Participants:
Series Code: BOLS
Program Code: BOLS000033S
|
00:06 Sermon #S018 - (I'm Good - Part 2)
00:19 Welcome to the Breath of Life Television Ministries broadcast with Pastor Debleaire Snell! 00:25 In today's episode, Pastor Snell will share Part Two of the message entitled: 00:30 “I'm Good” Let's go now into the Word of God. 00:35 Pastor Snell: Second thing this story teaches us is that in Christ there is no hierarchy. 00:47 The Word says that when it came time to receive wages, 00:52 that those who came at the first hour independent of a promise from the landowner, 01:02 that they just assumed that there was going to receive more than everybody else. 01:09 Now we got to be clear on the roles in the parable today, friends, 01:13 because understand that the landowner is a loose representation of Christ, 01:18 that the vineyard is a representation of our work, and that the laborers represent you 01:25 and I at different stages in the journey. 01:29 The interesting thing of those who came at the first hour is that there is an expectation of financial hierarchy 01:41 based upon how long they have been working in the field. It's crazy, friends, 01:47 because they literally are functioning with this perceived injustice that those who came at the eleventh hour, 01:56 who have not borne this labor In the heat of the day, 02:00 there is a sense of inequity that somehow they would receive the same reward as us. 02:07 You all need to understand that these first workers are indignant. 02:12 As the kids say, they are big mad because they felt that because of how long they have been in the field, 02:21 they are entitled to a little more than those who just came around the bend. In other words, 02:30 they attach significance to their tenure. Are you all hearing me today? 02:37 In other words, they're just like some in the church in our time who feel like just because they've been there the longest, 02:48 because we've been in the truth for many generations, that it entitles us to more clout, 02:58 to more influence that people are to cater to us in the body simply because of how long we have been here. 03:08 But how many of us understand that Christ does not attach value for the same reasons that the world does? 03:17 Are you all hearing me today, friends? In other words, 03:19 Jesus does not assign merit or reward based upon how long you have served, 03:26 but our reward is in proportion with the mercies and the greatness of His grace. 03:33 Are you all with me today, friends? So that none of us get to boast. 03:38 See, friends, the reason... and I'm not going to stay here long. 03:41 The reason there is no hierarchy in Christ is because none of us are worthy. 03:50 Do you realize that none of us had commended ourselves to God? 03:55 I don't care how long you have been walking in the way, none of us are here because we love God first. 04:02 The Bible says we love Him because He first love us. Are you all hearing me today, friends? 04:10 In other words, I needed to be clear that they didn't come searching for the landowner, 04:14 but the landowner had to track them down, the landowner had to seek them out, the landowner had to pursue them. 04:23 How many of us are grateful that when we had no appetite to seek after God, guess what, 04:30 He was willing to leave the 99 in search of the one that stray and he pursued us 04:37 and sought after us until we embrace the divine invitation. 04:44 And so, the Word says here in verse number 9, 04:47 Matthew 20. Are you all still with me, church? The Bible says, "Then those who were hired about the eleventh hour, 04:58 they each received a denarius, but when the first came, 05:02 they suppose that they would have received more and they likewise received each a denarius. 05:08 And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner. Are you all with me today, friends? 05:18 Now, let me just say this real quick. 05:20 That the third thing this teaches is that sometimes it would be better if you didn't know. 05:35 Sometimes, friends, there are some joy in just not knowing what they got. 05:43 All right, let me just kind of be all the way one hundred with you. 05:47 I do as a human, one clothed in flesh, I do kind of identify with these first-hour workers a little bit. 05:55 I mean, it does seem like there is a somewhat of an accurate assumption that if I've been working from the first hour of the 06:02 day that I would receive just a little bit more, especially than those that just showed up at the last hour of the day. 06:15 Even though there is this perceived injustice, 06:19 there is actually a stated justice because the landowner says, "Man, listen, we came to an agreement. 06:28 I paid you what you were happy to receive." In other words, 06:32 I need you to notice friends that these first-hour workers when they entered into the agreement, 06:39 they thought it was a good deal. In other words, as they work during the day, 06:47 they felt like the amount of payment was sufficient. In other words, we coming back to get another one on tomorrow. 06:54 They felt like they had gotten over, that they had entered into a fair and equitable deal. 07:02 The only thing that changed is not that he's shortchanged them on what he promised, he gave them exactly what he promised, 07:11 but the only thing that's got them big mad is when they saw what somebody else was receiving. 07:23 In other words, the sense of injustice was not that they did not receive what was promised, 07:28 but you know what took away their joy, 07:30 is when they got into the habit of comparing what they had with what somebody else had received. 07:39 It's amazing that the owner of the parable teaches us a lesson that is critical for our consideration. 07:46 He says, "I think the problem is not with how I distributed what belongs to me," 07:51 but he literally says that your eye has become evil. Your eye has become envious 07:59 because I'm good to everybody that is in connection with me. It's crazy, friends, 08:07 because you realize that they would have left happy, they would have left with joy, 08:12 they would have left with gratitude, 08:14 they would have been excited about coming to work next the next day if they just had no awareness about what 08:23 somebody else has received. It's amazing how sometimes just seeing what they receive releases an envy 08:35 and a jealousy that if you're not careful, it'll take away your joy 08:41 and it'll have you questioning the goodness of the landowner. 08:46 Let me be clear, friends, that I'm not calling you to a life of ignorance where you got to avoid seeing how God 08:53 blesses other people. But I guess essentially, what I'm trying to teach is that you can't avoid seeing how God blesses. 09:01 But you know what you can do? 09:02 You can stop focusing on what God is doing for everybody else, 09:09 and have a more dedicated gratitude to what God is doing for you. 09:16 Are you all hearing me today, friends? I mean, you would be happier. 09:21 This is the pastor's hypothesis. You would be good if you just focus on where God is moving in your life. 09:31 And this friends, is a call away from a life of comparisons. It's crazy because this generation of believers, 09:41 you will literally sabotage all your Sabbath joy by sitting on a device and scrolling through social media all afternoon. 09:49 And you know how you sabotage your own joy? It's because you're looking at everybody's vacation pictures 09:56 and you're looking at everybody's closing on their house, and you're looking at their kid's graduation pictures, 10:01 and you're looking at somebody renewing their vows, you're looking at somebody else announced their engagement. 10:07 It's crazy because sometimes we get discouraged because we are comparing their highlights with our everyday life. 10:18 You realize, I mean, real talk. We have arguments but we don't post that on social media. 10:25 All we are going to put on social media are our celebrations. What I'm saying is, 10:30 don't deceive yourself into thinking that somebody's occasional celebration is a reflection of their everyday reality. 10:38 Not only do we get messed up because we're comparing highlights with real-life. 10:43 We're comparing their fantasy with our reality. 10:48 Do you realize that jokers be lying on social media? Come on, you know some of jokers on the verge of divorce, 10:56 on the verge of bankruptcy, but they perpetrate and acting like they got it all together, and everybody has all the answers, 11:05 and we get all tied up in knots. Because you're comparing your real life with somebody's fantasy. 11:13 Are you all hearing me today, friends? You know why else? 11:17 You are not spending a life of comparing your life with somebody else's. 11:22 Do you realize that your problem is actually somebody else's solution? 11:34 Do you realize that some of the things you're complaining about somebody else is coveting? 11:40 I knew it's going a little quiet up in here, but I told them enjoy the sermon all by myself, 11:44 been out of town for a long time. 11:47 [Congregation: Laughing] 11:48 Do you realize the wage you're complaining about, that same wage would transform somebody's life? 11:57 You complaining about having to go to work on Monday and somebody sent up here praying, 12:02 somebody called me to work on Monday. Are you all hearing what I'm saying, friends? 12:08 Even if you were able to get somebody else's life, you realize you would not be exchanging solutions. 12:14 All you would be doing is exchanging problems. So there's some wife on this side of the sanctuary who's mad 12:24 because her husband works too much. There's a wife on the other side who's mad because she can't get him off the couch. 12:38 Are you all hearing what I'm saying? 12:40 [Congregation: Clapping] 12:42 There are some brother who's mad because his wife is always shopping and spending all the money. 12:46 But there's a brother on the other side who's mad because his wife is a budget Nazi, 12:50 she won't let him spend nothing. There is some wife who's mad because her husband always wanting her, 12:57 he's always desiring, always trying to get next to her. But then, there's a wife on the other side who's mad because her man, 13:04 they ain't showing no interest. He ain't even looking when she get out.-Let me say it better. Let me say it better. 13:13 He's not as enthusiastic. Are you all hearing what I'm saying? Some brother is mad 13:19 because his wife takes too long to get dressed and she spends so much time in the mirror. 13:23 But there's another brother on the other side who's mad because he can't get his wife out of that flannel robe. 13:28 Brothers, you all know that robe that says there ain't nothing here for you tonight. 13:34 Are you all hearing what I'm saying today? 13:37 [Congregation: Laughing] 13:40 There are some parents complaining that their kids never come to visit, 13:45 and there's another set of parents that's mad because they can't get their grown kid out of the house. 13:50 [Congregation: Laughing] 13:51 There are some kids that are complaining that their parents are always in their business, 13:55 always looking at everything they do. 13:57 But there was a whole another set of kids that wish they had parents that was in their business, 14:03 involved in their life that cared at all where they are and what they are doing. And I guess what I'm saying, 14:11 friends of mine, is at the end of the day, you just got to wake up with a spirit of generosity 14:19 and gratitude that says, "this is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it." 14:29 Do I have at least a few Saints who just say, "Lord, I'm good where I am. I'm good with what I have. 14:36 Lord, I thank you for my house. I thank you for my health. I thank you that I know where my kids are. 14:45 I thank you that my problems are able to be born. I'm thankful that I have a job. I'm thankful that my eyes opened. 14:55 I'm thankful that my ears are still here. I'm thankful that my limbs still move. I'm thankful that my sins are forgiven. 15:05 I'm thankful to be in the truth of the word. I'm thankful for the assurance He is coming again. 15:12 I'm thankful that my wife hadn't left me. I'm thankful that my husband stays with me. 15:18 I'm thankful that I know where my kids are. Anybody that's thankful that you know where your kids are today? 15:27 I'm thankful that my kids are in church. Is there anybody that says "It's not all good, 15:33 but I'm good because I realize all things work together for the good of those who love God 15:42 and are called according to his purpose." 15:45 [Congregation: Clapping] 15:49 See, friends, the other reason you are not spending a whole lot of time comparing your life with somebody else's is you 15:56 realize that both favor and trouble are seasonal. You realize that their life is not better than yours. 16:08 It's just their season. Are you hearing what I'm saying? That's not the Bible says that there is a time 16:16 and a season appointed to everything under heaven. So that you may be in a difficult season while they are in a joyous season, 16:28 but just live long enough and their sorrow will become yours and your joy will become theirs. 16:37 In other words, it's just a season of life and like all seasons they pass. But watch this church, 16:44 contentment doesn't come when the season passes. Contentment is where I can find joy no matter what season I am in. 16:58 It is the discipline of recognizing and identifying the goodness of God no matter my predicament, 17:06 no matter how I'm functioning right now. Are you all hearing me today, friends? 17:11 So can we go to the Bible today, friends? Let's go in our Bibles, Philippians chapter 4. 17:14 I need you to see this in the Bible today. Philippians 4:11. Let the church say amen when you find that. 17:24 Philippians 4:11, and write this down so you can have this when you get home. 17:29 Philippians 4:11, Apostle Paul says, "It's not that I speak in regard to need for this is what we need to learn." 17:39 This needs to be the aspiration of every believer this week. 17:44 He says, "Listen, man, I have learned whatever state I am in to be content." 17:52 He says, "I know how to be a base and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I've learned both to be full 18:00 and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need." Why? Because I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 18:09 In other words, friends, I need you to understand that my joy is not on what is happening without me. 18:17 My joy is based upon the God that is operating inside of me. 18:22 It's crazy because I didn't always understand what the old folk meant when they said that this joy that I have, 18:32 the world did not give it, and the world cannot take it away. What I'm saying is that when Christ is operating in you, 18:41 I need you to know that changing circumstances don't change your disposition. See, this is meat and it is for the mature. 18:53 You see the immature have a fluctuating disposition and it always reflects how much money they got in the bank, 19:00 how many people like them on social media, what people have to say. 19:04 But how many of us know that when the joy of the Lord is your strength, your joy does not fluctuate based upon what you have, 19:13 based upon who comes or who goes. I've got the same joy whether you talk good about me, whether you talk bad about me 19:21 because I know who I am and whose I am. 19:25 [Congregation: Clapping] 19:27 Listen, 1 Timothy 6:6. Can we get in the Bible for just a little bit? 19:33 1 Timothy 6:6, when you get to it let me hear you say amen. 1 Timothy 6:6, 19:41 the Bible says, "Now godliness with what? Contentment is great grain. 19:51 And notice he says, "The threshold for gratitude is very low." 19:56 He says, "for we brought nothing into this world and it is certain that we can carry having food 20:03 and clothing with these things." Be content. You all didn't catch that lesson. 20:11 If you have something to eat and you got something to wear, the Bible says you got a reason to be content 20:21 and to give thanks unto God. Are you all hearing what I'm saying? See, the problem is some of us, 20:26 our contentment hinges upon a change of circumstance. The Bible is letting us know that if you ate today 20:33 and you had clothes to wear today, you can testify that God is still faithful. 20:39 All right? So you all not getting me Lamentations 3. Lamentations 3:22. 20:46 When you get there, let hear you say amen. Lamentations 3:22, you all notice in my heart. 20:53 Lamentations 3:22, when you get there, say pastor I'm here. The Bible says, "It is through the Lord's mercy." Oh Jesus. 21:06 Oh Jesus! It is so Lord. Help me get this. It is through the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed. 21:19 [Congregation: Clapping] 21:21 Anybody aware that there was some stuff aimed at you that was shielded because of the Lord's mercies? 21:31 The Bible says his compassion, they fail not. They are new, what? Every morning and he says, "Great is your faithfulness. 21:43 The Lord is my portion says my soul. Therefore, I will hope in Him. Friends of mine, 21:49 I need you to realize that every day you wake up, God gives unsealed, unrecycled mercies that are new each 22:00 and every day to the people of God. See, there's somebody that's mad because you're waiting on a miracle. 22:08 Guess what, you don't have to wait on a miracle because today you received mercies. Let me say it this way. 22:17 I said it to those in Charlotte. You can count your miracles, but you can't even count your mercies 22:24 because they are new each and every day and they are the sustaining agents of God. Do you know what a mercy is? 22:32 A mercy is just the miracles you've gotten used to. See, there are things that we've allowed ourselves to get used to 22:41 because God is so constant and God is so faithful. You've got to get to the place where you just say, "Lord, 22:47 I'm good where I am." Listen, I'm done. Listen, watch this, 22:52 Matthew 16. Just one last thing I need you to see. Matthew 16:7. Listen, I'm almost done. Matthew 16:7. 23:01 Give me five more minutes. Say amen. 23:03 [Congregation: Amen] 23:05 Listen, Matthew 20:7. Matthew 20:7, the word says and they said to him, "Because no one has hired us, 23:20 and he said to them, you will go into the vineyard and whatever is right..." Did you all catch this? 23:31 He says, "whatever is right, you will receive." All right, so go back here to verse number one. 23:41 "For the Kingdom of Heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for the vineyard that 23:47 had agreed with who? " Did you all catch that? He agrees with the laborers about the amount they will receive. 23:59 Now I need you to notice the trend that just took place. The Bible says, friends, 24:05 that the landowner agrees with the labourers on the amount from the first hour. 24:14 But those that came at the sixth hour and those that came at the eleventh hour, they didn't need an agreement. 24:25 They didn't negotiate on an amount. They didn't say, "this is what I'm going to work for." 24:31 They just said, "Whatever you pay us. We're going to trust you to give us the amount that is right." 24:41 Okay, some of us didn't get it. See, I need us to understand the implication is that the first hour workers, 24:47 in other words, they came up with an agreement that was based on the comps. 24:56 In other words, they had to look around at what they got paid for a day. 25:00 They looked around and what somebody else got paid for a day, 25:03 and they made a recommendation based upon the law of averages or what somebody else has already been getting paid. 25:12 Are you all with me today? But notice that those that came later in the day, 25:16 they had no recommendation about what they would receive. They just trusted in the goodness of the landowner. 25:26 They trusted in his character. They believe that if we leave it in his hands and we let him choose for us, 25:36 then we will suffer no lack and will suffer no harm because we know that he is good with everything that he owns. 25:46 Some of us still didn't get it yet. See, the reason we only receive little is because our asking is based on the comps 25:58 In other words, our request is based on what they receive, is based on what somebody else had, 26:05 is based upon something that happened back in the day. But what I'm saying, friends, 26:10 is that it's not wrong to be specific with God. 26:13 But one of the things I've learned is that even when I make my request known unto God, 26:19 I say, "Lord, I want this but nevertheless, not my will but your will be done." 26:25 You see, how many of us know that sometimes your asking can be too small. 26:31 It can be less than ultimately what God wanted to give you. 26:36 In other words, it stands to reason that if he had given those that came at the eleventh hour, a day's labor, 26:45 if those at the beginning just trusted and not boxed him in with a preference, and not box him in with an amount, 26:55 that the landowner would have given them exceedingly and abundantly, above all, they could even ask or think. 27:05 Is there anybody that knows that you had not come to God with a list that's too specific. 27:13 You ought to just say, "Lord, I trust you. Give me what's right. Give me what's fair." 27:20 And if you remove the strings, you remove all the attachments. 27:25 I need you to know that you will suffer no lack because higher than the highest human thought can conceive is God's 27:35 ideal for his children. So that even your biggest ambition fall short of what God has designed. 27:44 And so you just got to say, "Lord, I trust you. Lord, you choose the spouse. Lord, you choose the job. 27:52 Lord, you choose the city. Lord, you choose the wardrobe. Lord, you choose the neighborhood. 27:59 I'm going to get out of the way and trust you to bless me with what I stand in need of." 28:06 Are you all hearing me today, friends? 28:09 (Breath of Life Theme Music) 28:34 When we look at everything that's affecting our culture, the pandemic, mass shootings, the escalating prices of gas, 28:41 someone's wondering what reason do I have for hope? 28:45 I want to invite you to be a part of the 2022 Hope rally here in Huntsville, Alabama. 28:51 We're going to start on September the 24th through October the 1st. We're going to meet each night at 7:00 PM. 28:59 If you need more information, go to our website at www.breathoflife.tv 29:06 [End] |
Revised 2022-09-07