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| Grace Orthodox Presbyterian Church |
Rev. Brian De Jong | Sheboygan, Wisconsin
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In this sermon on the eighth commandment we look at the heart issues underlying the sin of stealing. Particularly, we consider the sin of greed. This sparked some discussion on the nature of greed and how it compares to godly industry. This lead to some further development of the theme, particularly comparing and contrasting the two. 1) Greed is described as a sin, and is frequently condemned in strongest language in Scripture. Godly industry is considered righteous and is praised repeatedly in Scripture. 2) Greed is a selfish desire for enriching only myself. Godly industry is interested in glorifying God, in helping my neighbor, and furthering my own outward estate (in that order). 3) Greed is chronically lazy and refuses to do hard work. Godly industry is never lazy, and welcomes hard work as a way of building up wealth over time. 4) Greed leads to stealing, which is illegal. Godly industry is entirely legal, and refuses to take something that doesn’t rightfully belong to the person. 5) Greed is impatient and must have great wealth immediately. Godly industry is willing to work over years or decades to slowly build up capital. 6) Greed seeks to hoard and hold what it gets. Godly industry is eager to share with those in need. Greed is stingy and miserly, but godly industry is generous and open-handed. 7) Greed tends to be destructive – taking away things from others. Godly industry is productive – using resources to produce something new and useful for others to purchase and benefit from. 8) Greed arises from a love of self, godly industry arises from a love of God and a love of neighbor. 9) Greed is idolatry, but the godly industrious man worships the one true God. 10) God hates greed, but God loves godly industry 11) The greedy man works seven days a week, ignoring the Sabbath day. The man of godly industry works six days and rests on the seventh, honoring the Sabbath day. Ephesians 4:28 “He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.” |
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PAST BLOG ENTRIES |
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 God is in charge! We say that, we know that, we believe that, and we forget that. But God is in charge! To remind the Israelites of His overarching and enduring sovereignty, God tells his servant Jeremiah that “At one moment I might speak...[ abbreviated | read entire ] |
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A friend from church recently suggested that I post an article I'd written for our church newsletter on the Regulative Principle of Worship. This is a link to my article entitled A Layman's Guide to the RPW. This is an important part of Reformed...[ abbreviated | read entire ] |
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If you expect that this blog will divulge the secrets of the Pastor’s study, you are going to be sorely disappointed. It is not that I am unwilling to describe the process I go through in preparing a sermon. It is just that my intention is...[ abbreviated | read entire ] |
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2 Peter 3:13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. As Peter contemplated the coming day of the Lord, he focused on the future. According to God’s own promise, there...[ abbreviated | read entire ] |
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Among the inherent problems of this season of the year is the distinct impression that Jesus is a mere baby lying in a manger – to all intents and purposes helpless and dependent. Cute and cuddly, no doubt! But is such a child to be feared? |
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The 2011 Reformation Conference was a tremendous blessing to the many who attended. Rev. Alan Strange gave two engaging lectures on Saturday, covering the Westminster Assembly and the life of Dr. J. Gresham Machen. Then on the Lord's Day he...[ abbreviated | read entire ] |
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This Saturday and Sunday we will be hosting our third annual Grace OPC Reformation Conference. Our speaker is the Rev. Alan Strange. The conference begins at 9:00 am on Saturday with the first session on the Westminster Assembly. The second...[ abbreviated | read entire ] |
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Several weeks ago a prince passed from this world to the next. The Rev. Walter Bowie, Jr. graduated to glory and is now in the presence of the Christ he fearlessly and faithfully proclaimed to men. I first met Rev. Bowie when he preached in...[ abbreviated | read entire ] |
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Six easy words that have caused no end of controversy - So all Israel will be saved. Simple, right? NOT! If you're curious, listen to this sermon to get an exegetical treatment of a disputed passage. In the sermon I lay out the four major...[ abbreviated | read entire ] |
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