Take some weight off #11

The Last Weight

9/11/05  CC/AM

Take Some Weight Off #11

Introduction: This morning we are going to conclude our series that I began back in June.  We have been using Hebrews 12:1 as a jumping off place to investigate some of the sins and weights that can slow us from making the progress in our journey of discipleship in following the Lord Jesus Christ.  Review the previous rocks.

One last rock.  I actually had several people suggest this one, and Patrick McIntire actually delivered a rock to me at home to use! 

1.     What is it?

a.      It is hard to admit that we struggle with this one.

b.     In Biblical chronology it would be the second sin.

c.     Some that had a real struggle with this sin would be Cain, King Saul, King David, Joseph’s brothers, the Pharisees, the chief priests, and the laborers in the vineyard.

d.     It is the sin of envy - a painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage.

e.      We are not afraid to admit that we envy in some matters. We might even think that it is good to be envious about the way someone else can sing, play and instrument, cook, or craft.  True envy not only says, “I want what you have”, it also says, “I resent the fact that you have it and wish you would lose it”!  That is what distinguishes it from another sin, the sin of jealousy!

f.       Scriptural usages

Romans 1:28-29 NIV Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice.

Galatians 5:19-21 NASB95 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Titus 3:3 NLT Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled by others and became slaves to many wicked desires and evil pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy. We hated others, and they hated us.

2.     What is it doing in my pack?

a.      What did it do to those previously mentioned?

                                                              i.      Cain – murdered his brother Able

                                                            ii.      King Saul – attempted to murder David

                                                          iii.      David – He had Bathsheeba’s husband murdered

                                                         iv.      Joseph’s brothers – wanted to kill him but ended up selling him.

                                                           v.      Chief priests and Pharisees – wanted Jesus killed

                                                         vi.      Workers in the vineyard – hated their fellow workers

                                                       vii.      Notice a pattern? Hardcore envy leads to death!

b.     How did I get it in my pack?

                                                              i.      It comes with the sin nature package that we were all born with!

Mark 7:20-23 NIV He went on: “What comes out of a man is what makes him ‘unclean.’ For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean.’”

                                                            ii.      It is evident early in life. It might have began to show its’ self when we first realized that our sister got a bigger piece of pie than us!

                                                          iii.      From that point forward we learned to take a look at what everyone else has to make sure that we are not getting cheated!  We look at the professional athlete who makes millions for playing kid’s games that provides no tangible goods but entertainment and compare that to the hard work that we do and are just scraping by!

c.     What might it do to me?

                                                              i.      It causes me to compare myself with others. We do that because of pride.  When we compare ourselves to others we do so hoping to find out that we are better than them! One downside to the comparing game is this, you will always be able to find someone who is better if you look far enough and long enough!

                                                            ii.      It displays that I don’t really trust God’s judgment.  God should have made me different, given me more talent, helped me make more money, etc.

                                                          iii.      Instead of fulfilling God’s purpose of loving my fellow man, I end up resenting and hating him!

3.     What should I do with it?

a.      Steps to take when envy surfaces in our lives.

                                                              i.      Reignite our love for God

Proverbs 23:17 GNB Don’t be envious of sinful people; let reverence for the Lord be the concern of your life.

1 Peter 2:1-3 NIV Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

                                                            ii.      Recognize the sovereignty of God

Psalm 115:3 NASB95 But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.

                                                          iii.      Relate to people like God does. Love people, not possessions – Remember Jonah, his life was all messed up because he ran from God because he knew God would forgive the Ninavites and they would be spared.  He hated those people, fact is they were bad people but God loved them just as He loves us.  If we are going to look at others let’s do it through the eyes of Christ and not through eyes that envy.

                                                         iv.      Rejoice! It is not just wicked people that prosper.  What are we to do when we begin to feel envious toward our brothers or sisters in Christ when they drive up to church in the car we have drooled over but can’t afford or buy our dream house right from under our nose?  The Scripture tell us to rejoice!

Philippians 4:4 NIV Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Romans 12:15 NLT When others are happy, be happy with them. If they are sad, share their sorrow.

Rejoicing will be easier when we learn the discipline of contentment!

Philippians 4:11 KJV Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

1 Timothy 6:6-8 NLT Yet true religion with contentment is great wealth. After all, we didn’t bring anything with us when we came into the world, and we certainly cannot carry anything with us when we die. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.

Conclusion: I hope you have been able to unload your life of these weights.  We will need to visit them again I am sure.  These are weights that we don’t need and shouldn’t carry.  Inspect our hearts before God daily.  Seek to please Him and recognize Him.