The 10 Commandments Still Matter

In the Gospels we read about a rich young man who asks Jesus how he can achieve eternal life. Jesus advises him to obey the commandments. He claims that this is his practice but apparently still feels lost. Jesus tells him to give up everything and follow Him. This is too much for the young man and he sadly walks away from Jesus.

It seems that many want to figure out what is the least they can do to gain salvation. Jesus tells us there are no short cuts. In fact the way to salvation is narrow, while the way to destruction is wide (and, perhaps, paved with good intentions).

The 10 commandments matter not because they are a set of rules to follow but because they represent principles that reveal the heart of God. We cannot keep them perfectly. The Apostle Paul said that they show the depth of our sin. The Pharisees had written many rules as a hedge around God's law so there would no chance of unintentionally sinning but sin they did. The rich young man who approached Jesus certainly felt there was more to spirituality than a set of rules.

The 10 commandments matter because they deal with the two important issues all humans must face, our relationship with God and our relationship with each other.

The 10 commandments matter because they represent God’s design to make life on earth the best it can possibly be. If they are followed correctly, they create a strong, healthy foundation for both society and individuals. If they are ignored there is chaos and corruption. If they are followed incorrectly there is oppression and dysfunction.

This Sunday I will start a series that reveals the deep spiritual principles behind each commandment and how they can lead you to a happier, healthier and more prosperous life in all your endeavors.

Recharging Spiritual Batteries

Have you ever had a dead car battery? The solution is usually simple. Another car comes alongside, hooks up jumper cables from their strong battery to your weak one and this borrowed energy gets your motor running again.

There are times when our spiritual battery runs low and we need an encourager to come alongside and recharge us. AND there are times when we come can come alongside a brother or sister put courage into them.

William Barclay said “One of the highest of Christian duties is encouragement. It’s easy to pour cold water on other’s enthusiasm; it’s easy to discourage people. The world is full of discouragers. We have a Christian duty to encourage one another. Many a time a word of praise or thanks or appreciation or cheer has kept a Christian on his feet.”

In the book of Acts we meet a Christian who was such an encourager, he was given the nickname “Son of Encouragement,” or Barnabas in Greek. Barnabas was a person who you felt good being around. He believed in the potential of people and was willing to give a failure a second chance.

The first mention of Barnabas is at the end of the 4th chapter of Act where he sold some real estate and gave the money to the Apostles. Later he stood up for Paul when others rejected him. You see, Paul had been persecuting the church in Jerusalem and the apostles thought Paul was setting a was a trap. Barnabas was willing to risk his own safety and reach out to someone who had absolutely NO friends in the Church. He was willing to look beyond the past and believe in Paul... and befriend him.

Barnabas became an advocate and mentor to Paul taking him on missionary journeys and helping Paul become a great leader. He did the same thing for John Mark. When Paul refused to work with John Mark because of a past failure, Barnabas took him under his wing.

Thanks to Barnabas' encouragement John Mark was restored to useful ministry. Paul agreed. He wrote to Timothy, “Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:11

Are you willing to give someone another chance after they have failed you? James tells us that we “should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19)

There are people all around us who need someone to believe in them. Like Paul they may have made some pretty bad mistakes & have a bad reputation. They need a friend and encourager. They need a Barnabas.

• A Barnabas always has great things to say about their church, the kingdom and the Lord.
• A Barnabas helps a person who's down find a silver lining in the dark cloud
• A Barnabas loves people without labeling them

We have all needed someone who would help when we’re down.

• Someone who would be there to encourage us,
• Someone who would have faith in us.
• I thank God that He sent a Barnabas into my life during those times.

We can honor the encouragers in our lives by encouraging others

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)

You get more flies with honey

Everyone likes a winner. When a home team wins a championship, fans come out of the woodwork but, during losing seasons, ticket sales drop. Yet, some organizations thrive on negativity. Not only is the glass half-empty, it dirty and chipped as well. No one wants to be a part of that team.

It is true that churches never have enough resources (financial, volunteer, real estate, etc.). It is equally true that there always enough resources to do God's work. Churches that have a positive, forward-looking attitude will attract those resources.

No one wants to give money to a sinking ship nor do they want to volunteer for a position when it's presented as, “If no one steps forward we will need to shut down our Wednesday night children's program.”

When seeking volunteers point out the positive. For example: “Each Wednesday night we minister to 10 children, teaching them about the love of Jesus. There is an opportunity for a couple of people to make a difference in the lives of these little ones and continue this valuable ministry.”

Stating that we are under-budget and can't pay the utilities is far less attractive than stating recent successes (baptisms, people fed, etc.) and asking for financial contributions to continue such endeavors.

Be proactively positive and get the word out about all the good things happening in your church. Let people know they are on a winning team. Show how we are on mission with God.

Be a source of encouragement and build goodwill among those that might have doubts. Negative people are often damaged and depressed. Do not reject or ridicule but share God's love instead. A heart that is truly warmed by Jesus will live in a world of hope, faith and possibilities. Bitterness is the realm of the Enemy.

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up,

just as in fact you are doing.”

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)