Untitled Sermon (2)

Play testimony of Holy Gabbana first

Is your WOF current and is it really necessary? A.K.A. Walking Obediently Faithfully? Who cares?

Talk about needing WOF recently, however car failed due to broken fog light. The fog light had been broken for many years and just covered up with clear tape. This time around I didn’t notice the tape had come off and the car failed. I removed them from the car and passed my WOF.

The Holiness and Majesty of God:

Isaiah 6:1–4 (ESV) In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.

Revelation 5:11–14 (ESV) Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Job 38:1–38 (ESV) Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me.

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

“Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb, when I made clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling band, and prescribed limits for it and set bars and doors, and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed’?

“Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place, that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it? It is changed like clay under the seal, and its features stand out like a garment. From the wicked their light is withheld, and their uplifted arm is broken.

“Have you entered into the springs of the sea, or walked in the recesses of the deep? Have the gates of death been revealed to you, or have you seen the gates of deep darkness? Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth? Declare, if you know all this.

“Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades [PLEE-uh-deez] or loose the cords of Orion? Can you lead forth the constellations in their season, or can you guide the Bear with its children? Do you know the ordinances of the heavens? Can you establish their rule on the earth?

The Unholiness and insignificance of Man:

Job 40:4–5 (ESV) “Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further.”

Isaiah 6:5 (ESV) And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”

Luke 5:8 (ESV) But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”

Romans 3:23 (ESV) For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Isaiah 64:5–7 (ESV) We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. There is no one who calls upon your name, who rouses himself to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have made us melt in the hand of our iniquities.

Mark 7:20–23 (ESV) And [Jesus] said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Talk about woman's prison visit, and maybe neighbors.

What God has done for us, the Christian, in spite of our unholiness:

(this list is from Warren Wiersbe)

He has chosen us (1: 4)

He has adopted us (1: 5)

He has accepted us (1: 6)

He has redeemed us (1: 7a)

He has forgiven us (1: 7b)

He has revealed His will to us (1: 8–10)

He has made us an inheritance (1: 11–12)

He has sealed us (1: 13)

He has given us down payment of our inheritance (1: 14)

Isaiah 6:6–7 (ESV) Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”

Ezekiel 36:25–27 (ESV) I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

Colossians 2:13–14 (ESV) And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

Luke 23:39–43 (ESV) One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

What we owe God if we are His children:

We are to mimic Him, we are to be Holy just as He is Holy. We are to live exactly as He tells us to, we are to obey Him faithfully, and to present our very bodies to Him.

· Ephesians 5:1 “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.”

1 Peter 1:14–19 (ESV) As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

Romans 12:1 (ESV) I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

We are to have sacrificial love for others

· Ephesians 5:2 “And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Matthew 25:31–46 (ESV) “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Here Jesus describes a scene of final judgment where all people are divided into two groups: sheep and goats, which are separated by a shepherd.

The parable teaches that the heart’s orientation is crucial: sheep live beyond themselves, seeking the good of others and God’s Kingdom, while goats are self-centered. And ultimately, the relationship with God determines one’s path.

We are to NOT walk as the world walks, instead we are to PUT OFF our old self - our old way of thinking and acting and being, and PUT ON our new self - put on Jesus, be clones of God our dad.

· Ephesians 5:3–4 “But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place.

Romans 13:14 (ESV) But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Ephesians 4:22–24 (ESV) Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

If we are going to obey all these things that God has instructed us to do and present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, then, commonsense says, there will be no sexual immorality, uncleanness, greediness, obscenity, foolish talk, or coarse jesting among us.

Instead, naturally, we are to give thanks for being taken out of darkness, out of death, out of the coffin, and into fresh air, new life and light!

· Ephesians 5:3 “but rather giving thanks.”

Colossians 3:17 (ESV) And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Psalm 139:1–4 (ESV) O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.

All God’s gifts, including sex, are subjects for thanksgiving. Not to be ashamed of but treated with the reverence and respect. And it is harder to think of, talk of, act out, sexual immorality, uncleanness, greediness, obscenity, foolish talk, or coarse jesting, when you keep in mind giving thanks for ALL things in the name of Jesus, and the fact that God knows your very thoughts and words on your tongue. There is no hiding from God. Everything is exposed to Him and will eventually be out in the light.

· Ephesians 5:8 “for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light”

The Message bible reads Ephesians 5:14“Wake up from your sleep, Climb out of your coffins; Christ will show you the light!”

Here is a tarpaulin. It looks clean and new, but it is not. In fact, this has had a dead person wrapped inside it for over 5 hours.

Don't wrap yourself in the tarp again! There is no need, and life will just be miserable.

Reexamine yourself:

· Ephesians 5:5–6 “For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.”

Galatians 5:16–26 (ESV) But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.....Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you......... that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. ......those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

Romans 13:12–14 (ESV) The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime.....[and] put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Leviticus 18:1–5 (ESV) And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, I am the Lord your God. You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall not walk in their statutes. You shall follow my rules and keep my statutes and walk in them. I am the Lord your God. You shall therefore keep my statutes and my rules; if a person does them, he shall live by them: I am the Lord.

He then goes on to list of who/what not to have sex with.

Why so much talk about sex and things related to sex? The sex drive can be a very powerful, selfish animal, and if left untamed, it can wreak havoc and destroy peoples lives. And because it is so powerful, it seems to be one of the main driving forces in humanity.

But get the facts right!!

God is NOT against sex. He created it and it is good and right and pleasurable.....with the right person at the right time.

Let us look at a practical example:

The Five Rights of Medication Administration

Drug example. Ketamine/Fentanyl/Morphine - too much can kill. Needs to be Right

Right Patient: Confirm the identity of the patient by checking their name and date of birth.

Right Drug: Verify that the medication matches the prescription and is appropriate for the patient.

Right Dose: Ensure the correct dosage is administered, checking against the prescription and patient records.

Right Route: Administer the medication via the correct method (oral, IV, etc.).

Right Time: Give the medication at the scheduled time, considering any specific timing requirements.

These drugs are good and necessary when used responsibly. Same with sex:

The Five Rights of Sex

Right Person: Husband or wife - not same sex.

Right Drug: SEX, agreed.

Right Dose: Sex is give and take, respecting each other’s boundaries and sensitivities.

Right Route: I will let you figure that one out.

Right Time: Obviously not here and now. Let commonsense rule that one.

However, as usual, Satan has warped/twisted what is good and pure into something that can be “shameful even to speak about”. Ephesians 5:12

Genesis 2:25 (LEB) And the man and his wife were naked, and they were not ashamed.

Adam and Eve were perfectly fine until they both sinned, then they were ashamed of their nakedness.

Their disobedience led to shame, guilt, and a broken relationship with God and each other.

It is the same with us. And because we, just like our mum and dad of ages ago, are so easily led astray, we must not go there, at all, not even a little tiny hint.

Now there are times when I am sent to a job where I need to examine intermit parts of a women. I am EXTREEMLY careful to try and not even give the opportunity for the women to say I touched her inappropriately. Now of course, anyone can say anything. Yet I tread very carefully and am very hesitant to even do these jobs.

I see this as just what Paul is saying here. Be EXTREEMLY careful, and don’t even give an opportunity for anyone to suggest you are behaving inappropriately, or in such a manner that puts God in a bad light.

However, if you do continue in such a manner then perhaps you are not even saved.

· Ephesians 5:5 “For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

1 John 3:9–10 (ESV) “No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

Both Paul and John made it clear that people who deliberately and persistently live in sin will not share in God’s kingdom.

How about we live from today onwards walking obediently faithfully, because our Abba cares, and therefore so should you and I.

Just don’t go there!!!!

Newsboys - Guilty (Official Lyric Video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dq1-lX9U95I&list=OLAK5uy_kuf2MQ2joVTm8okEdxk10MMbvByztdmsY - end song at 1:28

My Confession: Michael Tait June 10, 2025

Recent reports of my reckless and destructive behavior, including drug and alcohol abuse and sexual activity are sadly, largely true. For some two decades I used and abused cocaine, consumed far too much alcohol, and, at times, touched men in an unwanted sensual way. I am ashamed of my life choices and actions, and make no excuses for them. I will simply call it what God calls it-sin. I don't blame anyone or anything but myself. While I might dispute certain details in the accusations against me, I do not dispute the substance of them.

..........I was, for the most part, living two distinctly different lives. I was not the same person on stage Sunday night that I was at home on Monday. I was violating everything I was raised to believe by my God-fearing Dad and Mom, about walking with Jesus and was grieving the very God I loved and sang about for most of my life........

I have hurt so many people in so many ways, and I will live with that shameful reality the rest of my life. I can only dream and pray for human forgiveness, because I certainly don't deserve it.....

.......Sin is a terrible thing, taking us where we don't want to go; keeping us longer than we want to stay; and costing us more than we want to pay. I accept the consequences of my sin and am committed to continuing the hard work of repentance and healing-work I will do quietly and privately, away from the stage and the spotlight.

To the extent my sinful behavior has caused anyone to lose respect or faith or trust in me, I understand, deserve, and accept that. But it crushes me to think that someone would lose or choose not to pursue faith and trust in Jesus because I have been a horrible representative of Him-for He alone is ultimately the only hope for any of us.

..........

· Ephesians 5:6–8 “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore, do not become partners with them”

Don’t listen to those in the world who argue “did God actually say this or that? (Genesis 3:1) Or who say “Look, God is too kind to condemn anyone, He is a God of love and goodness, He made you that way and He wants you to live life to its fullest which means living how you feel”.

There will be those how want to tempt you with clever, subtle reasonings and very appealing, fully humanistic thinking. Do not become a partner with them.

· Ephesians 5:8-10 “for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.

Romans 6:21 (ESV) But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.

John 3:20 (ESV) For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.

Romans 6:12–13 “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.”

We used to be darkness, a part of the darkness – not a victim but a participant, and our fruit was death, it led to the wrath of God and no inheritance in the kingdom of God.

Instead we are to walk in the light – present ourselves to God, to live in the light, not to die in darkness.

· Ephesians 5:11-12 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.

Instead, we are told to expose the darkness, expose things that are sin, both in our lives and in the lives of those who are not God’s children.

We are to examine ourselves, to see if we are still walking in the light, and we are to restore a brother or sister who has sinned, in a spirit of gentleness and great humility, knowing that we, ourselves, fight sin and our flesh each day, and we could so easily be in a pit of despair if we are not careful.

2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV) Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test

Galatians 6:1–3 (ESV) Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

· Ephesians 5:13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

                  “Awake, O sleeper,

      and arise from the dead,

                  and Christ will shine on you.”

We are to also expose the works of darkness in the lives of those who are not Gods children. However, it is to be our life, our actual example of living for God, that shines a light on the deeds of those around us. Yes we are to talk about sin and the depravity of man so a non-Christian can see their need for a savior, yet, we are to do this lovingly and with respect.

Genesis 3:1 “Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?””

Titus 2:11–14 “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.”

How can we do all this?

· Ephesians 5:18 (ESV) "be filled with the Spirit”

Ephesians 3:16 (ESV) that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being.

Ephesians 6:10–11 (ESV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Romans 12:2 (ESV) Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

This is be discussed next time, however it is important to show here that we have responsibility to walk thoughtfully, examining and testing, to make sure our walk is right.

And finally:

Hebrews 12:1-2  (ESV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.