What Are Your Non-Negotiables? by Brother Curtis Hansen

         Good morning. Before we get into this morning's message, I wanted to recap last Sunday's message. The subject was what are you preparing for? We need to be training for godliness more than goodness. Our subject this morning will be what are your non-negotiables?

        We will be reading from the book of Revelation chapter 2. We will start reading from verse 18. In this chapter, Jesus is speaking about 4 of the 7 churches of Asia Minor to John.

        18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;

        19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

        20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

        21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

        The problem with the church in Thyatira was despite them having visible works, charity, service, faith, and patience, they had suffered a Jezebel spirit in their midst. If we look over in 1 Kings, the weak king Ahab had abdicated his power to his wife Jezebel. She brought upon Israel hundreds of priests of Ba'al and established worship to the wicked idol. King Ahab would continue Jewish customs and ceremonies but also allowed idolatry and pagan worship in Israel.

        Let's go to the book of 1 Corinthians 15 and verse 33.

        33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

        What you speak with your mouth can corrupt your image. You are accountable for participation and permission. The bible says to pray for your enemies, but not God's enemies. Who are his enemies? You can go to Proverbs 6:16-19 for the list of seven things God hates.

        The definition of suffer is to tolerate and allow. A man is the leader and head of his house whole his wife is the support, and she submits to her spouse. When God raises you up as a sword, it is very uncomfortable. How does a church tolerate a spirit of Jezebel? They don't speak at length about repentance. The enemy does not need your participation without your permission. Do you allow the enemy around you? What do you have that rival with God's attention in your life? What do you allow privately? Let's return back to that verse in 1 Corinthians.

         33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

        How do you communicate with others? How do you use your words. body language, or attitude?

        No one seriously falls from the path. It's a gradual drift that has permission. Neither give place means don't lease out space to the enemy either in your heart or house. Lease out space from attitude, entertainment, associations, and conversations.

        How do you evict sin? Attitude. What are your non-negotiables? Your life is guarded non-negotiables. God gives you certain skills, jobs, and direction. Let's go over to the book of Joshua chapter 24 and verse 15.

        15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

        What you allow is what you represent. Look up the definition of saved and match it with your life. Always be evaluating what you're allowing in your circle. When the devil comes, he comes with scripture.

        Here are some examples of non-negotiables in the bible. Daniel 1:8; Daniel purposed himself not to be defiled. We all struggle with our intentions over God. Daniel 1:8 says everything is going to change in life, but he will remain holy.

        Joseph fled Potipher's wife before that situation escalated. He got into a spot where he couldn't control his environment, he wouldn't fornicate himself to Potipher's wife. Nehemiah rebuilding the wall in Jerusalem. The work you're doing is greater than the celebrations and parties the world may throw.

        When people fail it's because they've sown faith in the wrong things. Do not negotiate with temptation. If you don't set your standard, the world will. What are your non-negotiables in life? Is it reading the bible? Is it attendance? Is it prayer? Is it holiness? Integrity is defined as the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. Where is you measure? What is allowed in your life? What is brought into your house?