DISCIPLINE: The Way To Success

12/12/99

Ex 19:3-6

3Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, "This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4`You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. 5Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites." NIV

Deut 4:35-40

35You were shown these things so that you might know that the LORD is God; besides him there is no other. 36From heaven he made you hear his voice to discipline you. On earth he showed you his great fire, and you heard his words from out of the fire. 37Because he loved your forefathers and chose their descendants after them, he brought you out of Egypt by his Presence and his great strength, 38to drive out before you nations greater and stronger than you and to bring you into their land to give it to you for your inheritance, as it is today. 39Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other. 40Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the LORD your God gives you for all time. NIV

HEB. 12:5-11

"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." 7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. NIV

IF THERE IS ONE WORD IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE THAT JUST SOUNDS BAD IT’S THE WORD DISCIPLINE. FOR MOST PEOPLE THIS WORD CARRIES A NEGATIVE CONNOTATION BUT TO THOSE WHO SUBMIT TO ITS POWER, IT THE WAY TO SUCCESS IN WHATEVER THEY DO IN BUSINESS, IN CHURCH, IN THEIR FAMILIES AND WHATEVER ELSE THEY DO.WEBSTER DEFINES DISCIPLINE AS TRAINING THAT DEVELOPS SELF-CONTROL AND CHARACTER AND RESULTS IN AN ORDERLY AND EFFICIENT LIFE. IT IMPLIES STRICT CONTROL TO ENFORCE OBEDIENCE AND THEN ACCEPTANCE OF AND SUBMISSION TO AUTHORITY. WHERE THERE IS NO DISCIPLINE THERE WILL BE NO CHARACTER AND WHERE THERE IS NO CHARACTER THERE WILL BE NO LASTING SUCCESS.

Josh 1:7-9

7Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 89Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Niv

1) to be prudent, to be circumspect, (to be disciplined), to wisely understand, to prosper

a) (Qal) to be prudent, to be circumspect

b) (Hiphil)

1) to look at (or upon), to have insight

2) to give attention to, to consider, to ponder, to be prudent

3) to have insight, to have comprehension; insight, comprehension (substantive)

4) to cause to consider, to give insight, to teach; the teachers, the wise

5) to act circumspectly, to act prudently, to act wisely

6) to prosper, to have success

7) to cause to prosper

(from The Online Bible Thayer's Greek Lexicon and Brown Driver & Briggs Hebrew Lexicon, Copyright (c)1993, Woodside Bible Fellowship, Ontario, Canada. Licensed from the Institute for Creation Research.)

(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words) tsaleach OT:6743, "to succeed, prosper." This word is found in both ancient and modern Hebrew. Occurring some 65 times in the text of the Hebrew Old Testament, the word is first found in Gen 24:21: "...whether the Lord had made his journey pro-sperous [literally, "to prosper"] or not." This word generally expresses the idea of a successful venture, as contrasted with failure. The source of such suc-cess is God: "...as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper" 2 Chron 26:5. Tsaleach is sometimes used in such a way as to indicate "victory": "In your majesty ride forth victoriously" Ps 45:4, RSV; the KJV rendering, "ride prosperously," is not nearly so appropriate.

IT IS GOD’S WILL THAT YOU PROSPER AND BE SUCCESSFUL IN EVERYTHING YOU DO. HERE ARE JUST A COUPLE MORE SCRIPTURES TO SUPPORT THIS:

Gen 39:19-23

20Then Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were confined. And he was there in the prison. 21But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. 23The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph's authority, because the LORD was with him; and whateverhe did, the LORD made it prosper. NKJV

Deut 29:8-9

9Therefore keep the words of this covenant, and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do.

1 Kings 2:1-4

2:1Now the days of David drew near that he should die, and he charged Solomon his son, saying: 2"I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. 3And keep the charge of the LORD your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn; 4that the LORD may fulfill His word which He spoke concerning me, saying, 'If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul,' He said, 'you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.'

3 John 2

2Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

SO IT IS GOD’S WILL THAT YOU PROSPER AND BE SUCCESSFUL IN EVERYTHING YOU DO. WITHOUT CHARACTER IT CANNOT BE ACHIEVED AND MAINTAINED AND WITHOUT DISCIPLINE YOU CAN NOT DEVELOP CHARACTER. CHARACTER IS VITAL TO BUILDING A MEANINGFUL, PURPOSEFUL, FRUITFUL AND SUCCESSFUL LIFE. SO DISCIPLINE IS THE WAY TO SUCCESS.

I HAVE MADE REFERENCE TO THE THE FRAM OIL FILTER COMMERCIALS IN THIS SERIES WITH THE JINGLE THAT SAID: "YOU CAN PAY ME NOW OR YOU CAN PAY ME LATER." THE GUY WHO PAYS LATER, ALWAYS PAYS MORE. IF YOU LET YOUR CAR GO THE COST ALWAYS GOES UP WHEN YOU DECIDE TO FIX IT. YOU LET YOUR MARRIAGE GO IN THE EARLY STAGES CAUSE OF NO DISCIPLINE, ITS GONNA COST YOU LAWYER AND ALIMONY. IF YOU LET YOUR FINANCES GO WITH NO SELF CONTROL AND DISCIPLINE ITS GONNA COST YOU IN AN IRS AUDIT OR BANKRUPTCY. WHATEVER YOU LET GO IS GONNA COST AND YOU WILL PAY, AND IF YOU DON’T PAY NOW YOU WILL PAY LATER AND YOU WILL ALWAYS PAY MORE. SO IT WOULD BE TO OUR BEST INTEREST TO PAY THE PRICE OF DISCIPLINE IN THE BEGINNING THAN TO PAY MORE WITHOUT IT. WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THIS DISCIPLINE AS DELAYED GRATIFICATION. NOW, IF THE COST OF DISCIPLINE IS ONE POUND THE COST OF REGRET WEIGHS A TON. YOU ARE GOING TO PAY A PRICE CALLED PAIN AND YOU’RE GONNA PAY ON THE FRONT END OF DISCIPLINE WHICH HURTS A LITTLE NOW OR YOU’LL PAY AT THE END AND IT HURTS A WHOLE LOT MORE, SO PAY EARLY. WHAT IS DISCIPLINE? ITS HARD WORK, ITS DILIGENCE AND ITS DELAYED GRATIFICATION. DELAYED GRATIFICATION IS SAVING THE BEST FOR THE LAST. REAL TREASURE IN LIFE IS HARDSHIP AND DISCIPLINE BUT IT ONLY REWARDS US IN THE AREAS OF LIFE WE APPLY IT TO. LAST WE LOOKED AT DELAYED GRATIFICATION IN OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE AND THIS WEEK WE WANT TO LOOK AT:

1. DELAYED GRATIFICATION IN OUR FAMILY LIFE.

3. DELAYED GRATIFICATION IN OUR PHYSICAL HEALTH.

3. DELAYED GRATIFICATION IN OUR FINANCES.

DELAYED GRATIFICATION IN OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE MEANS WE FIND SOME WAY TO PUT GOD FIRST BY SEEKING THE LORD EARLY. LISTEN TO CHRISTIAN MUSIC WHEN YOU’RE GETTING DRESSED IN THE MORNING OR LISTEN TO A TEACHING TAPE ON YOUR WAY INTO WORK. PUT GOD FIRST IN YOUR DAY BEFORE YOU GET ANYTHING OUT OF IT AND GOD WILL BE WITH YOU THROUGHOUT YOUR DAY TO PROSPER YOU AND MAKE YOU SUCCESSFUL.

SO HOW DO WE DEFINE DISCIPLINE? ITS HARD WORK, ITS DILIGENCE AND ITS DELAYED GRATIFICATION. DELAYED GRATIFICATION IS SAVING THE BEST FOR THE LAST. LET’S LOOK AT ANOTHER AREA OF DELAYED GRATIFICATION THIS MORNING: AND THAT IS THE DELAYED GRATIFICATION OF OUR FAMILY LIFE. THE BIBLE HAS A LOT TO SAY ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY. OF COURSE IT ALL BEGINS WITH THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE HUSBAND AND WIFE. THE BIBLE WARNS US RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING THAT AS A CHRISTIAN YOU SHOULD NOT BE UNEQUALLY YOKED WITH AN UNBELIEVER. LET ME READ THAT PASSAGE FOR YOU.

2 Cor 6:14-7:1

14Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."

17"Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." 18"I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

I DON’T KNOW OF A PERSON WHO DOESN’T WANT TO HAVE A GOOD MARRIAGE AND RAISE A GOOD FAMILY. I DO WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT IT JUST DOESN’T HAPPEN AUTOMATICALLY BUT IT REQUIRES THE DISCIPLINE OF DOING THINGS GOD’S WAY. THIS CONCEPT OF BEING UNEQUALLY YOKED REPRESENTS A CHRISTIAN MARRYING A NON CHRISTIAN. WHEN THAT HAPPENS THERE ARE GOING TO BE PROBLEMS IN THE MARRIAGE BECAUSE MARRIAGE WAS NEVER INTENDED TO BE A 2 WAY RELATIONSHIP BUT A 3 WAY RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST AS THE HEAD OF THE HOME. YOU WILL HAVE PROBLEMS IN EVERY AREA OF YOU LIFE AND ITS USUALLY THE UNBELIEVING MATE THAT TRICKS HIS FIANCE’ INTO BELIEVING THAT HE’S A COMMITTED CHRISTIAN. JUST BECAUSE HE’S GOT GARTH BROOK’S CHRISTMAS ALBUM AND HE GOES TO CHRUCH WITH YOU WHEN YOU BEG HIM TO DOESN’T MEAN HE’S A CHRISTIAN. WHEN YOU MARRY AN UNBELIEVING HUSBAND HE WILL ASSUME THE POSITION AS HEAD OF THE HOME AND YOU WILL HAVE TO LIVE UNDER HIS RIDICULE, SCORN, AND PERSECUTION AND DO THINGS HIS WAY EVEN THOUGH IT GOES AGAINST YOUR CON-VICTIONS. IF YOU MARRY AN UNBELIEVER YOU ARE OPENING A DOOR AND INVITING TROUBLE INTO YOUR HOME. NOW WE’RE TALKING ABOUT MARRIAGE HERE BUT THIS ALSO APPLIES TO BUSINESS AND OTHER CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS.

Eph 5:22-6:1

22Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

23For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

24Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also

loved the church, and gave himself for it;

26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the

washing of water by the word,

27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

28So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies.

He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

29For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth

and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

30For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

31For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

32This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

33Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

GOD HAS A TIME PROVEN ORDER FOR MARRIAGE AND IF WE WILL SUBMIT TO THE DISCIPLINE OF DOING THINGS GOD’S WAY WE CAN HAVE SUCCESSFUL, HAPPY AND FULFILLED MARRIAGES AND FAM-ILIES. WITH CHRIST AS THE HEAD OF THE HOME, PRESIDING OVER IT AND BEING CONSULTED ON DECISIONS EACH SPOUSE CAN DEFER THE OTHER TO GOD FOR LIFE CHANGING TRANSFORMATIONS. WHAT HAPPENS IN MARRIAGE IS THAT ONE SPOUSE USUALLY TRIES TO CHANGE THE OTHER SPOUSE’S BAD HABITS OR THINGS THAT IRRITATE THEM. WITH CHRIST AS THE HEAD OF THE HOME WE CAN DEFER ALL THAT TO HIM AND RESPOND TO EACH OTHER IN A DISCIPLINED WAY. DOES THAT MEAN YOU’LL NEVER HAVE A FIGHT OR AN ARGUMENT. NO! IT JUST MEANS THAT GOD WILL DEAL WITH YOU AFTER YOU FIGHT TO BRING ABOUT RECONCILIATION.

LISTEN, IF YOU DON’T DEAL WITH THESE SMALL SQUABBLES WHEN THEY HAPPEN AND YOU LET THEM PILE UP OVER THE YEARS YOU WILL ALWAYS PAY MORE IN ALIMONY, LAWYERS AND CHILD SUPPORT. LISTEN, PAYING ALIMONY IS LIKE PAYING FOR A NEW CAR THAT YOU TOTALED OUT AND DIDN’T HAVE INSURANCE FOR, IT’S CALLED STUPID. YOU SAY SOMETHING LIKE, I DIDN’T WANT TO FACE THE CONSEQUENCES, OR I DIDN’T FEEL LIKE ADMITTING I WAS PART TO BLAME OR THE PAIN TO FIX IT WAS TO GREAT OR I WAS TO EMBARRASSED TO ADMIT ANY FAULT. LISTEN, IF YOU DON’T PAY NOW YOU WILL PAY LATER AND YOU ALWAYS PAY MORE, SO PAY EARLY. LET’S LOOK AT A COUPLE MORE SCRIPTURES REGARDING DISCIPLINE IN MARRIAGE AND THE FAMILY.

1 Peter 3:1-7

3:1Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. 5For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, 6like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters

if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.

7Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

I REALIZE THAT THIS CONCEPT OF WIVES BEING SUBMISSIVE TO THEIR HUSBANDS MAY SEEM TO BE MISDIRECTED IN OUR DAY AND AGE. IT MAY HELP TO REDEFINE THE WORD SUBMISSION. SUB MEANS UNDER AND OF COURSE WE UNDERSTAND WHAT MISSION IS. IN OTHER WORDS, SUBMISSION MEANS TO COME UNDER THE MISSION, PURPOSE AND DIRECTION FOR THE FAMILY. IN THE PASSAGE IN EPH. WE LEARNED THAT JUST AS CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH SO HUSBANDS SHOULD BE THE HEAD OF THEIR WIVES AND ASSUME THE GREATER RESPONSIBILITY OF PROVIDING FOR HER CARE. LISTEN, GOD’S NOT TALKING ABOUT TITLE POWER HERE BUT WHAT HE’S SAYING IS THAT THE PERSON IN CHARGE ALWAYS ASSUMES MORE RESPONSIBILITY AND IS ULTIMATELY ACCOUNTABLE IN THE END. IF HUSBANDS ARE TO BE THE HEAD OF THEIR WIVES JUST AS CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH THEN WE MUST FOLLOW HIS EXAMPLE OF SELF DENIAL AND LAYING DOWN OUR LIVES, OUR RIGHTS AND OUR OPINIONS FOR OUR WIVES. WE HAVE TO DIE TO PRIDE, SELFISHNESS AND DOING THINGS OUR OWN WAY. LISTEN, GOD HAS A GOOD PLAN FOR OUR FAMILIES AND IF WE’LL SUBMIT TO THE DISCIPLINE OF DOING THINGS HIS WAY WE CAN HAVE HAPPY AND FULFILLED MARRIAGES AND FAMILIES.

NOW ANOTHER AREA OF CONSIDERATION IS INTER-RACIAL MAR-RIAGES. MY SISTER SUSAN, MARRIED A JEWISH MAN. WELL, THAT’S OK BUT HOW ARE THE CHILDREN GOING TO BE RAISED, JEWISH OR CHRISTIAN. WELL, SHE HAD THE FORESIGHT TO CONDITION THE MARRIAGE ONLY IF THEIR CHILDREN WOULD BE RAISED CHRISTIAN AND THEY ARE. I KNEW A PASTOR ONCE WHO WHEN HE GOT SAVED HIS JEWISH WIFE LEFT HIM WITH 4 CHILDREN BECAUSE THE MOMENT HE PROFESSED CHRIST SHE CONSIDERED HIM DEAD. ANOTHER CONSIDERATION IN AN INTER-RACIAL MARRIAGE, OF WHICH THE BIBLE MAKES NO RESTRICTIONS OVER, IS THE CHILDREN. OFTEN BOTH GROUPS REJECT THE CHILDREN AS HALF-BREEDS AND DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU LIVE IN THIS COUNTRY YOU MAY BRING A LOT OF PERSECUTION AND HARDSHIP ON YOUR MARRIAGE BECAUSE OF THE PREJUDICE AND BIAS OF OTHERS. WHAT AM I SAYING BY ALL THIS? ITS MORE THAN JUST PHYSICAL ATTRACTION, ITS MORE THAN HORMONES ACTING UP, THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES TO YOUR CHOICES SO SIT DOWN AND PLAN AHEAD AND SEEK WISE COUNSEL. THAT’S DELAYED GRATIFIC-ATION, PAYING THE PRICE NOW TO PLAN AHEAD TO MINIMIZE PROBLEMS THAT MAY ARISE IN YOUR MARRIAGE.

Col 3:18-21

18Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them. 20Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. 21Fathers, do not provoke your children,

lest they become discouraged.

Eph 6:1-4

6:1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2"Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise: 3"that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth." 4And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them

up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

HERE’S JUST ONE MORE AREA OF DELAYED GRATIFICATION THAT APPLIES TO CHILDREN AND THAT IS TO OBEY YOUR PARENTS THAT IT MAY GO WELL WITH YOU. PLEASE NOTICES THAT THERE IS A PROMISE ATTACHED TO THIS DISCIPLINE. IF CHILDREN WILL SUBMIT TO THE DISCIPLINE OF HONORING THEIR PARENTS, DELAYED GRATIFICATION, THEN GOD WILL MAKE SURE THAT YOU LIVE A BLESSED AND PROSPEROUS LIFE. NOW ITS NOT ALWAYS EASY OR CONVENIENT FOR CHILDREN TO HONOR THEIR PARENTS BY RESPECTING THEM, LISTENING TO THEM AND FOLLOWING THEIR ADVISE BUT IT WILL ALWAYS PAY OUT IN THE END. YOU MAY HAVE TO PAY THE PRICE OF DELAYED GRATIFICATION NOW, BUT THE REWARDS WILL GREATLY OUT WEIGH THE COST.

IN THE O.T A REBELLIOUS CHILD WAS BROUGHT TO THE ELDERS OF THE CITY AND WAS STONED TO DEATH. IN OUR SOCIETY THEIR KILLED IN DRIVE BY SHOOTINGS, GANG RELATED DEATHS, AN OVERDOSE OF DRUGS OR THEIR LOCK UP IN THE PENITENTIARY. THE PRESCRIPTION IS APPLICABLE TO EVERYONE: YOU CAN PAY ME NOW OR YOU CAN PAY ME LATER AND IF YOU PAY ME LATER YOU WILL ALWAYS PAY MORE. SO MY ADVISE IS TO SUBMIT TO THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD THAT YOU MAY LIVE THE ABUNDANT LIFE HE HAS PROMISED YOU.

John 10:10

10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

NOW LET’S LOOK AT THE NEXT AREA OR DELAYED GRATIFICATION IN THE AREA OF OUR PHYSICAL HEALTH. LET’S READ THE PASSAGE IN 1COR. 9:24 IN THE MESSAGE BIBLE:

"YOU’VE ALL BEEN TO THE STADIUM AND SEEN THE ATHLETE’S RACE. EVERYONE RUNS BUT ONLY ONE WINS THE RACE. RUN TO WIN. ALL GOOD ATHLETES TRAIN HARD, THEY PRACTICE STRICT SELF CONTROL. THEY DO IT FOR A GOLD MEDAL THAT TARNISHES AND FADES. YOU AFTER ONE THAT’S GOLD IS ETERNAL. I DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU; BUT I’M RUNNING HARD FOR THE FINISH LINE WITH PURPOSE IN EVERY STEP. I’M GIVING IT EVERYTHING I’VE GOT. NO SLOPPY LIVING FOR ME! I DISCIPLINE MY BODY LIKE AND ATHLETE AND TRAIN IT TO DO WHAT IT SHOULD. I’M STAYING ALERT AND IN TOP PHYSICAL CONDITION. I’M NOT GONNA GET CAUGHT NAPPING, TELLING EVERYONE ELSE ALL ABOUT IT AND THEN MISSING OUT MYSELF."

IN ORDER TO HAVE GOOD HEALTH WHEN YOU ARE OLD YOU MUST PAY FOR IT TODAY IN THE FORM OF DELAYED GRATIFICATION IN YOU PHYSICAL HEALTH. BAD HEALTH CAN COST YOU A GREAT JOB, AND QUALITY RELATIONSHIPS. IT CAN BRING DISCRIMINATION. LISTEN, GOOD HEALTH IS NOT FOR VANITY ITS FOR DESTINY. IT WILL GIVE YOU A RICH, FULL LIFE. WHAT GOOD IS MY FUTURE IF WHEN THE TIME I GET THERE I AM SO DISEASED AND SICK THAT I CAN’T ENJOY IT AND NO BODY CAN STAND TO BE AROUND ME CAUSE I’M A MEDICAL CENTER ON FEET.

NOW I’M NOT GONNA TALK TO YOU ABOUT GOING ON A DIET TODAY BUT I AM GONNA TALK TO YOU ABOUT A LIFESTYLE. LISTEN IF YOU JUST GO ON A DIET YOU WILL GAIN THE WEIGHT YOU LOST AGAIN BUT IF YOU’LL CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE YOU WILL REMAIN HEALTHY. YOU’VE GOT TO CHANGE COMPLETELY THE WAY YOU LIVE AND EAT AND HOW YOU TREAT YOUR BODY. HOW MANY OF YOU WOULD THINK THAT THE ACTOR AND COMEDIAN, CHRIS FARLY BLEW A GREAT LIFE. HE WAS OUT OF CONTROL IN HIS WEIGHT, OUT OF CONTROL IN SELF DESTRUCTIVE ADDICTIONS AND HE DIES EARLY. JOHN CANDY IS ANOTHER ONE AND DIES IN BED AT AGE 40 BECAUSE HE’S 380 POUNDS. WHAT HAPPENED, HIS HEART IS DOING THE WORK OF 3 MEN AND IT CAN’T GO THE DISTANCE. SO YOU ARE PAYING EVEN WHILE YOU ARE YOUNG AND STRONG, YOU’RE PAYING AND YOU’RE GONNA HAVE A BODY OF A 100 YEAR OLD MAN AT AGE 40.

1 Tim 4:6-8

6If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 7Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. NIV

LISTEN NOW, THERE IS AN ADVANTAGE OR PROFIT TO MAINTAINING GOOD PHYSICAL HEALTH. IF YOU’LL PAY NOW WHEN YOU ARE YOUNG YOU WILL ENJOY A LONG PROSPEROUS LIFE. I SAY BILLY GRAHAM PREACHING AT HIS ATLANTA CRUSADE AND HE’S 80 SOME YEARS OLD AND HE LOOKED AND SOUNDED GOOD. IN HIS MESSAGE HE MADE AND ILLUSTRATION ABOUT PLAYING GOLF. HE SAID THAT HE PLAYED GOLF EVERYDAY EXCEPT SUNDAY. WHAT WAS HE DOING, HE WAS GETTING SOME PHYSICAL EXERCISE BY WALKING THROUGH THE GOLF COURSES OF THE WORLD. HE’S BEEN TO EVERY MAJOR GOLF COURSE ON EVERY CONTINENT AND HAS PLAYED WITH SOME OF THE GREATEST PLAYERS. BUT THE POINT IS THAT HE HAD A LIFESTYLE OF DAILY EXERCISE.

NOW LISTEN, WE’VE GOT TO TAKE CARE OF OUR BODY BY WATCHING WHAT KINDS OF FOOD WE EAT AND BY REGULAR EX-ERCISE. I TRY TO GO TO THE GYM 2-3 TIMES A WEEK AND PLAY BASKETBALL AND IN THE SUMMER I TRY TO GO GOLFING 2-3 TIMES A WEEK. WHEN MY KIDS STARTING CALL ME THE PREGNANT WOMAN I KNEW IT WAS TIME TO MAKE SOME CHANGES. SO I’M VERY CONSCIOUS ABOUT MY HEALTH AND I’M WILLING TO PAY NOW IN THE FORM OF DELAYED GRATIFICATION AND DISCIPLINE SO THAT I CAN LIVE A LONG AND HEALTHY LIFE AND FINISH MY COURSE ON TIME. I DON’T WANT TO DIE EARLY, I WANT TO DIE ON GOD’S TIMETABLE AND FINISH MY DESTINY IN CHRIST. THE KEY HERE IS THE DISCIPLINE OF A CHANGED LIFESTYLE.

THE NEXT AREA THAT I WANT TO DISCUSS THIS MORNING IS THE DELAYED GRATIFICATION IN THE WAY WE HANDLE OUR MONEY. ITS PAINFUL TO WANT TO BUY SOMETHING YOU KNOW YOU CAN‘T AFFORD IT, SO YOU HAVE TO GO WITHOUT IT; BUT IT’S THE DISCIPLINE THAT WILL KEEP YOU OUT OF BANKRUPTCY COURT. LISTEN, ITS PAINFUL TO SAVE MONEY THAN TO HAVE THE IMMEDIATE GRATIFICATION OF SPENDING IT. NOW I DON’T KNOW HOW MANY OF YOU INVEST YOUR MONEY, I NEVER HAVE ENOUGH TO, BUT IF YOU DO IT WON’T PAY OFF RIGHT AWAY BUT IF YOU LEAVE IT IN THERE LONG ENOUGH IT WILL PAY OUT BIG TIME IN THE END. THERE ARE SOME LIFE INSURANCE PLANS LIKE THAT. YOU PAY $100.00 A MONTH WITH 10% INTEREST FOR THE FIRST 25 YEARS AND IT DOESN’T AMOUNT TO MUCH. BUT AFTER 30 YEARS IT SKY ROCKETS TO OVER A MILLION DOLLARS. THAT’S CALLED DELAYED GRATIFICATION IN OUR FINANCES. WHAT YOU USUALLY FIND OUT ABOUT THE DISCIPLINE OF DELAYED GRATIFICATION IN OUR FINANCES IS THAT IT DOESN’T PAY OFF EARLY AND ITS NOT EASY TO DO. YOU SEE WHEN YOU’RE YOUNG THAT $100.00 SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF MONEY BUT WHEN YOUR REACH MIDDLE AGE ITS NOT THAT MUCH BUT LOOK HOW IT WILL PAY OFF IN THE END.

NOW ONE OF MY PET PEEVES IS LIVING OFF YOU BANK STATEMENT. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN BY THAT? WHATEVER THE BANK SAYS YOU HAVE IN YOUR ACCOUNT AT THE END OF THE MONTH IS HOW MUCH MONEY YOU’VE GOT. ALL MY KIDS DO THAT AND EVEN MY PARENTS DO THAT. I CAN TELL YOU RIGHT NOW, THE EXACT AMOUNT OF MONEY IN MY CHECKING ACCOUNT BECAUSE I’VE SUBMITTED TO THE DISCIPLINE OF KEEPING A DAILY BALANCE. I HAD TO LEARN HOW TO RECONCILE MY CHECKING ACCOUNT. I HAVE NEVER WRITTEN A BAD CHECK IN 10 YEARS CAUSE I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT’S IN MY ACCOUNT BEFORE I WRITE A CHECK. I RECEIVE NUMEROUS INVITATION FOR CREDIT CARDS BECAUSE I HAVE AN EXCELLENT CREDIT REPORT. NOW I DON’T HAVE A LOT OF MONEY TO SPEND WITH THOSE CREDIT CARDS SO I DON’T. I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO PUT EVERYTHING ON PLASTIC AND RUN UP MULTIPLE CARDS UNTIL THEY CAN’T PAY THEM AND END UP IN BANKRUPTCY COURT AND BILL CREDITORS CALLING YOU EVERY DAY. NOW I CAN’T LIVE THAT WAY AND GOD DOESN’T WANT YOU TO EITHER.

Prov 3:9-10

9Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;

10then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats

will brim over with new wine NIV

Mal 3:8-11

8Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein

have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

9Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

10Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that

there shall not be room enough to receive it.

11And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before

the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.

ANOTHER AREA OF DELAYED GRATIFICATION IN OUR FINANCES IS TO SUBMIT TO THE PAIN OF TITHING. IN THE BEGINNING IT HURTS A LITTLE BUT IN THE END AND THROUGHOUT LIFE IT WILL PAY OFF IN LESS MEDICAL BILLS, LESS MECHANIC BILLS AND A LESS NEED TO BUY NEW APPLIANCES CAUSE GOD’S BLESSING AND FAVOR IS ON YOUR LIFE. NOW FOR ME AND MY WIFE, WE’VE MADE IT A POINT TO TITHE FIRST AND THEN PAY OUR BILLS AND SPEND OUR MONEY. IT’S THE FIRST THING WE DO AND WE DON’T BARTER WITH THE LORD. I HAD I GUY IN CHURCH ONCE WHO SAID HE’D GIVE TITHING A TRY AND SEE IF IT WORKS RIGHT AWAY. FIRST OF ALL HIS MOTIVE WAS WRONG. SOLOMON TOLD US IN PROV. TO HONOR THE LORD WITH OUR GIVING. IF WE GIVE TO GET OUR MOTIVE IS WRONG AND GOD CAN’T BLESS US BUT IF WE CAN GIVE TO HONOR GOD EVEN THOUGH IT NEVER PAYS OFF RIGHT AWAY, THE BENEFITS FAR OUTWEIGH THE COST. JOB PROMOTION AND JOB SECURITY CAN BE YOUR’S BECAUSE OF THE COVENANT YOU MAKE WITH GOD. HE WILL BLESS YOU AND PROSPER YOU. HE WILL BE YOU JEHOVAH JIREH, THE GOD WHO SEES AND THE GOD WHO SUPPLIES.

Phil 4:10-13

10But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13I can do all things

through Christ who strengthens me. NKJV

PLEASE NOTICE WHAT PAUL SAID IN VERSE 11, HE HAD TO LEARN THIS CAUSE IT DIDN’T HAPPEN AUTOMATICALLY. YOU CAN’T TRY TITHING AND GIVING TO THE LORD IT HAS TO BE SOMETHING YOU LEARN TO DO AND MAKE IT A LIFESTYLE. Sow a thought, reap an act; sow an act, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny. STEWARDSHIP OF MONEY AND RESOURCES IS A DISCI-PLINE. YOU CAN PAY ME NOW OR YOU CAN PAY ME LATER BUT WHOEVER PAYS LATER, ALWAYS PAYS MORE, SO PAY EARLY.