God
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