HCC Monthly Harvest Seed
1 John 2:15-17 - Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
I went to lunch with a good friend and we got to talking about the topic of vanity.
We were discussing about how vanity and pride is really at the heart of many of the struggles that we have in life. It is at the root of many of the spiritual failure that we see all around us.
Thank God for friends that you can have fun conversations with and thank God for friends that you can have deep conversations with.
This conversation was one of those profound moments when you take a good look at your own life and when you get a glimpse into the spiritual warfare that is hitting so many people in a profound way at this moment in society.
We were talking about a movie called – The Devil’s Advocate. It is not a good movie. I do not recommend it. But it does have a classic line that reveals a great deal about Satan and his tactics.
It is about a law firm that turns out to be run by the Devil. The main character defeats his boss in a trial but then a friend and a news reporter appeals to his ego after the win and convinces him to do an interview because he is a star. The guy agrees to it and the reporter morphs back into the devil who says -
– “Vanity, Definitely my favorite sin”
Vanity primarily refers to excessive pride in one’s own appearance, abilities, or achievements.
Excessive Pride as a (Personality Trait)
This is the most common usage, describing a person who is overly conceited or obsessed with how others perceive them.
Today people call the time we are living in the me generation.
Vanity also means - Worthlessness or Futility
Derived from the Latin vanitas (meaning "emptiness"), this definition refers to something that is valueless, pointless, or temporary.
In Vain: Related to the phrase "in vain," describing an effort that produces no result (e.g., "a vain attempt"). this definition refers to something that is valueless, pointless, or temporary.
Biblical Context: Often used in literature (like the book of Ecclesiastes) to describe earthly pursuits as "vapor" or "breath"—fleeting and ultimately empty compared to eternal things
The Bible relates it to chasing after the wind.
This issue of vanity highlights self-love, pride and ego.
It was pride and ego that were the undoing of Satan.
Satan is prideful, arrogant, narcissistic. Self-absorbed and self-aggrandizing.
Instead of focusing on God and others vanity is in love with everything self.
It is vanity and ego that are the most effective ways to corrupt and destroy people
Proverbs 16:18 - Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.
Pride was the undoing of Satan.
Isaiah 14:13-15 (NLT) - For you said to yourself, ‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. 14 I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High. 15 Instead, you will be brought down to the place of the dead, down to its lowest depths.
We are never more like Satan when we are in the mode of self-promotion and self-exaltation.
I want to say it again. Pride and Vanity were the undoing of Satan. Satan will use Vanity to be the undoing of us.
2 Corinthians 2:11- lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.
(NIV) -in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
(NLT) - so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.
Me must be aware of how Satan uses Vanity as a weapon against us and we must be self-aware and Spirit-aware in order to be honest without selves and God when Vanity is having an effect on us.
I think so much of what people battle today deals with this issue of being vain.
How we look, how successful that we feel and how we perceive that we are viewed by others.
Pride is a desire for adulation (the praise of people), riches or achievement.
It is a preoccupation with being noticed and respected.
It is a perception of being accepted by people and admired.
1 John 2:15-17 (NLT) - Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.
So much that we do is ego driven. We live in an ego centric world.
Comparison – The desire for Greatness
– We talk about leaving a legacy.
Today people live their lives on social media – Look at me
We put our best foot forward
We often compare our ordinary to people’s best moments or their lies and misrepresentations.
Many of us are living in depression, discouragement and frustration because we are always trying to feed our vanity.
We are commanded not to love this world or the system that this world operates under.
For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.
16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions.
And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.
It is so important that as Children of God that we know what is of our Father and what is not.
Satan tells us that what the world has to offer and how it will make us feel and how it will make us look is all of God. Yet all of it is empty. None of it is from God.
It is worldly, fleshly.
But boy can we be vain.
And we are vain about the things that are temporary and not eternal.
Those who are vain have no real idea what the love of God is.
1 John 2:15 (NLT) - Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.
I hope this verse hits you like a ton of bricks.
When my children were growing up, we knew that their sense of worth that their idea of belonging and their idea of meaning would be developed deeply by how much they knew that they were loved by us as their parents.
Today Satan has attacked the family so intensely that at least two generations struggle with knowing that they are loved and accepted.
Satan has removed Fathers from so many homes that children are left searching for meaning and validation in everything else because the love of their earthly father is not in them.
This also has a powerful after effect. Because they were never truly loved by a father, they do not know how to love themselves or love others or even how to accept love from others.
The reason that everything else that the world has to offer feels so empty is because we are trying to fill our lives with things that will never satisfy; when only what God can fill us with will do that.
Many today have an emptiness inside that can only be filled with the Father’s love.
Let me put this in terms that you can understand. You cannot have two loves.
People who are in love with the idea of being in love and having more than one lover are not really in love. They are vain. They are selfish and all about themselves.
Love by its very definition is selfless.
Love serves.
Matthew 6:24 (AMP) - “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord].
But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.
How do we know that the love of the Father and a love for the Father is in us? When we live to please Him.
1 John 5:3 - For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
The wisest man in all the world spoke about vanity. He spoke about how worthless the things that Satan uses to bring about our down fall are.
Vanity - (meaning "emptiness"), this definition refers to something that is valueless, pointless, or temporary.
The lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life are all empty.
Solomon - a man who started out in wisdom tried to fill his life with everything that this world had to offer and found out how absolutely none of it could satisfy.
I heard someone say this quote – “I have heard it said that you could have $10 million and that it would never satisfy but I would sure like to try.
Well King Solomon did and he discovered that it didn’t.
Ecclesiastes 1:1- “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher;
“Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”
Ecclesiastes 1:1-4-(NLT) “Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!” 3 What do people get for all their hard work under the sun? 4 Generations come and generations go, but the earth never changes.
Ecclesiastes 2:4-9 - I also tried to find meaning by building huge homes for myself and by planting beautiful vineyards. 5 I made gardens and parks, filling them with all kinds of fruit trees. 6 I built reservoirs to collect the water to irrigate my many flourishing groves. 7 I bought slaves, both men and women, and others were born into my household. I also owned large herds and flocks, more than any of the kings who had lived in Jerusalem before me. 8 I collected great sums of silver and gold, the treasure of many kings and provinces. I hired wonderful singers, both men and women, and had many beautiful concubines. I had everything a man could desire! 9 So I became greater than all who had lived in Jerusalem before me, and my wisdom never failed me.
Ecclesiastes 2:17 - So, I came to hate life because everything done here under the sun is so troubling. Everything is meaningless (Vanity) —like chasing the wind.
Solomon did and had the things that most of us would be envious of and he discovered that it was all vanity. It was all meaningless.
The new Testament calls it wood, hay and stubble.
Solomon, I believe went to heaven but much of what he did with his life amounted to nothing.
1 Corinthians 3:12-15 (NLT) - Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. 13 But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. 14 If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. 15 But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.
As a young man Solomon had a solid foundation but what he built on it was tragic.
It is amazing how many people live for vanity only to realize that it was really nothing.
Ecclesiastes 2:17 - So, I came to hate life because everything done here under the sun is so troubling. Everything is meaningless (Vanity) —like chasing the wind.
How many people come to hate the life that they had built.
They discover that it is like chasing the wind. It’s like a vapor or a breath.
It’s gone that quickly.
Most of us want to make a lasting difference with our life. They key is discovering what really matters.
First – it is to know that we are loved, accepted and cared for by Father God.
Second – Solomon actually came to his senses.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (NLT) - That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. 14 God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Fear God, reverence Him. Live to please Him.
Seek first the Kingdom of God and HIS righteousness and ALL of these things shall be added to you.
Matthew 6:31-33(NLT) - 31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of Godabove all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
– “Vanity, Definitely my favorite sin” – A quote from Satan that will cause us to examine our hearts.
I hope this message challenged and refreshed you.
I pray that you will find victory over any vanity that you struggle with. May you find that God more than satisfies every desire and longing of your heart.
Know that you are loved.
Pastor Marvin & Dawn
Seasons of Dormancy
HCC Monthly Harvest Seed
Philippians 2:8-11 - And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Romans 14:7-9 - 7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
There is a saying that is famous in church circles – Jesus is Lord of all or not at all.
We love it we declare it but the question is do we live it and understand it.
Many people want a Savior but they do not want Jesus to be Lord.
One of the Hebrew names for God is Adonai.
The word “Lord” means “the one who has absolute power, absolute authority,” “the master.” It speaks of supreme authority, controller, ruler. One of the key aspects of Lordship is ownership.
When we say that Jesus is Lord of our life what we are saying is that we are no longer in control we no longer retain ownership and we no longer are our own master. We do not control our own destiny. All of it is in the hands of God.
Romans 14:7-8 - 7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.
Whether we live or whether we die we are the Lord’s. – We are His.
How we live or how we die is His choice.
The name Adonai means that Jesus is the boss, the King, the Master, The ruler and has the chief say so in our lives.
~ Billy Graham – “Ninety-five percent of church members live defeated, un-victorious lives because they have never made Jesus Lord.
~ George Sanchez wrote – Ninety-five percent of the problems that people have in their spiritual lives and for which they seek counseling are basically a poor understanding of who Jesus Christ is – He is Lord.
Jesus Christ IS Lord.
When we make a commitment, we are in control.
We commit to win souls because we decide to do it.
We commit to study our Bibles only because we want to.
We can commit to tithe but we retain the option not to.
When we surrender to the Lordship of Jesus, we are no longer in control and we are surrendered to a life of obedience and serving Him.
If we are committed to anything, we need to be committed to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
He is absolute Lord.
We have to surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ
Romans 14:9 - For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
Jesus Christ is called “Lord” no less than 747 times in the New Testament.
We do not make Jesus Lord; He is already Lord.
Acts 2:36 (NLT) - “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!”
Isaiah 42:8a - I am the Lord, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another,
He is already Lord of all. Jesus is Lord.
There are only two decisions that we make:
Do you believe that Jesus Christ is Lord? Have you surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ? Is He Lord of all that you have and all that you do?
Jesus died to claim us as Lord.
When He died for us, He was redeeming us. He is Lord because He died for us.
The Cross of Calvary says that He is Lord.
He has purchased us; we are not our own. He has redeemed us with His blood.
1 Corinthians 6:19 (AMP)- Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is within you, whom you have [received as a gift] from God, and that you are not your own [property]?
If you are a Christian, then Jesus now lives in you; and you are His purchased possession.
If you are saved, then you are under new management.
When we gave our heart to the Lord Jesus Christ, that was the last independent decision we ever made.
We are not our own. We belong to the Lord Jesus Christ.
This is wonderful because He knows more about how to manage our life than we do.
He alone can make you what He wants you to be and what you need to be and what you would want to be if you could only see it how He sees it.
The Lord Jesus has made a great investment in us. He died for us and bought us with His blood. His investment in us is such a blessing because it means that He is going to watch over us.
Ephesians 1:13-14 - And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his ownby giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. 14 The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.
When we submit to the Lordship of Christ, we are saying that we trust Him, we trust His promises. All of them. We trust Him not only for our Salvation but for everything.
We are taking Him at His Word.
The reason that many people struggle with the idea of Lordship is that they have no idea of what is in the Word. Or they struggle with taking Jesus at His Word.
When we believe, we are then sealed with the Holy Spirit.
A seal, as spoken of here in this passage, is a legal document.
This seal means the following:
If Jesus Christ is not Lord of our life, then we have no right to call ourselves a Christian.
Romans 10:9-10 - that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
We are saved by believing that Jesus Christ is Lord and yielding to that Lordship.
This is more than just saying that Jesus is Lord.
At the time when Paul wrote the book of Romans, to say that Jesus Christ is Lord could cost a person his or her life.
Caesar, at that time, was revered as more than an emperor, but was considered as a god.
The people of the Roman Empire were required to say that Caesar was Lord.
Christians would not do that. - It is not Christ - AND - it is Christ only.
The Bible does not mention receiving Christ as Savior.
He is Savior, but we receive Christ as Lord. As Lord He is our Savior.
Acts 16:31 – So, they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
We give all we know of ourselves to all we know of Jesus. We take Jesus and all that He is, and He is Lord.
We cannot have what He gives unless we accept who He is, and He is Lord.
~ Charles Haddon Spurgeon said that - if a convert declares that he knows the Lord’s will but doesn’t mean to do it, then it is our duty to assure him that he is not saved.
Lordship means our entire submission and obedience to Him.
Submission means that any other plans, desires and wants that we have will take a back seat to Him.
MANY people struggle with the idea of submission because we are taught to value our independence and our will and our stuff. We love the idea of ownership and my things.
There is no other ruler or King in our life, including ourselves.
Matthew 6:24 (AMP) - “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord].
When Jesus is Lord of our life we follow His will. Lordship is not simply a matter of what we say but how we live.
Matthew 7:21 - “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
Luke 6:46 (NLT) - “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?
There are a lot of people who are into confession but many are not into submission and repentance.
A person becomes a Christian by submitting their life as a fully devoted, committed follower of Jesus Christ.
A follower is no longer in the lead.
There is a great deal more that we will unpack as I preach this message this month.
I want to leave you with a question… Is Jesus truly the Lord of your life?
As we start the summer months know that you are loved by God!
We look forward to what God is going to do here at HCC. Enjoy your vacation. Enjoy some time off. Continue to make the family of God a priority in your life.
Blessings,
Pastor Marvin & Dawn
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
HCC Monthly Harvest Seed
Acts 5:14-16 (NLT) - Yet more and more people believed and were brought to the Lord—crowds of both men and women. 15 As a result of the apostles’ work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter’s shadow might fall across some of them as he went by. 16 Crowds came from the villages around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those possessed by evil spirits, and they were all healed.
There are people that leave an incredible impact on people’s lives.
Just being in their presence is uplifting, inspiring, challenging and leaves you better for having been around them.
These are people that have cast a long shadow. People just get around them and their lives are impacted and changed for the glory of God.
Peter was this type of person. He was making such an impact that people had the kind of faith that if they could just get into his shadow they would be healed.
People are hurting, confused and need healing. Many are desperate enough to just want to be near people that can refresh them and bring healing. They are desperate for a touch from God. God has called us to be the Peter’s of our day.
A shadow is an extension of a person. Many people speak of shadows as a shady thing or a spooky thing. A shadow is simply an extension of who you are.
You can’t have a shadow without light.
You can’t cast your own shadow. You have to be positioned in the light and then that light causes a silhouette.
The brighter the light the longer the shadow.
The reason that Peter was making such a difference is because he was a person who walked in the light.
1 John 1:7 - But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
1 Thessalonians 5:5 - You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.
Our enemy tells us the lie that he is doing his work in the shadows. This is a lie.
This is not so for the people of God. All that God is doing is out in the open. He is the God of Light.
James 1:17 - Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
(NLT) - Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.
"No shadow of turning" means that God is unchanging and consistent. The phrase emphasizes God's steadfast nature, reliability, and immutability, implying that His goodness and perfect gifts are constant and do not change.
1 John 1:5 - This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.
Here is what I am saying; if you and I want to cast a long shadow then we need to walk in the light. The closer to the light the longer the shadow.
I hear many Christians who talk about wanting to make a difference. They are more worried about making a difference than they are about getting close to Jesus.
If we make walking with Jesus our priority, we will not be able to help but to make a difference and cast a long shadow.
A shadow isn’t about casting shade on others it is about becoming shade; a place of refuge for others when life is hard.
The Primary way that we cast a long shadow is by being a witness. It is our call to share the light.
Remember that light always drives out the darkness.
When we shine our light, it gives the enemy nowhere to hide.
Matthew 5:16 - Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
(AMP) - Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.
What we say and how we live is a powerful witness. Especially in dark places and in the dark and difficult seasons of life.
Every time that we share our testimony we overcome the enemy.
Our witness and our testimony are simple – here is what Jesus did for me.
Revelation 12:11 (AMP) - And they overcame and conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, for they did not love their life and renounce their faith even when faced with death.
We make defeating the devil way to complicated.
There are three simple things:
Do you know why the Psalmist says in chapter 23 that when he walks through the valley of shadow of death, he will fear no evil. – Someone needs to get this.
Remember – nothing can have a shadow without light. When you walk in the light; death is brought to life.
The light of Jesus overshadows death. – For the believer there is no fear of death because death is no longer shrouded in darkness. It is flooded with light.
1 Corinthians 15:55-57 (NLT) - O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. 57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
I want to leave you with a thought;
A testimony begins and ends with God. In a biography we are the star of the story in a testimony Jesus is the star of the story.
People need our testimony. It connects people to God. It inspires people for God.
Remember the saying – no test no testimony.
People will always connect with God when they connect with our struggle.
There is something powerful that happens when people see the realness of our walk.
Cast a long shadow. I dare you! Get close to Jesus and watch what happens. You will naturally start making a difference in people’s lives.
May we see what happened in Peter’s life happen through our own.
Remember that You are Loved,
Pastor Marvin & Dawn
Image by wal_172619 from Pixabay
HCC Monthly Harvest Seed
Colossians 4:5-6 - Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
Let me clarify from the outset. I believe that right is right that wrong is wrong and that there is righteousness and that there is wickedness, that there is good and that there is evil.
God’s standard is the standard. He calls us to righteousness and holiness. Without holiness NO One will see the Lord.
Marriage is between one man and one woman. Any other relationship is not a marriage in any form it may try to take.
There are only two sexes – male and female. Sex and gender are the same thing.
Now with that said – the purpose of this message is out of my concern for the way that many Christians are approaching the issues in our culture and our response to people who are outside the faith. Especially those who do not believe as we do or live like we live. People who vocally and radically advocate for a way of life that is not according to the Word of God.
Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside,
~ Rod Loy - Behind every issue is an individual. It’s easy to talk about problems in broad terms - conflict, policy, growth, liability, structure. But if you zoom out too far, you forget the faces. Whether it’s immigration, trafficking, a discipline issue, or tension in your team, people are always at the center. Their stories. Their pain. Their worth. Great people never lose sight of the individual. Because people matter.
At the heart of all that we do as Christians is to live out the two Great Commands that God has given to all of us.
Matthew 22:37-39 - Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
Mark 16:15-16 - And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
You might recognize these as the Great Commitment and the Great Commandment. We are not only called to love God but to love people enough to share the good news of the Gospel.
People matter to God. All people. People inside the family of God and people outside the family of God. The purpose of the Great Commission is to move people from outside the family of God to the inside of the family of God.
To do that we need to walk in wisdom towards those who are outside. In the way that we see them. In the way that we speak to them. In the way that we share the Gospel and in the way that we share our lives.
To many people in Christian circles put sin into categories. – I hear people say – I know that person is sinning sexually but at least they are not gay. – I have heard people say this about those having affairs. Well – If I had a spouse like that I would cheat too.
Sin is sin. Yes, the Bible does address certain sin as an abomination. Homosexuality is one of those.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 - Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? (all of them) Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators (Sexually immoral), nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
And such were some of you. BUT we were washed, sanctified, justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. – That is my testimony.
That is my testimony. Thank God people spoke into our lives in the midst of our mess.
Thank God when I made a mess out of my life there were people who were kind to me, who spoke truthfully to me about my sin but who also chose to be a friend.
While the Bible is very clear about sin. We need to be better at how we are with people not like us. People who don’t know Jesus.
Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside,
We need to understand people. See their hurt and pain. Understand their need for Jesus and know how to speak into their lives.
The truth is that sometimes we don’t even treat people in our own camp very well when they present different than we like
Jesus was a friend of sinners. – adulterers, tax collectors, religious hypocrites.
We as Christians act like if we get around people who don’t know Jesus that we might get cooties.
The Bile says that Love covers a multitude of sins. How can the sins get covered if we don’t actually show love to people.
James 5:20 - let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8 - And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”
I am so thankful for the Love of Jesus that allowed His Blood to cover my sins.
The Standard of right and wrong is always God’s moral standards according to the Word of God.
But we must walk in wisdom and love in order to help People come to Jesus.
Right after Paul instructs us to walk in wisdom towards those who are outside, he shows us what that looks like.
Colossians 4:6 - Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
(NLT) - Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.
To many Christians have become salty in the bad way instead of adding flavor and enhancing they are mean and unkind.
Our speech is to always be with grace seasoned with salt. Salt actually causes people to want more. It adds to the flavor.
People know if you are a true friend or a fake friend.
I love the fact that God had prepared the tree that Zaccheus would climb long before he did.
Jesus going to Zaccheus house was scandalous to the religious. Zaccheus was a little big man. He had robbed and bullied many. He was insecure. He knew what he was. Yet he did all he could to see Jesus. Jesus sat and ate with him. They talked about things, laughed and had a serious conversation about his life. We know that Zaccheus made a turn around. – at the end of the story is where Jesus said- the Son of man came to seek and save that which was lost.
The lost need people who care enough to help them be found
People need to know that they have people who care and will treat them well.
We are to be kind, truthful and always treat people with dignity and honor. Even when they are unlovable. It was the kindness of Jessus that led to Zaccheus’s turn around and God’s kindness that led to ours.
Romans 2:4 (AMP) - Or do you have no regard for the wealth of His kindness and tolerance and patience [in withholding His wrath]? Are you [actually] unaware or ignorant [of the fact] that God’s kindness leads you to repentance [that is, to change your inner self, your old way of thinking—seek His purpose for your life]?
Jesus came to heal the sick.
Mark 2:15-17 - Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi’s house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him. 16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
Jesus came to call sinners to repentance. He came to call them to turn around.
He sat with them, got to know them and ate with them. – Wow.
Jesus said it is not the healthy that need a physician.
A physician needs wisdom to diagnose, Skill to operate and a good bedside manner to set at ease and to communicate well.
How a doctor treats people personally is just as vital as how they treat them medically.
I have been in the hospital and spend time with Dr’s. I appreciate the ones with a great attitude that cares. I have met incredibly smart and capable doctors with a horrible bedside manner. I love the ones who make me feel cared for, give me assurance to calm my fears and talk to me like I matter to them.
The world is filled with hurting people. And unfortunately, we as Christians add to the pain instead of healing the hurt that sin and shame cause.
There are times that the world treats its own better than we as Christians do.
We need to be the ones that people can find hope in and then disciple them in the ways of God.
We have extremes in the church – on the left a permissiveness about sin. Accepting and giving our approval of things that are contrary to the word of God.
On the right there are those who speak of holiness but they are hateful and uncaring.
There is a better way a middle way between the two- the narrow way that is uncompromising but also loving and caring.
I am excited about the opportunities that lay before us to share the gospel.
People are open, hurting, and have questions and they are willing to engage in conversation like never before.
May we walk through the open doors that are before us. May we love people like Jesus does. May we be skilled, seasoned with salt and graceful. Most of all may we represent Christ well and with wisdom.
This November lets also be mindful of all the things that we have to be grateful for.
Remember that you are loved.
Pastor Marvin & Dawn
HCC Monthly Harvest Seed
Proverbs 13:20 - He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed.
(AMP) - He who walks [as a companion] with wise men will be wise, But the companions of [conceited, dull-witted] fools [are fools themselves and] will experience harm.
If you and I are going to grow in wisdom we need to make sure that we surround ourselves with people who have and walk in wisdom. What this means is that you need to know what wisdom looks like and what foolishness looks like.
The world defines foolishness and wisdom very differently than the Bible.
The dictionaries definition looks like this – A fool is a person who lacks good sense and judgement. Silly or senseless. One who repeatedly makes silly mistakes that could easily be avoided or someone who does or says things without thinking about the consequences.
This is good but it is really only part of what God reveals to us.
One of the first things that we need to understand about wisdom and foolishness is that the world regards Christians as fools and the Gospel of Jesus Christ as foolish.
1 Corinthians 1:26-28 - For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not manynoble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,
1 Corinthians 1:18 - or the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:20-25 - (NLT) - So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. 21 Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. 22 It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. 23 So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended, and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. 24 But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.
When the Bible teaches on wisdom and foolishness it does so for those that have a desire to know God and to learn His ways.
God’s wisdom is spiritual, and it cannot be completely understood by the natural man.
1 Corinthians 2:14 - But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
The one thing that you will discover about God’s wisdom is that it is remarkably simple. I like to call it simple truth with deep and lasting impact. The world complicates wisdom and makes it seem unattainable. The Bible tells us that God will give wisdom to all who ask.
The first thing that makes a fool a fool is their rejection of God.
Psalm 53:1 - The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”
Proverbs tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom. One of the clearest ways that you know that you are dealing with a fool and a foolish person is when they tell you either they do not believe in God or that they do not have time for “religious things because they just don’t believe in that kind of thing. One thing that we must understand is that foolish does not mean goofy. All of us stereo type things including our idea of a fool. Some think of mindless non-thinkers who dismiss the idea of God outright. Others see a hard-working beer drinking party boy or woman who just wants to be left alone to live their life.
One of the things that surprised me early on in my walk with God is that many foolish people who reject God are well read, educated, articulate and calm. They have “studied” the religions of the world and have drawn the conclusion that they are all the same. Some have been hurt and disappointed by some incredible losses in life and have decided that if this is what God is like then they want nothing to do with Him. Often times a fool is not quite what we have expected.
A fool doesn’t value learning a lesson.
Proverbs 1:7 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
There are some people who have no real desire to learn, grow and better themselves. They have no desire for Godly knowledge and understanding and they have no real desire to be taught.
Fools are unteachable. They refuse to do anything with knowledge and understanding that someone may have just dropped into their lap. One of the things that sets the wise apart from a fool is their desire to be teachable.
Proverbs 9:8-9 - (NLT) - So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise, and they will love you. 9 Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser.
Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.
The wise welcome teaching, correction, direction or advise. Fools have no desire to humble themselves to receive teaching or redirection.
One of the last things that we learn from fools is that there is a way you must talk with them when you realize that you are interacting with a fool.
Proverbs 26:4-5 - Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
(AMP) - Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are. 5 Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools, or they will become wise in their own estimation.
At face value this wisdom sounds contradictory but if you look at it, this is powerful.
Many people have a hard time with the idea of identifying a fool. The Bible tells us that we CAN know the difference between the foolish and the wise. This is not judging it is Biblical observation.
First of all, simply trying to reason with a fool is a fool’s errand. They believe what they think, and they are not budging from their position. If you try a reasonable approach with a mocker or even with an educated thinker, you are going to be constantly hitting your head on the proverbial brick wall. If you have ever been in one of these conversations no matter how well intentioned, you are going to look and feel just as foolish as they are.
~Mark Twain - “NEVER ARGUE WITH STUPID PEOPLE. THEY WILL DRAG YOU DOWN TO THEIR LEVEL AND BEAT YOU WITH EXPERIENCE.”
We are told to answer a fool according to their own folly. – Many assume that this is permission to be sarcastic. It is not.
In the process of having a conversation with a fool it is reframing your questions to them in such a way that they realize their logic and patterns of thinking are incorrect. It is not telling a fool that they are foolish it is helping lead them to the conclusion on their own. If we do not take the time to thoughtfully correct and teach the foolish, we will leave them thinking that they are wise in their own opinion.
As we continue to move into the deeper things of God it is important that we know the difference between wisdom and foolishness.
May the Lord bless you and your family during these summer months. Take time to rest, enjoy family and be sure to stay in church and close to God.
Know that You are loved,
Pastor Marvin & Dawn
Image by Stefan Schweihofer from Pixabay