Download... July 18, 2010. Sunday Morning Service. Bro. Dave Goble.
The hope we have, is in that Great High Priest that was touched in all points as we by our infirmities, and is the only true discerner in all the intents and motives of the heart.
TEXT: HEBREWS 4:12-16
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help, in time of need.
This is an assurance, that Jesus understands better than we even know about our self!
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
He was made flesh as we are, although also still being God. He only can discern the thoughts dividing of the spirit and soul. Although not always, our actions are often an indication of the motives and intent of the heart. Only God understands beyond our comprehension of the matter. The mere human heart is deceitful and wicked, Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Only God can truly make and know the difference. If we only look at the surface of others expressions and actions in “judgment”, we can well be deceived. For only God can truly divide between our thoughts and actions, to actually discern us at our “core.”(Again Hebrews 4:12) We might question others or of our own afflictions, maybe still undelivered needs, or undesirable reactions, being still present. But God won’t! He knows All,.. and even ourselves better than we ever could.
We find in the fourth chapter of Jonah, that he questions why God allowed his much suffering to bring a warning to the people of Nineveh. Yet when God in mercy changed His mind, Jonah is then grieved. This is a clear example how God saw Nineveh's repentant hearts by their motives and showed mercy, where we as Jonah might not understand. Too often today we too as Jonah, can “dwell” too long on our trials, when there seems to be no answer. But God has hope!
II Thessalonians 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: Why? Because (II Thessalonians 2:10).. "they received not the love of the truth." When God reveals with His Word the motives of our heart, we are then irrefutably accountable, to whatever He has shown us. When God shows us our weaknesses, and or lack, it is so we can correct our behavior and actions to reflect an ultimate love for the truth. Otherwise...we will receive the occupation of a strong delusion from God. God Himself will send it! It will create a pleasure in unrighteousness that will further delude. A strong punishment? It only comes when there is a knowing rejection to love God’s complete truth.
Again we cannot irrefutably judge by our observation, another person's behavior. Only God can truly discern at the “joints” of our soul and spirit. Even in the face of “seeming” unrighteousness, we are still not qualified to “judge” anyone’s behavior. Each soul is accountable for the motive of their behavior, and not what another one’s perception of their actions might be. It is ultimately only God’s mercy that will also consider the newer converts along with all of the weakest. So it is that, it is sometimes difficult for an older Christian in their humanity, to intentionally, or unintentionally “judge” by their personal “perception”.. someone else behavior. Sin is still sin, but only God can accurately discern their motives.
Again,...Hebrews 4:14-16 14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
God gives us an example of an "enforced weakness" on the apostle Paul, here in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
God allows for, and of course understands, each according to their limitations in body, mentally, emotionally, sufferings, and etc. It is only He that can “cut away” all the surface to clearly discern. Only He knows all the factors involved. Those that selfishly, and knowingly choose the “religious direction” of their desires,.. will be accountable for that motive.
Job 2:6-13 6 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. 7 So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. 8 And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes. 9 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. 10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips. 11 Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him. 12 And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven. 13 So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.
Almost everything, "livelihood", wealth, family, and health, had been taken from Job. God only restrained Satan from taking Job’s life. Verse 9 Even the ones closest to us many times will not understand what you are exactly going through. Job’s wife therefore foolishly “counseled” Job to “curse God and die.” Job though,.. retained his pure motives. Verses 11-13 His “friends” here who had some empathy, were without proper discernment, so could not really help at all, and were a hindrance in their lack of understanding. Job lost his complete capabilities to provide everyday sustenance, yet he “survived.” Today the essence of these things still happen. We grieve with any close to us with their “infirmities", though we cannot necessarily understand fully their sufferings.
Job had a happy ending. Yet,..not everyone does. It depends on our motives, and not losing faith in God while still alive. With Job, God had taken everything but his life and faith. God allowed him this vital sustenance. The lesson is, no matter how great the suffering gets, if we hold on to our faith in God, it will motivate us to still serve Him. The only true hope we have in this life, is the faith that God has given us. Although our faith may suffer, God will never take it from us, even if we lose everything else. Being faithful to what God has given us is our only connection to Him. Hebrews 3:1-2 1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; 2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.
Job cursed his life, but he did not curse God as his wife suggested he should. He retained his faith in God, in spite of all. He did express a wish that he had never been born. We might think, that this was not a way for any child of God to talk, because we might consider his dilemma within our own limitations. Yet any one of us in the depth of our lowest existence, can not be sure we would have a more optimistic reaction. It would be easy for Satan (as Job’s friends did here) to accuse us that our trial was a result of a personal sin or attitude. Job’s friends truly did feel bad for him, yet their “judgment” was not in fact fair or with mercy. Job though, in all of this did not back up in his faith, even though he could not “hear” God’s voice. He did not "feel" God's care, in the midst of his darkness,.. yet he denied not God.
Another biblical account of motives, was when Jesus knew all of his disciples would ultimately forsake Him, and that the one who “dipped” his bread with Jesus would actually betray Him. John 13:21, 25-27 21 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. 25 He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? 26 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. Jesus earlier stated that it would have been better had His betrayer (Judas) never been born, based on his betrayal,.. the result of Judas's motives. Mark 14:21 The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born. Judas was doomed by his own sinful motives. It is interesting to realize that the other disciples who forsook Christ, also displayed actions that were not so very different. Yet as with Peter, Jesus knew they would be restored, when they repented. Repentance based in a real motive to serve God. A restoration of connection with God, based in that small remaining portion of faith. A faith not abandoned,.. but honored.
Job 4:1-9 The accusation from Job’s friend here was there could not be such destitution, suffering, etc., unless there was something spiritually wrong with Job. Verses 7-9 7 Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off? 8 Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same. 9 By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.
Yet God did allow Job’s great loss and suffering though it was not based in a reaping that he had sown. God mercifully allowed Job’s faith to remain, to retain his connections with Him.
The suffering, etc. then, does not require a “judgment of it being deserved”. If we express such judgments, we amplify that soul’s sufferings, grief, etc. Job endured this lack of encouragement and lack of immediate deliverance, even though it was not his fault. So also we need to learn to seek God’s wisdom to not be unmerciful in our “judgments” of other people’s "dark dilemmas." Job did not deserve his dilemma, even though there was nothing he could do to make it better. He received no comfort or encouragement even from his neighbors and friends. So God would require us also to go through, without forsaking faith in Him.
In an example of being a caregiver, one is frequently “worn down,” and needs a special grace and support. Those not in similar situations,.. would not technically be able to relate.
Psalms 13:1 How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? David here could not “see” the end of his trial. In that same chapters 5th verse But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. He still retains his faith, and still rejoices. We as a congregation can learn from this to be a better Mother to the weaker ones attempting to serve God, who need that additional spiritual assistance. Without faith, none of us will have a connection with God at all. Our prayer should be, in the midst of our heavy load, "help us keep our pure motives." Humanity of itself is not successful in transferring our faith to our actions. We all have our problems and stress “seems”,.. sometimes more than we can bear. It is good then to remember Christ exhortation. Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. If we are successful to not lose faith, we then can transfer our burdens to that Rock, Christ Jesus!
In this life we can not escape the “heart burdens” of this world, and of ourselves cannot transfer them to that Rock Christ Jesus. It takes a God given faith. If the load is not transferred to Christ at times, it does not mean I am "evil", but I am having to endure some suffering to finally cast them on Him. We must have compassion without judgment. Those found with seemingly unbearable loads, must press on with faith from our foundational rock Christ Jesus. We must not allow excuses, or doubts to overwhelm us, but press forward in faith so God can deliver us. What or where is your motive?
