Why would we talk about sex in church? Our sexuality—our natural desires and attractions—are a major part of who we are as humans. Sexual interest is being used as a major driving force in every aspect of our culture and daily lives today. But we seem to forget the fact in our “Christian Taboo” mentalities that God Himself masterfully, purposefully created every detail and facet of sexual intimacy. He created the equipment, the desire, the excitement, the unbelievable intimacy and bonding. It was one of His most amazing and powerful gifts ever given to mankind. Even the very act of union is designed to show Him becoming One with us. She gives herself to him, allowing him to be in her as one. He leaves a part of himself which creates new life together. If a chance for new life is missed, the loss is purified with blood.

We have taken that priceless gift and corrupted it, abused it, twisted it, worshiped it, used it until we have removed it from its wonderfully designed function, until we have taken away everything that makes it awesome and turned it into a cheap way to use and be used; another way to be self-seeking, controlling, and rebellious until the greatest gift becomes the greatest curse. Because the more powerful and coveted an object becomes, the more devastating and hurtful it can become when misused, and our sexuality has become one of the single-most misused and destructive forces in our society today; robbing us of so many of the blessings God has for us and ruining minds, bodies, hearts and families. Satan loves to work in the darkness, in unopposed secrecy. God Works in the light, in truth: John 3:20-21. That is why this is the place which is most proper to discuss His gift, because He designed it. His Word speaks openly, directly and frequently about it and it’s misuse, even worship brings much pain and confusion. Unfortunately, there is another enormous need for us to discuss sexual intimacy sex in the Church. In a Pew Research Center study of 2020, 57% almost 6 out of 10 professing Christians say that sex is acceptable between unmarried adults in a relationship; and 50% say even casual sex between non-committed adults (not even in a relationship) is acceptable sometimes or always. Statistically speaking, what does this mean for those of us in this church?
We need to realize, we are not trusting God, but man. We need to remember if God designed sex, and He has powerful wisdom behind His plan, and we need to return to our God in everything that touches our lives. If you say, “Well, it’s too late for me,” think about this: If you missed your exit on an interstate to get home, would you keep going, and say, “Oh, well,” or turn? If you accidentally took a sip of something poisonous, would you say, “Too late now,” and chug it? It’s never too late to be covered by His Blood and start new trusting and healing yourself in His plan.
Some Christians will say, “Who are you to tell me how to live my life? It is my right, to live how I want; it’s none of your business.” To which I will respond in this way: 1) You are correct, no one can force you to do anything. God won’t even force you. You can also choose to drive sloppy drunk, at 100mph, does that mean you would be wise in doing so? You are free to quit your job and live homeless—many do. Are you dumb for not joining in? God’s ways are not just legalistic rules, they are for an incredible purpose and plan for happiness. 2) If you proclaim Christ, you have given Him every right: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5; 1 Corinthians 6:13, 19-20.
Let’s start by seeing exactly what God says about how and where His wonderful gift is to be enjoyed: Genesis 2:24-25. From the earliest passages written, sexual intimacy was designed to be within the beautiful covenant of marriage, and between a man and a woman, which is a stunning and powerful illustration of Jesus, His Bride (the Church). Scriptures are not vague, or scarce in this plan: in marriage only: Hebrews 13:4: between a man and a woman only: Leviticus 18:22-23; Leviticus 20:13; Romans 1:26-28. Sexual intimacy was not just designed just for procreation, but as a way to intimately bond like no other; as a way to meet each other’s needs in the most powerful and unique way; as the most complete way of giving yourself to another possible: 1 Corinthians 7:2-5. Sex is designed as a way to enjoy and celebrate another, so privately, intimately, and powerfully, that there is no equal in relationships. Do the following verses sound stoic, legalistic and simply “procreation”? Song of Songs 2:16-17; Song of Songs 4:9-12. These are among the tamer verses which I could actually read in a mixed audience. God created sexuality to be enjoyed fully and beautifully. 3) This incredible gift is not only to be protected and treasured physically, but with our hearts and minds—the most important parts—given solely towards building and protecting that intimacy with one other body, soul and mind: Matthew 5:27-28.
Let’s be practical and look at very real reasoning behind Christians who still justify premarital sexual relationships. Improper thought: God is not against premarital sex between people who are in love and plan to get married anyway. Because in His eyes, they are joined in marriage at the moment of sexual union, and the earthly marriage just shows the world what happened. Here is the Biblical and secular reality of that thought process. 1) It is not Biblical. We are to obey the Laws of our society (Romans 13:1-7). Sexual union makes us intimately one in His eyes which is exactly why He says it is not proper until we have made a life covenant with them: 1 Corinthians 6:15-16; 1 Corinthians 7:9. Did it say if they cannot exercise control, they should go ahead and sleep together because they will get married? They should go ahead and do every other sexual act other than intercourse, until they are married? No, and no. God’s Word clearly does not say ‘sleeping with someone whom you plan to marry is ok.’ And He has awesome reasons for saying this. 2) Multiple, secular, long-term research clearly shows info from the National Library of Medicine (1) (2): Sex before getting married (trying out before buying/90%) (already have wrong idea of what makes sex great) and living together before getting married (70%) both produce: higher divorce rates after marriage, lower marital satisfaction, lower dedication, lower confidence, more negative communication—known as the “Cohabitation Effect.” [The researchers say they don’t understand why, yet!] Maybe because they went into the relationship without restraint or control and they sense they still have these tendencies. Practically, secularly, and biblically speaking, it is a lie that premarital sex and cohabitation do anything but bring more mistrust, dissatisfaction, and destruction. So, whether you marry them or leave then after sex, you have probably damaged their future happiness. Is that true, selfless love for them? If you truly love someone, you want the best for them, above self. That means you would safeguard them from these stats; that means you would protect them from the possibility that you may not get married; that means you treasure them enough to honor them and enjoy the anticipation of waiting for your beloved; that means you know great sex will be decided by your deep love for them when finally together, and not their performance or sexual ability. Every sexual partner you have before marriage, every moment you spend indulging in pornography increases your chance of lower marital fulfillment and increases your chance for dissatisfaction sexually in marriage. Why? Because that mental, emotional, physical and spiritual affection is given to another. Pornography takes away even the need or desire for a real partner, replacing the emotional and physical ability to even relate and bond. Any premarital sex or pornography will steal a part of you with it that cannot be taken back. Your affections, your desires, your thoughts, your body become damaged and confused: 1 Corinthians 6:18. You physically leave a part of you with that person for years to come.
Doctor Everett Koop, former U.S. Surgeon General, made the following statement about this fact: “When you have sex with someone, you are having sex with everyone they have had sex with for the last ten years, and everyone they and their partners have had sex with for the last ten years.”  The Department of Health & Human Resources breaks this eye-opening fact down in an informational chart for emphasis: If you have had 7 sex partners, each same number as you equals 127 contacts. If you have had 12 sex partners, each same number as you equals 4095. When God says that we are becoming "one flesh" in unity, this is proven physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. You mentally condition your mind to be attached and excited by something other than what is yours until your thoughts are programmed to want something different, something more, for satisfaction. This is why many say “They just don't get excited by their partner anymore.” Because you have programmed yourself to need something else. Emotionally, each time you join with another person in such intimacy—even have romantic or sexual thoughts about them—your body produces a hormone called oxytocin (the happy hormone). This hormone enhances your emotional connection to the object of your focus at release, producing increased trust, empathy, bonding, desire, memories, and a connection of belonging. You are literally, through chemical reactions, helping to create an emotionally joining of yourself with that person. You have given a part of yourself to them in a very real way. That is emotional intimacy which belongs to one person. And this emotional intimacy eventually gets so tainted, so cheaply spread thin, that it becomes weak and broken until there is nothing left to give. When attention, affection and intimate thoughts are all centered on one partner as God intended, the repeated mental programming of pleasure with one person—these repeated surges of emotionally charged oxytocin, the repeated sharing of physical intimacy with one sacred partner, the repeated proving of your desire, trust and devotion to one soul—will exponentially build your desire and excitement for that person alone, bond you physically, mentally and emotionally in a very real and awesome way. The secret, exclusive world you build together through this relationship as God designed will be the most desired, passionate and untouchable place you can go, that is something that free-sex in a cheap world can never equal. When something as powerful, personal, and special as sexual intimacy is cherished, protected, kept exclusively for one person who means that much to you; when true, tender love is shared only with your one, every time; when trust is built, memories are accumulated and happy hormones are all shared with one chosen lover—a thrill, a closeness, an experience like no other is enjoyed just as God intended before the world cheapened and robbed us. Even secular research shows through time and destruction that God’s Word, God’s Plan is beautiful and flawless.
Will you trust Him? Will you live for Him and His Ways? Or become another statistic? Proverbs 5:15-19.

Jesus taught over 30 clear Parables during His earthly Ministry. Today, we will look at just one of them: The Parable of the Ten Virgins which most of you have heard many times, and which has been interpreted in many different lights. But, have you ever Scripturally, contextually looked closely? Because all of Jesus’ parables are powerful and relevant, but this one speaks directly to those living at His Return. And when we discern the times in which we are living, we should pay extra careful attention to this warning. I understand that a number of sincere, saved Christians believe differently about when Jesus will come to take His own home. Some believing it will be at different points of the Great Time of Tribulation on earth, before His final return; some believing He will not come to take us home at all before His final return.

But I sincerely believe Scriptures are very clear in showing two distinct appearances of Our King in the End of Times with a distinctly separate mission for each. Listen to these two passages closely: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18. This appearing of Jesus is in the clouds. He is never seen as even touching down on this earth. This appearance of Jesus involves no one, but His elect saints. This appearance immediately takes us up to where He is. This appearance involves no judgment, no destruction—but a loving rescue of His beloved. Now, listen to this passage: Jude 1:14-15. This passage clearly speaks of a time when Jesus returns to the earth physically, with a different agenda: to bring judgment and conviction. Judgment to unfaithful, unsaved people left on earth, and this verse is careful to say, “all” left on earth. How, at His return can He Judge all on earth? Because His Bride are with Him at this coming. If He does not take them home before this event, how is this event even possible as described? Listen to other passages describing the same scene in the end: Revelation 17:13-14; Revelation 19:11-14. It is as clear as possible in these passages that He will be coming soon to receive His Bride into His Kingdom, unexpectedly. Shown again, even in this parable we are about to study: Matthew 25:10-11. After the True Bride of Jesus was safely returned home at the marriage feast and the doors were shut, others remained behind still searching to buy oil, only to come to His doors later knowing all that Scriptures say of events preceding His return, and knowing that Jesus said we can recognize the season that we are to look for Signs of His coming: be watching. He tells us in this Parable that many will still be caught unprepared. Let’s delve deeply into the reality of this Parable as it applies right now to all of us. Here is the setting of this Parable as understood in light of the Jewish culture. A man would be betrothed to his bride in this culture, then leave for a period of up to a year to prepare a place for her before consummating the marriage. As the Bride would stay ready and waiting, lighting a lamp to show that she was looking for his return. Then, when His Father says it is time, He returns for her to take her to be where He is to remove her from the rest of the world and He usually came blowing trumpets in a procession, often at night, where she came out (up) to meet Him and they left everyone else, together. The Bride would be anxiously watching for His return, and would go out to meet him with her lamp lit. The Bridegroom would take her back to their new home for a week-long celebration, leading to the wedding with this cultural mindset. Let’s read the Parable: Matthew 25:1-13. Jesus starts this Parable by saying the Kingdom of Heaven will be like this, describing the event and describing the True Bride. To clearly understand the Parable, the key is to understand what each aspect of the Parable represents. Obviously, Jesus is the Bridegroom returning from Heaven after sealing a Covenant of betrothal with His Bride; after going to prepare a place for Her; after the Father has said, “Go and get your Bride.” The Ten Virgins must represent those who have professed to be waiting for their Groom; those proclaiming Jesus Christ; those who have accepted Him publicly, in Betrothal. But here, some are obviously portrayed as divided at heart or uncommitted Brides; those who proclaim Him in Name only and do not live with a true desire and hope for their Groom. The Lamps, or Lanterns, or Torches represent their faith and devotion to Him as they burn bright in anticipation and declaration of their Beloved. And the Bride must carry this flame until they see Him again, or they will not be in the Wedding Procession. The Oil is controversial in meaning to many. Some say it represents the Spirit which lives in every believer. But in the ending of this Parable, Jesus Himself says, “He never knew them.” Therefore, in this instance, some might say the oil would not represent the Spirit of God. If He did not know us, did not dwell in us. Here, it seems obvious the Oil represents their level of true love in Him. Scriptures are clear that many start out with powerful faith in Who He is, but not in Him intimately. They may have a desire to follow that “belief” in Him, but still have conflicting motives and false commitment: Matthew 13:5-7.
With all of the pieces in place, let’s ponder the meaning. The fact that Jesus Himself, said His faithful believers would be at a time of slumber as He tarried tells us that He knew His return would not be for some time from that point because He had caused quite a stir and many anticipated His Kingdom immediately. Jesus is warning the many untrue followers who are mixed with true believers; those that know Who He truly is and profess to love Him. Yet, in their hearts they love self, more, and eventually they begin to love the world more, and in their time of watching and waiting for Him because they are not truly longing for Hiim, wanting Him. Their Oil, their faith and commitment runs out (they wither), and although they outwardly still proclaim His Name, their thoughts and lives have begun to show the truth—their lamp has run out. And when the realization of His return occurs, they are in a panic suddenly realizing they are not burning for Him anymore and they begin to “trim their wicks,”—begin to try and make their light look bright again, and they look to those around them who are still burning to help them be acceptable to the Groom. This is a very accurate description of many, many professing Christians today, looking and feeling like they are Betrothed Virgins to Our Lord, even deceiving themselves. But in reality, their hearts are empty for Christ and as time goes by, as trials come, as temptations call their light for Him grows ever dimmer, even though they sit with the other Brides in waiting; they do not Know Him, have no root to keep them, and they continue in their happy stupor of comfort until that day when they realize they are about to meet Him. They realize no one else can save them; no one else can give them oil for their lamp; no sermon can save them; no church attendance or good works can save them; no lies to others about how they love Him; growing up in a Christian home can’t save them; accepting that He exists or that He is even Coming Again can’t save them. Only a sincere heart that wants His Love, trusts His ways, and is willing to live for Him, long for Hiim to the end—has been bought by the Bridegroom with His Blood. Only those with lamps still burning bright will be able to join the Wedding Procession. Listen to these Passages describing exactly what Jesus is portraying here: Revelation 2:3-5; Revelation 3:1-3; Revelation 3:15-20. If this were not such a real and persistent issue in Jesus’ Church, would Jesus have devoted a Parable specifically to this? Would He have addressed it repeatedly to the churches in His Final Book of Scriptures? Would He have given such dire and fearful warnings to His own people? Our fruits do not save us. Only a real, true, lasting love for Him that wants to be covered under His Blood! that wants to belong to Him completely at the cost of anything else in their lives. Only they will be carried away by the Bridegroom. But Jesus clearly warns every professor of His Name that a healthy tree bears signs of good fruits. Otherwise, it means the tree is sick and diseased. The lamp is running out of oil, it has no root. Although it may look like all the others for a time; although their lamps may be burning for a while, at harvest time they will have no fruits; at the time for the Wedding, their lamps will be out.
In our final passage, listen to this serious warning given to churches just like us who have many sitting smug and secure in false security among other brides, yet having lives that are not truly given to Him: Matthew 7:16-23. If it was not possible to repent and turn from this fake faith; if it was not possible that the Spirit could help us see Truth and turn to Him in sincerity, why would Jesus give so many warnings? Why would He literally call us to repentance and restoration? Why would He show such heartbreak and passion?
Drop your pride; drop your own self-deceit; stop being a foolish virgin. Ask yourself, do you really love Him? Are you really living to please Him? Longing to be with Him? Or, are you living your own life playing the fool with false security, simply because you have claimed to be His Bride and you don’t even know Him, aren’t longing for Him, aren’t living for Him? You have to know that ignorance is not bliss but destruction. Don’t just trim your wicks (and look better), fill your flask with oil.

In my personal time with God He has revealed to me something that I needed to work on that is much bigger than I realized. And I decided to be transparent about it because it is obvious that we all struggle with this to some degree. Sometimes our biggest sins as Christians come in very innocent looking packages that don’t seem overtly sinful. But are strongly condemned in His Word when we stop to examine Scriptures honestly, because as natural or innocent as some things may seem, God knows they are very hurtful to our spirit and intimacy with Him. Let’s read a Passage from Paul to the Church of Corinth which was concerning the Israelites when Moses led them out of their slavery in Egypt.

Paul reflects on this time with a message to Christians about things the Israelites did after their deliverance, which he warns they should be careful not to repeat because these things caused God such displeasure in them that they were all either punished immediately or ultimately, kept from the Promised Land: 1 Corinthians 10:1-12 (grumble). Numbers 11:1-3. Why would God put something as simple as complaining in a list with Idolatry, adultery, and rebellion? Today we will reveal this clearly!. Please do not think this message is saying we should just “suck it up, buttercup” and never have a complaint again. We all have legitimate things that make us feel dissatisfied; that give us reason to complain in this world. Almost every business and advertisement in existence actually tries to create dissatisfaction and complaining in our minds so we will turn to them for our relief. Almost all politicians will try to show reasons for complaining so they may become our answer as well. But because of these purposeful influences from many directions, and our tendency to focus on ourselves, it has become all-to-common for us to make complaining a constant reaction of thought and response even in the not-so-bad areas of life, even in the normal events of life, until it becomes a natural and regular response—it becomes a way of life.
Psychologists agree that complaining stems from a need to control things which we cannot control. So, complaining gives us a false sense of doing something about it. Or, fear to act when we actually can do something so we choose to complain as our response to guilty feelings. Or especially a need to validate ourselves and our tough situation so that we may get attention above others. “They tend to be focused on themselves and their own—presumably negative—experience. By showing their anger, frustration, or disappointment, they are soliciting attention from their confidantes. They can feel validated by receiving attention and sympathy. Venters are particularly likely to discount advice and proposed solutions to their problems. They aren’t looking to solve anything; they simply want validation.”
This has become a serious issue for many because much study of compulsive complaining has revealed that it can rewire the brain—so that this path of thinking becomes ingrained in our constant thought process. It becomes a part of how we constantly view life. This causes us to lose perspective of all of the good around us; causes us to miss so much happiness we could enjoy; causes us to miss many opportunities that may be present. All because we are too focused on the negatives to see and enjoy (Proverbs 15:15). Secondly, even though it may feel satisfying in the moment, to complain, God’s Word (and secular psychologists) emphatically say after complaining, the speaker and the listener usually feel worse—proving it is a fruitless and hurtful endeavor (Proverbs 16:24; Proverbs 18:14). Those who use complaining as a means to draw people to themselves actually end up making themselves and others more miserable—and in the process drive others away instead. Compulsive complaining is absolutely contagious. It sets the mood and expectation for all around you. It greatly reduces determination, hope, drive and actions, and it discourages others to feel and act the same. Have you ever been assigned to, or worked with, compulsive complainers? Usually the whole group echoes the same attitude. We as Christians are called to be Light, Salt, Hope, Faith (Proverbs 12:25; Isaiah 50:4; Ephesians 4:29
(sapros). Instead of doing this, we often become the ones to blow out the candle first!; to bring spoilage rather than preserving; to show the least faith and hope in our complaints; to show there is no joy in following Jesus Christ. Which brings us to our biggest issue with compulsive complaining and shows us just why God is so against it. Do you believe that God is completely Sovereign? That He is in control of our live and the world? Hopefully your answer would be, “Yes!” If so, you can understand this Passage of Scripture about the complaints of the Israelites: Exodus 16:8. Complaining about our circumstances all of the time flippantly and pitifully says to God: “I don’t accept what you are doing in my life and I want it done another way.” “I refuse to do what you want because I don’t like it!” (Psalms 106:24-25). It shows that we are not surrendered to God’s Will; that we are not trusting His Heart and Character; that we don’t really think He has a plan and purpose behind all He allows; that we feel He is out of control in our lives. It shows that we are not willing to walk through hard times in faith and courage for Him.
If you find yourself complaining often in life and you want to do something about it: 1) Realize that it is a sin against God (a big sin), and stop thinking it is trivial, natural or overlooked by Him. But, realize that it instead grieves His Heart as much as adultery and idolatry. Listen to these Passages of Scripture: Zechariah 13:9; Job 23:10. When gold and silver are refined or purified. They are placed under extreme heat (by fire in Biblical day), and the impurities become visible, floating to the top. And when they reach their purest state, they become very soft and moldable. When you and I are given to quick and constant complaining, God has turned up the heat enough to make all of the hidden impurities float to visibility for us. He has revealed the dross (worthless part) that even we did not see. That we really don’t trust how He is working in our lives or in the world; that we really aren’t willing to walk where He leads; we really aren’t moldable in the hands of Our Father. We should do this when we see the feel the urge to complain coming to surface. 2) Realize we have begun to trust our own way more than we trust God’s ways of working in our lives, and we are showing by our attitude that we want to depart from God’s Leading for our own (John 6:66-67). [A few years ago, I was forced to mid-shift due to injury at work and couldn’t counsel or teach Wednesday nights. I wanted to be anywhere but there, and questioned God nightly. [Randy helped me see the light)]]. 3) Know that you are hurting God and hurting His Name before others when you complain. [I did not show genuine love for others in my bitterness for a time, or faith that God was in control of my life. I was complaining to every manager and person I saw. (Matthew 5:14-16).] 4) Decide this: once and for all I truly know that God is in control and that He is working in all things. Therefore, I will surrender to His will and trust His heart over my own wisdom and wants. Let it be a time of real given worship, trust and intimacy rather than a fight and a rejection (Isaiah 55:8-9). [I truly determined that God had a plan on mid-shift, and I surrendered to finding His will and making the most of the situation. My attitude changed, and my love for others returned. My joy in everyday experiences came back; my desire to witness and help others returned (Colossians 4:5-6). I ended up being so blessed that I didn’t want to leave. God worked through me to help heal a life and lead back to Christ. I made a life-long bond that has grown to many over years. And then I was moved from there to QC, first shift (unheard of at work). I received a real and awesome peace after accepting God’s way of working (Colossians 3:14-15). 5) Be willing to endure whatever comes even if it does not change (Philippians 4:11-13; Job 13:15; Daniel 3:16-18; Philippians 1:29). Know this: if you have to endure for His sake, sometimes it’s as much a part of God’s Plan to go through the fire to the end as supernatural deliverance would be, because He gets even more Glory sometimes in the rock-solid faith shown by His beloved. 6) Talk it over with Him. Having reasons to complain will come, so rather than complain about Him, complain to Him. Openly, sincerely, intimately tell Him how you feel. Surrender to Him, telling Him it is even in your lack of understanding. Let Him be your comforter because He truly knows the pain you are carrying and He cares deeply (Psalms 142:1-3). He will give you strength and refreshing, and maybe even reveal some of His Reasons: 1 Peter 5:10. 7) Stop and realize all that you do have to be thankful for, to continue fighting for, to live for. Nick Vujicic, a faithful follower of Christ with no arms or legs said this: “I have the choice to be angry at God for what I don't have, or be thankful for what I do have.”) Philippians 4:6-8.) 8) In light of all we have just learned and considered, hold your tongue from sinning against God: Philippians 2:14-18. Will you join with me in recognizing, admitting and repenting of sinning against our God in our complaints? And working to show our faith and surrender to Him from this point forward?

Let’s open today simply by reading a couple of Passages of Scripture: Luke 18:9-14. This is one of the most well-known little Parables of the Bible. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most quickly disregarded parables of Scripture. Disregarded because to us the Pharisees, represent those people—the Bible-thumping, hard-nosed legalists. The mean, narcissistic fuddy-duddies who have long sleeves, proper hair, and no fun; those who preach fire and brimstone and judge everyone else by their standards. Most Christians today live their spiritual lives with a self-centered approach as the very basis for their faith, constantly driven by guilt, fear and performance to act better, do more, avoid the ways of the world—which are all good things in themselves but it is still obsessed with self over the desire for a real relationship with Christ.

We are seeing our own worth and relationship with God in constant performance-based thinking, placing God’s love for us and our love for others on our current success in adhering to commandments. And just like the Pharisees, some commands are from God, some commands are from men’s traditions. This has made many of us miss the very heart of God’s desire for saving us. And unfortunately, for most of us, we unwittingly miss the very heart of God for others as well. And rather than seeing everything through His eyes of Jesus’ love, grace and mercy, we see everyone in comparison to our own goodness or failures. Yet, we still don’t think this Parable is ever about us because just like this Pharisee in the parable, most truly self-righteous people are completely oblivious to their own state. Sometimes it creeps into our hearts as a defense against our own low self-esteem to feel better about ourselves by seeing the faults in others. Sometimes it is because we have been hurt or abused and we obsess on the negatives of others in our mistrust now. Sometimes it’s because of our own guilt over sin and we alleviate that guilt by finding every fault in others. Sometimes, it’s just pride in how well we are doing compared to others.
Rather than debate yourself, or flat deny the possibility that you may be infected with this mindset, just surrender yourself to Christ and let your own heart be tested today: Psalms 139:23-24. 1) You are always convinced in your mind
that your way is best and people need to listen to you. You don’t feel others have a lot they can teach you; you do not take lightly to being told you made a mistake or you are wrong in your view or opinion, or you may not be the most righteous person. You are very defensive when called out on sin. You are very slow to admit you may have learned something new: Proverbs 29:1. You are often slow to help in lesser work which you consider is not for your caliber of skill or knowledge. 2) You even hold God in contempt in hard times, feeling righteous and intelligent enough to question even the very motives and fairness of our Creator—as though God somehow missed your exceptional worthiness. Trials bring much self-pity and anger because you deserve better, and you rarely look deep within for sinful ways to change Because you are living right: Job 40:8. 3) You go beyond seeing the obvious or blatant sin of another to looking for the sins, suspecting the sins of another; questioning the heart of another person, assuming they probably aren’t where you are, based on mistakes, habits, outward appearance, looking for reasons to hold them in spiritual contempt. It is right and good to judge outright, purposeful rebellion. It is wrong to judge the heart of another person; to look down on them, condemn them, based on assumptions or mistakes—leaving churches, relationships (separate from blatant rebellion) because they are not where you are spiritually. If that is true, maybe they need you in their lives: 1 Samuel 16:7; Jeremiah 17:10. One of Satan’s favorite tools is ‘Holy Division,’ destroying and separating with self-righteousness. 4) You find yourself making open and frequent remarks about everything in other people’s lives you don’t agree with, without a single thought of first showing any love, acceptance or interest in who they are as a person. Jesus showed genuine love and concern, first for the sinner, and then addressed their sins. To find that non-Christians are often intimidated or not wanting to be around you does not always portray your great holiness. Sometimes it portrays your self-righteousness over love because even the worst of sinners desired to be near Jesus. Not because He was accepting of their sins, but because He was genuinely interested in them: Matthew 9:10-13. 5) You have to be sure people know when you have done something sacrificial or good for another, or you need to feel special and central in God’s work like you can do what no one else can do for God. Social media is full humble acts of goodness. Many ‘righteous’ Christians have been offended or offended others because men didn’t make over their efforts enough: Matthew 6:1. 6) You show little or no empathy for sinful people in pain or trouble. Sometimes gloating in your heart without even thinking of their anguish or suffering; often selective in who you help based on their worthiness: Matthew 5:46-48. 7) You are quick to turn on friendships, church family, or pastor based upon a disagreement, an offense, even an assumption, often not looking at the whole of the person—their heart, their history, their beliefs—simply their one mistake or their one offense, or their one disagreement—focusing more on your injustice or perceived righteousness than forgiveness, restoration, or even the whole truth. Many even left Jesus because of this same attitude: John 6:60-67. 8) You will spend more thought and effort thinking about what might give the right appearance to others than you give to actually wanting or trying to do the right thing; letting others’ opinion or acceptance dictate your actions rather than a desire to just please God: Ephesians 6:6-7.
 
If you have found yourself in these descriptions, bless you for being honest before the Spirit of God. Here is the greatest, yet hidden danger in self-righteousness: Our self-righteousness most often reflects how we really see God, making us see our closeness and worthiness to Christ based upon how well we perform. Therefore, you are probably motivated in your walk with Him by constant pressure and guilt rather than unconditional love and worth and freely given mercy and grace when you fail. You are probably walking at a distance from Him all the time because you cannot accept His desire for fellowship when you have to be perfect to have an audience with Him; you live a life feeling like you never quite measure up and hold everyone else to the same standard. Here is the cure, and it is so simple, yet so sweet: Matthew 11:28-30. This is obviously not talking about the path which following Him will lead us down. It is talking about the peace and rest which our souls will feel when we join as one with Him, even in our difficult walks; even in our mistakes and failures. Why? Because He wants us to feel loved, accepted and secure in His presence and embrace. He wants closeness, intimacy, and trust in His mercy and grace to be the cornerstone of our walk with Him. He wants to come in and sup with us, not condemn us. He wants our knowledge of his love to bring us peace, even in our mistakes: 1 Corinthians 13:7-8; 1 John 4:16-19. Proper perspective will bring clarity, humbleness and worship. This will start out sSounding contradictory to what we just said, but wait for it. Have you ever been so distraught and crushed that you beat on yourself in emotional pain and anguish? Luke 18:13-14. This man was so broken in realization of who he truly was in God’s eyes that it broke and crushed him, and he went home justified. Based on God’s reaction, I’d say we need to start there. You and I are one in billions of God’s masterpieces through time. Many having more skills, education, and ability than us; many having more faith and righteousness than us; everyone having exactly what God saw fit to give to us. We are all selfish, sinful and undeserving to be with Him—a vapor here today and gone tomorrow, and yet He placed such worth and value in every human soul that to Him a chance to share His love with us, a chance to love and be loved by us was worth God hiving His own life, His Kingdom, His reputation, His everything. How can we, fallen, broken, clueless creatures—specks in His Creation, gifted only with what we’ve been given, saved by His Blood alone, having any righteousness because He bought it for us legally and He produced it in us literally—having any real, selfless love, only because His Spirit loves through us, possibly feel more righteous or worthy than another broken but loved and cherished soul? Accept the fact that we are transparent, broken, dirty souls in a righteous Kingdom, but He has made us worthy through His love alone. And then, because it was all Him, because it was such an unimaginable sacrifice, accept His gift with awe; know you can do nothing to add to it—that would be insulting. And then rest in amazement and peace, knowing He did it all to remove your fear and just know you better. Do all you can to follow His wisdom, His Word in trust and gratitude, not in legalism and pride—trusting fully that when you fail He is still right there, bever to leave you or give up on you, but wanting eagerly to restore you to fellowship again: Hebrews 13:5-6; Philippians 1:6. See those around you with that same worth; with that same mercy and grace; with that same removal of fear and condescension; know it is our Jesus’ blood-bought right alone to judge their hearts and souls. We are not in competition with God’s Children; we are not the judge of God’s children. It is simply our calling to show another broken person the way home; to show another empty person their worth in Him; to love them while they are yet sinners; while they still make mistakes; while they may not be walking as close as we do currently; while they are still ignorant and wandering. Even in their mistakes and sinfulness, we are first to show people their worth just as Jesus did with every sinful soul around Him, with every immature disciple who failed Him—even though Jesus was the only soul in the universe who could have been self-righteous: Revelation 5:1-5 [thought to be Seals of Judgment on the Deed to the Earth]. That is the One Who died just so you could feel His incredible love without fear. Now… let Him humbly show it to others through you.

I know there are a number of people in dire need of this Message today—I personally am one of them. I want to share with you all what God has shared with me. Some will hear these things and think, “Man, you guys must be depressed!” My answer to that is extreme pain and difficulties come to even the most engaged and joyful people. And the burden they bring has nothing to do with depression, but with the passion felt and the helplessness often experienced. So, either your time just hasn’t come yet [hold on tight because it is a guarantee that life will happen], or maybe you’ve allowed yourself to live a bit too carefree because this world has burdened and broken Christ’s heart (the toughest and most joyful of all), and He has called us to share in and carry that weight with Him. When you get to a place in your life for various potential reasons—where you sincerely feel you just have nothing left in you and you don’t have the will to try anymore (relationships, sickness, conflict, sins, ministry, job, family, uncontrollable events that hit like a hammer and often stay); where you feel very alone, as if no one knows quite how badly you are suffering inside (no one sees, appreciates, seemingly cares what’s happening in your life); where you feel you have lost the reason, lost the motivation to keep going anymore; where you question where God is in this moment and you can’t seem to even sense His presence or comfort, and you even wonder if you are in His will anymore; where you’ve done all you can, faithfully and nothing is working out right, nothing is getting better—when we get to this point in our minds and souls, we need consolation and hope desperately. But if that’s all we get (consolation and hope), we have been done an injustice. At this point in our fight we don’t just need comfort, we need courage, perseverance, and a reason to continue the battle or we will quit. We will surrender in the company of empathetic and well-meaning consolers and Satan will win. As we abandon our faith and sacrifice for Our Jesus.

What do you do when you don’t even want to do anymore? How do you find the “encouragement” to press on? First, you realize that you are in great company. You are not the only one who has reached this point, even though Satan will make you feel this way. The majority of the most faithful and obedient servants of God in Scriptures have made it to this point in their journeys: 1 Samuel 1:7-8, 10; 1 Kings 19:4-5; Job 7:3-4, 15-16. And what about David, Naomi, Joseph? The disciples? The list goes on endlessly. What about Jesus, the Messiah? A Man of sorrow, deep grief, filled with burdens (Isaiah 53), weighted down, almost to despair: Matthew 26:37-38. Next, get a firm grasp on the reality and importance of just where you are in these moments—it is possibly one of your most important times with God, possibly your key to mental, emotional and spiritual healing that you would have found and experienced in no other way. How is suffering the key to healing? Because it is in these times when you have no other motivation or hope in your life, that you will decide concretely, wholeheartedly to follow Jesus Christ because he has become your only hope: John 6:68-69. You draw closer to Him for no other reason in your life than because He is worthy because you love Him and because He has become your greatest hope. He becomes the One you cling to with all your might, as we were meant to do all along but were too self-sufficient: Psalms 71:14. It is here that you will learn to trust in faith like never before, that He really is in control. He can make a way out of chaos and mess if you just keep walking, sometimes letting that be all you can do; that others have tremendous value even when they are broken, hurtful, or rejecting as you learn to keep loving selflessly, without reward; that life does not have to be lived in constant comfort, provision or happiness in the moment to be rewarding and full—but often just the opposite. Real living, real purpose, real love is almost always grown, lived out and experienced in some of the toughest, heaviest times of life. It’s these moments that shape, build, and grow who we are and what we hold dear in life, what we cling to, that shape our true joy in living. Through purpose and sacrifice for those things, we learn that victory may not always be in changed circumstances, in physical blessing, or even in removal of pain, but in how deeply you learn to trust, cling to, and honor God; in how deeply you draw nearer to Him in the midst; in how you recognize what is truly important in the life you have been given: Philippians 4:11-13. It’s only in the difficult struggles and costly moments that we truly commit to what we believe in and care about with faith that can only be proven and strengthened in resolve. Don’t waste these opportunities in despair, but embrace them with one goal when you have nothing else left to cling to. Listen to Paul’s motivation when awaiting death in his last imprisonment at Rome: 2 Timothy 2:7-11. Paul says when all is lost, when you have no reason or hope left on which to cling, remember Jesus, the reason you fight, and endure all things for the sake of His children around you. This shows whether you truly love Him more than your life—when His people are more important than your discomfort.
It is difficult to even know where to begin when you are empty and emotionally broken. So, where do you even start? How do you find your way out of Satan’s attacks? 1) Remove any option of quitting. Decide that you will show Jesus Christ, your Savior who died for your soul, that you are in this for Him to any end, until He alone tells you to step away—doing it all for His sake alone, even if nothing changes. Decide to show Him with your life what you’ve claimed with your lips: Galatians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; John 4:34. Your calling is to live the life He has planned for you right now, not the life you decided you should live or have. When pleasing Him is the only motivation you have left, you are living your faith to the fullest, and you have no idea where you will be in a month, a year—no idea what God may be planning to do if you stay. 2) Guard your mind from bitterness and resentment, concerning how you ended up in this trial. Don’t dwell on one more negative thing about your circumstances, what has been done to you, what you’ve lost, or what you can’t accomplish. Focus on truly loving, serving, and praying for those who may even be part of your pain; understanding that your life in Christ is rooted in loving even the broken and undeserving, and that your calling in Him is bigger than your pride or discomfort. Focus on the fact that if God is with you (He is), He will do amazing things you can’t imagine, or He has planned for His glory in your perseverance. Your triumph is not in winning the battle but in your faith-filled obedience in the trial: Daniel 3:17-18. 3) Remove all the distractions that are keeping you from hearing and leaning on Him more deeply. Remove negative talk and gossip. Remove everything keeping you from being with Him now. Understand that prayer and truth are the privilege and power that will carry you through. Prayer and truth keep your perspective in trials; keep your love for others tour focus on His purposes. Prayer and truth keep you clinging to all that matters—Him. Prayer and truth give you hope, worth, and perseverance in His work. Prayer and truth release Him to do amazing things you can’t imagine. Jesus went away into desolate places alone to pray often (when tired, weary, anxious, in need of power and wisdom). If He needed prayer to get through His trials, how much more do we need it? Satan will attempt to steal these things away most of all. 4) Stand ready to give all, lose all. Release your needs, release your identity, release your security, release your desire for acceptance from anyone—give it all to Him alone. Care only about what He thinks of you, care only if you are pleasing Him, obeying Him. Release yourself to His Sovereignty and purpose first. If you can’t do this in troubled times, you never truly surrendered anything in life to Him before. Decide that you are not the most important thing in this situation and refuse to defend your rights; refuse to do only what makes your life better. Let your hope and self-worth rest on these thoughts: I have my God, His love, His salvation, His future. I have one sole purpose—bigger than anything else in life—to follow His desire and see the worth of those around me. Therefore, my course, my focus is unchanged no matter where it leads. Understand that adversity and trials are literally God’s path to often strengthen us beyond our own ability. We are ripened by the Son, in our trials to become so much more than we think possible, do so much more than we would attempt. Muscles only grow with resistance. Soldiers become elite through testing and real experience (battle-hardened soldiers know how to win): James 1:2-4. Don’t waste your chance to grow into the warrior God is Calling because you want to shrink back into your comfort: Hebrews 10:35-38. Maybe one of the biggest reasons for your trials is to learn this one thing. God only works through broken and humble people: Matthew 5:3. [poor]. It means, those who realize they are not the power or the answer or the righteousness. Those that realize they make mistakes are sinful so they will not condemn others. Those that will not rely on what they are capable of doing. Those who are ready to be filled and led by something new and different because they know they can’t do it alone. That is being spiritually poor. Most of us here today are not truly broken and humble enough to let Him flow. And it often takes trials which bring us to the end of ourselves to empty us enough to be filled with something much better. What does it take for Satan and this world to make you quit, to make us miss what God was willing to do through you? Because our lives were too precious to be poured out? Listen to Jesus’ Own Words regarding our perseverance in Him: Luke 14:29, 33; Luke 9:62. Don’t let Satan win. Don’t give in to adversity that crushes, but hold to your purpose. Let these Verses be our security and inspiration: Acts 20:24; Acts 21:13; 2 Corinthians 4:7-9, 17-18.
Never give in to surrender; never stop walking at any cost. Make your single goal when you can’t focus on anything else in your distress be to hold onto Him, follow Him, until you are incredibly victorious or you have honored Him in your sacrifice to the end. Either way, you win. Let your joy in life be that He is working through you. Understand that real life and love are grown in the sacrifice of the battle, not in the rest and ease of life: 1 Corinthians 13:7-8, 13.

Question: If the Rapture doesn’t occur in our lifetime, how many in this room are going to pass away at some point? How many will stand before Christ at the Bema Judgment and be accountable for how we have lived on this earth as His Bride? Obviously every one of us. But do we live like it? In that moment, as everything is laid bare before Our King. The actions and choices of the lives we are living right now will clearly establish just how much we have genuinely loved and trusted Him verses how much we have loved this life over Him: 2 Corinthians 5:10-11. We will be rewarded, entrusted, and assigned positions of honor and authority (positions closer to Jesus) according to what we have done in devotion to Him that reflected what was sincerely important to us in this life: 1 Corinthians 3:11-15. So, stop and ponder: are you building with gold, silver and costly stones, or hay and straw? What things in our lives, right now that seem so important to us that we give so much time and effort towards building and protecting, that we base so much of our very identity, pride and self-worth upon will instantly not even matter to us in the slightest? Maybe even be shameful to us in that moment because of the improperly placed significance it held? How are we spending the lives He bought with His Sacrifice? Consider the Judgment we experience on that Day will only be for us to see and understand our own hearts clearly because He already knows our hearts at this very moment: Jeremiah 17:10.

As Jesus tirelessly and passionately ministered to broken and lost people, look at His comment to His disciples: Matthew 9:36-38. Jesus, in His great love for lost and hurting people, asked the disciples to pray to the Father for more believers to join them in His Work to heal and save His desperately loved children. Many of the lost want to know Him, there is just no one willing to tell them. Do we know He is real? Do we know we are His creation? Do we know we were made in His image for fellowship as His Bride? Are we are literally saved from death and judgment by His lost life? Do we know He has a dire life and death mission for us to join in which encompasses all His love, desire and focus on this earth? Then we need to answer this question for ourselves: why do we feel so entitled and obsessed with: living our own lives the way we choose; not caring about the wandering, tortured people around us [instead, even resenting them]? Not caring about the pain and desperation that drives Our Creator every second on earth; not thinking about (much less involving ourselves) in loving, touching, helping, saving those broken around us with the few precious minutes we have left in this world? If we reviewed the life we have as it will be seen by Our God in that soon coming moment, based upon how our love for Him alone has led our decisions, goals, and accomplishments our life, and if we remove all other apparent successes and gains simply done for our own success and satisfaction, many of us—even some of the most successful and popular would only hear this simple summary of our lives: “They were born, they lived empty lives, they died…” and nothing of eternal worth, nothing of selfless giving to His Kingdom, nothing of genuine love and sacrifice would be spoken of.
To everyone here who sincerely loves and trusts Jesus as their Savior, I can only find two possible things that keep us from living completely to do His Will first in life. 1) is that we have become so successful and assumedly needed in other areas of life, and we are just too engulfed in our important or lucrative lives, and we just can’t find the time or don’t want to interrupt our successes to serve right now or 2) we genuinely feel that we are not someone He can use. We feel we are simple and ordinary, one of countless others who are just as good or better, and that God will never use me to do anything significant. He should use someone more worthy and talented, maybe less sinful and tainted. Scriptures clearly and powerfully address each of these situations if you do want to follow Our King with all your heart, and you know that you are not serving Him wholeheartedly.
There was a powerful, well known, even revered and feared man named Saul of Tarsus in 1st Century Israel. See how he described his life: Philippians 3:4-6. In his time and culture, Saul had everything: respect, education, power, righteousness, money—all brought by a very successful ministry. The only problem being that ministry actually worked against Christ. And he was too caught up in his position of importance in his own perspective of life to see the reality of Who Christ truly was in Scriptures. Before Saul could ever be used of Christ, he had to have a complete epiphany of just Who Christ was in life, of how important He was in life and a complete change of priorities: Acts 9:3-6. Saul realized that everything he considered important and successful actually hurt the work of Jesus in his life. Then, in a very concrete, literal way, Jesus showed him that he had been blind to real truth of life, and had never really had control over what he considered success: Acts 9:7-9. Saul, who later became known as Paul, went on to accomplish some of the most astounding feats recorded in Scriptures, leading many to Christ; healing many, and writing two-thirds of the New Testament. But He could do nothing in his own success and power. All of his own works, education and authority were useless to God. Before he could be used Saul had to: have a heart-felt realization of his own weakness before Christ—a realization that he had nothing of needed value to God. He had to decide that nothing he held of value before truly amounted to anything in light of God’s real treasure, which was Oneness with Him, love for others and an eternity in acceptance and peace. How did Saul change from a successful man in a broken world, to someone God would use to change that world? He set himself apart for God alone (turned from his work and fasted and prayed for three days), and then his understanding of who Jesus really is changed his entire perspective on life: 2 Corinthians 12:9; Philippians 3:7-8, 10. Saul realized two things: 1) He had no real power or success apart from God. Just a temporary, useless distraction for a time. 2) Nothing he counted as valuable really mattered in life. When you are finally ready for Jesus to use you (like Saul), you have to grasp—in a real, true, passionate sense—being used is more important than your reputation, your money or security, your success; being used is not possible through your own power and strength. Then, like Saul, change whatever is necessary to follow Christ in His will and strength; no longer trusting your own ways, but Him alone, and just let HIim give you a worth and love for others that surpasses your desire for control or success; that brings new purpose and drive to your being. Then watch how much more God can do through you.
Gideon, a very common nobody in the Old Testament was questioning why God didn’t do something about the terrible situation Israel was facing, questioning where all the Power of God was that he had heard about in days past: Judges 6:13-14. God’s answer was “I am waiting on you. I use My people… Are you ready to do something about it?” How many people in this room right now complain about the shape our nation is in? The shape our church is in? The craziness and the sinfulness of our culture? And yet you feel it is always up to someone else to be used of God to change things? God is still waiting on us, just like Gideon, to see if we care enough, love enough, trust enough to be the ones used to make a change. But often our sincere response to this thought is just like Gideon’s: Judges 6:15. I come from nothing, I am nothing, I have nothing. How can I do anything to help others? And honestly, this is so often a sincere and real dilemma in the logic of the world, but God gives a different logic: Judges 6:16. God compared Gideon to a loaf of barley bread (the bread of the very poorest, in Gideon’s day). But in a dream to Gideon’s enemies, God showed that common loaf, as their destroyer. God made it clear that He did not need Gideon’s power or skills; that it would all be done in the power of God alone. Does this not sound exactly like the answer which God gave to Saul? When Saul thought he was the power and skill to be used? It’s not your power, but God’s. Do you realize that when Jesus was choosing a handful of men and women to change and rock the entire world throughout all history that He chose common, overlooked, unskilled, ignorant, blue-collar fisherman? He chose demon-possessed sinners (Mary Magdalene). He chose political and militant radicals (Simon the Zealot). He chose traitorous, rejected misfits (Matthew the Tax Collector). Do you fit in any if these descriptions? You’re hired! 1 Corinthians 1:27-29. The very next thing God told Gideon to do: Judges 6:25-26. Gideon was told to completely destroy the fake gods in his life; to pull down the things that were keeping him from serving God wholeheartedly, that were drawing him away from trusting only in his Savior. It was not Gideon’s weaknesses, or lack of recognition that kept him from being unusable by God, but the fact that he believed it was all up to him to accomplish work made for God and the fact that he had not set himself apart from the things that kept him from walking in God’s Will. In short, He was distracted from his God and defeated by his own inability. Does this sound like most of us today?
Let’s bring the two mindsets together 1) thinking we are so important that we miss God’s Work 2) thinking we are not even useable enough for His Work.
Why do we wear gloves? To protect our hands, right? To do jobs we can’t normally do as effectively. In the QC Lab at Toyota, I wear extremely thick, insulated gloves to protect me as I handle parts that are 400°F. And other gloves as I handle parts that can oxidize to protect the part from damage by my contamination. This is how God wants to work in us, wants to use us to touch this world. He made us in His Image, just as the glove is a perfect image of our hand. And yet, we are vulnerable, and weak on our own, and we contaminate, and damage on our own. But Christ paid the ultimate price to make us acceptable again, to make us One with Him again through His Own spilled Blood. He Promises to do something unthinkable and awesome: Luke 24:49. Jesus Said that we wear the Spirit like a garment like a glove that covers us perfectly. This is how we are used by God when we are not able or worthy on our own. We have to surrender to His will and strength, put Him on and cover ourselves completely. Then we can handle things which would be impossible otherwise because He is our protection and strength; then we can touch others without hurting or contaminating them because we are covered by His Love, not our natural selfishness.
Here is the biggest truth for us all to grasp today. We just examined how to be used of God whether we think we are too important, or too weak. Not so we could choose to serve God more if we decide we would like to go deeper, but because God commands us all to give ourselves completely to His Will—to die to self and live as Christ; to set ourselves apart for His Works prepared for us since before we knew Him—because He has already given Himself for us completely and in passion, He asks the same of His beloved. In this world we live in right now, never in our lifetime have there been fewer laborers for Christ. If you are serious about loving Him, being One with Him, trusting Him with your life as you say you have done. Now is the time to stop just talking about serving Him, to quit just singing about serving Him, and put on the gloves. Be honest with yourself about why you are not totally given to Him, whether it be that your life is too important or you don’t feel worthy. And do what Scriptures say will bring His Power into your life so that you can be used for His Kingdom. Set yourself apart from all that tempts and distracts. Admit the sins in your life, recognize the false gods you serve, and burn them with passion to please Him. Then stop looking at yourself either way. Don’t trust your own great ability, but realize you have nothing He truly needs without His love and strength working through you. And don’t be paralyzed by your own weaknesses, but realize He will carry you. He will get even more Glory through your inability. Just surrender to Him completely; let His Spirit cover you and He will carry you the rest of the way: Philippians 2:13. We have the ability to be the literal answer to Jesus’ Own Prayer for more laborers to love His people. There is nothing else more important in your life than serving Him above all else: Ephesians 2:10.

How many times have we said, or heard others say, "I am so thankful that God saved me from my sins?” I understand and obviously totally agree with that statement. But most often all we really mean by that is, "I am so thankful that I am forgiven and saved from Hell." Many of us do not realize or ever contemplate all we are being forgiven and saved from in our sin. Or what the real effects of sin would be on us right now if we had not been saved from them through His Word, Spirit and Blood. Or, what that sin truly represents to God and how it affects Him. We cannot even begin to appreciate our deliverance from sin until we see these things clearly. We cannot ever praise, worship and thank Him from the heart until we comprehend where we were and how we've hurt Him. So today, let's stop and take a hard look at these things together. For some, maybe for the first time and I promise you, it will change your view of God and of the sins we often still covet.

The short answer for, "What is sin," is it’s simply knowing God, knowing His Will and choosing not to follow what we clearly understand He desires of us: James 4:17. But Scriptures are so numerous and clear about how much deeper, more meaningful and deadlier sin actually is than in this simple definition. Yet, we usually miss it, in our minds and hearts, it is not the acts of wrong doing that make sin so horrible. It is the personal rejection of God when we choose to put something above our love for Him. Have you ever considered why God carefully and repeatedly chooses to use illustrations in the Old and New Testaments which define sin as adultery? Ezekiel 16:32-34; Hosea 9:1; James 4:4-5.  God gives us one of the most illustrative and painful comparisons that can possibly be made as His personal expression of His feelings towards us in our sin. Sin is a purposeful rejection and betrayal by one loved more than life. Sin is seeing the heart of one that means everything to you, wants someone else more than you. Sin is being forsaken by your most desired person in the world—some of you have experienced this rejection. All of us have known someone going through the experience of adultery and divorce. It is the most earth-shattering, life-changing, devastation one can experience (secular psychologists-worst anxiety) to be rejected because you seemingly weren't enough, to make the most important person in your life happy. This is God's picture of choice for how He feels when we sin against him. Sin, at its core, is not letting God do and be all that He desires in our life at the deepest, most intimate level, and then lusting after something else to fill that intimate need you wouldn't give to Him, choosing something else to give us happiness, purpose and passion, just like choosing another person over your spouse because they don't make you happy. Sin is knowing that Someone as creative, loving, intelligent and powerful as Jesus Christ has traded His life to be with me Is quite literally, eagerly, passionately walking with me—and I am still wanting and choosing other things with all of my heart. Sin is like having a gorgeous, smart, successful spouse who gave up everything in their entire world to be with you alone, and they are excited and passionate to be with you, letting their world revolve around you—and you choose to sleep with some loser who just wants to use you and move on behind your spouse's back. Sin is not caring how we hurt Someone like that with our actions, not caring if we are attractive to them desirous to them—while they see us fixing up to be our best in pursuit of attracting someone else. Listen to God's expression of these very thoughts about our rejection of Him: Hosea 2:13. In order to have the ultimate level of intimacy with someone you must make yourself completely vulnerable to that person. This is what makes sharing and loving so special and sacred. Our God, in His passion and humbleness for us has made Himself vulnerable to us. He has placed into our hands the ability to touch Him at the deepest level; to rouse God's emotions, fill His thoughts; to literally, and greatly affect God. And with our desire for sin, we take that unfathomable honor and use it to make Him feel rejected and despised. With that epiphany, how can we dare to say, "Why can't you just accept me as I am?" When who we are is a blatant, cheating rejection of Him, selfishly chasing what we want with no thoughts of loving, pleasing, or even accepting Him back. Of all the evils which sin brings into our lives, of all the people that are hurt by our selfishness, God is the ultimate victim of our sins; the One sinned against the deepest, the One hurt the most, and pushed the farthest away: Psalm 51:3-4.
But what we also seem to forget when we praise God for saving us from sin is where we would be without His forgiveness, wisdom and love to keep us from the terrible effects of sin. Without His Word in our hearts and His Spirit to guide and keep us, our sins would make us care more about us than anyone else in our lives right now—massively changing our relationships, greatly changing our trust, perseverance and sacrifice. How many would not even be together or would be in selfish fits of misery together otherwise, or would be living a totally destructive and addictive lifestyle? Sin taints our view of everything in life when left unchanged and unchecked (the worth of people, the blessing of things, the very joy and excitement of living). Sin causes us to see and feel differently than God about everything in life, therefore making it impossible to see God's will, making it impossible to hear Him or have fellowship because we do not truly want to share in anything important to Him. Sin makes everything that is important to God seem like it's not even worthwhile to us, just like an unsatisfied lover. Without God's plan and power working in us to keep us from sin, all of these things would have full reign in our lives. How would our lives look differently right now?
 
Even those of us passionately seeking God struggle with things luring us towards infidelity. Often, we don't see them, or we think they are okay just because they are not sinful in themselves. But there is a great litmus test to determine if something has become an adulterous affair in your life over God. The greatest test to determine what truly is the desire of your heart is to recognize what affects you the greatest when it is threatened or taken away. (Because that truly defines you). Are you most angry when your position or authority is threatened? Pride has become sin. Are you most upset when your intelligence is questioned or threatened? Your love of intellect has become sin. Are you most angered and turned away when your family is affected? Your family has become sin. Are you most anxious and obsessed when you are away from sex and/or pornography? Sex has become sin. Is your entire world and friend base centered around who agrees with your gender-identity? Your obsession with self has become your sin. Are you constantly obsessed with having another mate in your life when there is none? Affection from others has become sin. Are you frantic when you can't connect with others on social media, or broken when you don't get the responses you desire? Recognition of self has become sin. Are you totally incapacitated when things are not right with your spouse? Your spouse has become sin. Are you overwhelmed when there doesn't seem to be enough money to do everything you want? Money has become sin. Are you crushed beyond recovery personally when you sin, or too embarrassed for anyone to know about your sin? Self-righteousness has become sin. Are you hurt or angry when others seem to be getting praise, or you are not noticed, or they are doing as well as you taking away your praise? Jealousy and pride are your sin. Is there anything in your life that has become the sole focus of your unhappiness because you didn't get it, or you lost it? That has become your sin. These things are sin because they are desired with a passion that is greater than your passion for God. They are your heart's focus, your heartbeat, so to speak. It is adultery.
Some of you may be saying at this point, "I know my sin, but how do I beat it?" Many here probably fight certain sins and have fought them for months or years—and even in your legitimate desire to beat sin, you fail. Here is the simple, unstoppable key to breaking habitual sin: Stop focusing on beating that sin for another moment. Your focus should never be on beating that sin. Because the real problem does not stem from your desire for this sin. The real problem stems from the fact that you do not desire and chase after God more. So how do you beat it? By purposefully chasing after a deeper relationship with your beloved; by purposefully pursuing Him so passionately and developing such an intimacy with Him that you sin-proof your relationship. That you take away your desire for sin by finding such a desire for what you have in Him. Work on drawing close to Him, rather than fighting flesh; discover Him; personally, physically do things for Him by doing for others directly in unison and love for Him. Otherwise, there is absolutely no basis or motivation to really quit anything. It will become just a shallow focus on self and performance, rather than a true shift in passion and desire (when you just say no to sin, it makes you want it more). How do you stop looking at other people until your spouse is really what you want most? When you realize how blessed you are to have someone; when you see that they are the best and they’re yours. It is the greatest motivation of all to never look anywhere else because you never want to lose them. Be that real, that seeking after Jesus: Psalm 119:20; Isaiah 26:9; Psalm 42:2; Song of Songs 7:10. If God wasn't that passionate for our intimacy—if He didn't see sin as that bad, that personally rejecting—why else would He have paid such a crazy high price to forgive and save us? Why not just start over with someone better who would love Him as He desired? He is that lover who will do anything to have us back, forgive anything we've done—but only if He knows we really want Him. Being saved from our sins, forgiven and accepted, is not just about understanding that He really exists—or even about simply asking Him to forgive our sins—it’s about seeing His real passion, sacrifice and deep desire for me; knowing all that He made for me, did for me, sacrificed for me; seeing His faithfulness in not giving up on me even in my rejection of Him. And realizing He alone wants me most. He alone is worthy of my love and devotion; He alone has proven His trustworthiness. It's realizing faith in Him will never let me down or disappoint, but everything else is hollow and hurtful. It's saying I give my all in total desire to be as appealing and acceptable to Him as I can, to put Him first, make Him feel as special as He’s made me feel; to stand for Him no matter where it takes me, or what it costs, simply because He is worthy and wonderful; simply because I want it to be Him and me over all the world—and then accepting the precious Blood of my very own, intimate beloved—who did so much in desire for our relationship so that I can be with Him for all of eternity. That is having faith in God; faith in His passion and trustworthiness not just His existence. We have to see sin for what it is. Not a rule that was broken or a choice to live another way, or a rewarding pursuit of pleasure and joy. But, it is a cheap, adulterous lover trying to steal my affection from my beloved who couldn’t care less for me in the end; who uses me up and leaves me empty and alone; who steals my love from the One who really desires me and Who’s heart is truly breaking. Here is His response when we return to Him: Hosea 2:7; Hosea 3:1.
For the believer who is struggling—stop wasting time focused on the cheap cheater, and just focus on getting so close to your beloved that you don't look sin's way anymore. And if you have never given your heart and trust to Him—never accepted His gift—the gift of His very life, all to have you with Him—what are you waiting for?

We have done a number of lessons on prayer through the years, but this one will be very different because it won’t be about ‘how to pray’ but rather a restoration of our faith in prayer. A remembering of its power and purpose, when done effectively because everything that we do—everything that we are as a church, and as individuals—to God completely relies upon our desire to pray. It is that paramount in our lives. Many of us do not pray as we know that we should be praying. And when we do pray, most often, it is not in real earnestness and passion. it is not with boldness and faith. And if you get behind all the proper ‘church answers’—and often behind even our own conscious thoughts sometimes—we do not pray as we should because we do not truly believe that it makes a real difference. If we did, you couldn’t stop us from praying. A lot of Christians kind of feel that other than drawing closer to God and bending my will to fit His, do my prayers really matter? Do they actually change anything?

Hasn’t God already decided what He’s going to do? Isn’t His Will going to be done no matter what? I really believe this comes from two main sources: 1) we’re going to get an honest word of truth from Jelly Roll (Need A Favor). Listen to these genuine, and too often true, lyrics:
“I only talk to God when I need a favor
And I only pray when I ain't got a prayer
So, who the *$%@! am I, To expect a Savior, oh
If I only talk to God when I need a favor?
Hard cover King James only been savin' dust on the nightstand
And I don't know what to say by the time I fold my hands…
I only talk to God when I need a favor.”
Many of us say token prayers but live our lives the way we see fit; making our own choice, doing our own thing, never genuinely seeking God’s will or work in our lives. And when we are hit with trouble that we cannot handle, or issues out of our scope of control, we finally turn to God with earnest, desperate faith. And we get angry and/or doubt Him because He does not suddenly bend to our will and command; and we assume that either He isn’t real, doesn’t care, or prayer doesn’t work. 2) The second reason we see prayer as ineffective is because (even in most churches today) when faced with some of the most terrible of circumstances, it will often be said: “Well, for whatever reason He chose, it was just God’s will.” As though everything that ever happens in life is completely out of our ability to affect God’s direction, and He has it all laid out in His perfectly desired will already; whether we pray or not, “It will be, as it will be.”
If that mentality is carried to its full extent, then answer these questions: Is it God’s perfect will that anyone be lost? 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:3-6: “No.” It is not God’s perfect will that any be lost—and yet, many [most] will be. Is it God’s will that people commit suicide, get divorced, pursue homosexuality, become drug users? Of course not. And yet all of these things happen by the thousands, daily. It is obvious that many things happen outside of God’s desired will regularly. The question then, becomes “why?” The answer is simple, but the effects are monumental. God created us in His image. God gave us free will to love, rule and reign in this creation, and He honors that free will, even when it hurts us all. Unfortunately, we have used that free will to close Him out of much of our lives to pursue a life without His guidance or power and He has honored our choices. Unfortunately, in rejecting or ignoring His will in our lives, we have left ourselves open to the whims of a very real and eager horde of fallen angels, working their own will in every aspect of our lives daily—usually unopposed because we have given them authority: John 14:30. Their sole desire is to hurt you, make you stumble, and destroy all of God’s desires for your life. Why do they think they have a chance at doing this? Because we have the free will to let them: Ephesians 6:10-12. This, along with the effects of a now cursed world, bring many things into our lives that are not God’s perfect will, but rather a part of His permissive or allowed will against His greatest desires in respect of our choices. If all of these things happen in our world that are not a part of God’s ‘perfect will,’ then some of the things which happen to us that we simply accept as ‘just the way it’s supposed to be,’ are not always just an unchangeable part of God’s perfect will, but things we have allowed into our lives with our own abuse of freedom? Or, because we have not given our sovereignty to Him? We think prayer is often ineffective because God will do what He wants anyway, but God is often just waiting for us to give authority of our lives back to Him, over the powers of this world, over our own authority, so that He is free to act in our lives, in His Loving food will. Why would God repeatedly tell us to pray for His intervention and protection; tell us He would move mountains on our behalf; promise to hear our cries? And yet, not be ready to change the world’s course of events on our behalf? Exodus 32:10-11, 14 God to Moses- Concerning rebellious Israelites. God, in His omniscience, perfect knowledge, gives us free will to involve ourselves in His works, and builds our requests and reactions into His greater plan—even before we ask. But it happens because we ask. He shapes history, makes His plans in union and partnership with the prayers of His Saints. God decided before the world was made that He would send Jesus. Why? Because He knew the decisions we would make. Yet, He loved us so much, He made plans based on our fall. Whatever you and I are not praying about in our lives is left open to the powers of darkness; is left open to the effects of a cursed world and a fallen creation, rather than being placed under the authority and power of our God. He is often waiting to move in our lives, but we are not inviting Him in with real expectation and faith, or because we are not wanting all of Him. We just want His assistance when needed. “I only talk to God when I need a favor.” We are either all His, or we are not. The truth of this surrender makes all of the difference in how He can move in our lives and prayer: 1 John 3:22; John 15:7-8; John 9:31.
It is my greatest desire for us—as a church—and our only hope to be what we are called to be—to invite and release God in this body so that He may be everything He wants to be, rather than what we want Him to be. So that He may do things which only He can do for His glory; so He might fill us with His presence of real unhindered love; so that we might actually have the power and presence of God in our midst; so that we might become His tool, His weapon, His hands and feet, His force on earth. Sounds radical and extreme, doesn’t it? Good! Otherwise, we are just another puppet church, not taking seriously every command Jesus gave about what it takes to follow Him. What good would a new, but dead building be to His Kingdom? Prayer is the pivotal point for this to happen where we openly, expectantly ask Him to move; where we openly give our sovereignty, trust and control to Him. This is my request, my plea to us as a church: 1) That we realize what a high cost was paid for us to have this privilege and power of prayer: John 16:22-27 (Speaking of His Death and Resurrection). Jesus was saying that because of His death on our behalf, not only did we receive His new life as He took our death, but that we received new rights—His rights—to come before the Father looking like Him, asking in His Name, asking in His authority. Why did we get this great honor and privilege? Because He has won for us and humbly given to us His righteousness and glory before the Father: John 17:4-5, 22-23; John 14:20-21; 2 Corinthians 3:18. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice alone, we have the right to call our God, Father, and to be seen and answered through His glory in us. We have to see this privilege for what it truly means; we have to stop overlooking it and taking it for granted. 2) That we be given to Him and Him alone, completely and passionately; that we stop chasing and trusting the ways of this crumbling world and be devoted to Our King who is completely devoted to us. Otherwise, how will He be able to do His good works through broken and self-serving vessels? How will we seek and see His desires when all we see is what we want in every situation? If we are receiving privilege and power through His name, doesn’t it stand to reason that we should be living and working in His love and glory? 1 John 3:22; John 14:12-14. 3) That we learn to pray in real faith and boldness, not acting as if faith was the catalyst (not faith in faith), but having real faith in the character of our God, in the love and desire that we know He has for us—in His ability and willingness to answer our prayers on Jesus’ behalf. 4) That we would understand clearly that we are standing against real, evil, brilliant, powerful spiritual entities, and the fast-changing, possessed world is proof of their power. Realize that our prayers are the only thing which can take away their authority and unleash God’s power in our lives, our church, our nation: Ephesians 6:18; 1 Timothy 2:1; Colossians 4:2; Philippians 4:6; Romans 12:12; Luke 18:1; 2 Chronicles 7:14.
Why do we even have to ask if He already knows? Because it’s the world He gave to us; it’s our life that is in need; and He wants us to Invite Him in to work to give Him sovereignty in it. Because He wants us to see the need and respond in real love as well; because He wants us to see that it was Him who heard, cared and acted on our behalf, in love; because some of His greatest work may be in changing you by using you in the crisis, and that is His most important goal. Know there will always be times that our sincerest desires cannot be a part of His plan (otherwise we’d live forever, never have problems, never be tested), sometimes because of circumstances we cannot see; sometimes because of others’ free will; sometimes as a direct need to grow our faith and character or show our faith to a doubting world. Our Jesus—God Himself—experienced this in His human frailties so that He could feel our struggles; so He could offer Himself completely in faith and obedience. Did Jesus’ earthly Dad live to the end? (Think Jesus wanted Him to die?) Listen to this Incredible Passage: Mark 14:34-36. When we do face these moments in our lives, where God’s answer is simply “I cannot do it this time, trust Me.” We need to do exactly what Jesus did: rise up from prayer at that moment and face whatever is to come with resolve, determination and passion for our God: Mark 14:42. (Jesus went to meet His trial with faith). But how many times is God’s perfect will missed because we will not get involved with real, faithful prayer? How many times has God’s perfect will been accomplished and people were saved, healed, comforted, provided for, and He had to use someone else because we did not pray for His will and power in our lives?
We are instructed to pray for: greater faith; His spiritual and physical gifts; opportunity and direction; brother and sisters to join us in the harvest work; His power and knowledge; His words and love when we are working; for all who touch our lives. Lose the self-conscious awareness and pride, humbly pray together in His House, at His altars, together. Show Him how badly we want and need His presence, and trust Him to bless, guide, and anoint us—and let’s watch what He can do through prayer.

For those of us who have lived in the joy and security of God’s love and salvation for many years, we can many times experience that gift, rest in His security and peace, and yet miss so, so much about all that our salvation reveals of the true heart of our Lord, and what it really cost Him for our security. For all those who do not know Christ as their King and Savior, there are so many questions about Him. Why is He so special, above all other religions? Why is He supposed to be the “Only Way?” What does it truly mean to “Be saved,” to “accept Jesus as my Savior?” Won’t everybody be saved in the end? Won’t all religions save you, as long as you are sincere? Today, we will take a Biblical look at these questions and more because not only is this the single most important topic you will ever in your life contemplate—you will learn more about Who Jesus truly is than you have ever known in your life. You will know clearly what it means to accept Him as your Savior and God, and you will see clearly how incredible His love really is and why He definitively and unmistakably is the only way.

Why do we need to be saved? And from what exactly? Genesis 1:1, 26-28, 31. So, God made a perfect, beautiful, Paradise and called it “very good.” Then He created man and woman in His very image—meaning as intelligent, creative, skillful, loving, productive beings. He created them to be everything necessary to fulfill one another in perfect intimacy and design, and He gave the whole earth to them to care for and have authority over—as He dwelt with them walked with them, had perfect love and fellowship with them. But they chose to embrace the temptation to rebel against Him; chose to follow the deception of the King of fallen angels, Lucifer; chose to doubt God’s goodness and become their own gods just like our mentality today. And this seed of selfishness and evil that sprang in their souls ruined the perfect love, trust and fellowship God had with them, bringing separation from God, and death as a result. All creation under their authority was cursed with the same fate and this seed of evil has been passed and taught to every generation: Romans 5:12; Romans 3:23. Salvation, then is God’s Plan to take away our guilt of rejecting Him; to take away the sentence and punishment of the sins in our hearts and lives; to restore our perfect unity and love with Him by making our hearts and souls as loving as His once again, and to make all the cursed creation we ruined new again: Revelation 21:1-5. God knew we would fall even before He placed us here on earth and He already had plans to come to our aid: Ephesians 1:3-5. Everything that God has done through the ages, every page of His precious Book has been written and lived out in His passionate and costly quest to restore us back into intimacy, joy, and adventure with Him on a perfect earth once again. That is salvation for those who desire it.
The next logical question is: “If God loves so deeply, why did He let us fall in the first place?” He let it happen because real, intimate, passionate love requires a free will and a desire from both involved. God knew that free will would allow some to reject Him and hurt others. He knew it would bring pain and chaos for a time. But He also saw every soul that would truly embrace Him in love, even through the tainted and ruined world we created. And so, this dilemma basically gave Him three options: 1) Never create this magnificent masterpiece called mankind with whom He could spend an eternity of joy and intimacy, with whom He could share blessings and adventures beyond our wildest dreams. 2) He could destroy all the evil that has ever existed since we fell and start over from scratch, losing every soul that He knew before they were in existence. We wouldn’t know because that includes you and I who are part of that rebellious mob He loves dearly. 3) He could make a way to bring justice for the evil done and yet forgive, redeem, heal and embrace
those who saw Him for Who He truly is—which would be hard, costly and painful. But all things that are of great worth are expensive, and God saw all of the temporary pain and sacrifice as well worth the Love found in the end: Romans 8:18. And this short time of trials and testing has been ordained by Him to allow us to show Him, in return, just how much we truly want Him, how much we trust Him, how much we will endure to be with Him as well: 1 Peter 1:6-9. God allowed this—even when He knew it would be hard and costly because He was not willing that any be lost: 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:3-4. He allowed this mess because any cost is worth having us back. Without the fall, we would never see just how far He would go to save us, never know how deep His humility, mercy and love run—because it cost Him infinitely more than it cost us. We would never have real choice given to us, and we would never have seen the horrors that pure selfishness, evil and pride could bring. But, if God went to such extreme measures to save us all, why does He not just save everyone through His Work? Why will some still be forever rejected? Let me ask you this question: How many times have you heard people say (or even said yourself): Why does God allow such terrible things? Why doesn’t God just take out those evil people? Why doesn’t God just remove the evil from the world?” And you are right, for feeling this way. But, remember we are all part of that evil right now, and He is long-suffering until any who would want Him will turn from evil and trust Him. But for those who refuse to accept love and selflessness, refuse to live for anyone but themselves, how could a just God (that we already question for allowing sin for a short season) not possibly remove those who refuse to surrender their sin even for a short time? How could that be loving, just, fair to those who do choose Him? When it would simply destroy all He makes new again? Understand that God is not willing that any be lost, and He did not create hell and damnation for any of His own: Matthew 25:41. They openly, freely, rebelliously chose to join Satan and his fallen hoard, even, over Jesus’ own dead body, placed there to save them. So, we see why Salvation is needed by all men; we see why He had to allow the fall that demanded Salvation; we see that, even though He wants all to be Saved; His justice and love for those who want Him will not allow for the evil in some hearts to be with Him.
Let’s take a look at just what it means to be ‘saved,’ what Salvation is and is not. It is easier and clearer to start with what Salvation is not: Salvation is not just about getting your sins forgiven so that you can live in Paradise when you die. Salvation is not just about living a better life or attending church so you will be worthy to be saved. Salvation is not just believing there is a God even just believing Jesus exists: James 2:19. Salvation is not about proclaiming your belief and trust in Christ and living the life you choose to live afterwards but wanting blessings. Salvation is not given because God is so nice and good that He decides to forget about what you did or bend or break His own Laws to let you into Heaven. Salvation is: realizing that you have sinned against and lived against the God Who loves you and created you for Him, that you lived against the God whose very creation you have the privilege of living in right now. It’s realizing that you have a seed of evil in you that has helped to ruin His Creation and is capable of unspeakable evil. Salvation is realizing that you cannot be allowed in His perfect Heaven when you would simply destroy it again. It’s realizing that you should be done away with, rejected. Then it is realizing He has placed such value, worth and love on you that He is willing to destroy His entire Creation and start over just to have you with Him. It’s realizing that Jesus Christ—the Eternal Go, the Masterful, Artistic Creator of all in existence, the worshiped, loved, Ruler of countless beings in Heaven, the One who holds all power, riches and authority—is so precious and humble even in all that power and authority that He would give it all away—become One of us, walk with us in our pain, be judged in place of us, hated, made a worthless criminal, be rejected by His Father God on our behalf, be unimaginably tortured for our sins and die thinking He was rejected and alone because nothing He owned as God was more important than saving you and being with you again. Salvation is realizing these things and then understanding that He deserves your everything in return. It’s seeing His preciousness, humbleness, sacrifice and then wanting to turn from everything that made Him go so far to save us. It’s trusting that what He says is good that you want never again to do the things He died to remove and forgive: Romans 12:1-2. Salvation is accepting such an amazing gift given to you, knowing there is nothing you could do to save yourself—because no amount of good works can take away the Law, take away the punishment deserved for what has already been done. And God is a just and righteous God who cannot simply put away sins that have hurt others—they must be paid for. So, He had to pay that price Himself. He did not excuse you; He did not remove the Law; He did not give a pass. He paid for everything you ever did Himself so you could be considered innocent: Colossians 1:13-14; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 Peter 2:24-25; John 3:16-17. Salvation is saying “If He gave His life for mine I will give my life for Him.” And I will live all my life trying to please Him, trusting Him enough to stay away from all He died to save me from knowing His ways are better than the world’s; willing to give up anything and everything just like He did for me, to show my love back to Him—simply because He is unbelievably worthy after giving up so much for me. It’s knowing that He alone made the way for my Salvation, but He doesn’t want someone who just needs a ticket punched. He wants someone who wants Him back just as passionately Who’s willing to give just as much in return, or the relationship is not real: Matthew 22:37-40. It is trusting that He knows we are weak and will fail sometimes, but that He is not focused on us having a perfect life, rather, in having a perfectly given heart ready to get back up, trust His forgiveness and keep trying to please Him in all I do; having complete confidence in His love for me even in my failures. It’s being unashamed of Him in a world that hates Him. It’s being ready and wanting to give Him everything in my life—health, money, possessions, reputation, relationships—if He asks it of me. Because I trust Him, because I want to make Him happy, because He has earned it with His Own Life. It is forsaking all and being completely happy, knowing that I have Him and He will care for me: Philippians 3:7-8. It is gladly giving Him my whole life just as He gave His for me. Anything less is simply using Him for your own gain.
So, why are we so adamant that Jesus is the only way? No matter how many ideas we have about the afterlife, there is only one that is true. Every other religion in the world tells how to live kindlier or how your good must outweigh your bad. But God is perfect; God is just; God is fair; God is pure. And living better or letting your good outweigh your bad, does not pay for the evil that has been done. Only the sacrifice of God can do that. And only Jesus made the payment Himself. Jesus did not take away the Law; He fulfilled its sentence for you. No one else did this. Every other religion focuses on your good deeds and good life. Only Jesus is concerned with changing your heart to righteousness. Only Jesus seeks passionately for your love and not just your good actions or abject worship. Of course, there is only one Creator, one way. It would not even be logical to assume otherwise. And no other religion known has the history of a real man that lived, died and rose again; the prophecies fulfilled; the total dedication, humbleness and love to become One with us; be our Brother, unashamed in our sins; the care and sacrifice enough to die in order to cover our sins: Acts 4:10-12.
What about those who wait their whole lives and decide to accept Jesus on their deathbed? Are they Saved? Many have asked this question, hoping to put off living for God until later. But others—because they sincerely worry about someone who accepted Christ at the end of their lives. Let’s look at two verses which give a solid, Biblical answer: Luke 23:39-43. Did this criminal ever have the chance to live a single day for Christ? No. Did he come to Jesus in his final moments on earth? Yes! But He was saved—for certain. Why? Because Salvation has nothing to do with your deeds and all to do with your sincere heart wanting Him. 1 Samuel 16:7; 1 Chronicles 28:9; John 2:23-25: A sincere heart wanting Jesus in their last days will always find His mercy and Salvation because Christ is not a legalist. He does not have to follow a set pattern that we hold Him to. He simply wants your heart! and nothing is hidden from His eyes. But if we live any way we choose, betting our Salvation on a quick prayer of repentance in the end, trying to hold God’s feet to some self-believed fire, trying to save our souls, but never truly caring about Christ. He sees this clearly and He does not play games. He is not under any obligation or binding agreement. He does not want, nor does He have any obligation to anyone who simply tries to use Him for their purposes. He deserves so much more. He deserves our everything, because God Himself has given His everything in sweet, humble, dedicated passion to bring you home to Him. What else could possibly be more important than giving yourself to Him completely? Now is the time: 2 Corinthians 6:1-2.

We’re going to cover a lot, so just focus on what is for you. Somehow, most Christians today have this deeply embedded, subconscious idea in our hearts that living for Christ simply means: removing what Jesus calls “Sin” from our lives, then continuing to live, do, work, go, buy, act as we have planned in life, as long as it is not overtly sinful—hoping to get blessings and favor from Him because we have proclaimed His Name and have removed the destructive things of which He disapproves. But this mindset is completely foreign to what every Scripture actually calls us to be as His disciples. Many of us are living our lives for Christ halfway at very best; removing and avoiding sins in our lives and not even trying too hard at that. But never really giving our entire lives to Him, as every page of scriptures command and instruct. We are not surrendered and belonging to Him in our lives. We are simply changing a few things about our lives, removing a few things that are considered offensive to Him. And as long as our lives do not seem overtly sinful or openly offensive to Him, we consider this as having devoted our lives to Him. In the Great Breakfast Buffet of Heaven, we are chickens, offering a few eggs here and there. But we are called to be pigs, offering bacon and sausage. All in, totally committed, costing everything. I say that jokingly, but stop and consider: is He truly “Lord of all” in your life? Romans 11:36 - 12:2; Matthew 13:44-46; Galatians 2:20.

Seriously consider if the men and  women who made it into Scripture, who are supposed to show us how to be close to God, had just “curbed their sins a little bit” and decided that was what it took “to follow God with their lives.” Would Noah have dedicated 75 years to building an Ark? Would Abraham have left his “well-to-do” family in Ur to chase a Promise he didn’t understand I n a land he’d never been to? Would Moses have faced the most powerful man on earth and wander in the desert with those who questioned and rejected him? Would Daniel have risked the highest office in Babylon to instead be offered as lion food? Would Hosea have married a prostitute? And went back to her again? Would Mary and Joseph have destroyed their futures simply to be shamed and rejected all their days? Would Paul have given up a powerful, prestigious position to become hunted, tortured, imprisoned and executed? Would John choose boiling in oil only to be exiled to slave labor on the Isle of Patmos? Would Jesus Christ have offered Himself to torture and death as a Criminal? These people chose to change every facet of their lives; chose to leave their lives, leave or change occupations. They chose to leave relationships, start new relationships; chose to go against governments and society; chose to leave the life they had planned to accept a new one. Some to join in God’s Will and Mission on earth; some to avoid disobeying His Commands. All by choice, at great change, even risk of great loss: Colossians 3:2-3; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15. These core statements about becoming a disciple of Jesu are not just sweet ‘theological or spiritual declarations.’ They were not just for exemplary Bible characters, and today are not just for a few, select Saints. But for every person who has surrendered to the will of Christ. Nothing has changed; we are called to this same life right now. Just because we have trouble recognizing, just because we may resist or ignore this fact does not make it less true. Living for Christ with your whole life is not just about sinning les, not just about what to let go of, but about everything you pick up, change, pursue, and decide your entire life, being given to Him in love and trust. First, remove yourself from consideration. Do not start, or interrupt one thing we consider from here with: “I deserve to have this. This is what I want in my life. This is where I’d like to go. What I would like to attain. I only have one life, one chance. Isn’t my life and happiness important? I don’t like change. I’m just fine where I am.” Let me ask you something big here Hopefully, it will be a serious wake-up call): What would have happened if any of the men of Scriptures felt their own lives were too important, too special, or worthy above others to change, interrupt or be given to God’s Will? Would we even know who they are now? Would their lives really have mattered in the scheme of things? Would their personal successes have made the impact, their lives made, when given away? Would we have God’s Word or Will? What if Jesus—God on earth—had felt His Life was too special? Would you even be sitting here with breath in your lungs? What if every grave dug for someone who died to protect your freedom, whose life was just as unique, special, promising, and full of potential, was never dug because they were too special and chose self? Would you be sitting here? God knows all of your potential [He gave it to you], and He wants you to be joyful and successful. But also know that your idea of success in this world is based upon a completely different foundation than God’s. And His successes are what truly last in the end; His are the only ones that matter. Know that we wouldn’t even have an opportunity at success if He had not placed us here, gave us what we have now, and saved us from our own destruction. Therefore, our life is not even ours to even decide what we think should be done with it because we have literally chosen to give it away to Him, just as He has done for us. Know that your life and mine are absolutely no better than all the lives given for us to be here today and know about His Salvation for us; no better than all the hurting, broken lives around us now. Know God’s way of measuring your life as successful Is based upon nothing else but your willingness to give it away to Him: Luke 14:33. We start with humility, real perspective, and sacrifice. And then we ask ourselves some easy (but revealing) questions. The key is this:
Answer these questions in honesty and decide if you are willing to change whatever they may reveal simply because God is Worthy, because He became our Servant, because we want to serve Him more than we want our own life. 1) Are you living right now, where I shouldn’t be? Are you literally dishonoring Him with my current lifestyle or habits? That means pornography, substance abuse, living with someone, having unwed sex, freeloading off someone else, holding grudges? If you know you have embraced something in your lifestyle that you have justified or put off dealing with, you are not surrendered to Him and you must start here. He is smarter; He Loves perfectly; He has reasons for everything He asks. Trust Him wholeheartedly or stop lying to yourself. 2) Are your relationships in His Will? Are you with someone Scriptures say you shouldn’t be with because they are not following Him? Because they are not Scripturally free to be with you; (divorce for wrong reason/wrong sex); because you are not Scripturally free to be with them and should be trying to reconcile to the one you left. Trust that He has a better Plan with the right person that will bring more fulfillment and less pain. Are you contemplating or actively pursuing a divorce from someone who has not Scripturally given a reason? Focus everything on honoring and healing them as His wonderful plan compels us to do in real love rather than chasing what you feel you deserve or want instead. 3) Do you put your desire to enjoy leisure activity and downtime over the importance of knowing and serving Him? Do you spend hours a week enjoying social media, hobbies, sports, games, and yet have no time or desire to spend time knowing Him in study and prayer? Or to spend time serving those in your life around you helping others at home or in His body of believers? No time to invest His world that is lost and broken because you are too occupied with self? Do you even stop and access the needs and desires of those around you? Have you taken an honest look at the conditions of the time and place in which you now live to see where you may be God’s answer, to see where you may be needed right now? Answer the call from God and decide to change what you derive pleasure from; letting your leisure activities and rewards come after you have actually given yourself in joy and concern to God and others first. 4) Is your desire to live a fun, fulfilled life with your family or spouse completely taking the place of anything you would do for God? Are you robbing your own family of the treasure of serving and instead teaching worldliness, selfishness, and pursuit of pleasure over responsibility and commitment? Teach them to humbly serve with you in the most practical and selfless ways. 5) Are you working where He would have you work? The hours He would have you work? Or are you involved in an occupation that is not honoring Him? Are you working so hard to achieve material things that you have no time for God or loved ones? Make the decision to put God first, people first, convictions first, at any financial cost or lifestyle change. 6) Have you discerned the times in which you are living the beliefs, practices, attitudes, laws in your society and weighed them against God’s principles and commandments? And chosen to follow God’s Ways everywhere they are at odds? Or have you taken the easy path going along with the culture, become part of the world around you? Weigh every aspect of the world in which you now find yourself and take fulfillment and joy in drawing a line for Christ and stepping out of the world’s ways, at any cost. Stand for God, stand for real love, stand for truth, and let the world see Christ rather than you. 7) Do you spend your financial and material blessings on building more, having more, and looking better to the world, or being a blessing to others in real need and supporting God’s work? Do you have a nice home, cars, clothes, phones, internet, gaming systems, and yet say you have nothing to give to others or church because you are just too poor? Realize the blessings you have received from Him; realize the real needs of those around you that are so much greater, and show the love and mercy you have received. Your giving is supposed to be sacrificial, supposed to cost something, supposed to mean you might do without sometimes. That is where joy is found, character is built and seeds are planted (faith). 8) Have you simply, literally asked God what would He have you do in His Kingdom and meant it? With the talents, skills, education and opportunities, He has given to you? What would He have you to prepare for, run to, involve yourself in, commit to doing which may be scary, costly, difficult, bigger than you. but is needed for your Kingdom, for your hurting people. Maybe a ministry, maybe missions, maybe teaching, maybe fostering/adopting, maybe just loving on someone near you. 9) Are you focused on genuinely, lovingly addressing every soul that touches or even passes through your life for whatever time they are present? Whether a coworker, a church member, a friend or even a cashier or mechanic? Are you focused with concern on their worth at that moment? Jesus showed the Love of the Father, showed genuine concern and met the most needs one person at a time—usually those He met along the way—because He walked in total surrender at all times. Do those around you see Jesus, or you? When Mary was greeted by the Angel Gabriel and told she had been chosen by God to carry the Messiah, she responded in love and devotion in this way: Luke 1:38. [handmaid]. In the Mosaic Law, an indentured servant working off debt or a criminal sentence to another could (after their debt was paid and they were free to leave), give themselves to the one they had been indebted to by choice for life. If they had been cared for and loved so dearly, they wanted to remain part of the household: Deuteronomy 15:16-17. Mary was saying just this. God had been so loving and kind to her that she had given herself to Him forever as His servant to do whatever He asked of her.
If we know He Loves us so much, if we know we will prosper with Him, it is time for us to forget what we have been taught about being His disciples, exchange who is on the Cross and Who is on the Throne. And offer ourselves in reality as His bond-slave for life. If you do, He will lift you up, give you His Glory and make you His treasured Bride instead.