UNAFFORDABLE LUXURIES

ANGER (you cannot afford to be out of God’s will)

James 1:19-20 (NAS)

19 {This} you know, my beloved brethren. But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak {and} slow to anger;

20 for the anger of man DOES NOT achieve the righteousness of God.

James 1:19-20 (KJV)

19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

20 For the wrath of man WORKETH NOT the righteousness of God.

The older I get, the more I realize the truth of this scripture. I personally, like most men, have had to battle with anger most of my life... let’s look at how Jesus deals with anger (as we know, Jesus was tempted with every feeling just as we are tempted, but he did not sin).

Mark 3:1-6 (NIV)

1 Another time he went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there.

2 Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath.

3 Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Stand up in front of everyone."

4 Then Jesus asked them, "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they remained silent.

5 HE LOOKED AROUND AT THEM IN ANGER and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.

6 Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.

Matt 14:5-14 (NIV)

5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered him a prophet.

6 On Herod's birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for them and pleased Herod so much

7 that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked.

8 Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist."

9 The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted

10 and had John beheaded in the prison.

11 His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother.

12 John's disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.

13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.

14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, /// (what would you do at this point?)/// he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

A Christian counselor friend of mine told me that if you ever lack energy or motivation, get angry and you’ll have all the energy & motivation you need. Although that IS true, I don’t recommend it :)

WORRY (You CANNOT afford what worry does to you)

Rev. John Haggie preached about the “wild horses” this week - worry, anger, and fear, and I was ASTOUNDED how close my recent messages on “Worry” were to his ! ! THANK GOD for the Holy Spirit :)

Matt 6:25-27 (NIV)

25 "Therefore I tell you, DO NOT WORRY (When Jesus tells us NOT TO DO something and we DO it, what is that called? - Disobedience - SIN) about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?

26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

Phil 4:6-7 (TLB)

6 DON'T WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING; instead, PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING; tell God your needs, and don't forget to thank him for his answers.

7 If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.

FEAR (you CANNOT afford to let another spirit besides the

Holy Spirit run you)

2 Tim 1:7 (KJV)

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear (faithlessness); but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

UNFORGIVENESS (you CANNOT afford to not BE forgiven)

Mark 11:23-26 (KJV)

23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

26 But if YE DO NOT FORGIVE, NEITHER WILL YOUR FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN FORGIVE YOUR TRESPASSES.

If your faith is not producing results, this is the FIRST place to look ! !

LUST (you CANNOT afford the consequences of sin)

James 1:13-17 (NIV)

13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;

14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.

15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and SIN, WHEN IT IS FULL-GROWN, GIVES BIRTH TO DEATH.

16 Don't be deceived, my dear brothers.

17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

So, when someone asks you today what the preacher preached on ... tell them it was AWFUL (Anger, Worry, Fear, Unforgiveness, Lust - the LUXURIES you CAN’T AFFORD ! ! !)