“Love is Not Love” (All Scripture is in NKJV)

Romans 12:9-16 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; ¹¹ not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; ¹² rejoicing in hope, patient^[a] in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; ¹³ distributing to the needs of the saints, given^[b] to hospitality. ¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

The great requisite in love is this, that it be without hypocrisy; i.e. that it be sincere and not artificial. Love must be genuine and pure. Sugar v. artificial sweetener. People do not want the calories from sugar, but sugar is a pure and natural substance, thus easily accepted in the body. Artificial sweeteners are dangerous. An artificial sweetener duplicates the effect of sugar in taste, but has less food energy. Animal studies have convincingly proven that artificial sweeteners cause weight gain, brain tumors, bladder cancer, diabetes (because it still triggers an insulin response) and many other health hazards. Hypocritical love is artificial love and is dangerous.

Jesus tells us that Matthew 5:20  ^“For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”

He said that the scribes and Pharisees were hypocrites, in that they taught the things of God, but did not do them and those who did such things, their heart and motives did not match up with their actions:

The Beatitudes: Matthew 5: 21-22; 27-28; 38-41 (Roman law); 43-48; Matthew 6:1; 16-18

Our actions cannot be artificial, just mimicking the taste of the genuine; they MUST align with our heart.

1 Peter 1:22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth ^[a]through the Spirit in ^[b]sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,

Let love be without hypocrisy. The apostle Paul proceeds to stir up to the exercise of grace, and the discharge of such duties as were common to all the members of the church. He begins with “love”, which is the cement of saints, and the bond of perfectness; without love all the gifts that we have received, or the profession of faith that we make, or the works we do are of no benefit, and we ourselves are nothing but clanging, noisy gongs.

1 John 4:8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

Love- agape, sacrificial kind of love of the will and purpose, not an emotional, feeling based love.

Here it is to be taken, in the most comprehensive sense, that love to God and others is to “be without hypocrisy”. Genuine not artificial. Love to God should be with all our heart, soul, and mind, otherwise the fear of Him, and obedience to Him, will be only outward, formal, customary, and hypocritical. Love to our Lord should be with sincerity, and so it is right, true, and genuine; and love to one another should be not in word, and in tongue only, but in deed and in truth, with a purity of heart. The love professed to others should never be through fear of men, or a desire to please man; but honest, upright, and sincere.

So then, how can we be sure that our love is true and not hypocritical love? Paul tells us

Abhor that which is evil; do not only avoid it, but hate it, as you should hate hell itself. This is very emphatic words. He, who is without hatred of evil, does not really love good.

1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Here again is agape love. So you can agape God, and you can agape the world. But not both.

Abhor that which is evil. We are to hate sin, both in its principle and in its actions. We abhor anything that is hateful to God and contrary to His nature. We abhor transgression of His righteous law. The word here used, designs the greatest aversion imaginable, a turning away from it, as what is the most loathsome, detestable, and abominable; and having such a hatred of it with horror.

1 Corinthians 13:6(love) does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;

Proverbs 8:7 For my mouth will speak truth; Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

Psalm 119:104 Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.

Amos 5:15 Hate evil, love good; Establish justice in the gate. It may be that the Lord God of hosts
Will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.

Hebrews 1:9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.” (said of Jesus)

Herein lies the great problem of today: Christians are not only tolerating evil, but celebrating it. There is a lack of courage and a lack of the fear the Lord that’s been traded for a fear of man. Satan has caused Christians to attack and devour one another instead of focusing our attack on spiritual wickedness in high places. People attack those preaching GOODNESS and truth. Many cause strife and division when the preacher teaches what the Word of God says about divorce, or lying, or sexual immorality. Yet the Word says, we are to HATE evil and the evil way.

Psalm 97:10 You who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.

Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.

We are not called to make peace with evil. WE are not called to befriend evil. WE are not called to tolerate evil. We are not called to ignore evil and brush it under the rug. We are not called to expose our children to evil and call it “education” or “inclusivity” or “tolerance”.

We are called to hate it and stand against all evil with boldness and truth and with the authority in Christ that we have been given. Jesus did not sacrifice His life for our sins so we could partner with Satan.

Here’s an area where we tolerate sin- parents tolerate sin in their children and make excuses for them calling it “love”. You excuse their sin and justify their disobedience and say, “they have a good heart”. You are doing them a huge disservice and at the same time disobeying the Word of the Lord. This is not love. It is artificial. It is partnering with evil. I see many parents putting their children in position of ministry when their kids are still in their sins. Parents: remember Eli who was destroyed and taken from the priesthood because he allowed his rebellious sons to serve in the temple of God and profane that which is holy. So Paul says not only are we to hate evil, we are to love good.

Cleave to that which is good; be glued to it; so the word signifies. Things that are glued together are hard to separate. Think of gluing two pieces of paper. The same word is used of the union and conjunction between man and wife

 Ephesians 5:31“For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined (glued) to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”

Be glued to that which is good; to God, who is infinitely, and immutably good; who is good in his nature, and works. Cleave unto his will, his ways, and worship; and to Jesus the good shepherd of the sheep, the only Savior and Redeemer, the Lamb that is to be followed whithersoever he goes; and to the Holy Spirit, after whom we should walk, and not after the flesh; and be glued to the church of God, assembling with whom should not be forsaken. Be glued to the Gospel of peace, and the truths of God’s Word and hold them fast. Cleave to every good work, to which we should always be ready, careful to maintain, and ever follow.

Love is not love if we are hypocritical and not loving from a pure heart. Love is not love if we claim to know Him and continue to live in our sins. Love is not love if we flatter with our mouth but have hatred in our heart. Love is not love if we serve the whole church but do not hold firmly to the truth of God’s Word. Love is not love if we care more about a person’s physical happiness then we care about the eternity of their soul. Isaiah prophesied of a day that evil would be called good.

Isaiah 5:20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

We are in this day, have nothing to do with evil, but cleave to what is good with all your might.

Paul then tells us how to express this true and genuine love: v.10-16

How do we truly fulfill this list of things that at times seem so far away from our natural ability? How do we do bless those who curse us, from a pure heart? I will be honest—I can serve diligently anyone because I am able to detach my real feelings and heart from things. This comes from years of living in survival mode. One characteristic of a child of an alcoholic parent is to hide your true feelings. I am a master at this. But this is not true love. I have had to learn to align my heart with my actions. I also have a fear of rejection and abandonment, this has kept me from truly loving and serving people. I isolate because I do not want to get close, because if I get close, they might leave me. These issues I have had to deal with at the heart level. I had to sit still under the power of the Lord, spending hours upon hours in prayer, renewing my mind to God’s Word and here I am 28 years later, still working on getting my heart right. God demands that love must not be hypocritical. WE can ONLY love like this when we do what HE tells us: Rom 12:1-2 This kind of love cannot come any other way

Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:5 ^“Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the ^[a]earth.

Jesus uses a specific word here: meek. I do not think most of us realize what this word means. It is not in the sense of “meek as a mouse”. The English dictionary translates it: quiet, gentle, submissive.

The Greek word is much more weightier and it fits this passage of love that Paul tells us perfectly. Meekness is patience in the reception of injuries. It is neither meanness nor a surrender of our rights, nor cowardice; but it is the opposite of sudden anger, of malice, or of long-harbored vengeance.

Christ insisted on his right when he said, “If I have done evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike me?” John 18:23. Paul asserted his right when he said, “They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves, and fetch us out,” Acts 16:37. And yet Christ was the very model of meekness.  Same of Paul. No man endured more wrong, or endured it more patiently than Jesus. Yet the Savior and the apostle were not raging men flying off the handle. They bore injury patiently. They did not press their rights nor trample down the rights of others to secure their own.

Meekness is the reception of injuries with a belief that God will vindicate us. “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,” Romans 12:19. We have no authority to take his place, He will do what He has promised to do.

I remember years ago in the warehouse, there was a lady who called up everyone in the church to the tell them that ps Matt and I were mishandling the finances of the church. This of course stemmed from an offense she was harboring over her kid. The enemy always seems to attack in issues of money and our kids. The teeth come out. I found out she was calling up every couple in the church, and so I thought it well to defend us. I called up one family and told them to pls not listen to this lady, that she was spreading lies. The lady replied to me, “I will listen to whoever I want to listen to”. We lost about 1/3 of the church. When you are running 75 people on a Sunday this is a big hit. But it taught me a lesson. I am not to defend myself. IN 2019 when we had something similar, I did not defend us. I even had people asking me why I was not saying anything. Because it is not my place. I had learned meekness.

Meekness produces peace. It is proof of true greatness of soul. It comes from a heart too pure to be moved by even the slightest insults. Meekness will cause us to look upon those who offer insults to us with pity instead of fleshly malice.

In the world we find nothing approaching the virtue of which Jesus spoke. Instead of meekness, we find pride, ego and arrogance. All our heartaches and a great many of our physical illnesses spring directly from our sins. Pride, arrogance, resentfulness, unforgiveness, bitterness, malice, greed: these are the source of more human pain than all the diseases that ever afflicted mortal flesh. Jesus gives us more than just words of wisdom, they are the essence of truth, “Blessed are the meek” He is not giving us His opinion. His Word is law. Meekness and pride cannot inhabit the same person.

Think about this: a lot of the pain in our life has risen from someone speaking badly of us. Tozer, “As long as you set yourself up as a little god to which you must be loyal, there will be those who will delight to offer affront to your idol”. The prideful heart seeks to shield itself from every insult and bad opinion. The fleshly man continually challenges every word spoken against them and cringes under every criticism. It is vanity and ego to even think that everything is about you. Why do you take something as a slight anyway? Why do you think it’s about you? Why do you take everything so personal? Not every FB post is about you. You might just have an ego problem that you need to deal with.

OT scholar Dennis Kinlaw said: Satan disguises submission to himself under the ruse of personal autonomy. He never asks us to become his servants. Never once did the serpent say to Eve, “I want to be your master”. The shift in commitment is never from Christ to evil; it is always from Christ to self. And instead of his will, self-interest now rules and what I want reigns. And that is the essence of sin.

Why do you think Scripture continually declares to put to death the flesh? Sin is rooted in glorifying and seeking to honor self.

John 5:44 How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?

Jesus taught here the alarming doctrine that the desire for honor among men makes belief impossible.

“Brother, if any man thinks ill of you, do not be angry with him; for you are worse than he thinks you to be. If he charges you falsely on some point, yet be satisfied, for if he knew you better he might change the accusation, and you would be no gainer by the correction. If you have your moral portrait painted, and it is ugly, be satisfied; for it only needs a few blacker touches, and it would be still nearer the truth.”

Charles Spurgeon

The meek does not care who is greater than them, for they has long decided that the esteem of this world is not worth the effort. The meek man is not a mouse with a sense of inferiority. The meek in truth as bold as a lion, but has stopped deceiving themselves and has accepted God’s estimate of their life. The meek one has evaluated themself soberly. I know I am weak and helpless, but at the same time more important than the angels. In myself, nothing; in God, everything. I know full well that the world will never see me as God sees me and I have stopped caring. I can rest content to allow God to esteem my value. The meek are at peace and are happy to let God defend them. The old struggle to defend ourself is over. The meek does not pretend to be something they are not, but is content in being a child of God. I am at last here. Maybe I am too old to care anymore, but nevertheless, I rest content in my Lord’s estimation of me. If I please my Lord and my husband, what others think of me, or how someone else views me makes no difference.

Meekness is the key to “blessing those who curse you” and to truly love those who despitefully use you. In our own strength, we can do nothing. But in His strength and power, we can rest peaceful and content and we can truly do “all things through Christ who gives me strength”

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• Mustard Seed Faith
• We all want to see God move in our lives- or at least we SHOULD. I don’t want to just know the Bible stories- I want to experience the Bible stories in my life. not historical- right now-
• I want to see healings. I want to see deliverance. I want to see mountains moved. BIG STUFF
• Matthew 17:14-20 READ
• Love this story- Guy has a son who is epileptic- goes to the disciples to have his son healed, they don’t have what it takes, so he Goes to Jesus. Jesus is indignant, heals the boy and then tells his followers that if they would have had faith the size of a mustard seed- they could have done it
• Now a mustard seed is only 1-2mm across. It’s a very small seed- and Jesus uses this seed as an example of what kind of faith these people should have had to be able to see this boy healed
• In my life, I have heard people say before “they didn’t have enough faith” or “they didn’t believe enough” or “ their faith wasn’t strong enough” to get healed, or delivered or whatever
• That’s demonic abusive language to use on someone who didn’t see God move
• Puts the onus on the individual and not on God and we were never intended to be in that place
• Matthew 17:20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief;” not “your amount of faith”
• The problem with these disciples was not that they didn’t have enough faith– it was that they had no- faith- they didn’t believe in God- they didn’t believe God or Jesus- no mustard
• And so Jesus challenges them- and says you have NO belief but if you ONLY Had ANY amount of belief in God- you would see AMAZING THINGS- just a small amount
• Lets read the whole verse- Matt 17:20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
• This is Bible faith- just believing God. The tiniest amount-not a huge amount, just a tiny amount.
• Think about Abraham- God told Abraham that he would be the father of many nations, but he was old and his wife was past child rearing age- Seems pretty impossible doesn’t it?
• Romans 4:18-20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God,
• Romans 4:3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
• Abraham believed God- He didn’t waver- against hope- That’s that ‘Mustard seed faith” I’m talking about. Its not a huge faith- its just a little bit of faith that says “I’m gonna believe God’
• Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
• God wants us to have faith- He wants us to believe in him- He doesn’t want us to doubt
• James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
• And if we want to see God move- we have to have Faith in him. (Faith is not what you can see)
• And I get it- sometimes we don’t put our faith in God because we think we’re doing God a favor- if we don’t believe him, and he doesn’t move we don’t make him look bad
• Listen- God can take care of himself- he does not need you helping him out by not believing him
• Jesus said- John 14:1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.

Here’s what happens when you have mustard seed faith-

1. Mustard seed faith Cast out demons
2. This story is a story about a boy who has epilepsy-
3. I always have to clarify this- everything isn’t a demon- sometimes its just medical
4. But sometimes it IS a demon- Jesus healed blind people of their blindness because they were blind- it wasn’t a demon of blindness that was upon them- they were just blind.
5. In THIS story They didn’t have the faith of a mustard seed- so they couldn’t cast out the demon
6. They said “why could we not cast it out’ Jesus said “because of your unbelief”
7. SO- They COULD have cast out the demon IF they had the tiniest bit of faith MUSTARD SEED
8. I’m of the belief that anyone who is in Christ can cast out a demon- People think bc I’m a pastor there’s some special demon casting anointing on me- but there aint- I just don’t have unbelief.
9. 1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
10. I believe that- I believe the person that Just got saved is more powerful than the prince of darkness- They have more power in them than a legion of demons- Bc they got FAITH
11. 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
12. This is a true scripture- this is what the Devil does- he goes around looking to hurt people
13. And in YOUR life- there may be some things in your life that you have been trying to deal with physically that need to be deal with spiritually. Everything can’t be fixed with a pill.
14. Do you not believe the scriptures? Do you not believe that God’s word is true?
15. Luke 9:1 Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.
16. IF Jesus gave it to those disciples and we are his disciples, then we walk in that same authority
17. Luke 10:17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”
18. Yes- yes they are- Now I don’t have time to go into the demon possession master class this morning but suffice to say this- This power is reserved for the believer in Christ- not the occasionally committed. You go after demons and you aren’t a believer- they will get on you
19. Here’s what the Bible says-
20. Mark 16:17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;
21. Matthew 10:1 And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.
22. But that takes FAITH- Not a huge amount- just enough- more than nothing- mustard seed
23. And you WILL see God move- you WILL see demons cast out- you will see things changed
    But you must believe-

• Mustard faith can Move mountains
• Jesus, after healing this boy- tells the disciples- you can move mountains- clearly Jesus didn’t move any mountains in this story- but he did change someone’s life- a mountain to that family
• Think of the context- Jesus used and uses hyperbole to make a point
• We’re not supposed to cut our hands off, gouge our eyes out, and we wont be able to move a mountain- I can’t move Mt Rainer- but I CAN have mustard seed faith to see things that APPEAR as mountains be REMOVED from my life! Habits, addictions, thoughts, diseases, pain, sin
• Mark 11:23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
• This family didn’t need a mound of dirt moved from one place to another- they had an Epileptic son that kept throwing himself into fire and water- They needed a mountain moved!
• THAT was probably a mountain for them! THAT was something huge they needed removed!
• They didn’t come to Jesus and say- This large mountain needs to be moved- they said-THIS is my mountain!
• Again- I don’t think its literal mountains we don’t have any stories of mountains being moved in scripture- but we do see MIRACLES in scripture! Big things happening in peoples lives!
• 1 Corinthians 13:2 though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains,
• You can see mountains moved and you can have mountains moved. Mustard seed faith!
  what are the mountains in your life that need to be removed
• We all have mountains in our lives- things that aren’t going the way we wish they would go
• Mountains of pain, addiction, habits, mental stuff, physical stuff, relationships, physical
• And here’s the deal- we do things about it- we try to manage it and it may work- but sometimes, either at the beginning or the end- the only thing that can move that mountain is JESUS- and you have to have FAITH as a MUSTARD seed to believe that it can happen!
• Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
• There’s a reason Jesus said-
• John 14:12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.
• John 15:5 for without Me you can do nothing.
• Luke 17:6 So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.
• Those are real scriptures and I am going to believe them- These are the same scriptures that tell me that I’m saved and that I am going to heaven- why am I not going to believe these scriptures as well? If Jesus says the mountains will be removed, My mustard seed faith is going to believe
• I haven’t made heaven yet- but I’m believing that I’m going- I haven’t seen my healing yet, but I believe that its coming!
• Kathryn duffy- lukemia- 10 years- been dealing with it- infusions, medications, etc. Drs say probably going to die from it, and nothing they can do to stop it- oh btw- you’re cancer free

• Nothing Impossible
• Here’s what Jesus said- If you have faith the size of a mustard seed. A teeny tiny little mustard seed, NOTHING shall be impossible for you-
• I take Jesus at his word- Nothing shall be impossible for you-
• There is nothing that is outside of the realm of possibility with belief in God.
• People put timelines and outcomes- the word says what it says- impossible- not when
• We have many unanswered prayers and things that happen- we begin to believe that Gods word isn’t true because it hasn’t happened yet- on our timeline.
• And here’s what you need to get wrapped around your brain- Its not faith in your faith, or faith in belief- its faith in GOD. In HIS ability to do it- “wont he do it”
• 2 Cor 3:4-5 And we have such trust through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,
• People mock preaching like this and say “oh he’s one of those faith preachers”
• What else kind of preacher am I supposed to be? Tell you to have faith in yourself?
• When Jesus says “nothing shall be impossible” he means it
• I’ve seen people go through some of the most insurmountable inconceivable circumstances where it seemed impossible and the God of the possible showed up- Just because they believed
• John 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’Colossians 1:11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power,Ephesians 6:10 strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.Isa 40:29 He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.Ephesians 3:16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,
• Doesn’t that Sound like a God of the impossible!

• Robust spirituality
• Jesus adds this nugget to these gents- This one does not come out except by prayer and fasting.
• This demon isn’t a run-of-the-mill demon. Not a dime store common demon. It’s a demon that isn’t going to come out unless you put some heave into it. You got to get involved
• This part of Christian spirituality for some reason is difficult for people to fully grasp
• We are taught and believe in Christ’s all sufficient power over sin and death and our inability to add to our salvation and not being works based.
• But here- Jesus says- You have to be more involved in the process to see deliverance here.
• No different than Daniel Daniel 9:3 Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.
• No Different than Paul 2 Corinthians 11:27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—
• There’s a spiritual principle here that Cannot be missed- Prayer and fasting does more than you think it does to take down the powers of darkness. It grows YOU and YOUR faith in GOD
• Not everything spiritual comes easy
• 2 Cor 12:8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.Ephesians 6:18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—1 Corinthians 9:27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
• You must have an idea of a spirituality that is more than common- All it takes is mustard seed faith. A small miniscule belief in God, and then a continuance in prayer and fasting too see God move
• Are there things in your life that you haven’t seen move? Have you placed your faith in God and then went to prayer and fasting?
• Yes have belief- but heed the words of Jesus and take that mustard seed faith and plant it by fasting and prayer
• The end- Take a step- a teeny step of faith- the size of a mustard seed- see what God will do

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Sober Judgement                                                                                 Roman 12:3-8

• Romans 12:3-8 (Esv)For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members,[a] and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads,[b] with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
• Paul is speaking to an audience that is big on status and standing in the society. Judging on what abilities each person brought to the table and classifying them as such
• That is why he uses words like:
  • Grace Given – That all they have has been given to them not self-acquired by merit
  • Sober Judgement – Don’t think you all that and more
  • One body – We are all the same though different

Let’s get into the text

1. Do Judge yourself
2. Romans 12:3(Nkjv) …. among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think
3. Paul is asking them not to think of themselves higher that they ought to but to actually take a moment to do an internal check
4. He doesn’t tell them not to think of themselves, he does tell them to have a Sober Judgement of themselves
5. Do not exaggerate an opinion of oneself  
6. Take time to speak life to ourselves
7. Motivational speaking and affirmation
8. How comes that our God who is real and has shown us tangible changes, has written it all down and continues to be the Same Yesterday, Today and forever, yet …we refuse to appropriate the Words He has given us? His Word
9. I know that Paul is speaking about gifts but before we get there, we need to break down the lies of the enemy and see ourselves how God sees us
10. We are vessels that hold these gifts and if we have to use these gifts, we have to prepare our vessel for use
11. I think the first step is being vulnerable before God – allowing God to truly search us and reveal those areas in our lives that are lacking
12. Asking Him to shine a light in all corners of our lives
13. Praying about those areas and asking God to prepare this vessel for His work
14. I Corinthians 6:20 – For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body [a]and in your spirit, which are God’s.
15. Matthew 10:29-31(Nkjv) Are not two sparrows sold for a [a]copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Do not fear; therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows.
16. Know what you are worth in the eyes of God
    1. Not based on the opinion of others
    1. Not controlled by self-desires and greed
    1. Not defined by fear and insecurities
17.  Ephesians 2:10 (Nkjv)For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
18. Romans 12:3 (AMPC) For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him.
19. Use the Word of God to check yourself
    1. 2 Corinthians 13:5 (Esv) Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? —unless indeed you fail to meet the test!
20. When you know your worth in Christ Jesus, you can be useful in His Kingdom
21. Paul doesn’t talk about the past, family status, education or net-worth
22. He is talking about the Grace – that’s given to him and everyone else
23. Today’s Grace that is available to anyone who puts their trust in Jesus
24. What do you see when you test yourself?
25. Hold your position
26. Romans 12:4-5 -For as in one body we have many members,[a] and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
27. Paul is saying – after we have judged ourselves right, its time to hold our position accordingly to the Grace (gifting) that has been awarded to you by God
28. The story of Nehemiah is such a great story to illustrate working as many and having the same interest
    1. Nehemiah a cup bearer learns that after 70 years of captivity of his people, they were returning to Jerusalem. A city that raid in ruins… He prayed to God that he could be used to go rebuild the wall – the security!
    1. God answered his prayer by softening the heart of the Persian king, who gave not only his blessing, but also supplies to be used in the project
    1. Nehemiah 3 – the most beautiful example of working together read some
    1. Even when they faced opposition from the enemies – There wasn’t any separation/division/trying to outdo each other – everyone held their position
    1. Nehemiah 4:15-19 (Esv) When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work. 16 From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, 17 who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. 18 And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me. 19 And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another.
29. Attacks did not affect them, they adopted because they had learnt to hold their position
30. This is what Paul is speaking about; Romans 12:3-8 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them
31. Are you holding your position this evening?
32. Stay busy
33. Another way of saying this is – let us use these gift that you have been given
34. Romans 12:6-8 (Esv)Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness
35. Paul’s point is that while members of the church, like the parts of the human body, have different functions, they belong to one another and therefore are to serve and promote the well-being of one another
36. Don’t be the weakest link – don’t be a burden to others because you refuse to use your God given gifts
37. If know who you are, If you judge yourself according to the Word of God, If you are busy holding your position, And if you are staying busy where God has called you…
38. I would be surprised if you have time to bring division in the church, envy someone else position, or even judge anyone’s work
39. We ought to stay on our task and know that these gifts we have are God given and one day we will give an account of each of them
40. There is no small or greater gift – The small gifts are sometime bigger that the small one
41. I Corinthians 12:21-26 (Esv)  As it is, there are many parts,[e] yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
42. Quote from Matthew Henry -We must be content though we are lower and less than others. We must not despise others, if we have greater gifts. How blessed the Christian church, if all the members did their duty! Instead of coveting the highest stations, or the most splendid gifts, let us leave the appointment of his instruments to God, and those in whom he works by his providence. Remember, those will not be approved hereafter who seek the chief places, but those who are most faithful to the trust placed in them, and most diligent in their Master’s work.
43. Galatians 2:20 (Nkjv) I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

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Eat some pork and shrimp- Matthew 15:1-20

Defile- desecrate or profane (something sacred).

1. Traditions can defile
2. Mens traditions defile, not God’s commands
3. v3 He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?
4. these Jews had created a tradition, where people were supposed to wash their hands before they ate bread- Jesus disciples didn’t do this because it wasn’t a commandment from God- it was a commandment that was created by men
5. And this is one of the biggest problems that was going on within Judaism during the time- man made rules imposed on others as God made laws- Jesus crushed it
6. Mark 7:13 making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.”
7. And that’s what the man-made traditions were doing- they were making the word of God of none effect- they had lost the awe and wonder of God’s word and weren’t following it
8. Jesus, when confronted- immediately points to the tradition that they had-v 5 But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God”— 6 then he need not honor his father or mother.’
9. What this was- was that the Jews would look at their money- call it “corban” which loosely means ‘this belongs to God” so when it came to taking care of their parents, they stated that they didn’t have to because it all belonged to God- ‘wish I could help”
10. Jesus is calling out two of their traditions- hand washing and calling money corban and saying these traditions defile you because you think they are of God but they are not.
11. Let me say this- there are Good traditions and bad traditions.
12. 2 Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.
13. 1 Corinthians 11:2 Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you.
14. Paul encouraged the early church to hold to the traditions they had- I’m not exactly sure what traditions he is specifically speaking to, but its clear that there are some traditions that are to kept.
15. 2 Thes 3:6 says that we should-  withdraw from every brother who does not walk not according to the tradition
16. Some traditions are good! But some are also bad- Also tho- Colossians 2:8 READ
17. Some traditions are bad tho- Col 2:20-23 READ
18. Its like this-Meeting on Sundays is our tradition- but its not a commandment- order of worship, types of fasts, revivals, retreats, etc. All good- but not commandments from God-
19. Turning them into a commandment from God is when you start to defile the word of God.
20. Titus 1:14 not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth.
21. Its like this- I like to dress like this- I feel like it would be disrespectful to God to come into his house to preach and wear sweats, a baseball hat, tshirt etc. Its not a requirement, there’s nothing in scripture that describes what we are to wear to church- but its my tradition I haven’t made it a law.
22. When Christianity goes south is when we start making man made laws and passing them off as God’s commandments- that’s called legalism- putting on a law on someone and saying God demands it- (standing drinking rootbeer- told not to- not law-just don’t make sense)
23. Our tradition is to stand in worship- not a requirement- but I can’t not.
24. Here’s the underlying problem with man made traditions that are called a law of God-
25. It’s hypocrisy-

1. Hyprocrisy Defiles
2. External piety doesn’t please God ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.
3. And that’s what Jesus was calling out in the heart of these dudes- you are acting religious with your hand washing and money holding (it all belongs to God)
4. But you guys are a bunch of hypocrites-
5. It would be like this– holding to traditions that we have here- standing, worshipping, hand raising, amening etc. and then not really being in Love with Jesus- just putting on a Christian show for the benefit of those around you (being on track team- no practice- just meets- no good)
6. Titus 1:16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.
7. I’m not sure if you know this- But God doesn’t like hypocrisy-
8. Few points of hypocrisy to focus on- (not exhaustive)
9. One- looking at others problems before your own Matt 7:5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
10. This means- focus more on whats wrong with you and not with others
11. Two- Claiming Christ and not controlling your mouth Ja 1:26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.
12. If you’re a Christian- watch what you say- no gossip, slander, idle words, etc
13. Three- Doing charity so others can see you doing it Matthew 6:1 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.
14. Going on mission for photo ops, only picking up trash when someone is watching, serving at church with a heart condition of wanting others to see it.
15. Four- Slamming others for doing what you do Romans 2:3 And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?
16. Watching porn and chastising those who do it, greedy mad at greedy, anger with angry
17. What does it mean to you
18. Much more areas of hypocrisy- but you can start with those four – they’ll keep ya busy
19. Typically the only person that knows the depths of your hypocrisy is you and God
20. You can fool other people- I’ve been fooled many times by hypocrites who said one thing to my face and did another. But they did not fool God-
21. Luke 12:2 For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known.
22. Yikes- that means that whatever you’re hiding in your hypocrisy will be revealed ugh.
23. That’s for you and me- I can’t walk in hypocrisy and neither can you- its not good
24. 2 tim 3: 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,
25. Just because other people may be hypocrites- doesn’t mean you can be one- aint good
26. Neighbor with the TV in Texas- glowing light
27. 1 John 2:4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
28. We don’t keep the traditions as a means of maintaining our relationship with God. But if we say we know him and don’t keep his known commandments- we are hypocrites
29. Here’s an example-
30.  

1. 3 . Food doesn’t defile
   What these Jews were saying to Jesus- was that because his disciples weren’t washing their hands- they were defiling themselves- profaning God-
2. “how can you eat with dirty hands- you are now a sinner”
3. 11 Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.” (He’s outlining their hypocrisy of handwashing not being law but making it one)
4. What Jesus is saying here is two things– 1. Eat what you want 2. Watch your actions
5. Jesus goes so far as to say this- 17 Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated?
6. Now the translation of this is- ‘goes in to the privy-latrine’
7. So- what I eat goes into the toilet- so what I eat can’t defile me-
8. This is transformative because Jewish law forbade eating many foods- pork, shrimp etc
9. But the Bible made clear that the dietary restrictions have been done away with
10. The distinction is in the first century- you had converted Jews who couldn’t bring themselves to eat what they had been told not to- their conviction was that they couldn’t. So Paul told people- don’t break that brothers conscience- some can eat anything- some can’t be nice about it. He also told the Jews not to put a law on gentiles
11. Here’s some scriptures to know about food.
12. 1 Timothy 4:4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; Romans 14:20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense.Romans 14:14 I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 1 Cor 10:25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake;
13. Peter had this same problem Acts 11:7-9 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8 But I said, ‘Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.’ 9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’
14. Why does this matter today?
15. Well- first off- there are religious sects out there that try to depork you into thinking that you aren’t walking with God if you love the bacon. That’s a lie- don’t listen to them.
16. I am going to tell you- I love pork, and all manner of shellfish and will eat them anytime
17. So when you come across a Black Hebrew Israelite, a Messianic Jew or some other sect who is trying to twist OT scriptures to convince you to not eat pork take the bacon out of your pocket and eat it right in front of them. Do not listen to them.
18. This is why we have a Easter ham.
19. 1 Timothy 4:3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

• The heart defiles
• Here’s the crux of it all- Keeping the wrong tradition defiles. not food.
• but do you know what does defile? 18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man
• Here’s the big issue with traditions/food keeping/hypocrisy etc. They don’t get at the heart.
• Its this idea of such overly religious avoidance of so many things as a form of godliness thinking that somehow that’s going to get you to heaven but it WONT- Only a regenerated heart can go to heaven
• Its called as·cet·i·cism- severe self-discipline and avoidance of all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons.
• You know the type- so saved they are saved from being saved- ‘super saved’
• Watching a television program doesn’t defile you- but if what comes out of you after watching it isn’t godly it can- anger, lust, greed, (don’t lie to yourself)
• Col 2:16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths,
• Colossians 2:20-23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.
• That’s the issue that Jesus is trying to address- get your heart close to God- have what comes out of you be Godly- that’s where the rubber meets the road- not in external pious religious actions that have a form of godliness but deny its power.
• Let me list off a few things of flesh that defile-
• Galatians 5:19-21 READ
• IF you see those things coming out of your life- you need a heart change-
• Colossians 3:5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
• Put them to death work on denying your flesh- the actions of your life are going to send you to Hell if you don’t get a hold of them-
• 2 Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
• Galatians 5:16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
• 2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
• 1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body
• Ephesians 4:22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,
• Titus 2:12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
• That’s what we should be doing- denying ungodliness and lust- not worrying about traditions and food-

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Take me back                                                                          1 Corinthians 30:1-6

• Its 2020 February- and I am excited about life, new business
  • I left my past company I was working for 5 years I had started a new company
  • Two weeks in – I owe contractor- I have a mortgage, wife, and kids
  • I had to draw back to the conversations I had with God.
  • I had to encourage myself in The Lord!
• Take me back to yesterday when things were better
• This happens when we are come face to face with unpleasant reality- our hope is dashed
• And this is what is happening to David and the men
• 1 Samuel 30: 1-2 – Now it happened, when David and his men came to Ziklag, on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the South and Ziklag, attacked Ziklag and burned it with fire, 2 and had taken captive the women and those who were there, from small to great; they did not kill anyone, but carried them away and went their way
• “On the third day indicates that David and his men covered about twenty-five miles a day on the march south from Aphek to Ziklag, where they would have arrived tired, hungry and expecting all the comforts for a welcome home.”
• The Bible says “1Corinthians 30:4 -Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep.
• Where is the reset button? – Memories come rushing in and you are in a place of desperation
• It’s not a surprise that most people spend a significant part of their lives wishing that they can go back to a particular place, a certain time, a thing they said, a thing they wish they could undo, a lost love and so forth
• This is where the enemy needs you, in a place of desperation – where he keeps you hostage  
• We end up spending useful resources trying go back to what it used to be, hence the people wanted to stone David
• Other times we try to strengthen ourselves with the skills we have or the connections we have
• But David strengthened Himself in the LORD HIS GOD!

When we get to this place, we have a choice to make

1. We must decide
2. Everything has its time and Solomon puts it perfectly in Ecclesiastes 3:4 – A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance
3. I Samuel 30:6 – Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was [a]grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God
   1. David strengthens himself, not during natural crying moment, he strengthens himself when he realized that the men, he thought were on his side were no longer for him
   1. At that time there was truly only one who was for him and that is our LORD His God
4. Hard thing will come our way and honestly, they will catch us off guard, we will lose strength, wail and hurt …and at point we have to draw all our strength to stop, strengthen ourselves to hear what is being said around us.
5. And its only then that we have to make a decision…close churches or cling to the cross
6.  And at that moment, we must decide which voice to follow and believe
7. Fear or faith – you choose one – When you say yes to one thing – you are saying no to another
8. David had to make a decision and he choose to Praise God – He strengthened himself in the LORD
9.  It’s hard the same people that went to Battle with you, are now the same people that wanted to stone him
10. Sounds like Covid times, how the enemy has been successful drawing lines in family relationship and friends – he found his perfect tool
11. People that were very proud of you- they are no longer approve of you because of the stand you took
12. Its hurts and its unbearable – But it’s at this moment of distress that “when we call upon the name of Jesus, we are saved
13. Psalms 46:1 – God is our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], a very present and well-proved help in trouble.
14. Tonight, I am reminding you that you have the power to decide, whether you want to back, or you want to cry out to God to lead you to the next season
15. The right decision cannot be made unless we remember
16. If we are not prepared, we are paralyzed by things that come our way
17. 1 Peter 1:13 (NLT) – So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. 
18. Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind: To gird up the loins of your mind is to get rid of loose and sloppy thinking; to bring the rational and reflective powers of your mind under control. It means to control what you think about, those things you decide to set your mind upon.
19. The best way to make sure that you will make the best decision every time is to Hide the Word of God in you heart
20. We cannot encourage ourselves on Empty
21. What has God done in your life so far. What has God said to you in the past?
    1. Are there promises that He has fulfilled?
22. Before I had covid in 2020– This sickness will not end in death/ There is no way around it only through it
23. Very quick David remembers the time that he was alone with God:
    1. When God gave him the strength to fight bears and lions
    1. When he saw the giant – He drew from the Lord
24. For we who has been Christians …we know the stories, the victory- where there was not water, the rock provided at the instruction of God, where there was no path, the water parted, ravens fed Elijah
25. Draw from your stories, if not, draw from a friend, if not appropriate the Bible…. God is the same yesterday today and forever
26. For those who don’t know Him, the Bible has a list of promises that you can inherit today – Just like that:
    1. I will never leave you or forsake you – Deuteronomy 31:6 – So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
       1. David, having clearly walked away from the things of God, when he came to the senses, – This verse was truer than ever before
    1. Matthew 6:33 NLT – Seek the Kingdom of God[a] above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. – He had to do one thing and one thing only – Seek God and the victory was made possible
    1.  Young people- David was only able to draw from that which had been installed in him since he was little boy- Your time to fill up the tank is now – today!
    1. You are living in an exciting or terrifying time – your choice
       1. The migration (The great wildebeest migration is one of the most phenomenal natural spectacles in the world. It is an annual movement by millions of wildebeest, accompanied by large numbers of zebra, Grant’s gazelle, Thompson’s gazelle, elands and impalas across the greater Masai Mara-Serengeti ecosystem.) – Babies are born in the middle of the herd, the Sahara become dark when you are separated
       1. Stay planted in the middle of the House of God
27. When we remember we take Action!
28. 1 Samuel 30:7-8 – Then David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, “Please bring the ephod here to me.” And Abiathar brought the ephod to David. 8 So David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them? “And He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.”
29. We must be willing to act
30. The fruits of encouragement must see seen through the action we take
31. Pastor Crystal – The enemy cannot stop you; he just has to lender you useless
32. We have to get to a point where going back is not an option and if we MUST
33. Lord, please take us back to the place of remembrance
34. We must encourage ourselves to take that next step
35. What’s the step you need to take today?
36. Friends – 2022 will have its challenges, and though 2021 was in what it was there will be moments that you will wish that things won’t change – but change is a must
37. There is great new though- There is one that never changes – our Lord
    1. The one that goes before us – our Kids …I wish someone would encourage themselves and knowing that He goes before us

David went from desperation to having everything restored and much more – It was David’s spoils

• Tonight, I want to pray for you, that which the enemy has stolen, will be restored
  • To have the strength to dust off, forget the threats, take our rightful position as Sons and Daughters of Christ and as we need to match on
• David, is about to be stoned by angry wounded crowd, he doesn’t say …excuse me, excuse me, I have a plan…He stands up and one more time – He leads
• One more time!
• David strengthened himself in the LORD his God. This wasn’t some kind of rah-rah cheerleader kind of positive thinking mumbo jumbo. This was the strength of the living God making itself real in the life and heart of a hurting man. This was strength for recognition, strength for brokenness, strength for repentance, strength for determination to win back what the enemy has stolen. This is the same strength that would raise Jesus from the dead!
• As I close, I want to remind you that the decision you make this year will affect everyone around you
• David had a decision to make, and that decision affected the soldiers, their families, even the cows and sheep
• We are one BODY and how you choose to encourage yourself or not will affect all of us!

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A Commission of Submission

Romans 7:1-6

7 Or do you not know, brethren (for I speak to those who know the law), that the law ^[a]has dominion over a man as long as he lives? ² For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband. ³ So then if, while her husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man. ⁴ Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. ⁵ For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. ⁶ But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.

Judaism’s relationship with the Law of Moses began in a solemn covenant-ceremony performed at Mt. Sinai. Large sections of the Torah record the terms of this covenant. So for a Jew to walk away from the Torah was to violate the sacred vow they had made with God as a people. The result of that violation would be to bring upon themselves the curses contained in the covenant. No observant Jew could just decide to stop following the Law. To do so would make them nothing less than an infidel. This is the underlying issue Paul is addressing here. He wants his Jewish readers to see that following Christ is not a breach of the covenant, and the way he does this is to compare the covenant made at Sinai with a marriage covenant. The central point of the argument is this: the vows of a marriage covenant cease to be in force when one of the parties dies, and the same thing is true of the vows made at Sinai. He has just shown us that the person who puts their faith in Christ is counted in the spiritual world as having died with Him. (this was preached 2 weeks ago) As far as God and the Law are concerned that person has died and therefore is released from obligation to the Law. They are free from their vows, and its power to curse them has ended. The ultimate demand of the Law is death, and that demand has been met.

A woman who has entered into a marriage covenant cannot leave a faithful husband. Marriage is a solid, binding agreement that cannot be broken without bringing God’s judgment, unless the spouse dies. Paul explains that just as death releases a spouse to remarry, the spiritual death that takes place when a believer dies with Christ frees a Jew from their obligation to the Law. Our death with Christ is not just a mere figure of speech, but rises to the level of our own actual physical death. Nothing less than death could free a Jew from the authority of the Law, and that death took place when by faith we joined Christ in the grave.

So Paul tells these Jews, because they died with Christ the covenant made at Mt. Sinai lost its power to hold them and they are free to enter a new marriage. Their new groom is the resurrected Messiah. And just as marriage produces the fruit of children, so a believer’s marriage-like covenant will produce fruit for God. They now enter an entirely new relationship with the Law. They no longer have to fulfill it down to the smallest detail, fearing the curse it threatened. The radical change which took place in their own spirits set them free to fulfill the true intent of the law. Being married to Christ, they have the power to successfully serve and obey God. While we are not under Mosaic Law, we are not lawless.

1 Corinthians 9:20-21 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the ^[a]law, that I might win those who are under the law; ²¹ to those who are without law, as without law (not being without ^[b]law toward God, but under ^[c]law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law;

We are in fact under law towards Christ- in a new covenant with a new authority and a lawfully wedded husband.

“For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:2-3 ESV

“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.” Ephesians 5:22-24 Skip ahead

“This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” Ephesians 5:32 NKJV

As a woman, my role in this life is to submit to my husband. I think a lot of people, men and women do not understand submission. It is not just actions, but it is a heart condition to love, honor and obey my husband.

Submit- Greek hupotasso (hoop-ot-as-so) from two words meaning “appointed, ordained” and “subordination” So the new word means “appointed and ordained to be under obedience and put oneself in subjection to”

For the husband is the head of the wife — subjection lies in honor and reverence and in obedience; women should think well of their husbands, speak becomingly to them, and respectfully of them; the wife should take care of the family, and family affairs, according to the husband’s will; should imitate him in what is good, and bear with that in him which is not so good;  she should help and assist in caring and providing for the family; and should abide with him in prosperity and adversity, and do nothing without his will and consent: and this subjection is only to her husband; not to any other man, nor to her children, or her parents. This submission should be easy, voluntary, and cheerful.

Christ’s authority over the church, HIS BRIDE is exhibited in the husband’s authority over his wife.

Submission is voluntary. Ps Matt does not make me submit to him- I choose to submit myself. Now, it does make it easier because he loves me so well. But I do not always like it. Does this mean it is always easy? No. Submission is simple, but disobedience is complicated. Does this mean I don’t ever respond back? No. But I have resolved myself to submit to his leadership and I have given up the right to having my own way.

This is what it means for you to submit to Jesus. Tonight, I want to talk about areas that require our submission to Jesus our Lord. It is through this submission that we bear fruit for Him:

Submit my will- The will is very strong. I think its funny that people will say, “I have a strong-willed child”. I have never met a child that is not strong willed. We want our way. I am probably like most people, I want what I want. But I have learned in my marriage to die to having my own way and allow my husband to lead me. I know that when I submit to his authority, I am under his protection. This is the same as our submission to Jesus. When we submit to His authority in our lives, we fall under His protection.

The will is a strong force in our lives and it will lead us astray if it is not in subjection to the Lord. I think a lot of people do not understand the Biblical concept of “Jesus is LORD”

Romans 10:9 Holman Christian Standard Bible

⁹ If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

This is the most accurate translation. During the time of the Roman Empire, you were allowed to worship any god/idol you wanted. It was a pagan society. They didn’t care what god you worshipped. But to confess, “Jesus is Lord” was to go against Caesar, who had authority over the empire. BY confessing this, you were proclaiming there was only One who had the authority over your life, and it was not Caesar. By confessing this, you were proclaiming on yourself a death sentence. You were saying that your will, your desires, your actions, your words, your body were under the authority of Jesus.

And the will must be brought into subjection, willingly.

Jeremiah 10:23 ²³ O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.

Paul quotes Jeremiah, telling us the same:

1 Corinthians 6:19Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?

Our will to go our own way and do our own thing, is idolatry of self. Just as when I usurp my will over my husband’s will I operate outside the marriage covenant; so it is the same in the church. There is a huge idol in the church: ministry of self-will. “My ministry”, “my purpose”, “my work”. When your will is self-promotion, then you speak as the antichrist:

Isaiah 14:13-14 ¹³ For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; ¹⁴ I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’

God’s will for me is:

1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality;

God’s will for my life is sanctification- this means that His will is to make me holy as He is holy. And unless you submit to the authority of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, you will continue to operate in rebellion. You will never be sanctified.

Just submit your will to the Lord and let Him lead you. You do not have to have your way. Have you recognized yet that your will is the path to destruction? If you reckon yourself dead, then Christ is your new Lord and Master. You are safe and secure. Trust the Spirit to lead you and guide you.

Submit the words of my mouth- I do not talk bad about my husband. My words are submitted to him. I speak highly of him for good and never for evil. I do not nag him. I do not dishonor him to others. Is your mouth submitted to the Lord? People may not talk bad about Jesus, but they talk bad about His bride. They may not mock Him, but they mock His bride. They may not persecute Him, but they persecute His bride. And in doing so, they are doing it to Him.

Acts 9:4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

Matthew 25:40And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

Do not think that you are going to be friends with my husband and talk bad about his bride. It ain’t happening. The opposite is also true. Ask anyone, I have never said a bad thing about my hubby. We are one flesh. EX: Thanksgiving trip–I told a family member that hurled an accusation at my husband that if he was not accepted that I was not accepted.

I love Jesus and therefore I love what He loves. You cannot love Jesus without loving His bride. How are you talking about your brethren in Christ? How are you talking about other pastors? I have found that those who speak the truth get the most hate. Shame on you for attacking someone telling you the truth. Do you think Christ is pleased? He is not. Submit your mouth.

Ephesians 4:29-32 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary ^[a]edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, ^[b]clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. ³² And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

I know this is challenging, but your mouth must be submitted. We will answer for our idle and foolish words. Think before you speak. Think before you write it on FB. Not everyone needs to know your opinion. Spouses: start speaking highly of your spouse. Stop talking negative about each other and especially to others. God is not pleased. Get your mouth in check and you will talk highly of God’s holy church. Speak the words of life over yourself and others. Speak edification and not destruction. Speak things that are good, right, pure and true! Speak the truth in love. If your heart is bitter, keep your lips zipped.

Submit my body- I think this is a part of submission that people do not like to talk about. Just as I submit my physical body to my husband in the marriage covenant:

1 Corinthians 7:4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.

And this is not just in the bedroom- I wear the clothes my husband likes me to wear and do not wear things he does not like. I wear makeup because my husband likes it. I do my hair the way my husband likes it. (I have told women the stories of my red hair—women’s retreat they all splashed me with red paint) I do not get any more tatoos because my husband does not like them on me. So, in the same way, we are to submit our physical body to the Lord Jesus- He says what I wear, or do not wear; what I put on my body or put in my body. There are things I do not eat or drink because the Holy Spirit has told me “NO” and I am submitted to His authority over my body:

“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.”

I Corinthians 3:16-17 NKJV

Paul goes on to say “Let no one deceive himself”. We deceive ourselves when we do not willingly submit to Christ’s authority over our lives and do what we want to do with our bodies. What part of “you are not your own, you were bought with a price” do you not understand? I do not take any medication unless I pray about it first- Paxil

Why? Because my body belongs to the Lord. Do you ask the Lord before you put things in or on your body? Do you listen when the Spirit is telling you to not wear something? Or to no eat or drink something? Or do you say, “I am free to do all my will”?? This is not submission.

Isaiah 4:1And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying,
“We will eat our own food and wear our own apparel; Only let us be called by your name, To take away our reproach.”

I preached a whole sermon on this Scripture- it is a reference to the end time, lukewarm church as it fits no other period in Israel’s history. We want to maintain our own autonomy and be called by His name at the same time. This is not possible. Wives- surrender your body to your husband and stop using it as a tool. Church- surrender your body to the Lord. It is a holy and beautiful temple for the Holy Spirit. Begin seeing your body as a holy temple and it will change the way you do things. You are not your own

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