Join the Hall of Fame of Faith

 I recently noticed something in Hebrews Chapter 11 that I hadn’t noticed before.  Hebrews 11, called the “Hall of Fame of Faith,” demonstrates a progression of faith.  Our salvation is a process that we work through until we get to Heaven.  This time; our lives is the time that God is perfecting or completing us.  In Heaven we will be completed.

In this post, I want to look at Hebrews 11 and study the progression from sinner to saint, beginning with this passage:

Hebrews 11:1-3 (NKJV)
^11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ² For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. ³ By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

The Steps to Pleasing God

Hebrews 11 is about the patriarchs and matriarchs of our faith, but there’s more here than meets the eye.  Because there are examples of their faith but there is also a pattern for the perfection (or completion) of our own faith.

It’s my intention with this post that we will learn how to “obtain a good testimony” like them.  These were people who pleased God.

Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)
^11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

So, the question is this; Do you have faith that pleases God?  Let’s look at the steps to that kind of faith:

Step One – Giving

Hebrews 11:4 (NKJV)
^11:4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.

Why is giving the first step to faith?  Because our giving speaks about whether or not we have the basics of faith.  It’s about trusting God for His promises.  There are a number of promises about giving - (Malachi 3:10)   These are promises you can see - (Matthew 6:25-34)!  You can see whether God provides or not, but there are other promises that you can’t see, like salvation.  We are promised Eternal Life if we believe.  But if we don’t trust God for provision, which we can see, how can we trust Him for salvation, which we can’t see.

Giving isn’t just God’s method to provide for His church.  It’s also His method of teaching you to trust Him.

Step Two – Agreeing with God

Hebrews 11:5 (NKJV)
^11:5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "and was not found, because God had taken him"; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

Enoch pleased God.  What was it that pleased God?  His faith, but his faith was shown in his agreement with God – He walked with God (Genesis 5:22).  In order to walk with together in the same direction you have to be in agreement.  Enoch was in agreement with God and walked in His ways.  He applied God’s will to his life, so God took him.  This is a picture of the Rapture.  If we agree with Jesus and walk in His ways; if we live His will for our lives, we will be called up with Him (1 Thessalonica 4:16-17).  Are you ready to be called up into Heaven?

Step Three – Answering God’s Call

Hebrews 11:7 (NKJV)
^11:7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

God called on Noah to build an ark to preserve mankind.  God had a plan for all of mankind, man’s redemption, so he called on Noah to preserve mankind in preparation for the redeemer to come. Noah answered that call and built an ark.  In faith!  It had never rained until then (Genesis 6:5-22)!

Step Four – Following God’s Will

Hebrews 11:8 (NKJV)
^11:8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

God had a plan for Abraham’s life (Genesis 12:1-4), and he called him to leave his father’s house and his nation and follow God to a place that God would show him.  Abraham followed because of His faith.  He believed God for the promise that God had given him and followed.  God has a promise for you.  He has a plan for your life.  

Step Five – Believing God for the Promise, No Matter What

Hebrews 11:17-19 (NKJV)
^11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, ¹⁸ of whom it was said, "In Isaac your seed shall be called," ¹⁹ concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.

Not only did Abraham follow God, not sure of where He was going, he was sure of the promise.  He knew that God would deliver the promise, even if God had to do a miracle to complete it.  When he was tested, he offered up Isaac, the son that was the beginning of the promise God made to Abraham, because he was sure that God would keep His word even if He had to raise Isaac from the dead (Genesis 22:3-19).  

Hebrews 11:13 (NKJV)
^11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

All of these people had the kind of faith that pleases God.  You can see the progression.  You start by trusting God for the things you can see and progress to the kind of faith that makes God proud.  Hebrews 11:6 say “God is not ashamed to be called their God!”

Faith in Action

 James 2:20 tells us that “Faith without works is dead.”  It’s not just about believing God, it also about taking the actions of your faith.  All of these not only believed but demonstrated their faith in their actions.  I want to look at some others who acted out their faith.

Action One – Stepping Out of the World

Hebrews 11:24-27 (NKJV)
^11:24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, ²⁵ choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, ²⁶ esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. ²⁷ By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.

Moses was raised as the grandson of Pharaoh.  He was a future King of Egypt, but he gave it all up.  He stepped out of the world and into God’s will.  Egypt is the symbol of our lives before salvation, when we were still in slavery to sin and oppression.  It’s like living in the world and outside of God’s will.  Moses left all that behind to be in the will of God.

If we want to see Christ’s reward, then we also need to leave the world behind and live the life that will bring us the reward.

Action Two – Trusting God Through Trials and Afflictions

Hebrews 11:32-34 (NKJV)
^11:32 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: ³³ who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, ³⁴ quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

The Christian life isn't all peaches and cream, as my mother would say.  There are going to be trials and afflictions; there will be attacks and assaults, but this scripture tells us that God can deliver us.  God can turn assaults and attacks into victories, but there has to be a step into action; believing God and stepping out knowing that God will bring you through.  It’s not about not being afraid, it’s about facing that fear and going forward trusting in God, anyway.  How often are we paralyzed by fear in assaults and not able to move forward because of it.

Action Three – Living Out God’s Will

Hebrews 11:38-40 (NKJV)
^11:38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. ³⁹ And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, ⁴⁰ God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

The problem is that we don’t always see what God is doing.  We don’t see all that God sees, or all that He’s doing in us.  That’s why we so often complain about circumstances, instead of looking for what God might be using those circumstances to bring about in us, through our response to those circumstances.  We need to learn to trust that what God is doing is to perfect or complete us.

1 Peter 5:10 (NKJV)
^5:10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

Suffering is how God works in us.  Where is character built?  In adversity or blessing?  God is preparing us for His promise.  He has to complete us according to that promise.  If people in Heaven are just the same as in the world, then what’s the difference?  Why all the suffering and struggle to remain the same.  Th fact is that life in the world is the way we are changed and made new for life in Heaven. 

A Recap

Steps to faith!

Step 1 – Giving:

Step 2 – Agreeing with God!

Step 3 – Answering God’s call!

Step 4 – Following God’s will!

Step 5 – Believing God for the Promise!

Faith in Action!

Action 1 – Stepping out of the world!

Action 2 – Trusting God through trials and afflictions –

Action 3 – Living out God’s will!

 

Stewardship: Destroying The Spirit of Not Enough

I have never done something like this before, but I really believe that there is a spirit in our generation that’s crushing Christians.  Not just Christians, really this spirit is one of the spirits of our age and in this post, I want to expose that spirit, and I want to try to help those who are suffering in this way.

How many of you readers think your job doesn’t pay you enough?  How many of you are struggling with your finances?  How many of you are living “paycheck-to-paycheck”?  You only have enough to make it until you get paid again.  What happens when you lose your job?  What happens if someone gets really sick?  When something like that happens you face a real crisis, right?

“How are we going to make it?  There’s nothing in the bank!”“How are we going to pay the bills associated with this?”

This is where most fights take place in a marriage.  Most of our fights are around money.  You look at your financial situation and you say, “We don’t have enough!”  There’s no money for anything other than scraping by.  No money for a family trip: No money for a nice dinner out,  No money for giving (and I’m not just talking about the church.)  Financial planners will tell you that giving is the best way to move forward financially.  They will tell you to build in some room for giving.

The problem is that there’s a spirit at work in our generation.  There’s a spirit that’s choking us:  The Spirit of Not Enough!  This is the spirit that says, “You don’t make enough – You need more.”  It’s the spirit that steals your contentment – You’re constantly complaining about finances.  This spirit kills your marriage and family – Divorces often center on financial problems.  This spirit destroys our lives – You suffer depression and unhappiness.  All of this is because of the Spirit of Not Enough.  Where does this spirit come from?  Who does the Bible say steals, kills and destroys?  Today, I want to post on stewardship.

God Supplies Us

Matthew 25:14-15 (NKJV)
^25:14 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. ¹⁵ And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.

We can look at this in the following way:  First of all the scripture talks about talents.  In this case, talents are not abilities like playing the banjo or acting.  A talent is a measure of weight; approximately thirty-five kilograms (about seventy pounds).  Depending on if the talent was Gold or Silver, it had a value – It was worth something.  In 2017 dollars a talent of Silver would be worth US $14,407.00.  So these servants were given a great deal of money.

Secondly, the money was given to them according to their abilities.  It wasn’t given to them based on their need.  It was according to their ability to do what?  Juggle?  Sing?  No, it was given to them based on their ability to manage it. How do I know that?  Look at verse 19:

Matthew 25:19 (NKJV)
^25:19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

If the money was given to them based on their need, there would be no settling of accounts.  As more need came up, more would be given.  The master came and settled accounts with them.  He’s saying to them, “Let me see what you’ve done with my money.”  The money belonged to the master.  Where does your money come from?

Psalms 50:9-12 (NKJV)
^50:9 I will not take a bull from your house, Nor goats out of your folds. ¹⁰ For every beast of the forest is Mine And the cattle on a thousand hills. ¹¹ I know all the birds of the mountains, And the wild beasts of the field are Mine. ¹² "If I were hungry, I would not tell you; For the world is Mine and all its fullness.

This is God speaking and He clearly says, “The world is mine and all its fullness!”  Fullness means wealth, abundance, and prosperity.  All of the wealth in the world belongs to whom?  God!  Your money isn’t really yours – It has been entrusted to you, in the same way, that the master in the parable has entrusted his money to the servants.  It is given to you to manage!

We’re stewards of God’s money.  What is a steward?  According to Merriam-Webster Dictionaries, it is one who actively directs affairs; a manager, actively directs affairs.  Actively directing includes planning and investing:  making more out of what you have.  It’s about making sure that you have enough.

Before I started pastoring I was a businessman.  At one point in my career, I managed a transportation department for a non-profit organization.  Every year that non-profit reserved money to operate the transportation department.  They would say, “Here is your budget for the year!”  If I used it all in one month, I would be unable to operate for the next eleven months.  If I wanted to add something that pushed me over the budget, I had to “find” the money somewhere else.  So I would have to plan my expenses and revenue for the next year.  I had to plan so that what I was given would be enough.

I believe that the first key to being a good steward is to recognize that what we are given is enough.  This is about contentment.  Think about this, how much anger and bitterness do we create when we constantly think, “I don’t have enough.”?  Contentment is the first thing I mentioned that’s stolen.

It’s not wrong to look at what you have and want to make more; after all, that’s what’s expected of us.  It’s what a manager does.  He/She makes smart decisions with what he/she has in order to make it grow.  A manager doesn’t cry about being given more but puts what he already has to work for him.  A manager manages.

That means you have to have a plan – This is how I’m going to spend this money; this much to expenses and this much to invest.  A savings account is a type of investment; it pays interest.

The man gave the servants according to their abilities to plan, to invest and to manage.  If you want more, then you have to manage what you have effectively.  The servant who was given five talents had a greater ability to manage it than the servant who was given one talent.

The Wisdom of Investment

The money was given to the servants to steward; to manage.  They took what they were given and made it work.  Two of them made the money work for them, one did not.

Matthew 25:16-18 (NKJV)
^25:16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. ¹⁷ And likewise, he who had received two gained two more also. ¹⁸ But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money.

Two of them were effective in managing the money.  They used it to trade.  They increased the amount.  The other man didn’t do anything with it.  He buried it.

There’s an expectation that we’ll make wise decisions; that we’ll use the money appropriately and use it to bring an increase.

I said that planning was a big part of managing money.  One type of a plan is a budget:  This is my income – This is how much I have.  These are my expenses – This is what it takes to operate.  The money I have minus my expenses leave an amount that can be invested.  That’s a plan, “I’ll take what I have, use it to pay my expenses and to invest in the future.”  That’s planning.  We call it a budget.  I make this much.  My expenses are this much.  My investment is this much.

As I said before, I was a businessman prior to serving as a pastor.  And I’m going to reveal to you the basic tenet of a successful business.  If this were a college course it would be Business 101.  Here it is:  Increased Sales and Reduced Costs means Greater Profits.  That’s how business works; it’s really not complicated:  More money coming in and less money going out.  That’s how you make money.

Unfortunately, what happens in our lives is often the exact opposite.  We have reduced revenues and increased expenses.  Something I learned in my very first management position I have taken with me throughout life:  Expenses can be controlled.  You can use the air conditioner less often.  You can turn off the lights when you’re not in the room.  You can set up a food budget and buy only within that budget.  Here’s the biggest thing, and the most painful.  You can cut up your credit cards.  That will stop you from buying things you can’t afford.

Credit cards make it easy.  “I want it now.  I can pay for it later… at eighteen percent interest.”  Debt is what devours our paychecks.  Who does the Bible call the Devourer? 

Having a lot of debt is like burying your money.  You’re giving away to the bank what you could be investing.  Have you ever heard the phrase, “Credit Card Slave”?  The Financial Commission of Taiwan has coined this phrase, “credit card slave”.  A Credit Card Slave is a person who can only pay the minimum payment on their credit card.  You can never get out of debt that way because you’re only paying the interest and nothing on the purchases.  The problem with that is that you’re not managing the money.  The bank is managing the money – for themselves not for you.  They’re increasing their revenues, but you’re not decreasing your expenses.  You’re not being a steward.  You won't be able to give a joyful account of the money when God calls to “settle accounts.”  Remember whose money it is!

…a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them (emphasis mine.)

The money that you have is not yours – It’s God’s.

When the man called for an accounting what happened? 

Matthew 25:20-23 (NKJV)
^25:20 So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.' ²¹ His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' ²² He also who had received two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.' ²³ His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'

When the servants who made a profit presented it to the man he rewarded them, “Enter into the joy of your lord.”  They were joyful; they were happy.  Joy is found in properly managing money.  It goes back to contentment.  It goes back to good marital and family relationships.  It goes against depression.  It’s wise to properly steward the money God has given to you!

It’s a Sin to Squander God’s Money

Now look at what happens to the servant who buries the money:

Matthew 25:24-27 (NKJV)
^25:24 Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. ²⁵ And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.' ²⁶ But his lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. ²⁷ So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming, I would have received back my own with interest.
 

The man rebukes the servant – “You should have at the least given it to the bankers!  That’s the minimum investment.  You should have done something with it!”  He calls him wicked and lazy, and then:

Matthew 25:28-30 (NKJV)
^25:28 Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. ²⁹ For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. ³⁰ And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

Two things have happened here:  First, what he had was taken from him.  He lost everything.  All that had been entrusted to him was taken away.  We are expected to manage the money.  If we bury it and don’t manage it, we will not receive any more.  When we allow debt to control us we will eventually wind up losing everything:  bankruptcy; nothing for retirement.  Sometimes we even lose the family, everything is gone. 

Here’s the worst part of all of this:  where is the place of weeping and gnashing of teeth?  It’s Hell.  God considers a lack of proper stewardship to be a sin.  It’s a sin to squander God’s provision for your life.   That’s a sobering thought, isn’t it? 

That’s the first thing, but look at what else happened.  What he had was given to the one who increased by five what he was given.  If we properly manage what we are given then God is able to entrust us with more.

If you’re reading this and right now you’re in a situation like this don’t despair.  Don’t condemn yourself!  I’ve struggled in this way, myself.  The wonderful thing is you can repent.  I know that a lot of people go through this.  For insight on managing money and getting out of debt, I would recommend that watching “Dave Ramsey on 7 Baby Steps for Super Savings” on YouTube.

Crouching Sin, Hidden Dragon

We used to have a cat named “Baby.”  That’s a nice name for a cat, isn't it?  It seems like it would be a harmless little kitty.  Babies are pretty harmless, aren't they?  This cat wasn't harmless, though, he was a very fierce, effective hunter.  Birds and mice were in grave danger when they came onto our property.  That cat was a killing machine. 

I remember watching him one day, as a bird settled on our front lawn and picked at the grass.  He crouched down and edged slowly toward the bird, never taking his eyes off it.  The bird was aware of the cat.  He would look in the cat’s direction and the cat would freeze.  When the bird looked away he would begin to edge forward slowly, ever closer.

Finally, the bird realized that the cat was too close and started to fly off, but the cat leaped out of his crouch and knocked the bird from the air.  I will spare you the gruesome details of what happened next.

The problem for the bird was that he allowed the cat to get too close.  He didn't keep a safe enough distance between himself and the cat.  He didn't recognize the threat until it was too late, and that mistake was deadly.  Today I want to post on the danger of sin.

Genesis 4:1-12 (NKJV)
^4:1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, "I have acquired a man from the Lord." ² Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. ³ And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. ⁴ Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, ⁵ but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. ⁶ So the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? ⁷ If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it." ⁸ Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. ⁹ Then the Lord said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" He said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?" ¹⁰ And He said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground. ¹¹ So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. ¹² When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth."

The Danger of Sin

Often, when we know someone who is involved in sin we say something like, “Oh, he fell into sin.”  He fell, as if it was an accident, or he just somehow mysteriously wound up in that state.  The truth is that sin is never an accident.  It is always the result of choices.  Intent is necessary to make an action a sin.  The real truth is that we make a decision that leads to sin.  We don’t just fall into it.  We make a decision. That decision opens a door and sin enters into our life through that open door.

Our text tells us that sin lies at the door.  That word translated as lies, literally means crouches.  It crouches like that cat that’s ready to pounce on the bird.  It’s waiting for an opportunity. Its DESIRE is for us.  It’s exactly the picture of that cat stalking the bird.  He’s crouched down; his concentration is fully on the bird.  His desire is so intense he’s literally twitching.  That’s what God is describing to Cain in our text.  Sin crouches at the door; its desire is for you.

So sin is aggressive, it’s on the attack.  Let’s look for a moment at what makes sin dangerous. Look at the story here:

Adam and Eve have given birth and the children have grown up to be men.  We know that because they have jobs to do.  They are involved in certain trades.  Abel is a shepherd, “a keeper of the sheep,” while Cain is a farmer, “a tiller of the ground.”  They have both brought offerings to God, as expected, but there is an interesting phrase here in reference to Cain's offering:  “In the process of time.”  That phrase means after a period of time has passed.  So, it means that it didn't happen right away.  There was some time that had passed before Cain brought his offering.

It gives us this image of Cain planting his crops and after he has gathered the harvest, he waits before he brings the offering.  On the other hand, we see a different phrase with regard to Abel’s offering: “Abel brought the firstborn of his flock.” Abel brought the firstborn.  He didn't wait for a second generation.  He came with the very first of the blessing he had received.

So Cain gave out of his abundance.  He waited to make sure there was enough.  He waited to see how much there would be.  He wanted to be sure that there was enough to meet his own needs before he gave to God, but Abel gave in faith.  He gave the firstborn.  He didn’t wait to make sure the sheep got pregnant again.  He didn’t wait until there were more babies.  He gave the FIRSTBORN.

There’s an interesting contrast here.  Abel gave in faith that God would continue to supply his needs.  He believes God, but Cain waits to give in fear that there won’t be enough.  We also see God’s reaction to their giving.  He respects Abel’s offering and does not respect Cain’s.  Abel’s offering is a picture of faith and Cain’s is not, and the Bible tells us:

Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)
^11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

God can’t be pleased with Cain’s offering because Cain hasn't given in faith.  There’s a lesson there for us as well; that we ought to give in faith.  Many of us don’t tithe; we don’t give the first fruits.  The Bible tells us in Exodus, that the first fruits belong to God.

Our tithe should be the first thing that comes out of our paychecks.  That’s how my wife and I do it.  When we receive our check we immediately deduct our tithe and bring it in the very next service.  We completely remove it from our account and set it aside.  We live off what’s left.  If we don’t do it that way we are bringing our offering, “in the process of time.”  We’re giving in the same way Cain gave.

I didn't want to post on tithing, in particular...that was free bonus.  I want to point out the danger of sin.  It isn't an accident that this takes place around giving, though.  God respects Abel’s offering.  That word translated as respects is sha-ah in Hebrew and it literally means to gaze upon; to see it.  So God could see Abel’s offering, but He couldn't see Cain’s.  As far as God was concerned there was no offering.  The danger is seen in what God says to Cain, “if you do well, will you not be accepted?”  If you do the right thing you’ll be accepted.  If we do the right thing God will accept us, but here’s the main point, “If you do not do well, sin lies at the door.”  Remember, the word translated as lies literally means crouches…as if to leap.  So, if we do not do well then sin is waiting for us to open the door so it can leap on us.

Sin is aggressive, “Its desire is for you.”  It wants you; it wants to pounce on you like that cat wanted to pounce on the bird.  I don’t need to tell you that all that was left of the bird after that was a pile of feathers.

Our text tells us that through Cain’s lack of faith in giving he opened a door to that crouching, waiting sin and we know the rest of the story.  Cain Killed Abel and was forced to be a vagabond and live in fear.

Opening the Door

I want to go back to my illustration about the bird once more:

That bird knew the cat was there.  The cat wasn't hidden.  He could easily be seen; he was lying in the sun out in the open.  The bird saw him and as the cat edged closer and closer the bird would stop and look at him, watching him.  The bird made a mistake, though; he didn't grasp how dangerous the cat was.  He allowed the cat to get close enough to be able to pounce, and the cat got him.

A lot of the time we are just like the bird.  It’s almost as if we’re PLAYING with sin.  We allow it to get closer and closer.  We see it, we know it’s there but we don’t keep enough distance between it and us to be safe.  We’re staying right on the edge of sin’s pouncing distance.  We flirt with it, and we play with it, but the danger is that we can misjudge it, and before we know it we’re caught up. 

How do we open the door to sin?  Let me give you an example from my own life.  I was a drunk.  I got drunk every night.  I missed work because of hangovers, only once or twice, but enough times to say that alcohol was more important to me than my job.  I chose getting drunk by myself over spending time with people, so it’s safe to say that booze was more important to me than relationships.  When I started to drink I never thought that it would be like that.  It wasn't my intention to become a drunk.  I did it because I wanted to have fun.  I did it because it felt good and I always thought I’d be able to control it.  I never imagined that it would end up controlling me.

People don’t start doing drugs with the intention of becoming an heroin addict.  Women don’t have sex hoping, that in the future they’ll be single mothers living in poverty.  We always think we can control it.  We always think we can play with fire and not be burned. 

It’s almost as if you open the door and say, “Here kitty, kitty,” and then when the cat leaps you slam the door at the last possible second, but the sin is aggressive and it waits.  It gets a little closer.  It changes its position just a little with each door slam and eventually, you open the door, and before you can react it pounces and it’s got you.

In our text, Cain opened the door with his unbelief.  He didn't believe that God would provide for his needs, that’s why he held out, to make sure he had enough.  “If I give it you God, I may not have enough for my family.”  So he waited and after he was sure that his needs had been met he gave the rest to God.  Those weren't the first fruits; they were the last fruits.  They were an afterthought.

Then he got angry, “Hey God, I gave to you…why aren't you blessing me?”  Then he got mad at the one whom God did bless and he killed him.  He opened the door with unbelief, and stood at the door with envy and jealousy. Finally, the sin pounced on him and destroyed his life through the murder of Abel.  He never imagined his resistance to giving to God would result in the murder of his brother and a curse on his own life.  What are you considering, right now, that may have consequences down the road, that you can’t possibly see.

Do you know what is one of the biggest problems in society, today?  Everybody knows everything.  Nobody can hear any criticism of what they want to do.  Nobody is willing to take any advice from anyone. I used to ask my wife, “How did I become the only man in the world that doesn't know everything?”  Actually, it works in my favor, because I can listen to criticism and I can take advice.  Because of that, I can avoid problems, struggle and turmoil.  What about you?  Are you always right?  I know that some people are reading this right now and saying to themselves, “He’s wrong, he doesn't know what he’s talking about.”  Sometimes, someone else can see the outcome, down the road, when we can’t, or actually, they see it when we don’t want to.

How do we Keep Sin at Bay?

Where did Cain really go wrong?  Was it in his giving?  The way that he gave was wrong, it was the thing that opened the door, but I don’t think that was the fatal thing.  Was it getting angry with Abel getting blessed?  Jealousy and envy are definitely sin.  Bitterness is ugly and physically harmful to us.  These things certainly contributed to Cain’s outcome, but that wasn't the fatal flaw, either.

Cain’s fatal mistake, the thing that led to his downfall, was that when God told him that he was wrong, he couldn't repent.  God came to him and told him, “If you do well, you WILL be accepted, but if you don’t, sin WILL destroy you.  Cain didn't listen to God; he never repented.  It was his lack of repentance that led directly to the murder of Abel.

Some people are reading this with unrepented sin.  Maybe you don’t see the consequences down the road, or maybe you think it’s just a little thing, or may be you understand it's sin, but you think you can control it.  You ought to be looking.  You ought to be watching because if there is unrepented sin, it can destroy you.

Sin is aggressive, its desire is for you, but you can overcome sin through repentance.  Cain didn't have to spend the later years of his life as a vagabond, looking over his shoulder, fearing death.  All he needed to do was repent.

Preparing for a Move of God

I've been talking to a lot of people, lately, who've been interested in a move of God in their lives.  God does move.  But the question for the day is, “How can we prepare for a move of God.” 

There is an old story about two farmers.  Both of them are struggling to keep crops growing in the middle of a drought.  Both of them were in dire need of a miracle.  Their crops were failing.  They were looking for a move of God. So they did the only thing they could do, they prayed that God would bring rain.  Then one of them sat back and waited for God to move and the other went out and prepared his fields for rain. 

We can prepare for God to move.  Of course, this illustration is talking about faith.  We all have great faith, right?  We are all full of faith, right.  I knew it.  But faith isn't about just believing.  It isn't just about intellectual thought.  It is about faith in action. 

There are things we can do that will initiate a move on God’s part.  So today I want to post on preparing for a move of God from this portion of scripture:

Acts 10:29-33 (NKJV)
^10:29 Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?" ³⁰ So Cornelius said, "Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, ³¹ and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God. ³² Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.' ³³ So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God."

The Actions of Faith

So, here we have Cornelius, he’s a centurion.  That means he’s a Roman commander of 100 troops.  He’s not a Jew, but the Bible tells us that he fears God.  I’m talking here about reverence and respect.  He’s a Roman leader that believes God.

Acts 10:1-2 (NKJV)
^10:1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, ² a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.

He doesn't live like a Jew.  He’s not following all the Jewish laws about food, for one thing.  He lives like a Roman.  He’s a Gentile.  Interestingly, God gave him a vision, of an angel.  The angel told him to send for Peter in Joppa.  So he did as the angel commanded.  Peter came to him even though there’s a Jewish law that says that Jews don’t mix with Gentiles.  Look at what Peter says when he arrives at Cornelius’ house:

Acts 10:27-28 (NKJV)
^10:27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together. ²⁸ Then he said to them, "You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

So, there are two actions of faith taking place here: 

1)      Cornelius sent for Peter based on the angel’s word.

2)      Peter broke Jewish law to answer the call and go.

You can say that both of these men prepared for God’s move.  In the illustration only one farmer prepared for God’s move.  What I want to look at today isn't their faith.  Obviously, both of them had faith.  What I want to look at today is preparation. 

Cornelius, by the way he lived, prepared for God to move.  Let’s examine that; let’s look at what the angel said to Cornelius.

Acts 10:31 (NKJV)
^10:31 and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God.

This is the angel speaking to Cornelius and he says, “Your prayers have been heard…”  God has heard the prayers and is answering them.  Then he says, “Your alms have been remembered.” So this wasn't a chance thing here.  God moved because of Cornelius’ preparation. 

First, Cornelius prayed and fasted:  Acts 10:20 says, “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house.”

Second, Cornelius gave alms, in verse thirty-one it says, “And your alms are remembered in the sight of God.”  So fasting and prayer, and the giving of alms was the way that Cornelius prepared to see God move.  Both of these are an act of faith. 

Have you ever fasted?  Fasting is an act of denial.  You go without eating because you believe God will respond to your fast.  It takes faith to fast.  I can’t even begin to tell you how many times people have told me that fasting is bad for my health, but I’m still here, still in relatively good health,  and I have fasted many, many times.  In fact, I fast at least one day per week. 

Fasting and prayer goes hand in hand.  If you fast without prayer what you’re really doing is just not eating.  Fasting and praying together are the actions of faith. 

It also takes faith to give.  We always think we have to hold on to our money, in order to have more of it.  Time and time again, though, financial advisers recommend giving.  Look at this quote from a book entitled The Power of Giving: 

With so many challenges to cope with, you may ask yourself, “Why should I expend any effort in giving?” or “I’m already scrambling to deal with all the demands and pressures on me.  How will I find time and resources to give more?” or “No one gives to me, why should I give to others?”

In this chapter we hope to show that no matter what your circumstances in life, you have the ability to give.  As well, giving is good for you.  it provides the following benefits:
 

• It can make a positive difference to others.

• There are emotional, physical, even financial benefits to you.

• It can help you to achieve your full potential.

• It can bring you more meaning, fulfillment and happiness. 

This is a secular book.  These authors are financial men and fund raisers.  The book is about how giving benefits both those who receive and those who give. 

So, if we examine what motivated God to move in Cornelius’ house it's prayer and fasting, and giving that the angel mentioned that God noticed.  Both are acts of faith.  Those acts show an openness to a move of God.

How are These Things a Preparation?

Why is it that we can look at fasting and prayer, and giving as a preparation for a move of God?  To answer that let’s look at them individually.    Let’s begin with prayer:

James 5:16 (NKJV)
^5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

So, James tells us that the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.  Let’s break all of that down by looking at the definitions of those words.

• Effective – producing a decisive or desired effect.
• Fervent – marked by great intensity of feeling (impassioned)
• Avails – to be of use or advantage:  HELP:  BENEFIT

You can produce the desired effect by praying with great intensity.  This is what Cornelius did, he prayed AND fasted; that fasting, that denial of self is what gave the prayer great intensity.  Throughout the Bible there are stories of men who have fasted and seen God move.  Daniel fasted for clarity of the vision of the end times that he had.  The early Christians fasted and prayed for Paul and Barnabus on their first mission trip.  King Darius, (another non-Christian like Cornelius) fasted and prayed so the lions wouldn't eat Daniel.  Saul of Tarsus, King Ahab, the people of Ninevah, they all fasted and God moved in every case.

When we’re passionate about something we’re willing to do whatever it takes, to make it happen.  If you want to succeed in business you have to be passionate enough to overcome all the hurdles of life to get there.   If you want your business to be successful there is always something you have to work through.  The thing that really helps you is how much passion you have about what you’re doing.  If you passionately believe in it, then you will do whatever you need to do to see it happen.  You won’t be complaining that you have to get up in the morning and go to work.  You won’t be upset about having to work a lot of hours.  You won’t mind the sacrifices you have to make to have it happen. 

Shouldn't the same be true of the things you need God to move in, in your life?  Don’t we go to God for the things we really need God to move in?  Do you REALLY want God to move in your finances?  Do you REALLY want to see friends and family saved?  Do you PASSIONATELY want God to move?  If so, then you need to be fervent, passionate, intense about seeing God move, and He will move. 

Let’s look at giving, now, as a means to prepare for God to move:

Mark 12:41-42 (NKJV)
^12:41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. ⁴² Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans.

Look at this story of the widow.  Jesus is sitting by the treasury; He’s watching people give.  He’s looking at their giving as a way of seeing their fervency.  He sees the Pharisees give out of their abundance.  They rich and they give large amounts.  The widow gives a very small amount, but there is something special about her giving. 

Mark 12:43-44 (NKJV)
^12:43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; ⁴⁴ for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood."

She gave it all…there is no doubt about her passion.  The others gave greater amounts, but it was what they could afford.  The widow gave in faith.  She gave without thought for what would happen in the future.  God sees that.  We’re still reading about her two thousand years later.  He giving is a remembrance before God.  Do you remember where you've seen that before?

Acts 10:31 (NKJV)
^10:31 and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God.

That’s what the angel said to Cornelius.  The widow and Cornelius have something in common, they’re both fervent about their giving and it touches God. 

God is touched when we give in faith:

Genesis 4:2-5 (NKJV)
^4:2 Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. ³ And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. ⁴ Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, ⁵ but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.

The difference between Cain and Abel’s giving was faith.  Cain gave out of abundance.  He came with leftovers.  Abel gave in faith; he gave the firstborn.  If you give with fervency like the widow, like Abel then God will move.

What is Preparation for a Move of God?

God moves powerfully in Cornelius’ life.  Look what happens:

God instructs Cornelius in what to do.  He tells for Cornelius to send for Peter in Joppa.  At the same time He’s preparing Peter to respond.  God has to overcome some things in Peter’s life so that he can respond to God’s call here.  First, there’s the food issue.  Cornelius is a Gentile and he eats like a Gentile, Peter can’t do that.  God has to work it out.  He does that with a vision – “Rise Peter, slay and eat.” 

The second thing that must be overcome is that Peter and Cornelius don’t know each other. These people show up at his house and tell him that Cornelius wants to see him.  Peter isn't supposed to visit the home of non-Jews.  It’s a matter of Jewish law.   God has moved to prepare Peter and Cornelius so that He can respond to Cornelius’ prayer. 

Now, look at what happens when Peter arrives at Cornelius’ house:

Acts 10:44-48 (NKJV)
^10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. ⁴⁵ And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. ⁴⁶ For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, ⁴⁷ "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" ⁴⁸ And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.

Cornelius’ whole household is saved, and then the Holy Ghost fell.  This is a powerful move of God.  This is the first time the Holy Ghost has fallen on a Gentile. This is a powerful move of God.  So what was the preparation?  Prayer Giving and obedience.  Cornelius had to be obedient to what God told him.  Peter had to obediently respond to God’s call.  We can’t downplay obedience, here. God moves through obedience. 

Do you remember the widow of Zarephath?  She’s facing ruin and God responds by giving her an instruction that results in God’s provision for her.  If we obey God’s message then we will see His response to our prayers, too. 

If you’re like me you’re looking at this New Year and you’re saying, “God I need you to move in this specific area of my life.”  But you can’t just say, “God I need you to move,” you need to prepare for a move of God; prepare your field for rain.  Pray and fast with passion and fervency, so that God will make your prayer effective.  Give with faith so that your giving touches God.  Be obedient to God’s instruction, do what God calls you to do and God will be able to move.  If you leave out a part of that you tie God’s hands.  He’s trying to move but you’re not listening.  Open your heart and prepare for God’s move and watch what God will do.