Split Sermon: Salutation
I was driving along in my car one day, when I came up behind a car with a Star
Trek bumper sticker affixed to the right side of the bumper. It read,
“Live Long and Prosper”
As I took in those words and they registered in my conscience, it was as if I
felt my body being filled with power and energy.
What a nice thing to say to somebody!!
I had heard these words several times a week in my 33 year experience as a fan
of the TV series, “Star Trek” but this was the first time I had ever had them
addressed to me, personally.
As I continued to drive, I focused on the reaction I had to being given this
verbal blessing…
“Live long and prosper”
As I meditated on the exhilaration I was feeling it came to me that if these 4
simple words could make me feel so good; so powerful, then there must be more to
them than just 18 letters of the alphabet.
There must be a Biblical connection. These words must be Spiritual.
SPS: Today I want to show you that these words…
“Live long and prosper”
…are the promise of God.
Spock was not the first one to give man this greeting and salutation [polite
expression of greeting or goodwill]; it was our Father in heaven.
First, let us look at the meaning of the words.
As my dictionary, I use the Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary from 1913 as it uses
the Bible quite extensively in its definitions.
First the word “live”:
1) To be alive. To have the capacity of assimilating matter as food, and to
be dependent on such assimilation for a continuance of existence. (Spiritual
meaning of dependence)
John 6:63
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I
speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. (we have dependence on
those words)
2) To pass one’s time; to pass life or time in a certain manner, as to
habits, conduct, or circumstances.
3) To feed, to subsist; to be nourished or supported.
4) To have a spiritual existence; to be quickened, nourished, and actuated by
divine influence or faith.
Galatians 3:11 (last part of verse)
…the just shall live by faith.
5) To act habitually in conformity with something.
Fox (commentator) said, “To live the Gospel”.
6) To be in a state of ignition; burning; having active properties.
Imparting power. (Invoking Godly Principles)
Now I want to look at some scriptures that show this promise of “long life”.
What you are going to see is that the phrase “live long and prosper” is more
than a salutation or greeting; it is an admonition….. a responsibility.
Proverbs 3:1-2
1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
Proverbs 10:27
The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be
shortened.
Now turn to Exodus 20:12
Exodus 20:12
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which
the LORD thy God giveth thee.
This is repeated in the New Testament:
Ephesians 6:1-3
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
Proverbs 9:10-11
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the
holy is understanding.
11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be
increased.
God promises more than just long life on earth, He promises Eternal life.
Matthew 25:34-36
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my
Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me
drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and
ye came unto me.
Matthew 25:45-46
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did
it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into
life eternal.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus
Christ our Lord.
This final verse on “live long” is dedicated to all the infants we have blessed
over the years. It is part of the blessing we give them by the authority of
Jesus Christ.
Turn to Psalm 91 and begin in verse 1
Psalm 91:1-11
1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the
shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I
trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the
noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust:
his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that
flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that
wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it
shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy
habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy
dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
Now I want to look at the second part of this promise from God…”To live long
and prosper.”
Back again to our Webster’s Unabridged:
1) To be successful, to succeed; to be fortunate…to thrive.
2) To grow or increase.
3) To advance or gain in anything good or desirable.
Jerald Taylor said that “Prosperities can only be enjoyed by them who fear not
at all to lose them.
I want to look at Vines Expository Dictionary on this word “prosper”…
euodoo ^2137^, "to help on one's way". It is used in the passive
voice signifying "to have a prosperous journey,"
Interesting, the definition of the word is one of flowing out from one’s self.
Prosperity is something given. We receive it from God and we give it to each
other.
1 Corinthians 10:24
Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
1 Chronicles 22:12-13
12 Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge
concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the LORD thy God.
13 Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and
judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of
good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed.
Notice: God gave us the Law not because He is some kind of task master but
because it gives us prosperity.
And we know that Law leads to Godly Principles and all Godly Principles lead
people to prosperity. When we invoke a principle of God, not only do people see
God, but they prosper by the experience.
Look at Isaiah 55 and verse 11
Isaiah 55:11
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto
me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in
the thing whereto I sent it.
God opens His mouth and sends forth His word and whatever His word
touches…prospers.
2 Chronicles 26:3-5---(Speaking of a good king of Judah)
3 Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and
two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Jecoliah of Jerusalem.
4 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all
that his father Amaziah did.
5 And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the
visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.
And by extension, those in Judah prospered. We see that if we are prospering in
our obedience to God, then those around us also prosper.
So when we bless others with the words, “Live Long and Prosper” we are asking
God to spread our prosperity to others…an outflowing.
Revelation 22 talks about a river of pure water flowing OUT from the throne of
God and prosperity will cover the earth.
God will then tell us forever in eternal life,
Live long and prosper.
Let us look at one final verse that brings both parts of this promise together
Proverbs 3:13-16
13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the
gain thereof than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are
not to be compared unto her.
16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
Long life in her right hand and prosperity in her left hand.
So I give you the promise of God…
“LIVE LONG AND PROSPER”
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