CRUISE SHIP VS BATTLE SHIP?
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
I HAVE A BAG OF LENTILES WE ME… what is the value of this bag? Ask Esau?
CAN WE ACKNOWLEDGE THERE CAN GROW A TENDANCY TOWARD PERPETUAL BABYHOOD?
1 Corinthians 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
**MATURITY, ARE WE SHOWING MENTAL, EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL SIGNS OR QUALITIES OF GROWING UP, BECOMING AN ADULT? ARE WE GROWING, DEVELOPING OR STAYING THE SAME… IF WE MATURE WE MUST LEARN TO TELL THE TIME/SEASONS.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
WE HAVE DEVELOPED A MENTALITY IN OUR SOCIETY THAT SAYS TICKLE MY EARS? ENTERTAIN ME?
I DESERVE THIS NOW…
I heard there was a discussion between a college professor and a smart young student about socialism. She was defending taking money from the upper class of people and equally giving their money to all people. The professor said: DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE THAT? Of course, she said. The teacher said: Ok, I have a job for you, it is a dirty, hard job and you will get blisters digging that ditch. But I will pay you well. The young student works 4 hours, sweating, getting dirty, and doing hard labor. When the student returned to the office, the teacher gave the student $3.00. Then he took $97.00 and gave it to THAT LAZY PERSON LAYING UNDER A SHADE TREE SMOKING DOPE THAT WAS DOING NOTHING? The student was very angry. I earned that money, that was my money. The teacher said: I REST MY CASE.
2 Thessalonians 3:1O For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
MATURITY KNOWS A GOOD LIFE REQUIRES EFFORT. THE MORE EFFORT THE GREATER THE REWARD AND SATISFACTION AND JOY IN LIFE.
Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
2 Corinthians 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
MATURITY TEACHES LIFE IS 10% WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU, AND 90% YOUR ATTITUDES AND ACTIONS OF HOW YOU ACT.
Immaturity is a life that REACTS TO SITUATIONS. Maturity knows you must refuse to react and LEARN TO ACT BY FAITH.
YOU WILL EAT THE FRUIT OF YOUR ACTIONS.
Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Proverbs 18:21 (MSG) Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit—you choose.
There is a direct CORRELATION between your mouth, deeds and your attitudes. Satisfaction in maturity knows: I build this house on the sand or I BUILD on the rock. My choices decide.
** WHAT DOES PHYSICAL MATURITY LOOK LIKE?
** WHAT DOES EMOTIONAL MATURITY LOOK LIKE? MENTAL MATURITY ?
** WHAT DOES SPIRITUAL MATURITY LOOK LIKE?
LET US COME TO AN UNDERSTANDING ABOUT GOD’S DESIGN AND PURPOSE?
CRUISE: to travel without destination or purpose,
**CRUISE SHIP: A passenger ship built for luxury or used for pleasure to carry passengers to entertaining places.
Vacation, cruise, to travel to a number of places as on a vacation.
1 Corinthians 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
1 Corinthians 13:10 (NLT) But when full understanding comes, these partial things will become useless.
1 Corinthians 13:10 (MSG) But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.
**BATTLE SHIP: a large ship that has many big guns and weapons used to fight war, to be heavily armed and in an armored class. Battleships are considered vital for the protection of a nation.
**CARGO SHIP: transports heavy loads
DOES A CHILD AND A MAN UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TOYS AND TOOLS?
IS OUR DESIRE FOR TOYS OR TOOLS?
TOY: amusement, to be entertained, enjoyment, something to play,
TOOL: aid to work, accomplish a task, to drive,
DAVID IS DYING AND HE IS SERIOUSLY RECOUNTING HIS STEPS IN LIFE. DAVID SPEAKS OF THOSE THAT HAVE HELPED HIM ALONG HIS LIFE JOURNEY. DAVID MAKES A LIST OF 37 MIGHTY MEN THAT WERE MATURE AND CONTRIBUTED TO THE KING AND THE NATION. THESE MEN WERE NOT CRUISE SHIPS, THEY WERE BATTLE OR CARGO SHIPS.
When a man is dying he seeks more than fun and entertainment. Listen closely when a dying man speaks, his value system has changed.
2 Samuel 23:1 Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,
WHILE DAVID SPEAKS OF 37 MEN THAT WERE GREAT MEN OF GOD AND DID FAITHFUL SERVICE TO THE KING AND TO ISREAL … HE WANTS TO BRING ATTENTION TO 3 MEN THAT WENT BEYOND THEIR CALL OF DUTY. THE HELPPED THE KING IN DESPERATE TIMES… THEY WERE MATURE WARRIORS.
**ADINO --- Mature! Adino was a CHIEF, a leader, dependable, faithful… that stood at his POST OF DUTY.
2 Samuel 23:8 These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time.
ADINO was a mature, skilled and trained soldier.
He was SKILLFUL with his sword, one time he slew 800 of the enemy in one sitting.
He was a leader in hard times.
**ELEAZAR --- Mature
2 Samuel 23:9 And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away:
10 He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.
ELEAZAR STOOD FIRM WHEN EVERY ONE OF HIS TEAM OF SOLDIERS RAN.
Eleazar was weary and tired.
Without complaining or fussing Eleazar stood alone --- HE ROSE UP and FOUGHT.
ELEAZAR FOUUGHT US LONG HE AND HIS WEAPON BECAME ONE, HIS HAND CLAVE TO THE SWORD…
We see something else that speaks of Eleazar’s maturity, when the those that ran came back, he was understanding.
** SHAMMAH
2 Samuel 23:11 And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines. 12 But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.
Shammah illustrates battle maturity. The battle was hot and heavy. The enemy was advancing and gaining ground.
ALL HIS FRIENDS AND SOLDIERS RUN IN FEAR.
SHAMMAH”S BACK IS TO A LENTIL FIELD --- HE REFUSE TO RETREAT ANY FARTHER.
THIS LENTILE FIELD IS FOOD FOR MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS…
BESIDE ALL OF THAT THE LORD WAS WITH SHAMMAH…
**WHAT MADE THE MATURITY OF ADINO, ELEAZAR, SHAMMAH SO GREAT? LOOK!
**TEAM WORK, GREAT MEN WORK TOGETHER ---
REMEMBER THE KING WANTED WATER FROM THE WELL AT HOME? They loved the King and in the darkness of night with no sleep they traveled and brought the King his water.
They also understood: WHEN THE KING POURED THE WATER AS AN OFFERING TO THE GROUND.
**ANOTHER TRAIT OF MATURITY ADINA, ELEAZAR, SHAMMAH HAD WAS THEY UNDERSTOOD WE ARE IN A WAR.
WE HAVE TRAINED AND WE ARE READY TO STAND OUR GROUND AND FIGHT UNTIL VICTORY OR DEATH.
They were willing to fight alone if needed.
**THESE 3 MATURE MEN KNEW THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR A COWARD IN THIS BATTLE.
THEY HAD FAITH THAT GOD WAS WITH THEM. Remember when Gideon sent all those that were afraid and worried to go home?
** THEY LOVED AND SUBMITTED TO THEIR KING DAVID.
They knew David was anointed of God. They were submitted even when others were running. They knew they would stand in front of the KING and be held accountable.
CONCLUSION: Are you looking for a CRUSIE SHIP? A BATTLE SHIP? OR A CARGO SHIP? When God’s people are willing and submit to His word they are invincible. In 1488 Spain had an INVINCIBLE ARMADA, no one could defeat them. In one day a terrible storm AND God changed the history of the world. The Titanic was unsinkable, in one night? It is time, high time we mature enough to STAND AND DEFEND GOD’S PEA PATCH. What are you doing to bring maturity to the army of God.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
