Christ Church Troy Exhortation

“Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility.”

Proverbs 18:12

The entire book of Proverbs is a book written to give instruction, to impart wisdom.  The first nine chapters are written with a strong personal connection between the teacher and the student…my son, listen to your father’s instruction.  And, as you go through these chapters, the son is reminded time and again to listen and follow the instructions.  

But can we hear without listening?  Yes, we know how easy it is to nod our heads without any intention of heeding the advice.  That is, putting the advice into practice.  But, what is it that causes this break in communication or readiness to ignore what we are being advised?  

At the most basic level, we could say that we think we are right in whatever path we are pursuing and the advice we are being given is wrong.  Would you agree that we could describe this as being ‘self-right’?  If you do, you would have to agree that in this case you could be described as self-righteous!  

It doesn’t sound as good when we call it by this name.  But, if we are honest, we always act on the basis of thinking that what we are doing at the moment is the right thing to do.  The only problem is who is defining what is right at that moment.  In the case of the Pharisee and the tax collector praying  together in the temple in Luke 18, we hear in their prayers that the Pharisee is confident that he has done everything right.  The tax collector, on the other hand, is beating his chest honestly about the fact that much of what he has been doing may have been right in his own eyes at the moment, but these things were clearly wrong in the sight of God — and he is coming clean with them.  

The commendation from Jesus for the tax collector is that he was humble before the Lord.  And, this humility is the link between wisdom offered and wisdom received.  If we have a humble spirit, we are looking for the right definer of truth outside ourselves.  We are not self-righteous but God-righteous.  Without this heart attitude all the wisdom in the world is useless.  

Finally, we can be reminded that humility is commanded (necessary) to be applied toward God’s representatives:  parents, elders, leaders.  This is not to say that God’s representatives can’t be in error, but our going in attitude must be respectful in our judgement with a heart of thankfulness for them that will guard us against self presumption.

This reminds of our our need to confess our sins, so let’s prepare our hearts by singing.

Matt Meyer – June 2, 2024

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“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.“

Titus 2:11-14

Now, there are several sermons in this short text, but I want to highlight just one command — to live soberly.  This word is not too common in our modern lexicon but it expected of Christians.  We recognize its opposite in drunkenness, but what does “to live soberly” mean or look like?  Some translations use terms like discretely, temperate/moderate, or sound mind.  A close cousin is self-controlled, which we know from Galatians 5:23 is a fruit of the Spirit.  

In his recent book on Leadership, Joe Rigney describes sober-mindedness as a combination of three elements:  clarity of mind, stability of soul and a readiness to act based on the first two.  Applying this directly to men, consider it this way.  When we are confronted with challenging circumstances or relationships, we must be in control of our passions.  We can’t let other people’s sin or hardships cause our passions and emotions to get out of control.  We can’t respond with anger, envy, bitterness, self-pity or indulgence.  

As the start of this section states, “the grace of God has appeared to us.”  And that same Grace empowered us with His Spirit of self control.  In the midst of the storm or facing a snarky comment from our wife, a criticism from a co-worker, that ‘look’ from our kids, that unexpected bill, that news of an illness or whatever, we are called to remain sober-minded.  And, in that soberness, we need to see with clear eyes what is really going on.  

If we don’t know, we need to investigate, ask questions, ponder, self evaluate ask for help, and ask for wisdom (James1).  Then, when we understand what is at hand, we will be able to measure this against God’s Word and act.  Sometimes it will be to comfort the weak.  Other times, a strong exhortation may be in order.  Or, you may have identified a wolf in your midst and have to take more extreme measures to confront and remove the danger.

In each of these situations, you likely will face real blow back from your decision and taken actions.  But, God made you men, revealed His Grace and gave you His Spirit.  So, act like men.

Matt Meyer – April 14, 2024

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“And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.  But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?  For even sinners love those who love them.  And, if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you?  For even sinners do the same.  And, if you lend to those whom whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you?  For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back.  But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will sons of the Most High.  For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.  Therefore, be merciful, just as you Father also is merciful.“

Luke 6:31-36

In this passage, we have Jesus giving us the golden rule — do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  This isn’t just golden (the best rule) but also one of the most practical, as we all, even as young children, have a pretty good idea about how we would like to be treated without having to be taught.  In other words, we have a perfect idea of what Jesus is expecting of us here.

But note that Jesus didn’t give this rule to everyone.  Rather, He specifically directs it toward us as believers or His followers.  How do we know?  He gives us the contrast to those He calls ‘sinners’.    And, to give this rule some real bite, it comes in the context of loving our enemies.  Jesus explains, even sinners know how to love those who treat them well.  So, the application here is to everyone — even our enemies or perhaps most specifically our enemies.  

Given our rocky start as a church with some in the Troy community, it is helpful to remind ourselves of this command.  And, it is important to see that it is based on our imitation of the nature of our God.  God is merciful, therefore as His children, we must imitate Him and be merciful as well.  When we are treated poorly, called names or the victims of legal warfare, we are commanded to rejoice and bless our enemies just like our Father in Heaven.  But, let’s not stop here.  

In one sense we may find it easy to love our more pugnacious Troy neighbors because their criticisms are light and mostly infrequent.  However, we should also remind ourselves that this command applies equally to those closest to us:  our wife or husband, child or parent, sibling or cousin, friend or classmate.  From these people we EXPECT much, much more than than from our enemies and so we are more likely or at least more often to not treat them as we would be treated.  This is sin.  Be aware of how you are treating those closest to you.

Matt Meyer – March 10, 2024

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Matthew 5:43-48

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.  For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?  And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?  Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Two weeks ago, I spoke of God’s command for us to imitate Jesus.  Here Jesus exhorts us to act a  certain way that we may be recognized as “sons of your Father in heaven”.  And what does God want us to imitate in His character?  Mercy.

While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  God forgives us for everything, shouldn’t we do the same when we are sinned against?  God does more than just forgive, he sends rain on the unjust without them asking or understanding where it came from.  Rain equals food and blessing.  So, God continue to pour out blessings despite their wickedness.  

The conclusion is that we are to be perfect just like our Father in heaven is perfect.  I don’t believe that we are or will be perfect as God but rather that we are to wholeheartedly imitate Him.  And that perfect imitation is deeply connected to showing mercy and forgiveness to those who sin against us.  This is why Luke recorded this perfection as mercy.  Luke 6:36. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Following the Lord’s prayer, we are given this awful promise:  Matthew 6:14-15 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Therefore, we need to carefully consider our hearts.  Are we harboring unforgiveness toward anyone.  Are we desiring revenge for the wrongs done to us?

Matt Meyer – January 14, 2024

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