Why You Should Weep as Well

Luke 19:43- And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it.

Tertullian once said, "The seed of the gospel message was watered with the blood of the martyrs" Amazing isn't it? That many individuals were once so sure of their faith in Christ and His power over death and the grave, that they would be willing to give their life.

Even today throughout many countries in the 10-40 window, and even in our own nation...persecution is rampant and even unto death for some. Yet the persecuted still serve faithfully, and are willing to continue on in their course until death if needed. Why? Because of their willingness to trust and obey and live lives worthy of the gospel and it's transforming power.

Yet for all of our buildings, and all of our technology we are still losing the battle for lost souls in this nation. America is in desperate need for revival, and I believe one of the reasons it's not happened yet, is of the compassion we lack when we enter into the city.

Do you weep or sigh? Beloved can I tell you that it makes all the difference in the world. Lets read a quote from the great preacher, author and prayer warrior which God used so mightily in the past, E.M. Bounds "A revival means a heartbroken pastor. A revival means a church on it's knees confessing it's sins- both the sins of the individual and of the church- confessing the sins of the times and of the community."

To weep over the spiritual condition of the day is natural for the believer because it was natural for Christ.

Now, the portion of scripture we have in Luke 19 fulfills what was prophesied in Zechariah 9:9-Rejoice greatly O daughter of Jerusalem: behold thy King cometh unto thee, he is just, having salvation; lowly and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt, the foal of an ass.

The parallel passage of scripture concerning Luke 19 is Matthew 21:1-5 and it is known as the triumphal entry.

Let's look at Luke 19:28-37 real fast.

Vs 34 Do you notice that once the mention of the needs of the Lord was made that their was no arguing, no lamenting, no trying to haggle about a price- no business meeting- but rather the needs of the Lord were mentioned and the men gave willingly. Proverbs 28:27- He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured unto you.

Not just your money, but your talents, your energy, your time, and your life have been given to you to give to God for His service in that when He blesses you, you get to begin giving again. When we learn to live according to the Word of God, you'll definetly begin to have those times when your drinking out of the saucer.

#1 I firmly believe that the Lord weeps over what His people bring to Him....and we should as well.

Lets read together Malachi 1:6-14 ..... Now as we read this, lets not forget about a little thing called the priesthood of the believer. The priests in Malachi's day knew better, yet they chose to give to God that which was unacceptable in His sight. They were also more willing to give to those who had either a civic rule or a social standing before the people.

Ive noticed in my years as a preacher that folks are more willing to work harder for those who don't have a say in eternity. I've noticed that if somebody is offered overtime, they'll show up. Yet if they are offered a chance to receive a crown when they enter into heaven to lay at Christ"s feet, they wont participate.

Show me your calendar and your checkbook, and I'll show you where your heart is.

Beloved might I remind you that God is not a respector of persons when it comes to our giving. Psalm 51:17- The sacrafices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart he will not despise. Perhaps you haven't allowed God to break you so he can remake you into what it is you need to be. Whenever God desires to make a man great, He breaks him into pieces first.

Can I ask you, why do you attend church?

To cleanse your conciense?

To appease your spouse?

Or do you need to hear from God?

#2 We should weep as well because of the state of Modern Christianity

My friend, the wrong type of church is worse than having no church at all. Are you coming to church today to be used by God?

Are you seeking a church that will challenge you, or are you seeking for God to change you into His image?

Your church isn't a fellowship of believers as much as it is a family in which you belong too. Blood might make you related, but it is love and loyalty which makes you family.

Now concerning verses 11-12 in Malachi chapter 1, They speak of an unworthy worship- despising God- and they were coming to Him on their own terms. When we make the decision to worship God our own way, we are showing a total contempt for the things of God.

He is a Holy and Righteous and Just God who demands a Holy and Righteous and Just form of worship.

A more convenient form of worship is a false form of worship.

Worship literally means worth-ship....worthy of His praise not ours. Worship is no longer worship when it reflects the culture around us more than the Christ within us. If you simply turn to Ephesians 5:18-28 you'll find a simple combination of verses that will help you unlock the desire to worship God the right way.

Our public worship is simply an extension of our private worship.

#3 Our spin on modern contemporary worship ought to cause us to weep.

What we win people with is what we are going to keep them with. If we need to water down the message and make a seeker sensitive church, then we are removing the power of the gospel to change lives and impact people. I'm not saying that there isn't a liberal church doing big things for God. But I am saying that it's a very slippery slope determining which way we allow our church to go.

Their are plenty of churches in oiur great nation which are running triple digit numbers and are still fundamental in their stand, beliefs and convictions. It can still be done with extended seasons prayer and fasting along with Holy-Ghost fire in the pulpit.

vs 13 what a weariness is it....many believers act as if we are doing an almighty thrice Holy God a favor by showing up for church. Many self professing Christians act as if He is ok with us skipping church to partake in the sins He died for. God sent His only Son to die for our sins, yet we cant even get out of the deer stand or out of the boat.

Whatever we do moderately sinful in our generation, the next generation will do excessively sinful. Their is a direct correlation between those believers who are half in and half out spiritually and the families they are in being completely destroyed by self-righteousness and bitterness towards the people and the things of God.

God should always get our best. Whether in cost, quality, or our priorities, or our personal integrity

#4 We should weep over our pride.

One of the things I am learning as I get older is that many folks say they want honesty, but they actually don't want the truth.

Why do we think we can deceive God? Lets read Matthew 15 : 8-9 why was Christ able to quote Isaiah 29:13 ? Because He knows and understands the very heart that lies within each and every one of us. A simple reading of Jeremiah 17:9-10 shows us that in our pride which breaks Gods heart we tend to forget that He truly knows and understands the real us.

Beloved the amount of fruit and type of fruit we bear is in exact pro portion to our hearts condition. And though God sees your heart, mankind sees your fruit.

Has your pride gotten in the way of your service?

Has your pride gotten in the way of your giving?

Has your pride gotten in the way of your salvation?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you need to take it up with God, and get it right with Him.

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