When You’ve Blown it Big Time Psalm 51
Introduction:
Sometimes …
• . . . smart people do dumb things
• . . . wise people do foolish things
• . . . godly people do sinful things
• A Story to Ponder:
Over and over again the Bible is packed with stories of people that blew it! We learn that God understands that we are but dust and is willing to forgive – He wants to reclaim us! Consider this one from 2 Samuel 11:1-27: King David was in a place that he shouldn't be, not doing what he should have been doing when he saw one of his soldier's wife taking a bath. He allowed lustful desires overtake him and he forced Bathsheba with the results of her becoming pregnant. If this was not bad enough the king tried to deceive and cover up his sin. When that didn't work he arranged for Bathsheba’s husband to die in battle; he committed murder! But God knew what had transpired and He sent his man, Nathan, to confront King David. 2 Sam 12:1 – 14 “1 And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor. The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds: But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter. And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him. And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity. And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun. And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.”
• A Question to Answer
This story may be many of us in the room; oh it may not be an actual adulterous life and murder but you may have something in your past, or present, that you are hiding or covering up just like David did. You may have a very dark past or maybe just a cloudy one and you are wondering who knows or who might find out? Or you may be saying that oh that’s not me! I’ve never done anything that bad! Check out the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus said that if you look on a woman and lust after her you are guilty of adultery, that if you are angry in your heart you are guilty of murder, that if you have said malicious or slanderous things about another you have committed a sin of Gossip (ranked right up there with adultery and murder). You see with God it is not so much the outward but the inward; it’s the condition of your heart that is at issue! You have to have a breakthrough on this; you must realize that we are all sinners and that we are guilty of these sins!
But, how do you ever recover when you know that you have done something terribly wrong? How do you get back on your feet? How do you overcome your guilt? How do you ever get right with God again? How do you rebuild that fellowship with God? How do you get restored? How does this work?
What you have to realize is that What all humans have in common is failure.
But with God . . . . . . FAILURE IS NEVER FINAL!
God gives us an answer to these questions in Psalms 51. After Nathan had spoken the judgment on David from God, David penned the Psalm. This Psalm is David’s prayer. David in a weak moment made a disastrous mistake that not only affected David but the whole nation! Folks, your sin affect more than just you; it affects those around you, those that you have responsibility for; sin comes with judgment! David did what most of us do, he tried to hide the sin, tried to cover it up, and he tried to shift the blame to someone else. But God got hold of his heart through a prophet. And now in this Psalm we find seven steps to spiritual recovery.
A Song of Confession:
Psalm 51
1Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. 5Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. 7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. 14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. 15O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. 16For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. 17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
18Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. 19Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
7 Steps to Spiritual Recovery:
1. __Come_____ clean with God! 2 Samuel 12:13 (“And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.”)
Get honest, get it out in the open, stop the secrecy, stop rationalizing, stop minimizing, stop saying that it’s ok because everyone else is doing it, stop comparing yoursel to someone that is worse than you! Do what David did! He said “I have sinned against the LORD:. This is very difficult for most people but without this step the other six steps are meaningless!
2. __Ask_______ God for forgiveness. Psalm 51:1-2 (“1Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.”)
Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Attempt no deals with God here; simply trust in God’s goodness and mercy: Ask Him to forgive. Note the four action verbs here: Have mercy, Blot out my Transgressions, Wash me, Cleanse me.
3. __Own_______ Responsibility for your sin. Psalm 51:3-5 (“3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. 5Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.”)
Just own up to it! You transgressions, your sin; just take responsibility for your actions!
4. __Accept____ God’s forgiveness and cleansing. Psalm 51:6-9 (“6Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. 7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”)
David was a man of faith. He knew that he was a sinner from birth. David here accepts God’s forgiveness and moves forward! David is affirming what God has done in him already! Note that the words (Bolded above) are future tense: these are actions that are ongoing! As soon as you accept His forgiveness that the work of restoration begins! God loves you unconditionally but you have to accept the forgiveness to take away the guilt!
5. __Accept____ a “fresh” work of grace! Psalm 51:10-12 (“10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.”)
Note these future tense words: Create (a miracle in itself). Pray to be filled again! The Bible is full of example to people who have prayed for restoration that went on to serve the Lord in great ways! The baggage and judgment may still be there but you can be useful to God!
6. ___Resolve___ to use past failures for ministry. Psalm 51:13-17 (“13Then will I teach Transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. 14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. 15O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. 16For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. 17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”)
Note RU. God wants to use what were to help those who are in the place that you had been. God forgives for a purpose: to help others! By your confession and His forgiveness He gets all the glory.
You want more than forgiveness; you want to get back on the team to serve the Lord! You are never a second class Christian you are a forgiven one!
7. __Pray_______ for “limited fall-out” from your folly. Psalms 18-19 (“18Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. 19Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar”)
Sin has consequences. Pray that the burden of your sin will be minimized on others!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Ezekiel the Watchman
The employment I found while I was in my twenty’s was as an Operator in a petroleum refinery. Refining petroleum into useful consumer products involves chemical and physical processes that use complicated mechanical equipment. On a daily basis one of the primary tasks was to keep a close watch on the mechanical integrity of the equipment. I was essentially a “watchman” over the process. As a watchman I had to be on a constant lookout for danger in failing equipment and had to use my five senses to detect problems. If there was a problem detected I had to alert others so that proper defenses could be put in motion.
This is very much like a watchman in a military sense. A watchman will pace his walk looking and listening for signs of intruders or enemies. If one is found the watchman must sound the alarm to warn others.
The Old Testament prophet Ezekiel was also a watchman. Ezekiel was an ordinary person just like you and I. He happened to be in the family of Levi which meant that the caring of the temple fell to his family and by employment he performed the duties of the priest; taking care of the altar, the table of showbread, the candlesticks, maybe even caring for the animals brought into the temple for sacrifice. He performed the dailies of the temple life, just like we take care of the dailies of Temple Baptist Church. He was just an ordinary man doing an ordinary job in the temple. The time in which Ezekiel was thirty years of age he was a captive of the Babylonian Empire. Because of the sin of idolatary the nation Israel the Lord gave the nation over to the Babylonians for a season. Babylon carried away captive 10,000 of Israel’s best: the educated ones, the nobles, the craftsmen, the wealthy ones and all the treasure of the country. Ezekiel was one of these 10,000.
Ezekiel was an ordinary man living in a refugee camp for five years when an extraordinary thing happened to him. As he was sitting on the riverbank the very presence of God came upon him and God Himself opened the windows of heaven where Ezekiel could see God in his glory and things in heaven! There are only two other recorded instances when a person was permitted to look into heaven and see God! This is a very significant event. All of a sudden, God, heaven and all the things of the temple took on a reality that Ezekiel had not had before; he discovered that what he had been taught was not just a myth but reality! What a shock! Can you imagine what must be going on in Ezekiel’s mind? It was so shocking that after the window into heaven closed Ezekiel just sat there on the riverbank for seven days digesting what hat just happened. Who knows what he was thinking!
After seven days the presence of God came on Ezekiel again but this time God gave Ezekiel a new job. “Then I came to them of the captivity at Telabib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days. And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.” Ezekiel 3:15-17. After Ezekiel’s close encounter with God he had a new job, a new perspective, and a new command. He was given the job of being the “Watchman” of the nation’s souls.
His new job consisted of two separate commands: he was to “hear the word at my mouth” and then to “give them warning”. God was going to tell Ezekiel of the right way to live and then it was Ezekiel’s responsibility to tell those he was watchman over what the Lord said. So long as Ezekiel did this he was absolved of their blood. It was then up to the hearer whether to obey or not. It was up to Ezekiel to tell.
This is very much like it is today. I am an ordinary person, living an ordinary life, doing ordinary things. One day I had a close encounter with God, I accepted him as my savior and He came to indwell me. My life was forever changed. I have a new perspective, a new command and a new job. I too am a watchman over the souls of those that God brings across my path. I too have a command to hear God’s word; I too have a command to warn others.
If you have ever accepted Christ as your savior, if you have His Holy Spirit dwelling within, then you also have this same command to hear His word and to be a watchman over the souls of others. You have circles of people that you are watchman to. You have your family, your friends, your neighbors, your co-workers, and those that you meet on occasion. God has warned the saved person “When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.” Ezekiel 3:18
My brother or sister let not the blood of your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers or brief encounters be upon your hands. Be a faithful watchman over their souls.
This is very much like a watchman in a military sense. A watchman will pace his walk looking and listening for signs of intruders or enemies. If one is found the watchman must sound the alarm to warn others.
The Old Testament prophet Ezekiel was also a watchman. Ezekiel was an ordinary person just like you and I. He happened to be in the family of Levi which meant that the caring of the temple fell to his family and by employment he performed the duties of the priest; taking care of the altar, the table of showbread, the candlesticks, maybe even caring for the animals brought into the temple for sacrifice. He performed the dailies of the temple life, just like we take care of the dailies of Temple Baptist Church. He was just an ordinary man doing an ordinary job in the temple. The time in which Ezekiel was thirty years of age he was a captive of the Babylonian Empire. Because of the sin of idolatary the nation Israel the Lord gave the nation over to the Babylonians for a season. Babylon carried away captive 10,000 of Israel’s best: the educated ones, the nobles, the craftsmen, the wealthy ones and all the treasure of the country. Ezekiel was one of these 10,000.
Ezekiel was an ordinary man living in a refugee camp for five years when an extraordinary thing happened to him. As he was sitting on the riverbank the very presence of God came upon him and God Himself opened the windows of heaven where Ezekiel could see God in his glory and things in heaven! There are only two other recorded instances when a person was permitted to look into heaven and see God! This is a very significant event. All of a sudden, God, heaven and all the things of the temple took on a reality that Ezekiel had not had before; he discovered that what he had been taught was not just a myth but reality! What a shock! Can you imagine what must be going on in Ezekiel’s mind? It was so shocking that after the window into heaven closed Ezekiel just sat there on the riverbank for seven days digesting what hat just happened. Who knows what he was thinking!
After seven days the presence of God came on Ezekiel again but this time God gave Ezekiel a new job. “Then I came to them of the captivity at Telabib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days. And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.” Ezekiel 3:15-17. After Ezekiel’s close encounter with God he had a new job, a new perspective, and a new command. He was given the job of being the “Watchman” of the nation’s souls.
His new job consisted of two separate commands: he was to “hear the word at my mouth” and then to “give them warning”. God was going to tell Ezekiel of the right way to live and then it was Ezekiel’s responsibility to tell those he was watchman over what the Lord said. So long as Ezekiel did this he was absolved of their blood. It was then up to the hearer whether to obey or not. It was up to Ezekiel to tell.
This is very much like it is today. I am an ordinary person, living an ordinary life, doing ordinary things. One day I had a close encounter with God, I accepted him as my savior and He came to indwell me. My life was forever changed. I have a new perspective, a new command and a new job. I too am a watchman over the souls of those that God brings across my path. I too have a command to hear God’s word; I too have a command to warn others.
If you have ever accepted Christ as your savior, if you have His Holy Spirit dwelling within, then you also have this same command to hear His word and to be a watchman over the souls of others. You have circles of people that you are watchman to. You have your family, your friends, your neighbors, your co-workers, and those that you meet on occasion. God has warned the saved person “When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.” Ezekiel 3:18
My brother or sister let not the blood of your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers or brief encounters be upon your hands. Be a faithful watchman over their souls.
Monday, May 24, 2010
No fear of the shadow
As a child, and sometimes as an adult, I would play hide and go seek. The best time to play this game is at dusk, or even better yet once it is dark. It was most fun to hide and when someone least expects to jump out from the shadows and shout to scare them. Of course the girls screamed so much better than the boys! As you got into the game it seem that in every shadow there appeared to be a girl or boy lurking there ready to jump out! It was during this time that I learned that every shadow did not have a scary side and that, most importantly for later life, that shadows cannot harm you! They may be scary but ultimately no harm.
Psalm 23:1-4
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thinking about Psalm 23, in the “Valley of life” there are many shadows out there to bring fear. Of course there is the shadow of a death, but there are also the shadows of a job loss, a sickness, a financial reversal, a wayward child, a broken marriage, or a broken friendship. Though painful and very worrisome these shadows will pass. It is such a great comfort to remember that, as being in the family of God, I know that He is with me. He is in fact within me as the Holy Spirit and that He will never forsake me and will always provide and protect me as I have need!
But what about this reference about His rod and staff? How could they comfort me?
Thy Rod and thy Staff:
• Rod of punishment:
The rod can be a rod of punishment as found in 2 Sam 7:14 “I will chasten him with the rod of men”; and Proverbs 10:13 “but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.”
• Rod of provision:The rod can also be a rod of provision as we have read in Exodus 17:6 “6 Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.”; and in Numbers 20:11 “And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly.”
• Rod of direction:
That same rod in the hand of the master’s servant becomes a rod of direction, pointing the way to go and clearing the path before us as found in Exodus 14:16 “16 But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea."
• Rod of Protection:
In the hand of Moses the rod became a rod of protection and Gods favor in Exodus 17:9, 11 “And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. . . . 11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed:”
• Rod of Care:
But in the context of Psalm 23 the rod spoken of is like the rod of a shepherd that is used in the counting and inspection of the sheep. A shepherd would stand at the entrance to the sheep fold and allow the sheep to enter the fold one by one; the shepherd would block the way with the rod to allow time for the shepherd to confirm the that sheep was his; that the sheep had his mark and to look for any blemish or injury that needed attention. If any did not have his mark it was rejected – it was not his! Ezekiel 20:37-38“”And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant: 38 And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me:”
What a wonderful picture to remind me that our Shepherd, Jesus Christ, has marked me with his Holy Spirit, He knows me and counts me as His own. He inspects me to see if I have any need or injury; he will provide for me and bind up my wounds! What a Great Shepherd!
Do you know the Great Shepherd? He wants you as his own, to mark you with His Holy Spirit! Oh, accept Him today!
Psalm 23:1-4
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thinking about Psalm 23, in the “Valley of life” there are many shadows out there to bring fear. Of course there is the shadow of a death, but there are also the shadows of a job loss, a sickness, a financial reversal, a wayward child, a broken marriage, or a broken friendship. Though painful and very worrisome these shadows will pass. It is such a great comfort to remember that, as being in the family of God, I know that He is with me. He is in fact within me as the Holy Spirit and that He will never forsake me and will always provide and protect me as I have need!
But what about this reference about His rod and staff? How could they comfort me?
Thy Rod and thy Staff:
• Rod of punishment:
The rod can be a rod of punishment as found in 2 Sam 7:14 “I will chasten him with the rod of men”; and Proverbs 10:13 “but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.”
• Rod of provision:The rod can also be a rod of provision as we have read in Exodus 17:6 “6 Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.”; and in Numbers 20:11 “And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly.”
• Rod of direction:
That same rod in the hand of the master’s servant becomes a rod of direction, pointing the way to go and clearing the path before us as found in Exodus 14:16 “16 But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea."
• Rod of Protection:
In the hand of Moses the rod became a rod of protection and Gods favor in Exodus 17:9, 11 “And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. . . . 11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed:”
• Rod of Care:
But in the context of Psalm 23 the rod spoken of is like the rod of a shepherd that is used in the counting and inspection of the sheep. A shepherd would stand at the entrance to the sheep fold and allow the sheep to enter the fold one by one; the shepherd would block the way with the rod to allow time for the shepherd to confirm the that sheep was his; that the sheep had his mark and to look for any blemish or injury that needed attention. If any did not have his mark it was rejected – it was not his! Ezekiel 20:37-38“”And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant: 38 And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me:”
What a wonderful picture to remind me that our Shepherd, Jesus Christ, has marked me with his Holy Spirit, He knows me and counts me as His own. He inspects me to see if I have any need or injury; he will provide for me and bind up my wounds! What a Great Shepherd!
Do you know the Great Shepherd? He wants you as his own, to mark you with His Holy Spirit! Oh, accept Him today!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Why We Wound Others With Our Words
Introduction:
Who among us has not had a remark or accusation made against you that just was not true? That was hurtful and maybe even mean? Sometimes it comes from someone who you love, maybe another Christian even. Maybe it was you that did this to another. Have you wondered why these things happen? The Scripture talks about such a situation in the book of James:
"Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?" James 4:11-12
This was written to brethren and brothers in the Lord; saved people! Saved people that had a problem with speaking evil of one another; saved people who sat in judgment on their family. Sound familiar?
This passage commands us, brethren, to stop!
We are commanded to stop “tearing one another down” by our “slanderous” speech.
• What is “slanderous” speech?
Saying something that is untrue; it may be saying something true but your reason of saying it is to tear someone down; includes fault finding and gossip; it is speech that when it is done that the hearer thinks less of the person you are speaking about.
• How is slanderous speech commonly practiced?
This was being address in the 1st century; it still happens today! There are three degrees of slanderous speech.
1st degree slander: casual talk, i.e., that blue dress just doesn’t go with her figure, we’re getting out late again, the deacons are just insensitive to . . . ; this is so common and generally not mean spirited or willful – water cooler talk, commute talk.
2nd degree slander: oft times it will take the form of a prayer request; I’m not sure you know this but . . ., so that you know how to pray for ___ this is what is going on . . ., pray for __ there are some real issues . . .. This is a veil to hide the true purpose of the conversation and that is to spread some juicy piece of gossip!
3rd degree slander: getting help for a problem relationship. Usually spoke to a strategic person under the guise for seeking wisdom whose real purpose is to frame the situation thru your lens of reality: you speak it to frame the situation, you analyze the situation, and you become the victim.
• Why do even sincere Christians get caught in the “web” of speaking against others? How could this happen to people that love God? Here are two reasons:
1. The lie that we believe “If other people would just shape up my life would be okay”. You have a conflict with your spouse, a conflict with a co-worker, a conflict with sibling: if this person would just do this or do that everything would be okay; the problem is the other person. You slant the situation with the other person to lift yourself up and tear the other one down. The problem is the other person.
Why do we do this? It is to cast blame and avoid responsibility; justifying your behavior; people may have hit home inregards to you and you have fear of rejection – oft times the best defense is an offense to mask your insecurity – you need to realize that we are all insecure; when you see a conflict coming you speak things to position yourself in the best possible light
2. We have a perverse appetite for gossip.
Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
Why is “tearing others down” by our speech and judgmental attitudes one of the most serious sins mentioned in Scripture?
Reason #1 = Because it demonstrates total disregard and contempt for God’s highest command – to love one another. (Leviticus 19:18, Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.)
He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. James 4:11b
Reason #2 = Because it reveals that we are in fact “playing God”.
There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? James 4:12
Grey areas: my beliefs may not be as someone else’s but so long as it is not against Scripture you should not judge.
How can we break the habit of “playing God?”
• Step 1 – Develop convictions about speaking against others.
**This is not talking about beliefs, but convictions; not just trying harder but something that arises from deep in your heart! You have convictions about purity, lying, stealing: develop a conviction about not speaking against others.
“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again” Matthew 7:1-2
“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matthew 12:36-37
Note: You will have to account for "every idle word", every slanderous word.
• Step 2 – Ponder the consequences of your speech.
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:34-35
We should have words of unity, words that build up, words that we are a team, words that we are family.
When you have words of back biting, bickering, and tearing down you break the heart of God.
• Step 3 – Refuse to buy The Lie!
The lie “it is someone else’s problem or fault.
“And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?” Romans 2:3
• Step 4 – Refuse to let others Gossip to you.
When someone starts to gossip what do you do? Have the courage to say “we are not a part of the problem or the solution.” Put up the stop sign. Say “can we talk about something else?”
• Step 5 –Talk less!
“In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.” Proverbs 10:19
Meditation Questions
1. Why, from God’s perspective, is it so important that we speak about one another and relate in a loving manner? What’s at stake?
2. Where do you find yourself most prone to “speak against” someone or become judgmental?
3. Which of the practical steps to stop “playing God” do you need to put into practice?
4. Is there someone you need to apologize to?
Who among us has not had a remark or accusation made against you that just was not true? That was hurtful and maybe even mean? Sometimes it comes from someone who you love, maybe another Christian even. Maybe it was you that did this to another. Have you wondered why these things happen? The Scripture talks about such a situation in the book of James:
"Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?" James 4:11-12
This was written to brethren and brothers in the Lord; saved people! Saved people that had a problem with speaking evil of one another; saved people who sat in judgment on their family. Sound familiar?
This passage commands us, brethren, to stop!
We are commanded to stop “tearing one another down” by our “slanderous” speech.
• What is “slanderous” speech?
Saying something that is untrue; it may be saying something true but your reason of saying it is to tear someone down; includes fault finding and gossip; it is speech that when it is done that the hearer thinks less of the person you are speaking about.
• How is slanderous speech commonly practiced?
This was being address in the 1st century; it still happens today! There are three degrees of slanderous speech.
1st degree slander: casual talk, i.e., that blue dress just doesn’t go with her figure, we’re getting out late again, the deacons are just insensitive to . . . ; this is so common and generally not mean spirited or willful – water cooler talk, commute talk.
2nd degree slander: oft times it will take the form of a prayer request; I’m not sure you know this but . . ., so that you know how to pray for ___ this is what is going on . . ., pray for __ there are some real issues . . .. This is a veil to hide the true purpose of the conversation and that is to spread some juicy piece of gossip!
3rd degree slander: getting help for a problem relationship. Usually spoke to a strategic person under the guise for seeking wisdom whose real purpose is to frame the situation thru your lens of reality: you speak it to frame the situation, you analyze the situation, and you become the victim.
• Why do even sincere Christians get caught in the “web” of speaking against others? How could this happen to people that love God? Here are two reasons:
1. The lie that we believe “If other people would just shape up my life would be okay”. You have a conflict with your spouse, a conflict with a co-worker, a conflict with sibling: if this person would just do this or do that everything would be okay; the problem is the other person. You slant the situation with the other person to lift yourself up and tear the other one down. The problem is the other person.
Why do we do this? It is to cast blame and avoid responsibility; justifying your behavior; people may have hit home inregards to you and you have fear of rejection – oft times the best defense is an offense to mask your insecurity – you need to realize that we are all insecure; when you see a conflict coming you speak things to position yourself in the best possible light
2. We have a perverse appetite for gossip.
Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
Why is “tearing others down” by our speech and judgmental attitudes one of the most serious sins mentioned in Scripture?
Reason #1 = Because it demonstrates total disregard and contempt for God’s highest command – to love one another. (Leviticus 19:18, Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.)
He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. James 4:11b
Reason #2 = Because it reveals that we are in fact “playing God”.
There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? James 4:12
Grey areas: my beliefs may not be as someone else’s but so long as it is not against Scripture you should not judge.
How can we break the habit of “playing God?”
• Step 1 – Develop convictions about speaking against others.
**This is not talking about beliefs, but convictions; not just trying harder but something that arises from deep in your heart! You have convictions about purity, lying, stealing: develop a conviction about not speaking against others.
“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again” Matthew 7:1-2
“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matthew 12:36-37
Note: You will have to account for "every idle word", every slanderous word.
• Step 2 – Ponder the consequences of your speech.
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:34-35
We should have words of unity, words that build up, words that we are a team, words that we are family.
When you have words of back biting, bickering, and tearing down you break the heart of God.
• Step 3 – Refuse to buy The Lie!
The lie “it is someone else’s problem or fault.
“And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?” Romans 2:3
• Step 4 – Refuse to let others Gossip to you.
When someone starts to gossip what do you do? Have the courage to say “we are not a part of the problem or the solution.” Put up the stop sign. Say “can we talk about something else?”
• Step 5 –Talk less!
“In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.” Proverbs 10:19
Meditation Questions
1. Why, from God’s perspective, is it so important that we speak about one another and relate in a loving manner? What’s at stake?
2. Where do you find yourself most prone to “speak against” someone or become judgmental?
3. Which of the practical steps to stop “playing God” do you need to put into practice?
4. Is there someone you need to apologize to?
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Affair Proof Your Marriage
Introduction:
The family is under attack! In 1930 84% of all households consisted of a married couples, in 2010 only 49% of all households consisted of married couples. The media gives a constant view that affairs are normal; there are even websites that give easy access to people seeking an affair. Television used to be the problem, today it is all variety of electronic media: DVD, internet, even “smart” cell telephone and avenues to access media portraying affairs. Many teenagers and adults of all ages live in a virtual “fantasy” world where they believe that no real harm occurs by looking or chatting.
However the scriptures record a different story:
Exodus 20: 32 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
Proverbs 6:14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Matthew 5:27-28 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
What is Adultery?
There is Sexual, Emotional and Spiritual Adultery.
Sexual adultery: The world view of sexual adultery consists of having an intimate sexual relationship (of any type) with someone other than your spouse. This view has evolved from this being abnormal behavior to being today normal. But God expands this to not only being an actual act with another to include having a desire (lust) to have a sexual relationship with someone other than your spouse.
Before sexual adultery occurs one will look with desire and then fantasy arises in the heart. That desire will lead to flirtations, flirtations if received will lead to meetings, meetings lead to the act. God says to stop it before the lust even has a chance to take hold in your heart.
Emotional adultery: A marriage consists of much more that the sexual relationship. It is founded on an emotional relationship first. If you’re emotional relationship is strong and right than a wonderful sexual relationship follows; naturally. If you are emotionally connected with your spouse your desire will be to meet the emotional and physical needs of your spouse.
Emotional adultery occurs when you connect emotionally with someone other than your spouse.
Spiritual adultery: If you are saved you are a part of the “Bride” of Christ. We are engaged to Him! We are just waiting for the marriage to happen. Christ woos us and draws us spiritually, He desires to be emotionally and spiritually connected to us and we should desire to be emotionally and spiritually connected to him.
Spiritual adultery: occurs when we flirt with other gods. Look at this in this manner. Remember way back when you became engaged to your now spouse? Now imagine that the person you are engaged to looked at every girl / guy that passed instead of you; imagine that you stumbled upon your intended at a restaurant and he / she was at another table having a great time talking to one another without you; imagine that you saw them embrace! How would you feel? What would you think? That’s just a fraction of how God feels when you connect spiritually with anyone or anything but Him! That connection could be another person; it could also be a job, money, possessions, or position.
So, what is adultery? It is giving to someone something that they should not have that belongs to your spouse.
How do affairs happen? Think in terms of Walls and Windows. Whenever you open the window of opportunity to another person, you build a wall of separation between you and your spouse.
*It usually starts with an inappropriate conversation about emotions: conversations about relationship with the spouse or child that is not going well; conversations about how someone has emotionally hurt the person. These conversations connect at the emotion level and once connection and trust is established it is far easier to move ahead. When ever a spouse connects emotionally with someone other than their spouse they are giving a private part of themselves to someone that it does not belong.
* Emotional adultery always happens before physical adultery.
* It happens to those who didn’t think it could happen to them.
* There is never justification for adultery; it does not matter what issues you have in your marriage it is never right to get into an affair.
* There is no benefit in it; in fact you have everything to lose and nothing to gain!
Affair Proof: Matthew 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
God gives the pattern for our marriage with the right relationship with Him.
1. Protect the priority of your marriage * Decide to make your marriage first!
2. Give your passion to no one but your spouse * Adultery is giving to someone something that they should not have.
3. Connect on every level with your spouse every day. * Women want the emotional connection!
- Talk; have conversations
- Hold, touch
- Do all things together: It all started with you two and it needs to remain so!
4. Take responsibility for your actions * Apologize for your wrongs and correct your behavior.
* No blame; no excuses.
The family is under attack! In 1930 84% of all households consisted of a married couples, in 2010 only 49% of all households consisted of married couples. The media gives a constant view that affairs are normal; there are even websites that give easy access to people seeking an affair. Television used to be the problem, today it is all variety of electronic media: DVD, internet, even “smart” cell telephone and avenues to access media portraying affairs. Many teenagers and adults of all ages live in a virtual “fantasy” world where they believe that no real harm occurs by looking or chatting.
However the scriptures record a different story:
Exodus 20: 32 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
Proverbs 6:14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Matthew 5:27-28 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
What is Adultery?
There is Sexual, Emotional and Spiritual Adultery.
Sexual adultery: The world view of sexual adultery consists of having an intimate sexual relationship (of any type) with someone other than your spouse. This view has evolved from this being abnormal behavior to being today normal. But God expands this to not only being an actual act with another to include having a desire (lust) to have a sexual relationship with someone other than your spouse.
Before sexual adultery occurs one will look with desire and then fantasy arises in the heart. That desire will lead to flirtations, flirtations if received will lead to meetings, meetings lead to the act. God says to stop it before the lust even has a chance to take hold in your heart.
Emotional adultery: A marriage consists of much more that the sexual relationship. It is founded on an emotional relationship first. If you’re emotional relationship is strong and right than a wonderful sexual relationship follows; naturally. If you are emotionally connected with your spouse your desire will be to meet the emotional and physical needs of your spouse.
Emotional adultery occurs when you connect emotionally with someone other than your spouse.
Spiritual adultery: If you are saved you are a part of the “Bride” of Christ. We are engaged to Him! We are just waiting for the marriage to happen. Christ woos us and draws us spiritually, He desires to be emotionally and spiritually connected to us and we should desire to be emotionally and spiritually connected to him.
Spiritual adultery: occurs when we flirt with other gods. Look at this in this manner. Remember way back when you became engaged to your now spouse? Now imagine that the person you are engaged to looked at every girl / guy that passed instead of you; imagine that you stumbled upon your intended at a restaurant and he / she was at another table having a great time talking to one another without you; imagine that you saw them embrace! How would you feel? What would you think? That’s just a fraction of how God feels when you connect spiritually with anyone or anything but Him! That connection could be another person; it could also be a job, money, possessions, or position.
So, what is adultery? It is giving to someone something that they should not have that belongs to your spouse.
How do affairs happen? Think in terms of Walls and Windows. Whenever you open the window of opportunity to another person, you build a wall of separation between you and your spouse.
*It usually starts with an inappropriate conversation about emotions: conversations about relationship with the spouse or child that is not going well; conversations about how someone has emotionally hurt the person. These conversations connect at the emotion level and once connection and trust is established it is far easier to move ahead. When ever a spouse connects emotionally with someone other than their spouse they are giving a private part of themselves to someone that it does not belong.
* Emotional adultery always happens before physical adultery.
* It happens to those who didn’t think it could happen to them.
* There is never justification for adultery; it does not matter what issues you have in your marriage it is never right to get into an affair.
* There is no benefit in it; in fact you have everything to lose and nothing to gain!
Affair Proof: Matthew 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
God gives the pattern for our marriage with the right relationship with Him.
1. Protect the priority of your marriage * Decide to make your marriage first!
2. Give your passion to no one but your spouse * Adultery is giving to someone something that they should not have.
3. Connect on every level with your spouse every day. * Women want the emotional connection!
- Talk; have conversations
- Hold, touch
- Do all things together: It all started with you two and it needs to remain so!
4. Take responsibility for your actions * Apologize for your wrongs and correct your behavior.
* No blame; no excuses.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Becoming a greater Husband
Ephesians 5:17-29 “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:”
Introduction:
We learned last week the Holy Spirit is the role model of a wife. We men need to have a role model also. Men are not called to be a husband according to your family history. Do not look to other men – they will fail you; but look to Jesus as your role model. Jesus is the Anointed one! So, what does the anointing look like?
1. First it represents the Glory of God. The glory is a reflection of something or someone. When someone was anointed in the OT they were not dabbed with a little oil but the whole horn of oil was pored over the head so as to shine representing the Glory of God. In 1 Corinthians 11:7 the scripture reads “he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.” In translation this is saying that a man should be a reflection of the God that he chooses; if you are a Christian then you should have the attributes of God (love, joy, peace, patience). The woman, on the other hand, reflects the glory of the man that she chooses. Men your wife is your glory, or reflection.
2. Secondly the anointing is from the Holy Spirit. Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit before he started his earthly ministry (Matt 3:16). Bear in mind that the first name of the Holy Spirit is Holy! Jesus walked and worked through the power of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:16-18 "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law."
Galatians 5:19 "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, ." If you don’t walk in the spirit you will have sexual problems. But in Acts 1:8 we are told that “ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you” This word power means having moral excellence – doing holy things, living a moral life. The worst way to live the Christian life is to trying not to do what your flesh wants to do. You cannot do it alone. Jesus himself depended on the Holy Spirit for power. When you realize that it is not within yourself to do right but it is your surrender to the power of the Holy Spirit that you will gain victory over the flesh. You have to have your wanter changed to succeed! Galatians 5 goes on to say that the effects of not walking in the spirit are emotional problems, relational problems and behavioral problems Galatians 5:20 - 21 "idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: . . " Sometimes I am not a good husband; I gripe, complain, am selfish: those are the days that I try to control my wants on my own power. I can never have the victory without the power of the Holy Spirit! Regardless of the problems you are under the “influence” and exhibit love, joy, and peace as a result. When the man of the house has peace, when the man of the house is full of joy – it makes a difference and there is only one place to get it!
3. The third note on the anointing of Jesus is that three offices were fulfilled in him:
a. Prophet: A prophet diligently seeks to hear God’s voice and to know God’s word for his family. This includes living a life consistent with scriptural values. You can have more fun in life by just doing what the Bible says to do! Ephesians 5:17-29 “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Jesus is washing us with the word to make us a pure bride that will respond to him and be for him what the bride should be. Men need honor and intimacy: the more your home reflects the Bible way the more you will get what you need.
b. Priest: The priest is a man who sensitively and sacrificially meets his wife’s spiritual and emotional needs! Ephesians 5:28-29 “So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:” The role of the priest is to get everyone well in the family. You will never be better than what your wife is! When your wife’s needs are meet so will yours!
c. King: A king is a servant / leader of the home, treating his wife as an equal with a focus on her well-being; he is the initiator of decision making and problem solving without dominance. Ephesians 5:23 “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church:" and he is the saviour of the body. A wife does not mind a savior head but does mind a selfish head or a sleeping head! Christ like authority is not domineering but a servant.
To become a Great Husband you must reflect the Golry of God; you must be anointed with the Holy Spirit; you must fulfill the three offices asigned to him: the offices of Prophet, Priest and King. My prayer is that you all become a Greater Husband in 2010.
Introduction:
We learned last week the Holy Spirit is the role model of a wife. We men need to have a role model also. Men are not called to be a husband according to your family history. Do not look to other men – they will fail you; but look to Jesus as your role model. Jesus is the Anointed one! So, what does the anointing look like?
1. First it represents the Glory of God. The glory is a reflection of something or someone. When someone was anointed in the OT they were not dabbed with a little oil but the whole horn of oil was pored over the head so as to shine representing the Glory of God. In 1 Corinthians 11:7 the scripture reads “he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.” In translation this is saying that a man should be a reflection of the God that he chooses; if you are a Christian then you should have the attributes of God (love, joy, peace, patience). The woman, on the other hand, reflects the glory of the man that she chooses. Men your wife is your glory, or reflection.
2. Secondly the anointing is from the Holy Spirit. Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit before he started his earthly ministry (Matt 3:16). Bear in mind that the first name of the Holy Spirit is Holy! Jesus walked and worked through the power of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:16-18 "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law."
Galatians 5:19 "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, ." If you don’t walk in the spirit you will have sexual problems. But in Acts 1:8 we are told that “ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you” This word power means having moral excellence – doing holy things, living a moral life. The worst way to live the Christian life is to trying not to do what your flesh wants to do. You cannot do it alone. Jesus himself depended on the Holy Spirit for power. When you realize that it is not within yourself to do right but it is your surrender to the power of the Holy Spirit that you will gain victory over the flesh. You have to have your wanter changed to succeed! Galatians 5 goes on to say that the effects of not walking in the spirit are emotional problems, relational problems and behavioral problems Galatians 5:20 - 21 "idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: . . " Sometimes I am not a good husband; I gripe, complain, am selfish: those are the days that I try to control my wants on my own power. I can never have the victory without the power of the Holy Spirit! Regardless of the problems you are under the “influence” and exhibit love, joy, and peace as a result. When the man of the house has peace, when the man of the house is full of joy – it makes a difference and there is only one place to get it!
3. The third note on the anointing of Jesus is that three offices were fulfilled in him:
a. Prophet: A prophet diligently seeks to hear God’s voice and to know God’s word for his family. This includes living a life consistent with scriptural values. You can have more fun in life by just doing what the Bible says to do! Ephesians 5:17-29 “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Jesus is washing us with the word to make us a pure bride that will respond to him and be for him what the bride should be. Men need honor and intimacy: the more your home reflects the Bible way the more you will get what you need.
b. Priest: The priest is a man who sensitively and sacrificially meets his wife’s spiritual and emotional needs! Ephesians 5:28-29 “So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:” The role of the priest is to get everyone well in the family. You will never be better than what your wife is! When your wife’s needs are meet so will yours!
c. King: A king is a servant / leader of the home, treating his wife as an equal with a focus on her well-being; he is the initiator of decision making and problem solving without dominance. Ephesians 5:23 “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church:" and he is the saviour of the body. A wife does not mind a savior head but does mind a selfish head or a sleeping head! Christ like authority is not domineering but a servant.
To become a Great Husband you must reflect the Golry of God; you must be anointed with the Holy Spirit; you must fulfill the three offices asigned to him: the offices of Prophet, Priest and King. My prayer is that you all become a Greater Husband in 2010.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Becoming a Greater Wife
John 14:15-17 "If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."
John 16:13 "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."
Introduction:
In Genesis 1 when creation is recorded, after every creation event God said it was good with this one exception: in Genesis 2:18 God said that it was not good for man to be alone so he created a help meet for him – that help meet (companion) was Eve, Adam’s wife. She was his helper and companion! From the beginning God’s plan has been for wives to be the companion and helper of her husband.
It is also recorded that God create man in his own image, a three part being: the father, the son and the spirit. These distinct beings are what we are fashioned after and we should look to each of God’s parts for examples. The husband follows the role model of Jesus Christ as the priest / son. The Holy Spirit is a role model for a wife to follow.
We have in this room great marriages, with great wives and husbands. Today I am going to give to you five roles of the Holy Spirit that you wives can use to become even greater wives!
Five roles of the Wife
1. Companion
*In John 14 we read about another comforter, Jesus being the first. This word that we read as Comforter in the Greek has two separate meanings. It can mean a helper or one that runs beside you. In John 14 we learn that God gave to us another helper / comforter that will be with us throughout eternity! If you are saved, the Holy Spirit lives within you, the Holy Spirit is a person - not a thing; you can sense his presence. He runs beside you and is your constant companion.
*Husbands need their wife to run along beside them, he needs to sense your presence; you can’t help your husband if you’re not there!
*Husbands need a buddy – he does not need to be treated like one of your children; he does not need another mother!
2. Comforter
The second meaning of the word translated a comforter is one that comforts and advises. Husbands have three distinct needs in the sense of needing comfort.
a. Praise him and encourage him:
*Wives need to learn to say negative things in a positive way
*To stay emotionally connected with your husband you must be able to keep him calm. It is an established fact that if your heart rate gets above 100 beats / min men can’t think! You need your husband to be able to think clearly.
b. Give affection:
*This is more than sexual fulfillment, though it is a part of affection. Men will not admit to this need but they do have it. Men do not cling but still need to receive affection. Did you know that when you husband is upset that your touch will calm! Oh, the power of a gentle touch!
*Men will gravitate to where they will get comforted. Give him comfort and he will not stray.
*Men will stay away from where they get upset. Do not drive your husband to another who will give comfort! Make sure that he finds all the comfort he needs at home.
c. Your faith comforts men:
When things are going seemingly wrong your faith in God’s provision and your faith in your husband will give him great comfort! Remind him that “God’s done this before and He will again!”, “It’s going to be alright.”, and “You’re the best man in the whole world!”
3. Counselor
We read in John 14:16-17 and then in John 16:13 how the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. An important role of a great wife is to be that spirit of truth. Men and women do not think alike. Men use radar and women use sonar! Men can sometimes be more objective because they don’t deal with the emotions of a situation; whereas, men need to listen to their wives when emotions play an important role in a decision. Men are not in touch with emotions. I depend on Debbie to tell me about the feelings of situations because I just don’t see it most of the time. If she tells me not to trust or to trust someone, I’d better listen; her sonar sees things that I do not!
4. Convictor
John 16:8 “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” The Holy Spirit is the one who convicts! Likewise you wives are truth sayers and keep your family on target! It is a documented fact that men live longer when they have a woman in their life. She says “Slow down!”, “Watch out for. . . !”, “Don’t eat that it’s not good for you, . . . !” Husbands, you’ll live longer ( you may not want to, but you will!)
5. Connector
Jesus tells us in John that the Holy Spirit will point others to Him. The Holy Spirit is a connector. Wives likewise should reconnect her husband to herself and the children on a daily basis. When your husband comes in the door it is your task to refocus his attention from everything on the other side of the door to everything that is inside the door!
In God’s master plan wives play a very important role as the Companion, the Comforter, the Counselor, the Convictor, and the Connector. Look to the Holy Spirit as your role model to go from being a great wife to being an even greater wife for the glory of the Lord!
John 16:13 "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."
Introduction:
In Genesis 1 when creation is recorded, after every creation event God said it was good with this one exception: in Genesis 2:18 God said that it was not good for man to be alone so he created a help meet for him – that help meet (companion) was Eve, Adam’s wife. She was his helper and companion! From the beginning God’s plan has been for wives to be the companion and helper of her husband.
It is also recorded that God create man in his own image, a three part being: the father, the son and the spirit. These distinct beings are what we are fashioned after and we should look to each of God’s parts for examples. The husband follows the role model of Jesus Christ as the priest / son. The Holy Spirit is a role model for a wife to follow.
We have in this room great marriages, with great wives and husbands. Today I am going to give to you five roles of the Holy Spirit that you wives can use to become even greater wives!
Five roles of the Wife
1. Companion
*In John 14 we read about another comforter, Jesus being the first. This word that we read as Comforter in the Greek has two separate meanings. It can mean a helper or one that runs beside you. In John 14 we learn that God gave to us another helper / comforter that will be with us throughout eternity! If you are saved, the Holy Spirit lives within you, the Holy Spirit is a person - not a thing; you can sense his presence. He runs beside you and is your constant companion.
*Husbands need their wife to run along beside them, he needs to sense your presence; you can’t help your husband if you’re not there!
*Husbands need a buddy – he does not need to be treated like one of your children; he does not need another mother!
2. Comforter
The second meaning of the word translated a comforter is one that comforts and advises. Husbands have three distinct needs in the sense of needing comfort.
a. Praise him and encourage him:
*Wives need to learn to say negative things in a positive way
*To stay emotionally connected with your husband you must be able to keep him calm. It is an established fact that if your heart rate gets above 100 beats / min men can’t think! You need your husband to be able to think clearly.
b. Give affection:
*This is more than sexual fulfillment, though it is a part of affection. Men will not admit to this need but they do have it. Men do not cling but still need to receive affection. Did you know that when you husband is upset that your touch will calm! Oh, the power of a gentle touch!
*Men will gravitate to where they will get comforted. Give him comfort and he will not stray.
*Men will stay away from where they get upset. Do not drive your husband to another who will give comfort! Make sure that he finds all the comfort he needs at home.
c. Your faith comforts men:
When things are going seemingly wrong your faith in God’s provision and your faith in your husband will give him great comfort! Remind him that “God’s done this before and He will again!”, “It’s going to be alright.”, and “You’re the best man in the whole world!”
3. Counselor
We read in John 14:16-17 and then in John 16:13 how the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. An important role of a great wife is to be that spirit of truth. Men and women do not think alike. Men use radar and women use sonar! Men can sometimes be more objective because they don’t deal with the emotions of a situation; whereas, men need to listen to their wives when emotions play an important role in a decision. Men are not in touch with emotions. I depend on Debbie to tell me about the feelings of situations because I just don’t see it most of the time. If she tells me not to trust or to trust someone, I’d better listen; her sonar sees things that I do not!
4. Convictor
John 16:8 “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” The Holy Spirit is the one who convicts! Likewise you wives are truth sayers and keep your family on target! It is a documented fact that men live longer when they have a woman in their life. She says “Slow down!”, “Watch out for. . . !”, “Don’t eat that it’s not good for you, . . . !” Husbands, you’ll live longer ( you may not want to, but you will!)
5. Connector
Jesus tells us in John that the Holy Spirit will point others to Him. The Holy Spirit is a connector. Wives likewise should reconnect her husband to herself and the children on a daily basis. When your husband comes in the door it is your task to refocus his attention from everything on the other side of the door to everything that is inside the door!
In God’s master plan wives play a very important role as the Companion, the Comforter, the Counselor, the Convictor, and the Connector. Look to the Holy Spirit as your role model to go from being a great wife to being an even greater wife for the glory of the Lord!
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