Trash to Treasure
1 Thessalonians 4:7
For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness
Can you think of how many things you have thrown away and later resented discarding a certain item? Well every day we discard trash in our homes, at work, at school, and when we are just in our vehicles. We even have a time of year that we are all doing what is known as spring cleaning in our homes where we find old items such as clothing, furniture or so forth to give away or throw away. If we look at it in today’s time we even go so far to list items on Craigslist, EBay, Facebook or any way we can dispose of the unwanted item in our home. We have to understand that we may view an item as TRASH but keep in mind that someone else may view it as a TREASURE. As God gave me this word it is clear that he views each of us as his treasures. Therefore let me expound on the difference of Trash that is trash and trash that is treasure It is clear that when we view many items we see as trash such as a piece of paper on the floor as trash. Trash is defined as an item that is discarded and unwanted. Even the words we say to each other can be viewed as trash. Whereas Treasure is defined as something valuable (such as money, jewels, gold, or silver) that is hidden or kept in a safe place: something that is very special, important, or valuable: a person who is greatly loved or valued especially because of being very helpful. For example a woman was throwing away old custom jewelry and she thought was worthless but someone found a ring in that trash and took the time to clean the ring and found that it was a valuable diamond ring. Also we have to realize that there are other ways we can view trash such as statements we make to each other, or how we treat each other, the places we visit; and also the company we keep. Realize that we are challenged to walk in the path of righteousness and As Christians follow God’s instructs for us to be HOLY as he is HOLY not the form of Godliness but to walk in HOLINESS which takes me to three important points that we need to address in this message:
1. How we Think – 1 Corinthians 3:16-20
2. How we Act – Acts 10:27-28
3. How we Speak – Jeremiah 38:1-10
Let me redirect the word THINK to THOUGHTS for in 1 Corinthians 3:16-20 - 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
As Paul teaches about the truth regarding we are GOD’s Temples for God’s spirit dwells within us; And how he knows out every thought whether they are clean or unclean thoughts. When we are tempted with impure thoughts is when God grants us the choice as to follow through with the thought or to turn away. See when we turn away from such thoughts the Master purges us and renews within us at that moment. Furthermore it is clear that we as his children we should maintain clean thought not allowing the enemy to destroy us by our thoughts. Watch your thoughts; they become words for when we are challenged we must turn to the word of God for our direction. In John 15: 1-7
1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Jesus stated in this passage that we are cleansed through his word for when wee abide in him, he abides in us. We must realize that we are the branches and he is our vine. See understand that we are just like an Olive who has to go through three stages for his oil to run it has to go through the shaking, the beating and the pressing. Realize that in this life’s journey we have all gone through the Olive Process to get to a new place in Christ Jesus. Understand how our thoughts can affect us it is key that we remember that the same thoughts leads to actions.
See when we act on our thoughts is when we really face strong adversities yet when our thoughts results in the will of GOD is when we reap our rewards. In Acts 10:27-31 27And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.
28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?
30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. It is clear in this passage how God displays with Simon Peter in the presence of Cornelius who as we know was not a Jew but a Gentile. See Simon Peter thoughts were of the law yet he allowed God to direct him unto this man which was against the law for them to be in the presence of each other. Recognize that God in his own infinite way uses our thoughts as positive actions yet sometimes we allow the opposite because we desire to be accepted by the world and not totally sold out for Christ. As Christian men and women we should live totally in the will of God. Remember the topic is Trash to TREASURE. See in those words alone we have to realize that our thoughts and actions affect if we are viewed in God’s eyes as treasure or trash. Now that we understand that our thoughts brings about an action for they work hand in hand with each other for the old saying is “ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS” as person can say all day long I love you but the question is do their actions reflect their statement. See when we think it results to how we act on it, then leads to speaking it. Many times we see a movie and later hear on the news how something similar to the movie theme has taken place. That is the old saying “life imitates art” Yet we as God’s children sometimes hold back on speaking up against the ways of this world. We allow fear to cloud our thoughts which affects our actions which results in silence. In Jeremiah 38:1-10 it is clear that though he was placed in the dungeon to die it is then as we face being in the pit to parish because we chose to follow the calling that God has ordained upon us. We must be obedient as Jeremiah by speaking the true word of GOD. Understand that Jeremiah was at the bottom looking up. Think on this question have you ever been in this situation at the bottom looking up? Wondering how the world had fallen from you. Remember we have to remove all unclean thoughts and actions from each of us. And be as Jeremiah and follow God’s will by walking in true obedience. Understand that in Romans 3:23 we have all sinned and fallen short of the Glory of GOD as God’s children we have to understand that we are his treasures. So how we think, act and speak reflect our heavenly father. Now that we have expounded on Thoughts, Actions and Speaking in order for us to be successful we have to have the heart to obey GOD. Obeying God is a challenge unto us all for we are tempted daily but it is important that we study his word. Understanding that studying his word is not enough we have to implement the word of God into our thoughts which brings about a reaction and leads to how we speak the word. For in Romans 13:13-14 "The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore, let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh. We cannot be prideful as God’s children we have to be humble just as Jeremiah was when he willing to work for the LORD by having a deep passion within our hearts to be obedient unto the will of GOD we are renewed in our spirit. In each step of obedience we take God opens up new experiences of blessings and freedoms unto us all. Understand that when we continuously think, act and speak in obedience unto the GOD is when we are rewarded not just in blessings but also with his protection which is his Grace and Mercy. Therefore we have to walk as Jesus walked meaning not just having the spirit of Godliness but to hold the totally holiness of the Lord in your daily walk. Realize that we are challenged to walk in the path of righteousness and As Christians follow God’s instructs for us to be HOLY as he is HOLY not the form of Godliness but to walk in HOLINESS. God's people need to return to our HOLY CALLING...2 Timothy 1:9, tells us that God "has saved us and called us with a HOLY CALLING.."
"Holiness" defined: "Belonging to, derived from, or associated with divine power; set apart for a spiritual purpose;
to live according to a strict moral and/or spiritual code"
God's not expecting us to be perfect, but He does expect us to keep ourselves pure...holy. For we have to understand that we are GOD’s TREASURES. We are his children and every promise that our Heavenly Father has yielded unto each us will not return void on will be a VALID for us all eternally. So know that no matter what may come or go THINK GOD: ACT GOD: AND SPEAK GOD.
Understand that we must continue to hold to God’s unchanging had regardless of what others may think, say or act around you. So before I close I want to leave these few quotes with you.
"Watch your thoughts, they become words,
Watch your words, they become actions,
Watch your actions, they become habits,
Watch your habits, they become your character,
Watch your character, it becomes your destiny"
Understand that For we are all saved by Grace unto our heavenly father for Jesus hung On the cross for the sins of this world therefore we all must recognize that you God values each of us. So come unto him all that are heavy laden and he will give you rest and also direct thy path in this journey we call life. There is an old Gospel song that is truly a testimony for this word today. The words clearly explain we as his children are to continue to hold on regardless of what others may say or do. I’m still holding on:
They said I wouldn’t make it,
They said I wouldn’t be here today
They said I’d never amount to anything
But I’m glad to say, that I’m on my way
And I’m growing more and more each day.
There were many, that started out with me,
But now they’ve gone astray.
But I’m still holding on
I’m still holding on
I’m still holding on to his hand
You see when I was young, I gave God my hand
And I told him to lead the way.
Though the road has been rough
And the goings been mighty tough, still
Still I aint going nowhere, I’m right her to stay
Though I’ve been talked about and oh I’ve been criticized.
I had to wipe many tears from my eyes. But I’m still holding on
I’m still holding on, I’m still holding on to his hand.
