Bacon Or Eggs Part 1 Series

Bacon or Eggs Part 1

Scripture: Matthew 6:33; 19:16-26; Mark 12:41-44

Two weeks ago, on August 1st, I was lying in bed when the Spirit of God began to speak to me about our relationship with Him. As I listened to Him speak, I opened the notes app on my phone so I could capture what He told me. I could sum up what He told me in two words, forethought or afterthought. A forethought is a “careful thought in order to be prepared for the future.” Likewise, an afterthought is “something not thought of, said, or done originally, but added afterward.” What the Spirit was telling me is that we can determine the relationship we have with God based on whether or not He is a forethought or afterthought. On Monday morning He continued speaking to me. As He spoke to me about worship and service He told me that these two words are action words. They indicate that something is being done based on our relationship with God. What is being done is coming from the heart of the one doing it. In other words, how we choose to worship God and serve Him is a heart issue – can you say, forethought or afterthought. It cannot be regulated by other people; it can only be truly controlled by the individual person based on their heart’s desire. The title of my message this morning is “Bacon or Eggs.”

For those of you who were here on the first Sunday, you might remember me telling you the difference between the chicken and the hog that provides the bacon and eggs we eat for breakfast. The hen which lays the eggs continues to go on with her life as laying eggs is just part of her routine. Day in and day out she can produce one egg after another. This is not a big deal for her. Her life is spared because the longer she lives the more eggs she can produce. The hen is not making a sacrificial gift because laying eggs is what she does. Again, this is not a big deal for her. This is similar to the person who gives thousands of dollars to the Church or to charity annually because they have millions of dollars in the bank. To them, giving up a few thousands to charity is not a big deal.

But this is not the case with the hog. The hog remains alive until it gives its bacon. The hog’s gift is a one-time sacrificial gift that can never be undone. When he gives his bacon his life ends. You see, unlike the hen which can produce eggs daily, the hog only has one chance to provide bacon. The hog lives his “best life” until he reaches the appropriate weight for which his “best life” would be required. In order for us to have “real bacon” the hog must give up its life. I want you to think of the hog as someone who is willing to give their all to God. This person is all in and is totally and unapologetically committed to God and gives Him their best. This person thinks of the things of God first, it’s never an afterthought. You see, for this person what God wants and needs from them comes first. God is never an afterthought. He is not someone they have to remind themselves to seek His heart. And this is exactly what Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things (the things that you need in order to live) shall be added to you.” They are not giving what is left over after they have done all they want to do and now they have time for God. No, they are seeking God first so that they can give Him their best now.

So the question the Spirit asked me, which I am also asking each of you this morning, is this: “Are you giving God bacon or eggs?” To illustrate what He was asking me, He reminded me of the story of the rich young ruler in Matthew chapter nineteen. Turn with me to Matthew 19:16-30. It reads “And, behold, one came and said unto him, ‘Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?’ 17And He said unto him, ‘Why do you call Me good? There is none good but one, that is, God: but if you will enter into life, keep the commandments.’ 18He said unto him, ‘Which?’ Jesus said, ‘You shall do no murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness. 19Honor your father and your mother: and, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 20The young man said unto him, ‘All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?’ 21Jesus said unto him, ‘If you will be perfect, go and sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me.”’ Let’s pause here for a moment.