Congratulations!!!!!

Congratulations and best wishes to the Rutherford church of Christ in Spindale, NC on getting a new building and a new preacher.  A new building puts them on a level playing field.  Rutherford County, at least at one time, was the 2nd largest county in the state of North Carolina and there are only two congregations of the Lord’s church, totaling less than 75 people.

This is a huge opportunity for them. My God bless the efforts there.  Jim Hobbs is the new preacher, from my understanding he will begin his work there in August.

Keep this church in your prayers for they truly are in a mission field.

Hope, Life and Change

This past Saturday, the Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago White Sox played in the 3rd Annual Civil Rights Game.  It was the first time the game was held in a major league stadium  (Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati) and the first time it was a regular season game.

As a part of the festivities, Major League Baseball and the Reds honored three Beacon Award winners.  The Beacon Awards honors individuals in the areas of hope, life and change.

Comedian Bill Cosby was the Beacon of Hope winner.  Baseball Hall of Famer and former Home Run Champion Hank Aaron was the Beacon of Life winner and legendary boxer and heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali was the Beacon of change winner.

All three men were deserving of the awards — all three have done great things in their respective arenas.  But, the reason for this post is to let you know that we get all three of these characteristics in Jesus Christ.

Faith and obedience in God and Jesus Christ our savior gives us hope — Colossians 1:23, 27.  Ephesians 5 talks about freedom in Christ and verse 5 specifically speaks about hope.  “But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope.” 

Other verses that deal with hope — real hope — not the artificial words of slick talking politicians or comedians or celebrities, etc.  Romans 5:2 “through whom we have gained access by faith  into this grace in which we now stand.  And we rejoice in the hope of the Glory of God.”

Romans 8:24-25 “For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all.  Who hopes for what he already has?  But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”

Romans 15:13 speaks of the God of hope and that we overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Also see Titus 2:13; I Thessalonians 5:8 and Ephesians 1:18.

Faith and obedience in God and Christ gives us life.  Jesus said in John 14:6 “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” 

The Lord stated His reason for coming in John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  Some versions use the term abundantly.

Acts 17:25 is another verse dealing with Jesus giving life as Paul was speaking to the Athenians concerning the “unknown God.”

Other verses dealing with life include I John 1:2 and I John 5:16.

Faith and obedience in God and Christ give us change.  Again this is real change, not overdone political rhetoric, but genuine change.  You can’t come into contact with Jesus and not change.

Look at his apostles — none were scholarly or well read with the possible exception of Luke, who was a physician.  He had fisherman and even a tax collector among his chosen 12 and they turned the world upside down.

Saul of Tarsus, a professional terrorist, a true enemy of the Cross, met Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9) and he became Paul, the chosen vessel for the Gentiles.  He ended up yielding his life for the very cause he once so vehemently fought against.  That’s change.

He changed us — our lives, our character, our eternity, because of His sacrifice and our subsequent belief and obedience to His will we can be righteous (II Corinthians 5:21) and once again be connected to God the Father, repairing the damage of our separation from Him, because of our sin (Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23). 

With all due respect to Bill Cosby, Hank Aaron and Muhammad Ali as the MLB 2009 Beacon Award winners for Hope, Life and Change.  We need to cast our lot with the One who offers real hope,  real life and real change  — our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Get a grip people

I am appalled at some of the comments that I have heard and read in regards to the absence of Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto.  He has been on the disabled list since May 30 dealing with stress related issues. 

The Reds have kept quiet, per Votto’s wishes, in regards to what exactly is ailing Votto.  He had the flu and then dizziness, which appears to have predicated the current situation.

The comments and innuendo from the fans has been disheartening to say the least.  Nobody has any idea what exactly the issue with Votto is, but he has lost some weight over the issue(s), so this, to me goes beyond simple worry.  I worry about things on occasion, but trust me, I don’t lose weight over them, or I would make worrying a habit.

The speculation has ranged from the ridiculous to the absurd and fans even go so far as to say they have the right to know what Votto’s issue(s) is because they are fans and he is missing time and the Reds are losing games because of his absence.

The fact is, no matter how much money he makes or how of a great of a player he is — WE DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT  TO KNOW WHAT HIS PROBLEM IS UNLESS HE WANTS THE PUBLIC TO KNOW!

People have stated that “if I missed all this time in my job, because of stress I would be let go.”  That may very well be the case.  But, please, stop comparing you’re job with that of a professional athlete.  Besides with all the regulations now (HIPPA, FERPA, FMLA) and the strength of the Baseball Players Union — the Reds could only look bad, going against Votto’s wishes or not paying him, in this instance.  

I want to see the Reds win as bad or worse than anyone else but this would be a PR disaster and no free agent worth his salt would ever consider playing for Cincinnati if they went forward with the information or non-payment.

First and foremost, Votto is a human being — in 15 or so years when his career is over, he will be remembered, but in 50 years he’ll just be a footnote in Reds history.  But, if the Lord allows him to live for the next 50 years he will still be a human being and what he did or did not do on the ballfield, will not matter, his health and well-being will matter.   Baseball is a game — it’s not life and in the grand scheme of things it doesn’t matter. 

So back off and give him time to heal whatever wounds there may be and he will get back to playing baseball soon enough. 

I credit the Reds for showing some compassion here and placing value on the privacy of the person.

I hope Votto is treated well by the fans when he returns to the line-up.  Of course, if he produces — all will be forgotten.

Get well soon Joey!

In a related note on how out of whack we can be about sports.  This week we are having boys basketball camps at the University of Rio Grande.  The sign says “Welcome to the Hard Work Camp”.  I don’t know how you read that, but knowing the coach as I do — he is equating playing, and I emphasize the word playing, basketball to hard work.  I have no problem with improving your skills as a basketball player — but playing or practicing basketball has zero to do with hard work.

Of course, we are talking about the same man who refers to basketball games as “war.”  God Help Us!!

It’s Friday, but Sunday’s Coming

Imagine yourself with Jesus for the last three years.  Having seen all that He had done, heard all that He had said and then it’s that dreadful Friday and He’s on the Old Rugged Cross yielding up His spirit.

Many believed that is His influence would end, perhaps you do as well.  But in all actuality — it is just the beginning.

You see, it’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming!  A glorious Sunday when God will raise Jesus from the dead, just like He said.  The tomb will be empty and death will be conquered.

If the disciples had truly grasped what Jesus had told them concerning the resurrection they would have never forsaken Him.

The Book of Acts shows that after the resurrection they were never the same again.  The resurrection changed the disciples.  It changed our life — our destiny — our eternity as well!

The Apostles went from big talkers, saying the right things but backing down when the rubber met the road, before the resurrection to boldly suffer imprisonment and death following the resurrection.

Jesus helped them to see the big picture of what was to come, what this was really all about (Luke 24:44-48).  Prior to this they didn’t fully understand.

Following that glorious Sunday morning the apostles were willing to serve no matter what the cost was, no matter how dangerous the situation became.

They wrote words of inspiration and faith to all humanity (II Peter 1:12-19; II Timothy 4:6-8.  They endured hardship and sacrifice because they had a “living hope” made possible by the empty tomb of the Lord — (I Peter 1:3).

The resurrection can also change us  — strong belief in the resurrection changes our perspective from that of the world.

Understanding our position in Christ motivates us to want to be like Him — I John 3:1-3.  The Word of God provides an understanding of the things that will truly last.  It enables us to win the battle with discouragement (II Corinthians 4:16-5:2) and motivates us to open our mouths and share the reason for our hope (I Peter 3:15).

Our hope stems from the fact that it was Friday, but Sunday came.

There is a story of boy who loved to read westerns.  He wanted to grow up and be a cowboy.  The story goes, that his father came by his room one night for a brief visit and found him reading one of the books.  The father said to his son “Things must be going well for your cowboy hero.”  The son said, “actually, dad, things aren’t going well at all.  He is surrounded by the bad guys and is close to running out of bullets.”  His father asked, “Well, how can you read the story with a smile on your face then?”  The son replied, “Well, dad, I know how the story ends.  A few minutes ago I jumped ahead and read the last chapter of the book and my hero wins and all the bad guys lose.”

The same principle holds true for us who truly believe in the resurrection of Christ.  We know how the story ends and it has a fantastic conclusion.  We get to be with our wonderful Savior and Father around His matchless throne. 

So, fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, do not despair.  Even though from time to time it may seem like “Friday”, “Sunday” is coming.

For those who are not Christians — it’s not too late for you to take advantage of your opportunity.  Obey the Lord today, because the tomb is still empty, death is still conquered and those who belong to the Lord will still be with Him in eternity.

Our Backward Worship

Romans 1:25 says “They exchanged the truth for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the creator  — who is forever praised. Amen.”

Our worship today, as a whole, is flip-flopped, backwards.  The emphasis has changed from exalting God to glorifying self.  Edification, rather than being a “one another” procedure, is instead a “oneself” enterprise.

People discuss a lot today about what they got out of the worship service.  Whether they got much or little.  Here’s the issue— if the Lord didn’t get anything out of what we gave, then we’ve got it all wrong.  The fact is that we’ll never get much satisifaction from our worship until we start giving our energy and enthusiasm.  We certainly won’t get any recognition from God in the effort of worship if we’ve not first recognized Him.  

Some folks don’t sing because they don’t like to sing.  But God said to sing.  Does it matter what God thinks?  The folks that think that way have it backwards.  They’ve worshipped and served the creature more than the creator (Romans 1:25). 

As far as singing goes — some sing  because they think it will get them to Heaven.  I remember years ago, Bro. Jack Exum talking about faith and he made the statement about the acts of worship and he said “I don’t sing to get to Heaven — I sing because I’m going.”  The same with prayer, with giving.

For what God has done for us — why would we not sing, pray and give with everything we’ve got — unless the focus is on ourselves — I don’t feel good, my feelings were hurt, etc.  Our primary reason for assembling is to worship God, whatever we end up getting out of the worship should be secondary.

It seems like anymore that judging the criteria for class materials and teacher qualifications is not a matter of meeting needs.  The worst crime that a teacher or preacher can commit is to be regarded as boring.  No one feels obligated to attend the teaching unless their attention is captured.  Where is that criteria in the Bible?  What I read is that we should hunger and thirst for righteousness no matter how “non-entertaining” the speaker or the lesson may be.

Let’s include children’s attendance as well.  Kids whose incomes are not necessary to the family’s survival are working and missing services.  Say what you want, but our actions speak volumes about our priorities.

The rich young ruler didn’t have to say that he loved riches more than the Lord. He simply just walked away  — that settled the matter.   I suppose that our kids are learning to be responsible adults by working, but it is not helping them much in the spiritual realm.

Solomon said in Ecclestiastes 12:13 “the whole duty of  man is to fear God and keep His commandments.”

Again, we have it backwards.

We as members — don’t get to one day pick up a spiritual remote control, so to speak, and say “now we’re going to watch what I want to watch, do what I want to do!”  Let’s set the remote back down where it belongs — in God’s hands.  We need to do it His way — worship Him, His way.

Worship in the greek is “proskuneo”  in the noun form it means to “make obesiance, do reverance to.”  It is the most frequent word rendered “to worship”.  It is used as an act of homage or reverance to God.  Matthew 4:10 “Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me Satan! For it is written” Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only’”.

Other verses on proper worship — John 4:21-24. v. 24 says that God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth.”

I Corinthians 14:23-39; Revelation 4:10-11.

There are verses that point to our worship of Jesus — Matthew 2:2, 8 and 11; Matthew 14:33 “Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’”   Also see Matthew 28:9, 17 and John 9:38.

Worshipping God is one of the most important things that we  do.  Getting something out of it for us is important — edification, encouragement, etc., but we are not the focus — God is.  God is the one who must be pleased with our worship — not ourselves.  If we are pleased and He is not, then we have wasted our time and are not worshipping Him “in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).

Dave and the Giant Pickle

Last night I was reading a Veggie Tales story to my daughter, Maddie (who is 3 1/2).  The story was entitled Dave and the Giant Pickle.  This was Veggie Tales version of the account of David and Goliath.

As I reading the story, Maddie interrupted and said “it’s David, not Dave.”  We have shared the story of David and Goliath with her since almost the day she was born. 

It struck me about the honesty of children; how they grasp on to what  they learn, what they believe to be truth, which in this case is the truth.  She was emphatic it was David, not Dave.  Anything, but what she had learned, anything but truth was unacceptable.

May we learn a lesson from Maddie and from little children — anything but truth is unacceptable. 

It’s no wonder that Jesus said in Matthew 18:3-4 “And he said, ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will not enter the kingdom of Heaven.  Therefore whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven.’”

Mark 10:15 is much like it “I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

We also must be careful what we teach our children and to make sure that what we teach is the truth.  Mark 9:42 says “And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck.”

This was also reinforcement to me that it is never too early to begin teaching the truth of God’s Word to our children.  “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children.  Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Write them on your doorframes of your houses  and on your gates.”  — Deuteronomy 6:6-8.

May we grasp on to the truth of God’s Word like a little child.  To the point that anything but the truth is unacceptable.

Thought for the Day #10

“I’m an optimist, because I don’t think pessimism and faith are easy bedfellows.” — John Stott.

Give Thanks to the Lord for He is good

Gives Thanks to the Lord for He is Good

The following is a combination of my thoughts and thoughts expressed in a article that I came across some time ago.

The goodness of God is declared in many scriptures (Exodus 34:6-7), Psalm 25:8; 31:19; 33:5; 34:8; 52:1; 73:1; 86:5; 100:5; 103:8; 119:68; 145:8-9; Lamentations 3:25, Acts 14:17.

To say that God is good is to make an assessment about His perfect nature.  Nothing is lacking in God.  His goodness is perfect, nothing can be added to make His goodness better.   

Created things and beings are declared good by God (Genesis 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31).  Although the goodness of creation is derived from God, God’s goodness is inherent in the essence of His very being.  It is for that reason   that Jesus could declare that “no one is good but One, that is God” (Matthew 19:17; Mark 10:18).  God is not defined in terms of goodness, but rather goodness is defined by the nature of God.

People observe the goodness of God because experiences with Him demonstrate that his activity is good.  Psalms 107 provides such an observation.  The central theme of Psalms 107 is that God is good.  Because the Psalmist had experienced the goodness of God, he could exhort, “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!  For His mercy endures forever” (Psalms 107:1, see also 106:1; 118:1; 136:1; see also I Chronicles 16:34).  This exhortation to give thanks was specifically addressed to the redeemed who had been recipients of the goodness of God, i.e., thus, “Let the redeemed the Lord say so” (Psalms 107:2).  This psalm declares that God is good because he redeemed his people “from the hand of enemy” and gathered them “out of the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south” (verses 2-3).   

The Psalmist describes God’s goodness in terms of redemption and governance.  God’s goodness is evident because He redeems His people from their perils.  Four times the plight of God’s people is described (v. 4-5, 10-12, 17-18, and 23-27).  Each time “they cried out to the Lord in their trouble” (v. 6, 13, 19, and 28).  Each time God delivered his people (v. 6-7, 13-14, 19-28).  Each time the Psalmist expressed his desire, “oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” (verses 8, 15, 21, 31).  And each time a description is given about God’s blessings to those who had cried out to him (verses 9, 16; 20, 29-30).

The Psalmists observes that God’s goodness is evident in his governance over nature and human events.  He declares that God has power to turn “rivers into a wilderness, and the water springs into dry ground; A fruitful land into barrenness.”  This He does because of “the wickedness of those who dwell in it” (verses 33-34).  On the flip side, God can turn “a wilderness into pools of water, and dry land into water springs.” (verse 35).  The implication is that in this way God rewards the righteous who dwell there.  “There He makes the hungry dwell, that they may yield a fruitful harvest.  He also blesses them, and they multiply greatly; and He does not let their cattle decrease” (verses 36-38).  The prophet Nahum expressed a similar thought, “The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him” (Nahum 1:7).

God is just in his governance over humanity.  When the righteous “are diminished and brought low through oppression, affliction and sorrow, He pours contempt on princes, and causes them to wander in the wilderness where there is no way; yet He sets the poor on high, far from affliction, and makes their families like a flock” (verses 39-41).

All who are righteous respond to God’s goodness by recognizing it and ceasing from iniquity (verse 42).  Finally, the Psalmist declares that “whoever is wise will observe these things, and they will understand the loving kindness of the Lord” (verse 43).

There are many other scriptures that also declare God’s goodness.  An  overview of the Old and New Testaments indicates that God’s goodness is made known by His activity.  God’s goodness is demonstrated in creation and in His provisions for all living creatures (Psalms 145: 8-9; Acts 14:17; James 1:17).  His goodness is observed in his providential care (Genesis 28:8, 14; I Kings 17:9) and guidance (Genesis 50:20) of those who love and trust Him (Psalm 34:8; Ezra 8:22; Romans 8:28).  God’s goodness is also indicated by His statutes (Psalm 119:64, 68).

God’s goodness is supremely manifested in His redemption of believers from their sins.  Through the Law of Moses and the Levitical Priesthood, God provided atonement for the sins of Israelites (Exodus 39:26; Leviticus 6:7; Deuteronomy 32:43; Proverbs 16:6).  “Good and upright is the Lord; Therefore He teaches sinners in the way” (Psalm 25:8).  “For you, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You” (Psalm 86:5).

No where is God’s goodness more greatly demonstrated than in the giving of his Son (Luke 2:10-11; John 3:16) to redeem believers from their sins (Romans 5:6-8; Titus 2:11).  Eternal redemption is through the blood of Jesus Christ (Romans 3:24; I Corinthians 1:30; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; Hebrews 9:12, 15). This salvation is made known through the gospel (Mark 1:1, 15; Luke 4:18; Romans 1:16; Ephesians 1:13; 3:6; I Timothy 1:11; II Timothy 1:10).

If the Psalmist, who lived before God’s eternal plan of redemption had been disclosed, had reason to thank God for his goodness, (and he did) surely we, to whom that plan of eternal redemption has now been made available, should have greater reason to thank God for his goodness.  “Or do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans   2:4, see also II Peter 3:9).  Recognition of God’s goodness should prompt thanksgiving, praise, love and obedience.  “We love him because He first loved us” (I John 4:19).  Therefore, “give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!  For His mercy endures forever.  Let the redeemed of the Lord say so” (Psalm 107:1-2a).  We can thank God not only for redemption from various plights in this life, as did the Psalmist, but also, like angels in heaven, we can thank God for his goodness in providing eternal redemption (Revelation 7:9-12).

Knowledge & Zeal

Knowledge and Zeal

Read Romans 10:1-4

Notice that knowledge and zeal are the basis for evaluation. Paul points to Jews who had zeal without knowledge.  Zeal is an aggressive, a stirred up spirit.  The word comes from a Greek word meaning “to boil.”  Jews were “fired up.”  They were opposite from passive in their religious approach, that’s fine.  It is great to run fast and hard, unless you run in the wrong direction.  Paul understood their problem – their mindset.  He had been there.  He told the Jerusalem Jews that he had been “zealous toward God as you are today,” in Acts 22:3 – and just as ignorant of Jesus.

 Galatians 1:14 “And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.”

“Exceedingly zealous” – exceedingly wrong concerning Jesus.  A terrible tragedy and many find themselves there today and many do not realize it.

Athenians  

The Athenians were very religious.

Acts 17:22 “Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said ‘Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.”

They collected every god they found and eagerly worshipped them all.  They were zealous! They even had an altar to “the unknown God” – just in case they missed one.  Their zeal was commendable but their ignorance totally missed the only true God.

Zeal without knowledge is of no profit.  Zeal without knowledge infected first century Athens and Jerusalem. 

What about us – today?

What about our town? What about church?  The plague continues.  Hosts of people are just like that – even in the church.  They are very zealous, – but they have no clue what they are doing, which is sad.

However, a different problem infest others.

Laodicean church

Revelation 3:14 “To the Angel of the church in Laodicea write.  These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.”

Ignorance was not their problem. Their critical need was not another Bible class.  Rather, they were “lukewarm and neither hot or cold.”  Was that a big deal?  Ask the Lord!

Revelation 3:16 “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth.”

What was the Lord’s message to them?  What did they need?  Be zealous and repent!

People with knowledge but no zeal make great scholars and impressive speakers.  They quickly and correctly answer any Bible question thrown at them.  They have all the facts without an active faith.  All that knowledge, but they are spiritual couch potatoes – data banks – with no heart.  Informed but lost. 

Pharisees

The Pharisees were like that.  Jesus never condemned the Pharisees for ignorance.  Just the opposite. 

Matthew 23:2f Jesus told the disciples “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.  Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do.”

What a recommendation by Jesus.  Listen to the Pharisees, do what they tell you. The Pharisees knew the law, no question about it.  You asked them a question and they would tell you exactly what the law said. If you asked them they would tell you exactly what the law meant.  Ask a Pharisee and he would tell you what the law required you to do, even if the demands were “heavy burdens.”

Their problem was they were not zealous about doing the law.  They “say and do not” Matthew 23:3. They would hardly lift a finger to do what they knew – Matthew 23:4.

Apollos

Remember Apollos?  “He was instructed in the way of the Lord and he was fervent in spirit “– Acts 18:25.

Without a fervent spirit, expect no spiritual fruit such as love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self control (the fruits of the spirit in Galatians 5:22).  Such fruit must have roots in zeal as well as knowledge. People may know all truth, answers, arguments, principles and still be dead in heart.  Not a few of these specimens sit on our pews — well informed, but without any zeal for God.

The call to be a Christian necessarily calls for zeal – “that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works,” Titus 2:14.

Third Category

There is a third category.  There are people who are on the church rolls, attend the assemblies, sit on the pews, sing the songs, say the prayers, but they have neither zeal nor knowledge.  They do not know even the first principles of the oracles of God – Hebrews 5:12 “In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s Word all over again.  You need milk, not solid food.”

And what’s worse, they don’t care!  They do not see and will not look if you show them!  That his shades of ancient Israel!

Jeremiah accused Israel in Jeremiah 10:14 “Everyone is dull-hearted, without knowledge.”

We boast otherwise, but more than a few fit this description and there is little hope for them.

Knowledge and zeal are essential, vital companions.  Success is virtually assured by the pair; failure guaranteed when the pair is broken.  Step Up!  Join hands with the Bereans, who “searched the scriptures daily” in Acts 17:11.  Step up! Join hands with Paul and “press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 3:14.

Take a Stand

Take a Stand

Read: II Timothy 2:1-7

Ephesians 6:10f

This is very practical for all of us.   Because we are all involved in spiritual warfare. It is not something that you can say – I don’t want to get involved or I am not going to volunteer. You are in the battle whether you like it or not.

In scripture we are called to fight the good fight of faith. And so we need to have a good idea about who our enemy is and to fight a spiritual war.

Now there is no text in scripture that speaks of this more clearly than Ephesians 6:10-18.

In this text Paul says that we are in a war. And we are commanded in this war to take a stand. So that is why we need more understanding of the  conflict that is going on.

Our struggle is with an enemy that we cannot fight with conventional weapons. Our battle is not against human beings. Paul says the real battle is going on with unseen spirit beings. We cannot see them but we can see their handiwork.

Unbelievers will acknowledge that there is evil in the world but they do not believe it is due to unseen forces. If that is your belief it can cause you to treat the symptoms of evil without dealing with the real cause of evil.

Satan is most effective when he can persuade people that he does not exist.

He also is very effective in persuading Christians to live like it is peace time rather than war time.

A lot of us are in a war but not at war.

I want to remind us that we are living in a war zone.

Paul says that the battle is real and if we are going to be good soldiers we need to train for spiritual combat. Stand and his forces are against us.

If you are not colliding with the devil in battle then maybe you are going in the same direction that he is going.

If you are swimming upstream in a downstream world then you realize that there are regular battles being fought.

When Jesus addressed the seven churches of Asia mentioned in Revelation 2,3 – four times he will specifically mentioned Satan as he talks to the churches.

And so we should not be ignorant of his schemes.

How do the forces of darkness make war against churches? What kinds of things do spiritual forces of evil use against the church?

The first way is an attack on the family.

Satan is making divorce among believers as common as it is among non-Christians.

He is causing kids to rebel against their parents, and he is causing parents to neglect and abuse their kids.

Does that sound like our world?

The second thing he does is to separate morality from spirituality.

Churches are filled with hypocrisy.

Satan puts in our minds all that we have to do is show up at church, listen to a few talks, take the Lord’s Supper and then we can leave and live however we want to live. And once we leave we can watch all the movies we want, talk like we want to treat people however we feel like treating them. It’s okay to be sexually impure if we want to. You can be grumpy and miserable around people. You can be lazy and not work. You can use foul language.  Satan makes us think all of those are okay as long we go to church on Sunday.

Another thing that Satan does is instill in our hearts that we do not have to grow up spiritually. 

It is all right to be a spiritual baby and not produce and get involved in ministry. Satan like churches where people have been in the church for 10,20,30 years and just sit there week after week without getting involved or lifting a finger to do anything.

Satan is thrilled when we have people who have been Christians for years but have never brought anybody else to Christ, or worse, have never even tried.

Another thing that Satan does is he creates divisions in church families.

He does that in many ways.  One way is he gets people fighting over superficial little issues that have nothing to do with the cross of Jesus. And people major on these minors.

Another thing that Satan does is distort the gospel of grace.

He likes it when people think that they will get to heaven based upon their performance in life. Because for some they feel guilty all of the time and wondering if they have done enough to please God. And then there are others who say well I’m not a bad person, and even though I don’t have anything to do with the church and read the bible – I am still a pretty good person. I believe God will let me into heaven.

And finally, Satan does not want the world to know about the spiritual blessings that are found in Christ.
 
Ephesians 6:10 – when he says finally he is not introducing his last subject. He is letting us know in this book some of Satan’s tactics. And then in Chapter 6 he gives his final word on the warfare.
 
First, you need to understand the great blessings for being in Christ.

Ephesians 1:3-23.

Ephesians 1:3 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”

Ephesians 1:13,14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession–to the praise of his glory.”

Second, he reminds them of what the gospel of grace is all about.

Ephesians 2:1-10  

Ephesians 2:1-3 “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.  All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.”

But praise God, look at what can happen because of Christ in Ephesians 2:8,9. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Satan does not want you to think about this – but I want you to think about it. Because Jesus wants you to be saved and to be one of His children.

Third, Paul wants us to know the great blessing of being in the church.

Ephesians 2:11-4:6

First he says that in the church all people are one in Christ, Ephesians 2:11-16.

And that God wants to be glorified in the church, and release his power in the church, Ephesians 3:20,21 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

And there is a unity of belief that should keep us all together, Ephesians 4:3-6. “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit– just as you were called to one hope when you were called–one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Fourth in Ephesians 4:7-16 Paul says that every member in the church has a responsibility to grow up!

We are not to remain spiritual babies but are to grow up and become functioning members in the body of Christ.

Ephesians 4:11-14.

In Ephesians 4:17-5:20 Paul reminds us that if we are in Christ there needs to be some changes in our lives.

We are to walk as children of light and not walk in darkness.

Look at Ephesians 5:8-11. “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.  Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.”

In Ephesians 5:21-6:9 Paul says being in Christ impacts our human relationships.

Husbands and wives are to love one another sacrificially.

Parents are to be spiritual leaders to their children.

Children need to obey their parents.

And when we are out in the working world you are to work to the best of your ability, and that service is not based upon how well the world treats you either. But you should work hard because you are serving Christ and not man.

Conclusion: Paul gives us two ways to fight the good fight.

Number one, keep alert for your spiritual enemy.

I Peter 5:8 says this “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

A soldier has to stay awake and sober when he is on duty.  Those who fail to do so can become causalities of war.

Keep your eyes open.

Number two, keep armed for spiritual victory.

We need to dress for success by wearing the armor of God

First, it better be the armor that God gives, because we are not fighting people we are fighting spirit beings.

Paul says that you have to put on the armor.

We cannot just sit back and say in this evil world – OK Lord take care of this. We are not relieved of responsibility in this battle.

Every one in Christ needs to put on God’s armor. God has resources to defeat the enemy and we have to take advantage of those resources.

Romans 13:12 “The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.”

And it all starts with putting on Christ.

Galatians 3:26,27 “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”

If Jesus Christ has never been confessed publicly as your savior you need to do that.

I Timothy 6:12 says “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

Take a stand!