Happy Sunday folks!
Sorry this is a bit late today, but better late than never.
Today’s message:
The Dangers and Obsession With Greed
Greed is a spirit that can invade our souls. We must be careful not to allow it to force its way into our lives. The Bible tells us that greed is equal to idolatry.
Please join us as we explore many scriptures to learn what the Lord has to say about this important topic.
God bless you richly, and may God bless America.
ADVERTISEMENTPastor Robb Goodman
Senior Pastor, Zion Freedom Fellowship USA
Please enjoy:
TRANSCRIPT:
This is a Guest Post from our friends over at WLTReport. View the original article here.Pastor Robb Goodman:
Good morning everyone. Today is Sunday, August the 10th, and my name is Pastor Rob Goodman. I am the senior pastor here at Zion Freedom Fellowship in Maryland, in the beautiful United States of America.
Greetings to all of you. I pray that this message this morning finds you all well, that you’re blessed of the Lord, and that the redemption of Jesus Christ is alive and working in your life. You know, God has a plan for each and every one of us. His plan is always perfect.
Even though we don’t always understand, we don’t always naturally discern what God is up to, we can count on one thing — that the will of the Lord is good. And He works all things together for the good of those that love Him and those who are called according to His purpose, according to Romans 8:29.
Oh Father, I ask you right now to anoint this message today, that you would conform this message. Not that your Word ever changes, but that you would cause this message to meet every need of every person. No matter what situation they’re going through right now, no matter what trial they might be facing, no matter what hardship they may be enduring, your name is glorified and greatly to be praised.
Thank you, Lord, that you have a perfect plan in store for each and every follower of your Son Jesus. Lord, we proclaim that we are followers of Jesus and that we will obey your perfect will and plan for our lives.
Thank you, Father. Thank you, Lord, for what you’re about to do in the entire earth. You are pouring out your Spirit in a great and mighty way. Thank you, Lord, that you have a perfect plan for every single person that is following your Son Jesus. Lord, let your name be honored and glorified. Let your praise be lifted up high above all the nations of the world.
That your name is higher than every name that is named, not only in this world, but in the age which is to come forever and ever, through the eternal blood covenant of Jesus Christ, our Lord and our Savior. Lord, I ask you to fulfill your divine purpose today through this message as folks listen.
No matter where they’re living, no matter where they are, no matter what is happening in their lives, let your name be honored and glorified. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen and amen.
ADVERTISEMENTWell, thank you for joining me today. I pray that everything is well where you are today. That the name of the Lord is a high tower, and the righteous run under it and they are safe. Praise be to God.
Your Word will not return unto you void, but it will accomplish that which you please, and it will prosper in the thing that you send it to do. Thank you, Lord. We know what Isaiah 55 says about your Word — that it shall not return unto you void, but it will accomplish that which you please and it will prosper in the thing that you send your Word to do. Amen and amen. Blessed be the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Well, I’m going to share the title of today’s message with you. The title of today’s message is The Dangers and Obsession With Greed. The dangers and obsession with greed.
And the very first scripture we’re going to look at tonight is Isaiah 56:10-11. This is a very powerful word here, and we’re going to learn something about God’s people — that greed has no place in our lives. Greed is a spirit, and it must go. We must purge it from our lives so that we can live holy before the Lord and obtain the stature of righteousness that God has called us to live to.
Amen. Do you believe that? Yes, I believe that you do. Thank you, Lord, for just using this message today to speak to hearts in the mighty name of Jesus.
Okay. Isaiah 56:10-11:
“His watchmen are blind. They are all ignorant. They are all dumb dogs. They cannot bark — sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yes, they are greedy dogs which never have enough. And they are shepherds who cannot understand. They all look to their own way, every one for his own gain.”Ouch. Wow. That is a powerful word. “Everyone for his own gain, from his own territory.”
Now think about that for a minute. What is Isaiah saying? He’s saying that the shepherds cannot understand. They all look to their own way.
You know, as a shepherd of the Lord, as a pastor, and also one that’s called with prophetic giftings, I have learned over the years that my will does not matter. Jesus even prayed in the garden of Gethsemane. He was in great turmoil, where He was literally at the point of death with the pressure that was weighing on Him.
ADVERTISEMENTEven His disciples could not stay awake to pray with Him. And that is human nature. They were sleeping, they were slumbering. Yes, it was late at night and all that type of thing, but still — they should not have been sleeping. They should have been praying.
And Jesus said to them, “Wait and pray for one hour.” Wow. That is sometimes difficult to do. And yet we need to press into that. We need to press into intercessory prayer and really trust the Lord to bring His perfect will to pass in our lives.
…and they are shepherds who cannot understand. How many pastors are there out there that have taken the role of a pastor as a job, so to speak — not a calling, but a job? And they don’t even know the Lord. They know Him not. They do not understand Him. They do not obey Him. Many of them have not even been born again.
I’ve told you a story in the past about my Lutheran pastor as I was growing up. When I got born again, I was so excited to tell him that I was saved. And he told me that I could not believe everything that was written in the Bible. I was like, “Come on now… what? You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Here was a man of God, so to speak — no, he was no more a man of God than the man in the moon. But praise be to God. Then Isaiah says, “They all look to their own way, everyone for his own gain.”
You know, why are you in the ministry? I’m speaking to pastors right now — why are you in the ministry? Are you in it for your own gain? There are many pastors in America who have built palaces, spending millions of dollars to build places for their church to meet, and they don’t know the Lord or obey Him.
All they’re concerned about is how much money is coming into their ministry. They drive fancy cars, they wear the most expensive clothing. It’s really sad to me. And again, the prophets should be calling them out — because they are not living according to the righteousness of God, but they’re living after their own gain.
And Isaiah says, “From his own territory.” Wow, that is dicey and spicy.
Let’s go to Proverbs 15:27. “He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live. The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil. The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.”
ADVERTISEMENTListen to that one verse again — “He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house.” When you are living after a spirit of greed, and that spirit of greed is gaining control or ascendancy in your life, all you care about is your reputation, what kind of car you drive, and how much money you have in the bank.
You are missing the boat, my brother and my sister — missing it big time. And I’m not here to condemn anybody or put anybody down, but you are missing the boat. You’re in a boat with no oars or motor, and it’s not driven by the Holy Spirit. That is truly, truly sad.
Let’s go to Proverbs 1:17-19: “Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird, but they lie in wait for their own blood; they lurk secretly for their own lives. So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; it takes away the life of its owners.”
Greed will rob you of every godly thing in your life. It will steal from you. Satan is greedy for your soul. He wants to pull you off the trail of righteousness and drag you straight down into the lowest hell.
That’s where greed will lead you — it will destroy you, rob you, defeat you, and lead you into bitter bondage.
Proverbs 28:16 says, “A leader who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, but he who hates covetousness will prolong his days.” Greed and covetousness are spirits that join hand in hand. The Lord said, “Thou shalt not covet.”
Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold.” If your name is built by greed, you won’t keep anything in the long run.
Paul gave up everything to follow Christ. Suffering isn’t pleasant, but it teaches us. Desire a good name rather than wealth.
1 Timothy 6 reminds us, “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out… the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” Greed produces that love for money. God can bless you, but check your motives.
Hebrews 13:5 says, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’”
Luke 12:15 — “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” Everything here will pass away.
Matthew 6:24 — “No one can serve two masters… you cannot serve God and mammon.” Do not worry about your life. Worry only opens the door for fear.
Colossians 3:1-5 — “Set your mind on things above… put to death covetousness, which is idolatry.” Covetousness is idolatry because you worship what you crave.
Ephesians 5:1-11 — “Let it not even be named among you… no covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.” The gospel is simple — trust and obey.
1 Peter 2:1-9 — “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation… called out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
Romans 1:28-32 lists covetousness among the sins of those with debased minds.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 says, “Nor covetous… will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed… justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Jeremiah 6:13-15 says, “From the least to the greatest, everyone is given to covetousness… they deal falsely.” Many leaders say “Peace” when there is no peace.
If this message is speaking to you, whether you are a Christian or not, pray with me now:
“Jesus, I repent of all of my sins. I repent of greed, covetousness, and idolatry. Cleanse me from every form of it. Help me to close the door to that spirit. I refuse it and submit to You alone. Have Your way in my life. I turn from my wicked ways. Thank You for cleansing me, redeeming me, and filling me with Your Spirit. I receive Your salvation, and I will serve You all my days. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
If you prayed that prayer, I’d love to hear from you. Email me at [email protected].
Now may the Lord bless you and keep you. May He cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May His peace be upon you, now and forevermore. Amen.
