What's your price ??

[Jerry80871852]

Years ago I remember a man saying, every man has his price, that is there be a price that every man will sell out for, some it just takes more money to buy them out than others. Thinking about this thought inspired my message for this past Sunday morning. Some of the verses I used is the ones below.

Mark 4:15-19

15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. 18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

Seems to me the man who said, "Every man has his price." was right for the majority of the people of this world, for the majority sell out for the cares of this world and never will go thru the straight narrow gate where only a few enter into.

Seems to me that more Christians are much more concerned over the cares of this world than they are their spiritual walk with God.

Paul warned us about this too.
4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

2 Tim 2:4-5 (KJV)

How many of us are so entangled with the cares of this world that our light cannot fully shine?

[Davo]

I remember some years ago reading the history of a small denomination called The Peculiar People.
There was the testimony of one man in the 1800s who was in a choir at the local Anglican church.

One day his sister who was a PP, invited him along to a special service at their chapel. "I can't come as there is a wedding at church and I will earn half a crown, to sing in the choir." he said. (Half a crown was one eighth of a pound, or two shillings and sixpence in pre decimalization money) "What sell your soul for half a crown?" his sister replied. Well he forfeited his wage and went to the service and was converted and later wrote. "My sister was right, I gave up half a crown and got a whole crown, the Crown of Life."

[candlelight]

What an excellent message, Pastor Jerry. Yes, some Christians are "more concerned about the cares of this world than they are their spiritual walk with God." That is sad. We have to be on guard as followers of Jesus Christ, b/c the enemy stands waiting around seeing who he can snatch up as his next victim.

Great story, Davo. This man certainly made the best decision he ever made in his entire life--- as we know. PTL for his sister!

I Peter 5:8-9... 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same affilictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. "Satan, the enemy"

[Jerry80871852]

candlelight Wrote:What an excellent message, Pastor Jerry. Yes, some Christians are "more concerned about the cares of this world than they are their spiritual walk with God." That is sad. We have to be on guard as followers of Jesus Christ, b/c the enemy stands waiting around seeing who he can snatch up as his next victim.

Great story, Davo. This man certainly made the best decision he ever made in his entire life--- as we know. PTL for his sister!

I Peter 5:8-9... 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same affilictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. "Satan, the enemy"

That's something we forget, I think many times people think of that old devil as being a cute thing with horns wearing red underwear with a forked tail dragging behind him, instead of what he really is, the great deceiver.

[candlelight]

Good point, Pastor Jerry. Yes, he certainly is, "The great deceiver." Both my retired and current pastor say he is in the church and not out at the bars and dance clubs. He has those people.

[Jerry80871852]

No doubt, and the closer we draw to Christ the harder he will try to device us, for he loves nothing better than to get us to ruin our witness.

May the Lord Bless,
Jerry

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:7 (KJV)