Scattereth away all evil with his eyes. (2)

May I talk to you a moment.

“The person who loves their dream of community will destroy community, but the person who loves those around them will create community.” - Bonhoeffer

Matthew 22:34–38 (KJV 1900)

34 But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.

35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,

36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

Grateful

Gyda went to see Nicole

Wendy brought us breakfast

TJ wanted to know details of Seedline

Ty filled me on someones story how we can help them

John emails about VBI

Deacons put in so many hours trying to address concerns

Micah came and fixed the wholes so they wouldn’t be a distraction

Mrs. Sandy and so many will put in so much work so we can have a meal on Sunday

I firmly believe this Book we love and teach is shaping this community and I so much want it to change me.

My fears

many churches only exist for the good of the pastor and to pacify the conscience of its members

Our community, defined as everyone within the reach of its members, so desperately need a church.

Let’s be the church that the community so desperately needs.

I fear only talking about making a difference in people’s lives but not really doing it.

Jesus took the disciples and showed them an example of the impossible

Campus ministry at UC. Name, permission, plans, funding.. but now what. Well I guess we better do something.

Psalm 90:16 (KJV 1900)

16 Let thy work appear unto thy servants, And thy glory unto their children.

Not looking to have ministry plans that are currently shaped by my heart and executed by people who have to be constantly pushed. We want something from God and from all of our hearts to serve the Lord.

We have so much opportunity.

Would you pray and fill out the quiz? Would you communicate with me and tell me what God has laid on your hear.

OGTC may move to Dawsonville in the next 6 months. God has given us the resource of this building. It should be used to make much of Jesus.

I would like to ask us all to pray. Men who would like could come forward. You can kneel in you seat or stay seated but lets spend sometime in prayer.

Overwe

The Eyes of the Lord are upon our lives.

Proverbs 20:8 (KJV 1900)

8 A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment Scattereth away all evil with his eyes.

What a word picture!

2 Chronicles 16:9 (KJV 1900)

9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.

Review:

I do not want our King to see me drunk and I do this by not drinking nor needing to drink.

I do not want our King to see me being easily provoked because I know my anger can be destructive.

I do not want our King to see me meddling where I should not meddle

I do not want the King hear me making lame excuses for the responsibilities He has given me.

I do not want the King seeing me covering my lack of integrity by writing my own press releases.

I do not want our King seeing me using unfair business practices.

I do not want our King to see me sleeping when I should be awake nor do I want Him to find me awake when I should be sleeping.

I do not want our King seeing me keeping a tale bearer in business.

Proverbs 20:19 (KJV 1900)

19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: Therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

Boundaries by Paula Marsteller

1. Resolve not to share sensitive prayer requests about anyone without permission.

Proverbs 11:13 (KJV 1900)

13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: But he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

2. Resolve not to forward others’ messages (or my responses) without permission.

3. Resolve to delay sharing hard truth with others until I can talk in person or on the phone.

Some questions that help

1. Has my friend given me permission to share this “prayer request” with others? Am I considering my friend before myself (Philippians 2:3)?

2. How much time has passed between the time I learned of this need and the time I’m sharing it with others? Am I sharing it impulsively?

3. If very little time has passed, am I sharing this in a panic? Am I trusting in the Lord to act (Psalm 37:5), or trusting in myself to be the savior?

4. How seriously have I prayed about this issue myself before reaching out to others? Have I knelt in prayer? Have I prayed at all?

5. Do I believe that the earnest prayer of a single righteous person avails much (James 5:16)? Or do I think my prayers are not enough to move the heart of God?

6. Could I, at some point, be embarrassed that I sent this text or email?

I do not want the King to see my dishonoring my parents.

Proverbs 20:20 (KJV 1900)

20 Whoso curseth his father or his mother, His lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.

Which kids could come teach us the 10 commandments that JT taught?

Exodus 20:12 KJV 1900

12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

Honoring our parents is a picture of our relationship to God, and a preparation for it.

Malachi 1:6 KJV 1900

6 A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: If then I be a father, where is mine honour? And if I be a master, where is my fear? Saith the Lord of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?

If we truly are to honor everyone, especially those in authority over us, the muscles and instincts of that honor will most often be developed in the home.

1 Peter 2:17 KJV 1900

17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

Parents are given a seasonal authority over children, but they are endowed with perpetual honor. No matter how old, mature, and independent we become, God still says,

Proverbs 23:22 KJV 1900

22 Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, And despise not thy mother when she is old.

I do not want the King see me mismanaging His unexpected blessings in my life.

Proverbs 20:21 (KJV 1900)

21 An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; But the end thereof shall not be blessed.

We all have gifts to manage.

1 Peter 4:10 KJV 1900

10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Live the life God has assigned to you making full use of the gifts that He gives you.

1 Corinthians 7:17 KJV 1900

17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.

I do not want the King seeing me usurping His authority and seeking my own revenge.

Proverbs 20:22 (KJV 1900)

22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil; But wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee.

Revenge does not belong to us.

Romans 12:19 KJV 1900

19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

The promise that frees us from an unforgiving, bitter, vengeful spirit is the promise that God will settle our accounts.

I do not want the King to hear of me making rash and foolish vows that I cannot pay.

Proverbs 20:25 (KJV 1900)

25 It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, And after vows to make inquiry.

We need to let our yes and our nos mean something.

James 5:12 (KJV 1900)

12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

Story:

Paul wanted to go to Corinth

2 Corinthians 1:15 KJV 1900

15 And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit;

Paul had evidently communicated to the church in Corinth that he was coming. And then, he had to change his plans.

2 Corinthians 1:17–18 KJV 1900

17 When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay? 18 But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.

So, Paul’s defense for not following through on his initial plan was that he was motivated not by fear or selfishness but by love:

2 Corinthians 1:23–24 KJV 1900

23 Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth. 24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

Here is some terminology we should use for everyday life.

Acts 16:10 KJV 1900

10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

Our committments should be qualified.

James 4:15 KJV 1900

15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

Seems like vows are a necessary part of life

Ecclesiastes 5:4–5 KJV 1900

4 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. 5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

In regard to ministry.

The commission is giving to the church and it is through the church that God provides His workers for the work. It is also through the church he will call people to serve.

I want the King to see me using my youth and strength to serve Him while in my youth.

Proverbs 20:29 (KJV 1900)

29 The glory of young men is their strength: And the beauty of old men is the gray head.

The Bible tells us to not despise the youth and they should use it to their advantage.

Teachability should be a common trait among all people, especially youth.

Ecclesiastes 4:13 KJV 1900

13 Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.

I want the King to see me contributing to the work of the Kingdom by growing in wisdom as my physical strength declines

Proverbs 20:29 (KJV 1900)

29 The glory of young men is their strength: And the beauty of old men is the gray head.

I do not want our King to see me waste suffering in my life.

Proverbs 20:30 (KJV 1900)

30 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: So do stripes the inward parts of the belly.

As we saw at the start the inwards parts of the belly represented my “Be Level”

We all should want to live in a way that pleases the King. But the day I meet Him I will not tell Him of what I have done but I will take Him for his mercy.

Conclusion

Proverbs 20:9 (KJV 1900)

9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?

Many can say what this proverb says, but none with real humility and integrity.

1 John 1:8 (KJV 1900)

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Who can say I have made my heart clean? “No man. But thousands can testify that the blood of Jesus Christ has cleansed them from all unrighteousness. And he is pure from his sin, who is justified freely through the redemption that is in Jesus.” (Clarke)

Our wise King knows what is good and bad. He knows what to reward.

Proverbs 20:26 (KJV 1900)

26 A wise king scattereth the wicked, And bringeth the wheel over them.

The King and only the King really knows the life I am living.

1 Corinthians 3:12–13 (KJV 1900)

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

The motivating power of grace is missing. Take a look at five people printing Bibles on the same assembly line. Mr. Dollar is asking, “How can I make more money?” Mrs. Ambitious is asking, “How can I get that promotion?” Mr. Pleaser is asking, “How can I make my boss happy?” Mr. Selfish is asking, “How can I get personal satisfaction in my job?” They all look and feel miserable. Then we bump into Mrs. Grace, who’s asking, “In view of God’s amazing grace to me in Christ, how can I serve God and others here?” - David Murray

Conclusion

Do we live with the understanding we are being watched by our loving King.

Proverbs 20:28 (KJV 1900)

28 Mercy and truth preserve the king: And his throne is upholden by mercy.

Does He guide you with His eye?

Proverbs 20:8 (KJV 1900)

8 A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment Scattereth away all evil with his eyes.

Psalm 32:8 (KJV 1900)

8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

Most people live reactionary lives. Let us live a mindful life knowing that we live to please our King.