ARE YOU EATING POISONED BREAD?

Matthew 16:6-12; “Then Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.” And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have taken no bread.” But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up? How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread? But to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

• "He whose main pursuit is pleasure will never attain to righteousness."

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• "Sinful and forbidden pleasures are like poisoned bread; they may satisfy the appetite for the moment, but there is death in them at the end."

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• "Life in worldly pleasure is only life in appearance."

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• "All sins are rooted in the love of pleasure; therefore be watchful."

1. In Ezekiel 6:9; the Prophet Ezekiel made mention of YAHWEH's broken heart over His people who were committing spiritual whoredoms through their idolatries: "And they that escape of you shall remember Me among the nations whither they shall be carried captives, because I am broken with their whorish heart, which hath departed from Me, and with their eyes, which go a whoring after their idols: and they shall loathe themselves for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations."

The people were setting their affections on other things besides the LORD GOD.

Their joys and excitement came from possessing or serving rivals or idols. Resultantly, their hearts departed from Him. Is this the way it is today with the Body of Christ?

Has she broken His Heart with all of her spiritual whoredoms?

Has she gone after worldly entertainments and amusements; only to forget Him in the process?

All those whose main pursuit is pleasure; will never attain righteousness, but is this the main pursuit of the Church world today?

Pleasure, entertainment, and fun?

1. What about the words of our LORD Yeshua found in Matthew 6:33; "But seek ye first the Kingdom of GOD, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you?"

It seems that the pursuits of pleasure and righteousness clash. We cannot seek both at the same time just as we cannot serve two masters. One will be sure to overshadow the other, and, in most cases, pleasure will win out. But compared sinful and worldly pleasures to "poisoned bread."

That is one way of looking at them. They seem right at the time, but in the end, they prove to be fatal. How many of YAHWEH's people are settling for "poisoned bread" when they can freely and daily partake of the "Bread of Life" manna from heaven; angel's food?

1. Could this be why so many "Christians" are:

• Having problems withstanding the first temptation that comes along with sin.

• Living in defeat when they should be walking in Calvary's Victory.

• Weak in the faith and cannot take a stand for Christ on their jobs against ungodliness and unrighteousness?

1. Why so many do not have the boldness to: 2 Timothy 4:2; "Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching."

1. Is it because all week long they have been partaking of the world's "poisoned bread" and, as a result, they are: Jude 12; "These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots."

No one is really living who follows after worldly pleasure. Yet we hear people saying all the time; "We are really living it up now."

But are they?

How can anyone eat "poisoned bread" and be healthy, vigorous, and strong?

Satan has fooled some people, wouldn't you agree?

All sins are rooted in the love of pleasure. Then why would any Believers who love YAHWEH with all that is within them make the pleasures of this world their main pursuit?

Shouldn't they be seeking after Him and His Righteousness so that they can live holily, justly, and soberly in this present age?

The main characteristic of the majority of this world is to live for pleasure, but they have no serious pursuits. They reject any restraints that would curb their amusements in any measure.

Should the Body be included in this number?

Is she?

1. The Apostle Paul warned us that in the last days, men would be:

• 2 Timothy 3:4; "Traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of GOD."

He informed us that these days would be "perilous" not so much because of the persecutions that would arise against righteous living, but because of the corruption that would infiltrate from within the ranks. Carnal pleasure would steal the people's affections from the LORD GOD.

People would prefer pleasure, entertainment, fun, and excitement to fellowship with Him, but sad to say, as we look around at most churches, we realize that we are in those very days at the present moment.

1. At one time we were: Titus 3:3; " For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another."

1. Slaves, entangled and ensnared; beguiled and blinded: 1 Peter 4:3; "For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries."

1. Many walked in total defiance to all decency as they counted it:

• 2 Peter 2:13; "And will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it a pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you."

Day or night; it made no difference, they abandoned themselves to all sorts of lusts and worldly pleasures.

1. But now the Grace of YAHWEH in our lives enables us to deny "ungodliness and worldly lusts" and to live in absolute freedom from its corruption and bondage:

• Titus 2:12; "Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age."

"Ungodliness" refers to all things that are contrary to YAHWEH and His Holy attributes and character.

"Worldly lusts" refer to all improper desires which can also include the desire for wealth, pleasure, and honor.

1. The Grace of YAHWEH was remarkably demonstrated in Moses' life when he chose "to suffer affliction with the People of YAHWEH, then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season." Hebrews 11:25; "Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of GOD than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin."

Rather than remain in Pharaoh's court amidst all of the revelry and sin; he faced trials, danger, and the sacrificing of all of his comforts and honors so that he could join in the sufferings of his oppressed, downtrodden, and despised people. He chose a lot of suffering rather than pleasure-loving. Have we done the same?

Why would anyone choose worldly pleasures over a deeper walk with YAHWEH?

1. The Scriptures tell us that the "pleasures of this life" choke the Word of YAHWEH being implanted in our hearts, causing us to be totally fruitless; "bring no fruit to perfection." Luke 8:14; "Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity."

1. The LORD Jesus, in turn, told us that: Matthew 7:19; "Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire."

1. He also asked us: Matthew 16:26; "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"

The "pleasures of this life" cause us to be fruitless and lose our own souls. Is this what we want?

Do we want to be that "tree" that is "hewn down, and cast into the fire?"

Do we want to lose our souls and end up for all eternity in Hellfire?

Are the "pleasures of this life" an even exchange for our eternal souls?

Would we rather have worldly pleasure than have an intimate relationship with our Creator?

1. King Solomon admonished us with these words: Proverbs 21:17; "He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich."

Do we want to be poor physically and spiritually?

We will be if we "love pleasure."

The Prophet Isaiah warned the pleasure-lovers of his day who continuously indulged in feasting, drinking, various entertainments, and fun: Isaiah 5:11-13; "Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of His hands. Therefore; My people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honorable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst."

In the midst of it all, they failed to regard the heavy Hand of YAHWEH that was lifted up in judgment over their heads. They were too busy having a "good time" to be disturbed by any "doom and gloom" prophet, announcing YAHWEH's closure of their party. They did not want to hear any negative or serious words from Him that would stifle their gaiety and laughter. Is this how we are today?

Do we scorn, reject, and ridicule the messengers whom He sends to bring a warning of judgment?

Are we so in love with our pleasures that we would rather mock His servant rather than receive His admonition to lay down our fun, frolic, and gaiety; lest we be ruined?

What pleasures are choking the Word in our hearts?

What worldly pleasures are keeping us from seeking a closer walk with Him?

What form of entertainment or fun is drawing us away from Him?

Solomon told us: Ecclesiastes 7:4; "The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth."

Which house do we live in for the most part?

Do we reject anything serious, or sobering, or search for the lighter things in life?

On a Friday night, would we rather be entertained by a comedian or hear a "doom and gloom" prophet that would call us to repentance from sin?

In closing, have we removed our hearts from this world; its honors, pleasures, and glories; and from our own selfish satisfactions to seek after the LORD Yeshua and Him alone as our greatest pleasure?

Have we done away with the world's vanities so that we will have no hindrance in serving Him aright?

What is our main pursuit in life; more of Him or more worldly pleasures?

What will we give in exchange for our never-dying soul?

The Pleasures of this life?

Do we want to die a "poor man?"

Will we continue to eat the "poisoned bread" that this world offers?

"Life in worldly pleasure is only life in appearance."

Let's go ahead and live our lives to the fullest. But let's be sure to be lovers of YAHWEH rather than lovers of pleasure.

I WOULD RATHER BE UNCOMFORTABLE IN YESHUA...THEN COMFORTABLE WITH SATAN!!

“IF YOU'RE NOT WINNING SOULS FOR YESHUA…YOU DON'T WORK FOR YAHWEH...YOU'RE SELF-EMPLOYED!!"