Don’t Plow Wickedness
Scripture: Hosea 10:13Devotional Series: The Integrity of God's Word
Teaching: The Integrity Of God's Word pt. 2 (SUN_PM 2021-06-13) by Pastor Star R Scott
Hosea 10:13 says, “Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies” Now, what’s that talking about? Deceptions, different doctrines that are manifesting themselves in our society today. We look around at different ministries that don’t require so much of our time. Let me remind you, this kingdom requires all of your time; amen? If you will seek the Lord and His kingdom, then everything that pertains to life will be added to you. He is not promising us a certain lifestyle but He’s promising us His presence and His sustenance; amen? Let me remind you that though everyone of us have not received this kind of a call, it is the standard for the church. The call is always a call out of the world. Many times, it’s a call to forsake all and follow Him. Now, follow Him means to follow Him wherever He’s placed you. Some of you’ve followed Him to this community of believers. He’s chosen to put you in the body as it pleases Him. Some He’s chosen to send out into other mission fields. One is not more important than the other.
If God has not told you to liquidate and get rid of everything, it would be wrong for you to do that. If some of you choose ascetism and to deny yourself any of the blessings of God, and God has not called you to that, it would be wrong for you. We need rich people in our midst, the Scripture says, that are ready to distribute when others among us have needs; amen? That’s how the church works. The church doesn’t give incentives to stay home and do nothing like the government does, paying you more to stay home than to go to work. What a deal that is.
Hunger and thirst after righteousness and you will be filled. You see, this comment that the natural man has plowed wickedness, partaking of these lies that are going around today, that too much is being asked of us. I’m just talking about the philosophy in general. The church, in general, the visible church, as we all know today, is anything but the church. They build these elaborate sanctuaries, and He says, “My house is to be a house of prayer and you’ve made it a den of thieves.” Jesus has no desire to stop in the foyer and grab some espresso before the service starts to keep awake. We know that we preachers can put people to sleep periodically. Did you know that in the old days they used to have a little bamboo stick that had a piece of lead on the end of it. The ushers would walk around and if somebody was asleep, they would just reach over and “thock!” hit them on the head with that thing? I was thinking about that the other day. I like what the preacher said one day. He said, “Johnny, Johnny! Wake up, wake up Brother Jones.” Little Johnny goes, “You wake him up. You put him to sleep.”
Whether it’s good preaching or bad preaching, let me tell you something. Any time the Word of God is open and read, there’s life coming to you. Any time you hear the Scripture coming forth and declaring the great heart of God and the truths of God’s Word, we should be anticipating, at any moment, to hear what God has for us. I’ll tell you, sometimes you may be wondering, where are we going with this thing? You know where we’re going? Just like the woman with the issue of blood, I’m teaching along and somebody over here came believing God and “Whoosh!” I’m like, “It’s not any notes I’ve planned.” Somebody back there came desperately trusting for a Word from God. The next thing you know, what we think are little rabbit trails are supernatural guidance of the Holy Ghost to touch faith wherever it finds itself in here. This is something I told the men years and years ago. I don’t know how long it’s been, thirty years ago. I told most of the men here that labor with us, “Teach the people not the message.” That great outline that you stayed up studying and putting together is not the end-all. Let the Holy Ghost speak and teach the people, and not that great message you put together. Come believing. God will talk to you.
Let’s end with this thought for this morning as we finish this verse. “Because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.” You know, there’s a way that seems right to a man, isn’t there? Let’s get quiet and hear the council that God has for us. His Spirit will lead us into all truth.
Father, we thank You for Your Word. We ask that You would give us wisdom. Father, make us seekers of Your wisdom, that we might have a true humility for our hope is in the Lord. Our trust is Your Word. Your Word is what gives us wisdom and knowledge. So, we cast our hearts, our minds, upon the Word of God. Until we hear Your voice, we won’t move. Speak to us clearly. It’s time to seek the Lord till You rain Your righteousness upon us. We ask it in Jesus’ name. Amen.
If God has not told you to liquidate and get rid of everything, it would be wrong for you to do that. If some of you choose ascetism and to deny yourself any of the blessings of God, and God has not called you to that, it would be wrong for you. We need rich people in our midst, the Scripture says, that are ready to distribute when others among us have needs; amen? That’s how the church works. The church doesn’t give incentives to stay home and do nothing like the government does, paying you more to stay home than to go to work. What a deal that is.
Hunger and thirst after righteousness and you will be filled. You see, this comment that the natural man has plowed wickedness, partaking of these lies that are going around today, that too much is being asked of us. I’m just talking about the philosophy in general. The church, in general, the visible church, as we all know today, is anything but the church. They build these elaborate sanctuaries, and He says, “My house is to be a house of prayer and you’ve made it a den of thieves.” Jesus has no desire to stop in the foyer and grab some espresso before the service starts to keep awake. We know that we preachers can put people to sleep periodically. Did you know that in the old days they used to have a little bamboo stick that had a piece of lead on the end of it. The ushers would walk around and if somebody was asleep, they would just reach over and “thock!” hit them on the head with that thing? I was thinking about that the other day. I like what the preacher said one day. He said, “Johnny, Johnny! Wake up, wake up Brother Jones.” Little Johnny goes, “You wake him up. You put him to sleep.”
Whether it’s good preaching or bad preaching, let me tell you something. Any time the Word of God is open and read, there’s life coming to you. Any time you hear the Scripture coming forth and declaring the great heart of God and the truths of God’s Word, we should be anticipating, at any moment, to hear what God has for us. I’ll tell you, sometimes you may be wondering, where are we going with this thing? You know where we’re going? Just like the woman with the issue of blood, I’m teaching along and somebody over here came believing God and “Whoosh!” I’m like, “It’s not any notes I’ve planned.” Somebody back there came desperately trusting for a Word from God. The next thing you know, what we think are little rabbit trails are supernatural guidance of the Holy Ghost to touch faith wherever it finds itself in here. This is something I told the men years and years ago. I don’t know how long it’s been, thirty years ago. I told most of the men here that labor with us, “Teach the people not the message.” That great outline that you stayed up studying and putting together is not the end-all. Let the Holy Ghost speak and teach the people, and not that great message you put together. Come believing. God will talk to you.
Let’s end with this thought for this morning as we finish this verse. “Because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.” You know, there’s a way that seems right to a man, isn’t there? Let’s get quiet and hear the council that God has for us. His Spirit will lead us into all truth.
Father, we thank You for Your Word. We ask that You would give us wisdom. Father, make us seekers of Your wisdom, that we might have a true humility for our hope is in the Lord. Our trust is Your Word. Your Word is what gives us wisdom and knowledge. So, we cast our hearts, our minds, upon the Word of God. Until we hear Your voice, we won’t move. Speak to us clearly. It’s time to seek the Lord till You rain Your righteousness upon us. We ask it in Jesus’ name. Amen.