God Is a Great Accountant: 7 More Wisdom Principles of Jesus

Sermon outline

Jesus overcame a questionable background, ignored His critics, understood timing, trained those He mentored, refused discouragement and bitterness, and networked with people of every background, and these practical life skills will take you forward too.

1. Jesus overcame the stigma of a questionable background

   Everyone has something in their background they would rather not have surface, and family members often remember the bad rather than the good. Like Paul, forget what is behind and press towards the mark: your past is finished, you can't go back and change it, and meditating on it only brings self-doubt. Jesus was born with the stigma of a mother who conceived before she was married, yet He charted His own course and never looked back.

   Illustration: When people want to tell him their whole background, he tells them it is under the blood and forgiven: don't go fishing for what has already been buried, and stop advertising your pain.

   “Never build your future around your past.”

   • Philippians 3:13-14
   • Matthew 1:18-25

2. Jesus never wasted time answering critics

   Critics are spectators, not players: critical people are disheartened people who failed to reach their own goals, and no monument has ever been built to a critic. Jesus was silent before His accusers; He responded to hunger, thirst and seekers, but never to critics. Correction teaches and helps, but criticism kills the life of God in someone, so move towards the people who have something good to say about you.

   “Criticism is pointing out your flaws. Correction is pointing out your potential.”

   • Matthew 26:63
   • Proverbs 14:7
   • Ephesians 3:20

3. Jesus knew there was a right time and a wrong time to approach people

   Many of us get into trouble by saying the right thing at the wrong time. Jesus spent 30 years preparing and told His mother at the wedding that His hour had not yet come; people are in different seasons and moods, so be sensitive, watch, observe and listen. He stresses that he is teaching practical life skills from the Word, not religious sermonising.

   Illustration: Don't ask for a raise when your boss is in a terrible mood after your blunder cost the company thousands of rands. It is a rare husband who anticipates his wife's moods and needs, and a brilliant teenager who knows the sweet spot for asking.

   “Some of us get into trouble because we say the right thing at the wrong time.”

   • John 2:4
   • Ecclesiastes 3:1
   • Ecclesiastes 3:11

4. Jesus educated those He mentored

   Jesus was not a religious leader without aim: He was specific and purposeful, teaching His disciples about prayer and about heaven and investing time in His staff. Take time to mentor, train and teach others, including your children, who remember both the kind things and the nasty things and learn more from your actions than your words.

   Illustration: Children are sharp: they know where you hide your money and where the chocolate is hidden.

   “Educate people not only with words, but educate people with action.”

   • Matthew 26:36-46
   • John 14:2-4

5. Jesus refused to be discouraged when others misjudged His motives

   Your own family may misjudge your motives and your boss may misread you, but sooner or later the light will shine and the truth will be known. The Pharisees said Jesus cast out devils by Beelzebub, yet He refused to be discouraged. When you speak to people, be concise and bold, and always be where you are, giving them your full attention.

   “Every extraordinary achiever has been misjudged.”

   • Matthew 12:24

6. Jesus refused to be bitter when others were disloyal or betrayed Him

   Bitterness is more devastating than betrayal: betrayal is something others do to you, bitterness is something you do to yourself. Guard your heart, put away bitterness and be kind and forgiving, and don't paint everyone with the same brush. Jesus knew one of those eating with Him would betray Him, yet He did not penalise Judas; see the chapter beyond the betrayal, where winter turns into summer and promotion replaces demotion.

   Illustration: People have betrayed him too, he says, but God balances the books: it may take a few years, but He gives back multiplied what was taken.

   “God is a great accountant. He'll balance the books.”

   • Hebrews 12:15
   • Proverbs 4:23
   • Matthew 26:21
   • Ephesians 4:31-32

7. Jesus networked with people of all backgrounds

   If God has lifted you through education, promotion or wealth, don't stay in that lofty place; come down and touch ordinary people, and be happy for others. As a pastor he had to train himself, with an intentional decision, to celebrate other people's new cars and promotions. Jesus' followers included a tax collector, a physician, a fisherman and a woman delivered from seven devils; in the multitude of counsellors there is safety, and one piece of information can turn a failure into a success.

   Illustration: His old pastor used to pray over people's new cars, while he hid his own car among the others in the big car park so no one would see what he drove. He also recalls a well-known preacher who parked behind the church so no one would see his car while he preached prosperity.

   “You've got to teach yourself to celebrate other people's prosperity.”

   • Proverbs 11:14
   • Luke 8:2