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The Truth Of The Matter is- Episode: 155 A Verse Will do it
38 Plays1 year ago
This week on the podcast we continue with the Gospel of Matthew series. However just like last week there's something added in to equip the people with and that is the power of a single verse. Yes it’s important to value passages. Yes it’s important to appreciate a whole chapter but there is something about a verse that gets overlooked. Therefore today the focus is to point out how a single verse can be a blessing as well.
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Transcript
Introduction & Gratitude
00:00:00
Speaker
Welcome to the Truth of the Matters podcast. I am your host, Jonathan, and this is episode 155. Of course, let's begin by recognizing and appreciating all of our new and consistent listeners. We thank you all in advance for continuing to press play at your own convenience.
00:00:30
Speaker
Of course thank you for tuning in and I pray that this podcast, regardless of the episode that you choose and press play on, will in fact and can in fact be a blessing to you.
Acts of Kindness & Family Values
00:00:42
Speaker
So as I reflected over the week, I was blessed in two ways. The first way was being available and able to help the elderly on two separate occasions.
00:00:53
Speaker
Now both came inside the supermarket. The first was a gentleman who could not reach the cookies on the top shelf. So of course he asked me for my assistance and I was more than willing to help him. And once I grabbed it for him and handed it to him, I immediately saw the reaction on his face. He was filled with joy. He was happy. And of course he thanked me and I hope that he enjoys those cookies.
00:01:23
Speaker
The second opportunity came when another older gentleman, elderly, was trying to get to the door to leave the supermarket. But you could tell he didn't have the strength to do what was on. Yes, he had a cane, but he needed some assistance to exit.
00:01:44
Speaker
he made a request to me i granted that request and i was able to assist him by allowing him to put his weight on my shoulder so that he can get to the door this happened to me of course when i was checking out started packing my bags and immediately i saw him struggling he looked at me he made his request and i knew immediately that it was my purpose to help him
00:02:12
Speaker
Now there was something about these two instances that made me reflect on a few things in the past in which I progressively became more active in helping people. And it started off in this way.
00:02:33
Speaker
When I was in middle school, I was getting ready to embark on a new journey as a young man. And this new adventure would lead me to riding the subway to school. I did it in middle school, I did it in high school. And the advice my older brother gave me was simple yet effective, and of course time. He said, be watchful.
00:03:05
Speaker
obviously on the platforms the train stations that you enter into and leave you pretty much exit he said never play your music too high because you want to be aware of what's going on around you that's key he said to me
00:03:32
Speaker
and finally he said if you see a woman with a baby stroller at the top of the stairs or at the bottom of the stairs always offer to help them i appreciate it both of those
00:03:49
Speaker
pieces of wisdom that he provided and I proceeded to do exactly what he told me. So once I got to being a young man in my 20s, they've been several times that once I started doing food delivery, I started assisting people who were in my
00:04:14
Speaker
facility right people that I encountered right and they've been plenty of times I was dropping an auto off out of door and came out and saw a person needing a jump and as long as they had cables I offered or a person
00:04:29
Speaker
that was stuck at the gas station at a pump because their car wouldn't start. I would come over have a conversation and see how I could assist them. There have been plenty of times that there has been someone in need of something. And I've made it my business to always be on the end of helping that person.
Love in Action
00:04:50
Speaker
And a lot of this came
00:04:52
Speaker
natural to me. In fact, when I was traveling for school and I was in California, and then I went from California to South Dakota, or actually reverse, I started off going to school in South Dakota, then I went to California, and then from California,
00:05:09
Speaker
I was in Kansas for a little while and then from Kansas, I was in upstate New York. There has always been an opportunity when someone has lended me a helping hand and I appreciate it greatly. So I, I made it my business and I still make it my business that if I see somebody in need of help, I believe that I should help them with no questions asked, I should help them. So it was with this reflection.
00:05:40
Speaker
that it taught me that I really enjoyed helping others. Being a part of someone's needs and being meant to fulfill any terrible experience that they have and lighten it up. This feeling felt very fulfilling.
00:06:08
Speaker
And I've realized that love and its effectiveness is not just ruled by words, but when accompanied with action is a difference. I repeat that that love and its effectiveness is not just ruled by words, but when accompanied with action, a difference is made, a mindset has changed. An outcome isn't necessarily predictable.
00:06:36
Speaker
Now what do I mean by an outcome isn't necessarily predictable. What I mean is that when things don't go right and it seems like all hope is lost.
00:06:53
Speaker
more or less you're calling for assistance like AAA, right, is an example. But if you run across an individual that has a desire to help you, you may not need to make that call if the situation is not so drastic that you can't get a helping hand from somebody else. So that's what makes
00:07:14
Speaker
the outcome not necessarily predictable because somebody disrupts that experience that you're having and brings about a solution faster than needed to rely upon the service that you're paying a monthly subscription for in order for emergencies when they do come up and happen.
00:07:37
Speaker
So it was in these moments that I appreciated that I was proud to be part of other people's solutions. And as in these moments, then I realized how effective and how fulfilling it is to learn somebody a helping hand in moments where it seems that is extremely uncomfortable, embarrassing, and regretful.
00:08:02
Speaker
That leads me into the second way I was blessed.
Connecting Believers & Sharing Faith
00:08:05
Speaker
Connecting people with Christ being in the center of both of their lives. I love this experience. Why? Because there's nothing more exciting than knowing that someone who is part of the body of Christ needs to be encouraged by another member who is genuinely a believer who's also struggling and yet carrying the cross just like you.
00:08:28
Speaker
There's something amazing when you meet another believer who believes in Matthew 25, who believes in 1 John chapter 3 verses 17 to 18. There's something about that experience that allows you to experience God's love as they are desiring to help you in the capacity that they know how.
00:08:53
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and the connections that they know how and the experience that they know how.
00:09:02
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There was something that hit me in this reflection, and two verses came to mind. When Paul says, let us be musically encouraged with one another's faith, I felt that in Romans chapter 1 verse 12. When Paul says, carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ, I felt that in Galatians chapter 6 verse 2.
00:09:26
Speaker
In fact, the law of Christ for those who don't know is the new command that he gave his disciples in the Gospel of John chapter 13 verse 34 to 35 and it says, a new command I give you, love one another as I have loved you. So you must love one another. Verse 35, by this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.
00:09:53
Speaker
And of course, something that I mentioned earlier, I mentioned 1 John chapter 3, verse 17 through 18, the NLT, but I'll just start at verse 18. Dear friends, or dear children, rather, let's not merely say that we love each other. Let us show the truth by our actions. Amen. Actions is key. Verbiage falls on deaf ears, or goes through the ear and out through the other.
00:10:22
Speaker
So I was blessed by assisting, helping the elderly. And I was blessed by being able to connect two believers together. That's how I was blessed this week. Thank you, Lord. Amen.
00:10:39
Speaker
So I encourage you to reflect over the week and by doing that I believe you will be surprised to notice how the presence of the Lord is with you. Whether that is minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day. So please reflect, pay close attention to the details of our lives because God's presence
00:11:01
Speaker
is in there, for sure, without a doubt. It was our opportunity to discern it, see it, appreciate it, thank the Lord for it, and continue to see how He is moving, active, present in all parts of our situation's predicaments and circumstances.
00:11:21
Speaker
So before we get into the word of God, it's important that we pray first and foremost. Oh God, in the name of Jesus, Lord, as we continue in the gospel of Matthew series, we have stressed the importance of the words you have spoken. The truth of the matter is there's nothing more life-changing than your words, father.
00:11:43
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In them there is life and blessing, but also in them comes warnings, challenges, responsibilities. Father, it's our responsibility to discern and to apply these warnings, responsibilities, challenges correctly that you tell us about.
Preparation for Gospel Reflection
00:12:06
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Therefore humble us Lord and therefore humbly Lord as I ask you bless us govern us because our eyes hearts and minds are always on an attack daily by outside influences within the spiritual realm.
00:12:28
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Lord, I pray that we remain focused to pull out the wisdom that you have left us to unpack it so it can be used to assist us in the battles that we face, right? We battle not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, spiritual forces of the heavenly realm. I ask that we carefully and diligently study the word of God and see how your words daily
00:12:55
Speaker
can be of assistance with the sole purpose also to see the value of the relationship with your son, Jesus Christ. And of course, to always be prepared to provide a reason for the hope that we have. And therefore, if you agree, join us as we say this in Jesus name we pray. Amen and amen. So last week I decided to do a bonus episode because all I did
00:13:25
Speaker
was extend the soft opening and explain how we can experience something individually during the week. And we can truly reflect. If we truly reflect, reflection can be powerful and there could be a timely word from God to you individually. Amen. So today I want to show you how a single verse can also be a blessing.
00:13:54
Speaker
chapters are wonderful a passage is indeed wonderful but a verse can be all that you need can actually do it in fact and the reason why i want to share this and i want to equip you with this is because quite often
00:14:14
Speaker
There is revelational knowledge in one verse. There is revelational knowledge that we quite often overlook. And if in fact we are studying the word of God, there is a lot there to unpack. There is a lot there that can assist us and that can equip us to be much more intentional believers and suppliers of your word, handling it correctly.
00:14:43
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So let's get started.
The Sheep Among Wolves Metaphor
00:14:46
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Continuing with the Gospel of Matthew series, we're going to pick up where we left off. So I'm going to do it within a context
00:14:53
Speaker
as we continue the gospel of Matthew series. Okay. Let's go to Matthew chapter 10 verse 16. That's all verse 16. Again, yes, I know there's only one verse, but there's a lot to unpack in the single first and you'll find out in just a second. Behold, I am sending you out
00:15:15
Speaker
as sheep in the midst of wolves should be wise as serpents or snakes depending on the translation and innocent as doves.
00:15:27
Speaker
So let's begin to unpack this thoroughly. So as a philosopher, I'm going to unpack this differently, maybe in a way you never heard of it before. However, I hope that it could be a blessing to you as much as it's been a blessing to me. So even though I'm going to talk to you philosophically, I will be using scriptures to support the statements that I make. And then I will allow you to determine and decide if it is a blessing to you.
00:15:57
Speaker
So let's begin. Verse 16 says, behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Reading it again for those who don't know. So be wise as serpents or snakes depend on the translation and innocent as doves. So as I looked at these words from Jesus,
00:16:26
Speaker
And I looked at them again and again and again. I began to understand what he was saying because this point runs really deep. So check this out. We are his sheep, which means he is our shepherd. And as those who, and for those who belong to his fold, like in the gospel of John says,
00:16:55
Speaker
When the shepherd speaks as sheep, we are familiarized with the shepherd's voice. Now understand what the nature of a wolf is. Wolves are in the wild. Wolf packs are typically family units, consistent of parents in their offspring. These packs don't have a linear hierarchy.
00:17:23
Speaker
hierarchy. A hierarchy is a system that organizes or ranks things often according to what power or importance. Again, words do not I repeat do not have a hierarchy.
00:17:42
Speaker
What they do have is an alpha male and an alpha female. Instead, they work together as a cohesive unit to what? Survive and raise their young. Now, there are a couple of concerns with this as we apply it to human beings. Understand.
00:18:09
Speaker
that this probably works for animals, which is where we find it, but not for humans, which is why I believe Jesus is using the comparison, right? You have to understand sheep have a hired hand. That hired hand is the shepherd. Wolves do not have a guide. When you have no clear cut authority,
00:18:38
Speaker
What is likely to happen? What are you likely to witness? Rebellions? You're a guarantee to have what? Disorder? There's going to be a battle between what?
Rebellion, Chaos, and Authority
00:18:52
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Philosophies? If we take a look at history, the evidence is overwhelming. Often wars have been declared with so many differences and no clear cut agreements. This is why
00:19:09
Speaker
What we have in Christ Jesus, there is no gods that rival him, period. He is God almighty by himself, the only one of his kind. Now let's dive more into this. Philosophically, I want you to understand that when you apply wolves,
00:19:39
Speaker
to human beings, I just give you a list of things that are guaranteed to happen. This is what happens where the system, the power is distributed. We see this now in government, right? So that no one overthrows the other. The power has been split into different sectors.
00:20:01
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But notice what happens when you have dictatorships. If you understand Christianity and the fall of Christ, God is a dictator. But what does he choose to do? He chooses to have a government.
00:20:15
Speaker
right? The divine council, the heavenly hosts, he chooses to do that. Of course you find this in second Kings, but the point is God is a supreme ruler. Now what do we have? The chaotic experience that we have is you have Lucifer who thought
00:20:35
Speaker
he can be just like God. And then God immediately addressed it. So you have to understand the dynamics here deeply about what Jesus is saying. He's explaining to you his relationship as a shepherd with a sheep, and he's explaining to you the discrepancy
00:20:56
Speaker
of how sheep are among wolves who don't have a leader. This is where you have different belief systems at play. Selfishness, self centeredness, belief systems where they say there's more than one God, Hinduism at play, multiple gods and goddesses at work. This one's extremely deep. Did you know
00:21:22
Speaker
Let's take another dive into this from a different angle. Did you know that snakes are considered to be one of the most successful and wisest mammals on the earth? How so?
00:21:36
Speaker
Well, they have mastered the art of surviving in most environments compared to other animals. Snakes have been found to be located in many places like trees, underground, underwater, and in areas where the climate has little to no rain, dryness, no supportive visitation, waterless regions, high temperature areas.
00:22:03
Speaker
The truth of the matter is you can't say the same for other animals surviving in these places of content. If a mammal is able to survive in these types of environments, you may have come to the realization, the conclusion that that animal is the very definition of exercising wisdom in those parts.
Wisdom of Serpents
00:22:27
Speaker
understand when humans are the void of wisdom, they do things that are careless and ignorant. Again, when humans are the void of wisdom, they do things that are careless and ignorant. So here's a typical example here to satisfy the point that I'm making. If you meet someone who talks, talks, talks, believes that they are the smartest person in the room and they can never keep their mouth shut, what does the Bible say about those type of folks? Well,
00:22:56
Speaker
Let's go to James chapter one, verse 19, Amplified version. It says, understand this, my beloved brother and sister, let everyone be quick to hear or listen, be a careful, thoughtful listener, slow to speak, a speaker of careful, chosen words, and slow to anger, expressing patience, reflective,
00:23:25
Speaker
and forgiving. So you can't be a person who carefully, you have to be a person who carefully chooses their words or a person who actively is listening. If you are concerned only with getting your point across while turning a deaf ear to things, that's the very definition of a human who is devoid of wisdom.
00:23:55
Speaker
You have to be mindful that your tongue can get you into a lot of problems and situations. If you don't learn to be cautious with that, the scripture is clear. When it tells us this again, book of James chapter three, verse five through eight, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boats. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by small spark.
00:24:23
Speaker
The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, sea creatures are being tamed, and have been tamed by mankind. Verse 8, but no human being can tame the tongue.
00:24:48
Speaker
No human being contained the tongue. It is restless, evil, full or deadly poison. The point here is we have to monitor the things we say because life and death is in the power of what? The tongue. So let's return back to the reason I believe Jesus wants us to take a closer look at the actions and the behavior of a snake.
00:25:17
Speaker
When Jesus tells us to be wise as serpents or snakes, what he means is we must learn from the abilities of the snake, especially the ability to adapt when it comes to surviving.
00:25:32
Speaker
in all environments. So here are a few biblical references to keep in mind and why am I talking about the importance of adapting when it comes to different areas environments. Best example you can think of Jeremiah chapter 29 verse 5 through 11 and provide version listen carefully. So says the Lord of hosts the God of Israel
00:25:54
Speaker
To all captives whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. Build houses, live in them. Plant gardens and eat of their fruit. Take wives and have sons and daughters. Take wives for your sons and give your daughters a marriage that they may bear sons and daughters.
00:26:16
Speaker
multiply there and do not decrease in number. Verse 7, seek peace and well-being for the city where I have sent you into exile and pray to the Lord on its behalf. For in its peace, well-being, you will have peace. For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, do not let your false prophets who are among you and your divers deceive you.
00:26:43
Speaker
Pay no attention and attach no significance to the dreams which they dream or to yours. Verse 9, for they prophesize falsely to you in your name. I have sent them, says the Lord, for thus says the Lord,
00:27:02
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When 70 years of exile have been complete for Babylon, I will visit and spec you and keep my good promises to you to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans and the thoughts that I have for you, says the Lord. Plans for peace and wellbeing and not for disaster to give you a future and a hope.
00:27:26
Speaker
So taking a look at verse seven closely, two additional translations puts it this way, NLT verse seven, and work for the peace and prosperity of the city. Why, where I have sent you to exile, pray to the Lord for it, for is welfare will determine your welfare. NIV says this.
00:27:48
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love this translation in regards to what it's being said. Also seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it because if it prospers, you too will prosper. If it prospers, you too will prosper. So the actions here is to live in a place of exile
00:28:10
Speaker
And wisely, God says, pray to the Lord for his prosperity so that you too will prosper. God also says in verse six, take wives and have sons and daughters, take wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage that they may bear sons and daughters. Multiply there and do not decrease in number. Multiply there and do not decrease in number. This is all about survival.
00:28:39
Speaker
in a strange land. And this requires adapting an unfamiliar territory and learning to live on the hand that is new and that you're dealt with. And it's their job to make it work so that they can thrive. And by thriving, they have to thrive in new circumstances. Let's go even deeper.
00:29:09
Speaker
Romans chapter 12 verse 2 says, do not conform to the paths of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is, his good pleasing and perfect will. So what does this have to do with being as wise as a serpent? You may ask.
00:29:27
Speaker
Well, it's about adopting and maneuvering, right? Jesus said, we are not of the world, but we are surely in the world, correct? His prayer was an interesting one on our behalf, right? He says this in the gospel of John chapter 17, right? Starting at verse 15 through 18, he says, my prayer,
00:29:52
Speaker
It's not that you take them out of the world, but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth. Your word is truth.
00:30:09
Speaker
as you sent me into the world i have sent them into the world so how deep can romans 12 to go well god this is the portion in which we have to learn to be wise god does not want us to be products of our environment instead he wants us to bring hope into these dark spaces by being lights
00:30:39
Speaker
of Christ in them. Remember, Paul says we are ambassadors and representatives of him. So how do we change our surroundings while also preventing ourselves from being like our surroundings or like those who are of the world? Well, we have to learn to assimilate ourselves in the culture
00:31:04
Speaker
and change it from the inside out. Remember, the gospel message is not just a personal transformation. It's also a public and community reform. I've said this before, but it's worth re-mentioning. Jesus and his life, if we study it, provides us with a blueprint on how to do so.
00:31:24
Speaker
Verse 18 in John 17 is clear as he said, I sent the same way that you have sent me into the world. I have sent them into the world. So we are not to conform ourselves with superficial values and customs like the world does, but we are to continue to walk in spiritual maturity with the focus and efforts geared
00:31:54
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to the mind of Christ while also accepting God's plans and purposes for our lives. Of course, this requires some practice and it demands conviction in Christ, not preference in Christ. Again, it demands a conviction in Christ, not a preference in Christ.
00:32:19
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The truth of the matter is this is hard. In fact, I believe it's in Luke chapter 16, verse eight, where Jesus plainly says that the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of the light. It's a true statement. Is he correct? I'm going to say yes. Why? Because once you become a believer,
00:32:47
Speaker
It takes some time to get familiarized with what God is asking you and to implement it. It's difficult, right? James says to look oneself in the mirror and to totally forget what you look like is what most believers in the beginning are struggling with. The scriptures hold us accountable, right?
00:33:14
Speaker
Even though it holds us accountable, we need assistance by the Holy Spirit to help us break certain habits and come into the new life that God has asked us to do, right? New hearts, new desires, all that conform to Him, all that represent Him. It takes some time to get caught up into moving in that direction. And not everybody is moving at the same pace.
00:33:45
Speaker
A lot of believers have this feeling of when they feel like they're walking on eggshells to find a balance between the two. The children of this world will go much further because they are not operating with merits. Again, it's about adaptability and those who are in Christ are not willing to cross certain lines
00:34:16
Speaker
but unbelievers will. The context in Matthew 10, 16 is about the words of Christ. Christ shared wisdom and insight to his disciples. And as they were getting ready to enter spaces that would require them to be watchful and vigilant, it was an opportunity.
00:34:38
Speaker
for them to see and get a taste of what they will be doing when they did full-time ministry with the Sisters of the Holy Spirit. The last thing Jesus says that we need to address is he says, we should desire to be innocent as doves.
Innocence of Doves
00:34:58
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Why doves? Well, doves are innocent because they do not behave with premeditations, malice intent, or duplicity.
00:35:10
Speaker
What they want is always clear to see. Feeding, reproducing, seeking refuge or safety. And they do not want to harm in doing so in any way possible. The way we can do this is clearly said in scripture, right? Question is, are we reading scripture with intent to understand and the desire to live it out?
00:35:40
Speaker
That's always been the challenge. 1 Peter 3.15 says, always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. You see that second sentence? But do this with gentleness and respect. We know since the 1800s that Christians have murdered in the name of God for purposes that are not
00:36:10
Speaker
in harmony with what the gospel message is. We see this also in Luke chapter 9 verse 51 through 56 where the disciples who were sent to share the good news see how it's not responsive and immediately ask Jesus about cooling down fire from heaven like Elijah did. And then Jesus has to rebuke them. He said the Son of Man did not come to take lives but to save them.
00:36:35
Speaker
So he had to redirect their efforts while also showing them that the gospel message is not something that should be forced upon people, but it should be accessible to those who have a desire to actually choose God without feeling that they're being forced to choose God. Because guess what happens if you have those who choose God that are forced to choose God, they are not genuinely desiring God. And this is the reason why it's a choice.
00:37:03
Speaker
So what is the purpose of first Peter three 15? What it means is unless someone seeks to understand or seeks clarity, there's no need to force Jesus on anyone, right? Let your lifestyle be an example of that. But we'll get to that in a second. Just as a dove is clear, we need to be clear also within the lane that we're operating in. Right. Let's take even further.
00:37:34
Speaker
The beautiful thing in the Old Testament is that God wanted nations to be jealous of His relationship with Israel. Why? So that they become envious and in question, why is His relationship with His people that much closer than our relationship with our gods? The beautiful thing about Jesus is that He's personable. There are gods
00:37:58
Speaker
that are far off, that are not reachable, that are not personable. When we talk about Hebrews 3.15, it talks about Jesus experiencing and knowing and going through things and empathizing with us. Because he'd been through it. He's experienced it. He knows what you're going through. And guess what? He didn't sin.
00:38:19
Speaker
That's the reason why you placed your faith in Christ because he did not become the very thing that you struggle with other than the time he took on the sins of the world in order to do his death, do his sacrifice as the sacrificial lamb. We are saved by his stripes. We are healed, right? But what we do need to understand is as believers, we do not do the saving. Jesus does.
00:38:48
Speaker
We are not the saviors of the world. Jesus took care of that. We are the alternative to the society. And I talk about this quite often. And what I mean by we are the alternative to the society is that we are not the main course. Instead, we're the appetizer.
00:39:08
Speaker
So let's go to Matthew chapter five, verse 13 to 16. And a lot of these verses are verses that I've mentioned in the past, but they're so beautifully harmonated in these explanations.
00:39:23
Speaker
So we go to Matthew chapter 5 verse 13 through 16, it says, you are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampet on the foot. Verse 14, you are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people lie at a lamp.
00:39:48
Speaker
and put it on the bowl. Instead, they put it on the stand and give it light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. You're the example.
00:40:04
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Our job is to provide godly wisdom, godly discernment, godly judgment. The word sought means prudence and that's what we're supposed to provide.
00:40:19
Speaker
And we do that by our actions, right? Going back to the gospel of John, he says that they will know you are my disciples based upon how you treat one another.
00:40:34
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Same thing with Matthew 25, right? Based upon how you treat others, there's a reflection of your father because you are his ambassadors and representatives of him, which means that light that you shine is supposed to be the hope that society and the world needs. And as you continue to live that life,
00:40:54
Speaker
People who see it will gravitate to it because it's unchanging. It's a conviction. Let's take it further. First Thessalonians chapter four verse 11 through 12. Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life. You should mind your own business and work with your hands just as we told you. So that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anyone else.
Exemplifying Christian Values
00:41:25
Speaker
What were some of the characteristics of a dove? To not harm, to be innocent, to seek feeding, reproducing, refuse, and safety. Those are all the characteristics of what a human should desire to do as they make their way in life. And unless you're called, your acts, you're inquired about, your example and how you live should be louder than your words.
00:41:55
Speaker
should be louder than your words. To conclude the text, Matthew 10, 16, Jesus spoke words of wisdom to his disciples. The verse should enlighten us philosophically about the wisdom that Jesus shared with his disciples before they were sent out to do ministry. He informed them that they were sheep among wolves
00:42:22
Speaker
And he wants us to take on the characteristics of a snake and a dove, not one or the other, but both. Now the question becomes, in context, if he's talking to those, his disciples, how can this verse apply to believers today? Well, for one, we are disciples of Christ.
00:42:47
Speaker
And if given the opportunity to share Jesus with people who are interested, right? Don't cash your pearls out the swine. You want to make sure that you're not wasting wisdom on fools and on people who are not interested.
00:43:03
Speaker
This verse can apply to us disciples as we go out to attack and to live personal lives and journeys that are missions that God has given us.
00:43:26
Speaker
Our goal is to let our light shine before others in the spaces that we are occupying, workspaces.
00:43:37
Speaker
We should take the characteristics of a snake and a dove while also being aware that we are sheep with a shepherd who is Jesus Christ, our Lord and savior, our God and his teachings. His words should be in us at the core of our being. It should be in the center of our lives as we deal with and are in the midst of wolves in this world.
00:44:08
Speaker
We should never lose sight of that. Amen.
Deep Reflection on Scripture
00:44:11
Speaker
Okay. I hope that this breakdown, although it may be different, is a blessing to you as much as it was a blessing to me, as I dug deep and I was blessed by this discovering scripture. And what I want you to know is don't forget how one verse can really do it. How one verse can open up your eyes to see the big picture.
00:44:35
Speaker
Yes, what's wonderful are passages. What's wonderful are chapters. Well, one verse, a single verse is just as powerful and impactful. Amen. And of course, we're going to close with devotional time.
00:44:57
Speaker
Joshua chapter one verse eight says, keep this book of the law always on your lips and meditate on it day and night so that you can be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosper and successful. So as believers, we should always prioritize reading the word of God.
00:45:17
Speaker
And in it, you will find guidance and truth, never forgetting what, that there's always new revelation waiting to be discovered, and that God will open up your eyes, your ears, and your hearts.
00:45:31
Speaker
to the instruction of his word. Here's a short prayer to help you throughout the week. Father God in Jesus name, thank you for loving me, dying for me, for giving me. It's because of your grace and mercy and opportunity to have faith that I am where I am today. I pray that I never lose sight of that, but that I remain humble in the midst of my blessings and in the midst of my challenges.
00:45:56
Speaker
and Lord I say this confidence and maturity in Jesus name we pray amen and amen and of course until next time the truth of the madness podcast audience be careful be vigilant be watchful as we depart from one another and never the presence of the Lord be blessed and see you next time