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GMBC3701

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Confession time. Generally - not completely, but a normative practice of living - I like and love people. I truly believe that we are on this earth to love and help one another. I believe that we are to let people determine the courses of their own lives, that we are to not interfere with other people's relationships, and that we are to live out not only our truths but to live in the truth with no denial of reality. That being said, I do not always like or love the things that some people do. I have a problem with lies, bullying, deception, theft, exploitation, and reckless endangerment. I really have a problem with direct physical and psychological harm from abuse & violence including assaults, rape, and murder. Maybe these things don't bother everyone. But I think that we all can agree that evil will be a problem for any of us when it is done to us personally. Paul knew. Alexander hurt him. I know we are all supposed to be holy and nothing is supposed to bother us because we're saved, sanctified, and Holy Ghost filled but can I get somebody to be honest and admit that when people deliberately and with malice aforethought bring evil into your life and try to break you, you are ready to turn the tables and flip the script and show them just how big a mistake they made and that they really didn't know who they were messing with?! Maybe it's just me but I have not forgotten who I once was and when people do me evil I don't always want to overcome their evil with love! Sometimes I want to do unto others as they have already done unto me and let the chips fall where they may! But then I remember that the word says that, "Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord," and I remind my head, heart, and hands that I need to let God be God.
You see doing God's work does not mean doing what God Himself does. It means doing what God gave into your hands to do. You don't need to defend God's honor. God is self-aware and is still God whatever happens!
1. Stay In Your Place v14b
- Paul said to Timothy, "Lord reward him (Alexander) according to his (Alexander's) works." For context, remember that Paul and Barnabas, early in their ministries, had ruined the idol making businesses of those who had knowledge of metallurgy - working gold, silver, and copper into and onto forms of false gods for idolators to worship. Alexander was a coppersmith with a dubious connection to the new church. But Paul messed with his money. I may not know everything but I do know that if you mess with a man's money or with his honey, that dude with probably hate you forever! So Alexander became the thorn in Paul's side, vexing him & rousing the people against Paul wherever he went. And as an Apostle, Paul had at his disposal a number of things to stop him - calling down fire as James & John desired, having him fall out dead and carried out like Ananias and Sapphira, turning him out of the fellowship. But Paul gave him to God to handle. Paul didn't step into God's place as judge. Neither should you! Stay in your place!
2. Stick With Your Purpose v15a
- Your purpose is to be a full, well rounded believer, living what you say you believe. Your purpose requires you to not be distracted. You can't let your enemies take up your head space and distract you. Beware and be aware of the machinations of your enemy but stick with your purpose. The enemy wants to ruin your credibility and destroy your purpose! Don't let him! Stick with your purpose!
3. Stick To The Point v15b
- Alexander, despite wealth, reputation, influence, & social standing withstood the word of God. That Paul could reference him meant that he was well known of all. But when you have one who withstands the word of God, he's not your enemy - he opposes God. You can't fix everybody or anybody! All you can do for some people is to stick to the point - the word of God. I don't know who needs to hear this, but keep preaching! They fight you! They've been fighting others before! Stick to the point and preach the word of God!