What Is Your Thinking

Romans 8:6-9

 ⁶The mind of sinful man^‍ is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;  

^‍7‍ the sinful mind^‍ is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.  

^‍8‍ Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.

^‍9‍ You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.

The person who is controlled by sin has a Worldly/Stinking Thinking, but the person who is controlled by the Spirit has a Godly/Kingdom Thinking.

Stinking Thinking vs. Kingdom Thinking is a concept I learned from Bishop George McKinney at a Lead Like Jesus conference.

Whom Is He Kidding?

 When a man says he can’t keep awake through a thirty-minute sermon, and stays home with his 700-column newspaper, whom is he kidding?  This is stinking thinking.

 When a man says Sunday is his only day to rest, and gets up at 4:30 a.m. to go fishing, or spends the day on a golf course, whom is he kidding? This is stinking thinking.

 When a man says church seats are too hard and uncomfortable, then goes some Saturday to sit on a bleacher for hours in a drizzle watching 22 men push one another back and forth across a mud lot, whom is he kidding? This is stinking thinking.

 When a man says he doesn’t have time for Christ and His church, then spends evenings shopping, bowling, watching television, going to clubs, playing cards and having evenings out, whom is he kidding? … Not God! This is stinking thinking.

 What is Your Thinking?              

Subject	Worldly Thinking	Kingdom Thinking
Purpose	Worship of things: “who ever gets the most toys wins.“ Fulfillment of self, Freedom without discipline	Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Life:  Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry, and Evangelism. Romans 12:2, Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Leadership	Entitlement, Lordship, Power, Manipulation	Servant hood with a vision of God.  Matthew 20:25-26, You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.  ‍26‍ Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.
Education	Focus on this Life, Evolution, Global Warming, Man can destroy the world	Is to know God and His creation, We are the caretakers of this world, but God is in control of the world He created. Psalm 102:25, In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.
Taxes and Tithing	Cheat the taxman.  Cheat God.  The church wants to much money.	Pay what you owe to the government and to God.  Tithe to the Lord.  Luke 20:25,“Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
Marriage	Marriage is whatever you want, Man and Woman, Man and Man, Woman and Woman	Marriage is only between a Man and a Woman.  Honorable, Scared, a Covenant between God and a husband and wife.  Genesis 2:24, For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
Family	Parents should be their children’s friends and buddies.	Parents should be role models, who give moral guidance.  Children should see Christ when they look at their parents.  Proverbs 13:24, He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.
Love	“Love the one your with.”  Sex feels good, so do it.  Sex and Love are the same.  Hetero, Homo, or Bisexual it is all okay.  NAMBLA	Love is not just physical, but spiritual, clinging to what is good.  Romans 12:9-10, Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  ‍10‍ Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Enemies	Do to other before they do to you.  Love you neighbor, and hate your enemy.	Is to do the opposite. Luke 6:31 & 35, Do to others as you would have them do to you.  Love your enemies.
Abortion	A Child is NOT a Child	A Woman’s womb is NOT a babies Tomb.  Jeremiah 1:5, Before I formed you in the womb I knew‍ you.
Poor and Sick	It is not the churches responsibility, but the governments job to take care of those in need.	Did you feed me? Did you cloth me? Did you come and see me? Matthew 25:45, I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.
Suffering	A true loving God would not let people suffer.  It’s not fair, why me, poor me.	Sufferings and Trials are God’s way to help us mature and grow as a Christian. 1 Peter 5:10, And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
Salvation	All good people go to heaven, there is more than one religion that will get you to eternity, we all worship the same God.	Christ is our salvation. John 14:6; ‍Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

What Do You Love?
 “Just one letter of the alphabet makes all the difference between us now,” said a recently-converted young woman to an unsaved friend, who could not understand the great change that had come over her. “You love the world,” she said, “and I love the Word.”

Which Disturbs You Most?
A soul lost in Hell … or a scratch on your new car?
Your missing the worship service … or missing a day’s work?
A sermon 10 minutes too long … or lunch half hour late?
A church not growing … or your garden not growing?
Your Bible unopened … or your newspaper unread?
The church work being neglected … or housework neglected?
Missing a good Bible study … or your favorite TV program?
Your tithes decreasing … or your income decreasing?
Your children late for Sunday school and Church … or late for public school? 
The millions who do not know Christ … or your inability to keep up with the neighbors?
The cry of the multitude for bread … or your desire for another piece of German chocolate cake?
Which really disturbs you most?

Children of Adam or Children of God

Romans 5:15, NLT:  And what a difference between our sin and God’s generous gift of forgiveness. For this one man, Adam, brought death to many through his sin. But this other man, Jesus Christ, brought forgiveness to many through God’s bountiful gift.

Children of Adam	Children of God
As “” we are subject to Ruin.	As “” we are Rescued.
As “” we live in Sin.	As “” we are made Righteous.
As “” we are Disobedient.	As “” we are Obedient.
As “” we were given Laws.	As “” we were given Grace.
As “” we are Separated from God.	As “” we have a Relationship w/Him.
As “” we will be Judged.	As “” we will be Delivered.
As “’ we will Die.	As “” we will have Eternal Life.

Stinking Thinking will even corrupt the Church.

4 Types of Christianity in the first church and today.

Group	First Church	Danger	Today
Judaized Christianity	To be a Christian you first had to be a Jew	Human Traditions	Not Just the Bible
Legalized Christianity	God’s favor is earned by good behavior	Loss of Grace	Earn your way into heaven
Lawless Christianity	The Law was not important to Christians	Loss of God’s Truth & Guidance	The Bible is outdated, do what you feel is right
True Christianity	Christians were those who believe inwardly and outwardly that Jesus’ death has allowed God’s forgiveness and gift of eternal life.  They had accepted that gift through faith and wanted to live a life of obedient gratitude for what God had done for them.	Keeps out Stinking Thinking	We strive to have Kingdom Thinking Grace with loving obedience not because we have to but, because we want to.

Christianity Is Not Always Easy

“Sometimes I pray, ’Lord so far so good today.  I haven’t sworn, stolen anything, boasted, gotten angry with anyone, or even had any evil thoughts.  But now come the test, and I beg you for your help.  I have to get up and go to work…’” 

Everyday we have to choose to live a life of Stinking/Worldly Thinking or Godly/Kingdom Thinking.  What is your thinking?

Determination

The Atheist Teacher

A young teacher told her class of small children that she is an atheist.  She asks her class if they are atheists too.  Not really knowing what atheism is, but wanting the teacher to like them they all raised their hands.  However, one girl name Lucy did not raise her hand.  The teacher asked her why she wanted to be different.
"Because I’m not an atheist,” said Lucy.
“What are you then,” asked the teacher.
“I’m a Christian,” answered Lucy.
The teacher a little perturbed asked Lucy why she is a Christian.
“Well, I was brought up knowing and loving Jesus.  My mom is a Christian, and my dad is a Christian, so I am Christian.”
The teacher now angry said, “That’s no reason.  What if your mom was a moron, and you dad was a moron.  What would you be then?”
Lucy answered, “I’d be an atheist.”

Lucy is an example of Determination.   Lucy was determined not to be a follower or to be made fun of.  She persevered during persecution. 

What is determination?  A firm intention. A firm purpose.  It is the will to set out an achieve a goal or to persevere in time of trouble.  My favorite example of determination is Rocky Balboa.  No matter what the odds he always fought to come through.  He never gave up.

 

Another good example of determination is Nehemiah.  Nehemiah was the cupbearer for the Persian King.  He got permission from the king to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.  But because of stiff opposition, the people had to work with weapons in one hand and tools in the other.

First Nehemiah prayed to God. 

Nehemiah 1:5-O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands,

Nehemiah 1:11-O Lord, let you ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servants who delight in revering your name.  Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”

Determination first begins with prayer.

Nehemiah was ridiculed. 

Nehemiah 4:1-2-When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed.  He ridiculed the Jews, and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing?  Will they restore their wall?  Will they offer sacrifices?  Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life those heaps of rubble-burned as they are?   

As Christians it is open season in America to make fun of us.  You can’t make fun of any other religion, but Christianity. 

Nehemiah prays to God. 

Nehemiah 4:4-Here us, O our God, for we are despised.  Turn their insults back on their own heads.  Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity.

We must be determined to proclaim the truth of Christ even when we are ridiculed for it.  And when ridiculed, we must rely on prayer and Christ.

The Jews were threatened and weak/Risking her life for Jesus 

Nehemiah 4:7-8, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the men of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry.  They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. 

Nehemiah 4:10-11, Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.”  Also our enemies said, “Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.”

Nehemiah trusted the Lord. 

Nehemiah 4:14-After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people.  “Don’t be afraid of them.  Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fights for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”

As Christians we have nothing to fear, but to fear the Lord.  God will never give us or this church more than it can handle.  Nehemiah was determined not to give up and we as a church must also be determined to never give up and always search for God will.

The wall is finished. 

Nehemiah 6:15-16-So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days.  When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.

 Southeast Christian Church

I am reminded of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky.  In 1992, the church had grown to about 10,000 members and it had outgrown its current building.  The church decided to build a new building and they estimated it was to cost $26 million dollars for the new building that they needed.  The theme for the capital stewardship campaign was “Not equal gifts, but equal sacrifice.”  Overall the church raised over $30 million dollars in its first capital campaign.  Then three years later it raised another 12 million dollars, to complete the entire church complex in only one phase.  In total they raised over $42 million dollars.  That accounted for an average gift of over $4000 per person.  Then in 2003, the church decided it needed to build a new youth/activities center.  In less than 3 years the church raised over $30 million dollars.

Pat Graham, president of the church division of Cargill Associates says, “Christian fundraising is not an exact science, however. Sometimes the Spirit leads in amazing ways, and a church will raise 8 to 10 times its budget or more. Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky, raised $30 million, or 6 times its annual budget. The breakthrough came when the church emphasized doing God's will over just raising money.”

Bill Wilson, president of Resources Services Inc said, “First United Methodist Church in West Point, Georgia, which has an annual budget of $285,000, raised $4 million in early 1997 with help from The Genesis Group. And, using Cargill's program, a 188-family United Methodist Church in East Texas with an annual income of only $240,000 raised a total of $1.5 million for its project. Members brought $232,000 in cash the first week. "The churches that exceed expectations are the churches that take the faith dimension of money very seriously.”

 Proverbs 16:3-Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

 When we are determined to live for God and do His will, then there is nothing we can't do when we are following Him.

FISH

FISH is a story about a woman who takes over a department in her company that has become known as the Toxic Energy Dump.  The woman in search of finding a way to turn around her department stumbles into the Fish Philosophy.  The Fish Philosophy was created by the fishmongers of the Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle, Washington.  These fishmongers actually throw fish to each other while calling out customers orders.  They have fun at work by playing with their customers and finding ways to make a each customer’s day.  They are always present in the moment with each customer by putting the customers needs first.  They also work in very cold to hot temperatures, with long hard hour, and with smelly fish, but they choose to do so with a world famous attitude.  That is what they are called the World Famous Pike Place Fish Market.  People come for all over the world just to see them, and they usually buy something too.  Many companies have instituted the Fish Philosophy such as:  Qualcomm, Franklin Covey, Jack in the Box, Sprint, Nordstrom, Harley-Davidson, Estee Lauder, Southwest Airlines, the Mayo Clinic, and even the U.S. Army.  Now I ask you how can we become know as the World Famous East Columbus Christian Church?
1.  Play

A.  One Sunday in a Midwest City, a young child was “acting up” during the morning worship hour.  The parents did their best to maintain some sense or order in the pew but were losing the battle. Finally, the father picked the little fellow up and walked sternly up the aisle on his way out.  Just before reaching the safety of the foyer, the little one called loudly to the congregation, “Pray for me! Pray for me!”

B.  Top Ten reasons why churches don’t have clown minister:

10.  They force people to smile during the 8am service.

9.  You can’t say the sermon will be given by Brother Humpty Dumpty .

8.  Whoopee cushions inevitably appear under the pew cushions.

7.  Sermons take a lot longer when they are in pantomime.

6.  Many churches do not recognize seltzer water baptisms.

5.  Dribble glasses are used for the communion service.

4.  They have to pay janitors extra to get all the silly sting off the ceiling.

3.  Water squirting flowers are inappropriate for funerals.

2.  Kids keep popping their balloon animals during prayer.

1.  Haven’t you heard, church is no place for fun.

These little jokes are examples of having fun and playing with and at church.  Church IS a place to have fun and to play.  While there is a time for being reserved, church should never be a place without joy. 

 C.  What is Play?

1)  Play is a way to make our church and your life more enjoyable.

2)  Stop taking your-self so seriously, and start laughing at your-self.

3)  Play is a way to create energy, so that everyone wants to be part of it.

D.  What are the benefits of Play?

1)  Happy people treat each others better.

2)  Fun leads to creativity.

3)  Playing creates energy.

4)  Church becomes a place of joy, happiness, and more spirit-filled.

5)  People want to be around other people that are fun.

E.  What are some ways we can Play?

1)  I just showed you with two simple jokes.

2)  Fellowship outside the church, like in small groups.

3)  Singing songs of worship with your heart and not just your voice.

4)  Special events like Ladies and Men’s fellowship and me as a speaker.

5)  And my favorite, Pot Luck Dinners.

F.  Psalm 68:3, But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.

G.  Ephesians 5:19, Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord

H.  What does the book FISH say? 

“Don’t misunderstand,”  said Lonnie.  “This is a real business which is run to make a profit.  This business pays a lot of salaries, and we take the business seriously, but we discovered we could be serious about business and still have fun with the way we conducted business.  You know, not get all uptight, but let things flow.  What many of our customers think of as entertainment is just a bunch of adult kids having a good time, but doing it in a respectful manner.


2.  Make Their Day

A.  Horst Schulzer is the CEO for the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.

He has an uncompromising respect for people, borne out of his love for God.  Horst honors a basic biblical principle:  providing respect and dignity for every human being.  “We are ladies and gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen,” is the motto for The Ritz-Carlton.  Horst explains, “When making decisions, I ask myself:  Is it good for all concerned-God, the organization, the employees, the customers, and vendors?  If yes, then drive it forward relentlessly.”

The key to Horst’s success lies in how he weaves biblical principles and values, including respect, caring, trust, fairness, and teamwork, into the fabric of his organization.  These values and principles have become the foundation for Ritz-Carlton’s success.

 B.  What is Make Their Day?

1)  Respecting the people around you.

2)  Being honest with people. 

3)  Caring for people and putting their needs before your own.

C.  What are the benefits of Make Their Day?

1)  It's good for the church.

2)  Serving others will give you more satisfaction in life.

3)  When we focus on the positive we don‘t get lost in the negative.

4)  It is healthy, we feel good, and unleash even more positive energy.

5)  People will want to be around you and our church more.

D.  What are some ways you can Make Their Day

1)  Take an interest in the lives of others.  Care about their needs.

2)  Praise each other and show everyone love.

3)  Communion Carryout

E.  The Golden Rule:  Matthew 7:12, Jesus sums up, do unto others what you would have them do unto you.

F.  Ephesians 4:32, Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

G.   What does the book FISH say?

We look for as many ways as we can to create great memories.  And we create great memories whenever we make someone’s day.  The playful was we do our work allows us to find creative ways to engage our customers.  That’s the key word:  engage.  We try not to stand apart from our customers but to find ways to respectfully include them in our fun.  Respectfully.  When we are successful, it makes their day.

3.  Be Present

A.  Two Hundred Cookies

A man stopped at a fast-food restaurant and placed an order that included a cookie.  The server said, “And would you like a cookie with that today?”  The next time he returned he place the same order, cookie included, with a different server.  Again, the server politely asked, “Would you like a cookie with that?”  The third time he dealt with yet another server.  This time he was feeling a little mischievous.  He placed his order, then added, “And I would like two hundred cookies.”  To which the server said, without a trace of irony, “I’ll get that for you, sir.  And would you like a cookie with that?” 

B.  A Valuable Service

We expect the people who serve us in stores to be there for us.  But are we there for them?  A man was talking on his cell phone as a clerk rang up his purchases.  Suddenly, he said into the cell phone, “I need to hang up now so I can be with the clerk.”  The clerk looked into his eyes and she said, “Thank you, You just made me valuable.”

C.  What is Be Present?

1)   “The past is history; The future is a mystery; Today is a gift; That is why we call it the present.”

2)  It is focusing on the person you are with.

3)  It is placing God at the center of your life.

D.  What are the benefits of Be Present?

1)  You will get more out of your-self.

2)  Your family will get more out of you.

3)  People will get more out of you.

4)  You will develop a closer relationship with people and with God.

5)  Life will be more fulfilling.

E.  What are some ways to Be Present

1)  Look at the person you’re talking to.

2)  The person in front of you should be the only person that matters.

3)  Find ways to Make Someone’s Day.

4)  Choose to have a positive attitude with everyone you meet.

5)  Respect God enough to be focused on him in worship and in life.

G.  Luke 8:42-48, As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him.  43 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her.  44 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.  45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked.   When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”   46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”   47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed.  48 Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”

H.  What does the book FISH say?

John offered a personal story.  “I was living a busy life,” he said with sadness in his voice, “trying to make ends meet and working both side against the middle.  One day my daughter asked me to go to the park.  I told her it was a wonderful idea, but I had a lot to do at that moment.  I said she should wait until later, after I had a chance to catch up.  But there always seemed to be some urgent and pressing work to do and the days passed.  Days led to weeks and weeks to months.”  With a choking voice, he said that four years passed and he never did go to the park.  His daughter is now fifteen and no longer interested in the park, nor, for that matter, in him. 

John paused and took a deep breath.  “I talked to one of the fish guys about being present, and I realized how infrequently I was really present at home or at work.  The fish guy invited me to visit the market with the whole family.  My daughter didn’t want to go, but I finally wore her down and she came along.  We had a good time, and I worked on being present with my children.  When my wife took my son down the street to the toy store, I sat down with my daughter and told her how sorry I was that I really hadn’t been there for her.  I told her I hoped she could forgive me and that while I couldn’t change the past, I let her know that I was now dedicated to being present in the present.  She said I wasn’t that bad a dad-I just needed to lighten up a little.  I’ve got a ways to go,”  he said, “but I’m improving.  Being present could help me recover something I wasn’t aware I had lost:  a relationship with my daughter.”

4.  Choose Your Attitude

A.  What Do You Own?

Three neighbors were talking when the subject of possessions came up.  “I own a huge mansion!” one proudly proclaimed.  “I own a successful farm!”  said the second.  “I have optimism,” the third said quietly.  His two neighbors laughed at him, for what good is a possession that cannot be seen or touched? 

That night a huge storm struck.  The storm destroyed the first neighbor’s house.  “What am I to do?” he cried.  The storm ruined the second neighbor’s crops.  “What will I do?” he lamented.  The storm also destroyed the third neighbor’s home and farm.  “Hmmm, what should I do first?”  he asked himself and then he began doing it.  He rebuilt his home and replanted his crops.

His neighbors had been sitting this entire time, feeling sorry for themselves.  But they watched their neighbor rebuild and they decided to ask him his secret.  “It is no secret,” the man said.  “The only thing I own is what I think.”  The two neighbors suddenly understood, and with the third neighbor’s help, they rebuilt too.

From then on, whenever they met, they did not talk about possessions.  They talked about their blessing, and they shared them, for what sense does it make to hold on to something you do not own?

B.  What is Choose Your Attitude?

1)  “When you are doing what you are doing, who are you being?  Are you being  impatient and bored, or are you being world famous?  You are going to act  differently if you are being world famous.”
2)  You choose how you will act every moment of everyday.
3)  As Christians we choose if we are going to be like Christ.

C.  What are the benefits of Choose Your Attitude?

1)  Once you choose to have a good attitude you can be more productive.
2)  You will be a more pleasant person.
3)  People will respect you.
4)  You will be happier.
5)  The Holy Spirit will have a greater impact in your life.

D.  What are some ways you can Choose Your Attitude?

1)  Look in a mirror everyday, and say “I choose to be World Famous.”
2)  Play at work, home, and life.
3)  Find ways to make a persons day.
4)  Be present in everything you do, and with everyone you meet.
5)  Look in a mirror and say, “I choose to be Like Christ.”

E.  Colossians 3:12-17, Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.   15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.  17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

 F.  What does the book FISH say?

There is always a choice about the way you do your work, even if there is not a choice about the work itself.  The book talks about an Attitude Menu.  On one side was a frowning face surrounded by words like angry, disinterested, and bitter.  On the other side was a smiling face with words like energetic, caring, vital, supportive, and creative.  At the top it said:  The Choice Is Yours.

 The Dead Church

A new minister went to visit people in his new town and invite them to church on Sunday.
When Sunday came hardly anyone showed up, so the minister put an ad in the newspaper.  The said that since the church is dead it deserves a proper Christian burial.  So he invited the town to come to church next Sunday for the funeral of the church.

The town wanting to know what a funeral for a church would be showed up the next week.  In front of the pulpit was a coffin with flowers all over it.  The minister gave his address and then invited the people to pay their last respects to the dead church.  As the people walked up they looked inside the coffin, then turn away with a guilty look. Inside the coffin, place just right, was a large mirror.

We don’t want to have a dead church, but instead a World Famous church.

How God Used Prostitutes for His Will

1.  An automobile accident had rendered one motorist unconscious.  As he was being carried away, he opened his eyes and began to struggle desperately to get away.  Afterward, he explained that the first thing he saw was a “Shell” sign, and somebody was standing in front of the “S.”

 2.  Prostitution in the Ancient World

It has been called the oldest of professions…prostitution.  In the ancient world some practiced it as a trade, independently.  While others were forced into through slavery.  In Mesopotamia it was possible to adopt a girl and then hire her out as a prostitute. 

There is also Biblical and historical evidence of temple prostitution.  The practice is associated with pagan worship of the Baal priestess to the Greco-Roman temples of Aphrodite.  This scared prostitution was part of the pagan worship and religious rites.  It was also a source of income for the temples.

The worship of Baal was widespread thought the entire history of the Israelites.  Numbers 25 talks about the Baal worship and scared prostitution.  1 Kings 18 tells about the contest involving Elijah and the prophets of Baal.  And in Hosea 2 it indicates that people associated Baal with prosperity and many people identified Baal and Jehovah as the same.  Baal was the storm god and associated with the birth of healthy offspring, food and water.

The Israelites many times fell into this sexual temptation of the Baal worship even though God has forbidden it. 

 Deuteronomy 23:17-18

No Israelite man or woman is to become a shrine prostitute.  You must not bring the earnings of a female prostitute or of a male prostitute into the house of the LORD your God to pay any vow, because the LORD your God detests them both.

God also used prostitution as a metaphor for idolatry.

Exodus 34:15-16

Be careful not to make a treaty with those who live in the land; for when they prostitute themselves to their gods and sacrifice to them, they will invite you and you will eat their sacrifices.  And when you choose some of their daughters as wives for your sons and those daughters prostitute themselves to their gods, they will lead your sons to do the same.

 3.  Rahab 

Joshua 2:1-6

Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies…“Go, look over  the land,” he said, “especially Jericho. ” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.

Jos 2:2 The king of Jericho was told, “Look! Some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.” 

Jos 2:3 So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out the whole land.”

Jos 2:4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from. 

Jos 2:5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, the men left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You may catch up with them.”

Jos 2:6 (But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof.)

 Rahab:

A Prostitute and Innkeeper.  Likely ran a harem.  She helped the spies so they would be safe and then they promised to keep her and her family safe.  Matthew listed Rahab as the mother of Boaz, who was the great grandfather of David and thus an ancestor Jesus.  She is also listed in the Hall of Fame in Hebrews 11.

 Hebrews 11:31

By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.

4.  Prostitute from the City 

Luke 7:36-48

Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 

Lk 7:37 When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 

Lk 7:38 and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

Lk 7:39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”

Lk 7:40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said.

Lk 7:41 “Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 

Lk 7:42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

Lk 7:43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

Lk 7:44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 

Lk 7:45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 

Lk 7:46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 

Lk 7:47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”

Lk 7:48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

She showed her love for Christ and she hoped she would not be turned away.  He didn’t turn her away but also showed her love and forgiveness.

5.  An Adulteress Woman 

John 8:3-11

The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 

Jn 8:4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 

Jn 8:5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 

Jn 8:6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 

Jn 8:7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”   

Jn 8:8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

Jn 8:9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 

Jn 8:10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

Jn 8:11 “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

Most scholars believe this woman was a prostitute.  Christ again showed love and reminded us that we should first show love and not hatred.  He didn’t condemned her, but did tell her to leave her life of sin. 

6.  Story of Hosea, Part 1 

Hosea 1:1-11

When the LORD began to speak through Hosea, the LORD said to him, “Go, take to yourself an adulterous wife and children of unfaithfulness, because the land is guilty of the vilest adultery in departing from the LORD.” 

Hos 1:3 So he married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son.

Hos 1:4 Then the LORD said to Hosea, “Call him Jezreel, because I will soon punish the house of Jehu for the massacre at Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel. 

Hos 1:5 In that day I will break Israel’s bow in the Valley of Jezreel. ”

Hos 1:6 Gomer conceived again and gave birth to a daughter. Then the LORD said to Hosea, “Call her Lo-Ruhamah, for I will no longer show love to the house of Israel, that I should at all forgive them. 

Hos 1:7 Yet I will show love to the house of Judah; and I will save them—not by bow, sword or battle, or by horses and horsemen, but by the LORD their God. ”

Hos 1:8 After she had weaned Lo-Ruhamah, Gomer had another son. 

Hos 1:9 Then the LORD said, “Call him Lo-Ammi, for you are not my people, and I am not your God.

God told Hosea to take Gomer as his wife.  Gomer was a prostitute, possibly a Baal priestess.  Hosea and Gomer had three children.  The first was Jezreel which means “God sows destruction.”  The second was Lo-Ruhamah which means “not love.”  The third was Lo-Ammi which means “not my people.”  This is how God felt about his people, because they had been so disobedient to Him.  They had turn from Him and would not love Him.

7.  Story of Hosea, Part 2

The LORD said to me, “Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another and is an adulteress.  Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.”

Hos 3:2 So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and about a homer and a lethek of barley. 

Hos 3:3 Then I told her, “You are to live with me many days; you must not be a prostitute or be intimate with any man, and I will live with you.”

Hos 3:4 For the Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or idol.  

Hos 3:5 Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to his blessings in the last days.

After Gomer had her sons she left Hosea and went back to being a prostitute.  God told Hosea to find her and to love her again.  Hosea finds her at a slave trade.  She was naked, beaten, and crippled.  He bought her for 6 ounces of Gold, and 10 bushels of Barley.  Then God told Hosea to rename his children.  Jezreel would now mean “I planted her for myself.”  Lo-Ruhamah became just Ruhamah which means “love.”  Lo-Ammi became just Ammi which means “my people.”  Hosea means salvation.

God is Hosea, Gomer is mankind, and Christ is the Silver and Barley.

 8.  1 Corinthians 13:13

There are three things that will endure-faith, hope, and love-and the greatest of these is love.

9.  “He loved us not because we were lovable but because He is love.”  C.S. Lewis

10.  1 John 4:7-8 

Dear friends, let us love one another, love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.