MIS-UNDERSTANDING IS A TERRIBLE BAIT?
TRY TO UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT UNDERSTANDING IS...
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
TEXT: John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
A. HURT PEOPLE HURT PEOPLE.
I have been thinking about life: Are we easily irritated? Do we allow your moods to punish others
and your self? Do you have control of your irritability levels or do others? Is there a correlation between
bitterness and unforgiveness and being irritated so much? Guess we need to focus on the positive
I. I have been thinking about life: Are we easily irritated?
Do we allow your moods to punish others and your self?
Do you have control of your irritability levels or do others?
Ephesians 4:32 (KJV) And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32 (NIV) Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in
Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32 (MSG) Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and
thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
B. CAN GAMES HAVE HIDDEN LESSONS?
Did you read the story sometime ago about the softball game between WESTERN OREGON and
CENTRAL OREGON? Central Oregon was leading and Western Oregon came back to tie the
game. SARA TUCHOLSKY was a freshman and she stepped to the plate. SARA HIT HER
FIRST CAREER HOMERUN. As she was running the bases SARA TORE THE MUSCLES IN
HER KNEE SO BAD SHE COULD NOT MOVE. The rules clearly state that no coach or that
no one on her team was allowed to touch or help SARA FINISH WALKING AROUND THE
BASES. SARA WAS LAYING ON THE GROUND IN TERRIBLE PAIN WHEN A PLAYER FROM
CENTRAL OREGON LAID ASIDE HER GLOVE AND HELPED SARA UP. Then two Central
Oregon players got under SARA'S ARMS and helped SARA FINISH THE BASES AND SARA
SCORED... THIS ACT OF KINDNESS COST CENTRAL OREGON THE GAME... WESTERN WON.
THE COACHS AND THE CROWD STOOD AS ONE UNIT FOR A STANDING OVATION.
THERE WAS A GREATER LESSON TO BE LEARNED THAT DAY THAN W/L?
C. BAIT: a piece of something desirable on a hook to attract or trap,
TO TRY TO MAKE SOMEONE ANGRY BY USING CRITICISM OR INSULTS,
to use a dog to make an animal (like a bear) angry or afraid. ENTICE, LURE?
Ephesians 4:32 (KJV) And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as
God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32 (NIV) Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in
Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32 (MSG) Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and
thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
II. LET US DEFINE SOME TERMS WE NEED TO DEVELOP:
Seasons of test are neither good or bad, they are neutral. It is how we handle these situations...
A. UNDERSTAND: to know meaning or know how, to grasp, to be familiar, to achieve,
B. TRIAL: A SOURCE OF VEXATION, to test for value for a period of time,
to test the value, quality, or usefulness; to test one's abilities to do something; to check out
performance; putting to proof; examination to determine, A TEST OF FAITH, PATIENCE, OR STAMINA,
TO SUBJECT TO SUFFERING OR TEMPTATION,
C. TEMPTATION: a strong urge or desire to do something, enticement, lure,
D. TROUBLE: worried, anxious, concerned, Problems or difficulties, distress,
E. TO AGIGATE MENTALY, PHYSICAL OR SPIRITUALLY, to confuse, complain,
To make someone worried, upset or bothered, to cause pain,
F. STORMS: to attack something,
a situation in which one becomes, angry, upset, or bothered, a disturbance, agitated state,
occurrence of something in a differing amount,
G. BAIT: a trap in order to attract, to try and make someone angry.
III. DO WE PRACTICE KINDNESS AND UNDERSTANDING?
Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
A. The Brewers were playing the Diamondbacks. In the 4th inning there was a foul ball that went into
stands and 12 year old IAN Mc MILLAN was lucky enough to catch the ball. He was proudly displaying
his trophy ball and the camera focused in on him. IAN noticed a younger child near by so disappointed
he never had a ball. The ball was clearly IAN'S, but the camera caught IAN WALK OVER AND GIVE
THE BALL TO THE OTHER BOY.
THIS SMALL SACRIFICE AMAZED THE CROWD. BEFORE THE GAME WAS OVER IAN'S NAME
WAS CALLED OVER THE P. A. SYSTEM and Ian was given a PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL BAT
SIGNED BY IAN'S FAVORITE PLAYER.
IV. DO WE REALIZE GOD IS SEARCHING FOR PEOPLE THAT WILL PRACTICE KINDNESS
& UNDERSTANDING...
A. THERE ARE SOME TRAITS THE FATHER DESIRES US TO DEVELOP AND GROW...
Psalm 14:2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were
any that did understand, and seek God.
B. Those that have understanding applies great effort to KEEP GOD'S WORD.
Psalm 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they
that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
V. MANY ARE SATISFIED TO STAY THE SAME AND NEVER DEVELOP A KIND, TENDER HEART...
WE MUST GROW IN LOVE, THERE ARE NO EXCUSES...
GOD GIVES A FREE GIFT TO THOSE THAT ARE STABLE IN SEEKING...
A. Are you like a horse or a mule in understanding?
Psalm 32:9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must
be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.
B. God's tender mercy plan is GIVE WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING, the question is:
DO YOU WANT UNDERSTANDING?
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth
not; and it shall be given him.
C. Understanding and wisdom require EFFORT and for one to apply themselves...
Understanding is not AUTOMATIC...
Proverbs 2:2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
VI. SOLOMON IS A YOUNG MAN AND HE FACES THE BAIT OF LIFE.
HE WALKS TO A DANGEROUS JUNCTION IN HIS LIFE... HE CAN HAVE ANYTHING HE DESIRES?
LOOK WHAT HE DESIRES?
A. SOLOMON IS YOUNG AND KNOWS HE NEEDS HELP.
1 Kings 3:9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern
between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
B. GOD IS PLEASED WITH SOLOMON'S REQUEST...
1 Kings 3:11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself
long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked
for thyself understanding to discern judgment; 12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have
given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after
thee shall any arise like unto thee.
V. MANY SUFFER GREATLY ASSUMING WITH MISPERCEPTIONS ABOUT TRIALS, STORMS AND
TROUBLES...
NOTHING CREATES DEEPER ANXIETIES AND WORRY THAN TO THING YOU WILL BE
EXEMPT FROM TESTINGS, TRIALS AND STORMS... IN THIS TRIAL IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY...
A. Perhaps some modern teaching suggest you will have a new car, a big boat and an airplane, you
must be failing if you do not?
James 1:2 (KJV) My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
B. Some accept Jesus and EXPECT ALL PROBLEMS TO CEASE OR AT LEAST BE DECREASED?
NOT SO!
James 1:2 (NIV) Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
James 1:2 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity
for great joy.
VI. IT IS SO EASY TO BECOME DISCOURAGED AND CAN GROW MEAN AND CRUEL.
WE DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE BATTLE GOES FROM THE CRADLE TO THE GRAVE... THIS IS WAR...
A. IN A FEW DAYS GOD LEAD HIS PEOPLE OUT OF EGYPT, IT TOOK 40 YEARS TO GET THE
MISUNDERSTANDINGS OF EGYPT OUT THE PEOPLE.
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
B. THE CHILDREN OF ISREAL HAD LITTLE UNDERSTANDING OF GOD'S PLAN, THEY HAD TO BE
LEAD THE EASY WAY BECAUSE THEY FEAR THEDIRECT ROUTE TO THE PROMISE LAND...
THEY DID NOT WANT TO DO BATTLE...
C. UNDERSTAND THE ENEMY'S TACTICS TO GET US TO FEEL UNWORTHY, DEFICIENT AND
IRRITATED WITH SELF AND OTHERS.
CONCLUSION:
Come let us recall SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 (9/11/01) The USA was under attack. The whole nation
sat before the TVS. That day the WORLD TRADE CENTERS were under attack. There grew that day
a man of GREAT UNDERSTANDING--- WELLES REMY CROWTHER... Welles was in the
SOUTH TOWER that day. Welles had no injuries and had escaped the attack un-harmed. When Welles
reached safety he FELT A DUTY TO RETURN AND HELP INJURED PEOPLE TO SAFETY.
WELLES RETURNED AND LEAD ONE PERSON OUT, THEN ANOTHER, THEN ANOTHER.
AT LEAST 12 PEOPLE WERE SAVED AND LIVED THAT DAY THAT WELLES RESCUE...
HE RETURNED AGAIN... HE WAS FOUND SEVERAL DAYS LATER ALONGSIDE THE BODIES
OF FIREFIGHTERS AND ENERGENCY WORKERS.
WELLES REMY CROWTHER WAS JUST A REGULAR PERSON BUT HE UNDERSTOOD
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
WE MUST COME TO THE UNDERSTANDING THAT SEASONS OF TESTING,
TERRIBLE STORMS AND HARD TRIALS BECOME SPIRITUAL OPPORTUNITIES TO STRETCH
OUR FAITH AND MATURE YOUR SPIRIT. SEASONS OF TESTS COME BEFORE PROMOTE.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
