Keeping The Right Company
We are currently discussing how to overcome the world and how a newborn child of God can grow in faith, knowledge, and wisdom. Today, we will explore the benefits of surrounding ourselves with like-minded individuals.
Let us pray.
Father, we come before you today with thanksgiving in our hearts and praise on our tongues. We know you are the Alpha and the Omega, the great I Am. Without you, nothing is possible, including understanding your Will and your Way. As we enter into your Word, we pray for eyes to see, ears to hear, and a spirit to receive and to understand what you want to show us today. In your holy name we pray, amen!
Before I was truly saved, I smoked, drank, uh, had fun? I did all kinds of things and enjoyed doing them. You and your childhood group of friends. Think about them. You all did the same things. The good, the bad, the ugly. Think about your close inner circle of friends you had before you got saved. You all did the same things. The good, the bad, the ugly. You know their secrets, and they know yours. You were all the same.
Herein lies the problem. I changed. You changed. You are no longer the same. The Word declares that once you are saved, you,
"Have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." Colossians 3:10But they are not new. They have not changed. They are the same. They still drink, do whatever, and mess around with this or that. Sleep around. Look at things you should no longer be looking at. Doing the things you used to do, but now should no longer be doing. They are still doing and enjoying doing these things.
In a lot of cases, they want you to still join in and be doing all these things too. When you say no? They become offended, and they think you think you are better than them. The sad truth is, no matter how much you may desire to have them join you and accept Jesus and give up their sin, unless God Himself calls them, and they decide for themselves to accept the call, they will never even hear what you say. Why? Because you are speaking a new tongue. You are speaking spiritually. They are seeing, hearing, and living in the flesh. Look what Jesus told the religious folks of the day. The supposed “people of knowledge and faith.”
"Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word." John 8:43They are still in and living for the flesh. You are not. Or at least should not be. You have been saved from the world, from the snare of the evil one. They are still living for them. You have been saved from hell, death, and the grave. They are still on their way there. You are no longer the same.
You heard the truth. You heard how God created you. How God created all things. How God loved you so that Jesus had to come and die for you. You heard that if you accept this, you will be saved.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." John 3:16-18
You did exactly that. You believed. You have faith, and it is that faith in Him that has saved you. You are in Christ.
I know it is difficult. I know it is hard. I know it is even hard to think about it. But look what the Bible says here.
The church operates in much the same way. Within the church community, many individuals have experienced or are currently dealing with issues similar to yours. You will learn about others who are struggling, as well as those who have successfully overcome various challenges. If you have a need, you will likely find someone willing to step up and offer assistance.
Do you know the problem with being left alone? You are left alone. There is no one there to care. No one is there to teach you a better way. No one to laugh with. No one to cry with. Need a hug? Believe it or not, it is hard to hug yourself and make it meaningful.
No, you need to find a church God leads you to, and be blessed by those there.
When I first received the gift of salvation, I knew nothing. Oh, I knew Jesus loved me. I know He died for me. But I knew nothing more than that. I started reading the Word, and I understood some, but I had questions about other things. I heard about all these "contradictions," and I heard about the Bible being nothing more than a work of fiction. I heard that the stories of Jesus rising from the dead are a fantasy and impossible.
I heard all these things from people outside of the church. Some of them made some compelling arguments. Some of them sounded like they knew what they were talking about. Some of them tried to convince me, "out of love," that it is all nonsense and a waste of my time.
I started to go to church. I joined a group of believers. I learned that the Bible says this.
I learned that the Bible is the very living Word of God. It is living and it gives life. God can speak directly to whomever He chooses through His Word. He can also speak to you through others. I learned that Jesus did indeed rise from the dead and is alive and well today. He is the great I am. I learned this.
I was not aware of this before: His name is Yeshua, translated as Jesus. I've learned that no matter how often you read the Bible, you can gain new insights each time. I've also discovered that people who came before me can guide me toward a better understanding.
I remember one day walking into Ascent Church. Which is at 4175 SE Cove Rd, Stuart, FL, 34997. If you are in the area on Sunday, stop by. You will be blessed. I walked into the building, and this Godly woman, Mary, came up and hugged me. It was a real hug. It was a loving hug. A meaningful hug. I'm telling you something here: if Mary hugs you, and tells you she loves you, and she is praying for you? There is no doubt about it. I have walked into that building in various states of being. Happy, sad, and more and more depressed. Depression is real, folks. It does not matter who you are. But when Mary hugs you? Yeah. Peace and comfort come over you.
You do not get moments like this alone. I listened to the Pastor teach on various topics. I started to have a better understanding by hearing the Word. I learned this too.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." 2 Corinthians 5:17I smoked for 35 years. Yup. That is a long time. Over the years, I did try to quit. You know what happened? I failed over and over. Why? Because I changed nothing. I used to go to parties. All my friends smoked. Here I am watching people do what I loved to do and smelling what I loved to smell, and what happened? Someone gave me a cigarette. I smoked it. Get the point?
I know it is difficult. I know it is hard. I know it is even hard to think about it. But look what the Bible says here.
“Do not be deceived: 'Bad company ruins good morals.’ Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.” 1 Corinthians 15:33-34You are not them. You are now a new creature with access to heavenly wisdom in all things. Seek that out.
And here?"Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
But the companion of fools will suffer harm." Proverbs 13:20
I know it seems harsh. I understand it might sound like I’m calling some of your loved ones fools and bad people. In a way, I guess I am. Or, it’s the Word of God—this (holding up the Bible). If you want to grow in faith and get closer to God, you need to distance yourself from those and those things that will lead you astray."Leave the presence of a fool,
for there you do not meet words of knowledge." Proverbs 14:7
“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?” 2 Corinthians 6:14-15If you have accepted Jesus and repented of your sins and sinful ways, you must distance yourself from those who are unwilling to listen or acknowledge that there is a better way. However, simply separating yourself from them and your old life is not enough. You cannot do this alone; it’s important to seek support and community.
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there is no longer a sacrifice for sins,” Hebrews 10:23-26One of the most significant things people discover when they join Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or seek therapy is a sense of comfort in realizing they are not alone. They find that others are facing similar temptations and challenges.
The church operates in much the same way. Within the church community, many individuals have experienced or are currently dealing with issues similar to yours. You will learn about others who are struggling, as well as those who have successfully overcome various challenges. If you have a need, you will likely find someone willing to step up and offer assistance.
Do you know the problem with being left alone? You are left alone. There is no one there to care. No one is there to teach you a better way. No one to laugh with. No one to cry with. Need a hug? Believe it or not, it is hard to hug yourself and make it meaningful.
No, you need to find a church God leads you to, and be blessed by those there.
When I first received the gift of salvation, I knew nothing. Oh, I knew Jesus loved me. I know He died for me. But I knew nothing more than that. I started reading the Word, and I understood some, but I had questions about other things. I heard about all these "contradictions," and I heard about the Bible being nothing more than a work of fiction. I heard that the stories of Jesus rising from the dead are a fantasy and impossible.
I heard all these things from people outside of the church. Some of them made some compelling arguments. Some of them sounded like they knew what they were talking about. Some of them tried to convince me, "out of love," that it is all nonsense and a waste of my time.
I started to go to church. I joined a group of believers. I learned that the Bible says this.
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." Colossians 3:16I learned that the Bible says this.
"For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep, we might live with him. Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5I started to ask my questions. I started to listen to those who were more mature in faith than I. Do you know what I found out? I learned there are no contradictions. No, not one. There are misinterpretations, misunderstandings, and outright twisting of scriptures. But not one single contradiction.
I learned that the Bible is the very living Word of God. It is living and it gives life. God can speak directly to whomever He chooses through His Word. He can also speak to you through others. I learned that Jesus did indeed rise from the dead and is alive and well today. He is the great I am. I learned this.
"Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:17-23Then I learned that the entire Bible, including the Old Testament, is all about Jesus. An example? Isaiah 53. Even though it sounds like the writer was writing about his witness to Jesus and His life, it was written some 700 years before the birth of Jesus.
I was not aware of this before: His name is Yeshua, translated as Jesus. I've learned that no matter how often you read the Bible, you can gain new insights each time. I've also discovered that people who came before me can guide me toward a better understanding.
I remember one day walking into Ascent Church. Which is at 4175 SE Cove Rd, Stuart, FL, 34997. If you are in the area on Sunday, stop by. You will be blessed. I walked into the building, and this Godly woman, Mary, came up and hugged me. It was a real hug. It was a loving hug. A meaningful hug. I'm telling you something here: if Mary hugs you, and tells you she loves you, and she is praying for you? There is no doubt about it. I have walked into that building in various states of being. Happy, sad, and more and more depressed. Depression is real, folks. It does not matter who you are. But when Mary hugs you? Yeah. Peace and comfort come over you.
You do not get moments like this alone. I listened to the Pastor teach on various topics. I started to have a better understanding by hearing the Word. I learned this too.
"Well, I can watch that TV Preacher. I do not have to go to church."
That TV Preacher? He does not know you. No one in that ministry knows who you are. They do not know what you are going through. They have no way of knowing if you are happy or sad. They do not even really care about you to tell you the truth. They care about numbers and revenue to keep their ministries on the air.
When you join a local church. They know when you are there. They know when you are not. They know when you are happy and when you are sad. They truly do care about you. It is not just the Pastor. It is the Marys. The Johns. The Toms. It is the friendships you make and the people who become family.
They are there to celebrate with you. They are there to cry with you. They are there to live with you. You cannot get that alone. You cannot get that from that TV Preacher. You cannot get that in any other way.
Yes. If you stay with that worldly company, you will reap what they sow. Your morals will be chipped away, and you will fall back into sin. Yes, if you go it alone, you will not grow and will not reap the benefit of the family God is calling you to. Yes, if you do listen to God and allow Him to lead you to the Church He wants you to be a part of, you will find good company, love, and kindness, and a new family that loves you and wants to do life with you. Do not neglect this precious gift.
We are out of time for now. Join us next time when we wrap up this series. We will talk about this more in-depth. Gathering together in His name.
May the comfort of the Holy Spirit and the peace of our Lord Jesus be with you all. May God bless and be with you always.
Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!
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