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Sermon:
Death Wish
by Chris Cumming
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MP3 MP3-2020
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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