Pastor Jentezen Franklin keynoted the recent “Diesel” Men’s Event at Christ Fellowship.
His message was profound and simple all in one. He used this scripture to share some KISS wisdom with over 3000 men at a charged event celebrating authentic Christian Manhood.
“As Ahab king of Israel passed by, the prophet called out to him. The prophet said, “I went to fight in the battle. One of our men brought an enemy soldier to me. Our man said, ‘Guard this man. If he runs away, you will have to give your life in his place. Or, you will have to pay a fine of 75 pounds of silver.’ But I became busy doing other things. So the man ran away.” The king of Israel answered, “You have said what the punishment is. You must do what the man said.””
1 Kings 20:39-40 ICB
Pastor Franklin summed up our primary responsibility as “keep this man” – meaning me. Just “keep” me.
The soldier in the scripture was given one duty admist the chaos of war – keep just this one man. Nothing more.
It wasn’t combatants that took the man, nor the distraction of a pretty woman, nor the chance for money, or even a hobby. He just got… busy.
Pastor Franklin stressed that if we keep ourselves from the selfish desires of the flesh the fruits of the spirit are worth much more.
“So I tell you: Live by following the Spirit. Then you will not do what your sinful selves want. Our sinful selves want what is against the Spirit. The Spirit wants what is against our sinful selves. The two are against each other. So you must not do just what you please. But if you let the Spirit lead you, you are not under the law. The result of sin’s control in our lives is clear. It includes sexual immorality, impurity and wild living, worshiping false gods, doing witchcraft, hating, making trouble, being jealous, being angry, being selfish, making people angry with each other, causing divisions among people, having envy, being drunk, having wild and wasteful parties, and doing other things like this. I warn you now as I warned you before: Those who do these things will not be in God’s kingdom. But the Spirit gives love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. There is no law that says these things are wrong. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their own sinful selves. They have given up their old selfish feelings and the evil things they wanted to do. We get our new life from the Spirit. So we should follow the Spirit. We must not be proud. We must not make trouble with each other. And we must not be jealous of each other.”
Galatians 5:16-26 ICB
Removing ourselves and building up defenses towards my sinful nature (keeping this man set apart) will bring me the fruits of the spirit.
Interesting that Paul used fruit as his metaphor. Growing fruit isn’t easy. It takes most trees 7 years to produce their first crop. The soil needs monitoring, watering must be consistent, pests repelled… it’s an exercise in patience.
The changes we seek in ourselves after events like this take time to bear fruit. The discipline isn’t easy or fun (at first) to maintain but the harvest is bountiful.
When I am proactive, I have a vision for the future, I keep priorities in proper alignment that’s when there is a magical peace and rhythmic flow to life.
Without that discipline there is arrhythmic patterns and chaos.
The key here is small daily habits repeated over time will bring a bountiful harvest. Sure being disciplined is not pleasant in the moment… succumbing to my vices or indulgent treats, seeking to “get mine” first, allowing the flesh to overcome the spirit – that’s a recipe for ruin.
I know with my children that they thrive and even blossom with healthy boundaries. Interesting how as adults that concept is foreign to so many of us. And the fruit or lack there of takes many years to show.
I almost didn’t go to Diesel. I was really not motivated for a host of reasons not related to this topic. But I went, and my “crew mate” and I were blessed.
Pastor Franklin warned that if we don’t “keep this man” – another man might end up with your wife, or walking our daughters down the isle… I’ve never heard a more quiet room.
It was so quiet, that in that moment I heard a whisper to my soul.
I’m going to use the 4th quarter of this year to recommit to the habits relating to “keeping this man” so I can see the fruits in the new year and years to come.
I hope you are encouraged to do the same!
TJL.