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
welcome back to the sanctuary. So great to have you with us as always and if
it's your first time let me just say welcome. Now before we hop in here I have
to tell you I normally don't look at the metrics for the podcast a whole lot
because well I just don't get hung up on them. That's not really my thing.
So you know but periodically I do look at it you know because it is good to see
what's happening once in a while so you can find out what's working and what's
not with certain things. And this past weekend just happened to be one of those
times and it was it was very exciting to see so many new followers and in
returning people turning in all over the world. You know it is very reassuring to
see that we're getting the word out there and it's because of all of you. So I
just wanted to say thank you thank you thank you you know thank you for your
likes thank you for your shares you thank you for the subscriptions you know
your kind words you know every time that you post on any of our media or anything
you know it's it helps us out tremendously. So you know thank you so
much you know and you know let's let's keep that going so we get the word out
to more people. But you know thank you so much you know our growth you know it's
it's it's because of you and it is also a testament of God's glory you know.
Because it is all to him. I'd like to remind you all that if you do have
a question or if there's something that you'd like to hear us talk about or
maybe go a little bit more detail on you know feel free to reach out anytime you
can find our email and our social media links and all that good stuff at our
website which is be the light sanctuary dot org. Okay with that said we're going
to pick back up in Ephesians 4 where we left off and we're going to look at what
Paul has to say about Christian living. You know in the first part of the
chapter if you recall we were looking at being united as the church you know we
as believers are the church we as people are the church you know it's not a
building you know there's a distinct difference between people who go to
church and those people who are the church you know even the devil goes to
church so don't be deceived into thinking that you're saved simply because you go
somewhere at a certain time and get preached at and leave you know it's
that's very legalistic it doesn't work that way you know so it's it's it really
comes down to this either you're part of the church or you're not you're either a
believer or you're not all right so for those of you with your Bible and those
of you with your apps or even those who are just taking notes join me now in
Ephesians 4 and we're going to look at verses 17 through 24 the Bible says so
I tell you this and insist on it in the Lord that you must no longer live as the
Gentiles do in the futility of their thinking they are darkened in their
understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance
that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts having lost all sensitivity
they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind
of impurity and they are full of greed that however is not the way of life you
learned when you heard about Christ and you were taught in him in accordance
with the truth that is in Jesus you were taught with regard to your former way of
life to put off your old self which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires
to be made new in the attitude of your minds and to put on the new self created
to be like God in true righteousness and holiness now as we already learned the
Jews and the Gentiles have been united in Christ right those who believe so why
are we being told not to live like the Gentiles well the meaning is a bit
different now now we're looking at believers versus non-believers that's
what's actually being met here all right is non-believers and the futility of
their thinking is referring to the fact that as part of the human condition
we're really good at not just thinking ourselves away from God
because we do we will we think we know better we will we will come up
with stuff we will devise things and scheme things and we will pull ourselves
away from God but in doing that you know it moves us away very quickly as well
you know it's easy for us to get caught up in the way of the world I had to go
and do those things because you know let's face it you know that it's it's
comfortable it's what we know you know it's what we've seen and part of the
issue with non-believers is the fact that the Bible is really hard to
understand they can't wrap their heads around it's confusing you know and God
you know he's done this on purpose you see for non-believers they get caught up
in their own pride they have it built up in their heads that they can figure out
anything given time however to fully understand the Bible we have to lean on
God and faith you know in Matthew 13 13 Jesus says this is why I speak to them
in parables though seeing they do not see though hearing they do not hear or
understand even though everything is right in front of the non-believer they
miss it they can't see the forest for the trees you know it's it's not until
you come to Jesus and you have a relationship with them that things start
to get revealed that's the Holy Spirit in you opening your eyes
all right sorry about that I'm gonna hit my mute button one more time here
you
okay now we got most of the cough is gone I still got so I have a lot of other
stuff going on there sorry about that don't want to blow out those ears all
right and we're gonna we're gonna keep on driving through here all right you
see the other part of what we're seeing here in Ephesians is that when people
look at you as a Christian they should easily be able to see the difference
between you and a non-believer remember we are reborn in Christ so we are a new
creature and if you recall that doesn't take away our individuality the other
thing is that it does change how we think about everything how we respond to
everything what types of attitudes we have about things you know and these
things that it takes time it takes time because we need to learn we don't just
come to Christ and instantly know everything we are reborn and like a
small child growing up we have to learn not only that but we have to unlearn see
we have to unlearn what the world has said is right and what the world has
said we should do and what the world says is good and instead what we need to
start to learn is what God says is good and what God says is right and what God
says to do you know we have to stop doing what the world insists we do and
start doing the things of God instead and as we grow so does our understanding
and methods to do things this continues throughout our lives see we lean on God
we listen to him and we do what he tells us to do and while we do that he molds
us as he needs now it's not always easy matter of fact even molding is not
always easy if you've ever done any kind of molding you know sometimes it's
really tough you really have to get in there and work you know and as a matter
of fact the Bible warns us that it's not going to be easy that life is not going
to be easy however in the end when we are called home and into God's glory it
will be all worth it see it's your actions as an ambassador for Christ that
will show people in the world what you truly believe and who you truly are you
can't be two-faced putting on a show for the church and treating people in the
world differently as we're about to see so let's look back to Ephesians 4
verses 25 through 28 the Bible says therefore each of you must put off
falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor for we are all neighbors of one
body in your anger do not sin do not let the Sun go down while you are still
angry and do not give the devil a foothold anyone who has been stealing
must steal no longer but must work doing something useful with their own hands
that they may have something to share with those in need again you can't lie
lies are the tools of the devil you know they bring discord and it doesn't matter
how small it is you see we tend to think of that little you know those those
little white lies you know all that you know they're not gonna hurt anyone it's
okay you know however the truth is a lie is a lie if you're not speaking the
truth then you shouldn't be speaking at all you know and now this next part the
next part of this I love because when people get angry others like to say
things like you're not acting very Christian like or aren't you supposed to
forgive and forget no we can dispel that right now people who say these things
haven't paid attention to the Bible you can get angry let me say it again you
can get angry matter of fact it's going to happen
Jesus got angry it is how you respond in that anger you need to control it the
Bible is telling us here that you can be you know you can get angry and not sin
see they're two different things as a matter of fact we could see a clear
reference to Psalm 4 verse 4 which says tremble in your anger do not sin
when you are on your beds search your hearts and be silent you see you can be
angry you can be downright furious that's what it's talking about that
tremble you know when you're so mad that you're shaking you know however you have
to maintain control and not sin in the anger you see it's when we give in when
we lose control that we give the devil a foothold to take control and others end
up getting hurt in the process when we sin people get hurt in the process now
the Bible shows us several times where people have gotten angry and not sinned
Jesus himself was angry over the merchants in the temple and cleared them
all out and how did he do that well he did in grand fashion didn't he
overturning tables and chasing them out with the whip you know it sounds
violently overboard for the image a lot of people have of Jesus however when we
read the account we see he did enough to clear out the sin and to clear out the
sinners but he did not actually harm anyone he drove his point home and this
wasn't the only time you know people like to point at this be like oh yeah
look Jesus got mad once no he was angry more than once he you know there was a
time he even became angry with the disciples when they made others you know
seem and feel like second-class citizens by trying to send them away when Jesus
was trying to preach to the children in Mark 10 and then you know there are
other incidents recorded where Jesus was angry as well you know the point is just
like Jesus we have to exercise self-control we need to deal with things
in a way that build one another up and resolves the situation see we can't just
ignore things and wait for them to get better either you know a lot of people
they like to do it's like oh you know I don't want to I don't want to rock the
boat I don't want to cost turmoil so you know we're just gonna do that no you
know just because you're angry doesn't mean you can't act in love now
sometimes the truth can hurt but it's better to act in truth and in love that
it is to cause the harm that comes outside of that in sin all right now
picking back up our reading in Ephesians 4 we're at verse 29 through 32 now the
Bible says do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths but only
what is helpful for building others up according to their needs that it may
benefit those who listen and do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom
you were sealed for the day of redemption get rid of all bitterness rage
and anger brawling and slander along with every form of malice be kind and
compassionate to one another forgiving each other just as Jesus forgave you you
know sometimes it's easier said than done isn't it but as Christians we need
to learn how to respond to the world in a way that glorifies God that's the
problem we see in a couple of areas of society you know these days on the one
side you had this overant group that wants to exude machismo right and they
do it to a point that they become arrogant and hateful and on the other
side well let's just say it cancel culture you know instead of a cheese mo
they're exercising another type of pride and again out of arrogance and hate and
both sides well they both become self-absorbed and selfish and it's not
just in these instances is it we see the same in a lot of areas of life today all
around the world so it's important that we act in love you know back in the
late 80s early 90s we had this huge movement and you know many of you have
no doubt have heard of it you know people would wear bracelets and shirts
and various things and they simply said WW JD and that stood for what would
Jesus do for simple yet powerful world words that form a question that pertains
to really every aspect of Christian life right what would Jesus do it's something
we would all benefit to stop and ask ourselves from time to time all right
let's let's move into Ephesians 5 now so Ephesians chapter 5 we'll look at the
first couple of verses here to get started the Bible says follow God's
example therefore as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love just
as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and
sacrifice to God this is a solid answer for what the question we just heard you
know is isn't it you know what would Jesus do and as his followers we are
much like children what you know what the children do as they grow up while
they follow their parents around watching you know how they walk how they
talk how they do things learning what they believe and they you know they end
up becoming you know little carbon copies so don't they you know they start
mimicking what they see and what they hear and they take on the mannerisms of
their parents right you know and that's exactly what we should be doing as
followers of Jesus we should be learning to be servant leaders just like him all
right Ephesians 5 verses 3 through 7 the Bible says but among you there must not
even be a hint of sexual immorality or any kind of impurity or of greed because
these are improper for God's holy people nor should there be obscenity foolish
talk or coarse joking which are out of place but rather Thanksgiving for of
this you can be sure no immoral impure or greedy person such as a person is an
idolater has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God let no one
deceive you with empty words because of such things God's wrath comes on those
who are disobedient therefore do not be partners with them you know this in and
of itself really you know it's a reason we should be careful just turning on the
TV or the radio anymore isn't it you know just on Christmas Day alone we were
watching a football game on TV and I can't tell you how many times we saw an
advertisement for one of the bachelor shows you know and it seems like
everywhere you look anymore everything is promoting that you know this life
excess excess money material things you know the other sex sex itself and then
some you know many of you are wondering why you can't find a loyal partner in
life but you're looking at immature boys and girls with immature idols while
you're listening to things that claim to be empowerment that are really the
reality is they're depreciating you as an object and taking away your value
when you're worth as a person you know oh I'm a queen bee ladies the guys truly
value you they don't want to be they want a woman all right oh I'm a knight
in shining armor you know guys the ladies that truly value you they don't
want that fairy tale garbage they want the knight in the dirty worn armor that
only comes with a real man doing real work to provide for his family you know
I've oversimplified it here but you get my point catch me you know on the side
and we could talk about it in detail if you don't quite get what I said and
what I'm saying here you know but the whole you know I'm a queen bee and by
bee you know of course I you know I'm not I'm not saying the word that's being
used out there y'all know exactly what I'm talking about and then the whole you
know the that whole image of you know oh look at me I'm a knight in shining armor
I'm the guy you've been looking for it's all garbage you know I'm telling you
guys if you're that person you know on the I'm the queen bee I don't care you
know oh yeah you know I'm the guy you need to stop you need to make some
evaluations and you need to make some changes in life very very quickly all
right the fact is we need to stop giving into the indulgences of the world and
treating each other like garbage you're a Christian you follow Christ well
if that's fact then you should be looking to serve others and not yourself
you should be treating others with the respect that you would like to get in
return not based on how they treat you the golden rule itself actually comes
from Luke chapter 6 verse 31 now I will tell you it does not say to do unto
others as they you know do unto you it does not say do unto others before they
do unto you it does not say to one up others no Luke 6 31 the Bible says do to
others as you would have them do to you all right it's pretty clear it's pretty
clear like I said it doesn't say do unto others as they do unto you or be
for they do unto you or to one up others it says to do as you would have them do
to you now let's face it you will not always get the respect you deserve but
you should always always give it now this doesn't mean we should click up and
we could you know and shut out sinners even though we see some so-called
churches do this all right that is not what Jesus taught you know it wasn't oh
you know we need to keep it on you come and sit right here where we could keep
an eye on you you know we got it and then you got it you got a you know as
soon as we're done you got to get back out that door and it no none of that
instead in Luke 5 verses 33 32 Jesus said to lead them to him to lead these
people to him all right so what how do we do it well we need to go out into the
world however we need to be mindful and not allow ourselves to get absorbed into
the world's practices and idols
now for time's sake I'm gonna move through the rest of this no fairly
quickly moving back to Ephesians 5 verses 8 through 14 the Bible says for
you were once darkness but now you are light in the Lord live as children of
light for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness righteousness
and truth and find out what pleases the Lord have nothing to do with the
fruitless deeds of darkness but rather expose them it is shameful to even
mention what the disobedient do in secret but everything exposed by the
light becomes visible and everything that is illuminated becomes a light that
is why it is said wake up sleeper rise from the dead and Christ will shine on
you
this is reminding us that we all come from darkness every one of us we've all
sinned we've all fallen short yet through the blood of Jesus Christ we've all been
forgiven well when I say we all we all as believers right have been forgiven we
have the Holy Spirit within us that is the light of the Lord and it will
attract people your actions will attract people not only that but we're being
told to call people out when we see their sin we're being told don't
tolerate it don't accept it don't condone it and don't bite your tongue
as a matter of fact just by staying quiet others may interpret that single
action alone as approval of their sin and others will see it as approval of
another person sin and they'll view you as being just as guilty of it guilt by
association is a very real thing so you need to stay on the alert so that false
beliefs aren't allowed to infiltrate and to pervert the church all right
continuing on Ephesians 5 verses 15 through 20 the Bible says be very
careful then how you live not as unwise but as wise making the most of every
opportunity because the days are evil therefore do not be foolish but
understand that but understand what the Lord's will is do not get drunk on wine
which leads to debauchery
instead be filled with the Spirit speaking to one another with Psalms hymns
and songs from the Spirit seeing and make music from your heart to the Lord
always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ so we need to be on the alert and we need to be mindful and how
we live our lives every single day see you need to be purposeful and what you
do because evil is everywhere it's permeated every society on this planet
and it's become an accepted part of the culture which is all the more reason
that you should do what good you can when you can you know the next part here
is what's taken out of context a lot you know I'm any interpreted to mean you
shouldn't drink you know and will spout all sorts of unresearched gibberish
that's either been handed down to them or written on social media you know but
what's saying here is to be careful to be mindful of what you're doing and not
get drunk so this is where the old adage of taking things in moderation comes in
you know a drink here and there is not going to hurt but people don't truly
know their limits and that's why it ends up getting twisted into this whole thing
of you know people saying well it's better just not to drink at all all
right see we need to be sober minded when we have too much we are we are no
longer in control of our senses and our faculties and that that's when the
enemy is given a foothold because we start doing things that we shouldn't we
start taking risk that we shouldn't we start doing stupid things that we
shouldn't
you know every you know you get out there and you know people like oh yeah
you know I can I can drink X amount or whatever and the fact is you know as you
get older you don't process things the same and it's actually not the more you
could drink it's a less you can drink you just don't feel that way and you're
giving in to what the the the devil is whispering into your ear into those lies
so you know we need to be very careful we need to be very mindful and it's not
just of alcohol anymore is it but other things that you know change change your
mindsets you know certain you know let's just say you know drugs and medications
and all that you know all the stuff that people turn to that you know affects
them like a drink you know the adrenaline junkies and all that because
there is a very real thing there that's been studied and researched all right so
we need to make sure that we're doing the right thing and that we're
maintaining control all right don't risk giving the devil a foothold you know
we instead what we should remember is that we are filled with the Holy Spirit
we should give him praise everywhere we go and then everything we do we should
be giving you know thanks for the many blessings that we've been given and
continue to be given you know and we need to ensure that his light is
shining for others to see you know through us at all times you know
sometimes things are going to get rough the lights going to seem a little dimmer
and it's going to be hard to be thankful however you can rest assured that not
only is Lord with you but he is building a new strength in you through those tough
times don't let the storm around you take your eyes off of Jesus keep centered
on him and keep following him one step at a time all right so that's our time
for today remember you are loved and you are blessed so go and be the church
thank you all for joining us here today at healing scars with pastor Burton
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to hearing from you all God bless