The David Spoon Experience

The David Spoon Experience 7-10-24 part 2

1) Wednesdays are typically set aside for me to share classic teachings from my 45 years of ministry. Interestingly, when I present these teachings on the radio show, only a third of them are usually covered, and it's not always the third I intend to teach. Therefore, there are times when I revisit the topic to cover the remaining two-thirds. This will be one of those times.2) As we all know, Christianity is all about attending a carnival, buying tickets, eating cotton candy, playing games, riding on rides, and having a fun time. It’s like a party. Nothing but fun, fun, fun. What could possibly be more amusing than being falsely accused, thrown in jail, sold by your family, thrown into a den of lions, and crucified for being a righteous person? Not much of an opiate, after all.3) The key to our Christian walk is understanding that there are two perspectives. The first is our personal perspective and response to everything that's happening: how we feel about it, how we perceive it, and how we see it. The second is God's desired perspective and response for us and how we embrace it, operate in faith, and trust Him, even though we can't see the beginning from the end as He can.4) It all boils down to one of my favorite sports from my youth: wrestling. Unlike those who were concerned about the validity or entertainment value of Big-Time Wrestling, I enjoyed it simply because it was fun. Bobo Brazil, the Shiek, and Flying Fred Curry. The key in big-time wrestling was to keep wrestling and not give up or quit. We have a phenomenal biblical example of this. I'm also going to share with you a story about a man and some gold. Just remember, you might be only three feet away. Do you dig some more, or do you quit?

The David Spoon Experience 7-10-24 part 1

A) In Psalm 51:16, David says, "You did not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not desire burnt offerings." The whole premise is about true repentance versus sacrificial or ceremonial behavior. God is looking for a deep, true, and sincere heart-turn towards Him. B) It's impossible to miss verse 17, which is foundational for many of us to become mature. What God is looking for is a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart. The reason is simple: when it's broken, God can put you back together and mold you the way He wants, so we reflect Jesus more and more. When our actions are deeply sincere and not merely ceremonial, the things we offer up ceremonially will have greater value, but they must first come from a truthful heart.

The David Spoon Experience 7-9-24 part 2

1) Romans 5:3 tells us that we can rejoice when we run into problems. I’ve met many Christians on this journey, but not too many of them rejoice when they encounter problems. Yet, these are the opportunities to see God at work. Most people seem to prefer not having problems at all. That sounds great, but it’s not the right attitude. Remember, this world has its challenges.2) The reason that encountering problems is an opportunity for rejoicing is because these situations create endurance in us. Stated another way, problems teach us to prevail. There’s not a lot of prevailing required when there’s nothing to overcome.3) Additionally, because we all claim that we want to be like Jesus, learning to endure and overcome is a part of our character development. The character that is specifically like Jesus. I think too many of us want to be transformed into a Jesus-like figure by eating a magic bean. That’s not really being transformed into the image of Jesus. Transformation comes glory by glory, or victory by victory, as the scripture teaches.4) The rest of the formula helps us understand that the development of our character to be more like Jesus teaches us to have confident expectation, a hope for what is to come. This will be glorifying to the Lord and result in outcomes that will turn out for good according to His promises.5) Romans 5:5 opens with this important note, one that we cannot afford to miss. It simply says, “We know how dearly God loves us.” Here is yet another challenge. Many of us know it. We know that God loves us, but we’ve tucked that away somewhere inside of our brain, in some compartment that we don’t visit very often. Therefore, it becomes less and less of a reality. The process the Lord allows us to go through helps us to pull it out of that box in our heart and mind, and realize the power of that truth.
 

The David Spoon Experience 7-9-24 part 1

A) As we enter into Matthew 18:7, We read that Jesus makes it clear about causing other people to stumble. No, there is in this specific space, any reason to believe that this is geared towards children. This is geared towards those who believe. Therefore, it’s application is towards all of those who believe, and try to put their conclusions on others, that may have ANY variance with the specific commands of Christ. If you have a flavor, GREAT. If you drop that ion some one eels, NOT GREAT, moon landing or not.B) Temptation to do wrong is inevitable. Yes, that sounds like a movie line from The Matrix, but it is one they stole from Jesus. Temptations are real. They happen. To deny this is to deny the very words of Jesus. That is why He stated, in the sermon on the mount, to ask the father daily, to deliver us from temptation. Why is temptation inevitable, Because of sin. The Greek word skandalon means a snare, stumbling-block, cause for error.C) Here is a key. Temptations come through Satan. He is called “The Tempter.” But they also come through people. They are, often times, the vessel of temptation. It can be by sight or by word, but people can be used to bring others to the moment of evil decisions. That is not good. That is why we need to be highly aware of our own influences.D) If your hand of foot. That means the close to element of your external body parts, and then Jesus adds the “eye” into this mix. If they cause us to sin, then we need to cut it off. Why is this language so drastic? Because these things will cause us to fall. Jesus makes it clear that we need to not have sympathy for these things, but to cut them off. Chop, chop, anything to wounds our connections and right walking with God.E) The comparison is made to getting into heaven lame or going to hell In the truth, it is impossible to miss this decision: either get in wounded and driving our flesh or to go to hell, will enjoying temporary pleasures and sin. Turn or burn. Heaven of Hell.

The David Spoon Experience 7-8-24 part 2

1) We find ourselves in Genesis, Chapter 6, Verse 5. The truth of the matter is that each time I read this, I feel a sense of sadness. This is what our brother Sergio was referring to. When you delve into Genesis and read about the time before Noah's adventure, you discover that mankind had gone astray. You witness the heart of the Creator interacting with His creation, and it's far from pleasant.2) Verse 5 states that the Lord observed the extent of man's wickedness and saw that their thoughts were persistently and entirely evil. It's worth noting, and I've mentioned this multiple times, that much of our warfare occurs between our ears. While there is an actual Armageddon approaching, there is a continuous battle between the forces of good and evil within our minds. This is territory that the devil continually fights for. In this case, the people had completely succumbed to depravity.3) Then comes the profound revelation. Verse six reveals that the Lord regretted creating them, and it broke His heart. As a parent, I love my children, though not everything they do. When they're trying, seeking, and connecting, it's easy to engage with them and guide them. However, when they deliberately turn away and live without God, it breaks your heart. Imagine how much more this must have broken God's heart.4) Every so often in the Kingdom of God, we find that there's a chance for a do-over. A "Timmy do-over" is when you start all over again, or better yet, hit the reset button for a hard restart. This is the first restart for any IT person that has ever existed. God pushes the button and decides to completely wipe out everything He's made. There's nothing left for Him to hold onto with these people …except for one person. It's amazing how much influence one person can have, even towards God. Think about how much impact Jesus had.

The David Spoon Experience 7-8-24 part 1

A) We delve into 2 Timothy, Chapter 3:16. This passage provides us with a profound understanding of the impact of God's word on our lives. Remember, if God took the time to write it, there must be a purpose. If God could create the universe, He certainly has the ability to write a book. The opening of verse 16 states that all scripture is given by the inspiration of God. The direct Greek translation is "God-breathed". The significance of this cannot be overstated, as man became a living being when God breathed life into him.
 
 

The David Spoon Experience 7-3-24 part 2

1) It's a wonderful Wednesday, a time for teaching and review. We'll revisit various topics I've covered throughout my years in ministry. This particular session is aptly titled "Wait a Minute." The concept is simple: it's about anticipation and dread for an upcoming event. Have you ever found yourself thinking, "This is going to be so terrible; I just need to survive it," only to discover it's entirely different from what you expected?2) The issue lies in our lack of knowledge about what's to come. For instance, imagine going to the dentist, expecting two or three cavities, only to find out you have none. The anticipation and anxiety creep in and become part of your thought process, affecting your life, even though they aren't connected to reality. Of course, this doesn't always happen, but it does occur often enough.3) So, the problem boils down to this: what we think will happen isn't always what actually happens. Our perception doesn't dictate reality. This is true in eschatology, as well as many other aspects of theology. People often anticipate one outcome, only to experience something entirely different. It's a fascinating thought process. As Jesus said, "I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe." Sometimes, we need to see things manifest to truly understand.4) This principle also applies to trials, persecutions of the church, and even spiritual warfare. However, we must be careful not to over-anticipate what's around the corner. It's important to remember that while we can't see what's coming, God is already there. It's beneficial for us to realize that when we look at a situation and fail to include God, we're doing a disservice to His honor and our own lives. Perhaps we should stop doing this.
 

The David Spoon Experience 7-3-24 part 1

A) We bring Psalm 51 to a close, starting at verse 15: "Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God." This is what David asks for, and it’s a direct reference to his atrocious behavior when he had Uriah the Hittite killed. It's also crucial for Christians to understand that the forgiveness that comes from God runs deep. Paul was a murderer, yet he received forgiveness. He even writes that this is a testimony to the depth of God’s mercy.B) It's important to understand that there is deliverance from guilt. While there is a judicial sense in which our sins are paid for through Jesus, there are times when we need healing from the guilt that resonates in our thinking and emotional processes. Many of us have received forgiveness on an intellectual level, but there needs to be forgiveness in the gut and the heart, deep within our being.

The David Spoon Experience 7-2-24 part 2

1) In Romans Chapter 5, Verse 1, Paul begins by stating, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith…” This emphasizes that faith is not a one-time event but a lifelong journey. It begins, continues, and ends with faith. The “Therefore” is the launching pad for the rest of what’s coming.2) In the following verse, Paul declares, “Through Him, we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand…” Here, Paul communicates that it is through the power of the Holy Spirit that we have peace with God, not because of our own merits, good works, intelligence, independence, or free will. This peace with God is solely due to what Jesus Christ, our Lord, has accomplished. Jesus bore the penalty so that we might enjoy the pleasure of God’s company.3) Verse 2 of Romans 5 delves into a profound understanding. Because of our faith, we have been elevated to a place of high privilege. The highest privilege any person can ever attain in this life or the next is simple: we get to share in God’s glory, participate in God’s presence, and fellowship with God without our foolishness or sinfulness hindering us. Instead, we get to fellowship freely with our Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The David Spoon Experience 7-2-24 part 1

A) As we enter into Matthew 18:7, we read that Jesus makes it clear about causing other people to stumble. In this passage, Jesus is not specifically addressing children. Rather, He is speaking to those who believe in Him. The message is applicable to all believers, warning them against imposing their own conclusions or personal interpretations on others, especially when these vary from the specific commands of Christ. Jesus emphasizes the seriousness of causing another believer to stumble in their faith. B) When believers have personal preferences or interpretations, it is perfectly acceptable for them to hold these views. However, it becomes problematic when they try to impose these views on others, especially if these views are not aligned with Christ's teachings. This imposition can lead to confusion or even cause others to deviate from the true teachings of Christ. For example, if someone has a particular belief or practice that is not explicitly commanded by Christ, it should remain a personal matter. Imposing it on others is not beneficial and can lead to unnecessary division within the community of believers. C) The reference to the moon landing is a metaphorical way to illustrate how irrelevant personal opinions can become when imposed on others. Just as the moon landing has no bearing on someone's faith, personal preferences or non-essential beliefs should not be imposed on others. It is essential to focus on the core teachings of Christ and ensure that we do not become stumbling blocks for others in their spiritual journey.
 

The David Spoon Experience 7-1-24 part 2

1) In one of the more difficult teachings in the book of Genesis, David addresses Genesis chapter 6 verses 1 through 4, where he discusses how the sons of God, also known as the Nephilim, are perceived throughout the academic community. Mr. Smarty Pants, defying the need to select one of the three major points of view, considers the sons of God as either angels, royalty, or from the line of Seth. 2) David takes great pains to explain that the issue in Genesis 6:1-4 is not about identifying the sons of God, but rather about the perversion of humanity. He argues that mankind had become so corrupt that the judgment of the flood was more than justified. As a result of humanity's pervasive sin, God limited the lifespan of mankind to 120 years. David emphasizes that, after the flood, there were only eight living beings on Earth: Noah, his wife, his three sons, and their wives. The sons of God, the fallen, did not survive the flood. Nobody else survived the flood.3) David discusses the necessity, from time to time, for God to remove the negative influences in our lives so that we can have a fresh start in Him. People often do not realize that some attachments can have a significant negative effect on our relationship with God. The only solution is to destroy those attachments and rise above them in the safety that God provides for us. It is incredible to consider that, while God had the right to completely annihilate mankind and prevent Genesis chapter 6 verse 5, He instead chose to show mercy and redeem what could be redeemed. This fresh start began with Noah and his family. Another awesome aspect of God is His ability to make everything new for us too. 
 

The David Spoon Experience 7-1-24 part 1

A) Paul takes the time to reassure his young friend that God has delivered him from all these situations, just as He will deliver us from our trials. It may not feel like it when we’re in the midst of hardship, but once we come out the other side, we recognize that it was God’s hand and grace that brought us through.B) However, Verse 13 paints a less than rosy picture. It warns that evil men and impostors will grow worse, deceiving and being deceived. The reference to impostors implies that these individuals will be found within the church, and evil will continue to grow because the knowledge of good and evil has been consumed.C) Despite this, Paul exhorts Timothy to continue in the things he has learned. We too must persist in the things that God has set before us. We must remain steadfast, persevering, and immovable. Like bulldogs or rocks, we need to stay steady, true, and faithful.