We've all been hurt. We all carry scars. We can all overcome these things and be
healed through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Let's build that relationship
together right here. Welcome to Healing Scars with Pastor Burton. Hey everybody
and welcome back to the sanctuary. So great to have you here with us today.
Last week of course our podcast was a bit short as I have been sick. Thank you
so much for your prayers, words of kindness. You know the Lord has brought
me through and I'm really I'm feeling much better even though I know I don't
necessarily sound it. I still have a bit of congestion, a bit of a sore throat
from the coughing and everything but really just so much better. Thank you
again. Now before we start this week's message I'd like to point out that
we've gone through a lot this past year. We've actually completed all ten of the
least preached books in the Bible and nine of the ten shortest books in the
Bible. That is a lot. There's a lot in there. Now of course I encourage you all
to go back and read through all of these books as well on your own to see what
the Lord has to say to you. You know I'll never ever encourage you to take just my
word or anyone else's for that matter. After all 2nd Timothy chapter 2 verse
15 the Bible says be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved. A worker
who does not need to be ashamed correctly teaching the word of truth
which means that we all need to be faithful or diligent in how we study the
word and you know how we present it. So you know it's not not only that we
know we want to make sure that we can truly understand it but that we're
sharing it properly with others and also you know by doing this we can also
ensure that we're sharing the true light of God's Word and its true meaning you
know with the world. Alright now with that said let's dive into today's
word. Now this is going to be a hard application for some. Why? Because we live
in a world in which nobody wants to offend, alienate, hurt feelings or lose
friends. However when you follow Christ and you share the gospel that's exactly
what's going to happen that's exactly what you're going to do. Why? Well simply
put love hurts. Love hurts. The Bible teaches us that love isn't just some
feeling it's not just some empty words or some meaningless emotion even though
that's what it seems the way the world tosses around you know rather the Bible
teaches us that love is in action and when you tell people what they're doing
is wrong no matter how lovingly you say it no matter how well you say it or
how gingerly you mean it and intend it people don't want to hear that they're
wrong they get offended they get upset it hurts their feelings and the more a
part of the world someone is the more they're going to be offended by it and
the more it's going to hurt them plain and simple
for those with their Bible and those you know that follow along with an app
those taking notes as well join me in John 15 and we're gonna look at verses
18 through 27 here Jesus says if the world hates you keep in mind that it
hated me first if you belonged to the world it would love you as its own as it
is you do not belong to the world but I have chosen you out of the world that
is why the world hates you remember what I told you a servant is not greater than
his master if they persecuted me they will persecute you also if they obeyed
my teaching they will obey yours also they will treat you this way because of
my name for they do not know the one who sent me if I had not come and spoken to
them they would not be guilty of sin but now they have no excuse for their sin
whoever hates me hates my father as well if I had not done among them the works
no one else did they would not be guilty of sin as it is they have seen and yet
they had hated both me and my father
but this is to fulfill what is written in their law they hated me without reason
when the Advocate comes who I will send to you from the Father the Spirit of
Truth who goes out from the Father he will testify about me and you also must
testify for you have been with me from the beginning
all right bear with me guys I'm hitting my mute button every time I cough so I'm
not blowing out your ears I apologize if I miss it though as much as you know we
can't stand it when others don't like us unfortunately it's going to happen
there's no ifs ands or buts about it it's not a matter of if it's a matter of
when see the world hated Jesus first why because he performed miracles because
he treated strangers the outcast and downtrodden with love because he called
out the hypocrites no it was because he spoke the truth he said the hard things
he didn't tell people what they wanted to hear he didn't sugarcoat anything or
try to put some kind of a spin on it make it sound really good no he told
them the truth and he told them what they needed to hear again not what they
wanted to hear but what they needed to hear and because this is how the world
responded to him doing this he knew that he needed to warn us to expect the same
why would we need to expect the same because we're not better than Jesus if he
who lived a sinless life showed absolute love was hated so much that the world
nailed him to a cross I guess what it's not going to like you and it's not going
to like me for following his example and trying to do the same things as
Christians Jesus knew it was going to be hard he knew it he knew it was gonna be
tough how hard real hard one of the hardest things that we're ever going to
have to deal with so much so then in warning us that he also felt that he or
not felt but he knew he needed to give us a gift of hope and that's why he told
us that he would send the Holy Spirit that's who he's referring to when he
says advocate that's who he's referring to when he says spirit of truth the Holy
Spirit was sent to give a strength to deal with an uncaring and unloving
world to endure the persecution that would come as a follower of Christ so
that we could have someone to commune with and be reminded of God's teachings
and so much more because dark times are coming we're going to have those dark
times in our life and we need that source of light that source of love all
right that's how tough it was that's going to be he knew it it's how tough it
is let's face it things get hard is man it will beat you into the ground it will
absolutely beat you into the ground you feel like you got in the ring with Mike
Tyson in his prime and he and he just landed one of those knockout punches on
you you know that's why that's part of why he said the Holy Spirit because he
knew we would need that empowerment all right now John chapter 16 verse 33
Jesus goes on to say these things I have spoken unto you that in me you might
have peace in the world ye shall have tribulation
a little tongue-tied there sorry but be of good cheer I have overcome the world
see these words to give us courage to build our hope and to help build our
trust in him again these were words of empowerment Jesus warned us life was
going to be hard we're gonna have struggles that there would be torment
pain strife and that through it all no matter how tough it gets we will never
be alone that he will be with each and every one of us and that he will be with
each and every one of us every single step of the way you know he's assured
us the victory has already been won it's already been won so we can find peace in
him that's part of where you know as a Christian that that that peacefulness
that we find that's just undescribable that's that's why that's how it comes
to us it comes to us through the Holy Spirit it's that peace that we find in
Jesus you see by following Jesus you're going to lose friends you're going to
lose family acquaintances are going to turn you away as painful as it may be
it's going to happen people I've known for decades decades have turned hateful
and walked away from me because of my faith in the Lord some have simply just
walked away others have made it a point to be very vocal about it you know I
love and I pray for them just the same and I'll still be here and ready to
celebrate with them when and if they come to Jesus you know now what why does
you know and this is gonna happen to all of us at some point in our lives you
know what why does this happen well it's simple such as the way of the world it's
the way of Satan the media is one of his greatest tools right now it really is
you know many people they don't care or want to hear what the Bible has to say
because it tells them that what they're doing and how they're living is wrong
aha you know I know what you're thinking ah ha ha ha we're back to this again yes
yes we are yes we absolutely are full circle but there buddy full circle see
the the way the devil masks it and he does he camouflages it see he convinces
people that they are a victim and that the world needs to bend to them that the
world needs to bend to them now is there any truth to this some very very little
though see what the truth is yes they are a victim only it's not of what they
think it is rather they are a victim to the devil his lies and his traps remember
John chapter 8 verse 44 the Bible tells us that the devil is the father of lies
and the devil would have you believe that you're good enough just the way you
are that you were born this way and that the world should bend to you anything
else is an affront it's an attack on you only here's the thing we know it's not
true as Christians as followers of Christ believers of the Bible the word
the Holy Scripture we know that this is absolutely bogus
so turn with me now to Ephesians chapter 2 verses 2 through 3 and the Bible says
so it's Ephesians 2 verses 2 and 3 the Bible says where in time past you walked
according to the course of this world according to the prince of the power of
the air the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience among whom
also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh
fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind and were by nature the
children of wrath even as others see right here Paul straight-up identifies
Satan as being the prince of the world you know we have all these depictions
that you know he's down in hell and ruling over it you know that he's he's
torturing people down down in hell only that's not what the Bible tells us when
you read through the Bible here and in various other places the scripture
tells us that he is the prince of this world that he is here with us right now
spinning lies and trying to tempt us just like he did with Jesus not only that
each and every one of us has a sinful nature and because of it you know we
sin we're selfish we don't give our hearts completely over to God we don't
love him with all of our hearts all the time even though we should we all stray
we all sin we've all fallen short of the goal in our lives why because we live
corrupt lives in a corrupt world what do I mean by corrupt lives well sinful
lives it really is that simple you see we need to go to speak with the Holy
Spirit every day every day we need to be renewed we need to be rejuvenated in
Romans chapter 12 verse 2 the Bible says do not conform to the pattern of this
world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind then you will be able to
test and approve what God's will is his good pleasing and perfect will it does
not say renew it does not say renewed but renewing renewing meaning ongoing
continuous see God wants us to be transformed and to have new godly minds
after all when we truly have a relationship with Jesus when we become
Christians we all become new creations with that comes a new mindset a new
outlook a new way of doing things look at 2nd Corinthians chapter 5 verse 21 in
which the Bible says therefore if anyone is in Christ the new creation has come
the old has gone and the new is here see we're empowered and we're built up as a
part of God's family and it had the wool pulled off from over our eyes whereas
the rest of the world is buying lock stock and barrel into this nonsense
victims mentality they're falling for the lies of the devil
and what's happening is that they're looking at the world through his lens
you see the devil knows God the devil knows scripture and because of that he
will use it but he'll put a twist on it see when you go like we go to Matthew
chapter 4 and we're looking at verses 1 through 11 this is talking about the
temptation of Christ all right when he's trying to tempt Jesus he uses the
scripture as an as it means to try to tempt him and when you look at it like
you know he tells us he tells Jesus to jump from the temple right they're up at
the highest point and he tells him to jump and points out that scripture says
that God will command his angels to protect him but what happens is here is
he doesn't use things in context he doesn't use everything that he should see
G and that's why Jesus sees right through him Jesus saw through this through
this live because it was twisted and taken out of context because well yes
the devil is using Psalm 91 he's taking it out of context much like a lot of
prosperity preachers and other false teachers out there today do so how did
Jesus respond well easily he responds using Deuteronomy chapter 6 which says
we should not test God and when it comes to testing God it's it's either it's
it's this is what it comes down to you either believe what God says or you
don't matter of fact when we read about the temptation of Christ and both and
we look at the books of Matthew and when we look at the book of John so Matthew
and Matthew I'm sorry not John Matthew and Luke when we look at the books of
Matthew and we look at the book of Luke each time Satan tries to twist something
to trick Jesus to try to tempt him Jesus counters him with the truth of the
word and each of his responses every time he put he pulls from Deuteronomy
chapter 6 see Satan leaves things out in order to manipulate the big picture
what he did when he tries to tempt Jesus is the same thing that he does when he
tempts us he appeals to our flesh which is where our sinful nature resides
whereas Jesus responded with the Word of God the Word of God which is what we
should all be doing at all times and this is a great example this is something
that's really kind of my my my noradized that shouldn't be because this is huge
you know it's like we when you look at like you know the the armor of God and
all what's the word well it's a sort of truth right and this in itself this is a
tremendous reason for all of us to actually read our Bibles verse by verse
and get to know it so that when we fall under attack we don't become victims like
those in the world by knowing scripture not only can we defend ourselves but we
can actually counter-attack the enemy because he didn't like that see now I'm
gonna share with you now there's an old story and the author is unknown it's an
unknown author all right and some of you may have heard this before it goes like
this there was a peasant and he would talk to his children and he would tell
them when they were young that when you all reach the age of 12 I will tell you
the secret of life one day his oldest son had his birthday and he turned 12
and so he went to his father and he was really eager to hear what this secret
was so he asked his father hey you said when I turned 12 that you would tell me
what the secret of life could you tell me what that is and the father said yeah
no problem I'll tell you but here's the thing after I tell you you can't share
it with anybody don't tell it to your brothers you have to keep it to yourself
the secret of life is this the cow does not give milk what what are you saying
ask the kid his son was just like whoa he's blown away so his dad says as you
hear it son the cow does not give milk you have to milk it you have to get up
at four in the morning go out to the field walk through a corral full of
manure hobble the legs of the cow sit on a stool place the bucket under it and do
the work yourself that is the secret of life that cows don't give milk you have
to milk her or you don't get any see there's this generation that thinks that
cows give milk that things are automatic and free and the mentality is that if I
wish if I ask then I will get it they have been accustomed to getting whatever
they want the easy way but life is not a matter of wishing asking and obtaining
the things that one receives are the effort of what one does happiness is the
result of effort lack of effort creates frustration so share this with your
children at a young age the secret of life so they don't grow up with the
mentality that the government their parents or their cute little faces are
going to give them everything that they need in life
remember cows don't give milk you have to work for it all right so that's the
story right but it pertains because that is the same problem that we see with
society today that is the mentality that we're seeing today that people are
entitled to have the world given to them whatever they want they can have all
they need to do is ask for it
then it's a reward that should be given to them because of any hardship that
they've had to deal with in their life you know all you've had it hard
you know what that's the same lie that Jesus was told that the world would be
given and all he had to do in return was bow down and worship Satan and that's
what we're being told that everything can be just given to you that you're
entitled to it and also had to do is worship Satan and the sad thing is is
people don't even realize that they're falling for that trap that that's
exactly what they're doing with every idol in their lives only they don't
believe that what they're seeing and what they're looking at and what they're
dealing with is an idol unfortunately it is anything that comes before God is an
idol you see Satan can't give you fulfillment only Jesus can the world
contrary to popular belief doesn't owe you a thing you need to work for what
you want and you have to earn honestly it doesn't mean that things are ever
gonna be easy matter of fact the Bible tells us it won't be it doesn't mean
others aren't going to try to take advantage of you they will that's the
world in them and it's an opportunity for you to show the light of God in you
anytime that the enemy turns on you rebuke it with scripture see the way we
live is the same as how we learn scripture we have to work to know
scripture we have to read it we have to hear it we have to learn it we have to
apply it we have to live it it's how we develop our relationship with Jesus and
our stations in life are no different we're trained to do the work we have
ongoing training you know we read we listen we make adjustments we apply what
we've learned and we do the work none of it just comes to us nothing will ever
just be given to us we've been given the means to earn it not everyone is going
to like what you're doing not everybody is going to like you and the deeper your
relationship is with the Lord the more people the world are going to turn on
you just keep your eyes on the Lord and keep doing the right things God's going
to take care of the rest God is going to take care of you so keep loving the
world even at its most unlovable just as Jesus has loved you you're blessed you
are a blessing now go and be the church thank you all for joining us here today
at healing scars with pastor Burton please like subscribe and share our
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questions any prayer requests or would like to know more about our ministry you
can find us on our website at be the light sanctuary org or on Facebook at be
the light sanctuary you could also find how to contact us there whether it's
direct message or email we look forward to hearing from you all God bless