Why Didn't God Pull The Weeds? Series

God wants even the weeds to change.

That’s why, II Tim. 2:23-26 tells us

“Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.

Those who oppose him (the weeds) he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”

The weeds aren’t the enemy.

The weeds have been taken captive by Satan’s lies and deceptions.

And God wants to grant them repentance that will lead to truth.

But, now… how are they going to hear that truth????

That’s right!

By us gently instructing them.

By us knowing our Bible well enough to expose their falsehood and leading them to know God’s truth.

In other words… don’t be afraid of them.

Don’t welcome them into your house, or into the church bldg to teach their falsehood, and don’t argue or quarrel with them…

But if you get the chance, say “Aw honey, you don’t realize what you’re saying.”

AND the more you know about your bible, the more prepared you will be to be able to place the seed of doubt into their hearts about the falsehood Satan has deceived them into believing.

ILLUS: For my closing illustration, I want to share something with you of which I feel ashamed. But I’m convinced that even a bad example is a good example if it helps us to understand what we can do for God.

Last week I was sitting at Burger King working on this sermon when a young Asian woman started talking to a Hispanic couple in a booth a few feet from me. She had a colorful box, and was showing them a paper and asking them questions. Eventually, that couple shook their heads and she left their table and came over to me.

She introduced herself, showing a badge that indicated she belonged to the cultic group called the Unification Church.

Now, I’m not a real quick thinker.

I should have asked her if I could buy her a coke or a sandwich and I should have asked her to sit down and explained the Gospel of Jesus to her…

I should have invited her to church or to study the Bible with me….

But I didn’t, I just told her I wasn’t interested.

I’m ashamed now… because I might have made a difference.

I mean, the poor girl was selling knick knacks for one the foremost quacks in the religious world. How bright could she have been???

It’s not like she could have reached out her talons and penetrated my heart and perverted my faith in just a few moments.

I could have at least tried… but I didn’t. I just turned her away.

Would she have listened to me??? I don’t know. But it would have been worth the effort. And I pray that I don’t overlook that possibility ever again.