Transcript
Speaker: This is the truth of the matter is podcast. I'm your host Jonathan and this is episode 196. Let's begin by recognizing and appreciating of our new and consistent listeners.
Speaker: um
Speaker: We thank you all in advance for continuing to press play at your own convenience. And I pray that this podcast, regardless of the episode that you find yourself pressing play on, can and will be a blessing to you.
Speaker: So as always here on the Truth For The Matters podcast, we will begin with a question. How has the Lord been a blessing to you?
Speaker: of events has been a blessing to me. Now, obviously, I've been missing in action, but I believe it is with good reason.
Speaker: You know, sometimes I believe in life.
Speaker: you have to take the lead on things and other times you have to be in a supportive role.
Speaker: I think there's a need to have an experience in both areas. I believe there are lessons to learn in both experiences.
Speaker: I also believe there is wisdom sitting in both chairs.
Speaker: The blessings that I've experienced have come where I've been assisting others, supporting others in their dreams, aspirations.
Speaker: And it's really been an honor playing a part in their personal growth.
Speaker: I suppose could call this an advisement role to others.
Speaker: And so some of the ways that I've advised others is rather than leading Bible study, where I would introduce a topic to teach and have printouts, I've allowed members to lead and share their personal thoughts on passages and verses.
Speaker: I believe what makes a successful Bible study is the inclusion of everyone who has decided to attend. You know, make their voice be heard.
Speaker: Be comfortable enough to share how they feel about a passage, a verse.
Speaker: There's this wonderful passage in Matthew. Chapter 18 verse 20 that says For where two or three Are gathered in my name There am I with them This verse in my humble opinion Has played a large part in revealing To me time and time again The beauty of fellowship When believers come together to discuss scripture I honestly believe That God could use them Any one of them
Speaker: that are attending to bring about deeper insight and of course, better understanding.
Speaker: I've also been a producer for two programs on Super 95 radio. The first program is called the Hour of Resilience with Pastor Kenneth Drayton on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Speaker: and Biblical Transformations on Wednesday nights from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Speaker: I would say it's been a great experience, exposure and of course, opportunity.
Speaker: I've also filled in for Pastor Kenneth Drayton quite a few times.
Speaker: And i want to say shout out to him because I believe there is a book on the way as well. So congrats to him.
Speaker: Before I continue on recording this episode.
Speaker: with the unfortunate secret of events that has transpired with myself.
Speaker: I've actually had this message prepared well in advance.
Speaker: and things have occurred that prolonged me from sharing this message. Recently there was a flood in the New York area, specifically in Bushwick, and the car got flooded.
Speaker: The engine is damaged, the transmission is damaged, the computer in the car is damaged, and I'm in the process of figuring out what's gonna be next.
Speaker: Obviously, that means trying to fix it.
Speaker: And so my request is that you pray for me.
Speaker: However, which way you see fit.
Speaker: We'll really appreciate that. Of course, that doesn't stop me from sharing what I believe God has placed on my heart. I'm still going to do that. I do apologize for the lengthy time it's taken for me to record and new episode.
Speaker: But I do thank you all who have decided to press play today. Truly appreciate it. And with that, I hope what I have to share with you today is a blessing.
Speaker: I hope that you receive it within your spirit and that you share it with others if you feel lethal. Now that I've caught you up on what I've been up to, let me bless you with something that I've been sitting on and studying.
Speaker: I'm always amazed at what God can reveal. no matter how much you read of the word, there's always more to unpack, to discover that could be eye-opening.
Speaker: And so i can't get i can't wait for you to get a load of what this discovery that I came upon. I would say this creeped up on me.
Speaker: But before we do that, remember that the reason why I always begin this podcast with reflection is because I believe that God is continuously blessing us each and every week.
Speaker: And they, in fact, I honestly believe that God can bless the believer and the nonbeliever. I believe that God deserves the glory, the honor and the praise.
Speaker: And if you sit back and observe, you will see that God.
Speaker: Has been. Up to a lot on your behalf.
Speaker: What we don't do enough of is reflection. So I say reflect daily and then you would notice the presence of God with you daily. Of course, it requires you to pay close attention to the details of your life.
Speaker: And so if you begin reflecting.
Speaker: You will start to easily notice that God is blessing you and that God is, of course, looking out for you. So I say, give it a try and see his grace and mercy over your life.
Speaker: And the little thing. Amen. Now, of course, that leads us right into prayer. So let's pray.
Speaker: Oh God, in the name of Jesus.
Speaker: How good have you been to us? I would say well beyond what we could ever think or imagine. The love you have for your own creation, i honestly don't think we could ever put it into words.
Speaker: I think one of the most humbling things
Speaker: is that we have acknowledged that you are good and that your goodness is the time. And to show how true that is, we have also flipped the phrase around and said, with conviction and all the time you are good.
Speaker: Because that's in your very nature. Your essence is who you are, which means you don't have to try. You just are. I would say the same thing about your existence.
Speaker: You don't try to exist, you just exist. You are everywhere all knowing and all powerful.
Speaker: Therefore Lord help us to remember that, help us to remain grounded in a world that is governed by you. As we take a look at a passage today, please bring us to the right frame of mind to accept what is true.
Speaker: for your word is sharper than any double-edged sword. It is a discerning of thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Speaker: Open up our eyes to see, our ears to hear, our hearts to receive, and our minds to understand. We thank you for the truth, because without it,
Speaker: Without you, I think we can all agree that we don't know where we will be without you. And so all in agreement say, in Jesus' name we pray.
Speaker: Amen and amen.
Speaker: So, continuing with the Gospel of Matthew series. We're going to camp out at a passage of Matthew. chapter 11 verses 16 through 19.
Speaker: And we're going to read this out of the New Living Translation, to NLT.
Speaker: Again, passage Matthew chapter 11 verses 16 through 19 in the NLT.
Speaker: To what can I compare this generation? It is like children playing a game in a public square. They complain to their friends. We played wedding songs and you didn't dance.
Speaker: So we played funeral songs and you didn't mourn. For John didn't spend his time eating and drinking and you say he's possessed by a demon. The son of man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks and you say he is a glutton and a drunkard and a friend of tax collectors.
Speaker: And other sinners. But wisdom is shown to be right. By its results.
Speaker: Let's look at the question posed. In verse 16. Before we read the rest of the verse. It says. To what can I compare this generation? To what can I compare.
Speaker: This generation. You know the statement here by Jesus. Is in fact an interesting one. If you have ever studied Jesus as an orator, what you will find is that he spoke in parables.
Speaker: For those who don't know what parables are, parables are short stories with a moral or spiritual lesson. What you'll find in these stories is that he often uses human characters that are relatable and draws from everyday scenarios to illustrate deep and I believe true and profound truths.
Speaker: Now I will say his goal was to be understood while being precise and becoming memorable in the eyes and minds of those who listened and observed him. Jesus in my opinion understood the importance of lasting impressions.
Speaker: Think about this. Remember that Luke
Speaker: The writer of the Gospel of Luke was a doctor. And so when he wrote the I testimony account, he made sure to say. That he did his research.
Speaker: Right. As a reminder, let's revisit Luke chapter one, verses one through five, just to hit the point home.
Speaker: Let's look at verse one. Many have undertaken to draw up an account of things that have been fulfilled among us. Right.
Speaker: With this in mind, I would imagine that Jesus knew the importance of presentation and, of course, lasting impressions. Right. With so many having a desire to draw up an account, he knew I boys will be on his every move. And so he had to be perfect.
Speaker: And being God himself, he was. So again, what do we, what's the takeaway from verse one? Many have undertaken to draw up an account. And so there are various different accounts out there that existed in this historical time.
Speaker: Right. Let's look go to verse two. Just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. So let's take a look at this verse, right? This verse tells me that those who were eyewitnesses, witnesses of Jesus in many settings and were actually servants of the word, had plenty to say about what they saw, right? All of these witnesses were mentioned.
Speaker: They were mentioned in the Gospels, right? No. Not at all. All of these witnesses actually weren't mentioned in the Gospels. But I would say they did us a solid and pass the information down.
Speaker: Right. So understand what I did there. There were. Many witnesses. However.
Speaker: I believe all this information that was passed down couldn't it all be received. In fact, if you think about it, John said it himself.
Speaker: Right. And the gospel of John chapter 21, verse 25, that there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that will be written.
Speaker: This is what John said. In chapter 21 verse 25. Right. That everything that Jesus done. Was it written. I suppose the world itself. Could not contain the books.
Speaker: That would be written. Which means. What Jesus did. Was so numerous.
Speaker: Right. So numerous that they could not possibly. Or write it down.
Speaker: The written accounts had to be selective, right? Focusing on what is essential for the belief that the entirety of Christ's work cannot be contained. Therefore, when we get to verses three and four, it makes sense that Luke would say this, right? Let's go to verses three and four.
Speaker: With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, you most excellent Theopolis, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
Speaker: So Jesus knew, right, that his message will be honored by some and also critiqued by others, right? We can draw that conclusion. Therefore, Jesus needed it to be clear.
Speaker: And so verse 16 is highlighted in his thought process so that We could pick up on his intentions, right?
Speaker: And so understand, what did he say in verse 16? To what can I compare this generation? He has to be clear, precise, right? So that we could pick up what his intentions would be.
Speaker: So, so what does Jesus do? Why did he set the conversation up this way? I believe he's searching for a comparison that would make sense of his current generation.
Speaker: hope everyone's following me so far.
Speaker: I honestly believe this was his agenda. This is a this is, of course, an educated guess. I could be wrong, but I believe this was his agenda. Now, go back to a time where you wanted to find a comparison to make a point.
Speaker: I believe we do this all the time, right? We tend to look at people who remind us of other people, someone else. A common example in sports is the game of basketball, right?
Speaker: Think of about Michael Jordan and his game and Kobe Bryant. They are always compared. Their styles of play get compared all the time. Another example is the playmaking of LeBron James to Magic Johnson.
Speaker: For whatever reason, society cannot help itself without comparisons. And so they also do this with singers, rappers, you name it. A famous quote that is often brought up is the comparison is the thief of joy.
Speaker: And when you think about that verse, well, when you think about the quote, it's not a verse. I believe the meaning behind that quote is powerful.
Speaker: It is true that constant measuring yourself against others can undermine your own happiness. I think where people may be going wrong is they don't appreciate its meaning.
Speaker: Towards the actual person, the individual, right? I think it's a personal message towards the individual who's actually going through it. Right.
Speaker: Being constantly compared, not being uniquely viewed as their independent self. and So the truth of the matter is, it's not for the people in the world who are going.
Speaker: to compare you regardless, right? The quote is not for the people in the world because they're going to compare you regardless, right? They're not going to respect boundaries nor care about the individuals themselves, especially their mental well-being, right? Sometimes comparisons aren't on a while. i Other times it strips you away from being acknowledged as your own individual.
Speaker: It can be viewed as a love-hate relationship. ah So I think the verse is more for the individual to think about and consider and less for the society to consider, because in a lot of cases, it's their job to be spontaneous. It's their job to spark conversation and dialogue, to spark arguments and disagreements and debate.
Speaker: Right now, before we go on to verse 17, there is a question we should be asking ourselves. What was the issue with Jesus generation?
Speaker: What was the issue?
Speaker: If he plans to make a comparison, we should be critically thinking about what the problem was of his generation. And so if you've read, of course, Matthew,
Speaker: then you'll find out in Matthew 11 that Jesus said they were wicked.
Speaker: Jesus said that his generation was wicked. And now we have to ask ourselves, what does it mean to be wicked?
Speaker: I hope you see what I'm doing here. I'm actively reading while also asking myself questions to figure out where Jesus ultimately taking us. Where is he taking us?
Speaker: So let's define wickedness.
Speaker: Wickedness is fundamentally a rejection of God's holy character and his established covenant order. I repeat that again. Wickedness is fundamentally a rejection of God's holy character and his established covenant order.
Speaker: So what does that mean in simple terms? I'm glad you asked. God is holy. Holy means to be spiritually pure, to be without sin, to be separate, but most importantly, to be set apart.
Speaker: The only one who embodies that is God.
Speaker: Now, here's a verse that I would use to support this statement. If we go to 1 John 1, verse 5, 1 John 1, verse 5, it tells us that this is the message we have heard from him and declared to you.
Speaker: God is light. In him, there is no darkness at all.
Speaker: God is light and in him there is no darkness at all, which means God is entirely pure, good and truthful with absolutely no evil or deceit in him.
Speaker: The reason why John says God is light is to metaphorically signify, I believe, his moral perfection. To highlight the state of all knowing, which means nothing ever occurs to God.
Speaker: Right. So he doesn't have to arrive at anything. Right. He doesn't go through a process like you or And so the declaration of truth to where all truth claims will be subject and measured to him.
Speaker: Right. If he doesn't have to go through a process, if he doesn't have to arrive at things, then he just already knows. And that's part of his character, his nature, his essence.
Speaker: Now watch this, right? Let me take you for a ride to address the issues of wickedness. You know, Jesus said in John 14, six, that I am the way, the truth and the life.
Speaker: And so we can conclude that Jesus is the truth, right? Now, the truth, as I have stated continuously and several times in this podcast, isn't a concept, it's actually a person.
Speaker: In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 18, verses 17 through 18, 18, 17 18, it says, A certain ruler asked him, Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus says in verse 19, Why do you call me good?
Speaker: Jesus answered, No one is good except God alone. No one is good except God alone. If we go to Paul, he says in Romans 3, 23, for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, which means every person, regardless of their background or actions, have sinned.
Speaker: And as a result, we believe God is saying that everyone is in need of his grace and, of course, is in need of a savior.
Speaker: So we go back to first John, right? We already read verse five and learned about the essence of God. Let's actually continue and read through verses six through ten, because that's going to tell us a lot of what we need to understand what's being said about wickedness.
Speaker: Right. So verse six says, if we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in a darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. Verse 7 says, but if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus his son purifies us from all sin.
Speaker: We go to verse 8. It says, if we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. We go to verse 9. It says, if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us of our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Speaker: And finally, verse 10 says, if we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. What is clear is when Adam, ah Adam disobeyed God, sin entered into the world.
Speaker: What is clear is when Adam disobeyed God, sin entered into the world.
Speaker: In 1 John 1, verse 8, it says, if we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. So the first issue here is denial.
Speaker: The first issue here is denial. And so the likelihood is you're lying to yourself.
Speaker: You're lying to yourself.
Speaker: The second issue here is rejection. You're rejecting your current state. And so the truth, of course, wouldn't be in you if that's the case.
Speaker: Remember, in verse six, it says, if we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth, which means when you decide to walk with God and have fellowship with him, the requirement is to change.
Speaker: And you would only want to change if you acknowledge that there is something to change. Right. There is something wrong and you desire to help. Right. to get better to improve to not be what you once was but to be better well we go to verse 10 of first john chapter one it says if we claim we have not sinned we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us and so when you're willing to say that god is not entirely pure nor is he good in fact he's not truthful
Speaker: And to believe there is evil and deceit in him. Then. You will be considered an individual that is wicked. And so why am I concluding with that?
Speaker: I'm concluding with that. Because what we've read about who God is. In 1 John chapter verse tells us a completely different story from what it is that you believe John declares that God is light and in him is no darkness at all right God is entirely pure good truthful absolutely no evil deceit in him right but you don't think so right
Speaker: what is it that Jesus said to the rich young ruler Jesus said no one is good except God and God alone what did Paul say Romans 3 23 it says for all have sinned and fallen short of what glory the glory of God all right
Speaker: and so you have to understand
Speaker: That if we claim to have fellowship with him, but we walk in the darkness, then we're lying, and then we aren't living truthful. You have to understand that walking in the light as he is in the light means that you have fellowship with one another and that the blood of Jesus purifies you from all sin.
Speaker: You have to understand that if you claim that she didn't that you weren't born into sin, right, as Adam caused the issue of sin, then you deceiving yourselves from what the truth is.
Speaker: And then, of course, the truth will not be in you. If you're in denial that God is a God that's good and will kind well forgive us of our sins if we confess our sins to us,
Speaker: then you're missing the point. If you're claiming that you have never sinned or you don't sin, then you're telling God he's a liar. And of course, the truth wouldn't be in you.
Speaker: Right? And so you have to analyze these verses and you have to come to the conclusion of what you're saying, what you're concluding with, what you are declaring.
Speaker: Right. And so that's the reason why I said the first issue is that you're denial. The second issue is that you're rejecting what your current state is. And so.
Speaker: The truth, of course, wouldn't be in you.
Speaker: You have think about all those things. Now, I even take it a step further.
Speaker: What makes a person wicked? Is that you will be embodying the spirit of the Antichrist. Right. By rejecting his essence.
Speaker: Look what John says here in first John, chapter two, verses 22 through 23, it says, who is the liar?
Speaker: It is whoever. denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the Antichrist denying the father and the son. No one who denies the son has the father.
Speaker: Whoever acknowledges that the son has the father also. You got that? No one who denies the son has the father. Whoever acknowledges the son has the father also. That talks about the dynamic of the relationship that they have.
Speaker: So if you deny the son, You don't have the father. If you acknowledge the son, then you have the father. Right. The truth of the matter is you're wicked because you deny God's holy character.
Speaker: You deny that he's compassionate for you, deny that he has love for you. You deny his perfection, his justice. You deny his kindness. You reject and deny his merciful, that he's merciful, that he's patient.
Speaker: Right. and you deny his truthfulness.
Speaker: This is what it means to be wicked. Now, the second half of that definition is that you reject his established covenant order. So you have to ask yourself, well, what is the first established covenant order?
Speaker: And the first established covenant order is the covenant that shines light on his essence, his nature within himself, known as the covenant of redemption.
Speaker: is known as the covenant of redemption and so what is that covenant of redemption it really shines a light on the Trinity right it's this eternal agreement that was made among the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit before the creation of the world was established right this eternal agreement that was made among the Father Son and the Holy Spirit before the creation of the world was accomplished to address the salvation of humanity.
Speaker: Right. This, in fact, was the first community that ever existed, demonstrating the actions of love among the Godhead in a divine action.
Speaker: And so the reason why God is so familiar with and knowledgeable of community, because he himself is a community. His essence, the Godhead, the Trinity is a community.
Speaker: How many makes a community? Three. All need is three.
Speaker: And so that brings us back to the full circle to the question. What was the issue with Jesus generations?
Speaker: And so they were wicked and unfaithful, right? They rejected his teachings and denied his identity. As the Messiah, as God in the flesh.
Speaker: Right. They were spiritually blind. Remember what made them spiritually blind is that the religious leaders demanded signs while rejecting the miracles that they were given. And then, of course, they refused to repent, despise witnessing God's power and presence.
Speaker: And so Jesus looked for a comparison. To try to encapsulate what this wicked generation was. Now.
Speaker: That was a mouthful. But that's what happens when you're deep in trying to understand God's word. There are scriptures that help put things into proper context and it takes time.
Speaker: It really does. So let's read the rest of verse 16. And let's read the verses up to 19. So what diverse 16 says to what can I compare this generation?
Speaker: That was the question. and It is like children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends. We played wedding songs. You didn't dance. so We played funeral songs.
Speaker: You didn't mourn. For John didn't spend his time eating and drinking and you say he's possessed by a demon. The son of man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks and you say he's a glutton and a drunkard and a friend of tax collectors and other c sinners.
Speaker: But wisdom is shown to be right by its results. So here is where i would drive it home. The point.
Speaker: Wickedness will lead you to being unsatisfied, unfulfilled, loss of course, without a guide, and lastly, empty.
Speaker: I'll repeat that again. Wickedness will lead you to being unsatisfied, unfulfilled, loss of course, without a guide, and lastly, empty.
Speaker: Jesus is really speaking about people who are not whole. In fact, they're not happy. And so what happens when you are not whole, you're dissatisfied.
Speaker: And of course you look for reasons to complain. And so the example he he gives that illustrates this is a spirit of discontentment.
Speaker: Now understand what he's saying here. We are in need of a savior. And so it doesn't matter how much money you have. It doesn't matter how much friends you have.
Speaker: It doesn't matter any of those things.
Speaker: You're always going to be unsatisfied, unfulfilled. Lost needing a guide and sometimes feeling extremely empty.
Speaker: And so what does it mean not to be whole? It means not to be in relationship with Christ. Think about the woman with the issue of blood.
Speaker: What was it that Jesus said to her that allowed her to be healed? He said, your faith has made you whole. And so she had an issue.
Speaker: Right? Think about what she must have done to try to address that issue. But what happened once he touched Jesus? She was made whole again.
Speaker: And so understand what Adam's transgressions were. It created a distance between us and God.
Speaker: And Jesus' role is to try to bring us back together again. See the importance and the value of fellowship, relationships.
Speaker: Because we once were satisfied, whole, not needing anything. And now look at where we are today as a generation.
Speaker: And so. When Jesus was speaking about people as a whole.
Speaker: He's letting us know those who don't have relationship with him, who reject him and don't see the need to have relationship with him. will remain continue to see that life without it will bring about unsatisfaction, unfulfillment,
Speaker: loss what without a guide, and empty.
Speaker: An example he gives and illustrates is a spirit of discontentment. And so you might be saying, well, how did I come to that conclusion? Well, look at the example he provided.
Speaker: He said, what is this generation like? It's like children playing in a game in a public square that complained to their friends. We played wedding songs.
Speaker: You didn't dance. We played funeral songs and you did it more. And so I asked you to look at this logically for a second.
Speaker: Right. Children who are given an op opportunity to play. You would think normally would have fun, have a blast, in fact. And yet the example says they complained.
Speaker: Think about the it example, he says, music played at a wedding.
Speaker: Right. Normally leads to people having a good time. Either singing along or dancing. And what does the verse say?
Speaker: They didn't dance. Music played during a funeral, I would think, would lead to flashbacks.
Speaker: That produce good and bad memories. Reminiscing. Of the good times.
Speaker: Crying.
Speaker: Happily. Or sadly.
Speaker: And so what does the verse say?
Speaker: We played funeral songs and you didn't mourn. Right?
Speaker: Memories, whether they're good or bad, I would think would bring about a common reaction. But yet, in the example that Jesus provides, the reaction isn't commonly produced.
Speaker: There is no reaction at all.
Speaker: So what does Jesus do also about this example?
Speaker: Well, he speaks about the Pharisees and Sadducees, their indecisiveness.
Speaker: And so when you are wicked and reject the truth, which is Jesus, you're not to be trusted and or relied upon.
Speaker: Biblical verse that comes to mind. Remember what giant what James says in chapter 1 verse 8. He says a double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Speaker: A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. And therefore, Jesus mentions the frame of mind of these religious leaders.
Speaker: And he says it in verse 18 and 19. Look at this verse 18 for John. Then spend his time eating and drinking, and you say he's possessed by a demon.
Speaker: The son of man, verse 19, on the other hand, feasts and drinks and you say he's a glutton and a drunkard and a friend of task collectors and other sinners.
Speaker: Right. That's the double mindedness that regardless. Or what was done. By John or the son of man. Your perspective on them was the quite opposite.
Speaker: Right.
Speaker: He was a man who didn't spend his time eating and drinking. But you say.
Speaker: He's possessed by a demon. The son of man, on the other hand, feast and drinks and you say. He's a glutton and a drunkard.
Speaker: See the double mindedness.
Speaker: Let's address the ending remarks from Jesus about.
Speaker: about the last point he said, he said, but wisdom is shown to be right by his results. But wisdom is shown to be right.
Speaker: Bice results.
Speaker: How can I conclude this?
Speaker: Well.
Speaker: Wisdom here is Jesus himself. How can I conclude this? It starts Proverbs chapter eight, verse 12. It says, I wisdom dwell together with prudence.
Speaker: Meaning Jesus is the wisdom of God. It was the apostle Paul who said that Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God in first Corinthians chapter one, verse 24.
Speaker: Also keep in mind that in Christ, all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. are hidden and reserved for those who are in relationship with him.
Speaker: Amen. Therefore, when you reject Jesus, you become wicked and you embody the wickedness in your heart. Now, wickedness wickedness can be found in individuals' hearts as well.
Speaker: Let's be clear. This is why you have corruption in society through systematic oppression and culture of deprivating.
Speaker: Right. Jesus does a phenomenal dad at identifying wickedness as an evil that comes from within a person's heart. And Mark seven, verse 22.
Speaker: Think about it. Think about. What the acts of the flesh are Galatians.
Speaker: Right.
Speaker: I believe is Galatians chapter five.
Speaker: Yep. Versus 19 to 21.
Speaker: And look what it says here. The acts of the flesh are obvious. This is Galatians chapter five, verses 19 to 21. The acts of the flesh are obvious, sexual imor immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft.
Speaker: Now, these are the ones that speak about wickedness in a person's heart, hatred. Discord. Jealousy. Fits of rage.
Speaker: Selfish ambition. Dissensions and fashions. Envyness.
Speaker: Drunkenness, orgies and the like.
Speaker: So think about the last time when you saw hatred.
Speaker: The spirit of hatred. play out in someone else's behavior. I'm sure we all witnessed that. Discord. Right? In a community or group of people that you're friends with.
Speaker: Think about how discord happens. Jealousy. Right? Jealous of another man or another woman's resources.
Speaker: Things they have. Selfish Selfish ambition.
Speaker: Things that you only concerned about that have to do with you.
Speaker: And so that's how wickedness can be found in an individual's heart.
Speaker: Paul uses this to describe the general depravity of culture that has turned from God.
Speaker: Lastly, let's talk about Judas acts of betrayal towards Jesus.
Speaker: Right. His actual betrayal towards Jesus to the 30s described as a form of unfaithfulness. And so he was considered wicked.
Speaker: Second Kings, Chapter five, and let's pick up at verse 13. Naaman servant went him and said, My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you have not done it?
Speaker: How much more than when he tells you wash and be cleansed? So he went in that he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times. And as the man of God had told him and his flesh was restored and became clean, that of a young boy, the non man in his attendance went back to the man of God.
Speaker: He stood before him and said, Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept the gift from your servant. The prophet answered, as surely as the Lord lives, who I serve, I will not accept the thing.
Speaker: it Even though Naaman urged him, he refused. If you will not, said Naaman, please let me, your servant, be given as much earth as a pair of muscles.
Speaker: can carry for your servant will never again make burnt offerings and sacrifices any other God but the Lord but may the Lord forgive your servant for this one thing when my master entered the temple of Ramien to bow down and he is leaning on my arm and I have to bow there also when I bow down in the temple of Raymond may the Lord forgive your servant for this go in peace Elijah said now Naaman had traveled some distance Jezi, the servant of Elijah, the man of God, said to himself, My master was too easy on Naaman.
Speaker: This Aramon, by not accepting from him what he brought, as surely as the Lord lives, I will run after him and get some something from him. So Jeze hurried after Naaman.
Speaker: When Naaman saw him running towards him, he got down from the chariot to meet him. Is everything all right? He asked. Everything is all right, Gazeman answered.
Speaker: My master sent me to say, two young men and from the company of the prophets have just come to me from the hills countries. Please give them a talent of silver and two sets of clothes.
Speaker: By all means, take two talents, said Naaman. He urged Jiziai to accept them, and then tied up the two talents of silver to the bag with two sets of clothes.
Speaker: He gave them to the two of his servants, and they carried them ahead Jiziai. When GZI came to the hill, he took the two things from the service and put them away in the house.
Speaker: He sent them in a way and they left when he went and stood before the master Elijah asked him, what have you? Where have you been? Your servant didn't go anywhere, did he answer. So you already know he's lying, right?
Speaker: But Elijah said to him, Was not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to take money or to accept clothes or olive groves and vineyards or flocks and herds or male and female slaves?
Speaker: Naaman's leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever. Did you say I went from Elijah's presence and the skin was love was lepers and it had became as white as snow.
Speaker: And so what's the point of the example here? The point of the example here is that he wanted him to know that there was no need to do any of that, especially in taking gifts in honor of his relationship that he had with the Lord.
Speaker: And so some people will take advantage of that and others won't.
Speaker: And so
Speaker: understand this.
Speaker: Portrayal.
Speaker: Unfaithfulness. You saw that Elijah's servant was unfaithful. You saw that Judas was unfaithful. That's a form of wickedness.
Speaker: Remember what Judas also did? He kept the money. He was in charge of the money bag and he was spending it. Right. form ah That's a form of unfaithfulness.
Speaker: Right. He was one Jesus' closest followers, but agreed to identify Jesus for a price. Right. Using a kiss as a sign. And so this betrayal was motivated by greed and led to Jesus crucifixion, just like Elijah's servant.
Speaker: Felt like Elijah was way too easy on him. And didn't take advantage of the opportunity.
Speaker: And so I conclude with this.
Speaker: What is our response as a body of Christ, knowing that people are rejecting Jesus Christ? I would say for first. For first thing first, we need to keep praying for them.
Speaker: We need to keep sharing the gospel with them. We need to keep reading the words so that God can use us as he sees fit. We need to keep being on fire for God.
Speaker: right wherever he calls us, we have to let our light shine before others so that they can glorify our father in heaven. And so we will close with several verses with our devotion today.
Speaker: think it's apropos here. Galatians 6 9 says let us not become weary in doing good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up and so don't give up on pouring into someone who has one foot into the world and one foot in the kingdom trust me if they accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior they will look back and thank the Christ in you for doing that for them it will be part of their testimony
Speaker: And again, this points to God's mercy, God's love, his kindness, his compassion for those that he knows belongs to him.
Speaker: That brings me to the second verse, James chapter 5 verses 19 to 20. My brothers and sisters, if one you should wander from the truth and someone one should bring that person back, remember this, whoever turned a sinner from the error of their ways will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
Speaker: And lastly, we will finish with this passage. Isaiah 55, 11. My word that comes from my mouth will not return to me empty, but it will accomplish what I please and will prosper in what I send it to do.
Speaker: Therefore, trust and believe that God is actively Affecting the lives of individuals all across this nation. Every single day. There are new members coming into the kingdom of God every day.
Speaker: Welcome them in. Be patient with them. Show them God's love.
Speaker: Be gracious with them. Give them time. Rome wasn't built in a day. And so being active and intentional in your faith won't happen instantly either. It takes time to prioritize God's call on your life and God's call to you to stop certain things.
Speaker: I hope that this message was a blessing to you as much as it was a blessing to me.
Speaker: Thank you everyone who finds time to press play on this podcast. I thank you. I appreciate you. I did not abandon you. Sometimes God delays me as he has put me
Speaker: in a place to educate those who have a desire and a thirst for the scriptures.
Speaker: You know, as I was putting together this message, I was going in several different directions when I started and I had no idea where I would end up.
Speaker: And so I promise you that I am just as surprised as you are to the conclusion that I came to.
Speaker: But I wouldn't have come to this conclusion if it wasn't for God's direction, provision
Speaker: and intention.
Speaker: Heavenly Father, in Jesus' name, we thank you for a patience. We thank you for love. We ask for your forgiveness of our sins. We thank you for mercy. Watch over us as we embrace a new week.
Speaker: Let our eyes not depart from your word, but encourage us to remain in it and make it a priority. We ask you for these things. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen and amen. And until next time, and of course,
Speaker: here on the Truth for the Matters podcast audience. Be careful, be vigilant, and watchful as we depart from one another, but never from the presence of the Lord. God bless, and have a good one.
