The Believer's True Riches

True Riches “The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule at their direction; my people love to have it so, but what will you do when the end comes” (Jeremiah 5:31)? Let’s contrast the false religion prorogated by the false priests of Jeremiah’s day to the true faith God’s children found in the book of Acts. The Christians in the book of Acts weren’t rich, perfect, or even culturally acceptable, but they exhibited a vitality of faith that stirs my heart. Please note four characteristics of their faith. First, they were preoccupied with Jesus. He had ascended to heaven, after which He returned to empower them, John 16:7. His presence was real enough to take them through anything. Remember how real God’s presence was when you first surrendered your life to Him. He only wanted it to get better from there. Second, their community had reality. Unity and heartfelt love was the earmark of the early church. They sacrificed for each other’s needs. Someone’s weakness became an opportunity for someone else to serve, not judge or gossip. What a contrast to the backbiting and political infighting found in some churches today. Third, their ministry had power. I Corinthians 2:4, 5. Christianity was God active in His creation to redeem people. The early church healed the sick and liberated people held captive by the enemy. Today we comfort the sick, and bereaved and argue about the existence of demons. Fourth, they were willing to sacrifice. They followed Jesus because He is Lord. They understood the abundant life was not about temporal comfort but a living in the fullness of Jesus’ presence. What God has offered us is better than some of us are living. We can know the same reality of the resurrected Jesus, the closeness of brotherly love, the power of supernatural ministry, and a joy far deeper than the lures of this life. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

What Am I Going to Get Out of It

Please read Matthew 19:27-20:16. President William Mckinley once wrote to Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, "For labor, a short day is better than a short dollar." What would he say to the men in this story who had a long day and a short dollar? We must not jump to the conclusion that Jesus did not know what He was talking about, or that He stretched the truth in order to make a point. He was a keen observer of the ways of men. The parable is not about salvation. Nobody works for salvation, and certainly nobody is going to complain about own salvation or somebody elses'. Nor is Christ dealing with gaining rewards. "And every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor" (I Cor. 3:8). That didn't happen in this parable. Jesus was warning His disciples about a wrong attitude in service. The setting of the parable makes this clear. Do you remember when the rich young ruler refused to give his all and follow Christ? It was on this occasion Jesus warned His disciples about riches. Peter responded in a natural way. He had forsaken all, what was he going to get? The Lord's answer was encouraging, God would repay them a hundredfold for their sacrifice. However Jesus detected in Peter's question an attitude of heart that was dangerous. To counteract this subtle attitude of "What am I going to get?" The Lord told this parable, and in it, He gave several warnings that relate to Christian service. First, Don't make bargains with God. Day laborers would gather in the town market place early in the morning, employers would hire them for the day. The owner of the vineyard was anxious to get his harvest in. He went to town at 6AM. 3PM. and 5PM. We learn there are two kinds of workers. The men hired early in the morning would not go to work until they know how much they would make. The other workers had no contract. At pay time the first received exactly the amount they had bargained for. This applied to Peter. He was signing a contract. The lesson is, don't make bargains with God. Let Him write the contract and pay the wages, for He is generous. If we write the contract and tell God what we want, we will always be the losers. If we let God do it His way, we will receive exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Eph. 3:20). Our Master in heaven does not limit Himself to what is just and equal. He gives what is gracious and generous. God is more interested in our heart attitudes than in our work. If our hearts are right our work will be right, if our hearts are selfish, our work will suffer. Our relationship to the Master is most important. Do we trust Him? Do we believe His Word? Are we willing to work without a contract. Second, Don't watch other workers. The disciples were often guilty of watching other people and drawing wrong conclusions. A man cast out a demon, but since the man did not belong to their group, they rebuked him. In response Jesus rebuked them. The disciples were not able to cast out demons, but they dared attack those whose success exposed their own failures. When we get our eyes off the Lord and start watching others certain symptoms show up. We begin to envy others. We have an evil eye when we can't see anything good about another. When we start comparing we start coveting, and complaining. We get bitter toward God. We feel that God given us a raw deal. The Elder Brother said "These many years have I served you." It is sin for believers to watch one another and judge one another. We need to watch over one another in tender love and seek to help one another. When we keep our eyes on other Christians they come between God and us. We need to learn as believers, that we are co laborers, not competitors. We must seek to please the Master. Third, Don't be overconfident. Whenever we are tempted to boast about our work, or belittle anothers' work, we ought to read I Cor. 4:5). Our judgments are faulty because we do not see a persons heart. It is the motive that determines the value of the ministry. We must not serve God only for reward. The main lesson of this parable is that workers must watch their motives and be sure they are serving God because of love for Him. A good example of this was Jonah. He did God's work, but he was not in God's will, nor did he please God's heart. Did Peter learn the lesson Christ was trying to teach? You can find the answer in Acts 3:6. Are you willing to serve without as contract? Do you trust God's Word and really believe that God is generous? Or are you bitter because somebody else got what you may think is a better deal? Are you a people watcher? What changes are you going to make because of today's lesson? Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

The Non-Growing Church

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Col 3:17). Have you noticed that much of our training in the local church focuses on areas where we spend very little time. The fact is we spend over 70 percent of our time in the workplace. This is where we confront the greatest mission field in our lives. Because the work place is the greatest opportunity for Biblical transformation we must be taught how to effectively integrate faith into our work life. The time has come to tear down the wall between Sunday and Monday and understand that all of life is spiritual, every bush is a burning bush, all ground is holy ground. Studies show that 90 percent of believers do not feel they've been adequately trained to apply biblical faith in their work life. Its time to take the focus off the fringes and place it on the center where most people spend most of their time. I heard a commentator talking about Sarah Palins statement that she has been saved. He stated that "She is a religious fanatic." Then he asked with a tone of sarcasm 'What is being saved all about anyway?" Someone in his "Work place" is letting him down. Some day that "Enlightened" commentator will know all about the meaning of "Saved". Lets hope he finds out before its eternally to late. Here are some ideas being tried in various local churches. Some churches are ordaining their workplace believers for their calling to the workplace. Some are committed to integrating training for their workplace believers on the theology of work. Some are integrating Sunday school programs specifically geared to help workplace believers understand their workplace calling. Lets change the 80/20 rule in the 9 to 5 window from 20% doing ministry to 80% doing ministry. Are you burdened for the workplace? Let pray that the Lord will help local church leaders understand and affirm this calling. This would slow down transfer church growth, and start building churches with new converts. That happened in the New Testament and it needs to happen today. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

The Presence of God

We live in a culture that places a premium on human reason. The Savoy business manager and the cunning strategist are in high demand. We are affected by the thinking of our society more than we realize. God wants us to follow and obey Him. We pray "Thy Kingdom come, Your will be done..." We as believers often come up with a plan and ask God to bless it. Moses knew without God's presence, he was toast. Note his appeal to the Lord. "If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here" (Exodus 33:15). One great danger in Christian service is to become complacent in our daily duties. At such a time God often allows a crisis to arise which forces us back to our knees. This is usually when we cry out to God, asking for His Presence to return, and for His blessing to again be seen on our lives and service. Things were going well for Moses as he led the people out of Egypt. Then God called him to Mt. Horeb, the mountain of God, to receive the Ten Commandments. While he was on the mount, the people fell away from the Lord by returning to the ways of Egypt and building and worshiping a golden calf under Aaron's command. They didn't just fall away, they fell away to the ways of Egypt. This brought tragic results. God's presence left the people. When Moses came down and saw what had happened, he immediately saw the solution. Having God's presence return was the only way they could go forward and have success. "How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?" (Ex 33:16). Do others see the presence of God in your current activities? Are you doing God's work in God's way, for His glory? Do you see His finger prints all over your activities? If not, ask Him to show up, and don't take another step without Him. Let us determine in our hearts, If He doesn't go with us, we won't go. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.