Sermon Central
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All You Can Eat
Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Jul 12, 2010 (message contributor)
Summary: We find this Old Testament writer in our Scripture Text this morning alluding to the importance of What We Eat Spiritually – he talks to us about the importance of the feeding process. It parallels an “All You Can Eat Buffet.”
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Dr. Wayne A. Lawson
Senior Pastor
Perfected Praise Worship Center
Oklahoma City, OK
Bishop@PerfectedPraisewc.org
www.PerfectedPraisewc.org
Preached Sunday, July 11, 2010
(Adapted from Rev. Shawn Drakes 2009 Sermon)
TITLE: ALL YOU CAN EAT
SCRIPTURE: JOB 23:11-12
I think that one of the wisest decisions ever made in the food industry was the idea of the “All You Can Eat Buffet.” Many restaurants only offer this option and it has proven to be very successful. Matter of fact, whenever we go out to eat with my Mother-in-Law – this is the only type of restaurant she will usually frequent. I must admit that on most Sunday’s after Church, I am a big fan of Golden Corral, Mackie McNairs or Hometown Buffet. There are very distinct reasons as to why many of us frequent the Buffet Style Restaurants.
• We like to see what we are going to eat before we eat it
• You can choose food that is appealing to you
• You can make sure the quality of the food you are going to eat is to your standards
• You can see what is in it
• We like to choose our portion size
• You can get as much or as little as you want
• We like to choose the types of food we eat
• If you want a little extra desert and fewer vegetables- O.k. not a problem, (at least not with the restaurant)
• You can eat healthy, unhealthy, or in between- It’s all up to you
• Because it’s – All You Can Eat
We find this Old Testament writer in our Scripture Text this morning alluding to the importance of What We Eat Spiritually – he talks to us about the importance of the feeding process. It parallels an “All You Can Eat Buffet.” As believers we must decide what you Listen to – What you Believe – What you follow. As we Consume the Word of God, remember what David discovered in PSALM 34:8 “OH TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOD…” Paul said in I CORINTHIANS 3:2 “I FED YOU WITH MILK, NOT WITH MEAT FOR YOU WERE NOT ABLE TO BEAR IT.” So the Word of God my brothers and sisters is not simply to be read but it is to be consumed.
In this passage read in our hearing, Job testifies that his need for the Word of God in his life was just as important as the food required to sustain his body. Just as Job was convinced about the necessity of God's Word in his life, the question that confronts us is, "How do we, as believers today, cultivate this same mindset and attitude?" Do you realize we become what we consume. Let me prove my point.
According to the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland, there are 300 million obese people in the world and one billion people are overweight. This startling statistic is due to the fact that most of these individuals are consuming foods with no nutritional value. Foods with no nutritional value include:
• Fast food
• Soda pop
• Candy
• Alcohol, as well as other foods
• If you are overweight or obese, then eating foods with no nutritional value will only help you gain more weight
Nutritional Values are listed on all packaged food and are available online and through government publications for whole foods such as fruits and vegetables. Most restaurants also will provide nutritional information if it is requested. Being able to read the standard nutritional value panel on foods is vital to keeping track of your intake of healthy and unhealthy food components. This is useful not only for those watching their weight or dealing with specific health issues, but also for anyone interested in healthy eating. Eating makes digestion and assimilation possible, and when these functions are normal in their working, the result is health and strength, and all the usefulness and joy of living.
So it is as we consume the Word of God - Remember its Nutritional Value - The Word of God is true. Its Nutritional Value is Listed on every page in the Bible. COME TASTE AND SEE – Consider the Spiritual Principle here – OH TASTE AND SEE - the writer did not say “See and Taste. Before we taste a substance we generally look it over first. If it’s Pleasing to the Eye we will usually taste it next. Served Sushi at the house - But here, we are told, that we must taste before we see. That’s what Faith is all about. We are not able to understand the Nutritional Value of the Word of God if we need to See first and then Taste. That is why Jesus said – BLESSED ARE THOSE THAT HAVE NOT SEEN ME YET BELIEVE.
