THE FOOL’S GOLD
There is this common saying that all that glitters is not gold. There are many metals and stones that glitter but they are not all gold. Gold is precious to man and that explains why many people all over the world are seeking it.
In searching for gold therefore people usually come across its counterfeit, called charcoal pyrites. This mineral, more often than not is mistaken for the real gold.
Charcoal pyrites looks like gold and it is easier to find. It glitters just like gold and is usually found in the same region where there are gold deposits. Its discovery brings to the discoverer sudden but short-lived joy. It gives him a hope of becoming a multi- millionaire in a twinkling of an eye. He will suddenly become disillusioned when a goldsmith tells him he has not discovered gold but a fool’s gold.
But one can save oneself such agony by learning how to test whether what glitters is the real gold or charcoal pyrites. The easiest method to do that is to rub the surface of your discoveries on a hard surface like another stone. If the glittering remains after the exercise then you have discovered the real gold but if the glittering turns black, you have discovered the fool’s gold.
I am preaching on THE FOOL’S GOLD. Our text is taken from the book of Ecclesiastes.10: 1-7.
Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.
A wise man’s heart is at the right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left.
Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to everyone that he is a fool.
If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.
There is an evil, which I have seen under the sun, as an error, which proceedeth from the ruler.
Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in the low place.
I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
Foolishness is a terrible thing. It turns something well made into a bad thing and reduces a person of honour to a dishonourable person. Foolishness can place an idiot upon a horse and make prince to walk before him bare- footed and naked.
I have noticed certain foolishness all around us today that we need to talk about. Foolishnesses that are found in the court of wisdom and among men of great learning, they are making nonsense all we claimed to know and understand. They have found the fool’s gold and they are celebrating their discovery. What a shame. What are these foolishnesses?
THE FOOLISHNESS OF A MISTAKEN IDENTITY
We have illustrated how one can mistakenly pick up Charcoal pyrites instead of the real gold, so also many people are still not sure of how to differentiate the real Jesus from fake and other self -acclaimed saviours. We have several Gurus and Jesus of many towns and localities telling people who were mostly learned, but are fools, that they are the expected Messiahs
As a matter of fact we used to have one Jesus of Oyingbo in Nigeria who claimed to be Jesus. This is what he wrote about himself in one of his tracts as being the messiah,
If I Immanuel who claim to be the Messiah, the last hope of mankind were false and deceitful.
GOD SHALL BRING UPON ME, OLUFUNMILAYO IMMANUEL, AND MY HOUSEHOLD, ALL THE PLAGUES MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE INCLUDING NAAMAN’S LEPROSY, AND OTHER EVILS CONTAINED THEREIN. AMEN, AMEN.
We all in Nigeria have been hearing so much about this man but only few of us would ever believe that he really called himself the messiah. But who were the followers? The so- called learned men and great scholars, the rich and men of great positions.
They become gullible because they did not know the true characteristic of Jesus that God promised us. When Apostle Paul was searching for Jesus he knew what he was searching for. In the book Philippians 3:10, he says,
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death
What kind of Jesus was he searching for? He wanted that Jesus who died and resurrected. He wanted the Jesus who had the resurrection power and not just any kind of power. And he wanted the Jesus who suffered persecution for righteousness sake.
It is only a fool that will readily accept anyone who claims to be Jesus. The Bible has pointed out how Jesus return will be like. In 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 the Bible says,
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
The Bible states it clearly that we will meet Jesus in the clouds, in the air above. The true Jesus, when he returns the second time will not have a house address. He will not live in Nigeria neither will he live in America but will stay up in the air until he has collected his faithful. In any case, if you believe that Jesus has returned and you remain it then means that you are in trouble. It implies that Jesus has left you behind to face the wrath of the Antichrist. Foolishness is dangerous!
THE FOOLISHNESS OF MISTAKEN THE SOURCE OF SOLUTION TO PROBLEMS
One can be foolish in mistaken the source of solution to problems and sorrow. It is amazing sometimes when in our public transport you see people patronizing hawkers of charms and talisman for protection against demon and satanic oppression. How on earth can incense drive out demons?
Remember what Jesus said when they accused him of driving out demons with the prince of Beelzebub. He told them that any kingdom that is divided against itself couldn’t stand. How dare you go to herbalist to help you drive out demons that are superior to him in hierarchy?
Some could argue that such charms are effective sometimes. Yes it works, but this is how. When a little demon is in charge of your affairs and you consult an herbalist he invite to your life another bigger demon who removes the little problems that you had with the little demon and give you a bigger one. Meanwhile you have some relief from your headaches. In no time you will soon discover that you now have cancer.
When you notice you are in another danger your foolishness makes you think you should go back to the herbalist for solution, since he had done it before. You will continue to do so until your life is completely ruined.
Have you ever sat down yourself to think? Think of the kind of environment you met the man who claims to have solution to your life’s problem. Do you remember that the last time you went to him he had to first obtain permission from certain unseen forces before he could attend to you? It is those forces that he spoke with that are behind your problems and whatever they ask him to do that he will do. They might even ask him to poison you! Hear what God is saying to those who go to idols for help. Isaiah 44:13,16-18.
The carpenter stretcheth out his rule; he maketh it out with a line; he fittest it with planes, and he marketh it with the compass, and marketh it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man; that it may remain in the house.
He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasted roast, and is satisfied: yea, he warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire.
And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god.
They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.
It is only the foolish whose eyes and mind have been shut that will not know that there is no salvation except destruction in seeking solution from ones enemy.
THE FOOLSHNESS OF MISTAKEN THE SOURCE OF REAL JOY AND HAPPINESS.
One can also be foolish to mistaken the source of real joy and happiness. Many people are seeking for joy and happiness where they could not be found. Some think they could find it in drugs, cigarettes and alcohol while others think it is in sex.
It is interesting to note the amount of fake joy and happiness being advertised all around us. Today on the radio and television there are adverts that would tell you that you could find gold by smoking a particular brand of cigarette. And there is another brand of beer that gives happiness, as they say. Those are all lies of the Devil. They are nothing but charcoal pyrites.
Hear what the Bible say about alcohol, Pro. 20:1
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is ragging;
And whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise
If you think you can obtain lasting joy from alcohol and drug, you are only been fooled by the advertising agencies. In fact if you have to drink alcohol at all you must be within these categories of people mentioned in the book of Proverbs. 31:4-5.
It is not for kings, o Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine: nor for princes’ strong drink;
Lest they drink, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto him that be of heavy hearts
Do I hear someone say thank God I am not a king? Yes you may continue to drink and remain a servant for the rest of your life. That would just confirm the foolishness we have been talking about. To some of you who don’t drink but you serve it your friends; this is what the Bible says,
Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness. Habakuk.2: 15.
THE FOOLISHNESS OF PRAYING THE KIND OF PRAYERS THAT GOD WILL NOT ANSWER.
We pray a lot these days: on the mountains in the valley and everywhere. Each time prayer meetings are organized you would see crowd surging there. We do have more people at prayer meetings than in any other programmes.
But let me tell you that you may fast for a thousand day and pray every day, if you don’t pray the way God wants it you will not get the expected result. There are certain conditions that must be fulfilled in praying effective prayer; the most important is repentance. Repentance will bring you the heart of obedience to do God’s will.
He that turneth away from hearing the law
Even his prayers shall be abominations.
Prov.28: 9.
Equally important is the name with which you prayed. Some would call the name of Angels Gabriel and Uriel. Angels are supposed to be our servant bringing us God’s messages. When you pray in the name of any angel you are giving the glory that belongs to God to his servants; and that could be dangerous.
I once asked a friend why he was praying in the name of Mary the mother of Jesus. He said mothers have great influence on their children it is better to beg Mary to help us beg Jesus. That is another Foolishness.
Jesus while alive here did not put anyone in doubt as to the position of his mother in relation to the gospel. Matthew. 12:46-50.
While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.
Then one said unto him, behold thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
But he answered and said unto him that told him, who is my mother? And who are my brethren?
And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said behold my mother and my brethren!
For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
At another occasion when another woman wanted to honour Mary above the word of God, Jesus affirmed the same stand. Luke.11: 27.
And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.
But he said, yea rather blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it.
Stop being foolish pray in the name of Jesus if you want an answer.
THE FOOLISHNESS OF MISTAKEN THE REAL SOURCE OF KNOWLEDGE
In a bid to be wise men have become foolish under the so- called perfect knowledge and human philosophies. It is only God who has a perfect knowledge. Paul warns us in the book of Colossians 2:8.
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
One of these philosophies teaches that every human being should be ready to bear his own punishment himself. It is not possible for God to forgive or make Jesus to bear them all. When you think about this, one question that comes to your mind is: how many of our sins can we really pay for? Assuming God decides to give us a stroke of cain for every offence committed. How many of us will be able to bear the punishments. In fact so many of us will need so many strokes of cain that God would have to kill us in the process. Philippians.2 ;8-9.
For by grace are ye saved through faith and not of yourselves it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast.
CONSEQUENCES OF FOOLISHNESS
Foolishness debases and reduces your humanity by making things created for your enjoyment to Lord it over you.
I remember a woman who had problems with some demons. Each time she sat down demons would be communicating with her through the walls. She went to an herbalist for help. The man told her to bring her own fresh excreta and she did. The herbalist took it and mixed with some herbs and commanded the woman to eat everything. She did but her problems aggravated.
Foolishness makes you stupid and deprives you of your rights.
Foolishness makes one places all his hope on the wrong persons or things. It makes you lean on something that cannot give you support and before you know it you are down and out. It is dangerous to be a fool. Proverbs.25 :19-20.
Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble
Is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather and
As vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
If you have had a toothache before, you would know what the Bible is saying. It can be very painful indeed. It disappoints you when you need it most. Just imagine the preparation you do to prepare your food and imagine the aroma that comes out of it. Now at the time you should enjoy the labour of your hand toothache disallows you from tasting your well-prepared dishes. This is very painful and disappointing to the extreme. The Bible says those who put their confidence in any other thing apart from God should brace up for such painful experience.
Not only that, the Bible says it is like a foot out of joint. It is also like when you are feeling cold and you need warmth and you expect someone to give you a heavy sweater, rather he removed even the one you had on and exposes you to extreme cold.
Quit foolishness and take your warmth under the wings of the Almighty God.
Finally if you are not born again, you are placing all your hope on the things that will not bring you profit. You can be a wise person by giving your life to Jesus Christ. He loves you and has always been waiting for you to come.
This time around I am inviting you to the one and only Jesus the son of the living God. Come now and confess your sin before him and he will pardon you and translate you into the kingdom of his Father.
For those who are born again already, tell God to open your understanding so that you can discern between original and fake products. If you are already suffering the consequences of foolishness, tell the Lord to be merciful unto you and make you wiser.
