Behold the King: The Power of Words, Your Message Matters

If your life were a movie, what would the title be?

If your life were a movie, what would the viewers say the message of the movie would be?

Each of us has the potential to produce a blockbuster hit for Jesus or a B-rated film that only gets one star in the heavenly box-office.

Your movie plot might have action, drama, comedy, romance, and most likely it is a romcomdramtion! but being an entertaining movie does not make it good enough for heaven’s critic. Your movie plot might seem boring, it might lack the “it” factor that Hollywood desires but it might have the message that Holy-wood requires to vindicate you. Each one of has a message within us that determines our condemnation or vindication. The message that justifies/vindicates us before the Holy-wood judgment seat is the Gospel message.

John 15:4–7 KJV 1900

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Our lives will either create pleasing and useful (good) produce for God or it will create useless and wasteful produce. As we produce fruit based on our nature/heart position, we will store the fruit up into a storehouse (treasure). Everything we do and say in our lives will be withdraws from this treasury. How we react to our co-workers, our spouse, our children, our parents, our teachers, our pastors, our government, and most telling how we deal with ourselves when we are alone.

Our lives should be a blockbuster in heaven, a production that pleases God. #LiveForChristatFaithway #HeavenlyPerspectiveatFaithway

The Bible gives a colorful contrast to these two natures.

Galatians 5:16–26 AV 1873

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

The statement “every idle word” means every statement you say out of jest, anger, when you are tired, or just when you are not thinking.

Proverbs 10:19 KJV 1900

In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: But he that refraineth his lips is wise.

We desire relationships that do not take our words seriously but rather rationalize our wasteful words with the thought that our intentions are most likely good.

Jesus says that our heart position will determine our conversations. And our conversations determine our condemnation.

For the Pharisees their heart position was away from God due to a reliance upon tradition instead of faith in Christ. And their vile hearts produced the wicked accusation against Jesus. Their hearts and eyes were blinded to the brilliance of Jesus’ deity, and no matter what proof Jesus provided the Pharisees would stay in their old paths because trusting in Jesus would mean a sacrifice of everything comfortable they now knew.

**Centralia, Pennsylvania**.

### **Centralia, Pennsylvania: A Cautionary Tale of Resistance to Change**

**The Boom:**

Centralia was once a thriving coal mining town in the heart of Pennsylvania. Established in the mid-19th century, it quickly grew due to the abundance of anthracite coal beneath the ground. The town boasted several thousand residents, multiple businesses, churches, and a strong sense of community. Centralia thrived on the coal industry, which fueled its economy and growth.

**The Downfall:**

In 1962, a fire accidentally ignited in a landfill that was situated in an abandoned coal mine. The fire spread underground into the coal seams beneath the town. Despite the danger, many residents and officials downplayed the severity of the situation, refusing to believe that the fire would pose a long-term threat. Over the years, attempts to extinguish the fire were made, but they were largely unsuccessful, and the fire continued to burn beneath the town.

As the underground fire persisted, it created hazardous conditions. Toxic gases, sinkholes, and ground subsidence became common. Despite these growing dangers, many of the town’s residents resisted relocation and were determined to keep Centralia as it was. They clung to the hope that the fire could be contained and that life could return to normal.

**The Ghost Town:**

By the 1980s, the federal government deemed the town uninhabitable and offered to buy out residents to relocate them. A few people took the offer, but a significant number of Centralia’s townspeople refused, still believing that the town could be saved. Over time, the population dwindled as more residents realized the severity of the situation and moved away.

Today, Centralia is virtually abandoned, with only a handful of residents remaining. The fire still burns underground, and most of the buildings have been demolished. The streets are empty, and the town has become a ghost town, a stark reminder of what happens when a community refuses to adapt to changing circumstances.

**The Lesson:**

Centralia’s story serves as a powerful lesson about the dangers of resisting change and clinging to the past. The townspeople’s desire to maintain their way of life, despite the clear and present danger, ultimately led to the town’s downfall. It’s a cautionary tale about the importance of recognizing when change is necessary and the consequences of failing to do so.

The Gospel calls us to change, to leave the old behind & live a life that reflects God’s glory. #NewCreationatFaithway #FaithInActionatFaithway

1 Peter 1:13–19 KJV 1900

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

By faith in the Gospel you are justified/vindicated! But are we living by faith of the Gospel? Does our message reflect the Gospel life that we are called to communicate? Are we simply trying to maintain a way of life that we have grown accustom to, or are we striving for the Gospel? Do we see hope? Do we believe in our hearts that God wants to see people saved and part of this church? We cannot be satisfied with the old paths when Jesus is paving a new one.

Those that held to keeping everything the same do not see that Christ changes everything, and makes all things new. He commands us to change, to stop foolish arguments and start following peace.

Romans 14:19 KJV 1900

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

Clinging to the past can lead to spiritual decay. Embrace the new life Jesus offers! #GospelTransformationatFaithway #FaithOverComfortatFaithway