LEAST OF ALL

If the life of our Lord is to be seen through our lives, there is to be a reduction of all human abilities that must first take place. In Matthew, Jesus used a parable to teach this critical truth that I am afraid the church has forgotten: Jesus shares, “Another parable put He forth to them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.” (Matthew 13:31-32) Being the “least” of all seeds, this mustard seed, which is likened to the Kingdom of Heaven, is so small that the natural eye can barely see it. The Kingdom of God being like the smallest of seeds tells us that it is not how much we have done that is important to God, but rather how we do things. The church-world is busy doing things for God, going here and there, traveling overseas fulfilling the great commission, and yes these need to be done, but the going and doing is not the work God desires to do in our lives. The work that God desires to do in our lives is to be able to work on us. To become the work of God we first must become the least of all. But that is not what we hear in the world, that is not the message you hear in most churches. We hear, brother be all you can be in God. Take the things of God even by force, after all the violent take things in God by force. Jesus writes in Matthew 11:12, "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." (Matthew 11:12) Now, Jesus was NOT saying Believers and even some Christians are to "take" things in the spiritual realm, oh no. What Jesus was saying is the kingdom of heaven suffers from violent thinking, from the wrong motives, most from the wrong character. I know of some Christian folks who take this verse literally and think this verse gives them license and liberty to be violent (not really sure what that means) in the spiritual and in the earthly realm. And why? Well, they have never been reduced by God. They have never become the least of all. If we have been reduced by God then there is nothing He cannot bring into our lives that will not edify our heart and lives. Because it is in the reduction process is where we discover our spiritual growth and maturity, which is what God is looking for in our lives. Not much done, but little done, we become small, we become reduced, we become the least. I wonder what the least of the least looks like? Well, in the plant world it is the mustard seed. Did you know in that day every farmer knew exactly what Jesus was talking when He said, "the kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed." And every farmer there said, oh how I hate mustard seed. Because once mustard seed takes root in a field that field is only good to grow mustard seed. No matter what you do it is impossible to grow anything else. Now, since the mustard seed is very small we hear preaching about the size of the mustard seed and compare it to faith, but no Jesus was not talking about the size of the seed, but of the capability of the seed. Jesus was saying the things of the kingdom of heaven is to get into every area, every nook and cranny of our lives. So, not size, but pervasiveness. I have seen mustard seed grow out of a rock, now that is pervasiveness or spreading wildly through an area or a group of people. But, unless we become the least of all we shall never be what God wants us to be. Only as God can makes us the least of all, by His work in our lives through His dealings and judgments in our lives will we be what God wants us to be. Now that is a critical point. Then and only then is He able to work on our character, our motives, our plans not so much our abilities and talents. You know we think God is after making us better singers, musicians, preachers and teachers, but oh no. Did you know God is more concerned about our truthfulness and character, our integrity, our honor than He is about our service to Him? In Ephesians Paul tells us the same exact things, but much better than I. Paul writes, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10) We my friend are the work of God not some ministry or a building we call a church. We the people are the church. And us being “His workmanship” means that we have given the LORD the right and permission to produce within us the ability to release spiritual life into another as He works on us. Just as Jesus gave Himself for us, we are also to give ourselves for others. So if we never allow God to work in us, if we never become the work of God, then we will never be able to impart the life that God has given us to others. Not in salvation, but in Godly service, Godly example, in compassion, and in care. These “good works” refer to the method or process which the LORD uses to reduce our self-life to zero and produce within us that which He can use for His purposes. The better zero we can become in God the more of God's life we will discover. We have come to the end of all seeking for self-satisfaction and fulfillment. Instead, we have submitted ourselves to the will and purposes of the LORD and we are living for the benefit of others. It is not easy for any of us to give up the right to our own life experience or our being able to go and do as we desire. For this to happen we must go through severe dealings, but on the other end we discover we have been reduced and are becoming the least of all. We simply need to place ourselves in the hands of the LORD and give Him permission to do whatever it may be necessary to cause us to become that which He desires. To a person who is submitted and committed there is no such thing as secular or spiritual. Everything in our lives becomes important and has a purpose. A few weeks ago Pastor Julian Chevakula from Sankaraguptham, India visited for a few weeks, what a wonderful time we had as we preached him around Virginia and Eastern North Carolina. Well, there was a certain church in our area that I felt the LORD saying needed to hear Pastor Julian so I contacted the pastor. WOW, it was like pulling teeth to get the pastor to return my calls and my texts, sadly he never did. Karen said I should read between the lines if you know what I mean. Now, I know pastors these days are very busy, but I have never met a person who was so busy they could not return a text or phone call, especially if they have a secretary. I thought forget it they missed the opportunity, but God said no, go to the church and talk with the pastor so I did. You probably know how that conversation went, but we did line up a time to meet for lunch so Pastor Julian could pass muster to be able speak at his church. Knowing the pastor's communication skills and lack of integrity I texted him on a Friday and then the day of our luncheon to remind him and one and half hours before the luncheon I get a text from him saying he is driving back from a big city in the north, very very far from Sneads Ferry and he could not make the luncheon. I guess I should have been happy he texted me so we would not be sitting at the restaurant waiting for him with another set of friend as planned, but if I had not texted him prior he would not have let us know he would not be able to make the luncheon. Now, you may ask how do you know that? Well, that is easy, not contacting me was his character, it is his nature, it is the way he handles his folks (I have talked to them) at church. He is not too concerned about them, oh no, he is more concerned about himself and what he can get. He is selfish and self-centered He has never been reduced. He does not want to be the least of all, oh no, he wants to be the greatest of all. And how do I know that? Well, out of his mouth speaks what is in his heart and who he is. Sadly, Pastor Julian never made it to one of the churches God wanted him to speak at. The losers were the people the pastor is to serve and Pastor Julian's coming did not fit this pastor's heart condition, he would not be the star of the show, and I do mean show. Just because God wills something does not make it happen. Only as man engages with God, will God's will be done on earth as it is done in heaven first. Yes, man can stop God's will. Many Christians would say no way, well, God wishes none to be lost no not one, but we know sadly people die every day and go to hell, not according to God's will, but man's will. In this case God's purpose and desire was NOT accomplished. Jesus told the disciples THE standard for leadership in the Body of Christ and THE standards to be called a pastor: "And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve." (Luke 22:25-26) Did you get that pastors who think the people are there to serve you? Oh no, pastor you were placed in leadership by God because He choose you to serve your people. And not only serve your people, but become a slave to your people. In other words, if you want to be the greatest (pastor, deacons, leaders, etc.) among the people, the "chief," then you must be a servant to the "younger," or to the least of the people. The word "serve" here in the Greek is "dolant" or slave. So, he who would desire to be the pastor must be a slave to the people. Not too many pastors want to be a slave to people. Maybe that is why not too many churches these days are doing well spiritually. Oh, the emotionalism is there in great ways, but what happens after the music stops? You know, a void and despair because they have not touched God's heart in all of their running around and outward expression. My Bible teacher Charles Haun told me babies run around and do a lot of crying in church. If we allow God to work in our lives we will settled, we will become an established tree, we will be planted by the River of Life with direct contact with Jesus, the Tree of Life. We will have all manner of fruit for the healing of the nations, and there will be within us, a stability and strength that others can lean upon and trust, and how do we get this life? By first becoming the least of all. Written by David Stahl

HGM ON 22 NOV 22

 HGM 22 Nov 22

John 1:15-29

¹⁵  John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.

Commentary:  Here John the Baptist communicates that which he sees (perceives) and knows by revelation.  He knows Jesus enters the world after he does , he knows Jesus when he comes unto His presence.  He knows of the pre-existence of the LORD.  He knows of the LORD's preeminence

¹⁶  And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

Commentary:  Grace is that which gives and moves above that which is required or expected.  The degrees of grace are progressive. What we could not do five years ago now we can do.  The giving, the sacrifice which could not have been made 10 years ago is now being made.  The grace you have today may not be sufficient to bring you to the obedience and sacrifice which our Father is asking from us.  In its place there will come a greater grace which will enable us to give that which pleases God.  The disciples learned to reach out for grace, and for fuller grace to take the place of the lesser  grace.  How does one reach out and take grace?  Well how does the disciples do it? It is the yearning of the heart, the desire which directs and extends itself towards the Giver and His gifts.  Do we yearn for it? What price are we willing to pay?
¹⁷  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Commentary: The law (taste not, touch not, feel not) came by Moses.  All 619 laws, but grace and truth came by Jesus.  Rather than instruction, rules, and regulations.  Both grace and truth incorporated instruction.  Grace is first and must always be in that order to truth.  Many folks project truth without grace in most cases the result of such projection is that people are repulsed by the graceless truth.  "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ⁹  Not of works, lest any man should boast."  (Ephesians 2:8-9) we must strike the correct balance of grace and truth.

 ¹⁸  No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

Commentary:  It is entirely truthful to say some have seen God and to say no one has ever seen God.  God is unknowable is true and God is knowable is also true. One statement refers to arenas of the being and ways which one cannot now know and some areas which may never be known.  The other statement refers to that of His existence in ways which we can know.  But we can see God and Creator as He emptied Himself and came to be born of a virgin and thus became the only begotten (Son) God!  We then can declare His good works.
¹⁹  And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?
Commentary: The priests and Levites were investigators.  Not that they sought truth.  They sought out people who were disruptive to their religious laws and traditions.  They figured that the totality of religious authority and valid teaching rested in themselves.  Therefore John said, "who do you think you are? What do you mean taking such authority to yourself.
²⁰  And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.
Commentary:  The Jews were seeking the Anointed One or Messiah.  If John was the Messiah they wanted to know about it.  This would be their way out from Roman rule.  John did not tell them directly, but he gives them a divine disappointment to who Jesus is.  Disappointing folks with the truth has not been popular and so too today.  Withholding truth while giving false hope does more damage in the long run.
²¹  And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.
Commentary: John the Baptist declares he is not Elijah. John again hands them a disappointment.  The masses come to God and want to overhaul Him so that He will conform to their ideologies.  People seek to make God their servant, but God is the Master.  
²²  Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?
Commentary:  These investigators must get to the bottom of who John the Baptist is. They want to know, but knowing something often can get us into trouble.  Eve wanted to know and got us all in trouble.

²³  He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.

Commentary:  John tells them he is one "crying in the wilderness."  John the Baptist often identifies with the Prophet Isaiah.  In Isaiah we read, "The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. ⁴  Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:"  (Isaiah 40:3-4)  John the Baptist was telling the people Jesus will set things "straight" and make life bearable.

²⁴  And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.
Commentary:  The Pharisees were almost unswayable into their prevailing views and religious beliefs.  They were the law givers the religious folks of the day.
²⁵  And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?
Commentary:  Here they question John the Baptist's authority to baptize people.  They questioned John's call to be the forerunner of Christ without a connection to the Old Testament (Torah) or the prophets.
²⁶  John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;
Commentary:  Here John the Baptist does not argue or defend his authority while boldly letting the Pharisees know he is starting a new movement.  He openly declares he is rebelling against the old way of doing things.  John the Baptist is presenting the new way, the new light, the new truth, the new life.   
²⁷  He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
Commentary:  John the Baptist has a revelation of the exalted Christ. This is vast contrast between the established religion and the lowly servant.  Only the humble and poor and spirit will be able to enter into the kingdom of God
²⁸  These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Commentary:  Tells where John was baptizing and talking with the Pharisees.  Bethabara means "crossing over."  Bethabara is the place the people crossed the river Jordan.  It was no accident John choose Bethabara to share this new message.  The Jordan River is the place of new beginnings and now John the Baptist shares the greatest new beginning known to man.  
²⁹  The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Commentary:  After telling the Pharisees about this new beginning Jesus come on the scene.  Jesus comes to be baptized by John the Baptist to fulfill the requirement to be called a rabbi.  In the Greek it reads, "Behold (stop and pay attention) the lamb of God He who takes upon Himself the sins of the world." Jesus did something much more difficult than to remove sin (sin is still in the world) from the world he took upon Himself the sins of the world. 

Summary:  John verses 15 to 29 lays the foundation of who John the Baptist is, what is his purpose, the difference between John the Baptist and Jesus, and to announce to the religious folks and priests (Pharisees and Sadducees)  the new way, the new light, the new truth, the new life only found in the person of Jesus Christ.  They also begin to discuss the message of a new beginning for the people and the way into the kingdom of God (which is NOT heaven) and the revolutionary concepts of:   the meek shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5), blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3), and blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God (Matthew 5:8)