The Deliverer from Sin

This is the manuscript of the eighth and final sermon in the "7 Deadly Sins" series. 

Who is to deliver us from the power and presence of sin? Let us thank God that through Jesus Christ and the precious gift of the Holy Spirit we can have deliverance now from the power of sin, and ultimately, we will have complete redemption and salvation from the very presence of sin.

Scripture Reading:

Romans 8:31‭-‬39 NIV What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Introduction

Last week we finished the last of the seven deadly sins in the list compiled by Pope Gregory I in about 600 AD as I said at the beginning of every sermon in this series these seven deadly sins  aren't specific sins but categories of sin that are attitudes that affect character and conduct, and they are continually condemned in Scripture and as a matter of fact all sin is deadly, unless we repent, and the Lord forgives and cleanses us.

Romans 6:23 NIV For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Here’s the full list. 

1. Pride

2. Anger (Wrath)

3. Envy (Jealousy)

4. Impurity (Lust) 

5. Gluttony (Lack of Self-Restraint)  

6. Slothfulness (Laziness)

7. Avarice (Greed)

We started with pride, which is the beginning of all sin, then we talked about anger which if not controlled is a sign of weakness, which can lead to personal harm, rob you of self-esteem, can impair your thinking or attitudes, and can lead to evil actions. Next, we discussed envy or jealousy which expresses itself as a covetous feeling toward another person’s attributes, possessions, or stature in life. Next was impurity or lust which we defined as a powerful desire, a craving, abnormal appetite, not only for physical but for spiritual satisfaction.  Next was gluttony or lack of self-restraint which we said is the sin of excess and intemperance. Seeking to satisfy our senses and our greed while disregarding the needs of others.   The sixth sin was slothfulness or laziness.  We said that slothfulness is excessive physical laziness or the failure to utilize one’s talents.  Slothfulness is found in the workplace, schools, government offices, churches, everywhere, and we concluded that every one of us should always do our best.  Maybe being slothful is more about our relationship with God.  We should work as though God were our employer.

Ephesians 6:7‭-‬8 NIV Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.

Last week we talked about avarice or greed, which was the seventh deadly sin. Greed is selfish motivation. It is the desire for more things, or lusting for more material things than God determines is best. Greed can apply to money, fame, possessions, attention, compliments, gifts, and even more.  One bible commentator describes greed as a “ruthless self–seeking and an arrogant assumption that others and things exist for one's own benefit.”

We’ve been talking about sin for the last couple of months and today we are going to wrap up this series with "The Deliverer from Sin”.

Text:

Romans 7:24‭-‬25 NIV What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

In Romans chapter 7 Paul paints a picture of the tragic failure and disappointment of a believer who tries to find peace of heart through human effort to keep the holy law of God. Paul declares that anybody who seeks to overcome the seven deadly sins in willpower and human effort alone will experience the despair of repeated failure.

There are two powers that claim the right to rule in the heart of man. Paul described these as “flesh” and “Spirit.” 

By the term flesh Paul is referring to our human nature, which is defiled by sin. It is that part of our human nature that provides a foothold for sin. It is the inward tendency that we all have to drift downward rather than to move upward.

The Apostle John calls it the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and pride of life.   We talked about it in our sermon "The Fourth Deadly Sin: Lust. 

1 John 2:15‭-‬17 NIV Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

Flesh” here refers here to the depraved human nature that governs a person’s will, reason, and emotions. The lust of the flesh is any temptation or sin that appeals to our physical appetites. It is any sin that gives people sinful pleasure and attempts to satisfy our emotional senses and physical desires through sin.

The lust of the eyes is coveting and desiring something that belongs to someone else.  It may be their spouse, or girl or boyfriend, it may be their position at work, or in the church it may be their position or spiritual gift(s). It may be their clothes or their home, or any number of things.   

The pride of life amounts to the arrogant, proud dependence on your own achievements, intelligence, resources, or wealth.

When Paul spoke of “the Spirit,” he was speaking of the indwelling Holy Spirit, who comes to live within the believer at the moment of conversion and salvation and makes it possible for the child of God to grow in Christlikeness.

Yielding to the unregenerate nature described as “flesh” is the road to ruin. Recognizing and responding to “the Spirit” is the road to life and peace.

We don't have time today, but I want you to read all of Romans chapter 7 because it describes the pain and disappointment, the failure and despair of someone who tries to live a Christian life without a conscious dependence on Christ and the filling of the Holy Spirit.  

The next chapter, Romans 8 begins with “no condemnation” 

Romans 8:1‭-‬2 NIV Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

And it closes with “no separation.” 

Romans 8:38‭-‬39 NIV For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The contents of Romans 8, and i want you to read all of it too, declare that there need be no defeat in the Christian life. 

However, it should be recognized that Christian victory over sin is not automatic and inevitable. We must accept responsibility for our spiritual response to the indwelling Spirit.

Romans 8 contains twenty references to the person and work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer.  See if you can find all of them when you read the chapter.  It is through this living, present power of the Holy Spirit that we are to be delivered from the tyranny of sin. 

From Romans 7 into Romans 8 we move from the powerlessness of defeat to the promise of victory. We move from spiritual depression to spiritual delight. We move from a sigh to a song. 

The indwelling Holy Spirit makes possible spiritual victory and conduct that reflects the grace and the glory of God.

I. The indwelling Spirit sets us free from the law of sin and death.

Romans 8:1‭-‬4 NIV Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

The Holy Spirit of God liberates us from the law of sin and death and makes it possible for believers to live righteously. When sin would serve as an oppressive tyrant, the Holy Spirit comes in to deliver us with a strength greater than the law.   

Paul says that the law was like our guardian 

Galatians 3:23‭-‬25 NIV Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.

II. The indwelling Spirit delivers us from the weakness of the flesh

Romans 8:5‭-‬13 NIV Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

Even after we have come to know Jesus Christ as Savior, we are still plagued by the power of an inward tendency to sin. This is where the devil seeks to do his work in the hearts and lives of believers. Paul was declaring that through the power of the Holy Spirit we can have victory. 

In his epistle to the Galatians, Paul affirmed that instead of serving the flesh, we can reap the harvest of the Spirit if we will trust in him and walk in him and obey him.

Galatians 5:16‭-‬26 NIV So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

III. The indwelling Spirit provides leadership for God’s children

Romans 8:14 NIV For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

The Holy Spirit wants to lead us in thought and word and deed. By faith we are to recognize and obey these divine impulses that could have no source except the heart of a loving God. The Holy Spirit is the creator of a quality of life in which the will of God is loved, accepted, and obeyed.  

Galatians 5:22‭-‬23 NIV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

IV. The indwelling Spirit gives testimony to our divine position as children of God

Romans 8:15‭-‬17 NIV The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

The Holy Spirit communicates with the believer that he or she is now a child of God and a member of the family of God.

As Satan tries to defeat us by tempting us to fall into any of the seven deadly sins, we need to firmly grasp our new relationship with God in order that we might overcome evil and achieve victory.

V. The indwelling Spirit is God’s pledge of our final and complete Redemption.

Romans 8:18‭-‬25 NIV I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

In Romans 7 Paul described the despair of the person who finds it impossible to overcome the seven deadly sins by human strength alone. Here in these verses, in chapter 8, he told of the glorious expectation and the assurance of the final victory God has provided for those who trust Jesus Christ as Savior. God not only promises us victory over our evil nature in the present, but he promises us final and ultimate and complete redemption.

The Holy Spirit is our guarantee.

Ephesians 1:13‭-‬14 NIV And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

VI. The indwelling Spirit aids us in our efforts to pray according to the will of God.

Romans 8:26 NIV In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

All of us have difficulty praying properly. Paul said that it is the ministry of the Holy Spirit, who wants to deliver us from the seven deadly sins, to aid us in our prayer life.

VII. The indwelling Spirit makes intercession for us according to God’s will 

Romans 8:27‭-‬28 NIV And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

No one can overcome the flesh in human strength alone. No one can overcome an evil nature by trying to obey the law. Our help comes from God. 

1 Corinthians 2:10‭-‬12 NIV these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.

The Holy Spirit not only seeks to aid us in our prayer efforts, but Jesus intercedes in heaven for us according to God’s will.

Romans 8:34 NIV Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

Hebrews 7:23‭-‬25 NIV Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

Conclusion

Who is to deliver us from the power and presence of sin? Let us thank God that through Jesus Christ and the precious gift of the Holy Spirit we can have deliverance now from the power of sin, and ultimately, we will have complete redemption and salvation from the very presence of sin.

Romans 6:15‭-‬23 NIV What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Let's pray 

Almighty God, It is the Holy Spirit who reminds us of Your Words, Your commands and Your goodness and He empowers us to walk in love and in obedience. Thank You for sealing us with Your Spirit as an assurance that we are Your children and that You will never leave us nor forsake us. It is Your Holy Spirit who fills us with the Father’s love that we may grow in wisdom and in knowledge of God’s love as well as to become love and be a blessing to the world. Thank You Father for You have secured us in Your love, guidance, and protection through the Holy Spirit. We are thankful and blessed that Your Spirit dwells inside us and our utmost desire is to always be in fellowship with You and experience Your wonderful presence, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Sermon Audio

The Seventh Deadly Sin: Avarice (Greed)

 

This is the manuscript of the seventh sermon in the "7 Deadly Sins" series. 

“Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions’” (Luke 12:15 NIV).

Avarice is the last of the seven deadly sins, and it is also related to the last sin listed among the Ten Commandments:

Exodus 20:17 NIV ““You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

Coveting is the beginning of greed, which is the inordinate desire to grasp and possess material goods. It can lead to deceit, theft, envy, jealousy, murder, war, and selfishness.

Greed usually means someone else must suffer. Greed is a quest for more than just necessities. Greed is a sophisticated form of idolatry.

Scripture Reading: 

Luke 12:15‭-‬21 NIV Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

Introduction

Well today we are coming to the seventh of the seven deadly sins in the list compiled by Pope Gregory I.  We have one more sermon in this series and it is “The Deliverer from Sin”, and we know that’s Jesus. But that’s next week.  

Let me remind you again that these seven deadly sins  aren't specific sins but categories of sin that are attitudes that affect character and conduct, and they are continually condemned in Scripture.  Let me also remind you that according to the Bible all sin is deadly, unless we repent, and the Lord forgives and cleanses us.

Romans 6:23 NIV For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The complete list compiled by Pope Gregory is 

1. Pride

2. Anger (Wrath)

3. Envy (Jealousy)

4. Impurity (Lust) 

5. Gluttony (Lack of Self-Restraint)  

6. Slothfulness (Laziness)

7. Avarice (Greed)

We started with pride, which is the beginning of all sin, then we talked about anger which if not controlled is a sign of weakness, which can lead to personal harm, rob you of self-esteem, can impair your thinking or attitudes, and can lead to evil actions. Next, we discussed envy or jealousy which expresses itself as a covetous feeling toward another person’s attributes, possessions, or stature in life. Next was impurity or lust which we defined as a powerful desire, a craving, abnormal appetite, not only for physical but for spiritual satisfaction, an eagerness to possess or enjoy; unlawful desire of carnal pleasure; evil propensity; depraved affections and desires.  Next was gluttony or lack of self-restraint which we said is the sin of excess and intemperance. It is unrestrained self-indulgence, and inordinate extravagance. Gluttony seeks to satisfy our senses and our greed while disregarding the needs of others.   The sixth sin was slothfulness or laziness.  We said that slothfulness is excessive physical laziness or the failure to utilize one’s talents. Slothfulness is avoiding work.  Slothfulness is found in the workplace, schools, government offices, churches, everywhere, and we concluded that every one of us should always do our best.  Maybe being slothful is more about our relationship with God.  Jesus Christ has commanded us to be active and effective witnesses for him. We should work as though God were our employer.

Ephesians 6:7‭-‬8 NIV Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.

Today, the last sin category on the list is avarice or greed.

Text: “Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions’” (Luke 12:15 NIV).

Avarice much like the word slothfulness is not a word we use very often today. Instead, we use the word greed. Avarice the last of the seven deadly sins is related to the last of  the Ten Commandments: 

Exodus 20:17 NIV ““You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

Coveting is the beginning of greed, which is the inordinate desire to grasp and possess material goods. It can lead to deceit, theft, envy, jealousy, murder, war, and selfishness.

“The Midas touch” has become a desirable virtue rather than a detestable and seriously sad sin. Many wish they had the “Midas touch.” but they forget that the moral of the fable was to teach foolishness of greed.  

The story of King Midas is a famous bedtime story for children. 

In the story, King Midas is known for his touch turning everything into gold. Midas was a wealthy king, but his greed for wealth led him to make foolish decisions.  Midas realized the consequences of his wish and pleaded with Dionysus to take back his gift.  Dionysus agreed to help Midas on the condition that he would learn from his mistakes. Dionysus instructed Midas to wash in the river Pactolus, which would remove the golden touch and restore his daughter, who he had turned to gold when he touched her along with everything else that he had turned to gold with his touch. 

The moral of the Midas touch fable is that people should not be greedy because it can lead to downfall.  The story teaches that greed can steal happiness and that people should be grateful for what they have. 

Let me give you some examples of greed from scripture

• Jacob wanted Esau’s birthright

Jacob offered to give Esau a bowl of stew in exchange for his birthright (the right to be recognized as firstborn) The birthright of the eldest male child in the ancient Near East conferred upon him the headship of the clan and a double share of the inheritance   and Jacob wanted it. 

Genesis 25:29‭-‬34 NIV Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” (That is why he was also called Edom.) Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.” “Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?” But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright. 

•  King Ahab wanted Naboth’s vineyard.

1 Kings 21:1‭-‬4‭, NIV Some time later there was an incident involving a vineyard belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite. The vineyard was in Jezreel, close to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. Ahab said to Naboth, “Let me have your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden, since it is close to my palace. In exchange I will give you a better vineyard or, if you prefer, I will pay you whatever it is worth.” But Naboth replied, “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my ancestors.” So Ahab went home, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my ancestors.” He lay on his bed sulking and refused to eat. 

His wife Jezebel got involved and this is what happened 

13 Then two scoundrels came and sat opposite him and brought charges against Naboth before the people, saying, “Naboth has cursed both God and the king.” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death.

• Ananias and Sapphira held back money from the sale of land because of greed.

Acts 5:1‭-‬10 NIV Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.” Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.

In our text for today,  we have Jesus’ words from the introduction to the familiar parable of the rich fool who tore down his barns to build bigger ones—all because of greed. “Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions”.  Jean read the entire parable in our scripture reading this morning.

I. Greed usually means someone must suffer.  Esau lost his rights as first born, Naboth lost his life, Ananias and Sapphira lost their lives.

A. Greed is based on expediency. Whatever it takes to make a dollar becomes all right.  A criminal who traffics in illegal drugs believes only in caring for himself and his own comfort. He does not care about the lives that are destroyed or the thievery it takes for a junkie to maintain his habit.

People who sell alcohol seldom show concern for traffic victims,

broken homes, battered wives and children, or alcohol-related crimes.

B. Car thefts, burglaries, embezzlement, assaults, shoplifting, robbery, and most murders have their origin in greed. All of these crimes cause someone else to suffer.

Gambling can also be based on greed when the purpose is hoping to gain more with little effort.   Although there are some who experience gambling as something rewarding and fun, it can become highly addictive and potentially ruinous. The Bible doesn't call gambling a sin as such, although the Bible warns against the love of money and get-rich-quick schemes.

1 Timothy 6:10 NIV For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

 C. Suffering is caused by the cheating, lying, and the deceit involved in practicing greed. Con games are played on people, especially the elderly, and vulnerable every year.  Law enforcement reports a growing number of older or more trusting Americans being taken in by con men.

II. Greed is a quest for more than just necessities.

A. There are at least five items we need in order to live a reasonably happy life.

They are food, clothing, shelter, medical care, and a means to get enough money to purchase the first four. Having the best-tasting food, the finest clothes, the nicest home, the nicest car, and the most expensive medical specialist is not necessary for living a full and happy life.

B. Advertising and marketing experts create desires for things we don’t need. The sleekest sports car is hardly a necessity. Jewelry, electronic equipment, sporting equipment, recreational vehicles, and brand-name clothes can all become traps of greediness. Technology is something that tempts me.

Jesus said in our text that “a man’s life does not consist in the

abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). 

You remember what Jesus told Satan when he tempted him by showing him the kingdoms of the world?

Matthew 4:8‭-‬10 NIV Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

III. Greed is a sophisticated form of idolatry.

A. Most Christians would destroy a man-made figure of some god that was being worshiped. We do not believe in idolatry. Yet greed is a man-made god that commands our money, time, and we even sometimes sacrifice our families to it.

Some people will eventually give up friends, parents, spouses,

church, and Jesus Christ in the pursuit of possessions. A father will work on Saturday, Sunday, and late nights to have extra money for Christmas and will thus neglect his children and spouse. Some wives will push their husbands and husbands their wives to earn more money in order for them to keep up with friends or their own selfish goals.

Amos the prophet condemned wives who pushed their husbands toward greed.  The same could also go for husbands.

Amos 4:1‭-‬3 NIV Hear this word, you cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy and say to your husbands, “Bring us some drinks!” The Sovereign Lord has sworn by his holiness: “The time will surely come when you will be taken away with hooks, the last of you with fishhooks. You will each go straight out through breaches in the wall, and you will be cast out toward Harmon,” declares the Lord.

The picture is of indulgent and self-absorbed women, it could just as easily be a man, feeding their own appetites. It would have been bad enough if these women paid no attention to those in need. But they go further, they oppress the poor and crush the needy. They are not concerned for the welfare of their husbands. They only care for their husbands to provide them with drink. Furthermore, they are complicit in the injustice being perpetrated upon the poor of Samaria (Israel) by their husbands who are presumably the ruling class of Israel, who are using their influence to enrich themselves, rather than serving the best interest of their country. Rather than using their influence positively, their wives are full partners in perpetrating injustice.   Now that is a real picture of greed. 

Conclusion 

The seven deadly sins that we have talked about these last two months rob us of the “good life.” They are subtle satanic lies that will destroy us. The good life is found only in Christ. God does not condemn these seven attitudes because he wants to spoil our fun. He forbids pride, anger, envy, impurity, gluttony, slothfulness, and avarice because these pursuits destroy life. 

Hebrews 12:1‭-‬2 NIV Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Almighty God, We have sinned against you, through our own fault, in thought, and word, and deed, and in what we have left undone. For the sake of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, forgive us so that we may serve you in the newness of life, to the glory of your Name. Amen.

Sermon Audio

God is for You so Dedicate Your Labor Him

This is the manuscript of the sermon preached at Christ Church the Sunday prior to Labor Day 2023.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23‭-‬24 NIV)

God welcomes all people no matter their status. He welcomes white collar blue collar or no collar workers. God welcomes those with multimillion salaries and those earning minimum wage.

Things to remember and never forget.

• Work is full of the dignity and glory of God.
• It is not a curse, but a reflection of God.
• God created us to serve Him through the works of our hands.
• If good comes out, it's because God shows up.
• We are laborers with God! We are not left alone to do his work; He is always with us.

Scripture 

John 17:1‭-‬11 NIV After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.

Introduction 

Next week for Avarice or Greed.

Labor Day was first proposed in 1882 and celebrated with a demonstration and picnic on Tuesday, September 5. In 1884, the Knights of Labor held a large New York parade on the first Monday in September to celebrate a “workingmen’s holiday.” The group then passed a resolution to hold all future parades on the same day, calling the event Labor Day. Within a few years, other labor organizations began to lobby state legislatures for recognition of Labor Day as an official state holiday. In 1894, Congress passed a law recognizing Labor Day as an official national holiday.

Today, Labor Day has come to be recognized in the U.S. as the unofficial end of the summer season.

When we think about Labor Day many of us are thinking about rest. Whether it’s health issues, busy schedules, planning for big life events, or just the hustle of the regular normal week, many of us are eager for a day off. The Lord was intentional in giving a Sabbath in His creation of the world. He modeled rest to us. He also reminds us that He is the One in whom we find rest for our souls.

Exodus 20:8‭-‬11 NIV “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. 

Text: 

Colossians 3:23‭-‬24 NIV. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

God welcomes all people no matter their status. He welcomes white collar, blue collar, or no collar workers.   God welcomes those with multimillion dollar salaries and those earning minimum wage.

Galatians 3:28‭-‬29 NIV There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Just look at who were the first to receive the official announcement of the birth of Jesus.

Luke 2:8‭-‬11 NIV And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

In Palestine shepherds were poor and uneducated. They were often portrayed as being untrustworthy, still, the birth of Christ was officially announced to them first. Not the white-collared Herod or the Scribes.

Matthew 2:1‭-‬6 NIV After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

God considered the shepherd, the lowly working man, important enough to announce the greatest birth in history to them first.  This was a sign that God didn’t reject them even if  society did.  

In fact, Jesus called himself the Good Shepherd.

John 10:11‭-‬16 NIV “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

Who were Jesus' first recruits to work with Him in His ministry?

Matthew 4:18‭-‬22 NIV As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

The first recruits belonged to the blue-collared community of the day. Not CEOs or executives. The majority of Jesus’ original disciples were ordinary fishermen.  He called them, trained them, empowered them, and sent them on the most important mission in history.

Matthew 10:1‭-‬4 NIV Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Matthew 28:16‭-‬20 NIV Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Today highly educated and qualified Theologians, Pastors, and Leaders study the lives and experiences of these uneducated men to learn the art of ministry and leadership.

Acts 4:13 NIV When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

Jesus was from a Working-Class Family

The folk from Jesus' hometown of Nazareth knew that He wasn’t from a wealthy family and they rejected Him because they knew he was just a carpenter and His  earthly His father, Joseph was just a carpenter.

Mark 6:1‭-‬3 NIV Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

Jesus is the King of kings. He is the Lord of lords. But he chose to be born to the family of a lowly carpenter instead of a Nobleman or King.  Because of this He was able to identify with those who had been rejected by the society of the day.  

As I said last week.

Colossians 3:23‭-‬24 NIV Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

That means that nothing at all, not your circumstances, discomfort, or anything else, makes any difference. You do your best and work hard, because in all that you do, it’s the Lord Himself you are serving.

Most of us have memories of that one job that just wasn’t a happy time. It might have been the job itself, the supervisor, the conditions, the location, or something else entirely. Those of us still working may find this to be a good description of their current position.

Paul, who wrote the scripture that I just read from his letter to the church in Colossae, was writing during a time that slaves (or bondservants) served their earthly masters, and he calls them to do so as though they are working directly for God himself. He wrote something similar to the church in Ephesus.  

Ephesians 6:5‭-‬9 NIV Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free. And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

It can be difficult for us here in the United States to read these two scriptures in their appropriate context because we have a long, bitter history around slavery in our country that can cause us to have a much different perspective of the slave/master relationship, than that of Paul's day. 

In this specific Biblical context, the slave working for their master would have been closer to our modern day understanding of an employee working for their employer. If Paul were writing to us today, he might phrase the passage as, “Whatever job you have, work at it with all your heart, as though you’re working for God himself, not for your supervisor, or CEO, or for the bottom dollar, or just to get a paycheck."

If we as Christians approach our roles with this mindset and attitude, we will truly be the “city on a hill” or that light that everybody sees

Matthew 5:14‭-‬16 NIV “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

People will notice our Christian values when we serve as co-workers in God’s service as it says in

1 Corinthians 3:7‭-‬9 NIV So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

I do want to point out that although Paul never publicly spoke out against slavery he never approved of it either.  In fact,   Paul warns Christians not to become enslaved and urges those who already are slaves to obtain their freedom if possible.

1 Corinthians 7:21‭-‬23 NIV Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings.

In conclusion there are four things I want you to remember.

• Work is full of the dignity and glory of God. It is not a curse, but a reflection of God.

• God created us to serve Him through the works of our hands.

• If good comes out, it's because God shows up.

• We are Laborers with God! We are not left alone to do his work, He is always with us.

Remember what I read before.

Matthew 28:18‭-‬20 NIV Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”