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Split Sermon: Salutation
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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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