NOT FOR SALE!
Paul gives instructions to BE A BRAVE CHURCH caught in a culture of compromise
and worship of celebrities and self.
The Roman church was already conforming to the culture around them.
- There is a doctrine of tolerance infiltrating the church - “revelation is progressive”…
- THEY WOULD RATHER BE POPULAR THAN BOLD…
- THEY HAVE CONFORMED THEIR DOCTRINE, LIFESTYLE and THEIR WORDS TO THE WORLD AROUND THEM!
A CHURCH WITHOUT BOLDNESS = a doctrine of devils giving people itching ears!
There is a kingdom that is only accessed by those who are BOLD enough TO PRESS INTO IT!
Romans 12:11 AMP
12 Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord.
ZEAL = energy and enthusiasm. (literally boiling, bubbling excitement)
IF YOU ARE NOT SOLD OUT FOR THE LORD - YOU WILL ALWAYS BE FOR SALE!
Matthew 26:25
25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
1) DO MY
Mark 11:23
23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
- Jesus didn’t say “say it and it happens”
- BOLDLY BELIEVE - BOLDLY TRUST - BOLDLY ACT.
1)
2) SHALL NOT
JUDAS TRUSTED GOD WHEN THE ACCOUNT WAS GOOD…
JUDAS TRUSTED GOD WHEN HE UNDERSTOOD WHAT JESUS WAS DOING…
OFTEN GOD LEADS US TO MYSTERIES - and we declare with passion when we do not understand with intellect.
It is one thing to obey God when He has given us an understanding about a matter, it is another to obey when we do not understand.
So many fall short at this point by trying to bring the Bible down to their level of experience.
Then our gospel becomes a purely intellectual gospel.
And our relationship with God is more MENTAL ASSENT than SPIRITUAL INSIGHT.
MY JOB ISN’T TO UNDERSTAND - IT’S TO TRUST AND OBEY!
AFTER YOU BELIEVE - DON’T DOUBT -
3)
Worship = when bold words reflect my brave belief.
Semantic satiation is a psychological phenomenon in which repetition causes a word or phrase to temporarily lose meaning for the listener.
Ephesians 5:6 NIV
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.
WORDS WITHOUT HEART WILL KILL YOUR PASSION.
THE SIN OF JUDAS WAS NOT MONEY… IT WAS NOT GREED… THE SIN OF JUDAS WAS:
THE SIN OF JUDAS, WAS TO BE THAT CLOSE TO JESUS AND NEVER ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE SHAPED INTO WHO HE WAS…
- OFFENSE THAT KILLED PASSION and BECAME “RELIGIOUS”
- JUDAS WAS DOING THE “THINGS” BUT LOST HIS ZEAL AND EARNESTNESS…
“LAW OF INVERSE” - If it is true - the inverse is true.
Proverbs 14:21
21 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Religion’s purpose is to get you to follow a list of rules and regulations to try to prove that you are better than the person who is next to you.
Boldness because of our relationship with Christ Never touches comparison.
It is the mindset of understanding the depth of what Jesus has done for me and who my Savior is that changes how I operate in the world.
“LAW OF INVERSE” - If it is true - the inverse is equally true.
If there is a way that seems right to a man and ends in death, there is a way that seems wrong and actually brings abundant life.
- It seems wrong to give your money and believe there will be an abundant return… But there was a way that seems wrong that brings everlasting life
- It seems wrong to forgive someone who has yet to show any evidence of their feeling of guilt, and yet when I do it, it brings life to my body and my mind
- It seems wrong to choose to be the last in order to be the first
- It seems wrong to choose servant hood to step in the greatness
The kingdom STIRS THINGS UP!
THE KINGDOM seems wrong, but actually gives you life.
One of the most dangerous things that churches have done is stopped STIRRING THINGS UP AND LIVING BOLD… Instead of seeing God rightly, and our position rightly, we create versions of God in what is convenient to our lives.
This is the sin of Judas!
- that when what God asks us to do is no longer convenient, we think I’m not following. - We lag in zeal and we have no earnestness in our endeavors for the kingdom.
2) AM I
John 2:14 - 16
14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:
15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables;
16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.
Merchandise… literally means a trade, exchange and negotiation.
The church was selling people on a version of serving God that is simple, easy, and convenient…
Verse 19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
Jesus was not offended that they were making money…
He was offended that they were making worship convenient.
There was no longer a boldness associated with their worship…
What was supposed to happen is you bring the best of what you
What they did instead was, they gave someone money to worship for them…
ARE YOU OUTSOURCING YOUR WORSHIP?
ARE YOU OUTSOURCING YOUR BOLDNESS?
The honest truth is that serving God is incredibly inconvenient.
- IT’S INCONVENIENT TO TAKE TIME OUT EVERY SINGLE SUNDAY.
- MAKING ROOM IN GIVING IS INCONVENIENT.
- SERVING PEOPLE IS INCONVENIENT!
- PRAYING FOR SOMEONE IS INCONVENIENT.
JESUS WANTED THIS TO BE A HOUSE OF PRAYER! HE WANTED A RELATIONSHIP,
BUT YOU CAN’T HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITHOUT SACRIFICE!
- you start dating, you sacrifice time, money, focus.
- you have kids, you sacrifice
- you have friends you sacrifice to make time…
If I only serve God when it is convenient to my lifestyle:
- I have made my flesh my God
- and my soul my Bible
IF WE WANT KINGDOM TO SHOW UP WE HAVE TO SAY:
“I WILL FLIP THE TABLES OF MY FLESH and WORSHIP OF CONVENIENCE”.
~ He also made a whip, but He didn’t whip the people. He only drove out animals. ~
~ HE STEPPED IN AS A SAVIOR and BECAME A SHEPHERD ~
“Will you allow me to guide you through what feels inconvenient to get to still waters, to get to green pastures… not because I did what you wanted… but because you designed your life around KINGDOM FIRST!”
IF “GOD IS CONVENIENT TO OUR LIFESTYLE”,
WE HAVE OUTSOURCED GOD AS:
- provider - I’LL GET THE MONEY MYSELF.
- peace - I’LL FIND HOW TO REST MYSELF. (I needed to rest on Sunday)
If I am inviting the inconvenient I am opening the door to the SUPERNATURAL!
Matthew 6:33
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
- FIRST - before my schedule.
- FIRST - before my needs, stuff, bills, “me” time
- FIRST - before anything else…
Judas was willing to serve Jesus, until Jesus did not meet the requirements that Judas wanted him to do…
WHEN JESUS WOULD NOT FIT JUDAS’ NEEDS, JUDAS LOOKED FOR ANYTHING ELSE THAT WOULD MAKE HIS LIFE CONVENIENT.
3) HAVE I TORN OFF MY
Matthew 26:14 - 15
14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,
15 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
What will you GIVE ME ~ if I give Him up…
- WILL YOU GIVE ME A SCHOLARSHIP IF IT MEANS I HAVE TO MISS CHURCH?
- WILL YOU GIVE ME A RAISE IN MY JOB IF I DECIDE TO MISS SUNDAYS FOR IT?
- WILL YOU GIVE ME SOME PEACE IN MY FINANCES IF I STOP GIVING FOR A TIME?
- WILL YOU GIVE ME MORE FRIENDS IF I STOP ACTING SO “CHRISTIAN” AROUND THEM?
- WILL YOU GIVE ME THE ATTENTION OF A BOY IF I COMPROMISE MY ETHICS?
- WILL YOU GET ME MORE LIKES ON SOCIAL MEDIA IF I PROMOTE THIS
- IF I’M INAPPROPRIATE TO EVERYONE ELSE
WHAT IS YOUR FOR SALE PRICE TO GIVE UP YOUR KINGDOM POSITION?!
People would rather choose a RELATIONSHIP over fellowship with God -
what’s your 30 pieces of silver?
People would rather choose THEIR PREFERENCE -
what’s your 30 pieces of silver?
IF YOU WOULD WORSHIP DIFFERENT IF THERE WERE DIFFERENT FRIENDS AT CHURCH WITH YOU?
YOU ARE STILL FOR SALE.
IF YOU WOULD TALK ABOUT JESUS IN FRONT OF CHURCH PEOPLE, BUT NOT IN FRONT OF THAT GUY OR GIRL YOU LIKE.
YOU ARE STILL FOR SALE.
IF YOU DESIRE TO BE someone who LIVES FOR THE KINGDOM:
- Silver can never be your source!
- People can never be your source!
- Your job cannot be your source!
- Your government and country cannot be your source!
- Your favorite news station cannot be your source!
WHAT WILL YOU GIVE ME - TO GIVE HIM UP?!?
WHAT WILL YOU TRADE FOR JESUS?…
He gave everything for me…
HE DID NOT DIE HALFWAY FOR ME. - I WILL NOT LIVE HALFWAY FOR HIM
In John 12:3 - 8 Mary (of Mary and Martha) poured oil on Jesus’ feet… it was extravagant… it was expensive… she was stirring things up in that moment of worship…
Judas got offended… said “THAT COULD HAVE BEEN USED FOR OUR POOR PERSONS MINISTRY…”
WHAT OFFENDED HIM THE MOST IS THAT HE SAW SOMEONE WHO WAS SOLD OUT and HE WASN’T ANYMORE.
- SHE WASN’T FOR SALE ANYMORE…
- SHE BROKE HER BOX AND LOST HER PRICE TAG…
… for only 30 pieces of silver - He gave up His BOLDNESS…
GOD WANTS YOU BLESSED!
GOD WANTS YOU USE YOU IN MIRACLES!
GOD WANTS YOUR LIFE TO BE WORTH SOMETHING!
YOUR PURPOSE IS TO BRING THE INFLUENCE OF HEAVEN ONTO EARTH!
~ His KINGDOM come, His WILL be done ~
INCREASING THE BOARDERS OF THE KINGS DOMINION.
YOU WILL NEVER WALK IN THE AUTHORITY TO FULFILL THE MISSION IF YOU ARE living in negotiation...
BOLD LIVING = not making Jesus the sprinkled topping to a busy week…
HE IS THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENT TO ALL OF MY LIFE.
In Luke 18:18 - 23, Jesus is with a crowd and a wealthy young man says “How can I get eternal life.”
The ruler’s problem wasn’t his money; it was the fact that HE WAS STILL FOR SALE!
TRUTH IS - God has already made you rich.
He already gave you access to Heavenly resources.
YOU ARE EITHER FOR SALE OR YOU ARE SOLD.
IF YOU ARE DEMANDING GOD MAKE YOU RICH, IT MEANS THAT:
YOU. HAVE. NO. IDEA. WHAT. RICH. IS.
Jesus was not saying we have to be broke to inherit eternal life:
HE IS ASKING US TO GIVE UP ANYTHING THAT COMPETES FOR OUR WORSHIP.
- For some of us that might be a career.
- For some it’s drugs.
- For some it’s certain foods.
- For some it’s forms of entertainment.
- For others it’s the relationship they have.
IT IS ANYTHING THAT COMPETES FOR MY ATTENTION AND AFFECTION.
- Do your words match your worship?
- Are you inviting the inconvenient?
- Have you torn off your price tag?
Matthew 5:13 - 16
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.
WHEN CHASING AFTER GOD IS GIVEN AS MUCH TIME AS WATCHING THE NEWS, OR FOCUSING ON OUR CAREER, OR DOING OUR FAVORITE ACTIVITY
Where we become diluted…and WE QUIT TASTING LIKE THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENT TO THE WORLD WE ARE CALLED TO BE!….
WHEN a people TRULY EMBRACE THE WILD EMBRACE, THEIR TIME IN DEVELOPING INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD….
- when you say - I’M NOT MISSING MY TIME IN PRAYER
- when you say - I’M NOT MISSING MY TIME IN CHURCH
- when you say - I’M NOT MISSING MY TIME MEDITATING THE WORD
YOU GET THE WILDNESS OF GOD IN YOUR SPIRIT!
- WE STOP BELIEVING THAT THINGS ARE IMPOSSIBLE!
- WE START SEEING THE WORLD AND OUR LIVES WITH NEW EYES!
MY WORDS WILL MATCH MY WORSHIP!
I WILL INVITE THE INCONVIENENT!
I HAVE TORN OFF MY PRICE TAG!