What `u Fessin
What ‘u Fessin? The Message Interpretation…
KJV says, “From whence, my dear child, doth thou bring forth the fruit of thy lips?”
NIV says, “What are you confessing?”
NLT says, “Please tell me what it is that you are confessing?”
Preface message… We’re in a new relationship together as pastor and church, but there will be times of great joy and excitement, and then there will be times of pain as we go through change and follow after God’s will. Backs will be patted and praised at times, and toes will be stepped on at other times.
Luke 6:45 NKJV
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Many of you here have had personal moments with Jesus Christ and with God our Father, so you understand the fundamentals of becoming a Christian…
Romans 10:9-10 NIV
That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Salvation wordings…Ultimately, God is announced as filling our hearts and lives, and he is supposed to be in control, now, of who we are.
Story about eating for holidays compared to the last 2 weeks at my dad and step-mom’s house
Holidays, choices galore, no expectations or limitations, the only absolute is that I do make myself a plate and I do eat.
Normal days, we eat what is set before us, still have choice of drink, sit where our place is set. We are not asked if the meal prepared was appropriate, desired, or expected. Yet, Justin seems quite comfortable with letting his opinion being known that he doesn’t want what was prepared and will not eat it, showing his immaturity and disregard for other’s feelings.
We have a choice in church life of where we sit, with whom we associate with closely, what we wear, and what type of Bible we choose to bring to read from. But, we do not decide what is preached, what is sung, and the manners in which any of that is brought about. We don’t personally choose on which weeks we take communion, baptize new converts, or at what point in the service offering is taken or prayer is offered. Yet, so often you hear opinion being voiced about things from people that God has not trusted with those decisions. It’s time now that we make the conscience decision to take “ME” out of our Christian walk and allow God to direct each of us in the manner in which he chooses.
James 1:26 NIV
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.
I’m ready to see a church that is filled with Christians who fulfill the role of that title…to be like Christ, who gave up everything to be a nobody to do someone else’s express will and speak someone else’s every word in order that everyone else would be directly affected for eternity. Yes, he was God in the flesh, but he spoke with God every day, was full of the Holy Spirit in all that he did, and trusted what God the Father instructed him. He wasn’t concerned about personal possessions, surroundings for ministry, or the time. He was about the Father’s business with his life.
James 3:9-10 NIV
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.
James 1:8 says that a double minded man is an unstable man, and will not receive anything from the Lord.
That thought brings me back to that scripture about religious folk who have no hope in eternity…and it’s sad. To be right smack in the middle of a place where God could do something, but you won’t allow him to…
Matt 8:13 NKJV
Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.
What are you believing? What are you confessing? What are you doing? If it’s in line with God’s word ..wow
Heb 13:15 NIV
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.
Psalm 119:13 NIV
With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth.
Psalm 63:2-5 NIV
I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
Psalm 119:171-172 NIV
May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees. May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous.
It is from the abundance of your heart that your mouth brings forth words. What is buried from deep within is the fruit of what others will hear you speak. Reflect on what your lips have brought forth in comparison to how God’s word instructs us and decide today what you allow to come out.