- David Moyes
- Mar 4, 2018
- 10 min read
God has called us to build. In the Old Testament, it was about Temples, Walls and Armies. In the New Testament, God now calls us to build people for His Kingdom.
Have a look at these passages:
Romans 15:2 NLT “We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord”.
1 Corinthians 14:12 NIV “So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church”.
1 Corinthian 14:12 NIV “try to excel in those that build up the church”.
Jude 1:20 NLT “But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith”.
As Christ’s followers, we are called to build. And leading up till Easter we are looking at four areas that we to build. We are to:
Build Others
Build Bridges
Build Churches
Today, we are looking at building firmly – having the right foundation. In our passage, Jesus wanted to show His followers what it's like when someone comes to Him, listens to His teaching, and then follows it (Luke 6:47). He says, “They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built” (Luke 6:48 NIV). Teaching again in language that His audience would understand, Jesus was emphasising the necessity for Christians, as they go about building into others, and building bridges where they have broken, and building churches, they build on rock as foundation. Rock is solid and firm and often withstands against the forces of nature. Jesus, we are told in 1 Corinthians 10:4, is the rock. IN fact, He is even more than just the rock. We are told in a few passages that Jesus is the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20). This stone was known to set the foundation and squared the building.
A few weeks ago, I looked at this passage, particularly from the point of view that we Christians ought to have as our foundation the Lordship of Jesus. As Lord, Jesus is God. He must reign in our hearts.
This morning, if I may, I want to look at this from another perspective. I believe that we can’t build into others, we can’t build bridges with those who have wronged us or are the complete opposites to us, nor can’t we build healthy churches, unless we have an understanding and an acceptance of who we are since becoming a follower of Jesus Christ. If we have a warped understanding, when those storms of life do come, we will be like that person mentioned in verse 49 who didn’t build their house on foundation. Jesus said, “When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins” (Luke 6:49 NLT). Not only will our faith be washed away, but so will whatever we were building.
And so, this morning, I want to share about building within ourselves an understanding of who we are in Christ.
I say this because many struggle with esteem or respect. Self-image is such an issue. And our media and corporations are to blame. Internet, YouTube, advertisements show mostly teenagers as sex objects. And the effect that this is having on our population. Young girls are aspiring to be thin, pretty and sexy. And if “the look” doesn’t happen for them the way they like, they have poor self-esteem, which may leave to physiological diseases like bulimia. For young boys their expectation of females become polarised leading to abuse. And of course, as soon as teenagers turn 18 all these feelings disappear? No! If these emotions and views aren’t changed they are often continued into adulthood.
In essence, people with low self-esteem usually have deep-seated, basic, negative beliefs about themselves and the kind of person they are. These beliefs are often taken as facts or truths about their identity. As a result, low self-esteem can have a negative impact on a person and their life.
Low self-esteem can also have an impact on many aspects of a person’s life. It can affect a person’s performance at work or at school. They might consistently achieve less than they are able to because they believe they are less capable than others. They might avoid challenges for fear of not doing well. They might work extremely hard and push themselves to do more because they believe they need to make up for, or cover up, their lack of skill. People with low self-esteem might find it hard to believe any good results they get are due to their own abilities or positive qualities.
And so, you can see that if you are to build into others, you need to do so with a sense of strength, assurance, and understanding. Those who know that Jesus is Lord, that God is able, that the Holy Spirit empowers, and that the Word of God guides can build others up, are able to mend bridges, and build healthy churches.
Dr Bruce and Nellie Litchfield have written that often people are plagued with irrational thinking such as false beliefs and lies. To gain a healthy acceptance of oneself requires changing one’s core beliefs known as “cognitive Restructuring”. Cognitive restructuring involves aligning thinking with reality and truth. Often the issue is quite deep and will take time. The biggest obstacle is unbelief, which needs to be constantly confessed and renounced. (
Cognitive restructuring for the Christian is largely a process of renewing the mind as described in Romans 12:1-2. It is primarily a spiritual exercise where the old irrational and unbiblical thinking patterns are put off and replaced by what is rational, realistic and biblical. I think the Apostle Paul puts this so well: “Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think…” (Romans 12:2 NLT).
Most false beliefs can be summarized as: My self-worth is dependent on my performance and other people’s opinion of me. This has to be changed to: My self-worth comes from God’s opinion of me
Look at what the bible teaches about God’s opinion of us, you, me. In verse 10 of Ephesians Paul says, “For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus…” (Ephesians 2:10 NLT). Paul is saying two trues here: First we are God’s masterpiece! A masterpiece is “the most outstanding work of a creative artist or craftsman”. We are considered the most outstanding work of our Creator God.
Psalm 139 is a great passage. It was written by David. The first twelve verses speak of three amazing qualities of God. In verses 13 – 16 we read that God created us:
“You created every part of me; you put me together in my mother's womb” (Psalms 139:13 GNB).
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalms 139:14 NIV).
“When my bones were being formed, carefully put together in my mother's womb, when I was growing there in secret, you knew that I was there” (Psalms 139:15 GNB).
“Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” (Psalms 139:16 NIV).
Our God created us. We didn’t evolve. We were created. To understand this amazing truth, we need to turn back to Genesis 1. Genesis 1 reveals to us our beginnings. It tells the story of God creating the universe, the earth, and humanity.
On the first day God created light that separate day and night. On the second day, God created the atmospheres - an expanse to separate the waters and the sky. On the third day, God brings dry land out of the water and caused plant life to grow on the land. On the fourth day, God placed the sun, the moon and the stars in the sky. On the fifth day, God created the fish for the waters and birds for the air. On the sixth day God starts by creating animals to live on the land. So, what was God doing these first 5½ days? He was preparing His creation for new life – for us.
We now come to the most incredible two passages. Half way into the sixth day we read: “Then God said, "Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:26-27 NIV).
Notice to the word used three times “image”. The idea means “resemblance” to God. When God created humans in His own image He purposed that we would resemble Him in certain ways and share certain divine prerogatives.
God created us with spiritual likeness. We were created as spiritual being capable of communicating with God.
God created us with intellectual likeness. We were created to manage the earth, animals and one another.
God created us with moral likeness. We were created with ability to know what is right and wrong.
God created us with social likeness. We were created with the ability to live in relationships with one another and God.
When God created us, he made us with dignity. Dignity means “the quality or state of being worthy of esteem or respect”. And the fact that we were created in God’s image ought to give us the esteem, respect and worth. This is what the bible teaches of God's opinion of us.
For some, we need to put off what is irrational and unbiblical thinking and replace by what is rational, realistic and biblical which is God created you in His image with dignity as His masterpiece.
Sometimes though you just don’t feel like you’re a masterpiece. It’s like you wake up in the morning, look in the mirror, and what you see looks rather scary.
The truth is, our image and dignity has been stained by our own sin and that of other’s sin. Our original masterpiece that God created has been defaced.
The good news is, Jesus has dealt with these stains and has removed them according to Ephesians 5:17. His death on the cross has removed the stain and because of this we become a new creation. In 2 Corinthians 5:17 we are told that we are a new creation, in Christ. And so we not only have to accept that we are created uniquely in the image of God with dignity, but we are created anew. Again, in Ephesians 2:10 Paul says, “For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus…” (Ephesians 2:10 NLT).
We are created anew in Christ Jesus. Because of cross of Jesus, we have a new identity. Coming to a realisation of who we really are is essential to be a builder in God’s kingdom. I love this self-realization from the Apostle Paul who wrote: “But by the grace of God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV). And by the grace of God, I am who I am, because I Am said who I am.
Accepting who I am begins when the cycle is broken as shame, self-hatred, worthlessness are gradually displaced as we develop a deep understanding of our true Christian identity. We start to see ourselves as God has made us, rather than complaining and wishing we were someone different and comparing ourselves with others.
Christian identity, or one's identity in Christ, simply believes in God's opinion of us. And who I am is found in the pages of the Bible:
I am created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27, Ps 8:4-5).
I am loved unconditionally by God (John 3:16, Romans 5:8).
I am precious and priceless in God's sight because of redemption in Christ Jesus, purchased by his precious blood (Psalm 49:7-8, 1 Peter 1:18-19).
I am a saint of God, justified and sanctified (Romans 5:1, Hebrews 10:10, 1 Corinthians 1:2).
I am a prince/princess in God's kingdom (Psalm 113:7-8, 1 Peter 2:9).
I am a child of God and a member of his household (Ephesians 2:19).
I am adopted as one of God's eternal sons/daughters. This is the greatest of all spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3-5).
I am who I am, because I Am said who I am.
Newcastle Jets is a soccer team in the National Australian League. The Jet’s winger is Joe Champness. Last season, the Jets finished bottom. This season they are in second place and last night won against number 1 Sydney FC who haven’t lost a game all season.
Before the game, Joe was asked the million-dollar question: Can you beat Sydney FC? He said they could because we have good self-belief.
Since Joe was 5, he was raised in Brisbane and developed a passion for football (soccer) in his teen years.
Joe says that his parents pointed him in the right direction since he was a youngster. While his team has enjoyed a notable surge this season on the pitch, so has Joe’s own professional football career. Back in December he was awarded the NAB rising star.
Such a huge leap into the world of professional sport comes with causes for celebration – such as the Jets’ improved performance on the pitch – and plenty of new challenges. The limelight has been thrust upon Joe, bringing with it the complications of fame, attention and sporting success. But throughout Joe’s life, he has been training for another goal that continues to shape how he responds to anything coming his way.
And this is what Joe says, “There’s always challenges in the world that we live in. There’s always going to be temptations and humans are never perfect. Sometimes our flaws and shortfalls are going to come to the forefront and it’s an everyday challenge for us to continue trying to serve God and to follow his plans”.
Raised in a Christian home by parents, Joe distinctly remembers when he gave himself to God.
Today, verses from Philippians (including 4:13 – “I can do all things in Him who gives me strength”) adorn Joe’s protective gear under his socks. Even with his leap to the A-League big time, Joe continues to strive to be led by wisdom he heard about how best to live for God in all he does. He said, “I remember when I was a little bit younger and I was looking at what I wanted to do, for a career… I heard a pastor in Brisbane. He got a word from God and he said, ‘Look, if you focus on God and continue to actively follow his ways, it’s impossible for you to fall out of God’s will. So, I think that when it comes to temptations and distractions, what I’ve tried to do is press into that word and actively follow, in order to keep staying in his will.”
I have a strong feeling that Joe knows who he is in Christ, and with that solid foundation, he is building into others, including his team.
I am who I am, because I Am said who I am.
- david Moyes
- Feb 25, 2018
- 11 min read
Our theme for the month of February is Thrive and for the past three weeks I have been playing the Casting Crowns song that says, “It's time for us to more than just survive; We were made to thrive”.
And so far, we have looked at three areas that are essential for Christians and Churches to get out from the rut of surviving to thriving. Three weeks ago, we looked at the first one. It is all about having the right foundation. For we Christians and for our church, we will thrive when we place our roots on the solid foundation of Jesus – not on materialism, not on nice philosophy, not on some good church growth principles. None of these. We will thrive when we place our roots on the solid foundation of nothing else but Jesus Christ – but even more specifically – the Lordship of Jesus Christ. This means that we trust Him as our God and have Him reign in our lives. We are to trust with our money, our priorities, our hearts, our dreams, our struggles – every area must come under the lordship of Jesus Christ.
Two weeks ago, looked that if we want to thrive rather than just survive, we have to love. We looked at the greatest commandments in Matthew 22 of loving God and loving others. Out of all the 613 commandments, we are told the most important in loving God and loving others.
Last week we looked at how responsibility is essential for the church of Jesus Christ to thrive. You see, all thriving churches have a few things in common. One is that they have a clear expectation that its members are to serve. And so last week we looked at stewardship and that being a good steward means that God has entrusted me with things down here on earth and it is my responsibility to do something good with them. Spiritual Gifts are entrusted to us to show our love for one another through serving.
This week we are looking at our offerings to God’s Work and how, if Christians gave generously, they themselves and church would certainly thrive.
I want to start with a disclaimer – this is particularly for our new people and visitors today. At Reedy, we don’t do long drawn out offering talks each week. And we don’t have regular preaching spots about giving money. IN fact, the last time we spoke directly about money was two years.
Upon saying this, as a preacher I make no apologies for teaching about money and our offerings as it is such a biblical topic. Throughout the bible, God talks about offerings – some say more than even prayer. I think one of the reasons why God speaks a lot about money and possessions is that He knows just how much reliant we are by them and how often people are destroyed by them. God wants us to learn a powerful lesson on trust with the very thing we find hard to give over. But more than this, God’s original plan, as always, if practiced would see such incredible transformation of people, villages, and cities around the world.
In some areas, the church at Corinth had its challenging issues. But in other ways it was a thriving church. In Paul’s two letters to this church, he asked for their offerings. In fact, he devoted three whole chapters to offerings.
There was a situation that arose with the church in Jerusalem. Many within the church were quite poor. Knowing this, the Corinthian Christians promised to help financially the poor Christians back in Jerusalem. Paul wrote back in 1 Corinthians 16 saying, “yep, you can simply by putting aside each week a sum of money in proportion to what you earn”. Well it appears that their enthusiasm had waned. And so in Paul’s second letter, about a year later (see 2 Corinthians 9:2), he told them that he was organising some people to come to them to make sure that what they promised a year earlier is ready (2 Corinthians 9:5). And then with one more encouragement Paul gave them this teaching: “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7 NIV).
From the time of making their pledge to about a year later (9:2) their commitment had lapsed. And it can easily happen with bills to pay, food to buy, school fees commitments.
Paul told the Corinthians that they were strong in their faith, had gifted speakers, and had apparently picked up their love for others. But he was saying that if they really wanted to help the church in Jerusalem care for others then they need to be committed generous givers.
From this passage, we learn some Biblical principles about giving offerings. First, the act of giving comes after the decision. We are to decide first, and then we are to give. It is not haphazard or circumstantial. It is not dependent upon whether I am in church or even what I have in my account this week. It is based on a prior commitment that I have made after a serious time of prayer and reflection. It ought to be a part of your budget, and not what is leftover.
The New Testament gives us four guides to giving: We are to give freely, we are to give generously, we are to give regularly, and we are to give cheerfully. I like how God does this. To give cheerfully is extremely helpful. On a practical level, it helps me gauge where my faith is at. How much can I give and still be grinning? Then it pushes you and causes you to consider if you can be happy giving more. Can you trust him at a level to give a little bit more? This standard meets me where I am and what I can give at this point in my life. It also challenges me to go one step farther and to trust God for this.
Obviously, the issue and question of what is considered generous is often raised, and I hope we all think about this.
The idea of giving to the Lord’s work was first set out by God via The Law to help the Hebrews live a peaceful life in the Promise Land.
The Law established a concept of tithing, which, at first, seems simple. Leviticus 27:30-33 says that a “tithe of everything from the land” was to be set aside for use as God might command. Often this was called the First Fruits. Other passages expand this initial instruction. According to Numbers 18:21-32 tithes were to be used for the support of those dedicated to serve God. According to Deuteronomy 12:5-14 and 14:22-26, 10 percent was to be brought to a central sanctuary, later established by David at Jerusalem, for distribution.
In Old Testament times this giving posed no threat to the believer, and Scripture does not see it as a burden. God is able to make the land produce abundantly, so His people will have all they need and more. Giving is a way of worship; a way to express confidence in God.
In addition to the tithes, which the Israelite owed to God, the Law established a principle of voluntary contributions. These contributions, called “freewill offerings,” were given spontaneously, out of love. They were not a duty, and they were not considered “bribes” to buy divine favour.
In the New Testament we read about setting aside a sum of money in keeping with our income for the work of the church (1 Corinthians 16:2), and that we should set aside this money on the first day of the week. Also, it must be noted that Jesus spoke about tithing as if it was a continuing principle to follow (Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42NIV).
For me, it’s not about a percentage, but about trusting God with a spirit of generosity. Paul fought against legalism, but he also spoke about generosity and reaping what we sow.
It’s tough departing with money – particularly generously. Times are challenging. There is no dispute that we have become dependent on money. God’s know how dependent we are on money. We have bills to pay, mortgages to meet, food to buy, holidays to go on. We are dependent on money.
God has put out a challenge to us: We are to trust Him with our money. But giving in portion to our income doesn’t make good economic sense. To secular accountants, tithing and offerings is madness. But God says in Malachi 3:10: “Test me in this” (Malachi 3:10). He knows how dependent we are on money - more often than not - we are more dependent on money than God and He challenges us to test Him by changing this emphasis.
When Paul says, “see that you also excel in this grace of giving” (2 Corinthians 8:7 NIV) he uses that challenging word “excel”. In the original language this word means “superabound” and “over and above”. Paul was challenging the Corinthian Church to superabound by giving over and above their usual offerings.
In verses 8 to 10 of our reading Paul writes: “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: "They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever." Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness” (2 Corinthians 9:8-10 NIV). This is a beautiful passage of hope and promise that sadly has been misused to form a false doctrine called Prosperity Gospel. The abuse of money and the abuse of sex has done so much damage to people and the church.
Paul is telling us that when we give generously, we will not be robbed as we will still have all we need but because of our generosity and righteousness, God will enlarge the harvest – the very things that we as a church pray about.
This leads us to the Paul’s next statement in verse 12, “This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God” (2 Corinthians 9:12 NIV). Paul is saying that their generous offerings will go a long way in supplying the needs of those in need and because of this, many will notice that will result in an overflowing thanks to God.
At the beginning of this series, you might remember, I spoke about the verse from Proverbs 11:10, “When the righteous thrive, a city rejoices…” (Proverbs 11:10 HCSB). And when we do some research, we find that this is so true. Some of us have watched in utter amazement back in the 1990s and early 2000s the Transformation Videos. They were powerful stories of towns and cities around the world who saw that when God began to transform the church and people repenting of their sins and following Jesus as Lord, gradually significant change in their towns and cities began to happen. Crime rates, murders, and rape were all down. Food crops were bountiful. Marriages restored. I mean, when the righteous thrive, a city rejoices . Some of us have read stories of revivals last century in Wales, Papua New Guinea, America and we hear of stories of mass conversions and incredible affect that this has in villages, towns and cities - “when the righteous thrive, a city rejoices”. When Billy Graham conducted the Southern Cross Crusades in Australia and New Zealand in 1959, where he preached to pack stadiums at the MCG, the SCG with people next door at the Show Grounds, and in towns across the country via the old land line, thousands came forward, repenting of their sinful living, asking Jesus to be their Lord and Saviour. And our history books actually record that for 2-years after these crowds, not only were church attendances everywhere up, but crime rates were down, attendances at the pubs were down, and other social affects - “when the righteous thrive, a city rejoices”.
So, some other research has been conducted that again reveals the truth of this verse: “when the righteous thrive, a city rejoices”. The Amercican Research Company, The Barna Group have revealed that 6 out of every 1000 Americans tithe to God’s Work. He then says this: “If every Christian tithed his or her income and invested it wisely in God’s work, all of God’s work on earth would be done. In addition to new churches being established, the starving would be fed, the cold would be dressed warmly, the oppressed would be cared for, the homeless would be sheltered, orphans would be nurtured, and every person on earth would be presented with the gospel”. “when the righteous thrive, a city rejoices”.
Here's the challenge. Are we keeping too much for ourselves or do we need to trust God and watch Him make a big difference?
Tony Campolo tells of being invited to speak at a ladies meeting. There were 300 women there. Before he spoke the president of the organization read a letter from a missionary. It was a very moving letter. In the letter the missionary expressed a need for $2,000 to take care of an emergency that had cropped up. So, the president of the organization said they need to pray that God will provide the resources to meet the need of this missionary. And she then asked Tony Campolo would he please pray for them? Tony Campolo, who is a bit outspoken said no. Everybody was startled. He then clarified why he said no. He told them he believes that God has already provided the resources and that all they need to do is give. Then he told them what he was going to do. Tony was going to step up to the table just near him give every bit of cash he had in his wallet. And then he said that if all of those who had gathered will do the same thing, he believed God had already provided the resources. The president of the organization chuckled a little bit and said that Tony was trying to teach them that they all need to give sacrificially. Tony said no, that this was not what he was trying to teach them. Tony was trying to teach the conference that God has already provided for this missionary. All they need to do is give it and he was going to start by putting down all of his money he has with him (Tony wrote in his book that he only had $15 in his wallet, so he wasn’t too worried about that). So, he put down his $15 and then looked at the president of the organization. Reluctantly, she opened her purse & took out all of her money, which was about $40, and put it on the table. One by one the rest of the ladies filed by & put their money on the table, too. When the money was counted they had collected far more than $2,000. Tony Campolo said, "Now, here’s the lesson. God always supplies for our needs, and he supplied for this missionary, too. The only problem was we were keeping it for ourselves. Now let’s pray and thank God for His provision.
Perhaps for some of us, it’s time that we trust God and be generous with our offerings. I know, there are a lot of reasons why you are thinking why you can’t. I don’t need to know your circumstances. I believe it’s between you and God. I just ask that you prayerfully consider this biblical principle of generosity and just maybe God
I want to close with this challenge. A man named Moses started his life with every advantage, a royal upbringing, a good education, access to wealth. This prince of Egypt, who had been miraculously rescued from the waters by an Egyptian princess who raised him as her own son, was full of himself and ended up committing murder in a fit of rage when he saw a fellow Israelite being mistreated by a slave master. He became a fugitive and somehow ended up far from the culture, wealth, and power of Egypt. He lived for 40 years in the desert, eventually marrying a local girl, and becoming a shepherd for her father’s sheep.
One day, he saw a curious sight, a bush on fire, but without being consumed. Drawn in by curiosity, he found himself in the presence of God, engaged in a conversation.
“Moses,” God said, “I still have plans for you. It’s time for my people to become a nation and to return to the Promised Land of their ancestor, Abraham. Moses offered all kinds of excuses why he was incapable of obedience! "I stutter. I’m a nobody. They’ll think I just made all this stuff up."
The Lord asked Moses a question that I want to leave with you today. "What is that in your hand?"
Moses was holding an ordinary shepherd’s staff, a stick of wood! But, God used that stick to shake up the court of Pharaoh, and even to part the Red Sea! But, when all was said and done, Moses had to give what he had before God could use it to change the world. What is in your hand? What resources do you have?