God Refuses to Become a Debtor to Any Man!

Matthew 19:29 - And every one that hath forsaken houses ... or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

PULPIT QUIP: "God refuses to become a debtor to any man!"  (Missionary David H. Hillis)

Application: Giving / Tithing / Missions / Sacrifice / Loss within God's will, etc.

Same note at parallel Gospels, Mark 10:29-30; Luke 18:29-30.  Also at Philippians 4:19 (in context) and at Job chapter 42.

VM

Deity of Christ in James 1:1

James 1:1 - James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

a) James is the servant of the Lord Jesus Christ in the same exact way he is the servant of God.  This would be blasphemy and idolatry if Jesus were not God.  Also, no man can serve two masters (Matt. 6:24), so Jesus and God are one.

b) No mention of being half-brother of Jesus.  This relationship of flesh is no longer important, II Cor. 5:16-17.

Notes partially influenced from David W. Cloud, "James (Advanced Bible Study Series)."

Acts 6:1-6

Acts 6:1-6 - "...then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said...."

Example of mutual submission, Ephesians 5:21; I Peter 5:5.  This by the leadership:
(a) Acknowledge the problem, not ignore it.
(b) Address the problem, not lay it aside or kick it back to the complainants.
(c) Lead in the adoption of a solution - including in this case taking on a new and necessary duty.

VM

Psalm 27:9

Psalm 27:9 - ... put not thy servant away in anger...

"As thou didst Saul before me," left unsaid but surely on David's mind.

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Philippians 4:1

Philippians 4:1 - ...my joy and crown...

Cp. I Thess. 2:19-20

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Philippians 2:5

Philippians 2:5 - Let this mind be in you...

MIND: Where it all begins.  Proper action results from proper thinking.  God dos not just want our outward conformity.

How: Romans 12:2; II Corinthians 10:5.

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I Corinthians 4:1-2

1 Corinthians 4:1-2 - Let a man so account of us [preachers]...

"The apostle was anxious to be rightly accounted of, and well he might be; for ministers are not often esteemed rightly: as a rule, they are either gloried in, or else despised." - Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Spurgeon's Expository Encyclopedia, Volume XI, p. 45, in the sermon "Stewards: A Sermon Delivered by C. H. Spurgeon, To the Annual Conference of the Pastors' College Association, 1887."  Baker Book House, 1988 reprint.

Philippians 2 Outline

Philippians Chapter 2: Examples of Proper Christian Attitudes In Service

Vv. 5-11: CHRIST'S EXAMPLE
a) Despite His glory, He humbled Himself a servant
b) Obedient to God, even in shame
c) Rewarded

Vv. 16-17: PAUL'S EXAMPLE
a) Joy when his sacrifice has blessed others
b) Cp. Hebrews 12:2

Vv. 19-23: TIMOTHY'S EXAMPLE
a) Likeminded with leadership
b) Caring
c) Soul-winning
d) Trainable
e) Tested and proven character

Vv. 25-30: EPAPHRODITUS' EXAMPLE
a) Fulfills his job despite hardship or difficulty
b) Therefore worthy of honour

Psalm 133:1-2

Psalm 133:1-2 - Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!  It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;

a) Unity synonomous with God's annointing for service, Exd. 30:30.