Condemned By Others

Luke 11:31-32

On the Judgment Day, we will be judged by Jesus Christ as told by
Jesus Himself - Jn 12:48 "The one who rejects me and does not receive
my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on
the last day." We will be judged by Jesus Christ as taught by the
apostle Paul - Ac 17:30-31 "The times of ignorance God overlooked, but
now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed
a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom
he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising
him from the dead."'; 2 Co 5:10 "For we must all appear before the
judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for
what he has done in the body, whether good or evil."; 2 Ti 4:1 "I
charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge
the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:"

But Jesus also spoke of others judging on that Day.... The Queen of
the South - Lk 11:31 "The queen of the South will rise up at the
judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she
came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and
behold, something greater than Solomon is here." The men of Nineveh -
Lk 11:32 "The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this
generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of
Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here." In what way
will they judge the generation of Jesus' day? Might they also judge us
on that day? Let's take a closer look...

Taking a closer look at the Queen of the South we need some historical
background. The Queen of the South was also known as the Queen of
Sheba - 1 Kin 10:1 "Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of
Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with
hard questions." Sheba was likely a city of Arabia (possibly Yemen),
located south of Judea, at least twelve hundred miles (Hendriksen).
She came to see Solomon with a great retinue and much wealth, but was
amazed by Solomon's wisdom and wealth. She praised Solomon and gave
him great gifts. Solomon gave gifts to her in return - 1 Kin 10:2-13.

Why will she condemn the Jews Jesus was speaking to? She traveled a
great distance to hear truth; they had the truth at hand - Lk 11:31b
"and behold, something greater than Solomon is here." She traveled to
hear Solomon; they had access to One far wiser, better and greater. By
past example and future testimony she will condemn those who rejected
Jesus! Will she condemn us if we reject such easy access to the Word
of God today? Will she condemn us if we allow such things as time and
distance to keep us from learning the truth, attending services, going
to gospel meetings, etc.? Might others condemn us? There are
Christians today whose example might put us to shame. There are
Christians today who must use public transportation, travel great
distances, often with feeble health, to attend services of the church,
or to hear the gospel preached. Might they not rise with the Queen of
the South to condemn us on the Judgment Day, if we make excuses for
not making the effort to learn the truth and serve the Lord? There are
even non-Christians whose example could shame us; those who make great
sacrifices for their political or religious views. Do they serve their
ideologies with greater fervor than we do our Lord?

Now let's take a closer look at the men of Nineveh with some
historical background. Jonah was sent to preach to the Ninevites - Jon
1:1-2 "Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai,
saying, "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against
it, for their evil has come up before me."'; 3:1-4 "Then the word of
the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying, "Arise, go to Nineveh,
that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you."
So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD.
Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days' journey in
breadth. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's journey. And
he called out, "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!"'
Nineveh was the capital of ancient Assyria, a large city. Jonah's
message: "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" The men of
Nineveh responded favorably - Jon 3:5-10. The people believed,
proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth. The king likewise, calling
for national fasting and prayer for forgiveness. God relented from the
disaster He said that He would bring upon them.

Why will they condemn us? The Ninevites heeded: a minor prophet - Lk
11:32, a sinful, foolish, and bigoted prophet, a message of damnation
and doom, and a sermon without signs and wonder to confirm it. The
Israelites rejected: the Son of God - Lk 11:32, a sinless, wise and
compassionate Messiah, a message of grace and redemption, and many
sermons with signs and wonders to confirm them as being from God. By
past example and future testimony they will condemn those who rejected
Jesus!

Will they condemn us if we reject the words of Jesus Christ today?
Will they condemn us if we refuse to repent and respond to the gospel
of Jesus Christ, despite the many opportunities that have been given
to us? Might others condemn us? There are Christians today whose
example might put us to shame There are Christians today who respond
in faith and repentance as soon as they understand God's Word? Might
they not rise with the men of Nineveh to condemn us on the Judgment
Day, if we make excuses for not obeying the truth though we've heard
it many times? There are even non-Christians whose example could shame
us who quickly respond in obedience, even though it may be to
religious error? Do they serve their false religions with greater
fervor than we do our Lord?

With whom shall we stand on the Judgment Day...? Will it be with those
like the Queen of the South and the men of Nineveh? Or with those like
the Israelites who rejected the Savior sent to them? The answer
depends on how we make use of the opportunities given us... Whether we
will make the effort to learn the truth. Whether we will make the
effort to heed the truth. Even more than the Israelites of Jesus' day,
we have been given a great opportunity to know, learn and obey His
message of grace and salvation. Reject it, and we can expect to be
condemned, not only by Jesus, but by all who received His message in
faith and obedience...!

By This All Will Know - Part Two

John 13:34-35

In the first part of this lesson we examined the text and defined the kind of love Jesus has commanded of us. If we wish to manifest this kind of love in our lives, where do we begin? Consider this love as being developed. We are taught by God in His word with examples like the Thessalonians which excelled in this love - 1 Th 4:9-10"Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,". For they had been “taught by God to love one another”. Certainly God’s own love for us teaches us how to love - 1 Jn 4:9-11"In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." -- Think of the Father's own sacrificial love for us, in sending His Son to be the propitiation for our sins!

We also learn from Jesus. Jesus’ own example of sacrifice teaches the true meaning of love - 1 Jn 3:16 "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers." The more we contemplate upon the example of Jesus’ life and death, the more likely we will love like He did!

We are to be stirred up by our brethren. We are to stir one another to love and good works - He 10:24"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,". An important means of doing this is by frequent assembling - He 10:25 "not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." -- Perhaps one reason why some don’t love as they should, is because they don’t assemble like they should!Through careful study the Father’s love for us, the Savior’s love for us, and through frequent assembling where we stir up one another to love and good works, we can develop the kind of love “By Which All Will Know” we are Jesus' disciples.

Finally, a thought or two about to whom we demonstrate this love. In our assemblies when we are assembled and have guests, we have an opportunity to demonstrate our love another. What do our guests see? Do they see Christians who are glad to see one another? Do they see Christians who are willing to take the time to visit with each other? Do they even know each other’s name? -- Our assemblies may be the only time some guests have the opportunity to see Christians interact; do they see an evident love and concern for one another?

In our community we often have the opportunity to be together in ways that others can see... Perhaps we work with other Christians. Or we have neighbors that are Christians. Or we gather to visit, or do things together. What do those in the world see? Do they see an interaction that reveals a strong love and appreciation for one another? Do they see an interaction that shows a sincere interest in each other’s well-being? Where there are differences, is the way we handle them different? Christians will often sin against one another, offend one another. Or will our community see long-suffering and a quickness to forgive, even as Christ forgave us? - Ep 4:32 "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."; Co 3:13 "bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."

Jesus has revealed a powerful tool to persuade the world that we are His disciples... Certainly we show our discipleship by faithfulness to His doctrine - Jn 8:32"and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."' But in a world that cares little for doctrinal distinctiveness, a Christ- like love for one another is how Jesus would have us convince the world! - Jn 13:34-35 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."'How is your love for your brother in Christ? Is it Christ-like, in other words, a sacrificial love? Is it observable, in other words, do people see your brotherly love in our assemblies and community?If you admit your love for your brethren needs work (we all can improve) look to God and Jesus as the ultimate teachers of what it means to love one another. Utilize opportunities to be with brethren which provides occasion to grow and display your love. Which can serve to stir you to love and good works - He 10:24-25.

“...By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (Jn 13:35)

“ Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” (1 Jn 4:11)

By This All Will Know - Part One

John 13:34-35

How is the world to know that we are truly disciples of Christ, members of His body? Is it by the name we wear? Is it by having the right doctrine, organization, worship, etc.? It is certainly important to have all these things; but if we think that by these things alone we are truly the disciples of Jesus; that by these things alone the world will know we are Christ's disciples ...then we are sadly mistaken! Shortly before His crucifixion, Jesus identified a key mark of discipleship... He gave what He called "a new commandment" It was a command to "love one another" - Jn 13:34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." He said by this all will know who were His disciples - Jn 13:35 "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."' Love for one another is how people will know that we are truly the disciples of Jesus... Do we know what kind of love that is? How do we develop that kind of love? How do we demonstrate this love? In this study I wish to encourage the kind of love Jesus commands of us, so that "By This All Will Know" we are truly His disciples!

Let's begin with defining the kind of love Jesus is commanding in our text. It is a new kind of love. There had always been the love of family, friends, etc. The OT taught to "love your neighbor as yourself" - Lev 19:18. But Jesus said, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another" - Jn 13:34. This is not simply a command to love one another. But a command to love one another in a special way. -- Jesus is calling us to a new and higher standard of love!

What kind of love does Jesus command? It is a sacrificial love; "as I have love you, that you also love another". It is a love patterned after Jesus' love for us. -- This is what makes it a new and higher standard of love! The love Jesus had for us can be summarized in one word: sacrificial. As Jesus explained in Jn 15:13"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends." This is the sacrificial love demonstrated by Jesus' death on the cross where He laid down His life for all. The kind of love John wrote about in 1 Jn 3:16-18"By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."As Paul commanded in Ep 5:1-2"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."It was this kind of love manifested by the first disciples of Jesus. It was this kind of love manifested by the church in Jerusalem - Ac 2:44-45"And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need."It was this kind of love manifested by the churches in Macedonia - 2 Co 8:1-5"We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own free will, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints-- and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us."

As seen from these text it is a visible love. By such love Jesus declared "all will know that you are My disciples" - Jn 13:35. The implication is that such love will be visible and observable. And visible by all, not just by brethren! To be a visible love, requires a love that goes beyond the four walls of the church building. A love that extends beyond the few hours we are assembled together. A love that can be observed by those of the world and in the world. -- In some way, the world needs to have the opportunity to observe the disciples in action, in which their love that is patterned after Jesus' love can be seen. Being a "warm and friendly church" while assembled is commendable, but it alone does not fulfill the command to have a new, sacrificial, and visible love patterned after the love of Jesus!

If we wish to manifest this kind of love in our lives, where do we begin? We will answer this question in the second part of this lesson.

Distracted By Good - Cont.

Luke 10:38-42

After having looked at the example of Martha and Mary in the first part of this lesson, what lesson can be drawn from their example and applied to our lives...? Are we distracted by things that may be good within themselves? Are we distracted by our duties as husbands and wives, fathers and mothers? Are we distracted by our responsibilities to work and community? Jesus warned against allowing such things to take precedence in our lives. Family cannot come before our service to the Lord - Mt 10:37 “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”; 12:46-50 “While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. But he replied to the man who told him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."’

Family and work cannot come before the kingdom of God - Lk 14:16-24 “But he said to him, "A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.' But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.' And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.' And another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, 'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.' And the servant said, 'Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.' And the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.'" Cares of this world can render us unfruitful - Lk 8:14 “And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.” Cares of this world can leave us unprepared - Lk 21:34 ‘"But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.” If we become distracted by even things that are good we will find ourselves like Martha: worried, troubled, stressed out! We may find ourselves like Esau: selling our inheritance for a morsel! - He 12:16 “that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.”

-- Are we distracted by the good?

Are we disciplined? Disciplined to seek that which is better, the one thing that is really needed? The kingdom of God and His righteousness? Eternal life and the blessings which accompany it? Jesus taught of the value of choosing the good part. God’s providential care in our lives - Mt 6:31-33 “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Ample surplus to replace our sacrifice for the gospel - Mk 10:28-30 “Peter began to say to him, "See, we have left everything and followed you." Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.” Peace and joy which the world cannot give - Jn 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”; 15:11 “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”; 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."’; Ph 4:6-7 “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” If we are disciplined enough to make the proper choice we will find ourselves like Mary: free of anxiety, praised by the Lord! We will find ourselves like Job: experiencing the end intended by the Lord! - Ja 5:11 “Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.”

-- Are we disciplined to choose that which is better?

Martha had the opportunity to serve the Lord again on a joyous occasion, after the raising of her brother from the dead - Jn 12:1-2 “Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at the table.” Then she served with no distraction, free from worry, with no rebuke from the Lord. Such is the case of those who learn from Martha and Mary.... Those who put first things first, seeking first God’s will and work in their lives. While the Lord comes first, they become better hosts, spouses, parents, workers. Better than if they tried to do it on their own, without God’s help! Seek first the will of God, and everything falls into place. Become distracted by even that which is good, anxiety and problems will be our lot in life! Are we willing to learn from Martha and Mary...?