“The Warning Label”

Kennard Friends Church

May 6, 2012

Bob Lines

This past week Jan went to the doctor and was prescribed an antibiotic for an infection. The doctor prescribed the antibiotic to make her better. However, the pill to help her came with a long list of warning for possible side effects; some of which she had to suffer through in order to get better. I’m sure you have noticed the commercials on TV for drugs that have the strangest warnings. Let me share just a few.

Nexium (for acid reflux) In adults 18 and older, side effects with NEXIUM include headache, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Relief of symptoms with Nexium does not rule out the existence of other serious stomach conditions. Talk to your doctor about your risk for bone fractures if you take multiple daily doses of Nexium for a long period of time. Talk to your doctor about your risk for low magnesium levels if you take NEXIUM for a long period of time. Lipitor – for cholesterol LIPITOR can cause serious side effects. These side effects have happened only to a small number of people. Your doctor can monitor you for them. These side effects usually go away if your dose is lowered or LIPITOR is stopped. These serious side effects include: • Muscle problems. LIPITOR can cause serious muscle problems that can lead to kidney problems, including kidney failure. You have a higher chance for muscle problems if you are taking certain other medicines with LIPITOR.
• Liver problems. LIPITOR can cause liver problems. Your doctor may do blood tests to check your liver before you start taking LIPITOR, and while you take it. Call your doctor right away if:
• You have muscle problems like weakness, tenderness, or pain that happen without a good reason, especially if you also have a fever or feel more tired than usual
• You have allergic reactions including swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and/or throat that may cause difficulty in breathing or swallowing, which may require treatment right away
• You experience nausea and vomiting
• You pass brown or dark-colored urine
• You feel more tired than usual
• Your skin and whites of your eyes get yellow
• You have stomach pain
• You have an allergic skin reaction In clinical studies, patients reported the following common side effects while taking LIPITOR:
• Diarrhea
• Upset stomach
• Muscle and joint pain
• Alterations in some laboratory tests The following additional side effects have been reported with LIPITOR:
• Tiredness
• Tendon problems Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that bother you or that will not go away.

These are not all the side effects of LIPITOR. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a complete list. Plavix – for heart issues
1. PLAVIX can cause bleeding which can be serious and can sometimes lead to death. PLAVIX is a blood thinner medicine that lowers the chance of blood clots forming in your body.
While you take PLAVIX:
• you may bruise and bleed more easily
• you are more likely to have nose bleeds
• it will take longer for any bleeding to stop Call your doctor right away if you have any of these signs or symptoms of bleeding:
• unexpected bleeding or bleeding that lasts a long time
• blood in your urine (pink, red or brown urine)
• red or black stools (looks like tar)
• bruises that happen without a known cause or get larger
• cough up blood or blood clots
• vomit blood or your vomit looks like coffee grounds (“Good to the last puke?”)


These are warnings that are meant to help, but they sure seem to make what is good SEEM bad. God has a way of putting warning labels out for us. They are definitely meant to help us. They may seem to be bad, but are ultimately for our good.

Let’s look at just a few examples from the Bible, and then we will make it even more personal!

The warning that came to Adam and Eve… but they still took the pill. God told Adam and Eve to eat freely from everything in the Garden EXCEPT the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. But we all know that they ate of that tree and suffered the consequences. Their consequences apply to us even today.

Genesis 2:15-17 15 The LORD God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. 16 But the LORD God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden— 17 except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.”

The warning that came to Lot’s wife… but she still took the pill. God said NOT to look back, but Lot’s wife did. And she immediately turned into a pillar of salt.

The warning that came to Pharaoh… but he still took the pill. God said to Pharaoh “Let my people go”, but he did not. Many of Egypt, including him suffered terribly. The warning that came to the people in the Exodus… but they still took the pill. God told, even showed the people that He would save them from slavery. That He would provide for their daily needs. That He would direct them to the promised land. But many choose to disobey God and even created idols which to serve. An entire generation of those that exited Egypt did NOT get to the promised land.

The warning that came to the rich young ruler… but he still took the pill. Jesus to this young man exactly what HE must do to be a follower. But the man decided it was too much and likely ended up eternally lost. The warning that came to ???… but they still took the pill.

The WARNING that comes to you and me, but… will you and I take the pill? What is God telling you and me to do, or not do?
• Are you to forgive, but you have taken the pill of resentment?
• Are you to speak with hope, but you have taken the pill of doubt?
• Are you to think positive thoughts, but you have swallowed the pill of negativity?
• Are you to give generously, but have taken the pill of stinginess?
• Are you to claim that you are being blessed through the riches of Christ, yet take a daily pill of poverty?
• Are you to choose Heaven, but are on a prescription of Hell?

Luke 3:17-19 17 He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.” 18 John used many such warnings as he announced the Good News to the people.

• Are you to choose life, but have chosen the pill for death?
• Are you to choose love, but have gobbled up bottles of pills of hate?
• Are you to make a deeper commitment to Jesus, but have swallowed the pill of being content to just know about him?
• Are you to choose being a servant to others, but you have taken the pill of being served? • Are you… (fill in the blank)

Let’s close in prayer by singing a song of response that will help the Holy Spirit move us to whatever He has in mind to close today’s service.

Hebrews 3:12-14 12 Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters.[a] Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. 13 You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. 14 For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.