SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES
(1 Kings 21:2) "Ahab said to Naboth, “Let me have your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden, since it is close to my palace. In exchange I will give you a better vineyard or, if you prefer, I will pay you whatever it is worth.”
(1 Kings 21:3) "But Naboth replied, “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my ancestors.”
(1 Kings 21:7-10) (7) Jezebel his wife said, “Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat! Cheer up. I’ll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.” (8) "So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name, placed his seal on them, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city with him. 9 In those letters she wrote: Proclaim a day of fasting and seat Naboth in a prominent place among the people." (10) "But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them bring charges that he has cursed both God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to death.”
(1 Kings 21:11-14) (11) "So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city did as Jezebel directed in the letters she had written to them." (12) " They proclaimed a fast and seated Naboth in a prominent place among the people." (13) "Then two scoundrels came and sat opposite him and brought charges against Naboth before the people, saying, “Naboth has cursed both God and the king.” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death." (14) " Then they sent word to Jezebel: “Naboth has been stoned to death.”
PREFACE SUMMARY
This morning, I received a message in my spirit as I meditated on wine and how it is often used as a metaphor to describe the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. The wine and the Holy Spirit both bring joy, refreshment, and renewal to those who partake of them, and just as grapes are grown in vineyards and then transformed into wine, the Holy Spirit works in the hearts of believers to produce a transformation.
Beloved, the process of turning grapes into wine requires careful cultivation, harvesting, and processing. Similarly, the Holy Spirit cultivates and nurtures the spiritual growth of believers, guiding them through the ups and downs of life. And just as wine is a complex and multifaceted drink, the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers is multifaceted and can manifest in a variety of ways.
It is an urgent message that I believe every pastor and minister in the church should be aware of. The message is about our priorities and the immense blessings God has bestowed upon us by allowing us to partner with him in his imminent harvest. As we approach the end of the day of grace, we must recognize our pivotal role in spreading God's message to the world.
Beloved, not only through street evangelism but also through our work, we have the opportunity to touch countless lives and lead them to the path of righteousness. I urge you to take this message to heart and reflect on the great responsibility of being a pastor or minister. Let us prioritize spreading the word of God and embrace the blessings that come with working towards his end-time harvest.
The message being conveyed here is of great significance. It highlights the importance of pleasing our Creator, who knew us even before we were born. The message encourages us to understand the depth of meaning behind the plans and purposes that God had written in his books even before we were born. It is a call for us to realize our role in the body of Christ and to comprehend the weight of responsibility that comes with it.
Beloved, souls are at stake, and no measure can be placed upon their value. We must understand that every person will one day enter an eternity, prepared or unprepared to face it. Therefore, we must comprehend the significance of our role in spreading the Word of God and sharing His love with others, take our responsibility seriously, and be mindful of our impact on those around us.
Beloved, we that make up the body of Christ, must strive to make a positive difference in the world and bring light to those lost in darkness. We must be a beacon of hope for those struggling and support those who need it. In essence, this message is a clarion call upon us to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world, to live our lives in a manner that reflects His teachings, and to make a positive impact on the lives of those around us.
Dear reader, when the Lord placed this message upon my heart, he caused my mind to drift to that of a hardworking man who has put a great deal of time and effort into improving his home. He has remodeled his house, plowed his fields, landscaped his yard, painted, and fixed up the outside of his house. This man takes pride in his work and has invested in something more valuable to him than life itself. The man who stands with sweat dripping off his brow where he had been laboring to provide for his family will not sell his investment. He has worked tirelessly to create something he can be proud of and provide for his loved ones.
The man cherishes the priceless memories he has made with his family. He will not be swayed even if someone approaches him with a tempting proposition to trade them for something more valuable. His response is always the same, "I am not interested, and my investment is not for sale."
The man's unwavering commitment to his investment is genuinely admirable. It serves as a reminder that hard work and dedication can pay off in countless ways. We should all strive to invest our time and effort in things that matter to us. This way, we can experience incredible pride and fulfillment and leave memories for future generations.
In closing, as we reflect on this story, we can also consider our spiritual investments and the time, energy, and effort we have put into building the kingdom of God. We can ponder how we have served, loved, and helped others in our community, church, and beyond. We can think of the sacrifices we have made, the prayers we have offered and the lessons we have learned in our spiritual journey. In addition, the scriptural references outlining this message mention Naboth, who was asked to sell his vineyard, representing a harvest of grapes that could be turned into wine.
Beloved, this powerful illustration reminds us of the importance of guarding our spiritual inheritance and not compromising our values and beliefs for any reason. We can confidently declare that our vineyard, which represents the goodness of God's Holy Spirit, is not for sale. We must stand firm in our faith and protect the rich spiritual heritage handed down to us.
"IS YOUR VINYARD FOR SALE?"
(1 Kings 21:1-15), mentions a vineyard that belonged to Naboth near King Ahab's palace. According to the chapter, King Ahab approached Naboth and asked him to sell his vineyard to him, which was part of his lineage blessings. However, Naboth refused the king's offer by saying, "I will not give you my vineyard."
The king offered to purchase the land from Naboth, but he declined the offer and said he could not trade his Vineyard for another type of vineyard. This was because of three important reasons that support Naboth's right to refuse the king's offer.
Firstly, the land could not be sold because it was God's land entrusted to Naboth. This law was established in (Leviticus 25:23-28), which prohibited the sale of land that was a part of each family's inheritance in the tribe of Israel. Secondly, the land was not just a property for Naboth but a symbol of his family's heritage and legacy that he could not let go of.
Beloved, the land was not just a source of income for Naboth, but it was his identity and inheritance. Thirdly, Naboth's refusal to sell his land was a matter of principle. He believed that he had a right to his land and that it was not for the king to take away from him. He stood firm in his belief and did not accept the king's demands, even when offered a significant amount of money.
To provide a more detailed account, it is essential to note that Naboth's refusal of the king's offer was based on valid reasons. Naboth was a landowner who had inherited his vineyard from his ancestors, and his family had owned it for generations.
Naboth felt it was his duty to maintain his family's legacy and protect his rights as a landowner by not selling his land to the king. Furthermore, accepting the king's offer would have meant disregarding the laws and customs of the land, which were based on the principle of protecting and preserving the rights of landowners.
Naboth's decision to reject the king's offer was, therefore, a courageous act that demonstrated his faith and loyalty to God and his commitment to upholding the laws of the land. Overall, Naboth's story powerfully reminds us of the importance of standing by our principles and beliefs, even in the face of adversity. It shows that we should never compromise on our values and must always protect our rights and those of our families and communities.
[1] Legally, he could not sell
[2] Spiritually, he could not sell
[3] God owned the land
Let's examine another biblical character who was willing to hand Christ over to the Priests so they could kill him. As we review the transaction between Judas and the Priests in Jesus's betrayal, we can learn some essential spiritual truths that will help us guard against those who may try to disrupt our walk with God.
The Priests offered Judas thirty pieces of silver (the price of an enslaved woman), which he accepted and used to betray the Lord to the Priests. Shortly after this act of treason, Judas realized what he had done and hung himself. The critical lesson we can learn from these stories is to apply their teachings to what God is saying to us today.
Dear reader, while many may profess to know Christ, it is essential to understand that actual knowledge of Him goes beyond mere familiarity. As the Bible states, those who truly love Christ will show their love through obedience to His commandments. To know Christ honestly, we must strive to follow His teachings and live our lives by His will.
Beloved, we can only experience His love and grace and claim to know Him. It is a beautiful truth that when we confess our sins and put our faith in Jesus Christ, we are granted complete forgiveness and acceptance into God's family. This means that we are no longer our own but have been purchased by Christ's blood, which He shed on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins.
Beloved, did you know that vineyards are fascinating places, and they are often found on hillsides, peaks, or terraced locations? Hedges or stony walls usually surround these vineyards to keep out destructive animals. Moreover, a tower is erected for the watchman to monitor the vineyard and ensure its safety. In addition to the protective measures, a press is constructed with a giant vat hewn out of stone. This press is where the grapes are crushed to extract the juice that will eventually become wine. Seeing how much effort goes into making the wine we enjoy is fascinating.
The process of growing grapes is an arduous one. Laborers are hired to work in the vineyard, which requires pruning so the sun can give it what it needs. If the vines are too thick, some leaves may not get the proper sunlight they need to grow. The laborers are also responsible for digging about the vineyard and pulling up the weeds to ensure good fertile ground to grow. This produces an abundant harvest and serves as a witness to all who drive by that the husbandman takes pride in his work.
Beloved, the vineyard symbolizes the hard work and investment that go into a project. A man who invests time and effort in remodeling his house, plowing his fields, landscaping his yard, and fixing up the outside of his house is doing the same thing. He is taking pride in his work and investing in something more valuable than life itself.
Dear reader, the man who stands with sweat dripping off his brow after laboring to provide for his family will not sell. If someone approaches him wanting to trade something of more excellent value, they will always hear, "I am not interested, and my investment is not for sale!" It shows that he values the time and effort he has put into the project, and it is not something he is willing to give up easily.
(1 Corinthians 6:19-20) "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." This means that we are now stewards of our bodies, time, talents, and resources. We are called to use them all for His glory and to advance His kingdom.
Beloved reader, it is a privilege to be a purchased possession of Christ, and we should never take it for granted. Let us strive to live a life worthy of the calling we have received and to honor Him in all that we do. May our lives testify to His grace and love and proclaim His name to all who will listen.
"GOD OWNS THE LAND."
Dear reader, Naboth was a citizen of good standing whose ancestors had occupied the same land for generations. His land contained a vineyard just outside the palace walls of King Ahab. King Ahab desired to plant an herb garden and noticed Naboth's vineyard, a desirable piece of land ideal for what he wanted.
King Ahab had a strong desire for Naboth's vineyard and approached Him with an offer to buy it. However, Naboth refused the offer, stating that the land was his to protect and possess.
The Law of Moses strictly forbade selling any ancestral land, as it was considered to belong to God. The Israelites believed that God had given them the land as a divine gift, so their duty was to protect and preserve it for future generations. In addition, the law also provided for the cancellation of all debts every fifty years during the jubilee celebration.
Despite the King's offer, Naboth refused to sell the vineyard, as it was a part of his family's heritage, and he was not willing to part with it. The King was disappointed but could not do anything about it, as the Law of Moses did not permit the selling of ancestral land.
Beloved reader, it is worth noting that one potential reason why an individual may decide to sell their possessions is that they have become complacent and neglected their upkeep. This could manifest in various ways, such as allowing their property to fall into disrepair or failing to maintain their possessions to an acceptable standard. For instance, you may notice the condition of their front yard deteriorating and becoming overgrown with weeds or littered with debris. This may be a sign that they have become lazy and not taken the necessary steps to maintain their property.
Beloved, if you are wondering whether someone is ready to sell out physically and spiritually, specific indicators can help you make that determination. The first indicator is their level of physical and emotional exhaustion. When physically and emotionally drained, people are more likely to let their prayer life fall apart. This causes them to become spiritually weak, and in this weak condition, they will tend to fall for almost anything, causing them to be vulnerable to external influences that may lead to making sacrifices that they wouldn't otherwise make.
The second sign that someone may be struggling is when they lose their vision. For example, if someone is a Sunday school teacher and difficult circumstances cause them to lose sight of God's promises, it can affect their teaching, and the class may begin to decline. This occurs because their standards are lowered, and their convictions become weaker.
The third indicator is their level of spiritual emptiness. This happens when purity falls short in their life, soul-winning is no longer appealing, and their walk with God gets distant. If someone lacks a sense of purpose or meaning, they may be more likely to sell out physically and spiritually to fill that void. This can include engaging in activities that provide a temporary sense of fulfillment but ultimately leave them empty and unfulfilled. This happens when God’s will is no longer necessary in your life, and you become complacent with your mind.
Dear reader, I want to highlight the significance of the "For Sale" sign and the message it sends to others. It can suggest that you are not willing to put in the effort required to maintain what you have. If you have a "For Sale" sign on your spiritual vineyard, it could indicate that you have not been working on your prayer life or spiritual walk with God, and as a result, you may be ready to give up what you have.
In the book of Luke, chapter 19, verse 13, Jesus commands us to "occupy till I come." This means we should take good care of what we have been given and work hard to maintain it. We should not be willing to give up on something that holds precious memories and that we have invested time, money, and effort into. T
Beloved reader, I urge you to cherish what you have and declare to others that you are unwilling to sell it. Let us work hard to maintain our spiritual lives and the essential things. Doing so can create a legacy that will last for generations.
"WHAT GOOD IS A WEDDING WITHOUT THE WINE?"
Dear reader, this inspirational message emphasizes the importance of maintaining a disciplined prayer life, allowing God's Spirit to permeate our lives. We can reach the lost at any cost when we have a strong spiritual connection with God through prayer. We understand that every soul is valuable and is either lost or saved for all eternity, and it is our responsibility to help others find their way to God.
Beloved, this message presents an analogy about vineyards and grapes that produce wine, which makes people happy. While this is true, this inspirational message highlights the fact that some people may find temporary relief from their problems by getting drunk. However, it is essential to remember that alcoholism and addiction are serious issues that can cause harm to individuals and society as a whole.
The message gives illustration that although these people living in the streets suffering from bad memories and hard living, when they get a drink, they feel like their troubles are easing off and sometimes they may even understand that not everyone in the world is out to get them.
The bottom line is the grapes that make the wine can give them a false high but this message is about the wine of the Spirit of God which produces hope and joy in the life of a believer.
Again let me say that as fellow Saints and peers, we are responsible for reaching out to those struggling in life and seek to provide them with the necessary support and guidance.
Beloved, we can show them God's love and compassion for us and help them find their way to a better life. By doing so, we can positively impact their lives and contribute to the betterment of our society as a whole.
Saints, do you remember (John 2:1-10) where it speaks of Jesus being at a wedding and the hosts running out of wine, which would embarrass the party sponsoring the wedding?
(John 2:1-5) (1) "And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there:" (2) "And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage." (3) "And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine." (4) "Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come." (5) "His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it."
(John 2:6-8) (6) "And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece." (7) "Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim." (8) "And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bear it."
(John 2:9-10) (9) "When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom" (10) "And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast the good wine until now.
Beloved, let me share an interesting fact about Jewish weddings with you. In one such wedding, the mother of Jesus was a guest. The hosts ran out of wine during the wedding, which was considered a big deal. At this point, the mother of Jesus approached her son and requested that he help the hosts. Although initially hesitating, he eventually asked the hosts to bring water pots.
When the water pots were brought to him, he instructed the servants to fill them with water. After this, he ordered them to draw some water out and take it to the master of the feast. The master of the feast tasted the water, which had miraculously turned into wine. This was Jesus's first recorded miracle, and it happened at a wedding in Cana of Galilee.
I sometimes like to imagine the water blushing in the face of its creator and turning into pure wine. Still, looking at this situation spiritually, we can draw parallels to some church services today. While some churches claim to be in pure revival, they lack the witness of God's Spirit in their meetings. These gatherings often offer worldly entertainment, with actors putting on a show for the crowd. However, there is no true worship or presence of the Spirit of God. Those leaving such services may be entertained, but they are not elevated. The wine that is lacking in this message would be the presence of the Spirit of the living God.
Beloved Saints, did you know that worldly people will tempt us to sell? Several years ago, I was approached by Cineflix productions in Hollywood, desiring to speak with me about having my reality TV show, which you got right, beloved. I said, "My Vineyard Is not for sale."
Beloved, I still have the email to remind me of what was offered to make fun of the gospel; however, I do remember mailing them about a dozen or so of my famous books, "18 Wheels and Jesus," which can be read for free on our website, www.witheredhand.org.
Church, they had discovered my videos as a trucker evangelist on YouTube wearing my famous Indiana Jones hat. They thought they could make money off of my being a trucker evangelist. However, one stipulation would be in the contract, and that would be that they would be the ones writing the script for the show.
Some said that I should have taken them up on their offer, but beloved, deep inside, I did not have peace about accepting their offer. I did not want them taking something that I had invested most of my life doing, which required long hours and months on the open road to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to a hurting world looking for answers.
Beloved Saints and fellow peers, what I do and have done for many years, wearing that hat while feeding and clothing people in the inner cities while winning the respect of the gangs and street people, is no game for many times my life was in grave danger. Still, my God showed up just in time and vindicated his evangelist, causing the devil to retreat and allowing the gospel to go forth.
Saints, did you know that sometimes I would go up to twelve years before informing them who I was, mainly in the slums of Atlanta, Georgia? Many times, I have had to fight physically to win their trust, and later, when they found out that I was a famous man of God and after being with them for many years, listen beloved, I could not take enough bibles to them.
Saints, I made a friend with one of the elderly street people who became like a daddy to me. They saw me care for this older man of another race for twelve years. Sometimes, I would go under the bridges where they lived, and often, I would go with them into old abandoned houses and beloved; several times, I would find myself in a dire predicament. Still, God always gave me protection, so my vineyard is not for sale, period.
Beloved, you are not going to go in preaching to these people without winning their respect because they killed the one before me and shot at the one before him; therefore, beloved, if you're going to talk the talk, you better walk the walk because they can see through the fake and they hate fake people with a passion.
Beloved Saints of God, when I accepted Christ into my life, three acres of Heaven fell in my soul, which gives me peace to close my eyes at night, knowing everything between me and my Lord is alright as I sleep in his ever-loving arms. I did not mean to preach, but as you can see, I am getting happy just thinking about the miserable old life I was rescued from. Yes, beloved, when I accepted Christ into my life, giving him preeminence to live through me, my life was changed, and my vineyard, or joy juice (Joy of the Lord), is not for sale!
Beloved, my relationship with my God is like no other, for it is not based on material things, friendships, or relationships that will soon fade away. My relationship with my God, who is eternal, is celebrating intimacy with the one who planned my life, the end from the beginning. That beloved is a blessed hope that makes me not ashamed and gives me assurance beyond the grave.
My intimate relationship with the King of Kings is a precious friendship that makes me happy. As I feel the surge of his life flowing through my veins, which gives me the strength to make it another day, I smile, knowing that he has a purpose for my being on this planet therefore, beloved; discovering that purpose and reading his word gives me hope which is an anchor of my soul.
MY CONCLUSION
Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, I firmly believe we live in a great spiritual crisis. Our society faces numerous challenges and problems, ranging from poverty, inequality, and violence to a general sense of hopelessness and despair. Amidst all this, I am convinced that we need most a spiritual awakening and a revival of our faith in Jesus Christ.
As Christians, we have been called to be the world's light, share the gospel's good news with those around us, and be a source of hope and inspiration in troubled times. However, to fulfill this calling, we need to be deeply rooted in the Word of God and have a solid and vibrant relationship with our Savior. We need to be willing to reach out to those who are hurting and in need, to be agents of healing and reconciliation, and to demonstrate the love of Christ in practical ways.
My dear brothers and sisters, let us not be discouraged by the challenges we face but hold fast to our faith and trust in the Lord. Let us pray earnestly for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit and for a renewed sense of purpose and mission in our lives. May the love and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always.
The clarion call of the great commission is upon us, and to prepare ourselves for this spiritual battle, we must make sure that our spirits are strong and ready to engage in warfare in the spirit realm. We can do this by denying our fleshly desires and feeding our spirit man daily from the Word of God. It is important to remember that if we feed our flesh, it will get stronger and override our spirit. However, if we feed our soul, man, it will strengthen and enable us to see positive changes in our lives and the world around us.
May we realize that God has a plan to rescue as many people as possible from Satan's grasp and gather them to Himself as His family. He knew from the beginning who would choose His plan and who would reject it. We were predestined to become His sons and daughters at the cross, which is why He approached us with the preaching of the cross. He encourages us to accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. Accepting Jesus is just the first step in God's plan for us, which was predestined for us before the foundation of the world. As we work in His harvest, doing good works that glorify His name, we must cherish, maintain, and protect the anointing and call upon our lives.
It is important to remember that God's divine plan for us is in the Spirit, and His Holy Spirit enforces this plan as spiritual law. We must not place boundaries or limits on God, for He is above anything we can imagine. He can work with and through whomever He chooses to bring His desires and plans to pass. Let us fall on our faces before Him and say, "Here I am, Lord, make my life count, and fulfill in my life and ministry what was written in Your books before the foundation of the world."
God calls us to repentance, asking us to rend our hearts, not our garments. It is time for the outward show to cease and allow the Lord to take away our selfish desires as He turns our hearts toward Him. We must ask His Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us into all truth and righteousness for His name's sake, and remember that God is in control of the circumstances surrounding us, and His Spirit represents us in Heaven. He offers us His great reservoir of wisdom and counsel through His classroom, which resides within our spirits, waiting to be released.
As community leaders, we must realize that God had a plan for us before we were born, and all our life experiences have been a training ground to fulfill this plan. We must make a difference in our culture, leaving a legacy for future generations, always remembering that “When everything else fades away, God's love, promises, and His word will still stand.”
As we reach the end of our journey in life, I believe that we should strive to have poured our hearts and souls into the lives of others. We should have given so much of ourselves that we have nothing left to give. In doing so, we will have made a lasting impact on those around us, leaving a legacy of love and kindness that will continue to live on long after we are gone. That is why I am eager to share my favorite scripture, which has guided me on my journey of giving and service.
(Psalms 19:14) “let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight O Lord my strength and my redeemer.”
International Evangelist
Jerry W. Hulse, Ph.D.
Miracle Life Church International
