The David Spoon Experience

The David Spoon Experience 6-9-23 Part 2

1) In 2004, a book that changed the course of the world as we know it was published. I am sure that people are thinking that this has to do with DNA, Quantum Physics, or the Operating Systems of future technologies. Other people are likely thinking that this has to be connected to the Dead Sea Scrolls or some other significant impacting material from a religious, cultural, or sociological perspective. Wow! So, so wrong. It was a book written by Robert Fulghum. The title? All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.2) I beg your pardon. I never promised you a rose garden. Along with the sunshine. There’s going to be a little rain sometimes. And when we walk out of our homes. And we observe all that is taking place around us. We conclude the same things the kids used to say in the 1970s. Man, this stuff is really heavy. What does that mean for us Bible-believing Christians? It means that there is such a great weight in society. That it is creating anxiety, pressure, and uncertainty. God offers the solution to the heaviness. Consider Ezra (9) and Daniel (9-10).

The David Spoon Experience 6-9-23 Part 1

A) It doesn't get better than this portion right here in Hebrews chapter 12. It tells us exactly how Jesus endured all that He had to put up with. He was able to endure simply because of the joy that was set before Him. He could see past the situation into the next realm. This could be the single biggest challenge for Christians. We have to walk by faith and not by sight. We have to walk past what we see and to walk in what we believe.B) Jesus is called the Source and the Perfector of our faith. This means that He is the Author and the Finisher, the one who writes the book and finishes the project. Our faith is. He is our Pioneer and the Closer. It is the gift of Jesus Christ and His love for us. He is the reason we are even in this pursuit in the first place. He is our Lord and Savior.C) What is it that Jesus used as a tool to enable Him to endure the suffering He did? What did He utilize that gave Him the power and the stamina to go through the trials and the tribulations? He used the joy that was set before Him. And we are supposed to use the joy that is set before us. That's the instruction of the Scriptures, to use the joy set before us to help us endure and prevail.

The David Spoon Experience 6-8-23 Part 2

1) The next step in the Book of Acts is Paul traveling to different areas. Here's the key. He doesn't have a travel company that books his flights on Travelocity. He does have an Agent, and that would be the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit tells Paul where to go because the Holy Spirit tells people where to go. He did it in the Old Testament. He did it in the New Testament. And He does it now. That’s how people move into ministry in the Kingdom of God, be they missionaries or pastors. If the Holy Spirit tells us to go somewhere, then we go. Or we are disobeying God. 2) When you read the Book of Acts, you kind of find out that Paul's got a lot of charismatic in him. While he's in another location, he has a vision. What's the difference between a vision and a dream? A vision is a dream while you are awake. So, does God still give visions today? Does He still give dreams today? Only if you believe that God fulfills His prophecies. He’s continuing to fulfill his prophetic word of pouring out His Holy Spirit on the sons and daughters of His children, according to Acts and Joel. 3) And now we come to Lydia, the seller of purple from Thyatira. This woman is truly amazing. She was already a worshiper of God but wanted more, and the Lord gave it to her. She accepts the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. She becomes a believer, but we get to see that the Lord uses her gifts immediately for His kingdom. Now she's twisting Paul's and the gang’s arms in order for them to hang out at her house. True manipulation, genuinely used by God. She didn't quit until she got her way. Hint, hint.

The David Spoon Experience 6-8-23 Part 1

A) We continue with additional elements that Paul commends himself to God for and with. To commend, in this case, means to “stand with or stand near” In the list itself, there are several notations of a negative being challenged by a positive. What these really are, are perspectives. One is from the human perspective the other is from the Divine perspective. Guess which one God wants us to use.B) One of the greatest lines in the New Testament: having nothing yet possessing everything: this is certainly the answer for people that struggle with finances, covetousness, keeping up with the Joneses, and every other element that speaks of finding satisfaction. The key is to understand that we possess nothing. The truth is that we actually do possess nothing. Not even our next breath is guaranteed. It is held in the hand of God. Everything beyond our next breath is also held in the hand of God!

The David Spoon Experience 6-7-23 Part 2

) Wow. Are you in for a treat today. Maybe! We are going to review a sermon that I preached over 30. Years ago. It’s as pertinent today as it was then, and maybe even more so. But before we get into this unique teaching, I am giving you a soft encouragement and warning. This does not, this should not, and this will not be for any form of legalism in your life. This is a message that is to challenge you. The purpose is to take this information and draw one step closer to the Lord.2) We will cover The sin of prayerlessness. That’s right. I did not say the lack of the habit of prayerlessness. I did not say the lack of discipline of prayerlessness. I want to talk about the sin of prayerlessness. We’re going to discover that prayerlessness is not just a weakness but an actual sin. Could this be one of the greater hidden sins that is not dealt with?3) We will define prayer. We will look at its various aspects and processes. And we will understand that this message is not to disregard (in any fashion) the Holy Word that God has given us. The purpose of this message is to fire up our engines so that we spend MORE time with the Lord. Once again, I do not want anybody to interpret this as some kind of lack of importance, referring to the word of God and our time necessary in the word of God. But I am going to cover the second side of the coin that we have in this relationship with God. And I’m going to emphasize it because it is emphasized by God.

The David Spoon Experience 6-7-23 Part 1

A) Psalm 36 starts off with an interesting twist: David says he is writing an oracle (usually connected to thinking about the future) concerning the transgressions of the wicked. David lists seven things that the wicked operate with. They are all bad. David thinks of these things because he is going to contrast them with what the godly receive from God.  B) There are mercy, faithfulness, righteousness, preservation, favorable judgment, and lovingkindness, which is the New Testament equivalent of grace.  All of these produce abundant SATISFACTION. C) With You is the fountain of life: Oh my! Is God trying to tell us through His word that HE is the answer that we are all looking for? Is He the fountain that brings peace, healing, and grace that sustains us during our lifetimes? Do I really need to answer any of these questions? You know the truth. D) We see light in Your light: This is the key. Jesus is the light of the World. John 1:4-5 states, In him, was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome (understood) it. The hardest element is that the closer to the light we get, the more we see ourselves.

The David Spoon Experience 6-6-23 Part 2

1) Today, we dive into two extraordinary texts from Isaiah. The first one we jump into. It’s from Chapter 50. What do we find out? That the Lord helps us in so many ways. He enables us not to hide our faces from others regarding our confidence in Him. He enables us to make determinations that will be accomplished. And by His grace, He enables us to be separated from worldly shame and worldly sorrow. 2) Have you ever started with an art project, something along the lines of clay What does it look like when you start? Are better yet when you do a painting? What does it look like before the design and color are added? The clay is just a lump. For the canvas, there’s nothing there. It is no different with us. As the object of His artistry, we are nothing when we start with. But in the hands of the greatest Artist, we become something altogether different. God takes what looks like no value and, through His grace, creates eternal treasure. 3) From two wonderful portions in Isaiah, we jump into the unbelievable in the book of Jeremiah. He told the people what they needed to do. He’s told them how to go about finding stability, safety, strength, and soundness in life. But the people have a response that is not unlike the response of the world when Jesus calls out to them. The response from the people is defiance. The response from the people is that we will do as we have done before we will. We will not follow your ways. We find out from the text that the people are in their situation because of their prior defiance. Their solution is continued defiance. Doesn’t that sound crazy? Same now as then.

The David Spoon Experience 6-6-23 Part1

A) Jesus waits until John’s disciples are gone. Then He brags about John. That portion, being in Holy Writ, is not accidental. Who is John the Baptist? Jesus states, “Did you find him weak as a reed?” Okie doke, let’s understand that a weak reed is a brittle reed that can break in seconds without much pressure. John was many things. He was even a bit goofy to many folks. But he wasn’t brittle about his faith or calling. B) Jesus then asks, “Was he moved by every breath of wind?” Was John unstable and changing positions regarding morality with every shifting wind? Was he willing to compromise his faith in order to please people or even his family? The answer is a resounding NO WAY, JOSE. If anybody would appreciate our favorite word on this show, “tough,” it would be John. He is the tagline of this ministry and this non-profit corporation. He Must Increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30).C) Do people go out to see John because of his fancy clothes? Because he put on a great show? Because the common local news did a heartwarming story about him? No, No, and not a chance. Jesus told people, “If you are looking for fancy, go to where the royalty lives.” John was the forerunner of the Messiah. John cleared the sticks and stones so the king would be more easily visible and accessible. That is the highest honor that any person could ever receive.

The David Spoon Experience 6-5-23 Part 2

1) Job recognizes the value of wisdom. Let's understand that knowledge is the acquiring of facts, but wisdom is the ability to use them. Proverbs say wisdom is the principal thing. Those who reject it do so to their own destruction.2) For it is hidden from humanity's eyes: God's wisdom is not something you open up in a fortune cookie. The wisdom that comes from God is unique because it is eternal. It has a peaceful, pure, and graceful element to it (as described in the book of James, referring to the wisdom that is from above). 3) God knows where it can be found: Some of the great atheist scholars have said that if God were real, they would be able to see Him and attain Him because they are so wise. The absolute irony of pride and arrogance is the very reason why not many nobles, not many worldly wise, and not many mighty will enter the kingdom. 4) The fear of the Lord is true wisdom: Here's the biggest reason why people don't find the wisdom of the Lord: because it starts with the fear of the Lord. It doesn't start with the brilliance of academia. It doesn't start with the brilliance of politicians. And it doesn't start with the brilliance of making money. It starts with the brilliance of getting down on our knees, praying, and asking God for help in all things. That is fearing the Lord. And that is the beginning of wisdom.

The David Spoon Experience 6-5-23 Part 1

A) It’s exceedingly important to understand that when it says rules his own house, it means to manage, NOT rule, as a dictator. This is one of the largest problems in the church and in the teachings of the church. A manager is not a king; a manager is not fierce and leads with wisdom.B) Not a novice: The qualifications for the position for an office of a Bishop do not allow for somebody who is green, which is ironic since everybody thinks that everything should be green. In this case, however, green means the beginner, a rookie. Not somebody who has no experience. I'm sorry to say that a couple that's been married for one month should not be teaching a marriage seminar since they are rookies; that’s just the truth.

The David Spoon Experience 6-2-23 Part 2

1) Earth, wind, and fire. Oops…wrong grouping. Wind, earthquake, and fire. That’s more like it, right Elijah? Or…not. Shhh. The hardest lesson for me and many of you is to come before the Lord without our laundry list. We need just to come, be still, and hear the gentle wind of God’s voice.2) There is a purpose here: The Old Testament is not a filler, so the Bible will be a big book. It is MORE than a lesson book. The Old Testament reveals the way that God engages with His beloved. Consider Abraham demonstrating his interaction with God; it reveals to us a God who loves to connect.3) Christianity is bigger than A church. The church as a whole is the body of Christ, not a denomination or designation. There are… (how many?) twelve tribes and one Israel. There are (how many?) multiple parts of the body, but only one body under One Head, which is Jesus.

The David Spoon Experience 6-2-23 Part 1

A) We have arrived at the prime place of the Book of Hebrews, chapter 12. Yes, chapter twelve 12, following on the heels of Chapter 11, is the epicenter. It is the purpose of this epistle. Because things are tough, the person who wrote this epistle reminds us how to endure.B) The word, therefore, is the key in Chapter 12, as it links us fully back to Chapter 11. It helps us understand that this is the conclusion based on the entirety of the Hall of Fame of Faith. As Christians, we should think of the importance of this understanding and how it applies to our personal lives.C) The scripture does not mince words. Lay aside every hindrance. That’s a nice way of saying, drop what’s killing us. And put aside the sin that so easily ensnares us. We often call this the besetting sin. It’s simple to figure out what sin this is. When I say the phrase besetting sin, what sin comes to your mind? That’s your besetting sin.