Two Promises to Man by Brother Duke Hansen

         This morning we will be reading scripture in a couple of different places. We will be in the letters the apostle Paul wrote. The first place we are reading from is the book of 1 Timothy. We will also being reading from the book of Philippians and 2 Peter for the message this morning. So if you would, turn to 1 Timothy first. We will be reading from chapter 6 and the first verse.

        Lest as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name if God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. 

        It's important to note a couple of things. Paul is indeed referencing masters and slaves. It was not an analogy for worker and a work boss. The second point I want to make is that you and I are servants of God. We are in servitude and stewards over what is given to us. There are plenty of scriptures that speak of spiritual adoption, or being sons and daughters of God. Many will use their carnal thinking and that what is spiritual into an entitled mindset. These people thinking that they are #blessed are prideful, arrogant, high-minded, and sanctimonious. Paul is writing to Timothy in this opening verse not tp cast shadows on God nor his word. Knowing the truth, the three steps of salvation, is great. If you limit your spiritual growth to that, you are missing so much more of the story. Let's read verse 2.

        2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

        3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

        4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof comes envy, strife, railings, evil surmising,

        5 Perverse disputing of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

        Gain in the world. Whether it is of money or possessions or land is often seen as God blessing and doing a good work with someone. By this rationale, when a person is at a loss, it's often perceived in the world as God leaving them. If you are perceiving similar as such you might be doing it wrong. This is sometimes a sign of a corrupt mind and void of the truth. 

        6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

        7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

        8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

        A week ago, I had asked you what the two things God has promised to all man. I got several different answers from some of you. The answer is here. It was spoken about by Jesus in his sermon on the mount. It is food and clothing. How many of you are content with just the food you eat and the clothes you have? The answer is probably very few, if any. One of the hardest things to attain in a spiritual relationship is contentment. Why is it difficult to be content? Starting early as a toddler you are continually bombarded with discontent, competition, never settle, never surrender, winner take all, whoever has the most wins attitudes, siphoned through advertising of all types. You cannot be content in the spirit using the world's ideologies. 

        9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

        10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

        Let's pause to examine verses 9 and 10. Today, you don't need to be obscenely wealthy to fall into temptation and a snare by your foolish lusts. There are plenty of people living paycheck to paycheck, borrowing from the proverbial Peter to pay Paul with bills, in order to chase after whatever lust is playing them. Also of note, it is the love of money, not money itself, which is the root of all evil. The very idea, the concepts, of rich and poor are more about the perception in your head than a firm reality. Yes, there are a slim and very powerful portion of people obscenely wealthy. The way we think and condition our thoughts are very big issues in how we conduct ourselves day to day in life. 

        Before we go to Philippians, we need to turn to 2 Peter. We will go to the first chapter and start reading from verse 5. Peter is speaking to the church in this letter.

        5 And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

        6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

        7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

        In these three verses, Peter is giving the believer a path of what steps next to take in their walk. He isn't saying, once you are saved, you are sealed and set. He's saying you add on to your faith and what to add. It isn't a instantaneous happening. Many of us in this room are working on contentment and humility. I just wanted to showcase this to you this morning. Some think there is a vague and fuzzy aspect to what God desires of his people when in reality it's on the printed page.

        We will now go to Philippians chapter 4 and start reading from verse 11. This letter finds Paul in jail and writing to the church in Philippi. 

        11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

        12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

        13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.

        Paul is speaking about contentment. I wanted to tell you the definition of abased. Abased is defined as a state of degradation. Is that something you want to be in? So, what does the word abound mean? That word is defined as highly successful. When God lifts you up, you feel his presence, you grow closer to him, it is for a season. Understand that he also brings you down for a season as well. This road we are one spiritually is not a straight line. It isn't flat but composed of hills and valleys, twists and turns, mountains to cross over. Go back to verse 6 of Philippians 4. Paul writes be careful for nothing. Translation to today's terms. Don't be anxious over things. Let's go to verse 6 and read to verse 9.

        6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

        7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

        8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report: if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

        9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

        God is not vindictive nor is he looking for things to get angry about over you. Many people may claim Jesus as their Lord and savior, but they operate under a brutish mindset with other people. In defining brutish from the scripture, you get words like insensible, savage, unfeeling, gross, ignorant, uncivilized, and untaught. It is so important to be mindful of your mindset. Don't make a claim to be blessed and be uncivilized to those around you.

        Don't waste the pain you will go through. For example, if you lash out or confront someone angrily over a disagreement, you are wasting your pain. When you are fasting for the Lord and you grow hungry, there are two choices. Either eat or you press into your prayers and intercession before God. The latter choice will reveal things about your character if you allow yourself to face them. The pain will go after while. When you suffer loss, if your brother is in pain, so too should you be in pain. In speaking about the sick and afflicted. You learn to sacrifice your flesh for the spirit or God will sacrifice part of your flesh. Believe in God when the pain hits. Lose the care and the want to relieve the pain. Go to God with your pain. Seek, pray, and praise God through your affliction. Think on the things Paul tells the church in Philippi.

        Let's talk about being humble. When you are experiencing a moment of growth or in the press. As things seem to fall apart at your touch, every answer seems to be no and there seems to be no route off from what is pressing you, remain humble in your prayers as you call out to God. Surrender the situation. Don't be a Veruca Salt in demanding the things you need or want from God. Give it up to God, but not your patience. Everything in life lasts for a season. Remember to keep a focus on what Paul writes in verses 8 and 9.

        The message this morning has been delivered to equip you with the knowledge and information to go through life in how to handle the highs and lows, the ups and downs, the various afflictions you may go through both physically and spiritually.