Today is seasoned saints Sunday at Joy. Each month that there is a 5th Sunday we celebrate the older believers in our congregation. During these season saints Sundays we will have an older selection of songs for our worship service and you will see some different folks participating in parts of the service. There is sometimes special speakers as well. Today we do not have a special speaker, but I believe the Lord has given me a word for today that many of the seasoned saints will remember and relate to.
Three different times in the night the Lord put this part of a scripture in my heart. Before I tell you the scripture, let me give you some context. My right eye has been very dry over the past couple of days. I believe it has to do with the heat and some seasonal allergies. But it was fine when I went to bed last night. Sometime in the night I woke up and it was very itchy. I was rubbing my eye to try and get relief and I heard so clearly this scripture:
Matthew 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
The first time I hear this scripture in my heart I thought, It is because my eye is itching. But then no less than 3 other times in the night, I heard this scripture in my heart. As I was waking up around 7am this morning, I heard in my heart: The message for today is physical separation from sin.
As I began to dig into God’s word this morning and look at the context of this passage of scripture it became clear to me that Jesus is speaking about a whole host of relatable temptations and stumbling blocks of sin. This morning in the time we have together I am going to do my best to teach from the words of Christ this part of his Matthew 5 sermon on the mount.
Turn with me to Matthew Chapter 5:1 and lets begin.
Matthew 5
1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
***The 1st point of the Message today: There are a lot of blessings that Jesus has promised to believers who keep the faith and a good attitude through tough times.
** It was several years ago we had a vacation bible school program. Many of you helped during the week. I remember Spencer and Haley was the leader of the singing part that opened and closed each day. During this assembly time each day we learned a new lesson with the kids. I do not remember most of the lessons except this one: Jesus helps us do hard things!
I do not think you heard me this morning. Jesus helps us do hard things! Praise Jesus! Some of you this morning are walking through some hard times. I do not know what the particular hard thing is you are going through but Jesus helps us do hard things. Stop trying to do the hard things in your own strength.
Philippians 4:13
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
I learned this lesson at a very young age. Back at Henderson daycare center in 1979.
***The 1st point of the Message today: There are a lot of blessings that Jesus has promised to believers who keep the faith and a good attitude through tough times.
**Point one simplified: Jesus helps us do hard things! Praise Jesus!
Lets get back to Matthew Chapter 5 sermon on the Mount:
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
***Point #2 of the Message today: Jesus has called you to be salt and light, a testimony for him in this world.
Some of you have no trouble being “salty” In slang, to be "salty" means to be annoyed, angry, or resentful, often in a bitter or slightly aggressive way.
Listen to me brothers and sisters in Christ. God did not call you to be salty he called you to be salt. My friends salt is not affected by what is around it. Salt is the thing that makes the affect. I have never taking a bowl full of salt and said, “lets add a little corn and butter flavoring to this salt. No my friends! You can never add enough corn and butter to change the flavor and power of salt, but you can add salt to the butter corn on the cob and have a life changing experience with a vegetable. Salt does not have to be the center of attention, but everything is better when a little salt is added. I want you to think of every memorable meal that you ever ate and I will guarantee you that someone put salt on something in that meal.
I asked Google this morning if salt was necessary for the human body, here is the answer I got back: Yes, salt (sodium chloride) is essential for the human body. It's the main source of sodium and chloride, which are crucial for various bodily functions. Sodium, in particular, plays a vital role in maintaining fluid balance, nerve and muscle function, and blood pressure regulation.
- Fluid Balance:
Sodium helps regulate the amount of water in the body, ensuring proper hydration and preventing dehydration.
- Nerve and Muscle Function:
Sodium is essential for nerve impulse transmission and muscle contractions, including the heart muscle.
- Blood Pressure and Volume:
Sodium helps control blood pressure and blood volume, which are vital for overall cardiovascular health.
- Other Functions:
Sodium also aids in nutrient absorption, particularly in the digestive system.
Proverbs 25:17
17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.
***Being a light for Jesus is probably the easiest thing to do. You can be a light without making a sound. I tell you some of the brightest lights for Jesus are constant, consistent people who smile and have the light and love of Jesus coming out of them all the time. These people are beacons of light. Notice Jesus did not tell you to be lighting. Lightning or fireworks. Yes they both are light but bring a lot of noise and disruption. The thing about steady, consistent light is it is so useful, it is so helpful it is so necessary.
God is calling some of you to stop being spotlights and lighting storms in the lives of people around you. Jesus did not call you to be a spotlight. He called you to be a candle, a constant, steady light. People run from spotlights and lighting storms. People gather around candles.
Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the lonely, the tired and worn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world
***The 1st point of the Message today: There are a lot of blessings that Jesus has promised to believers who keep the faith and a good attitude through tough times.
**Point one simplified: Jesus helps us do hard things! Praise Jesus!
***Point #2 of the Message today: Jesus has called you to be salt and light, a testimony for him in this world.
***It is at this point in the sermon on the mount that Jesus begins to dig deeper into the hearts and souls of the audience because so far his teaching has been positive and motivational. There was little confrontation to the human condition and the challenges faced by us in our daily walk with the Lord. But lets keep reading and we will see Jesus begin to shift into this deeper message:
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
***Point #3 of the message: True righteousness is a reflection of the heart and not the actions of the body.
21 Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
***Point #4 of the message: Believers must live their life in a position of love and forgiveness.
25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
***Point #5 of the message: Believers should avoid strife and conflict in civil matters that are not of spiritual consequence.
**We waste so much time and energy on being right and justified on earthly and civil matters that have no eternal weight or consequence. I was in Chik fil a yesterday standing in a long line of people when I heard this man speak in a rude and judgmental tone to the person behind me: He said mam the line is behind me. She responded I am not trying to get in line, I am trying to get to the bathroom. Listen brothers and sisters in Christ, Chik Fil A has plenty of chicken. They are not going to run out. Be patience, be a light, show some love and grace to those around you. Smile, make a friend, and show someone the love of Jesus.
***Now in verse 27 Jesus goes even a step deeper. Jesus introduces this principle of committing sin by thought without action. This is going to take us back to verse 20 of this chapter.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
***Point #3 of the message: True righteousness is a reflection of the heart and not the actions of the body.
Romans 3:21-24
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
***Point #6 it is not possible to live righteously outside of Jesus Christ but we must take steps to separate ourselves from the triggers of sin.
27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
***Point #6 it is not possible to live righteously outside of Jesus Christ but we must take steps to separate ourselves from the triggers of sin.
***Now that would be a great place to stop the message today but Jesus was not done teaching. Let’s not walk out on his Sermon on the Mount. Let’s stay and hear what he has to say to the end.
31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
** Point #7 God does not support divorce for convenience.
**On this topic specifically I would like to hear a little more from Jesus. You see the Pharisees pick up on this and came back later to tempt him with this question. Why do you ask? Because divorce is a real thing that effects the vast majority of people since Adam and Eve fell in the garden. Let’s look at:
Matthew 19:3-12
3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.
10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.
11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.
12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
Back to Matthew 5:33
33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:
35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
***In Closing lets finish the chapter
38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
***Point #8 Jesus calls us to be perfect, but it is only possible through him.
Ezekiel 36:26-27
King James Version
26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
Jeremiah 31:33
33 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.