2006-05-14 Communion Dedication – Baldwin Christian Church
John 7:14-18
14 Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.
15 And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?
16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
In the Garden of Eden, the serpent was very “subtle” in his temptation of Eve. It was so easy for him to get her to convince herself to disobey God. All he had to do was show her that she would be something special, something more, something better than what she was. He played on her sense of curiosity, and he used it against her. He convinced her that there was something more to know (Gen 3:5), some deeper truth in God’s Word, something more than what God had already clearly said (Gen 2:16-17), and that’s all he needed to do; she took the bait.
Who was that old serpent in the Garden, that “subtle” one who beguiled the first mom? Who was he, but the one who exalted himself, one who spoke of himself, the one who invented “seeking your own glory”?
Isaiah 14:13-14 For thou (Lucifer) hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
Jesus said, if you want to do the Father’s will, you’ll know whether a teaching is from God, or if it glorifies the teacher. That’s His promise to you. If you want to do the will of God, He will supply you with the ability to spot the “subtle” ways that men speak of themselves, men who mislead you, and glorify themselves rather than the Father. If you want to do the will of God, He will supply you with the ability to spot these things in yourself, too.
How does Lucifer work in the church today? He finds “subtle” ways to get us to glorify ourselves. One way that he does this is by getting us to speak evil of, or rail on other people, other churches, other countries, the media, and so on. Create an enemy in the mind of the congregation, someone, or some mysterious group of people we can think we’re better than, and we’ll start convincing ourselves that we’re OK, we’ve got the Truth, but everybody else needs help. The serpent has such an easy time tempting us to think highly of ourselves, as if we’re special, or chosen.
Galatians 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
Once that old serpent has us convinced that we’re something special, he can just sit back, smile, and watch us deceive ourselves.
Luke 18:9-14
And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
On the night that He was betrayed for money, even though Jesus knew who was going to do it, He washed that man’s feet anyways (Judas, in John 13:10-12). He knew who would deny Him three times that night, but He washed that man’s feet anyways (Peter). The one who still wanted another sign (Philip, in John 14:8); Jesus washed his feet. The one who would not believe the Resurrection happened unless, and until he could touch the risen body (Thomas); Jesus washed his feet. Why would we ever take on His Holy name, call ourselves Christian, and even for one moment think that we’re special, that we’re superior in any way to anyone else? Why would we …ever?