“Are they Israelites? so am I.”
- 2Co_11:22
We have here A PERSONAL CLAIM, and one that needs proof. The apostle knew that his claim was indisputable, but there are many persons who have no right to the title who yet claim to belong to the Israel of God.
If we are with confidence declaring, “So am I also an Israelite,” let us only say it after having searched our heart as in the presence of God. But if we can give proof that we are following Jesus, if we can from the heart say, “I trust him wholly, trust him only, trust him simply, trust him now, and trust him ever,” then the position which the saints of God hold belongs to us-all their enjoyments are our possessions; we may be the very least in Israel, “less than the least of all saints,” yet since the mercies of God belong to the saints AS SAINTS, and not as advanced saints, or well-taught saints, we may put in our plea, and say, “Are they Israelites? so am I; therefore the promises are mine, grace is mine, glory will be mine.” The claim, rightfully made, is one which will yield untold comfort. When God’s people are rejoicing that they are his, what a happiness if they can say, “SO AM I!” When they speak of being pardoned, and justified, and accepted in the Beloved, how joyful to respond, “Through the grace of God, SO AM I.” But this claim not only has its enjoyments and privileges, but also its conditions and duties. We must share with God’s people in cloud as well as in sunshine. When we hear them spoken of with contempt and ridicule for being Christians, we must come boldly forward and say, “So am I.” When we see them working for Christ, giving their time, their talent, their whole heart to Jesus, we must be able to say, “So do I.” O let us prove our gratitude by our devotion, and live as those who, having claimed a privilege, are willing to take the responsibility connected with it.
- 2Co_11:22
We have here A PERSONAL CLAIM, and one that needs proof. The apostle knew that his claim was indisputable, but there are many persons who have no right to the title who yet claim to belong to the Israel of God.
If we are with confidence declaring, “So am I also an Israelite,” let us only say it after having searched our heart as in the presence of God. But if we can give proof that we are following Jesus, if we can from the heart say, “I trust him wholly, trust him only, trust him simply, trust him now, and trust him ever,” then the position which the saints of God hold belongs to us-all their enjoyments are our possessions; we may be the very least in Israel, “less than the least of all saints,” yet since the mercies of God belong to the saints AS SAINTS, and not as advanced saints, or well-taught saints, we may put in our plea, and say, “Are they Israelites? so am I; therefore the promises are mine, grace is mine, glory will be mine.” The claim, rightfully made, is one which will yield untold comfort. When God’s people are rejoicing that they are his, what a happiness if they can say, “SO AM I!” When they speak of being pardoned, and justified, and accepted in the Beloved, how joyful to respond, “Through the grace of God, SO AM I.” But this claim not only has its enjoyments and privileges, but also its conditions and duties. We must share with God’s people in cloud as well as in sunshine. When we hear them spoken of with contempt and ridicule for being Christians, we must come boldly forward and say, “So am I.” When we see them working for Christ, giving their time, their talent, their whole heart to Jesus, we must be able to say, “So do I.” O let us prove our gratitude by our devotion, and live as those who, having claimed a privilege, are willing to take the responsibility connected with it.
Augustine said that pride is the mother of all sin. Here are some questions about pride for you to think, talk, and pray about:
Do you crave attention, honor, recognition, or reward?
Do you become jealous or critical of people who succeed?
Do you always have to win? Do you lack ambition for fear of failing?
Do you have a pattern of lying about or hiding your failures?
Do you have a hard time fully acknowledging you were wrong?
Sin is birthed out of pride, and glory to God is birthed out of humility. It all comes back to the question of who gets the glory.
This clip is excerpted from the sermon "Jesus Is a Better Servant," part 7 of our current series, Esther: God's Perfect Work through Imperfect People. It was preached by Pastor Mark Driscoll out of Esther 6:1--13 at Mars Hill Downtown Bellevue and released online on October 28.
Watch the full sermon here: http://jesus.to/PhvIFE
Do you crave attention, honor, recognition, or reward?
Do you become jealous or critical of people who succeed?
Do you always have to win? Do you lack ambition for fear of failing?
Do you have a pattern of lying about or hiding your failures?
Do you have a hard time fully acknowledging you were wrong?
Sin is birthed out of pride, and glory to God is birthed out of humility. It all comes back to the question of who gets the glory.
This clip is excerpted from the sermon "Jesus Is a Better Servant," part 7 of our current series, Esther: God's Perfect Work through Imperfect People. It was preached by Pastor Mark Driscoll out of Esther 6:1--13 at Mars Hill Downtown Bellevue and released online on October 28.
Watch the full sermon here: http://jesus.to/PhvIFE
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