Emotional Support Paid For By The Following

 

Emotional Support Paid For By The Following

1 John 5.13-21

Sometimes I like to just be a little silly or goofy with my sermon title.

How many time have you heard it at the conclusion of a program on television. "something something support for the [insert 80's sitcom title here] Show, paid for by the following". Then, all the products and people who helped or gave their financial backing to the show are spoken about and we are encouraged to go by products and items pertaining to those backers of the show. I'm sure you've seen it before. 

Many of our letters by Paul and others usually wind up with some salutations and well wishes to those in the community in which they are writing. While Paul would usually call on some people by name, John tries to simply stay on point with what he has been writing about this whole time. The effect is nearly the same as we are encouraged to keep out focus on the Lord Jesus. 

To Proud To Ask

How easily do you ask for things? Asking for help is something we start learning at kindergarten and beforehand. Sometimes, we find out we haven't learned much by the time we get to adulthood. Asking is a contrary trait for many. As red blooded, blue collar, American people we are taught early to stand on our own two feet. Many of us grow up being told we need to take care of ourselves and not accept any handout from anyone. its one thing to teach people they need to ask for help. There is a step before that where little people simply need to be taught to ask at all. Many a teacher will confirm for you that those little ones they are instructing have no concept of raising a hand, taking a turn, waiting to be called on. If they want something, they want it now and you need to listen. 

And, it is amazing how little we actually learn and retain as we go through life.

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What was it Jesus taught his followers about asking? John was present for all of that teaching. It is the very basis for what he shares and sends on with his own readers and disciples. Jesus likened a person asking of God to that of a person beating on the door of their neighbor late at night, in need of help. The person knocks and knocks. Persistence. It is key if we are to get where we are going. 

In his final talk with the disciples before heading to Calvary, Jesus shares that they should ask for whatever they need, in His name, and they will receive it. It is a special piece of information that truly does not get used enough. The American Christian is taught that we need to stand on our two feet, support ourselves, have no need for someone else to take care of us. Christianity teaches an opposing approach. Be dependent of God for all things. If you have the strength to get up in the morning and go to work, thank God for that. If you have good health and are able to get through the day, better put God first and make sure He knows it. If you have a nice house and a family around you, don't praise yourself for all you have. Make sure you praise the Lord and give Him the due accolades for all you have in your life.Nothing that we have is ours because we did it all ourselves. If we have anything at all, it is because God has blessed us and allowed us to be where we are. God needs to be praised and honored in the midst of this life. And, we learn that truth if we have been in the habit of asking for what we need. 

Sin and Life and Death

Sin is a sticky, messy problem. Just about any teacher will tell you that kids are messy. If you have had the pleasure of raising children in this world, then you already know that bit of truth. God has been raising children for several millennia now and He has seen his fair share of messes. When we were kids, my dad had a saying that stuck with me through the years. When we were little and wanting more milk or something to drink while at the table, dad felt it was he or mom's responsibility to get that for us. His explanation was simple. "If I spill the milk, I have to clean it up. If you spill the milk, I still have to clean it up. So, just let me pour it OK? Because you're probably going to make a mess." How do we handle our own messes? How do we handle other people's messes? The back drop here is truly about how we would like people to treat us should our own sins be out in the open for all to see. There are sins that lead to death. Sometimes they do. It's heart breaking. At that point, John seems to be saying that there is little to nothing we can do about that. Once a person has passed to the other side, they are in God's hands. We need to leave them with God. However, there are sins that do not lead to death and we have the immaculate chance to restore, show mercy, imply forgiveness, redirect and instruct. We should take the chance. We should pour the milk for them, if need be. Help them with their messes. Clean things up fro them if we have to. Because that's what we would want someone to do for us. 

Mercy is an indispensable grace that needs the cap broken off the bottle and poured all over the place. It only finds it way out to people's lives if we share it.  maybe we haven't experienced enough grace in our own lives if we are unwilling to share with and restore others who find themselves in dire circumstances. Our sins can be a snare that leads us to crippling places where we become bitter and resentful. If grace is to abound, if we are to learn the truth about asking God and receiving all we need, then we need to learn that God has all we could ever want at his finger tips. And, what we truly need above all else is His Love. 

Leave It All Behind

Again, we find that translation doesn't always work smoothly. Sin is a big, broad subject. Is John talking about sin in that broad context or is he focusing on something in particular. Many commentators on the scriptures will say that the subject of apostasy is on the forefront of much of the New Testament writers minds. John certainly has touched upon that in his writing. For us to turn away from the confession that Jesus is the Christ, to deny that we have said that Jesus is Lord, is truly a sin. 

It's not easy to stay away from sin when the world around us is telling us that following Jesus is ridiculous. In the case of these first century followers, it might even cost them their lives. There is a government that won't stand for the propagation of a Savior who is proclaimed as God over all. Caesar is said to be Lord of all. To suggest something different could be deadly. But, we know that God will take care of us. We sing about what we believe. We share that each week with what we bring from our hymnals. Lets us focus on what we believe and trust in as we close up this service today.