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LOVERS OF PLEASURE MORE THAN LOVERS OF GOD

"A father and son were walking along the streets of Paris one night. They passed a place that was brilliantly lighted. It was decorated with all the colors of the rainbow. Soft music emanated from within, and the fragrance of Arabian spices floated outward from the open windows. 'What is that?' inquired the boy. The father replied, 'Son, that is hell!' This surprised the boy. Hell - with all the glitter and glamour? He thought that hell was something ugly. He thought that the belch of sulphur would greet one at its entrance. But here it all looked so nice! What is more, the sign read, 'Free Admission.' But although it costs nothing to get in, it costs much to get out: character blasted, conscience burdened, one's soul in a lost condition."
- Encyclopedia Of Sermon Illustrations

Everyday we are faced with the decision to either live for God or to live for the pleasures of this world.

In 2 Timothy 3:4, the Apostle Paul warned us that in the Last Days men would be "lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God."

They would -
     ...pursue sensual pleasures and vain amusements more than God
     ...live for pleasure, have no serious pursuits, and place no restraints on their appetites and lives
     ...prefer the pleasures of this life to the friendship and fellowship of Jesus.

Pleasure and sensual gratification would be the gods that they love and serve.

In Romans 16:18, he mentioned those who "serve not out Lord Jesus Christ" but their "own belly." They aren't interested in obeying God but only in promoting their own private and carnal interests.

In Philippians 3:18-19, Paul called these pursuers of Pleasure - "enemies of the cross...whose God is their belly" because they lived simply for self-indulgence and sensual gratification.

Lastly, in 1 Timothy 5:6, he spoke of the widows who lived in pleasure as being "dead" while they lived. How could this be so? They lived delicately, luxuriously, and voluptuously. They yielded to the indulgences and appetites of their flesh. While they lived, they were yet dead in their trespasses and sins.

In Proverbs 9, we read a parable where two women cry out from "the highest places of the city" to all the "passengers who go right on their ways" each day. The Two Women are Wisdom or the Word of God and Folly or Pleasure.

Proverbs 9:1-3 - Wisdom is introduced as a venerable and respectable lady. She is presented as a magnificent queen or a great ruler who has real beauties and solid and substantial promises to offer all those who will come to her feast.

• "She hath killed her beasts" - made the most ample supply for her guests.

• "She hath mingled her wine" - added the finest spices to make it the strongest and best quality wine.

• "She hath sent forth her maidens" - It is a custom in the Asiatic East to send invitations to the guests of a great feast by way of a company of young women.

Proverbs 9:4 - She calls out to all those who are young, careless, and frivolous - "Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither..."
Proverbs 9:4-6 - Then to those who are weak, fickle, easily swayed and drawn from the right course, she calls out - "...as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled, Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding."

She invites all the young travelers to partake of her instruction, counsel, and direction which is found in the knowledge and fear of God and which leads to true and lasting joy. However, in order to enjoy her delicacies, they must "forsake the foolish" - break off all bad company - and "go in the way of understanding" - follow and obey the Word of God.

Proverbs 9:13-14 - Folly also sits "on a seat in the high places of the city" calling out to the "passengers who go right on their ways." She is not presented as a revered woman as Wisdom is. On the contrary, she is presented as a depraved and impudent woman. She is "clamorous," "simple," and "knoweth nothing." She is noisy, vain and empty, and ignorant.

Proverbs 9:16 - To her guests, she is pushy and forceful. Her invitation is identical to that of Wisdom's -
"Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither; and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him."
Proverbs 9:17 - Nonetheless, her message is a bold affront to Wisdom - "Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant."

• She cries out brashly and brazenly to all those who are simple, undecided, wavering, and standing at the crossroads of life.

• She speaks to all those who were virtuously educated and brought up with godly restraints and principles. She offers to all Pleasure - sensual, carnal, and forbidden pleasures.

• She defies Wisdom or God's Word in presenting "Stolen Waters" as sweet, pleasant, desirable, relishing, and satisfactory.

Oh! If she could only succeed in getting someone to yield to her enticements! If she could only convince one of her passers-by to relinquish all virtuous restraints and give place to Carnal Pleasure.

1 Timothy 5:6 - What most people do not know, believe, or even consider is that "her guests are in the depths of hell" for anyone who lives in Pleasure(Sensual Indulgence) is dead while they live.

O Christian, whose invitation have you accepted today?
Are you a lover of pleasure more than a lover of God?

Do you serve the Lord Jesus or your own belly - your own selfish interests?
Are you an "enemy of the cross"?

Do you -
     ...live for self-indulgence and sensual gratification?
     ...live delicately, luxuriously, and voluptuously?
     ...constantly yield to the indulges and appetites of your flesh?

Have you forsaken the foolish?
Have you broken off from all bad company and influences?

Are you submitting yourself to the yoke and restraints of God's Holy Law?
Or are you compromising the holy standards for the forbidden pleasures of this world?

The devil is a deceiver. The road to hell is not paved with horror scenes of flames, utter darkness, and the smell of sulphur. On the contrary, the road to hell is filled with the razzle-dazzle, bright lights, and laughter of this world. The road to hell appears to be so much fun.

Proverbs 14:12 warns - "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."

There are two cries that can be heard in the distance.
They are the cries of Wisdom and Folly.
They are the cries of the Word of God and Pleasure calling out to you and me.

To whose voice will you give heed?

Proverbs 9:18 - Remember- all who serve and live for Pleasure end up "in the depths of hell."

May God Bless His Word.
Connie


 

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