WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
INTRODUCTION:
What do you see when you are looking out your window?
Can you see all the negative doom and gloom?
One glimpse beyond the problem might release a new hope and a new peace. Can you see the UNSEEN HANDS?
SOME SEE THINGS HOW THEY ARE AND WONDER --- WHY?
SOME SEE THINGS HOW THEY COULD BE AND WONDER --- WHY NOT?
MATERIALISM:
A PROCCUUPATION WITH OR STRESS UPON MATERIAL RATHER THAN SPIRITUAL, EMOTIONAL OR INTELLECTUAL THINGS.
The theory that physical matter is the only or fundamental reality and that all being and processes and phenomena can be explained as manifestations
or results of matter.
A doctrine that the only or highest values or objectives lie in material well being
TEXT:
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
KJV
2 Kings 6:15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
NIV
2 Kings 6:15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked.
LB
2 Kings 6:15 When the prophet’s servant got up early the next morning and went outside, there were troops, horses, and chariots everywhere. "Alas, my master, what shall we do now?" he cried out to Elisha.
I. LET US PONDER: WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? WHAT IS GROWTH?
A. FROM: "LIVING WITH JESUS TODAY" by Juan Carlos Ortiz
We have a phenomenon in the church today which I call the "ETERNAL BABYHOOD OF THE BELIEVER."
We have members of our churches who, after years of hearing messages are just the same. They continually need a minister to keep after them, changing their diapers, putting talcum on them, and checking their milk isn’t to hot.
The church specializes as a hospital more than an ARMY. SOME TIMES WE FOOL OURSELVES BECAUSE WE GROW NUMERICALLY. WE TEND TO THINK THAT THIS IS GROWTH.
BUT TO GROW JUST IN NUMBER ALONE IS NOT NECESSARILY SPIRITUAL GROWTH. IF THIS IS TRUE THEN CEMENTERIES ALSO GROW. TO HAVE 100 PEOPLE WITHOUT LOVE, THEN 200 PEOPLE WITHOUT LOVE IS NO MORE THAN JUST GETTING FAT.
II. LET US CONSIDER: WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?
WE SERVE A TRIED AND TRUE GOD. GOD’S PROMISES ARE AS REAL TODAY AS WHEN HE FIRST SPOKE THEM.
I DO NOT WANT TO BE AN ALARMIST? BUT I DO WANT US TO OPEN OUR EYES AND SEE THAT GOD CAN HANDLE ANY THING THAT WILL HAPPEN TO US.
A. By an honest look we can evaluate where we have been, where we are and where we are going?
B. One of the beauties of being a pastor is getting to listen to old people’s stories.
There was a sweet old man named Estill Gearhart that I often visited at his home and in the hospital. I often had to give Estill his bath. Estill was raised in one of the poorest areas of eastern Kentucky.
He once told me as a boy, he dropped out of school and wanted to see the world. He went to New York. When he got there he saw the first television. They hadn’t
even heard of televisions in Kentucky. After a brief visit Estill returned to his Father’s house. Estill told his Dad about the television and explained there
were people in this little wooden box and you could watch them box and fight.
His Dad could not accept there were grown men in a little box fighting. Estill said his dad told him, Estill you were a little bit strange before you left
here, and I don’t know about them little people in the box in New York. But son, I am really worried about you now?
C. My Great Grandfather Ned (E.D.) Hughes was born in 1850. I have stood at his grave and pondered what was different in his life than in mine? What things are
similar? God took care of us.
My Grandfather: Charles Tyler Hughes was born in 1878, he would be 130 if he was alive today. Grandfather was 53 when my Dad and his twin brother were born in 1931.
Dad said they worked, the three of them for $1.00 a day. 33 cents a piece for
10 hours hard labor, plowing, hoeing, chopping wood ---a day.
My Dad said his dad and his brother would be working the corn and Grandfather would say: WE ARE GOING TO STARVE TO DEATH THIS WINTER. THERE IS GOING
TO BE A DROUGHT, THE CORN WILL FAIL, THE COWS WILL STARVE AND THEN WE WILL ALL STARVE TO DEATH.
Grandfather Charles Tyler would worry and worry about the crop failures and them all dying? He could remember the year of the INFLUENZA killing
many? We are going to die.
Dad said they would tell my Grandfather to lift his head and see there was rain coming, a terrible storm, rain was coming, they would be OK.
No, we will have a drought and all die!
Dad said they would be soaked with rain by the time they got to the porch of the house.
Grandfather lived to be 83. He never went without.
My Dad’s mother Pearl Bryant Hughes was born in 1895 DIED IN 1989 and lived to be 94. She out lived Grandfather by 29 years. God took care of both of them.
My Dad is 77 today and still pastoring a church.
IN THE 130 YEARS SINCE MY GRANDFATHER CHARLES TYLER HUGHES WAS BORN --- GOD HAS BEEN TRIED AND PROVEN. GOD HAS BEEN FAITHFUL TO THIS FAMILY.
D. Let me tell you my Dad has a letter that was written in the 1890’s from a family member to a family member. The letter is very heavy. Bacon has gone
up to 5 cents a pound? Corn is 10 cents a bushel? The writer was burdened and had great fears for society? He was worried about the future. What will we do?
TRUST THE UNSEEN HAND!
E. I had the joy to pastor an old man named Watt Hale and his wife Wilma. Watt was a story teller and often his little stories were in the Floyd County Times.
Our newspaper came out once a week, every Thursday.
Once I was sitting on Watt’s porch. I was in my 20’s, he was in mid 80’s.
He told that the train ticket from Louisa to Prestonsburg had been 5 cents. The Railroad company complained about the price of coal and salaries
being so high they had no choice but raise the price of the ticket to 15 cents one way. Watt told about his Dad and his brothers were thinking the world’s end
is near? They were worried about the future? What are we going to do?
I would often take Watt to the family cemetery up past Happy Hollow. There on a steep hill side Watt would walk among the graves of those he loved. Watt would pull weeds and just quietly stand there for a few minutes. When Watt would walk down to where I would be he WOULD ALWAYS QUOTE A BIBLE VERSE.
I knew Watt’s favorite verse before I knew Watt, but Watt taught me it’s meaning.
Psalm 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
WATT TAUGHT ME, YOUNG PREACHER YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO TRUST GOD ALL THE DAYS OF YOUR LIFE. Watt was in the rest home, I visited him ever other day. My sons and I would take guitars and play and sing. Watt’s favorite song was "LIFE IS LIKE A MOUNTAIN RAIL ROAD."
We would sing the song and Watt would tell about the price being tripled, from 5 cents to 15 cents and how FAITHFUL GOD HAD ALWAYS BEEN.
Then Watt would say:
Psalm 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
F. One day I took a cassette tape recorder and talked with Watt and asked him did he have anything he would like to tell his family. I remember
Watt said:
Psalm 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
G. Sure, there are times we get discouraged and feel all of life is in vain? Sure, there are times that we count the things that other people have and we
don’t have and we want to throw up our hands in hurt and bitterness.
Can anyone see the sacrifice that we have given?
Where is the applause? Where are the trophies? Where are the success sheets?
Where is the security that I have so longed to have?
WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? Nervous breakdown? VS TRUST GOD?
III. YOUR DAILY MENIAL CHOICES WILL IDENTIFY YOUR STRENTGHS AND WEAKNESSES? WE MUST MAKE THE CHOICE: WHAT AM I GOING TO DO?
WILL YOU MAKE THE CHOICE TO BE A VICTIM OR A VICTOR?
IT IS ALL HOW YOU LOOK AT THE FACTS?
TEXT:
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
KJV
2 Kings 6:15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
NIV
2 Kings 6:15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked.
LB
2 Kings 6:15 When the prophet’s servant got up early the next morning and went outside, there were troops, horses, and chariots everywhere."Alas, my master, what shall we do now?" he cried out to Elisha.
A. It is possible to walk as a Christian and not ever take an honest look at yourself.
What choices have you made this week?
How much Bible have you read and studied in the last 7 days?
7 days without Bible study and prayer MAKES ONE WEAK!!!
The choices before us are often neutral, they are neither good or bad?
It is what we do with those choices that will release a victim or a victor spirit?
B. WHAT AM I GOING TO DO?
If we could realize this lesson about our choices then we could COME TO THE POINT THAT OUR CHOICES HAVE CONSEQUENCES.
Your choice today may have a consequence 30 years down the road of life?
C. We have four main characters in today’s lesson:
Each person was a product of their choices and they received consequences
because of their CHOICES.
1. Elijah --- known as the Prophet of Fire
2. Elisha --- known as the Prophet of the Double Portion
3. Gehazi --- known as the man that depended on materialism.
4. Naaman --- healed by 7 dips.
D. Elijah, Elisha and Naaman received great benefits from the good choices they made.
E. GEHAZI BECOMES A BIBLICAL TYPE!
GEHAZI PLAYS THE ROLE OF A VICTIM. He didn’t know what he was going to do?
IV. WHAT AM I GOING TO DO? WE MUST GET IN THE RIGHT PLACE AND BE DOING THE RIGHT THINGS!
A. Elisha made a choice one day to go out and plow his Dad’s field. While he was sweating and working there JUST HAPPENED TO BE A MAN OF GOD NAMED ELIJAH GOING BY THE FARM.
B. It is amazing how God leads His men.
Elijah throws HIS MANTLE UPON THE YOUNG MAN PLOWING AND ELISHA’S LIFE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME.
C. One day the mantle of Elijah will belong to Elisha.
D. GOD HAD A PLAN THAT GEHAZI WOULD BE THE NEXT MAN OF GOD. GEHAZI’S WORRYING SPIRIT WILL FOREVER LIMIT GOD’S WORK IN HIS FAMILY.
E. GEHAZI SEEMED TO LOVE THE ROLE OF BEING A VICTIM?
Gehazi knew God’s man, and he knew God.
Gehazi saw God work for the Shumanite woman and give her a son.
Gehazi saw the son raised from the dead.
Gehazi saw and experienced many things that only God could do?
F. Gehazi had several attitude problems:
1. He could see the enemy? He could identify the problems?
2. Gehazi listened to the negative rumors in the camp?
3. Gehazi’s tendencies to focus on man, problems and not knowing God’s promises caused him to develop a SPIRIT OF FEAR!
4. The Spirit of Fear so gripped him that HE LOST HIS PEACE.
5. WHEN HE LOST HIS PEACE --- THE FURTURE MAN OF GOD IN TRAINING LOST HIS HOPE.
6. WHEN HE LOST HIS HOPE HE NEEDED TO SUBSTITUTE MATERIALISM FOR GOD’S PRESENCE?
V. WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? LOOK AT WHAT STANDS BEFORE US? WE ARE VICTIMS? CAN’T YOU SEE?
A. GEHAZI MUST HAVE HAD SOME FIGHTINGS WITHOUT THAT GAVE BIRTH TO FEAR WITHIN.
B. Gehazi’s eyes saw the enemy and the enemy suggests GREAT DEFEAT?
Human eye vision can birth fear.
C. Gehazi saw EVIL AS THE WINNER, else there would be no fear. Gehazi forgot that with God all things are possible, and GOOD WILL OVERCOME EVIL, IF WE BELIEVE BY FAITH?
2 Kings 6:16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
D. WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?
GEHAZI WAS A SPECIALIST AT SEEING THE PROBLEM?
WHY? WHY? WHY? NOT LOOKING AT THIS OPPORTUNIITY AS A GIFT FROM GOD?
VI. WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? WE MUST CHANGE TO FOCUS OF
OUR VISION! PRAYER IS THE ONLY TOOL THAT CAN CHANGE OUR
WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ATTITUDE?
A. GEHAZI HAD BEEN AROUND ELISHA ENOUH TO KNOW THE VALUE OF PRAYER. WHY DIDN’T GEHAZI PRAY?
2 Kings 6:17 And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he
saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
B. ELISHA SAW THE SAME THING GEHAZI SAW. HE JUST HAD A TRUST IN GOD THAT GEHAZI NEVER DEVELOPED?
VII. THIS VICTIM SPIRIT BIRTHED IN THE PEOPLE A VICTIM REACTION. LET US GET EVEN? LET US KILL THEM? SHALL WE SMITE THEM?
A. WE CAN GET VERY GOOD AT THROWING STONES WITHIN THE CHURCH?
Ever heard it said: Christians don’t get mad, they get even?
B. The Jewish tradition on FORGIVENESS WAS 7 TIMES A DAY? Jesus taught that was not enough: HOW ABOUT 7 X 70 = 490 TIMES A DAY?
2 Kings 6:21 And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite them? shall I smite them?
22 And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread
and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.
C. Very few ask God or God’s man shall we smite?
They smite and fight and kill and then praise God?
D. MURDERER? Unknown.
I crucified a soul today,
I murdered it with my words.
You see void now is one testimony,
My tongue did nail to the tree.
VIII. GEHAZI’S VICTIM SPIRIT HAD A BAD ATTITUDE DEVELOP ALONG WITH HIS BAD VISION ---
LIFE AND MINISTRY OWES ME? I DESERVE MORE...
A. Watch the commercials today: Honey, we deserve this?
B. Naaman offered a big offering to Elijah, Elijah turned down the bribe?
C. Some today suggest this offering by today’s standards would be over $300,000 in wardrobe and money.
D. Gehazi knew Naaman could afford this offering without any undue sacrifice.
GEHAZI DIDN’T ASKED FOR ALL THAT NAAMAN OFFERED --- JUST PART.
2 Kings 5:20 But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands
that which he brought: but, as the Lord liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.
E. GEHAZI’S VICTIM SPIRIT LIES AND SAYS ELISHA WANTED IT, WHY NOT JUST TELL THE TRUTH AND CLAIM IT.
2 Kings 5:21 So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well?
2 Kings 5:22 And he said, All is well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold,
even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two
changes of garments.
F. NAAMAN INSISTED ON GIVING GEHAZI MORE AND GEHAZI’S GREED ACCEPTS? Sin will always cost more.
Gehazi never thought about the consequences?
2 Kings 5:23 And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and
laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him.
G. ELISHA HEARD THE BACK SCREEN DOOR SLAM AS GEHAZI WENT RUNNING OVER THE HILL. GEHAZI THOUGHT WHAT WAS OUT OF SIGHT WAS OK?
H. ELISHA KNEW ACCEPTING THIS BRIBE WAS JUST A BEGINNING, ONCE I GET THIS I DESERVE MORE? It will go to sheep? Vineyards?
And not depending on God?
WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? BYPASS GOD?
2 Kings 5:25 But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither.
26 And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to
receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?
IX. WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? WE CAN NOT MAKE IT WITHOUT GOD’S HELP? Count the consequences?
A. Gehazi’s little sin grows and grows?
1/2 truths? Lie? Deceit? GREED, SELFISHNESS ---
Gehazi never accept’s Naaman’s gifts for Elijah, they were for him?
2 Kings 5:27 The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as
white as snow.
B. As Naaman listened to his children cry themselves to sleep from the pain of leprosy, Gehazi knew sin costs.
C. THE QUESTION IS EASY? --- WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?
We must know the answer has one workable solution: TRUST GOD!
CONCLUSION:
It would be very easy today to LOOK OUT YOUR WINDOW?
Or OPEN YOUR MAIL BOX? THEN FOCUS ON ALL THE NEGATIVE
GARBAGE OF WHAT COULD HAPPEN?
Worry and fear are our enemy’s tools, LOOK AT THE BIGGER PICTURE.
When it is over your head, God has it all under His Feet!
You can’t make people love you? You can’t stop people from whispering?
The 10 negative spies prophesied WE CAN’T and THEY DIDN’T!
The two that BELIEVED GOD said "WE CAN" and THEY DID.
Look beyond the window?
See there are MORE WITH US --- than those AGAINST US!
CHURCH LEADER BE FAITHFUL!
WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? LAY IT ALL AT JESUS FEET!
Can you hear the Father say: Don’t look at the 7x’s hotter furnace --- trust me?
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
Help me? Pass it on?
