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Sermon:
The Package
by Chris Cumming
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MP3
Special Music: My Favorite Things - Julie Andrews 2:29
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33o32C0ogVM
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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