Beware Of Covetousness, August 10th, 2025

Today, I'm filling in for Pastor Manoj, and I want to thank him for seeing something in me that I don't see myself, as it takes a lot of prayer for an introverted person like me to come up here. I'm not here to preach, but rather to ask us all to think about a topic that is often not preached about in church: covetousness.

What is Covetousness?

The Greek word for covetousness is "Pleonexia". It's a sinful desire for what belongs to another person. It has been described as ruthless and self-seeking, a desire for something a man has no right to have. This desire is insatiable, like trying to fill a bowl with a hole in it, and it will never be satisfied. The sin of covetousness has a wide range. For example, a desire for prestige can lead to evil ambition , a desire for power can lead to sadistic tyranny , and a desire for a person can lead to sexual sin.

Biblical Stories of Covetousness

I want to look at a few stories from the Bible to see what it says about covetousness and its effects.

• The Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21): A man in the crowd asks Jesus to tell his brother to divide their inheritance with him. Jesus responds, "Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?". This man's request was not in alignment with what Christ was sent to do, as Jesus was not here for physical things but for the spiritual. Jesus came to preach the gospel and command all mankind to repent so their souls can be saved. The man in the parable constantly uses the pronoun "I" and only cares about himself. The warning Jesus gives, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance, in the abundance of his possession" (Luke 12:15) , applies to us today.

• The Story of Achan (Joshua 7): After the Israelites brought down the walls of Jericho, a man named Achan came upon some items in the rubble. God had given a commandment in Joshua 6:17-19 that the city and everything in it was to be accursed to the Lord, and that no one should take of the accursed thing. Achan confessed, "When I saw among the spoils... I then coveted them, and took them" (Joshua 7:21). Because of his sin, Achan, his family, and all their possessions were burned with fire. His willful disobedience brought a curse upon himself, his family, and the entire camp, causing 36 men to die. The Lord says that our sin will find us out, and he sees even our secret sins.

• The Story of Naboth's Vineyard (1 Kings 21): Naboth had a vineyard next to the palace of King Ahab. King Ahab wanted it for a garden, but Naboth refused to give away his family's inheritance, as it was forbidden by Old Testament law. Jezebel, the king's wife, forged a letter in Ahab's name and sent it to the elders, telling them to hire two men to bear false witness against Naboth. Naboth was then stoned to death, and Jezebel told Ahab to take possession of the vineyard. Here we see how covetousness led to lying, false witness, and ultimately, murder.

Combating Covetousness

There is a cure for covetousness.

• Store up Treasures in Heaven: Matthew 6:19-21 says, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven... for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also". We are to be a blessing to others by giving to the poor and to the church.

• Be Content: Contentment is another way to combat covetousness. The apostle Paul said in Philippians 4:11-13, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances... I can do all this through him who gives me strength".

• Love: The most excellent way to combat covetousness is with love. Romans 13:8-10 says, "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law... for this, 'You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,' and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law". When a person truly loves their neighbor, they won't covet their spouse, their house, or anything that belongs to them. Love is the ultimate combatant of covetousness, and it is the fulfillment of the law

A Godly Mindset, August 3rd, 2025

Hallelujah. Praise be to God. I want to talk about a very unpopular topic this morning . It's unpopular because we don't hear about it or meditate on it often . But the Lord laid it on my heart, so I want to share it. We all have to decide how we are going to follow Christ. His call is a call to a life of carrying our cross and following him, otherwise, you cannot be his disciple. We often hear about the blessings of God and deliverance, but we don't hear enough about what the Lord wants our thinking to be like .

This morning, the Lord laid on my heart to talk about Philippians chapter 2, verse 5, where Paul writes, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" . I want you to focus on the word "mind" because it is a tricky thing. The Bible teaches that man is a tripartite being, meaning we have three parts: body, soul, and spirit . The soul is made up of your intellect, will, and emotions . The Lord is telling us that our mind is important because there is a lot of fighting going on inside of it. Our mind is naturally corrupted, which is why it needs to be renewed by the word of God .

Let's look at Philippians chapter 3, verses 18-19, which says, "For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you, even weeping, that they are the enemies of the Cross of Christ; whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who mind earthly things" . Paul is writing about people who call themselves Christians, but are enemies of the Cross of Christ because they mind earthly things .

In Matthew chapter 16, Jesus talks to Peter and calls him "Satan" for minding the things of man instead of the things of God . This shows that we can be believers with a revelation from God, but still mind the things of men and not God . The Lord wants us to be spiritually minded, because to be "carnally minded" or "minded according to the flesh is death, but the mind of the spirit is life and peace" .

Colossians chapter 3, verses 1-2, says, "If you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth" . Our minds are captivated by the glitzy things of the world, like new phones, gadgets, and places . The priorities of the church today, including us, are very worldly. We need to be heavenly minded and ask the Lord to transform our minds.

Here are some key points to remember:

• The Mind's Corruption: The human mind is a tripartite being made up of the body, soul, and spirit . However, our mind is naturally corrupted and needs to be renewed by the word of God .

• Minding Earthly Things: Paul warns that those who "mind earthly things" are enemies of the Cross of Christ, even if they call themselves Christians . Earthly things include power, money, position, and education .

• Spiritual vs. Carnal Mind: Jesus rebuked Peter for "minding not the things of God, but the things of men". This is a reminder that we can have a revelation from God and still be carnally minded, which leads to death, while a spiritually minded person has life and peace .

• Setting Your Mind Above: We are called to "set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on the Earth". The early church was powerful because their minds were focused on eternal, heavenly things and the purposes of God .

• Prayer and Priorities: When we become heavenly-minded, our prayers and priorities will change to align with God's will, seeking true eternal riches instead of worldly distractions .

Captured By A Heavenly Vision (Sunday, July 27, 2025)

Good morning, church!

What a joy it is to be here with all of you today. My heart is truly full. I want to thank Pastor Manoj and this congregation for opening your arms and welcoming me. And I especially want to acknowledge Pastor Glenn Cunningham. It’s a divine connection, and I believe our steps are ordered by the Lord. When I see what God is doing here in Portland, my heart rejoices because it tells me—God is not finished. He is still working. He is still moving.

I remember coming to this church many years ago when it was in a different location. So to be here again, and to worship with you today, is more than just another Sunday service—it’s a testimony of God’s grace and faithfulness.

Let me begin by sharing a very personal story.

About a year ago, I never imagined I would stand and preach again. I was fighting for every breath I took. I had developed severe pulmonary fibrosis. I couldn’t walk five feet. I couldn’t climb a single step. I couldn’t speak without intense coughing. I was on oxygen 24/7. I carried a machine with me everywhere I went. I was weak, and I was weary.

Eventually, I had a double lung transplant. Two new lungs. Breathing today because of someone else's lungs. And even though the surgery was successful, what came after was even more critical. The danger of rejection. The risk of infection. The fear of every breath. Doctors told me I should not travel, that I should avoid crowds, that I should wear a mask and stay isolated.

But here I am.

Standing before you—not because of anything I’ve done—but because of the mercy and healing power of Almighty God. I don’t take this moment for granted. And I want to say to anyone here who is facing illness, discouragement, or impossible odds: our God still heals. He still restores. He still makes a way where there is no way.

And not tomorrow. Today.
Not in theory. In reality.

If you are seeking healing today—emotional, physical, spiritual—then hear me clearly: God is ready to meet you right now. You don’t have to leave this sanctuary the same way you came in.

Now I want to turn our attention to Acts 26:19, where Paul stands before King Agrippa and says:

“So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision.”

That’s where this message was born.
Let me speak to you today about being Captured by a Heavenly Vision.

THE POWER OF A HEAVENLY VISION

There’s something about a vision from God that changes everything. When Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus, he wasn’t just converted—he was commissioned. He saw something greater than himself. A vision that gave him a new name, a new mission, and a new future.

You see, when heaven gives you a vision, you can’t stay where you are. You can’t keep doing what you used to do. The scales fall off your eyes. Your direction shifts. Your priorities change. Your values are turned upside down.

Paul was once Saul—a man full of religion but empty of revelation. But when the heavenly vision came, Saul the persecutor became Paul the preacher.

So let me ask you: what is your vision? What are you living for? What is propelling your steps each day? Is it just survival? Is it routine? Or has something divine captured your soul?

I believe God is calling this church—and every individual in it—to rise above the ordinary. We are not here just to go through religious motions. We are here to become vessels of a divine assignment.

You were not saved just to go to heaven.
You were saved to carry heaven into the earth.

THREE KINDS OF PEOPLE

I once heard someone say that there are three kinds of people in the world:

1. Those who make things happen.

2. Those who watch things happen.

3. And those who wonder what happened.

Which one are you?

Those who make things happen are not necessarily the smartest, the richest, or the most experienced. Often, they are simply people captured by a vision. They may not have all the answers, but they have one thing: conviction. They have direction. And that direction comes from the voice of God.

When your vision is from heaven, what seems impossible becomes possible. When your vision is from heaven, you walk into situations with no resources, and somehow God provides. When your vision is from heaven, your limitations no longer define you—your obedience does.

Let me be clear: we do not need more small dreams. We need God-sized dreams. Visions that are impossible without Him. Visions that stretch us, challenge us, scare us, and ultimately transform us.

Microsoft and Apple may have impressive corporate visions—but the vision from God doesn’t end in this life. It ripples into eternity.

OAK TREES, NOT SQUASHES

James Garfield once said, “When God wants an oak tree, He takes 100 years. When He wants a squash, He takes two months.”

What are you building?
Something temporary or something that will last generations?

Squashes are easy. Quick. Short-lived.
But an oak tree? That takes time. That takes patience. That takes faith.

Some of you may be in the waiting room of your calling right now. You’re saying, “Why is it taking so long, Lord?” But God may be growing an oak tree inside you.

Don’t rush it.
Don’t settle for shallow when God is calling you to deep.

YOUNG MEN AND OLD MEN

Acts 2:17 says:

“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.”

I love this verse. It’s not just poetic—it’s prophetic.

God says the young will see visions, and the old will dream dreams. In other words, no one is left out. In the kingdom of God, age is not a disqualifier—it’s a multiplier.

Young people: ask God for a vision that will guide your life.
Older people: don’t give up on your dreams just because your hair is gray or your knees ache.

This is the beauty of the body of Christ—young and old, dreamers and visionaries, working side-by-side for the kingdom.

JOSEPH, PAUL, AND JIMMY

Joseph had a dream, and despite betrayal and prison, that dream became destiny.

Paul had a vision, and he went from religious violence to radical love.

And there was once a boy named Jimmy, who stared at the moon from his bedroom window and said, “Mommy, one day I’ll walk on that moon.” 32 years later, James Irwin became one of just twelve men in history to walk on the surface of the moon.

Don’t despise small beginnings. Don’t dismiss your childhood dreams. Don’t forget what God whispered in your heart when no one else believed.

If God gave it to you, He will bring it to pass.

OBLIGATED, EAGER, AND UNASHAMED

Paul says in Romans 1:14-16:

• “I am obligated…” – we have a responsibility to the world.

• “I am eager…” – we must have passion to carry out that responsibility.

• “I am not ashamed…” – we must walk in boldness, without fear.

Church, we are obligated to the people of Portland, to Oregon, to this nation, and even to the ends of the earth. We are called not to hide but to shine. Not to retreat but to advance.

OUR GOD IS ABLE

Let me close with this beautiful passage from Ephesians 3:20-21:

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us…”

God is not just able to do what you ask.
He is able to do more than you can even imagine.

So why are we limiting our prayers?
Why are we reducing our dreams?
Why are we putting God inside a box?

He is able. And He is willing.

So today, I call you—every family, every parent, every child, every elder—to lift your eyes again. Receive a vision that’s bigger than your current reality. Let the Holy Spirit ignite your imagination again. Let the fire of calling burn in your bones.

This church will not remain the same. This room will overflow. Your ministry will multiply. Your impact will expand. Not because of your strength, but because of the heavenly vision that captures your heart.

Receive it today.
Walk in it tomorrow.
And watch what God will do in the days ahead.

May the Lord bless you, keep you, and give you vision that shapes eternity.

Amen.