Some might say, living a Christian life sounds hard. They believe that they couldn’t possibly make it as a Christian. Well, it is hard sometimes. I can’t say that it’s all Halle Lujah and Amen being a Christian. It’s hard work; it’s a struggle, and at times, it just breaks your heart.
Let me explain myself.
When you look outside these doors and see so many people that don’t see God’s light or know his love, it makes you wonder why they choose to be blind to his love, wisdom, and grace. It hurts. It breaks you down and maybe discourages you.
But what the world fails to accept is the value of the Christian life. It’s absolutely wonderful to finally believe that it was God that woke us up this morning! It’s positively a treasure to feel love inside of your heart each day! God blesses us in so many ways, I don’t think we even realize just how much. AMEN
Now, Christians should know that if they live faithful lives to God and His word, they’ll all someday see heaven and eternity first hand. But sometimes we doubt. AMEN
Because we are human, we wonder if our Christian efforts are making a difference. It’s so easy to grow discouraged, thinking that our acts of kindness are brushed aside, for things seemingly more exciting. So we pray. We pray every day that the world will have a change of heart.
ROMANS 12:9-12 states “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
My message to day is ………What’s In Your Heart?
Let’s go back for a moment. At some point in our lives we came across people that cared about all the people. I think most of us are familiar with these spiritual beings. AMEN
They were not perfect, but they cared. They cared in the mist of blockage. I would like to say; “they never gave up, they never surrendered”. Their greatest mission was to serve the people.
Now, they couldn’t do it alone, they needed help. Just as Jesus needed disciples, and teachers, and preachers, and those that would help reveal his prophecy, they needed help from a body of leaders whose mission was not to be selfish or self-centered or indifferent. Their job was to serve humanity.
Imagine trying to lift something very large and heavy with four sides and the persons on three sides of the object wouldn’t help, or at the heart of the matter, wants to see you fail! Imagine that!
• How heartbroken would you be?
• How angry would you get?
• Would you even try to continue in spite of discord?
• Would you climb that hill and carry that load?
• Would you?
• Could you?
Brothers and sisters, I ask you today, What’s In Your Heart?
Just as Jesus did, you may have to carry a heavy load up that hill. It won’t be easy, and some have failed, and others will fail.
What we have to realize is that:
• Sometimes it just takes longer for things to come full circle.
• Sometimes we have to hit a wall in order to understand.
• Sometimes we have to go through bad things to appreciate good things. AMEN
But guess what brothers and sisters, if all people would band together and demonstrate love for one another, the world would be a better place. And if there was ever one group of people that should be able to love one another, it should be the Church! AMEN.
Brother and sisters:
• If we intend to be trouble makers,
• If we set back and be onlookers,
• If we rejoice in being gossipers,
• If we base our life on grabbing power,
• If we continue to be afraid to move,
• If we keep on following that sinful crowd,
Then our heart is not sincerely a loving heart, and we’ll continue to be stuck in sin. AMEN
On the other hand, if we are Christians, we shouldn’t ignore the hearts that look to us for knowledge and guidance. God knows what each child is capable of accomplishing. He knows what we all can do. We can’t give up. We must keep striving. We have to keep our heart devoted to the mission of love.
Brother and sisters, growing up, most of us can probably remember our parents saying “when you get there, always reach down to help another”. AMEN Even if your parents didn’t tell you, you may have heard those words from someone else that cared.
Think about it. If someone would simply invest a little love, a measure of truth, and a generous degree of faith in people trying to do good, that person may not have such a hard time. God despises the proud but gives grace to the humble of heart. He uses the people who realize they’re small, to do things that are great.
But:
• Some of us just don’t get the picture.
• Some of us just don’t wanna see.
• Some of us just don’t wanna to hear.
• And, some of us just sit back in silence.
Brothers and sisters, we should never overlook any person who might be used by God in a great way for God’s greater purpose. And don’t underestimate the power of a little act of faith by you, to remove huge obstacles in your life or someone else’s life. AMEN
Listen to me when I say:
• People who fail to be trustworthy in showing love, kindness and service in little opportunities will not be given greater responsibilities in the future.
• Whoever serves God and does good with the little time, talents and resources they have, will be entrusted with more blessings.
• And, the person who hides their talents, resources or service abilities want improve and will remain stagnant.
Luke 16:10 states: “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.”
According to God’s word, when you become a Christian, a part of your new creation is the development of new attitudes. Your attitude should become like that of Jesus. Your heart should feel good, your soul should feel love, and your mind should thirst for more. That choice should bring on a change of attitude, a change of heart. AMEN
Philippians 2:5 states “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”.
Brothers and sisters, if you didn’t know, attitudes like negativity, criticism, impatience, discouragement, arrogance, self-centeredness, and rudeness to name a few are inner dispositions of the heart and thoughts. They are the hidden intentions which will eventually serve as the basis for our actions.
Christian attitude should be love, forgiveness, consideration, caring, encouragement, kindness, humility, unselfishness, respectfulness, and impartiality.
Proverbs 23:7 states: " For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee."
AMEN………………
So, with all that said, let’s just talk about the attitudes of our basic spiritual or un-spiritual intent. Let’s talk about some of the things that are really in our hearts. AMEN
First, some people sit back and watch things going on and never say a thing. They’re just content to watch while others go about their business doing whatever. They walk around every day seemingly caring, but they actually thrive on HEARTBREAK.
Think about it. We as humans, gain most of our daily pleasures from watching others live out their lives. Some people don’t even know they’re being watched. There are web cams on the computer, facial recognition on the internet and satellite photos everywhere. There are traffic cams, YouTube videos, Facebook live events, twitter gossip, and Instagram clips to name a few. We’re becoming a society of watchers separating ourselves from reality. But do we really care.
As we stand on the sidelines and watch the lives of others, are we really interested in the love we need or the sin of things? Are the tweets more about the good stuff or the bad and hurtful things? We have to ask ourselves whether our hearts are really thriving on watching “HEARTBREAK” ? AMEN
Matthew 9:37 states: “Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;”
Next, some people never do anything to help, and are gifted at walking away when they are needed the most. They are judgmental and COLDHEARTED. They can say no in the mist of all your tears! My Lord!
These coldhearted individuals will go so far as to intentionally destroy someone else in order to gain what they thought would be control. They speak half-truths and criticism to further “their” own agenda.
James 4:11 states “Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge”.
Brothers and sisters, speaking against one another is a very serious offense. Slander, backbiting, backstabbing and evil criticism in the attempt to place undue, undeserved, unfounded, and unfair judgement on a fellow Christian is an un-Christian like attitude, and is called “Condemning Judgement”.
With this attitude, with this coldhearted intent of hatred, they are actually infringing on God’s prerogative. No human being has the right to judge or destroy another human being. AMEN
James 4:12 states There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?
Now, sometime it’s our tongue that shows just how cold our heart is. That old tongue blurts out judgement of one another, and Satan thrives on every word. My Lord!
Now this is not to say that you’ve gotta hold your tongue when there’s something that needs to be corrected, provided that you do it lovingly, humbly and honestly. AMEN
Proverbs 21:23 states: Who so keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
Now, we also have, people that are very bossy and like to tell others what to do, but don’t wanna get their own hands dirty. They jump in, start the trouble and then blame it all on you. They have little care for anyone else but themselves. They’re “STONEHEARTED.”
They take you for granted. They boss you around. They treat you like dirt under their feet. Their goal is to make your life miserable. They wanna keep you under their feet. AMEN
Most of us have probably had the experience of a difficult boss, or supervisor at work. Someone that no matter what you do, they insists on making your life difficult or simply treats you unfairly because they know you’re a Christian and they wanna get under your skin to see how you’ll react. MY LORD!
Read with me 1 Peter 2:20 “For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
Brothers and sisters, it goes without saying, that it’s easy to work for people who are kind, easy to get along with, and who are generous; but it’s hard to have the same disposition toward those who are nasty, quick tempered, and flat out bullies.
In this case, we have to learn to take the high road, and not go down that path of hate and disrespect.
1 Thessalonians 4:11states: “ And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you”
Brothers and sisters there’s gonna be difficult mean spirited, stonehearted people in your life. When people, maybe even a boss, mistreat you, it might be because you did something right, or maybe because you did something wrong. But if it’s because you did something right, and you can stand before God knowing you are in the right, God will be pleased with you, and God will deliver you from their turmoil. AMEN!
Luke 6:27 states: “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you”.
Now, let’s look as those people who are always looking to cause problems by jumping in and stirring up dissatisfaction, and they expect others to jump right in with them. It’s too hot or too cold. It’s too sour or too sweet. They’re never satisfied, and they are always stirring up discard. They bring on the HEARTBURN.
Let me make myself clear. They’re the critics. They criticize everything and everyone. They dwell on the perceived faults of another with no view to their good. Their criticism is always negative.
If you don’t know what negative criticism is, let me tell you:
• It’s damaging talk about perceived faults.
• It’s harmful statements that cause us stress.
• It’s unconstructive gossip without offering to help,
• And, it’s positivity agonizing!
Brothers and sisters, the first key in understanding what it means to have a critical attitude is that we are dwelling on “perceived” faults in others. We intend to be judgmental and hurtful. We like seeing them sweat! My Lord!
How many times have we seen people rolling around in upsetting mess and actually seem to enjoy it? How many times have we participated in that instigated HEARTBURN?
Brothers and sisters, if we’re being critical of what we perceive to be a fault in someone but haven’t taken the time to find out if our perceptions are true; we’re guilty of this attitude of judgement. We’re right there helping to contribute to the agonizing HEARTBURN. My Lord!
Now, I’m not perfect, and sometimes I struggle with a sermon. (Amen). Sometimes my tongue gets tied. Sometimes the words get a little dim, and I lose my place, and sometimes the tears blur my vision, but I keep striving. I can let the judgmental words of others give me heartburn, or I can keep striving to get better. Sometimes it’s my own self-judgement giving me heartburn wondering if I’m getting my point across. AMEN.
My wife told me the whole point of my sermons, were to “teach” the word of God. If I failed to be perfect, it’s because I’m human. AMEN
Brothers and sisters, don’t you think my heart burns when I stand here alone, teaching, and know that there is a mass of individuals within minutes away that watch, but never come in. Believe me when I say that my heart burns, and I may stress, but I have faith that one day souls crying out for understanding will walk in one by one with open hearts. And with Gods help and blessings, I’ll be right here to welcome them. AMEN
Now, don’t go feeling sorry for me. I believe that the heartburn I may sometimes feel, will someday be a warmhearted song of love, with Christians longing for understanding. AMEN
Philippians 4:14 states: “Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction”
In my studies, I read a story about a young boy that looked up at his granddad one day and questioned him.
"Granddad, how do you live for Jesus?" ?The respected granddad stooped down and quietly told the boy, Just watch. That’s all he said. “Just watch!”
As the years went by the granddad was an example to the boy of how to live a Christian life and follow Jesus. He stayed rock-steady in living for Him.
However, the grandson often lived in a way that was not pleasing to God. He was easily tempted and half-heartedly studied the bible.?
One day the young man visited his granddad for what both knew would be the last time. As the older man lay dying, his grandson leaned over the bed and heard his granddad whisper, "Did you watch?" "Did you watch?" ?
Tears swelled in the young man’s eyes, and that moment was the turning point in the young man’s life. He understood that when his granddad had said, "Just watch," he meant, "Imitate me”, just as I also “Imitate Christ."
From that day forward the young man vowed that he would live as his granddad did - striving to please Jesus. He had watched, and now he understood how to live. AMEN
Now, since we’ve mentioned the word half-hearted, lets move on to those who say they’ll help, or say they’ll do, but somehow just never get around to actually doing what they said. They are slow to move. Their heart is “kinda” ready, but they are sluggish in moving towards their goal. They are HALFHEARTED.
I’ve been there, and most have also felt hesitation from the grip of the devil. These are things like Fear, Disbelief, Difference, Change, Appearance, and perceived dislike. They are the things that may cause us to hesitate. Because we hesitate, we fail to put our full heart and soul in God’s work. AMEN
This could be something as simple as wanting to share God’s word with someone, but because their life style is so different, or their skin color is darker, or lighter, or their speech is heavily accented, or they seem undesirable, we hesitate. Well, that’s just a HALFHEARTED attitude of sin. AMEN.
• If you fear what others might think of you, if you talk to certain kinds of people. That halfhearted attitude is sin.
• If your fear that you might hurt a friendship or look foolish if you bring up the subject of Jesus. That halfhearted attitude is sin.
• If you just wanna stay in your own comfortable bubble, where it feels safe, so that the message of Jesus can’t burst out from you? That halfhearted attitude is sin.
• And, you halfheartedly hesitate to let go and let God!
Brothers and sisters, that same love and compassion Jesus has shown to you, he has for all others, no matter who they are, where they come from, or what they’ve done. Wholeheartedly imitate that compassion and love as you reach out to the lost with the Good News of what Jesus has done to save sinners.
Don’t go half the way with compassion and love. Go all the way by praying for those who need to hear about Jesus.
• Pray for love and compassion to fill your heart.
• Pray for the opportunity to talk to them about Jesus before it’s too late and they’re lost forever.
• Pray for them, not with sinful attitude of selfishness, or blind hesitation.
• And, pray with the attitude of compassion and love that Jesus has for them and for you.
John 15:17 states “These things I command you, that ye love one another.
Now, I’m almost finished, but I have to speak about the pretense people in our lives. These people can put up a front and pretend to be someone they aren’t. They have a “GREENHEART” that’s infected with the workings of the devil.
These are people that were born again as Christians but lost their first love and now are pretend Christians. Unfortunately, the world today has a vast majority of Christians that don’t live as Christians. They don’t live in that part of them that was born again or that part where Christ dwells in their heart or spirit; but instead, they live in their human nature where sin still rules. These Christians are not real Christians, they are pretend Christians.
Mathew 7:15 states: “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”
A pretend Christian pretends that they’re walking with God when they’re not. They pretend to know, understand and believe. They may honor God with their words but their hearts are far from Him because they won’t let God, who redeemed them from Satan’s awful kingdom, take full possession of them, as Lord. MY MY!
Brothers and sisters, sometimes as Christians, we act falsely, trying to portray ourselves as something other than what we are, pretending to know things we don’t. This pretense is the normal behavior of all human nature, but for a Christian to continue living this way are remnants of the life that we all lived before being born again. We get so full of pride, till we can’t accept the fact that we need to take a few steps back in order to go forward.
In other words, pride has somehow infected our heart. Pride says to itself “I’m doing Ok; I don’t need God or more of God”. OH MY LORD!
But you do. We need to be looking for that spiritual medicine that can cure our infected hearts. I’m here to tell you that God can change a person pretending or posing as a Christian into a real Christian. That GREENHEART can become a PUREHEART. AMEN
Isiah 55:7 states: “Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon”.
Now, Last, but not least, there are those who love others and do what they say they will. They’re always prepared to stop whatever they’re doing and lend a helping hand. They bring sunshine into the lives of others. They encourage us. They have a SWEETHEART.
Brothers and sisters, life can be very challenging most of the time. As we live our lives, we need a lot of help along the way. We face so many challenges at every turn. It’s important for us to have people in our lives that will get behind us to tell us we can do it. We need encouragement! We need the sweetness of God’s spirit. AMEN
We need:
• Encouragement when we struggle,
• Encouragement when we’re challenged to do something that may seem out of our normal range of ability
• Encouragement as children, when we make those first attempts at walking,
• And, encouragement when we’re struggling with our faith.
Encouragement can change the life of another person! Our lives are full of people who have taken the time to encourage us along life’s way. I hope this message will inspire us to encourage one another as we try to grow in Christ.
John 14:16 states: “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever”.
Now, as I bring this message to a close:
It’s very difficult to lead a Christian life day in and day out when we have the things of this earth on our minds all the time. We have become a nation that sits around the television for a great portion of our lives. And most of the shows we watch, there’s something that will corrupt our minds instead of helping us to set our minds on the things above. But there’s not only the television shows these days, there’s the internet with is worldly web of corruption. AMEN
Let’s think about the internet for a moment. Let’s think about how many things are on there that can corrupt our minds. Right now the owners of Facebook have realized this dilemma and are trying to soften the destructive messages. Just think about how many movies are out there, that portrays hate, and pain, and destruction. and other thoughts of evil. It’s amazing we have any good people in this world. And let’s not forget the workplace. It gets more and more corrupt as God’s children fade in the force of the devil.
It’s hard to compete with odds like that brothers and sisters. We find ourselves spending 50 hours a week on things that most likely corrupt us, and only spend 1 or 2 hours in God’s house on Sunday setting our minds on things above. With odds like that, we can’t afford to miss a Sunday. AMEN
Philippians 4:8 says; “Brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.”
Brothers and sisters instead of dwelling on the sinful things of this world, we need to dwell on the things that can make this world better. Concentrating on how you can serve God, on how you can make him known to the world around you.
It comes back to priorities, my brothers and sisters. It comes back to putting God 1st in everything we do. In order to live a Christian life the way God would have us to do; He needs to be 1st in our thought, 1st in what we say, and 1st in what we do.
• With all of the HEARTBREAKERS,
• With so many that are COLDHEARTED,
• With the hurt of the STONEHEARTED,
• With the countless amount of HEARTBURN,
• With troubled souls who are HALFHEARTED,
• With scores of infection spreading by the GREENHEARTED,
• We need to surround ourselves with as many “SWEETHEARTED” souls as possible.
Brothers and sisters, friends and family, young and old; we all need:
• Someone to encourage us,
• Someone to help us get back on track,
• Someone to pick us up when we fall down,
• Someone that has our back,
• And, someone that inspires us along our Christian walk.
So, don’t wait until you think an act of kindness is significant before serving someone. Nobody is able to determine if his or her actions will make a great or small impact on another. We can only try to do our best to do God’s will.
God designed you with a kind and sweet heart. Don’t let the devil trickle in and infect this gift of love. It’s the most precious gift you can share with another. So, I ask you again, What’s in your heart? AMEN!
A Christian once said “Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you.”
References:
The Holy Bible KJV
Sermon Central
Family and Friends
Life’s lessons
