When pigs fly

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

INTRODUCTION

Well Good morning, The saying when pigs fly has been traced back to 'Proverbs of Scotland' (1862).

Then in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' (1865) by Lewis Carroll questioned 'whether pigs had wings.'

The phrase 'When Pigs Fly' refers to something that is highly unlikely to ever happen.

"When pigs fly" is a way of saying that something will never happen. It is impossible.

For example, Prayer will never be taken out of school. When pigs fly.

In God we trust will always be the motto of the United States of American. When pigs fly.

The institution of marriage between a man and a woman will never be turn to be a man with a man or woman with a woman. When pigs fly.

Things are changing, and we are in the midst of this battle today, with the changes.

Is there anything that cannot be changed, shaken, and destroyed? Physical comforts are torn away from many. Health is not immovable. Wealth is not a lasting kingdom. Property is "unstable as water."

But this is one I can be sure of. The whole world may change but God and His Kingdom will remain the same.

But this is one I can be sure of. The whole world may change but God and His Kingdom will remain the same.

This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain.

Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping Him with holy fear and awe.

The kingdom which our text says is immovable is Christianity. In other places it is called "the kingdom of God," "the kingdom of Christ," "the kingdom of heaven."

For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Eventually the world will crumble and only God’s Kingdom will last. Those who follow Christ are part of this unshakable Kingdom.

When the the shaking and sifting and burning start, we will be able to withstand.

We can hold true to the fact that when everything is sinking around us, we are standing on a solid foundation.

When all around is sinking sand, On Christ that solid Rock I stand.

Don’t put your confidence in what will change or be destroyed instead build your life on Christ and His unshakable Kingdom.

"Anyone who listens to My teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.

Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse because it is built on bedrock.

But anyone who hears My teaching and doesn't obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand.

When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash."

If you listen then you are wise and you are person building a house on a solid rock, that is not what it said, if you listen and follows is is wise like a person who builds a house on solid rock.

We have so many people today, they can quote it and can tell you all the background, theology, years and ages of all the prophets of old, but do not keep the Word of God.

And when I say this immediately we start thinking about the other guy. You know, Old so and so and sister sally but we never think about ourselves.

Because many of us operate on When pigs fly religion.

Our faith is good in something but maybe not good in other things.

George Barna research found that just one out of every five adults (21%) strongly affirms a personal responsibility to share their religious beliefs with people.

Only two out of every five Christ followers (39%) believing they should share the importance of reliance upon Christ with others.

Year ago, as a young evangelist, I was preaching a revival and it was a small church average attendance was at that time around 25 to 30.

In it glory days, it was running around 100 or better. But not then and not now, and it was that “When Pigs fly” attitude.

My brother Joey and I were telling the pastor, we are going to go out in the neighborhood and talk to the people, do some personal soul-winning and we ask this pastor about this one man and the pastor said well if you get him here you better throw the altar on top of him and hold him down.

When Pigs fly attitude.

And I have found that this when pigs fly attitude not just in soul-winning but it is every avenue of our Christian walk.

Let’s look at a portion of scripture this morning.

So they arrived at the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes.

When Jesus climbed out of the boat, a man possessed by an evil spirit came out from a cemetery to meet Him.

This man lived among the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain.

Whenever he was put into chains and shackles—as he often was—he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him.

Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones.

This place Gerasenes means to be a steep place.

Have you ever been in a steep place in your life, I mean that place that you could not climb out of it.

This man lived in burial caves, the graveyard, He had no life, He was in chains and sometimes he would snapped the chains and shackles, but one was strong enough to help him.

I would assume that many had tried to help but they had gave up. they had done all they could do.

Day in day out, he was wondering in his helplessness, the grave doom to live put control by the enemy.

I wonder if you know what I am talking about, maybe it you, maybe it a love one, but they are in need of a Savior.

It could be salvation, it could be a healing touch, it could be the need to be set free from sins, depression, etc.

But you feel you have done all you can do, and you are done, stick a fork in me. done.

We get the when pigs fly attitude. But we forget about this:

And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth

When Jesus step in, the situation changes.

But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,

We need to show them Jesus.

Jesus cast the demon out and healed the man and the pigs flew.

So Jesus gave them permission. The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd of about 2,000 pigs plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.

When pigs fly

The results of believing in the impossible is more than just your need or that need which seem impossible.

So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.

When pigs fly’s miracle happens people come face to face with Jesus thru the miracle.

Do you remember the text:

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

Your life, your faith, you breaking the when pigs fly attitude will extend life and souls will come to know Jesus Christ.

So how do with do this: How do we get to that place of unshakable.

Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping Him with holy fear and awe.

1. Thankful

a. Thankful that God answers our prayers

I will answer them before they even call to Me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!

b. Thankful for God’s blessings

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.

2. Worship Him

Give to the LORD the glory He deserves! Bring your offering and come into His presence. Worship the LORD in all His holy splendor.

3. Recognize that God is a consuming fire.

For our God is a consuming fire.

There is a big difference between the flame of a candle and a huge forest fire.

We cannot even stand near a raging fire. Regardless, of all the technology of today, a consuming fire is many times beyond man’s control.

God is not within our control. We cannot force Him to do anything for us through our prayers. He cannot be contained. He is God!

Live your lives in awe and respect of God.

Don’t get the when Pigs fly attitude.