UPROOTING THE MULBERRY (Faith Over Feelings
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PSALMS &
Ephesians 2 tells us
WE ARE FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE
WE ARE GOD’S WORKMANSHIP
WE ARE HIS MASTERPIECE
CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS TO DO GOOD WORKS
WE ARE UNIQUE AND AUTHENTIC
INDIVIDUALLY DEFINED BY THE MASTER HIMSELF
WE ARE A DESIGNERS ORIGINAL
IN A CATEGORY ALL BY OURSELVES
THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANOTHER…YOU
EVEN IF YOU HAVE A TWIN IT’S NOT YOU
OH COME ON...
GOD HAS PUT SO MUCH DETAIL INTO YOU THAT EVEN YOUR FINGER PRINT STANDS IN A CATEGORY ALL BY ITSELF
GENESIS TELLS US THAT GOD STOOPED DOWN AND CREATED MAN FROM THE DUST OF THE EARTH
HE FORMED HIM AND CREATED HIM AND DESIGNED HIM
THE BIBLE SAYS THAT HE BREATHED THE BREATH OF LIFE INTO HIM
AND HE BECAME A LIVING SOUL
THE WORD IN THE HEBREW IS…NEPHESH
MEANING …HE BECAME AWARE OF HIMSELF
HE’S NOT JUST ALIVE LIKE A ROSE BUSH OR A PLANT
HE BECOMES AWARE OF HIMSELF
IF YOU CUT A ROSE BUSH…IT DOESN’T SCREAM
IF YOU CUT CELERY…IT DOESN’T CRY
BUT BECAUSE WE ARE AWARE OF OURSELVES....
WE HAVE FEELINGS
OUR FEELINGS ARE UNIQUE AND ARE A GIFT...
WE ARE CREATED IN THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF GOD
GOD HAS FEELINGS
THE BIBLE SAYS THE LORD POURED OUT HIS WRATH
WHICH MEANS ....ANGRY WITH FIRE
GOD HAS FEELINGS
WE SEE THAT JESUS COMES TO LAZARUS’S TOMB AND THE BIBLE SAYS HE WEPT WITH MARY AND MARTHA....
WE SEE ALL THROUGHOUT THE BIBLE THAT GOD SHOWED HIS FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS IN DIFFERENT WAYS
GOD HAS FEELINGS
TELL YOUR NEIGHBOR….
GODS FEELS FOR YOU
WE NEED FEELINGS....
WE WERE CREATED TO FEEL
IF WE HAD NO FEELINGS
WE WOULDN’T BE ABLE TO LOVE
HOW COULD GOD ASK US TO LOVE HIM WITH ALL OUR HEART, MIND AND SOUL....
IF WE COULDN’T FEEL ANYTHING
RIGHT? AMEN?
OUR FEELINGS ARE A GIFT TO US
IN FACT THE BIBLE SAYS…
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
SO GOD CREATED US TO HAVE FEELINGS
BUT…..HE DOESN’T WANT US TO BE LED BY FEELINGS
OH COME ON SOMEBODY......
THIS IS WHERE WE GET IT WRONG....
OUR CULTURE SAYS, IF IT FEELS GOOD DO IT
IF IT FEELS UNCOMFORTABLE....DO SOMETHING ELSE
OH COME ON...
IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOUR IN THE WRONG BODY
CHANGE IT
IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOUR ATTRACTION IS TO THE SAME SEX
DO WHAT FEELS GOOD
IF SOMEONE OFFENDS YOU AND HURTS YOUR FEELINGS...
CUT THEM OFF
IF YOU NO LONGER FEEL THE LOVE YOU ONCE HAD FOR YOUR SPOUSE
GO FIND SOMEONE ELSE
OUR CULTURE SAYS....
YOU GOTTA DO WHAT FEELS GOOD AND RIGHT TO YOU
AND GOD SAYS…HOLD ON A MINUTE
YOUR FEELINGS ARE A GIFT
BUT THEY AREN’T MEANT TO CONTROL YOU
THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS...
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 meekness, self-control; against such there is no law.
YOU KNOW WHAT I READ WHEN I SEE THIS....
IN ORDER TO BARE THIS FRUIT IN YOUR LIFE
YOUR GONNA HAVE TO CONTROL YOUR FEELINGS
BECAUSE IF WE YIELD TO OUR FEELINGS ALL THE TIME....
THEN WE WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO WALK IN THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
GOD CREATED US TO HAVE FEELINGS....
THERE IS A NATURAL FEELING THAT TAKES PLACE WHEN....
WE GIVE BIRTH TO A CHILD
OH COME ON.....YOU REMEMBER?
I REMEMBER WHEN WE HAD OUR FIRST CHILD…ABBIE
THERE IS A FEELING OF PROTECTIVENESS WITH MAMAS AND THEIR CHILDREN (EXPOUND)
I WOULD RATHER FIGHT ANY DUDE IN HERE....
THAN TO FIGHT AN ANGRY MAMMA
GOD GIVES US FEELINGS
SO THAT WE MIGHT BE PROTECTIVE
AND CORRECTIVE
AND SO WE MIGHT HAVE EMPATHY
WE NEED OUR FEELINGS
FEELING CAN CAUSE CHILDREN TO FEEL...
LOVED
CARED FOR
NURTURED
BUT AS MANY GOOD THINGS AS THERE ARE WITH OUR FEELINGS...
WE CAN ALSO GET HURT IN OUR FEELINGS
BRUISED IN OUR FEELINGS
DISAPPOINTED IN OUR FEELINGS
WE CAN FEEL FORSAKEN
WE CAN FEEL REJECTED
AND NOT EVEN SHOW ANYBODY
YOU CAN SEE A BROKEN LEG
BUT YOU CAN’T SEE A BROKEN HEART
THERE IS NO MEDICATION FOR A BROKEN HEART
THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THAT PAIN
YOU KNOW THAT IT’S SOMETHING THAT HAS TO HEAL OVER TIME
PSYCHOLOGY TODAY SAYS THIS...
The Difference Between Physical And Emotional Pain IS THIS....
- As soon as someone's physical pain is over, it is relatively forgotten, but emotional pain can return. Add in the fact that physical pain garners more empathy and attention, while emotional pain is often an afterthought, and the recurrence of emotional pain can cause long-term issues.
WE KNOW THIS TO BE TRUE BECAUSE...
WE ARE TRIGGERED BY CERTAIN THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN OUR LIVES
AND IT CAN CAUSE US TO GO BACK AND RELIVE THE PAIN OF A PAST HURT OR DISAPPOINTMENT
GOD CREATED US TO REMEMBER THINGS
JUST LIKE REMEMBERING THINGS CAN HELP US MAKE BETTER CHOICES
IT CAN ALSO KEEP US FROM THE
HEALING THAT WE NEED TO EXPERIENCE
IT CAUSES US TO HOLD GRUDGES AGAINST PEOPLE
YOUR FEELINGS AND BEING OFFENDED ARE TIED TOGETHER
WHEN OUR FEELING ARE HURT
THE SPIRIT OF OFFENSE CREEPS IN AND TAKES ROOT IN OUR HEARTS
BEING OFFENDED...
WILL CAUSE US TO BUILD WALLS AROUND OUR HEART
IT WILL CAUSE US TO ISOLATE ....
OUT OF FEAR OF BEING HURT AGAIN
A LOT OF TIMES...
OFFENSE COMES BY MISUNDERSTANDING
IT COMES BY ASSUMPTION OR MISINTERPRETING WHAT SOMEONE HAS SAID OR DID
OR NOW DAYS IT COMES THROUGH TEXT AND SOCIAL MEDIA
1 He said to his disciples, “Offenses will certainly come, but woe to the one through whom they come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to stumble. 3 Be on your guard. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and comes back to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
6 “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed,” the Lord said, “you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.
7 “Which one of you having a servant tending sheep or plowing will say to him when he comes in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? 8 Instead, will he not tell him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat, get ready, and serve me while I eat and drink; later you can eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank that servant because he did what was commanded? 10 In the same way, when you have done all that you were commanded, you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we’ve only done our duty.’ ”
HE’S TELLING HIS DISCIPLES....BE CAREFUL
OFFENSES WILL COME
HE’S NOT TELLING NON-CHRISTIANS
HE’S SAYING THIS TO THE CHRISTIANS
(EXPOUND ON VERSE 1…3…6....10)
IT’S NOT IF IT HAPPENS BUT WHEN IT HAPPENS.
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
COME ON THIS SCRIPTURE IS FOR CHRISTIANS.....
MATTHEW 12:25 SAYS...
“Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.
WHEN BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST ALLOW THE SPIRIT OF OFFENSE TO COME IN TO THEIR HEARTS
YOU ARE NOT ONLY BRINGING DESTRUCTION TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY BUT
YOUR BRINGING HARM TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD
YOUR ACTIONS
YOUR UN-FORGIVENESS
YOUR BITTERNESS
YOUR UN- DEALT WITH OFFENSE
CAN HINDER THE HEART OF MAN....
AND CAUSE YOUR BROTHER OR SISTER TO STUMBLE AND FALL
AND GOD SAID....
IT WOULD BE BETTER TO TIE A MILLSTONE AROUND YOUR NECK AND BE CAST INTO THE SEA
OFFENSE UN-DEALT WITH IS....
A FOOTHOLD (OPPORTUNITY) FOR THE DEVIL
WE HAVE GOT TO LEARN TO TALK THINGS OUT
IF SOMEONE HAS HURT YOU OR OFFENDED YOU
GO TO THEM AND TALK IT OUT
23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
A CONVERSATION CAN GO A LONG WAY....
I KNOW IT CAN BE SCARY AND UNCOMFORTABLE
BUT IT’S THE ONLY WAY TO RECONCILE
LISTEN TO ME...
BURYING STUFF DOES NOT HEAL IT
COVERED WOUND DON’T HEAL WELL
YOUR TRYING TO FIND VICTORY BY COVERING THE WOUND AND MOVING ON
GOD SAYS UNCOVER IT AND EXPOSE IT
HE SAYS DON’T GIVE THE DEVIL THE OPPORTUNITY TO INFECT YOUR HEART
VICTORY COMES BY EXPOSING THE SCHEMES OF THE ENEMY AND ATTACKING THE INFECTION AT THE ROOT
PART OF BEING MATURE IN CHRIST IS BEING ABLE TO DEAL WITH YOUR OFFENSES
OH MY LORD....
WATCH THIS....
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
THE WORD PURE IS DERIVED FROM THE GREEK WORD ..... KATHAROS
THE ROOT WORD FOR KATHAROS IS...
KATH
WHICH IS WHERE WE GET THE WORD “CATHETER”
A CATHETER IS USED TO CREATE FLOW
IT’S USED TO HELP CLEAR BLOCKAGES
SO WHEN WE UNDERSTAND THIS AND LOOK AT SCRIPTURES LIKE MATTHEW 5:8
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HEART IS KATHAROS
CLEAR AND CLEAN OF BLOCKAGES
THE HOLY SPIRIT ACTS AS A CATHETER TO OUR HEARTS
IF WE ARE WALKING IN THE SPIRIT AND NOT IN THE FLESH
THEN WE HAVE A GOOD FLOW IN OUR HEART THAT IS SUSTAINING US
OH MY LORD.....
CAN SOMEBODY SAY AMEN????
HE SAID....
BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART FOR THE SHALL....WHAT???
SEE GOD
LORD HELP ME.....
A CATHETER IN MY HEART...
- A CLEAN AND CLEAR HEART........WILL AFFECT MY EYES
THEY SHALL.....SEE…GOD
WHICH MEANS....
INFECTION IN YOUR HEART (BLOCKAGES)
OH COME ON SOMEBODY....
A HEART THAT IS INFECTED WITH UN-FORGIVENESS
A HEART THAT IS INFECTED WITH OFFENSE
A HEART THAT IS INFECTED WITH SELFISHNESS
A HEART THAT IS INFECTED WITH
bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
OH COME ON SOMEBODY.....
INFECTION IN YOUR HEART....
HINDERS YOUR VISION
BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART, FOR THEY WILL SEE GOD
IF YOUR HEART IS BLOCKED WITH UN-FORGIVENESS
YOU WON’T BE ABLE TO SEE GOD IN YOUR SITUATION
THIS PRINCIPLE APPLIES TO MANY SITUATIONS
NOT JUST OFFENSE
YOUR HEART CAN BE INFECTED AND BLOCKED FROM FLOWING FROM MANY THINGS
WHAT IS BLOCKING YOUR HEART THIS MORNING???
THE ENEMY SENDS THINGS TO YOUR HEART
TO SHUT DOWN YOUR VISION
OFFENSE IS KNOW AS THE BAIT OF SATAN...
IF HE CAN CONTAMINATE YOUR HEART
HE CAN KEEP YOU FROM BEING ABLE TO SEE YOUR WAY OUT OF YOUR SITUATION
YEAH BUT PASTOR CHRIS....
YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY DID TO ME
YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT ME
THEY BEEN LYING ON ME
SPREADING RUMORS ABOUT ME
POSTING LITTLE THINGS ON FACEBOOK TO MAKE JABS AT ME
THEY ARE A THORN IN MY FLESH
OH COME ON SOMEBODY....
DO YOU KNOW WHAT THEY DID TO JESUS???
THEY BEAT HIM SENSELESS
THEY RIPPED AND TORE HIS FLESH FROM HIS BONES
THEY MOCKED HIM AND SPIT ON HIM
THEY RIDICULED HIM
THEY CUSSED HIM
THEY DID EVERYTHING SHORT OF KILLING HIM ON THE WHIPPING POST
EVEN HIS OWN FRIENDS TURNED THEIR BACK ON HIM
THEN THEY CARRIED HIM TO CALVARY
AND THEY NAILED HIS HANDS THROUGH HIS WRISTS TO THE CROSS
THEY NAILED HIS FEET TO THE CROSS AND THEY WATCHED HIM AS HE SLOWLY AND PAINFULLY DIED
JESUS IN ALL OF HIS DIVINE AND INFINITE POWER
COULD HAVE STOPPED EVERYTHING IN A MOMENT
HE COULD HAVE CHOSEN TO KILL THEM ALL
HE COULD HAVE CHOSEN TO PUT UP A FIGHT AND THROWN IT BACK IN THEIR FACE
BUT HE DIDN’T
INSTEAD.....HE SAID....
FATHER FORGIVE THEM…FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO
FORGIVE THEM
WOW....WHAT AN EXAMPLE
HE DIDN’T ALLOW THEM TO CONTAMINATE HIS HEART
HE SAID I FORGIVE YOU
.........WORSHIP TEAM WILL YOU JOIN ME.........
THERE ARE TIMES IN YOUR LIFE WHEN YOU WILL HAVE TO CHOOSE....
AM I GONNA BE A LION
OR A LAMB
THE BIBLE SAID
JESUS WAS LED LIKE A LAMB TO THE SLAUGHTER
OH MY LORD....
AT ANY MOMENT...
HE COULD HAVE CHOSEN TO BE THE LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH
BUT HE DIDN’T
WHY???
BECAUSE A LION WASN’T GONNA BE ABLE TO GET THIS JOB DONE
IT WAS A LAMB THAT WAS REQUIRED
REGARDLESS OF THE PEOPLE AROUND HIM
HE SAID I CHOOSE LOVE
I CHOOSE VICTORY
IN ORDER FOR ME TO FORGIVE YOU
I GOTTA BE A LAMB WHILE YOUR STICKING NAILS IN MY HANDS
HEBREWS 12 SAYS...
MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO LIVE AT PEACE WITH EVERYONE
MAKE SURE THAT THE ROOT OF BITTERNESS DOES NOT SPRING UP WITH IN YOU DEFILE MANY
IT’S A ROOT BITTERNESS
THE DISCIPLES SAID...
INCREASE OUR FAITH
6 “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed,” the Lord said, “you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.
A MULBERRY TREE
HAS A DAMAGING AND INVASIVE ROOT SYSTEM
THE ROOT SYSTEM SPREADS FAR AND DEEP
AND IT GROWN QUICKLY
THE ROOTS DOMINATE THE SURROUNDING SOIL AREAS
THESE ROOTS CAN CAUSE FOUNDATION PROBLEMS TO WHATEVER IS PLANTED NEARBY
IT DOES NOT PENETRATE THE FOUNDATION BUT,
IT DOES AFFECT THE FOUNDATION SO MUCH THAT THE FOUNDATION WILL WARP AND BUCKLE.
THIS IS WHAT THE ROOT OF BITTERNESS DOES
I WONDER WHAT ROOT YOUR CARRYING TODAY
....STAND TO YOUR FEET......
TO THE DISCIPLES
OFFENSE SEEMED NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO OVERLOOK
SO MUCH SO THAT THEY SAID LORD,
YOUR GONNA HAVE TO INCREASE OUR FAITH
THEN JESUS TELLS THEM ALL IT TAKES IS A MUSTARD SEED OF FAITH
IT’S ABOUT OBEDIENCE
IT’S ALWAYS ABOUT OBEDIENCE
IT’S NOT ABOUT THE SIZE OF FAITH
I THINK YOU WOULD MISS THE BIGGER PICTURE HERE
IT’S ABOUT BEING OBEDIENCE AND ENTRUSTING THE OFFENSE TO GOD
REGARDLESS OF OUR FEELINGS
REGARDLESS OF HOW WE’VE BEEN OFFENDED
WE HAVE TO GET TO THE PLACE WHERE...
WE SURRENDER IT TO GOD
HOW DO WE DO THAT???
BY CHOOSING TO FORGIVE
AND IF SOMEONE ASK FOR FORGIVENESS
YOU MUST FORGIVE THEM
STOP HARBORING UN-FORGIVENESS
STOP HARBORING BITTERNESS AND RESENTMENT
IT’S LIKE THE ROOT OF A MULBERRY TREE
IT’S GOING TO CONTINUE TO GROW DEEPER AND STRONGER
AND BEFORE YOU KNOW IT....
YOUR LIVING YOUR LIFE FULL OF REGRET AND YOU’LL NEVER RECEIVE ALL THAT GOD HAS FOR YOU
.....EVERY HEAD BOWED....
(GIVE A CALL FOR OFFENSE AND UNFORGIVENESS)
HERE’S WHAT WERE GOING TO DO....
IF YOUR HERE AND YOU RAISED YOUR HAND
THESE ALTARS ARE OPEN
YOU HAVE TO CHOOSE FORGIVENESS
I CAN’T PRAY YOU THROUGH TO IT
IT’S A CHOICE OF OBEDIENCE AND SURRENDER TO GOD
AND IT’S ALL YOUR CHOICE
WERE GONNA PLAY AND WORSHIP AND I WOULD ASK YOU TO COME AND SPEND SOME TIME THIS MORNING AT THE ALTAR.