I Want More

What I Am Coveting This Christmas Isaiah 44:3

I. Introduction (Isaiah 44:3)

A. Christmas is usually about getting THINGS

1. And so, people have a Gimme, Gimme, Gimme kind of attitude towards more things

2. Isa 56:11 Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain…

3. Multitudes of Spoiled brats

B. But a very mature man said in Genesis 33:8,9

1. Gen 33:8,9 And he [ESAU] said, What meanest thou by all this drove which I met? And he [JACOB] said, These are to find grace in the sight of my lord. And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto thyself.

2. He was content with what he already had

3. Didn’t need any more cattle, lambs, money, THINGS

C. The 10th commandment is, Thou shalt NOT covet

1. Rom 13:9 Thou shalt not covet

2. Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

3. Yet for the past month, that is what most everybody has been doing - coveting, desiring more things

D. And yet… there are SOME things we definitely still should covet!

1. The apostle Paul says in 1Co 12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts.

2. Hmmm. I wonder that the best gifts are, that I should covet, desire, want like a thirsty man for water?

II. Message

A. I Want More of Jesus and less of ME

1. John the Baptists said in John 3:30 He [Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease.

2. Oh that there was less of me - not as in a diet

3. But as in less of my opinions, and less of my attitudes

4. And less of my ways of doing things

5. And more of the life of Jesus through me

6. Takes a lot of humility - that almost no one will notice

7. But God will notice

B. I Want More of the Holy Spirit of God, and Less of the Spirit of the World

1. Pro 1:23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.

2. Isa 44:3 For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring

3. Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit

4. Which spirit governs you? a. The spirit of GOD that is holy and driven to serve and please God? b. Or the spirit of this WORLD, that is wicked, and driven to please only yourself and the devil? c. What spirit governs your mouth, your speech, your attitudes, your decisions? d. Which spirit is in control of your life on Sunday evenings when it is preaching time at church and you are sitting at home doing NOTHING of value? e. Which spirit is in control when you live criticizing and fault finding of everyone so that you don’t have to do right yourself?

5. I know which spirit I WANT filling me! God’s Holy Spirit!

C. I Want More of the Bible and less of Entertainment in Me

1. Psa 19:7-10 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

2. David seemed to DESIRE/COVET the words of God!

3. So should you and I

4. So, so, so many things have our attention from the get go, all the way through until we get to sleep at night a. Tech toys b. Playstations - hours and hours and hours c. Phones now d. iPads, tablets, candy crush saga, farm heroes, etc e. Movies out the wazoo f. Checking social media

5. I know what “I” want - more of this book in me a. Scripture memorization - meditation b. Reading my Bible all the way through every year

6. I just know, I am thirsty for more of this Book!

D. I Want More Joy, and Less of Emotional Ups and Downs

1. Isa 29:19 The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

2. THAT’S what I want - my joy to INCREASE!

3. Php 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. ALWAYS!

4. Luke 1:46,47 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

5. I want the kind of joy that can handle the troubles and struggles and battles and keep smiling!

6. Luke 6:22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

7. I just know, I am thirsty for more joy!

E. I Want More Brethren, and Less of ME Time

1. I love Christians… a. Listen to how Paul talks about “the brethren”… Php 4:1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. b. Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. c. 1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently d. I have spent most of my life since my new birth in 1980 with Christians e. Yes, I have worked in some major companies and businesses, surrounded by countless unsaved f. But I love being with believers!

2. Don’t you dare tell me you have something better to do that be with the brethren! a. 1Jn 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. b. 1Jn 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

3. I just want there to be more brethren! More than there currently are

4. Will you help me reach some more in 2020 with the Gospel?

F. And I Want More Contentment and Less of Complaining

1. Eccl 5:10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

2. Php 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

3. 1Ti 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

4. We need to repent of our complaining

5. I am so thirsty for a contented spirit in me

6. Happy and joyous with whatever the Lord gives me

III. Conclusion

A. The Bible says in Isaiah 44:3 I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring

B. God gives these great gifts to those who hunger and thirst for them - yearns

C. Not like a Christmas wish, but a desperate cry to God for these or else we will die

1. More of Jesus and less of ME

2. More of the Holy Spirit of God, and Less of the Spirit of the World

3. More of the Bible and less of Entertainment in Me

4. More Joy, and Less of Emotional Ups and Downs

5. More Brethren, and Less of ME Time

6. More Contentment and Less of Complaining

D. But the greatest gift was hung on a tree, 2000 years ago

1. He was the only person who ever lived perfectly, keeping all the law, and giving His life to save ours

2. Please, please, ask God right now to forgive you and to come into your heart and save you from your sin

3. Receive the greatest gift ever given - JESUS

E. And dear Christian, start coveting the best gifts

F. If you want to actually be satisfied!