I have preached in over a dozen funerals and been to at least that many more. And over the course of these funerals I've heard on more than a handful of occasions this phrase, “one thing I can tell you is that they always spoke their mind.” It's a very interesting phrase is it not? “They always spoke their mind.” They say it like it's a virtue; like it's something to be proud of. I assure you, it's not. Ii've known people like this who always spoke their mind, and I must say that I've never really felt that it was a good quality. My grandmother was one of those people who always spoke her mind. “That haircuts dumb. You kids these days need to learn respect. You call that music.” Never a kind word, just matter of fact opinions spouted off without filter or thought of others feelings. Instead, I would think that it would be more wise to think about what you are going to say or if it even needs to be said, be a little bit more diplomatic about how to say it, and then gently in a one on one conversation deliver your words with love. But, just rattling off every thought as if your opinion is the final word is not wise; it's careless and foolish. Saying, “I always say what's on my mind” is a weird flex, but okay... let's see what the word of God has to say about it. This morning it is our hope that when you see the wisdom found in the Bible you will rethink how you go about delivering your words. Yes we should always speak the truth, but we must also speak the truth in love. Your opinions aren't always truth and your delivery isn't always loving. So take a step back and filter your opinions and delivery through the wisdom of the word of God found in the book of Proverbs. The main point this morning is that When you say anything, remember It's better to be righteous than right.
- May 21, 2023Weird Flex Part 5: I Always Say What’s On My Mind (Proverbs 29:11)
Weird Flex Part 5: I Always Say What’s On My Mind (Proverbs 29:11)
I have preached in over a dozen funerals and been to at least that many more. And over the course of these funerals I've heard on more than a handful of occasions this phrase, “one thing I can tell you is that they always spoke their mind.” It's a very interesting phrase is it not? “They always spoke their mind.” They say it like it's a virtue; like it's something to be proud of. I assure you, it's not. Ii've known people like this who always spoke their mind, and I must say that I've never really felt that it was a good quality. My grandmother was one of those people who always spoke her mind. “That haircuts dumb. You kids these days need to learn respect. You call that music.” Never a kind word, just matter of fact opinions spouted off without filter or thought of others feelings. Instead, I would think that it would be more wise to think about what you are going to say or if it even needs to be said, be a little bit more diplomatic about how to say it, and then gently in a one on one conversation deliver your words with love. But, just rattling off every thought as if your opinion is the final word is not wise; it's careless and foolish. Saying, “I always say what's on my mind” is a weird flex, but okay... let's see what the word of God has to say about it. This morning it is our hope that when you see the wisdom found in the Bible you will rethink how you go about delivering your words. Yes we should always speak the truth, but we must also speak the truth in love. Your opinions aren't always truth and your delivery isn't always loving. So take a step back and filter your opinions and delivery through the wisdom of the word of God found in the book of Proverbs. The main point this morning is that When you say anything, remember It's better to be righteous than right.
- May 14, 2023Weird Flex Part 4: I Make My Momma Cry All The Time (Proverbs 10:1)
Weird Flex Part 4: I Make My Momma Cry All The Time (Proverbs 10:1)
Proverbs 10:1 says, “a wise son makes a glad father but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.” A wise son, a son who fears God and receives wise counsel makes his parents proud. As a father I completely understand. Before kids the only person I really was concerned about, to some degree, was myself. What could I achieve. What success could I become. What was my legacy going to be. But then you have kids... and more kids... and more kids... and before you know it you have 5 little Shevis and Lisas running about and I'll level with you; the thing that makes me happiest in this entire world is when my kids have success and when my kids overcome their obstacles in life. Now I care about their legacy more than my own. And when they make me proud it has it's benefits. I try my hardest to motivate my kids to do well in their studies so I bribe them with money and prizes and whatever I can. One of my tricks is that if they can get straight A's on a report card then the next 6 weeks they get one skip day from school and I'll take em out to eat, take em to a movie, or whatever they want. Just recently me and Hudson took the day off, went to Greensboro and watched Super Mario and it was a great day. The point is I am proud of my kids and a wise son wants to make his parents proud because it often comes with fringe benefits. On the other hand, a foolish son will bring sorrow to his parents. In particular here in this verse it mentions moms. Now, I don't have to tell you but you know. If my kids make me mad, its one thing. And as a rule of thumb in my house, you don't want to make dad mad. But if you talk back to mom, or treat her without respect, or heaven forbid make her cry... well that's just dumb cause now Dad is mad and mom is sad and... let's just say that no one is going to escape the groundings that are about to get dished out. When you dishonor your parents it comes with very harsh consequences. It is foolish, foolish, foolish to bring sorrow to your mom. Why do kids do this? Why do daughters and sons in our society today find it amusing, even liberating, to dishonor their parents and bring sorrow to their mothers, and then they go on Dr. Phil or twitter and bad mouth them and act like its a good thing? I remember seeing one post on facebook where a woman was bragging about the fact that she makes her momma cry all the time. I thought, that's a weird flex... and it ain't okay. That's not cool. That's not good. That's not Godly. It's flat out dumb, so don't do it. When you dishonor your mom, you destroy your own legacy. Today we are going to look at three reasons why loving your mother and honoring your parents is wise and dishonoring them is foolish and destroys your legacy.
- May 7, 2023Weird Flex Part 3: I Don’t Listen To Anyone I Should (Proverbs 12:15)
Weird Flex Part 3: I Don’t Listen To Anyone I Should (Proverbs 12:15)
Proverbs 12:15 says, “the way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” Fools brag about the fact that they don't listen to anyone that they should. That's a weird flex, but okay. Why? Because wise people listen to wise counsel. For example; when I was 17 me and all of my best friends, Chuck, Timmy, Forest, Steven, were all on our church's youth softball team. And we had a game that night and I really wanted to go, but the problem was I had to work. I worked for Lifeway Christian Bookstore and it was a good job that I really enjoyed. I had worked there for almost two years and hadn't taken many sick days. I remember it like it was yesterday. Timmy and Forest were like little devils on one shoulder telling me to call in sick and come play the softball game. On the other shoulder was my manager telling me that you shouldn't do that that cause it might come back to bite you. In the end, I listened to the two little devils, I listened to foolish advice from my not so wise friends and it did not go well. I called in sick and went to the softball game. When I got to the game my youth pastor, who got me the job because he was friends with my manager, told me that he just so happened to talk with my manager over the phone for something completely unrelated and she happened to mention that I called in sick. My youth pastor responded with, “well that's funny, I'm expecting him at our softball game in a couple hours.” So when I showed up at the softball game, my youth pastor told me what happened, benched me for the game, and the next day I got fired from my job. I learned that day to be careful who's advice I took.
Now, over the years I have been blessed to have some very wise counsel over my life, much of it coming from the leadership of our church and other Christians. Perhaps the best advice I receive comes from Lisa. In all honesty she is the wisest person I know and never steers me in the wrong direction. When I take her counsel, things turn out good. When I ignore it... not so much.
As a pastor, over the years, I have given what I think is very wise counsel to many people. Some take it, some ignore it. But you know what frustrates me the most. Those who reject good advice because it's not the advice they want and so they go and find others who will tell them what they want to hear. I don't think that ever turns out for the best. The Bible calls those people foolish. Today, it is our hope that if you are struggling to listen to wise counsel, if you are listening to your own heart or the counsel of non-believers, you would find wisdom here and change course. The point this morning is simple, when you ignore those who listen to God and listen to those who ignore God you can't blame God for the mess you make.
- Apr 30, 2023Weird Flex Part 2: I Always Do The Wrong Thing (Proverbs 14:9)
Weird Flex Part 2: I Always Do The Wrong Thing (Proverbs 14:9)
Proverbs 14:9 tells us that fools mock at the guilt offering, but the upright enjoy acceptance. The guilt offering comes from Leviticus 6:1-7 where God made a way for someone to seek forgiveness for some sin that they had “gotten away with” but later felt guilty for it and wanted to repent. In essence, the guilt offering is repentance. Proverbs 14:9 tells us that fools mock at repentance, and by extension they mock sin. They are bragging about not taking sin seriously or caring much about their sinful actions. They take pride in doing the wrong thing. It's interesting but we truly live in a world now where most people see what was once evil as good and what was once good as evil. We live in culture where almost everyone brags, “I always do the wrong thing.” That's not just a weird flex, that's an evil flex and it needs to be corrected. You may not see yourself or your actions as evil but that doesn't mean you are doing the right thing either. Regardless of how you define evil, evil reveals itself in how it destroys your soul! And it does so in three ways; it deadens your caution so that your actions are evil, it dishes out consequences when you words are evil, and it destroys your conscience so that your mind becomes evil.
- Apr 23, 2023Weird Flex Part 1: I May Be A Fool But Wisdom Is Dumb (Proverbs 1:7)
Weird Flex Part 1: I May Be A Fool But Wisdom Is Dumb (Proverbs 1:7)
Proverbs 1:7 which says, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” That's a really weird flex, but okay. “I may be a fool but wisdom is dumb.” No, you're dumb. Why would anyone despise wisdom? Why would anyone say that they would rather be a fool and ignore in instruction? Why would anyone be known among others as unteachable? That's not okay, thats foolish. That's not just a weird flex, thats a dumb flex. Wisdom is power. The ability to learn is invaluable. Proverbs 8:11 says that “wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her. Proverbs 16:16 says that it is better than gold and silver. Why would you not want wisdom when this is what wisdom can give you? Rejecting wisdom is perhaps the most foolish thing you could ever do and hopefully lead you back to wisdom. When wisdom is found in God, when wisdom affords you gold, when wisdom finds you growing, don't be a fool, embrace it!
- Apr 16, 2023Expect A Miracle Part 7: The Transfiguration (Luke 9:28-36)
Expect A Miracle Part 7: The Transfiguration (Luke 9:28-36)The Transfiguration of Christ shows who he really is and who we are in light of his glory!
- Apr 9, 2023Expect A Miracle Part 6: Jesus Has Power Over Life And Death (John 11:1-44)
Expect A Miracle Part 6: Jesus Has Power Over Life And Death (John 11:1-44)
Of all of the miracles that we've seen through out the Old Testament; the Flood of Noah, the plagues of Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea for Moses, The Sun standing still for Joshua... and all of the miracles we've seen Jesus perform in the New Testament, none compare to the power to bring someone who has died back to life. In Luke 7:11-17 we see Jesus is walking into a town as a funeral procession is walking out to bury a dead man. Jesus sees the dead man's mother and He knows that she is a widow and that the dead man is her only son and he has compassion on her. He casually walks up to the dead man as he is being carried in his coffin by the pallbearers and says to him “arise.” And the man comes back to life. Right there in his coffin. There is nothing more precious to us than life, and here Jesus just casually, without pomp or circumstance, simply tells the dead man to arise and he comes back to life... like no big deal. That's the power of Christ!
Again, in Mark 5:21-24, and 35-43 we see the story of a ruler of the synagogue named Jairus; most likely a Pharisee in high standing like Nicodemus, who comes begging Jesus to heal his little girl. I can tell you with all certainty, if Vera was at the point of death there is nothing I wouldn't do to see her healed. Even if I was a Pharisee who hated Jesus, I would run to him and beg him to heal her! This is desperation! Unfortunately, Jesus is too late and when he arrives she is already dead. That's no problem, because to Jesus death is just like sleep. He goes to the little girl and says, “arise.”
Do you get it? Jesus has power so great that he is able to bring those who are dead back to life. He literally has power over life and death. I don't know if you completely understood what I just said to you. One day we are all going to die. One day our mortal bodies will finally give out. Our hearts will fail, our minds will fail, we will get cancer or some other disease and we will breathe our final breaths. And there are only two things you can do with that information. You can either accept it or you can fight it!
I love the famous poem from Dylan Thomas, “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night.” It's all about the fact that we as humans do not accept death. The opening line says this, “do not go gentle into that good night, old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” We should rave and rage at death! And most of us do. However, we don't know how to rave and rage at death very well, because, well, we are still dying. Here's the most important question you could possibly ever ask, “how can I defeat death?” The answer is clear! Find the one who has power over life and death. Find the one who can call you to arise from death. There is only one. His name is Jesus. The only way to escape death is to obey the voice of Jesus calling you to arise
- Apr 2, 2023Expect A Miracle Part 5: All Living Things Submit To Christ (Matthew 21:18-22)
Expect A Miracle Part 5: All Living Things Submit To Christ (Matthew 21:18-22)
Jesus can do miracles in our bodies. Whether healing disease, curing disabilities, or casting out demons, Jesus is sovereign over our bodies and we can trust him to do a miracle in us. But as we saw last week, Jesus can also do miracles with nature. He can create food from nothing. He can turn water into wine. He can calm stormy seas and He can walk on water. Jesus allows our disease and disabilities to show that in our brokenness he can make us whole. And as we saw last week, Jesus breaks the natural order of this world to show us that this world can't break us. If you haven't been able to tell yet, all of the miracles are to show that we can place our trust in Jesus.
Today we continue to see Jesus' sovereign power over nature. Today we will look at the miracles that prove that all living things submit to Christ. Trees do what he wants. Fish do what he wants. As we have heard in the Exodus account, Frogs, Gnats, Locusts, and Flies also do whatever he wants. Ultimately, every living thing is under his control. Job 12:7-10 says, “But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.
It's interesting, but as we see Jesus doing miracles we never see him make someone do something that they don't want to do. Yes, we have Old Testament examples where God hardened Pharaoh's heart, or turned Nebuchadnezzar into a wild beast for a time, but in the New Testament we do not see that. Yes, Jesus beckons Nicodemus to follow him, but he doesn't force him. Yes, Jesus calls the Rich Young Ruler to sell all that he has, but he doesn't make him do it.
So, why would Jesus make nature, trees, and animals do what he wills, but not us? Again, your answer is simple. He is doing all of these miracles for you! For you to see that he is good and for you to see his power and place your trust in Him. Though Jesus makes the animals and plants obey his every command, He has given us free will to follow Him by faith.
- Mar 26, 2023Expect A Miracle Part 4: All Of Nature Submits To Christ (John 6:1-21)
Expect A Miracle Part 4: All Of Nature Submits To Christ (John 6:1-21)
In the last three sermons we've seen Jesus's sovereignty over everything that can affect our bodies and spirits. Disease, disability, and even demons are no match compared to the overwhelming power of Christ. And not only does Christ have this power but as our father and friend, he is willing to use his power to work in and through us, conquering our sickness, affliction, and demons for his glory! As the leper said, if you are willing I know you can heal me. He is able and he is willing.
But in John 6:1-21 we see that Jesus is not only sovereign over our physical and spiritual health, but he is also sovereign over all of nature. When he speaks storms stand still, when he prays bread multiplies and water becomes wine, and when he walks water becomes solid ground. Yes, there are natural laws; gravity, inertia, force, thermodynamics, but all of them are at the will of Christ; they all submit to him. Where it is impossible with men, it is more than possible with Christ and thats what a miracle is!
And so we say yes, we believe that Jesus has the sovereign power to do anything he wills... but how does that connect with us this morning when it comes to nature. How does the fact that Jesus can move mountains help me in my job, my marriage, my trials? Well I think it's simple isn't it; If Jesus can feed the masses from nothing, then he can surely make sure you are fed and clothed. If Jesus can calm the storms then surely he can calm the storms in your marriage. If Jesus can walk on water and turn water to wine then surely he can fill you with living water! The point is this... Jesus breaks the natural order of this world to show you that this world can't break you!
- Mar 20, 2023Expect A Miracle Part 3: Jesus Can Cast Out Any Demon (Luke 8:26-39, Mark 9:14-29)
Expect A Miracle Part 3: Jesus Can Cast Out Any Demon (Luke 8:26-39, Mark 9:14-29)
We are probably more involved in spiritual warfare against demons than we are aware. Demons aren't figments of fiction or our imaginations. They aren't just the products of Hollywood horror flicks. According to the Bible, they are extremely real. And, according to verses like Matthew 12:43-45 the bible makes it clear that they are formless, spiritual entities which inhabit the empty spaces in people. This means that the more empty a person is the more susceptible to demonic oppression or possession they are. You can fill yourself with more of Jesus or be emptied of true theological and spiritual food and be available for the filling of demons. Something will fill your heart and mind... if not Christ, it will be the world, and it will be demonic. Why? Because demons are parasites who feed on our emotions. They don't want to be without a body, even going so far as to ask to go into pigs if no human is available. They are spiritual forces for evil and servants of Satan who prowl the world over looking for people to devour. When they find a target 2 Cor. 4:4 tells us that they blind the minds of unbelievers to the light of the Gospel and they can possess them and can cause physical harm to them. Also, according to 1 Timothy 4:1 they deceive and promote false doctrines. The bottom line is this... the overwhelming purpose of demons is to destroy God's plan by destroying God's people. He will attack the lost to lead them astray and he will attack the saved to destroy their testimony. This is their goal, but we can defeat them... Though they may seem powerful, all demons are subject to us in Christ's name. Be filled with the Holy Spirit and there will be no room for demonic attacks.
- Mar 12, 2023Expect A Miracle Part 2: Jesus Can Cure Any Disability (Matthew 15:29-31)
Expect A Miracle Part 2: Jesus Can Cure Any Disability (Matthew 15:29-31)
We know that scripture teaches us that Jesus undoubtably healed people from all manner of diseases from leprosy to common colds. His healing power gives us a clear picture to recognize that we have a God we can place our absolute trust in. Though doctors may heal and medicines may recover, our first response is to trust in Jesus to do what only he can do! My hope is in the healing power of Christ. So my hope in the midst of heart disease is Jesus! My hope in the midst of kidney failure is Jesus. My hope in the midst of Cancer is Jesus!
And of course, Jesus not only can heal any disease, but Jesus can also cure any disability! Though disease and disability are similar, and though they can be directly connected at times, they are indeed different types of physical ailments. Where disease often comes from an infection we've been exposed to, disability often comes from an accident we've been involved with or gene defects we've inherited. And where diseases can often be healed or cured through surgery or medication, disabilities are, for the most part, seen as permanent.
Matthew 15:29-31 tells us; “Jesus went on from there and walked beside the Sea of Galilee. And he went up on the mountain and sat down there. And great crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others, and they put them at his feet, and he healed them, so that the crowd wondered, when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled healthy, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they glorified the God of Israel.”
What an incredible savior we have. Even though it's most definitely a miracle when Jesus cures someone of stage 4 cancer, it is an absolutely undeniable miracle when Jesus heals a paralytic man who's never walked, or a blind man who's never seen! It's almost as if Jesus keeps upping the anti. Much like when Pharaoh's magicians copied Moses's staff turning into a serpent, the water turning to blood, and the frogs, today's doctor's can heal many of our diseases. But, just like the magicians couldn't match Moses turning the sand to gnats, it is beyond our modern day science to heal many of these disabilities! But, Jesus can! Today, turn your attention to the undeniable power of Christ to cure any disability. But I also want you to examine why he allows those disabilities in the first place. If Jesus is powerful enough to cure the lame he is most certainly powerful enough to prevent it all together. Surely he has a plan for your disability. Not only does He have the ability to cure all disabilities, but I believe Jesus allows disabilities to remind us that we are broken in our sin, and only He can make us whole again. The greatest disability is the brokenness that sin has wrought in our souls and the only one who can make us whole again is Jesus.
- Mar 5, 2023Expect A Miracle Part 1: Jesus Can Cure Any Disease (Luke 16:17-19)
Expect A Miracle Part 1: Jesus Can Cure Any Disease (Luke 16:17-19)
We are starting a new series on the miracles of Jesus Christ. And, this is our very last series in our year and a half journey through the Gospels. During the Easter season for the next seven weeks we will be looking at the miracles of Jesus and what they mean specifically for us. Since the Bible tells of so many distinct miracles we will be categorizing these miracles into groups. We will start by looking at all the miracles where Jesus cured someone of a specific sickness or disease. We see that in Luke 6:17-19, Matthew 14:34-36, and Mark 6:53-56 that Jesus healed everyone who came to him. Jesus healed leprosy, Jesus healed fever, and everything in between. Jesus healed to such an extent that people from all over the region, from miles and miles away, came to him to be healed of their diseases... and they were cured by his power! At some point we will all experience the struggle of disease. And when we do experience disease, we are thankful for doctors and medicine... but let me ask you this question; “who do you trust with your disease?” I believe that “Prayer is our first response, not a last resort.” Why? Because it means that we depend on Christ to take care of us. Instead of trying every other means of healing first and then coming to Christ when there is no other hope... we come to Christ first and expect him to do what only He can do! So who do you trust with your disease? Today our prayer is that this would become your heart when faced with disease; Before the doctor's diagnosis, medical procedures and prescriptions, my hope in the midst of disease is the healing power of Christ!
- Feb 26, 2023He Said What? Part 9: The World Hates You (John 15:18-25)
He Said What? Part 9: The World Hates You (John 15:18-25)
Our final shocking statement in this series, is “the world hates you.” Wow. The world hates me? That's a lot to handle. I've had people tell me that they hate me before, and it hurt at the time, but I got over it. But now you are telling me that the whole world hates me? I don't understand, I thought people were generally good and that everyone was all about loving each other. Listen, yes, there are things in this world that are beautiful and fun; yes, I'm sure you have friends and family that love you and care for you; yes, your church family loves you and cares for you, but make no mistake, regardless of how it may seem, outside of the family of God; outside of the church, the world hates you because it hates our Lord. John 15:18-25 makes this abundantly clear. Why does the world hate us? Because this world is not our home. We are refugees in a foreign land. We long for another home. Why does the world hate us? Because we have rejected their gods for the one true God; a god which they also hate. Why does the world hate us? Because we have rejected their ways for the words and will of our God. And lastly, why does the world hate us? Because it has no other choice. And, I know that no one wants to be hated; and I know that the fact that the world hates us might make you sad, depressed, or even angry, but I assure you it is eternally more important to be loved by God and hated by the world rather than adored by the world and judged by God.
- Feb 19, 2023He Said What? Part 8: You Must Be A Slave (Mark 10:35-45)
He Said What? Part 8: You Must Be A Slave (Mark 10:35-45)
If slavery is evil why would Christ call us to it? The answer is simple. The slavery of Africans in early America was not consensual. It was fully against their will, but Jesus calls us to willingly subjugate ourselves to his will. Jesus isn't going to make us his slaves; rather he is asking us to trust him and follow him autonomously. Jesus wants us to follow him so closely and trust him so greatly that our relationship shows that he is our master and we are his to do with us what he wills. Spiritual slaves. And unlike the cruel plantation masters of years past who beat their slaves into submission, Jesus gently and lovingly entices us into his service. He shows us a life worth living and lovingly woos us into a life which the Bible refers to as abundant. Where as human slavery was the worst kind of life, spiritual slavery to Christ is the most joyous freeing life we can have here on earth.
- Feb 12, 2023He Said What? Part 7: Sell Everything You Have (Mark 10:17-31)
He Said What? Part 7: Sell Everything You Have (Mark 10:17-31)
Again, we will see another shocking statement from Christ when he blatantly and boldly asks a rich man to; “sell everything you have and give it to the poor.” I'm not kidding. Jesus tells this guy that if he wants to be a disciple of Christ that instead of just coming to church a couple of times a month or praying before his meals, or just quit cussing; instead of that, Jesus tells him go sell all of your worldly possessions and give all of your money to the poor and then you can come and be my disciple! In our world, our consumerism driven, merit based, capitalistic society, that makes no sense. Jesus, I earned this money. Jesus, I worked hard for this money. Jesus, I thought you wanted to bless me? Surely Jesus isn't being literal. So what am I missing? Le't us stop hearing what we want to hear and start hearing what Jesus is saying because I promise you at the least he is saying this; if we have more than we need, which we do, and the world needs Jesus, which it does, then we can most certainly give a little more for the cause
