NOT TO THE SWIFT

Ecclesiastes 9:11

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I have never been that swift. Even the periods of my life when weight was not an issue, I was still flat-footed and clumsy. But that is okay. Because the Bible says “that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill”

 

I. THE PROBLEM WITH ABILITY

 

1. The Swift can be Ignorant [2 Sam. 18:19-33]

 

2. The Swift can be Arrogant [Is. 30:15-16]

 

For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not. But ye said, No; for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift.

 

3. The Swift can be Evil [Pr. 6:16-18]

 

These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

 

II. THE PROPERNESS OF THE ALMIGHTY

 

1. The Lord is a Swift Witness [Malachi 3:5]

 

And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.

 

2. The Lord is a Swift Judge [2 Peter 2:1]

 

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

 

3. The Lord desires Swift Hearers [James 1:19-22]

 

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

 

III. THE PROSPECTIVE OF THE AVERAGE PERSON [1 Cor. 1:26-31]

 

For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence . But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

 

1. The Growth of Maturity [1 Peter 2:2, 3:18]

 

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby :

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever . Amen.

 

2. The Growth of Witnessing [1 Corinthians 3:6-7]

 

I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

 

3. The Growth of Righteousness [Ps. 1]

 

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.