[0:00]This is the Taking the Land podcast. We post daily sermons and weekly interviews to inspire, convict, equip, and encourage you to take the land that God has set in front of you. Today is Wayman Wednesday. You're about to hear a message from the founder of our movement, Pastor Wayman Mitchell. As he enjoys his great reward and glory, we who are part of the movement he left behind still need to hear his clarion call to evangelism, holiness, discipleship, church planting, and world evangelism. We hope you enjoy Wayman Wednesday on the Taking the Land podcast. Exodus 21, if you want to turn there with me, there's a many passages in the scripture that the Bible takes some imagery of real life and uh or relationships out of life and begins to teach lessons from that and this is one of these in Exodus chapter 21. Uh they're referring to the natural circumstances of life, but they're also give a spiritual uh dimension and spiritual insight. Exodus chapter 21, beginning with verse 28. It says, if an ox gores a man or a woman that they die, then the ox shall be surely stoned and his flesh shall not be eaten. But the owner of the ox shall be cleared. But if the ox were accused and in the past to push with his horn in time past, and he's not kept him in, Uh but uh that he's killed a man or a woman, the ox shall be stoned and his owner also shall be put to death. Verse 30, if there be uh laid on him a sum of money, then he shall give for the ransom of his life, whatsoever is laid upon him. I want to talk this evening about lessons from the barnyard, if I could. So, uh, first of all, we want to from this patch scripture catch an insight into the fallen nature of man. The uh, uh, scripture, you have to correctly relate the lessons from it. And so, uh, there's much erroneous depiction and theology in, um, in life. Mormon theology is very interesting false doctrine. Uh, the Mormons, one of their cliches says, as man is, God once was. As God is, man can become. That's the, that's the lie that was told in the garden. Can you say amen? Anybody recognize that ring? As man is, God once was. No, he never was. And as God is, man can become. So, that's a life from the pit of hell. And this is what happens in many people when they, uh, don't read the Bible. So, here in this text, we have an interesting, uh, depiction. Genesis chapter 3, verse 4 and 5, we see an elaboration of the that statement. Says and the serpent said unto the woman, you shall not surely die. But God does know that in the day you eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened and you shall be as God, knowing good and evil. So, let's lock in on this for a moment this evening and get some instruction because man without God becomes an animal. He really does. I think I had somebody ask me that. I think I probably was teaching Sunday school or something said you, you said I'm an animal? Well, I don't know, if you're saved, why that changes the dimensions, but if you're not saved, yes. Second Peter chapter 2, verse 22, says, but as it happened unto them, according to the true proverb, the dog is turned to his own vomit again and the sow that is washed to her wallowing in the mire. So, isn't that interesting? Because here God says that you backslide, while you, uh, without God, you are no better than an animal. And Second Peter 2:12 says, but they, these as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not and shall utterly perish in their own corruption. So, what we're dealing with then is the consideration of mankind and his fallen state. What happens is the base passions rule mankind. And First Corinthians chapter 2, verse 14 says, but the natural man receives not the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him. Neither can he know them because they are spiritually, uh, spiritually discerned. So, man without God, he, uh, comes into his natural state, his base passions begin to rule. You could call it barnyard behavior. And, uh, the flesh without God begins to dominate the life. Romans 8, verses, uh, 5 through 8, But they that are after the flesh, that's what a natural man is. The man without God is a man that's, that, uh, is after the flesh. Do mind the things, uh, of the flesh, but they that after the spirit, the things of the spirit. For to be carnally minded is death. But to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God, for he is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then, they that are in the flesh cannot please God. So, it's interesting as we begin to study the history right from the beginning, you know, the story that Cain and Abel and, uh, Uh, Cain, uh, brought an offering to the Lord of the fruits of the field. Abel brought what God had required, which was a sacrifice. And, uh, this, uh, uh, Cain was rejected. He was very, very upset because of that. And, uh, he began to, uh, mouth his, uh, his dissatisfaction with that. And the Lord said to Cain, why are you angry? And why is your countenance fallen? If you do well, shall you not be accepted? But if you do not well, sin lies at the door. The imagery there is like an animal. Sin is waiting to crouch and to leap upon the first opportunity. And, uh, says, uh, and unto you shall be his desire and, and you shall rule over him. That's what I created you for, to rule over him. So, this has becomes, uh, man fallen becomes barnyard behavior, many people, uh, have commented about that. So, there's a conflict then of the fallen man between the flesh and the spirit. And, uh, the animal in all of us begins to manifest itself, unless God gives dominion and he rules our life. Uh, because the conflict of the flesh and the spirit is, uh, the dominion. Galatians 5:16 and 17 says, for the flesh lusts against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh, and these are contrary the one to the other, so that you cannot do the things that you should. So, here's the conflict, when we are born again, the spirit of God comes in, begins to work in us and it begins to bring a, a dimension that will rule if we, uh, will, uh, begin to yield to the spirit of God. Uh, but, uh, if we do not, then conflict, uh, does not come out well. It's a story about an old Indian. He's, uh, saved and he's talking to a young man. And the young man's trying to get to handle on what this is all about. And he said, I don't understand. What do you mean the flesh, uh, less against the spirit and these are contrary one said, well, let me tell you, it's like this. Inside of us are two dogs, one white, one and one black one. And they fight all the time. And the young man said, oh, I see. So, which one wins? And the old man said, whichever one I say sickem to. So, that's a lot closer to home than you want to admit. So, let's look then about the personal responsibility that we have. The problem is always greater, sin is always greater than it appears. Because the delusion of the devil, uh, when we're tempted with sin, and the Bible says that, uh, that, uh, every person has that temptation. Jesus brings that out very clearly. But it always does not appear as as, uh, serious as it really is. And Hosea chapter 5 and verse 7, uh, makes an interesting statement. Says for they've sewn the wind and they shall read the whirlwind. Now think about that. They've sold the wind and that's just a breeze, but it becomes a tornado when the reality comes home to that. Uh, and, uh, it has no stock, the bull, the bud shall yield no, uh, meal. If so, it yields the stranger shall swallowed up. So, here's the issue is that the consequences of sin are far worse than they appear when temptation comes our way. And so, the scripture writes us to, uh, warn us because there's an invariable principle that is there. Uh, seed always bring forth a greater fruit than what is planted. Can you say amen? Thank you for listening to the Taking the Land podcast. If you made it to this point, that means you're probably hungry for more sermons. Please check out the premium Taking the Land podcast, link in the show notes. For only $3 a month, you'll get interruption and ad-free listening experience, early releases to start your day right, sermons will appear in your feed by 6:00 a.m. in the US, full versions of testimony Tuesday, access to the premium subscription WhatsApp group. Finally, the best reason to subscribe. All proceeds go to world evangelism. We don't take a dime. Until next time, we wish you God's speed as you pursue his will for your life wherever you are serving him. Keep taking the lane.
[11:16]And so, uh, Get in the game with the college branded Venmo debit card. Rack your team with every tap and earn up to 5% cash back with Venmo stash, a new rewards program from Venmo. No monthly fee, no minimum balance. Just school pride and spending power. Get in the game and sign up for the Venmo debit card at venmo.com/collegecard. The Venmo Mastercard is issued by the Bank Corp Bank NA, select schools available, Venmo stash terms and exclusions apply at venmo.me/stashterms, max $100 cash back per month. Uh Second Corinthians chapter 9 and verse 6, uh, uh, make a very profound statement concerning that. And says, but this I say, he who sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly and he who sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully. So, there's a multiplying effect, but that's also true concerning sin and we have to realize that we have a vulnerability. This passage scripture that we read out of Exodus 28, uh, gives us a shocking reality that there is a personal responsibility. We can't say, well, I didn't know, or I didn't understand, or I didn't realize it's going to be that bad. But there's an observed tendency, and that tendency is spoken of in there that an ox, uh, has gor in time past. So, the recognition is that he has that ability and that capability, and that brings us to an understanding of the animal nature that's in all of us when God is not given rule right away, uh, that the danger is there. And so, the scripture says in Exodus 21 and uh, and verse 29, but if the ox were accustomed to push with his horn in time past. And it's been testified to his owner, and he's not kept him in, but that he's killed a man or a woman, the ox shall be stoned and his owner also shall be put to death. So, let's bring this down to the reality is that the owner of that ox should have realized. He should have restrained the ox because that tendency and that possibility was there. And so, that brings an interesting pair, well, bear, bear, bear, brings an interesting for principle that, uh, we need to take, uh, take note of ourselves. Because all of us know that we have the capability, can you say amen? The fallen nature. Jesus said, for within, out of the heart of man, comes adultery, fornication, strife of various kinds, wickedness, and so on. And so, we know that the potential that we have is there. It never goes away. When we get saved, thank God we've got victory over it. When we get saved, the spirit of God comes in and gives us the ability to overcome habit addictions, immorality, uh, the twisted nature of man, but that potential is there. And, uh, we are not excused by saying, well, it just, uh, I got caught in a weak moment. Because we know that that is there and God's going to hold us accountable for that. Romans, uh, 13, uh, verse 14, the Bible underlines this and, uh, and, uh, says these words, put you on the Lord Jesus Christ and make not provision for the flesh to fulfill its lust. That responsibility is given to each of us. Can you say amen? We're not ignorant because concerning the possibility. And so, God will hold us responsible for our actions. First Corinthians 9:27, the Apostle Paul speaks about this. He said, but I keep under my body, and I bring it into subjection, less by any means when I preach to others, I myself should be cast away. So, in other words, people who know that there is a possibility there, and each of us, if you are knowledgeable, we know that there's an animal inside, can you say amen? It's there. Uh, it has the possibility. Salvation gives us victory over that. The spirit of God takes dominion and, uh, we must and we can, uh, we must, we can live for God, but it has to be reined in or constrained. Just like the ox, that possibility has been shown. And so, the lower nature in us must be reined in. It's an interesting text, along this line, in Second Kings chapter 8, verse 12, uh, Hezeal said to the prophet, says, why are you weeping, my Lord? And he answered, the prophet has seen in the future, he's seen what's going to happen to this man and to society as a result of that. Because I know the evil that you'll do unto the children of Israel, uh, their strongholds will you set on fire, and your young men will you slay with the sword, and you'll dash their children and rip up their, uh, women with child. So, here's the prophet. He's looking at Hezeal. And as he's looking at him, said, I'm seeing what you're going to do. And he, and he, and this puts it in his face and he says these words in verse 13, and Hezeal said, but what is my your servant a dog? That he should do this great thing. And he replied, the Lord has shown me that you shall be king over Syria. So, he departed from Elisha and came to his master, uh, who said to him, what said Elisha to you? And he answered, he told me that you should surely recover. He's lying through his teeth.
[17:20]Elisha just told him what he's going to do. And he said, he told me that you're going to be king, going to be a wonderful thing. You're going to recover. Everything's going to be all right. And, uh, and verse 15, and it came to pass, uh, on the next day, that he took a thick cloth, dipped it in water and spread it on his face. He sick now. He's very weak. So, that he died and Hezeal reigned in his stead and brought to pass all of those things. So, here, uh, when Hezeal is being honest, he's being prophesied to him the capability that he had. He said, what do you think I am a dog? Yes, that's what he, the animal inside him did exactly what the prophet saw he's going to do, and that possibility. Very interesting dimension. I think last week or the week before that, uh, Vice President Pence is a practicing Christian. And so, he made the statement in, uh, one of his, uh, interviews that he never went to a dinner, he was a, uh, governor of Indiana. I never went to a dinner, uh, where alcohol is going to be served without my wife. And the press just, just broke up. This is the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen. Who is this proved? He's not going to go to a banquet because they're serving. Yeah, but you see, Mr. Pence knew the animal was inside him. I never go to a dinner where alcohol is going to be saved. Because it's interesting what people do when they get lubricated. Amen. Not that he's going to do anything, but he knew that when women get lubricated, they get wild. So, he said, I never go to a dinner. And the press it, oh, but if they would have said, I, I go to every party I can and I'm trolling, they'd said, that's a guy just like us. What a guy. We're glad you made Vice President. So, can you say amen? So, the, uh, issue here is the lower animal nature must be constrained. In the Gospel of Jeremiah, the Book of Jeremiah chapter 17 and verse 9, the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can know it? So, there it is, it's put before us, the animal in all of us must be constrained and God has made provision. Can you say amen? We can live for God. You know, there's a Baptist, uh, cliche, they always say, well, you know, we always, we all sin every day. Well, you better quit it. That's all I got to say. Can you say amen? That's what salvation's all about. So, let's look for in this passage scripture, there's a redemption. And, uh, but redemption is displayed all through the Bible. It never is without cost. And so, uh, if we carry this on into, uh, one of the main base passions of man and what, uh, the dimension that it's caused damnation to many ministries and many Christians, uh, for instance, immorality. Here's Mr. Pence. He says, I never, never go to a dinner, I've never gone to a dinner, uh, where alcohol's going to be present without my wife. So, he understands the reality there. Because, uh, sin brings condemnation. Can you say amen? Sin brings, uh, separation from God. Sin brings divorce. Sin brings disruption. Sin brings loss of credibility. Sin brings guilt. Guilt is a, is a powerful dimension. Guilt is a gift of God. Do you know that? How many of you know guilt is a gift of God? Because when we do wrong, God has equipped us with a conscience. Conscience is our self testimony. And it's a gift of God because we now know by conscience is condemned that we have done wrong and that is God's gift so that we don't have to do that. We can correct that, uh, issue that we have. There's a history of a man. I have a, uh, quote that this man wrote. He was a minister of the gospel and, uh, he, uh, committed adultery. Proverbs chapter, uh, six, uh, beginning with verse 25. Interesting text. Do not lust in your heart after her beauty. Or let her captivate you with her eyes. For the prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread, and the adulterous praise upon your very life. Can a man take fire into his lap without his clothes being burned? Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched? So is he who sleeps with another man's wife.
[22:09]No one who touches her will go unpunished. So, Mr. Alcorn, Alcorn, he, uh, he included this statement in text in his testimony of his personalized list of anticipated consequences of immorality. Let me just read some of these, grieving my Lord, displeasing the one whose opinion most matters, dragging into the mud, Christ's sacred reputation, loss of reward and commendation from God. Having to one day look Jesus in the face at the judgment seat and give an account of why I did it, forcing God to discipline me in various ways, falling in the footsteps of men, I know whose immorality forfeited their ministry and caused me to shudder. Uh, I've got a list of these names, he says, suffering of innocent people around me, who would get hit by my shrapnel, uh, Alakan in the Old Testament, untold hurt to Nancy, my best friend, and loyal wife, loss of Nancy's respect and trust, hurt to and loss of credibility with my beloved daughters, Karina and Angela. While listen to a man who betrayed mom and us. If my blindness should continue, or my family be or be unable to forgive, I could lose my wife and my children forever. I won't read it all, but, uh, there it's all. So, he says, I'm older now. I'm 55 a few days ago. My daughters are grown with children of their own, but the list of consequences of immorality is larger than ever. So, let's ponder this for a moment because what we have here is a, uh, illustration. First Corinthians 10 verse 12 says, for this reason, let him that thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall. In other words, the animal in all of us is at the doorway or the gateway, ready to spring at the first opportunity, uh, back to Cain and his mistake. So, here we have, uh, ransom is to be paid. The first ransom is the death of the ox. The owner who knew, but he didn't act to restrain him, here he has the loss of this animal. But this is also true in real life. Guilt must be atoned for. Listen to me. I've said this before. Guilt must be atoned for. Humanity tries to do all kinds of tricks with his conscience, their religious callisthenics. Uh, if you were in Saudi Arabia, people would come into, uh, Mecca and, uh, make a pilgrimage there once a year. Uh, during the proper time, they would have rocks and they would throw rocks at the black stone there, and that's supposedly to take care of their sins for another year. I have news for you. You can't, uh, stub your conscience with a physical act. Sin is spiritual. Sin damns, sin separates, sin condemns. And so, uh, guilt must be atoned for with God's method of atonement, which is the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Nothing else will suffice. If you try to put it away some other way, then it will be internalized. When it's internalized, if you don't get rid of it, it just becomes worse. When you internalize it, it begins to affect the mentality. You may be, uh, driven by a guilt consciousness, do all kinds of things.
[26:07]You may, uh, be, uh, mentally deranged. You may be, uh, emotionally unbalanced, but most commonly, uh, it's breaks out in disease and physical disease in the, in the human personality. Uh, because it must be atoned for by God's atonement. The only atonement is the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is God's method. Acts 4:12 says, neither is there salvation any other, for there's no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. The first step is repentance. And, uh, in the, uh, book of First John, this is God's aim. God is a savior. Can you say amen? Aren't you think that God is a savior? Thank God, he's a savior. And the first step is repentance. That means you turn from your sin and you confess it to God. That's the first step. And the Bible says, these goods were these good were, if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If any man says he has no sin, he lies and does not the truth. But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. So, here we have it then, and we have some barnyard theology this year. Very simple, but very plain. Lessons from the barnyard. Heads bowed, eyes closed. Just open our hearts to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. As we are gathered together and heads are bowed, our eyes are closed, and God's conviction is dealing with hearts. And if God has spoken to you in any way,
