Learn-Grow-Become-GO!
Shout it in the assembly.
Shout it to the world. (Psalm 40)
The Parable of the Weeds
Matthew 13:24-30 (BSB)
24Jesus put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25But while everyone was asleep, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and slipped away. 26When the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the weeds also appeared.
27The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’
28‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.
So the servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’
29‘No,’ he said, ‘if you pull the weeds now, you might uproot the wheat with them. 30Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat into my barn.’”
On Tuesday of this week, I spoke of the Christian’s “unique relationship with evil.” As spiritually awakened children of God, we indeed have such a relationship – as is referenced by the scripture above.
Jesus teaches that the good of God that is planted in the earth – along with the evil of the Opposer of His will – will grow together; and that making the effort to uproot only the evil may cause destruction of the good. How then are we to engage? We are taught to fight, or resist, evil. We are told that we are, by virtue of being a child of God, engaged in constant spiritual warfare. Being a child of God is the key to understanding. You see, if a person is lost, disconnected from their creator, living an unredeemed life in darkness, they know only evil. It is impossible for them to understand good – for God alone is good. The person may be living a peaceful life, not directing hateful actions toward others et. And thinking that they are living a “good” life; but the fact remains that, although they are not seeking to destroy the image-bearers of God, they are still blinded by the father of all lies and will be content to go on living such a “good” life as they pass through the gates of Hell into eternal damnation.
As Jesus teaches in John 12, 38“Lord, who has believed our message?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
39For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says:
40“He has blinded their eyes
and hardened their hearts,
so that they cannot see with their eyes,
and understand with their hearts,
and turn,
and I would heal them.”
This is why the children of God may not uproot the weeds, we are called to make disciples of them. They are blind, but God can make them to see. They are sick, but Jesus can heal. Jesus taught this as He gathered among sinners, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Luke 2:17)
Yet a person who is inspired by the Holy Spirit of God knows both good and evil, for they have the good of God within them while walking through this wicked, dark world. The eyes of the Christian are opened, and we are tasked to share the GOOD news with those who are living in darkness – not simply write them off, destroy them, or ignore the fact that they are destroying themselves. As Isaiah also prophesied in chapter 9, “2The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.”
To be sure, we as Children of God do not simply allow that which is evil destroy us either. You see, the same regulation applies to the weeds as it does to the wheat! Although the Evil one is permitted to TRY and destroy the image-bearers of God, He does not have free-reign because he is not sovereign over creation. As we learn in Psalm 1, “4Not so the wicked! For they are like chaff driven off by the wind. 5Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6For the LORD guards the path of the righteous,but the way of the wicked will perish.
And so we are engaged in the spiritual battle for the souls of all human beings; and we know this battle is spiritual because, well, Ephesians 6! – most of which can be summed up in verses 10-12 when Paul teaches, “10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” This is the opening of the conclusion of the epistle that ends with the description of the “full armor of God.”
As children of God, we recognize and defend fellow children of God as well as those image-bearers who are lost, but not seeking to kill and destroy. These are our charges by which we show the love of God by sharing the likeness of Christ that resides within us. This edifies the follower of Christ so that they may learn and grow and defend both groups if they are not able to defend themselves.
And it shows the love and protective nature of Yahweh to the unbeliever. We see “conversions” of unbelievers, yes – but to be sure, we also see deliverance from demonic possession of those who actively seek to kill and destroy. Both are only accomplished by the power of the Lord, according to the will of the Lord.
As much as is practicable, Paul teaches, we are to live in harmony with one another both inside and outside of the church.
So, you see, it is a bit more complicated than “good vs. evil.” We have a relationship with evil – and the evil one – in which we, by the power of God, discern, disciple, and defend as God leads.
Being called by Christ, we are not of the world, but we do live in the world.
We are called to share the Gospel with the lost “the weeds of the parable” while maintaining our faithfulness to God through His Spirit and His word.
Yet we are also called to combat the evil that seeks to kill and destroy – both the followers of Jesus, and the peace-loving, but lost image-bearers of the Most High.
This might seem difficult, but that is only a feeling – for the very power that raised Christ from the dead lives in YOU, and as such, you are gifted, through your relationship with the Holy One, with not only the big picture of good and evil, but with the discernment of Christ Himself to tell the difference. Seek Him first and allow Him to lead. You may be called to serve the lost souls of your neighborhood. You may be called to simply live your Godly life day-by-day right where you are – demonstrating the goodness of God in all circumstances. You may be called to rise and literally fight those possessed by evil and intent on destroying the Bride of Christ, the children of God within, and the image-bearers of God that His Bride is intend on saving – in the church, in the courtroom, in the public square, or on the battlefield.
Whatever your discernment is regarding this facet of your discipleship, know that you ARE called.
Lead a life worthy of that calling.
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!
You can now subscribe and listen to the “Churchtown Podcast Network!”
Available on both Apple Podcasts and Spotify, just search “Turning on the Lights!” and “Churchtown Church of God Sermons” – subscribe and then leave a rating and a review! More folks will see it!
Super shout-out to Mark Cole for making this a reality!
*Audio and video are always posted on our YouTube channel @churchtownchurch (there are actually 1,100 videos there)
Church Calendar
“Chosen” episodes will run Friday nights May 10, 17, 24, and 31 @7pm
This Sunday, May 12 is Mother’s Day – Brass ensemble will lead music, Kids for our King – and that will feature Valerie Fite taking her vows of membership.
Tuesday, May 14 is council prayer
Wednesday, May 22 is congregational prayer (changed this month!)
Kelly and I leave for Vacation Wednesday, May 22 (return Saturday, June 1)
Saturday, May 25 – Randy Simpson is outside at 5pm
Randy is back Saturday, June 1 – inside at 6.
SERVICE OF THE ORDINANCE DATES:
July 21
October 13th
November 27th – Thanksgiving Eve.
Remember, the single biggest reason given for why someone attends church for the first time is that a friend asked them!
As always, we continue in prayer for Churchtown, for our community, for the church universal, and for the lost everywhere.
God is good. God provides. Keep your eyes up and on the cross people.
Be well and do good, my friends. And, as always, Keep Looking Up! The lord comes!
REMEMBER THAT!
Opportunities!
We are always seeking individuals to be trained in technology. We would like to develop TEAMS that could rotate weekends.
There is always the opportunity to provide music – join up with the New Song Singers and / or talk to me about a special prelude or piece.
Gather-Grow-Become-Go
Sunday will feature our own Jeff Schwartz and members of his Brass Ensemble!
Churchtown Church of God
Sunday, May 12, 2024
Welcome to Churchtown!
We are glad you are here! Happy Mother’s Day!
Our Special Prelude beginning at 9:55, “It Is Well with My Soul, and “Achieved Is the Glorious Work.” followed by our announcements opening prayer and then,
“A Mighty Fortress”
“O Worship the King”
“Great Is the Lord”
The Opening Word
1 John 2:28-29; 3:1-10 (NLT)
“Fairest Lord Jesus” “Our Great Savior”
Our Time in the Word
1 John 3:11-24 (NLT)
Vows of Membership—Valerie Fite
Special Piece, “Wonderful Words of Life”
Our Time of Testimony and Prayer
“The Lord’s Prayer”
Postlude, “When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder”As a “little” church, we are always asking the question, “What CAN we do?” Well, we can start by caring for the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of each other.
We CAN serve the next person God places before us.
We CAN invite that person to church!
We CAN be intentional about going to church and strengthening ourselves and the body.
We CAN serve our community and show who Christ is to those who do not know Him.
We CAN PRAY, PRAY, PRAY – and we can REMAIN FATIHFUL!
I Love Being Your Pastor and Your Friend,
Brian
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