The Seed Blog: The Towel is Mightier Than the Sword

I ask that everyone here... Refuse to think about...ONE SINGLE OTHER PERSON this sermon might pertain to today! THIS SERMON IS FOR YOU! YOU ALONE! Listen and apply every word to SELF!... And send it to every person you know who claims Jesus... Because we all need it desperately!...And every time you compare this message to another today...YOU... Are proving how desperately YOU need it! Their are 93 million selfies taken each day in the world! The average millennial is projected&helli [...]

I ask that everyone here... Refuse to think about...ONE SINGLE OTHER PERSON this sermon might pertain to today! THIS SERMON IS FOR YOU! YOU ALONE! Listen and apply every word to SELF!... And send it to every person you know who claims Jesus... Because we all need it desperately!...And every time you compare this message to another today...YOU... Are proving how desperately YOU need it!
 
Their are 93 million selfies taken each day in the world! The average millennial is projected…To take over 25,700 selfies in their lifetime! (1) Spending and of 54 hours a year just taking selfies! (2)

More than is spent on their personal finances (1)Or attending social events (1)Or even walking as an activity (1) 
To show how obsessed and imbalanced we’ve grown in selfies...
Consider these:
 
People have lost jobs for taking selfie’s while calling in sick!
Dumb criminals have been caught for taking selfies (Sweden)
Forbes Magazine: From 2011 to 2017... 259 people die while taking selfies!
Perspective: Worried about all the shark attacks at beach?!
 
You have a greater chance of dying from a selfie...
Than from shark attacks at the beach this year!!
 
What I look like... What you think of ME... How important I am...
Is becoming more important than any other issue in our lives!!
 
(1) https://financebuzz.com/impact-of-selfies-study
(2) https://photutorial.com/selfie-statistics/
(3) https://www.forbes.com/sites/petersuciu/2023/02/03/dying-for-the-perfect-photo-or-video--is-social-media-claiming-lives/?sh=51dfbc61561f
 
We look at these astounding statistics today...Simply to show ONE single symptom...
Of the overwhelming problem we have developed…As an entire generation of people...
THAT IS... A complete lack in any trace of... TRUE HUMILITY!
 
PRIDE... Fuels every major issue that we are experiencing...As individuals... And as a society today! There is not ONE other issue of sin... That is more impacting & powerful…
Which we could possibly apply ourselves…To understanding and overcoming today... Than the issue of HUMILITY! It is the single root of just about EVERY issue we face!
 
Lust... Because we are more important…Than those we hurt or use for our pleasure and entertainment!
 
Unforgiveness... Because we are right, they are wrong...And we MUST be recognized in our intelligence and justification!
 
Division/Racism... Because if you don't like or agree with ME...You are unworthy, mean or stupid… And YOU must be a hater!
 
Unemployment, handouts and entitlement…Because I DESERVE to be taken care of...
And I owe nothing to society or anyone else!
 
Social and societal breakdown...Because many feel the world must bow to their desires...Even at the cost of reason, and multitudes of harm to others!...because many ONE BOTH SIDES of numerous issues... Would rather hate, cancel and disregard... Anyone who differs with their views!
 
Marriage and other close relationships...
 
Because I will have my way... Or we won't be together!
Because MY pleasure is more important than anyone else...
Because I am too important…To be criticized, questioned... Or done wrong!
Because I will be recognized for my intelligence and ability...No matter who I ridicule, hurt, or offend!
 
Emotional and Mental Despair...
I am constantly obsessed with... And driven by...How good I look to others...Because I will go to any extreme to be exalted or liked...Above others! Or I will become depressed, angry and  victimized...Because I am obviously more important than others!
 
Social Media, Internet Forums... Even News Pages...
 
Are PACKED with everyone's precious, all-important views and opinions on every topic!
Until TRUTH is not even a consideration...ONLY how I'M AFFECTED... And HOW I FEEL ABOUT IT! NO SOCIETY IN HISTORY CAN CONTINUE TO FUNCTION…WITH THIS SELF-CONSUMED MINDSET! It BREEDS misery and destruction!...And is the ULTIMATE RESULT…OF CHOOSING TO LOVE SELF...OVER GOD AND ANYONE AROUND US!
God HATES PRIDE! THIS IS WHY GOD SPEAKS MORE HARSHLY...ABOUT A LACK OF HUMILITY...THAN JUST ABOUT ANY SIN IN SCRIPTURES...BESIDES REJECTING JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF!
 
PRIDE... Was the Original SIN...That brought evil into the heart of Satan!..And cause a third of Heaven to follow in rebellion! Pride is what Satan used to bring original sin to mankind!
Pride is at the heart of every other sin we commit! Because we that feel our wisdom, desires and comfort...Are more important than even God!
 
When God Repeats something twice in Scriptures...It is because it is very important!
Do you have any idea... How many Commands, Stories, and Examples...Are Given in Scriptures... About this ONE SIN?! Listen closely to a few...Overcome the urge to let them be cliché...And drink them in with desire to be changed!
 
Proverbs 6:16-17 (NKJV)
16  These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17  A proud look...
 
Proverbs 8:13 (HCSB)
13  To fear the LORD is to hate evil. I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech.
 
Proverbs 16:18 (HCSB)
18  Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.
 
James 4:6 (ESV)
6  ...“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
 
Proverbs 16:5 (ESV)
5  Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished.
 
Romans 12:16 (ESV)
16  Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
 
Proverbs 18:12 (HCSB)
12  Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
 
Philippians 2:3 (HCSB)
3  Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.
 
Proverbs 26:12 (HCSB)
12  Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
 
Galatians 6:3 (HCSB)
3  For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
 
Proverbs 21:4 (HCSB)
4  The lamp that guides the wicked— haughty eyes and an arrogant heart—is sin.
 
Get that? Pride illuminates everything in it’s own shade of color! Makes you see everything differently!! We will stop there... For the sake of time! But realize that every person close to or used of God...
 
FIRST...
HAD TO COME TO GRIPS WITH THEIR PRIDE!FIRST...
HAD TO SEE THEIR OWN POWERLESSNESS WITHOUT HIM!FIRST...
HAD TO REMOVE THEMSELVES FROM THE MOTIVATION...
OF THEIR OWN WORTH.. IN THEIR EYES! 
Otherwise… In all of their wisdom, skills, and abilities...
 
They were USELESS to God!And less effective... Even less righteous...
Thank those they often opposed! 
Moses was 2nd only to the most powerful man on earth in his day!
 
One of the richest and best educated men in his time!But God would NOT use him...
Until he was reduced to a fugitive, forgotten sheep-herder..
On the back of the desert!Because his heart was all that mattered!
Everything else... God could Give to ANYONE! 
Joseph was destined to save the entire Nation of Israel... (millions)
 
But even in his skills and anointing…
He was an arrogant, spoiled child...
And he had to come to the complete end of himself...
Become a useless, forgotten slave in a foreign land...Before he could be used!Because his heart was all that mattered!
Everything else... God could give to ANYONE! 
David (Started out just the opposite)…And was a humble shepherd boy... In the beginning! 
Who remained humble...Even after being anointed as the next king...And severely abused and hunted... 
But he fell from his blessed and successful position...
The moment he became proud! 
Because his heart was all that mattered!
Everything else... God could give to ANYONE! 
Jesus of Nazareth: God... Creator... RULER OF ALL CREATION! 
Humbled Himself to take on our weak and frail Flesh... 
Stepped down to a poor, bastard Son... By man’s opinion!An Uneducated Half-breed... From a hick, backwoods town!Made to be our shame, refuse, and insignificant worth! 
And with all of His Knowledge, Power, Praise, & Infinite Worth... 
Considered HIMSELF to be NOTHING... 
And Gave up... In Selfless Humility...Everything Satan fights to gain...
In Selfish Pride and Arrogance!!On behalf of the Father...
On behalf of US!Jesus Humbly washed the feet of the man…Who would bring His Death! Jesus  Fought with a Towel! 
Hebrews 2:9 (HCSB)
9  But we do see Jesus—made lower than the angels for a short time so that by God’s grace He might taste death for everyone—crowned with glory and honor because of His suffering in death.
 
Matthew 11:29 (HCSB)
29  All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves.
 
Zechariah 9:9 (HCSB)
9  Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout in triumph, Daughter Jerusalem! Look, your King is coming to you; He is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey...
 
Philippians 2:7-9 (HCSB)
7  Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form, 8  He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross. 9  For this reason God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name,
 
WHY DID JESUS DO THINGS THIS WAY?!WHY DID THE FATHER EXALT HIM FOR THIS ABOVE ALL?!
 
Because HIS HUMBLENESS...
Is the absolute, single-most powerful proofThat real, deep, true love exists in the heart! 
So... I ask you... 
IN LIGHT OF… This kind of Love and Sacrifice... 
In light of… This kind of Power and Honor...ALL CONSIDERED NOTHING... AND GIVEN UP FOR US! 
How is it... That we can buy Satan's big lie? 
And think so highly of ourselves?
Above all of God's people...
And even God Himself?While claiming to know Him...
And claiming to embrace His Love? 
See Truth... And Respond! 
Mainly because we have the stench of the world all over us... 
Mainly because modern-day teaching... 
Reinforces our incredible worth in our own eyes...Even over that of God and others! 
Mainly because we have never really seen His True Worth... 
Never truly believed HE really has made us into what we are...And given us everything... We have...
FOR HIS GLORY!And that we are absolutely nothing without Him! 
Mainly... Because we have been DUPED into believing... 
That WE don't really have a problem with PRIDE...It is all of those other…Offensive, greedy people around us!
 
So, let's end this Life-Changing Study...
 
By TESTING ourselves honestly... To see where…WE might be showing serious signs of Pride and Arrogance...And therefore... At the same time...Learning where we might truly "put on humility"...In our hearts and lives!
 
Colossians 3:12-13 (HCSB)
12  Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 13  accepting one another and forgiving one another...
 
The Greek word for "Put on" here: ENDO (En-doo'-o) Means JUST THAT! To wear HUMBLENESS on ourselves like a garment…For all to see and experience!!WOW!  Let's judge ourselves now...And respond accordingly to God's Words!
 
Let's look at how we handle PEOPLE around us: And remember as we go through these examples:
 
That insecurity is a breeding ground…For PRIDE & ARROGANCE!
And is NOT an excuse!
 
Nor is it an excuse to say...
"Well, that's just my nature... Live with it!" 
Are you quick to be critical, argumentative or condescending...When you are questioned or challenged?...Or even when you are just observing people around you?! Making remarks to trusted friends or family about others?!...Because your opinions and ways...Are obviously better and smarter?...And you will not stand to be wronged... Or out of control?...Or you just need to feel smug about yourself?!
 
Do you often respond to others...With sarcasm, belittlement or offensive counter-remarks? 
Never considering the emotional damage caused? Even privately liking the power or control it provides over others? And the image it portraits? (Yep... That's Jesus alright)
 
Is every conversation...An excuse to tell your story...Share your experiences? Brag on your life?
Rather than simply listening quietly...Offering support...Or sharing joy and giving accolades to others?
 
Is your own marriage...
 
A constant emotional wreck...
- Over how your spouse is never what they should be?
- Never what YOU need or expect? 
Are you slow see and accept your own faults?

- And are your few apologies always followed by,
"I'm sorry... But if you hadn't done what YOU did…I wouldn't have done that!"
 
Do you have the attitude that,"Your spouse will just have to get use to it...
Because that's just the way you are?!"
 
Do you give your lust to other people constantly...
Even if only in your own mind? 
Do you expect every decision as a group or couple…To be concerned with, and centered around your desires?

- Where you eat?
- How you celebrate events?
- How you spend time or vacation?
- What you feel is most important?
 
Are you quick to justify disliking, or avoiding people... 
Because they are more sinful?
Because they don't agree with you, and your beliefs? 
Never considering their importance to God?
Never considering their life is as full of worth as yours?! 
How about CHURCH AND WORSHIP?
 
Do you come to worship God at His House... 
When it is convenient for you? 
When you feel like it? 
When you feel you are being used as YOU see fit and worthy? 
Do you constantly look for reasons to skip attendance...
Or quit the church altogether? 
Every time you are offended by someone or corrected?
- Or not used the way you feel you are qualified?
- Or every time someone does not believe exactly as you? 
- Completely forgetting that you are here…
  For HIS Glory & Worship?
 
Do you even consider the fact…That you might just need to be here to help others?

- At any capacity?  In any way... Great or humble?

- And that maybe God has Plans for you in His Time?
 
Do you knit-pick the service, the songs, the sermon, the people...
The entire time you are here? 
As though worship was all for you? 
As though people were just here to make your visit pleasurable? 
As though you should be the center of God's Work...
  Rather than being a part of the body here for Him? 
Do you rarely... If ever... Give to God's Work... 
Because having what you want and need...

- Is more important than spreading the Gospel...
  And supporting others?

- And even though you have IPads, cell phones & internet...
  You aren't well off enough to give to God?

- While 1 in 4 people do not even have safe drinking water...
  And 5 out of 10 do not have basic sanitation...
  Much less cable TV!

- YOU... Are just too poor to do anything for God or others!

Do you trust your own way of providing for yourself...
More than you trust God to honor and provide for giving? 
Do you take all that is given to you by God...
And never feel the need to reach out to others?

- He doesn't expect a certain amount...
  He expects us to show our love and appreciation! 
Lastly... Let's look at our ARROGANCE TOWARDS GOD!
 
Do you stay angry or frustrated with God... 
Feeling like He is unfair to you? 
Not giving you all you deserve?
Not using you the way you want to be used? 
Do you have the constant attitude…That HE should be doing for you?
 
While never having one single thought...
About what YOU should be doing...SACRIFICIALLY for HIM?!
 
While never having a sincere desire to rid your heart and life...
Of the sin that took His Life...And separates you from Him?
 
Do you live each day seeking to give yourself as His servant? 
Or simply bark orders and desires for the day? 
And judge your day as good or bad...
Based on how easy HE MADE IT FOR YOU? 
FACE IT... EVERYONE OF US SHOW SIGNS THAT PRIDE AND ARROGANCE RULES OUR LIVES!! AND FACE THIS... GOD DEMANDS THAT WE BE DIFFERENT…LIVING AS HUMBLE, SELFLESS PEOPLE... TOTALLY ALIEN TO WHAT WE KNOW!
 
HE SO INTENSELY WANTS THIS... THAT HE PROMISES US...HE WILL OPPOSE US... IF WE MISS IT! Did you get that?  OPPOSE! Stand far off!  Avoid!  Not have fellowship with!
 
WHY IS HE SO ADAMANT AND DEMANDING OF THIS?
 
Because it shows whether we have truly surrendered ourselves!It shows whether we have truly chosen to love Him over self!It shows whether we are actually thankful for all He's done!It shows whether we have worth for others that He loves!It shows whether we are STILL considering ourselves...
MORE IMPORTANT, BETTER, MORE WORTHY...
Than anyone else! 
IT SHOWS... THAT WE WANT TO STAND ABOVE EVERYONE ELSE...DOES THAT REMIND YOU OF SOMEONE ELSE IN HISTORY?!
 
Isaiah 14:12-15 (HCSB)
12  Shining morning star, how you have fallen from the heavens! You destroyer of nations, you have been cut down to the ground. 13  You said to yourself: “I will ascend to the heavens; I will set up my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of the gods’ assembly, in the remotest parts of the North. 14  I will ascend above the highest clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” 15  But you will be brought down to Sheol into the deepest regions of the Pit.
 
Genesis 3:5 (HCSB)
“In fact, God knows that when you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
 
We absolutely MUST be different than the influence of the world! Remember with all of your heart...That every person God has Drawn Close to... And Used Powerfully...Has had to learn a heart of... Complete Humility! Because the HEART is all we have to GIVE! The rest... He can CREATE in anyone He Chooses!
 
Our Weapon of Choice against the enemy...Must be a TOWEL! (Take it to Heart!)