Untitled Sermon

We learn at a young age to go for the quickest and fastest pathway to success. We are prone to taking the path of least resistance to get where we are going.

However, what we poor our lives into, what we sell out for, and what we are willing to die for. Will be the things that require a lifelong investment. These things not only last, but bring the best returns for our investment.

I believe devolving a love for the Bible is our way of investing long term into what God wants for us. It's the very thing that renders the greatest satisfaction for us long term.

Our rooted in Jesus series is meant to bring all of us back to what’s most important for life. What is secure and certain.

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

Colossians 2:6 NKJV

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,

Last week I asked if you would read throughout the week. I believe it offers the best descriptions of how important the Bible is to us.

Almost 176 verses divided in 22 sections that illustrate the importance the word of God is to us. Every verse with the exception of a couple point us in the direction of Gods rich abundant provisions from His Words. I like to say it is the Words of God instead of the Word of God.

Here my first thought concerning what we receive in the way of information.

Too much information can dilute revelation

There is information everywhere. It's been said we live in an information age. I would like to add that it’s more than just an information age. I think it’s an age of information overload.

Information is a critical part of growing in wisdom and understanding, but I'm convinced that too much is not a good thing.

Now I know I need to be careful with this issue because we are all wired differently. But from my perspective, too much information can be more destructive than productive.

So, with that I want to rely both a scientific approach and a Bible approach on this issue.

First, let's consider what science has learned about the brain and the way we process things.

Illustration: Researchers at the Princeton University Neuroscience Institute published the results of a study they conducted in the January issue of The Journal of Neuroscience that relates directly to uncluttered and organized living. They said: “When your environment is cluttered, the chaos restricts your ability to focus. The clutter also limits your brain’s ability to process information. Clutter makes you distracted and unable to process information as well as you do in an uncluttered, organized, and serene environment”.

“The clutter competes for your attention in the same way a toddler might stand next to you annoyingly repeating, “candy, candy, candy, candy, I want candy, candy, candy, candy, candy, candy, candy, candy, candy, candy …” Even though you might be able to focus a little, you’re still aware that a screaming toddler is also vying for your attention. The annoyance also wears down your mental resources and you’re more likely to become frustrated”.

“The conclusions were strong — if you want to focus to the best of your ability and process information as effectively as possible, you need to clear the clutter from your home and work environment. This research shows that you will be less irritable, more productive, distracted less often, and able to process information better with an uncluttered and organized home and office”.

Now, you have a scientific reason to back my thoughts on the dilution of revelation. Here’s my bible explanation on the dilution of revelation

Remember it’s the amount of chatter we allow around us that keeps us from knowing Him!

And when Jesus saw great multitudes about Him, He gave a command to depart to the other side.

Reading the Word is where we get our knowledge. And every decision is better made with the right information.

When we limit our understanding, we limit our progress. Distractions are robbing your from knowing Him better.

ESV For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.

I want to focus on two words from verse 17. Wisdom and revelation. Wisdom is from the Greek word Sophias; and it describes insight, but not just any insight. It’s the kind that doesn’t come from a natural source. It’s not human wisdom.

Lean not to your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your pathways.

This is where I get in the most trouble. My own understanding!

Then there is revelation; this is from the Greek word apakalupsis it describes something once hidden from site then suddenly, almost instantaneously becomes clear.

If we center our understanding around ourselves then we have limited how much we can know about who we are. Self-awareness must be based on our understanding of who He is first.

(Alford) “For philosophy comes to man with the message, know thyself; the Gospel meets him with the far more glorious and fruitful watchword, Know thy God.”

Then we must apply what we have received

It’s not in the information alone that brings change. Have you ever said I wish I would have don’t that when I first heard about it? Mabey its concerning your financial investments, or your relationships. How about your career?

Its applying what we know that brings change.

This is not the easy path however. On one hand, it is the easy way, but on the other hand it’s the hard way. Easy because it’s the way that makes God responsible, the other way makes you responsible for the outcome.

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

His way is the easy way. Why do we do it our way?

We must be willing to invest in the easy way that most likely not bring you instant satisfaction. The only instant about God it Justification. But He paid for that. The wages of sin is death and we pay that.

So, what are we to do with what we have been given?

Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.

Take the Word into your life and apply it to your situations. Sowing is applying.

· Am I doing what God told me to do?

· Am I fulfilling the assignment He gave for my life?

· Am I living in obedience to His Word and revelation He gave me?

· Am I sticking with the plan Jesus asked me to execute?

This is when we begin to experience the victory, this is when we begin to see with our own eyes what we have previously only believed for.

All revelation depends on application. Knowing what to do is good but simply not enough. The farmers are getting ready to sow. Seeds are in the bags but they need to be in the ground.

This isn’t the easy way for the impatient, Gods way takes time because we keep messing it up and He has to redo what He’s already done.

Gods been working on me since I gave my life to Him 45 years ago. When I started this church with my family, God wasn’t building a place called Victory, He was building a man some call pastor Ed who would lead a church called Victory.

My final thought is when things start getting good.

This is the season of demonstration or manifestation

This is when we see what’s been working on the inside. It’s the reward period of our journey.

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

For those who remain in faith, there is a reward coming. He will see that what your believing for will come to past, but it will not manifest without a fight. That’s why He said those who are diligent with receive that reward.

The only way to push past the discouragements of the enemy is by keeping your eyes focused on Jesus. The author and finisher of our faith.

Related Media

Related Sermons