| How Can I Help the King? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Introduction | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Once upon a time there was a king with a long white beard. Throughout the land were brothers dwelling in peace and in the fear of the Lord. In those days the king appeared speaking with such force and conviction that everyone wondered in their hearts whether he was coming in the spirit and power of Elijah. Time went by, though, and as life would have, the king isolated himself more and more in his ivory tower. The king became a classic case of projection: heaping on the brothers the very things he himself was doing. No wonder he could speak with authority - he was very well acquainted with his own skeletons. Some brothers had a bead on what the king was really up to but voicing this was not easy a the king's position is sacrosanct. They could never win in a no win situation. So the brothers sought shelter in their caves - fearing leaving the land - for hold departure to be the same as walking away from God. No one in their heart wanted that. For they knew they had a relationship with Someone they knew was the best thing that ever happened in their lives. But still, not realizing how brave they were, or how much faith it really meant they had, brothers left for lands unknown. This suited the king just fine - he was relieved to be rid of those who were around at the outset when things were apparently right. Why? Because those just coming on the scene accepted the way things were thinking that this is how it ought to be. Their thankfulness and zeal helped them overlook being called lower than a snakes belly. (and they loved it!) No one was left who would tell the history and the humble beginnings. And how the king skillfully gained control. And how the king divorced his wife his wife and married the secretary. And how since then normal relationships are devoured in the land - for still - for decades, their maidens have had no marriage song. Paul said let them marry - it is no sin. But those desiring to marry had to flee to other lands to escape the king's scrutiny (which may as well forbidden marriage). Those who did accomplish this holy union were labled as having "done it in the dark". No apology or attempt has been made to remove this cloud of shame that looms over any would be happy couple. For they have committed the unforgiveable sin: they did something without the king's approval. NOTE: when Jesus spoke to a woman who had had five husbands, he offered her living water. He did not condemn her. The king has no such rose colored glasses. Ever before him is his sin and his suspicions. There is just no way around it - he accuses the brethren!! What God has joined together let no man put asunder - but you have not met the king. With one sentence (literally) he could divide a husband and a wife... The king with his long white beard now resembles Moses and his fading splendor. For where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. If these brethren are experiencing freedom, I'd sure hate to see bondage. One would think by now that the bitter stench of the awful fruit would have reached the king's nose. But the king is impersonal, if not adamant, about the lifeless life the brothers trudge. The brother's only hope is Christ Himself - but will they ever escape this tyranny?! | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Part II | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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It is at this time, in this realm, a young man comes along who has seen the inequities and questioned the injustice. For the brothers barely realize their quandary. They have been so overwhelmed for so long it now feels normal. The young man beckons to God - what to do! "How can I help the king?" he cries. It is rarely done. But on this auspicious occasion an angel is summoned and sent to minister to this young man...--- ANGEL - Grace and peace to you. Do not be afraid. This must be SOME problem for the Father to have sent me. What is it? How can I help you? YOUTH - I want to help the king. ANGEL - The king? Why would a king need help? YOUTH - I just don't know why. ANGEL - Why what? YOUTH - Why does he see the speck in his brother's eye? ANGEL - Interesting piont. Why indeed is he looking at specks? Is he piddling with petty problems instead of trusting God to give the growth? YOUTH - Yes. There's something wrong with a worker who gets impatient. He should be like a mother - gentle among you; putting up with anything. Why's he taking his frustrations out on God's people? And he's incessant in his inordinate desire to reveal faults. ANGEL - Maybe this is not just fluff. Does the Bible not say to expose the unfruitful works of darkness? YOUTH - Yes, Angel, indeed it does. But I perceive what HE is doing to be unfruitful. Just look at the fruit. And get this: there's a new catechism every so often that everyone is expected to parrot. Only then are you accepted as being in some kind of fellowship. But if you will not speak the coded language or jump through the hoops and wag your tail - somehow you are no longer a brother for whom Christ died. While Peter concluded - "Why put a yoke on anybody's neck? We know we'll be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus just like everybody else". ANGEL - So you're disappointed in the way the king relates the gospel to the brothers? YOUTH - You just can't imagine. He speaks as if he hated the very sight of the brothers. Paul was given authority for building up and not for tearing down. ANGEL - Get out the back, Jack. Make a new plan, Stan... Since you are blessed with this insight, why not just be thankful you're free and let it go!? YOUTH - (sigh) Angel, to be honest, I'm so incensed - he's making mince meat out of the brothers!! ANGEL - Tell me about these brothers. Have they no minds of their own? Have they just rolled over and died? YOUTH - Oh Angel, that is what is so sad - some have given up hope. They have been pressed to discouragement and despair. ANGEL - Please, dear Youth, tell me more about these dear brothers. YOUTH - Oh yes, and what dear brothers they are! But I don't think they realize how much Jesus accepts them. For here is their fruit: out of their mouths comes criticism and judgment for others that don't march to their drum. ANGEL - What!! How can that be? Do they want their fellow servants to pay to the last copper? The traps you mortals get caught in while still in your flesh. Please, tell me more about them, their lives. Have they no redeeming characteristics at all? YOUTH - Indeed, some do. But quite often things like that are looked down upon and easily quenched. You know, I was reading Spurgeon the other day... let me find it... I'll read you the passage... here it is! | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spurgeon and onward | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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"I have seen some very lean men who said that they were perfectly holy, and I could almost believe that they could not sin, for they were like old bits of leather, there did not appear to be anything in them that was capable of sinning. I met one of these "perfect" brethren once, and he was just like a piece of sea-weed, there was no humanity in him. I like to see a trace of humanity somewhere or other about a man, and people in general like it too; they get on better with a man who has some human nature in him. Human nature, in some aspects, is an awful thing; but when the Lord Jesus Christ took it, and joined his own nature to it, He made a grand thing of it, and human nature is a noble thing when it is united to the Lord Jesus Christ. Those men who live a supposed sanctified life of self-absorption, are not likely to have any influence in the world, or to do good to their fellow creatures". | ANGEL - You can't be serious! YOUTH - Serious? Good word. Some brothers are so uptight they cannot laugh. Here's some more Spurgeon: "There are some brethren who are naturally of a melancholy disposition, there are always very serious; but in them it is not a sign of grace, it is only an indication that their livers are out of order. They never laugh, they think it would be wicked to do so; but they go about the world increasing the misery of mankind, which is dreadful enough without the addition of their unnecessary portion. Such people evidently imagine that they were predestinated to pour buckets of cold water upon all human mirth and joy. So, dear brethren, if any of you are very serious, you must not always attribute it to grace, for it may be all owing to the state of your liver". ANGEL - Ohhh my... Now I am beginning to appreciate your sad state of affairs. Now what was your question again? Please, in the light of these circumstances, maybe I can secure a better answer. YOUTH - How can I help the king? ANGEL - How do you help the king? Well, young man, after hearing you speak, I am confident that the grace that is upon you will reflect and speak through you. That will do it. Grace is the essence of God. It has broken down any dividing or hostility. YOUTH - This has been tried to no avail - the king always turns it around into an attack on him, or some kind of grumbling or contention. The underlings don't even realize that there are many valid reasons for the king's paranoia. ANGEL - Well perhaps you should remind these "underlings" that King David's mighty men gathered to him when they were in distress, and in debt, and discontented. YOUTH - But how do I help the king? ANGEL - The king should lift up Jesus. Jesus said if He be lifted up He would draw all men to Himself; it is in Him we live and move and have our being. Oh, and the unity of the Spirit does not mean everyone chiming "yes"! And even though it appears in the past that ministers were itinerant out of necessity - Listen! They planted Jesus Christ and left the scene leaving God to allow the growth. Maybe the king will consider the value of abdication. AND if planting Jesus Christ is what he's really up to... Trust Jesus, Youth! YOUTH - So this is how I can help the king? ANGEL - Not all men can receive these sayings, but only those to whom it is given: Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who will no longer take advice. YOUTH - Are you saying there is no way to help the king? ANGEL - Our conversation is over. I leave you with one last word: Many seek the favor of a ruler, but from the LORD a man gets justice.
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