Proverbs 27:7 The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
There are many that come to church today and are no longer hungry. They have been filled with the ways of the world and have no room left for the Lord.
This is why it is so easy to be distracted.
What is causing people to come to Church without a desire to be fed spiritually?
They are filling their soul with the ways of the world
Luke 6:25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.
Proverbs 1:31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
What you are eating does not satisfy
Proverbs 19:15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
Proverbs 27:20 Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.
We need to be filled with the bread of life
Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
We need to be filled with the Word of God
Deuteronomy 8:3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.
Job 23:12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
Proverbs 4:1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
On Father’s Day we look at the path of a young man and to recognize that at times the greatest wisdom comes from the unlikeliest places.
My dad volunteered for wartime service before he graduated high school. Yet without a diploma he proved he know how to learn. Within a short time he worked himself to the level of crew chief flying all over the world, responsible for million dollar aircraft. He was recruited into the CIA because he looked, average; but there was little average about him. A combat vet, special operations commando, specialist in gorilla warfare, flight mechanic, engineer, (blackhawk) CIA and Secret Service, spoke 5 languages… but of all these thing I mostly knew him as dad.
During his 40 year military career he had taken courses to finish his high school, got a degree in engineering from the Air Force Community College, took over 600 additional training courses; spent his vacations outside of Army training centers so he could take continuing courses while allowing his family to have some time away. He literally challenged himself to be the best he could be all the days of his life. Even while he was consulting for the CIA he worked in the automotive industry as a consultant, earning Mercedes and Volkswagen‘s highest honors.
He would continually say things like:
Judge not a man by his actions, but by his reactions.
Why is it there never seems to be enough time to do a job right, but there always seems to be time to do it over.
A job is not complete until it has been done completely.
Henry Ford: If you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right
You should rather be an hour early than a minute late
Excellence is a habit, not an act. Practice perfection.
The greatest teacher, is failure.
Perform forensics on failure so you can be found guilty of greatness
Good enough isn’t good enough if it can be better, and better isn’t good enough if it can be best.
When you hit rock bottom, you will find the solid foundation in which to build.
The only day I will ever be disappointed in you is the day you stop trying.
On the day you succeed me will be my greatest day. I will not have a thought of jealousy but rather victory, because in that day my trials will have become trails; having created a path my children can follow.
The Flag and the knife
A nice young man came walkin’ by
He asked, “Why do you fly that flag so high?
Those stars and stripes are tattered and worn
and a new flag would be better adorned…”
I answered back with a smile in place
gleaming through the scars deep on my face.
Why that flag was Grandpa’s, I begun,
He raised and lowered it with the daily sun.
Till he got the call to go to war,
to serve his country on a foreign shore.
You see Grandma refused to let it down
waiting for the day he was safe and sound.
So through the sun, rain and wind it blew,
She said cause that’s what Pappy’s going through.
No one was taking him in each night
as he braved the elements in his long fight.
Till on a sunny day the corner he round,
Grandpa was home safe and sound.
The next day the flag in the sky did soar
then he brought it in at night as he did once before.
For just a few years the flag waved proud
as Grandpa told his stories to the stirring crowd.
No one was more proud than Grandma, no not one
Till the next foreign war called their son.
You see now why this flag is tattered and worn
Grand Fathers, Fathers and Sons now have born,
the responsibility of keeping you free
which is why you see these scars on me.
It didn’t matter what type of harshness it was;
a beach, a jungle, a desert because
this flag has flown while we were gone
and our wives this tradition have carried on.
For three generations this flag has flown
through the rain and snow, wind and sun
Across the world for this country we roamed
This flag meant welcome home son, welcome home.
Proverbs 22:28 Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
Psalms 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren,
whatsoever things are true,
3 John 1:12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.
whatsoever things are honest,
Luke 8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
whatsoever things are just,
Proverbs 20:7 The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.
whatsoever things are pure,
Psalms 119:140 Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.
whatsoever things are lovely,
Song of Solomon 5:16 His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.
whatsoever things are of good report;
3 John 1:12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.
if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
1 Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
There is a movement that has been taking place since the 80’s that has been allowed to propagate by Christians. This movement of “passiveness” has become a major doctrinal departure from the scriptures, yet is supported and promoted by the majority of Modern Christianity.
This progressive interpretation uses multiple methods to dilute the Bible, twist core doctrines and dissolve the scriptural barriers that were established to protect and promote our system of beliefs. This is done by:
Changing the word of God to fit this passive progressive mindset
Shame those who would hold to core beliefs and practices.
Bringing this passive progressive mentality into the mainstream of TV, radio, music, literature and more to make this movement front and center with the focused purpose to replace the truth with a waterdowned version.
Romans 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
1 John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
Doctrine of Separation
A large part of this movement is to break down the barriers that God established to keep Spiritual things separated from Worldly things.
The doctrine of separation was established through Abraham of the old testament where God set a people unto himself and SEPARATED them from the rest of the world. This separation is to not just keep God’s people away from sin… but to keep a ready sample of purity for people to see.
Even in the new testament the doctrine of separation holds true however, modern Christianity has thrown open the doors and brought the world into the holy of holies; BYPASSED the alter, BYPASSED the laver and brought the filth of the world into the presence of God.
2 Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
Doctrine of Judgement
Have you ever heard: “Judge not lest thou be judged”. Isn’t it amazing how quick people are to use verses in the Bible to justify their own sin. This fallacy can be propagated because people, who claim to be Christians; don’t know the word of God.
1 Corinthians 6:2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
1 Corinthians 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
Praise and Worship
Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Hebrews 2:12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
Psalms 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
Matthew 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Doctrine of Hell
Part of this progressive mindset is to soften or eliminate the word of God to fundamental truths. Many religions teach hell is non existent or just separation from God. This is to make people “feel” comfortable or to prey off their ignorance however; God’s word hasn’t changed. Rewriting the Bible to fit your desires or teaching false doctrines does not change God’s word!
Luke 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
Love vs. Hate
One of the largest areas of contention/ willful ignorance that is propogated is that there is nothing that God hates, that He is only love.
The verses they cling to are:
1 John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
And
1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
However they are willfully ignorant of:
Proverbs 6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
Deuteronomy 16:22 Neither shalt thou set thee up any image; which the LORD thy God hateth.
Noah Webster: Abhor – To hate extremely, or with contempt; to lothe, detest or abominate
Psalms 78:59 When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel:
Leviticus 26:9 For I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish my covenant with you.
10 And ye shall eat old store, and bring forth the old because of the new.
11 And I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you.
12 And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.
13 I am the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright.
14 But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments;
15 And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant:
16 I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it.
17 And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you.
18 And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins.
2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
At this time of the year… the New Year, this is a good time to take some time to examine yourselves – Spiritually – Asking yourself this:
Am I better for God today, than I was a year ago.
An examination can come from a few perspectives. Let’s look at a few
Examination from God
Psalms 26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
God through the Holy Spirit speaks in a still small voice. If you listen, you can hear Him guiding you and showing you things in your life you can do to be close to God.
Psalms 46:10a Be still, and know that I am God: …
1 Kings 19:12b … and after the fire a still small voice.
1 Thessalonians 4:11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
Try my reins is what you are connected to.
Friends
Relationships
Devices
Do any of these bring you closer to God? Or farther away?
Examination from the Word of God
2 Peter 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Self Examination
Self Examination honestly needs the other 2 to be effective, otherwise it’s just emotions like guilt, depression, anger or despair that seeks out a change… any change that might make things better.
This unfortunately is the case for so many as they make promises to God without the foundation to carry them out.
2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
First part of self examination: are you saved? (whether ye be in the faith)
Second is having a firm foundation: (prove your own selves)
1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
Thirdly is a comparison with the world. A reprobate is someone abandoned to sin. Takes pleasure in unrighteousness.
(Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?)
This comparison to Christians…
1 John 2:15a Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world…
– So we started with this question… Am I better for God today, than I was a year ago.
Luke 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
This verse speaks of an event, an event that has not taken place yet.
It is a pivotal event that is at the core of our beliefs. It is as important as the fact that Jesus came and that He died for our sins.
Sometimes we forget this event in the affairs of this day, we get caught up in life sometimes… sometimes life gets caught up in us.
Have you ever had a bad day? Been sad?
John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
We call this event of Jesus coming “the Rapture”
1 Thessalonians 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
As our memory verse speaks about an event, it also talk about being ready…
Luke 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
Be ready by getting Saved
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Be ready by telling others
1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
1 Thessalonians 5 gives a nice guide to having a victorious life. Starting in verse 16 it lists those things that, if we are diligent, will help us be more fruitful in our Christian lives.
1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice evermore.
We should be Christians that are always rejoicing. To give the world something for the world to see… God through us.
2 Corinthians 6:10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
17 Pray without ceasing.
• Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
So many roaming around wondering what God’s will is… well He shows you! Being thankful.
• Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
• Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
19 Quench not the Spirit.
For every Christian that gets excited for the things of God, it’s seems they’re 3 that are there to mock them or tell them “you’ll get over it”… especially among Christians?!
• Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
Is he done yet? What time is church over? Preaching on this again? Prophesyings in new testament churches is preaching. What are we coming to church for?
• 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
When we find those tested and pure things in our life… hold on to them.
• 1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
• 1 Corinthians 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
• Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
This should go without much speaking, but it’s important enough for God to mention. If the world does it… we shouldn’t. Pretty simple. It does not matter if we have liberty in Christ… it instantly damages our testimony when we act like the world, talk like the world, sing like the world…
1 Peter 2:16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
These practices will bless us and allow us to become who God wants us to be. When we set ourselves aside and become vessels for Him…!
• Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
In the ‘60’s, a TV show set out to provide a mindset of exploration and adventure being pitched as “the wagon train to the stars”. Gene Roddenberry sought to provide a glimpse of society from the viewscreen of a starship. In this show called Star Trek, he identified issues of the day and attempted to provide a solution that a utopian mindset might solve.
If you’ve ever watched the original series you will see that while the option was presented, it was never really the solution. It always seemed to stop short of a being the best option, leaving a question of whether there was a better solution.
Years after the show was cancelled, fan popularity brought back a Motion Picture in 1979 that revisited the slogan: “To seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where noone has gone before.”
The interesting comparison and perhaps the opening that gave Star Trek it’s extraordinary longevity is the fact that during those same years, Christians we’re beginning to be shamed for having the answer that society was so much searching for.
If fact, when Christians began to be silent, society began to go boldly looking for the answer.
In the 60’s the Bible and Prayer were removed from schools, the Apollo 8 Astronauts were sued for reading Genesis aloud on their flight to the moon, homosexuality became a protected legal status in 1967; all the while Christians continue to become more passive and increasingly silent.
On this 40th anniversary of Star Trek the Motion Picture, I think it is appropriate to look at those in the Bible who have boldly gone on before us, having the very answer humanity needs and refusing to be silent. Their lives and precious words can empower us to boldly do the same.
Consider these great heroes of our faith:
Moses Boldly went into Egypt to say let my people go.
Abraham boldly went into new civilization when God said to go.
King David boldly went before his enemies with the power of God
Elijah boldly stood before the 450 prophets of Baal and the people saying: “How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him.”
Jesus, Paul, Phillip, Barnabus, Apollos, Pricilla, Aquila, Timothy and John ALL had a testimony of preaching the Gospel and BOLDLY taking the gospel… where it had never gone before.
You don’t have to have a Bible degree to be bold.
Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
People can tell when you have spent time with Jesus.
Boldly speak the truth
Ephesians 3:12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him
With boldness comes knowledge of where our power comes from.
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
Ephesians 6:19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
To keep Christians silent society has shamed the truth, diluted the Bible, populated false teachers, and called evil good and good evil.
Boldness from the Pulpit to the People
2 Corinthians 7:4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
Boldness of the People to the World
Colossians 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
Conclusion
The final frontier is not the exploration of space or the exploration of our minds; the final frontier is souls. It takes boldness for a Pastor to speak truth and boldness of the people to take the Gospel message to a lost and dying world. Outside these doors lies the greatest adventure you could ever know, Christians have been taught to fear it, hide from it and not speak against it.
But we are told to Boldly Go by our headquarters; to set our coordinates on souls, and perhaps take the Gospel where it has never gone before. Because Christians have been silent for so long… that may be across the street, rather than across the world.
Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
Everyone has 24 hours a day. It does not matter if you are the Prince, the Pauper or the President… we ALL have the same amount of time.
One of the things that is under attack today is Time.
Time has value:
• Time can be bought and sold
• Time can be shared
• Time can be stolen
• Time can be wasted
• Time can be budgeted
• Time can be managed
• Time can be redeemed
• Time can be lost
• Time can be found
Time can be a moment, a minute or more.
With all these things you still only have 24 hours a day to use as best as we can.
Out of your 168 hours a week you will spend:
• 56-70 hours sleeping
• 18-21 hours eating
• 30-49 hours watching tv, social media, ect.
• 7-15 hours commuting
• 30-35 hours in school
• 5-8 hours doing homework
• 5-8 hours in afterschool sports
• 17-21 hours grooming
If you take all the min. of each of these and add them up, it comes to 168. This means to have time to do anything else, something has to be moved or removed to make time.
But for all these averages… what is missing?
…God
Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
There are many things of God that require time.
• Coming to Church, takes time
• Prayer, takes time
• Reading your Bible, takes time
• Bible study, takes time
• Inviting others to church, takes time
• Teaching a class, takes time
• Preaching a Sermon, takes time
The list goes on and on.
What we do with our time today will determine our time for tomorrow and beyond.
Matthew 6:33a But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; …
As a Christian we must look to eliminate those things of the world that take our time and replace them with the things of the Lord.
There is a balance to be sure… but as time goes by the world presents more and more that takes our time… leaving less time for the things of God.
Part of understanding time is to understand that there isn’t much of it left…
Ephesians 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
Isn’t interesting that there is never enough time to do the things of the Lord, but there seems to be enough time to watch a 2 hour movie, a 3 hour sporting event…
– Let me ask you: Is your time more important than the one who gave you the time to start with.
There are things out there that steal your time…
2 Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Idleness – social media
1 Timothy 5:13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
Proverbs 31:27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Foolishness
Proverbs 20:3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.
Before we look to tomorrow we must make sure today is secured
2 Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
This sermon utilizes the telling of the “good Samaritan” emphasizing the phrase certain ________. By analyzing each of the characters identified in this parable the listener will be asked to draw conclusion of which character they best associate with. Found in Luke 10:25-
Luke 10:25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
It is important to note this verse, one of my favorite because it brings perspective for the Bible student to know that it’s not just that we read the Bible, but how we read it that will bring about the appropriate understanding.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
The Bible has divisions that must be rightly identified so that you don’t end up with doctrinal heresy.
A Certain Lawyer
Luke 10:25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
This certain lawyer had no interest in learning from the master, but rather was looking for a way to trick Jesus. There are many in the ranks of both the church and the world that always search diligently the Scriptures, not for the truth, but rather to prove or justify themselves. Perhaps those that look for vs. that will exonerate their sin in their own eyes then will find the “don’t judge me” vs. to throw back in your face. Note the true motivation of this certain lawyer
Luke 10:29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
A Certain Man
Luke 10:30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
I think we can all put ourselves in the unfortunate position of this certain man. Think of the times that we’ve been wounded, desperate, in need of immediate help. Perhaps when we reflect on these times it will give us empathy and insight when we see others dealing with bad circumstances. Perhaps you’re in those circumstances now but afraid to ask for help.
A Certain Priest
Luke 10:31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
So often in the ministry we can become calloused to the needs of the world. This certain priest passed by without any compassion or any desire to help. We work so hard sometimes to not be part of the problem, so we don’t have to be part of the solution.
The Levite
Luke 10:32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
Here is modern religion at its finest. They have no problem seeing the need, preaching about the need, using it as an example in a sermon; but never really helping.
A Certain Samaritan
Luke 10:33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
Love that produces an action is called charity, this certain Samaritan had compassion on the certain man in the ditch and it produced an action.
Luke 10:34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
Note:
And went to him – ministry always requires effort.
Poured in oil and wine – ministry always needs resources (Bibles, chairs, ect.)
Set him on his own beast – ministry requires sacrifice (time, money)
He took care of him – ministry requires an investment of time. Not just a singular event.
Luke 10:35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
Ministry costs money. Resources, time and even training. So many Passover the fact that a pastor should receive compensatory wages feeling that all men of God should be volunteers. The Bible does not teach that at all. A learned pastor would have gone through some level of training, perhaps by the college that can average $40,000 – $65,000 per year for an accredited Bible Degree not including living expenses. In many cases a Pastor will invest as much or more in training for the ministry then most other professions that require a degree. However, despite the fact that this monetary investment has been made, people still feel that a pastor should not receive competitive wages.
1 Timothy 5:18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
We can all relate at being one of these certain people:
The certain lawyer
The certain man
The certain Priest
The Levite
The certain Samaritan
2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
This Lesson is a great illustration of how God placed sin into a cup that Jesus bore for us. It also has an visual that shows that by what Jesus did it takes away sin for those who believe.
For this lesson you will need Styrofoam cups, a Large Sharpie, a mid-sized pot and acetone. (Be sure to pour the acetone in the pot before the lesson starts so the kids don’t see what it is. Make sure to keep in a well ventilated area as well.
The Cup of Sin
The Bible has a lot to say about cups. The Bible lists different kinds of cups:
The cup of the wicked: Psalms 11:6 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.
The cup of Salvation: Psalms 116:13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.
The bible describes us as a vessel or cup, we get to choose what we will put into our cup…
The Bible has some other names for these cups:
The Cup of God’s Fury
The Cup of Consolation
The Cup of Astonishment and Desolation
The Cup of Blessings
The Cup of His Indignation
So many seek to fill their cups with the ways and sins of the world: (have them list sins and write them on the cups)
The Last cup write “SIN.”
You see God knew that sin would keep the world from going to Heaven… But God so loved the world that He sent His son Jesus to pay for our sin and whosoever believed in Him, would have everlasting life.
Just as we have a choice of what cup we are and what we want to fill our cup with… we also can choose whether or not we want to go to heaven… or hell.
So God gathered up all the sins and placed them in the cup of sin… and gave them to Jesus. It was a heavy burden to bear:
Take all the cups and stack them.. then place the in the SIN cup
Matthew 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
Jesus knew:
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
But Jesus made a way to take away our sins:
(put the cups into the acetone) – The cups/sin will melt away.. as they watch this tall column of cups vanish.. read the verses:
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 3:1 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
Ephesians 2:8 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.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Some in here have made the choice to accept the gift that Christ gave…
Others have not.
Some maybe like to play Church trying to be a Christian on Sunday… but acting poorly on other days:
1 Corinthians 10:21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.
Proverbs 27:7 The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
Proverbs 4:1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
There is a movement that has been taking place since the 80’s that has been allowed to propagate by Christians. This movement of “passiveness” has become a major doctrinal departure from the scriptures, yet is supported and promoted by the majority of Modern Christianity.
In the ‘60’s, a TV show set out to provide a mindset of exploration and adventure being pitched as “the wagon train to the stars”. Gene Roddenberry sought to provide a glimpse of society from the viewscreen of a starship. In this show called Star Trek, he identified issues of the day and attempted to provide a solution that a utopian mindset might solve.
Boldly speak the truth
