Saturday, December 6, 2025
Friday, November 28, 2025
Thursday, November 27, 2025
It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory. Proverbs 25:27
SERMON: TRUE HUMILITY – THE SWEETNESS THAT DOES NOT DESTROY
Text: Proverbs 25:27 — “It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.”
Introduction — When Sweetness Becomes Poison
Honey in Scripture represents sweetness, delight, pleasure, abundance. In the ancient world, honey was the sweetest natural thing a man could taste. It was desirable, but if eaten in excess, it caused sickness. The same is true for the human soul: certain things are good in measure, but deadly in excess — especially self-glory.
Solomon takes this physical truth and applies it to a spiritual reality:
Just as too much honey harms the body, the pursuit of our own glory harms the soul.
This verse strikes directly at the heart of pride, self-promotion, ego, and the endless human obsession with being noticed, honored, admired, praised, or elevated.
Our entire modern world is built around honey:
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likes, views, followers
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recognition, status, self-branding
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being known, being admired
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projecting one’s achievements
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building a name for oneself
People want sweetness, and Solomon says:
“Be careful. Sweetness can make you sick.”
This sermon explores the deep warning of the text:
The pursuit of personal glory destroys humility, corrupts the heart, distances us from God, and turns spiritual honey into poison.
1. Honey Is Good — But Not Too Much
The Bible never says honey is evil.
Likewise, it is not wrong to receive encouragement, gratitude, appreciation, or honour when God Himself brings it to you.
There is a difference between:
-
accepting honor humbly
and -
seeking honor aggressively.
God honors faithfulness.
People may appreciate your service.
That's normal and healthy.
But the Scripture warns:
“Not good to eat much honey.”
Too much sweetness leads to:
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nausea
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imbalance
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sickness
And the human heart is extremely weak in this area.
It does not take much sweetness — a compliment, a praise, a recognition — before pride begins to rise.
Most people do not fall because of hardship. They fall because of success.
Many do not stumble because of trials. They stumble because of praise.
Honey blinds more people than bitterness.
2. The Dangerous Sweetness of Self-Glory
The second part of the proverb says:
“So for men to search their own glory is not glory.”
Meaning:
When you chase glory for yourself, it loses all real glory.
What the world calls “glory” is actually hollow, empty, and shameful in God’s eyes.
Self-glory is a counterfeit crown.
It looks shiny but it has no eternal value.
Why is self-glory so dangerous?
Because:
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It steals glory from God
Isaiah 42:8 — “My glory will I not give to another.” -
It inflates the ego
Pride is the root of all sin (Proverbs 16:18). -
It creates self-dependence instead of God-dependence
A man seeking his own name forgets God’s name. -
It makes us compare ourselves with others
Pride thrives in competition. -
It destroys relationships
A proud man cannot submit, cannot forgive, cannot love. -
It kills spiritual hunger
A man full of self-glory no longer hungers for God’s glory.
True humility cannot coexist with self-exaltation.
The moment we seek our own fame, we lose sight of Jesus.
3. Biblical Examples of Honey Becoming Poison
a. King Nebuchadnezzar – “Look at my great Babylon!”
He ate too much honey — self-glory — and God struck him down until he acknowledged the Most High.
b. King Uzziah – Strong until he became proud
When he became famous, his heart was lifted up, and he was struck with leprosy (2 Chronicles 26:16).
c. The Pharisees – Loved the praises of men
Jesus said they did everything “to be seen by men” (Matthew 23:5).
They sought honey and became spiritual sick.
d. Lucifer – The first sin in the universe
Not adultery, theft, or murder.
It was pride:
“I will ascend…I will be like the Most High.”
He overate honey — and fell from glory.
4. Glory Belongs to God Alone
One of the greatest spiritual insights you will ever learn is this:
Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.
True humility is simply this:
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God is center, not me
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His name is above mine
-
His kingdom, not my empire
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His will, not my ambition
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His fame, not my reputation
The humble man is free because he doesn’t need the applause of men.
He finds joy in God alone.
When men praise him — he thanks God.
When men criticize him — he leans on God.
When men forget him — he does not mind, because his identity is rooted in God, not in popularity.
5. Why the Heart Loves Sweetness
The desire for praise, approval, recognition, or validation is rooted in the fallen nature.
We want to feel important.
We want others to see our achievements.
We want to be admired.
We want to be respected.
We want to be somebody.
This is the inner hunger of the flesh.
But if you feed the flesh with honey, it grows stronger and demands more.
This is why people become addicted to:
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affirmation
-
public praise
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compliments
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achievements
-
status
-
social media attention
The more they receive, the more they want.
The flesh will never say “enough.”
Only humility kills that craving.
6. The Cure to Self-Glory: Looking at the Glory of God
The surest way to kill pride is not by looking at yourself less, but by looking at God more.
When Isaiah saw the Lord high and lifted up, he cried:
“Woe is me!” (Isaiah 6:5)
Not because God humiliated him,
but because God’s glory exposed his nothingness.
The closer you come to the greatness of God,
the smaller you realize you are.
The brighter the light,
the more clearly you see your dust.
The more you behold His holiness,
the more you understand your need for His mercy.
Humility grows in the atmosphere of God’s glory.
7. Jesus — The Perfect Example of Humility
Philippians 2:5–8 shows Christ’s humility:
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He is God, yet He took the form of a servant
-
He deserved honour, yet He accepted shame
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He could command legions of angels, yet He humbled Himself
-
He washed the feet of His disciples
-
He was silent before His accusers
Jesus, the One who truly deserves eternal glory, did not seek His own glory.
He said:
“I seek not mine own glory.” (John 8:50)
What an astonishing statement.
The Son of God refusing to seek His own glory — how much more should we refuse it?
If the sinless Christ did not seek His own glory,
how much more should sinners avoid self-promotion?
8. How to Walk in True Humility
1. Acknowledge God in everything
Say like David:
“Not unto us, O Lord, but unto Your name give glory.”
2. Serve in secret
Jesus said the Father who sees in secret will reward openly.
3. Accept obscurity
You don’t need to be noticed to be valuable.
4. Receive praise carefully
Let gratitude rise, but let pride die.
5. Give credit to others
Lifting others is the mark of true greatness.
6. Confess your weaknesses
Pride hides.
Humility admits.
7. Remember your origins
Everything you have — talents, strength, breath — is from God.
8. Look to the cross
At the cross, the boasting of man dies, and the grace of God shines.
9. The Bitter Reality of a Life of Self-Glory
A person who seeks his own glory becomes:
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insecure
-
competitive
-
jealous
-
easily offended
-
hungry for praise
-
exhausted from keeping up appearances
-
empty on the inside
Self-glory leads to burnout because you must constantly perform to stay relevant.
You must keep producing, keep impressing, keep maintaining an image.
It becomes slavery.
The Scripture is mercifully warning us:
Don’t eat too much honey. Don’t chase glory. It will destroy you.
10. God Himself Lifts the Humble
While the proud lift themselves,
the humble wait for God to lift them.
1 Peter 5:6 — “Humble yourselves…that He may exalt you in due time.”
When God exalts you,
no man can bring you down.
When you exalt yourself,
God Himself will bring you down.
Let God write your story.
Let God build your name.
Let God open the doors.
Let God fight the battles.
Let God reward your faithfulness.
It is safer to be exalted by God than by men.
Conclusion — Don’t Eat Too Much Honey
The world says:
“Promote yourself.”
“Push your brand.”
“Show your achievements.”
“Let people see your greatness.”
But Scripture says:
“Not good to eat much honey.”
Self-glory is a sweetness that destroys.
Humility is a sweetness that heals.
Choose humility.
Choose the way of Christ.
Choose to decrease, that Christ may increase.
And one day, when all earthly crowns turn to dust,
when all human praise fades into silence,
when all applause becomes meaningless —
the humble will shine in the glory of God forever.
Amen.
can satan use AI or chatgpt to turn people away from God
Will the forces of darkness or Satan use tools like ChatGPT to draw people away from God?
Short answer:
Yes—Satan can use any tool, technology, or human invention to deceive. But God can also use the very same tools for His glory. What matters is the heart of the person using it.
1. Satan Has Always Used Whatever Tools Are Available
In Scripture, Satan used:
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a serpent (Genesis 3)
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lies and twisted words (Matthew 4)
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kings and governments (Daniel, Revelation)
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people’s desires (James 1:14)
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even Peter’s mouth temporarily (Matthew 16:23)
So yes, Satan can use technology—internet, social media, entertainment, and even AI—to:
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spread lies
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distract minds
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numb people spiritually
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promote sin
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weaken faith
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create confusion
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encourage self-centeredness instead of God-centeredness
The enemy does not care what the tool is.
He cares about the influence it produces.
2. But Remember: Technology Is Not Satanic by Itself
A hammer can build a church or break a window.
Fire can cook a meal or burn a house.
Technology carries the nature of the one using it.
AI, chat systems, and digital tools:
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do not have spirits
-
do not have wills
-
do not have beliefs
-
do not have allegiance to darkness or light
They simply reflect data, programming, and user input.
What determines whether it is used for good or evil is the heart of the person seeking counsel and the content they choose.
3. God Always Uses What Satan Tries to Use for Evil
Consider how God redeemed:
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Joseph’s betrayal (“You meant it for evil, God meant it for good.”)
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the cross (the darkest act became salvation)
-
persecution (which spread the gospel)
Satan can use technology, but God can overpower him anytime.
He can use AI to:
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spread the gospel
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teach Scripture
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support pastors
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answer spiritual questions
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encourage believers
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defend truth
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bring clarity to people hurt by false teachings
You are, right now, using this tool to grow in the Word.
That is God using it for good.
4. The Real Battlefield Is Not Technology — It Is the Human Heart
Satan does not primarily attack devices.
He attacks desire.
His battlefield is:
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our mind
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our will
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our attention
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our priorities
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our spiritual hunger
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our affections
Satan’s main goal is that:
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people stop loving God
-
people become distracted
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people live for themselves
-
people doubt Scripture
-
people pursue sin
He doesn’t care if he uses:
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a conversation
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a movie
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money
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relationships
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the internet
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AI
The weapon changes; the strategy does not.
5. How You Can Stay Spiritually Safe Using AI
1. Test every answer against Scripture
Even when the answer is good, the Bible is final authority.
2. Stay submitted to the Holy Spirit
He teaches, convicts, and guides into truth.
3. Avoid sinful or harmful uses of technology
Satan enters through doors we open.
4. Use AI as a helper, not as your God
Never let it replace prayer, church, or Scripture.
5. Guard your heart
Proverbs 4:23 — “Guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
6. Use the tool for God’s glory
If you use it for Bible learning, sermons, discipleship, prayer, and spiritual growth, then God is using it for His kingdom.
6. Final Conclusion
Yes, tools like ChatGPT can be misused by the forces of darkness.
But no, ChatGPT itself is not of darkness, demonic, or spiritually possessed.
It is simply a tool—neutral by nature, powerful depending on purpose.
What matters most is:
-
your discernment,
-
your intention,
-
your heart’s alignment with God.
If you stay close to Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and prayer—
no digital tool can pull you away from God.
In fact, God can use the same tool to make you stronger, wiser, and more grounded in truth.
Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done
SERMON: “Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done”
Matthew 6:10
When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He placed this petition at the very heart of the Lord’s Prayer. Before asking for daily bread, forgiveness, or protection, He commands us to pray first for God’s rule and God’s will. These words are short, but their meaning touches every part of a believer’s life. They show us how a Christian should think, hope, desire, surrender, and live.
Let us break down the meaning.
1. “Thy Kingdom Come” — A Cry for God’s Rule to Increase
The “Kingdom of God” is not merely a place, but God’s reign. When Jesus says, “Thy Kingdom come,” He is teaching us to desire:
A. The Kingdom in our hearts
Before God’s Kingdom conquers the world, it must conquer me.
It means:
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“Lord, rule over my desires.”
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“Let Your righteousness replace my sin.”
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“Let Your Word decide how I live, not my emotions or the world’s pressure.”
The Kingdom comes when:
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the proud become humble,
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the sinful repent,
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the stubborn yield,
-
and the self-willed surrender.
Praying “Thy Kingdom come” is first a personal submission:
“Be the King of my life.”
B. The Kingdom in the world
When we pray this, we are asking:
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That Christ be known
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That souls be saved
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That darkness be pushed back
-
That righteousness prevails
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That truth reigns over lies
It is a missionary prayer. “Thy Kingdom come” is asking God to extend His rule in families, schools, nations, governments, and communities.
C. The Kingdom in its final glory
We are also longing for the Second Coming of Christ, when:
-
evil is destroyed,
-
justice is established,
-
and Jesus reigns forever.
This prayer says:
“Lord, come quickly. Finish Your work. Let all creation see Your glory.”
Thus, “Thy Kingdom come” is both a present prayer—“Rule in me now”—and a future hope—“Return and reign forever.”
2. “Thy Will Be Done” — The Surrender of All We Are
After praying for God’s rule, Jesus teaches us to pray for God’s will. This means:
A. “Not my will, but Yours.”
It echoes the prayer of Christ in Gethsemane.
A true Christian does not ask God to bless his plan; he asks God to replace his plan with God’s plan.
Praying “Thy will be done” means:
-
“Even when I disagree, Your will is right.”
-
“Even when I don’t understand, Your plan is good.”
-
“Even when it hurts, You are still perfect.”
This is the hardest prayer for the flesh to pray, but the most powerful prayer for the spirit to surrender.
B. “On earth as it is in heaven”
How is God’s will done in heaven?
-
Perfectly
-
Joyfully
-
Immediately
-
Without complaint
-
Without resistance
So Jesus is saying:
“Father, let me obey You the way angels obey You—fully, joyfully, immediately.”
This removes:
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half-hearted obedience
-
delayed obedience
-
selective obedience
-
conditional obedience
It calls us into whole-hearted obedience, the obedience of heaven.
C. God’s will over my feelings
We often pray guided by fear, desire, or pressure.
“Thy will be done” realigns us.
It means:
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If God opens a door → walk through it.
-
If God shuts a door → trust Him.
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If God delays → wait on Him.
-
If God redirects → follow Him.
It means: “My feelings do not rule me; Your will does.”
3. The Prayer That Changes Everything
These two phrases reshape the entire Christian life.
A. They destroy selfishness
Most prayers are “my will, my desire, my plan.”
Jesus flips it:
Start with God, not you.
B. They align us with God’s mission
When we pray this way, we are not trying to bend heaven to earth; we are asking heaven to come down and transform earth.
C. They bring peace
Why?
Because when we want God’s will, we will never be disappointed.
God never fails His own plan.
D. They produce holiness
When a person sincerely prays:
-
“Your Kingdom come,”
-
“Your will be done,”
sin loses its power, pride melts, worldly desires fade, and obedience becomes sweet.
4. Personal Application
A. In trials
“Thy will be done” means God has a purpose even in my pain.
B. In decisions
I don’t choose based on convenience, fear, or opportunity.
I choose based on God’s direction.
C. In conflicts
Not my pride, not my ego, not my anger—
Your will be done.
D. In spiritual battles
We submit to God and resist the devil.
When His Kingdom comes in us, darkness cannot stay.
5. A Final Picture
When we pray, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done,” we are placing the crown on God’s head instead of our own.
We are stepping off the throne of our lives and inviting the true King to sit where He belongs.
It is not a small prayer; it is a total surrender.
And when God’s Kingdom governs your heart, and God’s will controls your steps, then your life becomes an instrument of heaven on earth.
Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me. Matthew 12:30 Do not fear or be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. For I will never leave you or forsake you. Go
Sermon: “With Christ or Against Christ”
Text: Matthew 12:30 – “He that is not with Me is against Me; and he that gathereth not with Me scattereth abroad.”
There are some statements Jesus made that are so sharp, so clear, so unbendable, that no one can hide behind excuses or grey areas after hearing them. This is one of those statements. Here Christ removes all neutrality, all middle ground, all self-made zones of convenience. There are only two positions in the spiritual realm: with Christ or against Christ, gathering with Him or scattering abroad.
This verse was spoken in a context where Jesus was not addressing atheists, not addressing pagans, not addressing people who openly hated God. He was speaking to deeply religious people—men who thought they were defending God, honouring Moses, and protecting the purity of Israel. Yet Jesus said that in opposing His work, in rebuking His ministry, in resisting His message, they were actually against God Himself, even though in their own minds they believed they were serving Him.
This is extremely important for our generation, because the greatest resistance to Christ often does not come from the openly wicked, but from the self–righteous, the proud, the religiously trained, or those hardened by tradition and personal pride. And sometimes it is even a friend, a family member, a co-worker, or a pastor who, thinking he is doing good, ends up standing against the very purpose and mission of God.
So today let us consider this statement of Jesus under three headings:
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Christ Leaves No Neutral Ground
-
To Resist the Gospel Is to Resist God
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How a Man Who Rebukes You for Preaching Christ Stands Against God
1. Christ Leaves No Neutral Ground
Jesus did not say, “He who is against Me is against Me.” That would be obvious. Instead, He said something far deeper: “He that is not with Me is against Me.”
This shows us that neutrality is an illusion. There is no spiritual Switzerland. A man who says, “I am not for Christ, but I am not against Him either,” imagines a third category that Jesus Himself never allowed.
Why?
Because Jesus did not come to offer an opinion or a philosophy to be admired.
He came as:
-
The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world
-
The King of Kings
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The rightful Lord of every heart
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The Judge of the living and the dead
No one can stay neutral toward a King who demands the throne. As C. S. Lewis once said, “A man can no more remain neutral toward Christ than he can remain neutral toward gravity.”
If He is God, then to ignore Him is rebellion.
If He is Lord, then to delay obedience is disobedience.
If He is the Savior, then to reject His call is to embrace spiritual death.
Jesus did not say “with My teachings,” or “with My moral ideas,” but “with Me.”
To be with Him means:
-
to believe Him
-
to love Him
-
to follow Him
-
to obey Him
-
to stand publicly for Him
-
to gather others to Him
Anything less is already a position of opposition.
One may not speak against Christ with their lips, but if they refuse to stand with Him, they silently side with darkness. The human heart cannot remain empty; if Christ does not rule it, sin and the world will rule it. Therefore Jesus draws a clear line that no one can erase: you are either with Him or you are against Him.
2. To Resist the Gospel Is to Resist God
Jesus continues: “He that gathereth not with Me scattereth abroad.”
Here Christ reveals that His mission is to gather—to gather lost souls into the kingdom, the sheep into the fold, sinners into grace, the broken into healing, the condemned into forgiveness. Every preacher of Christ, whether a pastor, missionary, or ordinary believer, joins Him in this sacred work of gathering.
But Jesus says that anyone who does not gather with Him is not simply lazy; he is actively scattering.
A person might say:
“But I’m not scattering! I’m just staying silent.”
“I’m not against the gospel; I just don’t want to get involved.”
“I’m not opposing preaching; I just don’t like that you are preaching to others.”
But Jesus sees deeper into the invisible kingdom. To oppose gospel preaching is to scatter the sheep. To discourage evangelism is to hinder souls. To silence the message of Christ is to push people back into darkness.
The Pharisees thought they were protecting religion. Jesus said they were fighting God.
In Matthew 12, Jesus heals a man possessed by a demon. The Pharisees see the miracle, hear the truth, and yet accuse Him of being empowered by Satan. Jesus answers them with this devastating statement: “He that is not with Me is against Me.”
In other words:
“You think you are defending God. But in rebuking the work of God, you are resisting Him.”
This has always been the pattern:
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Moses’ authority was opposed by religious traditionalists in Israel.
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Jeremiah’s prophecy was condemned by priests who thought he was too bold.
-
John the Baptist was rejected by Pharisees who thought he was too radical.
-
And finally, Jesus Himself was crucified by religious leaders who believed they were protecting their nation and honouring Moses.
Every generation sees people who rebuke the truth while believing they are on God’s side. But the question is not: Do they think they are right?
The real question is: Are they standing WITH Christ?
3. How a Man Who Rebukes You for Preaching Christ Stands Against God
Let us now apply this to a situation many believers face: someone rebukes you for preaching Christ. They tell you:
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“Stop talking about Jesus.”
-
“Don’t preach here.”
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“Don’t share the gospel with people.”
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“You should keep religion private.”
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“Don’t bring Christ into this conversation.”
Some do it out of irritation, some out of pride, some out of worldly mindset, some out of fear of man, and some out of spiritual blindness.
But whatever the reason, Jesus has already defined what this action means: to rebuke the preaching of Christ is to stand against God Himself.
Let us consider why:
(1) They oppose the very mission of Christ
Jesus said, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.”
When a person rebukes you for seeking the lost with the gospel, they are working against the purpose for which Christ came into the world.
They are not disagreeing with you, they are opposing the whole mission of God’s redemptive work.
(2) They hinder the Holy Spirit’s work
The Holy Spirit’s ministry is to:
-
convict the world of sin
-
open hearts to Christ
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draw people to salvation
-
glorify Jesus
When someone tries to silence the gospel, they attempt to silence the voice of the Spirit who is at work through the message. Scripture calls this “resisting the Holy Ghost” (Acts 7:51).
They are not merely uncomfortable; they are resisting God.
(3) They discourage the church from gathering souls
Jesus said that those who do not gather with Him scatter.
Someone who discourages gospel preaching automatically becomes a scatterer—someone who pushes people away from the truth, away from conviction, away from the possibility of salvation.
The devil does not need to send demons to silence evangelism; he often uses ordinary people who simply tell believers to “keep quiet.”
(4) They place themselves in direct opposition to Christ’s command
When someone rebukes a believer for preaching Christ, they are opposing:
-
Jesus’ Great Commission: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel.”
-
Jesus’ call to witness: “You shall be My witnesses.”
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Jesus’ example: “He went about preaching the kingdom.”
To tell a Christian not to preach Christ is to tell Jesus that His command is unwise, unnecessary, or offensive. It is to contradict the Lord of heaven.
(5) They reveal a heart not aligned with God’s values
A man who rebukes gospel preaching is showing:
-
that he values human comfort over eternal souls
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that he fears man more than God
-
that he prefers silence over truth
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that he does not grasp the seriousness of eternity
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that he loves the world more than the kingdom
This is why Jesus says there is no neutrality.
A heart that belongs to God will never oppose the preaching of Christ.
A heart that loves Christ will rejoice when the gospel is proclaimed.
A heart filled with the Spirit will never rebuke someone for sharing salvation.
Therefore, when a person rebukes you for preaching Christ, no matter how polite or religious they may seem, they are revealing their spiritual position:
They are not with Christ.
Therefore, they are against Him.
A Word to the Believer Who Is Rebuked for Preaching
If someone rebukes you for preaching Jesus:
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Do not be discouraged
-
Do not be ashamed
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Do not remain silent
You are standing where the prophets stood.
You are following the steps of Christ Himself.
You are obeying the Great Commission.
You are doing the work heaven rejoices over.
In fact, opposition is often a sign that you are doing something right. The devil never attacks a silent Christian. The world never rebukes a believer who hides his faith.
But when you speak the name of Jesus, when you carry the cross in public, when you lift up the gospel, the kingdom of darkness trembles—and the world will try to silence you.
Stand firm.
Speak truth.
Fear God, not man.
And remember Jesus’ words:
“Blessed are you when men shall revile you… for great is your reward in heaven.”
Conclusion
Jesus’ words ring with unchanging authority: “He that is not with Me is against Me.” There are only two sides—Christ’s side or the world’s side. The one who encourages the preaching of Christ stands with God. The one who rebukes it opposes the very heart of heaven.
So let us be people who stand boldly with Christ, who gather with Him, who lift up His name, and who refuse to be silent. And may we never fear the rebuke of man, for it is better to be approved by God and rejected by the world than to be welcomed by the world and found standing against the King of Kings.
Amen.
Saturday, November 22, 2025
mystery behind five loaves two fishes miracles, gather the leftovers, none is wasted
Here’s a rich, Bible-based explanation of the “mystery” behind the leftovers in the miracle of the five loaves and two fishes—specifically the meaning of “none is wasted.”
(John 6:12 — “Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.”)
⭐ THE MYSTERY OF THE LEFTOVERS — “None Is Wasted”
Among all Jesus’ miracles, the feeding of the five thousand is one of the few recorded in all four Gospels. It’s not only about feeding hungry people. The miracle contains deep spiritual mysteries, especially the command:
“Gather the leftovers, so that none may be wasted.”
(John 6:12)
Why would the Son of God—who just created food supernaturally—care about leftovers?
Because the miracle is a revelation of God's heart, God’s methods, and God’s kingdom.
Below are the layers of meaning.
✨ 1. God Multiplies, Yet God Does Not Waste
Jesus could produce unlimited bread, yet still said, “Gather the fragments.”
This shows something important:
➤ God is extravagant in blessing… but never wasteful.
He pours out abundance, but every blessing has purpose.
Nothing He gives is meaningless. Nothing God does is random.
Everything from Him is intentional.
This teaches us:
✔ God’s abundance does not cancel God’s order.
✔ God’s miracles do not remove God’s stewardship.
✔ God’s provision does not justify human wastefulness.
✨ 2. The Leftovers Show the Overflow Nature of Grace
Jesus didn’t create just enough.
He created more than enough — enough that every disciple held a basketful.
➤ Grace always overflows.
When God moves, He does not stop at “barely enough.”
He brings:
-
more mercy than our sins
-
more strength than our weakness
-
more supply than our need
Leftovers = Overflowing grace.
✨ 3. Nothing God Touches Is Ever Wasted — Not Even the Broken Pieces
Why did Jesus tell them to gather fragments?
Because even the broken pieces matter.
➤ Symbolically: God wastes no broken piece of your life.
Your pain, your tears, your failures, your mistakes—
He gathers them back into His purpose.
Nothing is thrown away.
Nothing is meaningless.
No suffering is “leftover.”
Every fragment will feed someone, shape something, teach something, transform something.
God is the One who uses broken pieces to feed multitudes.
✨ 4. The Miracle Was Teaching the Disciples:
When Jesus gives you something—even something small and broken—
treat it with honor.
The disciples doubted.
They said the loaves were too small.
But Jesus showed:
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What you think is too little → I can multiply.
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What you think is worthless → I can use.
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What you think is a leftover → I make precious.
➤ Nothing the Lord places in your hands is ever “just leftover.”
✨ 5. The Twelve Baskets Represent a Personal Lesson for Each Disciple
Many preachers miss this:
There were twelve disciples…
and twelve baskets of leftover bread.
Each disciple carried a basket bigger than the original miracle.
➤ The lesson: You will always carry more after obedience than before it.
Their hesitation turned into revelation.
Sometimes God lets you carry the “leftover basket” to remind you:
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“You saw the need.”
-
“You doubted the supply.”
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“You witnessed My power.”
-
“Now carry the evidence of My abundance.”
Nothing is wasted—not even your doubt, because it becomes testimony.
✨ 6. None Is Wasted Because Everything Points to Christ — The True Bread
After the miracle, Jesus leads the crowd to this truth:
“I am the Bread of Life.” (John 6:35)
➤ The bread was a sign. The leftovers preserved the sign.
Every crumb pointed to Him.
Meaning:
None of God’s works in your life is wasted because every blessing is ultimately meant to reveal Jesus.
✨ 7. A Prophetic Message: God Collects What You Think Is Over
Leftovers represent:
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things you thought were over
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parts of life you thought were too small
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opportunities you thought you missed
-
blessings you thought were done
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seasons you thought ended
➤ But God gathers them.
He restores.
He reuses.
He resurrects.
Nothing is wasted in His hands.
🔥 SUMMARY OF THE MYSTERY
“Gather the leftovers… so that none is wasted.”
is not just about bread.
It is God proclaiming:
✔ I waste no tears
✔ I lose no people
✔ I forget no promise
✔ I overlook no detail
✔ I discard no broken piece
✔ I abandon no blessing
✔ I leave nothing unused
✔ I let nothing perish that I touch
Where humans see scraps,
God sees purpose.
Where humans see too little,
God sees seed for a miracle.
Where humans see waste,
God sees kingdom value.
Saturday, October 25, 2025
“When Kindness Fades: The Fickleness of Men and the Faithfulness of God”
Sermon Title: “When Kindness Fades: The Fickleness of Men and the Faithfulness of God”
Introduction
Have you ever noticed how some people are warm, kind, and attentive—until they get what they want?
Perhaps it’s a friend who was always around when they needed help, but vanished once things no longer benefited them. Or maybe it was someone who praised you when you had something to offer, but grew distant when you had nothing left to give.
It’s a painful truth: many people’s kindness is conditional. Their loyalty is tied to advantage. Their love lasts only as long as it serves their purpose.
But in this fleeting and self-centered world, the Bible reveals a greater truth: God’s love never changes. His faithfulness is not based on what He can get from us, but on who He is.
1. The Fickleness of Human Nature
The Bible does not hide the reality of human inconsistency. From Genesis to Revelation, we see that man’s love and loyalty are often shallow and self-serving.
A. The People Who Praised Jesus and Then Rejected Him
In John 12, the crowds shouted “Hosanna!” when Jesus entered Jerusalem. They spread palm branches before Him, crying out that He was the King of Israel.
But just a few days later, those same voices cried, “Crucify Him!” (John 19:6).
What changed?
Jesus was no longer giving them what they wanted. They expected a political savior who would overthrow Rome and restore their nation’s glory. When He didn’t fulfill their expectations, their admiration turned to anger.
This is the nature of man’s praise—it often depends on personal benefit. When Jesus healed the sick and fed the multitudes, people followed Him in crowds. But when He spoke of self-denial, repentance, and the cross, many “turned back and no longer walked with Him” (John 6:66).
B. The Example of Job’s Friends
Job’s friends at first came to comfort him in his suffering. But as his trials continued, their sympathy turned into judgment. They accused him of hidden sin and abandoned compassion.
Their kindness was not rooted in steadfast love but in comfort and convenience.
C. The Betrayal of Judas
Judas Iscariot followed Jesus for years, seeing miracles and hearing divine truth. But his devotion was tied to what he could gain. When Jesus no longer fit his idea of profit, Judas sold Him for thirty pieces of silver.
This shows how people can appear close—even godly—while their hearts are fixed on self-interest.
2. Why People’s Goodness Often Fades
Understanding why people act this way helps us guard our hearts and respond in grace.
A. Because of Selfish Motives
Many people are good only when it serves them. Proverbs 19:4 says,
“Wealth attracts many friends, but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.”
Human nature tends to seek advantage—status, comfort, or connection. Once those benefits disappear, so does the relationship.
B. Because Love Without God Is Limited
Without God, human love runs on emotion and self-interest, not covenant or sacrifice.
Jesus said in Matthew 5:46–47:
“If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?”
In other words, natural love loves the lovable—but divine love loves even when it hurts. Only God’s Spirit can empower a heart to love when there’s nothing to gain.
C. Because the World Teaches Transactional Relationships
We live in a culture where everything is a transaction—favors are exchanged, influence is traded, relationships are built on usefulness.
This mindset even creeps into friendships, workplaces, and families.
But God never meant for love to be a transaction. He designed it to be a reflection of His own nature—constant, unconditional, and faithful.
3. The Faithfulness of God: A Contrast
While man’s love often fades, God’s love never does. Scripture overflows with assurances of His steadfastness.
A. God’s Love Is Covenant Love
Jeremiah 31:3 declares:
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”
Unlike human affection, God’s love is rooted in His covenant, not our performance. Even when we fail, His love endures.
B. God’s Faithfulness Does Not Depend on Our Worthiness
2 Timothy 2:13 says,
“If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.”
Even when people walk away, God stays. When friends turn their backs, God draws near.
This is the essence of divine love—it flows from His character, not our condition.
C. God’s Love Is Proven in Christ
Romans 5:8 proclaims:
“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
When humanity had nothing to offer—when we were spiritually bankrupt—God gave His best.
That is not love that seeks gain; that is love that gives freely.
4. How to Respond When People Leave After They Gain
So how should we respond when people’s kindness fades after they’ve benefited from us?
A. Don’t Let Bitterness Take Root
It’s easy to become cynical when betrayed or used. But Ephesians 4:31–32 says:
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger… Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
God calls us to forgive—not because they deserve it, but because He forgave us when we didn’t deserve it.
Letting go of resentment keeps your heart free to love again.
B. Learn to Anchor Your Hope in God, Not People
Psalm 118:8 reminds us,
“It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.”
When we depend on people for validation, love, or loyalty, we will be disappointed.
But when we anchor our hope in God, we find peace even when others fail us.
C. Keep Doing Good Without Expectation
Galatians 6:9 says,
“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Keep being kind. Keep serving. Keep loving. Even when it’s not reciprocated.
Because God sees—and He rewards faithfulness that seeks no return.
5. The Example of Jesus
If anyone understood being loved conditionally, it was Jesus.
He healed ten lepers, yet only one returned to thank Him (Luke 17:17).
He fed multitudes, yet in His hour of need, His disciples scattered.
He gave everything, yet was abandoned, denied, and betrayed.
Yet even on the cross, He prayed, “Father, forgive them.”
Jesus loved not because people were worthy, but because His heart overflowed with the love of the Father.
That’s the model we are called to follow.
6. God Rewards Those Who Remain Faithful
When others leave you after gaining what they wanted, God sees.
He remembers every act of love, every tear, every sacrifice.
Hebrews 6:10 says:
“God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.”
Even when people forget, God records.
Even when people take advantage, God repays.
Your faithfulness in the face of others’ fickleness becomes a testimony to His grace.
7. How to Cultivate Godlike Faithfulness
If we want to rise above the world’s transactional love, we must let God transform our hearts.
A. Abide in Christ
John 15:4–5 says that apart from Christ, we can do nothing.
To love with His love, we must remain close to Him through prayer, His Word, and worship.
When His Spirit fills us, we gain strength to love without expectation.
B. Ask God for Discernment
Proverbs 4:23 says,
“Guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Loving does not mean being naïve. God calls us to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16).
We can love people without allowing ourselves to be continually exploited.
C. Reflect God’s Steadfastness in Your Own Life
When you stay faithful even when others are not, you mirror the heart of God.
Your steadfastness becomes a witness to those who only know conditional love.
Conclusion
People will come and go.
Some will praise you today and forget you tomorrow.
Some will be kind as long as they gain something from you.
But God never changes.
When others depart, He remains.
When love grows cold, His love burns brighter.
When you are empty, He fills you.
When you are abandoned, He draws near.
Psalm 27:10 says:
“Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.”
Let this truth anchor your soul:
Man’s affection is temporary, but God’s faithfulness is eternal.
So keep doing good, keep loving sincerely, and keep trusting in the One who never leaves nor forsakes you.
Because in a world where many love to gain, you serve a God who loves to give.
“The Fickleness of Men and the Steadfast Love and Faithfulness of God.”
The Fickleness of Men and the Steadfast Love and Faithfulness of God
Introduction
Human nature is often marked by inconsistency. People change their minds, shift their loyalties, and alter their emotions with the tides of circumstance. The fickleness of men—our tendency to waver between faith and doubt, devotion and neglect, love and indifference—has been a consistent theme throughout Scripture and history.
In stark contrast stands God, whose love and faithfulness never change. From generation to generation, He remains constant, unwavering, and true. The difference between human inconsistency and divine steadfastness is not only a matter of theology; it’s the very reason we can have hope, assurance, and peace in a broken and unstable world.
Today’s message calls us to recognize our own frailty and to rest in the unchanging nature of our God.
1. The Fickleness of the Human Heart
Jeremiah 17:9 tells us plainly:
“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”
The prophet doesn’t say that some hearts are deceitful—he says the heart, the human condition itself, is inclined toward instability and unfaithfulness. We are creatures easily swayed by emotion, temptation, and self-interest.
A. The Example of Israel
Throughout the Old Testament, Israel mirrors the condition of every human heart. They experienced God’s miracles firsthand—the parting of the Red Sea, manna from heaven, victory in battle—yet time and again they turned to idols, murmured against God, and forgot His goodness.
In Exodus 32, just weeks after witnessing God’s glory on Mount Sinai, the people made a golden calf, saying, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt!” How swiftly they turned from worshiping the living God to bowing before the work of their hands.
Psalm 78 recounts this pattern vividly:
“They forgot what he had done, the wonders he had shown them… But they put God to the test and rebelled against the Most High.” (vv. 11, 56)
Israel’s story is not just history—it’s a mirror. We too forget God’s past faithfulness when trials come. We praise Him when He blesses us, and doubt Him when storms arise. We are quick to promise devotion in times of deliverance, yet slow to obey when obedience costs us something.
B. The Example of Peter
Peter’s life also captures the paradox of the human heart. One moment he boldly declares, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” and the next he denies Jesus three times out of fear. His heart, like ours, was sincere yet unstable—full of zeal one day, full of fear the next.
And yet, God did not reject Peter. Jesus looked at him after his denial—not with anger, but with compassion. That look of grace transformed Peter’s shame into repentance. The Lord knows our fickleness, but He does not abandon us because of it. Instead, He seeks to restore us.
C. The Nature of Human Fickleness
Our inconsistency often stems from:
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Emotional instability – We are guided by how we feel rather than what we know.
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Spiritual forgetfulness – We easily forget God’s past faithfulness.
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Worldly distractions – Our hearts chase after temporary pleasures.
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Fear and self-preservation – When faith is costly, we retreat into safety.
We are like waves tossed by the wind—one moment lifted high by faith, the next sinking in doubt. James 1:8 warns that “a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.” That is the nature of our humanity apart from divine grace.
2. The Steadfast Love and Faithfulness of God
In contrast to human fickleness, God’s character is described over and over again as steadfast and faithful.
Psalm 36:5 declares:
“Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.”
While our hearts are changeable, God’s heart never changes. His promises are not conditional upon our performance but grounded in His eternal nature.
A. God’s Love Is Steadfast
The Hebrew word often used for “steadfast love” is ḥesed, meaning covenantal loyalty, mercy, and lovingkindness. It’s not just affection—it’s love that commits, love that endures, love that acts.
In Lamentations 3:22–23, written amid national tragedy, Jeremiah proclaims:
“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Even when Israel was faithless, God’s mercy endured. His love was not diminished by their rebellion. The covenant love of God outlasts our failures.
B. God’s Faithfulness Is Unchanging
Deuteronomy 7:9 affirms:
“Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.”
God’s faithfulness is not merely reliability—it’s the fulfillment of His promises despite human weakness. Every promise He has made, He will keep. Every word He has spoken, He will accomplish.
2 Timothy 2:13 says:
“If we are faithless, He remains faithful—for He cannot deny Himself.”
God’s faithfulness is not reactive but essential to who He is. It flows from His very nature.
C. The Greatest Expression: The Cross
The ultimate display of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness is the cross of Christ. From the moment of Adam’s fall, humanity showed its fickleness—running from God, hiding in shame, rebelling in pride. Yet God did not abandon His creation.
He fulfilled His covenant promises through Jesus Christ, who bore our sins upon the cross. Romans 5:8 says:
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Even when we were unfaithful, God remained faithful. The cross is not only an act of salvation; it is the eternal proof that God’s love will not be shaken.
3. The Contrast Between God and Man
Let’s pause and reflect on this contrast:
| Human Nature | God’s Nature |
|---|---|
| Changeable | Unchanging |
| Forgetful | Remembering His promises |
| Fearful | Sovereign and secure |
| Conditional love | Unconditional love |
| Faithless | Faithful |
| Dependent on emotion | Rooted in eternal truth |
This contrast highlights the depth of our need for God. We cannot trust our own hearts, but we can trust His. We cannot depend on our own strength, but we can rest in His constancy.
A. Our Hope Rests in His Unchangeableness
Hebrews 13:8 declares:
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
What comfort this brings! People may disappoint us, leaders may fail, friends may drift away—but Christ remains the same. His grace is not seasonal. His mercy is not moody. His promises do not expire.
Malachi 3:6 says:
“For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.”
It is precisely because God is unchanging that we are not destroyed by our own instability. His steadfastness sustains us through every failure.
B. God’s Steadfast Love Produces Stability in Us
When we anchor ourselves in God’s faithfulness, we begin to reflect that same steadfastness. The more we trust in His unchanging nature, the more our hearts are transformed from fickle to firm.
Psalm 112:7 describes the righteous man:
“He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.”
Steadfast faith is not the absence of weakness but the presence of trust in a steadfast God.
4. How We Respond to God’s Faithfulness
Knowing that God is faithful should not lead us to complacency but to deeper devotion. His steadfast love calls for our steadfast response.
A. Remember His Faithfulness
Psalm 103:2 exhorts:
“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.”
Spiritual forgetfulness is the seed of unfaithfulness. When we remember how God has carried us through the past—how He has provided, forgiven, and guided—we find renewed strength to trust Him today.
Make remembrance a habit. Keep a record of answered prayers. Testify of His goodness. Teach your children the stories of His faithfulness.
B. Return to Him When You Fall
Because God is faithful, there is always a way back. The prodigal son is welcomed by a Father whose love never ran out. 1 John 1:9 assures:
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
No matter how often we waver, His mercy invites us to begin again. His faithfulness is greater than our failure.
C. Reflect His Faithfulness
Ephesians 5:1 urges:
“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children.”
To imitate God’s faithfulness means to be dependable in our relationships, true to our word, constant in prayer, and committed to love even when it is difficult. The world is starving for examples of steadfastness—people whose loyalty mirrors the faithfulness of God.
D. Rest in His Steadfast Love
There will be seasons when your faith feels weak, when your emotions fluctuate, and when circumstances shake your confidence. In those moments, do not despair. Rest in this truth: God’s love does not depend on your strength but on His character.
Psalm 94:18–19 says:
“When I said, ‘My foot is slipping,’ your unfailing love, LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”
His steadfast love is the anchor of the soul.
5. The Transforming Power of a Steadfast God
When you truly grasp the steadfast love and faithfulness of God, it changes how you see everything.
A. It Brings Peace in Uncertain Times
The world around us is unstable—politics shift, economies falter, people disappoint—but God’s faithfulness stands as a rock. Isaiah 26:3 promises:
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
When you rest in His constancy, fear loses its power.
B. It Gives Confidence in Prayer
You can pray boldly because you know God keeps His word. Hebrews 10:23 encourages:
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”
Even when you can’t see results, you can trust His character. He has never broken a promise.
C. It Produces Endurance in Suffering
Suffering often exposes our fickleness. Yet it also reveals God’s unwavering presence. He doesn’t abandon us in pain; He walks with us through it.
As the psalmist writes in Psalm 23:4:
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.”
When everything else fails, His steadfast love endures.
6. Conclusion: From Fickle to Faithful
The Christian life is a journey from human fickleness toward divine faithfulness—a transformation that only grace can accomplish. God’s faithfulness is not just something we admire; it’s something that changes us.
When we fail, His love restores us.
When we fear, His constancy steadies us.
When we doubt, His promises assure us.
Let us not despair over our weakness but rejoice in His strength. For every wavering heart, there is a steadfast Savior. For every faltering promise, there is a faithful God.
Final Scripture Reflections
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Psalm 89:8 – “O LORD God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you.”
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Numbers 23:19 – “God is not a man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind.”
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Romans 8:38–39 – “Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
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1 Thessalonians 5:24 – “The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.”